Chapter 40
Ray and I talked all night, filling in the gaps of a thirty-year separation.
I learned more about his daughter. I bragged about Gabe.
We talked exes and hexes. He discussed life as an alpha.
I told him more about the Trials and the Threadbinding.
We theorized about the Hem and what it meant that it was fraying.
It had been far too long since I’d lost sleep for such a good reason.
But time, as it does, passed. We’d settled on the couch, wrapped in one another.
He toyed with my hair. I toyed with his fingers.
It was intimacy for the sake of intimacy.
The very thing that Cupid had, however inadvertently, blocked us from.
The comfort of being in another person’s space without feeling the need to fill it.
A connection born of safety and respect.
Eventually, sunlight filled the room, bathing us in its warmth, offering a new day. Almost as if on cue, Ray’s phone rang.
“Damn reality,” he muttered, clicking it to silent. He pulled me close, brushing his lips against the side of my head. “What was that you said about a vacation?”
“We’ll plan one.” I leaned in to kiss him. “After Lauren’s. And Brianne’s.”
“I guess I’ll wait in line.” He said it good-naturedly as we disentangled and rose. “I have a big, dumb meeting in an hour.”
“I have sessions.” I walked him to the door, opening it with a pout. “Stupid reality.”
We lingered over a goodbye kiss, my back against the door jamb. This was a morning wake-up I could get used to. Until someone cleared their throat. We both turned to see Ethan at the foot of the stairs.
“Sorry.” He grinned, more than a little sheepish. “It’s Magnolia business that cannot wait.”
With no small amount of reluctance, I extracted myself from Ray’s arms. “What is it?”
“Actually, Simone, I think this is a conference room matter. You received a message through my office.” He lifted his briefcase, meeting Ray’s eyes. “You should attend this one, too.”
Despite his earlier demeanor, there was a sense of foreboding in Ethan’s expression that sat like a brick in my stomach. “I’ll gather the coven.”
Ten minutes later, we’d all assembled. Appointments had been rescheduled, and Cecelia had refreshments ready, including a bowl of cream for Gumbo, who was the last to arrive.
While he still carried a bit of heft, he didn’t look sickly full or disoriented like he had the last time I saw him.
He ran his head under my hand, letting me scritch his ear and chins.
“Thanks, everyone, for making time for this,” I began. “Ethan has something to share with me, and it seems like it’s coven business.” I gave him a questioning look, and he nodded his assent. “Okay then, you’ve got the floor.”
Ethan propped his briefcase on the table. When he attempted to open it, it slammed shut. With a bewildered look, he repeated the effort to the same result. Cecelia’s anxiety drew a shudder. “It’s Cecelia. She doesn’t want that open in here.”
I held up a finger, tuning in to the source of her concern. It was a broad sort of strain. Whatever was in that briefcase, she didn’t want it in her. An idea struck me. I sent it to her and waited. When she approved, I continued.
“Okay, slight reconfiguration.” I crossed my arms, then placed them on the table. “Simone Bardot, Division Head for Magnolia Mental Health and Supreme of Magnolia Therapy and Wellness. I call to order this interim meeting.”
Taking the cue, Brianne, then the Twins, Gumbo, and Ethan followed suit. When we reached Ray, he looked around, a bit confused. Before I could help, he figured it out.
“Ray Chase, Head of Security.”
It was enough. The room spun, in its way, and the air lightened. We were beyond time and space. Where we needed to be, apparently, for whatever was about to happen.
Satisfied, Cecelia unlatched Ethan’s briefcase.
“Thanks, Cecelia.” He rifled through the contents, and I couldn’t help peering in.
I’d never seen the inside of Ethan’s briefcase before, and though it felt a bit like rifling through his underwear drawer, curiosity got the better of me.
Turns out, it was just papers and pens and stuff. I sat back with a huff.
“What?” Ethan asked.
“It’s just briefs,” I said, waving at his papers. “Plain old briefs.”
Beside him, Lauren covered her mouth with her hand, eyes watering as she attempted, poorly, to hold back laughter. Ethan gave me a stern look. “This is serious, Simone.”
“Yeah, yeah, hand it over. Who’s it from?” It probably was serious, but I wanted to hold on to my good mood as long as possible.
It was a standard-sized envelope, sealed at the flap with a wax symbol I didn’t recognize. My name was written in blue ink, the lettering crisp and tall. From the thickness of the envelope, it couldn’t have more than a page or two inside. But it felt heavier.
Ethan cleared his throat, shifting in his seat. “Simone, it’s from your father.”
My smile froze on my face, slowly slipping away as a strange buzzing filled my ears.
I’d never met my father. My mother had always been vague about his identity.
Even the codex, which included a family tree for every Supreme, was blank on his side.
All I knew was that his side of the family was magical.
And his brother, Julia’s father, was a monster.
“How do you know?” I angled the envelope, suddenly afraid of its contents. The ink shimmered. “Did you see him?”
“No.” Ethan’s voice was soft. Understanding. He looked to Ray, who took my hand for support. “He delivered it to my father. They’ve … met before.”
“The first will?”
Ethan gave one short, quick nod. When Julia had challenged my position, Ethan had done research and found out there were three versions of Agatha’s will.
The second version was created when I was born, the third a week before Agatha died.
Both had named me as her successor, with stipulations.
Though we’d never discussed the first, I’d been curious as to its contents.
Had it involved my father?
“Are you going to open that letter?” Lydia was not known for her patience, and for once, I was grateful for it.
