by Trim, Brenda
One of my worst attributes was that I am a crappy listener. Once I got my mind set on something, there was no convincing me. It had taken Fiona days of talking me down before I came around, and was able to have a conversation with Ben and Bailey without shouting. And here, their father was trying to drag me right back into the muck. Nope. Not going to happen.
“They’re still children. Our children, Violet. It’s our responsibility to keep them safe. Don’t you want them close as they come into their powers? They could become dangerous, and we wouldn’t be there to help.” That was low. He was using my worst fears against me.
Now that I was struggling with my magic, his words hit me right in the chest. You’re not the worrywart anymore. Remember your vow to let things go. When Fiona declared she was going through a magical new beginning, I promised myself I would change the one trait I hated most. My worry. It always led to the need to control everything around me.
“They will always be our children. Frankly, I’m offended that you don’t believe they can handle themselves. And before you start in on how I was as a young witch, I remember. I know the combination of my magic and your mer heritage has the potential to be explosive, but they won’t be alone. Fiona’s children have offered to let them live in their house." Dathan was a merman. I should have known better than to have kids with one of their kind. They tended to be highly impulsive.
I didn’t tell him that they’d already started coming into their power. He would blow a gasket if he discovered they’d been kidnapped by evil Fae. The experience still haunted my nightmares, but it had given my kids the chance to learn the signs of an impending explosion and how to minimize the fallout before a catastrophe occurred.
Dathan took three steps toward me and puffed his chest out in an attempt to intimidate me. Intimidation had worked for the fifteen years we were together. Now it pissed me off. “Your friend’s children aren’t the answer. And my kids won’t be living with them.”
I snapped my fingers and prayed the sparks would dance across my knuckles. Dathan had a habit of telling me I was weak and incapable of much. Sparks ignited and quickly shifted to flames that shot a foot into the air. Not exactly what I wanted, but it worked.
He backed away, and I hid my smirk when his eyes widened. It was more than I had ever managed. He would attribute it to me gaining power with my age. In reality, it was far more than that.
“You have no idea who you’re messing with. The children are making an informed decision. They’re being responsible and doing their research and using what allies they can in the process. You will support them throughout the process.” I wanted to remind him of the time he hardly gave them attention when he had them because his side piece demanded all of his focus.
I closed my hand to extinguish the flames. At first, nothing happened. My heart started racing, and my chest tightened. Before I let my panic take over, I squeezed my fist and visualized sucking the fire into my body. They disappeared, but it took a toll on me. My palms were sweating and shaking as I leaned them on the glass counter behind me.
Dathan sucked in a breath and let it out without saying anything as the bell over the door rang. He would never make a spectacle of himself by arguing in front of a customer.
Fiona smiled and waved as she entered my store. Her timing was impeccable. “Well, isn’t this a surprise? Nice to see you, Dathan. How are you doing?”
“He’s pissed off because the twins want to move to the States,” I threw out, wanting her to weigh in on the subject. It would shut Dathan up for the time being.
Fiona’s head jerked my way, and her magic flared. Before she shared her power with me, it used to sting when this happened. I hoped it hurt Dathan’s dumb ass. “Are you upset that you’ll have an empty nest or that my kids will be helping them gain independence?”
Dathan lifted his chin and sniffed. “Neither. My children are my business, and I would appreciate you staying out of it.”
Fiona’s anger surged, and her power flared, sharpening its edges. “Here’s the thing. Violet is my best friend, and I love Ben and Bailey like they’re family. I will never allow them to be bullied by a bloated seal. You’d better remember you have no legal say in any of their lives. If you want to maintain a relationship with any of them, you will steer clear of issuing commands.”
I smiled at Fiona. I loved her dearly. My life had changed for the better since she moved to town. This was one example of why. Knowing how much she cared made me want to open up and tell her about my magic and ask her opinion. I wasn’t ready to share my failure, so I kept that topic to myself. “I’ve told him as much, but thanks for always having my back.”
