Magic & Madness

by Annabel Chase

  Magic & Madness

  Starry Hollow Witches, Book 6

  Annabel Chase

  Red Palm Press LLC

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Also by Annabel Chase

  1

  “When I tell you to take a deep breath, the implication is that you’ll eventually release it.” Wren Stanton-Summer observed me on the cliff overlooking Fairy Cove. The Master-of-Incantation had decided a change of scenery was in order for our lesson. In truth, I had a vague suspicion that he was hoping to catch sight of the mermaids that sunned themselves on the boulders along the cove.

  I opened my mouth and blew. “Satisfied?”

  “Breathing is really for your benefit, Ember.”

  Okay, he made a good point. “What does all this yoga nonsense have to do with learning spells anyway?”

  Wren gave me an amused look. “Iris Sandstone spends every morning out here, greeting the sun. I’m sure you’d agree that the High Priestess is highly adept at casting spells.”

  “Aunt Hyacinth spends every morning greeting her liquor cabinet,” I said, “so I’m not sure that your logic is entirely sound.”

  Wren chuckled. “Humor me, Ember. I wanted to try something different. I feel like you’re always trapped in your cottage or in the woods behind it.”

  “Only for my lessons,” I said. “Other than that, I have free rein.”

  “You’re a single mother, Ember,” Wren said. “You don’t have free rein to do much of anything.”

  I held my hands over my ears. “Stop making sense, Wren. You’re throwing the universe out of whack.”

  He completed a calf stretch before returning his focus to me. “Why don’t we work on a nature spell, now that we’re in such a glorious setting?”

  It was a glorious setting. With the lighthouse and the old Whitethorn pub as a backdrop and the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks, this part of Starry Hollow was idyllic.

  “I’m willing to do that, but first can you teach me a spell that makes someone monogamous?”

  Wren nearly choked on his own saliva. “Dare I ask who the object of this spell would be?”

  “It’s not for me,” I said quickly. “My cousin. You know how Florian is. I just want him to give Delphine a fighting chance, but I’m worried he won’t stay focused on one woman long enough to really get to know her.”

  The wizard’s eyes grew wide. “You truly believe Delphine and Florian have long-term potential? Are you out of your mind?” He waved a hand. “Forget I asked that because you clearly are.”

  “What’s wrong with that pairing?” I asked. “They’re both in the coven, so Aunt Hyacinth would approve.”

  “And that’s half the problem right there,” Wren said. “Florian goes against the grain. Delphine is not going to be the woman to change him. Mark my words.”

  “He’s been maturing, I think,” I said. Maybe. “He’s starting to recognize that he gets in his own way when he does things in reaction to his mother.”

  Wren crossed his arms. “Is that so? So you’re saying that when I saw him at Elixir nibbling on a pretty elf’s ear, that was a sign of maturity?”

  “When was that?”

  “Last night.”

  I tried to hide my disappointment. “This is exactly why I need the spell. I think she’d balance him out nicely, but she needs to hold his attention long enough to show him how awesome she is.”

  “Maybe you should focus a little less on other paranormals’ love lives and pay more attention to your own,” Wren said pointedly.

  I narrowed my eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “What do you think? You’ve got the sheriff dancing like a puppet…”

  “What?” I practically shrieked. Okay, a slight overreaction there.

  Wren laughed softly. “Face it. Granger Nash is hoping to finally shed his lone wolf status.”

  “Is this because I met his family?” I knew I’d taken a risk by attending the family gathering.

  Wren’s eyes bulged. “You met the pack?”

  “At a barbecue,” I said. “I met his mother and far too many relatives to keep track of.”

  Wren slapped his forehead. “Good Goddess of the Moon. In pack terms, you’re practically engaged.”

  “We are not,” I said heatedly.

  “Does your aunt know?” he asked.

  “I didn’t tell her, so I’m not sure.”

  “She has to know,” Wren said. “That’s far too big of a deal to get past her radar, especially if Wyatt was there.”

  “He was,” I admitted. “And he’s loving this entire situation, by the way. He thinks it’s karma.” Not sure why it would be karma for my aunt, though, when it was Wyatt’s bad behavior that destroyed his marriage to my cousin, Linnea.

  “I bet.” Wren shook his head. “You sure know how to keep life interesting around here.”

  “So it’s a no on the monogamy spell then?” I asked.

  “Let Florian and Delphine play out the way they’re meant to,” Wren advised. “You can’t control every outcome.”

  “Now you sound like the sheriff. He calls me a broomstick mama.”

  Wren smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “I think it’s nice that you’re invested. That’s how it should be with family, as long as you don’t overstep.”

  “I feel like Florian needs someone to overstep,” I said. Someone who wasn’t his mother. If he wasn’t careful, he was in danger of letting his bachelor lifestyle ruin his chance for a happy future.

  Wren rubbed his hands together. “Let’s set the monogamy idea aside and I’ll teach you a spell that’ll delight your future husband.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “And who would that be?”

