A Witch's Magic

by N. E. Conneely

  “You can’t save them all.”

  “I can save her.” I dialed Rodriguez’s number.

  The worry in his eyes faded as pride took its place. “If anyone can…” He gave a small smile and went back to the table.

  I hoped I hadn’t just made a promise I couldn’t keep. I hoped she was worth it.

  “Michelle, what could you possibly need? Magic running wild at the lodge?” Rodriguez grumbled. “I’m only now finishing at Italian Flair.”

  I winced. “You know I wouldn’t call unless it was important.”

  “I’m waiting.”

  “Rumor is the police are looking for a witch, Isadora Baker. I can arrange a meeting.” And with those words I wasn’t Michelle Oaks, police consultant, but Michelle, presumed next premier. That realization took my breath away for a moment.

  Seconds passed before Rodriguez spoke. “When?”

  “Sooner would be better.”

  “So, tonight.” Rodriguez swore. “I’d like sleep tonight.”

  “Me too.”

  He sighed. “The lodge, I’m guessing? I’ll need half an hour to get myself and a few other officers there.”

  This time I hesitated, unsure of my new role. “She’s scared, Rodriguez. She’s agreed to answer questions, but the press about her has her spooked.”

  “That’s our fault. Damn rookie sent out the wrong information. We want to talk to her. I hadn’t heard anything about her being a suspect or the police being concerned about interacting with her, at least not until after that press release.”

  “Good to hear.”

  He sighed again. “I’ll be there soon. And Michelle, be careful.” Without explaining what he meant by that, he hung up.

  “Thank for the warning,” I grumbled. Like I didn’t know the jobs of consultant and premier didn’t play well together. Lines that needed to be solid ended up blurry.

  I slid my phone back in my pocket, took a deep breath, and turned back to the table. Elron had resumed looming over it from a few feet away. Mom and Dad were keeping an eye on Isadora, who still had her eyes closed, but her foot tapped the floor. I sat.

  Isadora’s eyes opened. “Well?”

  Mom leaned forward. “I have a lawyer on the way here. We’re in luck. Thanks to the convention, Rhiannon is in town. She’ll be here soon.”

  “She’s a shark. Or a dragon.” Isadora’s fingers twisted together. “I’ve seen her in meetings. Brutal.”

  “And now she’ll be your shark.” I forced a smile. “The police will be here in half an hour. We’ll set you up in the living room. My contact assures me the police didn’t intend for the press release naming you as a suspect to go out.”

  “Frankly, that doesn’t fill me with confidence.”

  I shrugged. Nothing I said would make her feel better about seeing herself publicly named a suspect in Ethel’s accident and, at this point, her presumed death.

  Mom filled the gap in conversation. “As soon as Rhiannon is here, she’ll take over dealing with the police. Listen to her. She’ll be on your side and there to help you.”

  “Got it.”

  “It’s going to be fine. My contact is honest, and Rhiannon will make sure they don’t force you to say anything you don’t want to say.” I patted her hand. “While we wait, I need to talk to Susanna. I’ll be in the living room if you need me, okay?”

  Isadora nodded.

  Giving her a reassuring smile, I left the table, Elron and my dad not far behind. With each step, I tried to put Isadora’s problems out of my head and refocus on the clan problems. But the accident, the location of Ethel’s body, and the strange magic erupting throughout town were no more willing than Isadora’s problems to fade to the background.

  It was too much. Logic and strategy were distant memories. The day’s events had reduced me to reacting, but being the one to decide how to handle clan problems was new, and I didn’t have years of previous reactions to fall back on.

  “She’s guilty. We all know it.” Susanna’s bitterness pushed the words out in a rush. “I don’t know why you’re bothering to help her. Not with the trouble you’re in with the clans. How this helps you is beyond me.”

  “If we all know Isadora is guilty, then why did you barge in here claiming the clans believe Michelle is guilty?” Elron said icily. “Pick your villain. Given their previous interactions, it cannot be both of them.”

