Spell Cat by Tara Lain Page 0,70
the community had already known about the mixed-race witches. One couple admitted to him that they’d stayed in touch with their relative who’d married a human.
“Killian.”
He shook his head. “Not sure I want to talk to you, Mother.”
She stood beside him, holding a glass of her favorite red wine. “I would have told you someday.”
“After you’d ruined my life? And Lavender’s?” Of course, his own was already shit.
“I’m sorry. I thought I was protecting you and all of us.”
He turned on her. “Did you? Really?”
She gazed at him. So much power in that little package. “Would you have killed me, really?”
He knew his smile was grim. “I guess neither of us will ever know for sure.”
She turned a little paler, shook her head, and walked away.
He sighed. Somehow they’d go on. Maybe find a way to like each other. Maybe. For now, it was time for the big announcement, and then he’d go home and hide himself forever. His body hurt, and his heart felt like a gaping hole. He’d never truly realized what it meant to be the Witch Master until today. Horrifying, that much power. Would he have killed his own mother?
“You’re thinking too hard.”
He smiled at Lavender, who had stood by his side through it all, defying her father. “Sure would have been easier if I had just loved you.”
“And I had just loved you.” She laughed. “But then I wouldn’t have loved Jimmy, and you wouldn’t have loved Blaine, and the community would still be living in gross ignorance, and—” She must have seen it on his face. The pain. “Killian, what’s wrong?”
What to say? “Nothing. I’m so happy for you and Jimmy. We need to get on with the big announcement.”
She frowned. “Jimmy’s not back yet. But it’s you I’m worried about. Why do you look like I just killed your cat? Actually, where is Aloysius? He was pretty damned amazing today. Hell hath no fury and all that.”
“Last I saw, he was hanging out by the front door.”
“Being inscrutable?” She touched his arm. “So what’s wrong?”
He looked toward the windows and the sky. The sky from which lightning came. “Do you think I would have done it?”
“Killed five people if they didn’t bring you Blaine?”
He nodded.
“I believed it at the time, and more importantly, so did the council. They were scared witless. Even my father.”
“I don’t want to have that kind of power.”
She looked at him quietly. “Maybe you don’t.”
“What?”
“Maybe you don’t have that kind of power. Consider. You had me, Jimmy, and most importantly, Aloysius, magnifying your spells. That’s not a circumstance that’s likely to happen again. Above all, Killian, you were protecting Blaine. Spells are one thing, but love exceeds it all.”
Dear gods, that was true. All his life he’d said power was no substitute for love, not realizing that love was the greatest power. He shoved at the tears pushing behind his eyes.
She touched him again. “Killian?”
“I’m sorry. I really am a wuss at heart.”
“I’ll bet Blaine loves you that way.”
“Blaine doesn’t love me at all. He thinks I’m mad. And now that he’s been a pawn in World War Witch, he’s not likely to ever reconsider.”
“It didn’t seem that way—”
Jimmy came up behind Lavender and kissed her cheek. “Hi, sweetheart.”
She turned. Powers, she was so radiant, looking at him. Killian’s heart swelled in gratitude to the universe for granting them such a love. “Looks like it’s time for our big announcement.”
She beamed. “Announce away.”
Jimmy took his arm. “Killian—”
“No backing out now, kid.” Killian turned to the assembled group. “Members of the community of witches, both old and new, may I have your attention?” People turned, stopping conversations but still munching and sipping. “Many of you know that you were promised a wedding. Although Lavender and I will not be wed, I’m happy to say that you’ll still have this great occasion. It is not only a union of love. It also represents the uniting of witches. On Saturday, my dear friend Lavender will marry Jimmy Janx, the son of Vern and Rita Janx, a witch and a human. Jimmy is a brave and powerful witch. Without his help, this bringing together of the community would have been impossible.” Vern and Rita glowed with pride. Killian raised his glass. “I give you Lavender and Jimmy, soon to be Mr. and Mrs. James and Lavender Janx.”
Everyone raised a glass. “Cheers.”
“Good wishes.”
“Shouldn’t you be getting married too?”
What the…? The voice came from behind him. He turned and looked at the entry to the