Page 66 of Which Witch Is Wicked?
Tierra shivered. How did this newly transplanted Irish witch know about her condition? Had Justine told her? She'd asked her not to tell anyone until she figured out what she was going to do. Or could Lucy be hiding powers beyond the ken or the capacity of the other coven members? For now, Tierra pretended she hadn't picked up on Lucy's cloaked remark.
"Remember," Tierra said, "I'm in the business of making tea. It would make sense that I'm also a fan." Slowly, she inched deeper into the kitchen under the guise of brewing some, but in reality, it was to move away from the nauseating smell of rotten eggs that had her stomach twisting in fits. And she'd such high hopes of eating something today.
"That's right," Lucy said. "Your little shop. What was it called again?"
Oh, she knew the name. What game was she playing at? "Ambrosia's Brews and Charms," Tierra supplied.
"Yes, I remember now. Such a charming name. I need to make a point to drop in one of these days. Tell me, howisbusiness doing with all the unfortunate happenings of late?"
"Wonderful." Aerin proudly beamed. "Ambrosia's is now a global marketplace. I've taken it to the clouds, so to speak. And while a lot of brick and mortar stores are failing, recent events have increased the sales of the alternative health tonics and teas Tierra sells."
"So very pleased to hear it."
Tierra set the tea kettle to flame, wondering what they were really doing here. This wasn't a checking-in-to-see-how-you're-doing visit. It was a checking-in-to-see-what-you're-up-to visit. It seemed too coincidental, this mid-morning meet after last night's lawn party. Couldn't be the use of dark magic on the air that would have reverberated through the countryside like sonic waves when Aerin read from the back of the book, could it?
She hoped her sisters had caught on to that, too. Moira looked fully aware of the undercurrents, while Aerin seemed to be enjoying Lucy and the others' company. Almost as though she was holding court.
"Yes, the Goddess has blessed us having Aerin and her talents here." Tierra attempted to change the subject, wanting it off her and her business. "Please continue with your conversation. I didn't mean to interrupt."
"You're not interrupting," Gwen said, her Barbie doll looks and plastic smile making Tierra's uneasiness flare further. "In fact, we'd love your insight."
Tierra swallowed again, wondering how long she'd last before she must excuse herself. "My insight on…?"
"Before you arrived, we were discussing last night," Lucy said. "So much going on and rather than put any stock in the rumors, we thought it would be best to come to the— well…source, if you will."Rumors?
Lucy continued, "It seems all of Port Townsend can't stop talking about a woman matching your description—and that of your sisters as you all look so much alike—seen flying on a broomstick over the Sound." Lucy tilted her head, raising her perfectly shaped nose into the air like a hound on the scent. "Know anything about that?"
She reminded Tierra of a purebred Afghan hound with her long, silky, platinum-blond hair, symmetric features that were so arresting they compelled you to stare. But if you gazed upon her too long, you might get bitten and lose part of yourself. This woman had power. Tierra could feel it coat her skin like humidity and see it shimmer like heat over a mirage in the desert. Claire had been enraptured with her and believed Lucy's power and knowledge would be helpful in thwarting the Horsemen.
Maybe it was the morning sickness, but Tierra was no longer so sure. Lucy made her nervous. What kind of witch was she? What kind of power did she have? Aerin appeared to accept her without a second thought also.
How did Moira feel?
Tierra glanced at Moira. Did Moira see what she saw? Could that be why she stood back from the group, more so than her desire to see the last of Aunt Justine?
"A woman flying on abroomover the Puget Sound?" Tierra questioned, filling the tea infuser with fresh-dried mint. The sharp, clean scent was refreshing, and she breathed it in, praying it would help keep her stomach from heaving. The best thing for that would be to lose their current company. "Sounds like a fairytale."
"Oh, no, it isn't," Gwen rose excitedly and rushed forward as though to make her point. "There is recorded proof of witches flying on broomsticks, but it seems the magic and science of it has been lost over the last two hundred years or so."
"Might have something to do with all them witch drownings those folks in Salem got up to," Moira muttered. "For the record, y'all let me get burned alive on anything less than hickory, we ain't sisters anymore.
Got it?"
"Make a note of that, will you, Tierra," Aerin said.
"Do you have any idea how useful that skill would be in the fight against the Horsemen if we can come at them from the air?" Gwen scooted forward in her excitement.
"One of the Horsemen can fly," Aerin said.
"Death," Lucy provided.
How did she know that? Nowhere in the book of Revelations, the Grimoire, or the Google Gods had it mentioned that Killian could fly or was known to change shape into a raven.
"Yes," Aerin answered. "So, I don't believe witches on broomsticks will stop the Apocalypse. If such a thing as flying on broomstick could happen," she added, though she looked like it killed her to stay quiet on her amazing achievement.
"Justine said that there was a spell in the book that explained how," Gwen pressed.
"Did she now?" Aerin drawled, gazing at Justine.
