The Hidden Grimoire

by Karla Brandenburg

  “Of course,” Hannah said. “I’ll send your server right over.” She nodded at me, and I returned the nod.

  Sharon wasn’t masking her true self.

  I’d ruled out my two top candidates. Who was the reckless woman I was supposed to be watching out for? Between the hidden grimoire showing me the spell for taking a witch’s powers and Hannah telling me to watch out for a reckless woman, I’d let my imagination run wild.

  “I’m sorry we interrupted your dinner,” I told Sharon.

  She pushed away from their table, eyes downcast. “We were done, anyway.” She darted a glance at Jason. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” And then she walked out.

  I wanted to kick Jason for being so cavalier with Sharon’s feelings, for leading her on when she was so obviously in love with him. As if reading my thoughts, Kyle leaned close and whispered, “He doesn’t see how she feels.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  Kyle nodded. “He’s too busy being mad, and before we showed up, he was talking annuities and insurance policies. Not what I’d call a romantic conversation.”

  “But you see it, right? How forlorn she looks?”

  Kyle chuckled. “She was hanging on his every word, as if he was reciting sonnets. Yeah. I noticed.”

  “Speaking of, didn’t you promise to recite sonnets for me as a grand romantic gesture?” I teased.

  Kyle put a hand to his chest with a dramatic flair. “A rose, by any other name...”

  I laughed. “Thanks for that. Women love to know they smell.”

  “But they smell sweet,” he pointed out.

  The server arrived at Jason’s table and handed him the bill, which he signed immediately. His chair scraped the flagstone floor as he backed away, and with one last glare my direction, he left.

  “The man has anger issues,” Kyle said.

  “Only where I’m concerned, it seems.”

  Kyle surveyed the dining room. “What about it?” he asked.

  Now what did he have in mind? “What about what?”

  “Getting married in a castle. Kinda cool, don’t you think?”

  I laughed again. “Yeah, kinda cool, but I thought we’d agreed on the gazebo in town.”

  Kyle took my hands in his and smiled at me. “Giving you one last chance to live out your princess fantasy.”

  I wagged my eyebrows. “We still have tonight.”

  “Then we’d best not waste another moment. We got what we came for, didn’t we? Or do you and Hannah have other business to attend to?”

  I looked toward the entrance to the restaurant, where Sharon had disappeared. I was no further along than when I’d started a week ago. I was done looking over my shoulder. “No, I think we’re done.”

  Chapter 37

  Something about the look in Jason’s eyes before we’d interrupted them at dinner wouldn’t let go of me. The conversation Kyle and I had overheard had been strictly business for him, as if there had never been anything between him and Sharon other than work. After more than three years, that might be true, but how could he be so oblivious to Sharon’s feelings?

  At breakfast, Kyle tapped a knife against his water glass to get my attention. “I know it’s early, but your eyes are open. What are you thinking about?”

  I checked the dining room to make sure Jason and Sharon weren’t nearby. “I can’t shake the feeling I’m overlooking something.”

  “Want to talk it through? Sometimes Roxanne and I do that at work when we’re trying to connect evidence.”

  I managed a smile. “I’m sure it’ll come to me.”

  “What? You don’t think I have detective chops?”

  “It’s your day off,” I said. “Don’t want to overtax your brain.”

  “Wait. I have to pay taxes for my brain?”

  I slugged him in the shoulder, and he laughed.

  “At least I know you’re paying attention,” he said.

  I leaned on the table. “Let me ask you something. When you see Kelly Goddard, what do you talk about?”

  His eyebrows winged up. “Jealous this morning?”

  “No, but my experience with exes isn’t enough to paint a good picture. I get that Jason and Sharon were talking business, but every word out of his mouth was like a dagger to her heart, even after all this time. Either she should be avoiding him so as not to subject herself to the hurt, or he should be sensitive enough to leave her alone, don’t you think?”

  “You and I are a better example. The weekend Narcy was lurking around town, I had no idea how much I hurt you. I felt like I was walking around in a daze—until she left.”

