Page 36 of Wicked Love
“Face your fear,” I said. “Face your fear.”
I grabbed my backpack and headed out the door. I had a long drive ahead of me.
* * *
Seven hours later, I was on the outskirts of Hot Springs, Arkansas. I had an address outside of the downtown area, by the lake. I’d Googled it, and it was a small, older cottage. I found myself nervous and excited at the thought of what I might find, and nervous about what I might not find.
My phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Where are you?” Lavinia’s voice rang through my car.
“I’m in Arkansas.”
“Do I want to know?” Lavinia asked. “Wait, no, I don’t want to know. Here’s the thing. Melasina Cormier, you know, the one I had you question?”
“Yes,” I said slowly.
“She’s asked for a full coven elders meeting tomorrow night. So whatever it is you’re doing, and I trust you, even with your ass backwards magic, get yourself back here. I want the entire library staff on deck.”
“You should bring Talia,” I said.
“Are you serious?” Lavinia asked.
“Completely.” One way or the other, I was going to drag this into the light.
I hoped I was doing the right thing. I thought I was, but sometimes it was hard to see when you were in the middle of things. Regardless, this was something that had to be fixed. It fell to me, and I didn’t have a choice. I would fix this.
And let the chips fall where they may.
Chapter Eleven
Melasina
Ijiggled my foot as I sat in the kitchen, trying to finish my coffee.
“Stop,” Zelda said. “You’re making me nervous.”
“I can’t help it,” I said. “I’m so scared I think I might throw up.”
“Well, please do so now. You will not help your case if you cast up your accounts all over the feet of the coven leadership.”
“You’re so helpful,” I snarled at Zelda.
“Yes, I am. You just can’t see it.”
“What if this doesn’t work?” I asked for what felt like the millionth time.
“It will,” she said.
“You’ve been out of the loop for a while.”
“That doesn’t take away what I know,” Zelda was calm.
Which made me want to throw her box across the room.
But instead, I stood, and placed the box in the biggest bag I had, which was a beach bag made of brightly colored straw. I walked to the door, stopping to check my hair once more. I’d pulled it back in a sleek chignon, and I was dressed in cute flats, a black skirt, and a black button up shirt.