  Susanna huffed. “Helping her won’t endear you to the ministers.”

  “According to you, nothing will strengthen my position. All that’s left for me to do is resign and fade into the night.” I watched for a reaction that would give me insight to her motives.

  Displeasure sat on her face the same as it had before. “As I’ve said, circumstances are not in your favor.”

  “Then we change the narrative.” Dad stared at her. “Surely we can salvage this—that is, assuming you still want the job, Michelle.”

  “I do, and I know what the problem is. Ethel named it before she died.”

  That got Susanna’s attention, interest breaking through the sullen displeasure.

  I took a deep breath. “They don’t know me, and what they know of me doesn’t fill them with confidence. To most witches, I’m not the person who spearheaded the largest spell in modern history, but the girl who was broken by the power she channeled and may yet be crippled by that experience, magically, mentally, or both. They think I want to use their power, but I’m not strong enough to hold the reins. They don’t know me. They don’t know that I’ll fight with them and for them. Until they do, they’ll assume the worst because why would they credit me with abilities they’ve never seen?”

  That’s when it hit me, what I needed to do to reassure the minister. “A press conference on The Witch Network. We can do it live. They’ll show it over the regular broadcast and can replay it. I say how sad I am that the mantle has passed to me. I reassure them that the investigation is ongoing. I show them I’m here. I’m not in hiding. I’m ready, and I can be their premier.” If I didn’t step into the spotlight now, I’d lose my chance.

  “It could work,” Dad mused. “You don’t focus on the nuts and bolts of the accident but how you’ll handle the event as a whole. You give them a glimpse of what their world will be like with you as the premier.”

  “Do it with pomp and style. Everyone loves a good show,” Elron added.

  Susanna looked between us sourly. “It could work.”

  “Set it up. We have a lot to do, and I’d like to get some sleep tonight.” I stared at Susanna until she tugged a phone out of her pocket. “Hair, makeup, wardrobe, the works. You know the drill.”

  “Our people should still be in town given what’s happened. I’ll get them here.” She had a quick word with the other assistants, and then the three of them were on their phones.

  My head swam. I leaned forward, elbows braced on my knees. This was it. I was going to fight, not for what I most wanted, my life as a consultant, but for where I felt I was most needed. My reward? Spending my days managing a bunch of bickering witches who didn’t like or respect me much.

  Dad knelt in front of me. “I’m proud of you.”

  “I’m scared.”

  He nodded. “You can be scared, but remember, Elron, Nancy, and I, we’re here for you. Both our clans support you. You’re not doing this alone.”

  Elron dropped to one knee beside him. “Whenever this new job overwhelms you, we can run away to the woods and spend time with elves.”

  “I’m sure the witches will love that.” I sighed. “Can you help me write out what I’m going to say? My brain is cooked, and I won’t remember without notes.”

  “Of course,” Dad said.

  Elron nodded his head. “I will ensure the event has the pomp it needs.”

  “Thank you.” I searched for better words but couldn’t find them. “Thank you.”

  Two sharp raps at the door brought all conversation to a stop. Mom marched over and opened the door to a stout woman wi
th her blunt chin-length hair straightened to perfection and a high shine on her pumps. The slate gray suit and cutting smile completed the look. Paying no attention to those of us at the far end of the room, Rhiannon settled herself next to Isadora at the table, shoved a plate to the side, and got to work.

  From there, it was a blur of activity. Witches poured into the room with various tasks related to getting me ready for my first solo press convention. The activity paused when Rodriguez came in, followed by Officer Kent, a dark elf, and an officer I vaguely recognized from the accident scene. Thankfully, with Rhiannon here, all I had to do was make the introductions and remind Isadora to listen to Rhiannon.

  I would’ve liked to have stayed to hear the interview, but my speech wasn’t finished. Besides, I doubted I’d learn anything useful from Isadora. While she was certainly capable of causing the accident, I couldn’t figure out a motive and didn’t think she was the type to take action without a reason.

