It stung a little, but it was hard to care that much when she looked over and saw Berny and Tina talking with their heads together. No, it wasn’t all bad at all. She had good friends, both witches and a growing friendship with a few shifters. All the rest could go soak their heads.
“So what brings you by?”
Tina looked up and smiled, “I’ll take a few of those potions, and my brother is throwing a barbeque tomorrow afternoon if you can stop by. Kelly will be there too with the baby and her husband.”
I nodded slowly, “I think so, right now there is no council stuff for me to do…”
Tina grinned, “Good. I’d invite Berny but the world would probably end.”
Berny snorted, “No doubt a sign of the apocalypse.”
Their tones were joking, and they seemed to be getting along, but in a way they were both deadly serious. Their world wasn’t quite ready for that yet.
She popped into the back, “How many?”
Tina replied, “Three.”
She grabbed three of the potions that had encouraged the dilation in Kelly and packaged them up after double checking for quality.
Then Tina paid, surprised Celia with a hug, and then walked out. She guessed shifters were more physically demonstrative, especially wolves.
Berny shook her head and looked bemused.
“I really like her. Don’t tell anyone I said that though.”
She snickered, “I won’t, what were you two talking about?”
Berny shrugged, “They have remedy’s too, I was curious so we were exchanging notes.”
They chatted a bit about differences, and poultices. The storefront was dead, so they went into the back and she continued Berny’s lessons. While there was nothing for her right now council wise, she felt the itch in her back that knew it could come without warning and pull her from her store. It was like an itch she couldn’t scratch, but she supposed she’d get used to it eventually.
It was around noon when Paul called. She found she was disappointed that he still wasn’t a hundred percent, and that they’d have to pick up training again after she closed tomorrow night. She wasn’t sure though, if her disappointment was about not being able to train, not being able to see Paul, or both. She was full of energy, which reminded her she was supposed to be eating more.
At first it was nice, eating whatever she wanted. Now it was starting to feel like a chore.
Berny asked, “What was that about, you look like someone shot your dog.”
She snickered, “No training tonight.”
Berny arched an eyebrow, “So no getting sweaty with the hot…”
She glared and cut her off, “Nope, not tonight.”
Berny tilted her head and had a mischievous grin that made Celia nervous.
“Would you like to go out then? We could burn all that extra energy dancing in Charlotte.”
She’d always hated clubs and dancing, but to the new Celia it sounded like a great idea.
“Alright, that sounds really fun actually. I’m not too old?”
Berny snorted, “You don’t look twenty eight you know, more like six years younger than that, at the most. Now that we know you’re part shifter that makes sense to me.”
She frowned, “Fine, go after closing?”
Bernie considered it, “That works I suppose. I could come back after getting ready, and cover the last hour while you get ready.”
“Alright, I can work with that.”
She looked at herself in the mirror. She had to admit she looked pretty damn good in a tight black skirt, clingy white shirt, and a red partially transparent blouse. The heels were uncomfortable, but she had no balance issues at all being a shifter. She’d get used to them. She had second thoughts for a moment, she wasn’t sure about the club scene, but dancing to burn off energy and spending time with Berny outside the store sounded really good to her.
She felt an encouraging push from Silva as well, it was time to take a break and have fun. She didn’t imagine she’d get too many nights off in the future with Paul training her, so she needed to take it where she could get it. She went back downstairs.
Berny was in a sinfully tight little black dress with red heels, she also had her nails red and wore a pair of hanging ruby earrings. She wondered if anyone would even look her way, the young woman was gorgeous, not that she thought it a bad thing. She wasn’t looking for anyone, just a fun night. That led her to thoughts of Paul though, and she wondered what was happening there. Or more specifically, why it wasn’t happening.
She smiled, “Let’s go?”
Bernie nodded, “All set.”
They locked up the store a few minutes early, got in the car, and headed towards Charlotte’s night life. When they arrived at the club Berny had in mind, at first Celia didn’t think she’d be able to stay. Her shifter hearing made the very loud music painfully loud, it was almost debilitating for a few moments. Then her hearing seemed to adjust somehow, and she shook it off.
Berny gave her a concerned look, but she just waved it off and smiled, and they moved inside. She’d gotten a drinking bracelet, but of course Bernie didn’t have one, and she wasn’t planning on drinking anyway. Truth be told, she was pretty sure with her metabolism it would be an expensive proposition merely to get a buzz.
The place was extremely loud, and dim. The walls were a dark color she couldn’t quite make out, dark blue, purple, or maybe black. There were bars at either end that were more brightly lit than anywhere else. In between the bars was the dance floor which was deeply recessed, with stairs leading down to it on all four sides. A dark colored metal bar fence surrounded the area dotted with tables where people could sit and presumably watch the dancers below.
On the far side of the dance floor there were a much greater number of tables and stools, and high up on the right side, against the wall, was the DJ booth. The music pounded through her whole body, making her heart beat faster and blood flow. On top of her high shifter energy, it was impossible to stand still. Fortunately Berny was up to dancing right away, and they made their way down to the crowded dance floor.
