Page 19 of Seven Secret Spellcasters (Kitchen Witch Mysteries #7)

B y the time the fighting had stopped, Abigail had sent Thomas and Steve out of the apartment and back home. Levi had gone along with the men, after kissing Christina goodnight and promising to be back tomorrow. Now, without the father and two of the sons, the rest of the group sat at the table.

“What on earth started this?” Mia looked around the table.

Abigail met Trent’s eyes, and he nodded. She took Mia’s hand and said, “Dear, we found out that Steve put a listening spell on you when he arrived. He’s been monitoring everything you’ve said or done the last few days.”

“He what? I thought he passed on his powers to Trent?” Mia was beginning to think that the action of passing your powers was more of a ceremonial act than an actual one.

“Steve showed no signs of having any magic since he’d completed the transference when he went to law school.

But Thomas knew. All along. I’m going to have a long talk with my husband about keeping secrets from me as soon as your initiation is complete.

But now we have to be concerned with keeping you safe. ”

“Two days, and this will be behind us,” Trent said as he pulled Mia into a hug. “Let’s just get through the next two days.”

Mia closed her eyes and leaned into his strength. “Okay, so you know what I said to Mark. And you probably know Mark’s secret too. We need to keep that quiet.”

“I’ll make sure Steve knows not to let that out.

He has a vested interest in us keeping his secret as well.

” Abigail dished up spaghetti as she talked.

“He told his dad about the spell this weekend when he was caught monitoring Mia on his phone while they were fishing. He said he’d canceled it, but then he went crazy tonight when you told Mark about Trent’s powers. That’s when it all came out.”

“Dad always treated Steve differently,” Trent said as he passed a bowl of spaghetti to Grans. “He was always Dad’s favorite.”

“I can’t deny that. I think it was because he came first. Then, when you two came so close together, you boys bonded, and Steve was the odd guy out.

It didn’t help that there were seven years between you and him.

He didn’t have much in common with two babies.

There’s a lesson here for all of you. If you’re having more than one child, and I hope you do, have them all close together.

Your life will be chaotic and messy for several years, but then you’ll have time for yourselves. ”

“Levi and I haven’t even talked about kids.” Christina blanched as Abigail talked. “I’m still busy creating a career, and Levi hasn’t even decided on one.”

Mia shook her head. “Don’t look at me. We’re not even engaged. Talking about kids is off the table. Especially since we have Cerby and Buddy. I’m not sure having a toddler around a young dragon or hellhound is a good thing.”

Grans patted Abigail’s hand. “Don’t worry, Abigail. Grandbabies will show up sooner rather than later. Not to change the subject, but tell Mia about your circle and your initiation. It’s been so long since my own, I’m not sure I remember all the fine points.”

As Abigail talked, Mia started a mental list of those whom she wanted to invite to join Grans and Abigail in her circle.

Her mother, Theresa, had already told her not to invite her.

The farther away from magic and Magic Springs for her, the better.

Christina would be her honorary human member.

Mia had almost told Christina about her adoption when they’d started talking about kids, but Grans had changed the subject.

By the time the evening was over, she had at least the start of a list.

After Grans and Abigail went to bed, Trent went out in the backyard to let Cerby play with Buddy. Christina went to her room to call Levi and talk about wedding plans. The girl had a binder she kept adding to. This wedding was going to be massive. Mia hoped Levi was up for it.

When the parking lot alarm went off, Mia watched as Finn got out of a large Ram truck. She grabbed the Tupperware dish of spaghetti and a bag of cookies and headed downstairs to meet her.

Finn opened the door and stepped back when she saw Mia. “I’m sorry, did I wake you?”

Mia waved her inside. “Don’t be silly. I wanted to bring down some spaghetti in case you get hungry before breakfast or want to have something available for tomorrow’s dinner.

I cleared off a shelf in the fridge behind the takeout counter for you to use.

You can put groceries in there, too, and anytime you want to cook, just tell Abigail to leave the kitchen open for you.

Of course, you’re also welcome to eat with us. ”

Finn looked shocked. “Thanks.”

Mia handed her the bag. “I put your favorite soda in the fridge too. Just in case.”

