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Green witches didn’t just have a way with plants and potions; they were also supposed to be masters of the hearth and were exceptional bakers and cooks. I’d spent the last few decades learning how to cook but hadn’t gotten much into baking yet. I didn’t really need to eat unless the soul stuff I was made of was injured and needed healing—an extremely rare occurrence—but I enjoyed eating immensely.
It was one of the only pleasures I’d kept after my decades of debauchery after being freed. I also still partook in alcohol consumption occasionally. Alcohol did affect demons despite the rumor that it did not. We just needed a lot more of it for the desired effect.
I put the tray down on the table and took a cookie for myself. We’d driven right through lunch, and I was hungry. And yes, demons experienced hunger of a sort, though it might not be the same feeling as folks who required sustenance. We could just ignore it indefinitely.
“Mmm, these are delicious.” They were the perfect mix of soft and chewy with a bit of crispness at the edges. “Can I have the recipe?”
“Youwant the recipe?“ Iris looked at me in disbelief.
“Actually, Eamon’s the only one at the penthouse that really cooks. The rest of us just boil water and fry eggs.” Shelby reached for a cookie herself.
Iris eyed me critically. “I’d never have thought. I didn’t know demons needed to eat.”
Grayson and I had reverted to our natural forms the moment we stepped on the property. Iris and Alex knew what we were and didn’t mind one bit. They were just happy Shelby had found a devoted gargoyle to spend the rest of her life with.
“We don’t, but I enjoy it. And I enjoy cooking too. It’s a challenge to figure out what was in the meal and replicate it.” I sent her a droll look. “I fail more often than not.”
“Still very edible,” Grayson said with a grin.
“Yeah, you’re a gargoyle,” I reminded him. “You’ll eat anything. No matter how bad I mess up, I know you three will eat it all.”
Tansy was quiet as she watched the exchange. I hadn’t cooked for her yet, but I wanted to. Maybe we’d have some time in the near future. She did mention that her favorite was steak and mashed potatoes. Those were easy, so I was sure I’d be able to make something she’d love.
That would have to wait until we had some time to relax. As long as Amrita was around, she’d always worry.
“I’ve dug and potted up the plants you need. I can’t help but notice a pattern in the plants.” Iris would notice. She raised a brow at Shelby and Tansy.
Tansy touched the chain at her neck. “Is it safe to talk here? We had an incident on our way here.”
“My plants won’t let anything bad in,” Iris said.
We enjoyed the tea and cookies while Tansy told her story. Then I explained what had happened at the Witch’s Brew.
“And this is why we need those plants,” Tansy concluded. “I’m done running.”
“Good for you,” Iris said, nodding animatedly. “Show her who’s boss!”
Tansy showed her the images she’d taken of Saoirse’s notes. “Sybil said she could enchant the container for me, but I’ll need to cast the final spell on my own.”
Iris mumbled to herself as she read the notes. “Sybil’s right on the herbs needed for the spell. You’re hiding your magic. Do you mind showing it to me?”
Tansy scrunched her nose up and then took the spell book out of her bag. “I’m still a newbie.” Then flipping to the right page, she recited the spell.
The whole room seemed to brighten. Even Alex, who supposedly had no magic—though I doubted that as well—noticed. He sat a little straighter. The plants in the room seemed to grow.
Several new leaves popped on the vine dangling over Iris’s head.
“Brilliant!” Iris exclaimed. “We never knew Shelby had magic, because it was so slight it barely showed, but she was able to defeat those nasty wizards. You’ll beat this unwanted soul with no problem.”
Shelby held both hands up and waved. “I had a lot of help. I sure didn’t do it on my own.”
Iris squinted at her granddaughter. “Your magic has grown too. It gets stronger the more you use it; it’s like a muscle. But just like our bodies, we can’t overuse our magic, or else we can get injured.”
“I’m going to get injured pruning all these plants,” Alex grumbled, as the vine continued growing, snaking into Iris’s hair.
She furrowed her brows. “The stronger the magic, the harder it will be to learn to control.”
To my surprise, Tansy looked sad at her skills. “Is it bad that sometimes I wish I was just an ordinary girl? I feel like this untapped talent is the reason I have all these problems to begin with.”
