by Paula Lester
“Ah.” Cas followed him to the dishwasher with her bowl and plate. “I see. So, it’s like naming a white cat Blackie.”
“The irony makes me chuckle.”
When Cas let Percy and Demon out the front door, she said, “Have a good evening, Jack.”
As he left the stoop and headed down the sidewalk, Cas thought he had more spring in his step than she’d ever seen him have before. She closed the door, wondering if she was Jack Percy’s first friend.
Chapter 12
Cas drove out to the lake in Crystal Springs, where Posie had told her the gathering would be. A few other cars were there, but Cas figured most people had probably arrived by courser.
She got out of the car and looked around. It was approaching dusk, and there were already lots of people milling about. Cas headed toward the lake. A section of it was marked with what looked like a row of glittering lights hung above the water, but as she got to the edge, she could see they weren’t hanging but hovering in the air. People danced, seemingly on top of the water.
She turned to scan the rest of the area. Small and large tables were scattered all around the space. They were like nothing she’d ever seen, and she crossed over to examine one. It seemed to be made of mud, but when she brushed it with her fingers, it felt dry, and no dirt came away onto her skin. Each table had a larger version of the hovering glowing lights that she’d seen above the lake. The table she stood beside sported an orange and red fireball, and she could feel a low, pleasant, comforting heat emanating from it.
“You made it!”
Cas had been so engrossed in watching the fascinating fireball crackle and dance that the voice startled her back to the present.
But it was only Posie. “I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”
“That’s okay. I was admiring the table and fireball. This is amazing.”
Posie’s eyes traveled around the area. “Yes, this is one of my favorite events of the year.” She sat on an adobe chair next to the table and Cas joined her. “The Fall Fling is nice too, I guess, but it’s pretty formal. Most of us see it as something more for the upper classes. But this—” she glanced around again, “—this is for everyone.”
“It does seem lovely. I can see three of the four elements represented in the decorations.”
The lavender-haired witch nodded. “You’ll notice the contribution of the air elementals soon. They keep a lovely breeze coming in. Not enough to give anyone a chill, but enough to keep the bugs out.” Posie stood. “I have to run. I’m doing a shift over at the drink tent. I’m sorry I can’t stay and introduce you around. But there’s plenty of food, drinks, and dancing, so help yourself and enjoy.”
Cas nodded and watched Posie make her way through the crowd to a small tent in a copse of trees. Its walls were made of a glimmering blue silky material that sparkled in the light of the fireballs hovering all around it.
Before she could decide what to do first, two young women sat at the table with her. They introduced themselves as sisters—Azure and Crimson. “Is it true you’re Cascade Lorne?” Azure leaned forward, her hands around a wine glass. “That’s what everyone is saying.” Her hair was short, and each ear had multiple earrings with sliver chains running between them.
“Yes, that’s me. I’m not sure I can live up to the hype, though.”
The women squealed and clutched at each other’s hands like they were meeting a rock star. Cas leaned back, surprised by their reaction. Crimson, with her long dark hair and bright red lipstick, gushed. “I can’t believe we’re actually talking to the Cascade Lorne. Is it true that your powers are greater than any other witch born this century?
“Um. I don’t . . .”
Azure elbowed her sister. “She’s not going to brag about it.” To Cas, she said. “We heard about how humble you are too.”
“Are you Air?” Crimson posed the question, but they both sat forward and appeared to be holding their breath as they waited for her answer.
Cas shrugged. “I don’t know. I only know I’m not earth or water.”
More squealing erupted from the two. “So, Air or Fire, then. I bet you’re Air.” Crimson winked.
“She must be. Look how beautiful she is!” Azure appeared star-struck, gazing at Cas as though she were the most gorgeous person she’d ever seen.
