by LeAnn Mason
“Oh, nothing much, just some jabs between friends last night.”
“Do friends jab each other often? I’m not sure I’d do well with that. I get enough of it at home with non-friends.” I didn’t know if she was aware her hand had moved to her right bicep, kneading lightly as if to rub away a sting of its own.
I wondered what her evening had entailed. No way was I going to tell her the whole of the story, but a piece wouldn’t hurt, right? “Just training with Jason and Allya. I’m thinking of becoming a Sentinel.”
“Oh wow, really? I think you’d be good at it. I mean, I know you’re not a Shifter, but your magic is powerful, and so is your personality.”
“You think I have a strong personality, huh? Is that a nice way of saying that I’m pushy?” I gasped with mock outrage, not noticing her response as we traversed the crowded halls of our school. I winced with each shove and jostle delivered by the mass of undulating bodies, my nerves screwing ever tighter as pain began to radiate from several points on my injured body.
With half-hearted parting words and a small wave, I deposited Sasha at the door to her first class, continuing to the second floor where I’d start my own educational endeavors for the day. Because she was a year behind me, a junior, Sasha and I didn’t share any classes. A bummer because it would have been nice to have someone to sit next to who, I was fairly sure, didn’t think I was less than dirt.
Being a Monday, I’d have already been a bit grumpy, but add in the fact that I’d died over the weekend and then been beaten with a stick several times over a few hours later? Well, I wasn’t looking forward to sitting at a little desk surrounded by people who were all in some safe bubble. My own bubble had burst, shattering like glass and becoming hazardous shards with the potential to slice into any part of me they came into contact with.
Only time would tell if I would relish being a phoenix. The goal was to stay alive, like in a long and continuous stretch. Dying sucked, but the process of rebirth had been so much worse. I think I could even safely liken it to torture.
The lingering effects were also annoying, like, my hands and feet were constantly going numb and useless before becoming pins and needles after their misfire. During chemistry, I’d gotten more sideways looks than normal because I’d nearly crashed to the floor –more than once– when my leg had decided it didn’t want to work. The same had happened at home yesterday, during my “day off,” though there, no one had been around to witness.
I’d have to find out more about this whole phoenix thing. Hopefully, Mae would be successful in finding some information on the mythical classification of supernatural that claimed me. With no one believing the species existed, reliable information would likely be extremely hard to come by.
Maybe that means it will be up to me. And Mae. Lord knew the girl would jump at the chance to document some kind of lesser-known science. Never mind whether that science was actually magic. She was equally fascinated with both.
My clumsiness for the day had made sure that I’d been given a wide berth, the students trading whispers, glances, and quiet laughs at my expense. But, at least, all from slightly further away than usual. Small blessings, right? I bolted from each and every classroom the moment the bell sounded after spending the preceding moments making sure that my limbs wouldn’t retaliate at that particular moment.
Finally, at the end of the torture device that was school, I pulled out my phone and tapped out a quick message to Mae as I prepared to head back to the diner for my regularly scheduled after-school shift. The dwarfs went eerily quiet when I pushed through the back door and into the kitchen.
I knew they’d been discussing me; the room was never quiet when they were working. Emest was always griping at someone or other, and then the subject of his ire would be grumbling quietly under their breath in return. Florian’s sneezes always took center stage when they presented themselves as did Isaac’s yawns.
Their eyes followed me as I snagged the half-apron from its peg by the door and worked at securing it around my waist, but no one said anything. There weren’t even the sounds of clanking pots to indicate they were still doing their tasks. I refused to see for myself what I knew to be true. Time to swipe on my armor and get going. Best to keep busy if you didn’t want to dwell.
“How was your day, Firebird?” Rune’s question, the same he posed every day, was tinged with worry, but I was thankful he’d broken the silence. I turned, moving my hand away from the swinging door that would take me out into the front where I would have to paste on a big red smile and pretend that this day was just like any other. Like my life hadn’t been irreparably changed.