  He yanked his wand from his back pocket. “I’ll show you.” He aimed his wand at my head and said, “Lupus auribus.”

  “What have you done?” I asked. My skull felt funny, as though flowers were sprouting from my head.

  “It’s a transformation spell,” he explained.

  I placed my hands on my head and touched two furry bits. “Are these…ears?”

  “Wolf ears to be precise,” Wren said proudly. “I’ll make a shifter out of you yet.”

  “Can I see them?”

  He pointed his wand at the space between us and said, “Speculo.” A mirror appeared, the reflective glass facing me.

  “I look pretty good with wolf ears,” I said, admiring myself. “The sheriff would approve.”

  “Thought as much,” he said. “Might be a fun spell to perform before your next date. Get him a little excited.”

  “Thanks for looking out for my love life, Wren.”

  “Don’t mention it,” he said. “Seriously. Don’t. If your aunt finds out, I’ll end up with an animal part in a place I don’t want it.”

  I laughed. “My aunt isn’t going to put a horse’s head in your bed.” Although I wouldn’t put a unicorn head past her.

  “It isn’t my bed I’m worried about,” Wren said cryptically.

  “Is my aunt really that vengeful?” I asked. “I mean, I know everyone says she’s scary and powerful, but the worst thing I’ve seen her do is overaccesorize.”

  “She’s on her best behavior because of you,” Wren said.

>   “Why would she do that?” My aunt was the matriarch of the most powerful coven family in Starry Hollow. She didn’t need to exhibit good behavior for anyone.

  “I don’t know for sure, but she seemed to mellow the day you and Marley came to town,” Wren admitted. “No one really talks about it, but she’s definitely less threatening than she had been.”

  “I don’t see why. It’s not like I have any control over her. She gets to keep her wealth and her descendant of the One True Witch label and all the other qualities that make her Hyacinth Rose-Muldoon.”

  “My theory is that she wants your approval,” Wren said.

  “Why would she want my approval?” I sputtered. The last thing my aunt seemed to require was the approval of others.

  “Because you’re her brother’s only child,” Wren said. “I think she harbors guilt over the way she treated him when he married your mother. Now that you’ve returned, she has a subconscious need to earn your respect.”

  “That’s deep, Wren.” I wasn’t sure whether I agreed with him, but it was certainly an interesting theory. “I’ll be sure to bear it in mind the next time she scolds me for wearing pajamas to dinner.”

  “You wore pajamas to dinner?”

  “No, they were yoga pants and a tank top,” I replied. “She used a spell to change my clothes.”

  Wren chuckled. “Your aunt does make a habit of standing on ceremony.”

  I touched my wolf ears. “Maybe I should show up for dinner with these.”

  Wren waved his wand and the ears disappeared. “Let’s not tempt fate.”

  “The circus is coming to town.” Marley waved a leaflet as she hurried into the cottage after school. In an effort to ditch my broomstick mama reputation, I’d recently decided to let her walk home alone from school a couple times a week. My Stage Five Clinger seemed enthusiastic about the idea, so I went with it.

  “What kind of circus?” I asked, reviewing the leaflet. What could we expect from a circus in a paranormal town?

  “Technically, it’s a carnival,” Florian said, entering the cottage behind Marley.

  I gaped at my cousin. “Wait, you walked her home?" I narrowed my eyes at my cousin. "I thought the whole point of me staying home was to foster her independence."

  Florian dropped onto the sofa. "No, the whole point is to stop you from hovering like a vampire in front of a blood bank before opening hours.”

  "I don't mind," Marley said. "The other moms like it when Florian’s there to meet me. And it gives him something to do in the afternoons."

  Florian's brow lifted. "I have plenty to keep me busy in the afternoons, young miss."

  "How's the tourism work going?" I asked. ”Does this carnival fall within your purview?"

  Marley's eyes rounded. "Purview? Who taught you that word—Alec?"

  “Marley Rose, that's insulting,” I said, “but quite possibly correct.”

  "The carnival has been coming here for years," Florian said. "It's nothing to do with me. Although Aster has asked that I spend a lot of time there, soaking up ideas."

  “I’m sure you have no objection to loitering around a social scene as part of your job,” I said.

  “Florian thinks you should join the Power Puffs,” Marley said. "Right, Florian?"

  I looked from my daughter to Florian. I had the distinct impression that a conversation on this very topic had taken place during the walk home.

  "What, pray tell, are the Power Packs?” I asked.

  “Puffs. They’re an elite group of moms at the middle school," Florian said. "They do a lot of activities together, like fundraisers. They also enter the baking competition at the carnival every year. Apparently, they’re down one mom and need a new member.”

  “The fact that you described them as elite already rubs me the wrong way,” I said.

  “They’re interviewing potential Puffs this week,” Florian said. “You should throw your pointy hat in the ring. Mother would love to see you more involved in the community.”

  “Your mother will resent any time I spend away from her newspaper and her coven,” I countered. Between my job as a reporter at Vox Populi and my magic training, my dance card was full.

