Council of Magic

by J. L. Hendricks

  The witches around the table took their seats and one at a time, almost like it was rehearsed, sat down in perfect harmony.

  The woman in flowing pastel robes stood up first. “My name is Joanna. We are all on the witch’s council.” Both of her hands fluidly moved to encompass all of the witches at the table. She smiled at both Jenna and me.

  Then, the man next to her stood up. “My name is Mikael. I look forward to working with all four of The Voodoo Dolls.”

  Mikael was a good-looking man, for someone who appeared to be nearing retirement. He was wearing black slacks and a tight blue t-shirt which showed off his toned upper body. I wondered if he had dressed to impress us.

  Before he sat down, he winked at me and smiled at Jenna.

  All of the women took turns introducing themselves. All smiling at me. Not one seemed to harbor any ill-will toward me, not like Rebecca.

  The last man to stand, the one I noticed earlier, appeared to be in his late thirties or early forties. His red shirt was unbuttoned a bit far, for a council meeting. From what I could see of his chest, it was tone. When he looked at me, I got the feeling he was checking me out.

  “I am Marco. Pleased to make your acquaintance.” He gave a slight bow before sitting down.

  His smile to Jenna was nice and polite. Did Rico claim Jenna belonged to him? Is that why the men were flirting with me and being nothing but polite with Jenna? It wouldn’t surprise me.

  What would Ivan think about these men flirting with me?

  He probably wouldn’t care. I really needed to stop thinking about him.

  Strange, every one of these council members were polite to me. I didn’t get one narrowed eye or scowl. Why was Rebecca acting angry toward me? This makes no sense.

  Once everyone was seated and a few uncomfortable seconds went by, Joseph cleared his throat and leaned forward. He arched an eyebrow when he caught Rebecca’s attention.

  “I didn’t invite you here for tea. As you may have guessed, we have a proposition for you.” Rebecca took a deep breath and began again. “We have all agreed The Voodoo Shop should become a sort of distribution center for our spells.”

  “Wait. What?” Jenna interrupted Rebecca with a confused look on her face.

  “Please, let me continue, and I will explain.” Rebecca took a sip of her tea.

  It’s as though she was purposely dragging this out. Why not just get out with it and tell us what she wants?

  “The following information is highly confidential. I need you all to swear you won’t breathe a word of what I’m about to tell you. Rico is the only one who may know, once he swears his oath. I am rather shocked he didn’t barge in here with you like Kat did. Maybe he has a little bit of respect for us after all.” Rebecca’s barb didn’t faze me in the least. She was the one who had little respect for me, obviously.

  “Jenna, Kat, if you swear this oath to the council and go back on it, they will know. If you break your word to the witches, they will not be happy. Be sure you are prepared to say nothing to anyone else.” It was a good thing Joseph was here. I’m also glad I came along. This would be too much for any one of us to shoulder alone.

  “Does this mean we can’t say anything to our sisters, either?” Jenna asked.

  “No, you may tell Rico, Sam, and Indie. You may never speak to anyone else besides those who are present, not even other witches, unless we approve. Most of them don’t understand the intricacies of our dealings with the paranormal community. Nor, do they need to.” Mikael answered for Rebecca.

  I licked my lips and considered their warning. This was an oath I wouldn’t be able to break, probably on pain of death. Witches weren’t easy to deal with.

  “Alright, I can swear to keep this secret,” Jenna answered with a shaky breath.

  “I may as well, too.” I sighed and hoped I wasn’t signing my death warrant.

  “Joseph, you already know this. However, I would like another statement from you to renew your vow of secrecy.” Rebecca leaned forward and looked at Joseph, who sat on my left.

  “I swear to keep what is said here a secret.” Joseph put his right hand over his heart and nodded his head toward the head of the witch’s council.

  “Very well, the entire council is witness to the oath these three have made. Should you wish to tell your sisters, they must swear the oath in front of at least two from the council. Same with Rico.” Rebecca inclined her head to Joseph, in acceptance of his oath.

