“Hestia, could you imagine leaving your familiar here…in pain…while your soul went to the afterlife?” I figured she would the easiest witch to obtain information from considering her situation. “I’ve heard it’s very painful for them. What is your familiar? A cat? A fairy?”
You just had to ask, didn’t you?
“Oh, no,” Hestia said with a laugh, ignoring everyone’s glares aimed in her direction. I’d definitely made the right decision in targeting her for answers. “My familiar is a cockroach. He’s around here somewhere. Always expanding his clan in one place or another.”
I wasn’t particularly fond of cockroaches, so I began looking around for anything remotely resembling such a filthy insect. Depending on where one lived in New York City, those little buggers were everywhere.
Harold won’t appreciate you calling him a filthy insect. Surprisingly, he keeps himself conspicuously clean.
“Hestia, we’ve talked about you bringing Harold into this house,” Angelica chastised with a frown. She, too, began searching the hardwood floor for any sign of the six-legged creature. “Merrick, do something to rid us of these pests.”
“We still have an important guest in our home,” Merrick warned, bringing everyone’s attention back to the reason of my visit. They all made it seem as if someone astroplaning across the prime material plane was the most natural thing in the world. The coven must use witchcraft on a daily basis. “Miss Marigold, we know nothing about Strifle and why she didn’t follow Mazie into the afterlife.”
The council knows nothing. There. You have your answer, Raven. Now let’s wrap things up. You’re becoming quite pale here, you know.
I didn’t doubt I was losing a bit of color. It was becoming harder and harder to keep myself separate from my physical being. My only problem was that I didn’t believe Merrick Bronach for one second.
The only thing I could not figure out was if the entire council was in on Strifle’s abduction or only one of the members was responsible for such a crime.
Don’t make this an issue. Warlock Bronach said he didn’t know anything, and that’s that. We can now tell Mazie we tried, move Heidi to Paramour Bay, and live happily ever after.
“Mr. Bronach, I’ve been hired to find out what has happened to Strifle and see to it that she is safely delivered to Mazie on the other side,” I declared over Leo’s long drawn-out moan, which resounded a little bit too loudly in my head. He was really not happy with my decision to push the issue. “I have one question for you. Is it normal for the four of you to meet on a Tuesday evening or did it take the lot of you to force your way into my home?”
The way Hestia’s pink lips formed a perfect O gave me an answer. Ruby muttered something about the Marigolds not always minding their own business, and Angelica’s red nails were now curled into the palms of her hands. I had to remind myself that these witches couldn’t hurt me in this form, and that I’d also cast a protection spell around the house.
Raven, where’s Ted?
“The four of you must have come together this evening to talk about me, and the fact that Mazie wants to find her familiar,” I summarized, taking a guess and hoping it paid off. Hestia’s O got a little bigger, and Ruby practically knocked the woman’s tea out of her hands with a thwack on the arm. The way Merrick Bronach’s’ lips were thinning even more so than usual told me that I was on to something. “There’s only one choice here.”
Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no. There are a lot of choices here, Raven. A ton, if you must know. It is not nice to give them an ultimatum. Did you not just hear what I said? I haven’t seen Ted for quite some time. We really should check on his whereabouts before you go and get us into something Ted can’t get out of, if you know what I mean.
“Miss Marigold, I would think very carefully before you go any further down that road,” Merrick Bronach cautioned, taking a step forward. His weathered features made it easy to assume he was offering kind advice, though I highly doubted he had good intentions. “The four of us did come together this evening to talk about Mazie’s situation, but it wasn’t for the reason you have surmised. We had nothing to do with Strifle’s abduction.”
“I never said that Strifle had been abducted.” I slowly smiled, not usually gaining the upper hand so easily. This was quite fun, especially since my physical being was far away from this place of danger. The satisfying feeling was quite a power jolt. “I only said that Strifle didn’t follow Mazie into the afterlife.”
You’re going to get more than a jolt if you don’t stop running your mouth.
“What Merrick is trying to say is that if Strifle didn’t go with Mazie, we can only assume the little pixie was abducted or simply didn’t wish to follow. We already have a number of enemies, Raven, though you wouldn’t know that seeing as you aren’t a part of the coven.” Angelica stepped forward, shifting so that it appeared she joined her husband in unison. Upon further thought, this woman wasn’t to be trifled with, but I’d already jumped in with both feet. “We are here this evening to put our heads together in hopes of coming up with an answer, but it seems we have no information that could help you in your quest. Might I suggest you speak with some of the witches and warlocks in Stamford. There has always been a bit of bad blood between our two covens, especially where Mazie was concerned.”
Of course, Angelica isn’t to be trifled with. Does she still have those red nails that look like daggers? Those things could rip out an eye. I wonder if Vivian now wears a patch?
“I find it hard to believe you would have already heard what Ruby had to say this evening considering she basically arrived the same time I did,” I pointed out, wondering where my bravery was coming from.
Maybe because you’re not really there? Think of astroplaning like social media—you can hide behind a computer while saying the most outrageous things without any repercussions.
