Murder in the Mix Boxed Set 28-30: Cozy Mystery Addison Moore (the reading strategies book .txt) 📖

an incredulous huff at the thought. “You deserve to know nothing.” Her body relaxes as she sighs. “Is there really a conference?”

“I’m sure there is somewhere. Look, I’ve just learned about the beguilers a few months back. When that Hearst curse—”

“Fell upon you.” She nods. “I know. I can’t help you with that.”

“I’m not asking you to. Serena, whether I like it or not, Suze Fox is like family to me. Is she a beguiler? Is Elodie Frost?”

She takes a moment to glance around the room. “I’m not at liberty to divulge the identity of any of my brothers or sisters, but I will say this. Does Suze appear to have the ability to influence things to go her way?”

“I’m not dumping Noah, so I guess she’s not a beguiler.”

Her brows hike. “Are you married to Noah or Everett?”

I take a quick breath because I’m not married to Noah.

“You mean she is?” My hand clasps over my belly because if my sweet sugar cookie belongs to Noah then my baby shares Suze’s strange DNA.

Serena shrugs. “That’s for the two of you to hash out. As for Elodie”—she rolls her eyes—“let’s just say she was successful in coercing a rather large sum of money from Gloria.” She shudders. “Not all beguilers use their abilities for greed, but I’m afraid it’s been a rampant trend. I’m head of the local chapter. And if there is a conference coming up, I should be made aware of it.” She studies me a moment. “I take it you’re not telesensual. Since you’re forever picking my brain, I assume you can’t read it.” She squints my way as she leans in. “You’re not sibylline either or I’d think you’d have better timing.”

I shake my head. “Nope. I can’t read minds or catch a glimpse into the future.”

Her mouth rounds out. “Supersensual?”

I nod and her eyes widen at the thought.

“But say a word and I’ll deny it,” I tell her. “You should come by the bakery some time. We’ll talk. But don’t bring Cormack or Cressida. I’m not exactly up for breaking bread—or croissants with them.”

She belts out a friendly laugh. “Done deal. But they’re still my people.” She shrugs. “I’ve gotten used to having them around. Enjoy your holidays.” She starts to take off and I pull her back.

“Remember that little hex Cormack and Cressida paid you to put on yours truly? The one that kept putzing up everything between Noah, Everett, and me?” My heart sinks at the thought of what’s happening between Everett and me might be the result of some ridiculous curse—be it the one Serena cast or the one I acquired from that whole Hearst mess. “Would you mind doing a solid for your transmundane sister and untangling me from that?”

She huffs as she glances to the ceiling. “That’s not how it works, Lottie.” She stalks off into the crowd and I sigh.

I didn’t think so.

But I put all thoughts of curses out of my mind as I quickly scan the crowd and then I see him—Everett, watching me from over by the decorated trees in the back. His blue eyes pierce through this dim light and shine a brilliant shade of cobalt. His jaw is tight and his expression is sober as he needles me with his gaze.

My feet carry me in that direction, my eyes never leaving his.

Every emotion I’ve ever felt for that man bubbles to the surface.

Everett is magnificent on an ordinary day, but tonight he is lethally handsome. Every woman in the vicinity, on the dance floor, is craning her neck in his direction. An intoxicating masculinity exudes from him and creates a yearning in me to have him.

Every inch of the distance between us feels electric. I can feel the crackle, the sizzle of his gaze as he penetrates it deep into mine, and just like that, I’m upon him.

“Lemon.” His lips curl slightly on one side. Never a smile with this man. My God, he is far too stubborn to give those away freely. With Everett you need to earn it. It’s part of his charm. He makes silent demands with his body, and every woman under the sun is eager to meet them—me included.

A redhead steps up between us, not so much as acknowledging my presence as she pulls him into an embrace. Her sugary perfume lights up my senses, and I know exactly who she is.

“You were amazing today.” She laughs as she says it to him. “I can’t wait to get into bed with you again.”

“What?” I squawk so loud my ears burn from the shrill of my voice. But not a soul turns this way, they’re still hopped up on the music. I pluck the woman off of him with a marked aggression. “How dare you!” I riot into her startled face.

She’s pretty, a classic beauty with clear green eyes, glossy red hair, a porcelain complexion, long thin nose, and matching lips. She’s dressed in a brocade green shift and has on far too much chunky jewelry for my taste. But then, I guess a homewrecker doesn’t have any taste at all.

“Lemon, this is Daisy Sweeten, a friend of my sister’s.”

“Oh, you’re no Daisy.” I step in a touch too close to the woman. “You’re a snake in the grass through and through.”

“Lemon?” Everett’s voice is curt.

“And you don’t Lemon me! Running around with this hussy, doing God knows what, while I cry my eyes out at night!” Tears mingle with my rage, and I do my best to blink them away.

“What?” Everett inches back as if I struck him. “Is that what you think? Is that what this whole thing has been about?”

The woman shakes her head. “Look, I don’t know what’s happening here, but I think I should go. Everett, I left your plans on the table.” She starts to take off, and I jump in her direction.

“Don’t you mean Essex?” I shout as Everett hooks me in with his arm. But she continues to stalk off as if