I closed my eyes and focused my will. I imagined the owl, the smoothness of its feathers. I pushed aside thoughts of Sedgwick. Didn’t want to make that mistake again. I held out my hands, and poof!
“Spell’s bells,” I said. In my arms was my beloved stuffed owl, Huey. “I can’t believe this.” I hugged him to me and breathed in his musty scent. “Where have you been? Packed away in a box?”
“Sedgwick is going to be jealous if you keep mauling that owl like that,” Agnes said.
I glared at her. “Sedgwick is my familiar. He’s not going to be jealous of a toy.”
“I don’t know,” Agnes said. “Silas gets plenty jealous of my toys, if you know what I mean. He likes to feel necessary.” She cackled and Lady Weatherby groaned in disgust.
“Thank you for that imagery, Mother.”
I smoothed Huey’s fake feathers. “Isn’t he wonderful?” I held him up for the two witches to admire. “I’ve had him for as long as I can remember.”
“Don’t start sleeping with him in the bed,” Agnes warned. “It ruins the mood to see dull, plastic eyes staring at you when you’re getting busy. Trust me on that.”
I covered Huey’s ears. “Don’t listen to her, Huey. People can clearly see your eyes are far from dull.”
“Now that you’ve managed a manifestation spell, why don’t we try something a bit more challenging?” Lady Weatherby proposed.
I gulped. “How challenging?”
Lady Weatherby studied me. “Since when do you shy away from a challenge?”
Since I discovered my mother may not be my mother and I learned how to burn cookies that weren’t even in the oven.
“My confidence has taken a hit lately,” I said honestly.
Lady Weatherby gestured to Huey. “I would think the return of your friend would instill you with confidence.”
I hugged Huey again. It felt amazing to be reunited with my old friend.
I sighed contentedly. “You’re right, Lady Weatherby. I’m more capable than I give myself credit for.”
Chapter 12
Do you have to bring that wretched thing everywhere with you? Sedgwick asked.
“No,” I said primly. “I would have been perfectly happy to leave you at home, but you insisted on accompanying me.”
Sedgwick flapped his wings and knocked Huey onto the floor.
“Is that bird giving you trouble?” Althea asked, entering through the side door with a coffee cup.
That bird? Sedgwick repeated, incensed.
I stifled a laugh. “Sedgwick is always giving me trouble. It’s nothing new.” I plucked Huey off the floor and dusted him off before setting him back on the desk. It felt comforting to have him with me. Another link to my past, like Sigmund.
“It’s almost three o’clock,” Althea said. “Harriet’s coming after school, right?”
“She is, all by herself.” Thank goodness. I didn’t want President and Vice President Nymph to talk for her again. I could tell she didn’t feel free to speak openly in front of them.
“What do you think about her?” Althea asked.
“Honestly, she seems perfectly normal,” I said. “I don’t think for one second that she’s a psychopath who tortures animals.”
“Good to know,” Althea replied and glanced upward. “Hear that, girls? Now settle down.” Her snakes quieted.
“Maybe I’ll leave her alone with Sedgwick for a few minutes and test my theory,” I added, maintaining a straight face.
Hardy bleeding har, Sedgwick said. You are too funny for words.
A hesitant knock at the door signaled Harriet’s arrival. Althea disappeared into her own office as the door slowly pushed open.
“Miss Hart?” Harriet’s head poked through the gap.
“Come on in,” I said. “I’m ready for you.”
Harriet took a cautious step inside and then moved timidly to the empty chair in front of my desk. Her gaze was immediately drawn to Sedgwick.
“Is that your familiar?” Harriet asked, her eyes shining.
“Sometimes I wish we were less familiar,” I replied.
The feeling is mutual, he said.
“You’re talking to him now, aren’t you?” Harriet asked.
“More like he’s talking to me and I’m ignoring him.”
She appeared mesmerized. “You’re so lucky.”
“Because I have a pain-in-the-ass owl as a familiar?” I inquired.
