Double-Sided Witch (Covencraft Book 3) (37 page)

“Hello, Bruce,” Josef said, bending down to pat Bruce on the head. Bruce’s tongue came out and landed on Josef’s hand and then Bruce preened, closing his eyes as Josef pet him. Josef stood and then took his coat off and Jade had a momentary panic that she didn’t have a hanger for it until Bruce snatched it from Josef’s hands and darted out of the foyer and into the living room, stealing the coat.

“Bruce!” she hissed after him before turning back to Josef. “Sorry, I don’t know why… ugh. Bruce!” Not quite knowing if it was the ‘right’ or ‘okay’ thing to do, Jade rushed after Bruce, finding him already in the living room, in front of the fireplace, using Josef’s coat as a blanket. He was nestling down in it, almost doing a wiggle-shimmy as he got comfortable.

“Oh, wow, I’m… he usually doesn’t… Bruce, give him his coat back.”

Josef laughed and Jade felt some of the tension leave her. “It’s all right,” he said. “Actually, I’m flattered.” He came to stand by her, the two of them side by side, watching Bruce settle in for what looked like an epic nap. Bruce gave Jade a significant look, looked at the empty fireplace and then back at her.

Jade rolled her eyes. “Fine,” she said, drawing the word out like it was two syllables. She snapped her fingers and flames lit up in the fireplace.

“That’s a neat trick.”

Jade could hear how careful Josef was being. His tone was an almost too perfect mix of curiosity and flattery, all very casually delivered.

“Um, thanks. I figured out how to shortcut some small spells with gestures. Finger snaps for the fireplace. Some tongue clicks for lighting candles. Hand claps for lighting some bigger flames. Like for a campfire or something.” Jade didn’t look directly at him as she spoke, instead, trying to keep her posture easygoing and her tone light.

With a mighty sigh, Bruce didn’t so much roll over as fall over onto his side, belly exposed to the fireplace, his jaws smacking as he soaked up the warmth.

“He’s so spoiled.” Jade shook her head fondly.

“My grandmother had a familiar who was equally as spoiled,” Josef said quietly. “Your… great-grandmother.”

Jade’s felt her stomach clench at his words. Josef’s grandmother. Her great-grandmother. Her family.

“Did she?” Her words came out so quietly she was afraid at first that maybe Josef hadn’t heard them. She licked her lips and was about to try again when he continued.

“Yes. An owl.”

“Did it,” she began, having to clear her throat again. “Did it have a name?”

Jade could see Josef’s lips curl a bit, out of the corner of her eye. “She did. Cyclo.”

She finally turned to look at him, knowing she wore a questioning look.

Josef shrugged. “She had only one eye.” He closed one eye, squinting it shut in a prolonged wink. “Like a cyclops.”

“You’re making this up.”

“‘Fraid not.”

Jade laughed, feeling even lighter when Josef joined her.

“It seems like …” he said, hesitating for a moment, “the women in the family aren’t too creative when it comes to names.” He tipped his head toward Bruce and Jade startled for a moment when she realized he was including her in that sentence, just like he had when he talked about his grandmother. Jade’s great-grandmother. She was part of his family. It was surprising every time she thought it, but not in an ugly or scary way. It was like opening up a box and finding cake and coffee inside or putting a hand in a coat pocket and finding a twenty-dollar bill. It was bright and shiny.

“If…we weren’t creative,” she said slowly, testing out the word ‘we’ between her lips. It felt smooth and easy and she saw Josef smile again when she said it. “They’d be named Owl and Lizard.”

Josef laughed. “I suppose you’re right.” He nodded to himself, still watching Bruce.

“Do you want to have some coffee?” Jade asked, still slightly afraid he’d say no. “Maybe… maybe you could tell me more about Cyclo? It might be helpful for me and Bruce and… I’d like to hear it.” The last words rushed out before she could think too much about them and stop herself.

“I’d like that.”

