Magic Eight Ball by Jake Skelton & Steve Higgs

Author:Jake Skelton & Steve Higgs [Skelton, Jake & Higgs, Steve]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-12-16T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

I knew what to expect even as I strode up the wide staircase toward the large front doors of Darkheart Manor and Loren met those expectations perfectly.

“Today’s not a good day, Gus. Way too much going on.” She stood just inside the foyer, a long, green dress puddled around her feet, her hair swept back and across her right shoulder. Her face showed the indications of stress she tried not to convey in her voice, narrow lines at her eyes and just the right pinch of pressure at the corner of her mouth. She tried her best to hide it, but I’d known her for a very long time, hell I was married to her, and the signs were evident. “We’ve got the leaders of the other three North American covens joining us for an impromptu conversation. Talking about how we can broker a peace.”

“Sounds like an adventure.”

“They all swear to me they were not behind the attack— but it’s impossible for me to tell. At any rate, I really don’t have time for lessons today, it’s just—”

“I’m not here for a magic lesson, Loren, I promise.”

“Then why are you here?”

“Can we talk inside?” I looked over my shoulder at the two Handmaidens who lurked just outside the front door, trying to pretend like they weren’t braced to attack me, but failing miserably. Loren’s jaw flexed and for a moment I thought she might politely decline. A sigh escaped her lips and she stepped backwards, gesturing for me to follow her inside, which I did. I wanted to be outside the range of an abrupt sword strike from those Handmaidens if I could possibly help it.

“Gus, I’m sure you understand how crazy things are around here. With the existing conflict with the covens, plus the assassination attempt—”

“That’s actually why I’m here.”

She stopped mid-stride, standing in the center of the long hallway. Painted portraits lined the walls and I noticed that a space had been made for a new one. It struck me that within the next week or two, my wife’s face would likely adorn the sacred walls of the Darkheart Coven and she’d take her place at the head of the table. That seemed too impossible to believe.

“Loren? Is everything all right?” Another woman appeared, wearing a similar outfit as the Handmaidens, but with more ornate trim around the shoulders and along the tunic.

“It’s fine, Leander. Truly.” Loren reached out and touched the woman’s arm. Leander gave me a stern, appraising look. She was the same height and build as Loren and lacked the outer fierceness of the warrior guards, but that didn’t mean she was harmless. Far from it, I suspected.

She nodded and backed away, vanishing into a side room.

“We don’t need your help, Gus,” she continued. “We’ve brought in a dozen separate enchantresses— we’ve got magical barriers erected all along the grounds. We’ve recruited two dozen new Handmaidens and while they’re still going through training, they’ve added to our perimeter patrols. The chances of anymore assassins getting through our defenses are next to none.

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