"My lovely coven," she began. "I come this evening bearing joyous news. My niece, Ember Rose, has been united with her familiar."
The coven broke into a round of applause. I was surprised that my aunt chose to acknowledge the existence of Raoul, since she seemed so aghast that he wasn’t a cat.
“She is making tremendous strides in her training," my aunt continued, and I caught the amused look on Hazel's face. I stuck out my tongue and Hazel promptly tried to suppress her fit of giggles.
"Now that she’s made the acquaintance of her familiar, we can begin her training in the Familiar Arts." She stretched out her arm toward a man at the middle table. "As the Master-in-Familiar Arts, Ian will oversee her lessons in this area. We expect a favorable progress report at the next coven meeting."
I jerked my head toward my aunt. Wait. Another training session? My schedule was already busting at the seams. When was I going to fit in Ian and what on earth did a Master-in-Familiar Arts do?
"It will be my pleasure," Ian piped up. He sounded congested and I winced at the thought of his post-nasal drip in my cottage.
"Thank you, Hyacinth," Iris said. "Are we to hear from anyone else this evening?"
Lee, the Master-of-Ritual Toolcraft, scraped back his chair and stood. "Has there been an update on the murder investigation involving the young elf? I was going to take my kids to see the sand sculptures, but I thought it best to wait until we knew more about his death."
Heads turned to each other. I felt Linnea's foot press the top of mine under the table and I shot her a sharp look. Did she want me to speak on behalf of the sheriff?
"Speak for Vox Populi," Linnea whispered, as though reading my thoughts.
I stood awkwardly. “There’s a full investigation happening as we speak.” In my effort to be heard, I ended up sounding like I was screeching my response. Beside me, Aster winced. Florian wore his usual amused expression.
"Are there any leads?" he asked.
"I can't comment on a pending investigation," I said. "I can tell you in my pursuit of the story for Vox Populi, that the sheriff has the situation well in hand."
"Is that because he has you well in hand?" someone interjected.
There was a smattering of laughter.
"No one has me well in hand," I snapped.
"Is it true that you and the sheriff are dating?" another voice asked. “I heard you were spotted on a broomstick together.”
My hands flew to my hips. “Keep your pointy hats on. It was for purposes of the investigation, not a declaration of undying love.”
My aunt raised a finger to her lips and silenced the room. "My niece’s romantic entanglements are her business. She is covering the murder for the family paper, and that puts her in the path of the sheriff quite often. That does not mean they’re in a relationship. It only means they have reasons to interact with each other on a regular basis.” She placed an earnest hand on her chest. “Let’s be honest. Everyone here knows I prefer my niece to find a partner within the coven.”
Oh no, she didn't. I should have known she would pull a stunt like this. She was making a power play right here in front of the whole coven. Then again, I fired the warning shot when I told her I’d date whomever I pleased and that I didn’t need her approval. This was clearly her way of putting me in my place.
I fumed for the remainder of the meeting. Waves of anger crested and flattened inside me. How dare she? I wasn’t one of her children. I’d been on my own for my entire adult life, and I had no intention of living under anyone's thumb, no matter how powerful that thumb was.
"You look ready to spit fire," Aster said at the end of the meeting. Aunt Hyacinth had vacated her seat to network with Iris. My aunt was no fool. She knew I’d want to confront her.
"Your mother seems to think she can bend me to her will," I said. "I'm telling you right now that it's not happening."
"Oh, please tell her off now," Florian begged. "I really want to see this unfold."
“I don’t need to tell her off,” I said. Actions spoke louder than words. I’d simply continue to date outside the coven. That would set her straight. Eventually.
“Ember, I look forward to our training sessions.” Ian stood in front of me with a bright red nose. Great, now he’d forever be called Rudolph in my twisted mind.
“I’ll have to see when I can squeeze you into the schedule,” I said. “I’m pretty booked right now.”
Ian wagged his finger at me. “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today, Ember. You owe it to your familiar to learn this part of the craft.”
