The door sweeps open, and Wes and all her dogs tumble out. ‘What are you doing here?’ Wes kisses her on the cheek. ‘Hi honey, can you hold the dogs please?’ He hands her the leashes and he grabs a duffle bag out of the car, pays the driver and stands before her with a big smile. ‘What do you think you’re doing?’
‘We’re coming with you.’ He waves a bunch of health certificates for the dogs in front of her face. ‘You’re going to see your family. You didn’t think I would let you face your evil witch mother alone.’
‘My mother is not evil. We just don’t get along. And no! You’re not coming.’
‘I can’t wait. A family of witches how cool is that?’
‘Not cool at all.’
‘Well, we’re booked, so we’ll see you on the plane then.’ He snatches the dogs’ leashes from her hand and marches into the airport. Bridget takes a deep breath and follows him. This is a disaster. ‘Wait!’
NEW ORLEANS
The cab moves slowly forward through the narrow streets of the French Quarter in New Orleans. Wes looks around enjoying the sights, the different houses, the colors, and the lively atmosphere. Every facade is different, and during the warm days, most shutters are kept shut. The hot, humid weather is like a heavy blanket, and it adds to the mystery. You can imagine vampires living here, voodoo priestesses, and maybe even werewolves. The dogs are piled up in the back, panting as it’s so much hotter here. Bridget has grown more and more quiet. Even Wes picks up on her mounting anxiety level. ‘Are you nervous, sweetie?’
‘It’s been so long. I’m not sure what to expect. I know some of my family will not be thrilled to see me.’
‘Does your Grandmother live here?’
‘No. I want to see my Uncle first, he runs the family business. He’s cool. I was hoping he could bring me up to speed.’
The cab stops in front of Under The Witches Hat. ‘A witch bar! That’s even better than I imagined.’ Wes laughs and gets out, hiding his own uncertainty. Apparently, this witch delusion runs in the family. He joined her on this trip to see if he could get to the bottom of what happened to him. But it might be a bit crazier than he hoped. He takes in the entrance and can’t help to be excited though. He’s a free spirit and this is different.
Bridget pays the cab driver and joins him. She takes in the outside, still the same. This used to be her favorite place when she grew up. Stealing sips from a cocktail, experimenting with spells and fooling customers with stupid teenage witch jokes. The happy memories make her smile, sadly those days are over, and she alienated her family. This might not be the refuge it once was. Wes can’t hide his enthusiasm for going in. No reason to stall any longer. She says out loud, ‘Let’s do it.’
Bridget opens the door. A familiar smell of incense, liquor and herbs drift her way. Something deep inside her unfurls. Home, it feels like home. It’s not something she would admit, but it feels good to come home. That feeling quickly disappears when she hears a familiar voice. Things are not going as planned.
‘No dogs allowed.’ Luna waltzes towards them from behind the bar. That voice resonates with an anger deep inside Bridget. She straightens and braces herself for what is to come. Luna comes to a grinding halt when she recognizes Bridget.
‘Hi Luna,’ says Bridget. Wes follows the icy exchange with interest. He could swear he sees snow flurries falling down on Luna. Luna is stuck in that awkward moment to want to give a hug that is obviously not welcome. The silence stretches and the uncomfortable greeting is becoming painful, neither woman willing to make the next move. Wes steps forward and offers his hand to Luna. ‘Hi! I’m Wes, her boyfriend.’ Luna snaps out of it and manages a warm smile.
‘Pleased to meet you. I’m Luna.’
‘You don’t look like a wicked witch at all.’
Laughter roars through the Hat, customers turn their heads as Ron makes his entrance.
‘Be careful young man, looks can be deceiving. She’s different.’ He winks and at the same time envelops Bridget in a bear hug. ‘The black sheep returns home.’ Luna visibly relaxes further.
‘Hi Uncle Ron, it’s good to see you too.’
‘You have changed.’ He puts her down and takes a step back. ‘What do you say Luna? She’s a grown woman now. What have you been up to all those years?’
‘I’m a detective; I work for the Boston police department.’ A full belly laugh again.
‘Do they know you’re a witch?’