  With that situation under control, I retreated to my bedroom, where Dad helped me with the speech while witches worked on my hair, makeup, and clothing options. If anyone had asked me—which they didn’t— I would’ve said there wasn’t a perfect outfit for saying, “Sorry Ethel’s dead, but I’d like to take over her position and power.” Turned out, a deep plum suit with a black shirt was the perfect outfit.

  Dad took the speech notes, promised to have the prompter ready, and fled before wardrobe could kick him out. Only minutes later, my reflection gazed back at me from a full-length mirror. The somber and competent reflection looked like someone I would trust.

  They rushed me past Isadora, whose tears had dried. She was regaining some of her own shark tendencies under Rhiannon’s care.

  From my apartment, they herded me outside, which didn’t seem at all right to me until I saw it. Witch lights illuminated the altar, and the newly set-up podium beside it. The lilac statice that had graced our dinner table now lay across the altar, a reminder to the loss of Ethel that had to be Elron’s idea. With the light concentrated on me and the rest left to darkness, it would be a quiet moment, one that gave the illusions of catching me honoring my predecessor.

  “Remember, Susanna will introduce you. You’ll step into view, wait a moment, and then start the speech,” a witch reminded as she positioned me at the very edge of the light.

  “Right.”

  Zach, the same Zach who’d supported Isadora, manned the camera. Over his head, glowing letters spelled my name, followed by my first prompt. Walk.

  All I had to do was look serious and follow the prompts. Should be simple. It wasn’t like live broadcasts ever went wrong.

  Susanna took her place behind the podium.

  Zach held up three fingers. Then two.

  In what felt like the blink of an eye, the countdown was over, and Susanna had already done part of her introduction. The words came to me over a long distance and only faintly at that. I’d done this before, stood in front of a camera, leading up to and at the convention. But none of those had been live or as important.

  “Now, a statement from your next premier, Michelle Oaks.” Susanna carefully stepped between the podium and altar as she left.

  Walk flashed brightly, so I did. Hand tightly gripping the bottom edge of the podium where the camera couldn’t see, I struggled to follow the prompts.

  “This morning in a tragic turn of events, the Premier Ethel’s car was involved in an accident. The police investigation is ongoing, but initial reports indicate the premier did not survive.” I swallowed twice, praying my voice wouldn’t crack as I continued. “As the proposed transition Ethel and I had planned no longer works under these circumstances, adjustments have been made. I am ready to assume my position as premier, with Nancy Oaks serving alongside me for the first year to ease the transition.”

  Mom had agreed, and I think she had even been relieved that she wouldn’t have to do the job for very long.

  The prompter flashed brightly.

  “To further cement my commitment to you, and to honor our traditions as we move forward, I will be assembling a council of eleven ministers to guide me. While no one can replace premier Ethel, I hope their experience can fill the void left in Ethel’s absence.” I held back a sigh of relief. That was the worst of it.

  “If you would join me in a moment of prayer.” I took my place, kneeling beside the altar.

  To my dismay, I couldn’t think clearly enough to put together a useful prayer. Instead, all I did was desperately plead that Ethel not really be gone. That I had more time before I had to give up my business and the life I so enjoyed. That I could have a little more time to figure out how to balance what I wanted with what I had to do. There had to be a way I could do both, if only I had time to work it out.

  I stood up, not sure if that had been the right length of prayer for the press conference. It didn’t matter. I had to get off camera. A sour taste filled my mouth at my own hypocrisy, asking everyone to pray for Ethel when I knelt and thought only of myself.

  “And the broadcast is over,” Zach announced. “Camera is off!”

  I sucked down great gulps of air. Over, it was over.

  Susanna appeared in front of me, her pinched expression replaced with a grin. “I didn’t think you had it in you, but I was wrong. That will win them over.”

  Mom and Dad came over and managed to nudge Susanna to the side. “You’ve made it hard for anyone to call for your replacement. It should do the job for now.”

