Page 26 of Haunt Improvement
“Oh, no big.Maybe next time.”Glinda gave her a tight smile.I’d let her keep her secret for now.The day had been full of enough surprises.
“You’re welcome here anytime,” I told Emmy.“And since you’rebothhere now...there’s a little witch in need of a name.”
“And a bitty bat,” Asher said, not realizing the baby was playing for both teams.He reached through the crib bars and stroked her cheek.
“I still like Elphie,” Emmy said.“Names that start with vowels always prove the most powerful in the West family.Almira, Evillene, Gran’s sister Isobel.”
“Emmy,” I added with a grin.We could leave Isaac off that list.We’d just defeated him, after all.
“You should name her after Gran,” Glinda said.“Fae is a pretty name, and it would be a lovely tribute, considering you just used the magic you inherited from her to defend your offspring.”
“What about a Hernández family name?”Dylan offered.He seemed hesitant to inject himself into our witchy discussion.Though I could hardly blame him after all the childhood stories I’d shared.
“Well...”I tapped my chin thoughtfully.“Ellie starts with an E.”
“Ellie Fae,” Emmy said.“It has a nice ring to it.”
“Ellie Fae,” Asher echoed, nodding his head enthusiastically.“It sounds a lot like Elphie.Maybe I’ll call her that for short.”
“Perfect,” Dylan agreed, looping his finger through the curl on Ellie Fae’s forehead.He gave her a tender kiss on the head, and then pressed one to my lips, before taking Asher’s hand and leading him downstairs.“Let’s go share the big news with Mama Hermosa and Papa Ernesto.”
Emmy watched them go, waiting until she was sure they were out of earshot.“There’s something else you should know.About the family fortune.”
“I really don’t care what they do with Gran’s money,” I said, waving my hand glibly.“They could spend it all on bedazzled flip-flops for all I care.”
“If only it were that simple.”Emmy pushed away from the crib and turned to face me.“Only the heir who inherits the sky cauldron can access the hidden coffer in the West house.”
“Dorothy drop a house on me,” I swore.
It all made perfect sense now.My mother’s desperate attempt to convince me to return to Kansas.Ingra’s insistence about the naming ceremony and Evillene’s training.They needed me.Even Isaac’s assault served more purpose than jealousy.
If I died, the sky cauldron would pass on to a new heir.Maybe him.Or maybe Emmy.Which is why I supposed Ingra hated the idea of her daughter returning to Europe so soon.
But I was stronger than they’d counted on.Mentally and magically.I was established in a new community and with a new family.I had no reason to go back to middle-of-nowhere Kansas to be treated like dirt by a family that seemed content to forget I existed until I possessed something they needed.And the storm cauldron was too strong to force me or destroy me.
I was just lucky Glinda and Emmy had outgrown our parents’ ambitions, too.
“They won’t stop until they get what they want,” Emmy said, concern pinching her brows together.
“I wish I could just mail them a key or something, but there’s no way I’m going back to Kansas.I don’t trust them not to try something sketchy.This is the West family we’re talking about.”
“I get it.”Emmy nodded.“Well.Just don’t get yourself killed or anything.I’m not interested in participating in any witch hunts if your storm cauldron powers transfer to me.”
“She should be safe in Assjacket,” Glinda pointed out.“The Baba Yaga is here, and she’s already sent both of our mothers packing.”
“There’s a reason the family sent them in first.”Emmy pointed a finger at her.
“Evillene is wicked, not stupid.I know,” Glinda huffed.“Dad and Uncle Redrick haven’t played their hands yet, either.”
“Your father divorcing your mother was a shock to everyone,” Emmy said.“But hedidthreaten he would if she didn’t return with you.And he’s a warlock of his word.”
“Of all the qualities to commit to.”I shook my head.
“Mother suggested he intends to use Nessa as a scapegoat and paint himself as a victim of her frigid temperament, as well.As if that would somehow charm you back into the fold.”
“Well, naturally,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“If you really want them off your back,” Glinda said, fingering a squishy bat on the crib mobile, “show up unannounced, unlock the coffer, and split before they have a chance to pick their jaws up off the floor.”
