Body Bags & Blarney

by Shaw, J. D.

Vivienne let the word sink in for a moment before responding. “Isn’t that the same as a witch?”

  “Witches are born to the craft, my dear. Sorcerers are mortals with no genetic history of witchcraft within their family line. They skirt the rules to bring the power of magic within their grasp.”

  “Are the capable of casting spells?” Vivienne worried and sipped some more of her tea.

  “Only with the aid of a talisman.”

  Vivienne thought back to what limited magical knowledge she currently had committed to memory. There were so many terms to learn, it made a medical textbook look like a leaflet in comparison. “I thought only people skilled with magic could manipulate magical objects?”

  “An amulet is an object that is infused with power during its creation. It can only be utilized by someone who is skilled in the art of releasing the magic trapped within.” Miss Octavia corrected her. “But a talisman is an object that draws its power by draining from another source. It can be used by anyone regardless of skill.” Miss Octavia’s eyes narrowed. “A tool that we witches must keep out of the hands of mortals at all costs.”

  “So Cayuga Cove is under attack by a sorcerer and their attacks are causing extreme good and bad luck events to happen to the people who live here?”

  Miss Octavia sighed. “Yes. Cayuga Cove has more magical portals open right now than anywhere on the planet. This is a magic-infused utopia to any sorcerer who desires to harness the power for their benefit.”

  Vivienne returned her gaze to the map resting in her lap. The town looked so small, so insignificant. “But we’re so isolated out here in the country. You’d think we’d be safer from discovery.”

  “When you have that much magical energy spewing out of the portals, it’s like broadcasting a homing beacon.” Octavia finished her cup of tea and gingerly set it down on the table between them. “A cunning sorcerer need only let their talisman lead them to a magical source.”

  “Sorcerers are like the energy companies searching for natural resources to harvest.” Vivienne began to comprehend. “They will stop at nothing to stake a new claim.”

  “Yes.” Octavia nodded. “One of them has found Cayuga Cove and it must look like the Fort Knox of magic. He or she is doing their best to charge up their talisman and harness the power for whatever twisted purpose they desire.”

  “Aren’t they’re any good sorcerers?” Vivienne asked hopefully. “Maybe someone who is trying to do something positive with the magic?”

  “There are no good or evil intentions when it comes to sorcery.” Miss Octavia tried her best to explain. “They may start out on the path of good intentions, but along the way they are corrupted by the raw power of magic. They think they are the master of the magic, but it always the other way around.”

  “Then why even attempt it?” Vivienne wondered.

  “Why do people play Powerball or enter contests?” Octavia asked. “Because someone always defies the odds against them and manages to win.”

  Vivienne suddenly felt the gravity of the situation settling on her shoulders. “Just like Nathaniel and Tristan did.”

  “The talismans have a purpose. They are pure magical energy that has become trapped in the physical world over eons. It is like an ancient insect trapped inside a piece of amber. The talismans must feed on magical energy to break free of their prison and return to the collective pool. They will follow the path of least resistance and a cunning sorcerer knows this very well.”

  “Nana Mary once told me that unlike mortals, witches have been practicing the art of recycling for centuries. Magic is harnessed, used, and returned to the Earth when the spell work is completed.”

  Octavia’s almond-shaped brown eyes narrowed. “You see, when a portal is drained improperly, it can have all sorts of nasty side effects. A magical void is something that can’t be opened or closed. It just sort of sits there and hiccups magical chaos, interfering with the natural order of things. Wild surges make casting even the most basic of spells difficult, and at the worst, nearly impossible.”

  “It sounds like these things have the potential to turn Cayuga Cove into a magical wasteland.”

  “They can be moved, with a communal spell from the most skilled witches.” Octavia replied. “After I’ve mapped all of the portals, the Elder Council will begin relocating them to a place far from human contact.”

  “Like Antarctica?” Vivienne asked.

  “Magnetic fields and magic don’t play well together.” Miss Octavia explained. “They’ll find someplace safe and only the top members will know where that is for security reasons.”

