Magic & Monsters (Starry Hollow Witches Book 12)

by Annabel Chase

  “Not yet, and, even if I did, I won’t share it.” He stared at his empty plate. “I hope Linnea serves this again after dinner. It’s worthy of a repeat performance.”

  “She’ll be glad to hear it.” I collected both our plates, preparing to bring them to the kitchen. “Good luck with your search, Jarek. I’ll be honest, I’m a pretty good judge of character and, if anyone finds the tepen and its nest, I hope it’s you.”

  He smiled. “From your lips to the tepen’s ears.”

  I grimaced at the thought of my mouth touching the creature’s ear. “Can we try an alternate phrase that’s less gross?”

  “May all your wishes come true?”

  I slapped the table. “That’ll do.”

  Chapter Eight

  I’d barely made it out the door of Palmetto House when I received an incoming text from Aster. I groaned when I saw her request for me to swing by the tourism office. If she asked me to hand sell tepen T-shirts on street corners, I was going to have to put my foot down. Let Florian put his considerable charm to good use for a change; I had enough to do.

  I breezed through the tourism building to the back room where Aster’s office was located. My cousin sat at the desk reviewing a glossy brochure of the town.

  She looked up and smiled as I entered. “That was fast. Did you fly on your broomstick?”

  “No, I was at Linnea’s.”

  “Oh, how did her baked apple crumble come out?”

  I sat in a plush chair opposite her. “Amazing. I could never do that without magic.” To be fair, I wasn’t very good at baking even with magic. Something usually backfired.

  Aster set down the brochure and pinned her gaze on me. “I have an idea that I’d like to run past you.”

  “If you want me to operate a kiosk at the beach full of tepen merchandise, the answer is no.” Raoul would be proud of me—recognizing my limits and establishing boundaries.

  “No, that’s not it, although I love that idea.” She picked up her phone and dictated a reminder. “Talk to Florian about tepen-shaped balloons and popsicles.”

  “What’s your idea?” I asked.

  Aster pressed her lips together as though afraid to let the words out. “Brace yourself. It’s somewhat radical.”

  I eyed her with trepidation. “This isn’t some kind of threesome request, is it? Because as hot as you are, keeping it in the family is not my jam.”

  Aster’s hand fluttered to her chest in a move reminiscent of her mother. “Good Goddess, no. Where would you even get such an idea?”

  “Movies,” I mumbled. And maybe the dark corners of the interwebs.

  “No, this is a business idea, but nothing to do with tourism. I’ve been thinking about starting my own venture. A line of outbuildings small enough for a standard backyard.”

  I squinted at her. “You want to run a shed company?”

  “Not exactly. It would be a place for a woman to hide when she needs a break from her family.”

  “That’s called the bathroom,” I said. Not that I was able to escape from Marley even then. When she was younger, she’d either find a way to bust in and interrupt whatever I was doing or linger outside the door and chatter away until I couldn’t take it anymore.

  Aster shook her white-blond head. “The twins seem to sense when I’m heading for the bathroom. Besides, I share my bathroom with Sterling. It’s certainly not the oasis I’d like it to be.”

  “So it’s a man cave but outside of the house instead of in the basement.” I nodded. “Okay, I’m getting a visual.”

  “I’ll offer decorative themes and customization packages. I’m going to call them Sidhe Sheds. Do you get it? Because ‘sidhe’ is pronounced the same as ‘she.’” Her expression grew dreamy. “I already have the perfect logo in mind with a fairy and a hill.”

  “I think it sounds like a great idea. What about your mother though? She’s pretty particular about what falls under the Rose-Muldoon corporate umbrella.”

  Aster twitched. “That’s the radical part, really. I’d like to do this on my own, without Mother’s involvement.”

  “Oh, wow.” That seemed so unlike Aster. She was generally the one to tow the family line and act as the dutiful daughter. She married within the coven as her mother wished. She served on the boards of several family-run charities. Her own venture did, indeed, seem like a radical move.

  “What about Sterling? Did he have an opinion?”