  “This council has made several treaties with various shifters around the country. We have even made a treaty with a group of vampire hunters. If you ever breathe a word of this to the vampire queen, or any vampire, you will pay with your life. Do you understand?” Rebecca actually looked me in the eye for the first time since I arrived.

  Jenna and I both nodded our understanding.

  “Good, good. We supply certain groups with spells they are able to use in their fight against those who would go against the rules set forth with the first council of elders before these lands were even known. When the only known world consisted of what is now the Middle East and the Mediterranean, a council was formed. Each paranormal community sent a representative,” Rebecca droned on, while I started to lose focus.

  Wait. This must mean something important, right? Why did she bring us, or at least Jenna, here unless this was extremely important. I better pay attention.

  I’m not usually much into history unless you can tie it into my life today. If it’s something I need to know, great. If not, why tell me about it? However, this seemed like it might actually be important to the here and now. It was also more than anyone had ever told us about the history of paranormals.

  “The world was growing and mankind was beginning to understand who we were. They were also afraid of us and began to form groups in order to annihilate us all. Even those of us who didn’t prey on humans.” Rebecca’s voice was a bit grating. It almost felt like she was running her nails on the chalkboard.

  “We all agreed to live by a set of rules. Without these rules, we would have been destroyed centuries ago. Each community created their own council to govern themselves. Every year, one from each community journeyed to Egypt. We convened and discussed any issues we had. At the first meeting, after the formation of our laws, we realized the paranormal community needed the help of the witches to stay hidden. Also, we were needed to help defend our community as a whole.” Rebecca’s story was finally starting to get good.

  “We started creating spells other paranormal creatures could use. Defensive spells, mostly. We didn’t want them to gain too much power, or find a way to subdue the humans. It had already been decided the humans should continue to live in this world, and the less they knew about us, the better for all.” Rebecca paused for a sip of tea.

  When she began again, I was more awake and curious about what happened. “We have always helped the paranormal community to protect itself from outside influences. Even when the humans began torching the vampires, we assisted them. Lately, they have received less of our generosity. For the past two, almost three, centuries the vampires have skirted the edges of our law in public. At times, they have blatantly broken the accords.”

  “Almost two hundred years ago, a sect of vampire hunters found us. They promised to leave all paranormal creatures alone if we helped them to kill the unruly vampires who broke our laws. This very council agreed as long as the hunters continued to learn about our rules and only punished the rule-breakers. Not all vampires should be killed.” Rebecca was finally telling a story I wanted to hear.

  “How did they take it? Not being allowed to kill all vampires?” Jenna asked.

  “At first, not very well. Once we demonstrated the power of our assistance, and showed them the acolytes did choose to serve the vamps, they fell in line. Now, we have a tentative truce with the hunters. What used to work well is beginning to unravel due to the situation with the vampires. They have gotten out of control. While we do agree, a purge of vamps is needed, we a
re not able to openly assist with such an endeavor.” Rebecca looked back to Mikael.

  Mikael picked up the story. “We would like for you to keep a supply of defensive spells, as well as a few offensive ones, at your shop. I will tell my contacts in certain circles to visit your shop. You may, of course, charge a handling fee for your services. In essence, you would be our middlemen to the paranormal community. Most importantly, to the vampire hunters.”

  This was huge. It’s a darn good thing I didn’t let Jenna go alone. We couldn’t make this decision without discussing it with the entire family and Rico. I wasn’t sure I wanted to tie myself to the witch’s council in such a way. Especially since a war was coming.

  “Would we also be selling to other shifters? Or even to witches?” Jenna asked.

  “Shifters, yes. Not to witches. We take care of ourselves.” Joanna responded.

  I looked to Joanna and asked, “Does this mean you want to sever all ties to the paranormal community? If war breaks out, would you help defend the humans and New Orleans?”

