"Bell and Snake, how can I help you?" the voice on the other end of the line said, though it was hard to hear with the noise happening in the background. It wasn't Delphine's voice.
"Hi, I am looking for Delphine. Is she available?" Hedy said, half hoping that she wouldn't be there. It would be after noon in New Orleans, so odds are she would be behind the counter or doing a reading.
"Yes, she is. May I tell her who is calling?" The young voice asked.
"My name is Hedy. Hedy Leckermaul." The line went silent for more than a few seconds. Hedy couldn't imagine it was taking that long to find Delphine in the tiny shop. Maybe this had been a bad idea.
"Hello? Hedy?" The new voice said and Hedy recognized Delphine's drawl, dappled with the sound of cigarillos and bourbon.
"Hi Delphine. It has been a long time. How are things? How's Tante?" Hedy had been close with Delphine's aunt and she had missed the feisty old woman.
"Ornery as ever. I have convinced her to only work part time, which means she is only here about every waking minute. How are things in Portland, Hedy?" Delphine's voice sounded guarded but not unpleasant.
"Actually, I am in a little town in Washington state now, Enumclaw. I moved about a year ago.” Hedy shifted her weight to one foot, leaning against the wall. She felt awkward and like a tattletale.
“And I have a visitor. Louis came for a stay, Delphine."
"Louis? My Louis? What on earth is he doing there?" So Delphine hadn't known about the impromptu trip.
"He says he needed to get away from the city for awhile, that he wanted a break from the Mardi Gras madness. Is there anything going on with him, Delphine? I'm not trying to pry, but he seems a little worried." Hedy said, hoping Delphine could hear her over the background noise on her end.
"Knowing Louis, there is probably more to the story. I know he had some kind of scuffle with someone a week or so ago, but he wouldn't tell me about it and told me not to worry. Now you have me worried too. Maybe I better talk with him." Delphine said and Hedy had a pang of guilt for making her worry.
"Maybe let me poke around a little and see if he will open up to me. If there is anything going on, I'll call you. I don't want Louis to feel like he can't trust me." Hedy wasn't sure this call was a good idea. Louis wasn't the same teenager she had known all those years ago in New Orleans - he was a grown man, entitled to privacy.
"Yeah, do that. I'll ask around here to see if I can find out exactly what went down. What's your number in case I need to call you? You are in Washington, you say? You never did like the rain, why on earth are you there?" Hedy smiled to hear the old Delphine again - the one who had been her best friend, giving her friendly grief.
"Long story, Delphine. I'll tell you sometime. I run a bakery here in Enumclaw and of course I still have the waystation. The last few months have been...interesting. We'll have to catch up." Hedy meant it. She missed their connection.
"Sounds good, Hedy. Tante will be tickled to hear we spoke, but I won't mention Louis just yet - she frets, you know. But you keep me posted if you learn something. I got a feeling that something is off with him." Delphine said, her tone worrisome.
They said their goodbyes and Hedy hung up the phone. She was glad to have spoken again with Delphine but she worried that calling had been a mistake. She had made Delphine worry and only Louis could tell them what exactly was going on.
✽✽✽
Michael was busy in the shop but his mind was elsewhere. Hedy and her predicament had been bothering him since he learned about it. He hated the idea of her losing something that meant so much to her. Though he admired her wanting to handle it herself, how could he stand by and do nothing if he had a way to help? It wasn't in his nature to just watch things unfold. If he just nudged things in the right direction, Hedy would be none the wiser but still pleased by the result. Maybe someday he would even tell her what he done. After.
The thought of making things better for Hedy cheered him but he had to figure out exactly how to do that. Being an Imp, he did have some abilities he could call upon but he was really trying to put that life behind him. Every time he used his talents, it brought him that much closer to transforming into a full demon and that was the last thing he wanted to happen. Of course, he couldn't make the final transformation until he had committed the ultimate evil - the death of an innocent - but nonetheless, he wanted to leave all that back in Ireland. Enumclaw was supposed to be his fresh start.
