“How do you know we are blessed? How do you know we are on the right side in a fight I can’t even see coming?” Mia knew they’d fallen away from the subject of Suzanne Parker again, but she needed to know what Cleo thought.
“You wouldn’t have two hellhounds and a dragon for protection if you weren’t. The Goddess gives you what you need to survive and thrive. Have you asked her your questions?”
Mia fidgeted. It was one thing to believe in a Goddess that was somewhere out there, taking care of the world. It was far different thinking that the deity was using Mia and her friends as chess pieces, or that she’d speak directly to Mia.
“I haven’t. But I will.”
Cleo stood. “I need to be back home before the clock strikes midnight. Just call me Cinderella.”
Mia glanced at her watch. The time was later than she thought. “Can I come on Monday if I have more questions?”
“Make it Tuesday. You’re going to be busy Monday.”
Mia followed Cleo to the front door, then watched as she climbed into a Grand Wagoneer that had been running. She had a driver, something that Mia hadn’t noticed before. After Cleo left, Mia noticed that Buddy was awake and watching.
The Goddess had sent her two hellhounds and a dragon. And two new witches that would be joining the clan next year. This society was feeling more like a family, and Mia was feeling more out of control.
When she closed the door, she heard Gloria’s laughter.
CHAPTER14
Mia felt like a truck had run over her the next morning when she finally pulled herself out of bed. She couldn’t sleep, so she had opened the book on Suzanne Parker and read late into the night, or early into the morning.
“Mia? Are you okay?” Christina knocked on her bedroom door, then opened it. “Wow, you look bad. Did you need to go in for the Edwards’s wedding?”
“Thank you for the pep talk. Give me thirty minutes to shower and change and inhale a cup of coffee, then we can head into the Lodge. I should be there for the ceremony and the beginning of the dinner. Mrs. Edwards can be a little much.” Mia eyed the coffee cup in Christina’s hands. “Is that for me? Or did you lace it with sugar and cream already?”
“Black like your heart,” Christina teased. “What were you doing last night? I got up around three and your light was still on.”
Mia took the coffee. After a couple of hot sips, she opened her eyes and pointed to the book. “I was finding out about our victim, Suzanne Parker. She was a child when her mother was hanged in Salem. Then she lived as a servant. If anyone deserved a life do-over, it was that child. I got through all but her life before this one. She was kind of a badass.”
“Do you know why she was killed?” Christina picked up the book, then dropped it quickly. “The book feels wrong.”
“Really?” Mia set down her coffee and picked up the book again. Nothing. She looked at Christina. “Is Abigail here? Tell her what just happened.”
“I’m not picking up that book again.” Christina backed out of the room.
“Drama queen. Just ask her. She can come in here and get it if she needs to.” Mia picked up her coffee again. “I’m heading to the shower.”
When she got out and dressed, she noticed the book wasn’t in her room anymore. In the kitchen, Grans and Abigail were huddled over the table. Christina was in the living room. “What’s going on?”
“Cleo gave you this?” Grans looked up and stared at Mia. “Let me see your hands and arms.”
She held them out. “Nothing. I didn’t react. I couldn’t sleep, so I read for hours last night, probably too long to be productive at work this morning. Hopefully, the wedding will go off without a hitch, because I don’t think I can solve a problem to save my life right now.”
“The book probably drained you a little. Christina felt it more because of her current state. Her body istrying to keep three people alive, not just her.” Grans met Abigail’s gaze. “Cleo must have thought that the book’s power had died with its subject, but I think there’s some still in there. One of the ways Suzanne Parker kept coming back was that she’d use the book to drain energy from the people it came in contact with. Life energy. Just a little from everyone. In a school full of rambunctious kids, the book would probably fill up fast, keeping Suzanne alive. It’s an amazing spell.”
“When you’re not the one being drained!” Christina called from the other room.
Mia rolled her eyes and Grans laughed. “She’s not wrong. I think we should return this to the library and get it away from you. Your face is a little pale.”
“I didn’t finish reading about her last life,” Mia said as she refilled her coffee cup, “but I didn’t find anything that explains why she was killed. No revenge plot building. Is the book true?”
“It’s a historic rendering, yes. Maybe you can read the rest tonight or Monday, when you’re a little stronger. I think the book’s power is slowly waning anyway.” Abigail picked up the book and carried it out to the apartment door. Grabbing the key to the library, she called out, “I’ll be right back.”
“I’m not going to be the one to tell Thomas that his wife was sucked dry by a dead woman’s book.” Christina picked up her plate and headed to the kitchen. “Let me know when you’re ready to go.”
Mia’s phone buzzed. Mark.
