Page 25 of Bewitched By the Voodoo King (The Bewitching Hour #7)

I’d never been to a funeral before, but I knew back home, none of them were like this. Maggie led me back to the compound after the burial. She wanted me to be able to experience everything after the funeral, but since she was my glorified babysitter—her words— I needed to return with her.

“I need to get the food ready for the repass dinner.” She clucked as we entered the compound’s gates once again.

I found that even though we’d just left a sad occasion, my heart and soul felt lighter than they had before. The magic in the air was palpable. It was alive, and it did something to me that I had never felt before.

The courtyard had been transformed. Tables were pushed together beneath strands of charmed lanterns that floated above like miniature moons.

I trailed behind Maggie as she muttered to herself about whether or not she’d made enough gumbo. The scent alone made my stomach rumble.

“What else is there to eat?”

I had gumbo on my date with Rune. I was ready to experience everything else this magical city had to offer me.

Maggie waved around a wooden spoon and laughed.

“Girl, everything your heart desires. Jambalaya, boudin balls, red beans you’ve been thrust into quite the ordeal.”

I looked up at the darker-vibed twin and tilted my head. “You and your sister live in the Quarter, and after last night’s attack… Are you going to go back?”

Calisto licked her lips before she leaned back in her chair.

“We are going to be here for the coven for the rest of the month. We have some human employees who can hold down the fort for us. Mom needs help with the ball, though she will never directly ask, and I feel like Adelle needs us too, and she will never ask either.”

“I’m glad that you’re both going to be here for your family. I’m looking forward to getting to know each of you better.” I piled my trash up on my plate and said my goodbyes to the people sitting around us.

“Have a good night, Maple,” Calisto said as I walked away.

A sigh escaped me. I wanted nothing more than to have my own huge kitchen and get lost in my baking. Maggie would have a fit if I tried to go in there now, but I had all of this pent-up energy and anxiety that I didn’t know what to do with.