Page 89 of Pints & Potions

The book immediately sprang to life and flipped pages at a mind-blowing speed until it settled on a hand-written spell that looked like it was four-hundred years old or more.

“What’s this say?” Piper turned the book so it was facing Bridget and tapped the vellum page.

“It’s an extraction spell.” She shrugged her confusion and shook her head. “I don’t know what it’s intended to do.”

“Extract the poison from Cian’s system would be my guess.” Without intending to, Piper silently checked with Aeden. He nodded, and she felt better to have Anu’s sign they were on the right track. “Okay. So it looks like I’m shoving a huge syringe into Cian’s heart muscle and withdrawing the poison while chanting this spell. No problem.”

Bridget turned an alarming shade of green, and Piper imagined that her own face was a mirror image. The idea of stabbing him was stomach churning.

“Can’t be wrong if both the book and the Goddess agree, right?” Bridget asked faintly.

“Right.” They shared a sickly smile. Piper firmed her spine and shoved aside her squeamishness. “Can you read it word for word to me, so I can repeat it as we’re performing the procedure?”

“If it means saving my brother, I can.”

“You’re a rock star, Bridget.” After inhaling a cleansing breath, Piper handed off the grimoire with a firm command to the book to stay awake as they cast. “If you abandon us mid-spell, I’ll burn your ass in a bonfire. Got it?” The symbols on the cover flared bright and settled in a soft glow. “I’m going to take that as a yes. And thanks.”

Her mother disappeared and returned a minute later with a tray of items in sterilization bags.

Piper almost laughed. “You’re the best mom. You know that, right?”

Rebecca blushed prettily as she smiled. “I’d like to think I am, but I wasn’t always there for you in your formative years, sweetheart.”

“That’s not true, Mom. You totally were. You’ve always put family first.”

“I’m glad you think so, but we can debate it later. Cian’s vitals are concerning and I don’t like the color of his skin and lips.”

Rebecca conjured surgical scrubs and lab coats for them both, drew on gloves and made Piper do the same—because poison!In doctor mode, she went about preparing the room for their extraction procedure.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Bridget prepared a casting circle and set candles in place. “Do we wait for GiGi and Spring to return?” she asked when she finished.

Piper turned to the only one of them with medical experience. “Mom?”

“I don’t know if we have the time.” Rebecca once more checked Cian’s pulse. “I say we try the extraction and worry about administering the antidote as soon as those two can whip one up.”

“Okay.” Instinct told her to help Cian as quickly as possible. “Let’s do this. And if I pass out or anything weak like that, don’t worry about me. Finish the spell.”

Rebecca laughed lightly and knocked shoulders with her. “You’re my daughter. I have every faith you’ll be strong when it matters.”

“Didn’t Dad cry over the birth of his prize piglets? I might’ve gotten more ofhisDNA.”

Aeden giggled, and she shot him a wink.

“I don’t know what your level of expertise is, Bridget, but please don’t break the circle once it’s cast.” Piper nodded to Aeden. “You either, little man. No matter what you see or hear, you need to stay where you are, all right?”

“If you get scared, you can shut your eyes and cover your ears, Aeden,” Rebecca told him with an encouraging smile. “We’re going to do everything we can to save your Uncle Cian. I promise.”

The boy swallowed hard and nodded. His murky-green eyes were swimming with tears and Piper’s heart hitched.

“Does Anu have any last words for us, fry guy?”

He shook his head.

“Okay. I’ll take that as a good sign.” She wanted to hide her nervousness from him, but she couldn’t. If he was indeed a psychic witch, he’d know she was trying to cover up her feelings anyway. “Thank you for all your help, Aeden. You’re one brave boy. And when this is over, I’m going to introduce you to root beer floats.”

His tears dried up, but he still looked so damned heartbreakingly serious that Piper wanted to promise him the moon and stars if only to make him happy again.

“Goddess, hear our plea, and assist us in our time of need,” they all chanted together.

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