Chapter 98: Chapter 98

LENORE

The witch was here.

She hadn’t stepped into the room yet, but I could hear her laughter in the hallway outside, and I shifted on the couch as it drew closer. I wasn’t uncomfortable because of the laugh—it was rather melodic—or the fact that the meeting was about to take place. It was more because Killian had a history with her coven, and I was worried she’d sense Killian was in the mansion through some magic-ish or smell him on me. The latter was irrational because witches didn’t have an enhanced sense of smell like werewolves and vampires; what wasn’t irrational though was the possibility of her knowing the witches who had attacked Killian last night and what he had done to them.

“Let me do the talking, Lenore,” Killian’s uncle said as he got up from the armchair he’d been sitting on, and I raised my brows at him before processing his words and nodding.

I was actually also sort of thankful that she’d arrived. The three minutes of silence I’d spent with Killian’s uncle in this room from when we walked into it had felt like an hour before the witch finally texted him that she was here. He hadn’t spent those three minutes staring at me though—I’d have walked out if he did.

Killian’s uncle walked over to the door, coming to a stop just before it swung open and a dark-skinned woman launched herself at him, wrapping her legs around him.

“Valen!” she called, her voice heavy with excitement, as his arms flew around her with an oof. Her face wasn’t visible from where I sat—all I could see was a cloud of tight, midnight-black curls that had been styled into a voluminous afro and her boho maxi dress with thin halter straps that were tied behind her neck—and the scent of peppermint tickled my nose while I wondered if I should stand up or remain seated.

“I thought you forgot about me,” she said, pulling her head back to stare at his face, and a line appeared between his brows.

“We spoke last night.”

“Before that.”

“We spoke two nights ago.”

“Still…” she muttered and I began to fiddle with my fingers. I felt like I was intruding.

Killian’s uncle’s gaze darted to me and he cleared his throat while the witch finally glanced at me over her shoulders. She raised her brows slightly and her scrutinizing stare made me shift on the couch again before I finally chose to stand up as Killian’s uncle set her on her feet.

“Gesella, this is—”

“You charmer,” she cut him off, jerking her attention to him. “You’re with her?”

“Oh no. I’m her ward,” he replied in a rush and the small frown that had crawled onto her face slipped off, then she tilted her head at him. “Her mother died when she was four and her father also passed shortly after.”

“Oh no,” the woman said, her hands flying to cover her mouth, before she shot me a pitiful look while I blinked at Killian’s uncle.

Uh… sure?

“She’s the one I talked to you about,” Killian’s uncle continued before silence would require me to say something regarding the parents he just talked about. “You know how my brother can be when he knows there’s someone I care about.”

Anger thundered across her expression and her fingers twitched like she was itching to grab something or someone as she lowered them from her face. “Bastard,” she hissed.

Amen.

“And that despicable son of his. I’m going to—” A quick glance at Killian’s uncle killed the rest of the words she was about to say while I frowned at her, my irritation spiking at the thought of whatever she was planning to do to Killian. “Your nephew is lucky I like you.”

“Your magnanimity moves me.”

She gave him a mock sneer before patting his chest, her lips twitching into a smile. Then she returned her attention to me and when she arched her brow, I realized I was still frowning.

Oh! I immediately blinked rapidly, rubbing my eyes like something got into it. She didn’t know about my relationship with Killian after all, and I had to keep it that way.

When I finally stopped rubbing my eyes moments later, she was standing in front of me with a bright smile, and I almost jolted.

“Hi sweetie,” she said, gently grabbing my wrists as she sat on the coffee table in front of me. “Sit. Sit.”

I glanced past her at Killian’s uncle who was walking over to his armchair which was next to the couch I’d been sitting on, and he nodded.

“Do you know what your uncle wants me to do to you?” she asked as I sat back on the couch. Her being completely focused on me did not help my nerves which had reared their head and I had the urge to do something with my hands but she was still holding my wrists.

“A protection spell.” My voice came out strained and I pressed my lips together, clearing my throat, while she nodded.

The thought of her sensing Killian popped into my mind again, and it was immediately followed by the image of Killian pressed up against the door of whatever room he was in as he listened to our conversation here—yes, I was damn sure he was eavesdropping. I bit down on the inside of my cheek to hold back the smile threatening to bloom on my face before the witch spoke.

“There’s a strong chance you would feel a bit tingly as I cast it, but there’s no need to be afraid.”

I nodded, not knowing how else to respond to that, before glancing at Killian’s uncle once again and she snorted.

“Don’t worry.” She looked slightly amused as she finally let go of my wrists. Then she winked, her hand reaching out to cradle my cheek. “I won’t bite without asking.”

Uh— The peppermint scent grew stronger, flooding my nose and mouth, and my brows shot up while a warm sensation—which I assumed was her magic—slid over and under my skin, moving like it was—

The witch jerked her hand back, cutting the sensation off as the amusement disappeared from her face. “There’s an—” Her frown deepened and my heart slammed against my chest, expecting her to go Aha! Killian’s here!, but instead, she turned to Killian’s uncle and said, “There’s an undying spell on her.”