Dathan glared at me. “We’ll talk about this later.”
Fiona gave him a finger wave. “It was good to see you, Dathan.”
The two of us started laughing as he turned on his heel and stalked out of the store. The tinkle of the bell never sounded better. I sagged against the counter as the laughter died. “Thank you for supporting me without hesitation.”
Fiona waved a hand through the air. “For you, always. I came to ask you to go to lunch with me.”
It was early for a lunch break, but that was the beauty of owning my own store. I could go when I felt like it. “Sounds good to me. Where were you thinking?” I walked around the counter and grabbed my purse.
“Mug Shots. Aislinn got a position there, and I thought we could support her on her first day.”
I was the world’s shittiest friend. I’d been so wrapped up in my own crap that I hadn’t been there for Aislinn. She was going through her own share of issues at the moment, as well. She returned from Eidothea and promptly left her job at the bar. I assumed it was because she hadn’t been feeling well. I can’t believe I hadn’t checked in on her in three days.
“I should have called her. I’m glad to hear she found something.”
I knew she had to be relieved to have a job to pay her bills. I’d offered her part-time work. It was all I could do with the economic climate of the bookstore. I wanted to do more. Especially since she was worried about losing her house. I flipped the sign to signify I was out to lunch and locked the door.
“You’ve had a lot going on. Have you heard anything about Faye?”
“Not much. I’ll fill you and Aislinn in at the same time. How are you and Bas?” I chuckled when Fiona’s cheeks turned pink.
She giggled like she did the summer she’d had a crush on Elijah when we were teenagers. Eli was a year ahead of us, and one of the rich kids in town. His family is one of the founding families of the city and most looked up to them. They were powerful mages with a successful company in London.
“We’re surprisingly good. I wasn't looking for a relationship. In fact, I don’t want one. Now is my time to focus on myself. Bas insists we’re mates. I’m not so sure about that, but he doesn’t say anything to me or try to stop me from doing what I want.”
I nudged her shoulder as we walked down the sidewalk. Mug Shots wasn’t far from the bookstore. “And he’s sexy. I bet the sex is good. Goddess, I miss orgasms with a partner.”
Fiona burst out laughing as she held the door to the café open. “You need to get laid.”
“Sex isn’t the answer,” Aislinn replied with a smile. “It makes you open yourself to possibility, which only ends up with you alone and suffering from a major case of disappointment. Welcome to Mug Shots where you’ll never leave unsatisfied.”
I hugged Aislinn to me. She was a beautiful Fae-human hybrid with long, blonde hair. Her skin tone was usually smooth, porcelain, and vibrant. Now she looked worn down with dark shadows under her eyes.
“How are you doing?” I whispered into her ear.
She released me and gave me a smile. Aislinn was usually a happy person. Now she barely masked her misery. “I’m great. I’m glad I decided to leave Phoenix Feathers. My parents were upset but will come around eventually. Besides, Bruce is a great boss, and the pay is enough to cover my bills.”
&nbs
p; We were shocked about her decision to leave the family business. Neither Fiona nor I could understand why she would do such a thing. I wanted to ask her what was really going on but didn’t. I was keeping my own secret, and she was like me. We would say something when we were ready.
“He’d better treat you right,” I called out loud enough for the dwarf to hear me.
Bruce looked up from the grill and shook his head. “Good to see you, Fiona. I hear you had an exciting night.”
Aislinn looked between us and gestured to an empty booth. “This is a conversation that requires food. What can I get you?”
Fiona and I both ordered a bacon butty with avocado, a side of fruit, and sparkling lime water. Aislinn joined us after putting in the order. “Alright. Spill,” Fiona instructed with a wave of her hand.
I sat against the plastic leather of the cushion and sighed. I gave Aislinn a rundown of what had happened the other night in the park. “The council won’t believe I had nothing to do with the attack on Faye. She’s still in a coma as they take turns feeding her power. They are having a difficult time. She doesn’t seem to be absorbing much of what they’re giving her.”
