Page 48 of Obsession

“I’ve spoken with Bettina. I want to know the truth about my mama,” I say, inserting the straw in my iced fruit tea and taking a sip.

“How did you find Bettina?” Lucy asks, surprised.

“That’s not your concern,” I say coolly. Wow, really channeling a broody angel there.

“I don’t know what all you’ve been told, so I guess it’s best if I just start from the beginning. Cora and I joined the coven around the same time. Not long thereafter, Bettina’s mama died. I became the high priestess, and for a time things were wonderful. I was getting us into angelology, but Bettina was a big detractor. She was really pushing for us to get into dark magic.”

Boy, talk about two sides to every story. Bettina claimed the exact opposite—that Lucy got them into dark magic. “What happened?” I ask.

“The long and the short of it was I kicked Bettina out of the coven. She was sowing seeds of discord with the other witches and had become a big problem. I wanted to get us back on magical track and it was the right time. But then Cora left.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. I assumed Bettina had turned Cora against me; they were best friends.”

“Then what happened?” I try.

“Delilah and I moved to her Arkansas farm. When Delilah died, I inherited it and decided to stay. I started a new coven that works exclusively with light magic and that’s that.” And looks like it’s time to talk to Jade, the thirteenth coven member, to make sure that’s really that.

“Was my mama seeing anyone romantically?”

“I don't know. She was obviously with someone; otherwise, you wouldn’t be here.” She takes a sip of her tea, considering. “Look, I don’t know what happened to Bettina, or whether she’s still into dark magic. My advice would be to stay away from her, just in case.”

“Why did you reach out to Aubry?” Charlotte asks.

“I was guided to her with that vision for a reason. I want her to join my coven. Aubry, the offer still stands.”

“I’ll certainly keep that in mind,” I say with an easy smile. And now I’m channeling a certain Cambion.

Lucy glances down at her watch. “I’m sorry, but I’ve got to run. I have an appointment with my lawyer concerning a farm-related issue.”

“Sure, thanks for meeting with us.”

“Two very different tales I’m getting from Bettina and Lucy. What did you think?” I ask Charlotte as we drive back to the shop.

“I didn’t get a feel one way or the other,” Charlotte muses.

“And that sums up where I am in this whole situation.”

Returning to the shop, I step inside and plop down on the couch in the reading nook.

“How’d it go?” Aunt Callie asks.

“Fine. We didn’t learn much other than I still don’t know who’s telling the truth. Do you think Grandma is right and I should just let this go?”

“Sweetie, only you can decide that. Can you let it go?”

“I could have until I took that danged red pill.” Aunt Callie shoots me a quizzical look. “It’s from The Matrix.”

“Never seen it.”

“Take the blue pill,” I advise her.

Chapter 21

Damion and I have just traveled first-class Demonic Air to New Orleans. This doesn’t count as our romantic weekend, I inform him.

But it is Friday, he makes his case, caging me against the brick wall of the alley. And I could make it romantic, he whispers seductively in my mind, placing a trail of kisses along my neck.

---