by TJ Green
"Are you sure she didn't fancy you?" Dan asked, smirking.
"No, you pillock. Our eyes did not meet across a crowded room!"
"Is she a witch?" Sally asked. "Newton's worried about that circus, isn't he?"
Avery had filled them in on Newton's concerns. "He is, but she's not a witch. I don't get that feeling from any other witch. This was different." Avery gazed into the middle distance, shuffling through the possibilities, before she shrugged in frustration. "I don't know, it's weird. And then I bumped into a man who seemed to be watching her, but I must have imagined that. He was probably watching the circus folk. I think he was American."
"Why? Dan asked. "Was he wearing stars and stripes?"
"Oh, you're very funny today! He said 'excuse me' in an American accent."
Dan finished his pastry and wiped his hands on his jeans. "Could it all be related to the deaths, or could she be?"
"It's too soon to say. I'm seeing the other witches later, though." Avery looked behind her and lowered her voice, even though no customers were too close. "We're going to go to the circus tonight, hidden by my shadow spell. We're hoping to see or hear something that might give us a clue."
Before she could say anything else, the bells chimed over the door announcing a new arrival, and Avery glanced behind to see Stan, their pseudo-Druid and town councillor, enter with a couple in their thirties.
Stan beamed when he saw them. He marched across the shop, his tie askew and his hair wind-blown, with the couple close behind. "Excellent, I've got all of you! I'd like to introduce you to Rafe and Mairi from the Crossroads Circus. They are part owners, and I've been telling them what a special place White Haven is! This is Avery, our Mistress of the Occult, Sally and Dan, her occult assistants!"
Avery tried to keep her expression polite as she shook their hands, and forced herself to remember what Newton had told them. "I think you'll find that Stan is exaggerating a bit. I'm not nearly so interesting as to be a Mistress of the Occult, but welcome to my shop."
"And to White Haven," Sally added, and they all shook hands. "Your circus sounds fascinating. I'm going to take my kids."
"I'm sure they'll enjoy it," Rafe said, smiling. "We're certainly enjoying your beautiful town." Rafe was of average height with short, reddish hair, and ruddy skin. Avery could hear his Scottish accent, but it wasn't strong, probably because he'd travelled around. "We debated setting up near Truro, but your town has such a wonderful reputation for ghosts and witches, it seemed like the best place to stay."
Stan rubbed his hands together and looked gleeful---if a fifty-plus man could be said to be gleeful. "I couldn't believe it when you approached us," he said. "The castle will be an amazing backdrop for your show!"
"It certainly will be," Mairi agreed. She was shorter than Rafe, with shoulder-length, wavy hair, and again, a soft Scottish accent. "Hopefully our tales and your history will make a good fit."
"Your circus has been very popular! It makes me wonder why no one has thought of your theme before," observed Dan.
Rafe laughed. "Sometimes, you just need inspiration to strike."
Avery listened and nodded politely as they chatted, but she was watching Mairi, who was the quieter of the two. Her eyes were darting everywhere around the shop, her gaze speculative and unsettling. "Do you like books, Mairi?"
Mairi looked startled, not realising she was being watched. "Yes, of course, but I don't get a lot of time to read. Managing a circus keeps us very busy."
"I'm sure it does. It looks big. You must have a lot of performers. I saw some of them today in the town---very impressive."
She nodded, seeming slightly distracted. "Thank you. Yes, it takes a lot to organise setting up, moving on, booking where to go. It takes months of planning."
"Well, while you're here, feel free to look around."
Before Mairi could answer, the doorbell rang again, and Avery looked up to see Rupert striding in. Crap. "Ah! There you are, Stan! I heard you were taking a tour of the town with our guests." He nodded at Avery, a vicious gleam in his eye. "Should have known he'd have been in our favourite witch's shop."
Mairi whipped around to gape at her, and Rafe stilled slightly as he too looked at her, his eyes wide.
Avery's heart thumped in her chest, but she replied calmly, "I think you mean my witch ancestor, Helena, who was so cruelly burned at the stake."
