The Master of Incantation gave me a wry smile. “Firstly, it’s a workshop, not a warehouse. I’m not storing goods. Secondly, that’s my personal space. I prefer to preserve it as my sanctuary. It’s where I go to get away.”
“But not for me,” I said. “You can’t possibly need to seek sanctuary from this.” I pointed my wand at my face and drew a circle in the air.
Wren chuckled. “You’re an interesting mix of anxiety and arrogance, I’ll give you that.”
“I don’t suppose there’s a market for a potion like that.”
“Why don’t we get started? We have a number of incantations to get through today.”
“What’s your hurry? Hot date with Delphine?” Wren had been quietly dating Delphine Winter, a witch and local librarian. She’d briefly dated Florian, but my cousin simply wasn’t prepared for a serious relationship.
“I see what you’re doing,” the handsome wizard said.
“What? I’m standing here waiting for my lesson, ready to absorb all your wisdom.”
“Nice try. You’re trying to distract me from the lesson with personal questions.” He wagged a wand at me. “I’m onto your tricks, you know.”
“They’re really not tricks,” I replied. “I’m simply making conversation. Getting to know you better. I really like Delphine and I want to see her happy.”
“Delphine and I are doing really well. We appreciate your interest, but why don’t we get back to business?”
I eyed him closely. “Why don’t you want to talk about her more? Is there a problem? I sense reluctance.”
He shot me a warning glance. “Today we’re going to cover one of my favorite spells, so I suggest you pay attention.”
I laughed. “That’s adorable that you have a favorite spell. How about a favorite color? I bet you have one of those, too.”
“Of course I do. I’m not a monster.”
“Aren’t you going to tell me what it is?” I tilted my head, studying him. “I bet it’s blue.”
“Actually, it’s green,” he said smugly. “Now, about this spell…” He lifted his wand.
“Is your favorite spell written in your Book of Shadows?” I honestly wasn’t trying to divert his attention this time. I was genuinely curious.
Wren lowered his wand. “As a matter fact, I do. I have an entire section of the book devoted to favorite spells.”
“What else do you have in yours?”
He exhaled in frustration. “Ember…”
I zigzagged my wand through the air. “I swear I’m not trying to get out of my lesson. I’m genuinely interested. Lee has me making my own and I’m struggling to decide what to include. I don’t really have favorites yet. What else do you have?” Maybe Ivy would have similar content in hers.
He slipped his wand through a loop on his belt and stuffed his hands into his cloak pockets. “The book is really personal to the witch or wizard. The things I include in mine aren’t necessarily what you would choose to include in yours.”
“I get that, but I’m curious what you think is important enough to be included in yours. Would you be upset if somebody looked through it? Is it that kind of personal?” I was curious as to whether Ivy’s book was warded because she had secrets to keep or simply because she didn’t want anyone to have such an intimate look at her. It would be like glimpsing someone’s soul. I knew that would make me uncomfortable, so maybe the same was true for Ivy.
“I guess I’m a somewhat private wizard,” Wren said. “My brother has seen my book loads of times, but I’d probably be annoyed if some random witch or wizard started flipping through it. I haven’t even shown Delphine.”
“Do you ward yours?”
He chuckled. “Maybe I did when I was a teenager, but I don’t now. It’s not that I have anything to hide. When I die, there’s nothing in it to embarrass or humiliate me.”
“Well, thanks for the heads up. That’s already a disappointment.”
“These questions are awfully specific, Ember. Are you planning to record all of your deepest, darkest secrets in your Book of Shadows? Because now I’m intrigued.”
“I’m just not very good at sharing and I was getting the sense that I would have to put a lot of myself into the book. I like all the pieces of me to be intact rather than hidden away in a book.”
“Understood.” He retrieved his wand. “Let’s get started or we’ll never finish.” He raised his wand, ready for action.
“What about a spell to capture negative energy?” I blurted.