“As we’ve said, we have no information that could help you in your quest,” Mr. Bronach stated as if this conversation had drawn to a close. He even rested a hand on Angelica’s lower back, as if being near her gave him confidence. Hmmm. Maybe that was the reason he’d chosen Angelica over Vivian. “Should that change, I’ll reach out to you…by phone, this time around. I wouldn’t want to upset Mazie or her friend into another tizzy.”
That’s right. I had Mazie and Lucille on my side, and they were way better than any computer. There wasn’t much time left, so I’d better make my position known.
You don’t have to do that, you know. There’s such a thing as “leaving in peace”. You should try it. It sets the tone so well.
“One of you, if not all, knows exactly what happened to Strifle.” I was almost yanked away from Windsor as the spell finally wore off, but I managed to hold on for ten more seconds. It was quite a feat, and I was rather proud of my effort. “You have exactly twenty-four hours to return Strifle to me before I come here in person…and I won’t be alone.”
It should be noted that astroplaning back into one’s body was similar to the sensation of being sucked into the engine of a jet. The struggle was real. When I finally slammed back into my physical shell, my arms were still flailing from grasping at the edges of my reality. How I didn’t fall back into my fireplace was a miracle.
And just what army do you think you’re going to scrounge up to go marching into Windsor? I want it on record that I don’t look good in camouflage utilities.
Chapter Eleven
“You did what?”
I have a feeling you didn’t read that question with enough emphasis. I was on the phone with my mother attempting to explain what had taken place last night. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to explain anything successfully past the astroplane evocation. Honestly, maybe it was better she didn’t know that I’d basically declared war on the Windsor coven if Strifle wasn’t returned this evening by midnight.
Among other things that Mom didn’t know was the fact that the power I was drawing from my environment was becoming easier, and my strength was reac
hing new levels. I couldn’t help but think that the occasional hints that Leo and my mother had been dropping in relation to the timing of my birth and my lineage might have something to do with some powerful alignment.
It sounded odd, but I was beginning to visualize how the power of the earth could be funneled toward a certain objective using my ability acting as a conduit…or maybe my newfound power had gone to my head.
What had I been thinking to issue an ultimatum to the council?
You weren’t thinking. That is the problem. You basically used a flamethrower to light a pipe.
Other than a few wisecracks here and there, Leo hadn’t been talking to me.
“Mom, I’ll call you back,” I said with a little too much relief once I saw someone making their way across the street from the diner. I couldn’t make out who it was or if he or she was even stopping into the store, but the excuse gave me a reprieve. “I have customers headed my way.”
I hung up before Mom was able to say anything to freak me out any more than I already was, considering I was on pins and needles waiting for something dire to pop up. It would probably be best to do another longer-lasting protection spell.
You’re just lucky we were able to find Ted. We could have easily stumbled upon a puddle of melted wax instead of Mazie and Lucille holding him for safekeeping.
“How was I to know that Ted would be outside the radius I’d put into place?” I grumbled, wondering if there would ever come a time I could cast a spell without having to listen to the list of ramifications from Leo or my mother for hours on end. “What was Ted doing in town that late at night? Don’t answer that. He was probably visiting that mannequin he fancies.”
Ted’s infatuation with the mannequin in Mindy’s boutique was bordering on obsession, but what was the harm in falling in love with an inanimate object? Don’t think I haven’t considered giving the mannequin a life of her own, especially if Ted were to ask for such a favor.
Ted’s love life is the least of our worries. What would possess you to give the Windsor coven an ultimatum when they might not be the culprits? Oy vey, there’s not enough premium catnip in existence to lower my current stress level.
“Leo, is that—”
The bell above the glass door chimed before I could finish asking my question.
He’s here about Heidi! Raven, so help all things supernatural if you mess this one up…
Leo was referring to the fact that Beetle, the man who ran his own financial firm over on Oceanview Drive and was about ready to retire, had just walked through the door as if a tornado carried him inside with a gust of wind. He literally looked like a mad scientist with his white hair standing on end and his blue eyes bulging slightly from their sockets.
If you say those dreadful things remind you of me, I won’t be responsible for my actions.
The only good thing to come of this was the fact that Leo was talking to me more than he had earlier this morning. With that said, I was quite baffled as to why Beetle would be stopping into the tea shop when he hadn’t done so since my arrival in Paramour Bay.
“Good morning,” I said with a smile, walking around the counter in hopes that he was here to buy something. Sales hadn’t quite picked up since the holiday rush, and it would be nice to have new customers to start off the new year. “How can I help you today?”
“You look just like her,” Beetle exclaimed in awe, reaching into the pocket of his rather worn dress coat to pull out a pair of round spectacles I didn’t even know were still made in that style. He fumbled a bit to open the sides before setting them low on the bridge of his nose. “Well, I’ll be. Just look at you! Look at you! Yes, yes. This will work out just fine.”
I was a bit bewildered, not entirely understanding his statement.
You’re not the only bewildered one. The man has always been a bit out there, if you know what I mean.
“I hope this works out, too, and that we find the right tea blend for your tastes.” I was rather proud of myself for having steered the conversation away from Nan and toward a desired purchase. “It’s nice to officially meet you. I’m Raven Marigold.”
