My Magical Life to Live: Midlife Witchery Book 4

by Trim, Brenda

  It was about time it noticed the f-you I’d been flipping it and gave up the ghost. Not having to pick up my clothes and toothbrush and makeup every step I labored down might seem like a minor win. For me, at that moment, it was a significant win.

  I practically skipped down the stairs. I cried out when I went to pick up the straps but managed. I paused for a glass of ice water. It would take me time to load the car, but it was early enough I would still make it to the cabin before it got dark outside. I would send Fiona and Violet text messages to let them know where I was and that I was safe.

  The question was whether or not I should let Thanos know where I went. The butterflies in my stomach voted yes, while my rational side said no. It was best to keep the distance. He’d helped me when I was injured and vulnerable. That alone bought him some goodwill. In the end, I didn’t trust him or his motives. He hadn’t said it outright, but he believed I was the key to finding the demon.

  His anger over not finding one of the creatures he was tasked with locating, filled the room when he spoke. His job meant a lot to him. He dealt with Gods and Goddesses. I would be stupid to think he wouldn’t use me as bait to lure the demon into a trap.

  Thanos was a dangerous guy. You looked into his grey eyes, and you saw death coming for you. That was one of the many things that drew me to him. I needed help. How could I still want the guy knowing he would use me and was as dangerous to me as the demon? The one thing that made me keep my distance was my shitty luck. The way things were going lately, I would fall for the guy and end up eating gallons of ice cream when he went back to the Underworld.

  * * *

  The morning sun was much brighter at the cabin. I’d passed out shortly after arriving last night. I hadn’t even had the energy to do more than tug the dusty sheet off the bed and throw my blanket over the top of the mattress.

  A groan slipped from my mouth when I rolled over. The window had more dirt on it than Ben's soccer uniform, but it didn’t have any shades. That’s why the sun was brighter here. There was nothing to filter it out.

  I sat up and looked around the room. The cabin had two bedrooms off the main living room. It wasn’t big, but it was cozy and had a fabulous wood-burning fireplace. The place was filthy after being empty for so long.

  I snatched my phone from the bedside table and replied to Fiona and Aislinn’s texts, assuring them I was alive and well. They’d each called me and gave me an earful while I was driving out here. In the end, they agreed that I would be safe here. Even they had forgotten about the cabin. Chances were slim that the demon would be able to track me over so much distance.

  Before getting a jump start on the cleaning, I put water on for tea. I needed to eat something. I’d skipped dinner last night. I inhaled two scones and an apple before the water even boiled.

  After making a cup of tea, I went around the small house and opened all of the windows to get some fresh air blowing through the place. There was a magazine Bailey left on the coffee table last time we were there.

  A laugh escaped me when I saw the teen heartthrob on the cover. The sheets needed to go first. I pulled the one from the sofa and took it out to the porch, then went back inside for the one covering the television and entertainment center.

  There wasn’t much in the place, so it didn’t take me long to remove all of the covers so I could dust the furniture. My energy wasn’t as low as it had been the day before, but I was still worn out and sore after taking a dozen flat sheets off furniture and out to a pile on the porch.

  I wanted to rip that demon’s head from its shoulders. Working hard was something I was used to doing. I did most of the work in the bookstore. A YouTube video told me how to refinish the wood floors, and I managed without any problems. Yet, here I was, gasping like a chain smoker after ten minutes.

  I grabbed a rag and the bottle of cleaner that was under the sink. I did a test spray inside the sink and gagged when it smelled more like a sewer than antiseptic. A wet rag would help clear some of the grime.

  The cabinets used to be a light oak color. I ran the rag down a dark door and winced when I did nothing but create a streaky mess that was now dripping brown goo onto the countertop.

  I paused and looked around the house. There was too much to do without any cleaning supplies. Use your magic. You can clear this in a flash. That would be good advice if mine wasn’t crapping out on me.

  Still, it was the best option. The nearest store was an hour away, and I didn’t feel like making the trek out there. I took several deep breaths and waited until the worst of my pain passed.

