Playing With Fury

by Annabel Chase

  “You look beautiful, as always,” Hugh said. “I took the liberty of ordering you a glass of red wine.”

  The mayor planted herself across from him. “I hope it’s better than whatever was served at my party. I had to toss a whole glass. It was filled with sediment.” She wrinkled her nose in disgust.

  “I’ve always found the bar service here to be more than adequate.”

  She unfolded a napkin and set it across her lap. “You should’ve brought your wife.”

  Her statement was like music to my jaded ears.

  “I find it best not to involve her in my professional life,” Hugh said.

  She gave him a sharp look. “If we’re going to continue to be seen in public together, it seems smart to include her. We don’t want people to get the wrong idea.”

  Yes, people like me! I definitely had many wrong ideas right now. Which one was the right idea remained to be seen.

  The server arrived with their drinks and a basket of bread.

  “Should we order a bottle to go with the meal?” he asked.

  “I’ll stick to water after this.” She inclined her head toward the glass of Merlot. “I have a busy day tomorrow and too much wine gives me a headache.”

  The server bowed slightly. “I’ll give you time to look over the menu.” She hustled to the kitchen.

  Hugh slotted his fingers on the edge of the table. “I’m sure wine isn’t the only thing that gives you a headache these days. I hear Jayson Swift is adding to his war chest.”

  The mayor’s shoulders tensed. “I suppose that’s why you called this meeting.”

  Hugh leaned forward. “You need me.”

  She offered a reluctant nod. “It seems that I do.”

  Jayson Swift was a lawyer with more money than integrity. Was he planning to run against Mayor Whitehead in the next election? He certainly had the deep pockets to wage a formidable campaign. On the other hand, everyone seemed to like the mayor and almost no one liked Swift. Would a healthy campaign budget be enough to change their minds?

  “Try not to look so disappointed,” Hugh said. “You’re the mayor of a town, not an uninhabited island. You have to rely on more than yourself if you expect to get re-elected.”

  She swallowed a mouthful of wine. “I finally signed off on Otto’s motels. He might be a willing supporter.” She avoided Hugh’s gaze, clearly uncomfortable with the situation.

  “That was smart,” Hugh said.

  “I didn’t do it for that,” the mayor said. “The town needs a variety of options for tourists. If we expect to grow the economy, not everything can be aimed at upper middle class and above.”

  “I can speak to Otto,” Hugh offered. “See if he’s interested in joining the team.”

  “There’s no team,” the mayor said quickly.

  Hugh drained his martini glass. “We’re not talking about a Super PAC, Wilhelmina. Identifying potential supporters and campaign contributors is part of the process, you know that.”

  The mayor stared at the bread basket the way my mother looked at delivery men. Unlike my mother, however, the mayor resisted the urge to grab the bread.

  “I think I should speak to Otto,” the mayor said. “He’s relatively new to town. I see this as an opportunity to build a relationship with a local businessman.”

  Hugh nodded. “The party worked wonders for that. You had a great turnout.”

  She smiled. “And I have you to thank for that.”

  The party was Hugh’s idea? Interesting.

  Hugh sucked an olive off the toothpick. “You have a beautiful home and a welcoming presence. Those are tools in your arsenal that need to be used more often.”

  “It was a good party,” the mayor agreed. “Chief Fox even brought his aunt.” She took another sip of wine. “He must like me well enough to bring an out-of-town relative to my party.”

  Hugh wagged a finger. “Chief Fox is very popular. You need to keep him in your pocket.”

  The mayor bristled. “He’s not in my pocket. He’s a friend and an excellent chief of police.”

  “And it doesn’t hurt that he’s very close to our resident FBI agent. She’s another asset you shouldn’t be afraid to use.”

  I tensed. Hugh made it clear he suspected there was something romantic between the chief and me, but he had no proof and I had to keep it that way. The werewolf was the kind of supernatural who would hold the knowledge over my head. He always seemed to have an agenda.