#

Paris
didn’t lie to himself that he wasn’t checking in on Jade and Lily in Counter-Magic. That was exactly what he was doing. He’d managed to keep his distance all day and finally gave in by five o’clock. He peered into the Counter-Magic office’s, trying to be discreet and could see them both, Lily and Jade, sitting at Jade’s desk. Jade looked like she was going through some spell work, Lily at her side taking notes in a spiral book. Lily stopped Jade by resting a hand on her arm, then pointing at the screen. Jade pointed at something else quickly and Lily nodded, making another note.

The entire thing happened without them saying a word to each other. It was strange and bewitching (for lack of a better word) to watch them communicate with one another. Suddenly, Jade spoke aloud, saying, “Yeah, half and half, too. Ours is old,” and Lily scribbled something on another note pad. A grocery list, Paris realized. They were having more than one conversation at once. Jade paused, tilting her head a bit and Lily watched her for a split second, before they both turned to the doorway and caught him staring. The smiles on their faces were nearly identical. Nearly, but not quite. His eyes flicked back and forth, trying to study the almost infinitesimal differences. He still couldn’t tell them apart without context. Or without getting close enough to see the color of their eyes.

“Is this an official part of your job description? Creeping?” Jade asked, a smile curving her lips.

Something flashed between Lily and Jade; Lily smirking a bit while Jade… blushed? Paris wondered what on earth had just transpired.

“Yes, this is how I supplement my meager income. Extra monetary incentive for checking in on new witches,” he replied, coming into the room.

Josef looked up from his desk in his office and Paris gave him a slight nod, receiving one in return. He turned back to Jade and Lily.

“How are things?”

Lily shrugged while Jade answered. “Good. Counter-Magic log. Still resetting spells and fixing hexes since you reset Coven magic.”

Paris looked to Lily. “Are you able to assist with that?”

“Yes,” Jade answered at the same time that Lily said, “No.”

“You’re helping,” Jade protested.

“I’m taking notes,” Lily clarified. She turned to Paris. “I can follow along, but can’t contribute.”

“Yet,” Jade added, sounding defensive.

“It doesn’t bother me,” Lily said. “I like learning even if I can’t help.”

It clearly bothered Jade, her eyebrows coming together in a frown. Lily checked her watch. “But we should get going. We told Henri we’d drive.”

“Oh, right,” Jade said, her voice flat and monotone. She wasn’t happy about something. 

Lily laughed at her expression, turning at Paris. “Booty yoga,” she said, as though it should mean something to him.

“Is that code for something?” he asked.

“Don’t I wish,” replied Jade.

“Yoga’s good for you.” Lily hitched a purse up on her shoulder. “Helps loosen up those running muscles.”

“Well, I was just coming by to check up on you and see how things were going,” Paris said, watching as Jade put her coat on and hefted her own purse on her shoulder. She paused, looking at him and then Lily slowed her movements too, looking back and forth between Jade and Paris. Jade turned to Lily and Lily nodded.

“You know, why don’t I take the car and catch up with Henri and you can maybe get a ride home?” Lily raised her eyebrows at Paris.

“Of course,” he said, addressing both of them. “I don’t mind driving you.”

Lily’s smile was wider and brighter than Jades, but Paris found Jade’s was just as sincere, if slightly more circumspect. “Great,” said Lily. “I’m going to go catch up with Henri. I’ll see you at yoga, or… not.” Lily placed a hand on Jade’s shoulder and then let it run down her arm. Jade grabbed her fingers as they reached her own palm and gave them a quick squeeze and then Lily was gone.

“Is something wrong?”

Jade shuffled. “No… not really. I just… never got a chance to talk to you the other day. About that thing I wanted to tell you.”

Well, that was unhelpfully vague. Paris studied her. She stared at him with solemn, serious eyes. “And you’d like to discuss it now?”

“Well, if you’re free. I mean, I don’t want to assume…”

“I’m free,” he replied, perhaps a bit too quickly. “Would you like to go to your place first?” he wondered if she would like some privacy. She seemed rather hesitant and perhaps nervous.

“Um, yeah. My place is good.” Jade nodded, seemingly more to herself than him.

“All right.”

