by TJ Green
Alex normally stayed in the flat when Avery went to work, popping in only occasionally. “I’m very good, thanks! We had a fun time last night.”
“I know what that means,” Dan said knowingly. He leaned back against the kitchen counter looking pleased with himself. “You must have had as good a night as us.”
Avery sat on a chair at the table, feeling like she knew what they were going to say already. “Really? What happened?”
“Sex! Lots of it.” Dan sighed, looking into the distance, and Avery tried not to think about what he might be seeing.
Alex helped himself to a cup of coffee, and as he fixed it, asked, “So who was the lucky lady?”
“Her name is Caroline. We’ve been out a couple of times, she’s a friend of a friend, but well, last night, things just took off!” Dan grinned again. “I’m seeing her again tonight!”
“And what about you, Sally?” Avery asked, pleased that she and Sam appeared to have resolved their differences of a couple of days ago. “Dan said, ‘us.’”
She laughed. “Sam and I also had a night of unbridled passion such as we haven’t had in years! Thank the Gods he’s had the snip, because I don’t want any more kids!”
Alex glanced at Avery, his eyebrows raised, and then asked, “Do you think it felt like normal passion, or something else?”
“Why?” Sally said, looking between them suspiciously. “Oh, wait, the Green Man?”
“The Goddess, actually,” Avery said, accepting a cup of coffee from Alex, who was now making a drink for everyone. “We were walking home from the pub, passing through the square, when she swept through—and wow, just wow! We both experienced absolutely blinding, primal passion, and literally ran home. I wonder what the other people felt there.”
“True,” Alex said. “I didn’t even stop to look. Where were you two?”
“We’d just got to her place,” Dan said, frowning. “She lives in a flat at the top of town. Now that you mention it, it did seem to happen really quickly, you know, that flare of desire. At the time I put it down to me being absolutely charming, but now I’m not so sure.”
“We were at home, already in bed,” Sally admitted. “I was knackered, and so was Sam. The kids had been playing up, and all we wanted to do was sleep. And then, we didn’t! And I think that’s all I need to say,” she said, her cheeks dimpling as she smiled.
Dan sighed heavily. “Damn it! Does this mean my charm was not the reason for my great night?”
Avery tried to reassure him. “I’m sure it was part of it.”
“I wonder if this is going to happen more frequently over the next couple of weeks,” Alex mused. “I’ll ring the others before I go to work later. I want to know what they experienced last night.” They all knew he meant El, Reuben, and Briar. He headed to the door that led to the stairs and Avery’s flat. “In the meantime, I’ll see if there’s anything interesting on the news.”
After he left, Avery said, “I’d like to get out to the garden today. I want to put some hawthorn in the shop, for protection. I think it might be wise. As long as we’re not busy, of course.” She glanced out of the tiny window that looked onto the lane at the back of the shop and the high wall of her garden beyond it. Above was only bright blue sky. “It’s going to be lovely today—perfect gardening weather!”
“Head out there now,” Sally suggested. “The first couple of hours are always quiet. Just cover us for lunch. And then you can tell us what happened at the council meeting!”
Avery grinned. “Will do, thank you!” And without waiting another second, she headed outside.
The morning was bright and fresh, and for the next few hours Avery worked tirelessly, weeding the garden, clearing leaves, and pruning, pleased to see the garden busting with life.
She didn’t stop until Alex appeared with a cup of tea and a tin of biscuits. “I saw you from upstairs,” he said, smiling. “You’ve made good progress. I would have helped, but I’ve been doing the pub’s accounts.”
“That’s fine,” she said, accepting the drink gratefully, and taking a cookie. They sat at the wooden garden table in a patch of sun, and she asked, “Any news from the others?”
“They experienced the same thing as us, as did Reuben’s employees up at Greenlane Nurseries. Hot, unbridled lust swept over White Haven last night! Although,” he added, dunking his biscuit in his tea, “it sounds as if the intensity of those feelings varied, depending where you were. The centre of town sounds the most intense. I think we were at the epicentre!”
