by Lucy True
Dress nicely
Go with an open mind
Not have any expectations
Keep all sensitive questions for a later time, when a private chat could follow if the time and place where they met wasn’t the best for discussing those kinds of matters
So Burgundy made sure to wear her most distressed blue jeans, a grungy white t-shirt, a black leather jacket Charlotte had once called “edgy as fuck,” and then went to the town meeting where Reginald and Lily stood at the front of the room. First impressions were everything and she’d make this one count.
Ignoring all the whispers and murmurs of the people she passed, Burgundy strode to the first row, glared at her mother, and said, “If you’re here for a family reunion, I suggest you pack your bags. And take Rolfe the telegram boy along with you.”
The Mother – how Burgundy had labelled her in her own mind – cocked an eyebrow at her. Of course, Lily Bloom wasn’t merely beautiful. She was gorgeous. Unfairly so. In that way that had Burgundy wondering why she hadn’t inherited those good looks. Long, dark red hair swung in a perfect wave over her mother’s shoulder and piercing green eyes locked onto Burgundy’s. Like other Finders, Lily wore dark colors from head to toe, a navy blue t-shirt and pants, under a long black trench coat.
Ah yes, the witch ninja look. So 1992, it hurts. Burgundy folded her arms and tried to lift her own eyebrow, but only succeeded in raising both. Maybe she couldn’t give her mother the sardonic glare, but at least she could look unimpressed.
“What’s wrong – don’t have a response?” Burgundy asked. Apparently, her mother wasn’t about to play into her hands, let alone acknowledge their relationship here, but Burgundy felt it. Oh, how she felt it. Chills of recognition shook through her. From the way her mother’s eyes narrowed, she knew the feeling was mutual.
Then the woman shrugged and tilted her head toward the chairs. “You’d better have a seat, young lady. There will be time for questions after the meeting, though I suggest if you want to ask something of a personal nature, you not do it in a public forum. You don’t want the wrong people listening in, do you?”
Was that a threat? Was her own damn mother threatening her? Burgundy tensed and leaned forward, ready to go on the attack.
“Hey, what’s going on here?” Two hands descended upon Burgundy’s shoulders. Perfectly manicured fire-engine red nails. Smooth, pale skin. And, when Burgundy turned, she saw shiny blonde hair and a perma-smile that would make a supermodel back away and reconsider her life choices. The perfect thirty-something soccer mom in a centuries-old celestial package.
“Well, if it isn’t Mercy Michaels, first lady of Rock Grove.” Lily didn’t sound nearly as relieved to see the mayor’s wife as Burgundy felt.
“Of course. Who else would it be?” Mercy’s hands tightened over Burgundy’s shoulders. Either a warning or a comforting gesture. Maybe both at once. No matter which one it was, Burgundy was glad to have someone there to take her side. “I hope once we’ve fulfilled this little request of the Council’s, you and your associate will leave our town alone.”
Lily blew out a breathy laugh. “That remains to be seen.” She turned her back on them, a clear indication that this conversation was o-v-e-r.
Burgundy swallowed her “Wait a minute, we’re not done here” response as Mercy steered her toward an empty chair at the front.
“I know she’s a jerk,” Mercy whispered, leaning close enough that her lips brushed against Burgundy’s ear. “But don’t start it here, not now. We want these people gone. Do you hear me?”
Burgundy nodded. She’d nearly forgotten what mattered – not only finding herself, but making sure the people of this town didn’t come to any harm in the process. “Yeah,” she whispered back. “Loud and clear, Mrs. Michaels.”
“Good.” The woman sat next to her and gave her a close-lipped smile, the kind of uncomfortable expression Burgundy saw one mother give another when their toddler misbehaved in the grocery store. It was the awkward I understand smile of commiseration.
Mayor Michaels took the stage, his all-American, boy-next-door looks drawing the attention of the entire room. But especially the women. More often than not at town meetings, Burgundy and Charlotte came just to listen to what the women would say about the mayor while he was on stage. Comments ranged from talking about how cute he was to how tight his butt looked in jeans.
