Page 65 of The Forty-Year-Old Virgin Witch

Twenty Five

Aggie

I held out a shaking hand, and Quinn dropped the parchment into my hands. As soon as my hand made contact with the paper, I knew. My mother’s magick dripped from the fibers, and as much as it made me cringe to touch it, my magick flared as it recognized another coven member. A blood relation.

Steeling my nerves, I ripped open the wax.

Darling,

I winced. My mother used endearments to mask the fact that I’d never been close with her. The more she smothered me, the further away it drove me. Luka nudged himself over my shoulder, and I could practically feel Karl’s curiosity from his place next to me. No matter what the letter said, I wasn’t alone. I had people in my corner. Unlike last time.

Darling,

Just kidding.

I blinked as the writing shifted from the careful, pretentious loops of my mother’s calligraphy to the jerking, impatient strokes of the best friend I’d left behind when I fled the coven.

“What is it?” Luka asked, sensing my shift. I waved him off and continued.

What the hell are you playing at, anyway? Contacting the coven that’s out for your blood? Girl, you’re lucky I convinced this beautiful girl to give ME the letter instead. I’ve missed your ass, and we still have some shit to work out. Leaving me behind? What were you THINKING? Luckily, I took my anger out on stealing this parchment from your mother. I only regret that I won’t be able to see your face when you realize I tricked you!

Regardless, you’re still my witchy boo. So, I will burn the letter you sent and tell no one your secrets. Seth has resorted to hiring covens to find you, so find a good hidey hole and STAY THERE. The council won’t get involved because his father finally bought his way in.

Stay safe.

-Vicky

Oh god. I missed my best friend so much it hurt. She’d been my one regret after leaving the coven twenty years ago. I could have cried reading her words … it was like the years had never passed.

I crumpled the letter in my fist, igniting it without a second thought. I should have been surprised at how easily the dark flames burst from my palms, but my mind was racing.

Samael was on the council now.

The council was the only thing that kept the supernatural world from delving into chaos. Only the oldest, most powerful beings served. There was no voting process, no recommendations, and no process to get in. If anyone wanted on the council, they killed someone else to take their spot.

I wondered who had paid the ultimate price for Samael’s greed.

Either way, now he was on the council. But what did it mean?

“Aggie?”

I ignored Luka in favor of Quinn. Quinn, who was literally the largest dickface I had ever met. Quinn, who had fucked Donna and liked it. Quinn, who had risked himself to keep Karl safe. To keep me safe.

Quinn would understand the significance of Samael’s victory.

“My best friend from childhood intercepted the letter. She said to hide, that Samael is on the council now, and that every coven in the world is looking for me.”

He didn’t react beyond blinking, then furrowing his brow in thought. I felt an odd rush of affection for him; Quinn was a problem solver. As a mercenary, he likely thrived on impossible situations with little hope. Perfect.

“Yikes.”

“Thinking of leaving?” Karl eyed him with distrust, and I blew a strand of hair out of my eyes. It was all a bit much.

“I’m going for a walk,” I announced. “Alone.”

All three men glowered at me, and even Damon didn’t look pleased. He jumped up on the table, and Luka scratched him under his chin. Traitor.

“You’re all staying here.” I glared at Quinn. “Dinner?”

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