My Magical Life to Live: Midlife Witchery Book 4

by Trim, Brenda

  The cold glass in my hand was a lifeline. I flipped it open and hit Zreegy’s contact info.

  Her smiling face appeared on the screen. “Hey, Violet. Did Fiona burn herself again?”

  “No,” I burst out. “I’m at the park, and I stumbled across a demon attacking Faye. Her stomach was sliced open. I can see her guts, and her heart is barely beating, and I’m not sure she’s breathing. She needs help!”

  Zreegy’s eyes flared, and she was in motion. “I’ll be right there. Put pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding.” The screen went black, then reverted back to my contacts as she hung up.

  My thumb hovered over Gardoss’s number but never made contact. Something hard struck the back of my head, and I lost my grip on the device before face-planting in the grass. Pain exploded in my skull. Blood dripped down my forehead and into my eyes.

  I blinked and saw the demon approach Faye again. Black dots danced across my vision, threatening to take over. It took every ounce of energy I had to try and keep my lids open. The demon’s head lifted when I could fight the pull no longer, and I slipped into the darkness.

  Chapter 2

  I jumped from the passenger door of my Mustang and ran toward the park. My heart was in my throat, and I couldn’t breathe. My best friend had faced some evil creature on her own. The sound of its voice telling me it had been stalking me since our return will haunt my nightmares for the rest of my life.

  “Please let her be okay,” I murmured to keep my mind from devolving into the same spiral it had for the ten-minute drive.

  Bas was a pillar of stability as he sat and listened to me pour out every worst-case scenario I could imagine. When he burst past me at a run, I picked up my pace. His senses were far better than mine, so I had no doubt he’d picked up something in the area.

  He was through the shrubs and snarling as he entered the park. I was a couple seconds behind him and screamed when I saw Violet passed out and Faye not far from her. I didn’t know the witch elder that well, but was torn between going to her or Violet first. Sebastian chased someone through the darkened park, leaving me to deal with the two women.

  Faye’s intestines were turning grey and becoming necrotic where they protruded from an abdominal incision. Violet wasn’t moving and had her eyes closed, but her chest was rising and falling.

  I decided on the more critical woman first and knelt by her side. A sluggish and slow thump pulsed beneath my fingertips when I pressed on Faye’s neck. I removed my sweater and placed it over the open wound to protect the bowels while putting pressure on the wound.

  I held the wad down with one hand while keeping my fingers on her pulse with the other. Within a couple seconds, I no longer felt the faint beating and released my hold on her injury to perform CPR. My hands knew what to do and immediately started pressing on her sternum. I had no idea how supernaturals dealt with lack of air, but she would have brain damage from the lack of oxygen if I didn’t get more blood circulating soon.

  Before I needed to give her any breaths, Zreegy raced into the park. “Oh, thank God you’re here.” I had no idea why or how she was at the park but was grateful. She was a skilled healer.

  She joined me next to Faye. “Violet called me. Told me about Faye’s injuries before she cried out and the phone went dead. I’ve got Faye. You make sure Violet is alright.”

  I nodded and crawled over to my best friend. Tears stung my eyes as I checked her pulse. It beat steady beneath my touch. When I probed her skull, I noted a lump and gash on the crown near her parietal lobe.

  “Not only is Faye injured, but her magic is also weak. How’s Violet?” I glanced up at Zreegy and considered what she was saying. Whoever had attacked her had done so to steal her power. It made my heart race. It sounded too much like Vodor and Thelvienne and made me sick to my stomach to even think about it.

  I had killed both, and yet, was still afraid they’d find some way to return and haunt me. My hands were shaking when I lifted them to hover over Violet’s chest. She hadn’t been herself lately. Clearly, something was going on. I just prayed it wasn’t something slowly draining her that was causing it.

  “Recensionem magicae.” The spell sunk into her body and explored her magical makeup. It felt different from the time I scanned her after sharing my power. Whatever I had given her continued to alter her in unseen ways. I prayed I wasn’t the reason she had become a target for this demonic creature.

