Page 48 of The Bairwick Witches
“Tight little ass though.” Dev leaned over and slapped Issac’s butt. “Got some recoil to it. Damn Smudge, you did well for yourself. Get it.”
“Oh, it’s been gotten many times,” Schuyler confirmed. “Babe, I’m confused. He knew things about your family. He described your sister to a tee, and hehasbeen doing magic.”
“Then it’s time to find out.” Dev floated up into the air backwards, returning to his original spot above the grave. “It’s more intimidating if I’m mid-air,” he winked and blew Sky a kiss as he straightened out his cloak, which now billowed behind him. “Sexy, yes?”
“Well, yes, always, but Dev, there’s no reason to intimidate him. He’s sweet and nice.”
“Baby,” Dev cooed, “totally get this is your boy toy and all, happy for you, but things aren’t adding up. What’s bothering me most is if he’s not a witch, he knows about Bairwick now, and that putsyouin danger.
“Do you love him?”
Schuyler was not expecting that question. He looked down at Issac, unconscious on the ground. He didn’t know how to answer. There were deep feelings but he wasn’t sure if it was truly love. Standing there, hearing Dev’s voice, seeing him, having been with him, there was no questioning what true love felt like. He knew it with Dev.
“I’m not sure,” Schuyler admitted. “I might. We have a connection, can’t deny that, but I don’t know what I feel at this moment because, honestly, there’s a lot to process. But I care for him, so go easy on him.”
“We’ll see.” Dev clapped his hands together and ordered, “Wakey, wakey.”
Issac’s eyes fluttered open as he was wrenched from his sleep and pulled to his feet. “What the hell happened?” he asked groggily. “Did the spell backfire? Did I do it wrong?” He caught Schuyler’s attention with a pitiful face. “I did it wrong, didn’t I?”
“Hello there,” Devion spoke loudly, diverting Issac’s attention to him. “Issac, is it?” He spoke with an insincere, but overly enthusiastic cheeriness. “No backfire. The spell worked great. I mean,Iwrote it, so of course it did. Guess a thank you is in order.”
“Uncle Devion! You don’t have to than-”
“Oh, I’m not going too,” Dev smirked, cutting him off. “We got ourselves a bit of a conundrum. Now that’s a big word—do you know what it means?”
“Dev.” Schuyler chastised the condescending tone.
“Um, I do, yes,” Issac replied, unsure of what was going on.
“Cool, cool. So, we’re both wondering if there are any third-act surprises you’d like to gag us with. For instance, your true identity?”
Issac scowled. “Um… Uncle Devion, I’m your nephew.”
Dev dismissed him. “No, no. You’ll need to try that again.”
“I’m Issac Carrow,” he defended. “Deana Kincaide is my mother. Adriana Kincaide is my grandmother. Neither of them are the nicest.”
“Truth, they’re raging bitches, but still, nope. What else you got?”
Issac turned to Schuyler seeking an answer. “What’s going on? I haven’t lied about who I am.”
Dev snapped his fingers, demanding Issac’s attention. “Over here. You’ve put my boo in enough danger.
“Issac—ifthat is your real name—my reckless, selfish ass ruined magic for my whole family. None of them are witches, so, you cannot be my nephewanda witch.”
“Iama witch,” Issac snapped.
“Not possible. Wanna try again?”
“You seem confused, Uncle. Has being dead affected your intelligence? Which is it you want me to prove—that I’m a witch, or that I’m your nephew?”
Schuyler saw the same side of Issac he presented to Azrael: snarky and arrogant. He found himself questioning why Issac became so defensive so quickly. Even with Dev being antagonistic, Issac’s only goal was to resurrect him.
“Not doubting the family relation part so much. You definitely appear to have the Kincaide attitude. But… you’re not a witch.”
“I am,” Issac asserted, stomping his foot.
“No.” Devion continued to needle him, constantly interrupting and dismissing everything Issac said in defense of who he was.
