Magic Misled (Lizzie Grace #7) - Keri Arthur Page 0,16

we both know that means jack-squat to the reservation’s magic. I’ve very sensibly come to the conclusion that when there’s the possibility of a death via supernatural means, you might as well be included from the get-go. I’m appointing you my deputy.”

I snorted. “And you don’t have to get clearance from Canberra for this? Or is it very much an ‘off the books’ and unpaid position?”

He slapped a hand against his chest. “You do me great injustice by thinking I’d stoop that low.”

I merely raised an eyebrow. He grinned and added, “In other words, no. I approached both the High Witch Council and the reservation’s council, telling them that—given the supernatural shit that keeps happening here—an assistant position was needed and that you had to fill it—”

“What?” Alarm slithered through me—although really, the cat was well and truly out of the bag when it came to my ability to use the wild magic. “What reason did you give them?”

“Not the wild magic, though the High Witch Council will undoubtedly be aware of your ability to interact with it now, thanks to your father. I simply said it was your psychic skills that had saved this reservation on numerous occasions now and it’s about time you received an official status and remuneration for the amount of time you’re away from your café.”

“And did they all laugh hysterically at the prospect?”

He smiled. “No. They actually agreed it would be a good move. You’re to be officially employed on a part-time basis as of last night. I have a heap of forms for you to fill in to make it official, but pay will be backdated.”

“Huh,” I said, surprised. Although, in truth, I shouldn’t have been, given my dreams and premonitions had long ago warned that I would become reservation witch. They just didn’t predict this variation. “Well, I’m not going to say no, because I absolutely hated being left out of the loop.”

He laughed. “I did get that impression on the few occasions you weren’t directly involved in investigations.”

“And what about Belle? I mean, shouldn’t she be getting consultant fees or something, given how often she helps out with ghosts and the like?”

“To be honest, I hadn’t thought about it, but yeah, good idea. I’ll see what I can do. Ready to go?”

I nodded and glanced at Ava and Belle. “I don’t think we’re going to get much sense out of either of them for a while, anyway.”

“I think you might be right.”

I slid off the stool, slung my purse over my shoulder, and then hobbled around the counter.

“I heard about your feet,” he said. “From Aiden’s description, I expected you to be on crutches.”

“Aiden exaggerates.”

“Our ranger does have his faults, but I wouldn’t have said exaggeration was one of them.” He studied me for a moment. “The wild magic accelerated the healing, didn’t it?”

I shrugged. I couldn’t admit that it was my merges with Katie’s soul that were enhancing not only my sight and olfactory sense, but also my body’s ability to heal. He still didn’t know about the second wellspring, and I intended to keep it that way for as long as possible. “Who can really say?”

It was an answer that didn’t please him, if his expression was anything to go by. “The sooner that fucking book gets here, the better.”

“With that, I agree. I’d rather read about any problems that could arise from fusing with the wild magic than discover them the hard way.”

I followed him across the room, but when I neared Ava and Belle, Ava caught my arm and dragged me into their huddle.

“It’s so good to see you again, Lizzie dearest. You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.” Though Ava’s voice was soft, it was filled with such emotion that tears stung my eyes. God, how I wished my own mother was capable of emoting even half as much. “Thank you for taking such good care of my baby girl.”

I returned her hug fiercely. “I missed you too, but I’m afraid you’ve got that last part the wrong way around. I wouldn’t be here if not for Belle.”

Her arm briefly tightened. “We’ve all got so much to catch up on—”

“Yes, and you don’t need me or Monty hanging about for the initial bit.” I dropped a kiss on her wet cheek. “We’ll see you both in a few hours.”

Thank you, thank you, thank you. It was a litany that washed through my mind, though Belle was speaking to Monty rather than me. I can