by Chloe Adler
“Great. I’d say we can start after breakfast, but we need your help with something else first.” Rhys looks at me.
Shit, how could I have forgotten? It was my idea not to upset Iphi after her fainting spell, but now it’s gone on too long without us telling her. Even though it really did slip my mind, with her as a distraction, I know she won’t see it that way.
“My help? With what?”
“Iphi.” I hold my hands out. “I should have told you sooner and I apologize. I didn’t want to upset you before explaining why you fainted and helping you through that.”
Her face pales.
“It’s Thorn.” I wince.
She leaps off her stool, breakfast forgotten. “What’s wrong with him?”
I put a hand on her shoulder, resting it there. “Your mother’s spell. It’s frozen him in his shift.”
“He can’t change back,” adds Rhys.
She rushes to the door. “Why did you guys wait so long to tell me? Male pride? Take me to him. Now.”
Iphigenia
The men quickly escort me outside. At any other time, I’d marvel at their unique setup. Tiny homes circle the perimeter, each one cuter than the next. One looks like a white colonial with a tiny bleached porch and ivory columns in the front while two more are distinctly modern in design. The first is painted gray, two large rectangles on either side of slatted wood with floor-to-ceiling elongated windows. The other is smaller and incorporates blond wood with white walls and black trim. And then there’s the cutest little hobbit house that almost makes me squeal, complete with a large red round front door. I wonder whose is whose? The one we emerge from looks like a miniature log cabin.
We head toward the blond modern house and up onto its tiny front porch. Dominic knocks and announces us, and Caspian’s voice invites us in. I’m surprised this is Caspian’s, I’d predicted his would be the hobbit house. When I step inside, he throws his arms around me in a tight hug.
“I was worried about you,” he breathes into my hair, tickling my ear.
Pulling back, I beam up at him. His damp, sky-blue eyes blink rapidly. “Thank you, sweetie, I’m fine.” I squeeze his hand for good measure and step back to take the place in.
The inside of this house is just as cute as the interior of the previous one, though the wood here is a brassier blond. The ceilings are even higher, glass skylights lining one side of the peaked roof.
A living room and kitchenette are snuggled under two lofts, one in the front and the other in the back. Caspian motions us into the living room, where Thorn, in his mini-dragon shift, is perched on an ottoman.
Running over to him, I hold out both of my hands and he leaps into them. I bring his lizard face up to my mouth and peck the side of it.
Mother has done many despicable things in the past. When Sadie and I were young, she turned my sister into a mouse but didn’t tell me or Chrys. When Army had her trapped in my bedroom, I saved her, thinking I was just rescuing an actual mouse. I shudder to think what would have happened if I hadn’t been there, but for years I’ve told myself that Mother would have swooped in from somewhere if I hadn’t.
Growing up, I always made up excuses and stories for Mom. But looking at Thorn and taking into account everything else Aurelia has done over the years, to innocents and family alike, to me, last night . . . My body ices over, and I hold Thorn up to my shoulder. He jumps onto it, freeing my hands, and I rub them together for warmth.
“You need white candles, right?”
I jolt. “What?”
“Candles, you need white ones, yes?” repeats Dominic.
Oh, to reverse the spell on Thorn. Focus, dummy. I run a hand over his leathery tail in silent apology. “Four white candles and herbs or gemstones. Do you have those?”
“We have a lot of cooking herbs.” Caspian opens a cupboard. “Do you want to take a look?”
I walk over with Thorn on my shoulder, realizing that I shouldn’t get too excited about this adorable creature perched there, but he’s so freaking cool. It would be much cooler though if he weren’t stuck in this form. How horrible for him, not to be able to change if he wants to. I despise my mother’s petty anger all over again.
Peering into the cabinet, I move the jars around but there’s not much I can use. “Anything growing outside? A garden, perhaps?”
“We have a small vegetable garden, but no herbs,” says Rhys.
“I’m not even sure where to start,” I admit. “I have no idea what spell my mother cast. I thought it was a simple freezing spell, but obviously it wasn’t, and I don’t want to chance making his situation worse.”
