Page 30 of Seven Secret Spellcasters (Kitchen Witch Mysteries #7)

M ia found Grans sitting in the library reviewing her notebook.

Grans looked up when Mia came in the door.

Peaches, an orange ghost cat who lived in the library, ran through Mia’s legs, greeting her.

“Just checking in with you. Any luck with Finn’s heritage?

I can’t believe the library welcomed her. ”

“She definitely has some magical history for that to happen. I have her genealogy chart, but I don’t think any of her close ancestors took on the mantle. They seem to be the magicless siblings of the family, as you know.”

“Doesn’t mean they’re magicless. Why hasn’t the coven figured this out yet?” Mia sat down across from her grandmother, and Peaches jumped on her lap and curled up, purring. Mia could feel the soft fur under her fingers as she petted her. “Mr. Darcy’s going to be jealous.”

“Probably. You know cats.” Grans reached over and grabbed another notebook.

“Christina also comes from the non-magical side of a magical family. Her mom and dad got pregnant as high school seniors and put her up for adoption. She went with the Adams family as soon as she was born. Mr. Adams must have had a line on every adoptable healthy newborn in the area. Mother Adams gets what she wants. When she was done, she had a boy and a girl with no stretch marks.”

“Wait, you’re saying that Isaac is adopted as well?” Mia sat back in her chair, still rubbing the ghost cat’s fur.

“Yep. They are three years apart, but Mother Adams has her perfect family. I think she must have been warned about Christina’s heritage. That’s why when she went goth, her mom had a fit.” Grans smiled at Mia. “I’m so glad you didn’t rebel during high school.”

“I did. Mom wanted me to go pre-law. She kept pushing all the college prep classes, and all I wanted to do was cook. So we compromised. I got my degree and then did the culinary program. She’s still mad that I didn’t see the errors in my ways and go to U of I for law school after graduation.

” Mia smiled at the memory. “That might have been why Mrs. Adams wasn’t surprised when Isaac told her I was a witch.

I thought she took it too well. What about Christina’s birth parents? Did you find them?”

“Both moved out of the area after high school and didn’t look back, as far as I can see. When are you going to tell her?” Grans set her books down.

“Tomorrow. After the party tonight. I’ll take her to lunch. Maybe she won’t cause a scene.” Mia hoped.

“Or she’s going to be relieved that she’s not related to those awful people.

I think Abigail should tell Finn. She has more of a relationship with her.

And more to lose if Finn quits, because we’re all crazy.

” Grans glanced at her watch. “I’m taking a nap before the event.

I take it you haven’t decided about joining the coven yet? ”

“No. I’m going to ask for more time. I have so much still to learn. I don’t want to commit more of my life than I already have from last night’s ceremony.” Mia looked down at the cat, who was now sleeping. “Anyway, I need to ask you about something.”

She walked her grandmother through what she and Mark had found out and what Abigail had said about the names. She even told her about Blake’s question about an incubus in the area.

When she was done, her grandmother didn’t respond.

“So you don’t know anything?” Mia prodded.

Grans turned off the archives and leaned forward.

“Chatting about an incubus is like throwing up a neon sign alerting him to your presence. You need to be careful. If Blake is hiding from him and he’s here, he’ll know it.

Incubi keep a trinket from each victim to track them.

Especially if they’re fairly close. I’d run now if I was Blake and even thought he might be here.

As for the names, many magic folks like to use fictional names.

They probably were muses for the authors when they were first writing the story.

So it could be their true name. If Howard’s killer is hiding his presence, you might not want to find him. ”

“So just let him get away with it?” Mia shook her head. “That’s not right.”

“You and Mark both have this morality thing deep down in your core about right and wrong. Even as children, when I’d watch you, you two were always too easy.

If you said you were going to the library, you went.

Maybe this is one time Mark should let the coven’s declaration of a natural death stand. ”

“You’re saying we shouldn’t go after him?” The cat woke and jumped off Mia’s lap, feeling her anxiety.

Grans stared at her. “I’m saying it’s dangerous.”

* * *

The music was classic sixties and seventies with a fun, newer tune every once in a while.

Mia loved the DJ. She’d have to make sure Abigail got his name for future parties.

The food was a hit, too, as was the coven-sponsored open bar.

Mia was starting to believe the party was a complete success when Sabrina Clayborn came up to her.