But Crimson rolled her eyes. “All the elements have plenty of beautiful witches working with them.” She glanced at Cas and threw a hand over her mouth. “You don’t have a drink or any food. Azure, we’re being rude. Ms. Lorne hasn’t even had a chance to get any refreshments yet.” They jumped up, and Cas followed suit, following them over to the blue silk tent.
Posie served her a glass of wine with a smile, and then Cas went into another tent to get a plate of food. Then, she followed the bubbly, happy sisters to a huge firepit, where she settled into an adobe chair that was the most comfortable thing she’d ever rested her bones on.
The evening continued on like that—a steady stream of witches made their way to Cas’ side, asking her questions ranging from what element she identified with to things she didn’t know about her family history. She ate, drank, danced, and chatted. A few times between conversations, she found her mind wandering to Graham, but she was never alone for more than thirty seconds, and she found herself having a great time.
As it got darker, groups of witches began to put on shows. Fire elementals juggled fireballs and make gorgeous shapes out of lava-like material in midair. Air elementals performed complicated acrobatics on the wings of invisible currents, and the water witches showed their amazing skill by dancing on waves on the lake. Cas, awed by their talent, clapped and shouted until her throat began to get scratchy.
Posie appeared at her side as the water witches ended their show. “Hey! Are you having a good time?”
“I’m actually having a great time. Thank you for inviting me.”
“It’s your community now. You belong here.” It was dark, so Cas wasn’t sure if the sad look she saw fall over the lovely young woman’s face was really there. When she looked back up, it had disappeared. “Can you come with me for a few minutes? There’s someone I want you to meet.”
Cas nodded, eager to add another person to the list of nice folks she’d met that evening. Posie led her away from the lake past the firepit, several tables, and the drinks tent onto a small path that meandered through a copse of trees until it ended in a small opening in the forest. A wooden picnic table sat in the center of the clearing. The women sat down, and Cas began to wonder whether it had been a good idea to go out into the woods away from the rest of the group. Who was she going to be meeting?
A creaking branch alerted her someone was coming out of the woods form the opposite side they had entered the clearing, and Cas’ heart sped up. But Raydiant Feldspar stepped into the clearing, and she relaxed. He was a good friend of Graham’s, so there shouldn’t be anything to worry about.
As Ray got closer, moonlight landed on his face and Posie gave a short cry, leaping up from the picnic table and rushing to him. She put her hand on the side of his jaw, peering at the cuts and bruises on his face. “What happened?” she asked in a hushed but anxious voice.
He shook his head and grabbed her hand, pulling it away from his cheek. “It’s fine. I’m okay.” His eyes moved to Cas. “Thanks for coming out to talk to us.”
“Sure. Why did we have to come out here?” Cas looked around. The moonlight bounced off the trees, and the clearing looked like a spot that fairies might like to frolic. “Not that it isn’t lovely here.”
Posie and Ray sat next to each other opposite Cas. Ray leaned his elbows on the table. “We’re a couple.” He glanced at Posie and pecked her cheek. She lowered her lashes as color rose in her face.
“Aw! How nice,” Cas said.
Posie pursed her lips. “We think so. But not everyone does.”
“Oh, is it because of witch and shifter history?”
Ray piped up, laying a hand on one of Pos
ie’s and squeezing. “Shifter witch relationships are frowned upon by more people on both sides than you’d believe. Some couples don’t mind, but so far, we’ve kept our thing on the down-low.”
Cas thought that sounded super sad. To have to hide your relationship and be unable to go out, have a normal date, or show your significant other off to everyone must be hard. Then a thought occurred to her. “Why are you telling me, then? You don’t really know me that well.”
They exchanged a glance and Posie nodded at Ray. He answered, “We’re trusting you because we have a favor to ask.”
Posie jumped in, speaking fast. “And we’re so sorry to seem rude—making requests of you before we get to be proper friends.”
Ray nodded and continued, “Yes, but unfortunately, this is a time sensitive matter, so we didn’t have much choice.” He took a deep breath. “See, we want you to stay in the running for siren.”
