Ahmentree's Magic

by Andrea Rose Washington

  "Who is it?" I called placing my phone down as I walked over to the door.

  "It's Arte."

  I pulled up the shade and he was standing there. I had to laugh at the situation. “You have got to be kidding me. What do you want? I got your Coven’s newsletter. I'm pretty sure you know you are the last person I want to see right now." I scoffed.

  He looked away and cursed under his breath before looking back at me. "Please, Olivia, I need to talk to you." He looked and sounded desperate, but I didn’t care.

  "Well, we spoke yesterday, and it didn't go so well, why do you think today will be any different." I glared at him.

  "Olivia, please, open the door." He begged.

  I leaned my head back and laughed. "Does that work on girls?” I shook my head. “You really shouldn’t be here. You’re ignoring the recommendation from your own Coven. You outed her, you asshole."

  His shoulders slumped. "Listen, I'm sorry, Olivia. I didn't know about that until this morning. But I can assure you that I have nothing to do with that stupid newsletter. Please just let me in so I can explain."

  I weighed my options in my head. I didn’t trust him, but I needed to know how bad this was. It would help when I talked to Clive about this. I unlocked the door and let him in, unlike his last visit, I locked the door behind him.

  I crossed the room and glared at him from the counter. "You wanted to talk, so talk. Explain to me how the secret got out. How there is someone in your coven working to make me public enemy number one?”

  "I don’t run the newsletter. It’s normally filled with potion recipes and Coven gossip, so I steer clear of it. But my assistant gave me a copy of the newsletter this morning. I wouldn't have gone through the effort of trying to protect you only to out you. That wouldn’t have made any sense." He explained.

  I scoffed. "What if I had actually taken you up on your offer. I would be stuck in a coven full of magicals who hate me.”

  He nodded. "There's someone else within the coven who has to know about Mrs. Coe’s secret. Someone outside my family."

  "Well, what about the editor?" I snapped. "Maybe the person who wrote the story is the mole, or at least he knows who it really is?"

  "He's not," Arte said. "When I saw the newsletter, I spoke to him first."

  "Of course, he's going to deny it," I said exasperated. "Why would he tell you the truth, knowing it could get him into trouble?" I turned away and walked over to the counter, I didn’t want him to see how angry this was making me. But for the life of me, I couldn't figure out why I was angry at him. I knew I shouldn’t trust him to keep his word, so why was I so surprised that this happened?

  "Olivia." I heard him walk up behind me. I held out a hand, and my necklace heated up; a shield formed between us, but he kept talking. "I'm not a complete idiot, there was a package left for him outside of his doorstep when he woke up two days ago. In it held all the information about Mrs. Coe and who she was, and the connection with the cult."

  "So why didn't he come to you?" I turned back to him and dropped the shield. “Why didn’t he try to confirm the information he had with the Coven’s leadership? Isn’t that what journalists are supposed to do? Confirm their information?”

  “He’s not a real journalist.” He scoffed. “He runs a one-page newsletter that mostly posts reports on Coven items, parties, birthdays, stuff for sale, but never anything of this magnitude. He thought this was his first real story. So, he went with it.”

  “I still think he should have gone to you first.” I snapped.

  He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "My family’s connection was in there as well. That we knew who she was for the past thirty years. That we allowed her to live here. He felt he could not trust us and needed to warn the Coven members since we didn't. I’ve fully explained to him his errors, but the damage is done."

  I rolled my eyes at his little explanation.

  "Olivia, I wanted to be the one to tell you." He explained.

  "You know what that newsletter will do," I said. "Information like that spreads. It won’t just stay in your Coven; it will start a panic in the entire magical community. At least twelve people have been killed over the last two years, all connected. And your editor just linked Mrs. Coe to that cult. People were already worried that this was connected to them, and now they have what they need to let their fears take root. And to top it off, he named me in it as well. Do you know what type of danger this puts me in? That cult killed dozens of people in the past, those victims have family, they may be Unbound, but still, the family, friends, people who cared about them, and you know this will get out, and it’s all aimed at me!" I screamed in frustration.

