Page 65 of Pints & Potions

Although she tended to shun magic, Piper had learned all the basics when she was a babe at her father’s knee. The Thornes were all well-versed in all things magical for their own safety. Watching newbie warlocks react to things she took for granted was enlightening and humorous at the same time.

“Piper, come show Carrick what this can do.” Cian held out his hand to her, and she moved closer to take it. He shut the cover and touched the grimoire’s etchings with his free hand. As expected, it lit like a Christmas tree.

“Feck!” Carrick exclaimed as he stepped back. “Is that normal?”

Hoyt laughed. “For some. Your family’s grimoire is as old as I’ve ever seen, son. I’m betting it has all sorts of tricks we’ve never heard of before.”

A meow caught Piper’s notice. A second later, the resident black cat strutted into the chamber. The book hummed and settled on a muted glow.

They all stared, stupefied.

The sound increased as the cat drew closer.

Hoyt was the first to react. “I’ll be a gol-derned monkey’s uncle. That’s the first time I’ve heard one make a noise.”

“At least it’s a happy sound,” Piper added in a shaky voice. “I suppose it could’ve growled at us if it wasn’t.”

The brothers exchanged a wary look.

“It won’t bite, fellas. Never you worry. It does, after all, belong to your family. You’re safe.” Hoyt slapped Cian on the back and shot Carrick an amused grin.

Cian exhaled a ragged breath. “Right.”

In the end, Carrick watched them perform the enchantment from a bench by the room’s entrance, and the contented cat purred within the cradle of his arms. Melancholy came off Cian’s brother in waves, and Piper assumed he was remembering times that he’d watched his wife cast down here. She was sad for him. How horrible it must’ve been to lose his wife in such a tragic accident and have his poor son emotionally scarred for life!

After they closed the circle, she approached him. “Your son is the sweetest thing, Carrick. I’d like to take him for ice cream before I head to the next stop on my trip.”

He looked beyond her shoulder to Cian then back to her, brows drawn together, showing his confusion. “Aeden spoke to you?”

“Yes. Right before you came outside.”

“Hespoketo you?”

Not understanding why he was so incredulous, she half turned toward Cian, wishing he’d join their conversation. She wasn’t certain what she was missing here.

Picking up on her uncertainty, Cian came to her rescue. “I told you Aeden doesn’t speak to us, darlin’, and he never speaks to strangers.” He placed an arm around her waist and addressed his brother. “Aeden was thoroughly taken with our Piper tonight. Cuddled right up to her breast and held an entire conversation, he did.”

Wind could’ve knocked Carrick over at that point and he stared at Piper as if she had three heads.

“Was it wrong to talk to him?” she asked nervously. She hated to think she’d upset Carrick by encouraging his son to sit with her after his curfew. She’d only meant to comfort the boy and ease the haunted look in his eyes.

“No,” Carrick choked out. “No. I thank you for your kindness to my son. I have to go.”

24

“I’m sorry if I upset him, Cian,” Piper said as they traversed the stairs to her room.

“You didn’t. Not in the way you believe.” Cian sighed tiredly and ran a hand through his hair. “As I told ya before, Aeden’s been suffering since his mother died. He’s shutting down and is lost in his head more days than not. But with you, he was normal for a time. And for that, I thank you.” He paused outside her door and with an achingly sweet smile, tucked her hair behind her ear. “Carrick would’ve thanked you, too, had he not been so taken aback. Your kindness to Aeden was a good thing.”

She couldn’t help but worry what would happen to the child after she left. And with that thought, she once again felt like crap at the idea this wasn’t her home, and she would be moving on soon. “Tomorrow, we’ll make your Granny’s elixir, and if we haven’t discovered who’s causing our mischief by the day’s end, I should probably get going.”

Alarm flared on Cian’s face, and he shook his head. “Don’t go before I’ve had a chance to talk with you, Piper. Promise me.”

“Oh-kay,” she drew the word out in her confusion. His intensity was odd in the face of everything.

“I’ve things to say. Things that need a better setting than a darkened hallway and my poor knackered brain attemptin’ to form the right words.”

She imagined he wanted to drive home the point he wasn’t couple material, and her heart ached at the thought. Her urge to hide was stronger than her desire to be with him right then, and she turned her back to open the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

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