  A quiver of misery reared its ugly head. When Narcy had woven her spell, Kyle hadn’t even remembered our relationship.

  When Narcy had woven her spell.

  “What if Sharon was telling the truth?” I said half to myself.

  “About?”

  I met Kyle’s gaze. “About LeAnne. But then why couldn’t I see past LeAnne’s mask?” Her aura had been orange, the negative attribute potentially indicating recklessness.

  “And now I’m lost all over again,” Kyle said. “What are you talking about?” He narrowed his eyes, then widened them. “Wait. Unmask. This has something to do with what you were doing in your workshop.”

  “Sharon and Jason were dating until LeAnne showed up,” I said. “Sound familiar?”

  I surveyed the dining room once more. Hannah was beside the hostess stand, going over something with the hostess. I raised my hand to wave her over. She smiled, held up a finger and finished her conversation before she joined us.

  “I see a fire in your eyes,” she said. “What have you discovered?”

  I cast a sideways glance at Kyle. “I did the unmasking thing, like you said, but I’m wondering if there would still be a way for me to overlook, well, you know.”

  “What are you thinking?”

  I told her how my suspicions had shifted to LeAnne.

  “When she stopped in the store, was there anything different about her?” Hannah asked.

  “No, other than she was moving slowly, but I would expect that after just giving birth.” I relayed her visit, her invitation to Friday dinner, and our play date for today. “Wait.” I grabbed hold of Kyle’s arm. “She was wearing glasses.”

  Hannah pulled a chair out and sat beside me. “And she’d just given birth.” She shot a wary glance at Kyle. “How much does he...?”

  “I get it,” Kyle answered. “Which doesn’t mean I’m very comfortable right now.”

  Hannah smiled. “With good reason.” She turned to me. “When witches are pregnant, their gifts go into hibernation, in a manner of speaking. They’re still there, but the strength to use them is subdued by the change in body chemistry.”

  “Which might account for me not noticing before,” I finished for her.

  “The glasses,” Hannah said. “They might change the way the light hits her eyes, if you know what I mean.”

  Kyle sat back and folded his arms. “Even I know what you mean.”

  I held onto his arm to keep him engaged while I spoke to Hannah. “I’m supposed to see her today. I told her I’d come over to visit Georgia and the baby while Jason’s out of town.”

  “I suspect she has more in mind than a social call,” Hannah said. “If she is what we think she is.”

  “You’re not going over there alone,” Kyle told me.

  “She has to,” Hannah said. “If you’re there, Brynn won’t know what LeAnne’s agenda is. On her own, LeAnne will be more forthcoming. As long as Brynn knows what she’s walking into, she should do fine.”

  Experience was an ugly teacher. I wouldn’t have believed Narcy capable of trying to kill me. But LeAnne? She’d appealed to me as family, invited me to be part of their lives. I liked LeAnne, and had a hard time picturing her as another Narcy.

  “I’m not saying she has an agenda against you,” Hannah said, following my train of thought. “But she is after something.”

 
Another woman’s man, and she’d won. “If she has gifts,” I said, testing my thoughts out loud, “she doesn’t need me to guide Georgia.”

  “You came to me for help,” Hannah said. “She might not have been prepared, like you weren’t, for Georgia to show her skill so early. She might be looking for a support system.”

  “But if she’s the reckless woman you see...” I put a hand to my forehead. “Her aura was orange.”

  “What does that mean?” Kyle asked.

  “It could mean she’s self-centered,” Hannah replied. “Forewarned is forearmed. You can play to her personality. As long as you know who she is, you can guard against any negative intentions she holds, or develops.”

  “I still think I should go with you,” Kyle said. “In case your play date goes sideways. You can tell her you want to see how I’ll be around kids for when we have some of our own.” He took my hands and my heart ached for the children we might never have.

  My voice was thick with emotion. “If you come, you’ll be in the line of fire. I can’t protect you, and me, and Georgia if something happens.”

