Page 32 of Lunar Diamonds (Celestial Magic #1)

RILEY

W hat a painful seven days it’d been. Training in the gym with the Brambles and Isaac, studying the grimoire, all while Drake sat silently nearby, joining me against his will.

I didn’t care that he’d wanted the bond, I still felt bad for him not getting to be truly alone. Especially when he languished in his internal pain.

The one positive thing about this week had been learning more about the Brambles. All on the Aurora payroll, they each brought different flavor to the mansion, making it more homely. Safe.

April loved cars and cooking, while Alice enjoyed exercise. A true gym bunny for sure, and in charge of our physical prowess. As for Aaron, he loved maths, gaming, and crumpets. He also focused on the spell side of things. In fact, he got us to brew a potion called Rubberskin. It would protect us from bullets and other attacks but carried some risks due its unreliability. Still, I made sure to glug it with my pancakes.

Moving forward, Erin wanted us to brew more offensive potions. They could either be used to blast enemies with forceful energy or even conjure swords with the snap of finger.

I felt like I lived inside a video game.

After popping up, Drake followed me downstairs, the hairs on the back of my neck stirring. I considered turning, seeing if he wanted to break the silence now.

But a witch cop stopped me in my tracks.

A pale man looked at me, with his one blue eye—the other hidden by an eyepatch. His black hair was cut short in the symmetrical, military lines befitting a witchcop.

He put his teacup down and stood up.

Erin introduced us. “This is Agent Winter of the High Coven.”

“Jake is fine,” he said, extending a hand to each of us. “Good to meet you.” He spoke with an east London accent.

Isaac, already gaping, broke out of his trance, shaking his hand. I echoed him, Drake following me with the formalities.

“Nice to meet you,” Isaac and I said together, my palm sweaty.

“Pleasure is mine.”

“Agent Winter is our contact at the High Coven,” Erin explained. “And the best agent on this planet.”

He chortled lightly. “I’m flattered.”

“I trust him with my life.”

“You need to stop blowing smoke up my bum,” Agent Jake responded.

“It deserves the smoke,” Erin countered. “You’ve been an invaluable asset to this house.”

He shrugged, picking up his teacup to finish the dregs.

“Jake keeps me informed of High Coven activity as best he can,” Erin said. “As of now, we remain under the radar.”

Jake put his cup down. “Banging cuppa, that. But yes, everything is cool. I was worried those Kingwood bastards would put in an anonymous report about your return.” He shrugged. “The dickheads are quiet at the minute. But stay vigilant. Erin will give you my number. Feel free to contact me anytime with any questions or concerns. Everything is strictly on the down low, don’t worry.”

Contact a witchcop for a chin wag? Hmmm. Not sure about that one.

“Thank you so much,” Erin said.

We thanked him, too. Well, more of collective, cautious mumble.

“You’re welcome.” He glanced at the door and checked his watch. “I’d better go. I’ll be in touch as soon as I can.” He bowed at Isaac and me in turn. “It’s an honor.”

“Likewise,” I said, wishing I hadn’t.

Isaac chuckled, Jake also found it amusing.

Why the hell did I have to say that?

“I’ll get back to you on the diamond thing,” he told Erin.

“Excellent.”

Ollie appeared, opening his arms. “Bro!” Wow. This was the most animated I’d seen him.

Isaac drew a sharp breath in surprise.

“Hi ya, mate,” Jake said.

They bro hugged with lots of back slaps.

“How’s things?” Ollie asked.

“Good, cheers. You looking forward to your start date?”

“Counting down the days.” Ollie turned to his mum. “I’ll see Jake out.”

And with that, Agent Jake left.

“He seemed nice,” Isaac said, in total shock. “Ollie…” He didn’t finish.

Was he jealous he didn’t get to hug the handyman like that?

Erin sat down. “He is the best. Loyal to this house, believing in the importance of sacred witches. He is part of a network of supporters I hope you can meet. But we must be careful.”

