Halo Effect

by Annabel Chase

  We bypassed the ticket booths and entered a floral wonderland. Not only did the festival look amazing, it smelled amazing. Diana stirred as though aware of the change in surroundings.

  “I don’t know where to start,” I said.

  “Here’s a guide,” he said, handing me a colorful booklet. “All we need to do is follow the pathways.”

  I flipped through the information that included a list of exhibitors as well as marketplace vendors.

  “What’s the Balcony Brunch?”

  “One of my genius ideas,” Daniel said. “Don’t worry. I reserved us a table, so all we need to do is show up.” His gaze swept the grounds. “I can’t wait to hear what you think.”

  Daniel’s excitement was contagious and I found myself feeling energized by the stunning horticultural displays. As someone who routinely killed plants despite my best efforts, I felt inspired to try again. Maybe I’d pick up a few tips by osmosis.

  “The Mediterranean theme was inspired,” I said. “I feel like we’re on the Riviera.”

  Rays of sunlight drenched the displays, accentuating their vibrant colors. The exhibits were designed to look like regular gardens that we happened to be passing through.

  “Wait until you see the rose garden,” Daniel said. “It’s my favorite.”

  “You’ve thought of everything,” I said. There was even an education zone for children.

  Mayor Lucy Langtree fluttered over to greet us. “Daniel Starr, I am beyond impressed. And hello to you, gorgeous.” The fairy crouched down to kiss Diana’s forehead and an image of Gareth flashed in my mind screaming about germs. “You’ve exceeded my expectations.”

  “How much have you seen so far?” Daniel asked.

  “Maybe half. I think it will be impossible to cover all of it today,” Lucy said. “Honestly, all I want to do now is throw down a blanket in one of those gardens and enjoy a glass of wine and a good book.”

  I gazed longingly at the gardens currently surrounding us. “An idea for next year, right?”

  Daniel bobbed his head with enthusiasm. “I’ll make a note.”

  The mayor fluttered away to chat with the incoming stream of visitors. Her style was so different from Mayor Knightsbridge, who’d been far less accessible.

  “Oh, wow.” I stopped the stroller in front of a grove of citrus trees. “This is incredible.”

  Daniel beamed with pride. “It’s like we’ve been transported to Italy.”

  I reached out and touched one of the lemons. “I thought it might be an illusion.”

  “Nope. Everything on display is real.”

  “I don’t know about that,” a voice said. “I passed a petite fairy with boobs so big they threw off her equilibrium.”

  I smiled broadly at my Gorgon assistant. “Althea. I didn’t know you’d be here.”

  “Just a quick stroll before I go to the office.” Althea observed me with caution. “Is it safe for you to be here?”

  “What do you think will happen?”

  “I don’t know, but I’ve seen what happens to the plants in your office.” She motioned to the exhibits. “This could end in a massacre.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” I surveyed the landscape. “Let’s check out the marketplace. Maybe I’ll get a few ideas for our garden.”

  “Sounds like delusions of grandeur,” Althea said, “but you go ahead.”

  A dwarf waved to Daniel from his exhibit, calling him over.

  “Duty calls,” Daniel said.

  “Well, he’s smiling. Whatever it is, it can’t be that bad.”

  “I don’t want to subject you to tourism board business.” He leaned down and kissed me. “How about I meet you at the Balcony Brunch at 11:30? It’s on the map in the brochure.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Daniel trotted over to talk to the dwarf and Althea and I continued onward, admiring the designs.

  “I’ll be bringing a few of these babies home with me today,” Althea said.

  “What about something for the office?” I asked.

  She cast me a sidelong glance. “I’ll consider it.”

  “Daniel says the roses are amazing.”

  Althea grunted. “Roses are for chumps. I’ll stick with the more interesting flowers, thanks.”

  “Well, I’m heading to the rose garden now, so you might want to pick another pathway if you’re not interested.”

  Althea sniffed the air. “I’ll be in the field of lavender if you need me.”

