Masquerade in Chaos: Kable VonSable

by M J Hutto

  He nodded, laughing quietly. “I told him all about it. He went in with eyes wide open. He got that place for next to nothing and, AND they’re taking money off the principle for every repair he makes or remodel he performs. He’s planning to do the work himself and restore it as much as possible. I said I’d help, of course.”

  I grinned and nodded with mock solemnity. “Of course.”

  He smirked and nodded to the key. “He’s a collector. Books, paintings, memorabilia, artifacts. Beautiful, unique, priceless things. I think that might be a key to the capital ‘L’ Library.”

  I traced the key in my hand with a finger. It was beautiful and heavy in my hand, shaped like triskele at the top and an open key at the bottom.

  I shrugged. “He didn’t really say.”

  Dorian flashed his eyebrows up and down. “What did he say?”

  I quirked my own brow at him. “That he owed me a present and to call if I needed anything.”

  “Aha.”

  “What? What does aha mean?”

  “How should I know? I’m a cousin, not a guy.”

  I glared at him hotly. He rolled his eyes and ignored me.

  “I think it means you need to figure out what you want. You’ve had a rough patch and you need people. You know you’ve got me and Karmine and Kent and Vera and Dad and your parents and even Reva and Maxine. You could have another person, Kable, someone else who cares just as much.”

  I gripped the key in my hand tightly. Maybe giving someone the keys to your undoing was actually just trusting them to guard your heart and soul. Maybe it wasn’t stupid, maybe it was the bravest thing you could ever do.

  25 One Step Forward

  I woke up the next day feeling more like myself. I put one of my old records on and danced around while I put on the sweats Kent had brought for me. I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and finally looked in the mirror.

  My face was scary. The bruises were starting to turn, and my face looked like a mixture of rotting banana with old guacamole, very attractive. I was sure to make an impression at the grocery store and then at the shop later. I didn’t think makeup was going to make it better and I didn’t have the energy to try to a potion.

  My dreams had been of a day when I was a child, spent with Granda and Babushka. We’d been on a picnic in the Redwood Forest. We had eaten under the canopy of the trees and camped there in a clearing under the stars. They had told me stories of their adventures and life together.

  I didn’t remember that actual day. I had been about six in the dream. I vaguely remembered a trip out to the west coast but not this part of it. What I remembered was seeing whales, hearing them sing and holding Babushka’s hand while I tried to understand what those songs meant.

  It had been a wonderful and unexpected dream. I’d been worried about nightmares, but I’d rested well and felt peaceful after the dream. I felt like they’d been with me all night, like they’d kept watch while I healed. Their stories were how they’d always comforted me. I realized they’d been teaching me now, but then I’d just loved spending time with them and listening to the fantastic tales.

  I needed to write those stories down so I could learn from them and pass them on one day. Even if I never had children, Kent and Karmine and Dorian would. I could totally be an eccentric, crazy, fabulous aunt.

  The record finished and I put it away. I wandered out of the room to find food. I was sure Mother had breakfast somewhere. She and Father were sitting in the dining room sipping coffee and eating. She had a half a grapefruit and he had bran cereal. Um, no thank you.

  “There are muffins or yogurt if you want,” she told me.

  I nodded and found blueberry and chocolate chip muffins. I got one of each, along with orange juice, and sat down.

  “I’ve instructed the driver to take you home when you’re ready. I wish you’d stay at least one more night, but I know you won’t. She’s just waiting for your call. Please don’t rush off.”

  I glanced up at them both. She was reading some stock portfolio and he was looking over the newspaper. The headline on the front was ‘Chaos Killer Caught and Killed.’ Good to know the press had that covered.

  “I’m not going to rush off, but I do need to leave soon. I feel pretty good today.”

  She looked over her coffee cup at me and then met my father’s eyes. He glanced over at me before putting his paper down and sighing.

  “We think you should stay. Your ribs and lungs are bruised, and you could have fainting spells. The doctor said so.”