  “We are unable to take sides should a power struggle for leadership of the vampires begin. Protecting the city and the humans is not our responsibility. Providing you with spells and charms is more than we need to do.” Rebecca answered me.

  “Do your accords prohibit you from protecting the humans? Or is this just your own personal belief?” I scowled at the entire council for being such cowards.

  How could they not protect our city? They lived here too. Without humans, this city and others would die.

  “The treaty isn’t clear about the role we should play in the event of a civil war breaking out within any of the supernatural societies. Our plan is based on centuries of co-existing with everyone in the paranormal communities. It has served our predecessors well, so we will continue with this line of action.” Mikael turned his nose up just a bit. Guess his flirty ways were over now.

  “Don’t you mean inaction?” I knew I shouldn’t antagonize them, but they would be needed when the vampires went to war.

  Jenna spoke up, “You do realize, if the vampire war spills out onto the streets, humanity will know about them. Eventually, they will find out about you, too. Do you want a repeat of the Salem Witch Trials?”

  “They never burned any true witches. The real witches were able to escape. It was a sad time for humanity. That particular situation was calmed by one of our own. We don’t always sit back and watch, no matter what you believe. There have been times when we stepped in to help. Like now, this arrangement will help the humans.” Rebecca took control of the conversation back.

  She continued, “Do you wish to help your race, or not?”

  Jenna and I shared a look. I could tell she wasn’t ready to give in just yet. This was going to be huge. It would put us right in the middle of the war.

  Although, how could I expect the witches to defend humanity if I wasn’t willing to do it?

  I nodded to Jenna who replied, “We need to speak with our sisters. This is a huge responsibility. They need to be part of the decision making process. Can they be sworn in, too?”

  “Very well. Please have Joseph contact us when you have made your decision. Next time, please do not bring anyone who was not invited.” Rebecca stood up to leave, and the entire council followed her.

  Mikael stopped at the door before exiting. “Have Joseph call me when your sisters are ready to initiate the oath. Remember, you may not tell them anything until they swear secrecy.” He left the room before I could answer him.

  “What does Rebecca have against me? I don’t get it. The rest of the council seemed fine with me.” I slouched in my chair once all of the witches had left the room.

  “She doesn’t like many humans. It could just be she only wanted to deal with two humans, not three. Had she invited you, and Jenna showed up, she probably would have taken an instant dislike to Jenna instead.” Joseph shrugged before standing up.

  “Come on. We need to get going.” Joseph led us to the exit of the council room, or the ballroom as I dubbed it.

  Jeeves was waiting for us outside the double doors. “Master Joseph, it was a pleasure to see you again. I look forward to your next visit.” He motioned to the front door, and Joseph led the way.

  Jeeves tugged on my arm and slowed his pace expecting me to slow mine to match his. I turned an arched eyebrow to him.

  “Have you ever wondered why you can’t shift, Mistress Kat?”

  “I’m only part shifter. I guess my parent was only part shifter as well. Who knows how far back I would have to go to find the last family member who was able to shift.” I looked forward and considered what Jeeves had asked.

  “Mistress Kat, all shifter DNA is dominant.” Jeeves bowed and turned around when we made it to the door.

  “What was that about?” Jenna asked.

  “I’m not sure. Let’s get out of here. This place gives me the creeps.” I shivered and opened the front door.

  Once we were in the car, Joseph asked me, “What, exactly, did Jeeves say to you?”

  “He asked me if I had ever wondered why I couldn’t shift. I told him I’m only partial shifter. Who knows how far back in my family tree the shifter line started? I bet my parent who gave me this blood couldn’t even shift, the next part was weird. He told me all shifter DNA is dominant.” I scratched the back of my head and frowned.

  “Does this mean I should be able to shift?” I looked to Joseph. If anyone in the car would know, he would.

  He scratched his chin. “We should talk to Rico about this. Jeeves was right. All shifter DNA is dominant. Most families are made up of one human and one shifter. Shifter females are rare, so usually the mom is human.”

