The Doctor Witch (The Ward Witches) (3 page)

“
I will.” He headed for the stairway that would lead him up to his bedroom.

“
Hey Pants!” He grinned at the nickname she had used for him since childhood. “Drugstore’s the other way!”

He laughed, but she did have a point. Maybe this attraction to Ms. Kincaid was from his recent lack of women. He always said he didn’t have time for a woman, but he knew it was more than he never made time for a woman. So why shouldn’t he just get her out of his system? Even if their magic is some kind of a match, that doesn’t mean that they are, and he would just deal with breaking it off with her later.

“
You know, you’re right!” He headed out.

19

CHAPTER TWO

Skylar sat with her brother in his hospital room, staring at Seb. Her brother still hadn’t woken yet, but the doctors said that he would be fine. They even said it may be a blessing for him to sleep a bit longer since even the morphine wouldn’t be able to remove the pain, just dull it.

Seb was pacing again. He had tried calling Leo three times now. Each time he left an angry voice mail.  He also called a woman named Dymphna, and ranted at her for a while. She likely gave as good as she got, considering that Seb was still fuming when he got off the phone with her.

“
Seb? Or is it Sebastian?”

“
I thought I already told you that wasn’t my name.”

21

THE DOCTOR WITCH

“
Just because you don’t use it doesn’t mean it’s not your name.”

“
It’s not my name by any definition of the word.”

“
Then what is? Surely after all the secrets you’ve thrown at me today, and considering that I’ll be studying at your headquarters for the next six months, don’t you think I at least get to know your name?”

“
You’re trying to distract me from my anger, aren’t you?”

“
Yes. I can tell you’re not a man who gets mad often. You’re very bad at it.” She said matter-of-factly.

“
Why do you say that?”

“
Your name first.”

“
Alright,” he grinned. He had a nice smile, but Skylar couldn’t help comparing it to his brother’s stunning smile with his dimples. No, she shouldn’t think of the conniving jerk who made her choose between her brother’s health and joining the Coven.

“
Eusebius.”

“
I didn’t expect that one.”

“
It’s a long sordid story, but what it boils down to is that our mother named all four of us after Catholic saints.”

“
How did she choose which ones?”

“
Look them up some time. You’ll figure it out; you’re a smart woman.”

“
Then what are the other names?”

“
It’s me and my twin Justin. Then there’s Leo, short for Pantaleon,” Skylar tried to stifle a snort at his full name, “and his twin Dymphna.”

“
She was creative.”

“
She was something, that’s for sure. After all, Justin’s the only one who got a name that’s still in use today. Now, Ms. Kincaid...”

She interrupted him. “Remember, we’re stuck with each other for the next six months. Even though I expect we won’t see each other much since you’ll be busy leading the coven, and I’ll be busy trying to learn how to use my magic as well as do my day job, I still want you to call me Skylar.”

“
Umm, Skylar... you’re going to hate this. While you’re in training, that is your job. It’s nine to five, Monday through Friday.”

“
What?”

“
You’re going to have to call your boss and inform him that you’ll need a leave of absence for the next six months.”

“
I don’t understand.”

“
Training takes a lot of time and dedication each day. For the sake of all of us, you have to be trained. I’m not budging on this point. I can’t change the rules for anyone.”

“
How will I pay my bills? Selby clearly isn’t going to be able to work for a while, and if I’m not working either, we’ll lose our apartment, our cars, our everything! We barely make enough now to pay all those bills.”

He scratched his head. “You’re going to hate this next part even more.”

“
Well, I’m committed to this course of action. The surgery has been done, and I’ve got to pay for it by joining the Coven for six months. What’s the next whammy you’re going to lay on me?”

“
You’ll be moving into the Coven House. All trainees live there or close by. The Coven will pay your bills so that in six months you can go back to your normal life. Selby will be moved to a facility that can take care of him, and again, all bills paid.”

“
Oh god. Again, I’ve got to do it, so I can’t complain too hard, right?”

“
You’re free to complain, but there’s nothing I can do.”

“
So what’s next?”

“
What’s next is that since Selby won’t be conscious and coherent for a while, you’re going to write him a note. Say something about a great opportunity, that you’ll be staying with friends, whatever. But don’t mention witches, the Coven, or anything like that. You never know who else might be reading it. You can explain it all to him later, in person. You’re basically sworn to secrecy.”

“
I understand.”

“
Do you have a car?”

“
Yes.”

“
Then go get anything from your apartment that you’ll need. You’ll have some days off, so if you forget anything, it’s not a big deal.  Meet me at the Coven House as soon as possible.”

“
Alright.”

“
I know you hate this, but I’ll try to make it as easy for you as possible.”

“
Thank you.”

Skylar did as instructed. She wrote a vague note to Selby, crossing her fingers that he wouldn’t be too mad. In a way, this was all for him. Not that she could tell him that in her note.

Once back at their little apartment, she called her boss to tell him that she needed a leave of absence. He informed her quite bluntly that if she didn’t show up to work, she was fired. Wasn’t the first time she’d been fired.  So she quit. Again, no choice. How she hated it.

She cursed heartily as she gathered up some clothes and toiletries from her room.  She also brought her e-book reader, her laptop, and a family photo album. Almost to the door, Skylar’s thoughts that had been so rattled came back to the handsome doctor. She might be able to tempt him enough to pay him back for messing up her life. So she rushed back into the bedroom and shoved some of her sexy underwear and a teddy into her suitcase. The only condoms in the house looked old and were covered in dust. Just as well, because she didn’t intend to actually let him touch her.

She continued cursing the handsome men who were ruining her life as she drove. Everything was spinning out of control, and it was all happening too fast. Just yesterday, her biggest worry was some vague notion of Aunt Linda’s ghost coming for her.  And she didn’t even believe in ghosts.

