Chapter 26

Despite Pandora telling Ephie on the ride over what to expect from the coven meeting, Ephie was still nervous. These were powerful, accomplished witches. At her best, she could heat up soup and light the odd candle. Sometimes, if she really focused, she could conjure a small ball of fire, but that wasn't something she had a lot of call for.

Not only was she not in the same league, she also occasionally felt like she wasn't even playing the same sport.

But she was looking forward to the experience of a real coven meeting all the same. She'd long ago accepted that her skills weren't worth worrying about, and she'd made peace with that reality. So long as this group was okay with her presence, she'd enjoy the opportunity to be here.

Walking in, Ephie saw more women than she'd expected. Maybe twenty or twenty-five women of all ages. Clearly, Nocturne Falls was the place to be if you were a witch.

Or any kind of supernatural, she supposed.

They got coffee from the refreshments table that had been set up. Ephie skipped the plate of cookies. She'd had enough sweets already.

Pandora introduced Ephie to her mother, Corette, who owned the bridal boutique in town, and her sister, Marigold, who owned the florist shop. They were both lovely people, and Ephie lost track of time chatting with them until someone rang a bell.

"Ladies, if you could take your seats."

Everyone found a chair. They'd been set up in the meeting room in rows before a long folding table. The woman standing in front of the table gave them a nod. "Welcome, all. We have a visitor with us this evening."

The woman smiled at Ephie. "Always nice to have a sister join us."

Ephie smiled and nodded back.

Pandora leaned over and whispered, "That's Dominique. She helps run things."

Dominique continued. "As you know, we have a special presentation tonight by Maude Adams. Maude's new to town and has just opened a gem and crystal shop. She's going to show us some of her more interesting acquisitions and help us better understand how crystals and gemstones can be used in our magic."

Dominique glanced at the newcomer, an older woman with wild gray curls and round, red-framed glasses. "Maude has also promised me that this is not a commercial for her shop, but she did bring a selection of things for purchase, which she'll be offering to us at a twenty percent discount. Maude, the floor is yours."

Ephie was fascinated by the woman's talk. The very idea that her meager powers might be amplified by something as simple as wearing a pendant of the right stone really appealed to her.

When the talk concluded, Ephie put her hand on Pandora's arm. "Are you in a rush? I'd like to speak to Maude for a minute. I might buy something."

"Go ahead," Pandora said. "I'm curious about a few pieces myself. Let's go have a look."

They went up to the table where Maude had laid her wares out. She smiled at them. "I hope you enjoyed the presentation."

"I did," Ephie said. "Very much. What would you suggest for someone whose gifts lean toward fire?"

"You?"

Ephie nodded. "Fire seems to be my skill, although it's not as … strong as I'd like it to be."

"What gift is?" Maude laughed. "I would suggest carnelian or sunstone. Both can help focus your powers in a way I believe you'll like."

"Can you show me what those look like?"

"I have wearable pieces in each one, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, but my personal favorites are the simple wire-wrapped polished drops. They're unobtrusive and less in-your-face witchy than, say, an actual shard of crystal on a chain."

Maude selected one from the table and held it up. "This is sunstone. What do you think?"

It was really pretty. The peachy-colored polished teardrop, about the size of a chickpea, was shot through with ripples of tangerine and darker orange. As Maude turned the necklace, it caught the light, and the colors within seemed to glow and sparkle.

Ephie nodded. "I love it. It looks like there's fire inside it." She glanced at Pandora. "What do you think?"

"It's beautiful," Pandora said. "And if it helps amp up the magic, why not?"

Maude leaned in. "Between us, I think it's a lot prettier than carnelian."

"How much?" Ephie asked.

"Chain, too?"

"Yes, please."

"With the discount for coven members, fifty-seven."

"Oh," Ephie said. "I'm not a member. I'm just visiting."

"All the same to me," Maude said.

"In that case, I'll take it. I'll wear it right now, if that's all right."

"Sure, here you go." Maude handed it over.

Ephie took the necklace, giving Maude her credit card in exchange. While Maude ran the card, Ephie slipped the chain over her neck.

"Good choice," Pandora said.

"Do you really think the sunstone will give my powers a boost?"

"I've seen stranger things happen. But even if it doesn't, it's still really pretty."

Maude returned Ephie's card along with the receipt. "Wear it in good health."

"Thank you."

Pandora was still looking, so Ephie stepped back from the table to give her more room. Maude was busy. Ephie studied the pendant on the end of her chain. She was interested to see if it would do anything for her abilities. Maybe when she got home—

"Pretty."

"Thanks." Ephie looked up into the kind eyes of an older woman. She was shorter than Ephie and a bit wider, but she had the look of ancient wisdom about her. Ephie couldn't quite explain it, but there was something about her that reminded Ephie of her grandmother.

"You're visiting from New Orleans?"

Ephie nodded, not sure how the woman knew that. "I am. I take it you live here."

"I do. Alice Bishop. Nice to meet you…" Her brows lifted.

"Ephelia Moreau." Ephie stuck her hand out. "Everyone just calls me Ephie."

"Welcome to Nocturne Falls, Ephie." Alice took her hand but didn't shake it. She held it between both of hers, eyes narrowing slightly. "Interesting. There's more to you than meets the eye. More than you even understand yourself. A darkness at play with the light."

