Haunting Blend

by Layne, Kennedy

  “It’s her!” Hestia exclaimed, fanning herself with her right hand even though I could literally see my breath as I breathed out. “Oh, Rowena…how could you? You’ve set me up. Stealing those artifacts was your idea. You wanted me to take the fall all along! Merrick, do something.”

  There was movement in my peripheral vision, and it was none other than Harold scurrying past us as fast as a cockroach could scamper. He was heading past us, toward the large knobby tree where Angelica had first gone behind to check on the coven’s cherished relics. I would have followed had I not been worried about the anarchy running amuck with the council. I half-expected spells to start flying any moment.

  I’ve got Harold in my sights. Do you want me to dispatch him with my pointy claws or my sharp teeth?

  Sure enough, Leo was hunched down on all fours. There was no short-term or long-term memory loss hampering him now. He was in all his hunting glory, wiggling his butt like those adorable kittens on social media.

  Don’t get me wrong. With all his tufts of hair pointing every which a way, his tail that resembled more of the shape of a clothes hanger, and his left eye bulging in excitement…let’s just say he resembled a cat high on catnip stuck to the grill of a Mack truck.

  Three, two, one…

  Leo darted after Harold, disappearing behind the thick trunk while using the old benches as catapults.

  “Until such time my coveted spot on the council is filled, the coven’s problems are still officially my business,” Rowena declared, completely ignoring Hestia’s accusations and drawing my attention back to the confrontation at hand. She flicked those oh-so-familiar green eyes toward the accused. With one step, she had Hestia backing away from the group. “Shall we?”

  I had no idea what Rowena was proposing, but the way my mother’s grasp tightened on my hand told me we didn’t want to be near the group. As a matter of fact, we didn’t stop walking backward until the backs of our knees touched those benches I’d been telling you about.

  “Take notice,” Mom warned me, never once taking her focus off her aunt. “A witch can place a protection spell on herself so that another witch or warlock has difficulty breaking through their shield. But when four experienced and rather powerful beings work together, let’s just say those barriers aren’t enough to protect oneself completely.”

  “They’re going to use a truth incantation, aren’t they?” I muttered, looking across to see there had to be at least twenty feet between us and them. Mom had made sure that we weren’t in the area of effect of the magic they’d be using to break through Hestia’s protection spell. This meant I had time to follow Leo and Harold. Hopefully, that little critter was heading directly toward Strifle. “I’ll be back.”

  My mother wasn’t expecting me to sneak away so suddenly. The chant continued to flow from the four council members, leaving Hestia pleading for their mercy. Hopefully, their objective took a few moments and allowed me to finally locate Strifle.

  Harold wasn’t heavy enough to cause impressions in the thin layer of snow, but one couldn’t miss Leo’s pawprints. His weight had him sinking deep into to the light layer of snow, let alone evidence of his awkward pouncing after his prey here and there.

  …busted! It’s over, Harold. Scurry your creepy legs away from the cage.

  I wasn’t expecting the sight before me. I’d followed Leo’s paw prints around the large oak tree only to find an antique table full of beautiful relics, from gold and silver vessels to hand-carved wooden bowls. It was like walking into a treasure trove of magical artifacts. I wasn’t sure where to look first. That was…until Leo spoke again.

  Get away from the tree, Harold. Scram!

  Benny, you haven’t changed. You’ve always thought of yourself as high and mighty, but look at you now. I’ll take my six legs and shiny wings over your muddled disarray of fur any day!

  Why you little—

  Leo and Harold continued to argue with one another, but Harold’s little antennas stood on end. It was hard to see his face, considering he was so small, but I was pretty sure his mouth was twitching.

  Hestia!

  Harold scurried away so fast that I jumped to the side to avoid having his creepy legs running across my boots. I hadn’t been sure why Leo was all but demanding Harold step away from a smaller tree behind the table until he tentatively reached out with his paw. Sure enough, Leo’s right front leg went through the bark of the tree as if it were a mirage.