At first she just moved into a simple dance she knew, but she quickly bored of it and started to look around at how the women danced around her. Most were similar, but she spied a few who were doing something extra. Small movements, extra steps, and she picked it all up on the fly and made up her own style as she danced across from Berny.
She was having a great time just dancing to the beat, lost to the music. Berny and her stayed close together, but it wasn’t long before she found herself dancing with others, mostly men, on the floor. It was fun, and she liked the attention, but that’s all it was and she made sure to keep distance between them and not lead them on.
She lost count of the number of times she was offered a break and a free drink from her temporary dance partners.
Yes, the activity was affecting her, she wasn’t a stone after all, but there was only one man in her thoughts where she would even entertain the possibility of intimacy. She lost count of the dances, and felt like she could have kept going all night, but Berny touched her arm and snapped her out of her rhythm.
Berny looked out of breath, her face was flushed, and she was obviously ready for a break.
The dancing had taken the edge off of Celia’s seemingly endless energy, so she followed Berny off the floor. She’d rather spend time with her friend and have to run later, before bed, than stay out there all night dancing and ignore her. They sat at a table and ordered some drinks when one of the barmaids came along. They chatted the best they could with the loud music, and refreshed themselves with the cool drinks.
She felt the magic then, coming towards their table. Two young women maybe a little older than Berny approached their table. Berny followed her gaze and then smiled and waved to them. They came over and sat down.
Berny yelled, “Cinna,” she pointed at the short blonde, then added, “Steph,” as she pointed at the dark haired brunette. Berny pointed
her way next and yelled to her friends, “Celia.”
Celia just grinned and shook her head. She wondered if it was too soon to dance again. Then she noticed the blonde, Cinna, glaring at her and her stomach sank. She probably should have expected this and frowned as Cinna whispered in her friend’s ear, and Steph looked up with a frightened visage on her face and then glared at Berny.
Crap. And going out seemed like such a good idea. Berny used elementary sign language, by holding up one finger, and Celia actually felt guilty when the two girls stalked off with a scowl.
She loved that Berny was on her side, but her heart also broke for her friend. Berny shouldn’t have to endure that crap and lose friends just to be friends with her. Close minded friends perhaps, but that didn’t mean they were bad people, prejudice made smart people incredibly stupid after all.
She looked at Berny and shrugged as if to ask what she wanted to do. They’d kind of ruined Celia’s night, and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to dance again or just leave. She grinned though, trying to appear happy with it when Berny grabbed her hand and they went back to the dance floor. As friends went, she wasn’t sure she’d ever find better.
They danced another eight or nine songs with anyone that approached them. By the second, she’d shaken off the confrontation and had started having fun again. She wouldn’t come to regret that until she made it outside with Berny after a quick run to the restroom. Steph and Cinna were waiting outside, and they had four others with them, including two men.
Berny scowled, “What do you want?”
Cinna pointed at Celia and said nastily, “I don’t want that… thing, coming around to our club.”
Steph just looked like she’d rather be somewhere else. She could smell the girl’s fear, but there was no hate. Was she just going along with Cinna? It occurred to her that maybe not even the fear was about her, it could be about what Cinna was dragging the girl into now.
She wasn’t sure if she should say anything, she could feel and scent the tension in the air. The four newcomers were split in how they felt, but she could see Cinna was obviously the ringleader here. She took another sniff and studied the girls scent.
Huh. The brat, Cinna, wasn’t the councilor Sally Williams’ daughter, but she was related. Maybe a niece, or possibly a granddaughter. She couldn’t be sure, she was still too knew at this.
Berny frowned, “We were just leaving, but we go where we wish.”
Cinna glared at Celia, “Just stay away, we don’t want you here.”
She could escalate, she was an enforcer on the council. But putting a petty girl in her place felt like a mistake. If the little idiot attacked her, it could turn out badly. Sure, she’d have the right to retaliate, but hurting the niece of a councilor seemed like a poor plan whatever the reason. Still, she didn’t like the idea of being chased off at all. Silva was in complete agreement and wanted to maul the brat.
She smiled as she thought of a solution. She channeled a little magic through her weather power. It wasn’t much, she couldn’t do much without freaking out Silva. But this wasn’t for war, she didn’t need or even want lightning, or heavy winds. The tense standoff lasted about ten more seconds, then it started to drizzle getting the girl to scowl at the sky.
Another five seconds and it was a respectable rain storm. No thunder or lightning, just rain pouring from the sky. Cinna squealed and ran for the door. Steph stared at her with her mouth open, and she just winked at the girl before taking Berny’s hand and moving toward the car.
Who knew, but maybe one day Steph could be a friend instead of the follower, either way Celia was giving her a pass. If it weren’t for Cinna it probably wouldn’t have happened at all. Plus, she’d need all the friends she could get apparently.
She whispered, “I’m s…”
Berny interrupted angrily, “Don’t you dare apologize to me Celia Winters. You’re worth ten of Cinna and don’t you forget it.”
