by Sonia Parin
“Take a deep breath, Luna. Relax.”
“I’m about to hyperventilate.”
“Did they say anything?” Lexie asked.
“No. They’re sitting in silence, waiting for you to come out. Mr. Ellsworth is twirling his fingers and his wife keeps fidgeting with her apron and fixing her cap into place.”
Lexie checked her reflection in the mirror. Instead of seeing her regular clothes, she saw the chain mail dress her mom had recently given her. At the time, the situation had called for it. She’d dealt with the menace that had taken over Mackenzie Hall, but the dress had remained. She hadn’t stopped to think what that might mean.
“Come on, Luna. I’ll explain to them you’re harmless. Just stick close to me.”
When they strode out into the sitting room, Lexie saw Mr. Ellsworth freeze. His wife shook him out of his catatonic state and warned him to behave.
Before Lexie could speak, Octavia rushed to her side and whispered, “I can explain. They had nowhere else to go—”
Luna purred. “Okay. This is already headed in the wrong direction. Have you tried the YMCA?”
“Let Octavia speak,” Lexie said.
“She’s already said enough. They’re here to stay.” Luna yelped. “They brought luggage with them.”
Luggage and furniture.
Lexie could have sworn the small wooden stools Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth sat on hadn’t been in her apartment before. Cat hovered in front of them, bright sparks shooting out of her. Mr. Ellsworth’s plump hands were clasped in front of him, his thumbs busy twiddling. While Mrs. Ellsworth clutched a large travel bag against her chest. Her bright red curls poked out from under her red cap springing up and down as she nodded at something Cat said to her.
Lexie focused on breathing and remaining calm. “Octavia, you were about to explain—”
Rebel sneezed.
Everyone said “Bless you.”
Octavia wrung her hands together and bit the edge of her lip. “I can see you’re not pleased about this.”
Lexie’s shoulders slumped. “It’s not that I’m unhappy. Of course, if someone needs a place to stay, I’ll do my best to accommodate them.” Glancing over at the gnomes, she saw them casting furtive glances her way. “They don’t look comfortable here.”
“That’s good,” Luna whispered. “Play that angle. They’ll be happier elsewhere. And, if push comes to shove, loosen your hold on the purse strings and offer to pay for their alternative accommodation.”
Rebel sneezed again.
Putting her little hand to her forehead, Rebel said, “I think I’m coming down with a cold.” She wafted down like a feather and landed on the table where she curled up into a tight ball. “I’m shivery.”
Mrs. Ellsworth rushed toward her, jumping on the chair and then onto the table. “Oh, dear. You are feeling hot.” She looked up at Lexie. “You haven’t been looking after your fairy.”
Lexie frowned. “She just sneezed.”
“It’s this city,” Mrs. Ellsworth grumbled. “It’s full of germs. What sort of witch are you? You’re supposed to live within nature, in a forest or a small village.” She turned back to Rebel. “When did she last fly around a tree?”
Lexie shrugged. “We haven’t been out of the apartment in days. Is it essential for her to fly around trees?”
Mrs. Ellsworth rolled her eyes. “She should be in bed. Poor dear. Look at her. She’s shivering. Where’s her bed?”
“I’ll bring it over.” Lexie went in search of Rebel’s bed and brought it back to the sitting room.
“What is this?” Mrs. Ellsworth shrieked.
“It’s… It’s a soap dish.”
Mrs. Ellsworth shook her head and turned her attention back to Rebel. “You poor, poor dear. You’re so far away from home and she makes you sleep in a soap dish.” The gnome clambered down from the table. “Show me to your fireplace.”
Lexie led the way and watched as Mrs. Ellsworth rummaged through her bag. “I’ll make her a broth. That should make her feel better soon.”
“You carry the ingredients in your bag?”
Mrs. Ellsworth gave her a lifted eyebrow look, which seemed to suggest Lexie didn’t know much about gnomes. “And keep that cat away from me. She looks hungry and I have no intention of being her next meal.”
Lexie swung away and searched for Octavia. She found her in the kitchen with Cat’s orb.
“Would someone please tell me what’s going on?”
“I’ll leave you to it,” Cat said. “Nice seeing you again. Bye.”
Before Lexie could say anything, Cat disappeared in a shower of bright sparks, leaving Octavia clearly floundering for an explanation.
“Do I need to sit down for this?” Lexie asked.
Octavia scooped in a big breath. “Cat’s forest is under siege. Everyone had to flee for safety and Cat wanted to make sure Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth found a safe place to stay until order is restored in her forest.”
“Under siege? By whom?”
“By refugees from Mackenzie Hall. Mirabelle has yet to restore the grounds to their former glory. Creatures are scared she-whose-name-they-don’t-dare-speak-out-loud will return.”
“Is this something I need to fix?”
“No, Cat has everything under control, but this is all too much for Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth. A few goblins stowed away and infiltrated the refugee camp. A curfew has been imposed and Cat is sure she’ll flush them out in no time.”
Luna gulped. “No time? Exactly how long will that be?”
*****
Other books by Sonia Parin
A Mackenzie Coven Mystery (Paranormal Cozy Mysteries)
Witch Inheritance (Book 1)
Witch Indeed (Book 2)
Witch Cast (Book 3)
Witch Charm (Book 4)
Witch Trials (Book 5)
A Mackenzie Witch Collection: Witch Namaste, Good Witch Hunting & ‘Tis the Season to be Creepy (Book 6)
Witch in Exile (Book 7)
A Mackenzie Witch Collection 2: Jingle Purrs, Potion Heist and The Power of Two and a Half (Book 8)
A Mackenzie Coven Mystery Short
Witch Namaste
Good Witch Hunting
‘Tis the Season to be Creepy
Jingle Purrs
Potion Heist
The Power of Two and a Half
A Deadline Cozy Mystery
Sunny Side Up
Snuffed Out
All Tied Up
The Last Bite
Final Cut
Sleeping With the Fishes
The Merry Widow
A Dear Abby Cozy Mystery
End of the Lane
Be Still My Heart
The Last Ride
The Last Stop
The Last Dance