Cas narrowed her eyes. “Why?”
“Because you could help us. Help shifters, I mean. And those with inter-race relationships.”
“Me? How could I do that?”
Posie said, “You are different too. You know what it’s like to not be the same as most other witches. And if all the shifters vote for you, which they will if they know you’re interested in representing their interests on the council, you’ll win.”
They both looked so eager that she hated to burst their bubble. Gently, she said, “I didn’t run for siren on my own. I never would have done that because I’m just not qualified. I barely know anything at all about the supernatural world yet. I don’t even really know anything about my powers except they seem to be threatening to kill me right now. Dzovag Livings put me on the ballot so I’d take votes from Grover and Freesia Dolman would win. I’m just a pawn, and I’m stepping down from the race at the debate.”
Sure enough, their eager faces fell, and worried, disappointed looks appeared on them. Ray put his head in his hands. When he spoke again, Cas had to strain to hear his muffled voice. “I really thought overt representation was the way to go. With Archsiren Dovetail gone, I figured we had a chance of getting some real change to happen. Siren Shiloh struck me as someone who would be sympathetic and maybe Siren Valencia.” He lifted his head. “But the hearing didn’t go well. No shifters will be allowed to run. So, I decided the sheriff’s way would have to do. At least to an extent.”
“The sheriff’s way?” Cas’ ears perked up. This must have been what Lloyd and Ray were fighting about at the Fall Fling.
“He wants a puppet on the council.” Posie’s tone was apologetic.
“He wanted someone we could buy, not a good candidate who truly has our interests at heart.”
“Because he doesn’t think that exists,” Posie interjected. “A witch who could want the best for shifters, I mean.” She turned her attention to Cas. “Sheriff Lloyd is a separatist. He doesn’t think the races should mix, but he does think shifters should be in charge of Crystal Springs. Right now, he perceives witches as being in charge.”
Ray explained, “He wanted to get someone on the inside—pay a witch to infiltrate the council—and then stage a coup. You know, get information shifters could use to overthrow the High Council. I thought that was way too risky and not the best way to go. I want shifter witch relations to improve, not denigrate even further. But now that the council has said they won’t change the rules, I guess we’ll have to use part of his approach.”
Silence fell for a moment as Cas digested what they’d told her. Then, Ray said softly, “You’re the only witch we know—” he smiled gently at his girlfriend “—besides Posie, who’s trustworthy. Graham says you are, anyway, and I believe him. Plus, we think you have an actual shot at winning.”
Posie’s head bobbed up and down in agreement. “You should have seen her talking to everyone tonight, Ray.” Her tone was excited. “People love her.”
He looked excited too and sat up straighter. “We think we could trust you to stand up for us on the council, and then we wouldn’t have to follow through on Lloyd’s crazy idea of a coup. We could have real, meaningful change and a shot at improving race relations.”
They both looked at Cas with hope in their eyes.
She shook her head. “Guys, I’m really sorry, but I have to focus on getting my power under control and figuring out the next step for my life. I can’t seriously run for siren.” She held her hand up when Ray opened his mouth, appearing ready to protest. “But I will meet with your people and hear what they have to say. If I think it’s reasonable, I will talk about it at the debate before I step down. That way, everyone voting will get a chance to hear your position and figure out the best candidate to vote for.”
The two exchanged a silent look for a few minutes. Finally, Ray sighed. “Okay. That’ll have to do.” He told her thank you, but the frown on his face displayed disappointment.
They walked Cas back to her car. Posie gave her a quick hug, and Ray told her to go to Orange Moon Campground the next evening to hear the shifters’ concerns.
Her mind was full of contrasting thoughts as she drove out of Crystal Springs toward home. Snippets of the conversation with Posie and Ray battled with scenes of fire jugglers and water dancers in her mind. She thought of all the friendly people she’d met.
As Cas pulled into her driveway, she smiled. Let Graham cancel on her all he wanted—she was more than capable of finding ways to have fun all by herself.