"So, what will help convince the Concierge that Hedy's waystation is necessary and that she is a capable host?" Michael said out loud to the rack of vintage red dresses he was moving to the front of the shop. Sales since Christmas had taken a downturn and he needed a boost with Valentine's Day. Instead of silence, the mirror answered.
"Are you asking for advice, Michael?" the voice in the mirror said, loud enough for him to hear across the shop.
"I wasn't, Mary, but since you have piped up, I suppose you have some ideas, yeah?" He replied, as he continued organizing the dresses. Mary had a habit of speaking up when no one was talking to her. He hadn't gotten used to it even after all these years.
"I wouldn't want to intrude but two heads can be better than one, as they say." The voice said playfully. Michael smiled to himself and turned toward the mirror. It seemed Mary wanted a conversation.
"Well, since there is only your head now, I suppose that phrase takes on more significance, eh Mary? Yes, let's put our heads together on it." He walked over to the mirror hanging up behind the counter. The large gold frame was obviously old, with plenty of nicks and scratches in the gold finish. It was a bit garish in Michael's view, but it had its uses. Not only was it the portal for Mary, it also had a rather strong enchantment that made those appearing in it seem quite lovely to themselves - a handy trick in women's clothing shop, if rather unethical. So he kept it in the shop.
The face of a woman appeared in the mirror, with dark hair and darker eyes floating in her shadowy face. The famous Bloody Mary of legend, she had been plain old Mary Worth when Michael first met her.
"Alright, Mary. What shall I do to help my girl, then? We've known each other a long long time, so you wouldn't steer your old friend wrong." Michael said, smiling at the face that never smiled back at him. Once upon a time, Mary had been his own sweetheart but that had been hundreds of years ago and before her village had decided to kill her for witchcraft.
"Michael, you are a clever one - no doubt you can convince this Concierge person of anything you wish. It's not as if you don't have persuasive powers. I remember you persuading me of a few things way back when." Mary said, her voice still sounding like the girl he knew, even if the face was more like a ghost.
"You know I have put all that behind me. I am living as a mortal these days and any kind of persuasion pulls me closer to transformation. No, I need other ideas, Mary."
"Always the hard way with you, Michael. Fine. You said the Concierge wants to close down this waystation because it is dangerous for guests, yes? What if you show the Concierge that in fact, guests are saved when they stay there. What if you show them that danger is all around but a guest at this home comes to no harm? Surely that would be valuable." Mary said, her face beginning to blend into the silver of the mirror. She never appeared in the mirror for very long. Michael assumed it took a lot of effort for Mary to appear but he had never actually asked her about it.
"Yes, I see what you mean, Mary. I manufacturer a crisis and then the crisis is solved and the Concierge sees that the waystation is needed. Now, what kind of crisis could do that..." Michael wondered, turning back toward the rack as he mused. Mary's presence was an afterthought.
"Use the visitor - use the one she knows." Mary said, her voice fading and her face now gone from the reflection, even if Michael didn't see her go.
"Yes - Louis has something going on with him. I can use that. That should work very nicely." Michael said, confident now that he had a plan. All he needed to do was make a few phone calls to some friends to
find out what exactly Louis was running from and how he could use that to his advantage.
Chapter Eight
The coven was due to arrive at the bakery at six o'clock and Mel was nervous. Not because she didn't know what to expect, she did. She had attended two earlier circles in December and January. She was nervous because she had never participated in the coven under the gaze of someone she knew. Hedy wouldn't sit around and watch, but just knowing she was in the house would be enough. Odds are Maurice would poke his head in to see what the hubbub was and Mel hated to admit that the chinchilla's opinion mattered to her. Over the last few months, as she had gotten to know him, she had watched his health decline and it worried her. She was fond of the old curmudgeon.
Plus, she was stressed about Ana. Her phone hadn't beeped with any texts, though she had kept it near her all afternoon. Clearly, Ana was still upset.
