I heard the frustration in his voice, and part of me longed to comfort him. I knew how he felt. It was a long, tough road before I walked down the aisle with Daniel, and I still remembered those bleak moments when I believed all was lost. It was a dark, lonely place, and I didn’t wish it on my worst enemy.
“I understand, Steve,” I said. “I really do. Now, please put the blade away.”
“Or you’ll what?” he sneered. “Sweet talk me to death? I don’t think so.” He lunged toward me, the blade gleaming under the fey lights.
I didn’t have much time, so I focused my will and said, “Put a wiggle in his pants/and make Steve’s shiny switchblade dance.”
The blade wrenched itself from Steve’s grip and began twirling and tilting to an imaginary beat. As a bonus, Steve did the same.
“What are you doing to me?” he asked, as his hips jutted and swayed like Elvis.
“It must’ve been my use of ‘and’ in the spell,” I said, apologetic. “It’s a coven spell meant for inanimate objects only.” Except I had more power than a coven witch and, once again, my magic manifested differently. Maybe Avery was right. Maybe I didn’t belong in the academy.
Steve tried to dance his way toward me, so I plucked the blade from the air to keep him at bay.
The brownie was determined to reach me. He forced his arms outward in an effort to throttle me. I held the blade between us and made a threatening face.
“You can’t fool me,” he said. “You won’t use that blade. Don’t ever go to prison, Emma. You won’t last a day.”
“No worries there.” I had no plans to break the law. Unfortunately, he was right about the switchblade. There was no way I could use it against him. I didn’t have the stomach for that kind of violence.
He kicked his leg out as part of his involuntary dance and caught my knee. I crumpled to the floor, and the blade went sliding across the smooth surface.
“No!” I cried.
The dancing spell ended, and Steve hurled himself toward me. Instinctively, I threw out my hands, and Steve flew backward across the room, landing with a splash in the vat of ale. I stared in amazement at the empty air. I hadn’t uttered a word. My will had taken over to insure my survival. Those Warden trainees weren’t wrong.
I had real power.
I ran over to make sure Steve didn't drown. The liquid bubbled as his head emerged, and he sucked in a deep breath.
“It burns my eyes," he cried. He flailed in the liquid, desperately trying to climb out. I pulled out my wand, focused my will, and said, “Gentle as a morning breeze/make this bubbling liquid freeze.”
The ale hardened around him, trapping the brownie in the middle. He whipped his head around in a panic. “I can’t move.”
“That's the idea," I said. "I need to keep you here while I send for Sheriff Astrid.”
“Some folks rely on handcuffs," Steve grumbled.
"With my track record, it probably makes sense to start carrying a spare pair," I said. Then again, magic usually proved more useful than handcuffs, in my experience.
“Sit tight, Steve,” I called over my shoulder. “I’ll be back with the sheriff before you get too uncomfortable.”
I felt a little guilty that Mr. Burdock was going to lose more ale. On the other hand, he wasn't going to be held responsible for spelling residents, and his daughter would hopefully be restored to her sunny disposition. I called that a win.
Chapter 19
The line of paranormals stretched around the corner of the Great Hall. Daniel and I sat behind a folding table, distributing the antidote. Anyone who drank the free ale samples on Spellbound Day was told to report here in order to reverse the spell. Behind us, Mr. Burdock and Toby Aziz distributed free coffee and donuts. They apparently got together and decided to sponsor breakfast to those affected by the potion.
Mayor Lucy was first in line. We discussed whether she should take the antidote in private, so that residents didn't realize the town leader had been compromised. In the end, we decided it was best to make a public display of it. Make it clear that the mayor's behavior was uncharacteristic and not reflective of her true personality. Hopefully, that would put newcomers at ease and restore the goodwill of her constituents.
"Does it have to be purple?" Mayor Lucy asked, eyeing the vial in my outstretched hand. "Purple makes it look like medicine."
"It kind of is," I said. "You want to get better, don't you?" I nearly threatened to make choo-choo noises and force it down her throat. Thankfully, the fairy quickly acquiesced.
"Down the hatch," the mayor said, and the antidote slid into her mouth. She smacked her lips together and smiled. I recognized that bright smile anywhere. My friend was back.
"You may want to buy your assistant a nice gift," I said. "She's been through a lot this week."
The mayor cringed. "Great Goddess of the Moon. I threw a shoe at her. Can you believe that?"
"I'm sure she wouldn't object to a nice pair of shoes from Ready-to-Were,” I said. “Might be appropriate under the circumstances.”
"I'm already making a mental list of all the amends I need to make,” Mayor Lucy said. “It’s going to be a busy week!” She fluttered forward to enjoy her coffee and donut.
Begonia stepped up, ready for her vial. "This better not taste nasty."
"If it does, you can simply wash it down with a nice cup of coffee from Perky's and a cinnamon donut." I motioned to the table behind me.