Thorn nuzzles my ear and I return the caress.
“Is there any hope?” Rhys asks.
“I can go to Sadie’s and check her grimoire. I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to go back to my mother’s and look at hers right now.” Oh, Goddess, does this mean I’ve actually moved out?
“Definitely not,” agrees Caspian.
“I know we’ll need burdock root, that’s the main herb used for reversal spells. Can I give one of you a list?”
Rhys reaches out and takes my hand. “Of course. But can’t you text your sister, ask her to bring supplies so you don’t have to be out of our sight?”
Aw, my knights. “I need to comb through the book first, and it would be better to talk to her in person and see if she has any other ideas. Sadie is more powerful than my mother. I’m sure she can help.”
“We’ll all go with you to her house then.” Dominic takes a step forward.
I take a step back. I’m used to fly-on-the-wall, stoic Dominic. This fierce protector is . . . new. “Don’t you guys have to work today?”
Caspian and Dominic exchange looks. “Yeah, but we’ll call in a family emergency,” says Dominic, and Caspian nods.
“But I’m not your family.”
“Of course you are.” Caspian takes a step forward. “And this really is about Thorn, who most definitely is a blood relative. You two are far more important than work.”
“I appreciate the offer but that’s just too many cooks in the kitchen. Rhys and I will take Thorn to Sadie’s.”
Caspian and Dominic both posture, arms on hips.
“We want to be there for you,” says Dominic.
“For moral support,” Caspian adds.
“Sorry, boys, but I’ve got this.”
Caspian growls.
So much for being the calm, sensitive one.
Chapter Nineteen
Thorn
The sun is hanging low in the sky when Rhys pulls up to Sadie’s house, a small beach cottage with a wide porch sagging under a mountain of potted plants.
I’m glad for the distraction after my brothers’ pissing match. I’ve never seen Caspian that aggro before and no one had any time to talk him off the ledge. I only hope he doesn’t strangle Dominic while we’re gone. I suspect something may have transpired between Iphi and Dom when Cas wasn’t around. Not that I care about any of that drama right now, being stuck as a mini dragon. If it weren’t for Iphi, I’d have torched her mother by now. What an evil witch that woman is. I’m unsure what to expect upon meeting one of the girl’s sisters. What if they’re like her mother? Then again, where did Iphi come from?
A stacked redhead opens the door before anyone rings.
“Well done, sis.” Iphi waves toward the lush potted ferns and climbing red vines.
A smile lights up her pale face but those otherworldly green eyes widen when she spots me perched on her sister’s shoulder. “I’m crazy jealous that you have a pet dragon.”
She did not just say that. Curls of smoke puff out of my nostrils in response and I’m mighty close to flaming off her perfectly plucked eyebrows.
“Sadie,” Iphi chides. “He’s a shifter, not a pet!”
“Er, oops. Sorry. Introduce us?”
Iphi introduces her sister to me, then Rhys, and she sizes him up, tossing her flaming-red waves over a shoulder and holding out a
hand.
“Welcome.” She flashes a smile that says “do me” and motions for us to enter. I wonder if she and the handsy brunette at Promise are friends.
I hop off Iphi’s shoulder and circle the room once, stretching my wings. Her mouth is a tight line and her eyes are narrowed in her sister’s direction, but she doesn’t say a word. I’ve heard the rumors about Sadie. She’s a sesso, a witch who needs sex in order to use her powers. Sounds like fun to me but I can see how it could become a curse, too. Puberty in the Holt household must have been a trip. Damn Aurelia all over again because I can’t tell Iphi how very not interested in Sadie I am.
The woman leads us over to two tufted velvet couches straddling a glass coffee table between them. She motions for us all to sit and I perch again on Iphi’s shoulder. The living room is a mixture of chrome furniture, lush fabrics, and a jungle’s worth of potted plants on the floors, hanging from the ceiling and resting on side tables.
