Page 65 of Cocktails & Cauldrons

“Oh!” She faced her long-lost aunt and savior, whose dress was restored, without a thread or seam out of place. Narissa was as pristine as when she’d arrived. “You’re not leaving? I just found you!”

“Twenty minutes ago, you despised me.”

Her lips twitched as she met Narissa’s twinkling eyes. “A lot happened in twenty minutes.”

“Damian has my number. And I have to pay a call to dear old Aunt Odessa one day in the not-so-distant future.”

A chill swept Brenna’s body. “Not alone. I’ll go with you.”

“Bless your heart for caring, but they’ll be no bloodshed, honey.” Narissa held up two fingers together. “Scout’s honor.”

“I think that’s three fingers together, and I wasn’t born yesterday.”

A bold laugh was her aunt’s response as she leaned in and kissed first one, then the other of Brenna’s cheeks. “That old sow needs to be put down for all the trouble she’s caused, but it won’t be me who takes her on. Or not according to the Aether.” She cupped Brenna’s face. “I expect to hear from you soon. We can share stories about Mama.”

Brenna hugged her, taking comfort in the familial connection. “Thank you for coming and for helping me, Aunt Narissa.”

“I imagine it won’t be the last time.” She gestured to Eoin with her thumb. “This one here looks like trouble with a capital T. And a helluva lot of fun. Better hold on to him.”

With a wink in his direction, Narissa sailed out the door and out of Brenna’s life.

CHAPTER 25

Damian glanced at the wall clock. “I imagine that concludes our business, friends. You’re welcome to stay for dinner, but I imagine you’d like to get home and get some rest.”

Eoin clasped Brenna’s hand in his. “Sure, and it feels like we’ve been up for days, it has. But should we be fearin’ retaliation from Odessa over the amulet?”

“I hadn’t thought of that!” Brenna clenched her hand in his. “What should we do?”

“The necklace protects against your aunt, and as long as Eoin is wearing it, you will be fine. I can’t predict if she’ll come for you right away, but the possibility exists, based on Sabrina’s earlier warning,” the Aether replied. As if unconcerned either way, he repositioned his furniture. When he was done, he faced their small group. “My recommendation would be to find a small out-of-the-way place where she wouldn’t think to search for you and ward the hell out of it. Just until you learn your craft.”

A picture of Roisin’s family cottage lodged itself in Eoin’s mind, and he knew exactly where to take Brenna. “Carrick’s wife has a cottage not far from the Black Cat Inn. We’d be close enough to my family if we need them, but far enough away thatthey won’t be embroiled in any of the trouble should Odessa show up.”

“I like that idea.” Brenna nodded but still appeared unconvinced.

“Sure, and ya don’t really.”

With a snort, she nudged his shoulder. “I do, only I’m worried that Aunt Odessa might be able to find me anyway. If we, Sirens, can call our ancestors to us, then maybe we can call our living relatives, too.”

“Valid point, child. Blood does call to like blood.” Alastair tugged the cuffs of his dress shirt down past his suit jacket. “You’ll stay at my home for the foreseeable future.”

“No. I can’t do that either.” She gave him a sweet smile, and the austere expression left Alastair’s face, leaving him looking like a kind parent. “We can’t risk another horror-film reenactment with zombie-like creatures coming through the walls. I promised I wouldn’t put your family in danger.”

Respecting her decision and perhaps seeing the wisdom of her words, Alastair nodded. From his pinky, he pulled a tanzanite ring and handed it to Brenna. “Should you require my help, you only need to call out my name. This is charmed to create a telepathic link between the wearer and its creator—me.”

After slipping the ring over her right index finger, she stretched up and kissed his smooth cheek. “Thank you for everything, Alastair. You’ll let me know if I can ever return the favor, won’t you?”

“I will, child.” He startled everyone when he drew her in for a quick hug. “Be happy, my dear. You’ve worked hard enough for it.”

After a round of hugs from Damian, Spring—and Sabrina, too, after the girl rushed back into the room—Eoin teleported Brenna to his room at the inn. Other than the bed, which was freshly made, nothing had been disturbed.

“It seems weird we were here earlier today, doesn’t it?”

“Aye. A lot has happened in a short time.” When Brenna yawned, Eoin nudged her toward the bed. “Rest, love. I’ll go give my family an update of today’s events, yeah?”

“I can go with you…” She yawned a second time, suddenly more exhausted than she ever remembered being in her adult life.

He laughed and dropped a light kiss on her mouth. “I’ll be back to snuggle down with ya soon enough.”

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