  Once the shock receded, I was relieved that her levels seemed to be as expected. “She’s fine, magically speaking. That demon clocked her in the head and caused her to pass out. Without an MRI, I can’t say more about the severity.”

  Faye muttered something, and blue light surrounded Faye in a cocoon. The healer strode over to my side and ran her hands over Violet’s head. “She’s going to be just fine in no time. The blow rattled her brain but didn’t do any permanent damage.”

  I scanned the area and saw Bas striding our way. “Since you’re empty-handed, I take it you didn’t catch the culprit.”

  He shook his head. His eyes blazed with his anger and frustration. I’d gotten to know the guy well over the last eight months and knew he was pissed the demon got away. “The fucker vanished right in front of me. What kind of creature can teleport like that? I assumed he was a demon, but they don’t have that much power as far as I know.”

  “That’s a hybrid trait. I read about two Fae-witch hybrids in our history that could move through time and space with a thought. It was believed they had a demonic family member in their background. I’d be curious to get my hands on this one and examine it,” Zreegy relayed.

  “There won’t be much left after I’m done with him.” I spun around and grabbed Violet’s hands. Her eyes were open, and she was watching us. The vice around my heart eased a fraction. I wasn’t going to lose my friend.

  * * *

  I had never been happier to see my best friend in my life. I thought the demon had me. Fiona helped me sit up. “Will Faye live?” Zreegy was the second-best thing that had ever happened to Cottlehill Wilds. Of course, Fiona was first on that list. And Aislinn was third. She would be higher, but Zreegy had saved our asses too many times now to be any less critical.

  Zreegy stood up and crossed to the prone witch. With a wave of her hand, Faye’s body lifted into the air. It was wrapped in a healing trance. “It’s too early to tell. In addition to her catastrophic injury, her magic has been siphoned from her body. It’s one reason she isn’t healing as well.”

  I shook my head. I couldn’t let that happen. This creature was feeding off the power of supernaturals and using injuries to disguise what he’d taken. “We need to get her to the council. They can infuse her and help save her. And might have an answer as to what it is we are facing here. She was a witch elder with a seat on the council. Her power should be off the charts.”

  Fiona waved in Zreegy’s direction. “It seems this thing might be a hybrid like me. Fae-witch.”

  “The ones that could teleport had a demonic ancestor. Don’t forget that,” Zreegy put out there.

  My stomach rebelled when I pushed off the ground and tried to stand up. My vision swam for a second, as well. Fiona’s soft hand grabbed my arm and braced me so I didn’t fall. “Careful. You’ve got a nasty bump on the head. I’d say nausea and headache are certainties for the next few hours.”

  Sebastian bent and picked up my purse, then lifted a cup, as well. He held it up, making the moonlight catch on the gold and jewels encrusted on the sides. Fiona reached out and took it from him. The thing vibrated in her hands and had symbols etched into the side of it.

  “Why do you have an old-world chalice in your bag? It’s powerful and beautiful; deadly, as well.” Fiona’s forehead was furrowed. “I have no idea why I said that. Obviously, a cup can’t kill you, yet it gives me the heebie-jeebies.”

  “That’s not mine. I’ve never seen it before in my life,” I replied.

  Fiona turned to her new boyfriend. The term seemed inadeq
uate to describe the couple’s relationship. Fiona didn’t want to think about officially mating Bas yet. She was happy focusing primarily on herself. “Is it Fae made?”

  Sebastian took it from her hand and tilted it this way, and that then handed it back to her. “Nope. The runes aren’t Fae, and the construction isn’t of our realm. There’s witch power infused into it. I’d say a witch made it.”

  I wouldn’t be surprised if it was some council artifact Faye was carrying. They hid countless tomes and dark and cursed objects from the general population under the guise of protecting us.

  Fiona shrugged her shoulders and dropped it into my bag, then hitched the strap over her shoulder. “That’s a problem for another time. We need to get Faye to the council.”