I fumbled with the seal, my fingers trembling. Ethan pulled a letter opener out of his briefcase and handed it to me. I slit one edge, then handed it back. “Thanks.”
I didn’t want to reach in. I opened it all the way and peeked inside. A single sheet of paper. But each time I moved, the envelope morphed, like a hologram might if viewed from the periphery.
“Take your time, hon.” Brianne smiled at me from across the table, ignoring Lydia’s huff. “Take your time.”
Taking my time was exactly what I wanted to do. Strangely, I didn’t want to read the contents at all. What could a man I’d never met, a man I shared only blood with, want to say to me after all these years? But everyone had set aside their morning plans for this.
And I was no coward. I tipped the envelope and gave it a good shake.
The paper was the first to float to the table. But the envelope still felt heavy, so I kept shaking until two more objects landed with a clunk. Satisfied that was all of it, I set the envelope aside and stared at the objects.
The first was a fountain pen. It was long and thick.
The nib and clip were silver, though they needed a good polish.
The barrel shimmered like a pearl. The second object was next to it.
A round container made of glass. Dark red wax kept the lid sealed tight.
Inside was presumably ink, similar to the shade on the envelope.
But it moved. Erratically at first, but as it settled into position, it simply … pulsed. As if it breathed.
As I went to pick it up, Ray snarled. I hissed when my fingers touched it, yanking them away with a whimper. My skin was red and swollen, blisters already forming, a sharp burn spreading up my arm. I closed my eyes, using magic to stop the pain, then magic to heal.
Cecelia sent an urgent plea, so I waved my hand to encapsulate the objects in a box. The box looked similar to the partition in Nina’s holding cell. Magic holding magic in its place, I suppose.
“You snarled.” I looked at Ray.
“It smells wrong.” Ray brought my fingers close, touching his lips to them. “Like it wants to hurt you.”
“Clearly.” I gestured at the note. “Can I read the letter?”
“Yes.” With the items contained, he’d relaxed again. “It’s just paper.”
It’s just paper. Funny, it felt more foreboding than the objects. I picked it up, unfolded it, and read.
“Do you want to read it out loud?” Lydia asked. “None of us want to sit here and watch your lips move.”
“One of you does,” I said, winking at Ray with a bravado I did not feel. He linked our fingers. I drew in a breath. “Okay, here goes.”
Simone,
I must begin by expressing my deepest condolences for the loss of your mother Cecelia.
She was a shining light in a world fraught with darkness, and I’ve no doubt she took excellent care of you while she was alive.
When I learned of her death, I was as heartbroken as I might have been on the day I met her.
I loved her on sight, Simone, as fully as one such as I can love another.
Please know, I did not choose to leave her.
For reasons I cannot describe in a letter, it was crucial that I cross the Weft.
It’s been difficult, being unable to watch you grow, even from afar.
But I know that you’ve reached your full power, as Gumbo was able to provide a full report now that the Hem has frayed.
I have great hopes that, with the Shedding imminent, I may be able to return to you.
In the meantime, it appears I owe you an apology.
You see, I enlisted the help of one of my most trusted aides.
She’s quite adept at passing through worlds and was eager to visit the Magnolia.
I thought she’d failed in her mission, as I’d lost contact.
However, in his most recent report, Gumbo informed me that she had not only succeeded, but had managed to ingratiate herself into your establishment.
Her assignment was straightforward: to test the boundaries of and assess the levels of your power. I’m afraid she took things too far.
Please know she intended no harm (and was, in fact, instructed to avoid it at all costs).
It appears her nature got the best of her.
I’ve no doubt she will face the consequences you deem suitable for her behavior with honor.
You are also welcome to return her to me, and we will manage her punishment in-house.
Speaking of houses, the Magnolia is warded against me.
Agatha tried many times, unsuccessfully, to permit me passage.
As I’m sure you know by now, that blasted building has a mind of its own.
I cannot send letters to you directly. However, I am able to reach Ethan Mosely by post and will continue to communicate that way, with your permission, of course.
I was informed that young Junior has taken the reins. Please offer him my congratulations.
Should you wish to write to me, you may use the enclosed tools to do so. I will do my best to answer the questions that can safely manage the Weft. Once the Hem unravels, there will be no need for this ridiculous subterfuge. The worlds as you know them will change.
I believe that, by now, you’ve become quite adept at handling change.
We knew from the moment of your birth that you were uniquely powerful.
Now that you’ve embraced that power, you have a responsibility to prepare future covens.
As you continue your next phase as Supreme, use the ink wisely.
The Magnolia Codex has awaited your words. Our legacy is in your hands.
Your sister and I sincerely hope to meet you one day soon.
Yours, Alaric Bardot
As I finished the letter, everyone around me began talking at once, but my ears had hollowed out. I forced a yawn to pop them, feeling very much like a plane was taking off and I was stuck gripping the wing. Gradually, the chatter found its way back in.
He must mean Nina, right? He sent her?
Cecelia would know if the Magnolia was under attack.
What the heck is a shedding? Brianne, you sew. Does that make sense?
Her father was oddly formal.
Did he say worlds with a plural?
I heard it all. And it all registered, at least somewhat. But one thing stood out above all else. One thing that, whether wise or not, kept me from focusing on the rest of the letter. While my friends bandied about ideas and theories, Ray watched me with that silent, intense look of his.
When I met his eyes, I lost my composure. As my tears fell, the room grew silent. They all looked to me, their Supreme and friend. I would have to find answers. But in that moment, there was one detail that stood out, stark and bright, above the rest of the letter.
“I have a sister?”