Stan leapt in with a melodramatic shudder. "Terrible business! Terrible! Fortunately, we embrace magic, witches, and the paranormal now, not like back then. I love our pagan celebrations. It's what makes us so special, and Happenstance Books is a part of that. And Avery is so good at dressing her shop for those occasions."
"Sally is, actually," Avery corrected him. She pointed at the table close to the entrance that Sally had filled with a selection of circus and myth-themed books. "She's responsible for our Crossroads theme, as well."
Stan winked at Sally. "Of course. Forgive me, Sally! Did you want me for something, Rupert?" Remembering he hadn't introduced them, he explained to Rafe and Mairi, "Rupert owns the mysterious House of Sprits in West Haven, and he's planning on running some ghost tours of the area. Excellent idea!"
Rafe and Mairi nodded encouragingly, but Avery was aware of Mairi's glances at her.
"Yes, I wanted to discuss my plans with you," Rupert said, smoothly. "However, you're busy, and I'll catch up with you another time. I'd like to add Happenstance Books to the tour actually, Avery. Any objections?"
She had plenty, but she wasn't about to say so. "Absolutely not. It would be great for business. Just as long as you remain outside the shop, of course. Readers like a quiet bookshop to browse and read in. I'm sure you understand. But I guess it depends if you're running them in the day or at night."
Sally backed her up. "Very true, Avery, but so kind to include us in the tour, Rupert. Thank you."
Stan again leapt in before Rupert could answer. "Excellent news! This tour will be a great success, Rupert."
While Stan and Rupert continued their discussion, Rafe smiling politely and nodding, Mairi's phone buzzed, and she pulled it from her bag. She answered it immediately, heading to the far side of the shop to talk, and when she returned, her eyes gleamed.
Stan noticed her return and immediately changed the conversation. "You two must be eager to get on, and we should leave these good people in peace." He started to usher them from the shop, but Mairi pulled a handful of tickets from her bag, thrusting them at Avery.
"You must come to our opening night. I think you would love it! Do you think you can?" She stared at Avery, and then as if she realised she was being intense, glanced at Dan and Sally, too. "All of you, of course!"
Avery stuttered as she took the tickets. "Er, that's very generous of you, and yes, I'm sure we'd love to come!"
Sally rushed in, too. "Absolutely. I can't wait!"
Stan beamed again and winked. "How very generous! Let's hope there are a few more in that bag of yours!"
He escorted Rupert, Rafe, and Mairi out of the shop as they called their goodbyes, and Avery couldn't resist throwing a hex at Rupert. She watched with pleasure as he tripped outside on the pavement, but was careful to turn away when he looked up furiously, brushing himself off.
She waited until they had moved out of sight, then asked, "Why do I loathe that man so much?"
"Rupert? Because he's an arrogant prick," Dan said. "I don't think he likes you, either. I think he's jealous of your ancestry. He's a wannabe."
Sally nodded. "I agree. I'm not sure I like that Mairi woman, either. There was something about her that rankled---despite the free tickets. And she couldn't take her eyes off of you when she heard the word witch."
"I noticed," Avery said, feeling unsettled. "Let's just hope it was idle curiosity."
***
At lunchtime, Avery settled herself into her usual spot at the end of the bar in The Wayward Son, and Zee, one of the seven Nephilim, slid a glass of red wine in front of her.
"Al
l alone?" he asked her.
She nodded. "Just a quick lunch. I needed a break from the shop, and I wanted to see Alex about tonight. We're going to investigate the circus."
He frowned. "Is something wrong with it?"
"Maybe, that's what we're trying to find out. How's Shadow? I gather she's been busy."
Zee looked amused. "Busy keeping Gabe on his toes. She sets off on her horse most mornings, heading across the downs to shoot rabbits and investigate the wild places. When she's not working security at Caspian's warehouses, anyway."
"She's settling in then?" Avery asked, in between sips of wine.
"She's settled in just fine. Got a few of us roped into her research."
"Does that include you?"
"When I have time, and the inclination." His face creased with amusement, rippling the faint scar down his cheek. "At least I'm still able to put a few hours in here."
"I remember you saying you might not have time after Christmas," Avery said, thoughtfully. "Caspian's not keeping you too busy, then?"