“Because you have a familiar at all,” Harriet replied. “Witches have all the good qualities. Magic, familiars, a close community.”
“Nymphs don’t have a close community?” I asked.
“We do, I suppose,” she admitted. “But it isn’t like a coven. We don’t have our own school and we certainly don’t have magic.”
“Well, technically, I’m a sorceress, so I guess I don’t have the coven or a school either.” Except I did.
“But you have magic.” Harriet’s eyes sparkled. “And you have Sedgwick to keep you company.”
“Oh, I have more than Sedgwick,” I said. “I have a vampire ghost roommate, too. And his hellbeast.”
Harriet broke into an engaging smile. “Really? Your house must be a lot of fun. My house is so quiet all the time.”
“You’re an only child?”
She nodded. “My parents wanted to make sure that they did their best, so they didn’t want to split their efforts among multiple children.”
Wow. That was some forward thinking on the part of Mr. and Mrs. Leafbottom.
“So they pour all their energy into you?” I asked.
“I don’t know about that,” Harriet said. “They spend a lot of time on behalf of their organization. It’s me and Esmeralda mostly. That was why I was allowed to get a cat in the first place. I told my parents I was lonely and asked for a sibling.”
No wonder the idea of a coven appealed to her. Harriet wanted to feel a part of something greater than herself. I could understand that sentiment.
It was time to get down to business. “Can I ask you about Mrs. White’s statement?”
Harriet’s nose wrinkled. “She hates me.”
“She hates me, too, so you’re in good company.” I cleared my throat. “She said that she saw you covering the cat in some type of liquid that upset her…the cat, I mean. When I suggested you could have been bathing the cat, she said there was no water to rinse her off and that you did it outside instead of in the sink or the tub.”
Harriet appeared thoughtful. “I don’t know what she’s talking about. I remember one day in the garden, Esmeralda jumped up on the boulder where I’d set my glass of giggleberry fizz and it spilled everywhere. That could be what Mrs. White saw.”
That sounded like a reasonable explanation.
“Seems like Esmeralda has a penchant for knocking things over.”
Harriet laughed. “All the time. Between her tail swishing and leaping before she looks, she’s our resident mess-maker.”
There was no way this girl was an animal abuser. I had to ensure this case didn’t even make it to trial.
“Is there anything else you can tell me about the accident?” I asked. “Any detail you’ve remembered?”
Harriet shook her head. “I’m going to visit Esmeralda straight from here.”
“Has there been any change in her condition?” I asked.
Her expression clouded over. “Not yet, but Boyd is optimistic.”
“Then you should be, too,” I said.
“Do you think the judge will believe me?” she asked. “That it was an accident? Will Mrs. White testify against me?”
“I’m going to have a word with Rochester, the prosecuting attorney,” I said. “I’m hoping to get the case removed from the docket.”
Harriet brightened. “Really? You believe me?”
“Of course I do,” I said. “Harriet, you’re an outstanding student. A pleasant young woman with an obvious love for your cat. I can’t possibly let these charges stick.”
&
nbsp; Harriet popped off her chair. “Thank you, Miss Hart. Can I go see Esmeralda now?”
“Of course.” I glanced at Huey and smiled. Far be it for me to keep someone from a beloved pet.
“By the devil, what is that hideous thing?” Gareth asked.
I glanced over at my purchase from Trinkets that I’d hung in front of the bedroom window. “That’s a dream catcher.”
“Looks more like a twisted nightmare.”
“It’s not that bad,” I objected. Although it seemed to be working since I hadn’t had any bad dreams since I’d hung it there. Not that I recalled, anyway.
The sound of the wind chimes alerted me to my friends’ arrival.
For the love of Athena, Sedgwick complained, swooping into the room. They brought their small beasts again.
I shot Sedgwick a menacing look. "You will be polite. They are our guests today. Sophie wants to practice her spell for class and I said that we may as well combine it with a playdate for Magpie."
Sedgwick glanced over at Magpie, who was busy popping out and retracting his claws. Yes, he looks like a cat that’s gearing up for a playdate.
