Chapter 51
Zoey
I woke up to the sound of my alarm, and Bri and Sadie groaned, pulling the covers over their heads. I chuckled to myself as I slipped on my clothes, thankful neither had gone furry in the night. I went down to the scullery to make two coffees and a tea, and set them on the table as I watched each of their eyes open and peer at me from over the covers.
“Time to get up, ladies!” I announced, and they tossed back the down comforter and groggily moved to the table. Bri had worn a t-shirt and boy shorts to bed, and Sadie wore leggings and a tank top. They each sat and took their respective drinks before they said a word.
“Do I want to know what today’s lineup is?” Bri asked irritably.
“Probably not, but I’m going to tell you anyway.”
“Breakfast with the Priest of the West Coast.” Bri leaned her head back and stared at the ceiling.
“Please tell me he didn’t bring his fuck toy again?”
“He came alone.”
“Thank fuck.” Bri answered, before taking a long sip.
“You have grievances with three covens, then three meetings: the Northeastern, Eastern Canada, and an indigenous sect,” I let her know.
Her wheels turned. “Put the two eastern covens into the same meeting. I want to see them squirm.” I nodded and clicked on my tablet, making it done.
“We are all going to Maggie's after dinner, low profile. And no, I don’t give a shit what anyone has to say,” she added, and I sent Trent and Andrew the note. Sadie was quiet as she sipped her tea.
“I need a phone and laptop for Sadie, and I need you to look into her finishing up school. If we can have her graduate with her class that would be ideal, but she will have to do the work from here,” she let me know, and I added it to my notes to work on in my downtime today.
Sadie, you will have your breakfast here. A maid will come, but don’t let her inside. Just take the tray. I will have you with us in the receiving hall so you can see what I do here. Trust me, after a few sessions, it will quell your curiosity. Just stay with Zoey and observe. She will come to get you after breakfast.
Bri got up and hit the shower, leaving me with the wolf girl.
“You Ok?” I asked. “This all must be new to you.”
To her credit, she just nodded. “It is, but it’s safe here,” was all she said, tucking into her tea. If she thought “safe” was being holed up with some of the most powerful witches in centuries, waiting for their enemies to make a move, I wondered what her home life was really like. Last night, we had braided hair, painted nails, and watched scary movies until we passed out.
She was still shy with me, even after the evening together, so I figured I’d give her some background. “I’m not like them. I’m a human witch but … I’m not ordinary. I’ve known Bri a long time, that woman has been through a lot. Once she’s claimed you as hers…you’ve got nothing to worry about, kid.
Bri came out, looked at the outfit I had chosen for her and growled. I blinked, not used to the sound. Sadie wasn’t fazed. She disappeared into her closet and came out in a black lace blouse that wrapped around her middle and a pair of loose hemp pants in the same shade. She ran a brush through her hair and disappeared to dry it in the bathroom. When she came back, her mahogany waves were pulled up into a high ponytail, its volume defying gravity, as loose tendrils escaped a thin band of colored silk tied at the nape of her neck, with a headband keeping the flyaways at bay. Soft dark shadow and eyeliner adorned her eyes, a flush of blush accentuating the angles of her pretty face, her lips, cherry red.
She was going to eat someone alive today. The poor bastard.