My mom starts to walk away. “Hey, wait a minute. Aren’t you going to talk to them too?”
“No, it’s your time with your father. We made the arrangement remember?”
Ugh. She would have to remind me of the bitter divorce. I watch as she heads toward her bedroom with her shoulders back and her head held high. It’s good to see her moving on.
I hear my father’s voice in the background. “Sweetheart, come say Hi.”
I grit my teeth as I march over to the coffee table where my mom has her laptop set up. I plop down on a floor cushion and face my father. Kimberly is practically sitting in his lap. “So how was your day?”
He has got to be kidding. He’s going to start with small talk. I force a smile. “Great. I’m loving my new school, and I’ve even made friends already.”
Kimberly’s spray tan is even darker than the last time I saw her. “That’s wonderful sweetheart. Starting a new school at your age can be tough. My dad was in the military, so we moved all the time.”
The fact that she was a military brat makes so much sense. “That must have been tough.”
Her celebrity grin makes an appearance. I hate to admit she looks like one wearing a figure-flattering black Stella McCartney dress. “Actually, it worked out kind of great. I won three prom queen spots.”
Why am I not surprised? “Dad, you guys said you might be coming out. Is that why you called?”
“Why yes, it is. It’s amazing how you can sense these things. We plan to stop by in August on our way to Hawaii.”
Again, I’m not surprised. It would never cross his mind that just stopping by on the way to tropical paradise is a totally jerk father move. “Oh, great. Any chance I can tag along?”
The expression on Kimberly’s face looks like she sucked on a lemon slice. My dad just smiles. “Not this trip, sweetheart. I’m taking Kimberly to Maui for our honeymoon.”
“Um, I thought you guys went to Tahiti for your honeymoon.”
Kimberly giggles. “We did, but this is the second phase of the honeymoon.”
Oh man, my dad picked a winner. Kimberly just confirmed her high maintenance status. I know my mom had a good lawyer, so she scored a pretty good settlement in the divorce. My dad is going to need to get a second job to keep Kimberly happy. “Gee, I didn’t realize honeymoons had two phase these days.”
Dad shoots me a look. “Tell me about your new friend. Is she anything like Amber?”
Amber was my bestie back in Brooklyn, and part of the coven. I’d miss her terribly if we didn’t text all the time. “Well, she is kind of special like Amber. She’s a girl chameleon.”
Dad’s brow furrows. “Did you say she has a pet chameleon?”
One thing about my father, he can fool most people about his total lack of knowledge about the paranormal world—but not me. He knew exactly what I meant, but he doesn’t want us talking about magic in front of precious Kimberly. “Yes, isn’t that a cool pet?”
Kimberly crinkles her pert nose. “I hate lizards, they are slimy and gross.”
I don’t bother correcting her mistake. My mind is having too much fun imagining Kimberly as a reptile. “Maybe you can meet Jen when you guys come out. I’ll tell her to bring her chameleon, Ted.”
Kimberly shakes her head and I notice her aura is changing shape. Something isn’t quite right.
Dad smiles and kisses her on the cheek. “Don’t worry, honey, she’s just kidding around. Right, Brooklyn?”
Oh, so now he’s going to use my name when I’ve done something he doesn’t like. I do a fake laugh. “Yeah, Kimberly, I was kidding around.”
She doesn’t even bother to force a fake celebrity smile. She must be really ticked. That fact is confirmed by her aura turning a deeper green color. “We better go. I’m sure you have homework to do. Was great seeing you, Samantha.”
I still can’t believe my dad lets her call me by my middle name. He should insist she call me by my given name. He just keeps disappointing me.
Dad’s finger moves to turn off the connection. “We’ll give you another call next month.”
Thank goodness I didn’t know how much longer I could play nice. “Great, Dad. Talk to you soon.”
Before they click off, I notice Kimberly’s aura has changed again. It now has a faint reddish shimmer around the edges. Where have I seen that before?
No frippin way—she’s a wizard!
