What do you want to be when you grow up? Maddie thought, recalling the old thoughts with a hidden smile. Crossing over into the Veil hadn’t given her the answer; it had only supplied the beginning of the real question. Who did she want to be? Turns out, she knew the answer all along. She just couldn’t bring herself to say it.
“I have,” she said.
Maeve folded her hands in her lap and fixed her with an impassive stare. “So, why do you want to be a witch, Madeline Foster?”
Maddie took a long breath and started talking.
“I am my mother’s daughter,” she said. “I used to think I loved my father more. He was always there for me. He helped me do my homework, and took me to the beach, and let me stay up playing video games and drink soda whenever I wanted. He gave me my childhood, but he also never taught me what it meant to grow up.
“My mother showed me what it would be like to be strong. It’s lonely, and… thankless.” Maddie choked back a pang of guilt. “I didn’t want to be anything like her, but the truth is, there’s more of her in me than anything else.”
She took out her stone knife, cut her hand, and held her bleeding palm out in front of her. “I want to be a witch,” she said, “because I have what it takes to use that power. If I don’t, all the good I might have accomplished with it goes undone, and I wasn’t raised to accept that kind of failure.”
There was a long silence while Maddie held her breath. Maeve crossed the floor to a cabinet in the corner and opened it.
“You will find your tools and supplies in here,” she said. “Ensure that they are clean whenever you put them away.”
Maddie’s wooden heart skipped a beat. The folds of a long, black robe hung inside, embroidered with a nearly invisible pattern of dark thread. Maddie tiptoed over to it and felt the thick cloth between her fingertips.
“You knew I would be back,” she said.
“I suspected,” Maeve replied.
Maddie put the robe on. A heavy mortar and pestle, a hand-cranked grinder, and a dizzying array of silver tools and glass containers shimmered in the dark. Maddie paused when her eyes fell upon a familiar steel cleaver hanging on a hook. There was a leather butcher’s apron beside it.
“Prepare yourself, apprentice,” Maeve said. “We have work do.”
The Matter at Hand
“A dinner party?” Maddie asked. “Isn’t it a little late? And I thought I was going to get another chance to do magic.”
Maeve carried on up the stairs in front of her, heading to the royal apartment. “Being a member of a royal house often entails compromise, and it is not a ‘dinner party.’ Rose is meeting with several ambassadors from the other faerie realms. Our presence is required as a matter of protocol.”
“But why?”
“They are influential members of very old cities, and their votes will determine the fate of Amaranth. Rose has been the leader of this realm for more than a hundred years. She is not about to let it slip through her fingers by failing to observe the social graces.”
“So, she wants to impress them?”
“Indeed. Rose must demonstrate that Amaranth is capable of standing on its own, against social disorder, natural disaster, political pressure, and if necessary, war.”
“Kidhe told me about that right after I got here,” Maddie said. “Do you think it will happen?”
Maeve stopped, pausing for a moment as she considered her response. “It does not appear likely,” she said, “but there are powerful parties at work, and it would be foolish to take risks.”
“So, what do I do?” Maddie asked.
“Speak when you are spoken to. You are an apprentice, and your role is to assist me. Do you understand?”
“Roger that.”
Maeve’s head snapped around, and she gave Maddie a sharp look.
She corrected herself. “Yes, mistress.” She was still getting used to the terminology.
“And the introduction I taught you?” Maeve said, cracking the door open.
“I remember, mistress.”
“We’re down here,” Rose called as they walked in. “Come join us!”
Maeve gestured for Maddie to go ahead of her, and she obeyed, standing up straight as she preceded the witch down the stairs.
“Good evening,” she said, stopping at the bottom to recite her lines. “May I present my mistress, Maeve fer Carline.”
Rose stood up along with her guests and bowed. “Welcome.”
There were two guests in attendance, gathered around what Maddie was fairly certain was an elaborate tray of raw bug slices and roasted fruit. Maddie eyed the dish warily. She’d been in the Veil long enough to know that the faeries rarely ate “normal” food, but insect sushi was over the line.
