“My god,” I breathed, and the red haze that I’d seen vanished just as quickly as it had appeared.
Purposefully, I opened my hand and Julian dropped down to the floor. He landed with a graceless thud.
“Julian!” Holly rushed to his side.
“I’m so sorry, Julian,” I said, staggering toward the sofa. “I’ve never in my life done something that violent before…”
“I pushed you,” Julian rasped as he regained his feet. “Guess I had it coming for goading you into it.”
“You took an awful risk, Julian,” Holly chided, and had to steady him when he wobbled.
“It worked,” Julian pointed out, and managed to grin.
“It’s not a game!” I said gripping the back of the couch for support. “I could have killed you!”
“I don’t think so. There’s no real cruelty in you,” Julian said, examining his shirtsleeve. “You did however tear my shirt. Damn, it was Burberry.”
“I think I’d like a drink.” Wyatt walked directly to the brandy Thomas kept by the fireplace. He was sickly pale, as he pulled out a decanter, poured himself a glass, and downed it.
“Speaking of drinks…” Ivy’s voice was bright and cheerful. “How’d you like that tea I gave you, Maggie?”
“That wasn’t tea!” I said to her. “I can still feel it roaring through me.”
“Chamomile,” Ivy said, blithely. “Works like a charm.”
“Chamomile, my ass!” I hissed. “You used magick on me!”
“I had some help,” Ivy tipped her head towards Nina, who stood with Isabel still on her hip.
“Ah,” Nina shrugged. “What can I say? My avo’s potions never miss a trick.”
“Nina!” I gasped. “How could you!”
Diego took Isabel from her mother’s arms. “You’re up, Nina,” he said and wisely moved himself out of the range of fire.
Nina walked over, planted her hands on her hips, and went toe-to-toe with me. “It was either spell you out of it, or I could have slapped you out of it.”
“Personally, I was down for the slapping,” Ivy chimed in.
“I don’t understand,” I said rubbing my hands over my face. “This isn’t a game, what were all of you thinking?”
Ivy reached out, giving my shoulder’s a brisk shake. “Don’t you understand, Maggie? We think you were spelled!”
“Specifically the doll you’ve been clutching for the past few hours,” Nina explained.
“The doll was spelled?” I shook my head, as the last of the potion rushed through my system like wildfire. “Aw hell, I think I’m going to throw up,” I said.
“No you won’t,” Nina said, gripping my shoulder. “Ride it out, my friend.”
Whatever they’d given me was working because once the roaring in my ears subsided, everything was suddenly, horribly clear.
I blinked several times and saw the room around me with absolute clarity. Yes, I was terrified, and yes, I was still heartbroken. However, the horrible debilitating fog that had descended over me when I’d seen that smear of Willow’s blood, had lifted.
I had an enemy and I knew exactly who it was.
“Where’s Leilah?” I asked them all.
“We don’t know.” Lexie said.
“Well, you better hope to whatever god is listening that you find her before I do,” I shot back.
“A BOLO has been issued,” Lexie said calmly.
I turned to regard Ivy and Nina. “Thank you both. I don’t know what you used on me, but I’m thinking clearly again.”
“You’re welcome,” they said together.
“Julian,” I called to him and waited until he looked my way. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” He nodded.
“I’m going to take Wyatt down to the family kitchen,” Diego said, and passed Isabel to Ivy’s waiting arms. “I think he needs a break from all of this.” Wyatt went along with Diego without saying a word. He kept his face averted, never even looking at me.
“I guess I’d better go with them,” Julian said. “Wyatt has never seen magick like that before. He’ll surely have some questions.”
Slowly I walked around the sofa and sat my butt down. With a shuddering breath, I leaned my head back against the cushions. “Good god. Wyatt.” I shut my eyes against the reality of him witnessing my magick. “He’s never going to look at me the same way again, will he?”
“Personally, you impressed the hell out of me,” Ivy said.
I opened my eyes. “Will any of you ever look at me the same way?”
Before anyone could comment, Isabel began to fuss. Nina took her daughter from Ivy, saying that she needed to go feed the baby. She too exited the room, and Ivy trailed along asking whether or not Nina would let her see her grandmother’s spell book.
“Lexie?” Holly said to the blonde. “Do you think you could give Maggie and I a few moments alone?”
“Sure.” Lexie nodded. “I’m going to head back over to the cottage. See if the team has any new information.”
I waited until it was only the two of us, and I raised my eyes slowly to Holly. “I’m very sorry,” I began.
Holly nodded. “I know you are.”
“What the hell do we do now?” I asked her.
Holly started to sit beside me, and as she did, she accidentally brushed against Willow’s babydoll. Her color drained away, and I thought for a moment she would faint.
“Holly!” I called her name in alarm.
Holly dropped beside me and was shaking, hard. “Wait,” she said through her teeth. “I’m seeing something…”
As I watched, my cousin kept contact with the doll. She purposefully leaned her leg against the doll and focused. The effort it took her to be in contact with the doll was visible. She began to tremble and sweat popped out on her lip. With a ragged gasp, she pulled away from the doll, and started to pitch forward on the
