“Festival garb. I love it,” Luna admitted.
“Well, now I just feel underdressed,” I said, holding up a Toms shoe in one hand.
“Hmm, those certainly are…serviceable,” Luna said, one perfectly groomed eyebrow arching in dismay as she examined my choice of footwear.
“I just figured I’d better have good shoes on in case we needed to run,” I admitted.
Luna shrugged.
“Maybe. But I think Miss Elva and I can manage any danger. Honestly, I swear you forget your friends are magick. And that you’re magick too,” Luna said pointedly.
“Well, excuse me, I’m new to the magick thing,” I said, sliding the Toms on my feet anyway. What did I care? It wasn’t like I had anyone to impress at the festival. “Do I need to change?”
Luna looked me up and down, then shrugged.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I asked, hands on my hips.
“I mean…it’s a festival,” Luna said slowly, like she was explaining something a child.
“I get that. What’s wrong with the maxi dress?”
“If you want to draw attention to yourself, it’s fine,” Luna said, bending over to retrieve and throw a toy that Hank had dropped at her feet.
“I’m the one who’ll stick out?” I asked, pointing my finger from her ensemble to my dress.
“Oh yeah. For sure,” Luna nodded.
“I knew this was going to be a thing. Now it’s a thing,” I complained as I went upstairs, racking my brain for anything dramatic I might have in my closet.
I dug through my closet until I found a gift that my mother had sent me from Greece. Or Indonesia; I could never be sure with her. It was a flowing caftan in a screamingly bright floral print of red and purple, with coins dangling from the sleeves so that I jingled when I walked. I’d actually worn it with a turban one year when I dressed as psychic for Halloween, and the outfit had been perfect.
Sighing, I slid my dress off and pulled the caftan over my head, the cool silk fabric brushing softly against my skin. Turning, I checked myself out in the mirror.
Okay, so maybe there’s something to this whole caftan thing. It was breezy, it flowed around my body, and I’d be able to run in it if needed. I moved my arms and the coins gently tinkled, a charming sound if I was forced to admit it.
“Fine, caftan it is. But I’m not wearing a crown,” I muttered as I moved to my jewelry stand and pulled a necklace – chunky amethyst stones with a Celtic protection knot in the middle – from a hook.
One could never be too careful.
Pulling the necklace over my head, I fluffed out my curls and made my way downstairs, the tinkling of my caftan signaling my approach.
“Much better,” Luna said, nodding her approval. “I fed Hank. Are we ready to go?”
“What are we going to do about food?”
“They’ll have food there.”
“Great. It better not be something weird like pig’s ear,” I complained, as I pulled out a fresh toy for Hank and tossed it to him.
What? A girl’s gotta eat.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“TALK TO TRACE lately?” Luna asked on the way to pick up Miss Elva.
“Who’s Trace?” Rafe asked from the back seat. He’d shown up just as we were leaving, seriously miffed that Luna had sent him on a wild goose chase to see some naked ladies.
“Oh, you’re talking to me again?” Luna asked.
“Maybe,” Rafe sniffed, angling his head away from Luna.
“Trace is one of Thea’s best friends. And he has a crush on her. She kind of has a crush on him, too. But instead, she’s chosen the sexy, wealthy investor who also makes her blood boil. It’s tough being Althea,” Luna said dryly and I smacked her on the shoulder.
“Don’t make me rip this cloak of yours,” I grumbled.
“What is an investor?” Rafe asks.
I glanced at Luna before answering. “Well, basically an investor gives money to businesses and then when the businesses become profitable, they return the money with interest. More or less.”
Rafe nodded seriously. “And what does this Trace do?”
“He runs a scuba diving boat.”
“A captain of his own boat? Why, you must choose him,” Rafe said excitedly.
Of course the pirate would tell me to go with the sea-faring man.
“It’s not that simple,” I said, rolling my eyes at Rafe.
“In my day, I just took who I wanted. It was quite simple,” Rafe said, leering down the V-neck of my caftan.
“Guess we’re lucky it isn’t your day anymore,” I said, tugging my dress higher up.
