Page 78 of Cheater Slicks

“Poison garden.” Her expression turned dreamy. “So that’s what I’ve been sensing.”

Thank God she had been kept too busy to investigate, or she would have stumbled across it sooner.

“I asked Rollo to conceal it from you,” I confessed. “I didn’t want you bringing home any new roomies.”

“I would never—” She scowled at me. “This is because I brought home that air plant, isn’t it?”

The same plant that had snuck into her luggage and was, even as we spoke, hanging in her window.

“And the rhododendron, and the rosebush, and the calla lily, and the list goes on and on and on.”

“But a poison garden,” she said wistfully.

“Exactly.” I pitied Carter if Josie slipped any cuttings past us. “There are plants in there you don’t need to add to your collection.”

“Blasphemy.” She clutched the collar of her shirt. “How dare you.”

“Berate me later.” I kissed Matty’s forehead then gave her a quick hug. “Be safe now.”

“You’ve already died once.” She squeezed me back. “Stop being an overachiever.”

“Keep Harrow locked in his room. He doesn’t need to be a part of this. He’s done enough. More than enough.” I cut Anunit a warning look, but she only blinked at me. I half expected Josie to bite back too, like she always did where he was concerned, but she kept her mouth shut. “Jean-Claude, I’m going out the hatch. I’ll close the wards behind me.”

Thanks to my promises to Vi, I hadn’t shared all the secrets of her house with Kierce, and I was doubly glad for it now that I needed an escape route that wouldn’t endanger the others for the split-second it would cost me to cross the wards onto the street a block behind the house.

One of the reasons the Fontenots had purchased this property was because of its proximity to a network of underground tunnels built and magically enforced by a local witch coven who had since relocated to Metairie. To prevent flooding and collapse cost the family a fortune in reinforcement spells, but it was worth it for the access it gave high-profile clients to come and go in privacy. It also served as an escape route in the event of an emergency.

“These walls smell of death.”Anunit wrinkled her nose.“Many died here.”

“Bodies were stored here for weeks at a time while waiting for room to open up in crypts during the yellow fever outbreaks.”I trusted her senses to know the difference, even if I didn’t understand how it was possible after centuries.“It’s not much farther. The exit is around this next turn.”

A stinging prickle swept over me as I neared the secondary wards. These operated independently of the ones protecting the main house. That was the only way of ensuring it was safe to lower and raise them to accommodate visitors without compromising the entire property.

Using a lancet from my pocket, I pricked my finger and smeared blood on a piece of smooth bone protruding from the wall. I hummed a soft lullaby and, within seconds, the barrier dissipated, and we crossed it. I checked to ensure Anunit’s tail was clear before pricking my finger a second time, touching a second bone, and raising it again.

As soon as they hummed into place, I breathed easier, grateful my family was safe behind it.

The process was similar for unlocking the hatch. Only those with Fontenot blood—plus Jean-Claude and me—could operate it. The spell was simple, requiring more blood to verify my identity before the dial on the center could be spun to the correct position.

After the latch gave way, I swung the hatch open onto a shadowy corner where the nearest lamppost was often targeted by vandals who broke the bulb but weirdly never caused any other damage.

And if the vandals often resembled Rollo or me, well, everyone has a twin, right?

“What is your plan, Frankie Talbot?”

As soon as I resecured the path behind us, I admitted,“I don’t really have one.”

“I see.”She whipped her feathery tail, and her single wing twitched.“Do you mean to confront your consort?”

“He’s more of a boyfriend, but yes. That’s the plan. I don’t think he’ll hurt me but?—”

“His will is not his own. He will act as his god commands. That is the burden of his station.”

The reminder left me tasting copper and regret in the back of my throat.

“I’m more concerned about the two guys with him.”I sidestepped her worry.“Any idea who they are?”

“More god bloods. Whether they belong to Dis Pater or he borrowed them from another god, that is what they will be.”

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