Maudlin's Mayhem (Bewitching Bedlam #2)(54)
When Auntie Tautau returned, she was carrying a tray with a teapot and three cups. She eased it down onto the coffee table and poured the tea, handing it round. A creamer and sugar bowl, as well as a bowl of sliced lemon wedges, took up the rest of the tray. I added a dollop of cream and then stirred my cup, inhaling the fresh hints of black currant.
“So, you came to me about a problem, and I take it the problem has not been solved?”
“That’s right.” I frowned. “I’m sorry, I realize that it seems rude. I haven’t come to visit since the last time I was facing a crisis.” Suddenly, I felt bad, and glanced over at Sandy, who blushed.
But Auntie Tautau laughed. “I’m not offended. We Aunties deliberately keep a low profile. We come to mind when we need to come to mind. As for company, trust me, I have my share and they aren’t all seeking my aid. No foul, girl. No foul. Now tell me, what seems to be the problem?”
A sudden wave of relief swept over me. Telling an Auntie about a problem might not solve it, but it felt then like the issue was off my shoulders—that I wasn’t the only one bearing the burden. I told her about the Arcānus Nocturni Society, and about Essie, Thornton, and the hex. And then I told her about the book I had found.
“So, you do have a problem indeed. And not one easily compartmentalized. What I can do is to take that book from you and keep it for you. I cannot destroy it, but no one will find it here until you decide to give it away, and no one will be able to forcibly evict the knowledge of where it is from your tongue.”
I looked over at Sandy. “That means if they try to force the knowledge out of me…”
“You would die before telling,” Auntie Tautau said.
“That’s a terrifying thought, but also oddly comforting.” I could see no other way. It didn’t solve my problem with Essie, but it would make certain those spells didn’t reach her grubby fingers. But could she find copies of them again without a problem? At first I dithered, but then it occurred to me that if she did have easy access to other copies, she wouldn’t be so anxious to gain control over Thornton’s journal.
“I’ll bring it to you this afternoon, before she has a chance to wake up. I’d feel better with it out of my house and in safe hands.” I glanced at the clock. “I should go home and get it now.”
Auntie Tautau nodded. “A good move. And Maddy, be aware, Essie is no more looking for the spotlight to be turned on her than you are. Her agendas run deep and long, and while she is a problem, she is by far one of the least that you will face in the coming years. There’s a tightrope to be walked, and you are firmly on that path.”
Great. Just what I wanted to hear. But I thanked her and we headed for Sandy’s car. My phone beeped and I glanced at the reminder.
“Crap, I forgot. There’s a city council meeting tonight I have to be at. We’re endorsing Delia as the mayor officially, rather than as a stand-in.” Linda, the former leader of our coven, had also been the mayor of Bedlam. I had no desire to take over that part of her job. By now, Delia had proven herself more than capable.
“Let’s go. We’ll get the book, drop it off, then I’ll take you back home. I don’t want you riding alone with that thing until it’s safely under Auntie Tautau’s roof.” Sandy glanced at her watch. “It’s well past lunch time. We’ll stop on the way back for a sandwich.”
My mouth watered. “I want chicken. Fried chicken and don’t you tell me it’s not good for me. I’m under a lot of stress. I’ll forgo a shake, though.”
Sandy laughed. “One step at a time, I guess. Chicken it is.”
Chapter 15
AFTER STOPPING AT Chicken-Chicken, we hurried back to my house. The shadow warriors were in place, and everything seemed fine. Bubba perked up when I came in, and I realized that with all the commotion lately, he was lonely and still nervous.
I turned to Maddy. “Can Bubba visit Mr. Peabody this afternoon? I hate leaving him here in this colossal house with nobody for company. Franny can’t exactly pet him and she seems to think he’s more of a piece of furniture than family. I could pick him up after the meeting tonight.”
“Sure, I think Mr. Peabody would like that.” She glanced down at Bubba. “You want to go hang out with my skunk?”
Bubba let out a chirp, then he said, “Mrow,” which pretty much meant “You betcha, I need love and fun.”
I found his carrier and he willingly jumped inside. If I didn’t lie to him about where he was going—no “We’re going out for some fun” when I was actually taking him to the doctor—then Bubba was pretty good about the whole transportation issue.
As I darted down to the basement to grab the book, I glanced again at Aegis’s door. Once again, a feeling of loneliness swept over me and I realized that I hadn’t called the boys in the band to tell them what was going on. They must have been ringing his phone off the hook the night before and I hadn’t heard it, since it would be with his clothes in his lair.
I hurried back up the steps and made certain the door was barred. While it meant he couldn’t get out unless he figured out how to open Bubba’s secret entrance, it also meant nobody could get in. The thought of leaving a bat-door open for him to get outside was tempting, but too scary, given the number of vampire hunters on the loose.