If Mercy heard the remarks about her husband, she either didn’t care or took them as compliments. Burgundy could have sworn the woman sat up even straighter when her husband approached the podium. She recognized that sense of pride. It echoed her sentiments about Charlotte.
“Good evening, everyone,” the mayor said, his eyes narrowed and focused on the townsfolk. Burgundy watched his gaze. It flicked up, down, but never side to side. Anywhere but the Finders who stood at the front of the room, crow-like sentries in their black leather coats. “I hope this impromptu meeting will be brief. We have two visitors from the Witches Council who’ve come to make a few remarks regarding matters of public safety.”
And with that, the mayor stepped away from the mic. No formal introduction, no courtesy extended to the Finders. Grim satisfaction pulsed through Burgundy. So she wasn’t the only person who didn’t want her mother around, let alone anyone from the Council.
“What kind of woman...” Mercy’s mutterings trailed off and she gripped Burgundy’s hand. “How do you feel?”
How could Burgundy possibly tell her everything coursing through her at that very moment? There certainly weren’t any warm fuzzies or even a desire to ask her mother “Why?” From this view, Lily Bloom was just another Finder. An enemy of warlocks. The one person in this room who could turn Burgundy in to the Council, if she so chose.
Lily moved to the podium and placed her hands on top of it, lips pressed together and gaze roving the assembly. “The people of Rock Grove fell victim to a rogue warlock last fall. We are grateful to those of you who helped bring him to justice. However, there are a few loose ends the Council would like tied up here.”
Burgundy froze at her mother’s words. How... how could Lily talk about Cian like that? Hadn’t they once loved one another, created Burgundy together? Was this what happened when parents fell out over their differences? She hadn’t expected her mother’s presence to cause such an ache in her chest, to take hold of her heart and squeeze.
“You have a few witches here in Rock Grove,” Lily continued, “and I must remind you, first and foremost, that they are not permitted to become romantically involved with non-Council affiliated magick users. There are too many variables at stake.”
That was something Aunt Iris had never told Burgundy. Ever. The idea that they weren’t free to fall in love with whomever they chose made her clench her fist. Mercy patted Burgundy’s other hand and slanted her a warning glance.
“Second, all warlocks are to be registered as such, and examined by the Council to prove if they are witch or warlock.” Lily’s gaze never settled in one place. It continued to go from person to person, as if accusing each individual of wrongdoing. “The man who terrorized your little town last year had not adhered to these laws. Rest assured he has been punished appropriately, with more to come.”
This time, Burgundy had to bite back a scoff. If Cian Black was free again, the Council would have a hard time getting their hands on him.
“Finally, a last reminder that all unaffiliated witches are to be declared as soon as possible. I am pleased to announce that one of your own, Burgundy Jane Hart, is scheduled to declare her path on Beltane. Once that’s done, you needn’t worry about unexpected visits from Finders anymore.”
Lily stepped off the stage and joined Reginald again, leaving Mayor Michaels free to take his place back at the podium. White teeth shining in the overhead fluorescent lights, the mayor said with a smile, “Let’s hope you’ll leave us alone for good, because I’d hate to see what might happen if you continue to harass citizens of Rock Grove.”
Both Fin
ders turned to the mayor, who continued grinning at them. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Reginald snarled.
The mayor moved to one side, golden light emanating from his body. It wasn’t often that the town saw the mayor’s celestial force. This had to be a special occasion if he felt the need to show the Finders his power.
Mercy went tense, but she didn’t emulate her husband’s example. One celestial being was quite enough to scare the pants off most supernaturals. Burgundy, for one, didn’t want to ever see the full extent of the mayor’s or his wife’s power. No thank you.
Neither of the Finders drew back, but Burgundy saw the way they rolled their shoulders and exchanged glances. They’d go down fighting.
But so will Rock Grove, no matter how hard you try to throw me under the bus.
