Broomsticks and Burials

by Lily Webb

  “Yes. Virginia Dare was the first child born to the colonists in America, this much is true. But she was also the first European witch born on this soil,” Raina said.

  “Wait, witches didn’t exist here before that?”

  “Of course they did. Witchcraft is as old and storied as humanity itself, dear,” Raina said. “But the Dare family, so far as we modern witches can trace its lineage, is linked historically to the Prime — Lilith herself.”

  “But there must be a million or more Dares here and in Europe, how can you be sure I’m related to Lilith?” I asked, my head spinning. None of it made any sense. Like I’d told Raina, I came from a farm. There was nothing unique or exceptional about me. I couldn’t possibly be related to the original witch.

  “I can’t. But your magic, even at this nascent stage… I’ve taught hundreds of witches from all over the world in my time as Headmistress at Veilside, and still, I’ve never seen anything like it. Your lineage is the only explanation,” Raina said.

  “Shouldn’t my grandma have shown some sort of magical ability if that’s true?” I asked.

  “It’s possible it skipped her in favor of your mother. Not every descendant of a witch or warlock is guaranteed to inherit the gift. Magic is mysterious and works in the mundane,” Raina said and the breath caught in my throat.

  “My mother used to say that,” I said. Raina smirked. “I mean, not that I would know. She died before I was old enough to remember any of her words, but my grandma said that exact phrase to me before I came here.”

  “What more evidence do you need?”

  “When my cat told me I was where I belonged a few days ago, I didn’t believe her,” I said. Raina’s eyebrows furrowed.

  “Your cat told you this?” Raina asked.

  “Yeah, she can talk. It’s a long story that even I don’t know. Anyway, I’m starting to think she was right.”

  “I think so. For what it’s worth, dear, I believe in you,” Raina said.

  “Because I’m related to Lilith?” I asked. Raina laughed and shook her head.

  “No. I believe in you because of who’ve already proven yourself to be,” she said.

  “That’s awfully high praise.”

  “But warranted, nonetheless,” Raina said. “In any case, I think it might behoove us to continue this another time. I’m sure you have much to think about.”

  Raina stood from her rocking chair and motioned for me to join her.

  “That’s an understatement if I’ve ever heard one,” I said as I followed her to the front door.

  “All in due time, Zoe. Remember, magic is mysterious and works in the mundane. Will you be available Monday evening for another session?” Raina asked.

  “I wouldn’t miss it,” I said.

  “And you’ll complete your reading before then?”

  “I’ll do my best,” I said. Raina smiled.

  “That’s all I’ll ever ask of you. Goodnight, Zoe.”

  “Goodnight, Raina,” I said and stepped out into the cold evening air with my head spinning.

  Of all the things I’d seen and heard in Moon Grove, me being related to the original gangster witch was the hardest to believe.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The sun that beamed into my eyes the next morning — er, afternoon — was like a hammer to my skull.

  I stumbled into the living room, and Flora giggled at me. She held a steaming mug of coffee in both hands and Luna was still curled up in her lap. If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear neither of them had moved from the last time I saw them.

  “Good afternoon, sleepy head,” Flora said. “I take it last night was tough?”

  “You could say that,” I said.

  “Raina does have a reputation for high expectations. How about some coffee?” Flora asked as she stood up from the couch, careful to avoid disturbing Luna, and fluttered into the kitchen.

  “I’d love some. And it looks like her expectations of direct descendants of Lilith are even higher,” I said.

  “Say what?” Luna asked, her head popping up from the tangle of Flora’s blanket, wincing at me against the sun.

  “That’s exactly what I said,” I said.

  “Wait, are you serious?” Flora asked from the kitchen. “Zoe, that’s amazing.”

  “Is it? I wouldn’t know,” I said.

  Flora returned with another mug and handed it to me. I took a deep swig, ignoring how hot it was, and sighed.

  “That’s exactly what I needed.”

  It wasn’t that last night’s session with Raina was all that taxing, it was more what she’d told me after that kept me awake all night.

