Spell Cat by Tara Lain Page 0,67

like someone had hit her with a brick. “You can’t be serious.”

Evangeline’s face lit up. “But I am. Imagine, Mimi, if the reproduction is reliable.”

Killian held up a hand.

He felt all the eyes in the room boring into him. What did they expect? That he would suddenly morph into some wizened, frail creature before their eyes?

Human? Gods, he couldn’t catch his breath. Half of him was numb with shock and horror. The witch had kept this from him all these years—denying him the truth of his life and his heritage. Feeding him fiction for breakfast and dogma for dinner. He shook his head. Maybe it would clear it. Did some piece of her really believe she was doing the best for him? Maybe.

But the other half of him felt awe and delight. He was half-human. Human. Like his students, his friends, and… the man he loved. Maybe his father would have loved him. He would never know. Weird, but it made him feel better about himself not to be some genetic experiment.

“Mother, I don’t know what to say to you. You’ve been responsible for so much pain and suffering, it’s incalculable. All the exclusion and discrimination. All the lies. The lies to me and to everyone.” He sighed. “And now you’ll take a step to help undo it. Please go to our house and meet the community as they arrive. Tell them I’ll be there shortly.”

“Like hell you will!” The voice rang in the room, and Killian turned to look at the old Master. He hadn’t thought Karonoff would take this lying down. Good call.

Karonoff stood slowly. Lavender jumped up and grabbed Jimmy, pulling him up beside her. Killian felt her move closer, felt her energy magnifying. Aloysius’s growl rumbled through his neck. Five against three—against four, counting Aloysius. And Jimmy was a novice—but maybe it wouldn’t come to that.

Karonoff pointed at Killian, his long, thin hand looking very clawlike. “You degenerate half-breed! How dare you try to command this community? I am in charge here. You will do as I say, and I say that you will marry Lavender, the community will be happy and satisfied that the power of the next generation of witchery is assured, and things will continue as they are.”

Lavender shook her head. “But Papa. How can you say that? You wanted me to marry Killian because he was pure witch. Now you know he’s not, so why do you still want me to marry him?”

That was the real question, and Killian knew the answer. He nodded toward her but never took his eyes off her father. “He doesn’t care about pure blood or the future of witchery. He just wants to be in charge. He’s afraid that if we let in the mixed-blood witches, many will be more powerful than he is.” He nodded toward her father, his hand gently stroking Aloysius on his shoulder. “I mean no disrespect, sir, but I am more powerful than you are, so how precisely are you going to stop me?”

It was at least part bluff. If the others didn’t join in, he thought he could take Karonoff. He was more powerful—but the old Master was a hell of a lot meaner and very determined.

Karonoff smiled. Not a good sign. “There are many kinds of power, Witch Master. In this case, my—how do you Americans say?—ace in the hole is one human physics professor who will meet an untimely end should you not do as I require.”

Ice. Every nerve, every cell froze. Blaine. Could he have Blaine? Or was this a bluff?

Jimmy yelled, “You bastard!”

Karonoff glanced at the young witch but kept his attention on Killian. “I assure you, young man, my parentage is not in question.”

Thunder rumbled outside and made the windows rattle.

Lavender looked up. “What was that?”

Karonoff stared at him, his eyes sparking. “I think you know what I will do to your friend should you refuse to comply. Now, Witch Master, here is what you will do. Yes, you will go to the gathering of the community, and you will tell them some fancy, made-up story about sharing your joy in the marriage. You will give a toast, and they will go home smiling.”

No sound. No sight. Blaine. Karonoff has Blaine. The thunder crashed louder and closer.

Karonoff looked up but then returned his gaze to Killian. “When this is complete, I will release your little human friend. But believe me, he will be watched until he ends his miserable, degenerate existence on this earth, and