Page 37 of Power Shift
“Um. Tess. She’s the shop assistant.”
His voice cracked with a harsh laugh. “She is much more than an assistant, daughter of Cliona. Do you know who her mother is?”
“No idea. She never speaks of her.” I waited a beat. “Is Tess…okay?”
“She’s fine. How could she not be? Do you know how much power beats through her veins?”
I guess I never thought about it. “She’s just Tess,” I said lamely. “Banshee and our friend.”
Neit gave me an undecipherable look. “Do not let your mother take her. She will use that young banshee as a weapon.”
“What do you know that I don’t?” I asked, my stomach roiling.
“That much power is unnatural,” Neit said as he rose. He let out a shaky breath. “I came here to give you a warning and am leaving here with the greatest gift I’ve ever received.”
Neit shook his head. “You and your people unnerve me.”
A surprised laugh escaped me. “Excuse me? We’re just trying to run a flower shop.”
His expression was unreadable. “For the gift your Tess has given me, I will tell you this. Your mother searches for something she suspects you have. Never let her find whatever she seeks. She is plotting. I do not know what she plans, but Cliona only has her best interests at heart. You might be blood, but she will sacrifice you at the altar of her goals if you let her.”
Before I could ask any questions, Neit disappeared in a shower of divine magic.
Ash and Moira came out of the kitchen a moment later.
“Where’s Tess?” Ash demanded, his face pale with worry.
“Neit said she’s fine.” I leaned back against the couch and closed my eyes, wishing I could rewind this day.
“Oh and we’re trusting the gods now?” Ash snapped. “Tess! TESS!”
The banshee popped back into the shop in a cold gust of wind.
“Thank the gods,” Ash breathed, reaching for Tess to pull her into a tight hug. Moira ruffled the banshee’s pale hair, but all the energy had gone out of my sails, and all I could muster was a faint smile and a wave.
“Maybe give us a warning next time?” I said quietly.
“Death waits for no one, Evie,” Tess said as she brushed a kiss over Ash’s cheek and floated back over to the register.
“Right,” I said under my breath. “Of course.”
Moira plopped down beside me and grabbed my cup. “Want some more tea?”
“Only if it’s ninety-five percent whiskey.”
More Chimera meant even more danger, though I half hoped Finn would put his focus on the other one instead of me. I’d seriously wounded Finn last time he came around, though I wasn’t foolish enough to believe he was dead. I think I’d know the moment he passed from this world. He was part of me, and the threat of his power had hung over me like a scythe for almost a decade now.
Resting easy would never be an option while Finn was still alive.
Chapter
Ten
After changing into joggers and a long-sleeve shirt and sliding my feet into some slip-on tennis shoes, I grabbed a bottle of water and went out to the greenhouse to siphon some of my magic and try to shake off the day’s weirdness.
But as I got closer, an odd energy pierced the air. Stopping just before the door, I sent a silent thread of magic into the greenhouse. Every plant inside had shrunk in on itself, wary of the intrusive energy.
Every hair on my arms stood up. Someone or something was inside. I sent my power seeking, searching until it landed on something new.
