The anchors spoke a bit longer, and then introduced the three of them. One of the stage hands waved them over to the couch. She almost froze, there might be thousands watching her right now, but before the end of the day this interview would transmitted to millions. It wasn’t stage fright, not exactly, it just went against the grain. Her whole life had been about hiding what she was from normal humans.
She took a seat in the middle of the couch, once more stuck between a witch and shifter.
Ted said, “This is very hard for us to believe. You claim to be witches and shifters?”
Ed cleared his throat, apparently she wasn’t the only one nervous with a dry throat.
“I’m just a witch. My friend on the other end of the couch is a shifter, only a weretiger. The lovely woman next to me however is both, which is extremely rare, it’s normally just one or the other.”
Carol asked, “Can you prove it?”
Ed smiled, “I can do what I already did for you, I imagine some viewers will believe it’s just special effects, or fraudulent in some other way. I’m not sure how we can overcome that.”
He waved his hand again, making the same glamour as he had previously.
Ed added, “That’s just an illusion of course, there is no substance at all.”
He held out his hand, and a ball of water slowly appeared and grew out of thin air.
“This on the other hand, is real water, taken from the air around us.”
He wiggled his fingers theatrically, and the ball shrunk, the air reabsorbing the moisture.
Ted looked a bit awed again, and when Ed banished the glamour he seemed to snap out of it.
“Why did you come here today, how big is the paranormal world, and how long have you been hiding?”
Paul replied, “We came here because we couldn’t hide any longer. We can speak more about why that is in a moment. The paranormal world is widespread, but not that large. Maybe between fifty and a hundred or so in each city, a very small amount of the population. We’ve been hiding since… the witch hunts, for obvious reasons. We are hoping we can integrate into society now.”
Carol asked, “Integrate? How so.”
Neither Paul or Ed answered, after a few seconds of awkward silence she spoke up.
“Well, magic isn’t the answer for the world’s problems, we are at our base, just as human as anyone else. We have foibles, we are not gods or demons. But there are some benefits if we aren’t hiding anymore. Consider packs working with search and rescue openly, and with the forest service. They can find lost hikers quickly and easily. Consider witches working with the local police at times. We can find missing persons, put out small fires with the fire department, or constrain larger ones from spreading. We are close to nature, nothing earthshaking, but small things that will add up.
“We are natural midwives, good at pain management without harmful drugs. I don’t know what else off the top of my head, but there are advantages. I know our leaders will be contacting the government authorities to see how best we can move forward.”
Carol asked, “What is your greatest fear in coming out like this, exposing yourselves to us?”
Paul replied, “Are you familiar with the phrase capacity equals intent? It is the premise that because I can turn into a tiger, and maul everyone in this station, that I will do it. It’s based on irrational fear, and completely ridiculous, yet it’s a real worry. We worry we will be hunted, simply for being different.”
Carol shook her head, “Why is it ridiculous, it would be the same as someone fearing an armed person.”
Paul shook his head, “That would be ridiculous too. Because someone has a gun doesn’t mean they are going to shoot you. You have to realize, you wouldn’t be fearing the gun, you’d be fearing the person, which is a judgement call. I could argue Ted has the capacity to pick up his chair and brain me with it, do I fear him doing that? No, of course not. It is the same thing, most people won’t see that, simply because everyone has that capacity, but it’s still true, and very relevant.
“The simple fact is I’ve never in my life mauled a human, or even let one see me change. The only thing different from fifteen minutes ago is you now know I exist. We’ve always been here.”
Carol asked, “So, shifters and witches. Are there other paranormal races out there, how about vampires?”
Ed smiled, “Shifters and witches are the most populous. There are vampires, but less than fifty worldwide as far as we know, and they keep to themselves. The ones who last don’t kill, the others are dealt with quickly. The fae are another race, and they are mostly all in one place, and completely separate from the rest of us and humanity. Chances are you’ve never met one, and never will. Demons and Elementals are real as well, but they don’t live on our plane, and anyone dumb enough to summon one usually dies, and if they don’t we get to deal with them.”
Ted sighed, “We are running short on time, I assume there is a driving reason you are revealing yourselves now, instead of continuing to hide. I also have a feeling it’s not such a good thing, since so far you’ve all avoided that question.”
She frowned when neither of her partners took the question. Ed was so sleeping on the damn couch tonight.
“I mentioned earlier we are at our core human. That means we have our criminals and crazies too. Not as many as the humans, but then to be fair there are a lot less of us, so percentage wise it’s probably about the same. We three, are supernatural cops of sorts. Our jobs are to defend the local community from lawbreakers, be it shifter or witch. Unfortunately, there is a werewolf from Florida who has gone insane from grief, and has… declared war on witches.
“Right now he has about fifty followers, mostly gained through magic and deception. I want to be clear, normal humans shouldn’t be in danger from this werewolf, but he and his followers are the ones behind all the arsons and murders leading from Kissimmee state park in Florida up into Georgia. We believe he is headed to the coven right here in Charlotte next. Needless to say, the conflict to take down this criminal will be bloody, and very public.
