by M. J. Caan
“You know, one other thing bothers me too. Who cast a glimmer spell on Leo to make him look like a cat to humans? There has to be more to this than we know.”
“I guess we’ll figure that out when the time comes as well. But for now, I guess this means you’re keeping the dragon.”
Torie smiled. “He’s part of the family now. He saved our lives, so yeah…he can stay as long as he wants.”
Jasmin smiled. “I guess family comes in all shapes and forms in these parts. Literally.”
They laughed and made their way over to the rest of their friends, thankful, hopeful that time would heal all wounds.
23
Torie made her way through the mass of people in her house, swerving and spinning to keep from bumping into her laughing and chatting guests. She was nervous about there not being enough food or drink for the housewarming, despite having made enough food to feed a veritable army.
She made her way between guests to the kitchen to check on the makeshift bar she had set up, along with multiple charcuterie boards along the massive center island. The wine was definitely getting low, so she took out a few more bottles of white and rose to stick into the silver ice bins. She opened a few more bottles of red and placed them strategically around the boards. Luckily the waiters she had hired to assist had been keeping the boards filled with cuts of Italian ham and pepperoni, as well as fruits and cheeses of all kinds.
Along the outer wall of the kitchen was a large banquet table covered from end to end with chocolate confections of all kinds. Everyone who would have normally taken part in the chocolate contest at the festival had been asked to bring their creation to her house for everyone to enjoy. She smiled, surveying all the homemade goodies that added an incredible aroma that permeated the entire house.
Frederica Morris was circling the island from the far side, a small plate of cheese and grapes in one hand as she surveyed the details and appliances of the custom kitchen. Torie smiled at the realtor and made her way over to her.
“Hello, Frederica, how are you doing today?” She had wanted to check in on the woman to see how she was doing after the harrowing experience of finding the mayor’s mother and thinking the woman dead.
“Torie! I’m doing just fine, all things considered. It’s not every day you find a body that turns out to not be a body. Can you imagine?”
She actually could but rather than say that, she just shook her head and made a small clucking sound in commiseration.
“I mean, when I tell you that woman looked dead, she looked dead. But then, I guess I must have blacked out after that, because I don’t remember anything after seeing her,” she continued.
“Well, it is probably for the best.”
“And the weird thing is, no one seems to know what happened to that poor woman’s body. It’s like she just disappeared.” Her voice trailed off, and Torie could tell her mind was trying to pick at the broken memories of the event.
“So, what do you think of the house? I’m happy with the way it turned out.”
Immediately the realtor snapped out of her reverie and her face lit up.
“Oh, Torie, it is immaculate. I mean, personally I would have gone with a more traditional, neutral color scheme, especially in the kitchen; but you do you, as they say. Now, if you ever decide that this big old house is too much for you, I will be more than happy to get you top dollar for it.”
Torie smiled. “Thank you, but I think this is going to be home for me.”
She excused herself and made her way out of the kitchen where she bumped into Tilda.
“Tilda, how’s it going? I’m glad you decided to stay around a bit.”
Tilda reached out to shake her hand. “Thank you. And thank you for everything. I still feel awful knowing what my mom and my aunt put you and your friends through.”
“Don’t even think about it. If there is one thing I’ve learned since moving here, it’s that you can’t choose your family. But you can make one.”
Tilda smiled, nodding.
“So, what are you thinking about doing? Heading out west again, or…?”
“I’ve been thinking about that. Honestly, I think I’m going to stay here for a while. I’ve even thought about running for mayor, taking over the work my cousin was doing.”
Torie’s eyes grew wide. “That would be amazing. You can certainly stay here until you figure out what you need to do. And when you’re ready, I know a realtor that I’m betting will be more than happy to help you find a house.”
She gave Tilda’s arm a squeeze and then moved on, looking for Jasmin.
She found her, standing alone in the corner of the great room watching the other guests and sipping from a whiskey glass. There was a rolling bar cart in the room and Torie poured herself a shot of bourbon and joined her.
“Cheers,” she said with a smile as they clinked their glasses together. “Are you sure you should be drinking? You have a concussion.”
“Had a concussion. I’m feeling much, much better. Besides, I was going stir-crazy lying in bed, and you know I was not about to miss this. It was a great idea you had, having this drop-in. I’ve seen so many folks from town that never go to social functions. Goes to show that everyone knows your name and they respect you.”
Torie smiled at her friend. “Honestly, I just thought it would be a good way to get to know everyone and for them to get to know us. I just keep thinking about the way that Tilda and the mayor were raised to fear and hate witches. It was almost indoctrination. Plus, Hattie and Effie weren’t much better in their thoughts of us. Jealousy consumed them and led them to make a literal deal with demons. If I am truly going to be a part of this community, I want people to know the real me. Same goes for you and Fionna, and every other supernatural member of this town. I mean, that is if you want that as well.”
Jasmin leaned her head on her friend’s shoulder. “I’m all good with all of that. I mean, we can’t go hanging a sign outside of our houses that says, ‘Witch Lives Here’, but we need to start slowly adjusting the narrative in Singing Falls. Letting people know that they are safe here. I believe they already feel that way, thanks in large part to you.” She motioned with her glass towards Fionna, who was beaming as she made the rounds with Glen. “Look at her. She’s in her glory.” Jasmin had found a sash that said, ‘Birthday Girl’ and Fionna wore it with pride, basking in all the congratulations and well wishes.
“Oh, that reminds me,” said Torie, clapping her hands together. “It’s time for the last surprise of the evening.”
She moved to the center of the room and held up her hands to speak.
