Page 42 of Sugar, Spice, and Magical Moonlight (Midlife Menace #2)

“What did you do?” Bea shrieked, right before she started to twitch uncontrollably. Her wings faltered, her eyes rolled back into her skull, and she fell to the floor in a motionless heap.

The Enchantress kept babbling, and Nimue’s hisses grew louder. Ric gave me a slight nod before leading me out the door.

Ric swore, nearly tripping over the throng of pizza delivery gnomes that gathered in front of the door, their eyes hopeful.

So much for them hiding in the walls like vermin.

I guess they figured they were safe out in the open since Des told us we couldn’t harm them.

Ironic, because as long as the Enchantress and her staff remained in my boyfriend’s house, the only safe beings here were the gnomes.

ETHYL WAS FLYING CIRCLES above the outside dining table, chewing her nails to the quick. The moment she saw us, she flew at me, nearly knocking me over before stopping mid-air, her eyes an inky indigo, indicating she was worried.

“You’re the second most powerful striga!” she squealed while fluttering to my eye level. “I should’ve known by your aura.”

Obviously, she’d been watching the livestream.

“That’s not important now.” I grimaced as Ric and I shared a dark look. “She knows Des is the Phoenix.”

Ethyl’s eyes turned a bright violet. “Is that why she asked you to grow the flower?”

“Why else?” I asked.

“Oh, Merlin’s balls!”

I was surprised and relieved she didn’t miniaturize and disappear into the rafters.

Ric opened a crystal decanter of amber-colored liquid, pouring three shots and then handing them to us. “Where are the others?” he asked Ethyl before tossing back the shot with one swallow.

Ethyl quickly drank her shot, then let out a surprising belch for such a tiny pixie before wiping her face with the back of her hand.

“Des is still in his room. I was going to Shu in the library.” Her worried gaze darted to the garden behind us.

“I was just waiting for Freddie to return. I hope I didn’t hex things between us. ”

“She’ll calm down.” I took my cousin’s hand in mine. “She’s smitten with you.”

Thank you, Ethyl mouthed, her eyes filling with moisture.

I took a tiny sip of my drink, then tried my hardest not to vomit as I coughed into my hand. Holy dragon fire! What the hell was in that drink? Shu’s cologne?

I was startled by an obnoxious ringing of dozens of bells as Des marched onto the porch and headed straight toward me while holding up his tablet. “Mama, Dad is calling again.”

His screen was lit up with blaring red-and-blue strobe lights like on the tops of human police cars.

Odd. I’d never heard such an obnoxious ringtone before. The app must’ve been spellcast to override the ringer that had been set to silent. The only problem, Colin wasn’t smart enough to manifest such a spell. So who had done it for him, and were they with him now?

I shared a worried look with Ric.

“Answer it,” he said with a frown. “He might have information.”

I grimaced. “Or he’s being controlled by demons.”

Ric nodded. “Only one way to find out.”

Feeling like I was signing my own death warrant, I fell into a chair at the table while clutching the tablet in a white-knuckled grip. Ric and Des flanked me as I reluctantly swiped to answer.

Colin’s big, fat head appeared on screen as he peered down at the camera, all his long, black nostril hairs on full display. “Luci! Are you and Des all right?”

I arched away as if his farty breath could slap me through the screen. “We’re fine, Colin.”

“You were right about Felicity. The Insurgi took her. They refuse to tell me where she is.” He heaved a loud sigh.

“I’m sorry, Colin.” Neither Colin nor Felicity deserved my sympathy, but I gave it for the sake of keeping the peace in my family.

Though I had once loathed Homewrecker Barbie for destroying my family, that ire had waned considerably after a few months of freedom from his farty-breath kisses, lackluster sex, and constant complaining.

I wondered if they were torturing her for information or if they’d killed her.

I didn’t want to think of the third option—that she was working for them.

“Don’t be sorry,” Colin said with an exaggerated pout. “Felicity’s demon seduced me. You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever known.”

Ric’s low growl rattled my bones. I looked up at him, alarmed by his golden lion eyes and the fur that sprouted on his face.

“I would never be willingly unfaithful to you,” Colin continued, “but her demon had me under a spell.”

I reached for Ric’s hand, giving him a reassuring squeeze and a smile before turning back toward the screen.

“Uh-huh...” I drawled. What a load of trollshit.

Considering Colin started his affair with Homewrecker Barbie three years ago, I refused to believe Felicity has been demon possessed all this time.

“I want you and Des to come home.” Colin’s nasally whine echoed through the tablet with the ick equivalent of a pair of bubonic mating cats. “My parents have hired the best security to keep you safe.”

