Moss looked up with his steel-dark eyes. “We are.”
She flipped her hair with her pencil and flashed a smile. “I hope new as in moved here and not just visiting.” She tapped her pencil against her order pad. “I’m sure you would like it here.”
Drake smiled at her, though when he turned to face Moss, he had to keep from laughing.
Moss barely moved his head. “I’m sure we will. I think we’ll stay.”
“Well, that will be wonderful. We can always use men such as the two of you.” She pushed the bowl a little closer to Moss.
“Can I do anything, or I mean get you anything? Will it be poison or potion today?”
“A dark lager. Please.” Moss sounded rather gruff.
Drake gave a nod. “Yeah, I’ll take the Thunder Moon, thanks.”
“Very good, poison it is. I’ll be right back with two Thunder Moons.”
Moss spoke, with his usual deadpan delivery. “We’ll be here when you get back.”
Drake shook his head at Moss. “Really? That’s the best you have?”
Moss smirked. “Thunder Moon?”
Drake laughed. “When in Rome…”
Moss looked out toward the room. “She was cute though.”
Drake leaned forward. “Cute? You hate that word.”
Moss turned his neck to look behind him and continued to glance about. “I do. This is a nice bar.”
Drake smiled. “Halona and her cousins come here. They invited us to join them anytime.”
“We’ll have to do that. Maybe we’ll get Cam again.”
Drake smiled and then gave a quick nod. “Just so you know, I still want to move here.”
Cam returned with two large apothecary mugs. “Here you go.”
Moss looked up. “Thank you.” He looked back at Drake. “I do.”
Drake shrugged his shoulders. “I thought you might want to as well.”
Moss took a long, hard drink. “I don’t know, Drake. I’ll consider it. Hell, all I have to worry about up North is an ex-wife, and she’s not mine to worry about anymore.”
“There’s more.”
Moss turned his head sideways. “The crew no doubt.”
“Yes.”
Moss took another hard draw. “If the business moves, that is if I move, I agree we should give a handsome severance pay to the crew.”
Drake exhaled a deep breath before he continued. “What about those who might stay with us while we get settled?”
Moss shrugged. “I’m thinking everyone, you and me included. I’m thinking six months to get situated.”
Drake, with a broad smile, raised his arms in the air. “Woo hoo!” This caused him to blush and quickly cower in his seat, which actually made Moss laugh.
Drake held his arms out. “See, that’s why I don’t want to lose you.”
They clanked mugs.
* * * *
Early Wednesday morning, Halona and Drake had met on the beach to see the blood moon and watch the sunrise. They then returned to the apartment so Halona could get ready for her meeting at Mystic Tides. She yelled out from the bedroom.
“I hate to go, but I need to discuss last-minute preparation for the festival with the girls. Afterward we have the ceremonial unveiling of the new sculpture.”
After a few minutes, she returned wearing a red silk wrap-around dress with the belt cinched tight.
Drake’s mouth dropped. “You’re stunning. You look like a doll. That’s what you are, a living doll.”
Halona tossed her hair and giggled. “Oh shucks. And what do you know about dolls?”
He smiled. “My GI Joe needed a girlfriend.”
She laughed and knelt down to rub Scamp’s head. “Scamp, you’ll stay here today, with Drake okay?” Scamp lay down.
Drake reached for Halona, and she giggled as she slapped his hand. “No, soldier, you’ll make me late. Gotta run, see you guys soon.”
Drake looked at Scamp. “Well, how do you like that? Guess it’s just us two bachelors for awhile.”
* * * *
Late afternoon, following the ceremony, Halona returned to the apartment.
“I brought lunch. Hope you’re hungry.” She smiled at Drake as she walked directly to the kitchen.
“Hi, great.” Drake followed and got plates out of the cupboard. “What can I do to help?”
Halona tapped him. “Nothing, go and get ready to be served.”
Drake raised his brow as he spoke to Scamp. “We boys have the good life.”
Halona prepared their plates, filet mignon with mushroom wine sauce, mashed potatoes with butter and chives, and string beans. She placed the plates on the table.
