Spells on Shelves

Chapter 25 || The Amulet

On the way home, we picked up the kids at Edward's, where they informed us that Nathanial was going to be just fine. Paxton made no further mention of the coven, except to say he'd follow up on the celestial witch lead and would stop by the shop tomorrow morning.

After settling the kids in, I retreated upstairs and indulged in an embarrassingly long bath. By the time I stepped out, feeling blissfully warm and squeaky clean.

Pay one of the covens a visit.

I had forgotten to ask what exactly he meant by that. I towel-dried my hair in front of the fogged-up mirror, a small chuckle escaping me. No.

Even if he'd looked positively evil saying that he couldn't possibly mean–no. I shook my head and changed into my pajamas.

Even if shapeshifters had the annoying tendency to act like they were invincible to magic, he wasn't crazy. He was a witch hunter too. He should know what to expect.

Maybe that nagging anxiety was due to exhaustion from running around the forest. Paying a visit probably meant he would go through official channels and request an audience with the head of the coven. Maybe I was overthinking this. Maybe he had been looking positively evil because he had been playing with the idea of breaking into the coven–not planning to do so.

Right?

That small question echoed in my head long after I'd gone to bed, weaving itself into my dreams. They were filled with towering structures and magic barriers, with Paxton and the kids trapped behind them.

I woke up half an hour before my alarm, wide awake, and with a lengthy explanation prepared of why breaking into a coven was a terrible idea.

Just in case.

I got ready in no time, dragged a sleepy Taji and Kai out of bed, and scarfed down breakfast in record time. Together, we headed to the shop as the faint glow of early morning light spilled over the streets.

Paxton, dressed head to toe in faded black sweats and jumper, showed up around eleven with a suitcase, a large backpack, and the news that we were going to Kansas City.

Kansas City? The same place where the summit was being held in December?

Before I could process that, Paxton started pulling black clothes—gloves, caps, and all—from one of the backpacks and handing them out.

Taji, pulling on a pair of gloves, grinned and exclaimed, "Nice! Let's bust into some covens!"

I froze mid-step, my hand gripping the wooden table. Pushing off it, I jerked my chin toward the kitchen. "Paxton? A word?"

Without waiting for a response, I strode into the small kitchen, waited for him to follow, then closed the door behind him and crossed my arms.

Of course, he fixed himself a cup of coffee first. After taking a sip, he finally glanced my way, his movements pausing as he caught the look on my face. "Want some?"

"I didn't get you in here for coffee!"

His brows scrunched. "What else is there?"

I twisted the ward, raising a barrier behind us to block our voices.

Patience, Jade. Just like you practiced.

"What is wrong with you?" Okay, that came out a little harsher than expected.

"Where should I start? You referring to something specific, or are we talking in general?"

"You cannot really be planning to break into a coven?" I snapped.