Aislinn placed her hand over her stomach. She looked rather green around the edges. Fae rarely got sick, so seeing her like this made me wonder what was going on with her. It was more than a reaction to the encounter. We’d been through worse. “Is her stomach injury healing?” Or maybe her mind conjured what it must be like to have your guts split open.
I shook my head from side to side. “From what I hear, it remains a gaping wound. They’ve been giving her blood transfusions, as well.”
Fiona drummed her fingers on the table and paused while Bruce set a plate with a sandwich and fruit in front of Fiona and me. “Have you eaten today?” Fiona was the caretaker of the group and was continuously checking upon us.
Aislinn bobbed her head. “I had a bagel and smear an hour ago. And so far, it has stayed in my stomach.”
“How often are you getting sick?” There was no escaping Fiona’s inquisition when she questioned you like that.
Aislinn dabbed the back of her neck with a napkin. “It’s the worst at night around dinner time. I’ll be fine. We need to focus on what’s going on with Faye before the council hangs Violet for killing her.”
I grimaced. "That’s the problem. I’ve looked through every book in the store without any luck. There are no mentions of creatures with all three power signatures. In fact, there is very little about the demons.”
Fiona speared a strawberry and waved it around as she spoke. “I spoke with my friend, Phoebe. The one I went to college and worked with. After her divorce, she moved to Camden, Maine, and went to work for Hattie Silva.”
I gasped and paused with my sandwich a few inches from my mouth. “The Pleaides? She’s one of the seven.”
Fiona leaned closer to me. “Explain that to me. She mentioned something about that. Hattie died without an heir and ended up giving her magic to Phoebe, who is freaking out right now.” She bit the berry off the fork and chewed.
“The Pleiades were the original witches. The Greek Gods Titan and Pleione turned their seven daughters into powerful witches. They placed them on Earth to protect them from being hunted by Orion. The Titan gave them too much power. To save the planet from themselves, the Pleaides seven gifted their power to worthy women, creating the first of the witches like me. I don’t even know what to say. Phoebe has become the target of countless power-hungry witches who will try to steal her power.”
Fiona pointed a grape at me. “We will revisit that later. I mentioned that because something happened during Hattie’s funeral and demons were summoned through a veil. Some Underworld Detective showed up at her door and is investigating. Perhaps we can call him and ask him to investigate here. I swear that guy in the park was a demon. If they have their own police force, we should call them.”
“I’ve heard of the Underworld Investigative Services but have never actually encountered them. My dad talked about a demon that had possessed a shifter in the town where he grew up and how the UIS agent came in and pulled the demon out of the wolf with a spell. He never mentioned how they informed them they had a demon running loose, but I could ask him.” My dad wanted to become a UIS agent my entire life. I have no doubt he researched the agency and gathered as much information as possible.
“This is the first I’ve ever heard of them, but it sounds like they might be able to give us some answers. Excuse me. I need to use the bathroom.” Aislinn’s words were clipped, and she left the table so fast neither of us could respond.
Fiona watched Aislinn hurry to the restroom with deep furrows between her eyes. “Do you think she’s okay?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “She doesn’t look good. She’ll tell us when she’s ready for our help. Pushing people to open up before they’re ready will only upset them. She’s clearly going through something. Personally, I think she misses Argies. They seemed to get close while we were in Eidothea.”
Fiona sipped her water. “You’re right. I’m a fixer. It’s hard to watch her suffer like this and not try to make it better.”
I took a bite of my sandwich and groaned. Bruce made the best butties. Aislinn rejoined us, covered in perspiration. “You alright?” I asked around a mouthful of food.
Aislinn smiled and bobbed her head. “I’ll be fine. Did you decide what to do about UIS?”