She was following the GPS instructions as the little machine called them out to her, but soon she was convinced that the annoying voice was wrong. This area outside of Boston was gorgeous and wicked expensive. There were tree lined streets everywhere, and giant mansions. Surely a secretive group of witches wouldn’t live out here.

A few more twists and turns later, the machine binged and announced that she was at her destination. As she parked in the driveway, which could be called a parking lot and already included a large number of cars, she saw the largest private residence she had ever laid eyes upon.

The architect must have been on some kind of drugs when he built the place, because it was a sprawling mansion that had no kind of continuity. Even from the outside, she could tell that it had been expanded numerous times without regard to making a unified style. In fact, each wing of the place, and there were more wings than anyplace needed, looked different.

If this was where she would be staying for the next six months, she’d likely need a map, it was so big.

She walked up the stairs to the front door and knocked timidly. Moments later, it swung open to reveal a woman with frizzy red hair.

“
Hi I’m Suzie and welcome to the Coven House you must be part of the New York sect and I’ll show you to the meeting room immediately don’t you just love this place Boston is so fabulous isn’t it” She continued so fast and Skylar was convinced there wasn’t a single bit of punctuation in her entire monologue.

“
I’m not from New York,” Skylar tried to tell her, but Suzie was going so fast that she clearly didn’t hear the other woman. Luckily, she saw Seb walking down the stairs. He was dressed in pressed slacks and a button down shirt, which was certainly better than the singed clothes she had seen him in earlier. He looked so serious though. Skylar waved to get his attention.

“
Suzie,” he started, but the woman didn’t even hear him. “Suzie.” This time he was louder, and his voice carried the sound of a command. She actually stopped talking. “Thank you. Ms. Kincaid is not from New York. She is going to be a member of the Coven and training here for the next six months.”

Suzie’s eyes got wide, and she looked over Skylar with a new interest. “Oh.”

“
Please find her a room to stay in while she is here.”

“
But sir, there are no rooms.”

“
What do you mean?” His voice was sharp.

“
The visitors from the New York sect are taking up all the spare rooms.”

He ran his fingers through his hair. This Seb was so much different than the one she had seen in the hospital. This must be the Duke, and not Seb at all. Then he gave them a wry smile. He walked over to one of the beautiful vases that decorated the marble entryway and fingered one of the flowers.

“
Leo got us into this problem, and I know how to pay him back.”

“
Excuse me?” Suzie asked.

“
As I told Ms. Kincaid, all trainees must live at the Coven House or close by. Ward Manor is awfully close, is it not?”

“
Yes sir, but...”

“
No buts. Ms. Kincaid, I apologize, but would you be willing to stay at Ward Manor with Leo and Dymphna until we can get you a room here?”

“
That’s not a problem.”

“
Suzie, go and attend to the New York sect.”

“
Yes sir.”

When she left, Seb smiled. “Leo’s going to be furious,” he said gleefully. “It’ll serve him right for manipulating you.”

Skylar couldn’t help it, she smiled too.

“
I’d call him, but he wouldn’t answer. I’m not about to throw you to the wolves though. Let me get my car, and you can follow me over there.”

“
Alright.”

So Skylar and her suitcase were back in her car again. She followed Seb’s Mercedes down a few more streets and when he pulled into a driveway, she pulled in as well, taking care not to block him in.

This house couldn’t be more different than the Coven House. For one thing, it had no extra wings that looked like an afterthought. It was still a mansion, but in the Tudor style and very stately in addition to much smaller. Seb walked over to her car and grabbed her suitcase for her.

“
I really do apologize for this.”

“
If it’ll put the bastard who is ruining my life to a little discomfort, I’m all for it.”

“
I like you.”

“
Thanks.”

When they got to the door, Seb vigorously used the brass knocker.

A tall and thin blonde opened the door. She looked amazingly like Leo, but while his features were handsome, hers were delicate. She was not smiling though.

“
Hello Seb.”

“
Dymphna. Why are you and your blasted brother not answering my calls?”

“
The last time I answered your call you yelled at me. Then Leo told me not to answer again. Now you’re here. I’m not letting you in.”

“
You have a visitor.”

That’s when Dymphna noticed Skylar standing behind him. She cursed.

“
There had better be a damned good reason she’s here. Because now you’re both leaving.”

She slammed the door in their faces.

Seb smiled apologetically at Skylar. “I’m not her favorite brother.”

“
I see that.”

“
She’s going to particularly dislike you.”

“
What? Why?”

“
You’ll see.”

“
Are you always this cryptic?”

“
I do try.”

He pounded on the door again, this time with his fist. “Dymphna, you’d better open up!”

They heard her stomping back toward the door.

“
The hell’s the matter with you, your dukeliness?”

“
Let us in, Dymphna.  I’d rather not do this on the doorstep.”

“
Fine. But Leo’s going to be hot under the collar.”

“
That is part of the plan.”

Once they were in the foyer, Dymphna noticed the suitcase. “Tell me that’s not what I think it is.”

“
It is,” Seb said gleefully.

“
Damn, Seb. Leave it here, we’ll take care of it later.”

Skylar looked around. It was a grand entryway, with hardwood floors, elegant crown molding, and a large center staircase. But the only decoration in the place was a threadbare rug. Well, that and the dust on every conceivable surface.

She yelled for Leo, and they followed her into the kitchen. Again, the hallways and the kitchen were magnificent. Rosewood cabinetry, tile floor, dark granite counter tops, and the dust. Everywhere.

Sitting at a card table on a brown folding chair, Leo was nursing a coffee in a chipped mug. When he saw them, he slammed the cup down, giving it another chip.