His arm dropped to his side. “Why would you want to capture it? That’s typically the kind of energy you want to let go of.”
I began to pace the ground in front of him. “Remember when you tried to cleanse Ivy’s wand and you said there was negative energy trapped in it? I think her Book of Shadows has some kind of resistance magic attached to it, too.”
“You have her Book of Shadows, too? How’d you manage that?”
Oops. “I may have found her BOS buried in the garden of the cottage.”
His mouth curved slightly upward. “Her BOS?”
“Makes it sound more professional when you create abbreviations,” I said with an air of authority.
“I’ll take your word for it.” He rubbed his square jawline. “Why would she bury her…BOS in the garden?”
“Maybe she didn’t. Maybe someone else did. It’s warded to the hilt, I can tell you that much.”
“What does Hyacinth think?” he asked.
Guilt saturated my veins. “I’m keeping this one on the DL.”
“That doesn’t make you sound professional,” he said. “That makes you sound unhip.” He folded his arms. “Why are you keeping it a secret from her? You’ve discovered a family heirloom on her property.”
“Technically, it’s my property, but I digress.” I struggled to choose my words carefully. “I can’t explain it, but I would prefer to keep this quiet for now until I learn more.”
“Learn what exactly?”
“Who buried it and why? Why is it warded? Why is the energy so powerful? Why does the wand feel like a volcano on the verge of eruption?”
“I would think your aunt is the perfect witch to assist you with those questions. Last time I checked she was the most powerful witch in town.”
I pointed a finger at him. “Promise you’ll keep this a secret. Please.” I saw the flash of hesitation in his eyes. I understood. Nobody liked to be on the wrong side of Hyacinth Rose-Muldoon. “Some part of me wonders whether she has an ulterior motive in giving Ivy’s wand to Marley, so I’d like to figure out more of her story before I involve my aunt. I feel like she knows more than she’s sharing and there must be a reason for it. The Book of Shadows might yield those answers.” If I could crack it open.
Wren offered a reassuring nod. “Okay, Ember. I won’t breathe a word, not even to Delphine.”
“I’m sorry to put you in that position,” I said. “I know it’s not ideal, but I trust you. I need wizardly help and Gandalf isn’t available.”
“He’s your first choice for wizardly help, huh?”
“Dude, he’s everybody’s first choice for wizardly help.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Not Dumbledore?”
“He’d be my second choice.”
Wren raised two fingers in a V. “I solemnly swear to keep any and all secrets shared with me by Ember Rose in the proverbial vault.” He twisted an imaginary lock in front of his mouth.
“Is that an actual oath?”
“No, but I do swear.” He paused. “How about a high-five to seal the deal?”
“Good enough for me.” And we slapped hands.
“I do know a few spells that can trap negative energy,” he said. “They’re not common, but they exist.”
“I’m wondering if they’re used as a way of protecting the outside world,” I said. “Trap the negative energy in one place so that it can’t spread and impact anyone.”
“Could be.”
Another
idea occurred to me. “What about an incantation that breaks through a false persona?”
Wren blinked. “Okay, how did we jump from Ivy’s negative energy to this?”
I tapped my head. “Sorry, that’s the way this noggin bounces.” Actually, it was the mention of Aunt Hyacinth, which led me to Craig and his smooth facade. “If someone is putting on a front, is there a spell I can do to see past it?”
“There’s always a spell if you’re creative enough. That’s the beauty of magic.” Wren dragged a hand through his thick hair, thinking. “You could try a mind reading spell, an aura spell that might reveal his true intentions, or even a reverse illusion spell.”
“A reverse illusion?”
“Like if someone is pretending to be a sweet fairy, but it turns out they’re a mischievous goblin, you’ll be able to see through their illusion. That sort of thing.”
“Hmm.” Could Craig be another creature entirely? He was Linden’s cousin so it seemed unlikely. “Can you teach me the aura spell?”
