“What does that mean?” Ruth asked and giggled.
“It means that’s a crummy place to work. He probably sees the worst of humanity there. If he were working here or in Chestnut Hill or somewhere in the suburbs, it might not be so bad.”
“For crying out loud, Dad. It’s the financial district! Not Dorchester or Roxbury. Maybe he’ll get a hot stock tip from a grateful broker. Why do you always assume the worst?”
“Dad, Kizzy, we need to focus on the book.” Ruth sent her an apologetic look. Clearly, she hadn’t expected the conversation to take such a pessimistic turn.
“Yes, you’re right, dear,” the elder Dr. Samuels said. “I wish I had your psychic powers, but I don’t. Male witches in our family have other gifts, but divination isn’t one of them. I have to rely on the two of you to keep me informed. Please put your love lives on hold until we figure out what this threat is. Please? Humor an old man, okay?”
Kizzy frowned. “I already did that, remember? I said ‘not now,’ and Ruth thinks I might have discouraged him altogether—even though I didn’t mean to.”
“And I’m engaged but without a date set, so I’m all yours for the time being. I’d rather not move back home though. Then I’d have to explain why to Gordon, and I don’t think he’d understand.”
“Look, I know you’re adults, but I’m still concerned for your safety. You’ll just have to put up with me being a little overprotective.”
“Don’t you think it’s time to tell Gordon the truth?” Kizzy asked.
“I’m not convinced it’s necessary yet,” their father said. “Until a date is set. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not pushing you to get married. Neither one of you. I’d rather you be one hundred percent sure of the man’s love, devotion, and trust.”
Kizzy sighed. “I know, Dad. And believe me, I’m grateful I don’t have to put up with some of the pressure my friends do. They tell me about parental conversations that include phrases like ‘I won’t be around forever’ and ‘you need to get married before the dreaded 3–0.’”
“You have plenty of time, Kizz. I like your sister’s idea of developing your psychic powers. Maybe between both of you, the other books can be located.
“We don’t know what’s coming for us,” he continued. “If it’s as malicious as you say, we may be facing something truly evil. I never told you this, but on her deathbed, your great-grandmother begged us not to let ‘the entity’ get all three books.”
“The entity? That’s what she called…it? Or them?”
“I wish I knew more. We tried to get her to elaborate, but she died moments later.” He scratched his head. “You tried the locator spell before, but that was as a lark. We didn’t need the other books then. Perhaps now that we do, the spell would carry more weight. Can you repeat the ritual? Sometimes the universe waits until you really mean the words you say.”
“Yes. It’s in the book, so I’m sure we can recreate it.”
“Good. Let me know what happens.”
Kizzy began flipping through the book. It was loosely organized and handwritten centuries ago. Monks were said to have penned and illustrated the pages. No one was given all parts of a spell or the book as a whole—until it was finished. Family lore said that some ancient ruler had commissioned the work, and supposedly, Nostradamus had added to it.
The girls pored over the pages. At last, Ruth leaned back and groaned. “You’re so much better at languages than I am, Kizz. Can you find it, please?”
Kizzy watched as her sister rubbed her temples and yawned.
“Are you okay, Ruth?”
“Yeah. Fine. Why?”
“You seem tired. More so than usual.”
“Really? Are you sure you’re okay, Ruthie?” their father asked.
She let her head rest on the sofa back. “Promise you won’t get mad?”
Kizzy’s eyes widened. “You’re pregnant!”
Ruth rolled her head toward her sister. “Is that your psychic detection or your guess, Kizz?”
“Both.”
Ruth sighed. “No use denying it then.”
The elder Dr. Samuels appeared frozen, as if stunned into silence. Finally, he found his voice. “Have you told Gordon yet?”