Jade popped her head into Josef’s office before leaving and they exchanged quick but pleasant words, with them making plans to have dinner on the weekend.

“He’s going to bring some pictures,” Jade said, looking bashful as she and Paris left the Counter-Magic offices.

“I’m sure that will be lovely.”

“Yeah.” Her voice had a slightly far away quality to it and she seemed lost in her thoughts.

They kept an even pace with each other as they left the Covenstead, a comfortable silence between them even as they got in Paris’ car and drove. Jade looked out the window as he drove, not saying much, something clearly on her mind.

Once at her cottage, Bruce came stampeding down the walkway to see them and Jade laughed at his exuberance.

“I just don’t get that kind of reception anywhere else, buddy,” she said, petting him soundly on the head as they walked up the steps into her house. Paris felt a slight touch of demon magic as he passed the threshold.

“Are you casting your lock spell again?”

Jade moved slowly, taking off her shoes and coat and it was obvious she was stalling. “Yes and no. It’s not the same spell as before.”

“I can feel that. Why not?”

Jade took a deep breath and settled her hands on her hips, almost like she thought she was preparing for battle. “Because the Sparrow Lady unraveled that one. And she’d just do it again if she wanted.”

He frowned while he took off his own coat and shoes. “We’ve not yet had a chance to discuss her in great detail. Is that what you wanted to talk about?”

She winced. “Yes and no,” she said again. She was about to say something else when she and Bruce both turned their heads sharply toward the kitchen. An instant later, they heard the deep, succulent voice of the demon.

“Possum! I know you’re here.”

Jade’s lips curled in disgust and Bruce hissed.

“And your Englishman!”

Jade swore quite loudly and they could hear Seth laugh from the pantry. Bruce darted into the kitchen and Paris could hear him spitting and hissing. Squaring her shoulders, Jade set off for the kitchen, Paris following behind.

“Horrid thing! Where is your mistress? Stop spitting at me. It comes through the warding, you know. I go home smelling of lizard spittle.”

Once in the kitchen, Paris spotted Bruce. His Elizabethan collar was raised and he had one foot up in the air, making a kind of clawing motion at Seth. Jade, stood next to Bruce, crossing her arms over her chest. “What do you want? I’m busy.”

“Call off your lizard thing. It’s unseemly for me to be treated this way.”

Jade didn’t say anything and Bruce spat three more times. Seth’s nose wrinkled in distaste.

“You’re lucky she’s fond of you,” Seth said to Bruce. “You wouldn’t stand a chance anywhere else.”

“Don’t talk to him that way.”

Seth raised his eyes to look at Jade and for a moment, his gaze made Paris dizzy. If it did the same to Jade, she hid it well. Paris shook his head a bit and the feeling passed. Seth’s eyes narrowed as he stared at Jade and then he peered closer at her, studying her. He smiled brightly. The flash of his teeth was dizzying. “Look at you! Little bit lonely in your brain now? Allllll byyyyy yourselllllllf,” he sang off key. “Where is your other-but-not-necessarily-better half?” Seth craned his neck, dramatically looking around the empty kitchen.

Jade rolled her eyes. “Get to the point, Seth.” Bruce flicked his tail.

“Oh, Possum. That’s what I’m here for. Front row seats.” His eyes moved past Jade and Paris, peering behind them toward the front door. Paris turned his head toward the front of the house, even as he told himself he shouldn’t take his eyes of the demon. He saw Bruce turn his head as well, as though he heard something. He bolted out of the kitchen, claws scratching at the floor as he did.

“Bruce! What-?” Jade clearly wanted to go after him, but stayed put, watching Seth.

There was a knock at the front door, the sound of it loud enough to carry into the kitchen. Paris’ feet moved of their own volition, taking two steps away from Jade and back toward the door. He knew he was moving and struggled, forcing himself to stop. A thick feeling rolled through his stomach. Again, like when he’d been compelled to sleep, this was magic. He was being drawn to the door.

“Jade,” he said, wanting to reach for her, feeling somehow that if he could touch her hand, her magic might be enough to break the compulsion he felt. Unease clutched his chest and squeezed.