Chapter 94

I was… still in shock, but Arielle and Jayden were kind enough to walk me through all the evidence that had been introduced with Jayden taking on Tyler as a client.

I had never heard of a Maya, but if she had been the reason that Tyler had gotten on the stand, truth spell and all, and thrown Vivian under the bus, she had to be… amazing.

As much as I hated it, my heart clenched hearing it, seeing him say it. My memories from my past life, told me that he was scared, tortured sitting in that seat. I didn't know how to make sense of what I remember, if Maya had been a part of the picture then, or what.

I didn't want to empathize with him. I didn't want to forgive, but what if… Vivian's plot had done all of this? I hadn't even known she was capable of compulsion.

Was she?

Had she been in the last life?

I had no way of knowing. What I did know was that the media frenzy hit like wildfire.

One day we were testifying and the next, my name and Vivian’s were trending on different news sites with pretty damning headlines: “The Little Heiress: Betrayal on All Fronts” and “Spoiled Brightclaw Princess: Villain Unmasked”, "Sex, Power, and Jealousy: Vivian Brightclaw Revealed".

There were stories about Tyler, of course, but his reputation was down the drain. I didn't know what that meant professionally, but Vivian was so much worse. People loved a scandal. Betrayal, inheritance, power plays. They were eating it up, and the coverage of Vivian's actions as more people came forward was stomach turning.

Apparently, Tyler was just one of the many who stepped forward about her coercion, some of them former Brightclaw members. I knew Dominic would have his hands full.

I tried to keep my head down. Arielle was working furiously to expand the case, apparently she could compartmentalize absolutely shredding Tyler for the willing parts he had to play in it all while ensuring that Jayden and the teams she organized for him and the other victims went after Vivian, and by extension Dominic.

I texted him often, asking him how he was holding up.

I am better knowing that you are winning the case as you should.

Which I took to mean overwhelmed with the Mountainhowl teams and trying to untangle the mess that Vivian had made.

Then, Neil texted me.

Can I steal you away for a little while?

I should’ve said no.

I had court prep with Arielle, though she was pretty sure I wouldn't be taking the stand. I also had press nightmares to avoid, not that my security detail wouldn't keep me safe.

But I said yes all the same. We'd met on campus, and the moment I saw him leaning against the passenger side of a sleek dark car in casual clothes, I folded like wet paper. Jeans, boots, a soft henley shirt that clung to his arms a little too well…. He looked incredible.

He had a relaxed smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes like he was trying to play it cool even though we both knew this wasn’t just a friendly outing.

My stomach fluttered.

Would this count as… our first date?

“Where are we going?” I asked as I climbed into the passenger seat of his car. It smelled like cedar and mint and something fizzy. Probably magic.

Neil grinned as he pulled away from the curb, the afternoon sun glinting through his curls. “Not far. Just enough to leave the Brightclaw stink behind.”

“You’re going to get yourself in trouble.”

“I’ll cry about it in a bubble bath surrounded by enchanted candles.”

I snorted. “Witch jokes. You’re not going to try to turn me into a toad, are you?”

He raised a brow. “Only if you insult my taste in music. Get comfy. There are snacks and the seat warmers are on.”

“You’re spoiling me.”

“Damn right.”

I smiled as he flicked on the radio and started humming along to a soft indie track. The drive was long enough to relax me, short enough not to feel like an escape plan. When we passed the sign marking the end of Brightclaw’s jurisdiction, I felt my shoulders drop.

I didn’t ask where we were going. I didn’t need to. I kind of didn't care. The world outside beyond the borders looked different somehow. More wild, for sure and getting wilder the longer we drove. I let my head rest against the window, watching the scenery shift into quaint roadside farms and winding country roads.

We pulled up to a cottage-style house tucked into a clearing surrounded by trees woven with tiny lanterns. The painted sign above the entrance read: The Cauldron’s Nook.

“Okay, this is adorable,” I murmured as we stepped out and the scent of cinnamon, clove, and sugar drifted into the air. "What is it?"