  “It definitely is,” Flora said. “That explains why Raina took such an interest in you right away.”

  “Yeah, I guess,” I said and sat down on the couch. “I’m not sure I believe it, though.”

  “Why not? Raina wouldn’t have any reason to lie about something like that,” Flora said, sitting down beside me, Luna between us.

  “Wait, back up. You’re telling me you’re willing to accept that all the magic, talking cats, and paranormal beings in Moon Grove are real, but you have a hard time believing you might’ve descended from the Prime?” Luna asked.

  “Good point,” I laughed.

  “Dang. I mean, I knew you were special when I met you, but I had no idea,” Luna said.

  “Well, to be fair, I had no idea you could talk when Elle brought you home either,” I said. “But how do you know about the Prime anyway?”

  “We cats talk to each other too, you know,” Luna said.

  “Am I ever going to get the story behind your curse?” I asked.

  “I think you’ve got more than enough on your mind right now, you don’t need to worry about that too,” Luna said. I glared at her, and she turned her back on me to snuggle up next to Flora again.

  “I’ll get it out of you eventually, even if it means petting it out,” I said.

  “You say that like I’d object,” Luna said, her voice muffled against Flora’s leg. Flora smirked at me.

  “What’s on the agenda today?” she asked.

  “A date,” I mumbled, and Flora’s eyes widened.

  “Oh? With whom?”

  “Beau Duncan,” I said. Flora rested a hand on my arm, her mouth hanging open.

  “From Moon Grove Tonight? No way!” she said.

  “Yeah, that’s the one.”

  “How did that come about? I didn’t know you two knew each other,” Flora said.

  “We met on my first day in town. It’s a weird story,” I sighed. “Anyway, I agreed to meet him for dinner tonight in exchange for some info.”

  “A true journalist,” Flora laughed. “Well, good for you. When is it? Where are you going?”

  “I don’t know, actually. I need to call him and firm things up,” I said. “I guess I’d better get on that before it gets too much later.”

  “Good idea,” she said.

  “Thanks for the coffee, it’s delicious,” I said, raising my mug to her before standing up.

  “Anytime,” she said, smiling.

  I retreated to my room and traded the mug in my hand for my phone on the nightstand. One of the many amazing things about Paraphones was that they didn’t need to be charged because they ran on magic — I didn’t pretend to understand how.

  I dug Beau’s card out from the nightstand’s drawer where I’d left it and sat down on my bed, my heart pounding.

  Leave it to me to land a date not even a week after moving to Moon Grove. I liked Beau a lot, maybe more than I should, but I didn’t have any idea where things between us were going. There was only one way to find out, so I dialed his number and held the phone to my ear while I chewed my bottom lip.

  “Hello?” he answered.

  “Hey, Beau, it’s Zoe,” I said. “I finally got my own phone.”

  “Oh, hi, Zoe. I’ll have to save your number,” Beau said, his voice ringing. “I’m glad you called. Are we still on for to
night?”

  “Yeah, for sure,” I said. “Do you have any ideas? I’m not exactly familiar with what’s good around town.”

  “There’s this relatively new retro diner on Crescent called Mooney’s. I’ve heard their Magishakes are delicious,” Beau said.

  “Magishakes?”

  “Right, sorry. They’re milkshakes, but they have magical properties that differ depending on the flavor,” Beau said.

  “Oh, that sounds fun. I could use a boost,” I said. Beau chuckled.

  “A journalist’s job never stops.”

  “Yeah, seriously, it doesn’t. Speaking of, you wouldn’t happen to have any contact info for Grace Magnus or her office, would you?” I asked.

  “I do, but she’s tough to pin down. Every time I’ve called either no one answers or, if they do, they aren’t accommodating. Why?”

  “Reasons,” I mumbled.

  “More Harper stuff?”

  “Busted,” I said. Beau laughed.

  “Honestly, you might be better off just showing up at her house for all the good calling will do you,” Beau said. That didn’t sound like a half-bad idea at all.