“This looks great! I missed you today. How was the unveiling?”
“I missed you too,” she said as she kissed his cheek. “It was very nice. Helena-Marie gave an elegant speech. All the members of the Coven were present. I am always amazed by the lineage in this town.”
While Drake enjoyed his meal, he noticed Halona savored each bite of hers. He found it sensuous each time her fork would slowly release from her lips.
Drake put his fork down and rested his arms on the table. He leaned in and watched each bite that she took. She lowered her head down as she shielded her face with her hand.
Drake raised his brows. “No, don’t stop, don’t hide, or I will put you over my knee right now.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me, you temptress you.”
He smiled as he picked up his fork. “So let me ask you, tonight, during the play, what part are you going to play? Will you be the loving stage wife, adoring fan, or a woman who finds me incredibly arrogant?” He smiled shamelessly.
Halona quipped, “What? I can’t be myself and be all three?”
He found both her and her banter so alluring that he reached for her hand. She smiled as she placed her hand in his. As they stood, she draped her arms around his neck, and he held her by her waist. She gave him a come-hither look, on purpose, which was not like her at all. He saw her yearning in her eyes. He loved that she couldn’t hide it any longer. She then slowly and deliberately glided her hands across his broad chest. As she caressed him, he leaned in and proceeded to kiss her neck. His lips moved farther down as her hands dropped to his waist. He lowered his gaze farther when her hands slid down his thighs. He then reached for her hands and lifted them to his face.
“You are making this so hard.” He leaned his head back and slowly exhaled. He then looked in her eyes. “It’s just now… I really need you to be sure.”
Then keeping her hand in one of his, he placed his other hand on her back. He pulled her close as he quietly hummed and slowly led her in a dance. It was as if they held the only secret in town. As if they, and they alone, knew what magic truly was. After several minutes, Drake leaned back and smiled.
“I think you just gave me the tune for those lyrics.”
Chapter 10
Wednesday Evening, The Festival
That evening was the evening of the blood moon. The first full moon since the harvest moon and the first evening of the five-day festival. At the entry to Festival Park stood the town’s Magical Unicorn sculpture. Propped on an easel was a sign of local businesses that had contributed to the event, with Platinum Sponsor, Mystic Tides.
Drake paused as they walked near the unicorn.
With a mischievous smile, he said. “That is exactly as they look.”
Halona giggled. “Oh really, so you have seen them?”
“Yes, absolutely. I ride with the unicorns, my lovely lady.”
Halona placed her hand on his chest. “Doesn’t surprise me. You are a magical creature.”
Drake spoke as he took several photos of Halona. “If I didn’t believe in fairy tales before, I certainly do now. I half expect, when I look at these photos, that you won’t be there. This may all be too good to be real.”
Halona giggled as she tossed her hair.
He wrapped his arm around her, an
d she leaned into him. They walked over to get cotton candy.They continued arm in arm, she only releasing hers when she reached for her treat. She felt the sugary goo on her fingertips. She knew it was worth the sticky residue, which would linger on the tips.
Some might find cotton candy at a witch and warlock festival almost too light, too sweet. Not Halona. She loved the gooey mess that it was. It took her back to early days when she’d gone to carnivals with her parents. Mayor Blansett had always insisted on the fluffy concoction being offered. She wanted the representation of the magical and healing aspects of the sky, the clouds, and the heavens.
Halona reached over and placed a swab of candy at Drake’s lips.
“I’m not going to be able to talk tonight. My lips will be stuck together.” Drake laughed as he took a bite.
Halona gave him a kiss. “Better?”
Drake smiled. “Much.” He leaned in. “See that guy over there, meditating?”
Halona waved her hand to clear some of the smoke from the bonfire.
“That’s Mike Harris. He does that before a show. He’s either talking to a spirit or just had a smoke. I can’t always tell. That’s his gift. He talks with spirits.” He smiled. “Wouldn’t surprise me if he got some of our script directly from them.”
