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As we headed for the door, I asked, “What magic do you work with? You are one of the magic-born, correct?”
She nodded. “I am. I work with pure energy. The energy of thought, of communication, and of lightning.”
I pushed open the door and we headed out into the snow. As we were about to separate, her to her car and us to ours, a growl—low and threatening—alerted me.
Incoming. Werewolves. At least five.
Shit! I hadn’t been prepared for a fight. My belly was full and I was already tired from the altercation with the day-runners earlier. I whirled around to see the pack headed for us.
“Werewolves!” They didn’t look like they were from the Lupa Clan. In fact, they looked even surlier and nastier.
“I smell the stench of magic-born.” The tallest one stepped forward and—before I could say or do anything—he threw a punch my way, hitting me in the stomach and knocking me back into a snowbank.
Kaylin had his shurikens out within seconds, and Rhiannon jumped back, squinting as she whispered some chant. I struggled to my feet.
Ysandra, on the other hand, simply placed her briefcase and bag down behind her in the snow and held up one hand, palm toward the lycanthropes. They jostled for position, but within a moment a shockwave raced through the air, knocking all of us on our butts. The werewolves looked startled, nervous.
Kaylin grabbed Rhiannon and helped her up, then me.
Ysandra simply stood where she was.
“You have a choice.” Her voice was even and so scary cold that it frightened even me. “You can turn tail and leave us be, or you can lose your hearing forever, along with your equilibrium. If you don’t think I can do it, you’d be sadly mistaken. I am no youthful witch, new to her magic.”>I pointed to the booth. “We’re here to meet her.”
As Rae-Ann led us through the carpeted dining room, quiet music played in the background. It wasn’t wet-dream elevator music but classical, and it soothed my thoughts as I tried to relax.
Ysandra looked as prim and proper as I remembered—with a high-button, ruffled yoke shirt in a rich plum that contrasted with her black skirt. Her blond hair was pulled back in a chignon, with lacquered chopsticks holding it in place. A pair of leather driving gloves were neatly folded across her handbag. And it was a proper handbag, double strap, designer by the looks, in classic ecru.
She wore half-glasses, and if I tried to put an age on her, I’d place her somewhere between thirty and seventy, which pretty much meant I had no clue—she didn’t look old but she didn’t feel young. Ysandra was one of the magic-born and a very powerful witch. We slid into the booth as she gestured for us to join her. As she closed her menu, she smiled.
“Kaylin, Cicely, Rhiannon—I’m pleased to see you again.”
The waitress waited until we were seated before handing us menus.
“Please, my treat. Have a bite to eat.” Ysandra glanced at the three of us. “Peyton isn’t joining us?”
I shook my head. “Family business. Her father returned. He’s been gone since she was young.” Not sure how to approach what we were about to tell her, I glanced through the menu.
The waitress waited, pencil poised over her pad. “Do you need a few minutes, or do you know what I can get for you folks?”
Ysandra nodded at me. “Please, go ahead.”
I folded the menu. “Cheeseburger, please, with a salad instead of fries. And hot chocolate. I’m allergic—anaphylactic—to fish and shellfish. Please tell the chef.”
“You got it, honey. And I’ll make sure the chef knows about your allergy.” She jotted down a note on the pad.
Rhiannon handed her the menu. “Chicken soup and grilled cheese. Hot chocolate sounds good.”
“And for you, hon?” She turned to Ysandra and I stifled a giggle. Anybody who called Ysandra “hon” was a brave, brave woman.
Ysandra apparently thought so, too, by the look on her face, but she was polite enough to avoid commenting. “A bowl of your creamy potato soup and turkey on rye, please. No mayonnaise. Butter instead.”
The waitress nodded, jotting it down. She looked over at Kaylin and a slow smile spread across her lips as she drank him in. I glanced at him. He’d been handsome when I met him, but ever since the night-veil demon awaked in his soul, his charm had increased.
“Burger and fries. A large glass of milk.” He gave her a half wink and she hurried off, giggling.
“You have a way with the ladies, young man.” Ysandra gave him a measured smile. “How does your wife feel about your flirting?”
I sucked in a deep breath. Time for the truth. “Yeah, about that. We have a lot to tell you, and I’m not quite sure how to start. It’s complicated.”