"Not yet. It's just standard security at the docks." He broke off suddenly, and looked towards the door, grinning. "Speak of the devil---as you say. Look who's here."
For a second, Avery thought he meant Caspian, and then she turned and saw Shadow just inside the door. She looked around the pub, drawing a few double-takes from the customers, not surprisingly. She was still an arresting sight. Today her long hair was a tumble of soft caramel tones, and her high cheekbones and violet eyes added to her unusual beauty. She glanced towards the bar, and seeing Avery, advanced with a speculative gleam in her eye.
"Ha! You've been spotted." Zee waited for her to reach them, and while Shadow pulled up a stool, he asked, "And what trouble do you bring today?"
She gave him a snide look. "No trouble, thank you, Zee. Now, fetch me a pint of Heligan Honey, please."
"Yes, ma'am," Zee said sarcastically, and turned away to grab a bottle of the local beer from the fridge behind him. He plonked it on the bar with a glass, and said, "I'll let you to pour it yourself. No doubt I'll pour it incorrectly."
She arched an eyebrow. "Someone's sensitive."
"Someone is sick of being criticised." He nodded to Avery. "I'll leave you to it. Shout if you want another."
Avery placed a hand on his arm, "Before you go, where's Alex?"
"In the kitchen, chatting with the chef. He'll be out in a minute." And then he headed to the other end of the bar to check on another local.
Avery watched Shadow pour her beer. "Are you upsetting your housemates?"
Shadow pursed her lips. "Not intentionally. I have high standards. I am fey."
Avery inwardly sighed. That was wearing thin really quickly. "Poor you. You're just going to have to get used to us, now that you're stuck here." She sipped her wine, as they assessed each other.
"Yes, you may be right. I'm sure I'll get used to all of you."
"And us, you," Avery pointed out. "So, why are you here? You haven't visited the pub before."
"I thought I should investigate where you spend a lot of your time. And besides, I wanted a drink."
"Is that all?"
Shadow looked away briefly, a guilty look flashing across her features. "Maybe not all. As you know, I've been spending some time with Dan, and he has suggested places that may offer gateways to my world."
"You know that's highly unlikely, though? I'd hate for you to get your hopes up."
Shadow looked into her drink, despondent, and suddenly all of Avery's compassion came rushing back, and she realised Shadow had come to the pub out of more than idle curiosity.
"I know," Shadow admitted. "But I have to try. The longer I am away, the harder it gets. I'm lonely without my kind. I feel..." She stumbled for words, showing a vulnerability Avery hadn't seen before. "Untethered. I still don't know what to do with myself."
"I understand that. But you have to give yourself time. Working with Gabe and the others will help. Don't antagonise them. They offered you a place to live and work. I wouldn't take that offer lightly. I'm surprised by Gabe's actions. I think he's surprised himself, too."
"The thing is," Shadow said, "those sites that Dan has suggested, most of them probably only have power at certain times of the year, like solstices and equinoxes, sunrises and sunsets. It's hopeless."
"Perhaps you can help us, then, when you're not on security duties?" Avery suggested in a rush, before she could think through the consequences. She filled her in on the Crossroad Circus and the deaths possibly associated with it. "We're going tonight, but that's probably a bit too short notice."
Shadow's face lit up. "Sounds great to me. I know you don't completely trust me, but I will help. I have unique skills, after all. And frankly, if we need to use weapons, I can handle most things."
"All right. But don't go off and do anything on your own. We have no idea what we're dealing with."
Alex exited the door leading to the kitchen and walked over to join them. He leaned over the bar to kiss Avery lightly on the cheek and nodded at Shadow. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"I thought I should investigate this pub, I hear it's where you all hang out. I like it. I'll bring Gabe here." She frowned. "I don't know why he doesn't come anyway. He works too hard. It makes him a dull boy."
Avery intervened. "Shadow is going to help us investigate the Crossroads Circus. She's coming tonight."
Alex looked at her, trying to hide his appalled expression. "Really? Great."
"She needs something to do, Alex, and she'll be a great help." Avery wasn't sure who she was trying to persuade more.
"Of course," he said begrudgingly. "The more the merrier."
