“So, if you had to guess, what do you think the purpose of this spell is? And why is he unable to shift?”

Mrs. Savoie squinted her eyes as if in thought. “If it were a regular hex, then Evie would’ve broken it. She’s the most powerful Hex-breaker in North America.”

“Mom, I don’t know if I’m—”

“Evie, darling, your power surpasses even your own recognition.” Her voice had gone soft and maternal, her eyes full of adoration for her daughter. I knew that feeling. “Just because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there. The reason you couldn’t break it is because it’s not a curse. Not exactly. The blood magic spell has chained Mateo’s wolf, not as the reason for the spell, but as a side effect.”

“So, how do we discover the reason? Its purpose?” asked Jules.

“That’s the crux, isn’t it?” She bit her bottom lip. “I don’t want any of you researching and studying blood magic spells. Not only is it unbelievably dangerous, especially with the magic coursing through your veins, but because its highly illegal. I recognized some of the witch sign burning on Mateo’s skin.” My own skin suddenly prickled and itched. She went on more earnestly, “There is a book that details all witch sign without the risky addition of the spells.”

“But what good will that do us?” asked Evie. “We need to know what it is in order to conduct a counter-spell.”

“Not necessarily. The Coven Guild Summit is coming up in New Orleans, right?”

Jules nodded. Evie scowled, blowing out a frustrated sigh. What was that about?

“End of November.”

“Good. Then get the book, match the witch sign you have that was marked on Mateo, then ask Clarissa in person.”

“Excuse me,” I butted in. “Who’s Clarissa?”

Evie’s mother answered me. “She’s the president of the Coven Guild. She should have some helpful advice.” Then her gaze swept back to her daughters. “This isn’t something that needs to be batted around on cell phones or email. You don’t want anyone reading them and thinking you’re dabbling in blood magic. Clarissa will know you’re telling the truth. Besides, I’ll give her a heads-up before the summit.”

“But Mom,” said Evie. “A blood magic spell? Should we be worried this is over our heads?”

The pretty woman laughed, a throaty sound like Evie’s laugh. “Don’t be ridiculous. Yes, you should show extreme caution because this witch means business. Her spell is tight and strong. But every one of you is more powerful than any blood witch.” She narrowed her eyes on Evie. “Even you, love.”

Again, I was jarred that their mother seemed to be bolstering Evie’s confidence. I’d never once thought of Evie as lacking assurance. If anything, she seemed more sure of herself than anything else.

“Sounds like a good plan.” Jules sighed. “But Mom, what was the title of the book? You didn’t say.”

“Oh! Sorry.” She laughed again. “It’s called The Etymology and Definition of All Known Witch Sign by Marigold Lord. Clever title, eh?”

Evie and Clara laughed.

“And Jules, you’ll need to ask Ruben for it. No one else will be able to acquire a copy as quickly as him. You need a copy fast.”

Violet snickered behind her hand. “This should be interesting.”

Evie grinned, but made no comment. When Jules spoke again, her voice was tight and strained. “Mom, what about Beryl? Surely, she’s got a copy.”

“Doubtful. She shuns anything even close to blood magic.” Mrs. Savoie turned thoughtful again. “You don’t understand. I’m not kidding when I say that dark magic has a voracious appetite and will hook into a host as soon as she or he lets her guard down.” She snapped her fingers in front of the monitor. “That’s another thing. Once you’ve gotten the information you need, burn the book. Don’t argue! Not one of you. Or you can tear the section on blood magic out and burn that portion. That’s what all true magic wielders do.”

Violet snorted. “I guess we now know why you’ll have to go bargain with the rare book dealer.” She nudged Jules.

“You mean make a deal with the devil,” she mumbled back.

Mrs. Savoie flashed a beaming smile. “Okay, girls. I think you have what you need. I need to go finish up my lamb and sausage gumbo.”

“Ew. Lamb and sausage?” asked Clara.

“Quite delicious. Always best to use what’s fresh and local. That goes for witchcraft and cooking, you know that.” She winked.

“Bye, Mom. Thank you,” said Evie.

The others followed suit.

“Goodbye, my lovelies. I’ll send your sisters back right before Christmas. Goodbye Mateo. Don’t worry. My girls will take good care of you. You’ll be right as rain before you know it.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Savoie. Your daughters are quite…remarkable.” I couldn’t help but look at Evie.