Feeling happy, she started walking to the stoop. She’d just pulled out her key when she felt a burst of heat in the center of her chest. Sweat popped out on her brow, and she couldn’t draw a full breath. She closed her eyes and focused on her lungs moving in and out, envisioning them drawing in cool air while she blew out hot.
After several moments, the heat receded, and Cas continued into the house, flipping on the living room light. She got a glass of ice water from the kitchen. Before she could get to the steps and head upstairs, there was a knock at her door. Percy must have felt the surge and headed over to help her. But when she opened the door, she found Graham standing there, a crooked smile on his handsome face.
“I saw the lights on,” he explained. “Were you out all this time?”
A flash of annoyance coursed through her, but she bit back the reply she wanted to give him. She was an adult who could stay out however late she wanted without permission. Instead, Cas said, “Yes. I was at a witch gathering at the lake.”
A look she couldn’t interpret crossed his face. A bruise just under his eye was just starting to purple. And there was another across Graham’s cheekbone.
Wanting to ask about them but feeling surly about him missing their date, she held her tongue. Instead, she walked back into the living room, not explicitly inviting him in but not slamming the door in his face either.
He followed her, and she flopped into her chair. “It was fun,” she said. Cas wanted Graham to be jealous she’d gone out and had a good time in the supernatural community without him.
She saw his jaw muscles clench. “Who’d you go with?”
“I went with me, myself, and I, even though that’s not really any of your business.” She took a sip of water to give herself something to do. Irritation was rising high in her chest. He’d called off their date, so why did he care what she’d done instead?
He sighed and sat on the couch. “I’m sorry I canceled on you tonight. I have a friend who’s been going through a rough spot, so that’s what’s been going on lately—why I’ve been late or having to cancel completely.”
He seemed to think his explanation would be soothing, and she knew it should. But something had been gnawing at her, and she couldn’t help spitting it out. “Does your troubled friend happen to have long, raven-black hair?” A tiny part of her felt a pang of guilt. She wasn’t being fair. But then she remembered Lumen putting her hand on Graham’s shoulder at the Fall Fling and leaning in to laugh at something he’d said. Cas jutted out her chin.
He shook his head sl
owly. “No. And I’m sorry. There are some things going on that I’ve sworn to keep to myself. But you can trust me.”
She stood and set the glass of water on an end table. Putting a hand on her hip, she said, “Just telling me you can be trusted isn’t going to cut it, I’m afraid. I have too much going on right now to worry about whether a man is stringing me along. Playing me for a fool.”
Graham got up too. “That’s not fair. I haven’t given you any reason not to trust me.”
“You’re not telling me everything. That’s easy to figure out.” She took a deep breath and crossed her arms. “Let’s not postpone tonight’s date,” she said in a low tone. “Let’s just not date anymore at all.”
His jaw cocked to the side. Graham remained silent for a moment, as if he debated whether to argue with her. She watched him, hoping he would argue. Wishing he’d say something that let her know he was trustworthy, so they could get their friendship and budding romance back on track.
But he didn’t. Instead, he spoke in a low voice tinged with sadness. “I have an idea of someone who may be able to mentor you. I’ll text you the contact info later.”
He crossed the room and left without another word, closing the door with a soft click.
Cas blinked back tears and shook her head. She took a deep breath, flipped the light switch off, and climbed the stairs.
Twenty minutes later in bed, sleep wouldn’t come. She’d meant what she’d said to Graham—she wouldn’t risk getting deeper into a relationship without being a hundred percent sure the man was trustworthy.
But she’d never expected that breaking things off with him would hurt so much.
Anger and pain were emotions that liked to keep a person awake, so it took Cas a while to fall asleep. When she did, it was fitful and full of strange dreams.
***
A blaring noise caused her to bolt upright in bed.
Cas thought it was a dream for a second. But the noise didn’t stop.