  “Mother, when did you talk to the doctor? You weren’t at the hospital. They could get in a lot of trouble for talking to you.”

  She sniffed. “I was at the hospital in the emergency room. You don’t even remember. You thought I didn’t come? Really, Kable.”

  I didn’t remember much about being in the ER. I was still having problems staying awake, the drugs in my system pretty heavy. It had taken until well into the next day before I wasn’t fuzzy. And the dreams had been-I shuddered-vivid.

  “I’m fine. Really. I appreciate you being there for me. I appreciate your concern, but I just want to be home. I’m not short of breath, I’m not fuzzy and I haven’t had any problems fainting. I’m fine.”

  They shared another look and Father went back to his paper after shrugging. Mother shifted in her seat, sighed, and picked her report back up.

  “If that’s what you want, darling,” she grudgingly agreed.

  I stood, kissed them both on their cheeks and went to call my ride.

  Julia pulled the car in front of the house and opened the door for me. Situating myself in the backseat, I told her where to go. She had only been driving for my parents for a few years. We weren’t well acquainted, but she was always kind and took excellent care of my parents. She was a veteran, had seen combat overseas and worked private security. She had many skills; driving was only one.

  I elected to get groceries later. I just didn’t feel like braving the crowds at the moment. I thought I’d check on the shop and then go spend time with my little family. I still hadn’t seen Jaylin but Thibbs, Jekyll, Hyde, Emma, and Lucy would be there. I suspected I’d have a few visitors too.

  Karmine said something about her and Kent bringing dinner tonight. I think she mentioned chicken parmigiana and cake for a birthday-eve dinner. I could probably take a nap before they got there, I walked into the shop to see a huge crowd of people.

  They clapped for me when I came inside, and Reva pulled me through the crowd into the kitchen. She touched my face and tears fell from her eyes. “Oh, Kable. I wanted to come see you at the hospital but they said only family.”

  I gently took her hand from my face and held it. “You are family. But you didn’t need to come. I’m okay, it looks bad is all. Thank you so much for taking care of the shop and my babies.”

  She sniffled. “I think they’re really worried about you. Jekyll came in the shop and cried and cried. He tried to get out of the front door. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him do that before.”

  My poor sweet pups, they were probably worried sick. I walked to the back door and opened it to find Jekyll and Hyde waiting. They nearly knocked me over in their enthusiasm and happiness to see me. I stroked their silky ears and hugged them both. Hyde left first. Jekyll licked my neck and nuzzled me. He walked straight to their house.

  “Did he sleep at all? Or has he been pacing?”

  “He finally slept some last night. Dorian came yesterday to cook for them. He told them you were okay, and they stopped the constant pacing and crying. Jekyll only slept a few hours, I think.”

  “I bet he’ll sleep for awhile now. All of them probably will.” I closed the door and turned back to her.

  “So, what’s up with the crowd?” I asked hooking a thumb towards them.

  “The press release about the Chaos Killer said a Chaotian in the community helped solve the case and find Sabine. They sent out a special thank you to the brewmaster of chaos. I guess the community p
ut two and two together.”

  I tilted my head back with raised brows. While it was nice of them, I wasn’t sure I was ready for that level of celebrity. “Awesome.”

  “Well, yes, except we are out of potions and charms. Do you have any more? And we’re baking for the third time today.”

  “I just made new batches before, well…right before. I can bring those over and I’ll work on some more for tomorrow. I’ll do charms, potions, and amulets. Anything in particular?”

  She grinned, “The Placement Potation is selling out the moment we restock. Maybe do a triple batch. And don’t be surprised if you have to make more really soon.”

  I smiled. “Okay.”

  I ran to the house, brought back the supplies and put them out. The store was still packed and sort of standing room only. Reva and Maxine were handling things well with the help of Reva’s twin cousins Axle and Roze. The boys had helped at the shop before when we were having big sales, they were old pros.

