“No.” I hold out my hand. “I would never do anything like that.”
“You know how little magical aptitude we possess. So why call us in to be part of the team now?” Vit asks vehemently. I flinch. His anger is a living flame, ready to burn anything in its path. We deserved his distrust. It’s disgraceful how we allowed them to remain on the outskirts.
“That’s no reason for you not to be included in everything this family does. Things are going to be different now. I promised you that. I plan on keeping my word.”
The siblings exchanged a look. “You never answered me. Why now?” Vit regains control of the conversation.
“You’re overdue for this. Whether we want to admit it or not, we all need each other now more than ever.”
He presses his thin lips together tightly. “You mean we need you, right? Poor little, orphaned siblings have lost their mother. Let’s throw them a bone—”
“No.” I slam my hand down on the table. “We’re not going to fall back into this cycle. No shade or judgment. There are no hidden meanings in my words. This is me extending an olive branch and asking you to help me set a new normal. You never lacked bravery. Don’t fail me now.”
He cocks his head to the side and peers at me through narrowed eyes. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“I am.”
“We’ll give this a shot, Lou. For you. Don’t make us regret it,” he cautions.
“I appreciate that, Vit. There’s been wrong on all sides. I was out of the loop being gone. I’m caught up now and ready to make changes. I’m new. There’s going to be an adjustment period for all of us. Communication is paramount.”
Vit smirks. “Tell me, fearless leader, how shall we proceed?” I let his smug look slide because his tone is tempered with the one thing we all need?hope.
Chapter Three
“You are leaving the office early today, and not coming back until tomorrow after ten o’clock,” Sacha announces from in front of my desk.
I struggle to focus my strained eyes on the sandy-blonde haired nonconformist. “What?” I stare at the pile of paperwork on my desk. “You see that, right?”
“We took a vote. It’s two to one, you lose,” Fel adds in a singsong voice.
I spin in my office chair to face Fel. “What is this? My office mates plotting against me?”
Sacha spins my chair back around to face her. “Yes, because you’re stubborn, obviously exhausted, and in serious need of some fresh air. And maybe,” she gasps, “a little fun.”
I cross my arms over my chest, resisting her charm. Half a day off puts me even further behind. “I don’t blame you for being sick of me. I’ve been frazzled recently. There’s a lot on my plate at the moment, and it’s got me feeling snowed.”
“All the more reason to take better care of yourself,” Fel says.
“Let’s go. We’ll hit up New Orleans. How about Café Du Monde, my treat, and your choice of restaurant for dinner,” Sacha urges.
The thought of the puff pastries coated in a layer of powdered sugar makes my mouth water. I can smell the river water, and taste Acme Oyster Company and pralines. Stress eating is an indulgence I can get down with if we’re heading into the city.
“Not even you can resist the lure of chicory coffee and beignets.” Sacha points at me.
My stomach growls loud enough for everyone in the office to hear. Betrayed by my own body.
“Fine,” I concede. The girls cheer, and I laugh. “What would I do without you two?”
“Starve, and possibly harm someone while hangry,” Fel replies sweetly without missing a beat.
“Have I been that big of a witch without a W?” I ask. They exchange a look that makes me cringe. “I’m sorry, you guys.”
“Hey, it happens to all of us. Just let me handle all this.” Fel scoots her chair over, grabs the paperwork in front of me, and wheels back “You two enjoy a day out of the office.”
I throw my hands up. “I surrender.”
“Quickly, Sacha, take her before she changes her mind.” Fel shoos us away with her hand.