  I knew it! Harold was protecting this tree as if his life depended on it. Trust me, it took all of my considerable restraint not to squash that beady-eyed bug with one swipe. I think I’ll send a can of Raid for his next birthday.

  “Don’t be so mean,” I chided, kneeling next to him as we still stared at the tree. I couldn’t help but test what I’d seen Leo do with his paw, only to find that the tree was indeed real. What wasn’t tangible was a small hollowed out section near the ground. “Hestia, and Harold by extension, will be going through a trial of their peers in this coven. Harold’s job is to protect Hestia, so have a little sympathy. Remember, whatever happens to her happens to him.”

  You always have to ruin my fun, don’t you? You won’t find me consorting with the likes of him anytime soon.

  Leo shuddered before sitting back on his haunches.

  Cockroaches are just creepy. With that said, I’d hate to be in his shoes when they finish with Hestia.

  “Leo, what are we going to find?” I couldn’t help but be hesitant to reach my hand through the false mirage that was the base of the small tree. Seeing a ghost was one thing, but I wasn’t sure I could deal with watching a beautiful little fairy pass away. My chest tightened in pain for what the familiar had to be going through, but even worse…her upcoming death should I free her from her restraints. “I’m not sure I can do this.”

  It’s not what you think. Go ahead, Raven. It will be okay.

  It’s happened a time or two before, but it was rare that Leo’s tone softened to the point I felt as if he were truly encouraging me in this witchcraft journey. It was hard not to get sentimental kneeling by his side.

  Don’t go getting soppy on me. Put your hand in there, for supernatural sake.

  Still worried about Liam and wondering what Aunt Rowena had done or said to him, I didn’t waste any more time. I held my breath as I reached through the illusion of bark, my fingers coming into contact with something cold and sharp.

  Well? Is it Strifle?

  “It feels like metal.”

  Pull it out.

  “What if we find—”

  Leo didn’t waste time and stuck his head through the magical veil. Within seconds, he was back on his haunches and twitching his whiskers.

  It’s a vessel, Raven. Now drag it out here so we can do what we’ve come to do and leave this place before we’re sitting next to Hestia and Harold in some magical jail cell hoping to make bail.

  How would I explain that to Liam? That question alone had me wrapping my fingers around the cold metal container and dragging it through the illusion of bark.

  Your nose is red.

  “What?”

  Your nose is red. I’m just pointing that out. Hey, what’s in the box?

  Leo’s short-term memory had kicked in with a bang, but I’m sure it wouldn’t last long…especially when he got a good look at his surroundings.

  Ohhhhh, pretty!

  Leo was describing the warm glow coming from the translucent square of gleaming gold. My gaze was glued to the golden hue, and my eyes began to adjust to the brightness emanating from within. Through the thin delicate walls of the magical vessel, I could see a beautiful blonde creature lying on her side with striking wings that were an array of pastel shades that actually glimmered.

  She was an incredibly amazing sight.

  Hey, Strifle! What are you doing all cooped up in there?

  The tiny pixie had no strength to pick herself up upon hearing Leo’s voice. Her struggle pulled at my heart strings, and I unconsciously
reached out and opened the lid to the mystical container.

  I wasn’t expecting anything magical to happen. I just wanted to be able to take Strifle out of her prison and comfort her, but what took place next was breathtaking.

  Strifle’s magnificent wings began to lift, and her body gradually floated behind the iridescent extensions. It was impossible not to fall back into the thin layer of snow next to Leo as the charming fairy burst forth from her confinement.

  There was no sadness.

  There was no time to grieve.

  Strifle stretched her tiny arms above her head as if she’d been asleep for days, eventually giving the cutest laugh I’d ever heard. A glowing trail of glimmers followed her in circles as she spun around and around, her giggles floating through the air as she suddenly combusted into a shower of fairy dust.

  Hmpfh. Well, that was anticlimactic.

  Leo flicked his paw to shake off the colorful shower of glitter left behind by Strifle. Nothing happened. He shook his paw again and again until he realized that Strifle had left behind what looked to be the smallest pink kiss on his fur. It was her thank you to him. His tail flicked in irritation, telling me his memory had returned.