  I propped the screen door open, removed the screen over the kitchen window, and then imagined all the dust being picked up by a funnel. Calling my magic was now accompanied by lava flowing through my veins. The heat had been building for weeks now. I couldn’t think about what might happen if it got any hotter. That wouldn’t help me any.

  “Congrego.”

  The wind started slow and increased rapidly. It didn’t take long before the dirt in the place was swirling in front of me like a mini-tornado. And it wasn’t exploding in my face. Perhaps whatever was causing problems had passed.

  I turned and waved my hand, trying to send the funnel out the front door. It didn’t move. I was reluctant to cast another spell but had no choice. Luring the dirt-nado to me while I stood outside was a better option than trying this inside the house.

  I walked through the front door and paused in the middle of the weed patch, pretending to be a yard. “Veni ad me.”

  The words had barely left my mouth when I was knocked back by the funnel. I couldn’t catch myself before I landed on the hard ground. Pain ricocheted up and down my spine, and I threw up the scones I’d eaten.

  The dirt and grime spectacularly exploded on me and covered me like a long-lost lover. I came out here to escape more injury and ended up with more injuries. Not my best moment.

  My veins felt like they were boiling beneath my skin, so I laid back and watched the clouds overhead. I had no idea how much time had passed when I finally felt back to normal. I had to roll to the side and pull my legs under me, then push up before I could get to my feet.

  My cell phone rang inside the house, and I hobbled in to grab it before it went to voice mail. It was either Fiona or Aislinn, and I didn’t want them to worry about me. Sweat dripped down my forehead and into my eyes.

  The grime slid with it and blurred my vision, but I managed to find my phone on the bed. “Hello,” I blurted by the time I managed to swipe the screen.

  “Mom. Are you alright?” Bailey’s sweet voice brought a smile to my face.

  “I’m great. I came out to the cabin for a break and was just trying to clean the place up. You wouldn’t believe how messy it got after being empty for so long.”

  “We haven’t been there in forever. I wish I’d known you were going. I’d have come along. Is the swing still in the tree out by the lake?”

  I wiped my forehead with the back of my arm and walked to the porch. A rope with a tattered end hung from one of the thick branches. “Nope. The seat fell off. But your birdhouse is still there. And it looks like there’s a family nesting inside.”

  “I can’t believe it didn’t fall apart. I made that with wood glue and no nails. Wait until I tell Ben he was wrong about it falling to pieces.”

  I chuckled. As many times as I begged and threatened them to stop fighting, it was nice to hear something familiar and comforting. “Don’t annoy your brother on purpose. You know he hates when you point out he was wrong. How’s school going? Do you like your classes?”

  “I love my Psychology class but ended up dropping my Sociology. I prefer to learn about individual behavior as opposed to collective norms and pressures. Ben is in class. He met a girl in his Engineering class. I just hope he keeps the snogging to a minimum. I walked in on them the other day and wanted to throw up. How does he even move that fast with a girl? We’ve only been here a few days.” This was a lesson Bailey would learn about teen
age boys and their hormones. It wasn’t a topic I would have with her over the phone.

  Instead, I couldn’t help but smile as I listened to a topic that would usually send me into a long lecture about safe sex and proper behavior, along with ensuring they were careful not to let their magic show. At the moment, it felt too good to have such a typical conversation that I didn’t care.

  There were no demons or wonky magic while I talked to Bailey. It was precisely what I needed after failing so spectacularly at a simple cleaning spell.

  Chapter 14

  My arms felt like lead balloons as I squeezed the water from the filthy rag in my hand. The spell might have exploded on me, but it managed to get the worst of the dirt and grime outside, so it wasn’t a total loss. It had taken me five hours, and who knew how many gallons of hot water to clean the rest of it.

  Of course, I’d taken a dozen breaks and ate the rest of the scones I brought with me. Now I was out of breakfast foods and didn't want to drive all the way out to the store. I could always make a stir fry for lunch and have it for breakfast.