Fiona swallowed the food she’d been chewing and watched Aislinn closely. I thought she would insist Aislinn tell us what was wrong and was surprised when she didn’t. Fiona wasn’t like me. I was a dog with a bone when I set my mind to something.
“I’m going to ask Phoebe to talk to the agent in her area and ask how we can petition for assistance. It’ll be faster than trying to find another connection to the Underworld. Which reminds me. I have a favor to ask. Can you guys help me recast the protections around Pymm’s Pondside?”
Aislinn cocked her head and looked at Fiona. “Why aren’t Isidora and Camille helping you?”
Fiona sighed and set her crust on her plate. “There is no way I would ask those two to work together. They’re like oil and water. Besides, Camille is busy with Faye, and I don’t want to ask her. And Grams is, well, she refuses to do any magic.”
“What?” I sputtered, crumbs flying out of my mouth. I picked up a napkin and wiped the table and my face. “Why won’t she do magic?”
Fiona’s sigh was laced with deep frustration. I knew her well enough to guess she and Isidora had had many heated discussions about this topic. “Honestly? I don’t think she can. It’s either that, or she’s afraid it will burn through whatever magic is keeping her alive, and she’ll return to being a ghost. She barely sleeps anymore. The longer she’s with me, the more she worries.”
Aislinn’s frown would usually look out of place on her. She had a sunny disposition and was a happy person. Not like me with my constant agonizing over every little thing. Or Fiona, who carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. That, more than anything, told me something was very wrong with my friend. I would give her another week before I demanded an answer. There was only so much fretting I could handle, and I didn’t need another ulcer.
“Don’t force her to do magic then. She didn’t get to spend much time with you before she was killed, and she’s enjoying it now. She regretted not preparing you sooner. This is her chance. I’d be more than happy to help whenever you want.”
Aislinn had a point, and I found myself nodding enthusiastically. “Me too.” Worms slid through my gut, carrying a metric ton of acid with them to add to the distress about my wonky magic. “Besides, you should always have the Backside of Forty with you when casting spells like this.”
“Speaking of. I invited Phoebe to become an honorary member of the Backside of Forty. I hope that’s alright.” Fiona bit her lip and lifted her brows.
I picked up the second half of my butty and took a bite. “The more, the merrier. If she earned your friendsh
ip and was selected by Hattie, she’s got to be BOF material.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Aislinn added with a smile.
We talked about the council and what they would do if Faye didn’t make it while we finished eating. I was between a rock and a hard place and had no idea how to get out. I needed to figure out what was wrong with my magic, make sure my kids made the best decision for their lives and come to terms with letting them go.
I might agree with Dathan, but I would never stop them from following their dreams. It was my job to give them the tools to reach high and grab for what they wanted.
Chapter 4
My head was doing a good imitation of a volcano on the verge of erupting. Deep breath in and out. Screaming wouldn’t help, even if it would make me feel better. “Are you sure this decision wasn’t driven by your father? You don’t have to stay in England for us. I want you to make the decision that’s best for you.”
I wanted to strangle Dathan. If he had put the pressure on the kids to satisfy his own needs, I would relish killing him slowly. He needed to grow the hell up and accept the consequences of his actions. He hadn’t been happy in our stale marriage and wanted out.
I would likely still be in the same rut with him. It hadn’t occurred to me to leave. However, it was the best thing for all of us. It forced me to quit the floral shop and open my bookstore.
Bailey bobbed her head and sniffled. “It wasn’t, dad. It’s me. I can’t control my magic. I started a fire and nearly burned down the house a few weeks ago, and it isn’t getting any better. If Ben hadn’t been home last night, we would have lost everything.”
Ben shook his head. “It’s not your fault. I’m kinda glad we won’t be so far away from mom. We both have a lot to learn, and there’s no one better to teach us than her.”
Guilt threatened to drown me in a deluge. I was the worst person on the planet to assist my kids, but I’d be damned if I would tell them that. I would just have to figure out what was happening and deal with it.
