and then flashed with anger as she scowled. “You mean mom used to practice witchcraft?”
Grace groaned internally. Son of a witchling. She’d thought Alyssa had explained to Lex why she disapproved of using spells. Apparently she’d skipped the whole part about getting addicted to the rush and going on a destructive rampage after Lex’s dad left them when Lex was a baby. No matter how badly she wanted to explain what happened back then, Grace knew she couldn’t be the one to share those stories with her niece. That was something Alyssa needed to do herself. But she still couldn’t lie to her. “Yes, Lex. Your mom used to use her gifts. She has her reasons why she doesn’t now, but I think it’s better if you hear them from her.”
Lex rolled her eyes, clearly unhappy with Grace’s answer. “Of course she does. She always has her reasons.”
“Hey, no,” Grace said gently. “I know you’re going through some stuff with your mom right now. And I’m right here for you for whatever you need, but on this one, you might want to cut her some slack. She did what she needed to do, and I’m sure it isn’t easy for her to talk about.”
Lex pressed her lips together in a thin line and gave her aunt a short nod. “Fine. But that doesn’t mean I’m happy about being left in the dark… again.”
“I know.” Grace reached for her and gave her a big hug. “You have every right to be frustrated. The goddess knows I am too about certain things. But she’s still our family, right? We’ll work through this.”
Lex hugged her back, and when Grace let go, there was steel in Lex’s eyes. “Let’s do this. I’ll feel better when I know Bronwyn isn’t inside.”
Grace really didn’t think she was. Bronwyn’s car wasn’t there, and the odds of her getting into Charlie’s car were zero to none unless he’d somehow managed to trick her. An eerie tingle started at the base of her spine, making Grace suck in a sharp breath. She’d felt that tingle a few times in her life before, and in each case, it was right before something awful happened. “Hope?”
“Yeah?” her friend said.
“Do your spell. Find out who is here and where,” Grace ordered.
“On it.” Hope waved them all back into the circle. “Lex, do me a favor and visualize Charlie. Think of him doing something mundane inside the house. Something that is habitual, like making coffee or sitting in a certain chair. Can you do that?”
“Yeah,” Lex said.
“Let me know when you’re ready,” Hope said.
A few seconds passed, and then Lex nodded. “Got it.”
Magic shimmered faintly just inside the circle while Hope whispered into the wind, “Goddesses of Premonition Pointe, reveal what’s within the mind. Show us who is present within the walls. Keep us safe; warn us of what lies within.”
The magic moved from the circle to Lex, coating her skin and turning her into an ethereal-like being. Grace thought her niece had never looked so beautiful. The glow came from within and nearly brought tears to Grace’s eyes. There was no mistaking that she had a special natural talent, and if she had a mentor, there was no telling what she’d be able to do. Considering the magic radiating from her was pure white, Grace guessed she’d be really good at healing the soul. If so, it was a rare talent that shouldn’t be hidden away.
“There. I’ve got it,” Hope said. The magic vanished, and the moment was gone. Lex returned to her normal state of being.
“Wow, sweet pea,” Grace said to her niece. “That was incredible. How do you feel?”
“Alive,” she breathed. “Really freakin’ alive. Like I could do anything.”
“It’s the rush of the magic,” Grace said, clutching her hand. “It can be the most wonderful thing in the world if you can control it. If not… Then the consequences can be devastating.”
Lex nodded solemnly. “I can see that.”
“Charlie is the only one in the house,” Hope said quietly.
“Thank the gods,” Lex said, clutching her hand to her chest.
Hope gave her a pained look. “The only human anyway. But the cat? She’s terrified, so we need to get her.”
“Lizzy,” Lex gasped out. “What did he do to her?”
“I don’t know. She’s in the back bedroom, hiding in fear,” Hope said.
“That’s my old room. She was probably looking for me.” Lex gazed at the house. “Where is he?”
“Living room. In a recliner.”
“Right. Passed out?” Lex asked.
“That’s unclear.” Hope frowned. “How do we