  Vivienne studied the map in more detail. She noticed a red diamond very close to her home on Sunset Terrace. “Wait a minute, one of these voids is very close to my home.”

  “Yes.” Miss Octavia pointed to the location in question. “The enchantment the Council added to my map allows them to appear within an hour of their occurrence.”

  “That sorcerer was awful close to me.” Vivienne worried. “Why?”

  “I don’t think we can just excuse it as a coincidence.” Miss Octavia added. “Have you seen anyone new in town lately?”

  Vivienne took a deep breath and exhaled. “Actually, I saw someone new last night and he definitely stood out from the crowd.”

  “Stood out in a good or bad way?”

  Vivienne shrugged. “It’s hard to explain. I felt as if he were familiar, even though I’m certain that we have never met before.”

  “You could have picked up on the magic if this person had their talisman on them.” Octavia pointed out. “The more comfortable you get with magic, the more sensitive you will become when it is around you.”

  “So what do I do to prove that he’s the one we’re looking for?” Vivienne asked.

  “I wish I could help you, but I’m under orders from the Council to lay low and finish my mapping project. If this sorcerer gets wind of what I am doing, it could be very dangerous for everyone.” Octavia reached out and took Vivienne’s hands in hers. “I think that it would be wise for you to visit with your Nana Mary as soon as possible and ask her.”

  “I understand.” Vivienne gave Octavia’s hands a gentle squeeze. She had often wished that Nana Mary could know that Miss Octavia was working in town. She had a feeling the two would become instant best friends, sharing stories of magical doings both past and present. Yet, Vivienne understood, she couldn’t allow her sentimental feelings for her grandmother to override the need for the Council to let Octavia do her work undercover in Cayuga Cove. It was a necessary evil to keep that information to herself for everyone’s safety. Yet, she yearned for the day that everything would be back to some kind of normal and she could at last introduce them to each other.

  “We’re going to need all the good luck we can to get through this. You take care.”

  “And you as well.” Vivienne responded as she reached into her purse and searched for her cell phone. She was going to have to call Stephanie and ask her to run the bakery solo for a little while longer.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  In her apartment at the Whispering Oaks Assisted Living Facility, Nana Mary rocked gently back and forth in her Amish-made rocking chair listening intently to every word of Vivienne’s dilemma. She gave her mug of steaming tea a swirl with her spoon and allowed it to cool to a more drinkable temperature. “My goodness, you certainly know how to pep up a dull winter morning.” She stared out the living room window at the bleak winter landscape below. With the leaves long gone from the trees, she had an excellent view of all the stately homes that lined both sides of the high-end neighborhood that was enforced by an all-powerful homeowner’s association.

  “I’m sorry to burden you with this, Nana.” Vivienne apologized.

  “Don’t apologize.” Nana Mary waved her wrinkled hands at her as she adjusted the afghan that was around her legs. “I always want to know what is going on in your life, the good and the bad.” She pointed toward a dark blue colonial two-story on Cayuga Circl
e below. “I see that Mrs. Carlson has put illuminated plastic shamrocks in the front windows facing the street.”

  Vivienne squinted down at the house Nana Mary was pointing at. “You have the eyes of an eagle.”

  “Always have. That’s not magically enhanced either.” She smiled.

  “So what’s the big deal about the shamrocks?” Vivienne asked.

  Nana Mary clucked her tongue. “Well, she’s skirting the rules of the association by putting non-approved décor on display.”

  “Are they going to get fined?”

  Nana Mary laughed. “Oh, if they were anyone else I’d be pointing out that Cynthia Beaumont, also known as the ‘merry widow’ of Cayuga Circle, would have sparks on her heels personally delivering a violation notice to the offender right this moment.”

  “They’re afraid of a corporate lawyer?” Vivienne shrugged.

  “I don’t think it’s because Mr. Carlson is particularly good at practicing law.” Nana Mary continued. “It’s because without his help, Cayuga Circle would have had a lower-income apartment building right on the edge of their territory.”