“Keep in mind that we make better allies than enemies,” Lily told the mayor before turning and proceeding down the aisle between the chairs. She stopped and looked at Burgundy. “We’ll see you on your birthday, young lady. Once you declare, you can go on with your life as if nothing happened. Won’t that be nice?”
Burgundy’s mouth went dry. “That’s all you’ve got for me? Really?” She turned away and instead looked at Mercy, the fight draining from her. It was replaced, instead, by bitterness coating her mouth and throat. No way would she let her mother see her cry.
The mayor’s wife lifted her gaze and narrowed her eyes. “I hope you’re pleased with yourself, Lily.”
“Get over yourself, Mercy. I’ve done my duty. She’ll be better off if she listens to me.” With that, Lily swept out of the room, Reginald behind her.
“So.” Burgundy gulped down a breath. “I guess that was my mother.”
“Yes, and I’m not sure who made a more interesting impression – you or her.” Mercy rose to her feet, tugging Burgundy with her. “You came in ready for a fight, but she did, too. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
Burgundy closed her eyes as she exhaled. If only she could push the chill in her blood out as forcefully as a single breath. “Don’t say that. I don’t want to be anything like her.”
“Sorry. I guess there are things I should say, though.” Mercy gave her hand a little shake and Burgundy opened her eyes, blinking. “When you were born, the Council examined you. They send an Examiner to verify the birth of every child. Since I’m town clerk, they didn’t think anything was strange about me being present for the examination. Your aunt and mother had already given me the head’s up about who your father was. I made sure your birth record said nothing about him and, well... As for the examination, I used celestial glamour to shield the truth from Examiner.”
Examined at birth? Burgundy cringed, her heartbeat echoing in her ears. “So my mother came here to basically threaten me to keep the secret because if the Council finds out she did that, then she’s in as much trouble as I am.”
“I don’t think she came here on behalf of the Council, but herself.” Mercy hadn’t let go of her hand the entire time and now she drew Burgundy in for a hug, whispering in her ear, “I think she came here to warn you.”
Chapter Sixteen
The first Monday after the town meeting in all its tense glory. Less than two weeks until she turned twenty-seven and she’d already gotten the worst birthday present of all.
Burgundy rubbed her hands over her face and glanced around the library. The normal library she’d grown up with in Rock Grove. The one that didn’t hold ancient tomes of power and potential. Because, of course, she still had a job to do, when needed. During work days, she could only go to the secret library if called by a patron and that happened...
She checked her bare wrist.
Oh yeah, it happened never. Not since that mysterious redhead showed up and told her how to access her energy. Her date with witchy destiny loomed and she remained at a standstill.
“Are you okay?” Marian sidled up to her, a pile of DVD cases shifting in her arms. “You seem really distracted today.”
Distracted? Nah. Carrying the weight of the supernatural world on her shoulders? Maybe a teensy bit.
Burgundy tossed her hair and forced a smile. “Thinking about things,” she said, a statement on par with vaguebooking. She’d need something more specific to keep Marian from prying further, considering the nymph retained an adolescent mentality, so she added, “My birthday is coming.”
Marian’s eyes widened. “Say nothing more. I understand. Getting old must be rough.”
Old? Burgundy pressed her lips together, the only thing that could keep her from blurting out that she was only seven years older than Marian. “Totally,” was all she offered.
Marian nodded and moved on to shelve the DVDs, and Burgundy pushed herself upright in her chair. There was no sense in sitting around, moping and wishing for things to be different. But the Witches Council had thrown down the gauntlet and, damn it, she wanted to pick it up and slap a few faces. Preferably with a metal gauntlet. The kind that would leave a mark and some broken bones.
“If I could smell misery, I’d follow the scent up here.”
Burgundy whipped her head around to glare at the speaker. Why did she have to get caught daydreaming by her boss of all people? “Oh, Mr. Knight. Sorry. I’m just—”
“Bored. I know. Let’s head downstairs, shall we?”