  “They’ll criticize me for not making a statement this morning.” And for anything else I’d done wrong in their eyes, no matter how real or imagined. But even Ethel had said that was part of the job. A terrible part.

  Dad shrugged. “We’ll make a statement, say you were waiting to get more information from the police, that you’d hoped to be able to offer them a full explanation but investigations take time.”

  “Do you think they’ll buy it?”

  Susanna shrugged. “It doesn’t matter as long as they don’t make too much of a fuss. Once you’re sworn in as Premier, you’re the guiding force, the great mediator between clans, the steady spot in the madness. The politics won’t matter as much.”

  “I guess that’s good news.” With the adrenaline fading, fatigue was taking its place. “Can I be done for the night? It’s been a long day.”

  Mom nodded. “I think the police are still interviewing Isadora at your place.”

  “She can shower at my apartment.” Elron took my hand and gently tugged me away. “Bring a change of clothing for her and hangers for this suit.”

  A shower sounded like heaven.

  Nearly an hour later, I escaped back to my own now blissfully empty apartment. I had Elron and my mom to thank for it being empty. They’d shooed everyone out. Even Isadora, though she’d tried to come thank me for helping her. According to a quick chat with Rhiannon, she and the police were square. That was all I needed to know for the night.

  Safely tucked in my own bed, I let myself feel. At first the grief was distant, dampened by a day that felt as long as some years. Then it came back, with a few tears at first, and then sobs. For a lot of witches, Ethel was the face of her office, a symbol, but she’d been my mentor, supporter, and friend all rolled into one. I’d never thought I’d be taking her place like this. Not this soon.

  Eventually, I fell asleep, but dreams of Ethel haunted me through the night.

  “Michelle?”

  “You’re dead,” I mumbled. “Leave me alone so I can sleep.”

  “I assure you, I am not dead, and it is past time for you to wake up.”

  The voice wasn’t right. That didn’t sound at all like Ethel, but like a man. I bolted up, blinking at the light pouring through the window. “Elron?”

  He handed me a mug of tea before taking a seat at the foot of the bed. “You missed breakfast, and I worried.”

  “No.” I checked the clock and groaned. “I’ve got twenty minutes to hand Rodriguez reports on yesterday’s cases.”


  “Landa packed a bag of muffins. They are on the dining room table.” He got up and headed to the door. “I must go. I am expecting a delivery at work. I will see you at noon at Fab Flowers.”

  “Wait!” I scrambled out of bed and tugged him down for a quick kiss. “Thank you. Be safe, and I’ll see you later.”

  He chuckled. “You are the one who needs to be safe.” He tugged the door shut behind him.

  I rushed to get ready and was bouncing down the driveway when I realized I’d forgotten my tea. “Narzel blast it.” Arriving without reports was one thing, but without reports and caffeine? Hard pass.

  Roasted Beans was on the way, and plus, they would put a pump of energy boost in my tea. I could even get a drink for Rodriguez while I was at it.

  Chapter Fourteen

  That’s what I told myself right up to the moment when I pulled into the parking lot and saw the drive-through line wrapping around the building. It might not be as quick of a stop as I’d wanted, but it would still do the trick. Rather than sit in my car as I waited, I parked and headed inside. At least this way I could get a secondhand pick-me-up while my tea was in progress.

  I pushed open the door and was assaulted by absolute chaos. It took me a moment to sort it all out. In the chair closest to the door, a woman with her face buried in her hands sobbed violently. The man across the table from her was frantically making list upon list on a tiny scrap of paper, the words running into each other.

  On the other side of them, a man was screaming into his phone. Three people were laying on the ground behind him, asleep from the look of them. Behind the counter, one barista was slumped across the cash register, shaking ever so slightly. Two other baristas were darting back and forth frantically but didn’t seem to be noticing when they spilled drinks or something fell on the floor. The last barista was frantically scrubbing the cappuccino machine, but it didn’t look dirty. If anything, it looked like she’d been doing the same task for quite a while.