He studied it, stiffening as he enlarged the photo of the swirled design on the stone floor. “It’s similar,” he said, tilting the phone to see.
“I know,” I said, trying not to worry. Failing. “That’s Pluto. I think the planetary designs have something to do with the old observatory.”
“Pluto’s not a planet,” he said.
“Thanks for reminding me.”
He frowned. “It’s clear that whoever built this had an occult fetish.” He handed me the phone. “Let’s hope it was a hobby and not the real thing. You didn’t mention sensing any danger.”
“This place feels okay.” Slightly weird. Definitely creepy with that lady wandering around the garden. “I saw a ghost, but Pirate had no clue she was there. I’m trying to understand it, but…”
“This is the dog that likes to play board games with the recently deceased.”
“Exactly.” I knew he’d understand.
“Rachmort’s getting in tonight. Let’s show him the pictures, maybe even take him out to the site.”
“Okay. Good.” I liked that. My mentor was a leading necromancer and one of the foremost experts on demonic powers.
Dimitri drew me close, his cheek resting against the top of my head. His other hand moved up my side seductively. “Now let me greet you properly.”
“Hmm,” I said, kissing him lightly on the neck. “You mean I get more than crispy bacon?”
We shared a long, deep kiss.
“One more thing,” I said, trying to stay focused. “And it’s not even about the wedding.”
“Too bad,” he said, leaning in to continue what we’d started.
“My powers aren’t working right lately.”
He drew back.
“I couldn’t levitate yesterday,” I told him. “Not that I’m great at it in the first place, but I couldn’t even get off the ground. Also, my protective emerald,” the one he’d given me, “it’s turning into jewelry instead of weapons.”
He touched the jewel at my throat and it warmed slightly. “It’s supposed to give you what you need.”
Like a way to contact the ghost. I had a sinking feeling that the woman I’d seen in the garden was the same Elizabeth whose grave I’d visited.
She’d said she needed my help. If she appeared again, I’d try to make contact.
Dimitri turned the stone and we watched the facets catch the light. “I wonder if our powers are merging, now that we’re so close to being married.”
I nudged him. “You mean I get to fly?”
He grinned. “You know what I mean. The longer we’re together, I know I can sense your needs better. When you’re on the mark, when you’re hurting.”
I nuzzled his neck. “When I’m horny.”
His eyes darkened. “You know I won’t let anything happen to you.”
I dropped my head. “I’m not asking for protection.” Sure, he was mister tall, dark, and dangerous, but I could take care of myself, too. I ran a hand along his arm. “Where were you yesterday?”
He flexed his shoulders as he glanced away, then back at me. “I’m trying to think of a way to give you the simple version,” he said, irritation filtering into his voice. “The best way I can describe it is ‘clan business.’”
“That’s lame.”
He sighed. “I know.”
I swore some of these clans were worse than children fighting.
“Did you fix it?”
He didn’t look happy. “I will. Eventually.”
He wasn’t the ruler of his clan. His sisters were. At least they’d be arriving in a few days.
“Okay.” I knew he was dealing with a lot here. “Just call me next time.”
“I tried,” he said, frustrated. “Cell coverage is terrible around here. It’s like living in the stone age.”
I’d give him that. “Well, you had me worried sick.”
“I didn’t mean to do that,” he said, embracing me.
“Be careful. I like you in one piece.”
He grinned at that. “What else do you like about me?”
“This,” I said, reaching up to brush a kiss over his lips. “This,” I continued, touching my lips to his collarbone. “This,” I murmured. He gave a small groan as I ran my hand over his waist, down to his thigh.
He leaned back on the bed and I climbed over him.
The door burst open behind us. “There you are.” Hillary stood in the doorway, holding a clipboard.
Fricking biker witches and their feel-good powder.
She appeared completely recovered. Perky, even. Well, until she saw what I had in my hand. Again.
“I thought you two understood you have separate rooms,” she said, her expression and her voice ice cold.
Dimitri sat up. “Listen, Hillary—”
“We do,” I said tightly, cutting him off, holding his leg in a death grip.
She opened her mouth and then closed it. Finally, she said, “I’m calling a meeting so that we can go over our exciting week to come,” she said. “Are you ready?”
No.
“Yes,” I said, taking Dimitri’s hand.
***
I grabbed a shower on the way, a cold one, and changed into a lilac sundress and straw wedge heels. It was about the only thing that could halt this parade, and not for long.
Hillary waited while I got ready, then escorted Dimitri and me to the sitting room where—curse our luck— she’d recovered enough to set up a large message board on an easel. It was draped in white cloth, like some sort of fabulous surprise. We all knew better than that.
She stood at the front of the room, quite proud of her creation while the biker witches burrowed into various couches and chairs like students on a Monday morning.
No surprise that the couch at the very front of the class was unoccupied. I sat, trying to stay positive, and was rewarded when Grandma joined me. Dimitri took the spot on the other side and Ant Eater, who was paying the price for wandering in late, plopped down into the chair next to us.
“Your fault for making her feel better,” I said under my breath to the gold-toothed witch.
She didn’t even have the courtesy to look guilty.
At least she’d changed out of that god-awful tea party dress and back into her leather pants and black T- shirt. She had her sleeves rolled up and was half-heartedly playing with a vial that contained a glittering gold spell.
For reasons that escaped me, Hillary had changed clothes as well. She was a vision in white, with ivory skinny jeans and a lace shirt, set off with a thin gold chain around her neck and tiny gold ball earrings. Then again, this was the woman who gardened in sundresses.
What I’d give for a leather skirt and a matching bustier.
My mom clapped her hands together. “Okay, everyone. It’s time to get started. Are you as excited as I am?”
Dimitri leaned close. “I would have been more excited if she’d have given us a few more minutes,” he whispered in my ear.
Oh, Lord. Imagine what she could have walked in on.
Hillary would have had a heart attack.
With the flourish of a model from
She tucked her blond hair behind her ears. “We have a packed week, and it’s going to be so much fun as
