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“I told Jenny moss…not moths. Now we’ve got to air out the entire mansion,” she huffed. Hundreds of black and white moths of various sizes flew about the spacious cathedral ceiling foyer. “Now how am I supposed to get all those down?”
Rafe laughed. “Could have been worse. Might have conjured a moose.”
“Beginner witches are the devil.” The witch released an exasperated breath.
“Hey, now. Let’s leave the D word out of this,” Greyson told her.
“I agree with the vamp.” Julian nodded.
“No to the H?” She put her hand on a cocked hip.
“No H. No D. And definitely no I.” Ilsbeth. Julian raised an eyebrow at her.
Recognition of his meaning flashed in her eyes but she quickly recovered as if she had no idea of what he meant. “Well I suppose y’all don’t like alphabet soup either. Come this way. The High Priestess is waiting.”
“Doing renovations?” Julian asked, taking note of the blue painter’s tape lining the crown molding. The walls were spotted with indentations and patches of white spackle.
“Yes. We’re in the midst of a full renovation of all the rooms. The High Priestess believes in clearing bad juju. Out with the old and such.”
Greyson ran his finger over a layer of sawdust coating a pile of neatly stacked wainscoting.
“This way, please.” She gestured to a long hallway that had boxes stacked from floor to ceiling.
“Moving?” Julian inquired.
“No, no. Everything’s fine. Just putting some things into storage.” A cascade of laughter sounded from a not-too-distant room. “Sorry. Full house today. Class is in session.”
It wasn’t lost on him that she failed to make eye contact. She’s lying.
“Where we goin’?” Greyson asked.
“Oh well…you know how it is. The High Priestess wanted to make sure you have the utmost privacy. With everyone here tonight…the chamber’s the best for you all.” The witch reached for the wall and tapped it. A hidden door popped open, revealing a clandestine staircase. “I’ll leave you here. Follow the stairs. She’ll meet you in the chamber.”
Julian glanced into the darkened entrance and stepped inside, running his fingertips along the roughened wall. “Salt?”
“Yes, it’s both decorative and functional. Please. The High Priestess is waiting. Just follow the steps up into the chamber. Private spaces for private conversations. It’s best. Go on now.”
Julian took Cassia’s hand. “Stay behind me. Greyson?—”
“I got her.” The vampire walked close behind her and Rafe followed.
Julian ascended, one deliberate step after another. The salt slightly dimmed his power, but he suspected he remained far more magical than anyone in the house. A hex or a spell. It appeared the High Priestess had built some kind of a safe room…but not quite safe enough.
Julian caught sight of the High Priestess standing in the far corner of the room. With her back turned to him, she lit large red pillar candles around an altar.
A tall brooding vampire appeared from the left and blocked his path. “Luca Macquarie.”
“Greyson,” Luca acknowledged.
The ancient vampire nodded. “This is Julian. The Alpha I spoke to Kade about.”
Julian nodded toward the imposing vampire. “Thank you for seeing us today.”
“I’m Rafe.” The wolf smiled with his eyebrows raised.
“I’m Cassia.”
“You sure these walls work to keep out hellhounds?” Julian asked.