  "That’s why I'm here. As soon as I read it, I had them retract all of the newsletters. I also held an emergency meeting this morning with the entire Coven to explain; my family was against it, but…" He sighed and reached out grabbing my arm. I tried to ignore the warm feeling I felt when he touched me. I was beyond angry at him and was going to stay angry at him. "I couldn't run the risk of people thinking you had anything to do with the cult. I outed my own family to the Coven, told them we had weekly meetings with Mrs. Coe and that she was of no threat. That she was helping us take down the cult."

  I stepped away, his arm fell back to his side, and immediately I hated how I missed the feel of his touch. I hated the effect he was having on me. "Do you think they believed you?"

  He nodded. "I've never lied to my Coven before, and they know that. They know what we did was for their best interests and that we would never do anything that would put them in jeopardy."

  I swallowed, feeling slightly better. "So, they won't spread the story?"

  "Honestly, I don't know?" He shrugged. "They know that if they do, they will be reprimanded at the highest degree for spreading falsehoods that could lead to the harm of another member of the magical community."

  "Even if that member is Unbound?" I couldn’t keep the look of disbelief off my face.

  "There are rules inside Covens Olivia,” he snapped. “While you might think we have complete and utter disregard for the Unbounds, that is not the case. One shared Coven rule, is that we cannot, and will not, do anything that can bring harm to someone else within the magical community, regardless of their Coven status."

  "You should tell the girls who work at the law firm that," I rolled my eyes. "Not a nice bunch."

  "Being rude is different than telling a lie that could end your life." He replied flatly.

  "Wait, did you tell them what I…Mrs. Coe said I can do?" I asked, feeling fear fill me.

  "No, never. I only told them enough truth about Mrs. Coe to refute the claims of the newsletter. I told you, you can trust me.” His voice had a pleading tone to it. “I would never betray you like that. If anyone else found out what you could do, it would put a larger target on your back."

  I walked around the counter and took a seat, feeling more at ease than I did a few minutes ago. Not that I would ever tell him that he was the reason. I felt the weight of his gaze, and I felt butterflies fill my stomach. I needed to change the subject. "Have you spoken to Andrew?"

  His brows furrowed. "Why, are you worried about him?"

  "More about his Coven, if the newsletter editor at your coven was given a package...” I trailed off letting him come to the conclusion himself.

  "Fuck.” He whispered and pulled out his phone. "There's a chance someone at his Coven was given the same information. I was so worried about you I didn’t think…" He tapped away furiously on his phone then brought it up to his ear. "Call your detective friend and fill him in. Have him come over and stay with you. Dammit, voicemail.” He hung up the call and started typing away on this phone.

  "I already planned to tell him, but your arrival distracted me. Plus, I know how to take care of myself."

  "I know." He gave me an appraising look. "But with this information out there, I would rather he be here if potential attackers do come after you." He said, looking ba
ck at his ringing phone. “It’s Andrew. I’m going to step out and talk to him. Make sure your detective friend comes over as soon as possible. I’ll call you if I have any updates.” He said, lifting the phone to his ear. He walked back to the door and let himself out. I heard the lock slide back into place, and I rolled my eyes. It annoyed me that he could lock my door on his own. I would have to strengthen my protection spell once more.

  ~

  "Olivia." I looked up as I heard the door open. I was still working on my laptop, building the online store, but this time I was facing the door since Clive was on his way. I texted him like I had planned to before Arte arrived. He said he was on his way so I unlocked the door for him, but it wasn’t Clive who came in, it was Chelsea.

  "Chelsea, what are you doing here?" I asked but felt stupid in doing so. I knew why she was here. It was the same reason Arte was here and why Clive was on his way.

  "I got here as soon as I could,” she panted. “There's something I have to tell you, though I don’t know how to explain," Her body trembled with the gravity of what she knew, news she didn’t know I was aware of. I was feeling slightly thankful; she was honest enough to come when she had no idea I had been informed.

