Chapter 77

Lucifer

I’d have never guessed that a young witch would hinder our escape. At first, she hurried past us in the corridor, but she quickly doubled back.

“Oh. My. Goddess! I know who you are!” she screeched. “You’re Beatrice LaCroix.”

She was around Beatrice’s height, short for a witch, with a delicate frame, long blonde hair, and pale blue eyes. There was something vaguely familiar about her, but I was certain we’d never met.

“Yes, I am,” Beatrice replied in a guarded tone as if worried the young witch was going to say something awful to her.

The little witch threw her arms around Beatrice’s shoulders and hugged her. “Thank you so much!”

Beatrice awkwardly patted her back and asked, “What are you thanking me for?”

When the witch pulled away, she seemed embarrassed. Blushing, she began, “Sorry. When I get excited, I react without thinking. You don’t have any idea who I am, so you can’t possibly know why I’m thanking you. I’m Jolie Dupree. You helped save my sister’s life.”

“You’re Julia’s sister,” Beatrice remarked.

That explained why the witch seemed familiar. I knew Julia Dupree, though not well. I was also acquainted with several other Dupree family members. Their family was heavily involved with the witch affinity tests and bonding ceremonies. Two of Jolie’s older siblings had broken from that tradition. Her brother, Trevor, was a lawyer, and her sister, Julia, was co-owner of Bliss.

“Yes, and I can’t tell you how grateful I am to you,” Jolie replied, hugging Beatrice again.

I had to bite back a grin. My poor witch didn’t know how to handle the overly affectionate girl. When Jolie finally released Beatrice, her attention focused on me.

“And you’re Lucifer,” she said in awe.

“Yes, I am,” I replied. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jolie.”

“Your aura is nothing like I thought it would be,” she remarked as her hand hovered in the air. She quickly caught herself. “Sorry. I shouldn’t touch someone’s aura without permission. I know it’s rude.”

Some witches possessed the ability to see and even touch the auras of others. Most called it a curse, rather than a gift, because the auras of others often negatively affected the witches. The darkest part of a person’s aura could easily taint the witch who touched it. Poor Jolie would end up angry and bitter because of her ability. It was amazing that she still seemed so bright and happy.

“You should avoid touching an aura like mine,” I advised.

“Why?” Jolie asked.

“I’m a fallen angel,” I replied.

“She already knows that,” Beatrice told me.

“You think that, if I touch your aura, it will frighten me,” Jolie concluded.

“Or damage you,” I added.

Jolie laughed at my explanation. It was not the reaction I’d expected. “I’ve touched auras darker than yours,” she told me when I looked at her like she was crazy. I suspected she might be a little crazy.

“His aura isn’t nearly as dark as he thinks it is, right?” Beatrice asked. “He doesn’t want me touching his magic because he’s afraid it will scare me off, but I don’t think he’s nearly as bad as he believes.”

Jolie shrugged. “Good and bad are difficult to define since circumstances often lead people to do things others might view as bad. His aura is mostly dark, but it’s got sparkly spots, almost like there’s glitter in it.”

“Glitter?” I asked incredulously. I didn’t like the idea of having a sparkly aura. That sounded as bad as being told my spirit animal was a pink unicorn.

“You don’t like having a pretty, sparkly aura?” Beatrice teased.

“Not at all,” I replied.

Jolie giggled again. “It’s not too sparkly, but it is pretty.”

Great! I had a pretty aura. Every fallen angel wanted to have a pretty aura.

“Are you going to do an affinity test with Lucifer?” Jolie asked Beatrice.

“He’s not a witch,” Beatrice pointed out.

“My dad would do it,” Jolie assured us. “I’d love to watch that, but the room will be full of witches and warlocks. They’ll be turning witches away.”

“We don’t plan to have an affinity test,” I told Jolie.

Her face fell. “That’s too bad. I assumed you were a couple because I saw the imprint of your magic on Beatrice’s aura. That usually only happens with a couple.”

“I have an imprint of Lucifer’s magic on my aura?” Beatrice asked, looking down at her forearm as if she could see it for herself. “Is it sparkly?”

“Yes,” Jolie replied. “I wonder if other fallen angels also have sparkly auras. Maybe regular angels have them, too. I’ve only met Rainer and Xavier Vigil. Neither of them has a sparkly aura. I’ll have to meet more angels.”

“That’s a bad idea,” I warned.

“Why?” Jolie asked with wide eyes.

“They’re not all as nice as Lucifer,” Beatrice replied for me before laughing. “I never thought I’d say that.”

“We need to go, Jolie,” I told the young witch as I took Beatrice’s hand to lead her out of the building.

“You are a couple!” Jolie screeched excitedly, which of course drew the attention of every witch in the room. “I can’t wait to see you take an affinity test.”

When we were out in the parking lot, Beatrice spoke. “Thank goddess we don’t have to take an affinity test. I want to avoid going to any more council meetings.”

I chuckled as I opened her door so she could climb into the SUV. “At least, it would be more interesting than the one we just suffered through.” An affinity test sounded like an interesting meeting.

Beatrice shook her head. “You’d think that, wouldn’t you? I had to attend two as part of a class when I was in high school. I only needed to go to one, but I fell asleep during the first affinity test, so I had to go to another one. Some are intense and exciting, but the ones I saw were so boring, I swore I’d never bond with a warlock. Even worse, they often tack on extra council business to those meetings, so the couple may be forced to wait over an hour to begin their test.”

“Another reason for you to stay with me,” I remarked.

“Why’s that?” she asked.

“You won’t ever be pressured into an affinity test,” I replied. “Don’t try telling me you’d refuse. I’ve heard plenty of stories from Rainer and Xavier of witches being forced into these things.”

“The Council of Witches is behind the times when it comes to free will,” she admitted with a sigh.

“I’m sorry you had to see your parents tonight,” I said softly.

“Me too,” she admitted. Before she could say more, there was a loud flash, and a spell slammed into the windshield.