Page 161 of Castings & Curses

Sage unlocked and opened the door, and Jessica’s tabby, Pebbles, darted in ahead of Jessica. The cat growled and hissed at the bathroom door.

Sage rounded on her aunt, resigned. Also confused and ticked. “It was you in the woods threatening me yesterday morning.” No question, just plain fact.

The door shut, and Ben and Ricky’s voices drifted away. Jessica looked her point-blank in the eyes. “How’d you figure it out?”

“Pebbles. I recognized her growl and hiss.” Irritation flared in her chest. “Who did your dirty work since you were at the house? Why would you all threaten me?”

“Ben and your cousins helped.” Jessica wrung her hands. “I wanted you to treat the scare as a threat from your enemies, from the Helwigs. To get angry, to show every witch in the region that you won’t take crap from anyone. You need to stop the partying, grow up and take the reins, accept your heritage.”

“It wasyourheritage,” Sage reminded Jessica, not unkindly.

“The role was never mine. You’re more powerful. Younger, more progressive, focused, and aware. More educated. With your aether, you can rule the witchworld someday. Your mother prophesied it after she conceived you.”

Sage’s eyelids fluttered, and shock beat down her anger. “You and Mom planned this?”

“Of course. That’s why she trained you for this role. Unfortunately, it landed in your lap too soon.” Jessica squeezed Sage’s hand. “I will always be here for you. I’ll be your second, but we’ll also need to train your sisters and cousins to run the coven and region.”

“Yeah. After today’s crap-storm, I could’ve bitten the bullet and left you all high and dry.”

“Well, you showed the California region your strength going against a Helwig. Rumor in the entire region is that they made the right choice in choosing you.”

“Did you doubt it?” Relief streamed through Sage’s limbs.

“Not for a second. But you’d marched down a path that could’ve changed everyone’s opinions. At least tell me you have a new warlock now.” Jessica’s focus drifted to the bathroom door, the sound of the shower white noise to mask the occasional sound from outside.

“I do, and more.” Warmth swamped Sage, and she was dying to join Rafael in the shower. Alas, duty prevailed.

“Don't fall in love yet. You can't let love blind you to growing the coven and proving our strength. If you fail, we may never rule the region again. You have plenty of time and the grit to enforce change, to gain respect. Maybe not the Helwigs’ respect and allegiance, but more than enough to keep your majority.”

“Too late. I’m falling.” The water shut off. The shower door clicked open and shut.

“He ignites you.” Jessica’s features softened. “Oh, honey. I’m happy for you. Promise you won’t let him interfere with your duties.”

“He’s the strongest warlock I’ve ever seen. I need him. Now more than ever. Together, we’ll kill it. Mark my words.” Sage knew the moment she’d met Rafael they’d make a formidable pair in the witchworld. She’d show every witch on Earth how her gut never let her down. And she’d prove it while falling in love with him. Rafael at her side gave her a sense of reassurance, and she felt unstoppable.Party girl will not define me ever again. So mote it be!

*.*.*.*.*

The door to Sage’s office burst open and Rafael rushed through. “Sorry, babe. I finished an installation job early and came to work on the cabin. Lost track of time.”

Grinning, Sage shut her laptop and relaxed back against her desk chair. Ten days after the Summer Solstice festival, they’d fallen into a beautiful and happy pattern. Although Rafael worked and lived in town, his time there neared a close. Every moment with him was better than the last and she didn’t see it changing soon, or ever. And she wanted him on the covenstead.

Although she’d never know if her aether magic played a part in Zelda’s death, every witness at the catastrophe concluded that the witch’s death was accidental, brought upon by Zelda’s illegal and unnatural bonding of Rafael and her magic reacting adversely. Sage had to take the consensus at face value and start her new chapter ruling the region with Rafael. The western witchworld counted on her… and counted on her bonding Rafael to form the power duo she’d promised.

She slid an envelope across the desk. “Your first paycheck.”

He slivered his eyes. “Huh?”

“We pay our warlocks. We don’t expect you to quit your jobs and work for free, especially in a more dangerous job.”

Rafael didn’t touch the envelope. “You’re paying me to spend time with you? No, thanks. It’s my honor to be your warlock… and your boyfriend.”

“No, it’s my honor to be your witch and girlfriend.” Sage slid her chair back from the desk. “It’s not a payoff. If your boss cuts your salary because of your warlock duties, we need to cover the difference. Honor doesn’t pay your bills.”

“How do you afford the pay?Youdon’t work.”

Sage’s laughter echoed through the room. She didn’t feel the least bit insulted. They hadn’t much discussed the business side of managing the coven in their time together. Too much kissing and touching, laughing and learning about each other, and hiking in the woods. “My father was a high-profile attorney and a kick-ass investor, like his father. We hold active investments, which I might add, is at least a part-time job.” She quirked her eyebrows. “Plus, every witch contributes in various cottage industries. Heck, my cousin Eden’s a successful novelist.”

Rafael sidled around the desk, and Sage rose to meet him in a passionate, soul-filled kiss. After they broke apart, she leaned her cheek against his chest, loving the scent and feel of him, from the fresh shampoo of his damp hair to his natural musk and the clean laundry fragrance of his dove-gray T-shirt.

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