Charms & Clouds

by Emilia Spring

  “Come in.” Gianna’s voice was so quiet I almost didn’t hear her.

  When I opened the door, Gianna was sitting on her bed, staring at her hands.

  “You okay?” I asked, my voice soft. She should be going back to school tomorrow, and I was reluctant to send her when she was like this.

  Gianna nodded. “I'm fine,” she said. “I just miss them.” She looked at her hands, twisting them together. “Mom never really wanted to talk about magic. I’m still not used to it.”

  I sat down next to her, trying to bite back a smile at the creaking the bed did. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  Gianna turned to look at me, her eyes shrewd and way too worldly for an 11-year-old. “You're not gonna make me seal it, are you?”

  I was fairly certain if I’d been raised there, that would've prompted a stronger reaction. Instead, I shook my head. “I don't want to seal your magic,” I said firmly. Was that something Emmaline had done? Sealed Gianna’s magic, to ensure she couldn’t use it? As much as I respected the dead, that may have not been the best idea when it came to Gianna.

  Then again, Emmaline had been living in a very different world than the one I now occupied.

  “You should probably get some sleep,” I told her. “You’ve got school bright and early in the morning.”

  Gianna rolled her eyes, but there was a tired smile tugging at her lips.

  “Have you done your homework?” I put my hands on my hips. Next thing I knew, I was going to be dressing like my mother. Internally I winced. No cashmere sweaters for me.

  She rolled her eyes. “I did my homework, Natalie,” she said in that voice she knew drove me crazy. But it worked.

  I grinned at her and reached over to ruffle her hair. She let me for a second, and then ducked away from me.

  “I'll see you in the morning,” I promised her.

  She smiled, and while it was wan, it was genuine. “Good night.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  I headed down the street past the council house, ducking down an alley that I knew would take me to one of the private main streets. I had dropped Gianna off at school a little bit late, because hey, I wasn't perfect. Plus, we had both overslept – I really need to invest in some alarm clocks. Or some that wouldn’t let me snooze them twelve times.

  The street was fancy as all get out, the houses at least two stories and made of an elegant type of brick that looked like each brick cost more than my entire house. Then again, my house had been close to free. It wasn’t really a fair comparison.

  I was heading towards a large gate. Gated community, then. I frowned down at my phone. Oscar’s house was obviously behind the big gate. Yet there was a small guardhouse near the gate, and I could see a bored-looking security guard in there.

  I wasn’t sure whether I would come across as more or less suspicious on foot, but at the very least it would be easier to sneak in if I had to. I was wearing jeans and a bright-colored t-shirt, with tennis shoes on. They were so much more comfortable than my flats.

  As I got closer, the guard looked up. I slowed how I was walking, shifted to a more purposeful walk, as if I had a legitimate reason to be there. There was a buzzing noise as I got close enough, so I turned to the guard station.

  “What’s your purpose for being here?” the guard asked, obviously bored. He’d only glanced up twice from the fishing magazine he was reading. His nametag said Teddy. How strange.

  “I came to talk to someone.” I was trying to come up with a cover story. I leaned slightly forward, frowned. “Have you seen a tall, dark-haired man lately?”

  This time the guard looked at me, one of his eyebrows raising. “That’s not very specific.”

  In a fit of inspiration, I pulled out my phone, scrolled to a photo of one of my old coworkers. “This is the man I’m looking for.” I offered it to him.

  He glanced at the photo, frowning. “He looks familiar. Why are you looking for him?”

  “His wife thinks he’s cheating on her with someone in this community,” I said, my voice hushed. “I’m here to track him down. I have some intel that he’s at one of the houses down the lane.”

  His eyes flickered from the photo to my face, then he shrugged. “Go ahead.”

  “Thanks.” I smiled at him. “I really appreciate it.”

  He had already turned back to the magazine in his hands. No wonder people got past the security guards in movies.