“You know what? It isn’t what I had planned for today, but the fact that you’re eager to learn any spell is good enough for me.” He pushed up his cloak sleeves. “If you don’t want the object of the spell to know what you’re up to, you need to find a subtle way to aim your wand at them.”
“Subtle is my middle name,” I said.
“You’re from New Jersey. You don’t have a subtle bone in your body.”
“Fair enough, but I’m good at sneaking.” Which definitely played a role in my teen pregnancy. If I hadn’t been so good at sneaking out with Karl, I wouldn’t have Marley, so that was a huge win as far as I was concerned.
“You’re going to place your feet shoulder-with apart.” He demonstrated the stance for me.
“That’s not subtle. If I stand like that, then there’s no chance to sneak. I’m basically announcing I’m about to do something magical.”
Wren rolled his eyes. “Just follow my lead for once.”
I stood beside him and copied his pose.
“Focus your will,” he said. “Feel the energy flow from your body to the wand, which is simply an extension of you.”
“I know all this.”
“Yes, but you need practice. Knowing and implementing are two different skills.”
He made a good point. I drew a cleansing breath and focused on the energy whirling inside me. Then I tried to steer the pulsing energy to the wand in my hand. “It’s like trying to herd talking raccoons,” I said.
“That’s your energy, Ember. It’s wild. You need to work on taming it.”
I concentrated on pulling the energy into a compact ball and pushing it toward my wand. “Now what?”
“Aim your wand at me and say…”
I shook my head. “No, this won’t work.” Craig would be on to me in a heartbeat.
“Once you master the spell, you can finesse it so that it’s almost undetectable.”
“We’re talking about me, Wren. That could take years. How about the mind reading one?”
“Maybe you should let Marigold do that?” he replied. “She’s the Mistress of Psychic Skills.”
“Yes, but her lessons aren’t geared toward this kind of thing.” Plus, she might rat me out to Hyacinth, who wouldn’t take kindly to her niece undermining her seemingly perfect suitor.
“Fine. You basically do the spell on yourself with this one so that you can read the minds in your immediate vicinity.”
“That’s better.”
He rested the tip of his wand against his temple and said, “Repeat after me. Mentis lector.”
I copied his movement and said, “Mentis lector.”
Can you hear me? Wren asked.
“Of course I can. You’re standing right next to me. I can also smell that you ate garlic…Oh.”
Wren grinned. If you caught me unaware, you’d be able to hear my thoughts at this precise moment. That’s what you’re after, isn’t it?
“Sure is.” And I could finally decide whether Craig was friend or foe. “You’re like a taller, square-jawed version of Raoul now.”
Gee, thanks.
“His hair is more lustrous, though.” I tucked away my wand. “How long will the spell last?”
This one is basic, so not very long, Wren said. If you ask the right questions or make the right comments, you should be able to hear their thoughts and hopefully get what you need.
My brain starting click away. “Man, this spell could be invaluable.” Adolescent daughter. Withholding boyfriend. Secretive aunt. The possibilities were endless.
And also dangerous, Wren said pointedly. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.
“I’ll let your librarian girlfriend know you said that…in your head.”
He bit back a smile and continued, But if you have a specific need to see whether someone is genuine, this might be a quick and reasonable way to handle it.
“More like down and dirty, but I’m sold. Thanks for the lesson, Wren. I appreciate your willingness to indulge me.”
“Whatever it takes,” he said, reverting back to the spoken word. “I know you think you’re not as skilled as the other members of your family, but I still think you’re packed with potential.”
“The only thing I’m packed with is all the extra cheese I’ve been eating,” I countered. “On that note, have you ever tried pimento cheese? I’m a recent convert.”
“I try to avoid dairy. It upsets my stomach.” An idea seemed to occur to him. “Just out of curiosity, have you talked to Magnus about any of this?”
“Magnus Destry? Why?” I didn’t have much interaction with the High Priest.