“You don’t have to do this.” Finn took the bag. “I’m already indebted to you for letting me sleep here. You don’t have to feed me as well.”

“I love feeding people.” Mia smiled. “It’s what I do. I don’t want you to not be able to save to get an apartment.”

“I was talking to a friend who works at the Lodge. Her roommate is moving out at the end of November, and she said I can rent her room. It’s on the highway into town, but it’s a converted garage, and the lady who owns the house is cool. According to my friend, that is.”

“See? Your luck is changing for the better already.” Mia smiled as they walked over to the takeout counter. “Oh, and there’s a microwave back here and some dishes. There’s a small sink, or you can use the main kitchen to clean up during the day.”

“I knew that Magic Springs was going to be the right place.” Finn put the spaghetti into the microwave. “My mom told me how my dad always talked about this town. Before he died, I mean. Since I’ve been here, I’ve tried to see if there are any Shileys in the area, but I haven’t had any luck.”

“I’ll ask Grans. She’s lived here forever and knows everyone,” Mia said as she watched Finn heat the spaghetti.

Whatever she’d had for dinner hadn’t filled her up.

Teenagers were bottomless pits. Mia wished she could still eat like that.

“Anyway, I’ll let you get settled. Thanks for all the good work you’ve done with Abigail. She raves about you.”

“Abigail’s the best boss I’ve ever had,” Finn replied as the microwave announced that her food was ready.

“Trent’s outside with Cerby, so don’t be scared if you hear them come in.

” Mia walked away, glad she’d thought about bringing Finn food.

Now, if Grans talked to her about her history, at least it wouldn’t be out of left field.

Sometimes things worked out for the best. Like Finn finding an apartment so she could stay in Magic Springs and work for Mia. Well, work for Abigail.

Mia was beginning to wonder if she’d ever be able to take back running Mia’s Morsels without having to sell her soul to the coven for a better-paying day job.

When Trent came upstairs with Cerby, the little dog ran to the water dish, then jumped on the couch and promptly fell asleep. She grinned at Trent, who had gotten a bottle of water and sat in a chair near the fire. “You wore him out.”

Trent shook his head. “Not me. He played with Buddy until he fell over on his last circle around the yard. I had to pick him up and tell both of them it was time for bed. He loves his little dragon friend.”

“You’re such a good dog-and-dragon dad.” Mia smiled as she held up the book she’d been reading.

As predicted, it had several chapters on the Irish folk, including their history and the results of human and leprechaun mating.

“I should make you a T-shirt. Anyway, it says here that a half blood should live for at least five hundred years. They’re considered to be in childhood until they’re fifty. I wonder how old Howard was.”

“Didn’t you say that Baldwin sent you the original autopsy report? It would say, right?” He leaned back and closed his eyes. “I’m sorry about Steve. If I’d known, I would have beat him until he took off the spell. He’s such a tool.”

“I’m getting kind of used to Majors men knowing what I’m thinking and saying.” Mia glanced up at him.

“I told you as soon as I realized I was actually in your head. At first, I thought I was just good at understanding your every need.” Trent held his hand out as he tried to explain.

“Whatever, you knew. You got caught sooner than you expected,” Mia threw back.

She wasn’t mad about the connection, more curious about why they had it.

Was it their relationship? Or did everyone click this way once they accepted their role as a witch?

Of course, neither she nor Trent were supposed to be doing much as a trainee and someone who had given up his power.

She needed to do more research on this, but who had the time?

She realized Trent was staring at her. “What, did I miss something?”

“I asked if you wanted me to look at the coroner’s report. I could filter out the bloody parts.” He held out her laptop. “Load it up, and I’ll read it. I’ll let you know what seems important, and you can ask me questions.”

“I feel like I’m being a wimp,” she admitted as she took the laptop. “But I’m going to take your offer of assistance since no man is an island. Or something like that.”

It took a few minutes but then she found the email. Right next to one from Blake. Before she opened Mark’s, she opened the one from her boss.

Call Me.

Short, sweet, and totally not helpful, since Mia was taking a vacation day. She opened the link for the autopsy, and as it loaded, she handed the laptop back to Trent. “Here you go. Give me a second, I need to call Blake.”

“After nine?” Trent took the laptop.