‘Bridget tried to be a normal person.’ Says Wes before Bridget has a chance to answer. Both Ron and Luna stare in disbelief. Bridget’s eyes shoot daggers at Wes.
‘He’s kidding, right?’ Ron looks worried now.
Luna can’t help but saying, ‘That never ends well honey. You should know better. You should have never left. Deny your magic, I taught you better than that.’
Bridget turns bright red and manages to squeeze out, ‘Thanks for the lecture Ma.’ The dogs start to move around restlessly picking up on Bridget’s discomfort.
Ron tries to diffuse the situation. ‘How many dogs do you have? Come, have a drink. You can tell us how you’ve been doing.’
‘Where is Grandma?’ Bridget looks toward the back.
‘She’s home, she had an... episode.’ Replies Luna.
‘Episode?’
‘She fainted here a couple of nights ago. Something shifted in the balance, and it hit her hard. We’re sure it’s magical, but as always she refuses to share her thoughts.’ Luna sighs.
‘That sounds familiar’ Bridget pulls at the leashes and turns to Wes. ‘We’ll catch up later okay.’
She turns and practically drags Wes and the dogs out. Ron throws his arm around his older sister. ‘That went better than expected.’ Luna stares after Bridget and watches the door fall shut.
‘We’ll see.’
‘At least she’s home, and she can’t avoid you anymore. It will be good for you two to sort this out.’
‘Thanks, Dr. Ron.’ Luna rolls her eyes at him.
Outside Bridget turns on Wes. ‘Don’t ever give my family information about me.’
‘They’re your family!’
‘Exactly and knowledge is power. Power over you.’
‘A little tense aren’t we.’ He kisses her on the cheek. ‘Chill out kitten, I’m an aristocrat, I can handle family politics.’
She smiles. ‘I hope so.’
BOSTON
In the meantime, Lucy is pouring through piles of old grimoires, historical books on the occult and anything remotely related to magic. Her living room is in chaos, books everywhere and Lucy looks like she hasn’t slept in days. She knows there is one book that holds the answer, the Madigans Book of Shadows. If she could only get her hands on that. The stupid curse! After she first got banned from her family, she tried to go back to their house in the Garden District. It was like hitting an invisible wall. Even if she took a cab, she would somehow disappear from the back seat and materialize at the edge of the Garden District. She also tried to go to their family bar in the French Quarter, she could get closer to that, maybe a block away, but still she can’t come close to any family property. Frustrated, she hurtles a book across the room, and barely misses Cal’s head who just steps into the living room. ‘Wow, grandma!’ He bends down and picks up the book and gently lays it on the coffee table. ‘Can I help you with anything?’
Lucy snorts, she doesn’t understand why he keeps trying to please her, such a weakling, that he’s her grandson is a disgrace. Then it hits her, she jumps up. Her grandson is not cursed, or is he? It’s worth a try and without any inconvenience to her. He wants to help; he can be a guinea pig. Lucy turns to Cal and smiles. Cal takes a step back, his Grandma never smiles, better be prepared for anything.
‘Cal, you’re going on a trip.’
‘A trip?’
‘Yes, are you deaf or something?
!’
‘No Ma’am. Where am I going and what do you want me to do?’
‘New Orleans, to find out what my sister is up to.’
‘You have a sister?’ Cal can’t hide his curiosity.
‘A twin sister to be exact and I want to know how she is. We don’t get along well, so it’s important they don’t see you. Can you manage that?’
‘Of course, I can.’ Cal is suprised, this actually sounds like fun, he loves New Orleans.
‘Here’s the address, I want you to call me every day.’
‘Yes, Ma’am.’
‘If you hurry, you can still catch a flight.’ Lucy waves him away, and Cal leaves immediately. She can’t believe she didn’t think of this before. She can’t wait to find out if this works!
NEW ORLEANS
Tara stands in front of her altar and holds her athame, a ritual knife. For a moment she hesitates, she got a text from Ron that Bridget is on her way and she would rather not tell this story multiple times. It’s time they all know. The Wand needs to be protected at all costs, in the wrong hands, it can have devastating consequences. Her family has taken an oath to protect it, she can’t let anything happen to it on her watch, and she has a feeling that she will not be there when this ends. So this might freak them out a bit, but they will have to get used to it. It’s the first time she’s tried to call them all home. Let’s see if it works. She extends her arms wide and looks up. ‘Goddess, mother of all, I’m calling all my children and grandchildren home.’ Gradually Tara lowers her arms, she holds the point of the athame to her left index finger, slowly she pushes, and a small drop of blood appears. She holds it above a cup with a little water in it. The drop falls into the cup. She stirs the blood through the water while she recites. ‘Children far and away, hear the call of blood and come home, now.’