  "The newsletter?" I offered, getting to the heart of it.

  “How do you know?” She asked, clearly surprised.

  My necklace heated as the crumpled newsletter lifted out of the trash and came over to me. I uncrumpled it and held it up for her to see. “I received a copy this morning.” Her eyes widened as she crossed the store and snatched the newsletter from my hand crumpling it back up and tossed it on the counter.

  "It's all lies written by stupid people." She said. "You should know that it's already taken care of, and you don’t have to worry. Arte held a Coven-wide meeting this morning and explained everything. Then I spent a lot of the morning fielding questions because people knew that we worked together, and I want you to know that I was on your side 100%" She finished with a smile.

  I hated that she was confirming Arte’s story giving me less reason to hate him. More importantly, I felt thankful she was proving herself a true friend to me, even if I didn’t trust her 100% just yet. "It's okay. Arte came by a bit before you, and he explained everything as well."

  "Oh." She swallowed and visibly relaxed. "Well, that's good, weird but good. Did you know?" She whispered the last part.

  "Know what?" I knew what she was asking, but I wanted her to come out and say it.

  "About Mrs. Coe, her past?”

  I took a breath and shook my head. "Not until after she died, she never told me. I honestly think if she died of natural causes, I would have never known. The SPF were the ones who told me, and Arte confirmed it when he came to see me yesterday."

  "Oh, I don't know what to say." I give her credit that if she felt uncomfortable by my admission, she didn't show it.

  I shrugged. "You don't have to say anything, I threw a tantrum when I first found out. Very immature and embarrassing now that I think about it. But I remember Mrs. Coe I knew only helped me and worked to help the Unbound community. She wasn’t who she was in the past, and she was helping bring down the cult."

  "So, she was helping?" Chelsea smiled.

  "But, you said you were answering questions all morning?" I asked, changing the subject.

  “Oh yeah!” Chelsea nodded. "Some of the girls from the law firm let it slip on purpose before Arte held his Coven-wide meeting. Trying to start trouble." She rolled her eyes. "They told them that you and I were close. Then after the Coven meeting, a couple of people came over to ask me if I agreed with him because I knew you first. Like I said earlier, I'm 100% on your side. I know you would have nothing to do with that cult. I told them you were a great friend, that you’re honest and cared about others."

  "Thanks for that." I smiled.

  "But also, that is not the only reason I'm here. I mean, it was the main reason, but I was going to text you this, but since I came, I figured I can tell you now." She rambled.

  "And what reason is that?" I laughed.

  "Well, I figured Uhm, I'm not quite sure how to phrase this or if it's completely uncouth of me to ask, but can I take you out for a celebratory dinner?"

  "Dinner? What am I celebrating?" I questioned.

  She gestured around the store. "I know the circumstances that led to this are, well terrible, but it is still a major moment for you. I remember the few times you mentioned the store to me; I know it means a lot to you. And I don't want to be insensitive, but I wanted to congratulate you for running this after she died. Oh my gosh." She dug the palms of her hands into her eyes. "I'm totally saying this completely wrong. But you know what I mean, right?" She dropped her hands and gave me a sheepish look.

  I nodded. "I get it, sure, but I probably won't be able to go until sometime next week. I really need to focus on getting the store back up and running and then doing whatever damage control I can on that newsletter story."

  "Yeah, I saw the sign." She pointed back at the door. "Will you still make the deadline of Monday?"

  I nodded. “I should. I was hoping to have an online shop ready by then, but that might come later.”

  "So how about on Saturday? Dinner after your first full week."

  I nodded. "Perfect. Just text me the details once you make a reservation.” I paused a bit. “There was something I wanted to talk to you about as well. I was going to message you later next week once everything had a chance to simmer down."

  She leaned against the counter. "About what?"