I wanted to know the story of the eyepatch but didn’t ask.

“He is also in contact with someone who can help repair the solar diamond.”

“Very good news,” Isaac answered, perking up. “Do you know who it is?”

“Yes. A fae gentleman by the name of Dean Tseng. He currently lives in Singapore after moving from Coldharbour a year ago. He and Jake have a history, apparently.” She pressed her fingertips together. “A romantic one.”

“What happened?” Isaac probed.

“We won’t go into it.”

“What? Why not?”

“Because I said so.” That line was officially drawn in the sand with a soft yet forceful tone. “I just wanted you to meet him, to see that there are people on our side. That we can win.”

She liked to layer on the hope, and I was grateful she did.

She plucked a cookie from a plate on the coffee table. “He enjoyed these very much.”

“Really?” I beamed at her. “That’s made my morning.”

Rather than take a bite, she paused, her expression serious. “It’s a shame we’re shackled to the mansion. You’re both supposed to be out on the streets, investigating. Maybe soon, when the threats pour in.”

The happy spike in my mood shattered like a window in the trajectory of a boulder.

Damn.

“Anything on our uncle?” Isaac inquired.

“Nothing.”

After the cave incident, there’d been no further hints at Jonathon Aurora’s involvement. Not one sign. And the orb hadn’t shown up all week.

Hecate only knew what we should do next, but right now I knew I needed a cookie.

“I thought my insides were about to fall out.”

I winced at Isaac’s candor. He’d been telling me about his sexual escapades around the world as we relaxed the rest of the day away, talking about our lives into the evening.

“He was that big?” I asked, sat beside him on the recreation room sofa.

He nodded, chewing on salted popcorn.

I winced. “How did you not pass out?”

“My G-spot wouldn’t let me.” He shoved popcorn into his mouth, snorting.

Goodness me!

Drake was next door in the art room, missing out on this filth.

Stop thinking about him…

“But that’s too big,” I said.

My brother swallowed. “Honey, it was amazing. Even if I couldn’t walk properly the next day.” He sighed. “I’m so bored here.”

“Oh…”

“Just being honest. We’re trapped inside, training for what? I feel like a sitting duck.”

“I get what you mean.”

He scrunched the top of the popcorn bag. “Glad we’re on the same page. It’s like, we have cloaking potion, so why not let us go outside? Wander the city a bit, hunt any threats instead of letting them come to us. Show them that their target slaps back. Hard.”

A good point. We’d received reports of failed shade attacks this afternoon. Nothing deadly, no one dead. But that would change soon.

What else lurked in the shadows? My attacker making a comeback, waiting for the moment to drink my celestial blood?

Damn. My uncle’s trick messed with my head. Every night I saw the shade, the memory fresher than before. Yanking me awake, plaguing the late-night hours.

You won’t have me…

“Maybe it’s because of Preston,” Isaac added. “When we’re all together with the diamonds in place, things will change.”

“Maybe,” I said, my voice a little hoarse.

Isaac sighed. “I miss my life. And I can’t keep blowing my agent off. What if this house fell for a reason? Time of the sacred witches over, you know?”

“Yeah. But what if the High Coven ends up needing us?”

He shrugged, opening his popcorn bag. “This sucks.”

I missed my life, too. I should be having a chill Sunday with everything I knew in place.

So much for being a brave little solider in Hecate’s name. But failing to get the diamonds and sitting around waiting for things to happen took the wind out of my sails.

Isaac stuffed the popcorn in his mouth, asking a question with his mouthful.

“I didn’t get a word of that,” I said.

He rolled his eyes, finishing up. “Sorry. Want to watch a movie?”

“Okay.”

“There’s fuck all else to do.”

Famous last words.

The door opened and Aaron entered, saying, “We have a visitor.”

I sat up. “Oh?”

“Rhianna Kingwood is at the front gates.”