  “The developer still thinks that deal is going to go through.” Vivienne recalled reading about the news story for the past few months in the local paper. A developer had secured government grants to build a small apartment complex at the intersection of Cayuga Circle and Imperial Avenue, which the residents wouldn’t have had much of a problem with. However, when the association caught wind that the building was for subsidized housing, the fight began in earnest. “I find the narrow minds of the people who live there to be more disturbing than anything else.” Vivienne said with a hint of disgust in her tone. “I think they’d be surprised how many middle class families bring gangs, drugs, and domestic violence into their neighborhoods.”

  “I agree with you, dear.” Nana Mary nodded. “The people living down there have the false sense of security that nothing bad can ever happen just because their property values are in the six figures.” She turned away from the window to face Vivienne. “It’s going to be a long, nasty fight before those apartments are ready.”

  “That’s for sure.” Vivienne gave a little smile, but her thoughts returned to what Miss Octavia had told her and she felt a sense of panic building inside of her.

  Nana Mary glanced at Vivienne for a moment. “Out with it.”

  “I’m sorry?” Vivienne stirred from her thoughts.

  “Whatever it is that you came to ask me.” Nana Mary replied. “Don’t ever join a poker game, my dear. Your face is an open book.”

  Vivienne took a deep breath. “So, I was hoping you had an idea of how I can lure a sorcerer out of hiding.”

  Nana Mary squinted, her green eyes still unnaturally bright with youthful exuberance. “Well, at least now I understand the expression on your face a few moments ago.” She paused for a moment. “Give me a minute.”

  “Of course.” Vivienne was about to speak again when there was a knock on the door. “Where you expecting company?” She felt her body tense up at the thought of the mysterious sorcerer standing on the other side of the door waiting to blast her with some wicked spell.

  “It’s just my lunch.” Nana Mary replied. “Would you be a dear and get that for me?”

  Vivienne relaxed. “Oh, no problem. I’ve lost all track of time since this morning.” She hurried over to the door and opened it.

  “Lunch delivery for Mrs. Darden.” A young Latino woman smiled, holding a tray that was covered to keep the food warm. Her name badge identified her name as Carmen, and her position as personal care aide.

  “Please come in.” Vivienne smiled back. “She’s in the living room.”

  “Thank you.” Carmen hurried past, the smell of toasted bread wafting in the air behind her.

  “Carmen.” Nana Mary’s voice rang out from the living room. “I thought you were working nights?”

  “I’m covering for Lorena this morning.” Carmen replied.

  Vivienne closed the door and returned to the living room where Carmen was setting up a vintage metal tray table over Nana Mary’s lap.

  “Oh, that poor girl.” Nana Mary empathized. “I’d have thought her morning sickness would be over by now.”

  Carmen placed the food on the folding tray and lifted the top off to reveal a tuna melt sandwich along with a pile of cottage cheese and a dill pickle spear. “She had it until her fifth month with the last pregnancy.”

  “Well, although I feel terrible for her, I’m glad I had a chance to see you again for a change.” Nana Mary smiled warmly. “How’s your family doing?”

  “Roberto is working in West Virginia for the next three weeks.” Carmen unwrapped the flatware from the white cloth napkin and set it next to the sandwich. “The gas company has been sending more of their men down South lately.”

  “He’s such a hard worker.” Nana Mary added. “I’m sure that you and Miguel miss him terribly.”

  “We do, but hopefully this trip might be his last one if he is able to get a position in the main office he applied for.” Carmen looked at Vivienne. “Would you like to order lunch to have with your grandmother today?”

  “Oh, no thank you Carmen” Vivienne replied. “That was sweet of you to offer.”

  Carmen nodded. “I wish everyone here at Whispering Oaks had more relatives like you to keep them company. You’re all such a nice family. It makes me wish we could afford to live in Cayuga Cove instead of commuting from Auburn.”