Time would tell how well I’d deal with the situation, but today, I was grateful for a little man who couldn’t let me go without checking on me.
“I survived, Rune,” I sighed. “Thank you for asking though.” I hadn’t intended to smile, but I truly was grateful, and my lips turned up of their own accord as my eyes found Rune’s between the serving shelves where partial orders stood waiting for whatever remained to adorn their surfaces and for Dory to shepherd them out to the waiting patrons. She’d be happy to not be the sole server any longer. Anytime one of us was the only waitress on shift, it was nearly impossible to keep up, but thankfully, those times were few and far between.
There weren’t many employed at the diner who were not a part of our cobbled family, and none of them knew the story of our pasts. No more than employees, they were not privy to anything unrelated to the working order of the diner.
They weren’t family or friends. I gave Dory a chin nod while I strode to the far side of the room where tables were starting to fill up with those now out of school and looking for a place to hang out and snack…
I hated that I couldn’t escape these kids. It wasn’t enough that they looked at me sideways all the school-long day, but the awkwardness continued, spilling onto me from outside the walls of education. At least, here, they’d learned not to be openly rude. Many a catty teen had been threatened with refusal of service if they couldn’t be polite within the dwarfs’ establishment.
Considering that this was the best food in town, most complied, even catty-ass Risa. Not rude or hostile, they just treated me like the hired help. Civil but no pleasantries. Fine by me. It made my job easier when I didn’t have to entertain in addition to serving. “What can I get you guys?”
“Four chocolate milkshakes and two baskets of fries.” Nasally and clipped, I knew the voice to be Stephanie’s, one of the teenage Witches from the coven and a regular tormentor of my girl, Sasha. My eyes narrowed reflexively with the knowledge. Bobbing my head, I wrote the order and scampered off without looking up. If she’d wanted something else, she would have said so, and she knew better than to complain if, by chance, she hadn’t completed the order.
The bell dinged, causing my attention to flick toward the entrance door in reflex. I threw a quick wave at Allya as she crossed toward the hostess podium before turning behind the bar to get going on the milkshakes and tell the guys to put a couple of fry baskets together.
“Hey, how was school?”
I couldn’t help but laugh at Allya’s hushed question. It was like everyone was waiting for me to explode. Well, everyone who knew about my phoenix status, anyway.
“Fine. School is school. Only thing different today was that my body didn’t always want to do as commanded.” Shrugging, I poured the thick, chocolatey dessert drink into four tall, fancy, tapered glasses typical of shakes and sundaes. Any excuse not to look up and see pity in someone else’s eyes. I didn’t think my mind would allow my mouth to stay closed, and I didn’t want to snap at my friend.
“I don’t want you to think that I wanted to hang out with her,” Allya finished.
I must have missed something, some part of her speech, which, I had to admit, had kind of been the idea, but now I was lost… and kind of interested.
“With who?” Cleaning up the glasses with a wet rag, I went about arranging the treats o
n a large circular tray to take back to Stephanie and her crew.
“Circe.” Allya threw me an annoyed and confused look. You know, the one where it looks like they can’t believe you didn’t react to whatever they’d said. I froze, the name finally sinking in. My eyes meeting hers seemed to give her permission to switch looks to something a bit more self-satisfied. Like this was the reaction she’d been looking for by dropping the Evil Queen’s name.
“Exactly. So I just wanted you to know that this outing is definitely not my idea. It was Elsie’s. Apparently, she wanted me to meet the new Elder. I don’t see why. I mean it’s not like it has anything to do with me at all. Though, for you, I’m totally soaking it up. She’s a piece of work, by the way. I totally get why you don’t like her. And don’t get me started on her aura. Just walking here was more than enough for me,” Allya scoffed, thumping a hand on the worn wood of the bar top stretched between us.
I’d forgotten about that particular talent of Allya’s. How had I not thought to employ her to take a little peek into all that was Circe? “What’s going on with her aura?” I whispered harshly. She’d succeeded in piquing my interest.
