Now or Never: Wizards of Nevermore Read Free

patted the girl’s bouncy black curls. “Go sit in the chair. We’ll have cookies and tea. And while you enjoy your treats, I’ll read you a story.”
    The tea service was already set up; so was the plate arrangement of paper-thin cookies.
    Lenore took her seat and waited for Millicent to take hers.
    “One lump of sugar, or two?” asked Millicent as she picked up the teapot.
    “Two, please.”
    Oh, she was so polite. Such a treasure. Millicent smiled as she poured the fragrant liquid into the delicate china cups. “You must drink all of your tea before taking a cookie.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    The girl placed the edge of the cup to her lips, and for the tiniest moment, Millicent had the urge to knock it out of her hand.
    No. She’d been given her directive. The girl’s father himself had insisted his five-year-old daughter be put into Millicent’s care; and more specifically, that Lenore be given angelic treatment. Even though it was rare for magicals to give up their own children, especially a powerful Raven like Lenore’s father, it wasn’t exactly unheard of, either. She’d seen the disappointment in the father’s eyes as he looked at his daughter.
    Mundanes gave up their children for being too magical.
    Lenore’s father had given her up because she was not magical enough.
    Such a shame, too, because the girl was otherwise perfect. But Millicent had long ago learned that she should not question her betters. Her life was devoted to the children at Raven’s Heart. And though she was experiencing unusual doubts about seeing Lenore to the other side, she would do her duty.
    The girl took the barest of sips before grimacing. “Miss Millicent, this tastes funny.”
    Startled, Millicent stared at Lenore’s light blue eyes. She’d seen a crystal like that once, such a light blue it was nearly white. Like ice.
    Like judgment.
    A chill stole through Millicent, but she would not be cowed by the girl. She frowned. “It’s very rude to make disparaging comments about what your hostess is serving. You are a guest, Lenore.”
    “I apologize,” she said in a soft, penitent voice. “But isn’t it rude of the hostess to put death into the tea?”
    Millicent blinked. The brew was her own special blend of herbs and alprazolam. She used just the right amount of jasmine and magic to disguise the taste.
    “I would like to go home,” said Lenore. She put down the full cup, then folded her hands in her lap. She stared unblinkingly at Millicent. Those glacier eyes seemed more tinted now, more blue, more…magical.
    The back of Millicent’s neck prickled, and sweat beaded her brow. Lenore really was the most amazing child. None of her angels had ever suspected the tea was doctored. None had ever uttered a complaint.
    “I’m afraid you can’t go home,” said Millicent.
    She nodded, then sighed. “Father does not want me.”
    “You really should drink the tea, dear. It’s for the best.”
    The girl glanced at the cup. “No, thank you. May I go now?”
    “Where would you go?”
    Lenore considered this question, one finger perched on her chin. “Away,” she said. “Far, far away.”
    “That’s not a destination,” said Millicent. She rose, smoothed out her dress, and smiled at the girl. “While you decide where you would like to go, I will get the book. Do you like the story of Cinderella?”
    “Yes,” said Lenore.
    Millicent turned toward the bookshelf. Not only did the tall pink case house a well-stocked array of children’s titles; the bejeweled box on the upper shelf held a syringe. It was her plan B. Thirty-four angels she’d sent to the other side, and she’d never had to use it.
    Lenore was an amazing child, indeed.
    She opened the box and withdrew the syringe, cupping the cylinder in her hand to hide it, and then she pulled the oversized pop-up book from its place on a lower shelf.
    “Now,” she said brightly as she turned, “let’s—”
    Lenore stood by the table, looking at Millicent with