“I thought you could use something a little lighter. And mom suggested it. It's a hotspot for witches. Some of us call it a cultural center. The rest just call it dinner and vibes. Perfect place for your crash course in magic," Neil said, holding the door open for me.

Neil took my hand as we stepped onto the cobbled path, his touch grounding, his fingers warm. I didn’t pull away.

Inside, the space was part café, part apothecary. Soft harp played from somewhere overhead, and the space smelled like cloves, orange zest, and warm bread. Crystal chandeliers sparkled above mismatched tables, hovering in the air, the crystals changing colors every time it moved. Wooden shelves were lined with dried herbs, spellbooks, and little cauldrons painted in pastels. The little jars were labeled things like moonlace powder and dragon’s breath salt. The tables were hand-carved and mismatched, each one paired with two plush chairs.

"What do you think?" He asked.

"It's… incredible. I've never been anywhere like it."

A cheerful witch with floating glasses, bright green lipstick, and a coffee-stained apron waved at Neil like they were old friends.

“Potion class starts in ten!” she called. “You’re late, baby witch!”

“I’m more than punctual,” he shot back, pulling me toward a long table set up with brewing equipment. “Come on. You’re going to like this.”

"Potions?" I asked, eyes wide.

He nodded. “Today’s theme is brewing confidence tonics. Irony, huh?”

I looked at the ingredients: honey, lemon balm, rose petals, a twist of dried thyme. “I’ve never made anything magical before.”

Neil smiled. “Sure you have. You just didn’t know it. Magic’s in your blood. It doesn’t have to be flashy.”

We sat side-by-side as the instructor passed out enchanted measuring spoons that sparkled when dipped. Neil walked me through each step, his hands steady, his voice soothing. I fumbled once and spilled dried marigold petals across the table.

He chuckled. “Chaos is part of the process.”

“I feel like that should be embroidered on a pillow.”

We finished our brews and bottled them in tiny corked vials labeled with our names in glimmering ink. I held mine up to the light, watching the soft pink liquid shimmer like a bottled sunrise.

“That was… so awesome." I looked up at him. "Thank you."

He grinned. "Any time. Pastries?"

I scowled, but I followed. The instructor brought us tea and lemon cakes shaped like little crescent moons. We sat and ate. If Neil made his cake available to me, I tried not to call attention to it, but I ate it all the same.

“Neil,” I said eventually, sipping from my teacup, “how much magic do you actually use day-to-day?”

He leaned back. “More than people think and less than what gets into flashy territory."

"And that means?"

He hesitated but looked into his tea. "That because of my… circumstances I have to be careful, but that's not true for everyone. A lot of my magic is bound--"

"What?"

He smiled. "Not like that. I went through a few grounding rituals, part of coming of age stuff. Got some cool tattoos out of it."

I blinked and dropped my gaze to his chest.

"I'm sure you'll get around to seeing them soon enough." He winked.

My face burned.

Soon we were leaving back to Brightclaw and as we pulled up at campus so I could get back in my detail's car, he reached into his backseat and pulled out a small, bound booklet: leather cover, silver moon embossed on the front.

“A gift all baby witches should have. A beginner’s grimoire,” he explained. “With notes from my mom. She’s big on foundational learning. And she likes you.”

"Thanks…" I tucked the little grimoire into my purse like it was something sacred. Maybe it was.

Neil helped me out of the car and walked me back to the awaiting car, the twilight painting the sky in pale golds and smoky blues.

“I had fun,” I said softly, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “Like… real fun. Probably the most fun I've ever had on a date."

"I promise to keep it that way," Neil said. "You deserve it."

He opened the back seat.

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” I asked.

He nodded. “Of course."

Then, he leaned in close, giving me plenty of time to pull away, but I closed my eyes, leaning into the kiss. It was soft. Sure. Just long enough to make my breath catch.

And then he pulled away and whispered against my mouth, “Sleep well, Renee.”