“Mum?” she whispered and felt a surge of love sweep over her.
The clocks chimed three, and Maggie tensed. Maggie sensed the cold drifting down the hallway and knew Margery was moving. Evil floated through the air, and a cackle of laughter joined in. The sound sent shivers down Maggie’s spine.
Margery realised Maggie was here.
She backed away into a corner and hoped the shadows would hide her. She could hear footsteps pacing deliberately and slowly down the corridor and bit her lip to stop herself from screaming.
“Hello, little intruder,” Margery’s voice whispered.
Maggie’s eyes were firmly focused on the doorway where she knew Margery would appear.
“You smell… delicious, fear, worry, and what’s that? Love?” Margery asked as she filled the opening. She licked her lips as she stared at Maggie. “Delectable.”
“Go away,” Maggie croaked.
“Now, why would I do that? Lucian is being very selfish, not sharing with me the woman he’s spent so many years with,” Margery said as she dragged her nails down the wood.
“You mean the witch he trapped to save innocents,” Maggie retorted, and Margery’s face changed instantly. There she was, the wicked witch who’d murdered and destroyed countless lives for centuries.
“Child, you are nothing to me. Please don’t seek to speak above your station. You’re nowt but an annoying insect. However, you’re a gnat Lucian cares for greatly.”
“Yeah, I won’t let you use me against him. Think again!” Maggie replied angrily.
Margery sighed, and then her brows descended, and she stepped forward.
“I warned you once; that’s more than I give anyone else,” Margery snarled.
“You mean nothing to me,” Maggie responded, swallowing hard.
Margery flew towards Maggie and bounced off an invisible barrier.
“Lucian!” Margery howled. “I’ll tear her apart. Suck her heart out and feast on her eyes if you don’t release me.” A prickle of power shot through the inn at Margery’s words. Margery lifted her head and smiled.
“Just as I guessed, you won’t allow me to harm her,” Margery sneered. She raised her hands and struck the boundary with magic. Sickening green bolts of lightning slammed into the barrier before fading away.
A howl grew from the depths of the inn, and Margery looked surprised. That was not Lucian. Maggie smiled as she realised Katherine was in full protective mother mode.
“Bye bitch!” Maggie said with a wave. Margery lifted her hands again, but before releasing her magic, she was thrown over the balcony. A louder howl raced through the inn, and Margery leapt to the side to seek her attacker. Shrieking in anger, Margery let loose bolts of power as Katherine picked her up and body slammed her to the floor before grabbing her ankle. She spun Margery in a circle, launched her through the air, and flung her into the portrait.
“Dear God! Never upset a mama!” Lucian’s voice echoed as he formed in front of the doorway. Maggie giggled uncontrollably as Lucian was shunted to one side. A force raced at Maggie and swept her into a warm, loving embrace. As Lucian approached, a snarl left Katherine, and Lucian stopped.
“Friendly?” Lucian offered to placate Katherine.
“Mum, stop; it’s Lucian,” Maggie stated, suddenly realising her mother viewed Lucian as a threat. Katherine snarled, and the Jekyll and Hyde shook.
“Mum, enough!” Maggie said firmly and tried to reach for Lucian. Katherine was having none of it. “If you don’t behave, I won’t return. I love him!”
Lucian rocked on his heels as Maggie made her announcement. Katherine sent a blast of warning straight through him and then released her daughter.
“I love you too!” Lucian gasped as he swept Maggie up in his arms.
His mouth descended on hers, and they kissed. Katherine created little stars and glitter to rain down on them. An expression of all her tension being released in a shower of love and protection.
???
“My mum’s a badass,” Maggie said an hour later in Lucian’s bedroom.
“Katherine certainly wasn’t messing around.” Lucian began laughing uncontrollably.