Half an hour later Christina and Natalie were sitting in the coffee shop in the middle of town sipping on some recently delivered drinks. Christina had messaged Dani and she and Lauren were outside in the car just in case. 'Is Lucy working today?' Christina asked.
'She and Kate went to do some sightseeing, getting the lay of the land and such.' Natalie told her. 'Did you hear, Lucy asked Lisa to get her a job at the funeral home.'
'No, I didn't hear that.' Christina said.
'Well Lisa very politely turned her down. I'm relieved myself, I don't think Lucy would be able to handle a job like that.'
'Why not?' Christina asked.
'She's very emotional. I don't think she'd make it through a day without crying.' Natalie smiled.
'Nothing wrong with showing a little emotion.' Christina said.
'I suppose. Unless it's exploited.' Natalie locked eyes with her for a moment, her smile faltering just a little before her mask came back on. 'Anyway, I just thought we should spend some quality time getting to know each other.'
'Really? Why?' Christina asked.
'I know what being the oldest sister is like. And you have five, I thought two were hard work. It's just always been difficult for me to make new friends.'
'I do okay.' Christina said defensively.
'I didn't mean to imply.....' Natalie sighed. 'Oh, shall we just cut the crap Christina?' Christina raised her eyebrows as she continued. 'I know you're a witch, you know I'm a witch.' Natalie said.
'I guess there's no point making small talk then. Why am I here Natalie?' Christina said trying to keep her game face on.
'Lucy knew you were the strongest the moment we entered your home. Talking to any of your sisters would have just been a waste of my time.' She said, her voice darkening.
'That's a bit disrespectful isn't it?' Christina said. 'How would you feel if someone talked about your sisters like that?'
'Oh please.' Natalie sipped her coffee. 'They do what I tell them, when I tell them. It's the best way to run a coven.'
'You're a dictator, good to know.' Christina smiled sarcastically at her.
'We aren't that different Christina, don't act like you don't run your house.'
'I make some big decisions, sure, but everyone has a chance to voice their opinion.' Christina thought back to a moment ago. 'You said Lucy knew I was the strongest. How? Is she an empath?'
'Not quite. She has a special set of skills that one.' Natalie said, not elaborating.
'I'll ask you again, why am I here?' Christina repeated.
'You have something I want.' Natalie said. 'I'm using this nice, crowded environment to ask you politely and not start a fight.'
'You don't even know what my powers are. What makes you think you'd win a fight?' Christina asked confidently.
'You're the eldest Cimorelli. Our mother told us all about your mother, so I know exactly what you can do.' Natalie lent forward. 'You may be powerful, Christina, but I have at least four years' experience on you. I brought you here for your own good, because if you pissed me off anywhere else I'm not sure I could control what happened.'
'I don't need you to protect me, I need you to leave my family alone. We know you broke in last night and we know Kate created that storm. And the fact that I am here means you didn't find what you were looking for.'
YOU ARE READING
Power Struggle (Book 3)
FantasyIn the third instalment of this series, the Cimorelli witches are faced with an unexpected foe. They must fight their own kind to survive and keep their magic safe from those who would use it for evil.