  Zreegy maneuvered Faye as we all headed for the exit. “Violet, let them know we’re coming and should be there in a few minutes. Can one of you cast a spell over her and me, so no one sees her floating next to us while we’re walking down Main Street?”

  Fiona wrapped an arm around me and stuck close to my side. “Where is the council meeting hall?”

  “It’s behind Town Hall. They meet right beneath Constable Lance’s nose.” I had to slow my steps, or I would hurl all over Fiona’s boots. She loved the black beasts. They made her look as badass as she was and gave her confidence. I didn’t want to ruin them.

  “I had no idea they were so close. Let’s drive-through.” Fiona patted my shoulder affectionately. She was the freaking best. I was glad I was talking to her when I encountered Faye and the demon. There’s no telling what would have happened if she and Bas hadn’t arrived when they did. “Violet can’t move that fast, and I have a feeling time is of the essence.”

  We all climbed into Fiona’s Mustang and put Faye in the trunk. It was the safest place for her. I asked what happened to the demon as we drove and was surprised to hear Bas had almost caught him. If the arsehole hadn’t disappeared, we would’ve had him in our hands.

  We pulled into the parking lot in front of the red brick building with columns on each side of the entrance. There were two floors of windows and a bell tower at the top of the building.

  I watched Fiona’s face, and her surprise as Bas drove behind the government building. Unless you saw through the glamour, all you saw was a strip of pavement about ten feet wide followed by the forest.

  “Holy crap,” Fiona blurted. “I freaking love magic. That brick house was hiding in plain sight my entire life. I can’t believe I never saw it before.”

  “We didn’t hang out back here. If we had, you’d have seen it for sure. Isidora might have blocked your power, but she didn’t take your ability to see the supernatural,” I pointed out.

  Bas turned and drove straight at a large oak tree. The tree was an illusion, of course. We were in the parking lot off to the side and getting out of the vehicle a second later. Fiona popped the trunk, and Zreegy lifted Faye from the back while I braced myself on the side of the car.

  My chest hurt as much as my head. I have no idea what the demon did to me, but I was pissed he got the jump on me. I was not a highly trained operative, but I had been in my share of battles lately. I should have known better than to let that arsehole catch me unprepared.

  Whatever he hit me with left a mark on me. Not as deep as the burning bird, yet almost as insistent. The chalice came to mind. Fiona picked it up from where I had fallen. How much could a cup made of gold hurt if that was what he’d used?

  A question to ponder another day as the council was there and scowling at us from the open double doors. Fiona helped me follow Zreegy, who maintained control of Faye. Sebastian followed us at a distance.

  Harriet wouldn’t want him inside their facility, and Camille wouldn’t care, either. She’d been working with us for months. It was Camille that approached us and took my other arm. She winced and pulled away instantly as if she’d been shocked by touching me. I hadn’t felt a thing except for the strength of her power wash over me.

  For a split second, we were connected, and it soothed the worst of the pain in my head and chest. “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m not sure,” she replied. “Let’s get inside.”

  We all entered the building. It was basically one big open room. The walls were painted a dark burgundy, and the floors were polished mahogany. There were thirteen plush chairs in the hall at the moment.

  I’d been there before when they’d set up a long table at one end and rows of chairs in front of that. My skin itched the moment we crossed the wards. Usually, I didn’t have any issues entering. This time the wards stung me like a wasp.

  Next to me, Fiona rubbed her arms. We looked back and saw Sebastian scowling as the doors were closed in his face. He wouldn’t be allowed inside the sacred space.

  “Their wards aren’t very friendly,” Fiona whispered.

  “They’re a snobby bunch that think they’re the top dogs around here. We need to take them down a peg or ten,” I replied in a low voice.

  “What happened?” Camille’s question interrupted our conversation, and I proceeded to tell her what I stumbled across and how I was injured.

  “And you’re certain it teleported?” Dereck asked. I didn’t like the head of the council at all.

  I lifted one eyebrow and shook my head. “You’ve blocked the only one that can answer that for certain.”

