by HR Mason
“Indeed. Women like you don’t have it easy.”
“What do you mean, women like me?” Ella asked, a hint of worry in her voice.
“Women with powerful gifts,” the midwife answered evenly.
“Gifts?”
“Magic runs through your veins, ma’am. I could see it in your eyes from a mile away.”
Ella tried to hide the look of panic on her face, desperate to keep the truth hidden. “You are wrong.”
“Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me,” the midwife said soothingly.
“I don’t know what you mean. I have no secrets. I am an ordinary woman,” Ella insisted with a shake of her blonde head.
“As you say, ma’am. You should rest now. That little one will be keeping you up all hours of the night. You’ll need your sleep.” The midwife chuckled.
“Thank you,” Ella said quietly as the other woman left the room.
Adjusting her weary body in the bed, Ella gazed at her daughter as the baby suckled hungrily. It seemed the girl couldn’t get her fill. Yes, she was strong. That would be necessary.
“My little Maja, I wish I could give you a better world. Life won’t be easy for you, as it hasn’t been easy for any of the women in our family. The best gift I can give you is an ordinary life,” Ella whispered as her eyes filled with tears.
Ella’s husband, Aksel, was out to sea. He would be disappointed that he had missed the birth of his daughter, but it couldn’t be helped. As a fisherman’s wife, Ella understood it came with the territory. She had worried about giving birth alone, and she’d been grateful for the help of the local midwife. The couple had few connections, and Ella’s distrusting nature made friendships especially difficult.
Aksel and Ella had settled in Vardø the previous year. Aksel decided the coastal village was a convenient place to put down roots. For Ella, it was a bit of a homecoming. Vardø was the village of her great-grandmother, Helga, who had fled during the witch panic of 1621. Helga had longed for her homeland, so she’d passed down stories to her daughter, who passed them down to the next generation, and so on.
Ella had always known she would end up in Vardø, but she’d been careful to keep her connection to the town a secret, even from her husband. What had happened to so many others would not happen to her.
Maja popped her mouth from Ella’s breast and focused on her mother’s face. A small trickle of milk ran from the corner of the baby’s mouth, and Ella wiped it with the edge of her shift. Maja’s eyes twinkled with an otherworldly knowledge, and in that instant, Ella’s fears were confirmed. Maja had the gift.
Ella had spent the entirety of her pregnancy praying the gift would end with her. She wanted nothing more than for her daughter to be normal. Ella’s mother, Nora, had cherished her gift, begging Ella to embrace her own, and in some ways she had. But Ella was pragmatic enough to understand that their differences made them targets, especially in Vardø. She feared for Maja’s safety.
The last witch trial in Vardø had been many years ago, but it had happened within Ella’s lifetime. That fact alone terrified her to her very core. She had been careful to keep her power under wraps since coming to Vardø, but it was a dangerous game. In that moment, looking at her obviously magical daughter, Ella knew she would do anything she could to discourage Maja’s gifts.
“Rest, my little one,” Ella whispered.
She waved her fingers over the baby’s eyes without making contact or touching her in any way. She didn’t need to; the familiar tingle in her fingertips found its intended target. Maja’s eyes closed immediately, and the infant nodded off to sleep.
Gingerly easing her exhausted, pain-drenched body from the bed, Ella made her way slowly across the room. Sinking to her knees in front of an old wooden box, she carefully lifted the lid. Tucked inside was a small leather-bound book with an Ansuz rune symbol carved into its cover. Tentatively tracing her hands across the book, Ella felt the familiar vibration of energy pulsing against her skin.
“My only purpose is to keep you safe, Maja,” Ella said quietly, her voice floating like a flower on the breeze.
Removing the book from the box, she opened it to the next blank page. Tears streamed down her face as she made the only decision she could.
“The story ends with us. Maja can never know the truth.”
Four
“Thank you, ma’am.” Runa smiled as she handed the shopping bag across the counter to the customer. “I hope you’ll come again soon.”
“You can count on it. I’m telling all my friends about your store, as well. Your inventory is exquisite, much better than anything else we have in Departure Cove,” the woman answered.
“I’m so glad to hear it. See you soon,” Runa added as the woman made her way out the front door.
As soon as the store was empty, Runa turned to the teenager standing next to her. “Did everything about that transaction make sense to you, Emily?”
“I think so. You’re really good at explaining things.”
Runa had hired Emily, a senior at Departure Cove High School, the previous day. So far, the girl was a quick study, and Runa felt confident about her choice. She hadn’t expected to hire an employee so soon, but the store had been packed every day of opening week.
Runa quickly realized she couldn’t handle things alone, so she’d placed a Help Wanted sign in the window. Emily answered the call. Runa would have to work around the girl’s school schedule, but she’d liked her so much she was willing to give it a try.
“Would you mind folding the shirts on that table, Emily? Remember how I showed you?”
“Sure. I remember,” the girl replied as she walked in that direction.
As Emily set to work, the front door opened. Runa was surprised to see Chase Everwine walk into the store. She hadn’t seen him since opening day—not that she was keeping track.
“Hello, Mr. Everwine,” Runa greeted.