  Pixies—they’re nothing but trouble. I keep telling you, but you won’t listen. Now look at what she’s gone and done. It’s going to take a lot of cleaning before this nasty stuff wears off.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “What did we miss?” I asked breathlessly, having quickly made my way back to where my mother still stood watching Hestia beg for forgiveness. At least she hadn’t been turned into a toad. “By the way, Strifle is with Mazie now. At least, I think that’s where she disappeared to. Let’s just say she left behind a lot of fairy dust.”

  This stuff better come off. Maybe some acetone will work. Do we have any nail polish remover back at the house?

  “The council eventually used a truth spell on Hestia,” Mom replied softly, gesturing toward the blubbering woman. “It’s a shame, really. The woman saw her own death and did everything in the world to prevent an act she had no idea of when it would happen, regardless of whether it was tomorrow or twenty years down the road.”

  Twenty years might be a stretch at this point.

  “Isn’t it human nature to fight against the icy grip of death?” I sure wasn’t ready to cross through the veil. Sure, Mazie seemed happy enough to be where she was, but it wasn’t like she’d had a choice in the matter. Now that I think about it, Strifle had gone in a puff of giggles. There was a chance it wasn’t so bad on the other side, but I’d still like to put off the inevitable for as long as possible. “What will happen to Hestia now?”

  Banished…maybe as a toad.

  Ruby was ever the loyal friend with her arm wrapped around Hestia, trying to reassure her that everything was going to be okay. I wasn’t so sure that was the truth.

  “Mr. Leo, you can rest assured that we have never handed down a sentence of that magnitude. Those are just old witch’s tales,” Merrick reassured us, presumably having been listening to every word that passed between Leo, my mother, and me. Angelica was nodding in decisive agreement, though I wouldn’t put it past her to bring back some of those old witch’s tales. “Hestia will stand trial for those crimes she committed against the coven, along with the abduction and torture of a precious familiar. I suppose we should thank you for your…interference.”

  If he wasn’t such a powerful warlock, I might have something to say about his inability to express gratitude properly.

  “Merrick, I don’t understand.” Mom had taken a step forward in confusion, but I made sure to keep ahold of the back of her coat. Regardless of the offhand thanks we’d been given for discovering who was behind the thefts from the temple and the abduction of Strifle, I wasn’t so sure the older warlock had our best intentions in mind. After all, the Marigolds weren’t welcome in this coven after my grandmother had consorted with a human…and now Aunt Rowena. Technically, the same went for my exploits. “Why are you splintering the coven in two? You used to be so understanding back when I sought you out for answers.”

  “We’re losing our power, Regina,” Merrick responded with a despondent frown. “We grow weaker and weaker with each generation. We aren’t the only coven or council that feels our magic slipping away in this manner. Something must be done. We must return to our roots or we will perish.”

  In case you missed it, the old warlock is hinting that you should kick the good ol’ sheriff to the curb.

  No wonder Nan had left the coven. Liam and I hadn’t even had our second date, and I couldn’t fathom walking away from him.

  You’re assuming Rowena left him in one piece.

  “Maybe if you hadn’t excommunicated so many members for insignificant infractions, the coven wouldn’t be in this predicament.” My mother stepped forward and grasped the warlock’s weathered hands. “Merrick, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing.”

  “But it does, dear. You’re blind to what is coming. I am not.”

  “Nonsense,” Rowena interrupted rather haughtily, having been off to the side listening to the exchange. “There are other ways to regain our powers, but you’re resistant to anyone’s counsel but that witch you call a wife.”

  That was pretty far below the belt.

  I’m almost positive that Angelica would have commenced some type of witchcraft battle against Rowena had Merrick not rested his hand on her arm to stave off such retaliation. Rowena arched a brow in mockery, almost daring Angelica to follow through with her original intentions.

  Did you see that taunting look? I’m beginning to remember why your grandmother loathed her sister. Yes, it’s all coming back to me now.

