Spells (Bayou Magic 2)

“Just be patient,” he reminds himself. It looks like books are falling from the ceiling, and then, a few moments later, Lucien climbs down the ladder with a volume in his hand and sits in the chair. “Up for some reading in the middle of the night.”

Suddenly, a light comes on upstairs, and Horace grins.

She’s awake.

His gut clenches at the thought of seeing her. More lights flick on as she makes her way downstairs. Suddenly, she’s standing in the doorway, talking to Lucien.

“Me,” he murmurs. “You should be talking to me.”

He watches as she sits next to the other man and then snarls when Lucien lifts her into his lap, and she kisses his mouth.

That little whore.

Lucien snaps his fingers, and all the lights in the house go dark, shutting him out.

But it’s for the best.

He’s been ignoring his toys all day.* * *“Now, Lucien, I was not pleased when I saw you kiss her tonight.” His voice is clear and calm, as if he’s having a conversation with the man over coffee. “That’s not to say that I don’t know what you’ve been doing with her. Certainly much more than kissing.”

The toy whimpers on his workbench.

“I understand.” Horace pats the toy on the shoulder. “You’re a man. And Millie is a lovely girl. Why, she’d tempt a saint with that curvy body of hers. And those tits? The goddess herself molded them with her very own hands. Yes, she’s a beauty. All of my girls are.”

He reaches for his new favorite knife, scowling as he thinks back on the blade he loved before. The one that was driven into his side and ultimately killed him.

But that’s revenge for another day.

“Now, I think we should just make sure you can’t lust after my Millicent anymore.”

Horace grips the toy’s penis between his finger and thumb.

“Don’t worry. It won’t hurt for too long.”

He smiles and slices, reveling in the screams of pain, in the blood. In the power.

No, it won’t hurt for long.Chapter Twenty-FourMillieMiss Sophia’s house is warm and inviting as we step inside. Lucien brought the grimoire he found in the library last night. I can’t wait for Miss Sophia to see it.

She is going to geek out.

“Hello, sweet ones,” she says as she kisses both our cheeks and leads us to the dining room. “I have hot tea and fresh beignets for you.”

“Your beignets are almost as good as Café du Monde’s.” I sit and pour myself a cup of tea, and another for Lucien when he nods. “Thank you for inviting us. It’s good to see you and chat with you without the distraction of so many other people around.”

“I do enjoy having my coven family around,” Miss Sophia says. “And I also enjoy my alone time with you. Both of you. How are you holding up with everything going on?”

“I think we’re frustrated and worried,” I reply honestly. “At least, I am. But I also feel stronger and more prepared than I’ve ever been.”

“As you should,” she replies. “Now that you’re joined again, you’re incredibly strong. Certainly, a force to be reckoned with. I have two reasons for bringing you here today. The first is, I want to discuss Ruth with you, Millie.”

I tilt my head. “My mom? Is she okay? I haven’t heard from the hospital.”

“She’s doing wonderfully,” Miss Sophia assures me. “That’s not it at all. In fact, I’ve been visiting her almost every day.”

I immediately feel guilty for not doing the same. “I should have been going to check on her after we banished the spirit from her, as well.”

“You’ve been a little preoccupied,” Miss Sophia says. “And your mother knows that. I’ve been visiting because Ruth mentioned a few weeks ago, when you were here with her, that she’d like to start practicing the craft again. So, I go, and we cast protection spells together. Nothing difficult, but as we all know, practice and consistency is key.”

“She’s casting spells?” Lucien asks.

“Absolutely. And her Power and strength is coming back beautifully. I still feel horrible that I didn’t know for all of those years that she was a prisoner, and that I didn’t help her sooner. This is the least I can do. And, Millie, your mom is flourishing more every day.”

“Well, that’s wonderful.”

“I’d like to invite her to the ceremony tomorrow night.”

I sit back and stare at Miss Sophia. “You want to take her out of the hospital? Do you think she’s strong enough for that?”

“I do. You’ll know when you see her. She’s not the woman you saw even two weeks ago. She’s certainly healthy enough to join us in the circle.”

“Well, if you think it’s okay, I’m for it,” I agree, surprising even myself. “Brielle, Cash, and Daphne are coming, as well.”

“Oh, how wonderful,” Miss Sophia says. “That will strengthen your bond, and that will only increase your chances of winning this next battle. I think that’s a great idea.”