“I see how it is, just want me for my Shaman abilities,” she huffed in mock irritation, an eyebrow raised. Her face strained against the neutral look she’d forced upon it.
I pushed at her playfully, getting the mask to crack. “C’mon, you know I love you. Now, tell me, woman!” Her throaty laughter pulled an answering smile from me. Her amber eyes were bright with mirth, her ruddy skin flushed. She really was pretty.
Lucky.
I smacked my red lips together again, making sure that armor was firmly in place, the action a means to pull my thoughts from envy. Allya was too cool, too good of a friend for me to think of her with hostility. Instead, I looked past her toward the table of teens, and, just one booth to the right sat Elsie and, the bane of my existence, Circe.
Fabulous, I’d have to deal with two antagonists right next to one another. The best I could hope for was that both finished and left quickly. Attitudes like theirs fed off each other, each barb tossed needing to be outdone by the other, though with Elsie around, Circe’s jabs might be too subtle for the likes of Stephanie to catch on to.
“That woman’s aura is a muddy reddish-brown with lots of black veining. I see why you don’t like her. She’s used to getting what she wants, and if she doesn’t… that black tells me she’ll find a way to get it anyway. Be careful. I don’t trust her.”
“That makes two of us,” I mumbled, turning to snag the waiting fries from the metal-lined cutout bridging the kitchen and seating areas of the diner. “I’d better get these to the Witches before the w turns into a raging b.” With a terse smile, I shouldered the tray, shifting my weight until I felt the weight even out. Allya’s hearty laughter barked, one loud burst before she contained it, following in my wake to again join her great-aunt and the stepmother I never claimed.
Though I studiously ignored her as I presented my classmates with their food, I felt her burning stare like a brand on the side of my face. My short, black hair was not a thick enough curtain to shield my mind from the intense animosity, even if it did hide my face. Once I’d divested myself of the trayed items, I had no further reason to avoid the Shamans and their companion. With one last pop of my bright red lips –testing the armor– I turned my smile on and shifted my focus.
CHAPTER 18
“H ey, guys! How are you today, Elsie?”
“I’m good, dear, how are you?”
“Not too bad, been a little clumsy today but surviving,” I laughed, sliding my eyes toward Allya. She’d understand the subtext. “So, what can I get you guys this afternoon? It’s a bit early for dinner; just looking for a snack?” Batting my lashes I roved my eyes across each of the booth’s occupants, landing heavily to rest on Circe’s mildly interested features.
“Well, I couldn’t leave Grimm Hollow without saying goodbye, and Elsie assures me that the pie here is absolutely divine.” She laughed, a deep, sensual sound. I hated it. “How could I pass that up?”
It was a great honor to be named Elder, and with it came a considerable amount of power and influence. Circe, in fact, had been after the title for as long as I’d known her. Add that to the fact that she’d sent some goon Mage after me when I was only a child… Yeah, I had no love for the conniving woman. “So, you’ll be heading back to Andersenville, then?” The thought made me happier than most others in recent memory. It wouldn’t be soon enough for my liking. Never having to see her again would have been too soon.
“Do you have a preference for what type of pie?” I asked the table as a whole, waiting to hear what they preferred from today’s offerings of pumpkin, pecan, apple, and cherry pies. During the fall and holiday seasons, pumpkin and pecan pies were king. Today was no different. Elsie and Allya chose pumpkin, my favorite. Circe opted for pecan. Maybe the sweetness of the sugary dessert would rub off on her…
The drinks were more varied. Allya chose hot chocolate with whipped cream. Elsie asked for hot water to steep her hibiscus tea, and Circe chose coffee. Black, like her heart. “I’ll get that right out for you.” Then I bounced away with a flourish, proud of myself for my professionalism in the face of the ruthless, power-hungry, vile Mage named Circe. Heading back out, however, was akin to pulling teeth. I’d have done just about anything to avoid going out and socializing with her.
