Page 106 of Christmas Magic

“Most likely, the Dealers manipulated her. They used Cora so that if The Experts discovered the plot, she’d take the blame.”

“For what? What did they intend to happen?”

“My guess? To split you two up for good.”

A sob lodged in Molly’s throat.

At a ping from his pocket, Julius took out his phone and scrolled to read a text message. His mouth flattened before his gaze returned to Molly. “Over the past months, we’ve received word that The Dealers have been concerned about the capabilities you and Lucian possess together. Between his skills with magic and the power of the sorceress you’ve got locked inside of you—”

“But Agnes is dormant!”

“Yes, and she must stay that way. With you and Lucian working together, loyal to each other and sworn to serve The Experts, there’s little chance of Agnes ever resurfacing. Magic is part of your DNA, however. You’re still discovering your powers, but you also have tremendous potential to develop—as The Dealers know.”

She had tremendous potential? “I do?”

“You do. While you and Lucian are both powerful on your own, you do not pose the same threat as if you were a united couple.”

“I’m not going to let The Dealers destroy our relationship.” Molly ripped away some of the newspaper protecting the object in her hand.

“You and Lucian love each other.” Daisy purred. “The Dealers can never break the strength of that love.”

“Love is the greatest magic of all,” Rose said.

The diamond ring on Molly’s finger glinted as she pulled away more newspaper. A bit of glossy white china came into view. “We need to break the spell on Lucian as soon as possible.”

“Yes,” Julius said. “Tonight.”

Molly removed the remaining paper. “Well, look at that.”

She’d unwrapped a pepper shaker in the shape of a cat.

“Look, Mom! There’s Santa.”

Darkness had fallen, but in the light from the streetlamps and open boutiques on Sherwood Boulevard, Lucian easily saw the curly-haired boy pointing at him. As Lucian remembered from his visit with the real Santa, he called: “Ho ho ho.”

The child grinned. Hestood beside a woman seated in a deck chair by the curb. As far along the downtown street as Lucian could see, people had set up chairs on either side so they’d have a good view of the holiday parade, due to start within the next half hour.

Lucian walked faster. He mustn’t get distracted—although the bulky Santa costume was beastly hot to wear. Sweat had gathered on his forehead, making the skin under his fuzzy hat itchy, and his palms were slick inside his gloves. He’d been wise not to don the fake beard yet—he’d tucked it under his belt—because it would have made him sweat even more. No wonder in every picture he’d seen of Old Saint Nick, the fellow’s cheeks were flushed.

Like Lucian, however, Santa was a man of duty who tolerated unfortunate but necessary discomforts. Being a little uncomfortable was far less important than the quest Lucian had to complete that night; a quest involving a lady’s honor. He’d remind himself of that fact if his focus wavered.

A father herding several excited boys smiled at Lucian.

He waved to them. “Ho ho ho.”

“Merry Christmas, Santa,” said the silver-haired woman to his right.

“Santa!” cried the girl with braided hair who was holding the woman’s hand.

“Ho ho ho,” he said again and continued up the sidewalk. He passed shoppers coming out of the stores and remembered how he’d left things at Black Cat Antiquities. Remorse flickered, but he tamped it down. He did not have time to dwell upon such thoughts now.

A short distance ahead, he caught sight of a temporary barrier blocking the street. Beyond it were the first floats of the parade. Cora had told him where to meet her so he could take his place on the historical society float.

“Mom?” said a boy carrying a whipped-cream-topped drink. “Why does Santa have a sword?”

“I’m not sure.” The mother sounded uneasy.

Warning skittered at the back of Lucian’s skull, for if she were to summon the authorities, he’d never accomplish his quest.