Ephie didn't know what to say to that. Or what it meant. Or who this woman was, other than another member of the group. Thankfully, Pandora returned.

"I see you've met our illustrious coven leader." Pandora smiled at Alice. "How are you this evening, Alice?"

"Fine. You?" She let go of Ephie's hand as she spoke to Pandora. "How's the little one doing?"

Pandora rested her hand on her belly. "She's doing great. We both are."

"Wonderful to hear." Alice gave them a nod, but her gaze lingered on Ephie. "Nice to meet you, Ephie. Have a good evening. Both of you."

As soon as she was out of earshot, Ephie turned to Pandora. "Okay, that was interesting."

"I'm sure it was. Alice is the most powerful witch I've ever met. I'm not certain there are many who are more capable. She's a force of nature. Whatever she said to you, take it to heart."

Ephie wasn't sure how to do that, but it was something to think about. "That powerful, huh? She looks like a grandmother."

"Looks can be deceiving."

"I guess. Did you buy anything?"

Pandora held up a small shopping bag. "A rose quartz heart for the nursery. We can go if you're ready."

Ephie nodded. "Great. Let me just text Birdie." She sent Birdie a quick note to let her know they were headed back to the house, then they went out to Pandora's car.

As soon as Ephie was buckled in, she got her phone out again. Birdie had texted that she was on her way. Ephie sent a thumbs-up back to her, then sent a new message to Remy.

Headed to the house. Had the best time. So glad I went. Hope you're having a good night.

His response came quickly. So far so good. I'm glad you went too. Tell Pandora and Birdie I said thanks.

Will do. Ephie put her phone away. "Thanks again for driving."

Pandora nodded as she turned onto Main Street. "Did you have a good time?"

"I had a great time. I'm so glad you invited me."

"I'm glad you came. Always good to have new people, even if they're just visiting." Pandora smiled.

"There were more people there than I expected."

"It's a good group. Very supportive. No judgment. All-around awesome folks." Pandora hesitated. "You know, if you somehow end up staying in Nocturne Falls, you could become a member. I'd sponsor you."

Ephie smiled. "Yeah? Thank you for that. I'll keep that in mind."

"I'd tell you I could find you a house, too, but Remy's got a pretty nice place. I can't see why either of you would want anything different."

"He does," Ephie agreed. "That backyard is so pretty."

"He did a nice job on it, that's for sure. If he ever decides to hang up his badge, he could start his own landscaping company. Provided people didn't mind the work being done in the middle of the night."

They both laughed.

Some minutes later, Pandora pulled into Remy's driveway. The house was dark. The front porch light must have burned out. Maybe Ephie could find a bulb and replace it before Remy got home.

Birdie hopped out of her car, which was parked on one side so that Remy would still have space when he got home. She had a bulging tote bag in one hand, her purse in the other.

"Did you have fun?" Birdie asked.

Ephie nodded as she got out. "I did." She looked back at Pandora before shutting the door. "Thanks again. That was awesome."

"You're welcome. Have a good night."

"You, too." Ephie closed the door and walked toward Birdie. She lifted the sunstone pendant. "I bought this at the meeting. It's a sunstone. It's supposed to help focus and enhance my natural abilities."

"I love it. Very pretty." Birdie hefted her purse strap higher on her shoulder. "Did they have anything for sale that helps burn excess calories?"

Ephie laughed as she dropped the pendant under her shirt so it would be out of the way when she changed. "Not that I'm aware of. You want help with your bag?"

"Nope, all good."

"All right." Ephie got the key out that Remy had given her and went to the door. "I really appreciate you coming over."

"Happy to do it. Although I don't know how long I'll be able to stay awake."

Ephie pushed the door open. "That's all right. I'm not on Remy's schedule yet, so I don't plan on being up too late myself. Maybe we can watch a little TV or something? Fair warning, I don't watch much television, so you'll have to pick."

"Sure. I'm always up for a good show. And maybe one of the truffles from Delaney's, if you have any left."

"I do." Ephie stood at the door, holding it open to let Birdie go in ahead of her, planning on closing the door and locking it once they were both inside. She'd explain about Turner and all of that as soon as they got settled.

Birdie walked in. "He really has a nice place for a single guy."

Ephie nodded. "He does."

Birdie's nose wrinkled. "Is that your perfume?"

Ephie shrugged. "Maybe. I don't smell anything." She walked in behind Birdie and was about to turn to close the door when something crashed into her, shoving her forward into Birdie.

They both crashed to the floor as the door slammed shut. Birdie's bag went flying, her purse skittering across the hardwood in the other direction. Ephie gasped, unable to breathe for a moment, the impact knocking the air from her lungs.

"What the—" Birdie growled, a low guttural sound that raised the hairs on the back of Ephie's neck. The snap and crackle of what sounded like live electricity filled her ears as a long black metal rod reached past her and zapped Birdie on the back of the neck.

The older woman stiffened, crying out before she slumped flat. Ephie tried to roll over to see their attacker, but before she could move, the stun gun was at her back. A violent jolt went through her, pain shooting into every muscle, tensing them against her will.

She caught sight of Jean-Luc in the doorway of the kitchen. He was solid, back arched, ears flattened, teeth bared. With a blood-curdling yowl, Jean-Luc launched himself into the air.

Then everything went black.