The Cupcake Coven

by Ashlyn Chase

  She almost didn’t dare ask. “How much?”

  He stopped pacing and hung his head. “A lot. A couple hundred thousand.”

  Dru whipped around the corner and gawked at him. “Two hundred thousand dollars?”

  “No, Rupees,” Mr. Colby snapped. “Of course dollars. What business is it of yours?” He rounded on Rebecca. “Who is this guy?”

  “He’s a friend, Daddy. Dru, can you, um, cut up some samples to take out on the street for me? I need to deal with this alone.”

  He grumbled but respected her wishes. She had to give him props for that. She hadn’t known Dru very long, but she wouldn’t have been surprised if he threw her father out on his butt.

  She lowered her voice. “You know I don’t have that kind of money lying around.”

  “What about the deed to the building? I’d just be using it for collateral. Once I win the money back…”

  “Dammit. I knew you were gambling again.”

  “Yes. You were right. Is that what you want to hear? Your old man failed you again.”

  “No. Of course not. It’s just that my whole life is in this building. My job. My home. If they—whoever they are—take it, I’ll be unemployed and out on the street.”

  Tear shimmered in his eyes. “Don’t you think I know that?”

  “Who are they, anyway? I think I have a right to know who’ll be tossing me out. The Mafia?”

  When he didn’t answer her heart lodged in her throat. “Seriously?” she hissed. “You borrowed money from the friggin’ Mafia?”

  “No. They’re not the official Mafia.”

  Rebecca slapped her hand over her eyes. “I don’t fuckin’ believe this.”

  “Watch your language, young lady.”

  She peeked through her fingers. “You’re asking me to hand over my home and business and you have the nerve to tell me not to swear?”

  He crossed his arms and tipped his head back, looking down his nose at her. “I’m still your father.”

  Dru strode into the kitchen and got right up in her father’s face. “If you really cared about your daughter, you’d find another way. Give them a down payment and work out the rest, or let them break your legs. A loving father would do anything but drag his daughter down with him.”

  “And what do you know about it?”

  Dru leaned back and crossed his arms. “Enough.”

  Mr. Colby whirled on Rebecca. “You told him?”

  “Dru needed to know why I couldn’t pay him. He’s been kind enough to help me out for free until I could hire another baker.”

  Her father regarded Dru with narrowed eyes. “He’s probably hoping to take his pay from you on your back.”

  Rebecca didn’t have a chance to say stop before Dru laid her father out. Mr. Colby’s fall was broken by a stool, but his head still made a sickly crack as it hit the linoleum floor.

  “Dru!” Rebecca sucked in a gasp and rushed to help her father.

  “He called you a whore.”

  “So what? If he called me a light bulb, would that make me a light bulb? I’m not a whore. You know it, I know it, and even he knows it! He was just being a jerk. I detest violence. Don’t ever hit anyone again, or we’re through!”

  Her father slowly sat up, rubbing his jaw. “Don’t say that, honey. Dru. I don’t know who you are or where you came from, but that’s a mean right hook you have there. I wish I had you in my corner, but at least you’re on my daughter’s side, and she might need you.”

  A regal woman with long white hair, wearing a white robe with a braided belt appeared in front of Hanna as she sat down to watch TV in her room.

  She shrieked. “Eep. You startled me. When are you going to learn to knock?”

  The woman folded her arms. “Hanna, I need to speak with you.”

  “Okay, Fayleen. What do you need?”

  “It’s what we need. The world isn’t getting better fast enough, and I think we need to step it up. Recruit a few more members for the supernatural coven.”

  Hanna snorted. “Who can do anything with the politicians blocking every sensible idea while lining their own pockets?”

  “I know. They’re a problem, but so are we.”

  “Huh?”

  “We’re only a handful of witches. We need a few more high priestesses to spread around to other covens.”

  “Fine. But you know our criteria. We can’t allow fools to drink from the grail. Just one immature asshole could cause irreparable damage.”

  “I know, but there must be one or two in your coven who are ready.”

