Midnight Hour (Shadow Falls: After Dark #4)(80)

at times it covered her from head to toe. Growing up I always assumed the marking was related to my mystic heritage.”

“But I’m not…” Doubt buzzed like bumble bees in her head. A faint tickle, like a butterfly’s breath, moved under her cast. She glanced

down fearing the tattoo had returned. It hadn’t. Only goosebumps lifted the fine hair on her arms. “I couldn’t…”

“What dear?” the woman asked, refastening her blouse.

“It’s … it’s probably nothing, but…” She looked at Holiday. “Perry said it was as if I called him and he knew I was hurt. And I could

swear I heard him, too.”

“He told me the same thing,” Holiday said.

Miranda glanced back at the older woman. “So … you think I’m a mystic?”

The woman’s expression was apologetic. “I … I didn’t mean to insinuate that. I know you would like answers. Unfortunately, I’ve sought

them for the last forty years of my life, unsuccessfully. I’ve traveled the world and spoken with at least a hundred mystic witches. None have

carried these markings.” She looked back at Miranda. “To be frank, I’ve never seen this pattern on anyone other than myself. And now … you.

That is, if indeed you still have them.”





Chapter Twenty-three

Miranda had relented. She’d pulled her shirt up and her pants down. No tattoos were found.

Ms. Wales had left with promises that they would stay in touch and inform each other if anything changed. Holiday walked her out.

Miranda moved to the kitchen table with Kylie and Della, all of them eerily quiet.

And that made Miranda think … “She’s not here, the ghost’s not here, is she?”

“I don’t feel her,” Kylie said.

“Me, either,” Della said. “She probably passed over.”

They got quiet again.

“So what the hell is a mystic witch, anyway?” Della asked.

Miranda looked at her. “I’m not a mystic witch.” The fact that she’d even considered it was insane. Whatever happened with Perry was … a

fluke.

“I asked what they are. I didn’t say you were one.”

“They’re powerful in different ways. They can communicate with their minds, no spells required. Telepathic spells are extremely difficult for

normal witches.”

Kylie popped up and got out three Diet Cokes. “Before I knew I was chameleon and was exhibiting some witch-related powers, I read a few books

on Wiccan traditions. I remember reading about how mystic powers were somehow connected to witches in Salem, right?”

“You mean that witch hunt in 1692?” Della asked.

Miranda took the soda Kylie handed her. “Yeah, legend has it that mystic witches arose from the need to communicate silently during that time.

But you heard Ms. Wales, the tattoo isn’t related to being mystic.”

“True,” Kylie popped the top off her soda. “But … the tattoo connects you to her, and she comes from a mystic.”

“And you have some of that ESP crap going,” Della added. “You get those premonitions. That’s telepathic.”

“No, not really. It’s not communicating.”

Della opened her drink. “I disagree. When someone tells you bad shit is about to happen, it’s communicating.”

“I’m not mystic.” Miranda said.

Della looked puzzled. “Do you not want to be a mystic witch? Is it bad?”

“It’s just silly to even think it. Mystics are powerful. But yes, they are a little weird.”

“Then that seals the deal.” Della chuckled. “You’re weirder than neon-blue shit.”

Miranda scowled. “What’s your thing with colored shit lately?”

Della shrugged. “I was joking. Kind of. I mean you’re kind of powerful. You zapped those cages like bam. And I didn’t want to admit it, but

that was—” Della tilted her head to the side, sniffed, then smiled. “Your wafer’s here.”

“Perry?” Miranda asked.

“Oh my.” Kylie appeared startled.

“Isn’t that just bloody interesting,” Della said in a mock English accent. “Maybe the Queen of England was right. Those tattoos are

associated with pleaaaasure. Because just after saying his name you’re covered in them.”

Miranda looked down at her arms. Yup, covered.

Not that it mattered. Perry had seen them. And right now, she wanted to see Perry. Voices echoed from outside.

She didn’t mind if Perry saw them but she did mind if anyone else did.

Miranda jumped up. “Send him in my bedroom! Just him.”

*

Perry spoke with Derek and Jenny as they walked past Miranda’s cabin. They were a real item now. Perry envied that. He wanted that with

Miranda. He turned to her door and knocked. His stomach felt fluttery and light—in a good way.

The last time he’d seen Miranda, he’d kissed her twice. But the whole meeting had been super tense and maybe she’d simply let down her

guard.

He really hoped it hadn’t been a onetime thing—because she was the one good thing he had going in his mixed-up life.