“Oh, I know, I know.” It was the third time he’d repeated words or phrases. It was a cute idiosyncrasy. He almost dropped his briefcase when he exchanged hands in order to extend his right arm. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, too. Oh! I almost forgot.”
Beetle turned around in haste and walked back to the front door. For just a brief moment, I thought he was going to leave. Instead, he took down the help wanted sign that I’d taped to the glass entrance.
What. Is. He. Doing?
Leo usually had a habit of overreacting. This time? It was like a brick settled in my stomach, but I continued to smile as I talked myself into believing Beetle had taken down the sign due to wanting to refer someone for the job—you know, maybe a granddaughter or grandson.
I’m going insane. There’s no other explanation.
“There’s no need to look any further, my dear Raven,” Beetle exclaimed with an excited glint to his blue eyes. He all but shoved the piece of paper toward me that I’d painstakingly spent an hour making. “I am closing the doors to my firm. At the same time, I’m looking for a way to keep busy. You know, I heard that the percentage rate of death after retirement is astronomical! Not me, though. Not me.”
I honestly didn’t think this day could get worse.
“Really?” I asked, giving myself time to think through this predicament I’d found myself in. I had enough on my plate with the Windsor coven. The more I thought about it, I think I might have gotten myself into more trouble than I could handle…hence the phone call to my mother. Maybe she’d be ready to hear the rest of my plight by the time I called her back. “Um, why retire at all then?”
What. Are. You. Doing? You’re going to make a wreck of this whole thing.
Leo was apparently worried that I was going to ruin Heidi’s chance to move to Paramour Bay, but that wasn’t the case at all. I had a plan and—
Like your last plan worked out so well. I mean, you all but declared war on one of the most powerful witch covens that has existed since 1613. What’s next? Are you going to set fire to my whiskers?
—it could make Heidi’s transition easier, should she choose to make it.
“I’m closing in on sixty years old.” Beetle walked over to the cash register and rested an elbow on the counter as if he were settling in to tell me a long story. Had this been any other day when I didn’t have an angry coven on my heels, I would have enjoyed having such a distraction. “Sixty years old, my dear Raven. I’ve stared at numbers my entire life. I’m ready for a change. The way I see it, I can spare you an hour or two a day to learn the ropes while I’m closing out my clients. It sure would be nice to hand the reins over to someone, and I’m sure the shop owners can find someone in New Haven.”
There’s a curse on us. That’s the only reason why each day with you at the helm seems to get worse and worse. Once again, I might be forced to resort to calling in your mother for reinforcements. Oh, how that pains me so, but you seem to never learn.
“Beetle, please don’t take this the wrong way,” I said tentatively, wondering how to go about turning down his offer for part-time help without hurting his feelings. “I can only offer a couple of dollars over minimum wage for now, and I was thinking the part-time position might be better suited to a college student who would be happy with what I can pay.”
“I’m not working during my retirement years for the money, my dear Raven. I have what I need and all the benefits from years of being self-employed.” Beetle raised a white bushy eyebrow that matched his hair as he scanned the items in the shop. “I’ve always been more of a coffee person myself, but it’s good to broaden one’s horizon…especially at my age. Yes, yes. This is going to work out perfectly, you’ll see!”
No, no. This is not working out. Tell him, Raven. Tell him. Don’t make me bite him!
It seemed Beetle’s way of talking wa
s contagious. On the other hand, I could totally relate to Beetle on the coffee addiction. Regardless, he wasn’t the person for the job.
“Beetle, I truly appreciate you coming in to talk to me about the position.” I walked past him so that I was on the other side of the cash register. “I’ll take your interest under advisement as I go through my selection process.”
There were no other applicants at this time, but I’m sure someone else would stop in by the end of the week. Candy mentioned yesterday that one of the younger girls who comes into the salon frequently had mentioned looking for part-time work. I think the potential candidate might have been Dee’s niece, but I wasn’t sure.
I’m sure. Give Candy a call, ask for the girl’s name, and make it happen. We cannot waste time given the current situation. Oh, and tell Candy you’ll throw in some free tea with hair growth benefits. That should seal the deal.
“There’s no need to do that,” Beetle said, expressing enthusiasm even a lone cup of coffee wouldn’t give me. He waved a hand in my direction and shot me an infectious smile that I tried my best to be immune to. “You’ve already found yourself a new employee, my dear Raven.”
Beetle slapped the counter with a thwack, as if he was proud of himself for closing the books on this little arrangement. His eagerness to work here was rather compelling.
All right, Raven. You’ve pushed me far enough today. Enough is enough. I’ll handle this myself. I’m going for his ankle.
Oh, that couldn’t be good. I quickly scurried around the counter with every intention of stopping Leo from doing something horrible—like perform one of those video moves where a cat launched himself at someone’s leg.
Fortunately, Beetle heard the strangled meow come from across the shop and turned in Leo’s direction. My inherited familiar certainly didn’t have the most melodic tone to his voice.
“What in tarnation is that?” Beetle bellowed, leaning back against the counter as if he’d just had a near death experience. “I’ve never seen anything quite so…”
Haunting Blend Page 10
