Page 43 of Cursed Sight
“I haven’t found anything to say it can happen but also nothing that says it can’t. I contacted another high priestess and am waiting to hear back.”
Brandy reached across the table and set her hand on top of Serena’s. “Thank you, I really appreciate it.”
She nodded and turned her hand over. “For what it’s worth,” she said and watched Ethan’s reaction to her next words from the corner of her eye. “Peter and I are pretty sure this has nothing to do with you.”
“Whodoesit have to deal with?” Ethan’s words came out hard. Feelings of protection and alarm hit her in the gut when he put it together.
She sat up straight, and his arm fell from around her. “Me.”
“I don’t understand. Volark was aftermypowers,” Brandy said.
“I’m not entirely sure this has anything to do with Volark. I plan on continuing the research to make sure you guys aren’t in any danger, but it’s not everything your brother has seen.”
“E?” Brandy called.
Ethan finally removed his eyes off the side of Serena’s face, and she released an inaudible sigh. Having his attention on her like that was unnerving when she knew he was upset she had withheld information again.
“I’ve seen Serena stabbed in the stomach and poisoned. I also walked into the shop while a tubar confronted her.”
This time, Ryan leaned toward her. “A tubar? In your shop? How the hell did it get in?”
“Yeah, what about your wards?” Brandy asked.
Serena faced Ethan and found an unamused expression.
“Yeah, angel, what about your wards?” he asked.
“You don’t have to be an ass,”she snapped.
“And you shouldn’t hold back important information, especially not from me,”he snapped back.
Brandy clapped her hands, drawing their attention. “Nuh uh, no telepathic conversations about this.”
Like two unruly children, Serena and Ethan began talking over each other until neither could speak. Serena quickly found herself immobile, her eyes the only thing she could move.
“I get I’m going to be a mom and need to sort these kinds of squabbles without magic, but both of you are grown-ass adults. Are you ready to act like it?” Brandy asked, her gaze shifting between them.
Serena should be pissed the witch had frozen her… yet again. Except now, Serena held a soft spot for the woman. And Brandy wasn’t wrong, they were beginning to sound like two children and not the adults they were.
It still amazed her Brandy had no desire for her position. She would make a powerful high priestess. Then again, there were many nights the responsibilities of Serena’s position kept her awake.
“Okay, one at a time,” Brandy said, pointing from one to the other.
The magic lifted, and Serena gave a quick shake. “After we killed the tubar, I checked the ward and found someone had removed it and left a note in its place. ‘Guess you’re not the fairest one of them all’ or something like that. And do you remember the night Ethan accepted his powers in front of the coven?”
“Yeah… It was a pretty remarkable night,” Brandy said.
“Well, if you remember, an ancestor came forward and spoke through him with a warning.”
Ryan nodded, and Brandy’s face scrunched in thought.
“They did? Why don’t I remember this?” Ethan asked.
“She said, ‘Take care. There is a snake in your garden. Betrayal and jealousy an enemy makes.’” Serena sat back and sighed. “Even the ancestors warned us, but we’d been so taken aback by Ethan, we’d dismissed it. I really do think everything Ethan’s seen has to do with me.”
No one attempted to argue against her logic. Each was lost in their own thoughts as they processed everything discussed.
Serena reached a hand toward Brandy. “Here, pass me the cards.”