  I walked down the road, my hands tucked in my pockets. I did my best to look unobtrusive, even though I was pretty sure I stood out like a sore thumb in my jeans and T-shirt. I didn’t see anyone else out, but I had a feeling that even their casual wear was fancier here.

  I glanced at my phone again, going back to the notes where I had stored Oscar’s address. His house was the third one down. It was large, three stories, made of the same elegant brick as everyone else’s. I could hear a pool in his back yard, smell the faint odor of chlorine. The brick was a dark red, windows large but hidden inside by curtains.

  There was an intercom by his gate. I went over, squared my shoulders, and pushed the button.

  There was a buzzing sound and then a voice over the intercom. “Who is this?” It was a woman, and she sounded bored.

  “My name is Natalie?” I said, hesitant. “I am –”

  “The new witch.” The woman sounded significantly more excited. “What are you doing here?” That was said warily.

  “I'm trying to find out some more information about how Clara died,” I admitted. “And Oscar was there.”

  “He didn't do anything.” She sounded defensive.

  “I just want to talk to him,” I said, raising my hands in a surrendering gesture even though I was by myself. “I want to help clear his name.”

  There was a skeptical silence on the other end of the buzzer thing, until finally the gate clicked open. “I'll be watching you,” she said. “No magic.”

  Did that mean his wife was human, or was that was even his wife on the phone at all? I mean, for all I knew, it could be his housekeeper.

  I trudged up the front steps and knocked on the door. The door opened about three seconds later, revealing a woman standing there in a starched black-and-white uniform. “This way,” she said, her voice too young to be the woman on the phone.

  She left me at the living room, and sitting in the armchair was one of the most gorgeous women I'd ever seen. She had long black curls, and clear blue eyes. Her nails were long and well-kept, her dress impeccable and an elegant dark blue, with lighter shades making a complicated design against the cloth. She looked like a more colorful version of the Adams family.

  “Oscar's wife?” I asked, trying to come up with her proper title and failing.

  “Tiernan,” she introduced herself. “You’re Natalie?” There wasn’t an actual question there. She was definitely the one I had talked to on the intercom. “Why are you looking into this case?” Tiernan picked up a steaming mug and took a sip of it.

  I took a deep breath and sank down onto the couch, folding my hands together. “I’m looking into it because Marguerite’s been accused of Clara’s murder,” I admitted. “I want to help clear her name, if she’s innocent.”

  “How does talking to my husband accomplish this?” She arched a perfectly manicured eyebrow.

  “I just want to get a better understanding of what happened during the Summit,” I said honestly. “I want to be able to trace her last movements, in order to figure out who may have had access.”

  She looked at me, skeptical. “You're not to touch anything,” she said as she stood, moving towards the wall near a hallway and sliding her heels off elegantly. I hadn’t even noticed she was wearing them. Even without them on, she was at least four inches taller than I was. “You are not to use any magic.”

  I nodded. At the very least I would try my best. I still hadn’t mastered the whole changing-the-weather-when-angry thing.

  “Follow me,” she said, her head held high. Obediently I moved dow
n the hallway after her, stopping when she did. She knocked on a door and then opened it. “Oscar?”

  I heard a man hum acknowledgment.

  “We have a visitor.”

  I felt rather than heard the invitation to come inside. It sent shivers down my spine – magic. Tiernan took a few steps into the study, and I followed. Oscar was sitting there, leaning back in his desk chair. His eyes flickered to Tiernan, and then back to me. Recognition dawned. “Natalie,” he said, stumbling over the name like he hadn’t quite remembered it. “How may I help you?” He was distant and polite.

  I smiled politely at him. “I was hoping to talk to you a bit about the summit,” I said.

  Oscar flickered to his wife. “Tiernan, may we talk in private?”

  Something flickered in her eyes, but she came forward and gave him a kiss. “I'll be waiting outside.”

  She left, leaving the door cracked behind her.