“Those were good times. Plundering, pillaging, taking captives. People are so polite here,” Rafe observed.
“You mean they’re decent humans?” Luna asked.
“Who says I’m not decent?” Rafe demanded.
“Well, you pretty much try to sexually harass Althea and I every chance you get,” Luna pointed out.
“I would think two such beauties as yourself would enjoy that,” Rafe said, honestly confused.
“I think he just complimented us,” I said to Luna.
“Yeah, he’s trying to flatter me into not banishing him,” Luna muttered as she pulled to a stop in front of Miss Elva’s house.
“Should we get out?”
“Yes, let’s go up there. I don’t want to spring Rafe on her in the car,” I said.
“Do you think she’ll even be able to see him?” Luna asked.
It was true. Most people couldn’t see ghosts. Luna and I had that extra fun ability.
“I guess we’ll have to see.”
We all got out of the car and made our way to Miss Elva’s porch. The sun hung low in the sky – just kissing the horizon – but the heat was still present per usual. The sky was clear and a light breeze kicked my caftan up. A good night for full moon festivities, I thought.
“Whoa,” I breathed, stopping on the stairs as Miss Elva stepped from her weathered front door.
Her outfit put mine and Luna’s to shame. A sequined turban with peacock feathers sticking easily a foot in the air was perched on her head. A fully beaded and sequined cloak in a rainbow of colors flowed around her large body, shimmering and shaking with her movements. She looked like that moment when the sunlight hits the water and explodes in shimmering diamonds.
“Praise the Lord for delivering such beauty to me,” Rafe crossed his chest.
“You’re Catholic?” I whispered, but he ignored me, his enraptured gaze focused on Miss Elva.
“Well, now. What have you brought me?” Miss Elva demanded, her hands on her hips as she surveyed Rafe. Rafe floated over to her and my jaw dropped as he took his hat off and bent at the waist, delivering a sweeping bow to Miss Elva.
“I am Rafe de Leon Rackham, head of the great Santa Maravilla, the sweetest pirate ship in the waters. And never have I been presented with such beauty in my life. I implore you to allow me to love you,” Rafe said, and Miss Elva’s cloak shimmered with movement as she let out a belly laugh.
“I thought he just pillaged his lovers,” I whispered through clamped lips to Luna. She just shook her head as we watched the spectacle unfold.
“Well, I’ll be damned, you’ve got yourself quite the rake here,” Miss Elva said, batting her eyelashes at Rafe.
“Did she just bat her eyelashes?” Luna whispered.
“I’m your rake,” Rafe insisted, his eyes drinking in all that was Miss Elva.
“Sho enough, you’ve got a naughty one on your hands,” Miss Elva slapped her leg and laughed her big laugh. Turning to us, she smiled. “Where’d you find this one?”
I opened my mouth to explain, but Luna cut in.
“Someone over here likes to drink before trying to cast a circle,” Luna said. I poked her in the side.
“Knock it off,” I whispered.
“Child, didn’t I tell you to listen to Luna?” Miss Elva said, her tone implying I was a total idiot.
&n
bsp; “Yes,” I sighed, “you did.”
“And did Luna tell you that you could drink before doing a ritual?” Miss Elva said, hands on her hips, Rafe hovering around her in rapture.
“No,” I said meekly.
“And what made you think you could disobey that?”
I threw my hands up. “I’m sorry, okay? I got it. Listen to Luna. Listen to you. No drinking before spells. Don’t you think I’ve learned my lesson? Rafe is punishment enough.”
Rafe drew back, looking offended.
“I like him,” Miss Elva declared, and Rafe immediately went back to fawning over her.
“And I like you, my great queen,” Rafe said.
“What are you doing with him?”
“He’s going back at the next cycle of the moon,” I said.
Miss Elva turned and surveyed Rafe.
“I think I’ll keep him.”
“Oh, my beauteous lovemountain, I will do anything for you,” Rafe gushed, floating around her in dizzying circles.
Miss Elva chuckled deep in her throat and I just shook my head, turning to look at Luna.
“Can she have him?”
