She rose to ring a small bell. "I think it's time to call this meeting to order."
"I'll close the windows," Clarissa said.
"And I'll relight the candles," Jacquelyn said as she stood and stretched.
The other women pushed the pillows aside to reveal burnt into the wooden floor a five-pointed star surrounded by a circle—a pentacle, the symbol of the Wiccan faith. Mandy placed a large white candle in the center and lit it. She then anointed each woman in turn with juniper oil for purification and protection before they formed a circle and linked hands. In unison they raised their arms to the ceiling. "In the name of Hecate and all that's powerful, we call upon our protector," they chanted.
Hidden in the bush outside the smallest window, Lily couldn't help but gasp as she beheld the sight before her. Although the windows were closed, the women's sheer gowns fluttered around and clung to their bodies. The candlelight played tricks, turning the material transparent so they appeared naked. Their eyes were closed and Lily could see their lips move. She'd give anything to hear what they said.
Her coming here tonight had started out innocently enough. She wanted to apologize to Mandy for her behavior yesterday. Sometimes she felt like some teenager arguing with her mom. She had overheard Mandy tell a customer she'd be going to Lucy's tonight, and since Jany was out bowling with her buddies, Lily had thought she wouldn't mind spending an evening at Lucy's. After all, Lucy had a pool and a hot tub. She'd fully intended to invite herself to whatever they had planned, but after she'd parked the car, she saw several women arrive at once. As they entered the house, she counted. Eleven, plus Lucy and Mandy who were already inside. It was a meeting of the coven.
Lily could barely contain her excitement. She'd read the article in Letters like everyone else. True, she had known about the coven long before the article had come out. She and Jany were good friends with Mandy and Sarah, who'd both let slip they were practicing witches. Or Wicca, as they preferred to be called. But they'd also been secretive about who was in their coven, and now here tonight, Lily had seen them all. She knew about Tara and, of course, Lucy, as well as Jacquelyn who was forever supplying people with cats. The resident lesbian community in Rehoboth was not all that large. Everyone pretty much knew everyone. And tonight she recognized Clarissa, Judith, Gwendolyn, Cara, Sage, Ruth, Blossom, and, most surprisingly of all, the brooding Kathy. Lily watched as the opening ritual ended, and then they all sat in a circle. She shrank back into the bushes when Mandy glanced out the window and appeared to frown. Didn't witches have some kind of sixth sense? Could Mandy or one of the others feel that she was outside? And what would they do if they found her? A mild twinge of anxiety ran through her, but she could not leave. She felt drawn to what was happening, almost as if she belonged. The pull was so strong, she began to wonder if some dim memory was coming to light.
The discussion around the circle was lively. A lot of them talked with their hands. No one seemed angry, unlike earlier with Kathy and Tara. Lily had only heard snatches of the conversation, but she'd not mistaken the look on Kathy's face or the resulting physical manifestations. It was a regular Carrie moment. Lily shuddered just thinking about it. She'd have to remind Jany not to piss Kathy off. The two had a not-so-friendly competition—two attractive butches vying for attention from the femmes, though Jany's was, of course, only in fun. But there were times when Lily felt Kathy's rivalry wasn't only in fun. She'd seen the way Kathy would sometimes look at Jany, and it always made her nervous. Now she knew her instincts hadn't lied.
After a few more minutes, she backed out of the bushes, careful not to make any noise. She walked to her car, thinking about all she'd seen. She was more curious than ever about the thirteen, especially now that she knew who they were. Come to think of it now, she should have guessed about Sage and Blossom. Both born to flower-child mothers, they co-owned a mystical shop that sold salves and herbal remedies alongside crystals, candles, and books on the occult. But they were so obvious it made them not obvious.
What would it be like to be a witch? To be able to change things on a whim? Like, would she be able to change the lottery? Do some kind of spell to make sure her numbers came up? She paused getting into her car. Was there a spell to make sure your lover never strayed? She shook her head. Why would she even think she needed to do something like that? Jany loved her, of that she was certain. So why then did she feel so insecure and uneasy these days? Jany had done nothing to make Lily think she was losing interest in their relationship. In fact, she was more attentive than usual.
