A Witch Too Hot

by Paula Lester

  He shifted from one foot to the other. “I’m sorry. That isn’t what I meant, exactly. It’s just—complicated.” He held his hands up in a gesture of helplessness.

  She didn’t say anything. They stood avoiding each other’s eyes before Graham drew in a deep breath and said, “You don’t have to worry about representing us anymore. We have a new candidate.”

  Cas’ eyes narrowed. “Who?”

  “Lumen. Ray’s people just managed to get her on the ballot with almost no time to spare. It wasn’t easy finding a witch in good standing to do the nominating on such short notice, but luckily, Lumen and Waverly are good friends.”

  Momentarily forgetting her irritation, Cas’ eyes widened. “Waverly’s in good standing?”

  Graham nodded. “Her family is, yes.”

  “Then why is she a receptionist?”

  His eyebrows climbed until they almost disappeared into his hair. Then he chuckled. “The position of receptionist for the High Council isn’t like a regular human secretary job. It’s a high-prestige, high-powered post. That person often has the ear of the sirens and a small amount of pull on which cases make it before them and which are remanded to lower local courts.”

  She’d had no idea Waverly was so influential and important. She seemed like a person who didn’t even really like her job. Then she thought of something else. “What a minute. Isn’t Lumen a shifter?”

  “She and Ray are only half-siblings. Lumen’s a witch.”

  Well, that was certainly news to Cas. She still had so much to learn about the supernatural community.

  Wait. She was supposed to be mad at Graham. Cas grabbed the pruners off the ground and headed for the shed. “I have to get going,” she called over her shoulder. “I need to run an errand to the Crystal Springs Gazette, and Echo brought home a directive for me to appear at court for something called an indicium. I have to get moving.”

  “Indicium? I’ve never heard of that. What is it?”

  She closed the shed door and shrugged. “Beats me. I guess I’ll find out when I get there. I’m just glad that after the debate later, I won’t have to think about the election anymore. I have enough on my plate.”

  “How have your hot flashes been?”

  She cut her eyes at him. “Pardon me?”

  “Oh, you know what I mean. Not a lady kind of hot flash. I know enough not to ask about that. The magic kind. How you been feeling?”

  He sounded so concerned that her resolve to be angry wavered Cas wanted to admit about the curtains going up in smoke and that she might’ve caused it. And about how scared she was that the next time her power cycled, it could kill her.

  But then Cas remembered how Graham said that he couldn’t trust her because she was a witch. So, she replied with a very curt, “Fine.” She climbed the stairs to the deck and said, “I’ll see you later.”

  Cas thought he called out and wish her luck, but she’d already closed the door between them.

  Chapter 16

  As Cas sat in the waiting room outside the High Court’s council room, she eyed Waverly, thinking about the new information Graham had given her about the woman’s position and family. The receptionist was as unruffled as always, ignoring Cas’ stares and flipping her ever-present magazine pages.

  Cas’ errand at the newspaper had caused her to run later than she’d expected. All three of the other candidates were already in the waiting room when she got there. The raven-haired Lumen had smiled brightly at Cas when she entered the room, and she’d done her best to be amicable. Ray’s half-sister looked as breath-taking and gorgeous as usual, making Cas feel uncomfortable in her business casual robins’ egg-blue pantsuit.

  The other two people must be Freesia Dolman and Grover Flank. Freesia reeked of stereotypical politician. She wore a tailored navy-blue business suit. It looked like she’d arrived straight from the salon—her blowout was absolutely perfect. She sat with her legs crossed, one pump-clad foot swinging back and forth.

  Grover Flank appeared a bit flustered. His briefcase laid open at his feet. He leaned over to paw through it, pulling out a paper now and then and muttering to himself. If Cas were to see the man out and about, her brain would assume he was an accountant. His ill-fitting gray suit and round silver-rimmed glasses did nothing to dissuade her of that notion. He’d seemed pleasant enough when she’d taken a seat next to him. Then he’d gone back to the muttering and paper-flipping, lost in his own world.

