Page 65 of Christmas Magic

“I hope to have a solution by the time I reach the town, if not before.” Julius’s tone had turned somber. “One more thing, Molly.”

“Yes?”

“If the situation warrants it, I authorize you to use your powers on Lucian.”

What?“No! I can’t. I’m still learning.”

“You must recognize how dangerous it would be if he became enslaved to dark magic.”

Oh, but she did.

“He’s a powerful sorcerer and knows far too much about the workings of our organization. We couldn’t allow him to become a Dealer.”

A ghastly chill settled inside her. She simply wouldn’t think about such possibilities—not when they hadn’t even tried to remove the spell yet. “Lucian isn’t beyond our help. He’s still Lucian, just enchanted.”

“For now. However, if there should be more to The Dealers’ plan—”

“He’d never join them.”

Silence carried on the line.

Her pulse pounded so hard, nausea made her head spin.

“Julius! You know he wouldn’t.”

“Not willingly, no.” The Expert’s tone hardened. “If you find yourself in a situation where you have no choice but to stop him, use your magic. You are to protect yourself, but also the corrupted antiques in Black Cat Antiquities. The fate of Cat’s Paw Cove—and more—could depend on you.”

Oh, God.

“I’ll be in touch again tomorrow. I should better idea then when I’ll reach the town.”

After exchanging goodbyes, Molly put aside her phone. Use her magic on Lucian? She couldn’t even move fake snowflakes inside a snow globe, let alone defeat a highly skilled sorcerer.

“That conversation sounded stressful,” said Daisy, sitting in front of her food bowl.

Molly managed a nod. “Hopefully, Julius will soon have a solution for Lucian’s enchantment.”

“Let’s hope so,” Rose said. “I’m over the new Lucian.”

I want the old Lucian—the man I love and want to marry—back, too.

Switching the sink taps on again, Molly finished running Tim’s bath. She checked the temperature to be sure the water wasn’t too hot and then picked up the kitten, who was licking his clean plate.

Tim stared at the sink filled halfway with water. “I don’t wanna baff.”

“You’re dirty, Tim, and the vet confirmed you have fleas.”

“What are fweas, anyway?”

“Tiny bugs,” Galahad said from by his food dish. “They live in your fur.”

The kitten’s eyes grew enormous. “I have bugs in my fur?”

“That’s why you were scratching in the car,” Daisy said.

“I think a few jumped onto me,” Marigold meowed.

“Don’t worry, I’ll treat the car.” Molly turned off the taps. “Tonight, I’ll also give the rest of you cats the topical treatments. You’re due for them anyway. First, though, we need to scrub Tim, so we don’t get fleas in the house.”