Avery nodded as she gazed around at the verdant lushness of the garden, unable to forget the heady and overpowering feelings of the night before, although it had a dreamlike quality now. “I think you’re right. I almost feel that by naming the Goddess—recognising that she was there with us—I set it off. Is that nuts?”
“Maybe?” Alex gazed absently around the garden, too. “Although, I’m not sure we really influence her actions.”
“No, I guess not,” Avery admitted.
“And there’s more,” Alex said quietly. “I watched the news this morning. That reporter, Sarah Rutherford, you know the blonde one? She’s been in town interviewing Rupert about his ghost-come-occult tour. He’s starting it next week, Monday morning actually.”
Alex was referring to Rupert who owned the House of Spirits in West Haven. They’d investigated it with the three paranormal investigators before the winter solstice the previous year, finding that it was linked to a vampire. Rupert had no idea about the vampires, but he did know all about the house’s occult history and that it had been owned by a medium. It was the reason he’d bought it. None of the witches really liked him, or his wife, Charlotte.
Avery groaned. “I haven’t seen him for a while and I’d hoped his bloody tour had blown over.”
“No such luck. According to the report he had a few things to do before it got approved, but the council have signed it off now.” He rolled his eyes. “Stan, of course, is all for it, and they were interviewed together. They reckon it’s perfect timing with Beltane only a few days away.”
“I suppose they’re right. Did he say where the tour will go?”
“It will focus on a couple of things.” He paused, watching her carefully. “Helena and her history in the town, her burning at the stake, of course, and the general history of witchcraft in the town. And the ghost walk that happened after Samhain last year.”
Avery knew she was worrying unnecessarily, but she hated the fact that her ancestor would be the subject of interest for other people, and she knew it would draw unwanted attention to her. She chewed her lip, trying not to swear, but failed. “Shit! I’m so annoyed about this, but if I complain it will look weird!”
Alex leaned forward and squeezed her hand. “It will. It’s best to let it play out, and just go along with it.”
“Did he say what his itinerary would be?”
“He’ll be running evening and daytime tours, so I think it varies. Essentially, it will start up at Old Haven Church because of Suzanna’s weird witch signs that appeared there at Samhain—Rupert’s got a van, apparently! Then they go to the castle, and then it will work its way down the street, a walking portion, stopping outside Penny Lane Bistro, the town hall where Helena and the other women were tried for witchcraft, past your shop at some point, and then ending up at the witch museum. I think the grand finale will be the House of Spirits.” Alex sighed. “He’s done his homework about Helena—where she lived, got married... Oh, and of course, he’ll be going past all the new-age shops too, though that’s more for his daytime tour.”
“I suppose at least my shop won’t be singled out, but I still don’t like it,” Avery admitted.
“It won’t be. I think Briar and El’s shops are included, too. Think of it as good publicity. Maybe you should capitalise on Helena. I know you don’t like to advertise your relationship with her, but at least you get to own it that way.”
Avery shook her head. “It feels cheap. I don’t like
to think of her as an attraction. ”
“And she’s likely to turn up in your shop for revenge.” Alex grinned, and she knew he was trying to cheer her up. “That would put your shop on the map!”
“Don’t even suggest that as a joke!” Avery finished her tea, and reached for one more biscuit. “I haven’t seen Helena for a couple of weeks actually, have you?”
“No.” He frowned. “She’s suspiciously quiet. I wonder if she’s affected by Beltane magic?”
“Who knows what affects Helena.” Avery stood up, feeling unexpectedly rattled, and suddenly the bright spring morning wasn’t as cheerful as it had been. “I’m going to carry on, because I said I’d relieve the others for lunch.”
Alex gathered the cups and biscuit tin and stood, too. “I’m heading down to the pub soon, but I’ll see you about seven hopefully. Fingers crossed for a quiet night.”
“Let’s hope. I’ll cook.” Avery kissed him goodbye and returned to her gardening.
***
When Avery entered Happenstance Books at lunchtime, she was laden with hawthorn branches, and she placed them in a large vase full of water to keep them fresh before finding Sally and Dan in the shop. They had already heard the news about Rupert’s occult tour of White Haven, and Sally was seething.