  Cas had been waiting for ten minutes when Denzel floated through the closed door and beckoned the candidates to follow him to the council room. After they arrived and got settled in chairs, they l watched the sirens, Shiloh, Valencia, Albert and Stu, enter.

  Denzel hovered in silence and stared at the candidates until they settled down. It proved for a few uncomfortable minutes. When the room was silent, he said, “The newest candidate for siren has requested this indicium be held to verify the eligibility of all who are running in the election. Although this type of hearing is rare, it is within her rights to do so.” He nodded toward the sirens. “To qualify, each witch must have gained mastery in at least two elements or three houses of magical study.”

  Valencia sat straighter, and the halo on the back of her chair framed her head. “Okay, let’s do this quickly. It’s a big day, with the debate and several hearings between now and then. I request that everyone be brief in their remarks. Mr. Flank, you may go first.”

  Grover rose and cleared his throat. When he spoke, his voice was warm and melodious. Cas thought he might even make listening to accounting facts pleasant.

  “I am a witch in good standing who has also been nominated by same. I’m an earth elemental, and I’ve studied extensively and gained mastery in cultivating, growing, and using crystals. My degree is in lavaturgy, and, though we don’t have a volcano in this area, I can assure you there is a steady stream of it deep below us, upon which I am able to draw.” He cleared his throat again and plopped back down in his seat.

  Valencia nodded, glanced at the other sirens, and then turned toward Denzel. “Sounds like he qualifies.” After the ghost nodded his agreement, the siren looked at Freesia. “And you?”

  Freesia tugged her jacket into place as she stood. “I’m Freesia Dolman, a water witch with a particular talent and degree in meteorological magic.”

  “You can manipulate the weather?” Siren Albert eyed her through half-closed lids.

  Freesia nodded. “The moisture in the air, yes. I’m also adept at ice magic and shell scrying.” At Albert’s narrowed eyes, she explained, “I can use shells to find people or things related to water.”

  Valencia nodded again and then set her gaze upon Lumen. “And you?”

  Lumen got to her feet flourish and encompassed everyone in the room with her broad smile. She wore a tailored pearl-white dress with cape sleeves and red bottom shoes. Her smile was bright enough to rival the sun. “Thank you for accommodating the indicium today,” she said. “I find it’s always good to keep everything on the up and up, as they say. It wouldn’t do to get all the way to the end of the voting and realize someone wasn’t qualified.”

  Denzel’s ephemeral head popped up, and he seemed to pin her with a scornful gaze. Cas figured it may be his job to do the research to make sure all candidates were eligible. He likely felt insulted.

  In response, Lumen gave the ghost a nod that sent her glossy hair spilling over a shoulder. “I’m adept at all things fire,” she said. “I’m trained extensively in the flame-related martial arts, achieving black belt status in fireball manipulation. I can also do something very few other witches can—use the sun’s rays to add power to my magical spells. She held her chin high. “Most fire witches need a flame.” She gave everyone another radiant smile and seated herself again.

  Valencia looked at Cas. “And you, Ms. Lorne. What qualifies you to run for a position as siren?”

  Cas stood up. “Nothing,” she said. “I’m totally unqualified and would like to step down.” She sat a
gain and folded her arms.

  The other candidates exchanged glances. She figured they were probably calculating the improvement in their chances with one fewer person in the race.

  The sirens murmured to one another too, nodding, and it looked to Cas like they were preparing to let her off the hook.

  But then Denzel spoke up. “If I may.”

  Valencia nodded, and the ghost looked at his clipboard. “According to the old laws, a witch does not need to have mastery to qualify if they can report irrefutable acts of extraordinary magical ability. We have had three reports come in recently of such acts performed by Ms. Lorne.”

  Cas’ eyebrows shot up. What in the world was Denzel talking about?

  He continued, not glancing at her. “First, she caused Primo Granite’s sacred mud pit to separate into its magical and physical components.” He looked at the sirens. “In other words, she made water and a sort of primordial ooze. Mr. Granite has still not succeeded in repairing the pit.”

  Cas winced at the thought of the poor earth elemental witch, unable to spend time in his precious magical mud pit because she’d ruined it.