  Hannah placed a hand on top of ours. “She’s right. Brynn is strong, and she’s smart, and she’s learned much these past few months. If you go with her, you give LeAnne another target.”

  I gave Hannah a hug. “We have to get back. I still have a day’s work ahead of me before my visit.”

  Hannah pinched her fingers together, and then apart, reminding me to call on the positive energy. I mimicked the gesture, and turned the amethyst ring she’d given me.

  “When did you get that?” Kyle asked, nodding to the ring.

  “It was a gift from Hannah.”

  “To help her with her nightmares,” Hannah told him.

  “Does it work?” he asked.

  I nodded. “So far.”

  We rose to our feet and Kyle hugged Hannah. “Thank you. For everything you’ve done for her.”

  Hannah stepped back, chuckling, a look of surprise on her face. “Well, now!” She looked at me. “I think you’ve found an extraordinary young man here. I hope you’ll invite me to the wedding.”

  “By all means,” Kyle said.

  “Of course,” I echoed.

  I suspected we had another test ahead of us before the wedding.

  Hannah pinched her fingers once more, and I copied the gesture, calling on the white light to give me peace of mind.

  Chapter 38

  Our conversation with Hannah delayed us from our original departure plans, and by the time Kyle and I arrived in Hillendale, it was after ten. Kyle dropped me at the shop for the few hours I’d told Cassandra I would work.

  When I walked into Windfall, Lisa and Cassandra were deep in conversation about my wedding.

  “Wait,” I said, barely out of my coat. “You’re planning my wedding without me?”

  “Well, you don’t have a mother to hover over you, and Nora is always so preoccupied, we figured you could use the help,” Lisa said.

  “What she said,” Cassandra added.

  I laughed. “You two do realize it’s going to be little more than a walk in the park, don’t you? Think City Hall but with a gazebo.”

  “A decorated gazebo,” Lisa said. “You still need flowers, and music, and a party afterward, not to mention a gorgeous dress.”

  I held up my hands. “Who said anything about a gorgeous dress?” The bridal shop window came to mind. Me? In a fancy dress? “I’m so much more of a jeans and tunic type girl.”

  “Every girl should feel like a princess on her wedding day,” Lisa said.

  I nudged her with a shoulder. “Funny, I just came from Aerie Castle, and I didn’t have to wear any fancy dresses there to feel like a princess.”

  “I could make something for you,” Cassandra said. She tweaked her chin and squinted at me. “In fact, I have a few ideas. Something that suits you, but also speaks to the occasion.”

  “You know we have nearly six months, don’t you?” I asked.

  “Which is why we have to get moving. May will be here before you know it. How about you and I go shopping when you get done here or, better yet...” Lisa turned to Cassandra. “You don’t need her here today, do you?”

  I held up a palm. “Stop right there. I’m going to see the new baby.”

  “You’d rather go see the offspring of that evil cousin of yours than spend the day flitting around the mall with your best friend?” Lisa tabled her hands under her chin and batted her eyelashes, which made me laugh.

  “My evil cousin is out of town, so this might be my only chance,” I said. “You can drag me around by the hair tomorrow if you want to.”

  “And before you go to the mall, you can stop by my place,” Cassandra said. “I should have enough time to draw up a couple of designs for you to consider. Then I can flit around the mall with you guys.”

  “It’s a date,” Lisa said. “But I still don’t know why you’re even bothering with your awful cousin. I thought you’d put your shitty family behind you.”

  “They’re still family,” I pointed out. “I have to at least try.”

  “You know how I feel about family,” Cassandra said. “But I agree with Lisa here, and I don’t even know the whole story. I do, however, know your cousin, and he’s a Class A dick. He’s made his feelings pretty clear.”

  I gave her arm a squeeze. “Yeah, but he has a sweet little girl who loves her Aunt Brynn.”

  Cassandra sighed. “Well, there is that to consider. But is it worth the hate he throws you?”

  “Not forever.”

