“An excellent blend. I hope you enjoy it.” After adding honey to his tea, he waves his hand over it, prompting the spoon to twirl. “You don’t have to hide your magic here.”

I blush and do the same. “Leslie gets pissed off when I display my skills overtly at home. Archie worries I’ll forget to hide my witchcraft when I’m around Unremarkables.”

“A definite concern, but I imagine you’re competent enough not to commit such an error in judgement.”

I chuckle. “You don’t know me very well, Seamus. I’ve had my share of fuckups. Like sneaking into your house and hiding under your bed.”

He bursts out laughing, and strands of black hair spill onto his forehead. “I had quite the laugh after I left, knowing you were under there.”

I bet you did. “Are you sorry I found out you were watching out for me?”

“It was a quandary, I must say.” He takes a sip of his tea, staring at me over the cup. “But I’m pleased you know of my existence. I spend less energy on hiding my true nature. So, tell me of your experiences with intuition and the magic you sensed.”

I share my experiences with the first two kidnappings, stopping to sip my tea occasionally. Then I elaborate on the prior night’s events.

“When I crossed the unusual stream of energy, I followed the residue throughout the Pumpkin House until it ended on the back porch—where you were standing.”

I stare into his eyes, hoping to observe any signs of guilt, and the corners of his mouth raise a little.

“You suspect I am the witch employed by the Baby Nabbers? Do you honestly believe I would commit such an evil thing, Gwynedd?” The Irish professor drops his cup on the saucer and chooses a tea bag. “Please, help yourself to another.”

“No, I’d have to pee all night.” My eyes roam around the sparsely furnished home. “And no. I don’t think you are working for the kidnappers.”

“What motivation would I have? But I am stumped. How did you sense the residue, but I did not? Curious.”

I ponder his question for a few seconds. “Could my magic radar have more to do with being a mom than a witch?”

“Hmmm. A mother’s intuition. Could be an accurate assessment. Perhaps I was arrogant in believing I could help you.”

“No. I’m grateful you’re willing to teach me what you know.”

A seriousness crushes his pleasant demeanor. “I can’t divulge the ways of the cat sith, Gwynedd. We are a solitary lot.”

Well, that blows. “I understand.” My gaze falls to my teacup.

Seamus lays his hand on mine. “I am truly sorry. Shall we continue our research?”

I pull my hand into my lap, and he sits back in his chair, a look of embarrassment crossing his visage.

“Sure, but another thirty minutes is all I have. Then I have to meet Archie for dinner. We’re going over his research of some obscure Scottish folklore after.”

His eyes drop to an open textbook, and he slides it across the table, being careful not to touch me. How can I continue this friendship if he keeps wanting for more?

Archie closes the last reference and sits back on the brown leather loveseat. “Another dead end. We’ll keep searching. I don’t want to ruin your mood further, but have you spoken with Tyler about your Samhain conversation with Richard yet?”

“No,” I say, falling back on the loveseat cushion. “I was letting him stew a bit.”

“He’ll be at Agnes’s in the morning, no? And we have dinner tomorrow with him at Spence and Tanner’s house. It could be a delicate situation.”

“Yeah. I suppose I should call him now. Can you referee if I need some interference?”

He raises a corner of his mouth. “I doubt it will come to that. But I’ll be here if the conversation turns…unpleasant.”

I pick up my cell and pull up Tyler’s name in my contacts. As I tap the green phone icon, my heartbeat takes off and my hand trembles. I don’t care what anyone thinks about me, except for my son.

“Hi, Mom. I wondered when you might call.”

“Good thing I didn’t wait for you, then. I guess you have questions. Well, ask away.” My chest tightens while I brace for his attack.

“I was super angry when Spence blurted that out, but I’ve had time to think. There must have been a good reason you kept it from me.” He breathes into the phone. “Please, tell me you have an explanation.”

My heart rate decreases, and I sigh. “I thought the Fellowship was off their rocker. Ronnie and Archie convinced me to join them in their witch’s circle for Samhain. A blue haze appeared near the ceiling, and your father’s image materialized. At first, I figured someone was playing a cruel joke. Then your father spoke to me.”

“Fuck,” Tyler says, his breathing becoming erratic. “What did he say to you?”

I glance at Archie, and he shifts closer to me on the loveseat, squeezing my hand and nodding to continue. I grind my teeth.

“He asked about Cassandra. How she was doing.”

“What? Didn’t he ask about me?” His voice cracks, and he huffs.

“No, Tyler. He wanted to find out how Cassandra was doing.”

He growls into the phone. “Well, fuck him. We’re both better off without his cheating ass.”

“I got pissed and screamed at him. When I mentioned you, he said he wasn’t worried about you because you had me. It doesn’t change how he felt about you, son. He loved you. I didn’t tell you what happened because I wanted you to remember your time with him when he was alive. He’s different in the Otherworld. So, now you know why I kept the conversation a secret. You’re right, though. I shouldn’t have.” I tighten my grip around Archie’s fingers.

He pants for a few seconds, stopping to swallow. Then he speaks.

“I’m not mad, Mom, but I wish you hadn’t gone through that experience. In a way, I’m glad.”

My jaw drops. “You are?”

“Think about it. If you hadn’t stayed for the ritual… If you had not talked to Dad… Would we even know about our witch ancestry? I would have never met Zoe. You and Archie might not be together. Our lives would have followed different paths. Personally, I like this one. Don’t you?”

I gaze into Archie’s loving eyes. “Yes, son. I actually do. I’m tired. It was such a long day. Are you going to Agnes’s in the morning?”

“Oh, yeah. I almost forgot we’re putting in time on the database. Don’t forget we have dinner at Tanner and Spence’s tomorrow.”

“I won’t. I love you, son. Goodnight.”

“Night, Mom. I love you, too.”

I swipe the red icon and fall into Archie’s embrace. For a moment, I imagine where my journey would have led me had I taken a right at the fork in the road. What a tedious life it would have been.