“Thomas has been training me,” I told her.
“That’s good.” Irene nodded. “After all, your grandfather taught him.”
“Yes, he told me.” I smiled. “Thomas gave me a few of Phillip’s grimoires to study.”
Irene smiled. “I always knew Thomas would come around someday. Between your grandfather’s magick and mine, you’ll be a very well-rounded practitioner.”
The pride in her words made me feel slightly ashamed. “Maybe,” I managed, looking at the floor. “I do hope to be worthy of your legacy of magick, in time.”
I felt a slight pressure under my chin and I lifted my face to hers. “Magnolia,” she said. “You are a worthy successor for my spell book and your grandfathers magick. Don’t you doubt that for one minute.”
“You don’t know what happened this summer.”
Irene planted her hands on her hips. “Of course I know! I’ve got ears, don’t I?”
I shook my head. “Wait, what?”
“Holy cats girl, I listened to Autumn and Duncan talk about it for a good week afterward! My blood ran cold hearing them describe how Leilah Martin Drake had abducted my great-granddaughter. Do you have any idea how frustrating it has been being trapped here in this house when I wanted to be with you?”
“I guess I never thought about it like that.”
“Now you listen to me.” Irene got up in my face. “You defended your child, forced that woman to remove her spell from Willow, and you stopped a dangerous adversary. That’s something to be proud of—not ashamed of!”
Duly chastised, I folded my hands at my waist. “Yes, ma’am.”
Irene narrowed her eyes. “Don’t you ma’am, me. You sounded exactly like Taylor when you said that.”
“Well, bless your heart, sugar,” I drawled in my best imitation of my Grandma Taylor.
Irene threw back her head and laughed. “That’s absolutely perfect!” She grinned at me. “I see she passed my ring on to you.”
I lifted my hand so the sapphire and diamond ring caught the kitchen light. “On my graduation day.”
“I made her promise to give it to you, and not Patricia.”
I nodded. “What happened to Mama that made her go dark?”
Irene sighed. “Patricia was made aware of her adoption when she turned eighteen. She’d known me most of her life as her mother’s best friend—an honorary aunt. The day I sat and spoke to her about her birth father, and the reasons why we had given her up…well let’s say that it didn’t go well.”
“I can guess,” I said wryly. “Mama had been horribly spoiled all her life. She probably was furious thinking she’d been denied anything.”
“I’m sorrier than I can say that the only magick you knew growing up was self-serving, dark and twisted,” Irene said, placing her hand on my shoulder.
I could actually feel her hand. I didn’t understand the metaphysics involved but I found it comforting nonetheless. “Why are you still on this plane, Irene?”
“I won’t be, not for very much longer,” she said, briskly. “My task is almost complete. There’s only one thing left for me to do and then I can join your grandfather on the other side.”
“What do you have to finish?”
“I needed to comfort and give my beloved granddaughter some counsel.”
I smiled. “I am so happy that I finally got to meet you.” I said. “Autumn was right, “You’re a hell of a woman.”
“It runs in the family,” Irene said.
“Why thank you, sugar.” I said, and hoped she would laugh. She didn’t disappoint me.
Irene moved to the back door looking out for a moment. Then she motioned me over to her side. “You see that handsome man out there?”
“Which one?” I asked.
“The tall lanky one with a mop of hair and a gorgeous beard.”
I stood beside her so I could look out the back door with her. “That’s Wyatt Hastings,” I said.
“He’s wonderful with children,” Irene said, watching Wyatt toss a ball back and forth to Willow and Morgan in the yard.
I smiled. “Yes, he is. Willow adores him already.”
“Maggie.” Irene chuckled. “Hear me. Wyatt Hastings is going to be a wonderful father for Willow, and he’ll give you more children.”
“I think your putting the cart before the horse, Irene. Wyatt and I are only dating. We’re still getting to know each other.”
Irene smiled. “Consider this a bit more counsel from your witchy old grandmother: You’ll know him very well by the end of the year. Mark my words.”
I raised my eyebrows. “We’ll see about that.”
Irene nudged me with her elbow. “He’s a very attractive man…Even if he is in desperate need of a haircut. I love the beard though. Your grandfather had a beard.”
“Ah, okay,” was the best thing I could think of to reply.
“I hope you’re ready for a couple of rough and tumble little boys. After such a girly girl like Willow, it’s certainly going to be different for you.”
I felt the impact of her words to the soles of my feet. “Is that a prophecy, or are you teasing me?”
“I’d never tease you. Your boys are waiting impatiently to be born.”
Good Lord, I thought. “How soon?”
“Within the next three years.”
“One at a time I hope.”
“You’re not the one who’s destined to have twins…not in this generation.” Irene tilted her head meaningfully toward Autumn.
I couldn’t help the smile. “Does she have any idea?”
“She won’t even realize it for another month. Autumn’s going to have a rough start…but everything will be alright in the end.”
“I’ll tell her that you said that. When the time is right.”
“By the way,” Irene said. “Phillip would be a good name for your first son.”
“You’re incorrigible.” I laughed, despite myself.
“I’m just saying…” She tossed me a wink. “Your grandfather will be delighted.”
“I’ll be sure and keep that in mind,” I said dryly. I suddenly noticed that her image was fading. “Are you leaving?” I reached out, but there was no way for me to touch her.
“Yes.” Irene nodded. “It’s finally time.”
I fought to keep my voice steady. “Thank you for coming to me today. Please tell my grandfather that I said, hello.”
“I’m sorry to leave