“By all means,” Luna said, and Rafe crowed in delight.
“It’s like he’s a lost puppy or something,” I muttered as we made our way down the steps to Luna’s car. I slid into the small back seat, knowing Miss Elva would need the room of the front seat. Rafe squeezed next to me, his presence cold against my skin whenever he brushed against me. His eyes were focused adoringly on Miss Elva.
“Rafe, I thought you loved me,” I said, deciding to poke the bear a bit.
“I lusted after you. I like your curves. But I love Miss Elva. She’s more woman than you’ll ever be,” Rafe scoffed and I drew back, stung a bit.
“Rafe, that’s unacceptable. Just because not all women are as powerful and full-figured as I am doesn’t mean you can be mean to them. I don’t tolerate such nonsense around me. We celebrate all women’s beauty,” Miss Elva scolded.
Rafe looked like she had kicked him. “Sorry, Althea,” he said, his head hanging.
“I get it,” I said, deciding to be nice. “We all aspire to be Miss Elva one day.”
Her laughter all but shook the car and I couldn’t help but grin as we zoomed through the streets of Tequila Key towards the outskirts of town. But as we left the main road, a wave of nervousness washed through me.
“You calm down back there. Everything’s going to be just fine,” Miss Elva said, her voice authoritative.
Famous last words.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
IN MOMENTS, WE’D approached a turn off the main road. Had there not been a small sparkly marker of sorts, I wouldn’t have noticed the turn. Luna eased the car onto the gravel road and we all fell silent as we followed the road between overgrown bush that concealed our view ahead. Luna eased off the gas a bit as we crunched along through a turn and our view opened up.
Illuminated in the headlights were two folding tables pulled at odd angles across the road, effectively blocking our path as we neared. Beyond the tables, what looked like a tent city was spread out, a cacophony of colors and movement. The scene made me think of a circus performers’ village. Lines of smoke from various fires streamed into the sky, while a woman – naked but for long ribbons tied around her wrists – pirouetted by.
“Toto, we aren’t in Kansas anymore,” I murmured and Miss Elva snorted.
“Now child, everyone’s religion looks a little different. The Pagans like to celebrate. No need to judge,” Miss Elva said.
“No judgment,” I said as a man riding a bicycle with a Bill the Cat doll firmly lodged on the handlebars weaved between the two tables, raising his hand to wave at the men sitting there. Luna eased the car to a stop and rolled down her window.
“Evening, gentlemen,” Luna said, her charm at a ten.
“Ma’am.” A bristly bearded man wearing a lavender tank top and plaid shorts nodded at Luna from his seat.
“We’ve been invited by Horace, though we haven’t paid any pre-registration fees,” Luna said.
“You have to pay registration fees?” I asked.
Miss Elva turned around and nodded solemnly at me, her dark eyes knowing.
“The Pagans are very organized, you know. There’s a registration table, classes, healing booths, vendor booths, a nightly ritual, and an opening and closing ceremony. It’s all very well run.”
“This is far more organized than I was expecting,” I admitted.
“Would do you some good to poke your head outside that bubble you live in,” Miss Elva remarked. I stuck my tongue out at the back of her head.
“I saw that,” Miss Elva said.
I shut my mouth as the bearded man approached our car and peered in, his eyes taking in Miss Elva’s outfit before settling on me.
“What’s her story?” he asked, motioning towards me with his clipboard. Oh sure. Miss Elva and Luna don’t get questioned, but I do. Figures.
“She’s an esteemed psychic and tarot card reader,” Luna said smoothly.
“Oh, right. She was going to come give us readings,” the man brightened.
“Ah, but I forgot my cards,” I said, holding my hands up in a too-bad motion.
“Sorry not sorry,” Rafe whispered beside me and I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.
“That’s okay, plenty of decks around here. If Horace invited you, you’re fine with us,” the man said, stepping back from the car. “You’re alright to go. Just park your car in the lot to the right here.”
“Thank you,” Luna called and drove the car to the lot, squeezing the Bug into a tiny spot near the front. “Easy getaway.”
“You worried about something, Luna?” Miss Elva asked as she hauled herself out of the car.
