Page 39 of Highballs & Hexes

The lid!

It was damaged.

Horrified, he spun to look at Damian, all the while pointing at the tomb. “It’s broken. How has she not escaped?”

“She did. About four years ago. But she parted ways with the Darkness, which was banished to the Netherworld to wither and die.”

“Where is…” The question hung in the back of his throat, choking him. He didn’t expect the emotional onslaught for the motherless boy he’d been. For feck’s sake, he was older than dirt! Those worthless memories and feelings should mean nothing to him after this length of time.

“It’s a long story. One I’m willing to tell you, but bottom line, she’s in the Netherworld, too.”

“Youput her there?”

“I needed her help to open the portal between worlds. Mother was my balance, but she chose to remain when our adventure went sideways.”

There was tightness in the fine lines around Damian’s eyes, but one had to look closely to see it. He hadn’t been chuffed to leave her behind, that much was clear.

“Tell me why we’re here. For your friend to lull me into a trap?” Noah was no match for the Aether or the witch when it came to magic, but he could land a vicious punch when needed.

His brother released a tired sigh as he approached. “Your distrust is exhausting, brother. Dial it down a bit and read the room, won’t you?”

With a suspicious glance at the vivacious woman, who was unnaturally silent, Noah backed up a few steps to create distance. No one spoke as he inhaled and exhaled the four long, cleansing breaths to center himself. When he was calmer, he drew his minuscule magic from deep within his cells, pushed it to the surface, and sent out feelers to gauge the others’ emotions and intent.

He found nothing but concern.

For him!

Other than Fi, no one had given a shite about him in too many years to count, and he didn’t know how to process the information.

“No one here is your enemy, Noah,” Damian said. Honesty radiated off him, impossible to deny.

“I don’t have power for you to steal,” he warned.

A smile teased his brother’s mouth, making it appear as if he held back laughter. “I’m well aware.”

“Aye. I suppose you are.” Feeling like an eejit, Noah hunched his shoulders and shoved his hands deep into his jeans pockets, belatedly realizing he hadn’t changed into formal attire for the Dethridges’ dinner party. “So, why am I here?”

“This private garden used to contain our mother. Far beneath the surface are the standing stones that kept her in stasis. They’re capable of doing much more.” As Damian spoke, he circled the perimeter until he was in front of him. “One minor spell from me, and they’ll rise from the ground and activate.”

“I still don’t understand what any of this has to do with me.”

“Two things, really. First, it will amplify the power GiGi provides you and help you find your lady friend.” He held up a hand. “Before you ask why I can’t assist you personally, I must say, we can’t take the risk. Your magic is bound, but I might accidentally absorb it if it breaks free. It’s not worth it for a simple location spell.” When Noah nodded, Damian continued. “Second, and this is separate from the first, Beastie and I will use the stones’ power to restore your original gifts if you wish to have them.”

Noah’s jaw dropped. Never in a million years would he have expected the Aether to offer to restore what his father and the Goddess had bound. Speaking of…

“’Twas a goddess who removed them. How will she react to you going behind her back to restore them?”

“You’re welcome to ask her yourself, brother. Shall I call her?”

Did he want that? Or the responsibility for the type of magic the Aether’s family wielded?

“Am I allowed to think on it, or do I have to make the decision this minute?”

“You have the rest of your life to decide,” Damian assured him with a warm smile.

In the hours since he’d come to meet his brother, Noah was dumbfounded. The man before him was nothing like the monster he’d built up in his mind. Nothing like Damarius had made him seem when he drilled it into Noah’s head to never trust Damian should he ever encounter him, cautioning him all the while on the benefits of avoidance.

“Beastie has assured me Fionola is safe for the moment. If you’re still willing to join us for dinner, we’d love to have you. Vivian is a wizard in the kitchen.” Damian cast GiGi a friendlier smile that spoke of familiarity. “Of course, you and Ryker are more than welcome as well.”

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