“How are you doing, Bianca? You look like maybe you’ve had a rough couple of days,” Circe led, an interested gleam lighting her already bright teal eyes. Too much interest.
“I had a long weekend, and I think my body may still be recovering. But I’m good, thank you so much for asking, Circe.” Two could play this faux-nicety game.
“How about that handsome young Shifter I saw you with Saturday? How’s he doing? I thought maybe he’d be hanging around again today.” She made a show to look around the diner for Nick’s towering form, knowing full well he was nowhere within sight.
“Did you know that B here is pretty badass with a sword?” Allya piped up, breaking up the passive-aggressive pissing contest Circe and I had engaged in. Elsie only sat back against the vinyl of the booth seat, alert eyes missing nothing of the exchange. I noticed that she seemed to watch the Andersenville Elder, especially when Circe’s attention was engaged elsewhere. I truly hoped the elder Shaman would be able to decipher the true nature of the Mage in her company. It wouldn’t be the most prudent for me to speak out against one of the most powerful and respected magic-users of our world.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a low, bobbing swath of dark hair above a blotch of red; one of my keepers, making the rounds to check on me. They’d been on a sort of rotating watch since I’d shown up this afternoon, but since this trio had arrived, they’d circled closer and lingered longer. Every once in a while, I’d even hear a disgruntled huff or murmur, which I took to be Emest voicing his displeasure.
It was comforting to hear the sound, to know that my dwarf keepers cared enough to have my back. They’d have no problem taking a go at an Elder, especially one not from Grimm Hollow. These towns were not their home. They felt no allegiance toward their authority figures and only did what they thought was right.
Considering their rather influential roles within the town, they could get away with a lot. I quirked a smile as I noted Circe’s eyes following something behind me and assumed, by their irritated narrowing, one of the dwarfs made another welfare check.
“Oh? I’d be interested in seeing that,” Circe cooed over my swordsmanship before coming back to her previous thought. “Well, I’m glad neither you nor the Shifter gentleman is sick. It’s that time of year, you know.”
“Uh-huh, except that we supernaturals don’t get sick.” Allya’s bitch-radar was finally catching up to mine, and I could see the red flags start to wave. Maybe Circe covered herself better than I thought she did. Maybe my past experiences were the only reason I’d never trust her lovely face. Allya h
ad a built-in bullshit meter though, didn’t she? Two, even.
I’d have to ask her what she’d learned from today’s experience. If there was anything beyond what I already knew of the harpy…
“That’s what we all thought, but my poor Renauld succumbed. I guess there are no certainties in this world.” She finished by popping a forkful of pecan pie into her mouth, a low moan dragging from her throat as she withdrew the newly cleaned implement. The sound was loud enough to draw attention from nearby patrons. I glued my smile back in place as I gave silent apologies to those now staring.
“An easy feat for an earth Mage, I’d think.” I didn’t even look back at her while delivering the verbal slap. I couldn’t help but meet her eyes again when I heard the spluttering cough of liquid escaping into the windpipe. Her body shuddered and lurched as a fit of forceful coughs attempted to expel the scalding coffee from her lungs.
My lips tipped up of their own accord, the first real smile I’d delivered since the group’s arrival. Score one for the little orphan Mage.
Recovering her composure and bringing her linen napkin to cover her mouth, Circe wiped away any traces of imperfection, the facade again in place. “Are you implying something, dearest stepdaughter?” Her tone was cold, her face impassive except for the eyebrow that raised, daring me to go on.
“Implying? No. Just stating. Sick is something unknown to us, but poison, on the other hand…” I shrugged, letting my words hang between us. Though locked in a staredown, I jumped, taken off guard when a weathered hand curled warmly around my elbow.
Breaking eye contact, I focused on the Shaman Elder on my left. “Dear, do not be imprudent. Accusing an Elder of misconduct is a serious thing. One should not be flippant about when, where, and how one does such.” Elsie’s tone was stern, her dark eyes bored into mine, willing me to understand the silent message without fanning the flames I’d brought to life.