  "It could be nothing, but, yesterday, when Arte was here, I let something slip. His reaction, I didn't think much of it at the time, but since I had time to think it over, it’s not adding up." I said.

  "What? What did you say?"

  "I told him that I knew he requested that I get fired."

  "You what!" She exclaimed her eyes widening and I saw the blood drain from her face. "Why would you do that?"

  "A lot happened during the conversation, and I was hurt and angry, and I didn't like what they were saying, I sort of lost it, I yelled at him for getting me fired, but the thing is…" I paused, remembering the shocked and confused look on his face. "…I don't think he was behind it."

  "Why do you say that?" She asked.

  I waved my hand and locked the door. “Let’s talk back there.” I pointed to the back of the store. I moved out of the way; she walked back first, and I followed. I pulled the curtain closed, as she took a seat. "It’s not adding up. After our talk, I realized Arte always knew who I was. Mrs. Coe told him. If he wanted me gone, he could have done it at any time. Why wait until we met in person?"

  "Oh, well, that changes things." She crossed her arms. "Stephen still didn’t have the authority to fire you and pass along severance so it had to come from someone higher than him."

  "I know I know I know," I said and started to pace the room.

  "Oh. Then maybe I should poke around a bit more and see what else I can find? I mean, before I was looking for a connection between Arte and Mr. McDaniel's, but now that I know Arte isn’t behind it, maybe I can find another connection."

  "No." I shook my head. "It doesn’t matter. They wanted me gone, and I'm gone. It all worked out for the best, I guess. I have the store now. I don’t want to cause any trouble."

  "I know. But I just hate it…I hate that anyone was treating you that way because..." She trailed off, not wanting to bring up my status.

  "I promise, Chelsea, it's okay."

  Chelsea reached out and grabbed my hand. "I'm really happy I'm your friend, Olivia, and I hope you know I would do anything for you."

  I squeezed her hand back. "That really means a lot to me."

  FOURTEEN

  Chelsea left a short time after our conversation, and Clive arrived about ten minutes later. "This it?" Clive asked, looking at the newsletter. It was a balled-up mess. Between my initial crumpling and Chelsea’s subsequent one, it was hard to get the paper to lay flat. I smooth it out be
st I could, but the damage was done. Some of the ink had flaked off the page, making it a little difficult to decipher.

  “It is,”

  “How many were printed?”

  "Arte said one was distributed to everyone in his Coven. So I guess, however many that is.”

  Clive swore under his breath. “This explains some of the looks I received from some of the Abbas Coven members this morning.”

  “Were they bad?” I asked, feeling a bit nervous.

  Clive shook his head. “They were more questioning. A few looked like they wanted to ask me something, but then I got your message. Had I stayed, I’m sure they all would’ve ended up in my office. Now, I’ll be better prepared when I go back.”

  My brow furrowed as a thought struck me. “They didn’t know already, about Mrs. Coe. I mean, your partner was the one who told me who she was. The rest of the force didn’t already know?”

  “No, Jacob worked to keep the information under wraps. He didn’t want to put you in any more danger.” Clive explained.

  “Oh,” I said, grateful for his foresight. “Arte told me that he explained everything to the Coven, well, enough of the truth to ease any fears. Chelsea confirmed it when she came by. The real problem is who-"

  "-else knows about this?" Clive finished for me. I nodded and leaned back against the back counter.

  "Has there been anything said in the halfling community?" I pressed him.

  "Nothing. And I don’t want to start asking around and spread the story. Mrs. Coe might not have sent them letters," he sighed. "I spoke to Jacob before I came over, he is poking around as well. Did you tell Dessen?"

  "Not yet,” I sighed. “I’ll talk to her later today. Though she’ll probably want to have a conversation with the editor.” I smiled.

  "I wouldn't mind having a conversation with him as well," Clive growled.

  "I wouldn’t either, but it seems that he was just a wannabe reporter, and the biggest story he would ever have, was dropped in his lap."

  Clive just shook his head. "This case is getting more complicated by the day."