Page 96 of What The Hex (The Family Spells)
Lulu cringed at her grandson’s crassness and gestured in the direction of the formal living room. It was decked out in brocade-covered chaises, dark wood antiques, and plush rugs. The walls were covered from the wainscoting to the ceiling in framed paintings, most of them of women wearing witch hats (like I was currently). The family ancestry, more than likely. Just like my mother’s house, this one had probably been lived in for a hundred years or more.
“Take a seat. I’ll bring in the hors d’oeuvres.” She slipped into the kitchen as Hex picked up another drink. Together, the six of us made our way into the living room and sat down. I chose to sit beside Hex for moral support.
“I feel like a stranger in my own house,” he murmured with a sigh, staring at the rug and not at anyone in particular. The entire house creaked as if in apology, but he ignored it. Instead, his eyes went to Lulu as soon as she appeared with a tray of what smelled like bacon-wrapped dates.
My attention was on her, too, mostly on the way she looked at Hex with equal parts sympathy and desperation. Not returning her grandson was going to cause her problems in the coven. Surely, Hex knew that? It might even get her killed. That was a definite possibility.
“I’ll admit,” she began, occupying the empty loveseat as her eyes slid over to Argent’s. “I was surprised when you suggested this sit-down. Particularly, I was surprised to find you were bringing an entourage. Last I heard, you weren’t interested in the fated mates, soulmate bit.” Lulu took one of the drinks she’d made and brought it to her lips for a sip, her eyes a challenge above the rim of the glass. “Is this an act of rebellion against me? If so, it’s working.”
Hex stood up, and his tail popped out of his jeans. I would’ve smiled at that if he hadn’t flicked it so hard that the spade-like tip cut into the green brocade of the antique couch we were sitting on.
“It’s the first choice I’ve ever made for myself,” Hex breathed, and I could see that he was struggling to hold back his temper.
“From what I remember, you made plenty of choices that were all about yourself, and I never stopped you.” Lulu took another sip of her drink as Hex’s face turned red, and I felt my heart ache for him. He truly loved his grandmother, and this was a side of her he’d never seen, one that he didn’t like.
“No, you didn’t, did you? Because you put a fertility spell on me to keep me tethered until you were ready to breed me like a dog. Your own grandson.”
Lulu ignored him, sighing heavily and then turning toward her familiar, the one currently engaged in scratching her nails on the expensive rug beneath the coffee table.
“Go check the casserole; it should be ready to come out about now.”
The cat took off with a derisive sniff. I didn’t have to ask how a cat could deal with a sweet potato casserole. Contrary to popular belief, cats were excellent chefs; they just didn’t appreciate doing chores of any kind.
Lulu looked back at Hex while the rest of us sat in silence and waited for this family drama to pan out. I was certain we’d see worse in the coming weeks. Our goal was to get all of the artifacts before the winter solstice. That way, we could relax for the holidays, and then pick things up after the New Year.
Did I ever mention that spell prep can be a bitch? Not only that, but I’d really put a dent in my collection of charms during my fight with the krampus. And that was against, what, three of the fuckers? What if there were more? What if there was an army? Because I’d been there with Monster; I’d heard the warn horn, the march of hooves.
The sooner we closed the Fire Veil, the better.
I did not think about Monster standing on the other side, about saying goodbye to him forever. It was inevitable, and it didn’t matter. He had done wrong by me, and I would never be able to forgive him for that.
“Hex, who am I to question the wisdom of the Three? To question a fate that’s been handed down generation after generation; you were quite literally born for this.” Lulu looked at Hex and only Hex, as if she thought she might be able to convince him.
I hadn’t known the guy very long, but I already knew what his answer was going to be: no.
If there was one thing that Hex Sorciere was afraid of, it was loss of control. Over himself, his fate, his future. It made his choosing to be with me that much more impactful. I had a feeling that, despite the baby, if he hadn’t wanted to do it, he would’ve asked to co-parent or something instead.
