“Yes, of course. I need to calm down and work through some of this adrenalin in my system. I think I overdid it because I feel, well, wired, I guess.” My whole body still felt somewhat feverish, but at least my stomach was quiet.
As we walked out of the parlor, down the hall, and into the huge library, Stella chuckled. “It has been a very long time for me, but I do remember exactly what you’re describing, dear.” She went straight to a cozy sitting area, overlooking one of the back gardens, and sat down heavily, placing Zara gently on her lap. Probably so she would still be able to see and hear Rand and Jake. The room was enormous, with floor to ceiling bookshelves that were completely filled. I couldn’t help but think that Sam would be in heaven in this room.
Sinking into the chair across from her, I debated on where to start. “I’ve created a mess for you, Aunt Stella. I’m sorry. It seems like it’s been this way almost nonstop since I woke up with this Sight. Does it ever calm down?”
“Of course it does. Keep in mind, you weren’t brought up knowing what to expect, as both your mother and I were. Things will get easier.”
“God, I hope so,” Rand threw in playfully.
Stella chuckled at that. “Your ghost is quite the teaser!”
“No, he’s probably being serious. It’s been pretty nonstop. But we really do need to address the absence of your staff. How would you feel about having me underfoot, helping out, for the time being?”
“Oh, I couldn’t possibly ask you to do that, dear. This place is so much to maintain!”
I could! You’re still young, you can handle it, Zara chimed in from Stella’s lap.
Ignoring the cat, not wanting to think about what the familiar would consider not young, I went on. “It wouldn't be any trouble at all, Aunt Stella, and to be honest—well, I think I’m going to have a lot to learn—I don’t know any better way than by being here. Unless you don’t want me here, or you think Zara wouldn’t.”
Groaning to myself, I couldn’t help but think I sounded like a nervous teenager asking their crush out on a date for the first time!
Rest assured, Roxanne, no one here will ever mistake you for a teenager. Zara purred, looking quite pleased with herself.
“Well, you’re right about that one, Zara. And thank you for reminding me—how to shield my thoughts is going directly to the top of my list of things to learn!”
Stella laughed, delightedly. “I’d almost forgotten how much I love the sound of family banter! It does this old woman’s heart good to hear it.”
Then your heart is in for a real treat, my dear Stella, if you let this one and her entourage move in here.
I didn’t know if she was being serious or not, until Zara made a choking sound and rolled onto her back, pawing at the air.
“She really does like you, dear. If she didn’t, there would be no doubt about it whatsoever.”
“Oh. Well, that’s good to know. I think. So what do you think?”
She sighed. “Very well then. You may bring your things here any time you wish. If you are determined to learn, it would be my honor to teach you.”
You’re not bringing those dogs with you, are you? Are they even housebroken?
“Zara! You be nice,” Stella scolded, but couldn’t stifle a chuckle.
“Have you had a chance to look at any of the bedrooms, Roxanne?” My aunt’s question pulled me out of my thoughts. “You can have your choice of them, you know.”
“Not yet. I’ll take a look at the rooms later, if you don’t mind. Do any of them have their own bathroom ensuites?” I had gotten used to my room at Sam’s and the privacy it offered. Not that privacy would be much of an issue, with just Stella and myself living here.
Ahem!
And Zara, of course. Sorry, I didn’t mean to exclude you. Notice I didn’t mention Toby, Rand, or Jake, either.
The dogs I can understand excluding, and possibly even your ghost, but I already live here. You don’t see me worrying about my privacy!
Why do you keep calling him my ghost? Why not just the ghost? Or there’s always the novel idea of using his name, you know? There’s nothing like mental bantering with my two hundred plus year old aunt’s diva of a familiar. I sent her a mental picture of Robert Downey Jr. doing an exaggerated eye roll.
You say that like it’s a bad thing. Was she referring to the ghost thing or the diva thing? She snorted and licked her paw. I’ll let you wonder. And I’ll take Robert Downey Jr. any day of the week, whether he’s rolling his eyes or not. Now, about your ghost. I call him that because he is your ghost. Or rather you’re his tether to this side.
