Page 52 of A Witch-ish Guide to Protectors and Pendulums

“I was never an Adam, baby. I was confused, which made me a bit surly. But once I figured out who you were to me, I was surly because you liked to put yourself in dangerous situations.”

“This will be the only time you’ll get this, so mark it in your calendar, but I’ll give you that point.”

He threw his hand to the part of his chest not blocked by my body and whipped his head around. “The world must be ending. We need to find shelter.”

“You’re an idiot.”

“Ah, but I’myouridiot.” Then he pecked a quick kiss to the top of my head. “Shall we get back to it?”

I nodded, stretching out my legs and back again, doing a couple of bends and squats. Research took a lot out of a woman. When I felt ready, I took my seat again and went back to the scroll. Connor dropped down next to me and we both watched with rapt attention to what came next.

“‘My beautiful Shoshana, you are doing well, my love.’ Baruch pushes her sweat-soaked hair back from her face.

‘One more push,’ I urge her, waiting to help bring my second grandchild into the world. She carried two. Two. Shoshana’s sister, Libi, my oldest daughter with Zohor, holds our beautiful girl while Shoshana pushes with all her might.

‘I cannot,’ Shoshana shouts.

‘You can, my love,’ Baruch urges her on while I take a different approach.

‘You will.NowShoshana. You will do thisnow.’

My sweet daughter bears down one last time and I am able to help ease the babe out.

‘A son,’ I cry with a full heart. ‘You have given our family a daughter and son.’ I help to detach the boy and finished up the delivery while Baruch holds his son.

‘My beautiful Shoshana, you have done well. He is strong and perfect, just as our daughter is. No man has more blessings on this night than do I.’”

“Connor, did you see that?”

“Uh yeah, I’m scarred. You going to want me in the delivery room?”

I slapped him. “Not that part—and yes. If we have kids, your butt will be in there with me because I didn’t getmyselfpregnant. But let’s focus. I’m talking about the part where Shoshana had twins. A boy and girl.”

“Yeah, that’s crazy and highly sus.”

It was more than sus and I needed to read more to confirm what I thought deep down I already knew, though, I’d admit, I had no idea how it was possible.

“I take the baby girl from Libi, placing her on Shoshana’s lap. Baruch approaches, placing the boy down next to the girl. He holds his family lovingly.”

“Connor—this is the part from my vision at Agatha’s, only I never saw the boy. Just me.”

“Keep reading,” he ordered.

I looked back to the scroll.“‘My Simeon.’ Shoshana softly breathes his name. ‘My Simone.’ We all whip our heads up in the direction of the commotion outside the dwelling.

‘They are coming. Get her out.’” Lilith says to Baruch. We should have ended Adam when he’d shown up before. It is him. I know it is him coming for my Shoshana.

“‘Give me the babe,’ Adam says. My lovely Shoshana, so tired, holds almost no strength.

‘No,” she says. ‘Libi.’ My Libi bends down to grab Simeon.

‘Get him to Peter,’ I order, using my magic to protect her as she uses her own to escape. The sound of fighting rings through the land and I know my Zohor and my dearest sons and daughters are defending our home and our family.

Adam lunges for the innocent babe, Simone. Baruch throws himself onto the man as I lift the tiny girl into my arms. ‘I will be back. I will fight.’

‘Simone,’ Shoshana cries and that is the last we hear. I move her to where Adam will never lay hands on her. ‘My beautiful Simone,’ I say with tears in my eyes. ‘You are loved, my Simone. You are loved. Adam wanted your power. I fear that others worse than Adam will seek it for themselves as well.’ I place my grimoire inside her swaddle. ‘The universe will send you a protector when you need it. Until then, I must bind you—I amso sorry. You must know, dear child, that I do this to help you. I pray you understand.’

I bend down to kiss her head, then I step away from the building, using my magic to compel someone inside to find her. ‘I must protect your brother now.’”

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