  I continued forward, although it wasn’t easy to maneuver the stroller through the throng of bodies. I spotted the Starry Hollow contingency at the entrance to the marketplace section and switched pathways to get to them.

  “You’re up early,” I said.

  Florian rubbed the back of his neck. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m still up late.”

  You’d never know it to look at him. The wizard looked like he stepped out of the pages of a magazine.

  “What do you think?” I asked.

  Florian shook his head in amazement. “I’m completely gobsmacked. I didn’t know what to expect, but it wasn’t anything as brilliant as this.”

  “Same,” Ember said. “I thought I’d be describing lots of flowers for my article and sending myself into a coma, but there’s so much more to it.”

  “Daniel will be thrilled to hear that,” I said. “Where’s Marley?”

  Ember pointed across the gardens. “There’s an edible area. Marley followed Raoul to make sure he didn’t raze it to the ground.”

  “I’m so inspired,” Florian said. “I can’t wait to start a project like this at home. We just need the right space for it.”

  “True. The beach won’t work,” Ember said. “Maybe the grounds of Thornhold. They’re certainly expansive enough.”

  Florian snorted. “Do you really think Mother would agree to let commoners trample her land?”

  “Good point.” Ember caught sight of something in the distance. “Oh, there’s the elf we wanted to interview about his garden. We’ll catch up with you later.”

  “Have fun,” I said.

  I continued to the marketplace, ignoring my sore feet. I recognized many of the stallholders—the garden shops were offering goods and services, the potion shop was selling herbs, and Trinkets featured garden-related gifts. There were even stalls for nonprofit organizations like Elves for Earth and Healers without Borders.

  “Would you sign my petition?” a friendly voice asked.

  I turned to see a man with unruly hair squashed under a baseball cap and a red rose in his lapel. The front of his stall was an enlarged image of an unfamiliar creature. Save the Tangi was written in rainbow letters across the top.

  “What’s a tangi?” I asked. “I’ve never heard of it.”

  “Oh, a wondrous creature,” he said, brightening. “Intelligent and curious.” He inclined his head toward Diana. “We want to make sure they can be admired for generations to come.”

  “What’s the petition for?” I asked. As a lawyer, I was in the habit of reading the fine print of everything I signed, much to the chagrin of Spellbound bureaucrats.

  “Sadly, their numbers have been dwindling for decades and they’re now endangered. They’re forest-dwellers that require a certain climate in order to reproduce and thrive. I’m hoping to get enough signatures to qualify for federal funding.”

  “What’s their connection to rainbows?” I asked. In addition to the letters on the sign, there was a flag bearing the image of the tangi with a rainbow as the background.

  “That’s their unique trait,” he said. “They create rainbows.”

  Diana gurgled as though delighted by this information.

  “How is that possible?” I asked.

  “It’s the gas they emit,” he explained. “When it’s released into the atmosphere, the interaction with oxygen and carbon dioxide creates a rainbow.”

  I frowned. “When you say ‘emit,’ do you mean…?” I wasn’t sure how to put
it.

  “They fart rainbows, yes.” His expression remained solemn. “So obviously you can understand how imperative it is that we save them from extinction.”

  “An animal doesn’t need to fart rainbows to deserve the right to exist,” I said. “Where’s the petition? I’ll sign it.”

  He broke into a relieved smile. “Yes, I feel very much the same. Thank you so much. And the tangi thanks you as well.”

  I scanned the petition. “You’re Professor Wallis?”

  “That’s right. Earned my undergraduate degree from Rainbow Falls and my graduate degree from Valerian University. I started the Tangi Foundation while working on my thesis and have been with the organization ever since.”

  “Sure sounds like you’re passionate about the cause.” I scribbled my signature on the petition. It felt strange to use a regular pen when I’d grown so accustomed to quills.

  “I’ve dedicated my life to their survival,” he said.

  I glanced at my daughter in the stroller. “I know how that feels. What made you decide to raise awareness at the festival?”