“If you’re looking to dig for information and keep your aunt in the dark, he’s probably a good wizard to turn to,” he said cryptically.
I leaned forward. “Really? Do tell.”
“I’m only spitballing here, but I’ve always gotten the sense that Magnus resents your family’s influence and the whole One True Witch connection.”
“Then why would he help me? I’m still a member of the family.”
Wren started to laugh but then seemed to think better of it. “Of course you are, but I think Magnus recognizes that you and Marley are…different.”
I gave him the stink eye. “I’ll choose to take that as a compliment.”
Wren clapped me on the back. “Good luck with your spy mission, Ember, and, if anyone catches you reading minds, you didn’t learn it from me.”
“That won’t take much convincing. Everybody already knows I don’t learn anything from you,” I said, and raced out of the clearing before he could hex me.
Chapter Twelve
Deputy Bolan and I decided to split the customer list in half that Lois had given us in order to expedite matters. I’d received another not-so-anonymous note from Arthur Rutledge to indicate that the elders were getting restless. It seemed a bit unnecessary given that we had a deadline already but, apparently, Sheriff Nash’s wolfish alter ego had struck again at Glitter Me This and more complaints had rolled in to the council. Someone needed to put a leash on that guy before he made matters worse.
“Do you want to come with me today?” I asked Alec. The vampire stood at the stove making his version of a frittata.
“Are you conducting more interviews?” he asked.
“I’m going to knock out two of them today. One of them is just a courtesy call, though. I have to let her know that her brooch is now in evidence and won’t be for sale at Be-switched. Kind of awkward really because Shayna probably shouldn’t have been wearing it in the first place.”
“Sounds like you can handle it on your own,” Alec said. “We both know you’re more than capable.”
“You might want to consider jumping in on the second one,” I said. “I need to go see somebody at Elixir.” I cocked an eyebrow. “Care to go for a drink this evening, Mr. Hale?”
His expression reflected pure desire. “Why do I find it so irresistible when you address me by my formal name? You have qui
te a strange effect on me, Ms. Rose.”
I smiled. “Strange—or amazing?”
He served the frittata onto two plates. “How about amazingly strange?”
“When you make food like this, it can be whatever you want.” I pushed back my chair. “I need ketchup.”
He blocked my path to the refrigerator. “For what?”
“For flavor,” I said. “I always put ketchup on eggs.”
“These are no mere eggs. This is a frittata, and I can assure you that my frittata does not require any condiments. It’s already bursting with flavor.”
I wrapped my arms around his trim waist. “You know what else is bursting with flavor?”
His fangs descended. “Don't tempt me now. The frittatas will get cold.”
“And my frittatas are in danger of getting cold if you don’t warm them up with those strong hands of yours, Mr. Hale.” I dragged out his name in my lowest, sexiest voice, which probably sounded more like Darth Vader than the seductive one in my head.
Alec pulled me flat against his chest and kissed me with an intensity usually reserved for drunken nights in the Whitethorn parking lot.
“Why, Alec,” I said, pulling back slightly. “You’re really loosening up.”
He pressed his forehead against mine. “How loose would you like to see me?”
I splayed my hands against his firm chest. “You know what the therapist said. No full-on sexy times until we’ve established a stronger foundation. If we want to give this relationship its best chance, we have to put in the work first.”
He stole another quick kiss before turning back to his frittata. “You’re quite right, and I very much do want this relationship to work.”
“So you’re cool with ketchup now?”
“As though I would ever presume to tell you what or how to eat.”
“Phew,” I said. “I thought we were going to have to end things right here and now. Ketchup is definitely a hill I’m willing to die on.” I went to the refrigerator and retrieved the bottle.
“I’m going to leave the courtesy call to you, but I would be more than happy to escort you to Elixir tonight,” he said. “Although I can’t promise that I won’t try to lure you into a dark corner and have my way with you.”
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