His tether? He said something not long ago about anchors. Is that the same thing? Toby’s his anchor, not me!
Anchor is a good analogy, as well. Regardless, familiars can See those tethers. There is a tether between the dog and your ghost, but the tether he has to you is much stronger.
I chewed on that information for a few minutes. When I looked up, I saw my aunt watching me with amusement.
“Oh, sorry. I’m still getting used to trying to hold a conversation in my head with your cat.” At Zara’s reproachful look, I quickly amended, “Familiar, sorry. Again.”
“I can imagine, dear. Did you even hear my answer to your question?”
“Sorry, no.” Trying hard not to blush, I reminded myself I was embracing my crazy new life. Emphasis on the crazy.
“The original master bedroom upstairs has a large attached bathroom ensuite. I think you would quite like it. The other six bedrooms share three adjoining bathrooms, which can be accessed from two bedrooms or the hall. There’s also a study and a recreational area on the second floor, and the attic was finished several decades ago to be more than just a storage area.”
“Wow. That’s just . . . wow.” The house was big from the outside, but I had no idea it was that big. “Why so many rooms when it’s just you?” As soon as I asked the question, I immediately felt bad. She had been alone for a long time.
Ahem!
“I’m sorry, Zara, but I think you know what I mean.” At the rate I was going, I was going to be apologizing every time I opened my mouth.
“Our ancestor that built this estate had two daughters. She thought they would both remain here and raise their families in the home, and that her grandchildren would do the same. But one of the daughters moved away and the other only had one child. That child was my mother. Eventually, the rooms became little more than guest rooms for other witches traveling through, Council members, or other important people within the magickal community.” She shrugged. “They haven’t been updated or used in ages.” She gave a short laugh. “Though I do have to say, Paulette and her two men did end up giving them a thorough going through during their searches, even going so far as to air them out to explain away what they were doing. They should be quite clean.
“Where did Paulette’s crew all sleep?”
“There’s a small studio apartment above the garage that the two men stayed in. There are also staff living quarters on the other side of the laundry area that Paulette took over. It's small, but quite cozy. That’s where the other couple, the Smythes, stayed before they retired. I do so miss Lana Smythe’s cooking. Every meal she made was a treat. And the desserts!” Aunt Stella gazed out the window, lost in thought.
That was something I could definitely help with. Zara’s ears perked up at my thought. “Do you like Italian? I’m not bad in the kitchen and I would love to make something special for us tonight.”
Stella’s face brightened. “I would absolutely love that, dear. I can’t wait!”
***
Zara showed me the upstairs, as my aunt begged off because of how hard it was for her to navigate the stairs these days. The cat, no—the familiar—flew up the stairway, but I took my time, partly because my knees demanded it, but also because it felt nice trailing my hand up the smooth mahogany bannister. The stairs were carpeted with a runner that complemented the rug in the entryway and the dark wood. The overal
l effect was very elegant.
Are you coming or are you going to start a relationship with that bannister?
“Coming, your highness. My knees don’t move as fast as yours do, give me a break!” I reached the top of the stairwell and looked around. The hall led both ways and there was a little sitting area overlooking the foyer, here at the top. “Well? You’re the one in such a hurry. Where to now?”
Follow me. We’ll start with the master bedroom. I followed her as she headed for the room to the left. There were only two doorways on this side of the stairs. One leads to the attic, dear. The other is the bedroom, of course. Once you see it, I doubt you’ll bother looking at any of the others.
“It’s that nice, hmm? Should I even bother looking at it?”
That’s up to you. All kidding aside, you really will like it.
She sounded so sure, I almost told her I’d just take it. As we reached the door, it opened. “Did you do that?”
I have many talents. Her whiskers twitched as I eyed her suspiciously.