“Everyone, if I could have your attention for a moment?” She paused as everyone slowly made their way into the great room, plates and drinks in hand. “First, thank you all for dropping by to say hello and be part of this housewarming-slash-birthday-party. It truly is my honor to have so many of you in my home. Second, I know that it was a blow to the town to have to cancel the Festival, but in light of the tragedy that befell our mayor, I can certainly understand the need to cancel it. But I have a feeling that the festival will be back next year, and larger than ever. In the meantime, feel free to enjoy all the wonderful chocolates that were made by many of the people in this very room.
“Now, to that end, I want to add my own contribution, in the form of the birthday cake in honor of one of my dearest friends. Fionna Goodridge, can you come up please?”
Smiling from ear to ear, Fionna moved to stand next to Torie.
“I want to say happy birthday to my dear friend, who means more to me than she knows. You, along with your beautiful wife, accepted me into this town and your heart, and for that I am eternally grateful. So, to mark the occasion of your first official birthday party, I made you something special.”
The crowd parted as the waiters pushed in a large cart with a massive, four-tiered cake covered with beautiful orange and chocolate flowers growing in a spiral around it. An array of lit candles completed the display.
“It is a chocolate cake with a chocolate cream frosting. The chocolate flowers are called angel’s trumpets and they are completely edible. I hope you enjoy it.”
Fionna’s eyes welled as she beheld the creation before her.
“I don’t know what to say, other than thank you. Thank you everyone. You have no idea what this means to me.”
She fought back her tears as she stood by the cake, closed her eyes, and then made a courageous attempt at blowing out the candles, laughing when she realized it would take a couple more breaths to get them all out.
Once the cake was sliced and being passed around, Torie slid next to Jasmin.
“Have you seen Elric lately?”
Jasmin looked around between bites of cake. “No, not since earlier. You guys have a fight? And, can I just say this is delicious! These angel’s trumpet chocolates would have definitely taken first prize.”
“Why thank you. I have you and your lovely green thumb to thank for the orange and chocolate inspiration. And no, we did not have a fight.”
“He’s probably with Max somewhere,” she said as they walked out of the great room and into the kitchen. “Wolves of a feather and all that…oh there he is.”
She pointed with her fork at the doors that led to the patio. Outside, on the far end of the patio, Elric was standing with Max and Elion. His arms flailed and his body was stiff as he jabbed animatedly at the air. Max was clearly trying to calm him down as Elion watched on. There was another figure standing with them; a woman that Torie did not recognize.
“Wonder what’s going on out there.” said Jasmin.
“I don’t know, but I think we should go find out.”
Together, they walked outside into the cool, evening air. Elion and Max were arguing over something, their voices low but tense.
“—you think will happen if we don’t ask her for help?” Max was saying in a harsh whisper as Torie and Jasmin approached. When he saw them, he signaled for Elion to stop talking and the two of them acted as nonchalantly as possible.
“What’s going on, guys?” asked Torie.
“Yeah, and what will happen if you don’t ask who for help?” added Jasmin.
“It…it’s nothing, really,” said Max as he fidgeted with the black eyepatch, adjusting the strap that held it in place.
Torie looked at them, and then at the woman who stood next to Elric. She held one arm across her midsection, clasping the elbow of her other arm and would not take her eyes off the ground in front of her.
When no one said anything, Torie reached across the space in front of the two werewolves and held out a hand in introduction.
“Hello, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Torie, and this is my friend Jasmin.”
“I’m Sable. It’s nice to meet you.”
She shook Torie’s hand firmly, then stepped back, pushing a stray strand of her long, dark hair out of her face. She was tall, taller than both Jasmin and Torie. She wore fashionable jeans with a gray tank top tucked in that only accentuated her dancer’s body. She wore minimal makeup and if Torie had to guess, she would put her age in her mid-thirties.
She gave Elric a look that caused her cheeks to redden before she broke eye contact and looked at Torie.
“Okay, so what’s going on here, Elric?” Torie asked. She wanted to add and why is this woman standing so close to you and giving you eyes like that, but she didn’t.
Elric took a deep breath and started to speak but then said nothing, preferring to look around at Max and Elion.
“Oh, for God’s sake,” said Sable, shaking her head. “There’s just no easy way to say this so I’ll just say it. I grew up with Elric.” She took a deep breath before blurting out, “He’s my fated mate.”
Torie felt the air rush out of her lungs and looked to Jasmin for help, only to see the witch’s mouth hanging open in surprise.
“Your…mate?” Torie said, suddenly needing to sit down.
“Yes, but it’s not what you’re thinking, Torie,” said Elric, rushing forward to grasp her arm and steady her.
“No, it isn’t,” added Sable. “I don’t…I don’t want Elric. That’s not why I’m here.”
Torie’s world was still reeling and she wasn’t in the mood to play twenty questions.
“Then why are you here?”
“She is here because of me,” said Elion. The vampire drew himself to his full height as he spoke his first words to them. “We are in love, Torie, and we need you to figure out a way to sever the link between two fated wolves.”
“Because if you don’t, our pack will come to find us; and they will tear everyone in this town apart,” said Sable. “So, I’m begging you; can you break the bond that joins me to your boyfriend?”
The End
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About the Author
M.J. Caan is a science fiction and fantasy author living in North Carolina. When not convening with the spirit world via keyboard to create fantastical new worlds, M.J. can be found cuddling with a very energetic Australian Shepherd that is too spoiled for her own good.
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Also by M.J. Caan
The Trinity Cove Trilogy
The Girl With The Good Magic: The Shifter Wars Book One
Enter The Wolf: The Shifter Wars Book Two
The Return Of The Witch