Mathilda, SuperWitch (Mathilda's Book of Shadows #1)(26)

And I mean scarce as in non-existent.

I had a feeling Aidan was seriously in trouble.

Afterward Ambrose led me to another room with more ancient furniture. It was a bedroom and he advised me to rest as I waited for “Mr. Wilding”.

He meant Ash.

Everyone knew everything about me except, it would seem, me!

I looked out the window and saw what Aidan had been looking at earlier – dozens of cars in the courtyard. So he knew I was to be the curious creature at a breakfast of a score of geezers and he didn’t warn me.

Men!

Just before the big guy left I said, “Mr. Bennett?”

“That would be Dr. Bennett, Miss Honeycutt.”

Pompous old fart.

“Um… is Aidan in trouble?” I asked.

He studied me (lots and lots of studying around this place – too much, creepy – unless it was Aidan).

“Yes, Miss Honeycutt, Dr. Seymour is ‘in trouble’.”

Oo, Aidan’s a doctor!

* * * * *

I didn’t trust the bed so tried to sit on floor and meditate.

Couldn’t meditate after final Aidan announcement and upcoming reunion with my bodyguard so sent thought-waves to Ash repeating, “Don’t be mad at me… don’t be mad at me… don’t be mad at me.”

Felt Ash’s Jag hit the courtyard before I got up to go to the window and see it.

Had the feeling regardless of thought-vibes that he was mad at me anyway.

I ran downstairs and into the entry hall and noticed all the Members had a new curiosity – namely Mr. Wilding who was striding purposefully toward the door… and me.

Striding, I might add, with a look on his face that could only be described as thunderous.

Uh-oh.

And.

Mm.

“It would seem,” a voice came from my side, it was Dr. Bennett, “that you’re in trouble too.”

He appeared to be correct.

Ash was through the door and steps away from me when I threw all caution to the wind, turned to Dr. Bennett and said, “There’s a witch out there that’s protecting men who intend to harm me and perhaps my family and Spellbound.”

I felt Ash stop beside me rather than saw him do it.

Dr. Bennett’s face looked pained. “And how did you come by that information, Miss Honeycutt?”

I ignored his question. “It would help a lot if you could tell me the name of the witch who’s helping them.”

Dr. Bennett shook his head. “I’m sorry but –”

“He can’t, of course.” This was Ash and it was said in a really ugly tone.

I mean really ugly.

“Let’s go,” Ash ordered.

As Ash escorted me to the Lush Jag, I thanked my hosts on the trot and we were away.

We drove a bit and I counted the minutes in hopes of tempers (or, perhaps, one particular temper) cooling.

Then, “Ash –?”

“Not now, Mathilda.”

I shut up.

From his tone to the muscle twitching in his cheek, it seemed the smart thing to do.

12 February

Talked to Mavis about the possible bad witch.

She didn’t believe me until I told her Ambrose Bennett had (essentially) confirmed the information.

She’s really angry.

“We’ll just see about this,” she said and the way she said it scared the bejeezus out of me.

She took off and I haven’t seen her since.

* * * * *

15 February

Nothing.

Please note the date, 15 February.

One-Five February.

February as in second month of the New Year.

Day after Valentine’s Day.

And… nothing.

Okay, so Ash is mad at me and Aidan may be in the middle of Scary Manor House KP Duty but what would it hurt?

A card?

A single red rose?

A diamond bracelet?

One kissed me and liked my naughty nighttime fantasies; the other one said straight out he wanted me in his bed. I was thinking they were into me. And Valentine’s Day was Valentine’s Day, the only day of the year that pretty much demanded you make a gesture if you’re into someone.

And these guys own Jags and BMW Roadsters, for goddess’s sake!

Now wish I hadn’t made four batches of heart-shaped butter cookies. Granted, I didn’t exactly present them to their intended (though I saw Ash have one with my own two eyes and I sent the parcel to The Institute (found their address on their website!!) addressed to “The Members” but still, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out).

How often does a girl get two yummy men at once!? – both of whom clearly fancy her?

Unless you are Julia Roberts… it… just… does… not… happen.

In this dimension (and, I suspect, many others).

I’m putting away my rose quartz.

Fucking men.

On another note, Rory gave me the sweetest Valentine’s Card that he made himself (well, he had a little help from Nerissa but I loosely use the words “help” and “Nerissa” in the same sentence).

* * * * *

21 February

I’d had enough.

I mean, how mad at me could he be?

(Ash, that is.)

So I took off without him on what turned out to be a somewhat (!) dangerous assignation.