Lily started the car. That was it. She'd read too many of those articles in the women's magazines about how to know if your man was cheating, and unusual attentiveness was one of the indicators. Was Jany really bowling tonight? She shook her head again. "Stop it," she said out loud as she guided the car away from the direction of the bowling alley and to Sage and Blossom's shop instead.
Chimes sounded as she opened the door. The high school student behind the counter looked up as Lily walked in. "Hi, Miss Anderson. Haven't seen you in a while."
"Hey, Heather. Yeah, I've not run out of candles in a while."
"We just got a big shipment in. Lots of new scents." She came from around the counter and led Lily to an oversized wall unit stocked with candles of different sizes and colors. She picked up an orange one and sniffed it. "This one is pumpkin and nectarine."
"Um, I'm really more interested in some books tonight."
"What topic?"
"Witchcraft."
"What's that? I didn't hear you." Heather leaned closer.
"Witchcraft."
Headier laughed. "You and about fifty others. Since that article came out in Letters, we've not been able to keep them in stock."
"Really. What kind of people are buying them?"
"High school kids mostly. I think the teachers are gonna see lots of term papers on witchcraft this semester. Some have already come in wanting to interview Sage and Blossom."
Lily toyed with a set of votives. "They don't think they're witches, do they?"
"You talking about the students or Sage and Blossom?"
"The students. Do they think Sage and Blossom are witches?"
Heather laughed. "Well, yeah. Wouldn't you?"
Lily put the votives back. "Me? Of course not. I don't believe in all that."
"Oh come on, Miss Anderson, how can you not? And if you don't, why do you want a book?"
"I'm just curious, that's all. How does one go about becoming a witch anyway?"
Heather shrugged and walked back to the counter. "I don't think you can become a witch. I think you either are one or you're not."
"But how do you know if you are? I mean, if I tried to do a spell and something happened, that would mean I had the power, right?"
"I really don't know. Look, Miss Anderson, I just work here selling their stuff. You need to talk to Sage or Blossom. They've been real nice to the curiosity seekers, so I'm sure they won't mind a friend asking."
Lily walked over to the books and scanned the myriad of titles: The Magical Lore of Herbs, Druid Magic: The Practice of Celtic Wisdom, Celtic Lore and Druid Ritual, Healing with Gemstones and Crystals, Drawing Faeries: A Believer's Guide. And sure enough, two shelves were entirely empty. She ran her fingers along the edges of the shelves, wondering what titles she might find there in the coming days. "When's your next book shipment due?"
"Don't really know. You might try the library. Perhaps interest has died down enough for the kids to return the books they checked out."
"Thanks for your help. I'll check back in a couple of days."
"You want me to tell Sage and Blossom you came by?"
"No need. I'll call them soon."
Feeling frustrated, Lily strolled to the coffee shop just a couple of doors down. After she ordered her latte, she picked up the local paper and took her coffee to a table. On page two, a headline caught her eye: Navy to Perform Sonar Testing off the Delawar
e Coast. She skimmed the article in growing horror, then angrily crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it into the trashcan. "Damn them," she muttered under her breath as she stomped back to her car.
Chapter 3
You were up awfully early this morning," Jany commented as she finally came downstairs. She poured a cup of coffee and put a bagel in the toaster.
"I had work to do."
Jany looked up at Lily's terse tone. "Something up with the shop? You getting ready to fire someone?"
"Nothing like that." She scrolled down the Web page on her laptop. "God, I hate these people!"
Jany sat at the table. It was rare to see Lily in such a mood. "Want to tell me about it?"
"Didn't you see the paper yesterday?"
"Yeah—"
"They are so evil!"
Exasperated now, Jany took Lily's hand to stop her from typing. "Will you just tell me what's wrong?"
