Page 17 of Pints & Potions

“Right, well, if you don’t mind, will you open the door? I have to meet with a healer.”

“Healer?”

“If you must know, GiGi Gillespie.”

A happy grin spread across Liz’s pretty visage. “GiGi is coming here? Awesome!”

“Why do I feel I’m about to be outnumbered by a bunch of wee vicious witches in less time than it takes to blink?” he muttered.

“Because you are?”

Cian just cleared the door to the sitting room when the air around him grew heavy. He paused and shot a look over his shoulder to make sure no mortal strangers were around to witness the magical show about to happen, only breathing a sigh of relief when he saw the place was clear other than Liz.

His old friend, Ryker, materialized with a model-thin blonde. Her blazing blue eyes promised retribution the second they settled on Cian, where he stood holding Piper.

“You knocked her out?”GiGi snarled.

Cian concentrated on keeping his bollocks from shriveling into raisins at her tone. Here was a woman who was confident in her ability to maim. “Not on purpose.Sheattackedme. I was merely defending myself.”

“What kind of man hits a woman?” She didn’t wait for a response, instead she raised her hands, palm up, and called air to assist her in lightening his load.

He grabbed for Piper as she floated out of his grasp, but Liz stepped in front of him and blocked his way. “We’ve got this now, O’Malley. You can go.”

“Go?”

“Yes,go.” GiGi shot him a glare. “And the only reason I haven’t fried your sorry ass for hurting my cousin, is because you’re Bridget’s brother, you dumb lug.”

Not usually quick to anger, Cian found himself getting salty pretty damned quickly at her unjust behavior. “Listen, I don’t care if you are Ryker’s wife. You’ll no’ talk to me in my own home like—” His words ended on a strangled cry. He gripped his throat as his airway was cut off and he dropped to his knees.

Eyes bulging, he stared up at her gloating expression and wondered if this was how it would end for him. All the time spent fighting for the good of the Witches’ Council, gathering intel, rounding up the bad guys… and a single, furious female with the power to crush his windpipe would be his executioner.All over a simple mistake.

“GiGi!”Ryker snapped her name in warning.

The next instant, Cian was on his hands and knees, gulping in heaping lungsful of air and ignoring the discomfort it was causing his abused ribs.

He caught the faintest whiff of expensive perfume as GiGi squatted beside him to whisper, “You’d better neverdreamof hurting her again, no matter how accidental. If I don’t kill you, my brother Alastair will.”

Alastair Thorne’s sister.He should’ve guessed. Wishing he had a time machine to go back twenty-four hours to avoid meeting Piper, Cian sat back on his heels and nodded his understanding to the sadistic witch in front of him.

GiGi had the bloody gall to pat his cheek. “Good boy.”

He barely refrained from snarling, and by the amused gleam in her blue eyes, she knew it.

“Liz, child, please go pack Piper’s things. She’ll be leaving with us in a few minutes, as soon as she wakes.”

“Isn’t that for Piper to decide?” Cian slammed his lids closed as soon as the words left his mouth.Jaysus, he had a death wish.She’d kill him for sure this time.

The silence lasted an exceedingly long time, and he dared to peek one eye open. Ryker stood behind his wife, grinning like a demented jackal, and Liz ducked her head to hide her amusement, as GiGi watched Cian with a curious look

“Just murder me and be done with it, woman,” Cian growled. “Sure, and I’m not one for drawing out torture.”

One of her finely groomed brows rose skyward and her lips twitched as if she fought a laugh.

Sweat broke out on his lower back, but he remained stone faced.

A moan from Piper broke the stalemate, and GiGi rushed to her side. She worked efficiently, and the examination was completed before Cian could gain his feet.

In seconds, GiGi had conjured a mortar and pestle.

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