“Fine,” Saros conceded. “I’m not thrilled by the idea, but it’s the most we’ve had to work with since we got here. We will still keep a discreet eye on the neighbors in the meantime.”
“Sounds like that’s settled, then.” I chugged down the rest of my coffee in a few big gulps. “Now, walk me through what I’ll need to do.”
Chapter23
Oakley
Static crackled, searing into my ear.“Can you hear us, Midnight?”
“Yep,” I replied, brushing along the thick braid trailing down to the nape of my neck where my hair was tied in a wavy ponytail. The coven’s blackout bash started at nine. I peered down at my watch. 8:55 p.m. I’d make sure to not arrive less than ten minutes after its start, not wanting to awkwardly be the first person there or stand out like a sore thumb—more so than I already would between being new and the only one wearing a baby strapped to me.
Lynx’s comforting voice cut through the line.“You ready for this?”
“Stop asking me that. I already told you I was the last four times you asked when we were getting ready.” I chuckled, thinking back to his mother-henning as he’d gotten me wired up. Luckily, I wasn’t staying for the spell casting, which was usually done in little-to-no clothing. It was meant to expose as much skin and energy to the Moon Goddess’s glittering acolytes peeking from the stars. They would be the only ones out to answer any magical intentions tonight. It was said that the acolytes were those who devoted themselves to the Goddess in life and were blessed with ascension by her side in death.
Not one of the worst ways to live out your afterlife, though I always wondered what it was like up there. Could they merely watch us from above, or did they have their own shimmering society tucked away in the sky?
I stumbled over the heel of my booties climbing up the long driveway leading to 5 Blessed Crescent, mentally flipping through all the notes Lynx and Saros had given me before I’d come here.
My phone buzzed and I slipped it out of my pocket, not surprised in the least when it was a text from Atlas.
Atlas
Just wanted to check in and see how you and Aspen are doing. Still no word on Hazel but my contacts are still looking into it.
Thanks. I appreciate it.
There was no way I’d tell him that I was working with Lynx and Saros, trying to find her myself. That would just send him into a panic, the last thing I needed right now.
Atlas
I’ll let you know if I hear anything. Miss you.
Same.
I stared down at the impulsive message, my palm meeting my forehead when I realized the implication—not that it wasn’t true—but I didn’t have time to worry about that. Tonight was about getting answers about my sister. I pocketed my phone before I continued to overthink it.
Aspen was nestled in, asleep in his ring sling, shades of sparkling midnight painted across the fabric with coppery flecks. Saros had fed a wire through the lining of it, in case the one under my clothes was too muffled with him attached to me.
Since he’d most likely just sleep and we’d be gone before any rituals took place, it was the perfect way for Lynx and Saros to listen in and help if needed. Not that I anticipated needing them, but it did bolster me as I continued to climb up the long paved driveway. I felt both oddly naked and free having my hands available and no stroller to push.
As I stepped on the black welcome mat donning the wordblessedwith all the phases of the moon spanning its width, the door creaked open slowly. No one welcomed me on the other side. I looked around the porch, spotting a few cameras blinking down at me, a silver star painted on its side.
Fitz served on Pierce Protection’s board, the tech security company Wade Pierce from next door had started up. It made sense that his home would be tricked out. I guess I just hadn’t noticed when I’d been here for the moonluck, though I’d mainly stayed in the yard, other than coming inside briefly to nurse in Fitz’s office.
“Look who actually made it!” Aurora called down the stairs. She and the otherBlessed Bitcheswere fully made up, living perfection in attire that was definitely not spit-up friendly.
“And look at you all fashion momma’d out,” Cordelia crooned. Since I didn’t really know her, I couldn’t tell if it was genuine or put on.
As I climbed the staircase, Heather nodded at my outfit in approval. “Those black rose-embellished leggings and blouse are perfection. And those shoes! Which bootique did you go to?”
She seemed like the nicest of the group, but I still was leery of their entire inner-coven clique. “Sally’s Bootique that she runs out of her house on Sable Sky.”
“I’ll have to follow her socials so I know where to shop next,” Laurel said, tapping her phone.
Here, I could make a fresh start withrealfriends. Not groupies that clung to me because of Atlas’s position back in Salem. Of course, now everyone here knew he was Aspen’s father, but he wouldn’t be around much, and this wasn’t his jurisdiction anyway.
The problem was, who wanted to make friends with a hot mess mom that was doused in dribble and had an erratic sleep and feeding schedule? Maybe other hot mess moms, but even Ivy and Jade, who were currently scampering over from the bar, seemed to have it more together than me. Maybe because they were veterans. Maybe because they hadn’t lost most of their magic along with every identity they’d ever known when they’d had kids.