A large book with ancient writing is open on the table. This must be the grimoire Iphi mentioned. I’ve never seen one before. I want to get closer, but accidentally singeing any of its pages would be a really bad idea. Though I’m still thinking about her eyebrows . . . Next to it sits white candles, a thin dagger that I assume is an athame, and several glass bottles of herbs.
Sadie looks at me and pats the table. The last thing I want to do is leave my woman’s shoulder but this is why we’re here. The thought of holding Iphigenia in my human form once again blots out my trepidation. I hop off her shoulder and onto the table, next to the book, without turning my head to look at it.
“I’m sorry our mother did this to you,” Sadie says to me and I bow my head. “I’ve looked through all the spells here, and I’ll be honest, I don’t know if we can change you back.”
A puff of fire escapes before I can stop it, and I’m thankful to be facing away from that ancient book. The fireball hits the corner of the couch and singes a throw pillow. Everyone except for Iphi jumps away.
She leans forward, cooing, “It’s going to be okay; we’ll figure this out. I won’t give up,” and rubs the top of my head. She turns to Sadie, who is standing several feet away with her arms crossed underneath her breasts. Even now, she’s pushing them up and out. I guess that’s what it means to be a sex witch; you have little control over your sexuality. “Why don’t you think he can be changed back?”
Sadie returns to the table slowly. “Because our mother doesn’t use spells that have been handed down from generation to generation and written in books, especially when she’s angry. And, Thorn, do you think you could put a kibosh on the fire-breather act in my house? I’m quite attached to my stuff.”
I puff smoke from my nostrils in agreement and she mouths a thank-you.
“Wait a minute, I do not understand what you’re saying.” Iphi’s eyes are moist and her voice has risen an octave.
“Aurelia is like a seasoned chef who’s had over a hundred years to practice. She doesn’t need a cookbook,” Sadie explains.
“Meaning she just makes it up and hopes she gets it right?” asks Rhys.
“Exactly. But I’ll give it my best shot. Rhys, you wait over there.” Sadie points to the glass patio door. “And, Thorn, either jump on the couch or to the floor. I don’t want to break another coffee table if this works.”
I jump onto the floor and wait.
Iphi helps her sister position and light the candles in four different directions and one on the coffee table. They do some type of ritual, turning in a circle and drawing something in the air with Sadie’s athame.
Once they’re done, Iphi and Sadie remain close to me and Rhys stands by the sliding glass doors that lead out to yet more greenery.
Sadie adds dashes of herbs to the candle flame on the table and recites words in another language, one that sounds like Latin. I wait as Iphi glances at me every few seconds. After minutes stretch into an hour, nothing happens.
“Shit, this isn’t working,” Sadie finally says.
“Maybe if we get Chrys, too?” Iphi wipes at her face with the back of her hand.
She shakes her head. “It’s not the amount of power, it’s not knowing the correct antidote.”
“Maybe another witch’s grimoire? Like Katharine’s?”
“I already called her. She doesn’t have a spell for this either. It would be one thing if Aurelia had changed him into a dragon, but freezing him in a shift . . .” She shakes her head. “I’m sorry, Iphi, but I don’t think I can help. Aurelia’s going to have to remove this one herself.”
“Fat chance of that happening,” Iphi sighs. “I left.”
Sadie does a double take. “Left as in left home?”
Iphi nods, biting her lip.
“What made you do that? No, wait,” Sadie holds up a hand, “don’t tell me. I’ll guess.”
She eyes Iphi up and down but the woman remains still, her hands folded over her chest.
“You finally started to spread your wings, didn’t you?” Sadie’s lips curve. “Does this have to do with Mr. Hottie Pants?” She inclines her head toward Rhys, who is staring out at the lovely back garden. If he heard her, he’s polite enough to ignore it.
But I heard and have to clamp my mouth shut in order to keep the flames in my throat.
Instead of answering, Iphi drops her head and presses her mouth together, looking down her nose at her sister.
“Oh, yes.” Sadie rubs her hands together. “Scandalizing. Finally, our younger sister’s had enough of the old ball and chain.”
“Not nice!” Iphi cries out.
