"Oh, I wasn't asking. I know it happened." She takes a few steps toward me. Even though she appears older, her steps are steady and purposeful. "And I know what they did to you. They now flow through you as if they are your own power."
This is not helping me out. "And this information is helpful how?" Maybe I shouldn't have even talked to her. I should text Charlie now.
"I haven't gotten there yet." She laughs. "What I'm wondering is have you thought about how you are going to handle that when you die?"
My blood turns to ice. "So, you are here to kill me again?"
"Dear God no, even though the thought does have merit to it. My sister is doing even worse now thanks to you. If only you would have saved her instead of going off with that demon." Her jaw clenches and she takes a deep breath. "But even if I wanted to get the artifacts, I couldn't. My powers are not pure enough."
That pisses her off. I'm sure that has everything to do with her saving her sister. I wonder if black magic is involved. I wouldn't put anything past her. But her question does concern me. The artifacts are inside me, and she's right. I bet the magic won't die when I do. What will happen? "I'm assuming you have some information on what's going to happen with them when I pass?"
"When you're killed? I know what will happen." She nods and a huge smirk crosses her face.
Shit, she thinks I'll be killed. Is it sad I hadn't considered that? However, it does sound very plausible, but I'll be damned if I let that happen. "So, let's say I am killed. What do you know?" They are inside me so wouldn't they just form out of me? "Wouldn't someone need to be right beside me?"
"No, they don't." She walks over to my kitchen and runs a hand along the edge. "That's what most everyone thinks, but that's not the case."
My phone rings, startling me. I want to ignore it, but there is no telling who it could be. "I'm sorry let me go check this." I run over to my bed and pick it up. The council number flashes. Ugh, no. This is not the time or the place. But if I don't answer, it will just lead to issues and more questions. I hit the green button. "Hello?"
"Christina?" Luke's voice fills my ear.
"Yeah." Who else does he think it would it would be? He dialed my freaking number.
"I need you to come to the mansion right away. We have something going on, and I need you here." His tone is a little frazzled.
Why do they assume I should be at their disposal all the time? "It's going to have to be a minute. I’m in the middle of something."
"No, listen to me right now...." His voice is getting louder.
Like that will change anything. "Hey, sorry. I'm busy. I'll be there as soon as I can be. See you soon." I end the call and throw it down.
As soon as I throw it back on the bed, it rings again. The same number pops up. Yeah, I'm not going to answer that. I turn my attention back to the witch as it continues to ring.
She is now back in the living area and leaning against the door. She grins. "You aren't going to answer that?" She arches an eyebrow. "It sounds like it's your precious council."
"Yeah, it is." I shrug. I’m tired of being at their beck and call. They are going to have to wait on me for a change. This is getting out of hand. "But I'll get there when I can."
"They won't take too kindly to waiting." She crosses her arms across her chest and then shifts her weight to one leg. "Are you sure that's wise?"
"Maybe not, but I'm tired of always being on their time table." I don't want to go into details with her. I don't trust her and she's telling me this for ulterior motives. I'm assuming it's because it's the demon, but I'm also learning people don't tell you everything and hide part ... the important part ... of their intentions.
She lowers one arm in front of her and wraps her hand around her elbow. "They are your leaders."
"Yes, you're right, but they aren't supposed to dictate my life twenty-four-seven and that's what this has turned into." Okay, this conversation needs to go back to artifacts and fast. I'm not comfortable with her at all. "So, you were saying the artifacts won't appear where I die. So...? They'll go back to their original spot and be protected?" Maybe that's why she said she couldn't go there. A witch wouldn't be welcomed in the Angel Realm.
She rolls her eyes at me again. "No, will you stop guessing and just let me talk."
Wow, I thought old people were supposed to be patient. Maybe witches are excluded from that broad statement. "Fine. Please tell me."
"When you die, the artifacts will go..."
Knock, knock, knock. Who the hell is at my door? Why do we keep getting interrupted from this conversation? I just want to hear what she has to say.
I hurry over to the door and yank it open. Luke's usual driver is standing at my door with a frown on his face. "Are you ready?"
Did he send his driver over to get me? This has to be some kind of joke. "No, I'm not ready."
"How much longer are you going to be?" He glances around me and tries to look inside my house.
Oh, hell no. I step in his way and he glares at me. "I'm right here." This is freaking ridiculous. "I need to take Luke his car back anyways so