“Althea is.”
“What’s on your mind, girl?” Miss Elva asked.
I shrugged one shoulder, scanning the near-empty parking lot before turning to look at Miss Elva.
“There’s going to be another death. And I got a flash of you and Rafe on the beach, doing some sort of crazy magick.”
Miss Elva patted me on the shoulder.
“Don’t you worry your own mind about this stuff, honey. These things often take care of themselves.”
“That’s what I’m worried about.”
“It isn’t time for worry. For now, we celebrate the Autumnal Equinox.” Miss Elva said with a small smile.
“Did Luna tell you about Horace?” I asked, falling into step beside Luna and Miss Elva as we made our way through the parking lot and towards the tent city.
“Yes. Said he’s a radical. That she doesn’t trust him.”
More or less. I nodded, deciding it was probably best not to talk about Horace as we entered his domain.
And what a domain it was. Once we’d begun our trek into the tent city, I was able to see that there were some clearly defined areas set up. It was easy to see the vendor area, as long tables were stretched in front of various sized tents, each table boasting goods ranging from crystals to oils to knives, staffs, and wands. Pretty much what you would expect at a festival like this.
I eyed a group of topless women sitting on the ground, chanting and playing hand-drums. I noticed that Rafe didn’t give them a second glance; he only had eyes for Miss Elva. Maybe it really was love. Because by my estimation these women were well-endowed. Even I was impressed.
I could see now why Luna hadn’t wanted me to wear something basic. The fashions here ranged from scantily-clad women and men covered in body paints to full-on regalia. I’m talking cloaks, head pieces, and layers of crystals and jewelry.
We passed a group of teenagers sitting on the ground, listening intently to a woman clad in a crushed velvet cloak of cerulean blue. She was gesturing to a whiteboard with the words “Ritual Construction” labeled at the top.
“Althea should join that class,” Luna muttered and Miss Elva snorted.
“They have classes?”
>
It hadn’t occurred to me that I could take a class in ritual construction, and I had to admit I was a little intrigued.
“Festivals typically have all sorts of classes. Psychic self-defense, aspects of the goddess, ritual constructions, raising Pagan children, all kinds of things. It’s a way to keep the religion going as well as offer more formalized instruction,” Luna explained.
“So, all in all, does this seem like a fairly normal festival to you?” I asked as I watched a man with glittery ram horns glued to his forehead wander by.
“Actually, it does. It’s a nice mix of people having fun, people taking things seriously, and a slew of vendors and workshops. Perhaps a little more nudity than usual, but even that isn’t that far out of the realm of normal. Pagans are a fairly earthy and accepting sort. All in all, I’m impressed so far,” Luna said.
“Well, I’m certainly glad to hear that,” a low voice sounded over our shoulders, and we all turned at once.
Horace stood before us, naked to the waist, a loincloth tied loosely around his privates. A ritual cloak, looking to be made out of some sort of green woven material which alternately gleamed and sparkled, hung loosely from a crystal-embedded cord around his neck. He wore the same soft leather boots I had seen on him the other day, and his white hair flowed from beneath an intricate crown made of small bones ending in huge horns, rising easily a foot above his head. His horns were higher than Miss Elva’s feathers, and I could tell immediately that she was miffed.
“The devil!” Rafe hissed in my ear. I did my best to pretend I hadn’t heard him.
“Horace,” Luna said, by way of acknowledgement.
“Luna, Althea. Lovely to see you could make it. I was beginning to think you wouldn’t show. And yet, here you are. Along with this radiant creature,” Horace purred, his odd-colored eyes landing on Miss Elva’s robes.
“I’m all female, thank you very much,” Miss Elva said, and Horace laughed softly.
“Of course, my apologies. What is it you do then?” Horace watched Miss Elva closely.
“Clerical work,” she replied smoothly.
Miss Elva was as much somebody’s secretary as I was a Supreme Court Justice, but we all allowed that one to slide as we watched Horace for his response.
Tequila for Two: An Althea Rose Mystery (The Althea Rose Series Book 2) Page 7