Page 9 of Air Of Mystery
“I’m Amanda Parker,” she said. Turning her head, she gave me a small smile. “And you’re safe with me.”
She was telling the truth. This woman—this Witch—was strong but she was also kind. Instinctually, I knew that Iwassafe with her. “I’m Skye,” I said.
“Merry meet,” she said cordially. “How can I help you, Skye?”
“Well…” I began with a shaky laugh. “I might need a ride home. Or maybe a towel.”
Her clear green eyes assessed me. “That glamour wasn’t the first magick you cast today.”
“No, it wasn’t,” I said, swiping my wet bangs out of my eyes.
Her nose wrinkled. “I hope it won’t offend you when I tell you that you smell of sulfur. You’ve been exposed to some pretty potent dark magick, my friend.”
“It’s been a busy day.” Experimentally I lifted the short sleeve of my dress and sniffed. It did smell like sulfur. “Ick.” I grimaced at the odor.
She stood and offered her hand. “How ‘bout I help you get cleaned up, dried off, and get you a hot meal, before I take you home.”
“Thank you.” I clasped her hand, stood, and immediately wobbled. “Sorry,” I said, sagging against her.
“I’ve got you.” She hooked her arm around my waist and led me to her car.
Before I knew it, I was in the passenger seat, and Amanda was slipping behind the wheel. “Buckle up,” she reminded me as she started the engine.
I did and sat there looking at the woman. It was odd but it felt as though I knew her. “Do you make a habit of rescuing strangers, Amanda?”
“Sometimes. It’s in the Beaumont blood to guard and protect others, you might say.” Her lips twitched slightly, as if what she’d said was some fabulous joke. “But you’re not a stranger tome. You’re a fellow Witch, and your sister Kenna happens to be best friends withmyyoungest sister.”
Kenna’s BFF was Angela Desroches. Another bespeckled witchy red head...whose maiden name wasBeaumont. I blinked at the discovery. “Angela Beaumont-Desroches is your sister?”
Amanda nodded as she pulled out of the parking lot. “I think you may know my other sister, Arianna, as well.”
I nodded in response. “Arianna Beaumont, the archaeologist. I interviewed her a few years ago about discovering the Reaver’s treasure and the haunting.”
“Correct.”
“And you’re all cousins with the Midnights…Drusilla, Gabriella, Camilla and Estella.” My head fell back against the head rest as I chuckled. “Small world.”
“It is, isn’t it?” Amanda agreed.
“So where are we headed to, Amanda?” I asked.
“You’re coming with me to my house. We’ll get you patched up in no time.”
“Sounds good,” I said tiredly.
“I should warn you however,” Amanda began, “my house is not what you’d call...typical.”
“I investigate haunted houses for a living,” I assured her. “I doubt your house has anything I haven’t seen or experienced.”
Amanda smiled at that. “Okay...just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
CHAPTER TWO
Amanda lived in the picturesque village of Ames Crossing in a historic, but quirky two-story house with limestone foundations and deep gray siding. The house jutted off in several directions—from additions over the years, I assumed. The white shutters and trim made for a crisp contrast against the deep color of the body of the house, and the front porch was tiny but charming.
The rain had stopped by the time she whipped her car into the driveway. As we climbed out, I was pleased to find that I was steadier on my feet. Slowly, I followed her around the side of the house, and we stopped in front of a garden hose.
“Do you mind taking your shoes off?” Amanda asked. “They’re covered in—”
