“You know calling me Ernest works just as well, right?” I ask.
“Where’s the fun in that? You did claim me as your stepson, and there are no takebacks.”
Sly and I burst out laughing. “Fine.”
“So, the true witches didn’t scare you off with all their dark witch encounters?” Alfred asks.
Sly laughs. “No indeed. Different planes, magical birdcage, the witchfinder general, burning at the stake, flying toxic killer puppies. Seriously, no running away for me.”
“Molly told me the boys’ father abused them with magic. Do we need to keep an eye out for him?” Alfred asks.
“Really?” I ask. I knew they had a fear of light magic users, but now I know why. “He better not come here or he’ll have todeal with me and probably the other true witches as well,” I say, adamantly. How dare a father abuse his children.
Sly touches my arm. “He was dealt with. We’ll have no problems with him coming here.”
Alfred grins at him. “What did you do? I know I don’t know you that well, but I can’t see you not doing something to him.”
“I covered him in boils, made his hair fall out, cursed him so that everything he touched broke and stripped him of his magic. I gave the magic to Ebby before you ask, as it was from his line.”
“Nice, Temp and Nix are gonna love you. Nix hexed someone with boils once and Temp threatened to cover Kean in boils as well,” Alfred tells him.
“Looks like I really do fit in here,” Sly says with a laugh.
We finishthe BBQ and clean up before heading off to the fair. None of us are expecting anything to happen because of redoing the wards, but this is dark magic we’re dealing with so anything is possible.
Adhan and I volunteer to walk around the fair. I really don’t fancy going inside an attraction tonight, because of the dark magic and that dream.
We all say ‘hi’ to Elliot and go off in different directions.
Adhan and I are slowly walking around, stopping to watch people play or try some of the games. Adhan makes me laugh when he wins me a massive rainbow teddy bear in a hoop game. It’s awesome and I totally love it. The stall holder offers to keep it safe for us until we leave.
“Thanks for the bear,” I say smiling at him as we walk away.
“Anything to make you smile sweetheart. Your Pa told me how you deal with nightmares,” he says, taking my hand.
I sigh. “I figured he would because he’s a tattle tale.”
“Only because he loves you and is worried.”
“I know. I was going to tell you later anyway. Stupid dream.”
As we’re talking and walking, I feel a shudder go through me. I stop, forcing Adhan to stop as well.
“What’s wrong?” he asked in concern.
“Hold on,” I say, sending my magic out to find out what that was. I groan when my magic tells me.
“What?”
“We’re a bunch of idiots, that’s what,” I say just as Elliot, Temp and Ben join us.
“Why?” Ben asks.
I look at Temp and he groans as well. “The biggest bunch of idiots.”
“Would one of you please tell us why,” Adhan practically demands.
“Because the town protection stops just there,” I say pointing behind us.
