Page 7 of Tricky Magic
“Yes, uncle.” She sighed.
Over the rest of the hour, Felix helped calm Ellea’s mind by sharing old and happy memories. She laid on her back with her arms open and her head in his lap. With his hands on either side of her face, he shared memories of them visiting the coast. Billy ran around them and chased seagulls while Ellea held Nana’s hand. She could almost smell the sea. He moved on to a different memory. They were bundled up in their cabin during a snowstorm. Her nana and Billy were sprawled on the couch together, their snoring in tune with one another. Snow covered the window behind them, and the lake behind it was frozen. Felix was running around the cabin with a blanket, acting like Professor Snape, while Ellea sat cross-legged on the couch with one of theHarry Potterbooks in her lap. As the memory faded with a whip of her uncle’s blanket cape, she felt the tension leave her body. They continued on their plan and went through some stretches and chatted about the upcoming equinox party. Once the breath work was over, they both headed out of the gym and to the kitchen. Two steaming mugs of coffee waited for them on the counter.
Billy was sunning by one of the many windows that looked out on the back half of the property, probably on her fourth nap.
“Who do you plan on bringing to the party, Zaza?” her uncle asked.
Ellea cringed at her uncle’s pet name for her, then she cringed at who she would bring. The thought of only going with Isaac bothered her. He was getting too attached. Maybe she could bring Luke and Aiden as a buffer.
“Maybe all of them?” she questioned.
“That is one way to make an entrance,” he remarked slyly.
Guests usually only brought a plus one to the celebrations. Bringing three men would earn her some looks. Ellea and the boys had had an understanding for about six months now. She doubted they would mind all going together. It had also been far too long since they’d all shared a bed. Maybe that would help with Isaac as well.
“I will see what they say first, then decide.” She paused. “What are your plans?”
“Reece’s niece is coming of age,” he said with a smile. Reece was his recent boyfriend, the longest he’d had in a while. “I plan on joining his family in their celebration.”
Not all celebrations were sexual, even though Ellea always engaged in those types as well. Unlike the others, she never needed the celebrations to help boost her powers, so sex seemed like the best way for her to get something out of it while helping her partner…or partners.
“Mom will lead this time,” he said with a small sigh. “It seems Sybil has let her mind go almost completely.”
“Can’t wait for her dramatics,” Ellea mumbled. Her nana would find some way to make this into a show. An elder witch was needed during the celebration to help guide the intentions and goals of the witches; they announced pivotal times of the evening and kept everyone on track. Elders held great power, and it spread to everyone at the celebration.
“You have two days to make up your mind,” he said, finishing his coffee and walking it to the sink. “If you want to go alone, let me know and I’ll escort you in. If not, I’ll see you at the manor.”
The manor was the home she’d grown up in after her parents were taken away and where celebrations were usually held. Felix brought Ellea in for a hug and seemed to linger a little longer than usual.
“Jeeze, stop with the smothering. I will see you on Sunday,” she said, but squeezed him back.
Felix let go and looked sincerely at her. With a kiss on her forehead, he left.
3
Ellea
Later that night, Ellea sat on her couch with Billy’s giant head in her lap. She needed to call the boys and make plans for the party. Aiden and Luke were on their way back home from a camping trip, and Isaac was between clients. With a tap of her phone, they all popped up on Facetime. Luke was driving, and Aiden held the phone from the passenger seat. Isaac was cleansing his tarot deck at a large wooden table.
“Hey, kitten,” Isaac said.
“Hey, Isaac,” Ellea grumbled. “How are clients treating you today?”
“Not too bad, lots of love queries instead of political ones,” he replied.
“Ah, the never-ending quest for your one true love,” she said, leaning back into the couch, trying to not let her mind wander to her dream. Maybe she should take a break from smutty books.
Never happening.
“Hey boys, how was camping?” she asked.
“A sausage fest, not that we minded, but we are ready to get buried in some witch pussy,” Luke said with a wink. Billy made a gagging noise from Ellea’s lap.
“Hi to you too, Billy,” Aiden said with a smirk.
“Speaking of that,” Ellea said while patting Billy on the head, “we need to talk about Sunday.”
“What’s the plan? Want to kick the sausage lovers to the curb and go with me?” Isaac asked with a shit-eating grin on his face.