Lily looked at her as if she should know. "You said you read the paper. Didn't you see the article on page two?"
Her bagel popped up, but Jany ignored it. "I'm sure I did, but I don't know which article you're talking about."
"The Navy!"
"Look, darling, I want you to take a deep breath and calmly tell me what's got you so irked this morning."
Lily closed her eyes and did as Jany had told her. When she opened her eyes again, Jany thought she looked calmer. "I have been up since five. I've written letters to the editors of the local paper as well as the surrounding communities. I have also e-mailed Greenpeace, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the International Fund for Animal Welfare. I plan to e-mail the Navy's customer relations, if they have such a thing."
"But what is this about?"
"They're going to do sonar testing off the coast over the course of four weeks."
"And—"
"It is so damaging to marine mammals like whales and dolphins. It interferes with their own sonar. Some people even theorize that could be the cause of some mass whale strandings. On top of that, a couple of years ago, whales that had beached themselves in the Bahamas had massive ear hemorrhages that some marine biologists think were caused by nearby military sonar tests. You can find any number of articles on the Web to support this theory. And not just from so-called 'tree huggers.'"
Jany sighed. She should have known it was something like this. Nothing else would get her this worked up. "I'm sorry Lily, I had no idea this was such an important issue to you."
Lily got up and automatically slathered Jany's bagel with cream cheese. "I want to organize a protest." She placed the bagel in front of Jany. "And a letter-writing campaign. The first thing to do is publicize why this is not a good thing."
Jany bit into her bagel. It was barely warm. "I suppose you could always appeal to the town council, point out that having big Navy destroyers off the coast will mar the tourists' view. Maybe even interfere with pleasure boaters and fishermen."
"I don't care about the tourists!"
"But money is what the council understands. If they think it will hurt tourism, they might try to stop them. Think of how many whale-watching cruises leave from Lewes every day."
"Hmmm, you have a point there, counselor. I never thought of that angle. Who's gonna want to go on such a cruise if the animals are freaked or don't show up at all? Or vacation on a beach with rotting whale carcasses?"
When Lily got up from the table, Jany pulled her into her lap. "Hey sweetheart, how about we go back upstairs and I take your mind off the Navy for a bit?" She kissed Lily's soft neck, then moved her mouth down the vee of Lily's shirt.
"That feels so good, baby, but I need to get to the shop. We're having that big sale today, and I promised Marcia I'd not leave her alone with just the kids." She leaned down to kiss Jany full on the mouth. "But I'll take a rain check." She stood up. "And besides, I don't think Mr. Hendrickson would appreciate you taking a day off when you're preparing for such a big case."
"You're right. It's not every day we try someone for murder."
Lily headed for the stairs, glancing back at Jany before she completely left the kitchen. "I still don't like tourists, but this time they could help me."
Jany laughed as Lily disappeared up the stairs. Ah, tourists. They were both the bane of Lily's existence as well as her livelihood. Lily designed much of her shop's unusual jewelry herself, but she also featured local artists like Tara, who made beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces from natural items like shells and feathers and seeds. The shop was very popular with the lesbian community, both locals and visitors alike.
She got herself another cup of coffee. It seemed these days she couldn't drink enough of it. Lily was right. She did have a big case ahead of her. The picturesque seaside resort rarely saw violent crimes, and this particular murder had doubly shocked the community for its brutality.
She finished her breakfast and headed up the stairs. She heard the shower running and briefly considered joining Lily. With both of them naked and slippery, she was certain she could convince Lily to play. With a sigh, Jany went to the spare bathroom instead. Lily was right; Hendrickson would have her head if she played hooky this close to the trial. She had a feeling she'd be working some late nights in the next couple of weeks. She just hoped Lily wouldn't get into too much trouble with this anti-Navy campaign she was about to embark on.
"Hi, Mandy," Lily said when Mandy opened the door of her bungalow. "I need your help."
