Page 23 of Pints & Potions

“Maybe.” With a twinkling side-glance, Liz added, “Or maybe thereissomething wrong with you, and you’ve chosen the one psychotic killer in all of Ireland determined to play down throwing a man off a cliff.”

“Shut it.”

Two hoursafter hugging Liz goodbye, Piper was in her room, lounging in the overstuffed chair by the window and ruminating over the day’s events. A knock jerked her from her overactive thoughts. Assuming it was GiGi coming to lecture her for some godawful reason or another, she answered the door with a resigned sigh.

Cian filled the doorway and, without trying, sucked all the breath from her lungs. He appeared more serious than she’d ever seen him, and his somber eyes met hers.

“May I come in, Piper?” His tone and the lack of endearment caused her stomach to flip, but she stood back and allowed him entry.

“I owe you an apology.” He scrubbed a hand over his face and winced when he came in contact with his nose.

Guilt swamped her. She’d punched him in the face when she woke, and none of them thought to heal his broken nose. Bruising had migrated to his eyes, and the bluish-purple caused those emerald orbs of his to pop.

“Looks like I owe you one first,” she said softly. His hand in hers, she led him to the chair by the window and urged him to sit. “Let me repair this for you.”

“Based on what you said, I assumed it required a healer like GiGi.”

His lack of knowledge in relation to abilities was sad. How was it that a member of one of the Six original families didn’t know the basics of witchcraft? She hadn’t realized she asked the question aloud until he responded.

“Other than occult items or tools for my job, I’ve never experienced what a powerful witch could do to the full extent. The last few generations of O’Malleys haven’t had true magic in our lives.” He shifted his head slightly to stare out the window and locked on a plot of land with a small cottage that adjoined their back yard. “We were cursed a few centuries ago.”

“Right. Something about a feud between your family and the O’Connors, if I remember correctly.”

“They took what was rightfully ours. An enchanted sword given to my ancestors for a service rendered.”

“But you’re one of the Six families granted power. How did your magic just disappear?”

“The tale I’d heard was that we were to protect the sword. When it fell into the wrong hands, the god who’d offered it became angry at our ancestors’ carelessness. We were no longer worthy in his eyes.” Cian shrugged. “It’s of no account to me, because I’ve never had abilities. But Bridget feels the sting of the curse more than the rest of us.”

“How so?”

“She lives for the pub. In case you haven’t noticed, we reside in an out-of-the-way location. Witches don’t care to be the center of attention.” He gave her a self-deprecating smile. A moment later, he shrugged matter-of-factly. “We’ve only managed to keep Lucky’s going because of the beer we brew, but the last of Granny O’Malley’s potion has run out.”

Piper couldn’t fathom not having the ability to conjure what she wanted if it was needed. Yes, she shunned magic in favor of mortal pursuits, but in a pinch, she used her gifts.

“How long has the business been in the family?”

“Longer than the curse.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes.

Did the burden of the business chafe him? She didn’t feel she had the right to ask so personal a question on a day’s acquaintance. The mystery surrounding the elixir seemed safer somehow.

“How did you have enough of the potion to last this long? Assuming your Granny passed back when your family still had magic and the ability to make more, it should’ve run out.”

“My brother’s wife was a powerful witch. She magically multiplied what we had when we needed.”

“She can’t do it again?”

Sorrow tugged his lips down. “No, love. She died earlier this year. Carrick is still struggling.”

“Oh, Cian! I’m so sorry.”

He acted like it was no big deal, but Piper could sense it bothered him greatly.

After a light clearing of his throat, he changed the subject back to their original topic. “Too many people have seen my face today. If I heal up in the same day, it’ll cause untold interest.”

There was logic in what he’d said, but Piper still felt horrible for causing undue pain. “Let me at least take away any discomfort and cast a spell for your nose to heal properly.

Looking down at her hands, Cian frowned. “Are ya positive you won’t be tempted to turn me into a toad for what I’d done to ya today?”

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