8
Witch Exam
I woke up feeling guilty that I didn’t tell my mom about Kimberly. All day I’ve been avoiding looking at her, afraid she would see I was hiding something—something big. Not like I can cast a spell on my mom to deceive her. But knowing Kimberly is a wizard explains so much. Especially how she could take my dad away from my mom so easily. Although we never talked about it, I know my mom tried to cast several spells to lure my father back. Now I know why she failed. She thought Kimberly was an ordinary person so she used spells that would normally work on a non-paranormal. Kimberly, on the other hand, knowing my mother was a witch had a distinct advantage. She could cast spells to blind my mother to her power. This knowledge should make my mother feel better about her defeat, but I knew it wouldn’t. I need to talk to Derrick and find out more about Kimberly. He needs to find out for me what order she is from and how powerful she is. After all, it is my duty to avenge my mother.
The door flies open and in walks Tara in all her glory. She’s wearing her usual uniform of skintight jeans and an equally tight deep V-neck knit top revealing her spell granted cleavage. “You don’t have to come dressed to kill. It’s just us witches,” I say smiling at my mother.
Tara struts over to the sofa like she’s on a runway. “I’m meeting Glenda at the Uptown Brewery. We’re guy-fishing tonight.”
I sigh and sit down next to her. “You’ve worked your way through half the available men on the Westside. The pickings must be getting pretty thin.”
She laughs. “You know LA. There are new guys arriving every day.”
Tara’s favorite hobby is luring men in and then casting them aside. She eats men for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. “So, how’s the male reformation cause going?”
She kicks off her six-inch stilettos and props her feet up on the table. “Good. I’m exacting revenge almost daily. Once I get through with a guy, he will never treat a woman like crap again.”
I admire Tara’s cause. A lot of witches try to do good things with their magic, but don’t have a set goal. Tara uses her magic to turn bad men into good ones. I give her a high five. “Go you!”
She leans back into the sofa cushions. “So why the urgent text to meet with you tonight? What’s this project you’re working on?”
“My shifter friend Jen is coming over in a bit. My mom wants to check her out and make sure she’s a good fit with the coven. To earn her trust, I want to make her an honorary member.”
My mom brings Tara an overflowing glass of white wine. “It’s up to your mother, the high priestess, not me.”
“But you’re the second most powerful witch in the coven, and I wanted to make sure you were comfortable with my offer.”
Tara nudges my leg. “I may be a decade older than you, but I know you wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize the coven.”
“Well, I wanted to run it by you in person just to make sure.”
She laughs. “For someone so young, you’re pretty old-fashioned.”
My mother chuckles. “That is my fault. Ever since Brook was five years old, I’ve treated her like an adult. Something my mother did with me as well.”
Tara nods and takes a big sip from her wine glass. “I’ve had to do it the hard way.”
I laugh and kick her leg. “I bet you were bossing people around since you popped out of the womb.”
She bends over laughing so hard her long black hair covers her face. After she catches her breath, she narrows her eyes and looks at me. “Okay, enough small talk. If you’re serious about wanting my approval, I have a few concerns abou
t your friend—Jen.”
I wondered when her second in command persona would show up. “Shoot. I’ve only known her a short time, but I’ll do my best to answer your questions.”
“You told me she is a unique shifter who can transform into objects. I’ve never heard of such a skill before. To be honest, it is a skill I don’t see benefiting the coven. We need allies that can shift into people and animals.”
I was afraid she might say that. Tara is parroting my mother’s feelings. “If you remember, it is my destiny to find a good teacher to push her abilities much further.”
She nods. “Yes, I’m aware. But part of me wonders if it is possible.”
“I have a good feeling about it.
She turns to my mother. “I love your daughter as much as you do, but I’m not prepared to totally trust her gut opinion.”
Ouch. And here I thought Tara was like a big sister to me as well as a good friend. If this is what having a big sister is like, I think I’ll stick with being an only child.
My mom is silent for a moment then she turns to Tara. “I understand your concern. When Jen arrives, I will be certain to put her through the paces.” Mom gives Tara a devilish grin. “Trust me.”