  “That was a joke, Zoe. I didn’t mean it.”

  “I know,” I said, making a mental note to ask Flora if she knew where Grace lived.

  “So, how does say, seven o’clock tonight work for you?”

  “Sounds good,” I said, holding the phone away from my ear to check the time. 12:36. Good, that would give me plenty of time to try to track Grace down.

  “I’ll meet you there.”

  “Can’t wait,” Beau said, and a smile cracked my face.

  “Same here.”

  “See you later, Zoe,” Beau said, and I saw him smiling through the phone.

  “See you,” I said and hung up to fall backward on my bed, my head so light I worried it might fly right off my shoulders.

  After I’d gotten myself back together, I sat up and went back into the living room to find Flora wearing a devious smile.

  “So? What’s going on?” she asked.

  “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re more interested in Beau than Ewen,” I said. Flora blushed and stuttered.

  “No, I just — I’m happy for you, that’s all,” she said.

  “I know, I’m teasing. But speaking of, have you called Ewen yet?” I asked. Flora stared down at her hands.

  “No. I keep meaning to, but I’m nervous. It’s going to be so awkward,” Flora said.

  “The only way out is through,” I said, shrugging.

  “You’re right. I’ll do it soon.”

  “Good for you. Anyway, Beau’s meeting me at this place called Mooney’s Diner. Have you heard of it?” I asked.

  “Oh, I have. It’s supposed to have the best Magishakes in town, but I haven’t gone yet. I’ve been way too busy,” I said.

  “Maybe you and Ewen could join us for a double date sometime?” I suggested. Flora’s blush deepened into a burning red.

  “We’ll see about that,” she said.

  “Okay. Hey, uh, this is random, but do you know where Grace Magnus lives?” I asked. Flora laughed and furrowed her brows.

  “What? Why?”

  “Reasons,” I said.

  “You know, that answer’s going to stop working if you keep using it all the time,” Flora said.

  “Well, until that moment comes, could I have her address?” I asked. Flora shook her head at me, though the smile on her face said she didn’t disapprove.

  “I’m not sure what you’re up to, but you can look her up in the Parapages,” Flora said.

  She waved her hand, and a tome of a book floated out from under the coffee table in front of her into my lap. The Parapages, Moon Grove Directory, the cover said.

  “Everyone’s listed there alphabetically unless they opted out. Honestly, though, Zoe, I’m not sure showing up unannounced at a Councilwoman’s home on a Saturday afternoon is the best idea. Even if she’s home, the gargoyles aren’t likely to let you on the property,” Flora said.

  I hadn’t considered that.

  “Hm, you’re right. Well, I guess I’ll just have to use the power of persuasion then. I’m pretty gifted with words, or so I’ve been told,” I said as I flipped through the book to the “M” section and scanned for Grace’s surname. .

  “Bingo. Looks like Councilwoman Magnus lives on a ranch on the northwest side of town,” I said, pointing at her name.

  “That fits, most witches live in that general area. I have to ask, where did you get your confidence?” Flora laughed.

  “My grandma, Elle. She’s a tough old bird,” I said.

  “I’d love to meet her,” Flora said.

  “Maybe someday you will,” I said, though I couldn’t imagine bringing Grandma Elle to a place like Moon Grove. She’d have a heart attack.

  “Other than that, kids can be cruel. Growing up without a set of parents toughened my skin quick.”

  “I’m sorry. If they could only see you now,” Flora said.

  “And find out I’m a descendant of the original witch? They’d probably all run screaming for the nearest church to get baptized a second time,” I said, and we doubled over laughing together.

  “I’m glad I met you, Zoe,” Flora said when she could speak again.

  “Likewise,” I said. “Anyway, I guess I’d better go get cleaned up if I’m gonna have any hope of chatting with Grace.”

  “You’re braver than I am,” Flora said.

  “Or reckless. It’s a fine line to tread.”

  “You’re right. Be careful,” Flora said. “Don’t forget what happened to Harper.”

  As if I could.

