The Cindy Chronicles: The Complete Set

by RaShelle Workman

  I remembered what Quilla said last night. “The Croswells should be ashamed of themselves.” I was a Croswell wasn’t I? My aunt possessed magic. We had to be related, right? The thoughts tumbled around in my mind. Sure all families had secrets. But if I was adopted, well that was a big secret.

  “Cindy,” my mom barked.

  I glanced up, shoved my questions away, and took a bite of bacon. “Thanks for breakfast, Mom.” She hadn’t prepared it. I didn’t think my mom knew how to cook bacon, or muffins, or even coffee. She left everything domesticated to Alice, our housekeeper.

  My mom shook her head and laughed. “Of course. How long is your shift?”

  I chewed and swallowed. “It’s eight hours, so I’ll be home late.”

  “Oh, what else do you have planned today? Going to hang out with Gabe?” She stuck the bacon pan on top of the stove with a hot pad and then looked at me.

  I shrugged. I hoped so. Gabe and I spent as much time as possible together. “Probably. I need to talk to Profes—Mr. Henry about something too. So I’m going to go over to his house after breakfast.”

  Mom nodded. “Alright. See you later.” She turned to leave the kitchen but I stopped her.

  “Hey Mom?” I walked over and hugged her. Secrets or not, she meant the world to me.

  My mom patted me lightly on the back. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” I said squeezing her. “I-I just love you.”

  She sniffed. “Love you too, Cindy.” My mom pulled away and patted her arm, before leaving the kitchen.

  I took a deep breath. If she was keeping secrets from me they wouldn’t last long. I had a spell for that.

  Professor Pops

  Professor Pops led me into his office. He closed the door and I sat in one of the lush leather chairs.

  “How can I help you, Cindy?” He sat, resting his forearms on the edge of his large desk.

  I suddenly felt nervous. Why did I think Pops would know about Polonias? He’d been around a long time. He seemed to know everything about the supernatural. But I wondered if I should’ve talked to Abernathy, the dragon, instead.

  Professor Pops took his reading glasses from his sweater pocket and put them on the end of his nose. He began going over some papers on his desk. The longer I sat, the worse I felt. And I wasn’t sure I had a reason. Pops hadn’t ever been anything but kind and beyond helpful. Sure he was a human turned Hunter, turned kind of human again.

  No, that was wrong. He was and always would be a vampire. Nothing could change what he’d become. Plus, I didn’t think he wanted to change. At least it didn’t seem like it.

  “Cindy? You said you needed to talk to me. Was that true, or are you hiding from someone?”

  I snorted. Why would he think that? Shut up, I shouted internally and cleared my throat. “Have you heard of a land called Polonias?” I blurted.

  He pulled off his glasses and set them on the desk, then clasped his hands together. “Well, I don’t know. Where is this Polonias?” His bright eyes studied me, and I got the distinct impression he was testing me somehow.

  Leaning back in the chair, I tucked my legs beneath me. “It’s a land. My…” Should I say fairy godmother? He might laugh, and I wasn’t in the mood to be laughed at. I decided on a different way to put her. “A woman by the name of Quilla Templeton told me about it. She said I needed to save it.”

  Professor Pops leaned back, resting his hands against his stomach. “I see. And who is Quilla Templeton to you?”

  Ah crap, he was going to make me say it. Out loud. “She says…” I paused, tucked some loose hair behind my ears. “She says she’s my fairy godmother.” I felt color rise to my cheeks. It was as embarrassing to say it out loud as I thought it’d be.

  Pops sat up. “Okay, now we’re getting somewhere.”

  “We are?” I asked leaning forward.

  “Yes, because now you’re being honest.” He picked up his glasses and put them back in his pocket. “Don’t want to lose these,” he said, once they’d slid into place. “So, when did Quilla first appear to you?”

  “You know wha—who she is?” I was stunned. Did, like, all magical worlds belong to a club? Were there secret handshakes? Special codes? Did Snow know about Polonias? And why was it I always seemed to be the last person to know everything?

  “I’ve met Quilla before. Yes.”

  “I swear.” I stood, trying to control my temper.