  This day just kept getting weirder and weirder. Was Jeeves trying to tell me I could shift? Or at least I was supposed to shift? Why couldn’t I shift?

  Sighing, I considered the more important topic. What were we going to do about their offer to let us sell their spells and charms? Would it put us in the middle of the vampire war? Currently, we were just skirting the edges of the war. Helping to rid the city of those who were breaking the laws. This would be choosing a side, now that we know a war is coming.

  I wished Ivan was around so I could ask him what he thought. He knew more about the stupid vamps and their politics than any of us did. If he didn’t show up soon, I would have to go looking for him.

  3

  Kat

  “So, what happened?” Sam bounded to the door and practically attacked me before I could even enter.

  “We can’t say, yet. If you and Indie are willing to swear an oath of secrecy, two of the witches will come over and witness your oath. Then we can tell you.” I wished I could tell them right then and there.

  “That big? Alright. I’ll swear an oath.” Sam chewed her lower lip.

  “I guess if we break the oath, it means death? Or something just as horrific?” Indie understood the witches better than most of us.

  “Yes. So don’t give your oath without careful consideration. This is huge. Would you like me to call them now? Or do you want some time to think it over?” Joseph would never pressure Indie into doing anything. At least, he’d better not.

  “I’m ready. I just want to know what’s going on,” Indie said.

  Sam nodded and went to the fridge for water bottles.

  Joseph took out his phone and walked out on the balcony.

  “Can you give us a hint?” Patience was not one of Indie’s strong suits.

  Jenna laughed. “Sorry, but I prefer to live. You can wait a few hours.”

  The swearing of an oath in front of two witches, once you already knew the whole story, was very uneventful. I wanted to wait until the witches left before telling my sisters the situation. The witches also wanted out of our apartment as soon as they could leave.

  Joseph walked them to the door.

  “Okay, tell us already!” Sam bounced on the sofa when she plopped down, with popcorn and tea. Golden kernels fell on the
couch around her. She didn’t care. Sam picked them up and stuffed them in her mouth, like the five second rule was real.

  “What? Is this a show or something? What’s with the popcorn?” Jenna asked when she sat down next to Sam and took a handful.

  “Anything to do with the witch’s council is bound to be a real nail-biter! Better to snack on popcorn than bite my nails.” Sam smirked.

  “Hey, I can’t help it. Everything has been so stressful lately.” Jenna almost had her hand to her mouth again but pulled it down quickly.

  “If you stopped pulling away from Rico, things would be better. I’m sure he knows of many ways to help you relax.” Indie winked at Jenna, who blushed.

  “Alright, leave Jenna alone. I don’t want her hooking up with Rico only to dump him a few weeks later. She needs to wait until she’s ready for a real relationship.” Sometimes my sisters were still in high school.

  “Yeah, what she said.” Jenna pointed to me. “Besides, Indie when are you going to finally bite the bullet and go out with Joseph?”

  Joseph chose that exact moment to come back inside.

  I don’t think I’d ever seen Indie turn so red before. Jenna tried to stifle her laugh, but she failed. Sam even started laughing.

  “Indie, just ignore them. Do you guys want to talk about what happened today or not?” Joseph took a seat next to Indie.

  “What did we promise our lives for?” Sam reached into her tub of popcorn and began munching on the buttery goodness.

  Of course, it was Annie’s Organic, so it probably wasn’t too buttery. One of these days I was going to pick up a case of Orville Redenbacher from Price Club. It would be funny to watch Indie flip out over non-organic popcorn.

  “Looks like we are going to start selling real spells and charms.” I waited to see how Indie and Sam would react.

  “No, really. What did we sign our souls away for?” Indie didn’t believe me.

  “It’s true. The witches want to back away from some of the elements they normally deal with, mostly vampire hunters. So you get to sell to their non-magical clients. They’re going to send you a list of their approved customers. This does not mean you can sell real spells to just anyone. They must be on the list.” Surely they would believe Joseph.