Page 60 of Boss Witch

“Do you know what you want to do now?”

I can’t hurt Clem or anyone she cares for. Can’t look away and allow it to happen either.

“I believe so,” Gavin said. “Now it’s a matter of marshaling my courage.”

Chapter 19

The first part of dinner went fine.

Allegra was slim and elegant like Gram, so Clem didn’t have to listen to her grandmother pick at her. She did get a little passive-­aggressive a few times over Mom’s tendency to chatter, but they managed to eat their entrees and were sipping coffee when the real purpose of the evening dropped, like petals from a dying flower.

“It’s not too late,” Gram said. That was the opening salvo.

Clem didn’t know who she was talking to, but she balled up a fist, ready to defend her mother with a rude mouth since she couldn’t hit the old witch.Still can’t believe she flat-­out lied to us over the years.

“For you to apologize?” Danica cut in smoothly. “Honestly, you’re lucky we agreed to meet you at all after what you did.”

“What did you do, Mother?” Allegra had a good poker face, and Clem stifled a grin.

Her mom knew damn well what Gram had been up to because Clem had filled her in over the phone as soon as she found out. But pretending to know less than she did had served Clem’s mom well over the years; she’d pretend to be distracted until she clocked a lie and then bam! Interrogation central. Barnabas had been caught more than once, exactly like that.

“Don’t try that with me,” Gram snapped.

Allegra simply shrugged, smiled, and sipped at her coffee. Every gesture was dainty as she replaced the cup in its saucer. “Oh, are you referring to the failed scam you ran on my daughter and niece?”

Raising a brow, Allegra cut a look at Clem, who rather enjoyed when her mom got serious and fucked with Gram. Danica defiantly ordered a slice of cheesecake, knowing that would piss the old witch off. They sat in silence for a few minutes, nobody wanting to be the first to crack. In time, the server delivered the plate and Danica picked up her fork.

Clem shared the dessert, smirking the whole time. “So what nonsense do you plan to attempt this time?”

As if on cue, Barnabas entered Heart of Artichoke without his Pansy attachment, and Gram lifted a friendly hand, brightening as his lean figure wove through the tables. Now Clem really wanted to punch someone.

“You didn’t,” she muttered.

Mom glanced over her shoulder, then her whole body tightened. “Unforgivable,” she whispered.

The lights flickered overhead, proof of Mom’s agitation.Shit. Oh. Shit.

The whole coven was wearing Ethel’s dampening amulets or using her tincture, but with all the confusion, she’d forgotten to get one for her mother. And Barnabas was sure to provoke her into a magical spike that would broadcast their location unmistakably to Gavin. Quickly she jumped to her feet, grabbing her mother’s arm.

“Thanks for dinner, Gram. This was your last chance, and you burned it. Enjoy dessert with that asshole because you won’t be welcome at our tables after ambushing us like this. I’ll let you get the bill, it’s the least you can do.”

Leaving Danica staring because Clem couldn’t take time to explain, she dragged Allegra past Barnabas and ignored his shocked and offended expression.To hell with you, asshole.

She hoped Gram’s plan hadn’t seriously been to push for reconciliation between her parents—­both married to other people—­but at this point, it didn’t matter.Where, where can I take her to calm down? We stripped the wards from our house for the party and—­

Ethel.

Ethel’s place would be safe.

“Stay calm,” she whisper-­yelled.

Allegra took a breath and rushed with Clem, seeming to realize she was about to cause a scene in a way that would force the witch’s council to take action. “Deep breaths,” Allegra repeated, all the way to Clem’s car.

“I know you hate him,” Clem said, “but things could go sideways fast. Did you not hear there’s a witch hunter in town?”

“I heard you’re dating him,” Mom shot back.

That shut Clem up for about five seconds as she buckled in and started the car. “Not the point. You’re not carrying a dampener, and you spiked like you’re trying to light up the skyline.”

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