The Hidden Grimoire by Karla Brandenburg (pride and prejudice read TXT) 📕

made her astral visits near midnight. Would she show tonight? Should I guide her dreams?

Ash jumped onto my lap, and as I stroked her, I picked up Georgia’s sock monkey, closed my eyes and called on the spell. The clouds came for me, carrying me to Georgia, and when I arrived, I found her sitting beside a cradle, not her own bedroom. The baby fussed and Georgia rocked him gently, singing a song—Blackbird. She seemed unaware of my presence. From another room, I heard LeAnne’s voice. Your son is crying.

While Georgia quieted him, neither LeAnne nor Jason came to check on the baby.

Uncertain what to do, I set Georgia’s monkey on the floor behind her, and withdrew from the scene.

Wouldn’t parents hover over a newborn to be sure everything was okay? Was I looking for a reason to suspect LeAnne after what Sharon had told me? She’d been friendly to me, reaching out to me as family. I had no reason not to trust her. Assuming Jason hadn’t heard the baby’s cries, I rationalized LeAnne didn’t get up because she was exhausted or uncomfortable after the ordeal of childbirth.

Like a cold draft, a blast of negative energy chilled me. I stretched my thumb and forefinger in response, calling on the white light to surround me. The flood of light I’d become accustomed to churned into storm clouds mixed with the negative energy.

I shot a glance at the staircase outside my workroom doorway, where Kyle had retreated moments earlier. He had made it clear he wanted to protect me. Would I be able to protect him?

Chapter 32

Kyle brought me a chocolate muffin when he made rounds the next morning.

I forced a smile. Peeled off the paper. Set the muffin on the counter. “I can’t reach Georgia.”

He picked up the muffin and took a bite. “As a police officer, I have to tell you to honor your cousin’s wishes and leave them alone.”

I huffed and turned away.

Kyle followed and tugged my arm. “As the man who loves you, I suggest you give them time. A new baby, coupled with a recent move and job change. Top three stressors right there. My suggestion is to focus on us. We have a wedding to plan, don’t we?”

I rolled my eyes. Kyle was nothing if not persistent. “We have plenty of time.”

“Okay,” he said. “Then let’s look at the facts in evidence. Georgia knows you, and she knows how to reach you, right?” He raised his eyebrows, reminding me he’d seen her appear in my bedroom.

I nodded. Points to him for not running screaming after that episode.

“LeAnne reached out to you in spite of Jason’s wishes.”

“She hasn’t acknowledged the flowers I sent for the new baby.” As soon as I said it, I cringed at how petty I sounded.

“New baby,” he repeated. “She has other things to worry about.”

I slipped my arms around his waist and laid my head on his shoulder. “You’re right.” Considering he’d brought up Georgia’s appearance, I drew a shuddery breath to share the rest of my concerns. “If something happens, another confrontation of some kind, you won’t be able to protect me.” I looked up to meet his gaze. “And to be honest, I’m not sure how well I can protect you.”

“You’re talking about if something happens like what Narcy did?”

I nodded. “I don’t want you caught in the crossfire. If you’d have been inside the workroom when it caught fire, we both might have died, or one of us if they had to choose which of us to rescue.”

He narrowed his eyes as if considering my point and took a step away. “We can come up with more ideas tonight. Right now, I have to finish rounds.”

Kyle left without kissing me goodbye and I wondered if I’d overstepped, if I shouldn’t have mentioned the magic stuff. No. He’d told me enough times he accepted I had gifts. At some point in time I’d have to trust him and not overthink one missing kiss.

Cassandra arrived in patchwork jeans, a T-shirt and a washed-out denim jacket. From the smile on her face, I assumed things had gone well last night. I knew Cassandra could withstand the wagging tongues in town, but I wasn’t so sure about Lucas.

Then I worried about Cassandra becoming collateral damage if whatever woman I was supposed to be worried about came after me the way Narcy had.

I was back in the burning workroom.

“Brynn!”

I sat on the stool behind the counter. Ash had crawled into my lap, and Cassandra stood over me, shaking my shoulders. As I focused on her, she backed away. One of the racks of clothing lay on its side. I pulled my arms close to my body, assuming I’d ‘pushed’ the rack over.

Why did the episodes seem to be getting worse?

My cell phone rang. Nora. Naturally.

With a cough to clear my throat of the imagined smoke, I answered. Cassandra left me to right the clothes rack.

“Again?” Nora asked.

I hated how out of control I felt. “Yes. Kyle suggested I get help, and I’m beginning to think I should. It seems to be getting worse instead of better.”

“There’s more going on than either of us can see,” she said. “I have an idea. When is your day off?”

“Tomorrow, but I’ve already taken time off this week.”

“You’re taking your day off,” Cassandra called from across the shop. “I’ve got things covered here.”

I gave way to a smile. “And Cassandra assures me tomorrow is still my day off.”

“Good. I’m coming to see you.” She hesitated a moment. “Do you think it would help to have Hannah come, too?”

As much as I tried to deny it, I knew I needed help. “I suppose that depends on what you have in mind,” I said.

“The book I showed you. It might hold an answer, but if it doesn’t...”

“How about you and me put our heads together first,” I said. “If we can’t figure this out, we’ll call Hannah then.”

“I’m going to check with her, just in case,”