Page 91 of Boss Witch

“I don’t want to hear justifications or excuses,” Gladys cut in sternly. “You did what you thought was necessary, I’m sure. And the results were good, so we won’t belabor the process.”

“Does Gram know?” Danica ventured.

Gladys flashed a smirk in her direction, and Clem mentally winced.That’s a yes.

Then Gladys said, “Your grandmother always seems to know everything, even without the benefit of scrying. So, what do you think?”

“Madam Waterhouse will descend on us like a plague of locusts,” Ethel predicted.

Kerry got up immediately. “If the meeting’s adjourned, I need to get back to the office. I have a client meeting in fifteen minutes.”

“Coward,” Clem muttered.

She’d locked the shop for this and changed the voicemail message to reflect that they’d be closed for a few days for personal reasons.Witch hunters. Doomed romance. Family drama. Hidden secrets.It was enough to make her wish she could swoon like an old-­school heroine and wake up with someone gently dabbing her brow with a cool cloth. With everything going on, neither she nor Danica could focus on repairs. Hopefully, the dust would settle soon and life could get back to normal.

Without Gavin.

Kerry grinned. “I prefer to call it prudence. I’m out.”

“Me too,” Vanessa said. “I don’t need more trouble, so I’m gone. Need a ride, Ethel? I’m heading home.”

Ethel eased to her feet. “If you don’t mind.”

“Of course not. We’re neighbors.” Vanessa gave hugs and then walked the older witch out to her car.

That left Gladys, Priya, Margie, Danica, and Clem staring at one another awkwardly. Then Margie got up and waved, not even pretending to have a reason she had to bail. “I’d rather not be around when your grandmother shows up. No offense.”

Danica sighed and scrunched her hair in both hands like she might pull it out. “I wish I could run away too.”

You’re not the one she’ll be mad at.Hell, Clem had a lot to say anyway, so bring it on.

Priya crept out with Margie. None of the coven was brave enough to fight with Gram. And there was no reason for them to.It was my decision, nobody else’s.

And it worked out, right?No reason to be mad, though that wouldn’t stop Gram.So many flavors and she chooses to be salty.That was an old meme, but in this case, it still applied.

Gladys got up slowly. She moved well for her age, but the rheumatoid arthritis was visible in her fingers upon close scrutiny. It was wild to imagine the full authority of the witch’s council in those hands. This little old lady made life-­and-­death decisions every day. She also made delicious sponge cake.

“I won’t take up more of your time,” said Gladys. “But in confirmation, your grandmother does know. Wouldn’t want to be in your shoes for that conversation.”

***

When the council agents came for him, Gavin didn’t resist.

Unlike enforcers who worked for the order, these two could’ve been accountants. They sent a man and a woman with nondescript features, dressed in tailored gray suits. But now that he was sensitive to such things, they radiated energy on a level he’d seldom experienced. Their power would swamp his, should he attempt to flee.

He didn’t.

And they were surprisingly humane, allowing him to keep most of his personal belongings. They did impound the Ducati, but only because if he drove it, they had no assurance he’d follow to their destination. He climbed in the back of the minivan, feeling a bit foolish. Benson opted to remain in his habitat since car travel was less stressful than the Duc and he had more space. Gavin had no idea where he was headed, and the mouse would be able to eat, drink, exercise, and use the facilities freely that way.

“All good?” he whispered to his familiar.

The woman cut him a suspicious look, but she didn’t try to interfere. Benson scampered over to the cage bars and gazed at Gavin.These two are serious business, huh? Try not to worry. It will probably be okay.

As predicted, he didn’t have a chance to say good-­bye to anyone, but he had his netbook. The council agents disposed of his tracked electronics at the first rest stop in case Jase had enforcers still loyal to him. There was free Wi-­Fi, so he tapped out what might be his last message to Clem.

I never got a chance to say it, but…I love you. Don’t know what will happen to me or if I’ll ever have a chance to see you again, but I wanted you to know. I’m not sorry I met you. Thank you for everything.

Once he got that sent, he relaxed a little, taking comfort in Benson’s ease. Mice were supposed to be good at reading the room, right? The council agents didn’t give their names and neither of them spoke much. It wouldn’t have surprised Gavin if they’d blindfolded him and treated him like a prisoner, but this felt…different. Since they didn’t do introductions, he’d dubbed the woman “Agent A” and the man “Agent B.”

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