"Come on in." Mandy stepped back and let Lily walk in before her. "Care for some chai tea?"
"Do you have any plain old black tea? I can't figure out why everyone likes chai so much."
Mandy rummaged in a kitchen cabinet and found a beat-up tin. "Got some Lipton in here, but who knows how old it is."
"I don't mind if it's kinda stale." Lily slid onto a stool at the kitchen counter. "Did you see the article in yesterday's paper about the Navy testing? I've spent the whole morning writing letters, and I want to get other people to write as well."
"Write about what?"
"We have to stop it."
"Hey, I don't like the military in our backyard anymore than you do, but what can we do? What kind of tests anyway? Not missile firings, I hope."
"Sonar testing. And no, before you say anything, those tests won't hurt humans but they could prove dangerous for our marine mammals."
"I tell you what, you write the letter and I'll sign it." She poured hot water over Lily's tea bag. "Is that the only reason you came by this morning? To ask me to write a letter? You could have done that by phone."
Lily played with her tea bag. "I have a confession to make, but I don't want you to get mad at me."
"You saw us last night, didn't you?"
Lily looked up. "How... how did you know? I was so careful."
Mandy smiled mysteriously. "I sensed your presence. I am a high priestess after all."
"Oh come on, Mandy. You must have seen me or my car."
"Nope."
"Honestly?"
"Honestly."
"Look, I didn't mean anything by it. I overheard you telling someone you were going to Lucy's and I thought since Jany was bowling, I'd crash. I had no idea it was a meeting of your coven." She sipped her tea. "I wanted to apologize to you for my brat behavior."
Mandy took Lily's chin and made Lily look at her. "I know you are curious. I think you might even feel the power yourself."
Lily snorted. "Me, a witch? I don't think so."
"C'mon, Lily, you've never wished for something, only to have it come true? Something that had to be more than a coincidence?"
"I don't know."
"And how about that storm you accused Tara of causing the other day? I know you and Jany were making love. You're a very passionate woman. You don't think your passion could affect the weather?" Mandy grinned. "A storm inside and a storm outside?"
Lily felt her cheeks grow warm, especially because Mandy was old enough to be her mother.
"People seem awfully curious about my sex life."
Mandy patted her hand. "It's just 'cause we're jealous. So, what did you think?"
"I was surprised at some of the women I saw there. I mean, I'm not surprised at Sage and Blossom. They've always had that Earth mother vibe going." She grinned. "But seeing the town's strutting butch in a see-through gown. Now that was something."
Mandy laughed. "Yeah, most people see Kathy as strictly a jeans-and-boots sort of gal."
"There seemed to be a bit of tension between her and Tara. What was that all about?"
"I probably shouldn't say anything, but Kathy's got a thing for Tara. And true to her nature, she's not too subtle about it. There's a right way and a wrong way to approach a woman, you know what I mean? Kathy could take some lessons from your Jany."
"Jany and Tara were involved several years ago. Was Tara a practicing witch back then? Did Jany know?"
"Tara's known since she was five that she had some special abilities. Fortunately, she chose to use those abilities wisely. Some people aren't so wise. They become dangerous. It's those individuals you have to keep watch over."
"Is Kathy one of those people?"
Mandy got up to put the kettle on. It seemed to Lily that she took longer than necessary to do so. Finally, Mandy turned to look at her. "I think it would be easy for Kathy to go the wrong way. She can be very volatile. I only tell you this because I also believe she is very jealous of Jany. She still resents that all those years ago Tara chose Jany over her."
"I've always wondered why Jany and Tara broke up. Everyone seemed to think they were the perfect couple."
"I don't know the whys or wherefores, but they were very young. I do know that Jany now loves you. And she and Tara had been apart a couple of years when you two met. I hope you have no insecurities about that."
"I used to, but I'm okay now." She thought back to her conversation with Jany. "At least, I hope I am."
Bell, Book and Dyke - New Exploits of Magical Lesbians Page 2
