Casually Cursed by Kimberly Frost

near the Great Lakes and then to Ireland. It’s a better way.”
    “It isn’t,” Crux said. “She’s mostly witch,” he added, nodding at me. “She’s never been underhill. Witch magic is much thicker in Ireland, and forests are scarce. Harder for me to pass unnoticed.”
    “Difficult for you, maybe, but the fact that Tammy Jo’s never been underhill makes no difference to getting her in. She’s my exact flesh and blood. She can pass into the Never wherever there’s a gate. Now, if you agree to go by way of Ireland, I’ll help you avoid witches’ traps.”
    “What’s in Scotland that you don’t want us near?” Crux asked.
    For a second, a guilty look passed over Kismet’s face before her expression went blank. “The trails in Scotland have become dangerous.”
    “Who’s more dangerous than we two?” Crux demanded fiercely.
    “Which of us walks the roads of men and wizards dozens of times in a human year? I’m telling you that I don’t go by way of Scotland. Ireland’s best,” Kismet said impatiently.
    “There are barely any woods left in Ireland. It’s all cities and farms, I’m told.”
    “I know the way to go, and I’ll show you.”
    That settled things for me. Kismet hadn’t denied that Momma and Caedrin could be in trouble for helping her. She’d never tried to convince me Momma was fine, and Kismet and Crux knew better than Aunt Mel what the faery queen was capable of. Now Kismet was talking about re-entering the Never along with me. There was no doubt anymore. I was going underhill.
    Crackling music filled the rooms, and we all looked into the living room. Edie had brought out the old record player and albums. We hadn’t played them in years.
    She started to dance the Charleston, kicking up her heels. She managed to look cool, despite the fast steps.
    “Tammy Jo knows this one.” To me, Edie said, “Do you remember?”
    I put my hands out and moved them in time, kicking my heels up a few inches from the floor, but keeping my butt firmly on the seat of my chair. Bryn watched me with a smile.
    “We used to dance five or ten times a day when I was little,” I said. “I had a record player in my room. They’d bought it at a flea market.”
    Crux and Kismet had not looked at anyone but Edie since she’d started dancing.
    “I don’t know that one. I must learn it,” Kismet said.
    “Let’s settle this first. Then Edie and Tamara can give us all a lesson,” Bryn said, surprising me.
    “I’m going into the Never,” I said firmly. “I have to check on Momma and help her if she’s in trouble.”
    “The route is settled as well,” Kismet said. “I won’t go through Scotland. Besides, I left my horse in Michigan. I have to go by way of the Great Lakes trail.” She rose without a look at them. Crux pushed his chair back.
    “Crux, may I have a word?” Bryn asked. “Tamara, go show your sister how to do that dance.”
    “I’m still healing. Edie will teach her.”
    “Go talk to Melanie then. She’s worried. Feed her cake. There’s very little in life that doesn’t get better with a mouthful of something you’ve baked.”
    I flashed him a smile at the compliment, silently wondering what he wanted to talk to Crux about alone. I went over to Aunt Mel.
    A moment later I heard Bryn say, “Let me show you this.” His chair scraped and then there was the soft ping of something small and hard hitting the floor. I turned as I felt the magic rise like a hot wave.
    Crux jerked to his feet, sending the chair flying back, but even Crux wasn’t fast enough. The wall of magic closed around the table.
    “Wizard!” Crux roared.
    I saw for the first time the five stones that Bryn had obviously put in position on the floor when he’d delivered and removed plates from the table. Except for the last one, they hadn’t made a sound when they’d dropped. Apparently they’d floated down on woven magic meant to conceal them.
    He’s so clever and talented
, I thought.
And a little