Grimoires, Spas & Chocolate Straws

by Erin Johnson

  Hank paled. "It's for the investigation."

  Maple's brows pulled together. "You're… investigating chapels?"

  Hank ran a hand roughly through his thick hair. "No, I— All right, I hope this doesn't sound rude." He bit his bottom lip. "But I have my doubts about Genji rejecting Sara."

  "Yes!" Iggy threw up his hands. "Can I get an amen? I mean, that guy? Rejecting her? Not gonna happen."

  Hank cast my flame a grin, then started again. "Basically what Iggy said. She acted strangely when we asked her about it last night, even though she confirmed Genji's story. But if Genji was lying, and Sara called it off, that would give him, the spurned lover, a huge motive for wanting to take out Sara's beaux: jealousy."

  I nodded. "I see what you mean. Genji admitted to seeing Sara and Nazo Suzuki together—he seemed down about it. And frankly, a little obsessed with her."

  Hank nodded. "So I thought, if we could maybe find someone involved in the wedding back then who might have had some inside information, we could confirm my hunch."

  I tilted my head back. "Ah. The wedding venue."

  "Exactly." Hank held up the flyer for the run-down chapel. "This is the only one they could've booked the wedding at, as it's the only one that existed in town before the monster attack."

  Maple frowned. "But why would Sara lie, or even evade, telling the truth about who broke up the wedding? What motive could she have?"

  I shrugged. "Maybe she's trying to protect him?" I frowned. "Or she's scared of him."

  Rhonda twirled a black braid around her finger. "So you think the wedding venue might have records of who called off the wedding?"

  Hank shrugged. "It's worth a shot."

  The seer raised her hand. "Ooh! I get to play the wedding planner!"

  "Huh?"

  She turned to me. "You're going to have to pretend you're getting married and want to look at the venue, right?"

  I glanced at Hank, then nodded. "Sure."

  "And I'll pretend to be your planner, and distract whoever's there with a thousand nitpicky questions so you guys can dig through the records."

  I lifted a brow. "That's a pretty good plan."

  Rhonda sniffed. "I know."

  39

  The Chapel on the Hill

  The golden afternoon sun hung low over the sparkling sea as we made our way up the winding path to the old chapel. Stairs had been formed in the steep side of the hill with thick planks of aged wood. Tall grasses waved all around us in the sea breeze. The ocean stretched out to our left, with the main street of town to our backs. As I climbed, hand in hand with Hank, I couldn't help but imagine how I'd feel if this really were our wedding day—and the chapel up ahead our wedding venue.

  I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Below all the nervousness that bubbled in my stomach and made my heart pick up its pace, I felt—I grinned—I felt at peace. I knew for a fact that I could be cast to the ends of the earth and still be happy as long as I had this man (and my friends) by my side.

  And I knew that we could withstand the craziest, hardest tests to our relationship—angry kings, forests of monsters, and of course, secrets and insecurities—and work through them to come out stronger on the other side. I squeezed Hank's hand. He looked over at me, the wind blowing his dark hair across his face. I couldn't quite read the expression behind his intense blue eyes.

  His lips parted to speak, but his toe must've caught the edge of the wood stair, and he lurched forward. I stumbled a step with him, then grinned as he laughed, his cheeks flushed. "Better watch where I'm stepping." The moment, and whatever it was he was about to say, passed.

  "Jussst twenty more ssstairsss to go. You can do it!"

  I glanced back. A little ways behind, Sam cheered Kenta on, the guard's arm slung over my friend's shoulders. On our way out of the lobby, we'd run into the two of them. Kenta had woken early to spend the afternoon with Sam before starting his shift, and they'd wanted to join us. Along Main Street we'd also bumped into Wiley, who'd been trying unsuccessfully to cheer up a still heartbroken Yann by seeing the sights. While I wasn't sure a trip to a wedding chapel would be the best thing for Yann, Wiley had insisted on joining us.

  "If I have to listen to him describe Sara's apparently extensive seashell collection or the way different light brings out the shades of brown in her eyes one more time…," he'd grumbled. Up ahead, Wiley and Maple raced to the top of the hill. Maple sprinted ahead, but Wiley grabbed her by the waist of her pants and held her back long enough to dash ahead and reach the summit first. He jigged a victory dance while she shook a finger at him. The breeze blew her words back to me.

