Do you know if this was a magic killing or not? Can’t believe that’s my question.
Mia smiled as she texted back.
From what I can tell, I don’t think so. I need to expand my investigation today. Any tox results back yet?
It’s the weekend, so no.
Heading to work, then I’ll pull out my notes. I’ll let you know if I find anything.
Weird thing is, the mayor’s not sticking his nose in this murder. Does that mean that it’s not magical?
Don’t know. But it’s interesting, I agree. Chat later.
Mia set down her phone near the food that Grans had set in front of her. She was starving. Probably due to the book draining her life force. She looked up and saw her grandmother watching her. “Have you figured out anything on who would want to kill Suzanne Parker? On the coven side?”
“She was powerful. The coven originally thought the attack came from us, but since your level went up, I’m sure that ended that discussion. We didn’t have a reason to kill her unless she nullified your testing. She was the one who tested you and the result was higher, so, well, there goes that logic.”
Grans sat down across from Mia. “I do think you need a stronger protection spell. I don’t like the fact that Blake was able to put you under a spell for over an hour. She could have planted anything in your head.”
“She said she was sorry and she wouldn’t do it again.” Mia flinched as the words came out of her mouth. The words didn’t sound like something she’d say. “Can you tell if she did anything to my head?”
“What do you think I am? An emotional X-ray machine?” Grans shook her head. “Dorian, I mean, Damien has a potion that might clear any unwanted programming. He’s been working on it in the potions lab. We’ll see if that works.”
“Cleo knows about Dorian and Cerby and Buddy, and she has to know about Sarah and Em because she said two hellhounds.” Mia looked down at Muffy. “Unless you’re one in disguise.”
Muffy barked, then Mr. Darcy yawned, and they both went back to sleep.
Grans rubbed his belly. “I think that’s unlikely. Cleo knows a lot. She also holds a lot of secrets. I don’t worry about what she knows, I worry more about what she tells us. What else did she say that has you on edge?”
Because Christina was in her bedroom talking to Levi, and Abigail hadn’t come back from the library yet, Mia quickly told her grandmother about Cleo’s assumption that Mia was Goddess chosen. “It’s not a label I want.”
“I think Cleo’s right on this subject. You get what you get.” Grans looked at the kitchen witch doll hanging in the kitchen. “We need more direction from Gloria if this is true. I’ll find the right spell and we’ll see if we can have a conversation with our elder with more than just the giggling.”
Abigail came back into the apartment. “The library sent me back with a book. Dream walking? Is this for one of you?”
Mia stood and took her plate to the sink. “I guess I have more reading tonight. I’ve got to get to the Lodgebefore Mrs. Edwards’s head starts spinning around like a top.”
“It’s good practice for Christina’s wedding.” Grans grinned as Abigail refilled her coffee. “Her mother is going to be a nightmare. Thank the Goddess that you got out of Isaac’s clutches before we had to deal with her.”
At the Lodge, things were going better than she expected. Mia checked in with the not-horribly-anxious mother, made sure the deliveries of wine and food were ready for the dressing party, and walked through the chapel, where the ceremony was to be held. Jeani, the decorator for the Lodge, had done an amazing job. Everything that Mrs. Edwards had listed off had been done. The chapel had looked lovely yesterday, but today, the room almost glowed. With those tasks checked off her list, Mia went to the reception ballroom and made sure things were set up there too.
Blake came up to her. “Everything looks good.”
“I think our clients are going to be very happy.” Mia looked up from her clipboard. “I realized today that you could have done a little meddling in my head while you were in there looking for your answers. I don’t know what your game is, but I’m reconsidering letting bygones be bygones.”
“I didn’t add anything to your head.” Blake’s anger flared just a little and her face reddened. “But I did find something you should know about. Someone has been feeding you fake memories. Not a lot, so I wasconfused at first when I found them. Your grandmother should be able to clear them quickly. It’s weird; they’re like little patches covering up holes in your memories. Like they took something out and put these in.”
Mia thought about the vision she’d seen at the restaurant. What if something else had happened? “Blake, could this have happened during my testing?”
“No. The National Office wouldn’t allow …” Blake stopped and tapped a finger on her lips, a sign she was thinking. “I don’t think Parker could have done it during the test, but you got breaks, like lunch. What did you have for lunch that day?”
Mia shook her head. “I don’t remember, but it was something Abigail sent over.”
Blake studied her, then took her wrist, holding it between two fingers. “Don’t tell anyone I said this, but yeah, I think it might have happened during your testing.”
After Mia made sure everything was fine with the wedding, she headed back to her office. She had questions, and she didn’t know if she could trust Blake to tell her the truth. She needed to go home and talk to Grans and Abigail.
Christina was reading when Mia went into her office. She set down the book. “Now what?”