She rings a bell, and the sound seems to echo through the house, she downs the cup and blows out the candles. ‘Hurry.’ From his spot on the wall, Seamus curiously looks on. Tara turns to him. ‘Let’s see if it works.’
BANG, the door is pushed open and Maeve rushes in. ‘Gran, are you okay?’ Tara smiles at Seamus. ‘I’m fine dear, I’m fine. Everybody is coming home, why don’t you put the kettle on.’ Maeve looks puzzled. ‘I have something important to share with all of you and I wanted to make sure they’re all coming. So I called the bloodline.’ Maeve knows better then to try for more information from Granny, she’s the most secretive person she knows. Not everybody will be pleased to be summoned home. This is going to be interesting. ‘I’m on it.’ She turns around and heads down the stairs. A sharp knock on the door and dogs barking. Who the hell is that? Nobody in the family has dogs. Maeve walks to the front door, it’s big and made of wood. The door is old but well maintained and she slowly opens it. A Chihuahua rushes past her followed by several different size dogs ‘Hey, where do you think you’re going?’ The door is pulled open from the other side, and Maeve stands face to face with her twin. Bridget can’t help but smile, seeing the surprised face of her sister. ‘Maeve, I’ve missed you.’
For a moment, Maeve forgets she’s angry and hugs Bridget tight. ‘Welcome home.’
The dogs jump up on them and they let each other go, Maeve looks around. ‘How many?’
‘Six, Wes insisted we take them.’ Bridget steps aside and Wes steps forward. ‘This is Wes, my boyfriend, we live together.’
‘Now I understand why Bridget never told me about her family. You are breathtaking.’ Wes takes Maeve’s hand and bows while he kisses the top of her hand. ‘Enchanté.’ Maeve blushes and is tongue-tied. Bridget laughs, ‘That will do. Where is Gran, I heard a blood call. She doesn’t want to face me alone, does she? GRANDMA!!! I’M HOME!’
Tara’s bedroom door opens and she appears at the top of the stairs. Three of the dogs race up and say hello to her.
‘Well hello dear, perfect timing. Look at you, you brought your family. I’m so happy you’re home.’
Bridget tries to hide her shock as her Grandma has aged quite a bit since she’d seen her last. ‘We’ll see about that, I’m here on official police business.’
Tara waves it away with her hand. ‘Get settled, the rest will be here soon. You can use any of the bedrooms upstairs.’
‘I think we should talk in private.’
‘Well, I don’t.’ Briskly she turns away, and the door falls shut behind her.
Maeve winces ‘She’s been acting strange the last couple of days. What are you doing home? I thought you didn’t care about us.’
‘Gran has something to do with a case I’m working on, and it’s not something I wanted to talk about on the phone.’
‘So you hop on a plane and take your boyfriend and six dogs along?’
‘It’s complicated.’
Maeve folds her arms and waits. ‘You have to work on your stare.’ Bridget stalks past her and heads for the kitchen. ‘I’m hungry, and the dogs need water.’
Wes looks apologetically at Maeve. Resigned, they follow her.
Bridget glances up the stairs; for a moment she contemplates going up and confront her Grandma, but she knows Tara well enough that she will not budge until everybody is here. She probably had put wards on the door. The blood call is intriguing; she’s never done that before. What is so important? It will put them all on edge that’s for sure.