  I didn’t take a step or two back no matter how much I wanted to, unease trickling down my spine. I mean, it wasn’t likely that something was going to happen. But it always reminded me exactly how dangerous it could be to be alone with somebody that I didn’t know, especially when that person was older and a man. Especially, in this case, when he had a much better grasp on his magic than I did.

  To be fair, that applied to pretty much anybody.

  “How may I help you?” Oscar asked, leaning back in his chair. “Would you like some water?”

  “Sure,” I said, not sure what else to say. He nodded to a fridge, and I opened it. There was a single water bottle sitting there, just the right temperature.

  I glanced at him, surprised.

  “Advantage of being a water witch,” he said with a shrug. “If you would like it warmer or colder, please let me know.”

  “It’s fine, thanks.” I was relieved to hear the crack of the seal as I opened it and took a drink of the cool, refreshing water. I really needed to work on my paranoia.

  “Sit,” he said, gesturing to the seat across from his desk.

  I sank into it, keeping myself on high alert. Yes, I was paranoid. But after having to lure a killer to a warehouse, I had a right to be paranoid. “What do you know about Clara’s death?”

  I saw alarm there, which piqued my interest. Then it faded back to his usual mask. “Not much, I’m afraid,” he said. “Last I saw her, she was alive.”

  “When was that?” I crossed one leg over the other, held my cell in one hand. That way I could record notes if I needed to, but if something happened, I also could call for help without the delay of pulling my phone out.

  He looked thoughtful, and I had the feeling he was actually telling the truth. “Approximately seven in the evening,” he said. “Before we went into our individual groups.”

  Absently I wondered if a group could actually be considered a group if it was individual. But whatever. Who knew, maybe they had magical fairies that kept them company.

  “How well did you know Clara?” Some of the research had told me that he’d been on the Council probably half the time Clara had, and that was long enough that they’d probably had time to develop a good working relationship.

  “We were friends,” he said. “We occasionally hung out socially.”

  “When was the last time you saw her socially?” If they saw each other socially, there was more than enough potential for something else. I had seen it way too much at work.

  He didn’t look away. “A few months ago. Our schedules have been quite busy since then.”

  I nodded politely. “Are you going to the funeral?” I didn’t know when it would be, but there had to be one.

  He inclined his head slightly. “I am,” he said. “If there’s no more questions, I have a meeting I have to get to.”

  Knowing I was being dismissed, I nodded and smiled. “Thank you for your time,” I said, careful to keep my voice actually respectful instead of dismissive. I hadn’t really learned anything, not that I could confirm. But it had given me a new direction to go in.

  “Tiernan will see you out,” he said, nodding to the door. It opened, and I saw small packet of water attached at the top left of the door itself. Was that how he did it? Added water to things so that he could manipulate it that way?

  I mean, I could use the wind. Theoretically. If I dared.

  Tiernan appeared in the doorway, her smile icy. “If there’s anything else that you need,” Tiernan said, walking me to the door, “Please feel free to reach out to the police.” Her voice was crisp.

  I smiled at her, even though it wasn’t as polite as it could be. “Thank you for your time.”

  “You’re welcome.” Then I was out the door, and she shut it and locked it behind me.

  Well, hadn’t that been eventful. Deciding to resist the urge to run off the property, I casually headed towards the now-unlocked gate, and then ducked behind a couple trees. I didn't know who was watching, or how much security they had, but I didn't think it was much. Besides, if they really were up to something I doubted they’d be paying attention to me. They’d most likely be talking to each other.

  I used a couple trees to get closer until I could see through one of the windows. It was cracked open, letting some of the cool air into the house. Through the slightly tinted glass, I could see the edge of another window frame.

  An idea sparked in my brain. There were fewer breezes today, but it only took me about ten seconds to grab one and start threading it through the open window. I could see the silhouettes of two people, one gesturing at the other. Oscar and Tiernan. I sent the wind in through the window and past their mouths, circled it out the other way.