“I can already talk to him more than I care to,” I said. “What else will you teach me?”
Ian’s eyes brightened. “We’ll go through elementals, totems, shapeshifting…”
“What’s a totem?” I asked. “Like those carved faces outside caves in Indiana Jones movies?”
Ian blinked. “I don’t know what an Indiana Jones movie is, but totems can be guardian spirits. Sometimes objects are imbued with these spirits, which may be what you’re referencing with these carved faces.”
“There are spirits in the wooden statues?” I asked, slightly confused.
“Perhaps. You can call upon spirits to manifest in these objects,” Ian said. “That’s one of the lessons.”
I didn’t love the idea of calling upon spirits to manifest in any way, shape, or form. “How do you do it?” I asked. I didn’t want to accidentally summon one into the cottage. What if it manifested in my crockpot by mistake? My cooking already tended toward disaster.
“Let’s save it for the lesson, shall we?” Ian suggested. He pulled a plaid handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed at his nostrils one at a time. Ugh.
“Go on, Ian,” Florian urged. “Give her a preview. She’s clearly not interested. It’s your job to make it worth her while.” He pointed to the figurine of the Goddess of the Moon on the main table. “Use that as a totem.”
Ian stuffed his handkerchief back into his pocket and retrieved his wand. “You take aim, of course.”
Florian blew out a breath. “Great gods of thunder, man. She’s not a moron.”
Ian’s cheeks flamed. “I have no idea how far along she’s progressed. Hazel says…” He stopped talking.
“Yes, yes,” I said. “I’m the laziest witch on the planet and not fit to carry the Rose name.”
“Ah, so you’re in agreement,” Ian said, and Florian chuckled.
“Please continue, Ian,” I said.
Ian pointed his wand at the goddess figurine and said, “Anima.”
My eyebrows shot up when the figurine waved to us. “It’s alive?” I asked, aghast.
“Not in any real sense,” Ian said. “It’s a temporary spiritual occupation.” He gestured to the figurine. “Come forward, please.”
The pint-sized goddess jumped off the table’s edge and came rushing over to us, eager to serve.
“See? Fun, but pointless,” Florian said.
Ian tried to hide his humiliation.
“I think it’s pretty cool,” I said.
Ian glanced up hopefully. “Really?”
“Absolutely.” I kneeled down and offered the tiny goddess a fist bump. “Marley will think I’m the greatest mom ever if I can animate her toys with spirits. No more imaginary friends.”
Ian blew his nose. “I’m not sure that’s really the intent…”
Florian clapped the wizard on the back. “Now it’s time for your lesson, Ian. When a woman tells you something’s cool, just roll with it.”
Ian’s chin jerked up and down. “Duly noted. I’ll endeavor to make it worth your time, Ember. And be sure to include your familiar. What’s the name again?”
“Raoul,” I said. “He’s a raccoon.”
Ian seemed unperturbed. “Yes, yes. Splendid. I’ve never worked with a raccoon before. New opportunities abound for all of us.”
Well, at least one of us was excited.
“I can’t work you in this week, Ian,�
� I said truthfully. With the investigation into Grover’s death in full swing, I wasn’t willing to add another coven item to my burgeoning list. “But soon. I promise.”
Ian waved his wand at the figurine and she returned to her normal state. I plucked her from the floor and placed her back on the table.
“I guess you’re never lonely, Ian,” I joked.
“It’s impossible to be lonely when one is connected to the universe,” Ian said.
Holy smokes. He was as earnest as they came.
Ian tucked away his wand. “We all have lessons to teach in this world. Perhaps I’ll learn from you as well.”
I sighed. “I don’t know, Ian. The things I can teach you, you probably don’t want to learn.”
Chapter 17
I stood at the edge of the field, speechless. Marley elbowed me multiple times before I had the wherewithal to look at her.
“Unicorns,” she said in a hushed, reverent tone.
“I can see that.” In fact, I could see about a dozen of them, prancing and galloping around the open space like garden-variety horses.