"How do I know the coffee is free of potion?" Begonia asked. "Maybe I'll end up with horns and a tail this time."
"I've already tested it," I said. "I promise you that it's perfectly safe."
Begonia gave me a skeptical look before tipping back the vial. It only took a moment for the antidote to work. I could practically see her pleasant disposition returning in real time. It was a welcome sight.
“You should probably go see Demetrius as soon as you finish your breakfast," I suggested. "I think you two have things to talk about."
Begonia’s face lit up. "I don't need to go see him because he's already here." She waved behind me, and I turned to see Demetrius waiting patiently across the street. I sighed with relief. Now that I’d confirmed a potion had been to blame, I had a feeling everything would be okay between them.
Next up was Millie. "I don't see why I should have to take the antidote," she grumbled. "I don't think my sample had any of the potion in it."
“Let’s be on the safe side and give you the antidote anyway," Daniel said. "We've been advised that it won't hurt you if, for some reason, you weren't spelled."
Millie swallowed the purple liquid and grimaced. "That's disgusting. It's a good thing you’re offering donuts to get rid of the bad taste." She peered over our shoulders to investigate her options. "Cinnamon and chocolate? Do you have anything else? Those are very limited choices." Millie moved on to the next table.
"Maybe she should have a second vial," Daniel suggested. "I don't think the antidote is strong enough for her."
I bit back a smile. “That's just Millie. That potion would have had to be incredibly strong to make her any more unlikeable." Unlikeable or not, I was extremely fond of Millie. Her abrasive personality was merely the chicken wire designed to protect a strong, loving heart.
Tinnie snapped her gum as she approached the table. "I don't see why this is necessary. I'm a teenager. I'm supposed to be horrible. It’s, like, my job.”
“Apparently, you’re a dream daughter, and your father would like to have you restored,” I said. I didn’t blame him. Life was hard enough without battling an unpleasant personality on a daily basis.
Tinnie finished her vial and placed the empty glass in the container in front of Daniel. Her features instantly relaxed, relieving her of the pinched expression she'd been wearing. "Did Steve really do this because of me?" She scanned the scene around us. "This is all my fault." Tears welled in her eyes.
"No, don't think that for one second," I insisted. "You can't control the behavior o
f others. You had no idea what Steve was doing.”
"I've been so rude to everyone lately," Tinnie said, clearly embarrassed. "I called my teacher a shrew." She paused. "To be fair, she is a wereshrew, but I still shouldn’t have said it.” Her cheeks colored. "I'm still new here. They won't understand that I wasn't acting like myself."
I offered a sympathetic smile. "They’ll figure it out, Tinnie. Just give them a little bit of time to see the real you."
She nodded mutely, and continued to her father's table.
Once the last antidote had been distributed to Calliope, Daniel and I packed up the mess at our table.
"There are still a few donuts left, if you two are interested," Mr. Burdock said.
“And coffee," Toby said. "I made sure to get the bottomless pit."
"This was very kind of both of you," I said. "None of this was your fault. You didn't have to get involved."
The men exchanged friendly glances.
"We want to be involved here," Toby said. "This was a great way to meet more paranormals in the community face-to-face."
"Toby and I are talking about making it a monthly event," Mr. Burdock said. "Maybe have it at the care home or the healer's office."
“Or both," Toby added.
"How will giving out coffee and donuts at those places help you sell more ale?" Daniel asked. “The care home residents aren’t allowed alcohol.”
“It's not about making money," Mr. Burdock said. "It's about making friends."
"If we have to win over the residents of Spellbound in order to be accepted, then that's what we'll do," Toby said.
"It's a lovely gesture," I said. "But I don't think you'll need to jump through many hoops to be accepted here. You've already shown us how worthy you are. I think we need to show that we deserve you."
Daniel slung an arm around me. “Slow down. We’re still trying to prove that we deserve this one.” He squeezed my shoulders. “I don't think it's a debt this town can ever fully repay."
“This town owes me nothing," I said firmly. "I reaped my reward the day I met you."
“You can’t put a price on a love like that,” Mr. Burdock said. “I know that all too well.”
Toby pressed his lips together, sympathetic. “I told you Edie has a sister. We’ll invite her for a visit next month. Who knows? Maybe you two will hit it off. I know she’d love to have her sister move closer. Those two are tighter than twine.”
Mr. Burdock barked a short laugh. “Yes, but would you love her sister to move closer?”
Toby chuckled. “Whatever makes my love happy, makes me happy. No matter how shrill her sister’s voice is.”
“Hey!” Mr. Burdock objected. “A second ago you were trying to sell me on her. Now her voice is shrill?”
“Shrill like a cooing dove,” Toby said, with a mischievous wink at us. “You’ll see.”
