Hail to the Queen (Witch For Hire 2)

“I’ve seen it. I’m getting the council rallied. You know we try to let nature run its course, but nothing about this comes from Mother Nature.”

“This is pushing up our timetable. The Djinn is getting desperate. We’re going to need a multi-coven spell to combat it.”

“I know. We haven’t come together like that—”

“Since the Reaping.”

“Yes.”

“Perhaps that’s why Alida wanted to us to remember. I know you don’t like talking about it, Mémé, but if we don’t, they’ll find reasons to let their egos, pride, and personal feelings get in the way. We need to be reminded of what we can accomplish together, and how bad things can get when we don’t. I’m going to send Fel to you. This is her job now. My place is on the front line.”

“Be careful.” Her easy acceptance is disarming.

“I always am.” Putting my phone down, I turn to my cousin. “Fel?”

“I get it. I’m putting my politician cap on.”

“Let’s call the holy men and see where they’re at on their end.”

Twenty-minutes later I have the court gathered.

“They’ll be summoning the Djinn tonight. Waiting for the storm threatening is too dangerous. They believe it’s a last-ditch effort to shed the blood of a thousand with the storm. Our goal is to stop that at any cast.”

“What can we do?” Cristobal asks.

“Support me. This is a magical issue more than anything else.”

They exchange looks, and Cristobal holds out his hands. Marcellus takes one, Luz takes the others, and they form a chain of held hands; Ruby and Renee close the circle. Cristobal bows his head and the air crackles. A smoky gray dome glimmers around them. Cristobal raises his burning amber eyes. A breeze circles them, ruffling their hair.

“We have magic of our own. This is what makes our line so unique.”

“Holy shit,” Sacha whispers.

“We can cast a simultaneous circle when the others cast. All the energy going toward the same goal is helpful.”

They let go of each other’s hands, and I feel the difference. Their magic is the opposite of what I’ve grown up with steeped in darkness, but not black?it has the same unnatural feel as a vampire. I want to explore and dissect it. Right now, I don’t have the time.

“You want to lessen the storm’s impact?” Cristobal asks.

“Or get it to turn and dissipate altogether. We have to wait to see what the council gets everyone to agree on.” It’s painful not being in the thick of things. This is the price paid for one foot in each world. Never fully belonging.

My phone rings. Carter’s name on my phon

e display pushes me to the edge of sanity.

“Hello?”

“There’s something I think you need to see.”

“Can it wait, Carter?”

“It’s time sensitive.”

The tone of his voice conveys more. What am I missing here?

“When and where?”

“St. John’s Hospital as soon as possible.”