  “I’d recommend Myranda, but she’s needed in her present capacity.”

  “Think outside of the box. We can always train new recruits. Just try to find someone who has the proper maturity level—without being too stuck-up. We don’t want to suffer every dark moon with some sanctimonious bitch, who has no sense of humor.” Fayleen sat on the sofa next to Hanna.

  “I can’t think of anyone like that in my coven.”

  “No one? Seriously? What kind of witches are you letting in?”

  “Huh? No. I meant the stuck-up bitches. We don’t have any of them.”

  “Oh! Whew. I was about to feel very sorry for you. So, you’re saying you have some members who are mature and fun to be around?”

  “Yes. Most have the training, but not the years of experience and growth we’d like. I suppose I could give them a test to see how they’ll handle real power.”

  “Good idea. And it might not hurt to get a second opinion. You’ve known these men and women from when they were still learning the basics. There’s a tendency to miss the growth that’s occurred if you’re too close.”

  Hanna hated to think she’d be holding old mistakes against her witches. “Fine. A fresh set of eyes would probably lend some perspective.”

  “Good. So I can observe?”

  “You?”

  “Why not me?”

  “Uh…well, it’s just that…I mean…you um…”

  Fayleen tossed her hands in the air. “Oh, come on. I haven’t made it rain glitter in decades.”

  “Or turned towns upside down?”

  “I had to find those bombs. Besides, no one remembers a thing.”

  Hanna sighed. “I suppose…”

  “Okay, so how will you introduce me?”

  “How about a visiting high priestess from…I don’t know…Milwaukee?”

  “Milwaukee?” Fayleen leaned away and stared at Hanna as if she’d lost her mind. “What do I know about Milwaukee?”

  “Whatever you can learn between now and the next full moon.”

  Fayleen huffed. “Fine. I haven’t visited Michigan in a while.”

  Hanna sighed. “Milwaukee is in Wisconsin.”

  “So, geography isn’t my forte. Sue me.”

  “I’ll have to kick someone out to make thirteen—at least temporarily.”

  Fayleen smirked. “How about that guy who messed up the love spell?”

  “Dru? I already told him he could stay.”

  “And I guess you never change your mind, because you never make mistakes.”

  “Sheesh. You’re being a real hard-ass tonight.”

  Fayleen crossed her arms. “It’s important.”

  “I know,” Hanna said. “Okay, fine. I’ll give him the bad news.”

  Dru knew he was in deep shit with Rebecca, but he couldn’t believe her father would call his own daughter a whore…especially one as sweet as Rebecca. No wonder she had no self-confidence. If this guy had treated her with that kind of disrespect during her formative years, her self-esteem must be in the toilet.

  She stood over her father and tried to call 911 with shaking fingers.

  Mr. Colby got up and said, “Put the phone down. I’m fine.”

  “You really should get checked out, Dad. I’ll close up and drive you to the hospital.”

  “Don’t. I haven’t paid my insurance premiums, and it’s not like I have a glass jaw or anything. I’ll be fine.
” Before she could argue any more, he strode out of the bakery, rubbing his jaw and disappeared down the street.

  As soon as her father left, Dru said, “Look, Rebecca, I didn’t want—” He didn’t even have a chance to defend his actions when she rounded on him.

  “How dare you hit an old man?”

  Old man? He couldn’t be more than forty-five. “I’m sorry I upset you, but that was seriously screwed up.”

  “Maybe you’re seriously screwed up. I don’t know how you handle disagreements in Texas, but here in New England, we try talking first.”

  “I know. Usually I wouldn’t have reacted that way, but—”

  “I think you’d better go, Dru.” She crossed her arms.

  “Go? Are you firing me?”

  “I can’t fire you if you weren’t really hired, but I can ask you to leave, and I’m asking you now.”

  “Leave? When you need help the most?”

  She turned her back and resumed mixing her cookie dough. She didn’t answer and he doubted she was going to. Maybe she just needed a little while to cool off. Or maybe she was done with him. Either way, he had to honor her wishes and get out.