As if on cue, the coven arrived en masse. Helen, head witch and leader of the Sisters of the Crescent Moon, entered the shop with her bedazzled black bag, covered in glittery moons and stars. Mel had grown to like Helen, who was very nice if somewhat intense. Seven other women followed her into the shop, in various shades of black clothing - recommended garb for holding a circle. The only thing they had in common was a sterling silver crescent moon pendant, set with a moonstone. Mel and the other new initiate, Thana had yet to receive their pendants - and wouldn’t until they were full members.
"Good evening, all. Thank you for the last minute hosting. We appreciate the hospitality. Hopefully, we aren't putting you out." Helen said, in her efficient voice. The rest of the women were murmuring behind her, chatting about the snow, weekend plans and other mundane topics. Thana was standing off to the side, looking a bit lost.
"No trouble at all. I am glad to be of service. It is nice to have things going on, to take my mind off an upcoming guest. Let me know if you need anything - although Mel can certainly get you whatever you need." Hedy said, watching Mel take off her apron. Mel didn't even have to change her clothes into something black - she naturally wore dark sweaters and jeans and today's outfit fit in perfectly.
"I don't believe I have met your new member, though. Care to make an introduction?" Hedy said, gazing over at the young blonde woman hovering near the edge. She gave her a smile and received a shy one in return.
"Yes, my apologies, I forgot that you haven't met Thana. We are lucky to have two new initiates." Helen said, gesturing to the young woman, who came forward from the edge of the room.
"Pleased to meet you, Thana. Did you move to Enumclaw recently?" Hedy said, reaching her hand across the counter and shaking hands with the stranger. The girl nodded shyly in response.
"Thana, no need to be shy with Hedy. She’s good people. Don’t let the retro clothes fool you, there is nothing stodgy about Hedy." Helen chuckled and the rest of the group joined in politely.
"Well, welcome to the Gingerbread Hag. Now, I'll get out of your way so you can continue with your group." Hedy said, excusing herself from the bakery and heading for the entry. She flipped the sign to Closed to keep out any customers, though at this hour the odds were slim anyone would face the weather for a cookie or donut.
Mel took her place within the gathering women, as they loosely formed a circle. Thana came up next to her and they watched the head witch pull out her candles, chalice and blade.
"I was afraid we wouldn't have a circle tonight. I am glad you were able to host the group." Thana said, in a soft voice. Mel almost didn't hear her.
"Hedy is the host, really. I just work here. But yes, I am glad we were able to have the circle as well." Mel replied. She had only spoken a few times with Thana but she seemed like a shy but friendly girl, about the same age as Mel. She didn't know a thing about her - where she lived, why she had moved her, anything. As the only other initiate, Mel felt like she should make an effort.
"Thana, I have never asked and you don't have to tell me, of course, but what brought you to Enumclaw? Did your parents move here?" Mel asked, continuing to watch Helen do her set up. She wasn't good at making eye contact with people she didn't know well.
"Yeah, though we live out closer to Ravensdale, not Enumclaw actually. But Helen's circle is worth coming in for. It's not like every town has a coven, right? What about you? Is Enumclaw where you were born or are you from Seattle?" Thana asked, turning to face Mel, which Mel could see out of the corner of her eye. She now had to turn as well. Thana's eyes were a strange shade of brown - like there was a streak of orange glimmering in them. They were strange but very pretty. They suited her.
"Born and raised. My family lives here. My girlfriend lives in Seattle and I am supposed to move there in a couple of months. But I could still come back for the coven, if I go through with initiation." Mel said, wondering why she had never chatted with Thana before. She seemed really nice.
"Saturday night and you are here with the coven. I'm surprised your girlfriend didn't have other plans for you, especially right before Valentine's Day." Thana said, laughing lightly. Her smile exposed a deep dimple in her cheek.
"Well, that's a long story but the short version is that she is a little mad at me right now. We'll work it out but yeah, it sucks right before Valentine's Day. My first one with Ana." Mel noticed that Helen had finished her set up and was waving for everyone's attention.
"Ana. That's a pretty name. I hope I get to meet her sometime." Thana whispered. The sound of Helen calling for attention drew them to listen to the head witch.