  “It’s nice to see another woman in a position of power,” the mayor said. “We need to support each other.”

  “Do you think she will?” Hugh asked. “Support you, that is?”

  The mayor eyed the bread longingly. “I don’t see why not. We get along.”

  “You need to keep it that way, at least through the next election.”

  The mayor leaned back against the chair and studied him. “Let’s cut to the chase, shall we? What do you hope to gain from helping me? We’ve been meeting for months and you’ve yet to show your hand.”

  Hugh licked his lips. “Isn’t it obvious? I’d like a position in your cabinet.”

  I gasped and quickly clamped a hand over my mouth.

  Hugh twitched and glanced in my direction. There were too many competing smells in the air now. It was doubtful he’d be able to sniff out my presence.

  The server returned to take their order and their conversation came to an abrupt halt. I waited on pins and needles to hear the rest of the conversation.

  Once the server walked away, Hugh placed his napkin on his lap and said, “I’d like to be the deputy mayor.”

  I balked. Hugh as the deputy mayor? Why? He already served on the supernatural council and we had Husbourne as our double agent. What did he hope to gain?

  “I don’t think that’s too much to ask,” Hugh continued. “Do you?”

  Mayor Whitehead picked up her wine glass, her focus fixed on the bread basket. I had a feeling whatever diet she was on wasn’t going to last.

  “I’ll consider it,” she said.

  Hugh grinned. “That’s all I ask.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chophouse was busier than usual tonight. I noticed a long table set up for a 50th anniversary dinner and another couple celebrating an engagement. No doubt my cousin Rafael would be in the weeds until closing.

  I maneuvered past the tables and servers to look for the warlock in the kitchen. I spotted him lecturing three employees in white jackets. Each face looked greener than the next.

  “You never cease to amaze me, Adam,” Rafael said.

  The employee in the middle offered a hesitant smile. “Thank you, Chef.”

  “You seem to get less talented with each attempt.”

  Adam’s pleased expression crumpled.

  “Ask me how you can do better,” Rafael said.

  Adam puffed out his chest. “How can I do better, Chef?”

  “You can start by learning how to use a knife properly. I’ve seen arthritic women hold a barbell with more skill. I’ve seen preschoolers hopped up on candy hold scissors with a steadier hand. I’ve seen…”

  The color drained from Adam’s face. “I get the idea, Chef.”

  “Do you?” Rafael picked up the knife from the chopping board and held it up to the light. “This beauty needs to be handled by a chef with unerring confidence. Someone who understands which blade to choose when chopping a toe of frog versus dicing a lizard’s leg.”

  The woman next to Adam suppressed a laugh. Rafael stopped talking and glared at her.

  “Something amusing, Susan?”

  Susan blinked rapidly, as though surprised by the question. “Well, your examples, sir.”

  Rafael inched closer to her face, still holding the knife. “And what’s amusing about them?”

  Susan leaned back slightly, radiating fear. “Nothing, sir.”

  My cousin seemed to be breaking under the stress of a busy evening at the restaurant. I had to drag him away from these poor, unsus
pecting humans before he decided to demonstrate his prowess on an eye of newt.

  I stood behind the warlock and whispered in his ear, “Come with me if you want to live.”

  His whole body froze.

  “Oh, it’s me, Eden.”

  Rafael set down the knife. “Practice while I’m gone. When I return, I expect you to be competent with that knife. I’ll test you by having you trim each other’s nose hairs with it.”

  He turned and crossed the kitchen to the walk-in pantry. I trailed behind him and closed the door.

  “I wasn’t sure if you’d come tonight,” Rafael said, his fearsome persona melting away. “Julie told me about your situation.”

  I knew I shouldn’t be surprised. News traveled fast in my family.

  “Who told Julie?”

  “Thora said you’re glitching.”

  I grimaced. “We don’t know what’s happening.” Nor was she supposed to tell anyone.

  “Is there anything I can do?” Concern furrowed his brow.

  “Are you familiar with any conditions or spells that might cause this?”