  Grace’s ranch was massive, grander than any other home I’d seen in Moon Grove. Rolling hills stretched as far as I could see, and at the very top sat Grace’s house, an old, weathered building with peeling white siding and windows frosted with age. A winding gravel driveway twisted through the grass to the house, and by the time I got to the top, I was out of breath.

  Unfortunately for me, as Flora predicted, a gang of gargoyles was waiting for me at the entrance gates. They stepped forward as I approached, staring me down with three pairs of glowing yellow, red, and orange eyes.

  I would’ve been lying if I said I wasn’t terrified.

  Of all the paranormal species I’d met in Moon Grove, the gargoyles were far and away the most unsettling. Maybe that was why they made such great security guards.

  “Stop right there,” the first of the three gargoyles with the yellow eyes said. His skin was grey as cement, and just as rough looking. Specks of black littered his arms like freckles.

  “Who are you, and why are you here?”

  “My name’s Zoe Clarke. I’m a reporter with the Moon Grove Messenger. I tried to reach Councilwoman Magnus over the phone, but she didn’t take my call,” I said.

  “The Councilwoman isn’t taking visitors, and certainly not without an appointment,” the gargoyle snapped. He spread and flapped his leather, reptilian wings, and the burst of air that came off them pushed me backward.

  Was he trying to scare me away? If so, it was working. Maybe I wasn’t as persuasive as I thought.

  “Yeah, I got that loud and clear when she didn’t answer,” I lied. They didn’t need to know I’d never actually called.

  “I’m just concerned about her well-being, especially after she canceled the debate earlier this week. Is everything okay?”

  “That’s not any of your business,” the gargoyle said. “Now run along before I make you.”

  “Who’s there?” A voice called from behind the gargoyles.

  Some fifty feet away, Grace Magnus stood on her front porch with her hands on her hips, her brown-yellow robes and blonde hair billowing in the wind. She squinted to make out who I was.

  Opal wasn’t kidding; Grace’s personality — not to mention her house — didn’t match her age at all.

  “Zoe Clarke from the Messenger,” the lead gargoyle answered.
Though she was far enough away that I could barely make out the details of Grace’s face, I still saw it soften at the mention of my name.

  “Let her in,” Grace said.

  “Councilwoman, are you sure?”

  “Did you not hear what I said, Vuraz? Let her in,” Grace ordered. Grumbling, Vuraz stood aside and let me pass through the ranch gates, his eyes following my every move like some sort of cursed painting.

  I stepped toward the front porch and Grace crossed her arms over her chest while she stared me down.

  “I remember you,” Grace said. “You were at the Council meeting with Mitch.”

  “That was me,” I said.

  “You must be the one he hired to replace Harper,” Grace said. I nodded.

  “What brings you here, Miss Clarke?”

  “I wanted to talk to you about your campaign. After you canceled the debate with Councilwoman Cromwell, I was afraid I wouldn’t get another chance,” I said.

  “I know the election is coming up soon, and I just did a profile piece on your opponent, so I wanted to make it fair by giving you the same opportunity.”

  It wasn’t the whole truth, but it was a start.

  “I see. Well, I’m afraid you’ve come at the wrong time. I’m not granting interviews,” Grace said.

  “I’m sorry to bother you, Councilwoman, but I’m already here. If I could just have ten minutes of your time, that’s all I need,” I said. Grace opened her mouth to say something but froze.

  “I must say, I admire your tenacity. Not many people would show up on my doorstep demanding to talk to me,” Grace said.

  “Journalists get told no all the time, I’m used to being a little more direct than most,” I said, shrugging. Grace smirked.

  “Ten minutes, no more,” she said. Well, that didn’t take much convincing.

  “Thank you, I appreciate it,” I said.

  “Come inside, I don’t trust these gargoyles to keep our words in confidence,” Grace said and turned on her heel to walk through the screened front porch door.

  She held it open for me, and I stepped around her inside to find a long, narrow hallway whose walls were covered in the strangest collection of framed photos and newspaper clippings I’d seen in my life.