Page 49 of Thicker than Water

“So, how did you know it was witches who were making glow for the Lazarus vampires?” I ask casually.

Xia replies, “According to Celine, something you said tipped her off. When you described what it was like to ingest glow. You said it was magical. She realized that it must be independent witches working for Lazarus and Cedric. Vampires can do a bit of magic, but not enough to create a potent drug like glow.”

“Oh, really? I didn’t even think of that!” There’s a little pleasant feeling in my stomach. She gave me credit. I don’t know why that makes me feel all gooey, but it does.

Nova turns to Xia, their face a little flushed from all the whiskey. “I’ve always been curious about witches, but I haven’t met that many. Which witch coven were they part of? The good ones or the bad ones?”

“Neither,” Xia replies. “Those were independent witches. They might serve a demon or deity, but they’re not officially part of a coven.”

Nova nods. “Like practicing a religion on your own?”

“Sort of.”

“Are you part of a coven, Xia?”

Ilean in slightly. I’m curious about this myself.

“I used to be part of an evil witch coven,” Xia replies. “But after my friend left, I didn’t want to be part of it anymore. It’s a long story. I’m independent now.”

“Do you prefer being an independent witch?” Nova asks.

“Definitely! No ridiculous politics, no Triple Council…”

“What’s the Triple Council?”

“Three powerful witch covens all got together and formed an alliance.”

Nova wrinkles their nose. “They couldn’t think of a cooler name than ‘the Triple Council?’”

Xia chuckles.

I take a glass and pour another beer for her. Without thinking, I reply, “You might think it’s silly, but it’s a big deal that three witch covens allied at all.”

As I set the glass down in front of Xia, I realize my mistake. She cocks her head at me curiously.

“Yes, it is,” she says, taking a slow sip.

My stomach drops.

“Well, look at that,” I say quickly, grabbing my tray. “No barback again! She’s always disappearing. I’m going to go collect some empty glasses while it’s not too busy.”

Before Xia or Nova can say another word, I open the hinged counter top of the bar and disappear deep into the crowd.

What a stupid thing to say! At least it wasn’tthatincriminating. A bartender could know a little bit about witch politics without it being suspicious, right? I could have picked it up somewhere. Maybe I should say something when I get back, like my mom used to be a witch or something, try to cover my tracks.

No, I shouldn’t say anything else. It’s incredibly lucky that I haven’t been on anyone’s radar yet. Better to just keep lying low.

Lost in thought, I almost topple over a set of entangled legs sticking out from a chaise.

“Sorry…”

My words are cut short when I see whose legs they are. Her light purple eyes flash in the dim light.

“That’s ok,” giggles the woman on top of her, her voice a littledopey.

Celine takes her lips from the woman’s neck, a trickle of blood dripping down her chin.

I turn on my heel, leaving my tray behind.