Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 134501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 448(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 448(@300wpm)
‘The suspect pool just got a little smaller, though. They used a goat last time – anyone could have caught and killed one, witch or wolf. This time, by utilizing a spell, they’ve exposed themselves to be a witch. Why do that?’
Chewing on it, Emberlyn drummed her nails on her cup. ‘Maybe they saw no point in trying to implicate werewolves now that you and I are sleeping together and wearing each other’s scent – that in and of itself suggests that no werewolf would dare come at me, since it’s a hell of a lot more serious than us being allies.’
‘Fair point,’ he conceded.
‘I think Marvin is right; I think that this was one person or a few acting in secret. No way would the entire coven remain silent about this.’
She might not be liked, but there was no prejudice against werewolves. Plus, plenty of witches were connected to them – whether through matings, family lines, business dealings or friendships. Not many of the coven would have agreed to overlook what was done to Lincoln.
Emberlyn took another sip of her tea. ‘I also don’t think Reena’s involved. Having me killed, or even badly injured, isn’t her style. She’s no coward. She’d want to defeat me in a magickal duel; prove herself to be more powerful.’
Ripper planted his hands on the island. ‘She also wants the manor, though. That could have motivated her to go off-script.’
‘Maybe. It just doesn’t seem likely to me.’ Emberlyn sighed. ‘Well, one good thing came out of this: Lincoln is now home. He was only Rabid for two years, so his mental state should return to its original one.’
Ripper’s expression turned grim. ‘He won’t ever be the same. Not really. But he won’t have lost himself.’
‘His family will for sure be elated that they’ll have him back.’
‘But they’ll also be furious that he was bespelled. Every werewolf in town will be. Whoever did that to him seriously fucked up. Before, it was the coven and Carver versus you and my clan. Not anymore. Shane had intended to stay out of the matter, but Lincoln is one of his wolves – that makes it his business now; he’ll side with us. Also, Carver will back down completely, because he won’t like this either.’
‘You truly think he’ll withdraw his support from Reena and my family?’ Emberlyn wasn’t so sure.
‘I know he will. Trust me, the coven are on their own now. They just don’t know it yet.’
Dumping a carrier bag on the laundry hub’s reception desk the next afternoon, Laine puffed out a breath. ‘If you can help me with this, I will adore you forever.’
Emberlyn felt her lips tip up. ‘I’ll do my best.’ She waved at the infant in the stroller, who she knew to be Laine’s niece. The curly haired toddler shyly waved back.
‘I recently split up from my boyfriend,’ Laine explained. ‘His scent is all over my bedcovers, and it’s driving me nuts. I’ve washed them, but the smell won’t come off.’
‘I can get rid of it for you,’ Emberlyn assured the werewolf.
Laine’s entire body – facial features and all – seemed to sag in relief. ‘Thank God. Most of my wardrobe is drenched in his scent, so I’ll be bringing it here in dribs and drabs.’
‘There’s an alternative. I could come to your house and magickly cleanse it of every trace of him. It wouldn’t take me long.’
Laine’s eyes widened. ‘Oh my God, yes, please do it. I don’t care what your price is, I’ll pay it.’
Paisley materialized at Emberlyn’s side. ‘Before becoming a werewolf, I wouldn’t have understood your desperation, Laine. But now, I so get it.’ Blowing out a breath, she turned to Emberlyn. ‘Imagine a guy’s signature cologne being all over your home and embedded in every fabric. A guy you want to forget and move on from.’
Emberlyn grimaced. ‘I can see why it would be a mindfuck.’ Much as it had been to live in the house she used to share with Michael on his clan’s territory. The memories of their time together had been all over it, making it impossible for her to stay.
‘The sooner you can do your cleansing thing the better,’ Laine declared.
‘Is tomorrow any good? I can come after work.’
‘Tomorrow is perfect.’ Laine flinched when her niece threw a pacifier at her head. ‘Ow. What is your problem, Missy?’
Chuckling, Emberlyn swiped a complimentary sparkler from a tub near the phone. They functioned like handheld fireworks – you ignited them, and they provided a temporary display of crackles and flames and sparks. Only they weren’t powered by chemicals, they were fueled by magick alone and were perfectly safe for little ones to use.
‘Here.’ She ‘lit’ the fuse with a brief dart of her magick and then handed it to Laine, who gave it to the now-grinning pup.