Broken Bonds (Lizzie Grace 3)

“He only had the surgery yesterday. He’s going to be in for a few more days yet, no matter how loud he protests.”

“Remind me to stay out of his way when he does get out,” Belle muttered. “I can just imagine the mood he’s going to be in.”

“What about Chester?” I asked. “What’s he doing?”

“I actually don’t know. As I said, he’s rather closed-mouthed.” Aiden glanced at Belle. “Maybe you should try invading his mind for a change.”

“I did. He’s protected.”

“Can you get past it?”

“Possibly.”

“Will you try?”

“Possibly.”

Amusement twitched his lips. “Please?”

“Well, seeing you asked so nicely, I’ll give it a go next time he’s here. But I make no promises.”

I made his coffee and our tea, then placed them all on a tray and carried them over. Our conversation rolled on to other topics, and by the time our hot drinks and a good portion of the remaining food had been consumed, it was time for him to go.

He rose and kissed my cheek. “I’ll be back at one to pick you up.”

“I’ll be waiting out front.”

“Good.” He gave Belle a nod and left.

I poured the remaining eggnog into our two glasses then leaned back and said, “Don’t expect me back tonight. I intend to have my wicked way with that man.”

She grinned. “I think you’ll find that intention mutual.”

“I would hope so.” I twirled the eggnog around in my glass for a second. “Chester worries me. He’s obviously hiding something and I think it’s going to cause us problems.”

“Is that a personal ‘us’ or a more general one?”

“More general.” I frowned. “Jonathan Ashworth may be dead, but I don’t think we’ve seen the end of whatever it is he was up to. That circle he created was huge—it was meant to contain extremely powerful and dangerous magic.”

Belle frowned. “What were Ashworth’s thoughts about it?”

“Ashworth thinks Chester is an arrogant idiot who almost got them both killed.”

Belle laughed. “I’m liking that old man more and more.”

“Yeah. I’m going to be sorry to see him go.”

“We may be the only ones. I’m betting the council will throw a party once he steps off the reservation.”

“Possibly, although there’s no saying the new witch will be any better.”

“He’s much younger—”

“Which only means he could be all that much more full of himself.”

“All too true.” Her quick smile faded. “Did you ever make that full protection charm for Aiden?”

“I did indeed.” It was, in fact, his Christmas present.