  “It’s okay, Cindy. I wanted to gauge how you know about Polonias, whether you dreamed it or if Quilla had actually spoken to you. Now that I know we can get down to business.” His expression was amused, and it made me angrier.

  “Seriously. Why didn’t you tell me about this place before?” I sat back down in a huff.

  “Well, my dear, because it wasn’t my place to tell you. I’m surprised she didn’t give you more details herself.”

  I coughed. “Well, she’s sort of upset with me. Said I’m a disappointment.”

  “Oh, I see.” He studied me for several long moments until I wanted to squirm like a disobedient child under his gaze.

  “What?” I finally asked.

  He leaned forward. “Polonias has some similarities to Sharra, but it’s different as well. It’s similar in that it’s connected to Earth. As you probably know, Sharra was created by the magic of a Vampire. It exists within Earth, only on a different plane.” As he spoke he stacked one hand on top of the other. “Like the layers of your skin. You can only see the top layer, but we know two more layers exist. It’s the same with Sharra.”

  “And Polonias. How is it different?”

  He picked up a pencil, and tapped it on his desk. “Polonias was created by magic, same as the others, but it wasn’t created with Earth’s magic.”

  A sick foreboding filled my stomach. “What are you saying?” I asked the question, but was terrified of the answer. I didn’t even want to comprehend what he meant.

  “It gets a little complicated, but the basics are that Polonias is a land you can get to from Earth, but it isn’t part of Earth.”

  I felt my mouth fall open. Professor Pops hurried on.

  “Polonias is its own world.”

  I tried to speak but sounded like a gasping fish. “Like aliens?” I finally asked.

  “Aliens.” Pops snorted. Actually snorted. I closed my mouth frustrated.

  “Those who exist on Polonias are human just as we are. Or,” He shrugged. “In my case, once was. The magical creatures that dwell in Polonias are the same as the magical creatures you’ve seen here and in Sharra. They are part of the seven magics. But here’s the cool part.”

  “Cool?” That wasn’t the word I’d use. Freaky. Weird. Effing terrifying. Those words came to mind.

  “The seven magics are part of Earth, but they also exist everywhere. And Polonias used the magics from—”

  “Stop. Holy hell. Just stop. Please.” I rubbed the sides of my head. This was too much. I didn’t want to hear anymore. But I had one more question. “Quilla said something that leads me to believe my mom and dad aren’t really my mom and dad. Am…” I trailed off. It seemed too impossible.

  “That’s not a question for me to answer. You should ask Quilla. Better yet, your mom and dad. They have the answers you seek.”

  I nodded. He was right. Of course if it were an easy answer, he would’ve told me. That meant my mom did have secrets. I sighed internally. There was no damn way I wanted to ask my mom now. “I need to get to work. Can you tell Gabe I’ll talk to him later.” I stood. “If you see him,” I added.

  Professor Pops came around and patted my shoulder. “Of course, Cindy. Everything will work out. You’ll see. It always does.”

  “Thanks.” Sure, things worked out, but that didn’t mean they worked out the way I wanted them too. Or the way that I thought was best.

  I left Professor Pops’ house in a daze. Heathcliff waved and said hello. I think I raised a hand in answer, but I wasn’t sure.

  I unlocked the doo
r to my Altima, shut the door, and leaned my head against the steering wheel. My car. It smelled like vanilla and stale coffee. Safe. Real.

  I put the keys in the ignition. A bunch of different key chains were attached to it. They jangled as I turned the car over. My keys.

  My life.

  This was where I belonged. Right where I was. Salem Massachusetts. With my mom and dad. And Gabe.

  “Gabe,” I cried and checked my reflection in the rearview mirror. I saw a girl, wide-eyed. Freaked. With golden blond hair pulled tight in a ponytail. Bright blue eyes. A straight nose and pink lips.

  Human.

  I needed to talk to Snow. After work, I’d be sure to give that girl an earful about what Quilla and Professor Pops said.

  Leo Loyalor

  The restaurant was extra busy. Bob, my manager, asked if I’d pick up a few tables and I happily complied. The harder I worked, the less my brain to mull over what Professor Pops said.

