Magic Rising Read Free

Summit.
    “You mustn’t worry.” Etoile drew me to the sofa and we sat. Evan took the armchair opposite, stretching his long legs, studiously pretending not to take an interest in the discussion. I watched as he plucked another stray thorn from his leg. The shrill blast of the phone made us all jump, then laugh. Apparently, we were all on edge.
    “I’ll get it,” said Kitty, heading into the kitchen in search of the offending handset.
    “I just have to help with some preparations,” explained Etoile. “Do you remember Steven Haller?”
    I nodded. Steven was one of the first witches I’d ever met. He was a dapper, old gentleman and the executor of my parents’ affairs when they passed. If it weren’t for the box he’d given me when we were first introduced, I would never have received the deed or key for my parents’ house. In my mind, that meant I owed him a debt of gratitude.
    Etoile continued, “He said he looked forward to seeing you again.”
    “I didn’t know you saw him.” I reached for the cardigan, which was draped over the back of the sofa, and wrapped it around me.
    “I’ve seen lots of people. We’ll visit him when you get there. You have the instructions?”
    I called the invitation that was sitting on the mantelpiece, and smiled as it materialised in my palm. Opening it, I withdrew the card inside. Tucked beside it was the address Etoile had given me, along with my travel tickets. “Are you sure you don’t mind me staying in your apartment?” I asked. Despite being more than a little curious about Etoile‘s space, a place I’d never been, it was only polite to ask again, although I hoped she wouldn’t change her mind. Staying in my friend’s home seemed a lot nicer and cosier than taking a room at the hotel where the Summit was being held.
    Etoile echoed my own thoughts. “Not at all. It’s much more inviting than staying at the hotel with the other attendees, and more private too.”
    “It’s not for another week though. Do you have to go now? It would be nice to just hang out a while.”
    “I’d rather get there early. Besides, don’t you want some…” Etoile‘s voice dropped and she mentally transmitted the rest of her thought, “ time alone with Evan?”
    I shrugged and nodded as I slid a sideways glance at him. Of course I do. Kitty planned to visit friends for the next couple of days, and was spending the evening with Ryan, a werewolf she was dating. With Etoile in New York, I would have some precious time alone with Evan. We made a pact to spend more time together, but it wasn’t always easy. Living in a house of four meant little alone time, so, since returning home, we’d gone to Evan’s house, across the country, for some private time beyond our regular dates. Frankly, I was starting to think Evan was pretty brave living in a house with three women, never mind witches. What he really wanted was for us to live alone one day, preferably sooner than later, although we still had a few issues as to where. I wanted to stay in the house I inherited from my parents. It was the first place I’d really thought of as home; and he wanted to live in Texas, from which his business primarily operated. The travelling between the two places was a concession of sorts. Given that Evan’s job would soon take him away for a while, as well as the upcoming Summit, any time alone with him was a bonus. Plus, now there were no more lessons to be had, we both could enjoy more free time together.
    “Thought so,” said Etoile with a knowing look. She got to her feet just as Kitty bounced back into the room. “What’s got you all peppy? Oh, let me guess. It’s that wolf?”
    Kitty stuck her tongue out. “Actually no, it was Annalise reminding us about our housewarming party tonight.”
    Etoile pulled a face, then buried her head in her hands. “I forgot!”
    “So, stay another night,” said Evan, rolling his head back to look at her. He held up five lethal-looking thorns, then