Come home? As if.

I looked at Des, who sat on my other side. He vehemently shook his head, his eyes practically crossed. Poor kid—to be repulsed by his own father.

“I have to go,” I snapped, channeling my inner-Enchantress while scowling down at him over the rim of my nose.

“Don’t call again unless it’s to talk to your son, and I’m limiting your calls to once a week on Sundays.

I’m putting a blocking spell on Des’s tablet, so if you call any other day, it won’t go through. ”

And yeah, my decision went against our custody agreement, but that agreement was null and void, considering my ex was under the influence of the Insurgi, demons, or both.

“Luci, don’t you da—”

I swiped the hang-up icon before he could finish that sentence. Of all the nerve! The tablet vibrated with the obnoxious ringing and strobe lights again. Clutching my wand, I whispered the blocking spell, and the tablet thankfully fell silent.

Des mouthed his thanks when I handed his tablet back to him.

“Luci!”

I gave a start when Ethyl leaned over me, her wingtip tickling my head as she shoved her phone in my face.

“What is it?” I squinted at the phone, the WitchTok toolbar visible on the bottom of the screen while the Enchantress shook her finger at the camera.

Ethyl grimaced, her wings drooping. “The Enchantress posted another video.”

Goddess. My head was about to explode! “Already?”

“She’s crucifying you,” Ethyl hissed while turning up the volume.

“Imagine having all that power, and instead of using it for good,” the Enchantress ranted, “using it to seek revenge on your ex-husband’s prettier, younger new wife.

That’s exactly what happened at the quarterfinal ruggel game this morning when the Phoenix, Luciella Lovelle, killed Felicity Bardus. ”

Ethyl squealed, dropping the phone on the table.

Des arched away from the phone as if it was cursed.

With a growl, Ric snatched the phone and hit pause on the video.

I gaped at Ric. “I didn’t kill her! And Felicity was about to attack us! Not to mention, she’s a freaking demon!”

His features solidified into granite, except for his glowing lion eyes. “The Enchantress knows this.”

“She’s trying to make you look bad, Mama,” Des said, his shoulders falling. “She’s not a nice person.”

I squeezed his hand, hating the disappointment in his eyes.

Ethyl snatched up the phone, scrolling across the screen like her finger was on fire. “They’re crucifying you in the comments.”

I pushed off from the table, determination squaring my shoulders. “I refuse to live with that two-faced phony a moment longer. We must get rid of her.” I turned toward Ric with a snarl. “Now!”

The pity in his eyes was enough to make me want to pull out my hair. “It’s too risky. The Insurgi will expect us to leave now that she posted that video. It’s clear she’s working for them, and they’re trying to drive us out of hiding.”

I snatched my lipstick wand from my pocket. “Then I’ll turn her to dust!”

“Luci, sit.” Ric moved behind me, pressing down on my shoulders and forcing me to sit. “Take a deep breath.”

“I can’t.” My bones rattled as if a herd of dragons was rolling through me. “I’m too upset.”

Ethyl gasped when the table began to shake. I knew I had to get my earth-splitting magic under control, but how could I calm down when I wanted to burn that bitch’s eyes out?

Des tugged on my sleeve, peering at me with wide, luminous eyes. “Mama.”

And then he threw his arms around me, the comfort from his hug like a combination of warm summer sunlight on my face while a tropical breeze blew back my hair; sipping smooth, rich hot cocoa by a roaring fire while wrapped up in soft blankets; and waking up in Ric’s arms to the buttery smell of fresh baked cinnamon rolls.

Des’s hug was goodness and innocence and everything perfect in the world, and I never wanted to let go.

By the time he pulled back, I felt so much better, soothed by my son’s powerful soul-healing magic.

“My sweet boy.” I cupped his cheek, in awe of his abilities. “I love you so much. You always know how to make me feel better.”

“You better now?” Ric asked, though his hollow voice sounded miles away.

I nodded while pushing away from the table. I didn’t want to lose this feeling of peace and comfort that still enveloped me, but I knew if I went inside and confronted the Enchantress, I’d lose control of my temper and do something I might regret.

I heaved a shaky breath. “I need to go for a walk and clear my head, but I can’t leave the house with that phony and her weird staff here.”

“Ethyl and I will keep an eye on the house,” Ric said.

“I’ll go with you, Mama.” Des stood with a smile, holding out his hand to me.

I eagerly took it. “I’d like that, just me and my sweet boy.”

Ethyl fluttered in front of me, nervously twisting her hands together. “If you see Freddie, please tell her I’m sorry and to come back.”

I nodded. “I will.”