  I checked the fridge and had onions, peppers, broccoli, carrots, and garlic. Perfect. I’d chop the veg right after I took another break. Grabbing the fizzy drink, I headed to the porch. It was gorgeous out here and so peaceful.

  “Crap,” I groaned. The pile of sheets was still there. I set my drink on the table next to the rocking chair and picked up half of them.

  I had installed a washing machine-dryer combo years ago. Chances were high that it didn’t work anymore. There was no way I could hand wash these before putting them back over the furniture in a few days. My body was too damn sore.

  A sneezing fit stopped me from entering the house. I’d need to hang these on the lines and beat them. Otherwise, I’d break the machine for sure.

  “Interesting choice of a hideout. I’d have gone with something a little closer to civilization if a demon was hunting me.” Thanos.

  The instant recognition dawned my body had already reacted to the surprise. Tension bound my body, and I jumped. The sheets flew into the air, releasing more of the dust contained within. My stomach squirmed, and my heart raced while I wondered how the heck he had found me in the middle of nowhere.

  I sneezed half a dozen more times. No doubt I looked like I was getting ready to play a sick Rudolph in a play. I could feel the snot dripping from my nostrils. I should ask him out now. How could he resist such beauty?

  Using the corner of a sheet, I wiped my nose. “How did you find me?” The unasked question was could the demon do the same thing. Another was, what the hell are you that you can manage such a task.

  Thanos bent and picked up a sheet. He held it in the air and snapped his fingers. A breeze that smelled like him. Masculine musk and cedar. He opened the hand holding the fabric, and it floated into the air. Wind ruffled the sheet-like a flag on a pole.

  Thanos held his palm up, and a second later, the sheet landed there neatly folded. He bowed at the waist and offered it to me. “Why haven’t you used your magic to deal with these? You look like you’ve been cleaning an abandoned mine by hand for hours.”

  My eyes narrowed. I didn’t look that bad. “I like the physical exertion of doing it myself.” I took the sheet and set it next to my drink.

  Thanos snorted and crossed his arms over his chest. The stance was pure arrogance. “That’s not true at all. I can see the sweat dotting your brow. Even standing here is causing you pain. You need to sit down.”

  I sighed and gave up pretending nothing was wrong with me. My butt landed on the old wood chair so fast it made my head spin. “You should leave. You don’t like the view, and I’m tired.”

  Thanos shook his head from side to side. “From where I stand, the view is pretty close to perfect. Back to my earlier question. Why would you come all the way out here and risk being caught by the demon? There’s nobody out here to help you.”

  I gestured all around me. “That’s the point. There’s no one here to be hurt. But the chances of the demon finding me are slim. There’s no way to trace this land to me unless you go to the treasury and research land ownership. The demon didn’t strike me as all that scholarly.”

  Thanos laughed at that. The sound made me even more attracted to him. And pissed me off. The urge to throat punch him surged suddenly and hot. He was stalking me and had located me within hours of leaving.

  “You’re right. He tracks by scent. Although he has a powerful witch pulling his strings, so he can be sent to a location to take out a target. How many residents of the town know about this little cabin in the woods?” His gaze had traveled to the lake about fifty yards away from the house, reminding me I wanted to go for a swim.

  I was still covered in grime and figured the lake would save the tub drain. Thanos complicated that prospect. I didn’t fancy stripping down to my underwear in front of him. Shoving those thoughts aside before I got completely sidetracked, I focused on what he’d said.

  “Not many know about this place. My parents bought it decades ago, and I didn’t inherit it until they passed a few years back. We don’t come here often, and I never talk about it. Can a demon track my scent in a car?” The image of the demon racing along the road with a grin on its face flashed through my mind.

  Thanos tilted his head and looked at me from the corner of his eyes. “Demons aren’t hellhounds. Their senses are better than yours, but they’re easily confused. Why not go to Fiona or Aislinn’s house? Your friends are fierce in their protection of you. They wouldn’t let you be attacked.”