“How dare he try to make a profit out of those women’s misery,” she said, referring to the women who had died as a result of the trials.
“And the men,” Dan pointed out. “It wasn’t all women who were accused by that madman, the Witchfinder General.”
Avery leaned on the window frame and gazed out at the street beyond, watching the bunting bob in the breeze. “Alex said I should take advantage of it and reclaim Helena, but I’m not so sure.”
Sally walked over from behind the counter and stood next to her. “What do you mean by reclaim? Like clear her name of black magic? That might actually be a good idea!”
Avery looked at her, confused. “I don’t think he meant that. I think he meant just to embrace her as my ancestor, seeing as I normally keep it quiet. But,” she paused as an idea began to form, “that might not be a bad idea!”
Sally began to look excited, too. “Happenstance Books is already seen as an occult bookshop as well as just a normal one, but I could do some kind of display—you know, something that highlights what witchcraft really is, display books on the cunning folk, talk about herbal remedies and healing, the role of those people in the town before doctors were so widely available and cheap. That would be a really positive thing to do. You could still have the tarot cards and all your other occult books, but just try to demystify the whole thing.”
By then, Dan had joined them, and he also looked intrigued. “That’s a great idea! Layman’s books on witchcraft. They’d probably sell really well. And now I’ve had an even better idea!”
Avery and Sally both turned to look at him, and Sally asked, “What?”
“We’ll do what we did at Christmas and Halloween. I’ll set up a reading corner and use an afternoon next week to talk about Beltane, as well as witchcraft. I’ll put up a poster, try and coincide it for either the same day as Rupert’s tour, or the days after it. What do you think?”
“I’m thinking why the hell didn’t we think of this before!” Sally said, her excitement infectious. “Avery, are you happy with this?”
Avery grinned. “Yes I am, actually! It will be a really positive thing to do.”
“Great.” Sally grabbed Dan’s arm. “Come with me, and let’s scope out an area of the shop we can use. I think we should use the occult section, of course, but we could move the bookcases, maybe put everything under the window with the Green Man and the Goddess...”
Sally’s excited chatter faded as she and Dan were swallowed up in the shop’s interior, and Avery breathed a sigh of relief, wondering for the umpteenth time what she’d do without them.
8
When Avery and Alex arrived at El’s apartment on Friday evening, they found it filled with candles and dramatic arrangements of flowers, and with music playing loudly. The windows were open, allowing in fresh evening air, and the table was decorated with elegant plates and glassware.
“Wow!” Avery said as she stepped through the door, shrugging off her jacket. “This looks amazing!”
“Thanks,” El said, beaming at her. “Sometimes I really enjoy going a bit nuts for dinner!”
Reuben was in the open kitchen, wearing an apron over his board shorts and t-shirt. “She’s had me slaving over a hot stove all day!”
“Liar!” El said, rounding on him. “You’ve only been here for an hour!”
He groaned. “It feels like all day!”
“Men,” El said to Avery, rolling her eyes, before turning back to Reuben. “At least get our guests some drinks!”
Alex had joined him in the kitchen, already putting some beer into the fridge, and Reuben grinned at him. “Women!”
Avery accepted a glass of wine from Reuben, and leaving Alex and Reuben chatting, headed to the window to look at the view. “You’re so lucky to look onto the harbour, El.” El’s apartment was on the fourth floor of a renovated warehouse on the quay.
The tide was in and the harbour was crowded with sailing and fishing boats. The street lights were already on, brightening the twilight, and the shops and restaurants on the street next to the quay were still doing brisk business. Avery could smell the sharp tang of brine cutting through the aromatic scent of food.
El joined her, smiling as she looked at the people milling around below. “It’s lovely, but as you know, it costs me a small fortune.”
“It’s worth it!” Avery nodded at the people below. “It looks pretty normal out there tonight,” she observed, hoping that wouldn’t change. “Any after-effects from Wednesday?”