  “I guess I’ll go…I can always show Shasta’s picture around. I’ll stop in later to see how you’re doing.”

  “Don’t.” She mixed her batter more forcefully.

  Dru set his jaw and left the bakery. Part of him just wanted to find Shasta and be done with it. Rebecca’s mess wasn’t his problem. She’d had the same situation before he arrived and he’d helped a little bit. It sounded as if she was ready to make some needed changes. Either she’d sink or swim—and she’d do that with or without him.

  He started walking in the direction of Market Square when a group of runners and—something else—barreled through. Zombies? What in the world?

  He’d heard of zombie runs for charity, and Dru had to admit it looked like everyone was having good fun…everyone but him. Suddenly, a young girl caught his eye. She wore a torn white nightgown, her face was painted white with streaks of fake blood and she was limping along in that Zombie way, but she had blue eyes. They were almost obstructed by long dark blonde bangs. Occasionally she lunged at a runner with a growl…No. It couldn’t be.

  Her hair was the wrong color, and it was short. Shasta would never have cut her hair. It really was her crowning glory. He wished he could see the girl’s thigh where her birthmark would be, but the gown wasn’t torn in the right place.

  I just want it to be Shasta so badly, I’m making every kid her age look and sound like her in my mind.

  She glanced at him and didn’t react with any recognition at all. Realizing he’d made a mistake, his second one that day, he became even more despondent. When he approached a group of people who had gathered to watch the race, he took out Shasta’s picture and began showing it around.

  A few just glanced at it and some took a good look. But no one indicated they knew who she was.

  Great. I’ve lost my sister, my job, and the zombie apocalypse has started.

  Rebecca heard the phone ringing and hoped it was Dru. She could have acted better yesterday… at least explained her nonviolent stance after he had defended her. But her emotions were all mixed up. They often were when it came to her father. She still remembered him as the ‘daddy’ who carried her around on his shoulders at parades and brought her things from his travels. But he hadn’t been that man for over a decade. She still loved him, but…But what?

  “Hello?”

  “Rebecca, it’s Dad.”

  Speak of the devil.

  “Don’t hang up. I…I’m very sorry about what happened yesterday.”

  “Me too.” After a brief silence she asked, “Is your jaw okay?”

  He chuckled. “The day one punch knocks me out, I’d better shut-up for good.”

  “It sounds like you’ve been punched before.”

  “I’ve taken my share. Maybe more than my share since I have a talent for pissing off the wrong people.”

  She shuffled her feet. “I wouldn’t exactly call that a talent.”

  “Listen.” His voice lowered and he sounded deadly serious. “I was out of line. That guy who defended you…”

  “Dru.”

  “Yeah, Dru. Well, he seems like a good man. I hope you’ll pass along my apologies to him too.”

  “I—uh…Sure. I’ll do that.” If I ever see him again.

  “He was right, you know.”

  “To hit you? I’m sorry, Dad, but that’s never right.”

  “Well, he could have said his peace and been done with it, but I doubt he’d have gotten my full attention without knocking some sense into me.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying he was one-hundred percent right. I should do anything to avoid dragging you down with me. And, with that in mind, I’m leaving the area for a while.”

  “Leaving the area? What do you mean? Just going to visit friends for a few weeks or are you moving away?”

  “Honey…I have no friends. In fact, there are some very scary enemies looking for me. That’s another reason I called. I need to warn you. I feel a little better knowing Dru is there and can defend…well, not just your honor.”

  “Daddy. What’s happening? Why do you need to warn me? Do you think someone’s coming here?”

  “If they do, just say I left the state. Better yet, tell them I went to New Jersey. That’s where I met these guys, so they’ll believe you. I can’t tell you where I’m really going, but it’s not New Jersey. You can count on that.”

  “What do they want? Money?”

  “Yes. They want the money I owe them and more. I didn’t realize there were favors they expected in return.”

  “Favors? Like what?”

  “You don’t want to know any more than that, honey. Believe me.”

