Page 18 of Which Witch is Willing?
“About timeyou two got back here,” Aerin greeted them as they entered the sanctuary. “We have a huge problem. A Biblical Horsemen sized problem.” She gestured with her hands spaced far apart above her head.
“You’ve destroyed two of our homes. The only way to prevent that from happening again is to move into yours.” Nick had a smug look on his face as he turned to Moira. “So has research time with Julian stultified you into a coma yet, or should I wait five minutes?" He took a step in her direction and tugged the hem of her t-shirt. "I happen to know a fail-safe cure for boredom."
“And I know a fail-safe cure for stupid,” Moira said. “It pretty much involves thinking of whatever it is you'd do, and doing the opposite.”
“I take it you found something?” Claire asked, taking up the roll of peacemaker. Love seemed to have banked her fire.
Moira caught them up to date.
“I always knew Stian the Wander was up to no good,” Dru said, rubbing Claire’s shoulders. Seemed he couldn’t keep his hands off her.
“If he did, indeed, bring the volume forward through time, it must be in the manor. I would bet money that your mother kept her most sacred books here in this room,” Julian said, already scanning the many shelves of books.
“Take your time, Julian,” Aerin snidely remarked. He hadn’t spared her a comment or a look since he’d entered the sanctuary, his attention caught on finding the missing book. “I need a few minutes to confer with my sisters.”
“Won’t do any good, Aerin,” Nick said. “We’re moving in.”
“Over my dead zombie horde, are you fucking moving in,” Aerin muttered under her breath, motioning for her sisters to follow.
They didn’t speak until they’d reached the kitchen by mutual agreement.
Tierra went directly to the refrigerator and pulled out leftover quiche. “Anyone else hungry?”
“I need liquid calories after having been stuck here three days with that douchenozzle Nick and these two sickly-sweet lovebirds," Aerin complained. "Can’t walk into any room in this huge house without announcing yourself first. Damn inconvenient, yet surprisingly educational.”
Claire’s face lit with a fiery blush. “Sorry about that.”
Aerin flew up her hand in a signal to stop. “We made a pact never to mention it.”
Aerin’s reaction was similar to Tierra’s when she’d walked in on Aunt Justine and Lila. Which reminded her. “Where’s Aunt Justine?”
“We have some good news to report,” Claire said. “Aunt Justine is in love with Lila and has moved out of the manor and is shacking up with your midwife.”
“Well, damn if that don’t explain a lot.” Moira set the bottle of whiskey on the table and added three glasses. “Looks like we have another pressin’ problem. We’re running low on liquid courage.”
“Exactly why we can’t allow the Horsemen to move in here. Nick Kingswood drinks like a fucking fish.” Aerin drained her glass. He wasn't the only one, Tierra thought.
“Yeah, he does.” Moira gave them a dreamy smile. “You should see what else that man can do with his mouth.”
Aerin covered her ears. “Enough. Yuck, overshare, Moira.”
Moira shrugged her shoulders. “I bet it wasn’t as disturbing as Claire’s share.” A glint of humor shined in her deep blue eyes.
“This is what I’m talking about,” Aerin pointed out. “We let the Horsemen move in here and no room will be safe. While Claire and Tierra seem to be fine fucking destiny, I'm pissed at Julian and I'd just as soon put his balls in a blender than look at him.”
“Don’t lump me in with Claire,” Tierra said. “I agree with you. I don’t want the Horsemen living in our house.” The last three days in Killian’s company had found her in his arms again. Since she couldn’t resist him, the best thing to do was avoid him until she could figure out these conflicting feelings he stirred inside her.
“We did kinda destroy their home, er homes,” Moira said. “There’re plenty of rooms in this manor to house them.”
“Agreed,” Claire said. “We just need to come up with some rules.”
“Are you two out of your fucking minds?” Aerin asked.
“I need a breather from Killian,” Tierra admitted.
“What happened?” Moira asked. “Neither one of you looked too happy when you returned from your ‘nap.’ Though Julian and I knew you didn’t sleep much. Turns out Tierra here’s a screamer.”
Tierra felt heat envelop her face.