  “Additionally, Kopper Strata at the Mermaid Bar reported that Ms. Lorne caused a disturbance in the water element so strong that a giant tidal wave of cherry soda ensued, leaving a sticky residue which they are still trying to scrub off the walls.”

  Cas avoided the shocked looks the other candidates shot at her, studying her hands instead.

  “Finally, Ms. Lorne visited Strom Solder. While being tested for an affinity to the fire element, she caused quite a huge rumbling of the earth and subsequent explosion of yellow, puffy balls. While Mr. Solder assures me that Ms. Lorne’s not a fire elemental, he was quite impressed with what she can do.” Denzel finally looked up from his notes. “So, you see, she is qualified. Of course, her desire to run is another matter—one I shall leave to the council to rule upon.”

  Cas groaned. This wasn’t going to be as easy as she’d hoped. Annoying, meddling ghost.

  Sure enough, Valencia smacked both hands on the arms of her chair and pronounced, “All four candidates are judged to be eligible. Any of them may withdraw at this afternoon’s debate if they so wish. For now, we are adjourned.”

  Freesia darted out of the council chamber hot on the heels of the sirens, and Grover took longer to gather his briefcase and wander out. Cas was dismayed at finding herself left with Lumen.

  The other woman shrugged. “That went faster than I thought it would.” Then she looked at her watch. “We don’t really have too long before the debate. I’m just going to stick close. Would you like to join me for a coffee?”

  For a second, Cas thought about shaking her head and finding a nice, quiet nook somewhere in the Courthouse to prep for the debate. But the thought of getting out for a short walk and a caffeine jolt sounded nice. Surprised by her answer, she nodded. “Sure. Thanks.”

  They exited the courthouse and walked a few blocks. For a moment, Cas suffered an adrenaline spike when she thought Lumen was heading for the Mermaid Bar. It would just be way too embarrassing to show up there after what had happened with the cherry pop. But Lumen walked right past the bar, and then Cas saw the small quaint coffee shop sitting next to it. Following Lumen in, she inhaled, enjoying the mingling scents of strong coffee and sweets.

  After they got their coffees, the two women sat at a small table. Lumen had kept up a steady stream of light chatter since they’d left the council chambers. Cas half-listened, not hearing anything of substance that required more than a murmur and occasional nod.

  “Mmm, this is my favorite coffee,” the fire witch said. “I come here whenever I have to go to the Courthouse.”

  Cas took a sip and closed her eyes. “It is really good.”

  There weren’t many other people in the place, but Lumen leaned close as though she didn’t want to be heard. “I’m sorry you have to show up at the debate this afternoon. I know you’re really not that psyched about the election.”

  For an instant, Cas acknowledged a tiny feeling she’d been ignoring for days. The thought of being a siren was slightly thrilling to her. And since she’d talked with Ray and Posie and then Ray’s followers, she really did have an urge to get on the High Council to try to make a difference. It really wasn’t fair that the shifters lacked representation.

  But she shook her head. “I’m not qualified. Really, I have so much else to think about right now that there’s no way I could truly focus the way the position deserves.”

  Lumen patted Cas’ arm. “I totally understand. And I’m happy to take that weight on my own shoulders, so you can focus on doing what you need to do.” She took a sip of her own coffee, leaving red lipstick on the cup. “But, you know, I hadn’t dreamed of running myself, really. Even when Ray asked me about doing it before he talked to you. I mean, little old me. . . a siren? Ha! I was voted best dressed in high school, not most likely to be on the High Council.”

  Her self-deprecating laugh grated on Cas more than it should have, and she forced out a fake chuckle.

  “Well, anyway, my dear friend Waverly has always seen more in me than I do in myself. That’s why she nominated me. And I intend to win this election and champion the case of my brother’s people.” She lifted a fist in the air and straightened her back, a serious look plastered on her face before she dissolved into giggles.

  “Your brother seems like a really nice guy. I’m sorry he and Posie were arrested.”