Drake spoke, still looking toward Mike. “He’s really a good guy, and the ladies like him. They think he looks like a young George Harrison. We hear it all the time. Ha, maybe he channels him. He writes beautiful music, better than any of my stuff.”
“The ladies like him? Not you, huh?”
Drake winked. “I have the only lady I want.” As she cozied into his arm, he said, “But I have gotten his leftovers.”
Halona slapped him in the chest. “You’re so bad.”
He stumbled. “Damn, I forgot to step back.”
Halona laughed and then faced him as she placed a hand on his chest. “Oh, speaking of smoking, that reminds me. We have a new chief of police in town. Chief Burke.”
Drake leaned back. “Oh, speaking of smoking, you mean as in smoking hot?”
She shook her head. “No. Well, yes, but no. He’d be perfect for Beth though.”
As they walked the fairgrounds, they went past the petting zoo. Halona scratched a pigmy goat on the head. “I love these little guys, always wanted one. I love how they hop with such joy.”
“Then we’ll get one,” Drake said.
Halona smiled and then broke into a laugh. “Oh, remind me one day to tell you the story about Grey and a small sheep. It wouldn’t be the same telling it without Grey present. You have to see her expression.”
They walked past Bethany’s tent, where people of all ages crafted kitchen witches, garden fairies, and water spirits. They only waved, as Bethany was busy with townsfolk and visitors. She saw Kathy, their permanent employee at Mystic Tides, assisting Tawny and Lisa.
Bonfires glowed throughout as they lit and warmed each area. There were other smaller tents placed throughout the park. They offered fortune telling with crystal balls, tarot readings, and tea leaves. A larger tent revealed a magician’s sleight of hand for the children who did not possess true abilities. Still, the largest tent was dedicated to seated dining, along with a bar with numerous pub tables. This area provided wine tasting and served complimentary glasses of Sangria.
Drake said, “Let’s definitely come back here after the play.”
They walked the corn maze that lead to a pumpkin patch. Several of the pumpkins were intricately carved into witch’s hats and bats. Each person who entered was given a small pumpkin. An area had been set aside, providing space for carving or chunking.
Halona leaned her head back as she inhaled the scents and enjoyed the air that was autumn in Blansett. A sudden thump made her jump as pumpkins crashed into a temporary wall. As Drake laughed, he led her to the stand where they picked up refreshments. They sat on a bench, where, for a moment, they shared a slice of harvest pie with a cup of “witch’s brew,” a warm cider.
Drake wiped a crumb from a corner of Halona’s mouth. “I need to head back to the pavilion. What do you say we find the girls?”
Raising her chin, tongue resting on her teeth, she offered a slight wiggle of her head. “Yeah, but when the play starts, I will be right up front. You’ll know me. I’ll be the one who is ignoring George Harrison and swooning for you.”
He pulled her in to kiss. “Now who’s bad?”
They found Sydney and Grey as they made their way around the flurry of activity.
Drake kissed Halona and bid his farewells. The girls continued through the park, and as they reached the woodworking tent, some children ran past. As they did, they bumped into Grey, who turned to the girls with a smirk.
“Maybe we should carry them to the water to be devoured by the Kappa.”
They all laughed. Sydney smiled. “Better be careful. Beck might see you.”
Grey shrugged as she looked over her shoulder. “That’s why I said we should. That reminds me, when is Beth breaking away to join us?”
At the tent, children were making bat houses and fairy homes. They also had a choice of a black kite in the silhouette of a bat or fairy. The girls stopped briefly to say hello to Nick, who was with Janine and her two boys, Kenny and Keith.
As they continued deep into the park, Halona noticed the terrain changed from the lush greens to a crunch of leaves and uneven woodland. Nestled within the trees, they reached the entrance for an amusement ride. It was a large cone shape, mimicking that of a witch’s hat. As the tunnel narrowed, it lead to a crowd favorite.