  But I couldn’t help it. Random thoughts popped up. Like my magic. It came from the Eye of Abernathy, which came from Earth. And Abernathy was a dragon of the Earth. If my sinking feelings about where I was born were true… It just didn’t make sense. Several times I thought about quitting. Just tossing my apron on the counter in back and walking out. Like my mom said, I didn’t need the job.

  But I loved it. All of it. The madness of the atmosphere. The garlic and pasta smell that permeated the restaurant continuously. Working until my feet hurt. Talking to people. It made me feel like I accomplished something. Even though I loved to shop, hang out with friends, and make out with Gabe, the job made me feel like I’d done something. I labored. Everyone except Snow thought I was crazy.

  “Cindy. Table twelve. Can you take it? Haylee is on break.”

  “Sure,” I mumbled, still lost in my thoughts. I glanced at the table. One customer. I grabbed a menu, filled a glass with ice water, and walked over.

  Before facing him I took a deep breath. “Hi. I’m Cindy and I’ll be your waitress. What can I—”

  He looked up from the newspaper he was reading and bluest pair of eyes I’d ever seen caught mine. He didn’t say anything, just waited patiently for me to finish.

  “Get you,” I finally finished.

  His eyes sparkled, and he smiled. The man had dimples. Damn dimples. “I’ll take that water, if it’s for me.” He inclined his head at the glass I’d forgotten I held in my hand.

  “Oh, sure.” I let out an embarrassed laugh. First, I handed him the menu. Then pulled a white cocktail napkin from my apron pocket, set it on the table, and put the water on top. “The special today is basil baked chicken fettuccini.”

  “That sounds delicious. I’ll take that.” He closed the menu and handed it to me.

  “Great. Did you want anything to drink? Wine. Chardonnay?” He was staring at me with those exceptional blue eyes again. “Maybe a soda or chocolate milk?”

  He chuckled at that and I felt heat rise to my cheeks. “Chocolate milk? It’s been ages. I’ll have a glass.”

  “Excellent. Anything else?” My insides spun dizzily. I wanted to hide in a corner. Why the hell did I ask the beautiful man if he wanted chocolate milk? Lame.

  He studied me, exploring the facets of my face. Then his eyes wandered down my shoulders to my hands holding a pad and pen. It felt as though he sculpted me with his eyes, as though I were coming alive under his intense scrutiny.

  “That should do it. For now.” Abruptly he went back to perusing his newspaper.

  I walked away, stunned. Or in a trance. I was gob smacked. In the years I’d worked here I’d given my number out at least two dozen times, but never in my life had I wanted to throw myself at a man.

  At the thought, I berated myself. I shouldn’t have been having those feelings. I loved Gabe. My chayot warrior.

  I took the ticket to the back.

  “Hey Cin, who’s the hot guy at twelve?” Melissa popped her gum.

  I glanced at Melissa. She was older. In her forties. A single mother. She wore too much makeup and too tight clothes. She had ample cleavage and it exploded into the V on her button up white shirt. But we’d become friends.

  “No idea. I’ve never seen him before.” It was strange though because as I said the words I realized it felt like I knew him.

  “Well the way he was lookin’ at ya, he obviously wants to know ya better.” She blew a bubble.

  “Melissa. Gum!” Bob shouted as he pointed to the trashcan. Bob had a thing about us chewing gum. He didn’t think it was professional. And the way Melissa chewed it, he was right.

  Melissa sighed. “Dang. I got too excited. That was my last piece.”

  I laughed. “I’ve got some in my purse. I’ll sneak you a piece later.”

  She slapped my butt. “Thanks, babe. Now you’d better take that milk out to the hottie before I wiggle these,” as she said these she grabbed her breasts, “in his face and he forgets your skinny ass.”

  “Fine,” I giggled. Melissa was a little crass, but she was nice. Seemed to care a lot about her kids.

  I went to the large cooler for a carton of chocolate milk. Took a glass from the rack and poured the milk. Adjusting my shirt, I lifted my chin, pulled back my shoulders and went to his table.

  “Here you go.” I smiled and sat the glass on another napkin above his newspaper and next to his water glass.

  He glanced up. “Thank you.” He lifted the glass, and took a sip. “Delicious.”