  Vivienne knew the commute from Auburn was about forty-five minutes in good weather. When it came to winter, with the snow and ice, the commute was easily over an hour long. With the ever-rising gasoline prices, she had a feeling that carved a rather large portion of Carmen’s paycheck away. “I hope you have a fuel-efficient car.”

  Carmen smiled and politely shook her head. “It’s a minivan from the late nineties, guzzles gas like it’s going out of style.”

  Vivienne admired Carmen’s work ethic and her commitment to make a better life for her and her family. “That’s not good.”

  “Thank God Roberto rides down with his work friends to the job sites.” Carmen rationalized. “If he had to take the car, I wouldn’t be able to work here and jobs around this area are pretty hard to find.”

  “Isn’t that the truth?” Nana Mary took a bite of her sandwich.

  “Have you heard about the apartment complex they are supposed to start building down the road?” Vivienne asked.

  “Yes.” Carmen answered. “We’ve wanted to move here for quite some time, but the home prices are just too much for us to make that happen. That new apartment building might be the answer we’ve been looking for, but I’m not holding my breath.”

  “But if it did,” Vivienne continued, “you’d be able to walk to work and save all kinds of money.”

  “From your lips to God’s ears.” Carmen winked back.

  “I think those idiots down there need to see and hear people like Carmen and her family talk at one of their meetings.” Nana Mary reasoned as she shook some pepper on her cottage cheese. “Instead of the stereotypes parading around in their vapid little heads.”

  “I better get back to the kitchen before Mister Albertson sends a search party for me.” Carmen replied. “I’d swear that he has a time clock in his chest instead of a heart.”

  Vivienne and Nana Mary laughed as Carmen excused herself from the apartment. “Don’t be long between visits now.” Nana Mary waved goodbye.

  Vivienne sat down in the chair opposite her grandmother. “She’s sweet.”

  “Yes, she is and she works so hard here.” Nana Mary picked up the pickle spear and took a bite. “That Mister Albertson is lucky my magic powers are almost gone.”

  “What does he do here?” Vivienne asked.

  “He’s the facility administrator.” Nana Mary took a bite of her sandwich and chewed thoroughly.

  “Is he hard on the staff?”

  Nana Mary took a sip of her ginger tea which had finally cool
ed to the ideal temperature. “Oh, he allows his pretty girls to get away with murder.”

  “One of those.” Vivienne grumbled. “Better not say anymore or I may just be tempted to spell him for you.”

  “I wish you would.” Nana Mary laughed. “Would serve the horny toad right.”

  Vivienne glanced at her watch and knew her free time was slipping away all too fast. “So, about catching a sorcerer?”

  “Oh, I almost forgot about that.” Nana Mary set her mug of tea down on the tray table. “Okay, first of all, you need to know that they are some of the sneakiest people you will ever have the misfortune of dealing with.”

  “I’ve heard that.”

  “Well, make sure you keep that in the front of your mind at all times.” Nana Mary warned. “Because the minute you let your guard down they can strike.”

  “Are you speaking from personal experience?” Vivienne asked.

  “As a matter of fact, I did have an encounter with one back during World War II, but that’s a long story and it isn’t going to help you with your problem.”

  “I didn’t say I had a problem with one.” Vivienne heard her voice raise an octave.

  Nana Mary clucked her tongue. “You didn’t have to say a word.”

  “I wish I was half as good at reading people as you are.”

  “Getting back to the business at hand,” Nana Mary continued, “the best way to lure one of those creeps out of hiding is to use a magically charged item like an amulet or a charm bag as bait.”

  “How do I set a trap without saying anything about it?” Vivienne asked.

  “You don’t need to.” Nana Mary interrupted. “When you have an item of sufficient power out in the open, they can smell it on the wind.”

  “Any suggestions on what I have that would work?”

  Nana Mary shrugged. “I don’t know, dear. What have you been crafting in your spare time between lessons?”

  Vivienne felt her face flush with embarrassment. “Well, I sort of haven’t started anything at the moment.”

  “I see.” Nana Mary stared at her with slight disappointment. “Well, you do have a bit of a problem then.”