A glance across the library told Burgundy that Marian was within earshot. She nodded and pushed away from the desk. Marian gave her a little wave and kept shelving. The nymph could regress to childishness and be a gossip at times, but at least she was reliable help, not to mention nicer to work with than Lynn.
When Mr. Knight said downstairs, Burgundy knew what he had in mind. Sure enough, they entered the secret library, the portal shift seamless enough that she hardly noticed it. The place was as impressive and quiet as ever. Burgundy could probably hear a mouse nibbling at crumbs if she really tried.
“I know you want more out of this responsibility and the potential is there, I assure you.” Mr. Knight touched the ancient, heavy circulation desk. “But I haven’t actually told any of those who belong to the Firebrand Syndicate that the library is open for business again.”
“But...” Burgundy’s thoughts flashed back to the woman who’d come to her that day. If no one knew the library was operating again, then who or what was she – an illusion? A ghost?
“The first thing I want is for you to find and understand your place here.” Mr. Knight’s face appeared haggard briefly, lined and careworn one moment, and then smooth the next. “Initially, your mother was chosen for the job. I was going to introduce her to the library when the time was right. She seemed to be a friend to warlocks, what with her relationship with your father and all, but things changed. First, they broke up. Then you were born and your mother was shocked to find that you were born a warlock, instead of a witch. Naturally, she blamed him, even though no one can know how this sort of thing actually happens. I’ll never forget the day she accused him of betraying her.”
A cold shiver wracked Burgundy from head to toe and she wrapped her arms around herself. “She accused him of betrayal, because he would have had to intentionally use magick to make sure I turned out a warlock.”
“That’s what people say, that’s what the Witches Council tells the rest of us, but I think it’s a myth.” Mr. Knight rolled his eyes. “Honestly, do you think it’s possible for magick, no matter how powerful, to rearrange DNA or nature itself?”
Burgundy wished for another chair, because all she wanted to do was fall back into one. Something shoved up against the back of her legs, an invitation to sit, just as she wished. Whatever made the chair cross the room to accommodate her, she didn’t question it.
“No, you’re right. It’s ridiculous when you put it that way. We can’t change biology with magick, no matter how powerful the user might be.”
“Exactly. Still, the warlocks have chosen to allow others to believe what they will. I suppose that’s one way to keep people from poking around in their bu
siness. But when your mother became a Finder, she couldn’t tell the Council the truth about you. Otherwise, it would have precluded her from selection to their training program. However, the same went for the Syndicate’s library. There was no way she could be entrusted with this secret.”
That sounded appropriate, which made Burgundy wonder... “How well did you know my parents?”
“I watched your mother grow up in this town. As for your father, well, we were friends from way back.” A new expression crossed Mr. Knight’s face, a softening Burgundy had never seen before. The kind of look a person who cared deeply for another wore in their presence. “He is the only person I have ever loved and when he asked me to watch over you, I couldn’t say no.”
Not exactly the admission Burgundy expected, but she nodded all the same, as if it were no big deal. Because it’s not, right? What would life have been like with two dads?
“Vampires and warlocks have always been affiliated with each other. Of course, they do betray each other from time to time, too. Nothing in life is perfect, but we saw when the Witches Council formed that we needed to stand against a common threat.”
“You mean all that law and order they wanted to whip on the supernatural world didn’t go over well with you guys?” Burgundy nibbled at the inside of her cheek. It made sense. Not everyone wanted a governing body to babysit their every move. Especially if they weren’t directly affiliated with that government.
“Exactly. When the Finders came to town, I knew the library needed to be reopened. It needs a warlock who can protect it and you need the library.”
Burgundy scoffed, finally ready to rise from the chair. She’d get over Mr. Knight’s revelations in time, but there were other things to deal with first. “I can’t protect anything, not even myself. And even if I could, the Finders are out there waiting for me to screw up. I’m surprised my mother hasn’t outed me to them yet. She could get all this crap done and over with by doing that.”