“I only see silver horns and white horns,” Marley said. “For some reason, I thought there’d be gold ones.”
“You’re staring at a dozen of every little girl’s dream animal and you’re complaining about the color of their horns?” I asked, with a shake of my head. “Where did I go wrong?”
“Golden horns are only found on sacred unicorns,” a voice said. “They are a rare and special breed.”
I forced my attention away from the dream animals and focused on the fairy fluttering in front of me. Her cropped hair was lime green hair and her pale skin was powdered with glitter.
“These are your unicorns?” I asked.
“Sure are. I’m the Kelsey in Kelsey’s Stables,” the fairy said. “Have you come to ride?”
I stared at the unicorns in awe. We could ride them? “Um, not exactly.”
“But we will after we’ve asked our questions,” Marley blurted. “Right, Mom?”
“I don’t see how we could let the opportunity pass us by,” I said. Aside from the fact that Marley would never forgive me, I wanted to ride one.
Kelsey’s teeth gleamed in the sunlight. “What’s your question, honey?”
“I understand you filed a report with the sheriff’s office recently,” I said.
She scowled. “Sure did. I caught some teenagers trying to slice off one of my unicorn’s horns. Can you imagine? They were as high as flying broomsticks.”
“But they ran off before you could identify them?” I queried.
She nodded, clearly annoyed. “I tried to do a spell to freeze them, but I wasn’t fast enough.” Slowly, she rotated her wrist. “Arthritis.”
“Why would they want to hurt the unicorn?” Marley asked, distressed by the thought.
“I don’t know for sure that they intended to hurt him,” Kelsey said. “I assume it was about money. Unicorn horns are valuable, although not as valuable as sacred unicorn horns. Those have magical healing properties.”
Healing properties? The gears of mind began clicking away. “Like vampire blood?”
Kelsey’s laugh sounded like a tinkling bell. “Far more potent. That’s one of the main reasons the sacred unicorn is so prized.”
“The sheriff’s report said there were three of them,” I said. “Any identifying information?”
“No, but one of them was incredibly fast,” Kelsey said. “No wings either, which made the speed more impressive.”
“Maybe a vampire?” Marley asked. “They’re supposed to have super speed, right?”
Kelsey shook her head. “I wish I knew. It was dark and they took me by surprise. I’m not as young as I used to be.”
“How do you know they were high?” I asked.
“Their speech was slurred and they were in a panic before they even realized I was there,” Kelsey explained. “Everything seemed heightened.”
“But you haven’t had any incidents since then?” I asked.
“No,” Kelsey said. “But I’ve placed a ward around the field. It activates at night. I never felt the need to do that before, so it’s disappointing.” She gave a sad smile. “But that’s the world we live in now, I guess.”
I observed two unicorns sparring with their horns. “Are they fighting?”
Kelsey followed my gaze. “No, they’re playing. They’re truly wonderful creatures. I don’t know what I would’ve done if one of them had been harmed on my watch. They’re my responsibility.”
“And they don’t mind being ridden?” Marley asked.
“Not at all,” Kelsey said. “They’re tame.” She whistled and one of the unicorns trotted over. “This is Magnus. How would you feel about riding him?”
Marley’s blue eyes popped at the sight of the impressive unicorn. “Can we?”
“Would you like to ride together or separately?” Kelsey asked. “Either is fine.”
I looked at Marley, uncertain what her response would be.
“I’d like to ride him on my own, if that’s okay,” Marley said, with a hesitant glance in my direction.
Inwardly, I was ecstatic. If Marley wanted to do this on her own, I was all for it. “Sure,” I said nonchalantly. “Whatever you want.”
Kelsey used her fairy wand to lift Marley onto the unicorn’s broad back.
“No saddle?” I queried.
“No, unicorns are ridiculously comfortable,” Kelsey said. “Like sitting on a velvet cushion.”
Marley shifted her bottom from side to side. “It’s true, Mom.”
“Do you have any pegasi?” I asked. The idea of a flying horse was incredibly appealing.