Oh no. What have I got Jen into?
Tara glances at her fancy Swarovski crystal watch. “I’ve got to go.” She reaches over and gives me a hug. “I hope your friend passes the test, for your sake.”
Double ouch. With not much enthusiasm, I say, “Thanks.”
She stops before she heads out the door. “As a parting gift I left something in your bedroom.”
Knowing Tara’s “gifts” I trudge reluctantly down the hallway and stop in front of my bedroom. My hand shakes a bit as I open the door and then I stop dead in my tracks.
Terrific. As a parting gift Tara has turned my once beautiful dream bedroom into a My Little Pony showroom.
I greet Jen at the door wearing one of my mother’s flowing caftans. “Are you ready for a crash course on witches?”
Her eyes scan the tent-like living room, obviously still not believing it’s inside a vanilla track house. “Sure.” Her nose twitches as the fragrance of sandalwood incense swirls around her.
My mother emerges from the kitchen dressed in a gold caftan, her hair hanging loose down to her waist. She’s carrying a plate stacked high with cookies. “Nice to meet you, Jennifer. My daughter has told me so much about you.”
My mom motions for Jen to sit down on one of the embroidered cushions. “My name is Eshe, welcome to my home. Please have a seat.” She glides across the floor and stands in front of our special guest. My mother leans over and holds out the plate at eye level. “I hope you will enjoy a cookie.”
Jen takes a cookie off the plate the whole time staring at my mother intently. I’m used to this type of reaction when someone meets my mother for the first time. Her natural beauty and grace are a sight to behold.
Jen takes a bite of the cookie and closes her eyes. She is taking in the complexity of the flavors. People always notice how the spices compliment the almond flavor. The hint of chili pepper usually takes people by surprise.
She swallows, opens her eyes and smiles. “The way the almond blends with the hint of pepper is perfect.”
My mother nods having heard this compliment before. She reaches over and takes a cookie for herself. “Thank you. I can see why my daughter has been so taken with you.”
Ra jumps down from his favorite spot in the dining room window and rubs against my mom’s legs. I pick him up and sit down next to Jen. “This is Ra. He’s my mother’s familiar.”
She reaches over and pets him on the head. “Is that the same thing as a spirit animal?”
I grin knowing Jen has been Googling up a storm about the world of witches. She is going to make a terrific student. “Someone has been doing their homework.”
Jen shifts off her cushion a bit to make room for Ra. He seems fixated on her Keds sneakers.
Jen smiles at Ra as he bats at her shoelaces. “So, what’s your familiar?”
“Not the usual choice,” my mother says letting out a melodic chuckle. “Brook, why don’t you call him?”
Putting my fingers between my teeth, I let out a high-pitched whistle. Nothing happens. Fred must be sound asleep. Then the familiar sound of wings fluttering reverberates from the hallway. Fred darts out of the doorway and flies into the living room. He lets out a loud shriek just to make sure we all know he has arrived. While Fred eyes Jen, I cross my fingers and hope he will keep his very strong opinions to himself. He makes a beeline straight for his favorite roosting spot—my shoulder.
Jen scoots sideways on her cushion. “Holy crap, it’s a bat!”
I chuckle at the expected horrific reaction to my choice of familiar. I pat the furry head nestled against my cheek. “Yes, it is. Meet Fred.”
His beady little eyes bore into Jen. “Let me guess, it’s one of your vamp friends.”
Laughter fills the air. My mom takes a breath before she can talk. “You shouldn’t believe everything you see in horror movies.”
Jen sighs having heard the same admonishment from Derrick.
“Okay, I think I understand now. Some things are true, like witches cast spells and have familiars. But others aren’t, like you ride around on brooms and have warts.”
Our laughter starts up again. I can’t believe how many paranormal myths Jen has managed to absorb. I laugh so hard Fred quits trying to cling to my shoulder and takes off back down the hallway. That isn’t like him to not play along. I whistle again. “Fred, come back.”