✽✽✽
With Louis and Bren out on the town, Hedy found herself alone in the entry with a snoozing chinchilla and his attendant nursemaid, Zelda. She needed time to figure out how she was going to make her best case. There was a large tufted velvet chair in the entry, not far from one of the curio cabinets, and Hedy plopped down with her copy of the Encyclopedia of World Mythology.
"Doing a little light reading, Hedy?" Maurice said from his bundled wool blanket. He poked his face out and Hedy noticed immediately that his eyes had no shine to them.
"Just a little. I wanted to stay nearby in case the coven needs anything. How are you feeling, Maurice? You look right as rain." Hedy lied, hoping that the dim light in the entry would hide it from her face.
"You lie. But I appreciate it. No, I am feeling poorly. I don't suppose you have a relic around this place that would give an old chinchilla a spring in his step? God's teeth, it is a fright to get old." Maurice said, his voice sounding shaky. Hedy was sorry her presence had disturbed him.
"That's enough chit chat, Maurice. Get yourself back to sleep. You are keeping Hedy from her reading." Zelda chided but her voice sounded kinder than Hedy had ever heard her speak. With a humpf, Maurice pulled back into the blanket.
"His question is a good one, Hedy. What do you have in your bag of tricks that could help the old geezer?" Zelda left her station by Maurice's pillow and hopped lightly up onto the arm of the chair so they could speak in hushed tones.
"Nothing, I am afraid. Maurice is almost ten years old, at least as far as I know, and that is old for a chinchilla. I could ask Helen if she knows of any tinctures or tisanes that we could make to help him feel comfortable, but beyond that, I don't know what else we can do for him." Hedy said and she heard Zelda sniff in disgust.
"What is the point of collecting all this junk if none of it is useful. We need something to make him well, not make him comfortable. Surely there must be something you can do." Zelda said, the words sounding like an accusation in the air.
"Let me do some research, alright? Perhaps there is someone who uses the network who might have some ability. I will do everything I can to help Maurice." Hedy said, keeping her voice low so as not to disturb him.
"Maybe Adelaide knows something of use." Zelda said, almost as a whisper.
"Even if she does, it isn't that easy to get her to share what she knows." Hedy replied, watching the cat jump back to her spot next to Maurice.
"She talks to me. I can ask her."
&
nbsp; Hedy blinked at the cat a few times before she responded, questioning whether she had heard Zelda correctly.
"You can speak to Adelaide? When? How?" Hedy heard the cat give a loud shush and glance at the sleeping form of Maurice.
"Yes, I can speak to ghosts. All cats can. I thought you knew. Oh well, you know now." Zelda said in a stage whisper, turning her back on Hedy and curling up in a ball herself. Apparently, the conversation was over.
All this time and the cat could talk with Adelaide. That would have been good information to have known ages ago, when she was struggling to get help or ask a question or even just go about day to day living with the spirit. Damn that cat, Hedy thought, a flicker of anger in her eyes as she looked at the cat sleeping. The turning of the front door knob startled her out of her dark thoughts. Instead of seeing Louis and Bren coming back from their night at the pub, there was a very wet Undine standing on the doormat.
"Ana! How wonderful to see you. Come in and dry off. Let's go to the kitchen." Hedy waived toward the girl to follow her through the entry to the back entrance to the kitchen, steering clear of the bakery and the chanting circle of witches within.
"Hi, Hedy. Sorry to just pop in unannounced. I was looking for Mel and her mom said she was here." Ana said, once they were settled in the warm kitchen. Hedy already had bowls out for dishing up some of the soup that had been simmering all day.
"You never need an invitation to come by, you know that. Yes, Mel is here, with her coven." Hedy said, lowering her voice on the last word. She knew this was a touchy subject with the Undine.
"I should have texted her back about tonight but honestly, I was just frustrated that she seems to put this new hobby before anything else. Even me." Ana said, sounding dejected.
Sweet Tooth and Claw Page 4