“I suppose I may as well tell you baldly, we came out today because we did not want you to see the worst of our world, the very worst in the last few centuries, as the very first thing you saw about the supernatural world. We can, no, we have lived together in peace for a long time, and we have helped in subtle ways but kept ourselves hidden out of fear in the past. Now… we hope the world is ready for us.”
Carol cleared her throat, looks like it wasn’t only them that were nervous.
“If he is so insane, and one of a kind evil as you said, how did he gain fifty followers?”
Ed sighed, “She already touched on it. The first coven he went after, was just with his original pack. They captured a witch and used her small boy as a hostage to make her do magic for them. Most of those fifty are probably bamboozled by magic. Between the captured witch’s power, and his own power as an alpha werewolf. Yesterday, we freed that witch, so the threat shouldn’t get any worse than it is now, though it’s already considerable.”
Ted turned to the camera, “Well you heard it here first folks. Witches, werewolves, weretigers, all real.”
They did their channel spiel and cut to commercial.
By the time they traded contact information, and left the station, they ran right into FBI agents Dina Rodriguez and Antonio Alvarez…
When they were taken to the Charlotte FBI field office, it was a little different this time. She could scent the wary emotions off of both of them, and she caught suspicion from Antonio. It had a different flavor to it this time though, the agents didn’t think they were guilty or connected to the fires like last time, it was probably all about the supernatural part.
She wasn’t sure what her fae mother had told Dina, but it was clear by the glances, and scents, that the agent worried they would out her as part fae. She tried to send her a reassuring look without Dina’s partner noticing, she had no plans to do any such thing, no more than she’d
out anyone else. It was her job to hold the risks, her, Ed, and Paul. At least for now that is. Dina also didn’t reveal any information about what happened yesterday, Antonio had no idea any of them had ever been in this office space before.
Another difference is they were all kept together and brought to the same small conference room for the questioning. It was a little tense at times, but they managed to get through the whole sequence of events for the last three days.
However, they left a few things out.
None of them mentioned having killed ten shifters during the rescue of the witch they were holding against her will. She wasn’t sure if they would try to arrest them for murder or not, obviously they were law enforcement for the magical community, but they were also outside of human law. It seemed to be prudent not to get recorded admitting to putting down ten rogues to the human authorities. Tomorrow, they could probably get away with calling it self-defense, since they would be the ones under attack. At least, that’s what she was hoping would happen.
They also didn’t use names, she gave hers, and where she lived, as did Ed and Paul. But they refused to budge on anyone else’s. Except Jake Collins, and his sick second Manny of course. The agents weren’t very happy about this, especially about Karina and Carl who they wanted to talk to.
Regardless, they were there for a little over two hours, and it was close to nine by the time they got back to the store.
Mia remarked, “Just in time to lock up. I can’t believe what’s going on, what was it like being on the news?”
She grinned, “Disconcerting. Was there any trouble here?”
Mia shook her head, “Were you expecting any?”
She sighed, “Not sure. They didn’t release our names on the air, but I do own a business, and I’m sure a few local store owners, and others recognized me. I wouldn’t be surprised if something happened. Well-wishers, picketers, fire bombs, not sure what yet. Maybe all three. You need to be careful, and I wouldn’t blame you if you decided not to work here until things settled down.”
Mia snorted, “That’s not going to happen. I’ll be here. Of course, tomorrow night none of us will. Fran sent out a message earlier that we were standing with the Charlotte coven tomorrow night.”
She shrugged, “I don’t know how I can be there, with the anti-shifter ward being strengthened.”
Ed raised an eyebrow, “You’re just thinking of that now?”
She frowned, “I’ve been busy,” she said defensively.
She’d also been trying to figure out a way to back out of going. But that was for the full moon ritual circle, she’d never back out of a fight now that she knew it was coming.
Ed shook his head, “You’re covered, Bria keyed you to the wards. If you ever visited the coven house, you would already know that.”
She had no ready answer for that, so she stuck her tongue out at him and decided on a strategic retreat.
“I’m going for a jog. Mia, do you have a ride back to the coven house?”
Ed muttered, “I’ll drop her off.”
She grinned, winked at Mia, and escaped out the back door…
Chapter 14
Despite her thoughts while on the air, she didn’t really send Ed to the couch. She needed his company, and his touch, too much for that. The next few days were going to be hard enough without her creating extra drama no one needed. She couldn’t really blame Ed and Paul for faltering on those questions, she hadn’t wanted to answer them either.
She hoped she hadn’t flubbed them too badly.
She slumped her shoulders when she went to unlock the store in the morning. There were already picketers, although not that many yet. She deliberately didn’t read the signs, just… not wanting to know. At least, not until after she finished her morning coffee. Only glass and a few feet separated herself from the small crowd, and her fire elemental was silent, which meant they weren’t there to burn the witch, or shoot her. So… good enough, for now.
She snorted as she turned and walked back behind the counter, luckily there was no sand around, or she might have stuck her head in it. Ed had already left to help prepare the coven house for siege, and to welcome the Rock Hill coven and get them settled in. The plan was for him to come pick them up at two or so, she’d have to close the store early.
