car and still have some in savings. I suppose I need
to look for the bright side for the next little while.”
“It’d be more fun to punch them all in the throat.”
“Ha. Yes, much more fun. Alas, the police look down on such problem solving.”
They chatted a while longer before hanging up and she felt a lot better. More settled
after she’d touched base.
* * *
FAINE came over shortly after, tapping lightly. She noted the food on the big tray in his
hands gratefully.
“I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until right now.” She stood back and he came in.
They settled at the table and he pulled two beers from a bag.
“Bless you.” She grinned his way as she opened things up and grabbed a carrot.
“I didn’t think to ask if you were a vegetarian or had special dietary stuff.”
“You have very good manners. Your mother must be proud.” She took a long drink from
the beer.
“My mother would not tolerate anything else. She’s not even four and half feet tall,
but no one would dare to disobey her.” Faine grinned.
“So was your, um, world affected by the Magister?”
“It didn’t manifest on our side of the Veil. We knew it was bad. The Magister I mean.
Simon and Lark came to us to warn and get our pledge of support. But we didn’t . . .
we had no way of . . . The night it came was the stuff of nightmares. But even though
I knew about it, I still can’t quite get over it. I came over with some of my family
when we got word about it. Lark nearly died. I don’t know if my brother could have
gotten over it if she hadn’t come through.” He paused and then changed the subject.
“You’re what they call outclan, yes?”
“I don’t know what they call it. I was sort of an extended member of a coven. But
it wasn’t part of my daily existence really. I had a life and my being a witch was
like having blue eyes or a quick wit. Part of me, but nothing I really thought about
a lot. And then suddenly it was everything and I didn’t even know what all was true.”
He pushed her plate toward her. “Won’t do you any good to get sick because you’re
not eating.”
She ate because it seemed as if he wouldn’t unless she did. It was automatic, but
it got the job done.
“I spent pretty much the entire day today reading reports about what’s been happening.
All the assaults, threats, violent attacks, people losing jobs and homes.” She shook
her head.
Molly was used to being good at everything she did. She was in over her head right
then, needing to just go step-by-step, but having someone she could talk to was a
hugely important resource. “I’m still sorry you have to be here babysitting me instead
of out living your life.”
“My life has been pretty much consumed with the aftermath of the Magister. Guarding
you gives me something to do. I’ve been staying with Lark and Simon so it’s a nice
change of pace to have a space of my own. And room service is better than having to
cook. This is my job.” He shrugged. “I’m good at my job.”
“As your job is keeping me safe from thrown eggs and nails in my tires, I’m grateful.”
“You read it yourself. This is far more than egging or mean-spirited op-ed columns
in the newspaper. We’re talking death threats, Molly. Don’t let yourself forget just
how dangerous it is out there. Witches look human, so you’re safer than some Others.
But those assholes in PURITY want you dead just the same. And many have ended up that
way.”
She swallowed hard. “I don’t want other people in danger because of me.”
“I don’t want you in danger because you’re trying to help our people. So, we’re even.”
He winked at her and it broke the tension.
Chapter 6
“HOW’S it going?” Gage tapped on her door. “Settling in all right?”
The morning sun glinted off the gold highlights in his hair, making him look like
an angel. A fallen one, but an angel just the
to look for the bright side for the next little while.”
“It’d be more fun to punch them all in the throat.”
“Ha. Yes, much more fun. Alas, the police look down on such problem solving.”
They chatted a while longer before hanging up and she felt a lot better. More settled
after she’d touched base.
* * *
FAINE came over shortly after, tapping lightly. She noted the food on the big tray in his
hands gratefully.
“I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until right now.” She stood back and he came in.
They settled at the table and he pulled two beers from a bag.
“Bless you.” She grinned his way as she opened things up and grabbed a carrot.
“I didn’t think to ask if you were a vegetarian or had special dietary stuff.”
“You have very good manners. Your mother must be proud.” She took a long drink from
the beer.
“My mother would not tolerate anything else. She’s not even four and half feet tall,
but no one would dare to disobey her.” Faine grinned.
“So was your, um, world affected by the Magister?”
“It didn’t manifest on our side of the Veil. We knew it was bad. The Magister I mean.
Simon and Lark came to us to warn and get our pledge of support. But we didn’t . . .
we had no way of . . . The night it came was the stuff of nightmares. But even though
I knew about it, I still can’t quite get over it. I came over with some of my family
when we got word about it. Lark nearly died. I don’t know if my brother could have
gotten over it if she hadn’t come through.” He paused and then changed the subject.
“You’re what they call outclan, yes?”
“I don’t know what they call it. I was sort of an extended member of a coven. But
it wasn’t part of my daily existence really. I had a life and my being a witch was
like having blue eyes or a quick wit. Part of me, but nothing I really thought about
a lot. And then suddenly it was everything and I didn’t even know what all was true.”
He pushed her plate toward her. “Won’t do you any good to get sick because you’re
not eating.”
She ate because it seemed as if he wouldn’t unless she did. It was automatic, but
it got the job done.
“I spent pretty much the entire day today reading reports about what’s been happening.
All the assaults, threats, violent attacks, people losing jobs and homes.” She shook
her head.
Molly was used to being good at everything she did. She was in over her head right
then, needing to just go step-by-step, but having someone she could talk to was a
hugely important resource. “I’m still sorry you have to be here babysitting me instead
of out living your life.”
“My life has been pretty much consumed with the aftermath of the Magister. Guarding
you gives me something to do. I’ve been staying with Lark and Simon so it’s a nice
change of pace to have a space of my own. And room service is better than having to
cook. This is my job.” He shrugged. “I’m good at my job.”
“As your job is keeping me safe from thrown eggs and nails in my tires, I’m grateful.”
“You read it yourself. This is far more than egging or mean-spirited op-ed columns
in the newspaper. We’re talking death threats, Molly. Don’t let yourself forget just
how dangerous it is out there. Witches look human, so you’re safer than some Others.
But those assholes in PURITY want you dead just the same. And many have ended up that
way.”
She swallowed hard. “I don’t want other people in danger because of me.”
“I don’t want you in danger because you’re trying to help our people. So, we’re even.”
He winked at her and it broke the tension.
Chapter 6
“HOW’S it going?” Gage tapped on her door. “Settling in all right?”
The morning sun glinted off the gold highlights in his hair, making him look like
an angel. A fallen one, but an angel just the
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