Sebastian’s grin lasted all the way to the Drakes’ magical stronghold, located in the east tower. He couldn’t have wiped the smile from his face for all the tea in China. Mackenzie Thorne made him feel things he’d never experienced before. Primarily, the desire to laugh at inappropriate moments.
She’d also opened his eyes to the residual hurt and anger he felt toward Vivian, which should be resolved posthaste. If he intended to pursue Mackenzie, and he most definitely did, then he needed to clear his mind and heart of the past. With a lighter step, he opened the door to the tower room. And promptly halted in his tracks.
“Aunt Gwennie, what are you doing up here?”
“I saw the Thorne chit in the garden.” She lifted her troubled gaze from the family grimoire to fix him with a penetrating look. “There was something off about her. It was as if she was sleepwalking. Never blinked. Not once. And she walked straight into the red mist.”
“You saw the mist, too?”
“I did.”
“Alastair Thorne called tonight.”
“What did that wily old fox want?” Gwennie’s mouth curled downward to show her distaste.
Sebastian was suddenly hesitant to reveal tonight’s discovery. Not that he didn’t trust his beloved aunt, but the fewer people who knew Mackenzie might be the one vulnerable to the Enchantress, the better.
“He was concerned for our family with Mackenzie being in residence. He suggested we need to fortify the wards on the estate as a precaution.” The lie came smoothly, and he didn’t question why. Part of him knew he’d do whatever it took to protect her because in the span of forty-eight hours, she’d brightened his life in a way no one else ever had.
Gwennie’s narrow-eyed stare made him uncomfortable as hell. She’d seen right through his antics as a boy, and he suspected she did so again now. Just when he was ready to confess all, she smiled and tossed back her black veil. “Come, dear Baz. I’ve the perfect spell.”
She held out a frail hand, and he clasped it with great care and a relieved grin. “You always do, Auntie.”
Sebastian delighted in Gwennie’s indulgent chuckle. It took him back to the past when he was a small child. She’d been constantly amused by his tomfoolery and always slipped him sweet treats when his parents weren’t looking.
Gwennie directed Sebastian to gather the twelve-inch ceremonial crystals. He placed them on the five points of the pentagram engraved in the wood floor beneath his feet. The symbol was thirteen feet in diameter and took up half of their ritual room. Next, he set candles along the perimeter of the circle surrounding the pentagram, roughly a foot apart.
Together, they cast a protective ring and lit the candles required for the ritual. In the air, Gwennie drew the tyet sign to represent Isis. She repeated the gesture for north, south, east, and west to pay homage to the Goddess.
“Dear Goddess, hear our plea and assist us in our time of need.” Gwennie lifted her arms toward the sky, and the ceiling rolled back on the built-in metal tracks, parting to allow the moon to shine down upon them.
“Goddess, we ask you to ward our home from the rising evil and protect those within our property’s border.” Sebastian knelt to pay homage.
Gwennie joined him at the center of their circle and clasped his hand. “And protect the children of this household—Sebastian, Arabella, and Mackenzie—so they will have the strength for the trials to come.”
Sebastian almost broke his neck, whipping his head around to stare at her. He didn’t dare interrupt the ceremony, but his aunt had some explaining to do when it was over. Because his mind had blanked at the idea of “trials to come,” Gwennie took over the rest of ritual, added a few more heartfelt requests for the powers that be, and closed the circle.
He doused the candles with a wave of his hand.
“Care to tell me what that was about, Auntie?”
“We both saw the mist, dear boy. The Enchantress was never going to be contained forever. We all know the prediction.”
Sebastian stumbled back. He’d forgotten until this precise moment. There was some prophecy in their grimoire about a psychic Thorne becoming the vessel for evil. He gripped the book and thumbed through the pages, looking for the entry. “What have we done by bringing her here?”
“You set Fate—that capricious wanker—in motion.”
“Arabella must’ve also forgotten.” Never mind that his hundred-and-nineteen-year-old aunt knew the term wanker; Sebastian’s mind was reeling from his stupidity. “She couldn’t have known Mack was a clairvoyant.”
“I can’t say if Arabella realized Mackenzie was the psychic Thorne, but I can tell you, your sister knew well what the prophecy foretold. We’ve discussed it at length.” Gwennie patted his arm. “Perhaps Arabella brought your Mack here because she believes it was the only way for you to find true love. She doesn’t want you to be alone.”
“I’d have gladly gone through life alone to spare the world of Isolde’s evil.” Terror for his family and for Mackenzie took up residence in his heart. He paused his search of the spellbook and hugged his aunt tightly to him. “I’m scared for you all, Aunt Gwennie.”