One of the guests set down her drink and came to stand in front of Maddie. A cascade of hair the color of dark roasted coffee fell to her waist. Woven bands of tartan plaid lay in folds across her dress.
“The human,” she said with an accent that rolled like wind off the hills. “And I hear you’re a witch as well.”
Maddie looked down at the floor and curtsied. “Yes, ma’am.”
“A pleasure to meet you,” she said, extending a hand. Maddie held it briefly.
“Maddie, this is Brynna fer Dynna,” Rose said. “The ambassador from Thistle.”
“Or Glasgow,” Brynna said. “Whichever. And it’s okay if you think it’s a funny name.”
“Funny name?” Maddie asked.
Brynna set her hands against her broad hips and gave her shoulders a roll. “Brynna for Dynna? For dinner? Get it?”
Maddie’s cheeks went red. “I didn’t!” she said. “I mean, I don’t!”
“That’s sweet of you, my dear,” Brynna said, returning to her seat on the couch. “But don’t worry. It’s not like I haven’t heard it before.” She stepped aside and the queen’s second guest approached. A flash of white hair, trimmed almost to the point of baldness, ran across the center of her head, all but disappearing against her pale complexion. A sleeveless dress of liquid pearl embraced her slender arms and legs.
“This is Ida fer Egrette,” Rose said. “Her city is Mullein, outside Stockholm.”
Ida put out a hand. “Lovely to finally meet you,” she said. “I’ve been looking forward to speaking with a human. How’s your civilization coming along?”
“We’re getting by,” Maddie said, taking her hand and smiling to suppress a laugh. “What do you mean, ‘finally’?”
Rose ushered them all back to the table. “News travels fast. Word of your arrival in the Veil has brought on quite an interest.”
“Aye,” Brynna added. “I can think of quite a few ambassadors who will be coming just to see you.” She handed Maddie a glass of cloudy liquid. “You’re quite the celebrity. Come, sit. Have some wine with us.”
Maddie looked between the drink, Maeve, and Rose. “But I’m only an apprentice,” she said. “And I’m not 21.”
“21?” Brynna asked, furrowing her brow. “What does that have to do w—”
“You’ll have to forgive her,” Ida interrupted. “Brynna, in this country, children aren’t allowed alcohol.”
“Children? She’s a grown woman!”
“I’m sure one glass wouldn’t hurt,” Rose said.
“Thistle was one of the first faerie cities,” Ida said as they all sat down. “It’s deeper in the Veil than most. Brynna probably hasn’t seen a human in 50 years.”
The sharp flavors of lemon and grass cut bitterly across Maddie’s tongue as she sipped her wine. “What is this?” she asked.
“Honeydew wine,” Rose answered.
“As in the melon?”
Ida drained her glass. “As in the aphid,” she said.
Brynna gave a hearty laugh. “Thank mother nature for sap-suckers,” she said. “Just don’t ask how the farmers collect it. I saw the process once, and it almost put me off it for good.”
“Is this everybody?” Maeve asked.
All ey
es turned to Rose. “I’m afraid not,” she answered. “We’re still waiting for someone.”
Brynna sneered. “Don’t tell me you invited her. When did she even get here?”
“This morning,” Rose answered. “As I understand it, she has orders from Aster to do everything she can to vote us down. I’m hoping the three of us can convince her to change her mind.”
“Impossible,” Ida responded, shaking her head.
“Well, we should at least try.”
“Hell of a reason to muck up a good evening,” Brynna commented.
Someone coughed. They turned as a tall older woman descended the stairs. Iron gray hair, bound in a painfully tight bun behind her head, swept back from her face. The silk of her dress flowed over her feet in a wash of dusky silver.
“Delilah,” Rose said, opening her arms and moving to greet her as everyone got to their feet.
“Rose,” Delilah said tersely. She turned to Ida. “Madam Egrette.”
Ida bowed. “Ma’am.”