  “How will I know who they are? It’s not like they’ll walk in and say, ‘We’re the criminals looking for your father.’”

  “No. There are only two of them that do the dirty work—that I know of. Those are the guys who’ll probably show up if anyone does. They’re both dark haired. One is tall and has a scar across his cheek and the other is short with a mustache. The short one has a mole next to his eye. If you see them, just grab your phone and go out the back. Call the police and stay hidden until they get there.”

  “Daddy, I’m scared.”

  “It’ll be okay, pumpkin. You have Dru there, and once they know I’m not around, they’ll leave you alone.”

  Dru. Should she tell her father she’d sent Dru packing? Probably not. He might not leave the area if he knew she was alone and defenseless. She wanted him to get the hell out of Dodge for his own safety. She only hoped she wouldn’t be in danger too if they thought she was lying about knowing where he was.

  “I—I’ll tell Dru what to look for.”

  “Good girl. Well, I’d better get going. Take care of yourself.”

  “You too, Dad. Be extra careful. I want you to come back when this blows over.”

  “I will,” he said without conviction.

  Hanna stepped up to the bakery’s door, and even before she touched the handle, she could feel the sadness within. Surrounding herself with protective white light, she stepped inside the shop.

  Nothing looked unusual or out of place, except for the total lack of human beings. Hanna followed her instincts and entered the kitchen.

  Rebecca sat at a small table next to the opposite wall, crying. When she glanced up and spotted Hanna, she wiped her eyes quickly and blew her nose on a napkin.

  “Hanna. I’ll give you a hug in just a second.” She strode to the sink where she washed her hands and dried them on a fresh paper towel.

  Hanna met her halfway and wrapped her in a warm hug, pushing some pink energy into the girl without her realizing it.

  When she stepped back, she smiled. “Can I get you a cup of coffee and a pastry?”

  “No, dear. I came to see Dru, but it seems as if he’
s not here at the moment.”

  Rebecca hung her head. “No. He’s not here at all anymore.” Then she pointed to her own head. “He’s in here a little more than I’d like. Maybe you can evict him. I can’t.”

  Hanna sighed. “I knew it wouldn’t be easy for you two, but I could have sworn…”

  Rebecca’s brows raised expectantly.

  “Never mind. I shouldn’t interfere.”

  “No, please. Feel free to interfere. I seem to have messed up a good thing, and now I don’t quite know what to do except wait for the next full moon and speak to him after the circle.”

  Hanna cringed. “Well…that’s the thing. I came to tell Dru he’s out of the coven.”

  Rebecca leaned back. “What? Why? Did he bug you again about finding his sister? I tried to explain, but he’s desperate—”

  Hanna held up one hand. “No. This isn’t about his sister.” She placed her hand on Rebecca’s shoulder. “Tell me why you’re crying.”

  She heaved a huge sigh. “Everything is so messed up. Dru got all these cupcake orders for me, and I could barely deal with them all by myself. So I wouldn’t upset customers and ruin their 4th of July parties I stayed up all night, and I’m exhausted.”

  “It’s more than that,” Hanna said. She led Rebecca back to the bistro table and sat her down, taking the chair opposite her. “Tell me from the beginning.”

  “Well, you know I borrowed money from my father to open and invest in the business. About a week ago, he came in, demanding his money back, and I didn’t have it to give to him. At which point, Dru came in and tried to sort things out. Then I explained that Dru wasn’t an employee. He was a friend, just helping me out of the goodness of his heart. Then my father—well, he behaved like an ass. Then Dru hit him.”

  Hanna gasped. “That polite young man hit somebody?”

  “Yeah. Even my dad said he deserved it, but not until after I told Dru to go away and not to come back.”

  “Oh, honey…”

  As they commiserated, the little bells out front tinkled, announcing a visitor. Rebecca hopped out of her chair. “I have a customer. Be right back.”

  Hanna smiled as she recognized Dru’s energy. The sadness he was feeling was just as pronounced as what she’d sensed from Rebecca a few minutes earlier. She decided to stay put and let the two have their privacy.