And they could’ve rescheduled their date.
I pulled up to the valet, and as I slowed the car, I stared at the entrance of CeCe’s house. Well, mansion. Light, new age music drifted from the open door.
A tingle of magic caressed my skin as Luci appeared in my passenger seat in an all-black tux. I jumped and swallowed a scream. After my heart started working again, I glared at him.
Darn him. He looked amazing. Devilish amazing.
“Hello, darling,” he said smoothly, a wicked smile spreading across his face. “Fancy a date for the soirée?”
A date? With the devil? Uh, no!
A movement behind Lucifer, outside the car, caught my attention. Great. The valet walked forward, one of the coven member’s teenage sons again, and waited with his hands crossed while I turned to glare at Luci. “What are you doing here?” I hissed.
“I stay apprised of the local coven’s goings-on and imagine my dismay when I learned you had no date to tonight’s festivities. I had to come to my new friend’s rescue.” He winked at me. “Where is the beau anyway?”
Friend? I wasn’t sure I’d call us that. Not even close. And as for beau… “I’ll have you know; he is working. Not that it is any of your business. Besides, I don’t need a date,” I said, glancing out at the kid. “And this isn’t the sort of function I could just bring anyone to.”
Could Luci disappear without the guy knowing he’d ever been in the car? I didn’t think so. “Shoot,” I muttered. “You’re going to have to go with me. He’s seen you.”
Luci’s face brightened in a wide grin. “Fantastic.” He threw open the passenger door and launched himself out of the car. “I’ve got her door,” he called and hurried around the car. Oh, great.
The boy stepped back, and Luci opened my door with a flourish, our clothing and his behavior so out of place for my Hyundai, Dia.
But then, I didn’t fit in at this fancy house, anyway. Mansions weren’t exactly my style. If one of my books took off and started making tons of money, I still wouldn’t want to buy another home. Not only because my coastal house seemed to have its own personality, but because fancy-schmancy wasn’t really in my repertoire.
The dress I’d chosen was long and black, and I had on enough girdles and shapewear under it to keep me from eating or breathing all night. At least it had lace sleeves. They made me feel pretty sexy. Especially in the heels.
But as I started up the stairs to the front door, the heels began to pinch.
Damn. It was going to be a long night.
The door opened on its own and Luci and I stepped inside. “Wait,” I hissed. “Who are we going to say you are?”
He grinned wickedly and waved his hand over his face. He’d done the spell so I could sort of see the glamour and his true face at the same time, though I suspected I was the only one. “Cousin Bertrand, visiting from out of town.”
I studied him, and I had to admit it was impressive. To a stranger, no one would think twice if we said we were related. But someone who knew my family would be a little harder to convince. However, Lucifer had transformed into a handsome, older man with grey in his temples and a streak in his bangs that were swept to the side. His skin was a little paler and his jawbone squarer. He’d even changed his eyes green to match mine. Well, not an exact copy. Luci’s new eyes were lighter, less dark-magic. I wasn’t even sure how he’d pulled that off. The eyes were the portals to our soul. At least that was what I’d always heard.
The click of heels against marble tile brought me out of admiring my new cousin.
I turned and smiled as CeCe walked out of the library. “Ava,” she cried. “You came.” She hurried out down the hall in a gorgeous crimson gown that hugged her modest curves and flared out about mid-thigh. She looked like a gothic queen with her black hair and pale skin. Bevan Magnus followed her out.
CeCe grabbed my shoulders and pulled me close, pressing a kiss to each cheek. “And who is this handsome fellow?”
“CeCe, this is my cousin. He’s from…” Shit. We hadn’t said where he was from.
“Florida,” Luci said. “I’m Bertrand.” He offered CeCe his hand and simpered. “So sorry for the intrusion, but I begged dear cousin Ava to bring me. I adore my coven at home and couldn’t wait to meet the people inviting Ava to join their ranks.”
“It’s no intrusion,” CeCe said graciously. “Though I did hope your son and,” her voice rose questioningly, “friend, Owen, would’ve been able to come?”
“I’m so sorry, Wallie couldn’t get away from his coming tests, and Owen had a prior engagement.”
Bevan pushed himself closer. “Pleasure.” He held his hand out and looked at Luci with more respect in his eyes than he’d shown me. Of course. “I’m Bevan.”
“Bertrand.” Luci held out his hand to Magnus. “Call me Bertie.”
Now it made more sense. Bevan didn’t like women. Or at least, didn’t like women in positions of power. Great.
“Please, come in,” Bevan said, holding his hand out. As Bertie walked forward, Bevan put his hand at the small of his back.
Maybe it was less about not liking women and more about Bevan liking Bertie. Interesting.
The crowd was small, and CeCe held up her hand. When she started to speak, the room fell silent. “Friends, we’re all eager to celebrate the inclusion of Ava in our midst but let us take a moment of quiet for our dear departed witch, Lorelai. A horrible, tragic accident. I propose at the end of our night, we participate in a protection charm together. Our coven has endured an awful coincidence of tragedy lately. Perhaps we can do a bit to turn lady luck around.”
The small group clapped quietly.
“To Lorelai,” Bevan said, holding his champagne glass up. Someone appeared at my elbow with a tray. I took a glass and raised it.
After a few seconds, Bevan drank, then raised his glass again. “And to Ava, the newest member of our great coven.”
Erm, what? I stumbled while leaning toward CeCe, then quickly righted myself. Bertie-Luci grabbed my elbow for a little added support.
His hand was really warm.
“I’m sorry,” I said softly. “But I haven’t accepted entry yet, have I?”
CeCe turned to me with wide eyes and a face full of surprise. “We just assumed,” she hissed. “We never thought you’d say no after what a wonderful time we all had the other night.”
“I mean, it was nice, sure, but I’m not sure I’m the coven type,” I said. “I’ve done things on my own for such a long time.”
She stepped back and her face closed down. “Of course. However, you wish to proceed is fine.”
Well, shit. I’d offended her. “How about we take it slow?” I asked, feeling like I was talking to Drew again. “And go from there?”
With a sniff, CeCe nodded her head. “That’s fine.”
She went to leave, but I stopped her with a hand on her arm. “This is sudden. No one mentioned that I’d be inducted tonight. You must understand that the history my family had with the coven isn’t puppies and rainbows.”
CeCe relaxed and she took my hand in hers. “That was before I took over as coven leader. Your mother’s death was a huge hit to all of us. She was loved among all the coven members as were Winnie and Esme.”