Chapter 161

“She can be charming and nice...until she isn't.”

No matter how many times I told myself not to take Emilia’s warning to heart, her words played on repeat in my head.

The drive to Rowena and Cordelia’s wasn't nearly long enough to sort through everything I'd learned. Not only that, but I was no closer to identifying the sickening sense of foreboding that clung to my soul like a noxious gas than I was to discovering how Lars was connected to all of this.

Ihad no choice but to force what I'd learned about Cassidy to the deepest reaches of my mind. After all, Asher had said she didn’t handle embarrassment well. It didn’t excuse her obvious vendetta against Emilia, but I had bigger fish to fry at the moment. '

One of those fish happened to be standing in the kitchen of the house I'd soon be wielding magic in.

“Dad?” I frowned, pausing within the doorway as I spotted his bulky figure hovering over grandma in the kitchen. “ What are you doing here?”

“He’s about to find himself on his ass if he doesn’t stop hovering over me.” Grandma grumbled, gripping a plastic bowl in her hands.

She shuffled to the left a few feet, toa clear patch of countertop that wasn’t littered in flour, sugar, and other

various baking ingredients. Dad's movements mirrored hers, his hand stroking the length of his newly trimmed beard. Grandma began mixing the contents of the bowl furiously, her arm moving so fast I worried for Dad’s safety as he hovered too close.

“Your grandma is practicing her magic.” Rowena’s voice was aS warm as her laughter as it trickled from upstairs.
She appeared seconds later, sweeping down the steps in a flowing skirt that reached her ankles. When she spotted grandma’s furious baking and the way dad shadowed her like she was handling unstable chemicals, the tender look on her face dropped. 

“Oh... well, I wonder how this will turn out. I suppose only time can tell.”
 She murmured and made a beeline for the kitchen, pausing to turn and call out over her shoulder, “Lola, why don’t you head upstairs and begin with Cordelia while I watch over these two. I'll call you down shortly for our lesson.”

of eggshell in there.” Dad's voice was low, but I'd

and I've never needed a babysitter...” I heard grandma mumble, followed by

glance over her shoulder was overwhelming, but I managed to keep myself still. From the scowl on Cordelia’s face when she turned around, I decided my self-control was

unable to keep still for any longer when she swiped a hand over her face. The silvery strands of her hair were falling out of the bun she had it in, and more than once her fingers grazed the amulets around her

be alright, dear. You have plenty to worry about without adding this old witch to the list.” A few of the shadows faded from her eyes, replaced with a comforting smile that appeared to be genuine. Without another word regarding her flustered appearance, she slammed the lid of the trunk shut and gestured to the stack of books sitting at the foot of the four-postered bed. “Today you're

downstairs. The light thud of feet followed, growing faster as the sense of surprise in my chest swelled. As the sound stopped, Rowena’s head of auburn hair appeared in the doorway. Her cheeks were rosy and flushed with blood, but she didn’t seem

of her magic. It’s a bit more...powerful than I anticipated, but not to worry. I'm going to need justa few

a hint of that troubled expression appearing within the creases on her face. She turned her attention to where I stood and slipped a book off the top of the pile she constructed. “...but yes, I’m sure.  Time is not a luxury you have, I’m afraid. Witches are taught the craft from the time of their birth. They have years to discover their unique type of magic and to hone

smile form on my face when she nodded softly. “...alright, lets do

I asked Cordelia, shedding the jacket I

stars began to pop into existence.

barely heard her reply and turned my head in the direction of the

us outside the moment we stepped downstairs, making sure to avoid the kitchen at

Cordelia replied, flitting through the book in her hand without meeting

window, waiting to see a flash of grandma's face behind the glass. When I saw nothing, I had no choice but exhale and turn my focus

the rigid pages until they finally lay flat. “ I'll be standing watch the entire time, so if you need help simply ask, but I would like to see you complete this on your own. It's a relatively basic sigil, so if you do miscalculate the results

unassuming cardboard box sat in her hands, small in size though I could see numerous candles, oils, and incense within. The scent of sandalwood and dragons blood trickled in through my senses, and I took the box from her

I frowned, even though a

a few feet away and perched herself on the edge of the porch swing where the rest of the books sat. A scowl painted my face as I scanned the ridiculously small print but was short lived when I spotted the small sigil and it’s intended use. My

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