Chapter 19

Fear and dread are small words to describe my emotions. A lump of painful anxiety was stuck in my throat. Eventually, my tightened chest muscles would give out, bearing one astonishing news after the other.

My stomach turned. I am not sure which of the following disturbed me the most:

I shared a few nights of passion with an imposter, possibly a demon.

Or, the man who had protected me and I had begun to grow fond of was a malignant spirit.

“Cass, are you okay?” Becky touched my arm.

“Yes, of course,” I lied through my teeth. “What were you saying about your great aunt, Elaine?”

“Madame Meredith Long is one of the oldest white witches alive. She is the only one I know capable of detecting an imposter correctly. If Desmond is an incubus with some special ability, then she is the only one who can confirm,” Elaine answered.

“Is she still practicing at eighty? She must not be able to travel a lot, so when can we leave to meet her? Or perhaps we can call her?”

Elaine pursed her lips. “She l