Page 98 of Black Willow Witch
‘Would you stop doing that,’ Paisley complained from beside Emberlyn, frowning at her twin.
Dusting a dead fly off of his palm with the other hand, Kage asked, ‘Doing what?’
‘You’re always killing flies.’ Paisley sniffed at him. ‘Insects deserve love, just like any other creature.’
Her brother raised a brow. ‘Even spiders?’
‘Fuck, no. Don’t talk craziness around me.’
Kage snickered. ‘Almost forgot to tell you. Mom called.’
Paisley’s lips parted. ‘Finally? What did she say?’
‘“Hello, Kage.” ’
‘And?’
‘And nothing. I hung up.’
Emberlyn’s brows drew together. ‘Why?’
‘I don’t want the silent treatment to end yet,’ Kage explained. ‘I’m not ready to have her try to stab holes into my happiness.’
‘She hasn’t calledme,’ Paisley muttered.
Kage flicked a hand. ‘I’m her favorite. You know that. You’re a little too childish for her tastes.’
His sister glared daggers at him. ‘Childish? I’m not childish!’
‘You’re wearing sneakers that look like a fairy took a shit all over them.’
Paisley peered down at her glittery footwear. ‘It’s called fashion.’
‘Yeah, fornine-year-olds.’
Emberlyn sighed. ‘Could you two be nice to each other for five minutes?’
Kage blinked. ‘I mean . . . no.’
‘Sounds complex,’ Paisley said to her. ‘I prefer the simple things.’
Kage slid his sister a look. ‘It’s why you like yourself so much.’
At that, the twins began squabbling and bumping each other’s shoulder.
Ripper leaned into Emberlyn. ‘So they’re not close?’
His witch seemed surprised by the question. ‘Oh, they’re super close. You can’t tell?’
‘No. No, I can’t.’ Feeling eyes on him, he looked to his right . . . just as CeCefastswerved her head to face the field. He inwardly sighed. He’d caught her staring several times, and it was getting annoying fast.
At least she was staying out of his – and, more importantly for him, Emberlyn’s – way. She’d also ceased spreading her stupid little ‘Ripper’s under a spell’ claims. Emberlyn had bewitched him for sure, but not in the literal sense – there was no magick involved.
Just then, he caught sight of Reena walking up the concrete steps. Her gaze clashed with that of Emberlyn, and the two women – what the fuck? – exchanged the most subtle chin tip.
He frowned. ‘Did you just greet Reena?’
Her shoulders stiffening, Emberlyn very slowly turned her head toward him. ‘You watch me far too closely.’ She didn’t sound too happy about it.