  She played with the rose charm on her necklace. “I haven’t mentioned it yet.”

  “Have you told anyone aside from me?”

  Aster chewed her lip. “Not yet.”

  I cocked my head. “You ran this idea past me first? Why?” It wasn’t like I was some business-savvy scion.

  “Because you’ll give me honest feedback.”

  “You don’t think your mother would? Because the phrase ‘brutally honest’ generally conjures up an image of Hyacinth Rose-Muldoon, at least in my mind.”

  “Mother isn’t like that with me,” Aster admitted.

  “Probably because you’ve disappointed her the least.”

  She offered a shy smile. “And I’d like to keep it that way.” Her eyes turned hopeful. “So? What do you think?”

  “Honestly, I think it’s an awesome idea. If you can tap into what these women want—and as the mother of young twins I think you can—then you’ll knock it out of the park.”

  Her exhale was tinged with relief. “I’m so pleased. I’d built it up so much in my mind that I worried I’d constructed a fantasy rather than a solid business plan. It feels good to share it with someone.”

  I ran an idle hand along the arm of the chair. “Can I ask why you didn’t start with Sterling? He’s the one with the most business sense.” I worried that they were still having issues. It wasn’t too long ago that Sterling was spending too many hours at the office and not enough with his family. Thankfully, he and Aster had decided to actively work on their marriage instead of letting it dissolve.

  Aster swept her hair off her shoulder. “We have an agreement not to discuss business with each other. When we’re home, we’re focused on each other and the twins.”

  “But this is a big deal, starting your own company. Even having the idea…” And she was so excited about it. I felt sorry for her that she felt she couldn’t share that enthusiasm with her husband.

  “You don’t need to worry about us, Ember. Now that I have your feedback, I intend to broach it with him at dinner. We have reservations later this week for just the two of us and, since we’ll be out of the house, the conversation won’t violate our agreement.”

  “Who’s the lucky babysitter?”

  She smiled. “I was hoping Marley would be willing? If not, I have a backup plan. It’s a school night, but I promise we won’t be late.” She laughed softly. “Between work and the twins, neither of us can manage to stay up past nine on a weeknight.”

  “I’ll ask her and let you know.” Ackley and Aspen could be a handful, so I’d need to check whether Marley felt up to the challenge.

  “Thank you I appreciate it.” She paused, looking at me intently.

  “Why do I get the feeling there’s more?”

  “I was wondering how you would feel about working with me on this new venture.”

  My eyebrows shot up. “You want me to be a part of Sidhe Shed?”

  “I thought it would be fun. You’re a hard worker and…”

  I burst into laughter. “Aster, have you met me? I don’t even close my cabinets if they don’t shut all the way the first time. Once I’m more than a foot away, I might as well be on Mars. There’s no going back.”

  She hunched forward and stared at me. “You’re a single mother who juggles coven lessons thrust upon you by your domineering aunt, family obligations, and a demanding job as a reporter, as well as a relationship. All of those things take work and focus.”

  “But I don’t do any of them well, Aster. For the love of Springsteen, I have a raccoon act
ing as my accountability coach because I constantly feel like my life is spinning out of control. Don’t you want your business to do well?”

  She tilted her head. “Do you really believe you don’t do any of them well? Ember, look at Marley. That young witch alone is evidence of your hard work and commitment.”

  I shook my head. “I can’t claim credit for Marley. She came fully formed like Athena from Zeus’s head.”

  Aster clasped her hands on the desk. “Listen, I’m not going to convince you if you don’t want to believe it. Take some time to consider my offer and let me know. There’s no rush.”

  “Do you think I’d have the time to devote to it? You just named a bunch of obligations I already have.”

  “If the business took off, I thought maybe you’d give up Vox Populi. Working there was Mother’s idea, after all, to give you a respectable job.”

  Although I knew that was true, I’d actually come to like my job there. It gave me a sense of direction and purpose.

  “You seem to have given this a lot of thought,” I said.

  “I have.”