  “You don’t think it’s a glitch?” he asked.

  “I honestly don’t know. I’m trying to explore all the options at this point.” I’d keep the conversation with Neville to myself. No need to worry anyone that I might have a fury-style meltdown or cease to exist.

  “You know as well as I do that there are plenty of spells that cause invisibility, but what would be the point of that when you already possess that ability?”

  I glanced at the shelf at eye-level to see rows of cans lined up in alphabetical order. “Have you always alphabetized your inventory?”

  “No, it had been by color, but a couple of employees are red-green color blind, so that system didn’t work for us.” He turned a can of kidney beans so the label faced front. “Will you be rescheduling your housewarming? Julie and Meg are looking forward to seeing the barn.”

  “I will, but it’s not exactly a priority at the moment.”

  “Understandable.” He leaned a hand on a nearby shelf. “Have you experienced any other unstable traits?”

  “You mean does my snake hair have a mind of its own?”

  He wore a vague smile. “That image is more amusing than it should be.”

  “I’ve been able to control everything else.”

  “Did you overuse your invisibility prior to getting stuck?”

  “No. I woke up like this after the mayor’s party. I never overuse my traits.”

  He drummed his fingers on the shelf, thinking. “That’s true. If anything, you underutilize them.”

  I smiled. “You really are family, aren’t you?”

  “And you haven’t accrued any new traits since you’ve been stuck?”

  “Not yet.” Although that fear was never far from my thoughts.

  His dark eyes seemed to assess invisible me. “I doubt this is a breakdown of your system. I’m inclined to think this is an outside influence.”

  “But it makes no sense. Like you said, I can already make myself invisible. How does this help anyone?”

  He sighed. “I wish I knew.”

  His phone beeped. “It’s time for your meeting.”

  “I should probably get in there. Thanks for your help.”

  “Good luck, Eden.”

  I made my way to the private room that Rafael reserved for the supernatural council meetings. Everyone was present except Hugh, although I knew he’d be along shortly. As intriguing as his meeting with the mayor was, I was relieved to know it had nothing to do with my current state. I didn’t love the idea of Hugh as deputy mayor, though. That was a development I’d be keeping an eye on. Although I understood the mayor’s desire to form alliances with influential residents, she could do better than Hugh Phelps.

  I sat in the empty chair next to Chief Fox and slid a hand across his thigh. He shifted his leg over and shot a quizzical look at the empty space beside him.

  “I really hope that’s you, Eden,” he whispered.

  “Where’s Eden?” Adele LeRoux asked. She stretched her elegant neck to peer around the room.

  “I’m here,” I said.

  The other members of the council looked baffled as they surveyed the room for me.

  “She’s invisible,” Chief Fox added.

  The door swung open and Hugh staggered in. From his awkward gait, I’d wager he stopped by the bar for another martini before he left the other restaurant. He dropped into the chair opposite me.

  Aggie smiled. “I remember when Eden first discovered she could turn invisible. What an exciting time. So much mischief to be had.”

  “Eden, my darlin’, why are you invisible now?” Husbourne asked.

  “Because I can’t seem to make myself visible again,” I admitted. “But Neville and I are working on it.”

  Adele toyed with her string of pearls. “How long have you been stuck like this?”

  “Since Sunday morning,” I said.

  “Sunday morning? Why didn’t you report this sooner?” Hugh asked.

  “Because I thought I could resolve it quickly, but I haven’t been able to.” It hurt to say the words out loud. “I can’t figure out if it’s a glitch or due to outside interference.”

  Adele gave me a pointed look. “Or inside interference. Have you spoken to your family?”

  “It’s not my family,” I said firmly.

  “No, they would’ve admitted it,” Aggie said. “They’d want you to know they bested you.”

  “It has to be a supernatural,” Husbourne said. “They’re the only ones with the ability and the knowledge.”

  Aggie’s brow creased. “But unlikely to be a vampire or a werewolf unless they’ve hired someone or bought a spell.”