“Well neither is she, Iphs. Time to call a spade a spade. Do you need a place to stay? You’re always welcome here but there’s more room at Burgundy’s. I know she’d love to have you.”
“She stays with us,” Rhys calls from across the room. Guess he was listening after all.
“Well that sounds fun. You’re living with four hot men now.” Sadie winks at Iphi. “When you go, you go big, just like me. I approve.”
“It’s not about going big or trying to hurt Mom or making a point. It was a misunderstanding, that’s all. Mom was just reacting in the moment. I’m sure it’ll clear up.”
Sadie leans close to her sister and drops her voice. “I’ve always suspected there’s more to your powers than you let on. Maybe you’re an emotional weathering vane and there’s something about Mom that you can sense. Something the rest of us can’t? You’re an empath, aren’t you?”
Iphi’s face flushes but she looks away without speaking. Is this true? Can she actually feel what others feel? I’m not sure if that would be a gift or a hindrance.
“Why else would you constantly make excuses for her?” Sadie asks. “Do you really believe that whatever Aurelia’s reaction was it was just a misunderstanding?”
Iphi shakes her head, sucking in the inside of her cheek.
“Good. Then here’s the clincher.” Sadie stands directly in front of her sister, looking down at her. “Do you have any desire to keep living with our mother?”
Iphi’s eyes grow moist but she shakes it once, then looks away.
Sadie tilts her own in understanding. Then she recites the words to open the circle and blows out the candles.
Iphi flops on the couch and puts her head in her hands.
No wonder the woman is distraught. She’s left the only home she’s ever known without making a plan to do so first. Iphigenia, the girl who choreographs every moment of her life. And now she’s performing without a net.
Rhys, also seeing Iphi’s pain, sits next to her on the couch, weaving his arm around her shoulders. She leans into him, biting her lip. I jump on her lap and push my head into her hand, wishing there was more I could do for her.
“Okay, it’s official,” says Sadie, “I’m jealous.”
Iphigenia
Back in the car, Thorn sits in my lap, nudging my hand, and I absently pet him.
Rhys starts the car and we move slowly down the drive. I’m so lost in tho
ught that I don’t notice where he’s driving until we pull up in front of my mother’s house.
“Rhys?” Sheer panic is setting in. My hands are clammy and my throat is dry. Swallowing proves to be an effort.
“It’s not fair for Thorn to . . .” He cuts the engine, gesturing toward his friend, who is curled up in my lap, sleeping.
He’s right, of course. I have to try. Mother may not be happy to see me and I’m not sure what I can say to make her change Thorn back. Maybe nothing. And then what? Guilt for his state flushes through me. There has to be something that my sisters and I can do. If I can at least get Mother to tell me what spell she used, maybe I can reverse-engineer something without her help. Maybe Sadie is wrong. “I’m nervous,” I confess, wiping my hands on my jeans.
“I’ll go with you.”
“It’ll be worse if I don’t go in alone.”
He gets out of the car and comes around to open the passenger door for me, holding out his hand. “With Thorn, then.”
Thorn wakes up, stretches, and squawks. Then he flies up to perch on my shoulder.
“With Thorn,” I agree. I get out of the car, careful not to dislodge my passenger. I turn toward the house, but Rhys stops me with a touch on my arm. When I turn back, he kisses me, his hands on my arms, pulling me close. Between Thorn’s presence and Mother’s house looming behind me, I have to pull away before the kiss can deepen as much as I want it to.
“I’ll be right outside if you need me.”
Steeling myself for the confrontation ahead, I slip my key into the lock, but when I turn it, nothing happens. No click. The lock stays in place. Straightening, I ring the bell to my own house. A theatrical gong reminiscent of a French horn rings long and loud. Mother is apparently in no hurry to welcome me home because it’s minutes before the handle jiggles and the locks slide open.
“You changed your mind?” Her voice is soggy and small. She sniffles, holding my gaze, and then spots Thorn on my shoulder. Her hand shoots up. “No, you want your mother to suffer.”