"Just because you’re an old curmudgeon who prefers solitude, doesn't mean everyone else should follow suit,” I said.
And don't try to behave like the bluebird of happiness just because you finally found love, Sedgwick said. Some of us prefer to mope.
I ran downstairs and yanked open the front door to greet my guests. "Come on in, everybody. I promise there will be no feline party hats this time."
"So she can be taught," Millie said with an air of triumph. Poca trotted in behind her.
I narrowed my eyes. “It’s important to try new things. Break out of your comfort zone.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” Millie said.
I turned my attention to Sophie. “Did you bring your potion?"
Sophie stepped into the foyer with Momo hot on her heels and patted her backpack. "I brought all of the ingredients. I thought it would be best to mix it here so that I have an extra pair of eyes.”
Millie's hand shot up. "I'll watch for mistakes."
"Nobody doubted that for a second," Begonia muttered, cradling Kitty in her arms. Kitty wriggled and landed on the floor with the grace of a ballerina.
"Magpie," I called. "Your friends are here."
Sedgwick chuckled. I think ‘friends’ is overstating it a bit, don't you?
I greeted each familiar with a pat on the head. Momo, Poca, Kitty, and Delilah ran through the foyer and straight into the dining room.
"I guess they remember where the food was last time," Laurel said.
Magpie eyed them hesitantly from the corner of the room. I hoped he didn't try to exert his authority again. I wanted to avoid invoking a cleanup spell today.
"There are drinks and snacks for the humans in the kitchen," I said. "Sophie, if you want to set up your ingredients in the office, there’s a table in there."
"I think the light is better in the dining room," Sophie said. “If you don't mind, I think I'll take over the end of the table near the fireplace."
"You’re welcome to play mixologist wherever you’re comfortable," I said. The dining room table wasn't covered in cat treats like last time, so it was no problem.
Sophie set to work pulling out her beakers and jars while the other girls accompanied me to the kitchen.
"Laurel, what are you doing?" I asked when I noticed her lingering in the doorway.
"I'm keeping an ear out for howls of horror."
"Laurel," I scolded her. "You have to trust Magpie. Things ended on a positive note last time. We have to give him credit."
Laurel folded her arms across her chest. "I am giving him credit by letting Delilah come back to your house. It doesn't mean I'm going to be complacent now."
Begonia laughed. "I feel sorry for your children already."
Laurel scowled. "I'm only thirteen. I think I have some time to mature before I need to worry about how I treat my own children."
There was no arguing with Laurel’s maturity. When I was her age, I still played with dolls and believed in Santa Claus. I was not what you would've called a sophisticated child. Then again, there was something to be said for naiveté. There was a certain magic connected to ignorance that I missed sometimes.
"What's in this jug?" Millie asked, scrutinizing the glass jug on the counter.
"I bought it at the Wish Market," I said. "It was a flavor that I haven't tried. Mickleberry pizzazz." It reminded me of watermelon-flavored water ice.
Begonia squealed and placed her hands on the sides of the jug. "Spell’s bells. I haven't had mickleberry pizzazz since I was a little kid. My mom decided it was too sweet for us and banned it from the house.”
"Well, I thought it was time to try something new. Daniel said that he thought it would satisfy my sweet tooth. Sounds like he was right.”
Begonia sighed dreamily. "And how are things with the Heavenly Wonder? Is he everything you dreamed of?"
"And then some," I replied, unable to resist a smile. "We’re going out to dinner again tomorrow night. It's so nice to be able to spend time together without worrying about anyone by the name of Knightsbridge."
“Speaking of Knightsbridge, I heard the mayor is under house arrest until the end of the month," Millie said.
"I heard that, too,” Sophie said, entering the kitchen. "My mom also told me that she’s had her wand taken away."
"For how long?" I asked. No magic to a fairy was like no oxygen to a human. It was quite a severe punishment.
"A year," Laurel interjected. "That's what I heard."