“Both Teddie and I have lived a full life, dear boy. No need to fear for us. It’s Arabella and Mackenzie you need to protect now.”
“I’ll protect all of you or die trying,” he swore. Trepidation for the inevitable ratcheted up his pulse.
“No need for that, darling.”
“I’m sorry, Baz.” Arabella’s regret-filled voice drifted to him from the doorway. “There was no other way for you to get to know her. You rarely leave the estate unless it’s for business.”
He stalked to his sister, struggling against the urge to hug her and physically harm her at the same time.
“How could you, Bella? You should’ve spoken to me first.” He swore and ran a hand through his hair. “Do you know what you’ve done? Mack’s psychic ability makes her a sitting target for Isolde, and my guess is she has no ability to fight it. None!”
“What?” Both Gwennie and Arabella stared at him, their eyes wide with shock.
Sebastian fisted his hands and began to pace, shaking his head at the mess in which they now found themselves embroiled.
“Alastair Thorne called a short while ago after speaking with the Aether.” He stopped in front of Gwennie and gave her a rueful look. “What I didn’t tell you was Sabrina Dethridge has had a premonition. It coincides with whatever Mack is experiencing.”
“What?” Arabella screeched again.
“Right. By bringing Mack here, we may have destroyed them all. If anyone gets wind of this…” He rubbed his brow. “I dread to see how this mess unfolds. When the Enchantress wakes, I doubt any of us stands a snowball’s chance in hell of surviving.”
“It’s been over two-hundred years, Baz. Yes, we are the Keepers of the Gate, but be honest, did you ever think Isolde was a true threat after all this time?”
“Not really. Not if I’m being truthful. I suppose I felt we’d never have to deal with her other than to maintain the wards on the property.” He grimaced and shrugged. “But we can’t pretend she’s not a threat anymore. Not after tonight.”
Arabella wrung her hands and gave him a semi-hopeful look. “She may never go after the Six. She may simply be happy to start over.”
“Revenge, Bella,” he retorted. “Not to mention what she will do to us, her gaolers.”
He hugged his sister when her devastated expression became too much for him to bear. “We’ll figure it out. But I want you to take the aunts and staff away from here. As far and as fast as you can.”
“What about you and Mack?”
“It’s too late for her, and we all know it. So I’ll stay to protect her and do what I can to mitigate the damage. Maybe Dethridge has an idea.”
Her arms squeezed him and nearly cut his waist in two. “I’m not leaving you, Baz. You’re my brother, and Drakes stand together.”
“We’ll die together if you don’t go,” he snapped, untangling her from his person. “I’m still Laird of our rag-tag clan. You’ll go.”
“Pfft. Laird in name only, dear boy. Remember, Teddie and I changed your nappies. It’s difficult to take orders when we’ve seen your dangly bit, weeing all over your cradle.”
Sebastian’s face burned hot. He shouldn’t be embarrassed by his aunt, but Mackenzie happened to enter the room behind her.
She bit her lip but failed spectacularly to hide her grin.
He closed his eyes against the humiliation and sighed. “Goddess save me from the women of this family,” he muttered. Lifting his lids, he met Mackenzie’s amused gaze. “I thought you were sleeping.”
“Mmm, well, I was having a difficult time, what with my being a catalyst for the Enchantress to make a reappearance and all.”
Arabella frowned. “How did you find this tower? It’s enchanted. Only our family should ever be able to locate it.”
“I followed the light.” Mackenzie looked at each of them in turn. With a hesitant smile, she gestured over her shoulder. “It was so bright, and it lit the way.”
Sebastian, Arabella, and Gwennie all traded wary looks. There should be no guiding light. He stepped forward and took Mackenzie’s hand in his. “Show me. Please.”
She tugged him into the hallway and turned her head left then right. She spun in a slow circle, a confused frown puckered her brow. “I don’t understand. It was like a trail of yellow light, but it’s gone now.”
“Like the yellow brick road?” Aunt Teddie asked from the shadows, giving them all a fright.
“For the love of the Goddess, Teddie!” Gwennie snapped, slapping a hand over her heart. “Are you trying to scare us into the Otherworld, you daft cow?”
Sebastian peered closer into the dark corner of the corridor and sighed. Where a tarted-up Teddie was, their butler was sure to be found. “You can reveal yourself now, Leopold.”
The butler stepped farther into the hallway, frantically working to fasten the buttons of his nightshirt.
Sebastian felt queasy. As if he didn’t have enough on his plate!