  A blanket of melancholy settled on me. If we couldn’t make this family thing work, all indications pointed to LeAnne having the skills to provide Georgia with what she needed, but I had to be sure. I couldn’t turn my back on LeAnne when she had reached out for help.

  To Separate a Witch from her Power.

  I shivered. The hidden grimoire had indicated a last resort wasn’t off the table. What could call for such drastic measures?

  Lisa took a step closer. “I’ll go with you.”

  I laughed her off. “Why would you want to spend a day with my evil cousin’s family?”

  “Because you suddenly look like you could use a friend,” Cassandra answered.

  My heart swelled. I hugged Lisa. “Thanks, but I’ve got this.” I turned to Cassandra and hugged her, too. “You guys are the best.”

  They shared their plans for my wedding in between customers. Shortly after noon, Lisa went home for lunch and I made a sandwich run. When one-thirty rolled around, I headed home to pick up my car.

  Kyle was waiting when I walked inside.

  “I fed Ash,” he said. “My offer to go with you still stands.”

  “I’m not expecting any trouble,” I told him.

  “You should be.”

  I thought again about my life before I’d come to Hillendale, how I’d had no one who cared about me, followed by the unexpected outpouring from everyone here. I’d never learned when or how to ask for help, or how to accept it gracefully, but one thing I knew for sure. I had to go see LeAnne and Georgia by myself.

  “You can’t know how much it means to me that you’ve offered,” I told him. “Lisa offered, too.”

  “Lisa doesn’t know the things I do.”

  Which was true, especially the latest developments. “Aside from when Nora took me in, I have never felt so loved,” I whispered, my voice failing me. Tears welled in my eyes. I told him Lisa and Cassandra were taking me out to do wedding planning tomorrow, distracting him long enough to get a smile, then finished with, “I have to do this on my own.”

  “At least give yourself backup,” he said. “If things get dicey, shoot me a text, a code in case you need back-up. How about ‘I’ll be home soon.’ Type it now. Have it ready, just in case.”

  I did as Kyle asked, kissed him, and put on my coat. Ash came bounding across the sofa and pawed at her basket.

  “Oh, you want to go, too?” I asked her. She purred and
I lifted the lid. I smiled at Kyle. “Georgia will be happy to see her, I’m sure.”

  “Be careful. Both of you.”

  “We will.” I picked up the basket and left to find out if LeAnne was, in fact, hoping to embrace family, or if she had a hidden agenda. Either way, I needed to see Georgia.

  Chapter 39

  The first thing I noticed when LeAnne opened the door was she wasn’t wearing her glasses. The second thing that jumped out at me, in addition to the orange aura, was the glow in her eyes. My pulse ratcheted up a notch as I looked for Georgia while I guarded my thoughts, masked myself from LeAnne.

  LeAnne was wearing sweats. Not unusual for a woman whose body was snapping back after a pregnancy, but the other times I’d met her, she’d been in a dress or ‘business casual’ type pants and tops. Then again, what did I know about maternity clothes? She had a right to be comfortable in her own home.

  “You’re looking well.” My voice came out breathy. Would she notice? I shook my head. LeAnne had come to me in search of family. I chose to anticipate the best, rather than the worst from her. “You sure Jason won’t be upset you’ve invited me over?”

  “What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him, and I’m determined to find out more about his family. There’s always a chance you might need information about a health issue, and I find it hard to believe his parents wouldn’t want to meet their grandchildren.”

  I took her words at face value, declining to comment on what Aunt Theresa and Uncle Jerome would or wouldn’t want. I was the last person who would know. “I hope you don’t mind I brought my cat along. Georgia seems to love her.”

  “I think she’d like that.”

  I glanced around, no sign of Georgia or the baby. “Is the baby sleeping?”

  Georgia came running from a hall I suspected led to the bedrooms and launched herself at my legs. “Aunt Bwinn.”

  “Hey, little girl. I’ve missed you.” I swept her into my arms and hugged her. She clung to my neck. “And look, Ash came to visit, too.” I opened the basket and Ash leapt out, dropping to the floor to roll around.