Page 43 of The Forty-Year-Old Virgin Witch

Sixteen

Quinn

Ididn’t think for one second that anyone trusted me, but they didn’t want to dismiss any information I had, either. The wolf eyed me hungrily, likely upset that I'd knocked him out. I didn’t blame him for that, but I was still mostly stunned. I was sitting in front of a werewolf on the full moon who seemingly had control of his faculties. The vampyre was as still as a statue, simply waiting for whatever it was I had to say. Aggie looked like she was on the brink of magickal exhaustion, which I would have to address later. It was a wonder she didn’t get herself captured or killed for the amount of time she’d been on her own.

That wasn’t exactly fair, though. She’d clearly done a decent job if what I found out was true. There was no polite way to break the news, so I just said it.

“There’s a bounty out for Aggie, but only among witches so far. They don’t want anyone else getting wind of this or reporting it to the council.”

The wolf growled, and I nodded in agreement.

“You’re correct, it’s shady as hell.” I took a breath and continued, my memories of the speak-easy hazy and filled with smoke. Many things had happened that night in addition to compiling information….

I shook my head.

“I assumed the druids hired me to investigate rogue magick, but after some probing I got the sense they’re working for someone else. That someone appears to be looking for her, and desperately.”

I pointed at Aggie, and she went stiff. I felt guilty bringing all of this down on her, but it was the price to pay for the knowledge I’d gathered. I wouldn’t think of everything that had happened that night, or I’d start to blush. Besides, deals in the darkness had no business being aired among polite company. If that’s what this was.

The vampyre shot me a glare, but I ignored him. The wolf twitched his head to the side, so I elaborated.

“Druids are the Gaelic witches. Ireland.”

A smirk curled on my lips, remembering that wild night. Good times.

The wolf huffed, but Karl turned to Aggie with a frown. I pushed forward.

“Do you know of anyone who’d be looking for you?” I asked.

Aggie shot a glance to the others, and it was obvious they knew. I crossed my arms over my chest, impatient.

“Care to share?”

The vampyre sneered at me. “Not unless you have any secret weapons against incubi or a Fallen?”

Whatever I’d expected, it hadn’t been that.

“Oh fuck no.”

My gaze swung back around to Aggie, who looked terrified, and rightly so.

“How in the world did you end up mixed in with them?”

The wolf stood with the vampyre, and they flanked either side of her. They continued their conversation, ignoring my presence completely.

“He was probably insulted when I ran away. Noone tells him no,” Aggie started, staring hopelessly at the ground. Her hands wadded up the bottom of her skirts, twisting the fabric anxiously between her fingers.

“I wonder if he’s had the hit out this whole time,” the vampyre murmured, almost to himself. “How would he even know you’re still … ah … available?”

I snorted as the vampyre blushed, unable to say a word as simple as ‘virgin.’ Vampyres were always prudes, which was hilarious given their reputation as blood-thirsty fiends.

The question was valid, however.

Aggie frowned, looking adorable as creases appeared around her eyes and forehead. I jerked, wondering where that thought had come from.

“The contract! Its magick would let him know if it was voided in any way. If it’s still intact, he’ll know I’m still … you know.”

I whistled, realizing she was likely talking about an inheritance contract. Witches loved their little rituals and bargains. Which was one of the reasons my own coven had been so upset when I was born.

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