  Bringing the demon to a pregnant woman’s door or to a ghoul’s house was not my idea of a smart move. Not that I would be telling him that. The secrets weren’t mine to tell. I would die protecting those I loved, just like they would for me.

  I shrugged my shoulders. “It’s peaceful out here. I knew I’d get more rest without the constant worry about the demon attacking. I'm already feeling better, and I’ve been here less than twelve hours. How did you find me anyway?”

  Thanos turned to me. “Your magic. You used a significant amount a few hours ago, but it didn’t last long. I happened to be trying to tune into you at the time and was able to grab hold of the thread.”

  My jaw dropped open. He had told me to use my magic and asked why I hadn’t to clean. “I had no idea you were such a big stalker. You hide those psychotic tendencies very well. What are you anyway?”

  He smiled as if I hadn’t just insulted him. “Do you blame me? Any guy in my position would do the same to get close to a beautiful woman.”

  I smiled. He thought he was dealing with a twenty-something that lived for recognition from others. I knew better. Beauty was fleeting. Everyone wanted to be seen as pretty by a good-looking guy or girl, but the affection was shallow. And easily said to manipulate others to get what you wanted. I wanted to be valued and respected.

  “Plus, there’s a good chance the demon will come after me again, and you’re hoping to use me to catch the one that got away. It’s got to sting that a mere witch can keep subjects you have dominion over hidden from your grasp. I do make great bait.” I cracked the can of soda open and took a sip. Ugh. It was warm.

  Thanos chuckled and took the can from my hand. He held it for a second then handed it back. His power was something. He didn’t even have to chant to turn the fluid ice cold.

  “Are you a God? I know you aren’t Hades’ brother. Maybe his son?”

  He shook his head “Neither. Aidoneus is Hades’ only son.” The name was familiar to me, but I couldn’t place it.

  I sat back and rocked while sipping my drink. “I’m filthy and exhausted. I just want to rinse off then rest. The demon isn’t here, so you can leave now.” I finished the drink and set the can down.

  My body creaked louder than the original stairs in a hundred-year-old house when I stood up. Fiona often complained about being middle-aged. As supernaturals, we age slower than mundies. We could dictate the speed of our aging. Most used magic to hold it at bay
.

  I hadn’t used the energy yet. I didn’t want to have a significant portion of my magic tied up. I never gave it a second thought until she moved to Cottlehill and talked about the aches and pains and stubborn chin hairs. I finally understood what she meant by getting old sucked.

  Thankfully, most of my current pain was a result of the demon attack. I had no desire to feel this on the regular. I was going to be dedicating some energy to keeping the worst of it at bay.

  “I’m going for a swim. If you’re going to stay, why don’t you make yourself useful and clean the rest of that?” I gestured to the sheets then walked toward the lake.

  I felt his eyes on me with every step I took. There was no way I could back down now. I wanted to look back and see if he was actually watching me. I’d been known to be wrong about guys before. Dathan had taught me that lesson in painful clarity.

  The grass brushed against my calves, and I trailed a hand over the top of it. I could duck down and might be able to hide from him. Own your body! There were more dimples on my thighs than the dirt road leading to the cabin, and my boobs resembled ski slopes. And that was alright.

  I would always be imperfect and flawed. I was also beautiful. While it was great to have a sexy guy tell me how pretty I was, I didn’t need the affirmation to know how gorgeous I was.

  I untied my shoes, removed them along with my socks, and then pulled my shirt over my head before letting my mother’s voice stop me. She would have had a seizure if she’d seen me undress in front of someone like this. My gaze snagged on the bruises marring my stomach when I went to remove my leggings.

  The purple was now a greenish-brown color and traveled down my legs. I tossed the cotton aside and strode to the lake. My body was healing at a much faster pace now. I looked forward to being able to walk fifty feet without gasping and wanting to curl in a ball. The effort took it out of me and made my head pound.