  I contemplated the offer for a brief moment and remembered my discussion with Raoul about setting realistic goals and sticking to them. As much as I hated to disappoint my cousin, I knew there was no way I would leave Vox Populi to start a business, no matter how much I liked the idea.

  “I appreciate you thinking of me—I really do—but I can tell you right now that I won’t be a good fit and the last thing I’d want to do is let you down.”

  Disappointment rippled across her beautiful features and I steeled myself against that look. She might be disappointed now, but she’d be more disappointed if I agreed and then couldn’t handle the commitment.

  “I understand,” she said softly.

  “You should still talk to Sterling,” I encouraged. “He might suggest a partner. He knows a lot of business-minded paranormals.”

  She managed a smile. “You’re right. My husband is an excellent resource.”

  I stood and stretched. The chair was more attractive than comfortable. “I’ll let you know about Marley babysitting.”

  “Thank you. You won’t mention this to anyone, will you? I’d like to keep it between us for now.”

  I held up a hand. “I solemnly swear to uphold the oath of secrecy.”

  A genuine smile emerged and I felt a sense of relief upon seeing it. “I know I can count on you,” she said.

  “If it isn’t Hazel, my wonderful tutor,” I said.

  The Mistress of Runecraft bustled into the cottage, toting her oversized bag that I was convinced housed a tiny town. She dropped the bag on the floor next to the chair. “Since when am I wonderful?” She squinted at me. “Are you feeling unwell? Not hungover again, are you?”

  My hands landed on my hips. “Will you stop implying that I drink too much?”

  “I’m not implying.” Hazel planted herself in the chair across from me. “I’m saying it pretty plainly.”

  “I take it back. You’re not my wonderful tutor.”

  “I figured it would be a fleeting sentiment.” She leaned down and reached into the bag.

  “What are you getting? Are we doing more chromopathy?” Not too long ago we had a lesson on color magic, which is when I made the bracelet for Marigold to relieve her menopause symptoms. I’d enjoyed the lesson more than I’d expected.

  Hazel sat up straight and looked at me. “Would you be amenable to that?”

  I shrugged. “Sure. It was kind of fun.” Anything was better than runecraft. If I had to draw one more stick symbol, I was going to gauge my eye out with an actual stick. On second thought, I’d gauge Hazel’s eye out.

  She blew a stray red curl out of her eye and lifted a long, black case onto the table. “I’m willing to do anything that holds your interest.”

  “So next week will be juggling panda bears?”

  Hazel ignored me and opened the case filled with a collection of semi-precious stones. “Choose the color you need and we’ll go from there. We can make a necklace, bracelet, a ring—even a set of earrings.”

  “You’re not going to recommend a hangover cure again, are you?”

  Hazel adjusted a shiny black stone. “I’ll let you decide what makes sense for you.”

  I studied the options, trying to remember which properties the colors corresponded to. “I could use…”

  “Ash of pearl in honey?” she prompted.

  “Why?”

  A maniacal smile blazed across her face. “Cures lunacy.”

  “In that case, you might want to consider it for yourself.” I contemplated the ruby. “This one looks expensive.”

  “Choose whichever one you want. Hyacinth will cover the cost.”

  “Of course she will.” I tapped the red stone. “What would this ruby do?”

  “Wear it as a ring and it cures impotency.” She arched an eyebrow. “Perhaps for your nightwalker paramour?”

  “That’s not an issue, but I appreciate your concern. What about that one?” I pointed to a brilliant green stone similar to the color of Alec’s eyes.

  “A magic-infused emerald,” she said. “It detects and destroys poisons and toxins in the body.”

  Too bad York didn’t have access to one of these, I thought. “Hang on a hot minute. You said it detects poison too?”

  “That’s right. It changes color when it senses the presence of a poison or toxin.”

  I stared at the beautiful gemstone. “Can it actually identify the type of poison?” I’d run it over to the sheriff’s office right now.

  “It’s not a computer, Ember. It’s a gemstone.”

  “I’d like this one. Can we make a bracelet with it?”