“Then why didn’t you do anything when those three goons attacked me?” I had wondered this several times since it happened. She’d simply sat in the middle of the room as the ruckus had ensued.
Her half-lidded gaze met mine. How do you know I didn’t? I would have stepped in and done more if you hadn’t had everything under control. You really did handle it all extremely well, by the way.
That gave me food for thought—both the idea that she might have been helping somehow and the compliment. Stepping into the room, I realized how very right she was. I didn’t even mind admitting it. “Yup. I’ll take it.”
She licked the side of her paw and started grooming her head with it. You might want to see the master bath, as well.
Walking over to the bed, a huge four poster draped in gauzy netting, I turned around in a circle, trying to take everything in at once. The furniture was all off-white—French Provincial, I think. The floor was wood, but covered in rugs thick enough to sink into. The rest of the room was cream and a shade of green that reminded me of the center stalks of celery. Kind of a soft, pale yellow-green. Opening one of the doors, I found my dream closet. It was the size of a small bedroom, with cubbies for shoes, a dozen drawers that took up an entire wall, a full length mirror, a built in jewelry armoire, and a bench and a chaise lounge that sat in the center of it all.
Perching on the little chaise, I called out, “Zara, I’d be happy sleeping in this closet!”
That’s your choice, but the mattress on the bed is new. I think it’s one of those cooling memory foam kinds that helps with hot flashes and such.
Just when I was starting to like her a bit more . . .
What’s not to like? You’ll come to appreciate me, mark my words. Now are you going to check out the bathroom or not?
There was only one other door in the room, so I walked over to it, looking over my shoulder to raise my brow at Zara when, again, the door opened for me, seemingly on its own.
Just trying to be helpful, witchling.
“All right. What the heck is a witchli—” Walking slowly into the bathroom I was struck speechless.
Your mouth is hanging open. We don’t generally have too many issues with insects on the estate, but . . .
She must have overheard that memory when Rosemary and Grandmam were here. Regardless, I closed my mouth.
“I thought Aunt Stella said the rooms hadn’t been updated in a while?” The bathroom looked pretty modern to me. There was a walk-in shower big enough for two people to fit comfortably, complete with a rainfall shower head. The back was a warm, grey-brown marble or stone, which matched the rug-covered floor. A huge claw-foot soaking tub was showcased in its own nook on the far end of the room, surrounded by a small ledge holding candles and small potted plants. The deck mounted faucet had a very up-to-date handshower nestled in a cradle. The rest of the room was all light browns, greys, greens, and clean white. Peeking into an open doorway to the side of the tub, I saw the toilet had its own spot.
It’s a water closet, she reminded me. There’s a pocket door for privacy. As far as updating goes, it hasn’t really been all that long ago. Stella’s memory is fair most of the time, but time can get fuzzy for her occasionally. Some of the magickal folk in the area trade their services for her protection. One group does kitchens, baths, and general construction.
Well, that answered a lot all at once. Pulling the pocket door out a few inches, I pushed it back in.
Would you like to peruse the other bedrooms, just to make sure this is what you want? Now she was just being facetious.
“Nope. I’ll check them out later. This one is mine. Do I need to stake a claim somewhere or what?” Nosing through the little cupboard and then the drawers in the vanity, I found new toothbrushes and toothpaste still in the packages, along with any other toiletries a guest might need.
Her choking laugh echoed through the bathroom.
“Hey, I’m not cleaning up after any hairballs you puke up!” I leveled her a stern look to let her know I was only partly joking.
Hairballs! As if! Her task done, she strutted from the room.
Chapter 17
So much had happened, so quickly, that I needed to touch base with Sam back home while Stella went back to lay down for a little longer. Checking my phone for a signal, I was surprised to have full bars here, out in the middle of a swamp.
Signal booster. We’re magickal not stoneaged, came Zara’s voice from nowhere.