  Because of the roundabout way, the words were faint and scattered by the time they got back to my ears.

  “Why did you let her in?” Oscar asked, his teeth gritted.

  “Marguerite's granddaughter,” I got from Tiernan.

  “You know it's sketchy,” he said.

  “What does she know?” That was Tiernan. “We have to take the chance.”

  “Can't take,” Oscar’s angry voice was cut off. I started hearing a clattering noise, and realized it was the wind hitting the locks on the window. I released the wind as fast as I could, without it seeming weird. I didn't hear everything I needed to, but I had heard enough.

  I walked back to the main gate, hoping that nobody would see me as I actually left that time. In order to save my dignity, I hadn’t given into my brain, which wanted to go full Rambo and try climbing over the gate.

  I grabbed my phone and dialed Riley's number without going into my contacts list. Yes, I had her number memorized. Join the club of teasing me about it.

  “Hello?” Riley asked, sounding tired.

  “How much have you looked into Oscar?” I headed back towards the gate, trying to be casual.

  Riley sounded surprised on the other end. “We look into him some,” she said. “He’s been on the Council about 15 years now, married to wife Tiernan for 20. He has a good reputation in his community.”

  I considered how much to reveal, because I knew Riley was going to, well, disapprove. “He and his wife are talking about things,” I said.

  I heard the exasperated sigh on the other line.

  “And how would you know that?”

  I grinned innocently, even though she couldn’t see me. “A magician never reveals her secrets.”

  “You're not a magician, you’re a witch.” I could hear the smile tugging at Riley's lips. “Where are you?”

  “Not right out front of Oscar's place?” Again, technically I wasn't any more. I was, you know, to the side.

  There was definitely a sigh on the other end. “Meet me at the coffee shop in fifteen.”

  “It's on you,” I told her. “You're making me do all your work for you.”

  Riley let out a strangled laugh, and then hung up.

  I grinned stupidly, then got in Ruth. I was even going to get free coffee out of this.

  I parked a block away from the coffee shop an
d walked the rest of the way. It was nice outside, highs in the 60s. I mean, I could have done with it being cooler. But the sun wasn't to the point that it was obnoxious, instead feeling warm against my skin. It was strange, because I even saw a couple of people walking by with jackets. Maybe they had some weird sort of magic thing that kept them freezing.

  Chai was behind the counter when I arrived, and she nodded to me. “What are you getting today?” she asked, just as the door chimed open again.

  “It's on me,” Riley said from behind me.

  “She owes me,” I said sagely. I turned to look at her, gave her a look-over. She looked better, finally well rested. I wondered absently when she'd actually been able to get some sleep.

  “I'll take my regular, and what do you want?” Her eyes twinkled, teasing, the jerk. “Something fruity? Pumpkin spice?

  I rolled my eyes at her. “Triple espresso macchiato.” I grinned. “Iced.”

  Riley sighed her exasperation. “If you act rowdy, I’ll have to take you in.”

  I winked at her. “Caffeine and I are good friends.”

  Once our drinks were ready, she picked the table. We ended up settling in the corner, far enough away that Chai couldn't really hear. Riley also had a good view of the rest of the coffee shop. I figured that had to be part of being a police officer, wanting to keep an eye on things and know what was happening around you.

  “Why did you go talk to him?” Riley looked up over her cup of black coffee, taking a drink.

  “I want to find out what really happened,” I said, taking a sip of my macchiato. She’d put just the right amount of vanilla syrup. It wasn't technically a real coffee drink, but I actually hated the taste of real coffee. So I made do.

  Especially when the coffee was free.

  “Do you have anything back on Zane, like forensics or, you know, magical stuff?” I wiggled my fingers.

  She rolled her eyes. “That's not how magic works,” she said, but I could hear fondness bleed into her exasperation.

  “You know you're fond of me.” I tilted my cup in her direction, almost like a salute.