She wondered again why she wasn’t wired with energy this morning. She wasn’t strung out or anything, but she felt… normal.
Silva chuffed in the back of her mind, and the tiger’s mind voice was a little sheepish, “I’m getting better at managing things now that I can channel our magic. I can fill us full of energy, for that matter so can you, but I think this is what we’re supposed to be. We shouldn’t have to eat as much either anymore, unless we have to shift. Still more than a regular human, but less than we have been.”
She grinned, that was awesome. If they were in danger they could let the energy out, but this was so much better. She sent her inner tiger some love and a mental hug.
The door opened and she smiled as Berny ducked in with a wary look on her face. The crowd outside were all scowling at her or Berny’s back.
“Well, no one burned down the coven house last night,” Berny said in a faux cheerful tone.
She laughed, it was either that or cry. Her inner pessimist just told her to give it some time.
“Yeah, I don’t think they even know where it is yet. Thanks for coming in.”
Berny waved that away, “I know you took the poster girl position, but really, it’s just a matter of time before they figure it out anyway. I don’t want to hide behind you, you need someone watching your back.”
She took a sip of coffee as Berny sat down at the computer.
Berny gasped, “Holy crap!”
She turned, dread pooling in her stomach, “What happened now?”
Berny laughed, “I bet you didn’t see this coming.”
“What?” she said with an edge on her voice.
Berny giggled, a little insane sounding, “You have fifteen hundred internet orders in the queue. Most of them for herbal mixtures.”
Her mouth fell open, but no sound came out. She’d considered the negative stuff, but an increase in sales for witchy health products hadn’t even been on her radar.
Berny snickered, “I think we’ll need some help,” and picked up the phone.
She shook her head, “We don’t have enough supplies.”
She got on the phone as well, with her suppliers.
A half an hour later and Mia arrived at the store to help. The orders had gone over two thousand when they finally had to update the website to temporarily sold out. Most of the items had automatically defaulted to backordered, but people were still buying anyway, so it seemed prudent. It was… still shocking to her. For the rest of the day her, Mia, and Berny did nothing but create potions, tinctures, salves, creams, and the like. They ran out of supplies, both herbal, and shipping, at order one hundred three.
She shook her head, this was impossible, she’d need the whole coven working for her if this kept up. Maybe both of them. They wouldn’t be around for the UPS guy so they had to go to the store. The boxes were fairly small, and they managed to fit all of them inside her trunk and taking up most of the backseat. They managed to drop them off and were only a little late back to the store to lock up and head for the Charlotte coven house.
Of course, they were being followed by press, as well as the FBI. Okay, she was guessing about that second part, but she wouldn’t be surprised if Dina and Antonio were keeping an eye on them.
“Should we lose them?”
It wouldn’t be hard, a simple glamour. The question was now that they were out, she wasn’t sure if they should be doing that anymore. No one likes to be made out to look like a fool, now that they knew witches existed…
Ed frowned as he followed her thoughts and pulled out his phone. A short conversation later he hung up and shook his head.
“No, Bria said let them come.”
She pursed
her lips, feeling annoyed, “I thought we were supposed to be in the spotlight, and keep the others hidden.”
He shrugged, “I guess that was before they had a plan. It doesn’t matter anyway, as soon as the moon comes up tonight we’ll be attacked anyway. We already know the press will get wind of it. Maybe Bria wants to show the world a peaceful coven before all hell breaks loose.”
She tilted her head back and forth, “That’s actually a good idea, it still freaks me out though.”
The rest of the drive there was silence in the car, everyone seemed to be lost in their own thoughts. At least, she was. What will happen if the press or other humans won’t leave later, and get caught in the crossfire, or worse, the humans decide to help and a swat team shows up to protect them, or something else equally stupid she hadn’t thought of.
She sighed, enough with the what ifs, what will happen will happen.
When they got to the coven house, something felt different. She could feel it in her gut, and her nose. Something was missing. The press had stopped a block away, and the FBI agents weren’t here, at least not yet. Her and Ed went inside while Berny and Mia went to help Fran set up additional wards and protections. She was leery of the attack tonight, but they would be very well prepared. A part of her wished that Jake would give up, but there was a part of her that hoped he didn’t. If he gave up on attacking them here, it would be much harder to pin him down later.
It was only when they were walking into the council chamber in the mansion that she figured out what was different. There was no scents or feelings of aggravation, or anger. The split she had expected to feel because of the Sally debacle was what was missing. It seemed that exposure, and an upcoming attack by fifty werewolves had caused the entire coven to come together in one purpose.
She smiled slightly, kind of like a country that goes to war, it takes an outside enemy to make everyone come together. At least there was one positive result of the attack.
No… there were two. She had forgotten the shifters had volunteered to help take them down. It wasn’t just the coven, the whole supernatural community of the Charlotte area had come together to fight an outside danger. She wasn’t naïve enough to think the goodwill was permanent, or that it would last much past the danger, but it still gave her hope for the future. It was one more positive, a chink in the armor of their separation, distrust, and hate over the past war.
Shifter's Moon: A Celia Winters Novel Book 3 Page 10