“I thought we agreed to be on a first-name basis the last time we talked, Runa,” Chase reminded her with a playful shake of his finger.
“You’re right. Hello, Chase,” she corrected, warmth rushing into her cheeks.
“That’s much better.”
“What can I do for you? Or are you simply here to apologize again?” Runa teased.
“I suppose I deserve that.” Chase gave her a dimpled grin before continuing, “I’m looking for a gift for my mother’s birthday.”
“I’m sure we can find the perfect item. Tell me a little about your mother. What’s she like?”
“She’s a domineering, powerful woman who believes she’s superior to most. Her greatest aspiration in life is having a full social calendar,” Chase answered with a smirk.
“Well… that’s… quite a description.”
Runa wasn’t sure what to think. She felt sorry for the man if that was the best he could say about his mother.
“I’m sure that sounds cold and heartless to you, but that’s Camille Everwine in a nutshell.” Chase shrugged.
“Do you know her favorite color?” Runa tried again.
“Green, like the color of money.” Chase laughed.
“Okay, then.”
Walking across the store toward a rack of clothing, Runa tried to hide her astonishment. She realized the relationship she had with her own mother was closer than most, but she couldn’t imagine what it must be like for Chase to have such a jaded opinion of the woman who gave him life. She felt sorry for him.
Pulling a high-end emerald-green silk blouse from the rack, she held it up in front of Chase. “What do you think?”
“It’s perfect. I can definitely see that on my mother,” he answered. “You’re very good at your job, Runa.”
“Thank you. I try.”
Chase’s brown eyes locked on her blue ones, and Runa’s cheeks went from warm to hot. He certainly elicited a physical reaction, but that didn’t matter to her in the least. She refused to fall under the man’s spell. He was undoubtedly charismatic and handsome,
but she would not be charmed by Chase Everwine. She was sure he had a very long string of women trailing in his wake, and the last thing she wanted was to become one of them.
“My mom will love the gift, Runa.” Chase’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
“That’s great to hear,” she replied with a nod, reminding herself to keep her thoughts professional.
“And now that you’ve helped me with the first part of my dilemma, I’m hoping you can help me with the second,” he continued.
“What would that be?”
“I came into your store for two things: a gift for my mother’s birthday and a date to her party. So far, I have one of them,” he hinted.
“Are you asking me out?” Her heart raced despite her warnings for it to slow down.
“I am. Would you accompany me to my mother’s birthday party Friday night?”
“I can’t do that, Chase,” Runa declared with a decisive shake of her head.
“Why not?”
“I have to work Friday, and I have a million things to catch up on.”
Runa gave the first excuse that came to mind. She wasn’t sure why she was so hesitant to go out with him, but she was. She imagined he was quite the player, and she wasn’t about to get caught in his trap.
“I noticed the store closes at six o’clock. The party isn’t until eight. So technically you don’t have to work at that time,” Chase pointed out diplomatically.
“But—”
“Camille Everwine’s annual birthday bash is considered the event of the season.”
“So? Why does that matter to me?”
“Everyone who’s anyone will be there. It’s quite the coup to get an invitation,” he explained.
“I appreciate the offer, really, but I’m not much of a party person,” Runa replied as politely as she could. After all, she could refuse without being rude.
“Do I need to beg?”
“Beg? You can’t be serious.”
“I will beg if that’s what it takes for you to agree to be my date,” Chase said with a chuckle.
“I wouldn’t have pegged you as the type who needed to grovel for companionship,” Runa quipped.
“I’ve never begged for a date in my life, and yet here I am.” Chase shrugged and gave her a sheepish grin.
“Chase—”
“I’m getting down on my knees,” he warned, bending his legs in preparation.
Runa threw out her hand to stop him. “Why do you want me to go so badly, Chase?”
“I would like to say my motives are completely noble. I could tell you I’m looking out for your welfare, it’ll be a good way for people to get to know you, and it’ll be great for business,” he started, straightening his body.
“But that wouldn’t be the real reason, I presume?”
“No. The real reason is entirely selfish.”
“And what’s the real reason?” Runa raised her eyebrow in inquiry.
“Runa, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since that day on the sidewalk. I’m intrigued, and I want to get to know you better,” he finished.
Runa ducked her head in an attempt to hide her flushed cheeks. She made a quick mental checklist of the pros and cons of going on a date with Chase. The list of cons was surprisingly short. Not usually one to make spontaneous decisions, Runa decided to throw caution to the wind and take a chance.
Just as she was about to say yes, she felt the tingling, vibrating prickle that was becoming increasingly familiar. Her body quivered as energy passed over her in waves.
A voice she didn’t recognize whispered in her ear, “Du er i fare.”
“Did you hear that?” Runa asked, glancing around the room.
“Hear what?”
“I thought I heard something.”
“It was the sound of me begging you to go out with me.” Chase laughed jovially.
“Okay, I’ll go,” Runa blurted.
“You will?”
“Yes, I will.” She flexed her fingers as the electricity left her body.
“Perfect. What time should I pick you up?”
“Just give me the address. I’ll meet you there,” Runa insisted.