  “Sebastian wouldn’t have said it if he wasn’t sure of what he’d seen,” Fiona interjected with confidence.

  Harriet crossed her arms over her chest and glared at me. The disdain and hatred rolled from her in waves, making me want to turn around and run away. That woman had the meanest resting bitch face of anyone on the planet. It practically skinned you alive.

  “Why should we believe you just happened upon the park when Faye was being attacked? You reek of her magic. I’m certain you’re the reason she is so low.”

  Seraphine bobbed her head up and down in agreement. “You’ve never had as much power as you do right now. I think you need to spend some time in the dungeon while we investigate why you carry Faye’s magic.”

  Fiona moved in front of me and thrust her hands on her hips. “I’ve never met women with more idiocy than you guys. I was talking to Violet before she left her bookstore until the second she was attacked by an evil creature. She did nothing but put herself at risk to try and save Faye. She could have run and saved herself, but she didn’t, and the thanks you give her is to point the finger in her direction.”

  Fiona fished the chalice out of my purse and held it up. “This was found next to Violet. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out she was struck with this. It carries Faye’s magical signature and likely left a trace behind.”

  Camille approached Fiona and took the chalice from her. “You said this was at the scene?”

  “Yes,” I replied before Fiona got the chance. “What is it? I’ve never seen it before, and none of us recognized it.”

  “It’s a dark object,” Camille replied. There was fear in her eyes when she looked up and met my gaze.

  Fiona took the chalice back and slipped it into my purse. Seraphine jumped forward. “What are you doing with that?”

  “It doesn’t belong to you. We found it, and Violet was attacked with it, so it’s none of your worry. We’ll leave you to care for Faye.” Fiona grabbed my arm and tried to steer me toward the exit.

  I paused and looked at each council member one by one. “I sincerely hope Faye survives. She’s one of the nice ones. The council needs her. If I can answer any more questions, you know where to find me because I’ve lived here my entire life.”

  It stung that they would think so poorly of me when they had watched me grow from a baby into the middle-aged woman that stood before them now. I was one of their best allies. They didn’t want to make an enemy of me. I’d already bonded to a new coven, so they didn’t hold removal over my head. It felt good to have nothing to lose by snubbing them.

  Chapter 3

  I rubbed my head an
d glared at my ex-husband as he stood there ranting and raving at me. The urge to smack him upside the head was strong. Dathan left me ten years ago saying he had merman duties he couldn’t ignore.

  The reality was that we’d grown apart. We had lost what little spark we had when we started dating. It wasn’t until months later that I discovered he had cheated on me with a mermaid, and she was the duties he had to get back to. He returned when she dumped him months later. Served him right. Arsehole.

  “Why would you let them think they could move to another country? They can’t live so far away from us.” Dathan’s face was turning red, and the cords in the sides of his neck stood out.

  His bright green eyes were furious, and his dark brown hair stood on end. He was still good-looking no matter how much I wanted to see him for the ugly beast he is. He’d divorced me in the hopes of finding a partner he was madly in love with. He was as alone as I was. All we both had was the children.

  I understood how he felt. If they moved away, we would both find ourselves alone every night with no end in sight. His girlfriend had left him months ago. It turned out great for the kids because their father became involved with them again. Not so much for Dathan, but then I was a firm believer in you reap what you sow.

  “You do realize they’re eighteen years old now and make decisions for themselves. We raised them to speak their minds and follow their dreams. We can’t complain now because they’re leaving home and not looking back. I don’t like the idea any more than you do, but I will support them one hundred percent just like I did when they wanted to join the swim team that summer when they were nine.” When I was honest with myself, I was sick to my stomach when I thought about them being so far away.

  Thank the Goddess Fiona had moved to Cottlehill. She’d been a blessing in more ways than I could count. In her case, she chose to move away from her children. It was traumatic for her, and she’d shared her worries and process with me. When Ben told me that they wanted to move to North Carolina, Fiona was armed with plenty of advice.