by Emma Dean
“Sure thing.” Selene stood and held up the book she’d set aside. “I’m going to get the stuff and read this while you’re working. Is that all right?”
It was weird to be loaning a book on magic to her sister, but it made Kenzie smile. “Yeah, that’s fine. Make notes? I want to see what you think of the content while I’m reading. Maybe it’ll speed things along. Oh! And do you have a speed reading spell?”
Her sister smiled and licked her thumb. Without saying anything she rubbed her spit over Kenzie’s eyelids in a specific pattern and then muttered a few words in Sumerian. “There you go. Should last for a few weeks.”
There was a slight tingle and then it disappeared. Why did some magic have to be so gross?
“Uh, thanks I guess,” Kenzie said, wiping the spit from her eyes.
Selene laughed. “Go find Edith while I get everything ready for tonight. Oh, and ask her about some of the rarer ingredients.”
Her sister kissed her cheek and left Kenzie’s bedroom, practically skipping as she went. The last month had been hard without her sister, but having Selene here in this house felt a thousand times more right than it ever had in the Kavanagh mansion.
Now with Edith and Selene it was cramped, but it felt like home.
Hopefully her grandmother felt like helping with a new spell.
Well, even if she didn’t Kenzie planned on talking her into it.
Because even though she was a snarky bitch, Edith had been there for her every step of the way.
Kenzie got up and went to go find her grandmother. It was time to finally ask her why.
Chapter Twelve
Kenzie
Kenzie walked down the hall to Ash’s room and knocked. If she knew her grandmother at all, she would be working on more spells, maybe prepping to redo the house after it was built. Who knew what that old woman was ever thinking really?
After all she’d added to the family fortune with such minimal work it should be a crime. A perfume that worked on literally everyone because it was a potion that used whatever would enhance the wearer’s scent.
People paid thousands of dollars for her perfume. That’s how good it was.
There was no answer so Kenzie knocked again.
“What?” Edith snapped from the other side of the door.
“Hi Gram-Gram, I wanted to ask you something.” Kenzie chewed on her bottom lip. Suddenly she was nervous.
Her grandmother had always made her spells, charms, and enchantments whenever she asked, but this was different. She’d never had to ask her for help with a spell before. Or have Edith watch her attempt one she knew she could actually perform.
What if she couldn’t do it?
The door opened and Edith stood there glaring. “It’s bad enough I have to live in a place without a maid, but now I can’t even nap?”
Kenzie tried to give Gram-Gram that sassy ‘I don’t give a fuck’ smile that was her signature, but it didn’t work this time. So she shrugged one shoulder and handed over the spell. “I was wondering if you could help me and Selene with this tonight?”
Edith took the spell and then went back into the room, but she didn’t close the door so Kenzie followed her inside.
“This is an interesting ward. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Edith admitted. She sat down in the armchair where Ash usually put his shoes on.
It was weird to see the room even more bare than usual. Where his things had been, Edith’s were. Kenzie didn’t like it. But she did like having her sister and grandmother there. It was a weird conflict of emotions.
“The runes need to be done with your blood. And yet I’ve never seen this spell in any blood magic book,” Edith said, reading through what the spell required.
“Voids don’t have power,” Kenzie reminded her. “I assume a lot of what I will be able to do will be based on my blood and genetic makeup.” She shrugged and sat on the edge of Ash’s bed.
It was hard not to think of all the times they’d had sex in this room. Kenzie tried to block it out while she watched her grandmother. No doubt clean freak Ash had washed everything before letting her sleep in here.
“I suppose that’s true,” Edith said. “You and Selene should add ‘testing normal spells with someone else’s power’ to your list of experiments. I don’t think Selene’s power should be used. Not when you two are clearly two sides of the same coin and blood related. Someone else’s. Consent to use their magic would be left to you, but I think seeing what you could take without anyone noticing might be useful. Also, can you hold more than one person’s magic at one time? What about two different race’s magic at once?”
Clearly her family had questionable morals when it came to finding answers to questions, but Kenzie couldn’t say she didn’t have all the same questions as Gram-Gram and her sister. Seriously, there was so little known about voids. Not only that, each normal witch had different affinities and sometimes abilities.
Not everyone could do healing magic.
So what one void could or couldn’t do might not apply to her.
“Well, if you want to help me and Selene you’re welcome to,” Kenzie told her quietly.
Edith stood and went to one of her bags. She tossed it on the bed next to Kenzie and handed her the spell back. “I’ll consider it. In the meantime I have a few of the rarer ingredients. And I believe I have the time to help you tonight. I was going to go out to this wonderful jazz club with whichever raccoon would accompany me, but this is more important. You’re lucky I love you darling.”
Those words hit Kenzie deep in her chest. Had Edith ever said she loved her? Not out loud and not with the actual words. Kenzie was pretty sure about that.
“Hey, Gram-Gram…why did you save me from the clan all those years ago?”
Instantly Edith stopped rummaging through the ingredients carefully stored in her suitcase. She didn’t look at her, but Edith held completely still for a moment and Kenzie thought maybe she wouldn’t answer the question.