“None in my stables,” Kelsey said. “Unicorns only. My cousin Rinaldo keeps pegasi if you’re interested.”
“Not today,” I said. “I’ll join Marley in the field.”
Kelsey whistled again and another unicorn galloped to her side. “This is Princess. She’s a real beauty.”
From her muscled legs to her sleek mane, Princess was exquisite. Kelsey waved her wand and I floated onto the unicorn’s back.
“Nice to meet you, Princess,” I said, and she whinnied gently in response.
Kelsey squinted. “Wow. She doesn’t normally talk back like that. She must really like you.”
I thought of my family’s horses—Bell, Book, and Candle—and Florian’s surprise when Candle seemed to understand everything I said.
“I seem to have an affinity for animals,” I said.
“Her familiar is a raccoon,” Marley said proudly.
Kelsey inclined her head. “A raccoon. How…interesting.” I could tell she was mildly appalled. “Enjoy the ride, girls!”
Marley and I rode around the field, enjoying every moment of this magical experience. At one point, colorful butterflies surrounded us, all clamoring to get close to our unicorns. It seemed we weren’t the only ones obsessed with these fantastic beasts. Marley was in her element and I felt a surge of pride as I watched her ride by herself.
“This is amazing,” she called to me.
It really was. The unicorns had to be the most majestic creatures I’d ever seen. I gazed at the silver horn on my unicorn’s head, longing to touch it, but I wasn’t sure what the etiquette was. Maybe it was like touching a pregnant woman’s belly without permission. A definite no-no.
“Um, Princess, would you mind if I touched your horn?” I felt ridiculous asking, but I didn’t know what else to do. Princess slowed to a canter and tilted back her head, seeming to understand my request. I reached up and ran my fingers down the shiny horn.
Marley drew Magnus alongside us. “Can we do this again sometime?”
Kelsey fluttered over to us. “Your daughter seems like a natural. If you’re interested, I offer lessons. Lots of young girls learn unicorn riding. I’ve trained quite a few that went on to compete in national events and received college scholarships.”
That sounded great—but also expensive. “Th
anks, we’ll have to think about it,” I said.
“It costs a lot, huh?” Marley said, not one to beat around the bush.
Kelsey smiled. “I’m sure we can work something out. My primary concern is that I have a rider worthy of the unicorn, and I think you’ve ticked that box.”
“I bet Aunt Hyacinth would pay for it,” Marley said.
“Marley!” I said quickly. I didn’t want her to grow up expecting Aunt Hyacinth to support us. It was one thing to give us a leg up after leaving New Jersey so unexpectedly. At some point, though, we had to be able to stand on our own two feet.
“Hyacinth Rose-Muldoon?” Kelsey queried. “She’s your aunt?”
“I’m her brother’s daughter,” I said.
Kelsey stared at me in wonder. “Of course. How did I miss it?”
“Well, it’s easy since I don’t look like a magical supermodel,” I replied.
Kelsey clasped her hands in front of her. “No, you look exactly as you should. You look like your mother.”
My heart lifted. “You knew my mother?”
Kelsey nodded happily. “Oh, honey. I did, indeed. She used to ride here, in fact.”
“How is that possible?” I asked. “You don’t look much older than me.”
“Fairy blood,” she replied. “It may not have healing properties like vampire blood, but it keeps us looking youthful.”
I shook my head in amazement. “You’re not kidding.”
Kelsey shifted her attention to Marley. “I’ll tell you what, Marley. Why don’t you take a few lessons and see how you enjoy it? If you love it, we’ll make arrangements that suit you. If not, you got to try something new. Does that sound like a good plan?”
Marley looked to me for approval.
“Are you sure, Kelsey?” I asked. “We don’t want to take advantage…”
“Your mother was an excellent rider,” Kelsey said. “If Marley has even a fraction of her talent, and I suspect she may, I’ll be lucky to have her here. It makes good business sense for the stables.”
If nothing else, it would get Marley out of the sedentary position. As much as I loved her reading obsession, I knew it was important for her to be active.
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