Page 33 of Midlife Witch Unexpected

“Correct,” Hilda said. “The Estate gets the money though, not you. If you stay with The Estate, then you get a stipend and you pay us our stipends. All the funds get funneled through The Estate.”

“I pay you?” I asked.

“No,” Branson said. “Your estate is the regional clearinghouse for the Demigod funds.”

“Who has been managing them since my aunt died?” I asked.

“Me,” Branson said, raising his hand and looking me straight in the eye.

“Of course, it’s you,” I said shaking my head. Branson was way too much in my business.

“He’s your Guardian, it’s his job,” Hilda said. “You need to stop being so suspicious of him.”

“I don’t have to stop anything,” I said. “Listen, my lack of judgment got me once, I won’t let it get me at this time.” I stood up, stretching my arms up, and yawning.

“I’m going to sleep in my room, the doors are going to be locked. You guys don’t stay up too late. And you,” I eyed up Branson, “do whatever you need to do to fulfill your job, but don’t come upstairs unless I’m screaming bloody murder.”

Chapter 20

I don't know exactly what it was, whether it was the magic I felt now coursing in my veins or all the fabulous Witches' Brew or the fire or even the camaraderie of the Coven, but I woke up feeling refreshed, clear and focused. There was a brand-new world waiting for me and it was as exciting and refreshing as the day I had set off for college from my parent's house.

A renewed vigor pumped through me.

It seemed like those days were so long ago when I had something fresh and new to look forward to; something different, unusual, and unexpected. It felt like a long time ago for me until now. Now I felt like a babe in the woods. I knew how to live life, but I didn’t know how to live a magical life. I was surprised to find this was something I was very much looking forward to. I was going to take my no-nonsense common human life and take all my knowledge and put it into this magic life. I was not going to make the same mistake I had before. I was not going to fall for anybody, especially not Branson. Instead, I was going to master this new skill I’d discovered within me.

I stood in the kitchen, staring at everything as if I could miraculously do what Trina had done the night before and whip up some blazing coffee and pastries. But when I looked at my hands and the little balls of green and purple lights glowing there, not only did I have no idea how to do what she did, but I was pretty sure my talent wasn’t going to be making baked goods.

Not if I was a key cemetery protector.

I must have some really ripping power, like a lightning bolt or something crazy like that. I looked at my glowing hands. Whatever they were capable of doing, I’m sure they would do it better with a cup of tea.

“I’ll take a cup if you’re not still mad at me,” Branson said as he walked into the kitchen and leaned back against the table.

“Let’s just assume I’m always mad at you,” I said.

“That’s a lie,” he said. “I saw the spark in your eyes when you weren’t angry.”

My skin burned hot.

“You totally overstepped a boundary,” I growled.

“Because I didn’t pour everything out on the table before I slept with you?” He asked.

“That thing in the cemetery wasn’t sleeping together,” I hissed. “You on my couch is about as close as I want to get to sleeping with you. Ever.”

“That’s a lie, too.” He raised a single eyebrow and looked at me.

I let out a groan. “Don’t tell me you read minds.”

“I don’t read minds,” he said.

"Thank fuck," I murmured. But I looked at him sideways because I couldn't tell now if he was saying that just because I told him to say it or if he was saying it. After all, it was really true. Whatever, I didn’t trust him, and I knew that for sure. I wasn’t ready to trust him. But the bad news was I had to trust him because he was my Guardian.

“How did you get this gig?” I asked. “And what are you?”

“My family have been Guardians here from before your family showed up. But I was assigned to this job by my region master.”

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