“Our visit from the Goddess?” El said, laughing. “Wow! That was something, wasn’t it? No, I don’t think so. We spent the night at Reuben’s last night, so of course we’re a bit out of town there.”
Reuben lived in Greenlane Manor, originally a medieval building that had been added to over the years. It was just out of White Haven, positioned on the hills above the town, and his gardens ran to the cliff edge, affording him a spectacular view of the coast. His nursery business was set in the grounds, but accessed by the lane, allowing him to keep his privacy. Reuben and El migrated between his house and her flat.
“I can’t wait to see if Shadow and Gabe experienced the Goddess,” Avery admitted, feeling both a wave of excitement and dread wash over her. “I still feel this sense of expectation in the air. I don’t know whether to be excited or not.”
El pointed down to the street. “You won’t have to wait long. They’re here.”
Gabe and Shadow were strolling along the harbour, and within a few minutes they were at the door, and Hunter and Briar arrived with them.
For a few minutes, there was a flurry of greetings while everyone shed coats and received drinks.
“Hunter!” Avery exclaimed. “I didn’t know that you would be here tonight!”
Hunter enveloped her in a hug, and Avery detected a wave of Alpha-ness rolling off him. He was a wolf-shifter who lived in Cumbria with his pack, and although he wasn’t the pack Alpha, his wolf nature meant he always seemed predatory. He was dark-haired, lean, and muscled, with a swagger that refused to be tamed. His dark eyes smouldered with a yellow glow when he was aroused or angry, but right now they looked mischievous.
“I’ve been driving all day to get here,” he told her as he sniffed appreciatively. “I couldn’t miss out on El’s cooking! Do I smell steak?”
“You certainly do,” El said, turning as she heard her name, “but it’s raw right now! I won’t cook it until we’re ready.”
“I like mine blue,” he instructed.
“No surprises there!” Avery said, laughing. Gabe was standing just behind Hunter, taking in his surroundings. “And how are you, Gabe? It’s been a while!”
Gabe’s bulk filled El’s flat
, making everything seem smaller, but there was a lightness to him that Avery hadn’t seen before. His dark brown, almost black hair had grown, softening his military manner, and he looked more relaxed.
“I’m pretty good, Avery,” he said with a nod and the hint of a smile. There was no hug from Gabe, which wasn’t a surprise. He wasn’t really a touchy-feely kind of guy. “This is a cool place.”
“I presume you haven’t been to El’s home before?”
“No. I’m intrigued as to why I’ve been invited now, to be honest.”
“Because we haven’t seen you for a while,” Avery explained. “It’s nothing sinister. You’re as suspicious as Shadow!”
“Did you call me?” Shadow said, turning around and dazzling Avery with her smile and unusual violet eyes.
“I was saying that Gabe is as suspicious as you are.”
Shadow cast Gabe a knowing glance. “He can’t help it! Neither of us can. It’s a natural predator’s state. I bet he’s the same!” She nodded to Hunter. “The wolf can’t help it, either!”
Hunter looked at her, amused. “So says the famous fey.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Famous? I like that.” She took him by the elbow and steered him across the room, and Avery heard her say, “Now, tell me about your wolf side. I feel sure you’re part fey.”
Gabe rolled his eyes at Avery. “Some things never change.”
***
Nearly two hours later they were sitting around the table, having finished starters and the main course, and they were relaxing before dessert.
Avery felt deliciously full, and she sipped her wine slowly, savouring its richness. So far they had all had a great evening, chatting about everything and nothing. Gabe was charming, and she’d watched him and Shadow banter all evening. They insulted each other more than anything, but they both seemed to enjoy it, feeding off one another. Whatever relationship they had seemed to work. Avery was pretty sure it wasn’t romantic, but there was something there. They’d talked a little bit about their work with the Orphic Guild, and had elaborated on the events at Old Haven Church, the night the dead had risen from their graves, summoned by the fey necromancer. Within days of it happening, Shadow told Reuben about seeing his brother, Gil, in the mausoleum, and although it had upset him at the time, he had now accepted it, and seemed grateful to hear that at least Gil’s body hadn’t been desecrated.