  “Then do it for me,” Marley said. “I think this would be a great way for you to get to know other moms. I feel like the other kids might accept me more if the moms accepted you.”

  "Is that right?" I shot Florian a pointed look. His fingerprints were all over this suggestion. "It sounds like a nice idea, Marley, but my schedule is already so busy."

  "There's always time for the important things," Florian said.

  "And you think these Power Puffs fall into the category of important things?" I asked. "Let me guess. These moms are particularly attractive."

  Florian placed a hand over his heart. “Dear cousin, you insult my integrity. I’m merely thinking of you. Besides, I’ve decided to give this relationship with Delphine a real chance. That means no wandering eye."

  I opted not to disclose what Wren told me about Elixir. "Are you sure?” I’d hoped that he and the quiet librarian would hit it off. Florian had traditionally avoided relationships with witches because he knew it was his mother's preference. His natural rebellious streak kicked in at the mere mention of dating within the coven. Maybe Delphine’s sweet nature made her too hard to resist.

  "I'm not getting any younger," Florian said. "Maybe it’s time to think about settling down."

  Marley clapped her hands. "If you got married this year, then maybe you’d have a baby by the time I’m old enough to babysit. That would be perfect."

  The color drained from Florian's face. "No need to rush. You'll have the rest of your life to babysit, once you’re old enough. Let's get to the point where I'm comfortable with monogamy before we start choosing the bridal colors." He paused. "Which would be blush and bashful, by the way."

  I laughed. "I don't know what you’re so scared of, Florian. When a relationship is good, there can never be enough lifetimes together."

  “It seems to me you’re staring down the barrel of a relationship yourself," Florian said. "Maybe you should take your own advice."

  Marley interjected before I could respond. ”She's not ready to commit," my daughter said firmly. That was because Marley's allegiance was with Alec Hale. My vampire boss and I had a complicated relationship, not that it mattered anymore. He'd returned from a trip to Rainbow’s End with a new girlfriend in tow. Holly was a nymph with an obnoxious laugh and boobs that could send her into space with the right jet propulsion. She apparently liked her visit to Starry Hollow so much that she decided to extend her stay.

  "You can't do much better then Sheriff Nash," Florian said. “He’s an alpha with a sensible head on his shoulders.”

  "I don't think your mother would agree," I said. Hyacinth Rose-Muldoon had very specific ideas about her progeny’s relationships, including strong views about interspecies marriages. To date, only Aster had satisfied her mother's desire for a Silver Moon coven-only family. Then again, Aster’s marriage seemed to be in a rut at the moment. With two active boys and busy lives, it came as no surprise.

  "Never mind what Mother says," Florian said. "She's old-fashioned. She also has a chip on her shoulder about the Nash brothers, so that would be a hurdle for you even if she didn't have a bias against werewolves."

  “I feel like I have enough hurdles in my life,” I said. “Could I please have one clear path that didn’t involve heavy lifting?”

  “If you make it through the Power Puffs interview, then your social status at school will be as easy as it gets,” Florian said. He slapped his hands on his thighs. "I'm going to head back to my man cave. I’m meeting Delphine for dinner, and I have a few things to take care of first."

  "Why are you meeting her there?" I asked. "Why not pick her up?"

  Florian wore a vague smile. "I can't be the perfect gentleman from the start. Her expectations will be too high."

  I gave him his arm a playful smack. "Florian! Tha
t's terrible. If you really like Delphine, you should go out of your way for her. You know she’d do the same for you."

  Florian rose to his feet. "You’re right. Old habits die hard, though."

  Marley glanced up from the table, where she was already breezing through her homework. "Don't forget what I said about the babies."

  "How could I forget?" Florian said, giving the back of his neck an anxious rub. “I expect you to accompany me at least once to the carnival.”

  Marley gave him a thumbs up. “There’s a Familiars Got Talent show that Raoul has to compete in.”

  “I don’t think thievery qualifies as a talent,” I said wryly.

  “The two of you could put on quite the performance if you set your minds to it,” Florian said, amused.

  “No, thanks,” I said. “If I get involved with the Power Puffins, that’ll be quite enough for me.”

  “Puffs, not Puffins,” Florian corrected. “They’re not a group of birds.”

  “But they’re a group of powerful cotton balls?” I queried.

  Florian pinched my cheeks. “Let me know if you need any pointers. I give great interviews. That’s my talent.”

  “And so modest about it,” I grumbled.

  He blew me a kiss before breezing out the door.

  I turned to Marley. "If you really want Florian to get married, you need to ease up on the baby talk. He gets enough pressure from Aunt Hyacinth."

  "So does that mean I should also ease up on mentioning the Power Puffs?" She adopted the sad puppy eyes that were guaranteed to tug at my heartstrings.

  “I’d already decided that I’d suffer through the interview,” I said. I didn't relish the idea—I mean, what kind of mom group held interviews—but I could tell it was important to Marley. I couldn't bring her father back, but I could pull on a pair of yoga pants and make friends with middle school moms. It was the very least a proud broomstick mama could do.