“Thomas, sweetie.” I speak as calmly as I can, even though inside I’m shaking. Thomas is covered in blood up to his elbows, his fingers dripping with it. I can’t tell if my sister is breathing or not. Carly is already on her knees next to Ana, Styx right beside her. “What happened here?”
He looks at me, his mangled face as tormented as I’ve ever seen it and that’s not good. Because I’ve seen Thomas in more pain than any mortal man should have to bear. “She was here, Seph. In the house. I didn’t feel her until it was too late. She caught Ana when she was scrying…stabbed her from behind with a silver knife that screamed…”
“Who, Thomas?” It’s only when he starts to topple over that I realize it’s not just Ana’s blood dripping from Thomas’s fingers, but his own.
And even though Thomas passes out before he can answer me, I know who did this. And who’s going to pay for it.
Luna.
Time’s up, sunshine.
26
Jack
I watch the door close in my face. She’s not wrong, of course. I am full of shit. About everything. Seph is pretty astute when she trusts her heart. But she doesn’t know what’s coming.
I do.
I won’t be able to stop it. Because I’m a part of it.
I’ve lied so often, for so long, there is very little I am sure of anymore, except this. She is mine. Mine to love, mine to torment…
Mine to kill.
***
The witch of witches spawns sisters four;
Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall.
Scattered like leaves,
but Queens all
To Summer
the King of Winter falls…
Author Notes
A series about witches has been brewing in the back of my mind for some time. I didn’t expect to write it until one of my other series was complete, but these things happen when you’re a writer. The voices in your head won’t shut up. Especially ones like Persephone and Jack Frost.
Sixpence & Whiskey was fueled largely by Irish coffee, INXS and lots of late winter nights. Thankfully in Duluth, winter nights are in plentiful supply. One of the best things about the Toil & Trouble series (IMO) is that it takes place in my adopted hometown of Duluth, Minnesota. Duluth gets a bad rap for its weather, but that’s just a scam to keep you all from knowing how absolutely gorgeous it is up here. I love my city and loved showcasing some of my fave bits of it. And yes, RoofTop Fable is a real band, their awesome song, Snow, was on repeat while I was writing a lot of this book, you can find them here: RoofTop Fable
As always thanks are in order, first and foremost is my friend and fellow writer, Veronica, who I owe for being a sounding board, a cheering section and a technical wizard who keeps me from losing my shit when it comes to all those nitty-gritty details that neither Seph or I excel at. She has magic to help, I have Veronica. Thanks, lady!
Also to Lizz, my new editor at RazorSharp editing, for making me laugh as she tore my story apart. Thanks for giving Sixpence, and Seph, the edge they needed. Also to Julie Nicholls, for coming up with not one, but two awesome covers for this book. You kicked artistic ass, as usual.
And to the RR/WR group on Goodreads just for being your awesome selves. Group hug!
Last, but never least, my family. My kids are the best in the world, even when Mommy is locked in her bedroom for hours on end, screaming at the computer and talking to her imaginary friends. Thanks for not disowning me, guys.
And also to my mother, who lost her 16 year battle with cancer during the writing of this book. Love you to the moon and back, forever. <3
COMING SOON
Blackbirds & Bourbon June 2016
Roses & Rye August 2016
***
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Reviews are HUGE to indie authors. I want to say thank you so much for purchasing Sixpence & Whiskey, if you enjoyed it (or even if you didn’t, lol) please leave a review on Amazon. You have no idea how much each and every review helps! ~ Heather R. Blair
Sixpence & Whiskey Page 17