Residing at the Drake estate was like having a front-row seat at a comedic theater production, and Mackenzie absolutely loved it. Although she did have to wonder if anyone slept around here. One would assume the Drake aunts and Leopold would’ve gone to bed early due to their advanced years. But here they lurked, making out in the shadowy corridor.
She bit back a smile.
The Drakes’ butler was a mess. The only hair he possessed, encircled his head, leaving the top bald as a cue ball. The remaining thin gray strands stuck straight out at ninety-degree angles from his scalp. A bright pink smear of lipstick colored his drooping mouth and played hide and seek in the folds of his wrinkled neck. As he hurried to fasten the buttons of his nightshirt, he missed the proper holes, resulting in the uneven hem of his clothing and showing one boney knee in the process. Once again, his striped sock pooled around his skinny ankle. Unfortunately for him, the other was missing, and his toes curled as if to hide the tufts of hair on his big toe joints.
Mackenzie was certain she saw some type of writing on the side of the sock, but she’d be damned if she could read it in the low light.
Despite it all, poor Leopold had a proud air about him. Currently, his chin was lifted as if he were determined to take his punishment like a trooper, but the expression in his eyes said he feared the noose, as if he’d been caught stealing the family’s silver.
Mackenzie adored him.
“Leo! Or do you prefer Leopold? So good to see you again. I forgot to tell you how wonderful dinner was last night. You must give me the recipe for the Duck à l’Orange.” She stepped forward and hid Leopold’s front from view as she quickly reworked the mess of buttons. Reaching up, she straightened his collar and used her thumb to wipe away the evidence of Teddie’s lipstick from the corners of his mouth. She twiddled her fingers to remove the vivid color that had found a home in the creases of his neck. Anything Mackenzie did was like closing the barn door after the horse got out, but still, if she could preserve his dignity, she would. “My cook simply must attempt to recreate your masterpiece when I get back home.”
A grateful light came into his rheumy eyes, and his lips twisted in a semblance of an affectionate smile. “Of course, Miss Thorne. I’ll write it down first thing for you.”
“Sweet! You’re the best, Leo.” She kissed his weathered cheek. “Thank you.”
“No, miss. Thank you.”
She stepped back and linked an arm with Sebastian’s. His inscrutable expression made her nervous, and she wondered if she’d overstepped.
“Mackenzie, may I speak with you privately?” His tone gave no indication as to his thoughts or intent.
She pasted on a bright smile, and perhaps she was channeling old Leopold, but she felt like she, too, was heading for the hangman’s noose.
Sebastian escorted her to an abandoned room, took one look around, and did an about-face with an expression of such abject horror Mackenzie was sure there was a dead body on the floor. Although he tried to usher her from the bedroom, she was able to get a clear view of the rumpled bed and the butler’s missing sock.
Finally, she was able to see the design: a fat pickle with the words “Kind of a big dill” beneath it.
She laughed.
She couldn’t have contained it if she tried. Tears of mirth rolled down her cheeks as she struggled to breathe. For a brief second, Sebastian looked put upon, but he, too, began to laugh. Soon, they were doubled over, using each other for support.
“His sock!” she sputtered. “Do you see what’s on his sock?”
Sebastian snorted. “Do you think he was advertising his pickle?”
Mackenzie fell back on her butt, holding her sides as a second wave of laughter struck.
He joined her on the floor and rested his head back against the door, a wide smile firmly in place.
“How do you do it, Baz?” She fanned herself, trying to stop giggling like a prepubescent girl. “How do you keep a straight face twenty-four-seven? It’s like living in the midst of a sitcom.”
His smile dropped, and he looked uncomfortable.
It didn’t take a genius to realize she’d offended him. “I didn’t mean it as an insult.” She shifted to touch his arm. “Please know, I’m not making fun of your family. I think they’re absolutely wonderful. I have to resist the urge to hug Leo every time I see him.”
“It’s his pickle and his animal magnetism. I’m sure it’s why Aunt Teddie can’t keep her hands off him.” A grin tugged at his firm, full mouth. “Now, I have to fight him for you?”
“Well, he is adorable.”
“My reputation will be in tatters if it gets out that my thousand-year-old butler was able to steal the woman I’ve been wooing.”
Mackenzie sucked in a breath. “You’re wooing me?”
“What the hell do you think those kisses were about earlier?”
“Hmm.” She fought a smile and lost. “You’re going to have to up your game if you want to beat out Leo, ya know.”
“It’s not widely known, but my pickle is also a bit of a big dill.”
“Oh, believe me. It’s so widely known.”