  “I’d like a word in privacy with my niece and great-niece, if you don’t mind.” Rowena didn’t leave Merrick or Angelica much room to argue with her. “Seeing as my seat on the council is about to be filled sooner rather than later, I’ll leave you to deal with Hestia. Now, if you’ll excuse us?”

  Mom reluctantly stepped back. It was evident she wanted to talk more with Merrick, but he’d already turned away to speak with the other council members about what to do with Hestia until the trial could be held.

  “You’re definitely a Marigold, aren’t you?” Rowena muttered as she raked her gaze up and down my form. “Hair, eyes, cheekbones…hips. Yes, you’re a Marigold, all right.”

  Hit her with an energy ball, Raven. We need to gain the initiative here.

  “I’ve heard a lot about you, Aunt Rowena. I’m sad that so much family drama has gotten in the way of family.”

  Ahhh, the guilt trip approach. A classic, yet still effective. I like your style, Raven.

  A flash of emotion flickered in Aunt Rowena’s green eyes for just a second, though my objective hadn’t been to guilt her into anything. I truly meant what I said, and I was still open to having some type of relationship with her.

  Are you out of your blasted mind?

  “I need the two of you to listen very closely,” Aunt Rowena cautioned, completely ignoring my attempt to reconnect my family. She made sure that her back was to the other council members, even going so far as to look around us…maybe for familiars? I wasn’t sure, but I did as she instructed. “This coven is going to war, and there is no avoiding your involvement.”

  She doesn’t know us very well, does she? Oh, wait. That’s right. I had to get stuck with Scooby Doo. I don’t even like dogs.

  “You’ll be forced to choose a side.” Aunt Rowena continued to speak as if Leo hadn’t uttered a word, her voice becoming rather ominous. “I have no doubt you’ll fall in line with the faction I’ve gathered to take control of this council that has seen fit to replace me. Well, there will be no council of elders by the time I’m done.”

  I believe we should take that as our cue to exit stage left. We want no part of this coup d’état.

  “Times have changed.” Rowena purposefully glanced over her shoulder to point out her current obstacles. “We must do the same or our kin
d will cease to exist. Do not believe Merrick or the others when they say differently. Now, I must go before the tenuous string of peace snaps and someone does something they’ll regret. The open battle has yet to begin in earnest.”

  Your string of peace is an illusion. There hasn’t been peace in this coven since before I lost my first life here defending my sovereignty.

  My mother and I hadn’t been given time to ask Aunt Rowena any questions. I would have loved to have inquired about the one phone call she’d placed to Nan years ago. You know the one I’m talking about. It was regarding bread or some such thing.

  Don’t give Rowena a chance to talk you into joining her army that she’s apparently put together. I already told you that I don’t look good in camouflage.

  “Oh, and Regina?” Aunt Rowena called over her shoulder as she continued to walk away. “I left a gift for you with that handsome specimen near the front gate. Maybe next time you won’t wait so long to come calling on your aunt. And Raven? You’ve made me proud.”

  A toad. If she’s left a toad in the truck, you’re taking it with you back to the city, Regina. I want no such creature in my house. I have enough on my plate dealing with Ted—the clay playboy.

  * * *

  “What are we going to say to Liam?” I asked worriedly, walking briskly through the numerous snow-covered yards as my mother and I made our way back to the front of the neighborhood. “He’s going to know we’re lying to him. This is horrible.”

  The good ol’ sheriff doesn’t look very happy, either.

  Leo’s observation came due to his not wanting to trudge through any more snow. He was already at the truck, and his opinion about Liam almost had me stopping me in my tracks. The shove my mother gave me wouldn’t allow it.

  What do you know? There’s no toad.

  “Aunt Rowena assured us that she’d taken care of Liam.” There wasn’t a lot of confidence in my mother’s statement, which had me quickening my step. I had no idea how long we’d been gone, so it was hard to judge what little itsy white lie I would have to come up with to explain our absence. “I’m not sure I trust her, but she does seem to be on the right side of this war that is brewing within the coven.”