Our coven leader nods. “I get what you’re saying, Elder.”

And I do, too. “No. We can’t return to the old ways. I won’t cast a spell of influence.”

“Gwynedd, are you prepared to deal with the fallout if we don’t use magic to block this ordinance?” Archie asks.

“Yes, I am,” I say. “I’ll talk with Shailagh and Aonghas Saturday night and tell them we may not visit for a while. We have to plan other ways around the inconvenience if the city council goes through with the vote. But we’ll retain our integrity.”

Agnes guffaws. “Fuck integrity.”

I scowl at my mentor while the rest of them snicker and chuckle.

“For now, I’ll send a reminder text to everyone to show up at the meeting on Monday evening,” Trinity says. “Be prepared to speak up. It may be your sole opportunity. We have a couple of hours left to work on the database. Let’s get to it.”

While we sift through the grimoires, I ruminate over our dilemma. If I increase the strength of my intuition, I’d have a better chance at discovering the source of the random magic. I need to cajole Seamus to teach me his cat sith secrets. But how?

Chapter twelvePranksters Will Play

I stare out the window of Archie’s Tesla on the way to Spence and Tanner’s house, contemplating my next steps. Seamus has deep feelings for me, but it would be so unethical to prey on those affections. I can’t do it. So, where does that leave me?

“What are you thinking about, my love?” Archie asks, laying a hand on mine.

“Oh, I wonder how Ronnie is doing. I haven’t spoken with her since Samhain. The kidnapping really shook her to the bone. I’d feel the same way.”

“Understandable. The possibility of an unethical witch assisting the Baby Nabbers would frighten every parent, if they knew.”

He pulls up to the curb in front of my old home, right behind Derek’s sedan. He’s helping Ronnie out of the car. I dash over and give her a tight embrace.

“How are you doing?” I ask. “You were so upset on Samhain, I was afraid to call and bring it up.”

My friend smiles. “I’m OK. But I haven’t slept well since. I may not stay long tonight.”

“Hi, Derek,” Archie says, patting his back. “Ronnie, I’m glad you came. It’s good to get out. I want you to meet our newest instructor, Ashley Lewis. She hasn’t met very many people in town yet.”

“Gwyn said she has a two-year-old and is a single mom. I can’t imagine how she’s managing. Thank the gods I have Derek.”

“I’m the lucky one, babe,” he replies, hugging her.

“Don’t forget,” I say as we walk toward the house. “No talk of magic or the supernatural tonight. Ashley is an Unremarkable.”

Ronnie zips her lips with a slide of her fingers as Archie knocks on the door. Spence answers, an exasperated look stretching his face. The crash of something fragile resounds in the distance.

“Good. The old people are here.” He motions us into the foyer.

Archie scowls at Spence. “I resent that description.”

“Dr. Lewis’s son is running all over the house. Jeff and Skye have helped her round him up, but…oh, my gods.” Spence leans into us, cupping his mouth with a hand. “He’s such a brat.”

“The boy is two years old,” I say. “They’re like that. Even Tyler was a fireball.”

“Tanner is cooking tonight, conveniently leaving me to watch out for Aidan’s naughty fingers.”

“He’s probably bored with all the adults.” A mischievous grin emerges on Ronnie’s face. “Auntie Ronnie will entertain him.”

“Sounds like fun,” Derek says. “I could use the practice, too. Lead the way. We’ll rescue you.”

Spence waves his hand to follow him into the family room off the kitchen. “Please, before he breaks anything else.”

This is the first time we’ve visited the house since they added this space. What a welcoming area it is, with sofas and oversized chairs centered in front of a gas fireplace. An enormous TV is mounted over the wooden mantel, and a giant fan hangs from the cathedral ceiling. The young couple have breathed new life into my old home.

Spence takes a broom and dustpan to where Skye and her boyfriend Zach are picking up shards from the vase Aidan knocked over. Tyler and Zoe are sitting on an area rug with Jeff and Ashley, attempting to engage the easily distracted toddler.

“Hi, everyone,” I say, chuckling. “You’re enjoying playtime.”

My son glares at me, unamused. “You’re funny, Mom.”

“Well, I am.” Zoe hands a wooden block to Aidan.

“Ronnie and Derek,” Archie says. “I’d like you to meet Dr. Ashley Lewis, our new Celtic Studies instructor.”

Ashley stands to shake their hands, pushing a strand of brown hair out of her eyes. “A pleasure to meet you. Jeff said you’re having a baby, and from the looks of your tummy, the due date isn’t far off.”

“Yeah. Derek and I are super pumped for our little one to arrive. We didn’t want to know the sex. Better to be surprised.”

Ashley’s son throws a block across the room, frustrated the tower he built has fallen. “No blocks.”

“Now Aidan,” Jeff says in a calm voice. “We don’t throw things.”

“He’s bored. I’m not a mom yet, but I am aware toddlers have a short attention span.” My best friend looks at Spence. “Do you have any boxes in the garage?”

“Yeah, at least one,” he replies. “What do you want it for?”

“Get it and bring it here,” she says. “And find me some scissors.”

“What are you going to do?” I ask.

“You’ll see,” Ronnie replies as Spence hurries off to the garage.

Archie raises a corner of his mouth, clearly picking up on something I’m not. “Brilliant idea.”

Skye and Zach join us in the family room after discarding the glass shards. They sit down next to Tyler and Zoe on the floor, attempting to distract Ashley’s son. Tanner enters, wearing an apron.

“Hi, everybody. I’m so glad all of you could come. Ashley, don’t worry about the vase. It was a cheap thing we received with some flowers. I should have baby-proofed the house better.”

“You’re so kind,” she replies. “But I still feel terrible about him breaking your things.”

“Please, don’t. Dinner will be ready soon. Jeff already strapped the toddler seat to a chair. I’ll shout when it’s served.”

Ashley picks up a stray piece of glass and drops it into the dustpan. “Skye and Zach, thank you for cleaning up the mess.”