Kisses and Curses by Michelle M. Pillow

Author:Michelle M. Pillow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Raven Books LLC

Chapter Twelve

“Don’t move.”

The stern command stopped Cora in her tracks. She had one foot on the stairs leading to Euann’s bedroom, and the other on the marble foyer floor. They had just returned home from an inadvisable amount of drinking at Crimson Tavern. The walk had done her some good, considering Rory had ordered more than a few rounds of shots for the table and they had left her tipsy.

Fine. Drunk. It left her drunk.

“Where have ya been?” The petite bearer of the voice did not match her volume. Like the others, she had dark brown hair and eyes. There was a fierceness to her beauty. It was in the flush in her cheeks and the heat in her gaze.

Cora moved so Erik blocked her view of the woman.

“Ya look lovely, Ma,” Iain said.

Erik shifted his feet, unwittingly putting Cora once more in the angry woman’s eye line.

“Yeah, Aunt Margareta, have ya done something with your hair?” Rory added. “It looks shiny.”

Margareta arched a brow. “Don’t sweet talk me.” The woman began a tirade of words in the language Cora couldn’t understand. She wondered if she was part of this lecture, or if she should sneak upstairs to give the family privacy. She decided to go with holding very still and hoping the angry woman’s eyes didn’t find her.

“Don’t worry. When she’s screaming like that, it’s not too serious. It’s when she’s quiet and whispery that you have cause for concern.” A younger version of Margareta in designer clothing appeared beside Cora; however, unlike Margareta, she had a distinct British accent instead of a Scottish one. She held out a manicured hand. “I’m Malina, disgrace of a daughter.”

“Cora,” she answered, taking the offered hand for a quick shake. “Magickal hostage.”

“Nice to meet you, Cora.” Malina placed her hands on her hips. They both watched Margareta.

“Should I leave?” Cora whispered.

“I wouldn’t make any sudden movements if I were you.” Malina tilted her head as Margareta continued to speak. “She looks a little jumpy to me.”

Euann placed his hand on Cora’s back and leaned to look around her at his sister to whisper, “When did ya get back?”

“About thirty minutes ago,” Malina answered. “Luck was on my side, and I got a good flight out of Vegas.”

“Speaking of luck, is Dar with ya?” Euann glanced around the hall.

“No. He,” Malina looked at Cora for a moment before finishing, “had a poker tournament to attend.”

“She’s cool,” Euann said with a grin. “Cora’s with me.”

“Why’s your nose fuzzy?” Malina studied her brother.

Euann touched his nose and cleared his throat. Cora had no idea what they were talking about and figured it to be an inside joke.

Margareta’s stern torrent of words went on for a few more moments before Malina finally lifted her hand and stepped forward. “You’re welcome, Ma. Now may I please see my brother?”

Margareta took an aggravated breath as she looked at her daughter.

“What does it matter, my love, so long as our son is home safe?”

“That’s my da.” Euann nodded at the man who placed his arms around Margareta’s shoulders.

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