Mrs. Savoie’s motherly grin grew wider. “That, they are.” She blew a big kiss then the screen went dark.

Bye, Mom. I heard a smacking kissy sound and a rough chuckle. She likes us.

Evie turned to me and gave my forearm a squeeze before tangling her fingers with my own. “Well, at least now we know more of what we’re dealing with.”

I exhaled a heavy breath. “But now I’m more worried than ever. I mean, blood magic? What the hell?”

She squeezed my hand. “The sooner we can get to the bottom of it, the better off we’ll be. If my mother says we can handle this, then we can. Trust me.”

“I do.” I held her gaze for longer than was necessary, trying to tell her without words how much I already trusted her. Not just with this curse. But with my heart, my soul. My everything.

Clara brushed my shoulder in passing with a friendly tap and a zing of happiness. “Don’t worry. It will all work out. I’m going to open the shop.” Then she sauntered out the back door through the courtyard.

Violet huffed out a laugh. “Jules, you better get to calling Ruben so he can get that book.”

Jules stood at the window, her arms crossed as she stared, or rather, glowered into the courtyard.

I leaned down to Evie. “What’s going on?”

“She and Ruben don’t get along,” she admitted with a smile.

After a long, tension-filled minute, Jules spun around. “Fine.” She whipped out her phone and started texting feverishly.

“If she doesn’t like him, why does she have his cell number?” I asked.

“She has the numbers of all the supernatural leaders. Ruben is head of the vampire coven. Or master, overlord, whatever.” She was whispering, but then she lifted her voice to Jules. “Don’t they call him Master of Coven NOLA?”

“Yes,” she gritted out while she waited for a response.

I took the quiet moment to whisper, “What’s the Coven Guild Summit?”

Evie’s mouth tightened into a line. “An annual meeting of the witch covens of Louisiana.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“Nothing.” Her green eyes were flinty.

“Then why are you angry about it?”

She huffed out a sigh. “It’s not the summit. It’s the cocktail party celebration at the end. I don’t want to go, but Jules is making me this year.”

“Why don’t you want to go?”

A ping announced Ruben’s return text.

“Later,” she said, but I knew it was a brush-off.

Jules read the message greedily, then shouted, “That motherfucker!”

Evie gasped. “Jules!”

Violet tossed her head back and laughed. “Such language from the head of household. I thought you were above cursing.”

“What’s wrong?” asked Evie, more urgent now. “He won’t get the book for you? He doesn’t hate you that bad, does he?”

“No.” Her flinty gaze shot up to us. “He’ll get it. But on one condition.”

She was grinding her teeth together so hard it was giving me a headache.

“Well?” Evie walked over and tossed up both hands, asking for more. “What’s the condition?”

She let her head fall back with a loud sigh. “If I go on a date with him.”

Violet jumped up and clapped. “This is the best. I love that fucking vampire.”

“Shut it, Violet.” Jules started texting back furiously. “Fine. I’ll play your little game.” She seemed to be talking directly to him through clenched teeth.

I shared a look with Evie who only smiled and shook her head. “Their feud has been going on for a long time.”

Jules hit send, lifted her head with a pasted-on, brittle-as-hell smile. “Go grab your jackets. You two are coming with me for my coffee date”—she paused to make exaggerated air quotes—“with that asshat.”

“Now?”

“Now.”

Evie beamed up at me. “Our first date?”

I ushered her out the door, my hands on her hips and dipping my head low to her ear. “This is not our first date. I have plans for that.”

Fuckin’ right, we do.

Put your dick back in your pants. I’m in charge of date night.

No problem. I’ll be in charge in the bedroom afterwards.

I wasn’t going to debate this shit with him. I honestly had detailed plans for my first date with Evie. I’d been thinking about it for a few days and had some special things shipped from Amazon to make it special for her. Some things I knew would put that pretty smile on her face. And no matter how badly I wanted to discover every inch of her hot-as-hell body, I wanted to discover her mind even more. After finding her artistic talent she’s hiding from the world, we had lots to talk about. And I wasn’t going to be satisfied until I knew everything about my pretty little witch.