Westerham Witches and a Venetian Vendetta by Dionne Lister (top rated books of all time TXT) 📕

up a return to sender, in case I came across someone, but as soon as it was in place, it winked out. Damn. That intermittent magic was going to be a problem. I could cast quick spells, but anything that had to stay in place wouldn’t work. Was there a weird blip in magic access here, kind of like bad internet reception, or had Francesco and Isabella cast some kind of magic-blocking spell over the house? Whatever it was, it made me more vulnerable.

As a test for later—because as soon as I confirmed whether Angelica was here or not, I wanted to leave—I drew magic from the river. It dribbled through, then stopped, then flowed for a few seconds, then stopped. Grrr. Unlike the internet and modem, there was no way to reset it by turning it off and on again. I stored what I could in my internal magic stash. After a few minutes, I finally had enough to make a doorway, but as soon as I tried to make it, it faded. There wasn’t nearly enough time to step through. What would happen if I’d been midway through the door when it disappeared? Would it delete me, drop me in the middle of the lagoon, or cut me in half like I’d done to the love of Dana’s life?

Enough of the questions. If I could find Angelica, she’d know.

Then the best idea ever happened. I could try and contact Will. When that stupid vampire witch had tried to kill me, we’d managed to talk over a long distance. This should be easy. I tried to ignore the thudding ache in my brain and concentrated on Will, on how much I loved him, what he sounded like, what he looked like, what his magic felt like. I drew on my core power. There he was! I could sense him. Will. Will, it’s Lily.

Lily?! His mind voice sounded frantic and relieved all at the same time. Wh— r—

Crap. It was like trying to talk over a line that was breaking up. I growled, then tried again. Will?

Nothing. Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn. I sighed. I’d have to try again soon. Maybe I’d search the next couple of rooms and have another go. I made my way down the hallway. Another door to my right must be a room that backed onto the bedroom I’d just come from. I placed my ear against the door and listened. Silence. I gripped the handle and turned it super slowly, then pushed the door gently. I could’ve cried with happiness when no squeaks screamed, “Lily’s wandering around!” At least someone had been maintaining this place.

This room was as dark as the last one, although a sliver of moonlight seeped in from the hallway. It was enough to make out shadows, but little else. I couldn’t tell if anyone was in here from my position in the doorway. Did I try and cast a trickle of light, or did I walk in and feel around? If someone was asleep in here, surely the faint light wouldn’t rouse them? I debated for a few throbs of my head—what I wouldn’t give for a headache tablet about now.

I opened the portal of magic and syphoned some through to my personal reservoir. A small light wouldn’t take much at all. I held my hand out, palm up. Hopefully this would work without calling the killer witches down on my head. My heart galloped as I said in my mind, Cast faint light.

A golf-ball-sized glow hovered in my palm, subtly illuminating the room… the empty room. I took a shuddering breath. The only things in here were a bed, freestanding wardrobe, and a dressing table and chair. I willed the light brighter. There was no evidence of Angelica having been in here recently. On to the next room.

The next room was an empty bedroom, too, and the next—a bathroom through a door at the end of the hall opposite the stairs—was also void of life. There was one more door on this level, then I’d have to try downstairs. What if she wasn’t here? Think about that later if you need to. My brain was right, but before I tried the next room, I wanted to attempt talking to Will again.

I drew power from my stomach reserves and concentrated. Sharp pain stabbed my forehead. I cringed and shut my eyes tight, but I wouldn’t give up. Will. Will, can you hear me?

Yes! Where are you?

I have no idea. In a house—

Lily?

Damn. I must be breaking up. Fatigue broke over me as my magic was close to being depleted. I stopped drawing from it and, leaning my back against the wall, slid to the floor. I hung my head and shut my eyes. Breathe in. Breathe out. I stayed that way for a few minutes, trying to regain some energy. I opened myself to the river of magic and took in as much as I could in fits and starts. Frustration balled my fists. Searching this house was going to take forever.

Maybe it was time to stop worrying about speaking to Will. There wasn’t much else I could tell him… well, except for Isabella and Francesco, but I couldn’t tell him where I was. Maybe I should just try walking out the front door when I was done? Whatever spell was on the house wouldn’t be outside. Such a genius, not thinking about it before. But to be fair to my brain, I had concussion. All I really wanted to do was lie in the foetal position and sleep for two years. If I did manage to find Angelica, I sure hoped she was in better condition than me; otherwise, how in the hell would I move her? Yet again, a problem for when it came time… if it came time.

I swallowed and laboriously got to my feet. I grabbed the handle on the last upstairs door and slowly pushed down. When the door opened, it didn’t make a noise,