A Late Summer Bloom Read Online Free PDF Page A

to her ear, she violently
shook her head, loosening the blondish-white bun at her nape. “No! I am adamant
about this, Percy! Cecily Jareau took off and left
her for ten years without so much as a word. Do you think, with everything
going on, she is up for a reunion with that woman? I’ve told you everything I
know. We’ve been over it hundreds of times. I—I don’t know who Giselle’s father
is. These witches today are encouraged to bed all the males they can. I think it’s
disgraceful. The ways of the coven should require the father and husband to be
one and the same. Percy, you are head of the royals, there must be something
you can do to get Cecily to reveal the truth. She wants us to believe Giselle
carries a curse and we shouldn’t trust her, but at the same time, she wants us
to hide her and keep her under our protection. It makes no sense.”
    Resentment poured from Angelique like a faucet on full blast. The house
quaked with emotion and the atmosphere crackled with energy. The appliances
flickered on and off. A vase floated in the distance, the television screen
sputtered images of dark and light. A car engine could be heard outside humming,
while every ceiling fan in the house spun out of control. Out of the corner of
her eye, Angelique saw Giselle slowly descend the steps. She watched her
reaction, witnessing Angelique’s tirade. In Giselle’s eyes, it must be an
anomaly.
    Hanging up the phone, Angelique took a slow controlled breath, bringing
everything to a screeching halt.
    Giselle stood at the bottom of the stairs, staring at her.
    Angelique approached her. “I’m sorry my dear. I know it’s a rarity, but
I lost my temper.”
    She pinched the bridge of her nose, sucking air between clenched teeth
as if quelling a sharp pain between her eyes. After a moment, a slight
vibration was the only evidence of the chaos happening seconds before.
    Angelique struggled for control by breathing slowly and keeping her
voice calm. Never one to tiptoe around any subject, she told Giselle what made
her so angry. “Sweetie, your mother has returned to Cottonwood Landing.”
    Giselle stared at her.
    Angelique nodded her head in disgust. “Mm hmm. And here’s the best part. She wants you to
go there . ”
    Giselle bit her top lip, “Well—I refuse. Can’t I refuse?”
    Angelique shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “I’m afraid
you might not have a choice. If I know Percy the way I do, he’ll send a
traveler here to escort you to Cottonwood Landing.”
    “This is my home, Aunt Angelique. I live here. With
you. Please don’t send me back. Especially to her. I’m not ready.”
    A no nonsense woman, Angelique decided to give it to her straight. “I’m
afraid we’ve reached the end of the line. We are in a do or die situation. I’ve
been ginger with you for years, I’ve never pushed or
prodded you. But, as much as I protest, it is the right thing to do. We are
losing members of the coven to the warlocks at a maddening pace, and it must
end. The travelers are outnumbered. They cannot be everywhere. You are the only
one who holds the power to stop Natas . I believe you
can do it. You must go and do what you were born to do.”
    She watched Giselle slowly blink her eyes, the information sinking in.
    “Fighting Natas is the sole purpose of my
existence? The only reason I am here? Is it not to love or be loved? To give life with my body? I want to be a special light in
the lives of the hopeless.”
    Angelique offered a sympathetic smile. “Giselle, the tenth power is light. You, Mon Cheri , can be
the light of the world.”
    Giselle leaned her weight on the baluster. “How much time do I have?”
    “I’d guess a week, but no more. They won’t risk it. Soon, you will have
warlocks hot on your trail. They’ll need to take you alive Giselle, don’t be
afraid to fight them.”
    She sputtered a sorry giggle. “Fight them? I can’t even get a spell
right. No—I was hoping I’d meet—” Giselle