  "You cheated!"

  I nudged Hank with my shoulder and jerked my head behind us. "It's so sweet how Sam's helping Kenta with his recovery."

  Hank glanced back at them, then turned to me with a grin and lowered his voice. "It is sweet. And I think Kenta's enjoying every moment of it."

  Something about the way he'd said it made me lift a brow. "What do you mean?"

  Hank leaned closer, his cheek nearly touching mine. "You know when I went for an early run this morning, along the beach?"

  I nodded.

  "Well, I met some of the guards coming back from their night shift. And the captain had a net of fish slung over his shoulder and barely a trace of a limp."

  My jaw dropped. "You mean… he's faking it?"

  Hank's grin widened and he tipped his head from side to side. "Maybe… exaggerating it. I think he likes the attention from Sam."

  I gasped. "That little trickster."

  "Tsk." Iggy, hanging from my free hand, crossed his little flame arms. "Fake limp. Oldest trick in the book."

  We caught up with Annie and Rhonda near the top. Annie braced her hands against Yann's wide back and shoved. "Keep going, you big oaf!"

  Rhonda rolled her eyes. "Your heart's broken, not your legs."

  Hank squared his shoulders. "A little compassion, ladies."

  Annie stepped away and swept her arms toward Yann. "Fine. You be my guest."

  The big bear of a man stood unmoving, his head hanging and shoulders slumped.

  Hank cleared his throat and tapped Yann's shoulder. "Hey, big fella."

  Yann moaned in reply.

  "Er. Time to get moving. We're nearly there."

  Yann moaned again.

  Iggy curled his lip. "Sounds like a wounded animal."

  A crease formed between Hank's thick brows. "Maybe a little, er, boost then?" He leaned his shoulder into Yann and pushed. His face turned red, and a vein bulged in his neck, but Yann blocked the path up like a brick wall. Hank slumped, panting, and drew his hand across his brow.

  Annie folded her arms. "See?"

  Still out of breath, Hank nodded. Wiley had to come back down and haul Yann up by his arms, while Hank, Rhonda, Annie, and I pushed from behind, to get Yann the rest of the way up. We'd barely reached the top, and were standing around panting and sweaty when Sam and Kenta marched up the stairs behind us. They surveyed our exhausted group with wide eyes.

  "Wow." Kenta grinned, the hairs of his goatee bristling. "You're all pretty out of shape."

  Wiley glared at him.

  The captain nudged Sam with his shoulder. "You need Sam as your trainer. He's a great motivator—got me up."

  Iggy scoffed and muttered, "I bet he did get you up."

  I flashed my eyes at my little flame and hoped Kenta hadn't heard. "Don't be lewd."

  Iggy threw up his hands. "Oh and what? I'm not supposed to breathe, either? That's like asking a flame not to burn."

  Once we'd all recovered enough to speak without panting, Hank and I led the way to the chapel's dilapidated double doors. The outside walls and doors had once been covered in colorful murals, but the paint had faded and peeled, leaving only a hint of the mermaids and bubbles and shells that had once adorned the building. I looked over, and Hank gave me a nod before he held open the door for me. My friends and I filed inside, and it took my eyes a few moments
to adjust to the dimness.

  40

  Rhonda the Seer/Wedding Planner

  The single room was small, with rows of empty wooden chairs and mismatched seat cushions lining each side of a center aisle. A wrought iron chandelier with many lit candles hung from the center of the peaked ceiling—though it was slightly askew. And the huge windows at the back that looked out over the sea and what would have been a lovely sunset view were marred and darkened by layers of dust and a huge crack running diagonally across.

  "Welcome. May I uh… help you?"

  I turned and blinked toward the sound of the slightly confused voice. An older woman with huge gold-rimmed glasses and thinning hair swept back in a bun looked my friends and me over with narrowed eyes. Hank stepped inside last, and the door banged shut, causing her to jump.

  "Uh, yes." I sidled up to Hank and put my arm around his waist. "We'd love to have a tour—we're looking for a wedding venue."