“When you were born…I just knew you were special,” Edith finally said.
Her grandmother looked at her then. And it was like looking in a time mirror.
Kenzie was the spitting image of Edith. When she was her grandmother’s age she would probably look very similar. They had the same flame-red hair even at Edith’s age. Same blue eyes the color of the hottest fire. Kenzie assumed they would have the same smattering of freckles across their noses if her grandmother hadn’t magicked them off a long time ago.
Most in the human world thought Edith was her mother if they ever saw her. And it had been easier to let them think that. And Kenzie had wished so many times that she was her actual mother.
“Witches usually take a few years until their powers begin to show,” Edith murmured, pushing the suitcase to the side so she could sit down next to Kenzie. “It’s very common for a witch not to show anything until the age of three. Though there is a misconception that the earlier power is shown the stronger the witch will be.”
Kenzie had known some of this to a degree, but never in such detail. She didn’t remember much before her fifth birthday except the memory of pain – but nothing specific.
“Selene levitated all her toys a few days after her third birthday and she’s the strongest witch in San Francisco, maybe even on the west coast,” Edith told her. “So for the first three years of your life you had a pretty normal witch existence. Even though everyone expected you to present earlier based on our family’s legacy, but there wasn’t concern until you were about three and a half.”
Edith started rotating one of the rings on her fingers and Kenzie knew the reason they’d never had this conversation before. Edith never fidgeted. Ever. There were two times Kenzie could remember it and both times her grandmother had been distressed emotionally.
After her great-grandmother had finally passed. And when she’d taken Kenzie to the family doctor the last time her family had tortured her. That was it.
“That was when everyone sta
rted to get concerned,” Edith confessed. “The entire witch community knows that once a child hits five years old the level of power is locked in. And if you don’t present earlier it can’t grow. We all thought you would be able to do nothing more than parlor tricks. And for my mother and yours that would tarnish our legacy.”
Kenzie took her grandmother’s hand and squeezed. They both needed to hear this. But Edith needed to be reminded she wasn’t alone. And Kenzie didn’t hate her for what had happened.
“I was shocked when we exhausted the normal power exposers and my mother went to Takahashi for advice.” Edith looked out the window at the foggy morning casting the room in that bluish light Kenzie actually preferred. “When pain and fear was suggested I thought everyone, but especially your mother—my daughter, would say no. I wish I’d had the backbone to go up against my mother sooner,” Edith whispered. “And I’m sorry I didn’t.”
Kenzie wrapped her arms around her grandmother and held her tight. “Don’t be.”
Gram-Gram took a shuddering breath and patted her arm.
“No matter what I thought would happen I knew you didn’t deserve what they did to you. Not having any powers didn’t make you any less my grandchild,” Edith told her. “If I were to be honest with myself I had no idea you were a void witch. I think they were mentioned once or twice in the University, but that was it. The reason I thought you were special was because of the life inside your eyes. It was there from day one.”
Edith rested her head against Kenzie’s for just a second while they both tried to come to terms with all the emotions swirling between them.
“I knew you would do amazing things given the chance,” Edith whispered. “What they were, I had no idea. But I knew not having magic would never prevent you from conquering the world. I actually assumed you might become the first female president of the United States of America. That’s how astounding you were, even as a child.”
“Why did they keep pushing me even after I turned five?” Kenzie asked.
Her grandmother sighed and gave her a kiss on the cheek before extricating herself to stand. “No witch had ever been born without powers before – that there was any record of. I should have known then, but I was so distracted by the problem they insisted you had. It was all I could do to keep you alive. But they assumed they could make something manifest. At that point it was a point of pride for my mother and she would not listen to reason. I tried and tried to talk to her, but our culture…it’s taught to never question the matriarch. So it took me time. I’m sorry Mackenzie. I should have done better.”
Tears pricked her eyes, but Kenzie refused to cry. Tears weren’t something she or her grandmother knew how to handle well. “Just so you know, Gram-Gram, I’ve always been incredibly grateful for everything you’ve ever done for me. All of it. You are the only one that stood up for me until Selene came along. I know…without you I don’t think I’d be here today. So thank you.”
“Ack,” Edith said, fanning her face. “You deserved better, darling. But I’m glad I grew a backbone. I love you, girl.” Her grandmother pinched her cheek hard enough to sting.
“And I love you,” Kenzie murmured, standing up and hugging Edith. “So you’ll help us tonight?”
“Of course. Now leave me be so I can put myself together and gather all the ingredients. I’ll find your sister too, now go finish my contract. I want to taste that sweet revenge before it gets stale.” Edith practically pushed her out of Ash’s room.
Kenzie smiled and headed to the offices.
If she’d had to suffer for everything she had now…Kenzie decided it had been worth it.
Chapter Thirteen
Kenzie
Kenzie sat at her setup in the main office. Hunter had insisted she had a station in the boy’s office as well as her own. And Kenzie finally understood why as she sat next to Hunter while they monitored the hearing.
