Page 27 of Which Witch Is Wicked?
Claire smiled and took the offering. “As you wish.” She scooped the contents into the tea infuser and poured in steaming water. She removed a red and orange ceramic mug from the cupboard as she prepared her next move. She wished to hell Aerin would hurry and strengthen their forces.
She placed everything on a tray and carried it to the table. She waited for Lucinda to sit before she took her seat.
“My point is, Claire, and let me be quite direct. I’ve studied you and your sisters for the past few months. I wasn’t prepared to tip my hand quite yet, but I can see, we’ve reached an impasse, and our relationship will not progress further until I disclose full details.”
“You would be correct.” Satisfaction drilled through Claire. She knew she’d been right not to trust her. Dru had warned her of impending danger, and this woman with her timeless beauty and impeccable manners was one of them. “I’d like to know why you’ve been watching us. You and who else?”
Lucinda shrugged, her silk jacket sliding over her slender shoulders. “Only a handful of us. This thing is already out of hand, and the more that know, the worse it will be.”
“This thing?” Claire poured tea into a cup and handed it to Lucinda.
“Four born of one. The breaking of the Seals. I’m sure you recognize the severity of your actions.”
Claire nodded. She wouldn’t mention the Horsemen or their failed attacks. Either Lucinda already knew, or she could figure it out on her own. Imparting that knowledge wouldn’t help Claire or her sisters. “We did not plan to break the Seals. They were mistakes caused by a lack of knowledge on our part. We’ve put measures into place to prevent another broken Seal.”
Lucinda nodded thoughtfully. “That’s good to hear. It’s always best to be prepared. Much better to prevent the pregnancy than try to figure out how to get rid of the baby afterward, I always say.”
Claire fought to keep her breathing even. The woman knew. She could play her passive-aggressive games, but Claire wouldn’t give any information. “I agree.”
She snorted. “Ah, Claire. Such distrust. Really, you have nothing to fear from me. Truly, I come as a friend.”
“If you say so.”
“Listen.” She tilted her head in a friendly manner. “I sensed Tierra’s pregnancy the moment I took her hand. I also sensed she wasn’t prepared to tell Justine yet. I’m not going to disclose her secret any more than I’m going to cause other harm to you or your sisters.I’m here to help. Can’t you see?”
Claire studied her, watching for telltale signs of deception. “How can you help us?”
“I know things. Spells. Ways to protect against opening more Seals.
Ways to protect you and your sisters against the Horsemen.”
“What do you know about the Horsemen?” She couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
Lucinda laughed, a genuine, hearty laugh. “Too much, I’m afraid. They come across as deadly characters in some heroic effort to save the world, but they have their weaknesses, their Achilles heels.”
“For instance?” Claire pressed.
Lucinda bent to retrieve her bag from the floor just as Aerin appeared at the entrance to the kitchen, just beyond Lucinda’s view. Claire gave a slight shake of her head. She didn’t want anyone or anything to interrupt Lucinda’s flow of information.
Aerin signaled she would head toward the greenhouse, and Claire smiled, pretending the gesture was for their guest.
Lucinda pulled a rectangle wrapped in red velvet from her bag and set it on the table between the two of them. “This is a gift for you and your sisters. A sign of goodwill and hope for fostering good relations.”
Claire stared at it, sensing the strong, almost familiar magic coming from the package. “What is it?”
“Something that’s yours. Something I retrieved from a certain cabin in the woods just outside Port Townsend. I hope you will find it proof of my intent and my power to help you.”
“Oh my goddess.” Shivers erupted over her as Lucinda unwrapped the book. “Grim.”
12
“Where did you get this?” Claire fired the question with along with an accusatory glare at Lucinda. “Who gave it to you?”
“Calm down.” Lucinda lowered her hand toward the table as though that would take the fire out of Claire’s veins. “As I explained, I’m here to help. I retrieved it from those incompetent Horsemen.” She took Claire’s hand and squeezed, sending a trusting warmth rushing through her.
“Dru?” Claire asked before she could stop herself. He’d said she could trust him. With only a few words, this woman had brought his credibility into serious question.
“He must have known, don’t you think?” Lucy said. “A book as powerful as this hidden in the torture chamber in his basement? Anyone in the house couldn’t ignore its existence.”