  The woman stepped forward with her hand outstretched. Rhonda, with a wink at me, intercepted and shook the woman's hand. "Rhonda the Seer-slash-part-time wedding planner, at your convenience."

  "Uh.” The woman edged back, but Rhonda held her hand firmly between both of her own. "I'm Milly. I own this place with my husband… who's in the back somewhere."

  "Oh, I'd love to meet him!" Rhonda beamed, then cast a quick glance over her shoulder at me and hissed, "The back! That's where the records must be."

  I nodded, though part of me doubted if they'd have records going back thirty years to a wedding that had never even happened. Worth a shot though; we were already committed.

  Rhonda let the woman go and strode up the center aisle towards the big window overlooking the ocean in the back. "Yes, I can see it now. His side, her side." She thumbed right and left. "We'll want to release a hundred seagulls after they're pronounced married that'll fly up in front of the window—"

  The little woman frowned and ran after Rhonda. "Don't you mean doves?" She turned her head towards a door to our right and shouted, "Aki! Get out here! We have customers!"

  Wiley waggled his brows and mouthed, "Charming."

  I grinned until I caught sight of Yann. He stood in front of a wall of framed photographs, happy couples with clasped hands surrounded by friends and family and mountains of flowers. He sniffled. "Dey—dey look so happy together."

  I grimaced at Maple, who pressed her lips together, a sad expression on her face. I edged toward the door at the side and jerked my head for Hank to follow. As soon as Aki, Milly's husband, exited, I'd grab the door before it shut and Hank and I could duck in to rummage through the files.

  Rhonda reached the back window. "And we'd obviously put the altar here…." She turned and shook her head. "I don't know. That big crack in the glass, the mismatched seats… is this really the kind of venue that can host a former prince?" Rhonda threw a hand out towards Hank and I froze, one hand reaching for the doorknob.

  The woman turned wide-eyed to look at Hank and me, then spun around to face Rhonda. I flashed my eyes at Hank—we'd been caught. But Milly was apparently oblivious to our creeping. She drew herself up taller. "I should think so! This is the oldest wedding chapel in Umiru. It's got history—a legacy."

  Rhonda shrugged. "I suppose. It's definitely old. But prestigious enough for my clients?"

  The woman huffed. "We've had many important people married here." She threw an arm toward the wall of framed, magically moving photos. "Just take a look."

  Rhonda examined her brightly colored nails. "Hm. We're staying at the Doragon. I bet they get more celebrity weddings."

  Milly scoffed. "I'll have you know that Miss Sara, illustrious owner of the Doragon, planned her own wedding to be held here at the little chapel on the hill."

  Rhonda folded her arms and pressed her lips together. "Well. Now that is impressive. I can tell she's a woman of great taste. Though… I didn't realize Miss Sara was married?"

  I let my arm drop and straightened. What was Rhonda up to?

  "Oh, um, well…." The little woman shifted and glanced back at us, then lowered her voice, though not so low we couldn't hear. "She's not, actually. The wedding was called off."

  Rhonda raised her brows. "Because of the venue? She didn't want to get married in a place like this?"

  The woman gasped. "Never! Because the groom's family called it off."

  I cleared my throat. "I've heard those rumors, too."

  The woman pushed her glasses up her nose. "Not rumors. His parents and I spoke directly. They informed me that Sara had been left penniless after the monster attack, with nothing but a plot of worthless sand where her home had once stood. They didn't want to degrade their son by marrying so low." She sniffed. "No one thought Sara would make much of herself back then. But then she managed to pull the spa together somehow, and look at her now!" The woman muttered, "Stealing all my business…."

  I beamed at Rhonda, and she winked back. She'd gotten the information without us having to sneak in anywhere or dig through any files. I made a mental note to include her in more of my investigations from now on. I shook myself mentally—hopefully there weren't going to be any more.

  We spent a few more minutes pretending to be interested in the venue, and then left, with Rhonda saying she'd be in touch.

  Once outside, Hank blew out a gust of air. "Well… guess my theory didn't pan out. Sorry for dragging you all up here."

  Rhonda beamed. "I had a good time. At least now we know for sure—Genji and his parents called it off. Miss Sara's a woman scorned."