  I spoke with some of the customers, made recommendations and told them I’d start doing readings again soon. I promised to have Reva update the website for appointments as soon as I was ready and set up. I noticed the table with its star chart was complete. They’d even finished it with a clear, glittery resin. It was spectacular and brought tears to my eyes.

  When I’d made a circuit through the shop, I hugged Reva and Maxine then ducked out the back. I took a deep breath; I’d made it through going back into the shop. That was one step forward and I’d done it pretty painlessly. Yay, me! I set out to the house for some spell work and the comfort of home.

  26 Pre-Birthday Bash

  I had plenty of supplies for a triple batch of Placement Potation, but I’d need more energy drinks soon if I were going to make more. I was a little low on four leaf clovers too. A trip to the greenhouse would remedy that. They grew freely around the base. Granda had given me the seeds they had thrived since I’d planted them.

  I pulled out trinkets to make into charms and amulets. I preferred natural metals, woods, and gemstones; man made didn’t reliably manage the chaos. I thought it was based on manufacturing differences. I couldn’t control those, so I stuck to things nature made and we shaped.

  I made Love Lingers, Leave Me Be, Placement Potation, Focus Please, Relaxation Station and Rapunzel’s Secret. A couple of those would be metered out in very small dosages with very specific instructions and in very specific methods. Rapunzel’s Secret could only be used with gloves and a few milliliters at a time. Relaxation Station was to only be used at home and around those you trusted as it took out all negative emotion like fear, anger, sorrow, doubt for twelve hours after using.

  I decided to make multiple charms for luck, loyalty, and wisdom. The loyalty was sometimes tricky, I had to decide what type of loyalty I was going to spell for. I thought I’d just go generally this time and use Bluebells. I renewed Granda’s clover too.

  I made myself a handful of chaos reservoir amulets. I could infuse them along and along without draining myself too much. They required the potions to ready the amulets or charms for use as reservoirs. I liked amulets better, no scientific reason really just my preference.

  By the time I was done it was almost time for Kent and Karmine to be there. They were coming separately per our earlier phone conversations. It sounded like Dorian would be coming too if he could get away from the police department. Thibbs was humming softly in the library with the potted plants. I couldn’t place the song. He’d told me earlier he hadn’t seen Jaylin since before I came home, he wasn’t sure if she was coming back or not. We were both sad about that but hopeful.

  I showered, changed clothes, and threw a load into the washer. I was looking at one of Granda’s books when a knock on the door startled me. Everyone coming over should have had a charm or amulet. The door wasn’t locked.

  “It’s me, let me in” called Karmine.

  I opened the door and helped her bring in several bags of takeout from a local Italian restaurant. She stayed close on the way in, touching me the whole time.

  The fresh baked bread smell coming from the bags was amazing. My mouth watered and I realized I hadn’t eaten since the muffins this morning. I peeked inside to see there was salad too. And, of course, chicken and pasta.

  “My damn charm is missing,” she said throwing her hands up. “I spent ten minutes looking for it. I never take it off. I don’t know what happened to it.”

  I grinned, “You and Victor gettin’ buck wild! You’ve had it awhile. Maybe the band broke while you were walking, and you didn’t notice it fall off your ankle. It’ll only work for forty-eight hours without your aura to replenish it. I’ll make you another if you don’t find it.”

  She stuck out her lip. “I feel like I’m putting you in danger.”

  I shrugged, “It’s added protection. I’ll lock the doors up tight and tell Hyde and Emma to be on high alert. The other two will probably be asleep. Jekyll is exhausted and Lucy isn’t feeling well. I may have to take her to the vet. But I’m fine. You are too.”

  “Okay, if you’re sure then I want an abalone butterfly charm this time.”

  I laughed. “Of course, you do. I hope you know where I can find that because I don’t just happen to have one of those laying around.”

  She twirled toward the cabinet, her frilly skirt swirling and floating around her. “I do.”

  “Of course, you do.”

