Page 64 of Handcuffs and Hexes

“Apparently. I’m free. I’m still not sure about going out on my own, but at least I know we are no longer legally connected.”

“We should celebrate,” Tansy said. “How about brunch?”

I exchanged a look with Seth. “We have plans.”

“We can always do dinner another day,” Elena said. “I’m exhausted anyway. This was too much adventure for one day.”

“I’ll get Mom back to Desmon’s place,” Tansy said.

Just then, a familiar woman stomped toward us, dragging a young boy behind her, anger plain on her face. Samuel’s current girlfriend. Seth positioned himself defensively between the two.

“You! It’s all your fault! You and that son of yours. Sam never did marry me because of you. And now that he’s going to be doing time, you come out of nowhere and take his wealth? That was supposed to be for me and my children. You bitch!”

“Hey,” Seth said sternly, “watch your mouth.”

Elena put a calming hand on Seth’s shoulder. “It’s okay. Tell me, do you love Samuel?”

The woman gaped at her.

“Love? This isn’t about love! It’s about my life! I’m a woman with two illegitimate children; no worthy wizard will want me. Father’s going to have to marry me off to a nobody wizard with no status and no money. My life is over!”

“See,” Elena said to Seth. “She’s no different than me, forced into a life she never chose because it was all she’d known.”

“Don’t patronize me!”

“Listen, I’m not your enemy. And our sons are not rivals. This is what I would do in your position. Demand Samuel marry you now. Live in his mansion—he gets to keep that by the way; I didn’t demand a thing from him but my freedom—and raise your kids on his dime. After several years of relative freedom, ask yourself if you still want to stay married. If not, start looking for a way out so that you’ll be gone when he’s free.”

The woman shook her head. “He’ll never let me leave,” she whispered.

Elena shrugged. “Or you can take your chances with another wizard who might turn out just as dangerous.”

During their conversation, I noticed that Seth had knelt before his half-brother, and the two were talking softly. Being a demon, I sent part of my awareness to listen to them as well.

“Mother hates you,” the kid said, “because you’re le-le-legitimas, and I’m not.”

The corner of Seth’s lips lifted at the mispronounced word.

“But me and my friends saw a video of you doing magic, and it was so cool!”

“Do you have any magic yet?”

“No.” The kid pouted. “Father says I’ll be useless if I don’t get some soon.”

“That’s not true. Father’s wrong.”

“Can you show me how to do magic?”

“Hold your hand like this,” Seth said, showing the kid the position to concentrate magic at the tips of his fingers.

Then he put his hand on top and a small flame appeared, held up by the child.

“Now concentrate and keep it lit.” Seth removed his hands.

The flame disappeared. But the kid was tenacious, and he concentrated, scrunching up his nose. The tiniest glow appeared. The kid gasped, and the light disappeared.

“Don’t overdo it. Let your magic replenish.”

Finally noticing that Seth was talking to her boy, the woman grabbed the kid’s hand. “Don’t talk to my son!” Then she walked off, her heels clacking on the marble floor.

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