  “But why invisibility?” Chief Fox asked. “It seems like a strange choice.”

  “Seems more like a prank,” Husbourne agreed.

  “Not a very funny one,” I said.

  “I always wanted the power of invisibility,” Hugh mused.

  “Turn yourself into a middle-aged woman and you’ll get your wish,” Adele said.

  “The whole experience lost its shine pretty quickly,” I said. “I’m ready to be back to normal.”

  “Have you thought about a reversal spell?” Adele asked. “Husbourne or I could give it a try.”

  “I’m open to any ideas at this point,” I said. I omitted Neville’s research results. I didn’t want to give anyone the idea of locking me up for my own good.

  “Let me text Corinne and see if she’s free later,” Adele said.

  “Power of three would be better,” Hugh said. “Might want to include Rosalie.”

  I cringed. Hugh knew perfectly well that Rosalie couldn’t always be trusted in these situations. She wasn’t the most competent witch and Adele knew it, although she rarely acknowledged her daughter’s shortcomings. She was pretty much the opposite of my mother.

  Adele glared at him. “I won’t tell you how to be a werewolf and you won’t tell me how to be a witch. Capisce?”

  Hugh chuckled. “Wasn’t meant to be an insult.”

  “Any other new business?” I asked, hoping to divert attention away from my plight.

  “Can we talk about the tremors?” Husbourne asked. “Do we have any sense of whether these are natural or supernatural in origin?”

  “They have been a nuisance, haven’t they?” Adele said. “I was at the hair salon when one hit. The scissors came dangerously close to my face.”

  “I assume Agent Fury has checked the usual places,” Hugh said.

  “I have. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

  “That’s good,” Adele said.

  “They’re not as unusual here as people think,” I said. “There was an earthquake as recently as 2011. A magnitude of 5.8. A few more minor ones.”

  “Have there been reports of injuries or property damage?” Husbourne asked.

  Chief Fox shook his head. “No, they’ve been too minor. It’s not
easy to anticipate them, though. There’s no warning.”

  Hugh raised a finger. “Actually, there has been. My wife and I both felt a shift before they happened.”

  Yes, that made sense. Wolves would be sensitive to the tremors the way animals seemed to anticipate storms and other weather events before humans detected them.

  “If you sense anything again, call me immediately,” I said.

  Hugh nodded. “We might be able to identify the source if we get out there quickly enough. I can assemble a pack on short notice.”

  “Thanks. That would be helpful.” Hugh was probably more useful than one of Neville’s gadgets in this instance.

  We wrapped up the meeting with a discussion about Mrs. Abernathy’s petition to place a ward around her property line to keep out a gang of raccoons. Apparently she’d discovered a ruined hammock and a messy fire pit after local wildlife took over her backyard and wanted to take extreme measures to prevent a return visit.

  “It would be different if she wanted a ward to keep out supernaturals, but raccoons are part of the human realm,” Husbourne said. “I don’t think we should allow it.”

  “So you think she should be able to ward her property if she wanted to keep out werewolves?” Hugh asked.

  “I believe we’ve approved such petitions in the past,” Husbourne replied. “Some werewolves have a tendency to leave a trail of destruction in their animal state. Present company excepted, of course.”

  “We’d be happy to take care of her raccoon problem,” Hugh said. “No magic required.”

  “No,” I said quickly. The thought of innocent raccoons being hunted by a pack of wolves turned my stomach.

  “I’ll deal with Mrs. Abernathy,” Adele said. Her offer seemed to resolve the issue and the meeting was adjourned.

  “Aunt Wili has plans tonight if you’re free,” the chief whispered.

  I laughed. “Are you sure she’s in town to visit you?”

  “What can I say? She’s a social butterfly.”

  “I would love to, but I can’t,” I said. “I’m sorry. I need to figure this out.”

  I was even sorrier that I couldn’t spend time with his aunt. I’d planned to ply her full of alcohol during her visit and encourage her to share all her nephew’s embarrassing childhood stories.