I sat on the edge of the cafeteria table with Daniel, close enough to observe, but far enough away that no one encouraged me to participate. A makeshift pole took center stage, as Micki demonstrated her signature moves to a crowd of fascinated care home residents.
“It’s an excellent workout for your core,” Micki declared, gliding around the pole with ease.
“Again,” Estella clamored.
“In slow motion,” Silas added.
Micki laughed. “Such an enthusiastic group. I love it!”
Daniel tilted his head as Micki highlighted her flexibility. “That’s an interesting angle.”
I elbowed him gently in the ribs. “Is it?”
“Do you know how to do any of that?” he asked quietly.
I recoiled. “Have you met me? I’d suffer an injury before my hand touched the pole.”
He nuzzled my neck. “Maybe you could use magic.”
“If I use magic,” I whispered, “then there’s no pole required.”
He kissed my cheek. “Good point.”
“Who would like to try?” Micki asked, landing back on her feet with the grace of an Olympic gymnast.
There was no hesitation from my favorite elderly witch. “I’ll show you how it’s done,” Agnes said, elbowing others out of the way.
“Make way for the professional,” Silas called.
“Heaven help us,” Daniel said, his voice shaking with fear. “I can’t unsee this.”
“Then close your eyes,” I advised.
In her care home gown that tied in the back, Agnes rocked the pole, flashing her bare butt at every opportunity. Silas cheered each time she whipped past. I worried about her hips. Actually, the way she was moving around, I worried about all her joints. No doubt she’d need a pain tonic later.
Micki gave her a few tips before asking for another volunteer. Agnes, however, seemed to have no intention of vacating the pole. She was whooping like a cowgirl on her bucking bronco. All she needed was a Stetson. Despite the magic ban in the care home, I found myself focusing my will and crowning Agnes with a hot pink hat. The delight on her face was worth the risk.
I noticed a healthy-looking Rochester watching from against the far wall. I gave him a small wave, and he nodded in acknowledgement. I wondered whether he was checking on Micki for professional or personal reasons. In a way, it was for the best that he’d fallen ill. If he’d signed off on a plea deal, he would have felt professionally obligated to steer clear of her in his personal life. Now, he was free to pursue a relationship, if that was what he wanted. Life had a funny way of working out for the best sometimes, even when it seemed to be falling to pieces.
“Will you come again, Micki?” Silas asked.
“That’s the plan,” Micki said. “This is a regular gig. Counts toward my community service hours. I’m also volunteering at the preschool.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Not the same kind of dance?”
Micki bumped me with her hip. “Now who sounds conservative?” She laughed. “Relax. It’s ballet. I started as a dancer, remember? I can still do enough to teach little kids, although I prefer older company.” She shrugged. “Anyway, I like the idea of helping little kids have fun and learn to value themselves. If I’d had a Micki in my life when I was little, maybe my life would’ve turned out differently.” She gave me a pointed look. “Or an Emma.”
“Bah! Don’t make her head any bigger or the whole building will explode,” Agnes interjected. “Then I’ll be homeless and on the streets and nobody wants that.” She winked at Daniel. “You’d have to make space in that house for another roommate.”
Daniel’s eyes popped. “Three’s already quite the crowd. I think a fourth would put us over the edge.”
Agnes cackled and pinched Daniel’s cheek. “You’re too easy, Cloud Hopper. One of these days, we’ll figure out how to toughen you up.”
“Not today,” I said. “I happen to prefer him exactly as he is.” In fact, I preferred everyone in Spellbound exactly as they were—from Agnes’s debauchery to Begonia’s sweet nature to Millie’s critical confidence. Some paranormals like Micki had only recently started on the journey of self-discovery—of figuring out who they were meant to be. Instinctively, I smiled at Daniel.
And some of us were already there.
Also by Annabel Chase
Thank you for reading Crazy For Brew! If you enjoyed it, please help other readers find this book so they can enjoy the world of Spellbound, too ~
1. Write a review and post it on Amazon.
2. Sign up for my new releases via e-mail here http://eepurl.com/ctYNzf or like me on Facebook so you can find out about the next book before it's even available.
3. Other books by Annabel Chase include the Spellbound paranormal cozy mystery series.
Curse the Day, Book 1
Doom and Broom, Book 2
Spell’s Bells, Book 3
Lucky Charm, Book 4
Better Than Hex, Book 5
Cast Away, Book 6
A Touch of Magic, Book 7
A Drop in the Potion, Book 8
Hemlocked and Loaded, Book 9
<
br /> All Spell Breaks Loose, Book 10
While you’re waiting for the next book in the Spellbound Ever After series, you can check out my Starry Hollow Witches series:
Magic & Murder, Book 1
Magic & Mystery, Book 2
Magic & Mischief, Book 3
Magic & Mayhem, Book 4
Magic & Mercy, Book 5
Crazy For Brew Page 17