She had never seen Finnick so…polished and in charge. It was kind of weird, but it was also really hot.
The hearing was being recorded. But it was also getting a lot of media attention thanks to Ash sharing their video and it going viral. Kenzie was watching all the keywords she had plugged into her program. This hearing and the victims were all over the internet. A new hashtag had been made and it was trending.
Millions were showing their solidarity.
Hunter had sent evidence to the police that the Davis law firm had hidden incriminating evidence, impeded investigations, etc. The police raid on their firm was all over the news. This wasn’t going to end well. Not when high profile clients made online statements saying they’d had no idea and were now refusing to work with them.
The business wouldn’t survive regardless of the outcome of the hearing. All the evidence was there and an investigation was already starting. Partners of Davis Attorneys at Law were being called in – the whole board.
The current hearing was what would ruin Brad’s personal reputation. Now most rapists got off with minimal punishment so Kenzie didn’t expect him to get put away for life. And even if he did it wasn’t like his powers would magically vanish. He’d break out of the very human prison and disappear – maybe fake his own death.
Which was why she’d tagged him at the club. It was one of her favorite charms that Selene had created. It melted into the skin and was active for thirty days. For those thirty days they would know exactly where he was, even if he left this reality for a different plane or planet or whatever.
When he tried to grab his money and go, there would be nothing left.
All that was left was magically crippling him – legally. Because if Kenzie cursed him like he’d cursed Selene that could be traced back to her, and she could be punished for that – if not for that spell, then for causing his death if he couldn’t find the potion to break the curse.
So she had to convince Takahashi to strip his powers. His confession regarding his plans for the coven would do nicely.
“Since we’re mostly alone I was wondering if we could have our date now,” Hunter said, breaking the silence.
Kenzie jumped in surprise and glanced over at him, trying to figure out his motive.
They’d been quietly working together for hours, gathering evidence to send to Takahashi, draining accounts, and watching the hearing.
The last time he’d said anything had been about an hour ago when he asked if she thought ravens would testify at a coven meeting and if it would be worth anything. Hiring the ravens wasn’t a crime, but it would say something about his character that he was willing to expose them to humans just to kill them.
Because if the cops dug too deep they’d see Brad’s ties to the rest of the San Francisco witch community.
“You want to do the date right now, right now?” Kenzie asked.
He smiled slightly but didn’t look away from Finnick through the camera on Ash’s tie. “Yes. Well, as soon as I finish cooking.”
Such typical Hunter behavior to ask when she’d least expected it.
“You don’t think it’ll interfere?” she asked, looking back at the email she was compiling for Takahashi.
“It’ll only take a few hours. We can make sure alerts are set for anything abnormal. Are you having second thoughts about a date?” Hunter asked wryly.
If she refused, Kenzie didn’t think he would mind. She eyed him. Their game was coming to a head. This dinner was his power play. Hunter never cooked. They barely spent free time alone together so he knew it would put her off balance.
But the same could be said for him. When was the last time they’d been alone together without any work to do?
“Okay,” Kenzie finally said. “When is this date going to happen?”
He started tapping furiously even though his expression didn’t change from mild amusement. Kenzie could feel his spike of excitement. She didn’t know if she was slightly attuned to him because of pheromones, the small thread between them, or just…some cosmic insight. But she had always been aware of him like th
is.
“I’m going to set up the alerts now, and then run to the market. So…two hours from now. And I want you to wear something I bought for you. I don’t care what.” Hunter’s golden brown eyes were nearly black with how dilated his pupils were.
Was he nervous?
Kenzie considered him, swirling her chair around so she could put her full attention on him. Yeah, he was a tiny bit nervous. But she couldn’t pinpoint why. Kenzie grinned. Maybe she did have a chance of winning after all.
“Okay, will do. I’ll finish this up and then get ready.” Kenzie felt her stomach flutter.
If she were honest with herself she was nervous too, but she couldn’t say why really. Hunter was an enigma, sure. But he wasn’t a bad guy. A little crazy. She liked him like that though.
What if the date didn’t go well?
Ugh, this was stupid. It would be fine.
The real reason she was nervous was how he could win this game she supposed. What would he do to make her beg? Because if she knew Hunter – and she was one of three people who did – he wanted her to beg.
Kenzie didn’t know what she wanted from him as a signal she’d won. Hm, maybe if she got him to lose his very careful control.
She’d seen him lose it only once and that had been in anger. Could she get him to lose it out of desire, and have him ask to claim her before the dinner was over?
Grinning she watched him finish up the alerts. Hunter only raised his eyebrow, but he didn’t say anything. He checked the time as he stood and then nodded like he was reassuring himself he had time.
Kenzie’s grin widened even further. “I’ll see you in two hours, Hunter.”
The wary look on his face was priceless.
She stared at herself. A floor-length mirror had been one of her very first purchases after she’d moved in. For someone who didn’t really like dressing up, Kenzie still knew how to look good and it was hard to see what her ass or legs looked like without a proper mirror.