Page 29 of Whiskey & Witches

Once again, Carrick found it difficult to swallow past the build-up of emotion in his throat. Their easy relationship and unwavering love reminded him of what he’d had with Roisin. What he still wanted and would forever want if it was etched into the Fates’ design.

“Sure, and can we focus here for a bit. We’ve a need to wake Ro.” He turned back to his basil-oil-finding mission and saw a tall green bottle in the back. “Got ya.”

“That’s it,” Piper said. “Now we put together the ingredients and speak the healing spell.”

They worked in unison, crushing up the herbs and measuring them out. Piper conjured the charcoal needed and placed it in the bottom of the copper bowl, then poured a tablespoon of basil oil over the top. Touching her finger to the top of the open bottle, she moved to Roisin’s side and made an X on her smooth forehead.

“That should do it. Let’s light the candles and put them at the head of the bed.”

Cian did the honors as Carrick moved the copper bowl and placed it beside the candles.

“Put a cork pad under that bowl, or Roisin will have your ass,” Piper said with a scowl. “I can see you both need to learn about protecting family antiques.”

“Now’s not the time to be man-bashing, Piper my love. We’ve been on our own for too long, is all. But luckily, the Unlucky O’Malleys have a beautiful Thorne witch, such as yourself, to turn us from our caveman ways.”

Even Carrick laughed at his brother’s easy charm and how quickly he diverted Piper from scolding to smiling. “You’ve always had a way with—”

Cian glared.

Piper laughed.

Carrick shrugged. “Sure, and sometimes I step in it. Ro can attest to it.”

“Cian, light the charcoal in the bowl with the purple candle, then replace it to its original position,” Piper said as she perused the spell one more time. “I think we’re ready. Carrick, sit next to Meg—uh, sorry, Roisin. I still need to wrap my head around the fact she’s alive.” She waved her hand in dismissal. “Anyway, you sit there and clasp her hand. Cian, you’re next to me here. Put your hand on Carrick’s shoulder. The idea is to create a current with magic to run through all of us. You’re going to pull out whatever is drugging Roisin, take it into yourself, and then pass it along to me.”

“What?No!” Cian immediately dropped his hand from Carrick’s shoulder. “You’re pregnant, and I’ll not do anything to harm either of you.”

“It won’t—which reminds me—” Piper grabbed the basil oil, lifted her shirt, and drew a large X. Her grin had a sheepish quality. “Pregnancy brain and sleep deprivation. I almost forgot the protective oil.”

“Jaysus!” Cian gave them both a helpless look. “We can’t use Piper for this, Brother. I’m sorry, but I can’t allow it.”

The loud banging at the cottage door caused Piper to yelp and sent Carrick’s heart into overdrive. Damned if it didn’t scare him, too.

“Who the hell isthatat four in the morning?” she asked.

Cian snorted. “Why are you whisperin’, darlin’? I think the lights gave us away. Whoever’s out there knows we’re here, to be sure.”

Carrick nodded to Cian to remove the chair from under the knob and open the door. He didn’t need to voice caution; his brother was already programmed to take quick action if the need arose. As he swung the door wide, the lights in the house flickered wildly, and the cabinets clapped open and shut as if the cottage was warning of danger.

Releasing Roisin’s hand, Carrick rose and placed himself in front of Piper.

“Can I help ya, man?” Cian’s tone was hard and forbidding.

“Doubtful, but I can help you.”

Piper’s shock was evident by her loud gasp. She shoved by Carrick and rushed to the door. “We don’t need help from the likes of you,” she snarled, raising her hands in preparation to counter an attack.

“I’m not here to fight you, Piper,” the giant blond man told her.

Carrick thought that was a fine thing because the fecker was huge, and the light of magic pouring out of him was near blinding.

“Then why are you here?” she growled.

Cian and Piper were shoulder to shoulder, ready to take on the stranger, and although Carrick wanted to help them, he also didn’t want to move far from Roisin. He glanced down at his wife’s still face and made an abrupt decision. “Let him in.”

CHAPTER11

Ronan studied the small group and stepped into the cottage when Piper reluctantly moved aside. He had to fight against the rising tide of claustrophobia. The cottage was cramped, and he tended to take up a lot of room. Not only that, but with four other people, in addition to the furniture, the crowded feel was overwhelming and his desire to flee strong. Hopefully, he would be gone before too long and wouldn’t be here when the walls closed in on him.

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