Delilah did not address the Scottish ambassador. Instead, she directed her eyes to Maddie. “You are the human witch,” she said.
Maddie bowed low and extended a hand. “Yes, ambassador.”
The woman turned up her nose. “Disgusting.”
Maddie straightened up and took a step back, anger flaring in her chest. She glanced at Maeve, who shook her head to keep her silent.
“You needn’t worry about your evening,” Delilah went on. “I won’t be joining you. My instructions are clear, and there is nothing you can say that will change Aster’s opinion. Amaranth must be dissolved. There can be no other outcome.”
“Not if I have anything to say about it,” Brynna said.
Delilah stared down her nose at her. “Where is your matron?” she asked Rose. “My party will require quarters.”
Rain materialized on cue and Maddie practically jumped. She hadn’t even noticed her in the room.
“Rain will see to your needs,” Rose said.
Maddie shivered when the door swung shut.
“What the hell is her problem?” she asked.
“An old argument,” Rose answered as Brynna brought her a fresh glass of wine. “Amaranth used to be a part of Aster. If the vote fails, we will be rolled back into their kingdom. Obviously, her motivations are clear. As for her personality, I’m fairly certain she was born with a stone in her shoe.”
Brynna barked out a laugh. “Or a stick up her a—”
“Brynna!” said Rose.
Brynna sat back down. “Fine, fine. I’ll be polite, but only to make things easier on you. It doesn’t matter, anyway. Aster gets one vote like everybody else, and my people are telling me that diplomatic opinion is heavily in your favor.”
“No one wants to see Aster get any stronger,” Ida added.
Rose returned to her chair. “Let’s just hope nothing changes now that she’s here. Aster has a healthy treasury.”
“Enough to buy the vote?” Maddie asked.
“Unlikely,” Ida answered. “Rose, you can count on our support. Brynna?”
The Scottish ambassador tipped the last of the wine into her glass. “Oh, absolutely. I’d sooner see that bitch in the grave than sitting on your throne.”
“We should reach out to everyone who’s already here,” Rose said, massaging her forehead. “Let them know they’ll be getting a visit from Aster. Hopefully we can keep them from becoming intimidated.”
The meal ended with tea and coffee and the ambassadors retired to their rooms, leaving Maddie and Maeve to sit alone with Rose by the fire. The queen finished her wine. “That could have gone better,” she said, staring forlornly at the empty bottle.
“Indeed,” Maeve said. “I doubt Brynna’s impression helped matters.”
Rose sighed. “She was right, though. Aster was never going to vote our way.”
“She called me disgusting,” Maddie said. “I wanted to punch her in the face.”
Maeve went to a table in the corner to fetch another bottle of wine. “Delilah is part of an old family,” she said, refilling the queen’s glass. “They have very… traditional opinions on the subject of humanity. She believes that faeries and humans should remain separate, while Rose has always taken a more modern approach, allowing human food and goods to be brought into the city, for example.”
“Human food is illegal in Aster?” Maddie asked.
“No,” Rose answered. “But that doesn’t stop the aristocrats from wishing it were. I’ve known Delilah for over 500 years, and she and I have never gotten along. I suppose it’s just her upbringing.”
“Or the stick Brynna mentioned,” Maddie said.
Rose chuckled and sat back against the cushions. “Or that,” she said. “Either way, your presence here is a problem for her. Brynna wasn’t joking when she said you’ve caused a stir. I suspect she’s worried that your celebrity will somehow tip the scales in our favor.”
Maddie glared at the door. “I’ll do everything I can to help.”
“Thank you,” Rose said. “How are your studies going?”
“Better soon, I hope. It took me a little while to get my mojo working.”
“Speaking of which,” said Maeve, “we should return to the laboratory.”
“Now?” Maddie asked. “I haven’t slept in over a day!”
The clock chimed 11.
“Come along, apprentice,” Maeve said, starting up the stairs.