  “Ugh. I knew the two of them would get caught eventually. Always stealing kisses in dark corners and not being able to keep their eyes off each other in public.” She shook her head. “Of course, I always thought they’d be better off just having their relationship out in the open.” She met Cas’ gaze. “Like you and Graham.”

  Dropping her eyes, Cas twisted the coffee mug in her hands. “We’re not in a relationship,” she muttered.

  “But you’ve dated.” She said it firmly, like she knew it was a fact. “Graham and I are good friends, so I should know. He tells me things.”

  Cas glanced up. “You’re just friends?”

  Lumen grinned. “So far,” she said. “But I have thought about making a play for him before.” She twirled a piece of black hair around her finger and looked like a woman who was quite confident in her ability to woo any man. Then she seemed to see Cas’ serious look and hurried on. “I wouldn’t want to step on your toes, of course.” Her brow wrinkled. “But I’m surprised you’d be interested in Graham anyway. He’s super handsome.”

  Cas felt her jaw drop. Was the woman saying what it sounded like she was saying? That Graham Noble was out of Cas’ league? Sharp retorts flew through her mind faster than she could catch one, and before she managed to say anything, Lumen stood. “I’m going back to the Courthouse. I want to get a few thoughts in order before the debate. I’ll see you in a little while.”

  She flounced out of the coffee shop, appearing not to feel Cas’ angry gaze. Lumen placed a pair of designer sunglasses on and strode off down the sidewalk.

  “You should stay away from her, you know.” A man flopped into the chair Lumen had vacated.

  No way.

  It was the drunk guy. The one she’d been seeing around town.

  He swayed in the chair and leaned onto his elbows to steady himself. “I’ve been seeing you around,” he slurred. Between that and the fact that he had a British accent, the guy wasn’t easy to understand. “You remind me of my mum. That’s why I’m giving you this sage advice.” He hiccupped, rocking the whole table.

  Cas picked up her mug to keep coffee from sloshing out. Part of her wanted to get up and take off. The guy obviously had a drinking problem and maybe wasn’t even safe to be around. But his admonition about Lumen interested her enough to stay for a minute. “Why should I stay away from her?”

  His eyes were hooded, and she worried he might fall asleep and topple onto the floor. “I was at the Fling,” he said. “Sometimes, you can sneak into a place like that
and score leftover drinks while people are dancing.”

  Cas remembered seeing him at the lodge, doing just what he’d described while Lloyd and his people were upstairs examining Desi’s murder scene.

  “I saw that woman you were just with. At the Fling, I mean.”

  “Lumen Oak,” Cas supplied.

  “I saw her making eyes at that real estate guy.”

  Cas sat forward, laser focused. “Desi Dewman?”

  The man nodded, his longish hair bouncing in his eyes. He pushed it away with a shaky hand. “Yeah, him. She was giving him the real come hither look, ya know? An hour later, you came down the stairs and told the sheriff the guy was dead.”

  She nodded, trying to think about the last time she’d seen Lumen at the Fling.

  Before she could pin it down, the barista approached them. “Hey, you need to go.” She spoke to the drunk guy. Handing him a paper cup, she leaned in. “You can’t stay here and bother paying customers, Burdock. Drink this and stay away from the bottle today, okay?” She put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed, setting the cup on the table.

  Then she looked at Cas. “I’m about to close up the shop and head to the debate. Good luck!”

  “Thank you.” Cas left the coffee shop and stood on the sidewalk for a second, watching the drunk guy stumble off in the other direction.

  Was he right? Was Lumen Oak dangerous? Or was Cas just inclined to believe him because the gorgeous woman and her flirtation with Graham made her feel insecure and irritated?

  Pushing the thoughts aside, she headed for the Courthouse. Before Cas could give more thought to Desi Dewman’s death, she had to make it through the debate.

  Chapter 17

  The debate was scheduled to take place in a huge auditorium on the main floor of the Courthouse. When Cas approached the large doors leading into it, Denzel intercepted her. “You can head through that door,” he lifted a half-transparent arm, “and head backstage. Everyone else is back there already, and you’ll enter the debate onstage from there.” He floated off, and Cas followed his instructions.