Page 62 of Which Witch is Willing?
Moira tossed a peeved look in Aerin’s direction and then turned to Claire. Her features softened. “I wasn’t going to say anything…but Nicholas spotted Tommy hanging out on the street there, flirting with a girl…er, zombie girl with purple hair.”
Claire frowned. “His succubus bitch girlfriend doesn’t have purple hair.”
Aerin lifted her brows and sent Claire a blunt look. “That is correct.”
Claire’s heart gave a small twitch. “He broke up with his succubus, and now he’s seeing someone else?”
She didn’t know why she cared, but she did. After all, she had Dru who was ten times the man Tommy had been. More like a hundred times now that Tommy was dead. But Tommy had been her first love, and a small part of her wanted him to always love her, to never be able to move on and be happy without her.
Moira shrugged. “Sounds like it. I say good for him. He might be missing a few parts, but his pecker ain’t one of them. Just because he’s dead don’t mean he doesn’t like to play bury the boudin.”
The sound of movement coming from the hallway was a grateful distraction. Claire stood. “I think she’s coming.”
Tierra peeked into the room that had always been a gathering place for the sisters. She glowed, vibrating health and happiness, and Claire was grateful to see she’d fared well since Violet’s birth.
She stepped into the room, holding tightly to a bundle of pink. “Hey there. Good morning.”
Moira stood and lifted her chin as though that would give her a better look at what Tierra carried. “’Bout time, Tierra. I swear you’re slower than a three-legged tortoise. Whatcha got there?”
Tierra beamed and walked closer to Moira. She tugged back the blanket to reveal Violet’s sleeping angelic face. “This is Violet Mirelle de Moray.”
Moira released a sigh of longing. “Well, if she ain’t the most beautiful thing on earth. Look, Aerin, look at that tiny fist.”
Aerin cautiously stepped closer and peered at the baby with reserved interest. “Congratulations, Tierra. She’s…lovely.”
Tierra glanced at each of her sisters, and her smile grew wider. “After the way Violet reacted when Lucy had inhabited Aerin’s body, I’ve been a little worried that my girl might have issues with some in the household, but she seems to like everyone just fine. Would you like to hold her?”
Aerin waved both hands in front of her. “Oh, no. That’s okay. I’m…”
“She’s not good with babies,” Moira finished for her. “But I am. Give her here.”
Claire held her breath while Tierra handed over Violet, wondering if the baby would freak out when she realized her mother no longer held her, and that instead, the soon-to-be-mother of darkness did.
But little Violet sighed softly and continued to sleep.
Moira ran a fingertip down Violet’s cheek. “We’re going to get along just fine.”
Which was a huge relief to Claire.
Tierra filled a tea kettle with water and put it on to boil. She returned to the table, sat with her sisters, and smiled at Moira holding her child. Then she sighed. “I returned Aunt Justine’s call last night. She and the coven are eager to meet Violet.”
Moira snorted. “I bet they are.”
Claire looked to Tierra. “Do you think that’s a good idea? I mean Aunt Justine hasn’t always been the greatest supporter of any of us, and she’s better than the rest of them. Do you really think they’re going to accept a child of Death?”
Especially when they discovered she had wings and a powerful disposition.
Tierra shrugged. “Violet’s a de Moray, a family of witches who’ve been around for centuries. Possibly since time began. They can’t very well snub her.”
Aerin flashed silver eyes in Tierra’s direction. “Don’t be so sure.”
Tierra lifted calming hands. “I understand your concern. Trust me. No one worries about Violet more than me. I wouldn’t even consider letting them around her except there’s going to be a day when Violet’s old enough to have friends of her own. If no one in the coven accepts her, she’ll be an outcast.”
“Like us,” Claire finished.
Tierra sent her a consolatory look. “I didn’t want to say that, but, yes. In order for her to fulfill her role for all mankind, she’ll need the support of everyone, including the coven. I don’t want her to start out on the wrong foot and struggle.”
Moira kissed Violet’s little head. “I agree, Tierra. It ain’t fun having everyone look down on you.”