  “Sure. Your food should be ready in a few minutes.” At that point I knew I should’ve walked away. There were other tables that needed my attention. Especially table four. The kid sitting there with his dad, who was on his phone, waved his cup trying to get my attention. I moved my back so I couldn’t see him. “Do you need anything else?”

  The sparkle in his eyes returned and my breath hitched. “How about I tell you my name?”

  “Okay.” I felt like an idiot, like a silly pink poodle with her tongue dangling from her mouth.

  He chuckled. “My name is Leo. And as much as I’d love to chat more with you I think there’s a little boy over there who needs a drink.”

  I turned in the direction he pointed. “Right.” I headed to the boys table.

  “Cindy, I’m thirsty. Can I get a…” The little boy paused and glanced at his dad who was still deep in a conversation on his cell phone. “A Coke.”

  “Sure.” I took the glass and ruffled his hair. It was the same color as Leo’s— sandy brown.

  At the drink station Melissa showed up. “So?” She filled a glass with soda while I filled the little boys full of ice and then a small amount of Coke.

  “His name is Leo.” I shrugged. “He seems nice.” My heart sped up as I thought about his smile and his dimples. Nice was an understatement, but I had Gabe.

  “Uh-huh. He’s got you wishing you were single. Am I right?”

  I choked. What was she, a mind reader? “Whatever,” I said and walked back to the boy’s table. The father was off the phone. I smiled, handed the soda to the excited kid. “Here you go.”

  The dad eyed the drink. “Can we get our check, please?”

  “Sure.”

  I made my way over to the till and rang up their ticket. My eyes kept sliding over to Leo. The first time he was reading his paper. The second, his eyes were on me. I gasped and quickly turned back to what I was doing. Got the total, printed the receipt and placed it in one of our black bill holder.

  Forcing myself not to look, I walked past him to the boy and his father. I placed the bill holder on the edge of their table. “When you’re ready I’ll be your cashier.”

  The man pulled his wallet from his back pocket and set a credit card on top. “Now is great.”

  I ran his card and hurried back. “Thanks for coming in,” I said.

  “See ya, Cindy.” The little boy waved.

  I had two other tables that needed attention so I stopped by each. Both needed refills. One needed more marinara sauce. I took care of th
at and checked on Leo’s food. It was ready so I took it out.

  “Here ya go,” I said lightly, ignoring my rapid heartbeat. There had to be a spell I could use to deal with that overactive organ.

  Leo folded his paper and checked over the food. “It smells delicious. Want to join me? There’s a lot here.”

  I smiled. Bertilinis was known for their large helpings. “Thanks, but I’ve got work to do. Enjoy. I’ll be back in a little while.”

  I hurried to the back. Melissa was eyeing me. “What?”

  “Nothin’ Fancy-Pants. Except you’re crushing on that guy and it’s kind of funny.” She winked.

  Leaning against the counter, I sighed.

  Bob came in. “Cindy, table six looks ready for their check. Go see.”

  “On it.”

  Table six was ready and by the time I finished up with them, my other table was ready. The restaurant was thinning out and I was grateful. A quick glance at Leo told me he was about done as well.

  “Need anything?” I asked him, standing further away from his table than I normally would.

  Leo pushed away his food. “I’m finished. I’ll take the check.”

  “Great.” I went to the till, got it ready and handed it him. As he took it from me our fingers touched. A jolt electrified my body and I stepped back.

  “You feeling alright?” he asked, pulling his wallet out and placing cash in the bill holder. “The rest is for you,” he said.

  I took the black holder, careful not to touch his hand. “Thank you. Have a good night.” I turned to leave.

  “Cinderella.” The words floated to me like a crisp breeze.

  I whipped around. Leo had risen and folded his newspaper.

  “What did you say?” I asked, scrutinizing him carefully.

  He glanced up, his eyes piercing mine. Come to me.

  The words weren’t said aloud. At least I didn’t see his lips move, but I heard them, deep in my heart and soul.

  “See you soon, Cindy,” he said, and walked out of the restaurant.

  Parking Lot

  My shift was nearly over. I finished stocking the sugar packets and filling the salt and pepper bottles. Wiped them off and set them back on the tables. As I worked I fumed. My mind wouldn’t let go of Leo and what’d happened. What he’d said. Or didn’t say.