Page 5 of Heart of a Witch
“I don’t need you to find a job.” I shook my head. “I’m making things work.”
She rolled her eyes again. “I know, I know, you have a plan, but you always say that, and nothing happens.”
“That’s because plans that work take time, organization, and a slow but steady rise. Our shop has grown in profit by six times since four years ago.”
“I can’t wait years to start my life, Tori. I want to open my own shop one day. There’s a place next to the apothecary shop, the old spinner’s place. The owner is selling, and if I had been saving, Cas and I could have bought it.”
“Ember, think for a moment—”
“I’m not you. I can’t waste years of my life waiting for something to happen.” She turned on her heel toward the front door. “I’m starting tonight, and you can’t stop me.”
Ouch.I waited until she walked away to let out the tense breath I’d been holding. She was going to get herself killed. I wasn’t surprised my brother had sided with her. He had a“be free and damn the consequences”way of living.
I stepped inside and hung my fur coat on the coat rack. I brushed a couple of leaves off my black lace sleeves, then tugged at the waistband of my navy-blue skirt, pulling out an escapee twig. I dumped my bag next to the umbrella holder and rolled my shoulders back, moving my head around until my neck cracked, releasing the tension. I needed a hot bath and a nap, but the shop was opening soon so they’d have to wait. I still needed to buy some mice in town to feed Ebony and Buttercup.
I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of her name, even after our fight. Only Ember could have named one of the most venomous snakes in Salvius after a flower.
I walked into the living room. Above the unlit fireplace, stone ran upward, into a point. Surrounding it, shelves of dusty books took up the entire far wall. Above it was a balcony to the next floor. My brother leaned over the polished ledge, looking down into the living room. “Morning, sunshine.”
“Good, you’re awake,” I said by way of greeting. He ran his hand through his dark waves, grinning. He really did think far too much of himself. He, like Ember, loved the humans in our town. Maybe a little too much. “Although, stranger things have happened. Didn’t you get enough alcohol in you last night to keep you in bed until noon?”
He pretended to shiver. “So cold, sister. Let me guess, you were out all night too. For different reasons,” he drawled. “Obviously.”
“You know I was. The only difference is my night was productive.”
He forced a clenched smile. “I’m glad to see the cold air didn’t dim your sunny disposition.”
I rolled my eyes. “How was the human girl?”
“She’s already gone. They never stay long.”
“No.” I pursed my lips. “You make sure of that.” I paused, thinking about what Ember said. I was sure Cas picked a girl up from that club. “It seems our dear sister is following in your footsteps.”
His nose crinkled. “Ember, out fucking strangers? That’s a little hard to believe.”
I winced. “No. I mean going to the same bar where you pick these girls up from. I can’t believe you’re on her side with this. Actually, I can. You’re too reckless, and now you’re dragging her down with you.”
He rubbed his temples, sighing loudly. “It is way too early for this. I knew getting her that job would earn this shit from you.” He dropped his head back, staring up at the ceiling. “Can we skip the lecture for once?”
My jaw clenched. “You’re going to get her killed!”
“Don’t be dramatic, sister. She’ll be fine.”
I balled my fist at my side. “The witch hunter is in town.”
He waved his hand dismissively, as if the man who killed our cousin was nothing but a harmless fly. “He’ll leave in a few days.”
“We don’t know that! He executed Jackson, unless you’ve forgotten.”
“Our cousin was careless.”
I shook my head. “Not unlike you. Not unlike Ember.”
“I’ll tell her to hold off starting work until he’s gone.”
I swore under my breath. “You better, Cas, else I’ll—”
An amused smirk curved his lips. “You’ll what?”