My mother having recovered from laughing moves her cushion next to Jen. Ra jumps off of Jen’s cushion and lies down in her lap. My mom strokes Ra’s head, probably feeling she has been quite rude to laugh at my friend’s expense. “I’m sorry. It is not fair to laugh at your ignorance. You will learn over time what is fact and what is fiction.”
I need to make Jen feel at ease. “Yeah, it won’t take long for you to get up to speed.”
She sighs. “I hope you’re right. It’s a lot to take in.”
My mother nods and looks my way. “Funny you should say that. Brooklyn felt the same way when she saw you transform.”
Jen shifts nervously on her cushion knowing I filled mother in on everything. “She told you?”
“Yes, I must say I’m quite fascinated. I’ve seen werewolves change, of course. But you have a totally different skill. I know it is a lot to ask on our first meeting, but would you mind shifting for me?”
Nothing like diving right into the big test.
Jen looks around the room trying to find something impressive to shift into. At first, she seems totally uninspired, and then she stands up and walks right over to my mother’s favorite clock sitting on a carved table in the corner of the living room. It’s a total stroke of genius. My mother will surely be impressed when she sees Jen turn into her antique house shaped clock with the little seesaw inside.
My mother gets up and walks over and stands next to Jen as she admires the clock. “You have a good eye. That’s one of my favorite pieces. My mother found it in an antique store when she first visited America. The seesaw reminds me of the way the boats bob up and down on the Nile.”
Jen gazes into my mother’s face with a touch of apprehension on hers. “Would you mind if I shifted into the clock? I promise I won’t damage it.”
My mother says nothing at first. She just runs her hand along the red roof of the house. “It will be amusing to watch. But if something goes wrong, and you damage my treasure, I will have no choice but to turn you into a snail.”
Jen stares at me in disbelief. I bet she is wondering if my mother is kidding. But I know how much she loves the clock so I have no doubt Jen would surely be turned into a snail—or something worse. Running her hands over the roof of the clock, Jen leans in closer to the clockface and closes her eyes and concentrates. Just like when I watched her turn into the dumpster, the surface of the wood starts to ungulate and
turn liquid.
My mother’s face grows pale as she watches one of her most precious possessions be destroyed right in front of her face. She bits her lip to keep from turning Jen into some kind of reptile. Jen stays focused on the clock as her arms and legs vanish and what’s left of her body races toward the clock. In less than a blink of an eye she’s gone. The clock once again ticks loudly, and the seesaw taps back and forth.
My mother sits expressionless for a few moments and then a huge grin spreads across her face. “Very impressive, Jennifer.”
Jen makes the hands on the clock spin, causing the little girl and boy on the seesaw to bob up and down even faster.
My mother gives Jen a hearty round of applause.
I jump up off my cushion and applaud too. “Awesome job, Jen. Can you make the hands go backwards?
At first nothing happens, then the black hands slowly turn counterclockwise.
Then they stop abruptly. The clock once again began to undulate, and the wood surface turned to liquid. My mother sits back on her cushion enjoying the process this time. Once Jen is back into her human form my mom stands, sending Ra onto the floor with a loud meow in protest. Poor Ra’s comfy spot is gone. He glares at me as if I am responsible for taking away his nap bed and saunters off to the kitchen.
My mother shakes her hand. “You have a truly amazing gift, Jennifer. Thank you for obliging me.” My mother walks over and examines the clock. It is running perfectly. Then she lets out a gasp. “I’m sorry, but I completely forgot I promised to meet a friend at six o’clock.”
I watch my mom as she gathers up her purse and her car keys. “Have a good time.”
I wave good-bye to my mom and then motion for Jen to follow me down the hallway. “I think you deserve a break after that. Come crash for a bit in my room.”
Jen takes in the wall lined with pictures of Egypt. She stops in front of a photo of the Nile at sunset. How I miss my mother’s homeland. After the school year is finished, I’d love to visit Grandma.
How to Snag a Shifter-The Book of Brooklyn Book One: A Young Adult Paranormal Romance Witch Series (The Book of Brooklyn Witch Series 1) Page 7