Rose stood up as Maddie got out of her seat. The queen swept her into a hug. “I’m so proud of you,” she said. “Now go on. Back to work.”
The words echoed in the halls of Maddie’s memory. Her mother used to say the same thing. A day ago, the sentence would have stung; now, it only made her feel more at home.
She hurried up the stairs after Maeve. The witching hour was approaching, and this time, she was ready.
Tricks of the Trade
Morrow swept the mop across the floor, spreading gray water and suds over oil and spilled soda. It was late, the restaurant was closed, and Leoh had left early, leaving Morrow behind to clean up.
It was funny. Morrow couldn’t think of a single person back home that he could trust, yet here he was, alone and unsupervised. Leoh hadn’t even locked up the day’s earnings. They were a genial people, these surface-dwelling faeries. Morrow was reminded of the years he’d spent with his mother in his youth, before Gwynedd’s rise to power and the slow decline that followed.
The mop slid across the tiles rhythmically. It was honest work, and he felt good doing it.
The bell over the front door rang.
“We’re closed,” Morrow said. “Sorry, I forgot to lock up.”
A cool voice answered him. “I’m here for a private party.”
Morrow stopped and took a breath before turning to face the person he already knew was there. “I suppose it was only a matter of time before you came around,” he said.
Gwynedd swept across the room to the counter. “Not happy to see me? You certainly seem to be settling in. What have you been doing all this time besides cleaning floors?”
“Following your instructions,” Morrow said. “The girl hasn’t come around. What are you doing here?”
His mistress waved an idle hand back out at the city. “I came to meet some friends.”
“Friends?” Morrow asked, crossing his arms.
“Of sorts. Then I thought I would come visit you, since I was in the area.” She put out a hand to his cheek. His skin practically froze over at her touch. “My humble ward,” she said. “The time has come to move our little plan forward.”
Morrow pulled away and retreated behind the counter. “I’m doing everything I can. I’ve built a relationship here, just like you said, but you have to be patient. These things take time.”
His mistress tutted. “Have you forgotten everything I taught you?” she asked. “And so quickly? Opportunities don’t come knocking, little prince. The solstice is approaching, and you and I have no time lef
t to waste.”
Morrow took a deep breath. He had not missed her pet name for him. “What would you have me do? Go to the palace and knock on her door?”
Gwynedd reached into her robes. “You will invent a reason to visit her,” she said. “And when you do, you will leave her with this.” She held out a pendant the size of a large coin, fixed with a copper wedge molded to look like a slice of pizza.
“A necklace,” Morrow said as he took it. “Cute.”
“You’ve been living among these faeries too long,” his mistress said. “Look closer.”
Morrow turned it over. His eyes picked out a tiny hole drilled into the edge of the pendant’s design. “A microphone?” he asked.
His mistress nodded. “The girl is warded,” she said. “Ordinarily, I deplore human technology, but in this case their ingenuity will work to our advantage. The battery has enough charge to last three days. Be sure to get it to her before then. There must be time once she has it to obtain the evidence I need.”
“Evidence of what?”
“That she is the Foxglove, of course, and that Rose has been concealing her true nature from the representatives of the realms.”
“But why go through all the trouble?”
“Because I require their outrage. Do not ask questions, little prince. You need only do as you are told.”
Morrow rubbed his thumb across the pendant. The copper glinted in the moonlight coming through the windows. Morrow’s heart sank as he realized that it was exactly the sort of trinket that Maddie would love. She would probably be thrilled.
“I don’t know if I can do this,” he said, barely audible.
Gwynedd hissed, “What?”
Morrow stared her down. Now was as good a time as any. “This is wrong,” he said, letting the necklace slip through his fingers. “This woman has done nothing to you, and neither have these people.”
Gwynedd slithered across the room, gathering shadows as she approached. “What did you say to me?” she asked.
Morrow opened his mouth to answer, but his voice died in his throat, emerging in a choked cough as his knees buckled and he tumbled to the floor. Gritting his teeth, he strained against his paralyzed bones and clawed for breath.
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