“Yeah, I just hope I’m more witch than whatever she comes up with.”
“She’s not just going up against you,” Lucas reminds me. “You have me.”
“And me,” Julian says. “If you are in danger, I am staying. Michael wants me to protect you as much as I can.”
I smile. “I’m always in danger, so I should just make up the guest room for you.”
“Why don’t you show him the new house?” Lucas says, making it even more obvious that he’s worried I’m a stone’s throw away from becoming unhinged. I haven’t been that bad the last week or so. Okay, maybe I have.
And maybe Lucas was right about Ruth purposely taking her sweet-ass time to slowly drive me insane. I’m not a very patient person, and what I think she might do could very well be ten times worse than what she’s planning.
Though nothing can be worse than almost killing Lucas.
“Yeah, I like that idea.” I smile again. “And then we can go open the bookstore. I kind of miss working, and with the two of us there, I almost hope Ruth attacks.”
“Bookstore?” Julian questions.
“I co-own a bookstore with Kristy, who you met at the wedding.”
“I remember her. And I’ve seen you in a store. With books.”
“Right. I almost forgot you used to spy on me.” I stand up, missing Lucas as soon as I’m away from him. “Well, let me officially welcome you to Novel Grounds, then.”“The warding is impressive.” Julian holds up his hand, feeling the spells I’ve cast on the bookstore. We went from the new house to the bookstore. The plan was to remain closed today, and my stay-away spell is still in effect.
“Thank you.” I take a quick glance around the block. It’s past time for the store to open, but since the weather is decent, a lot of people are out and about downtown Thorne Hill. No one is close enough to watch me wave my hand over the door, getting in without using a key. “I just cast whatever came to mind, honestly. I was in a bit of a panic.”
“It worked.”
“Good.” I wave my hand over the door, unlocking it, and then telekinetically open the door and go inside. The store looks exactly how it did when we rushed out of here after Betty got hexed. It won’t take long, at least, to put it back in working order.
Especially since I plan on using magic.
I lock the door behind us and sweep my hand out at the front display. Danielle bumped into it and knocked a handful of books down. In just a few seconds, they’re back in place.
“I know Lucas is concerned,” I start and wave my hand at another pile of discarded books. “Which I get. I haven’t been feeling quite myself,” I admit. “But I’m not one to sit idly by.” The books fly into place. “I want to attack Ruth before she attacks us. Defense is better than offense, right? Or it is the other way around?” I shake my head. Stupid football reference. “Witchcraft hasn’t been able to find her, but we’re not witches.” I motion to Julian and myself. “Is there some angel way of finding her?”
“No, unless she prays and I can hear her call.” Julian stops at a display of romance novels. It’s Kristy’s pick of the month, and this time she’s ranked books by the sexiest covers. Julian picks up a book featuring a naked man on the cover, with perfectly cast shadows covering up what I only assume is a big dick.
“You said she turned to voodoo and necromancy?” Julian asks, narrowing his eyes as he looks at the cover.
“Yes.”
“If witchcraft isn’t working to locate her, I’d guess she’s using another form of magic to cloak herself.”
“Her specialty was invisibly spells,” I note and let out a sigh. “Do you have any idea how we could locate her?”
“No, but I know someone who might.”
“You do?” I put another book back into place and look at Julian. “Let’s go, then. What are we waiting for?”
“It’s another angel,” he says with a frown.
“Oh. Is it safe to ask?” I make a face. “I mean, don’t go giving me away or anything.”
“I’d never do that. And yes, I can ask about someone using dark magic. It’s within my realm as an angel who reports to Michael to look into such matters.”
“Good.”
“I’ll see if she’s busy.” Julian closes his eyes and becomes perfectly still. I watch him for a few seconds and then turn back to the bookshelf, straightening the rest of this little second. What’s so hard about putting books back where you found them?
I move a few paces down, doing a quick check of the rest of the shelf. The books here are in pretty good order. Betty and Danielle do a good job keeping things neat and organized throughout their shifts. It makes closing easier and faster at night that way.