"And what about Elsa?" I asked. I felt like everyone was avoiding the mention of her name in my presence, but I wanted to know what would become of her.
"She's serving a one-year sentence," Sophie said. "And a ten-year ban on magic."
I nodded solemnly. "Do you need anything, Sophie? Can we help you with your potion?"
Sophie poured herself a glass of mickleberry pizzazz. "No, thank you. I think I have everything under control for once.”
"How are the cats?” Laurel asked warily.
Sophie shrugged. "They’re chasing each other across the mantel.” She looked at me. "I moved your yellow and blue pot for safekeeping."
"Good thinking. Thanks," I said.
"Why don't we take our drinks into the dining room and let Sophie get started," Millie said. "I want to see this spell in action."
Sophie shrugged. "I'm afraid there isn't much action to it. If all goes well, I’ll be able to read Momo’s mind and then I can go use it on the baby bird. You'll just have to trust that what I'm telling you is actually her thoughts."
"But you could tell us anything," Millie objected. "How do we know the spell has actually worked?"
Begonia swatted Millie's arm playfully. "Don't be silly. You know Sophie would never lie."
"I suppose not," Millie grumbled.
We moved into the dining room where Sophie's beakers and jars were arranged carefully on the end of the table. The beaker in the middle sparkled with purple liquid.
"Well, it looks impressive," I said. "I hope it works."
Sophie clapped her hands together. "Me too. I really want to impress Lady Weatherby."
"If you pull this off," Laurel said, “Lady Weatherby will have no choice but to be impressed."
As I moved toward the table, Magpie dashed between my legs, nearly knocking me to the floor.
"Magpie," I said firmly. "There are too many bodies in this room to be running around like that. Slow down."
"Where's Gareth?" Begonia asked. "You haven't talked to him the whole time we've been here."
"He's been doing a lot more experimenting lately," I replied. "He mentioned something about trying to check out Markos’s office. He thinks it’s fair game as long as it’s not a private residence.”
"That must be good for both of you," Sophie said. "It's important to have time apart, even when you get along really we
ll."
I agreed with that sentiment. I adored Gareth, but he could be a major grump sometimes. It was a Scottish thing, apparently.
"So how does this work?" Millie asked. "Do you have to chant and put the potion on the cat at the same time?"
Sophie frowned. "I'm not entirely sure. I thought I would try it a couple different ways and see which one worked."
"It's all about experimentation," Laurel said.
Sophie brightened. "That's what my mother always says. She didn't think I was destined to be a mixologist like her, but I'm starting to think that maybe I have a knack for it."
“We should probably wait for you to complete the spell before we say that,” Millie told her.
Sophie picked up the sparkling purple beaker and held it aloft. “Truth in words are not to fear/this familiar’s thoughts I hear."
As she placed the beaker back on the table, Magpie chose that moment to chase Momo onto a nearby chair. Momo screeched and raced across the table to get away from Magpie’s vicious claws. His tail flicked in fear, knocking over the beaker. Purple liquid spilled everywhere and a lavender haze filled the room. Everyone began to cough.
"Oh no," Sophie cried. "I'll have to mix another one. I hope I have enough of all of the ingredients."
"Why does it smell like flowers in here all of a sudden?" an unfamiliar voice asked.
Someone sneezed. “I detest lavender. It makes me want to cough up a hairball.”
I whirled around, looking for the source of the unfamiliar voice. “Who said that?”
“Stars and stones,” Sophie said. “I think it was Poca.” Her expression brightened. “Poca, say something!”
The cat fixed her gaze on Sophie. “Something.”
“I knew you were a smart ass,” Sophie declared happily.
“I’m hungry,” another voice said. “I came because I thought there would be treats like last time.”
Begonia scrunched her nose. “Kitty?”
“I hate that shirt, by the way,” Kitty said, licking her paw. “You wear it far too often.”
Kitty and Gareth had something in common.
“You know we can communicate nonverbally,” Begonia said. “Why not just tell me that telepathically instead off embarrassing me in front of everyone?”
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