Shadow's enthusiasm returned in a rush. "Excellent. Do you need to disguise yourselves?"
Avery nodded. "There's a spell we use."
"Good. We need to eavesdrop. That's my favourite form of reconnaissance."
"Of course it is," Alex said, groaning.
Shadow grinned and then stared at the mute TV screen on the wall. "Look. They're talking about the circus."
Avery turned to look at the screen, and Alex flicked the sound on low, just in time to hear Sarah Rutherford, the reporter who had covered White Haven events a few times, talk about the arrival of the circus. Behind her was the castle and the Big Top.
Alex frowned. "The tent is covered in Green Man images!"
"Fits the theme," Avery said. "He was one of the figures in the town today. The costumes are really good! I saw a strange woman, though. She gave me the shivers." Avery told them about her intense stare and that she thought a man was following her.
"This place never gets any quieter, does it?" Alex reflected. "Let's hope it knocks the caves under West Haven off the top spot on the news."
4
That evening, five witches and Shadow met at The Wayward Son, and then split into two cars, agreeing to meet in a lay-by, just down from the castle's car park.
It was just after 8pm by the time they arrived on the edge of the castle grounds, and a low mist was already rising from the ground. The lights that lit the castle walls were veiled by more coiling streams of mist, and it pooled in corners and swirled around their ankles. The Big Top squatted in the field to the right of the castle, and beyond that, in a large grassy area edged by hedgerows, were the rows of caravans and camper vans that the performers lived in. Wood smoke hung on the air, and the blinking motes of cinders curled on the faint breeze.
"What's the plan?" Reuben asked, dressed like the rest of them in black clothing, what he called their Ninja-witch gear.
Alex adjusted his gloves. "We mingle, listen to conversations, and see if we can hear them discuss anything odd. We should try and find Rafe and Mairi, and Corbin, too." It seemed Stan had introduced Rafe and Mairi to most of the shop owners, so they all knew what they looked like, but Corbin was still unknown. He looked at Shadow. "This is reconnaissance, nothing more. No heroics or grand gestures."
Shadow blinked once, dripping wi
th disdain. "I am quite capable of following the brief, thank you."
"It's what I always expected of one of Herne's hunters," he replied, dryly.
Before Shadow could respond, Briar asked her, "Do you want us to include you in our spell?"
Shadow's face softened. "No, I'll be fine. I am fey and can conceal myself."
Alex continued with his plan. "Let's split into three groups. I'll be with Avery in the field with their caravans. Briar, you go with Shadow into the set-up in the castle, and then Reuben and El can cover the Big Top. Let's meet back here in an hour. Sound good?"
They nodded, but El asked, "What if we hit a problem and need support?"
"Phone us, or scream." Alex smiled slowly. "Phone would be better."
"No shit, Sherlock," El said sarcastically.
Alex flipped her the bird and El laughed, and then Avery said the spell that draped them in darkness. With a blink, the others disappeared, their appearances turning wraith-like and insubstantial. Had Avery not known where they were, she wouldn't have seen them.
Avery and Alex were able to see the details of the tent as they drew closer. A large archway with the words Welcome to the Crossroads Circus framed the path to the tent's entrance, flanked by two enormous imitation standing stones. A large raven was perched on one, and his black eyes stared down at them. For a second, Avery thought it was fake, until it cawed loudly, and she jumped. The sound of voices drifted towards them, and music, low and tinny, filled the air.
"Is that coming from the tent?" Avery asked.
Alex nodded. "I think so. Maybe they're practising."
Figures strode to and fro, some quickly, others slowly, usually in groups. The door of the tent was lifted and light poured out, giving Avery a glimpse of seats, ladders, and performers swinging on a trapeze. However, they didn't loiter, instead skirting around it to the field housing the performers' living quarters. They reached a gate in the hedge, jumped over it, and sticking to the dark shadows, walked into the campground.
The smell of cooking and wood smoke was stronger here, and the voices were louder. They edged their way through the mobile homes, noting some had lights within them, and others were dark. The hum of generators filled the air, and with it the smell of diesel, quickly overpowering the scent of food.