  “Hee, hee. We’ll have to wait for wine, Kent and Vera are bringing that. And Dorian is bringing the cake and ice cream. They should be here soon. Well, Kent and Vera anyway. They just texted me. Dorian said he’s in line at the grocery store.”

  “Oh! Tell him I need some energy drinks. They’re for spells, it doesn’t matter what kind. Whatever is on sale as long as the caffeine content is high.”

  “He said ‘k’ with a frowny face,” she said showing me the text.

  “He’ll live,” I replied as I heard Kent and Vera entering. I needed to make her a charm too. Vera could definitely come over anytime.

  We started setting the table with plates, silverware, and glasses. I put out wine and water glasses. I’d put a pitcher of tea out too. We transferred the food onto platters and bowls to put on the table. I put dessert bowls on the island to grab when it was time.

  Dorian got there in time to sit down for food after we put the ice cream away. We laughed and talked and enjoyed each others company.

  Kent and Vera admitted they were thinking about having a baby. “We’re doing a lot of practice in the meantime. You know?” Kent said waggling his brows. “Make sure we don’t forget how.”

  “As if that was possible,” Karmine said.

  “Yeah,” I laughed. “I’m sure this is the first time you’ve tried since your honeymoon, right?”

  “Ugh, no. I had to spend the night there one night and lemme tell you-they ain’t quiet,” Dorian moaned.

  “I might finally get a day off tomorrow,” he said. Then told everyone about his promotion. “I think it’ll be a lot of hard work but I’m super excited!”

  It was all smiles for his news. Kent and Karmine hugged him. Vera and I cheered.

  Karmine told us about a photo shot in Colombia in the spring. It was to spotlight a couple of species of birds on the endangered list for a political magazine. She hadn’t modeled in years, and she was a little nervous.

  “I’m a bit worried. I like food now and will have to get back into the exercise routines,” she told us waving her hand around while eating a piece of delicious bread.

  “Victor’s working tonight or he’d be here, Kable,” she said in a rush. “He pushed for the task force and made sure they gave you credit for helping the investigation.”

  I told them how busy the shop had been and how I’d spent part of the morning and all of the afternoon replenishing potions, amulets, and charms. We all laughed about the spark Victor had set in motion.

  “Reva said they didn’t even mention me by name. Or the name of the shop bu
t gave enough of a hint for everyone to know.”

  She nodded. “Yeah, he wasn’t sure you’d want just anyone to know so that’s how he told them to do it. He’s pretty savvy and said the Orokkians should get credit when they do good. He said they get lots of bad press and it’s our job to make sure the good gets out too.”

  I nodded. “Please thank him for me. Now, who’s up for Cards Against Humanity before we have cake?”

  We played several wine-accompanied rounds. They insisted on singing “Happy Birthday” before making me blow out the candles. They put all thirty on the cake. We had some cake and rocky road ice cream before they handed over presents.

  Dorian gave me a copy of The Princess Bride. When I opened it there were autographs from multiple cast members. My favorite cast members. I cried and tried not to get my tears on it.

  Kent and Vera gave me a subscription for a monthly record service. Each month I would receive two new vinyl records on top of the five they’d given me tonight: “Elvis’ Greatest Hits,” Wicked, “Queen’s Greatest Hits,” “Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Volume 1,” and “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga (it was autographed). I cried more and thanked them profusely.

  Karmine told me I wasn’t allowed to cry anymore and gave me her present. It was a quill and ink set for writing in my Grimoire and Book of Shadows. She had also given me a wax seal of the moon, stars, and a comet. It was beautiful and I, of course, cried.

  These gifts were in addition to what I’d received at my party. There were all wonderful and so thoughtful and made me feel treasured. I hadn’t made it through even half of the others. I’d be writing thank you notes months from now. They had all given me something then as well.

  I’m so weepy and emotional. Guess near death experiences bring out the ooey-gooey heart inside me.

  “I wish you hadn’t gotten me gifts again. You already gave me some last week.”