The ride was a take on the traditional swings. The seats were shaped like the bristles of a witches broom. Children were perched upon their brooms as they filled the air with their giggles. Halona loved seeing how the ride allowed children to feel the flight. She smiled at Grey and Sydney.
“This would definitely be my transportation of choice. Uncumbersome, convenient, and effective.”
Halona imagined her own hair flowing behind her, imagined flying high and looking down at the town.
They stopped at a game where the participants were tossing brooms. In this game, whoever of the group of thirteen competing tossed the farthest won the prize of a stuffed black cat.
Grey smirked. “Future witches and warlocks.”
As the girls sashayed along, each time they came upon a fire that had faded, Grey gave it a boost. Bethany, who’d joined them at the broom toss, would retrieve debris and place it in the flames.
Grey snickered. “Let’s start a real fire. Get Beck over here for a little fun.”
“Fun for who, you?” Bethany said. They all laughed.
The hands-on part of the activities were shutting down. Craft tents were emptying. Folks began their walk toward the pavilion. Paralleling the boardwalk stood the array of sculptures that had just been unveiled earlier in the day. Mythical creatures that had lived in the ocean or other bodies of water were represented.
One could see Triton with his conch shell held to his mouth, blowing it like a trumpet to calm or call the waves. Seated on a rock were merfolk in an embrace. Farther down, children climbed on the spirited dolphin, Encatado. Many pretended, while others actually claimed, to have interacted with such a creature.
Another ride had just shut down for the evening. The Kraken, with large tentacles, formed the arms of the ride. The seats, shaped like suction cups, would take the monster’s prey and twirl them about.
Now all became quiet, folks having taken their seats near the stage. The moon shown behind them. As guests faced the stage, the waves crashed in the distance. An eerie light shone on the pavilion as an announcer stepped forward.
“Ladies and Gentleman, Witches and Warlocks, welcome to the production of The Cauldron.”
When Drake stepped on stage, Halona sat up perfectly straight, so proud and so pleased that she, and only she, had found such a magnificent treasure.
She whispered to Beth, “Look at him. He’s so charismatic, so darling.”
Beth smiled and put her hand on Halona’s.
During the course of the play, the town was riveted. There were moments the audience wept, gasped, and laughed. At the conclusion, there was a standing ovation as the actors took their bows. The visitors and townsfolk were then ushered away to more late-night activities.
The evening held a cool breeze, yet the fires kept it toasty. At one large bonfire, one could participate in the drum circle. Others chose the hayride being offered, which gave a perspective of the town at the time of the blood moon. Still others simply returned to the bistro and bar tent.
Chapter 11
Saturday Afternoon
Over the last few days, the festival and the play had all been a success, and business had been booming for local establishments. It was early Saturday morning when the girls got word that Mayor Helena-Marie Blansett would like to meet them in the afternoon. None of them knew if it was a meeting as her position as the mayor or as coven leader. They knew only that she’d asked to come to them, rather than have the girls go to her.
Bethany prepared a special herb tea, and Halona had prepared hors d’oeuvres. Sydney had cleaned and straightened the rooms while Grey tended the fire. They all saw to it that the pets were in a consultation room. They didn’t want any accidents due to Grey’s allergies. One sneeze could play havoc.
As they waited on the sofas, each of them, for the first time, seemed reluctant to speak. Halona broke the silence as she leaned forward.
“Oh, I’ve been so busy I forgot to mention. Mr. Stellar came in my shop the other day and was acting very strange. I’m beginning to wonder if it has anything to do with the other strange events we’ve had. You don’t think that’s why Helena-Marie is coming, do you?”
Sydney leaned in. “Funny you say that. Smythe-Warren was acting rather strange, too, before Dad and I banished him.”
Grey lifted her eyes. “How could you tell? He’s pretty slimy…”
Halona shook her hair. “I hope we haven’t upset the balance. The consequences could be catastrophic.” She laughed. “Grey, at least you’ll survive if they burn us at the stake. Syd can persuade them to let her go. Beth can heal herself.” She continued as she rolled her eyes. “Me, I’m going to have to hope for walking the plank.”
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