The kitchen hadn’t changed one bit, the sweet smell of freshly baked muffins, the kettle on the stove, the scent of nettle, chamomile and peppermint hanging to dry in bunches from the ceiling. Bridget’s stomach grumbles and she grabs one of the muffins on the table, her teeth sink into the soft cake, and the still warm blackberries give little taste explosions in her mouth. Nobody can bake like Maeve, her siren song goes through the stomach. The kitchen door bangs open and her aunt Freya strides in flanked by her two sons. The dogs bark and Bridget silences them with her inner voice. Waves of anger emanate from Freya, well that hadn’t changed. Bridget has never been a fan of her oldest Aunt. The one thing she and her mother probably agree on. What has changed are Dylan and Brian, now, well in their twenties and they’ve become some fine looking gentlemen. Brian’s red hair and wicked smile immediately make her think of her uncle Jason. ‘Hello, Brian.’ He rewards her with a broad smile. Dylan represents his mother with dark features and a more brooding presence. He just nods to acknowledge her return. ‘Who is this?’ Freya points her finger at Wes. He’s like a deer in headlights. Aunt Freya is a force and if you’re not prepared. she will waltz over you. Bridget slowly steps between him and her aunt. ‘Hello, Aunt Freya, it’s been a while.’
‘You put her up to this, didn’t you?’ Now Freya’s displeasure is at least focused on her.
Maeve dries her hands on a towel and comes to stand next to Bridget. ‘Now, come Aunt Freya, Bridget only just arrived. Have a cup of tea and let’s wait for what Granny has to say. It might have nothing to do with Bridget.’
‘Sure...’ adds Dylan with a voice dripping of sarcasm, ‘she just conveniently comes home at the right time.’
‘I’m glad you’re back.’ Brian diffuses the situation by giving Bridget a hug, which right away relaxes her and she turns to Wes. ‘This is Wes, my boyfriend. Wes this is Brian.’ He offers Wes his hand. ‘My Aunt Freya, and Dylan, her youngest son.’ Wes gives them his best smile. Brian and Wes start chatting, and that leaves Bridget with Freya and Dylan. Luckily she doesn’t have to come up with conversation as somebody comes to a sliding stop on a broom just outside the kitchen’s French doors. Freya immediately turns her attention to the new arrival. ‘You’ve got to be kidding me! How old is she?!’ Freya throws her arms in the air. Bridget can’t help but smile when her Aunt Ceri comes in through the doors. Her wild curls and ready smile makes her loveable straightaway, as the youngest of Tara’s children she has a carefree attitude and a perfect gift for pushing her older siblings’ buttons. Wes is closest to her. ‘That was impre
ssive.’
‘Thank you, young man. I’m Ceri.’
‘Wes, the boyfriend.’ And he points at Bridget.
‘Oh Bridget.’ She waltzes over and hugs her tight. ‘Where have you been? We have missed you, and your mother has been so miserable. It will be great to have you here, so she can forget about micromanaging our lives.’
‘I’m not staying that long, Auntie.’
Ceri laughs. ‘We’ll see about that.’ Her eyes twinkle knowingly as if she’s in on some secret. She walks over to Maeve, kisses her on the cheek and stuffs a muffin in her mouth. Then she moves over to Freya and snatches the tea she just poured. She quickly kisses her older sister on the cheek as well. ‘I thought that was you in the car.’
Freya grumbles but doesn’t take the bait. They all watch Ceri fluttering around the room, a welcome distraction. The dogs mill around the kitchen making friends and Wes hugs Bridget from behind. For a moment, she lets herself sink into him. It’s hard for her to see her family again. Apparently, not everybody is happy to see her. ‘Interesting bunch,’ whispers Wes in her ear, she smiles. The door opens again, and this time it’s Fin, her younger brother. ‘Get your hands of my sister!’
Wes freezes and Bridget laughs. Fin rushes over and hugs her tight. ‘Thank goodness you’re back. That took you long enough.’ Fin is in his early twenties and looks so much like his Dad, that Bridget immediately feels a pang of guilt. All this time, she has been thinking what it would be like to see her mother and her sister again. What about her father and her brother? She tries to hide her embarrassment by asking ‘How are you?’ And looks around. ‘Where’s Dad?’
Fin quickly exchanges a glance with Maeve before he answers, ‘Probably teaching somewhere. You know how it goes, I can’t keep up with his schedule.’ Gosh, it seems like she’s off the hook with that one.
Who’s this?’ Luckily Fin’s attention shifted to Wes.
‘Wes, the boyfriend.’ Wes happily shakes Fin’s hand.
The Dagger Page 8