Read spies and spells 02 - betting off dead for Free Online Page A

Louisville was Mom’s way of having us blend in with the mortals. Specifically Belgravia Court. Belgravia Court was old. The houses were old and in the historic register. The tree-lined courtyard in the middle of Belgravia Court was amazing. Especially this time of the year. We were very lucky to have seasonal changes in Kentucky and fall just so happened to be the prettiest. The mums planted along each side of the sidewalk were vibrant colors of orange, reds, and yellows. Of course Mom had the flower boxes that hung outside the windows and on the railing of the porch filled with pansies, garden pansies, and ladies delight.
    “Don’t you just love how the white seems to frame the purples, yellow, and reds as if they are the only thing that matters to the delightful flower?” Mom’s face lit up as she talked about her gardens.
    Recently, Mom had planted bushes along the sides of our walkway leading up to our house and that threw the garden club up in a tizzy. In fact, tomorrow night there was going to be an emergency meeting held in the courtyard over what was acceptable and not acceptable.
    Mom moved us to Kentucky shortly after I was born. I didn’t know the coven from which we came nor did I know what it was like outside of the mortal world. The only thing I knew was what Mom and Auntie Meme had taught me about my powers and how it had to be kept a secret.
    It was a lot of fun to play pretend and hold secrets as a child, but it was much harder as we’d become more and more engrained with the mortal world. Going to school was a lot of fun because I was around other children. But every so often I’d be called into the principal’s office because I’d let a little slip of the wrist punish another kid for not picking me first at the game four-square or dodgeball. It was a cruel world for us witches. Well, it was a cruel world for me. Mom had expected me to be home every night for supper at five o’clock on the dot, not a minute late.
    Unfortunately, my time at SKUL had made me five minutes late and the look on her face told me of her distaste.
    “Something smells good,” I said when I walked into the kitchen.
    Mom was standing by the stove and Auntie Meme and Lilith were already sitting at the table. I kissed Mom on the cheek. She swung around with the casserole in her hands and glided over to the table, putting it down in the middle.
    “Oh.” I tried to be as chipper as I could. “All the decorations look nice.” I pulled my shoulders to my ears. “Our favorite time of the year.”
    True southerners loved to decorate with the seasons and a true southern witch was no different. Mom had exchanged the bright sunny window treatments with brown valences. The summer rugs had been switched out to rugs and throws with colorful floating leaves. The candles had gone from beach smell to pumpkin spiced and the tablescape had changed from pinks and greens to oranges and deep reds. Mom didn’t stop there; even the bed linens were switched out. The comforters were a little heavier and the sheets were no longer silk, they were plaid and flannel.
    Lilith lifted a perfectly plucked brow when I sat down.
    “Okay,” I finally gave in. “I’m sorry for being late.”
    “I understand that you are an adult.” Mom began her scolding and I just had to sit there and take it. “You can do whatever it is you please.” She scooped out some of the casserole and flung it on each plate. Everyone bit their lips. “But you have shamed our family by not showing up for your afternoon date with Abram.” Mom twirled her hand in the air. A bread basket floated down in the center of the table. “So, when I called Auntie concerned about your whereabouts,” Mom’s face tightened, her eyes dropped. One brow lowered while the other cocked up. “She informs me that you had a visitor today. A visitor that you told us was no longer in your life.”
    She planted both hands on the edge of the table and eased herself down.
    “I . . .” I