chapter 80

We stagger back into Wyrding House just before sun-up and strip out of our “disguises.”

“I need to take like four showers and burn this dress,” I say with a grimace, holding the garment up with two fingers. “I cannot believe how foul that room was.”

“Blacklight is perhaps not the best choice of illumination there,” Nathan agrees. “But you should consider getting some sleep before showering.”

“I just shot-gunned a Red Bull two hours ago,” I remind him. “I’m up.”

He glances toward the bathroom. “What about a soak?”

There’s a jacuzzi tub big enough for two in the bathroom, and just the suggestion of it is a siren call to my sore body. “You’ve convinced me.”

A little while later, Nathan and I are immersed up to our necks in the ridiculously deep tub. We lean against opposite sides, his legs on either side of me, my feet on his shoulders.

“Do you think the spell will still work, now that we know it’s there?” I ask, wriggling my wrinkly toes against his cheek playfully.

He pushes my foot as