  Are you sure about that?

  I craned my neck to see Raoul on his hind legs trying to peer over my shoulder. “What’s wrong with it?”

  It’s a bracelet. You’ll lose it in a bowl of spaghetti or on a hand towel in a public restroom.

  “That’s very specific.”

  What can I say? I know you.

  “But I think a bracelet makes sense.”

  “Yes,” Hazel said. “You and Marigold can wear matching ones.”

  I glared at her. “I do not need the same bracelet that Marigold has, thank you very much.”

  Hazel gave me a coy look. “What? You can’t be that much younger than she is. You have Marley and she’s how old now?”

  Sensing a burgeoning crisis, Raoul leaped on top of the table to position his furry body between us. He needn’t have bothered. The door burst open and Bonkers swooped into the room and landed face first on the scratching post like she was straight out of a Tom and Jerry cartoon.

  “It’s times like these I need a YouTube channel,” I muttered.

  “Bonkers, are you okay?” Marley rushed into the cottage behind her familiar and hurried to check on the winged kitten.

  “A stiff breeze will do that,” Hazel said.

  “I’m not convinced,” I said. “Why don’t you stand in the doorway and test out your theory?”

  The witch tapped the case with prim fingers. “Why don’t we stay focused on the lesson?”

  “Give me one second. I need to put on my mom hat.” I turned to smile at Marley. “How was school?”

  She flopped on the couch. “Busy. I feel like I’m being buried alive under a mountain of schoolwork.”

  “That sounds unpleasant,” I said. “Aster asked if you were available to babysit this week. From the sound of it, I’m guessing the answer is no.”

  She tipped her head back to peer at me upside down from the couch. “I totally would, but I have tests all week and I need to study.”

  “That’s fine. I’ll let her know.”

  Marley’s brow creased with concern. “What if she can’t find someone else?”

  “Don’t worry about Aster. She’s a grown witch. Besides, she said she has a backup plan.”

  “If you’re sure.” Marley seemed unconvinced.

 
“School is more important,” I said firmly. “Set your boundaries and enforce them.”

  Exactly, Raoul said. He’d crawled onto the chair beside me to admire the gemstones.

  No sticky paws, I warned him.

  What? You know my thieving days are over.

  Explain that to my refrigerator.

  Hazel tapped the table. “Ember, could we get back to the lesson, please?”

  “Sure. Ooh, wait. Let me send this quick text to Aster before I forget.”

  Hazel exhaled impatiently. “Far be it for me to interfere with your personal life during my professional time.”

  A knock at the door interrupted my texting.

  Marley ran to open it, revealing Simon with a small crushed velvet pillow.

  “Simon, you look like an oversized ring bearer,” I said.

  “There’s a note,” Marley said. Before she could pluck it from the pillow, the note opened and Aunt Hyacinth’s face appeared in the cottage.

  “Your presence is requested at Thornhold for dinner this evening. Seven o’clock sharp.”

  “But I already have dinner plans,” I said. “Those leftover tacos won’t reheat themselves.” The face dissipated without a response and I blinked at Simon. “Did she get that?”

  “No, Miss Ember, but I will be happy to relay your response.”

  “Oh, about the tacos? No, I guess I’d better just show up.”

  Is fitting in dinner at Thornhold a realistic goal? Raoul asked.

  Her alcohol is more expensive than mine.

  Fair enough. Carry on.

  “Mom, there’s no way I can go to a long dinner at Aunt Hyacinth’s,” Marley complained. She threw a tortured hand across her forehead to emphasize her distress.

  “You have my permission to stay home and study.” I turned back to Simon. “Please tell my aunt that Ember, party of one, will be attending.”

  Simon bowed and vacated the doorstep.

  I closed the door and returned to the table.

  “Can we please…?” Hazel began.

  I held up a finger as I texted Aster to let her know about Marley’s heavy workload and my phone immediately rang in response. “Hi. I guess you got my text.”

  “Is there anyone else you know who could do it?” Aster asked.