Read Online Wicked Brew by Amanda M. Lee - Free Book Online

out.”
    “Fine,” Bay said. “If I look like a strip of bacon when you’re done, though, we’re totally breaking up.”
    Landon broke into a grin. “Hey, now that you mention it … .” He gave her a quick kiss. “Get to work, woman. I don’t want to put too much pressure on you, but we’re running out of time.”
    “Right,” Bay said, snapping out of her reverie. “Let’s do this.”
    We returned to our spots from earlier this afternoon and settled back in our circle, knees touching knees as we crossed our legs, and joined hands. Bay started first again. Clove and I joined her moments later, our power jumping with excitement as we let it out to play.
    “That is awesome,” Marcus murmured.
    Landon shushed him.
    I pressed my eyes shut, forcing myself to concentrate even though having Landon and Marcus watch us felt strange. After a few minutes, the feeling drained away and I was lost to the flickering magic.
    The spell was more powerful now. I had no idea if it was because we were more dedicated, or if the ticking bomb that accompanied Annie’s grandparents and their arrival was propelling us. It didn’t matter.
    “I’m not sure we’re strong enough,” Bay murmured. “It’s like the magic wants to be let out to play, but there are walls in the way.”
    “Of course there are walls in the way,” Aunt Tillie said, climbing the hill with a huff and a glare. “Why did you have to come up here?”
    “It’s pretty,” Clove said.
    “Yes, but I don’t like to climb the hill,” Aunt Tillie said. She moved over to us and wedged herself between Bay and me. “Move over.”
    “What are you doing?” Bay asked, shifting.
    “I’m fixing your circle,” Aunt Tillie said. “It’s not strong enough for what you’re trying to do.”
    “It might work,” I said.
    “It won’t,” Aunt Tillie said. “It won’t work until you three stop screwing around and really give in to what you are. You’re not ready yet, and we don’t have time for you to get ready.”
    Landon was leaning against a nearby tree as he watched the scene curiously. “Why aren’t they ready?”
    “Because they’re scared,” Aunt Tillie said.
    “I thought they were strong?”
    “Of course they’re strong,” Aunt Tillie said. “I raised them to be strong. They’re not ready to give in and let the magic take over. It’s because they’re strong that they fight it. That’s not a bad thing.”
    “But they need you for this?” Landon asked.
    “I’m the mightiest witch in the land, boy,” Aunt Tillie said. “Everyone needs me.”
    I fought the urge to giggle. She does have a way with people.
    “Okay,” Aunt Tillie said, joining hands and entering our circle. “Now I’m going to show you how to do a locator spell.”
    “We’re all ears,” I said.
    “And eyes,” Bay added.
    Clove’s stomach picked that second to growl. “What? I didn’t get dessert.”
    “Focus,” Aunt Tillie snapped, her gaze fixated on the swirling lights in front of us. “Annie says she doesn’t even know her grandparents. That can’t be a good thing. We need to do this, and we need to do this right. Envision what you want.”
    We were all quiet for a moment, everyone doing as they were instructed.
    “Stop thinking about the cake, Clove,” Aunt Tillie chided. “It will be there when we’re done.”
    “I wasn’t,” Clove protested.
    I shot her a look.
    “Okay, I was,” Clove admitted. “I’ll do better.”
    Once Aunt Tillie infused her magic with ours, the tendrils of colorful light exploded into the air. At first, each tendril went in a different direction. The lights climbed into the night sky before arcing back inwards and colliding into a big ball of light with a spectacular splash.
    The freshly joined light hovered above us. Unmoving.
    Aunt Tillie got to her feet, seemingly nonchalant, and brushed the dirt from her pants. “Okay. Let’s go.”
    Landon arched an eyebrow. “Where are we going?”
    “Wherever the light takes