I got Sam’s voicemail, so I left her a quick message and told her I’d call her back later. Now, at least, someone knew where I was and what I was doing, just in case. While I was thinking of it, I called Jeremy Crow, as well. I hadn’t really thanked him for helping me find Aunt Stella or for the directions, so I did so now. I also told him what had happened here—the basics, anyway—and the way things stood, as of right now. His reaction didn’t even surprise me.
“Oh sheet, oh sheet, dat no good.”
I could see him looking down and shaking his head while he said that. It made me smile. Jeremy seemed like a good, but strange, person.
“What kin Jeremy do fo’ Madam Devraux?”
Jokingly, I asked him, “I don’t suppose you have any good butlers handy, since I ran her staff off without a plan?”
“No butler, but I send help. Jeremy has da bes’ cooks ‘n’ waitstaff dey is.”
His offer floored me. “Seriously? That’s so kind of you, Jeremy! Who do you have in mind?”
“Who you wants? You chooses, you do.”
Scrambling to think, I asked, “Do you think Gloria would mind helping me until I get something permanent figured out? She gets along with Toby and I really do like her.”
“I brings Gloria over der now, I do. You tell Madam Devraux, please. Better fir me dat she know I comin’.”
“I’ll do that! Ask her to bring an overnight bag, please, Jeremy. I’m happy to run her back for whatever she needs if she decides to help me for a bit. Or even if she doesn’t. Oh, you are an absolute lifesaver!”
After hanging up, I nearly fell into the chair from relief.
Look at you, saving the day. I do hope you’re not bringing in more riff-raff. I’ll warn Stella, my dear. Lucky for you, she’s fond of that low-brow crow.
Zara! That’s not a very nice thing to say.
Oh, please! Have you seen him?
Ignoring that, I decided I needed to get a feel for the house. While we’re waiting, would you mind showing me around the rest of the place?
Not at all. Let me tell Stella what’s happening and I’ll meet you in the front parlor. You are going to do something about all of that blood before it sets in, right?
Oh, sheesh, I’d nearly forgotten about that.
“Rand?” He’d disappeared shortly after we’d entered the library, and reappeared now, wearing different clothes than he’s had on earlier. Shaking my head, I told myself I’d ask him about that one of these days.
“Hi. What�
��s up?”
“Would you mind taking the boys outside to play while Zara shows me around the house? I need to get a feel for the kitchen, laundry, and all that jazz.” I already felt overwhelmed just thinking about everything I had offered to take on.
“No problem at all. Who wants to go outside?!” Both dogs jumped up almost before he’d finished the question.
“Oh, and Rand? Jeremy Crow will be coming over and bringing Gloria to help me out for a while. He should be here shortly.”
“Got it. I’ll keep an eye out for those three stooges in case they return, while I’m at it.”
“Thank you!” Was he even old enough to know who the three stooges were?
***
Zara strolled back into the parlor just after Rand and the dogs had left. Stella thinks that’s an excellent idea. She’s gone to freshen up a bit before Jeremy Crow gets here—I believe she said something about bed hair from her nap. What would you like to see first?
“How about the laundry room? I need to find out what will safely take the blood out of this rug.” Maybe I should Google it. Absently, I followed Zara toward the back of the house.
Dishwashing liquid and cold water would work best, I believe. Lay a damp cloth on it after, to draw the blood up. That rug is wool and is extremely old.
Stopping in my tracks, I stared at the cat. “How would you know that?”
That the rug is wool, old, or how to remove a bloodstain from it? Please! Do you know how long I’ve been around? Now are you following me or not? Head and tail high, she walked ahead primly.
She showed me the laundry area, which was surprisingly up-to-date, as was the kitchen. Stella’s kitchen rivaled Sam’s, which was saying a lot. Next were the pantry and storage areas, the massive—and well-stocked—walk-in freezer, and the closets where the bedding and other clean linens were. She also showed me where her litter box was, next to the laundry. If I didn’t know better, I would say she was embarrassed.
Would you want someone inspecting your leavings in the water closet?
She had a point.
Seeing Witchy Things Page 19