  I looped my arm through Hank's and winked at him. "Yeah, it's been just awful." I swept an arm toward the beautiful pink and yellow sunset over the water, a huge smile on my face.

  He dipped and kissed my cheek, then spoke in my ear. "I'm not sure everyone had a good time, though." He jerked his head towards Yann, who stood with shoulders slumped and eyes on his feet.

  I pulled my lips to the side. "Poor guy. At least we got him out of the hotel room—maybe the fresh air will do him some good." My stomach rumbled and I pressed a hand to my belly. I raised my voice. "Anyone up for dinner?"

  A chorus of yeses answered me.

  "Let's try the okonomiyaki stand." Wiley rubbed his hands together. "Hank's been going on about it."

  Maple grinned and nodded.

  I smiled up at Hank. "Sounds good to me. Plus, maybe we can ask Genji if he's overheard anything while delivering food to the spa."

  Hank nodded. "Sounds like a plan." He sighed. "Something still seems a little off about that guy, but if he's the one that called off the wedding, and he moved on with his, now late, wife… it doesn't make sense that he'd be jealous of Sara."

  "Yeah." I squeezed his arm. "He's hung up on Sara now, but maybe that's just because his wife has passed and he's got a void to fill. Maybe it's the grief or the loneliness that's making him seem a little strange."

  We started back down the hill toward the food stand on the pier.

  41

  Courtship

  There were too many of us to squeeze onto the three stools at Genji's counter, so we put in our orders (we all got the special) and sat down at some tables and folding wooden chairs along the pier. The setting sun dipped partially below the watery horizon, and already crowds of people were staking out their spots on the wide crescent-shaped beach to watch the manta migration. Genji had informed us that tonight would be the last chance to see it in all its glowing neon glory.

  Wiley and Hank wandered off to a nearby food stall to get us all pints, and they dragged the lovesick Yann between them. Genji served sake, but we were all in the mood for something lighter and more refreshing—beer. Rhonda kicked her feet up on an empty chair and laced her hands behind her head. "This is the life. I could get used to this." She closed her eyes and let the sea breeze rustle her loose kimono wrap top.

  I slid into the seat beside her and set Iggy's lantern on the table. "Where's Francis?"

  She kept her eyes closed. "Not up yet." She covered
a yawn with the back of her hand. "Ugh. And since I stayed up today to enjoy the spa, our sleep cycles are going to be off."

  Iggy smirked. "You two have your rhythms all synched up?"

  She snorted. "I haven't had a 'rhythm' since 1683."

  My eyes widened. "I can't tell if you're joking."

  She only grinned in reply.

  I patted the table. "Can you keep an eye on Iggy? I'm going to have a chat with Genji."

  "Sure."

  I frowned when she didn't even open her eyes.

  Iggy scoffed. "Go on already. I don't need a babysitter."

  With a sigh I stood and walked up to the food stand's counter, joining Sam and Kenta. Genji worked with his back to us. I nudged Kenta with my elbow. "Do you have to leave soon for your shift on the boats?"

  He nodded and tipped his head toward Sam with a pout. "Unfortunately, yes. But I've got time for some okonomiyaki first." He rubbed his palms together eagerly.

  "Coming right up!" Genji called, still with his back to us.

  I glanced down at the grill. Steam rose from nine sizzling circles piled high with cabbage, batter, bacon, and other toppings. It was as many as the griddle could hold.

  As Sam stared at the sizzling food, his glasses slid down his nose. Grinning, Kenta reached over and pushed them back up. Sam blushed, but grinned back. "Thankssss."

  "How have your shifts been? Out on the water, I'm sure that's an amazing sight."

  Kenta nodded. "It is. It feels as though you're in another world, with the entire sea glowing neon below you and the mantas soaring overhead, trailing the magical dust."

  Sam propped his chin on his hand and watched Kenta, enthralled. I bit my lip. They were so cute together.

  "Unfortunately, we don't have much time to enjoy it. The commotion draws up the most hideous creatures from the deep." Kenta's hands formed claws. "We're busy fighting them all off so the fishermen can drag in their hauls." He shook his head. "A red squid the length of this pier nearly capsized us last night."