  “I keep an eye on regional news for any outdoor-themed events,” he said. “I figure paranormals with an interest in nature are more inclined to see my point of view.”

  “Makes sense,” I said.

  “Gods above, would you look at what the flowers spit out?”

  There was only one paranormal in town with the quintessential voice of an old witch.

  “Hello, Agnes,” I said, swiveling to greet her. “I’m surprised to see you here.”

  “Care Home field trip,” the elderly witch said. “They seem to think because we’re old that we enjoy gardening. If I’m going to be on my knees doing something I enjoy, I’d rather be…”

  I clamped a hand over her mouth and smiled awkwardly at Professor Wallis. “It was nice to meet you. Good luck with the petition.”

  Agnes bit down on my hand and I let her go. “Freedom of expression is paramount to a free society,” she said.

  “You express yourself quite enough.” I pushed the stroller forward and Agnes shuffled beside me. “Don’t you have anyone supervising you while you’re out?”

  She cackled. “What’s the matter? Afraid I’ll make a run for the border?”

  “I’m afraid you might get your hands on a wand and wreak havoc at Daniel’s event, yes.”

  “Your feathered husband organized this shindig?” she asked.

  I bristled. “He’s not a chicken. Anyway, I told you when I last visited that he was in the final stretch of organizing the festival.”

  “I probably zoned out the second you mentioned his name. He’s not exactly the most exciting paranormal on the planet.”

  “I didn’t realize that someone had to be exciting in order for you to pay attention.”

  Agnes smiled at Diana. “I’ll pay attention to this little cherub any day of the week. Her diapers are more exciting than anything the Flying Potato has to offer.”

  “Shouldn’t you be with a group? Where’s Silas?”

  She grimaced. “I’m with those living prunes every day of the week. Let me have a little breathing room. It’s good for my mental health.”

  “Have you seen the gardens yet?”

  “No, we got dropped at the marketplace entrance, but I’m heading that way now. I hear there’s edibles.”

  I rolled my eyes. “It’s not what you think.”

  “Oh.” She didn’t bother to hide her disappointment. “Well, I’m sure I’ll find something that interests me.”

  I caught the wicked gleam in her eye. “No magical herbs, Agnes. You know the rules.”

  “Rules don’t apply outside the Care Home,” she shot back. “When in a Mediterranean garden, do as they do.” She shrugged. “I guess that means walking around half naked and getting drunk on wine.”

  I closed my eyes. “Please restrain yourself.” Speaking of wine, it was almost time for brunch. “I hate to leave you on your own, but Diana and I have a reservation and we can’t be late.”

  Agnes raised her brow. “I see a fine specimen over by the garden equipment. I think I’ll go ask him about the size of his hose.”

  “Good-bye, Agnes. Try to behave.” I turned the stroller and went in search of Daniel.

  The Balcony Brunch was a makeshift restaurant set up on a balcony constructed for the festival. The dining area overlooked the citrus grove and every table was positioned to have a view.

  “This is meant to transport the diners to the Mediterranean,” Daniel said, as the hostess guided us to our table next to a rose-covered trellis.

  I inhaled the sweet scent of the roses. “I might never want to leave.”

  Two menus were already on the table. Each dish was inspired by food from Italy, Greece, or France. I was sorely tempted to order every item on the menu and bring home the leftovers for the rest of the week.

  “I can’t believe how amazing this festival is,” I said. Now I understood why Florian was interested in scoping it out for Starry Hollow. Every town should have one.

  “I’m sorry I’ve been working so much lately, but I’ll be able to take time off once this is over.”

  “You don’t have to apologize,” I said. “I can see how much work you put into this and it’s really paid off.”

  He leaned across the table and kissed me. “Thank you. This wouldn’t have been possible without your support.”

  I smiled. “Just remember that the next time neither of us wants to get up in the night to change a diaper.”

  A waiter delivered two flutes of prosecco to the table.

  “It isn’t bucksberry fizz,” I exclaimed.