“Mia, darling, please tell me that Brandon misunderstood your message. You have to join our little family. Waiting another year won’t change your final decision.

I promise I won’t give you any committee assignments for two years if you join tonight.

” Sabrina sipped her wine as she watched the party going on behind Mia.

“Sorry, I don’t feel ready to commit. I want this to be mutually beneficial, and I don’t have a lot to give right now.” Mia nodded toward Abigail, who stepped into the gym. “I hate to cut this short, but duty calls.”

She knew Sabrina hadn’t seen Abigail come in, so she couldn’t know Mia was lying, but the smile on her face told a different story. “We’ll talk soon.”

Mia met up with Abigail. “Everything okay?”

“I should be asking you that.” Abigail nodded toward Sabrina, who was making her way toward Brandon Marshall. The two of them seemed close, and as Sabrina talked, Brandon’s gaze searched the crowd until he found Mia.

“Great, she ratted me out.” Mia smiled and waved. “Goddess, please help me get through this party.”

Gloria’s laugh echoed from above in the apartment. Mia rolled her eyes.

“Anyway, how’s Finn doing? I see Christina and Levi making the rounds.” Mia took a glass of champagne from one of the passing trays.

“As they should be. Levi marrying outside the coven is going to be gossip fodder for years. I’m sure the marriage department was already looking for a suitable match for him, even after I told them he wasn’t ready.

” Abigail rolled her eyes. “They think they know what’s best for people.

Trent had a match as soon as he did his initiation. ”

“He did?” Now Mia turned toward Abigail. “Who was it?”

“Oh, I thought you knew.” Abigail glanced at her watch. “I need to check the kitchen.”

“Abigail, tell me.” Mia blocked her from leaving to avoid the question.

“It’s not my place to say, but since you already know they dated. It never developed into anything. It was Jeani Langston. She was his match.”

Mia let Abigail flee as she thought about Trent and Jeani. She’d felt something between them, but no chemistry. More like two old friends. He hadn’t pre-asked if he could propose to Jeani. He’d asked her. Time to tamp down any green jealousy.

Levi and Christina hurried over, and Christina grabbed Mia’s arm, kissing her on both cheeks. “Thank you so much for moving here so I could meet my soul mate.”

Christina was a little tipsy. Mia held her arms so she wouldn’t fall over in her glass slippers.

Yes, Christina had come as Cinderella and made Levi dress up as Prince Charming.

Mia was in one of Christina’s cast-off little black dresses.

But she still felt like a princess, especially with her new necklace.

It was a statement piece, and several people had commented on how lovely it looked on her.

However, she saw some confusion on others’ faces as they studied it.

She’d been told many times it looked familiar and asked if it was a family heirloom.

Maybe Mom had sent the gift. She’d call her tomorrow.

“You would have found Levi no matter what.” Mia smiled at her friend. “I’m glad your mom is on board for the wedding.”

“Oh, she’s not. She even said that she’d brought me into this family and pulled me out of Magic Springs for a reason.

And that marrying someone from here was beneath me.

” Christina rolled her eyes. “You’d think the woman was Mother Teresa for adopting rather than birthing her own children.

Instead, she kept a slim waist and didn’t have to deal with morning sickness. ”

“Wait, you know about the adoption?” Mia gasped.

“You didn’t?” Christina shrugged. “That makes sense. Isaac wasn’t as open about his origins. He didn’t want to believe it, so I got into Mom’s safe and showed him the court papers when he was in high school. He still wouldn’t admit it, but he knew I knew.”

“You are a complete mystery to me at times.” Mia hugged her, then rolled her eyes when Levi brought back three glasses of champagne. “You should cut her off. She can’t keep up with these people. They will magic away their hangovers. Christina’s going to feel hers.”

“Mom said she’d make her something. And since no one is driving anywhere, we’re going to have fun celebrating our engagement and the move to Portland. I got a call today. I got hired on at a fire station, as long as I pass my physical. Trent and I are going running in the morning.”

“Better you than me,” Christina said as she sipped her drink. “Mia, I’m going to miss you so much.”

“We can call and Facetime. Don’t think you’re going to get rid of me. Besides, Levi will drag you home for all the family holidays, and as long as I don’t dump Trent, I’ll be there too.” Mia felt someone’s arms around her. “Who is that?”

“You know who it is, or you wouldn’t have been saying horrible things about dumping me.” Trent kissed her neck. “Christina, you look beautiful.”