She giggled, “Yes maam,” and they took off for home.
The following morning went like the last but she added two more miles. Ten mile run then a shower followed by a large breakfast. She had some time after that, so she got out her laptop and did research on phobias. One of the more popular self help approaches was the ladder approach which was a more modern and updated version of flooding.
Basically she’d need to do little stuff with magic, until Silva was desensitized to it, then ramp it up slightly. There were a few problems, because she didn’t meet the normality. There was guilt for her, and shame for Silva, when she shied away from the magic. The phobia wasn’t actually hers, or at least, not her witch side.
Silva wanted to try it though, so they figured out where they were to start with. If one was lighting a candle, and ten was using her magic to her limit, Silva seemed to be able to handle a two. Three started Silva into a panic. Either way, they had a long way to go. She figured she would do something about twice an hour at that level.
It wasn’t ideal though, and she wished there was a better way.
She opened the store on time and Berny came in. She quickly came to the realization she wasn’t happy merely running the store anymore. Sure, she still liked it, wanted to do it. But she wondered when the council would call on her again. She needed to do… something. Something more challenging.
Then she felt guilty, if the council called then most likely something very bad will have happened, she shouldn’t be wishing for people to get hurt so she could go out and do something. Although there were other options, Ed and Paul had said there were other duties.
It was a short time later when the door opened and Ed walked in.
Ed got right to the point, “Our contact in the police department got back to us, the test came up negative of course, and they added the case to their cold case pile, they have no leads. However, the talk is they’re convinced you did it.
He grinned, “Said you… displayed sociopathic tendencies, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they hung around, although I didn’t see anyone this morning yet.”
She nodded slowly, taking a moment to absorb that.
“Sociopathic tendencies?”
He nodded, “Not enough emotion about an ex that got killed when they questioned you.”
“Thanks I guess, hopefully they aren’t too much trouble if they hang around.”
He grunted, “If they get too troublesome the council will probably authorize a spell to take care of it, make them lose interest.”
She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. Sure, it would be better if they left her alone, but most witches stayed away from mind control magics. The waters got a little muddy when it came to drawing the line.
She asked, “Anything else going on?”
He peered at her for a moment, clearly reading her eagerness quite well. She blushed.
“Yes, but nothing too exciting. It’s actually why I’m here. I could have emailed you that other information.”
She waited a moment and then frowned at him. He was messing with her, making her wait. She wondered if he was being an ass, or if this was some welcome to the group ribbing. Ed was really hard to read.
“And…” she asked, holding her temper.
“Oh,” he said innocently, “It’s not that big a deal. I can handle it on my own.”
Crap, he was definitely teasing her. She wondered where this came from; he’d always seemed to have a stick up his butt all the other times they’d talked. She raised an eyebrow.
She caught Berny out of the corner of her eye looking at them in fascination and a little confusion.
He shrugged, “There’s a new witch in town, called the council yesterday to check in. A single mother with a young child. They’re going by the names Elaine and Cheryl Saunders. Rented an apartment across town and she’s starting a new job tomorrow. We need to go and make sure she’s not running from something, and if she is…”
She prompted, “If she is?”
He smiled, which was really startling.
&nb
sp; “Depends on what she’s running from. Charges from another council and we hold her until someone comes to pick her up, if she’s running from someone abusive we protect her. Could be, she just wanted to move here, or there might be another reason. As far as we know, she doesn’t have family here, which makes me curious. She hasn’t stated an intention to join a coven either.”
She smiled, something to do, no one had to die. That was a win-win. Maybe it wasn’t even the council work she craved, she just had too much energy to sit still indoors all day. She’d figure it all out, eventually. She’d find a balance that worked for her.
They left then, and she slipped into Ed’s car. There was no sign of Paul, but there wouldn’t be unless there was suspicion of a cross species crime. She wondered what she would do the day they both wanted her with them for different things, the thought gave her a headache.
She suppressed a giggle at the mind picture Silva projected of Ed and Paul playing rock, papers, scissors, to decide who took her along that day. Yup, she was crazy alright…
They pulled into an apartment complex and found a spot close to the right building. It was a decent neighborhood, nice but not extravagant. She got out of the car and took a look around. It was quiet but of course the work day had started. She followed him between the two buildings, and the apartment was the third on the right.
She felt magic, so she muttered a few words of a detection spell and released it. The apartment was warded, but it wasn’t that complicated, it would simply warn the one who cast the spell if other witches showed up, or if anyone broke in.
Ed knocked on the door and they waited a minute or two before the door opened. The first thing she noticed as the door cracked was the scent; Elaine was feeling extremely cautious and scared. There was also a tinge of both hope, and… resignation.
When the door opened up farther she saw a woman that was creeping up on thirty, she had dirty blonde hair and gray eyes. Elaine was wearing a pair of charcoal jeans and a green shirt with no makeup and looked tired. Celia also saw who she assumed was her daughter Cheryl standing behind her.
Witch's Moon: A Celia Winters Novel Book 1 Page 12