  “Not here,” Daniel said. “We had to stick to the theme.”

  “Ugh,” I said and averted my gaze. “Red alert.”

  Daniel grinned. “Very few paranormals elicit that kind of response from my sweet wife. Let me guess—Limpet?”

  I shook my head but said nothing. I prayed she didn’t see me.

  “Emma, how nice to see you.”

  Too late. I looked up and beamed at the wererat like she was my long-lost sister. “Josie, what a pleasant surprise. How are you enjoying the festival?”

  “It’s amazing.” Josie Magill shifted her gaze to Daniel. “Kudos to you and your team. This event is worthy of a major city.”

  “How’s the new office?” I asked.

  Josie had taken over my position during maternity leave, but she wasn’t too keen to share the role after I returned to work. After a brief attempt to work together, she recently opted to strike out on her own as a general practice attorney. I can’t say I lost any sleep over the unexpected development.

  “It’s great.” Josie clasped her hands together. “I’m dabbling in so many areas. I like the challenge of constantly learning new things.”

  “I’m glad it worked out,” I said. Josie’s personality didn’t mesh with mine or Althea’s, so I was happy she found another way forward. As much as I preferred to get along with everyone, it wasn’t always possible.

  “I’m working on a real estate contract, a will, a vendor agreement—all sorts of matters.” The wererat faced Daniel. “If you ever need someone to draft contracts for exhibitors or anything to do with town events, feel free to hit me up.”

  “I’ll keep you in mind,” Daniel said.

  “I’ll let you two get back to your meal.” She hustled to her table where a friend awaited her.

  “Do we have a will?” Daniel asked, glancing at Diana.

  “Do you think we need one? You’re an angel and I’m a sorceress. We’re not in danger of popping our clogs anytime soon.”

  “We’re not invincible, though,” he said. “We have Diana now. Maybe we should think about it. At the very least we should assign a guardian for her in case something happens to us.”

  The mere prospect of being ripped away from my daughter unexpectedly caused my heart to skip a beat.

  “Any chance we can discuss this another time?” I asked. �
�I’d like to enjoy the meal without pondering my child becoming an orphan.”

  He reached for my hand across the table. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  I squeezed his hand. “No, you’re right. It’s important and we need to deal with it, no matter how uncomfortable it makes me.”

  “Obviously, I have no family except the two of you,” Daniel said. “Any suggestions for a guardian?”

  That was a tough question. Until recently, I had no family aside from Daniel and Diana either. My father was a demigod, though, and one with a questionable history. Calix had plundered enough villages to make Genghis Khan squeamish. Although he seemed to have softened over the centuries, I wasn’t sure that I trusted him enough to leave Diana in his care.

  “I think the answer is to not let anything bad happen to either one of us.” There. That solved the problem.

  A sympathetic smile touched Daniel’s lips. “The whole point of this document is to cover the unexpected. We’re not planning to go anywhere, but won’t you sleep better knowing that Diana will be well-cared for in the unlikely event something happens to us?”

  “I rarely sleep well.”

  “Emma, you’re missing the point.”

  I leaned back against the chair. “I’m not. I’m just avoiding the point.”

  “I’m not supposed to be the practical one in this relationship,” he said.

  I fiddled with my fork. “We both have our moments. What about Gareth and Magpie? They make a formidable team.”

  Daniel barked a short laugh. “Your vampire ghost roommate and his hellbeast cannot be the legal guardians for our child. No one else would be able to see or hear Gareth except Diana.”

  “We have loads of money,” I said. “We could create a trust and use the money to hire a psychic to interpret Gareth when necessary.”

  Daniel shook his head in disbelief. “Listen to yourself, Emma. That’s absurd.”

  “Do you have a better idea? I don’t think Agnes is up for the job. Lucy won’t be mayor forever, but she’s so goal-oriented…I’m not sure she’d give Diana the attention she needs. Maybe Begonia and Demetrius, but it’s such a big ask.”