Page 63 of The Witching Hours

“If you don’t mind me asking a question…” I said.

Everybody’s head turned when a kid in his late teens entered. “Oh. Interrupting something?”

“Yes,” Aunt Ceija said.

He laughed good-naturedly. “Don’t be mean. I’m just passing through.”

He grinned at Nick’s cousin. “Hey, Daffy Duck.”

“Don’t call me that,Julie,” she said.

I remembered Julian from the wedding reception. Vaguely. He was a younger cousin being raised by Aunt Ceija. Good looking. As I remember, popular with the girls at the reception.

“Later,” he said as he disappeared taking the stairs to the second level three at a time.

Daphne returned her laser-like attention to me. “You were going to ask a question?”

I nodded. “Yes. Why me?”

She looked earnestly confused. “Seriously? Because you brought them up.”

My defensive juices kicked in. “Not intentionally. I was trying to escape and they followed.”

She shook her head. “It may not have been conscious, but itwasintentional. That story made an impression on you. An emotional impression big enough to cause you to auto-manifest. You’re like us. Well, not exactly. But you do have a touch ofmystic. Judging by this result, it’s fairly powerful, too. Your people didn’t teach you how to use your gifts?”

“Um. No. My family believes reality and what is widely accepted are the same thing.”

“That’s a shame. You might’ve been a wise one.” After the briefest pause, she said, “And they might’ve taught you to not wear a dress like that unless you’re deliberately inviting trouble.”

I blinked. Might’ve been? Didn’t they just say the same thing about Nick? Were we both mystic potentials who missed a bizarre calling? These were the thoughts whirling in my head when I asked, “What’s wrong with my dress?”

Daphne locked my gaze. “Red?” When she could see that meant nothing to me, she threw up her hands. Literally. “Great gods, she’s too ignorant for words.”

“Wait a minute,” Nick said. “What good do you think could come from being rude to my wife?” Nick glanced at me. “Are you jealous of Catherine?”

Daphne looked shocked. “Jealous?” She laughed. “No. I’m just baffled that she’s so… blank. Like I said, she might’ve been a wise one.”

I interjected because, while I love that Nick has a protective instinct, I didn’t want to be discussed like a child. “I’ve got to take exception to being called blank. While mysticism sounds like fun and all, I’m just as happy to be a cover designer.”

Daphne laughed. “That’swhat you do? Wow. What a waste.”

Looking from me to Nick and back again, Aunt Ceija said, “Forgive my granddaughter. She’s abrupt sometimes. Of course, every soul is free to choose how they will pass their days.” The next question was directed to me in particular, “You have a choice to make. I can help you with a barrier charm. Again. But it will degrade over time and eventually dissipate asdid the first. Or you could end this altogether by sending them back where they belong.”

My eyes almost popped out of my head. “You can do that!?!”

She shook her head. “No. You brought them here. Only you can send them back. If you want to do that, I can prepare you.”

“I have the distinct feeling there’s a catch,” Nick said.

At that, Julian came back into the room. How he’d managed to descend the stairs and eavesdrop without any of us knowing, I couldn’t say. “The old catcharoony. I’ve got to hear this.”

“This is none of your business,” Daphne said.

“Whether he stays or goes is up to Catherine,” Aunt Ceija said.

All eyes turned to me. “It’s okay with me if he stays.”

“Good call, Cuz.” He smiled at me after the fashion of heartbreakers everywhere, advertising his lady-killing skills. “You never know when I might be of service.”