Page 88 of The Death Dealer

Sabrina’s pixie face transformed with her smile. “You should go, Aunt Soleil,” she repeated.

“Really?”

“Really, really.”

Kneeling, she gazed into Sabrina’s fathomless eyes. “You’re a blessing to this family, Sabrina Dethridge. Whether you have the gift of sight or not, you’re a treasure to us. You know that, right?”

“I know.” Sabrina lifted her hands and used her palms to frame Soleil’s face. “Uncle Trevor is waiting for you. And you aren’tnothing.”

“Nothing?”

With a sly smile, her niece dropped her arms. “Will you let Papa know I didn’t tell you the future? I found another way.”

Frowning, Soleil watched her skip away. Their conversation was odd, andthere were keywords scatteredwithin it. She only had to decode what the Oracle meant. Rising to her feet, she glanced down at herself and gasped. During her musings, she hadn’t taken any pains to dress for the day.Her outfit would only be consideredfashionable if she lived in the swamps and never saw another human being for the remainder of her days.

Smoothing her hands down her waist and hips, she visualized asmart, cream-colored pantsuit with flared leg bottoms and filmy, see-through sleeves. She paired it with strappy, low-heeled sandals and a tan leather belt. For her hair, she swept it into a high ponytail, leaving wispy curls at her temples and along the nape of her neck. Trevor hadn’t cared for her super-sleek appearance the last time she’d tried to dress up, and rightfully after seeing Deni. This time, Soleil softened her look. Her makeup was subtle but classy as she checked her appearance in the reflection of the terrace doors.

She was ready.

Or so she told herself.

Inhaling deeply, she read through Damian’s elegant scrawl.

“From here to Hall B, I’ll swiftly go,

protected from those who would do me harm.

Through time and wards, my body traverses,

And portals I’ll pass, avoiding all curses.”

“Simple and effective.Seemshe covered all bases,” she murmured. “Here goes nothing?—”

The paper fluttered from her hand as the truth registered.

Nothing.

Deni worked the word in whenever she spoke directly to Trevor!

Running onto the lawn to pick up the spell, Soleil conjured a vial and squatted.With her free hand,she curled her fingers into a ball and envisioned thegrass rootsdoing the same to protectitself.When she’d uncovered the soil, she used the jar to scoop it up.

Solidifying her resolve, she shook the container in her hand and said,

“By the magic of this sacred dirt,

Let silence befall and words not assert.

With this spell, Denillia’s voiceis confined

With my power, this soil shall bind.”

“Simple and effective,” Vivian said with a grin, repeating Soleil’s earlier comment.

“Oh!” She gave a nervous laugh. “I didn’t know anyone was watching me.”

“I wanted to be sure you didn’t have a problem with Damian’s spell. It inspired you to use one of your own in dealing with the panty stain tormenting Trevor.”

“Viv!” But she wasn’t as shocked by her classy sister’s remark as she pretended. Indeed, she loved Vivian’s spitefulness.

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