“You’re the sort of woman who likes to keep a man on his toes.” He chuckled. “Very well, here’s the invitation. The address is on it.”
Chase reached into his pocket and handed her an envelope with an embossed wax seal in the shape of an E. Runa noticed the invitation smelled faintly of roses. Placing the envelope behind the cash register, she tried to forget about the strangeness of the moment or what she’d just agreed to. Instead, she rang up the sale and gift wrapped the green silk blouse for Camille Everwine.
“I’ll see you Friday night at eight o’clock, Runa,” Chase said as he grabbed the bag from her trembling hands. “Promise you won’t change your mind.”
“I promise,” she said.
“Can I at least have your phone number? You know, in case you get lost or anything,” he explained.
“Sure,” she said, scribbling the number on the back of a business card.
“I will treasure it,” he declared with a mock bow as he placed the card into his jacket pocket.
“You’re something else, aren’t you?” Runa said playfully.
“I am.”
With a smile, Chase headed out the front door, his mother’s package in tow.
As soon as the door closed behind him, Emily let out a squeal. Runa jumped, startled by the high-pitched sound that emanated from her new employee.
“I can’t believe you’re going on a date with Chase Everwine. Oh my goodness, Runa, that man is gorgeous,” the teenager gushed.
“He’s nice to look at, isn’t he?” Runa replied, feigning an air of nonchalance.
The truth was, she’d never met a man like Chase. He had the air of old Hollywood glamor. He made her feel like she was the most important person in the room, and that was exciting and unexpected.
“That’s the understatement of the year.” Emily giggled. “Wait until I tell my friends about this.”
“What do you know about him, Emily?”
“The Everwines are rich, and not just a little bit. They’re like the kind of rich that makes them sort of royalty,” Emily explained.
“Where did all their money come from?” Runa inquired.
“The Everwines have been in Departure Cove for hundreds of years. They’re lumber barons or something like that. Everwine Manor, their house, is supposed to be an amazing mansion. I’ve never seen it myself, but I’ve heard about it,” Emily continued.
“What do you know about Chase himself? Does he date a lot?”
“He never dates,” the girl began. “Not since his wife.”
“His wife?”
“Yeah, it was really sad. She disappeared about seven years ago. I was just a kid, but it was all anyone could talk about. Nobody knows what happened to her. Some people think she drowned. Chase searched for her for years before he finally accepted that she was gone,” Emily said.
“That’s terrible. Poor Chase.” Her heart actually hurt for him.
“Yeah, as far as I know, he hasn’t dated anyone since then. I don’t think he ever got over her. Isn’t that romantic?”
Ignoring Emily’s teenage sentimentality, Runa stewed on the information, wondering how she had managed to catch Chase Everwine’s attention. It was hard to picture him as a grieving widower, but apparently, that’s what he was.
“I can’t wait to hear all about the Everwine mansion,” Emily bubbled excitedly. “Oh, by the way, some people in town think the house is haunted.”
“That’s nothing but superstition, Emily. There are no such things as ghosts and haunted houses,” Runa reprimanded.
“We’ll see if you feel the same way after visiting Everwine Manor,” Emily warned.
Runa was heading back to the storage room when her phone buzzed. She took it out, a smile blooming across her face when she saw the text from Chase.
I’ll
be counting down the minutes until I see you again.
Five
Runa slipped the black silk dress over her body, checking the results in her bedroom’s full-length mirror. She’d purchased the garment as inventory for her shop, but on a whim, she’d decided it belonged in her own closet.
The light fabric hugged her shape perfectly, fitting her almost like a second skin. The small string of pearls accentuated the scooped neckline, giving her an overall air of sophistication. She’d worked her blonde hair into an exquisite French twist, her dangling pearl earrings completing the look.
“I suppose you’re presentable enough for the party of the century,” she said to her reflection as she slipped her feet into her black heels.
She glanced at the clock, her heart speeding up as she saw it was almost seven thirty. She’d considered canceling at least ten times that day, but in the end decided against it. After all, she’d promised to go, and the thought of disappointing Chase didn’t sit well with her, especially since he’d had two dozen red roses delivered to her shop earlier that afternoon.
He’d called to see if his driver could pick her up, but Runa refused. She had never been to Everwine Manor, and she barely knew Chase Everwine. Putting herself in such a vulnerable situation seemed unwise. Instead, she hoped to be prepared for the worst possible scenario, which meant driving her own vehicle.
Locking the front door behind her, Runa headed to her car. Sliding into the driver seat, she turned the key in the ignition, and her ancient Volvo rumbled to life. Typing the address into her phone, she discovered Everwine Manor was only twenty minutes away. Backing out of her driveway, she exited her neighborhood, drove down Main Street, and headed out of town.
The evening had grown dark, the winding road dimly lit. She had the fleeting thought that she should have driven the route at least once in daylight to give her some idea of her destination. But she hadn’t, so there was nothing to do but drive.
Squinting, Runa finally saw the sign instructing her where to turn. Flipping on her signal, she veered off the main road onto the narrow one leading up the hill toward Everwine Manor. Slowing her car even more, she flicked on her bright lights in an effort to illuminate the encroaching blackness.