“Because, sweet Ruby,” Josh says, wrapping his arms around me and smacking a kiss to my forehead.
I push him away, “Gross, you’re all sweaty.”
“How would we look this good without the manual labor?” He flexes his arms, making bodybuilder poses. Galan scoffs. “Speak for yourself, I don’t have to work for anything.” Josh grabs him and pulls him close, giving him a gentle kiss on the lips, whispering, “No, you do not.”
My heart wistfully skips a beat. I notice they both have a matching mark, Galan’s is over his chest, whereas Josh’s is on his shoulder blade. “What's that mark?” I ask, pointing at Galan's chest.
He looks down, smiling, “That's my mate mark. Elves have predestined mates. The mark shows up on both people's bodies when they first come in contact with each other. It burns so that you don't miss it happening. Best five minutes of pain in my life.” They give each other smoldering glances. I’m so jealous.
“Okay, settle you two.” I joke awkwardly, “I just want to know if you’ve seen my car, and then you can go back to ogling each other.”
They snap out of it, “Shit your car, Ruby! We are so sorry,” Josh apologizes, “nothing like that has ever happened before.”
“No! People leave their cars here all the time, it’s always been safe.” Chimes in Galan, “and we have cameras, but they show nothing.” His accent gets stronger with his anger. “We had it towed for you and we will have it repaired, in apology. No, don't argue.” He can see me opening my mouth to do just that. “And when we find out who did it, they will pay.” Even half-naked, he looks every bit the Elven warrior.
Josh sees me eyeing his mate and sends me a wink. I mouth back, lucky boy.
“Thanks, guys, I’m only guessing, but this and the shop must be connected.”
They nod their heads, “Taylor told us about the shop when we rang to report the car. Is there anything we can do?” Asks Josh.
“No, I think everything is under control. Listen, Mom’s waiting in the car so I must go. Thanks again.”
“Say hi to Prue for us.” Josh says, I turn and leave. Waving goodbye, I’m relieved that's one less thing I have to worry about. But it means I’m going to be stuck without wheels, and well, my teleporting needs work. Another reason to get my act together and practice some more magic.
We spend the rest of the morning busy writing an inventory list for everything I need for the candy store and discussing the fate of the island. By the afternoon, we have a plan. Mom’s busy in the kitchen, googling supply stores in Toronto. Stepping out onto the back porch of the cottage, the steam drifting up off the hot tub is inviting. The thought of soaking in hot water after the day I’ve had is tempting, but first, I try to call Tatiana. Again it rings out, and it goes to message bank; I leave another message and hang up stamping my foot in frustration. Damn it, Tatiana, where are you.
Behind me, I hear a door bang, so walk back inside. Regan and Mom are in the kitchen, heads together, whispering. I can just smell the plotting, wafting in the air. They both look up as I enter, and the conversation stops.
“What's going on in here?” I ask them suspiciously. Both their faces become very blank. Mom gets up and walks around to fill up the kettle.
She turns on the tap. “I’ve ordered the machinery. It will be flown up in a couple of days, but you need to go to Toronto to pick up the colors and flavorings you need as well as the other bits and bobs. Oh, and sugar— lots of sugar. We also need to talk about our branding and image and think about redesigning our website. But we can do that later.”
Regan comes to me with a severe face. “Please help my friend Ruby. I know he has been unbearable, but you know that's not him. His light is being smothered. Please help before it's too late.” With that, he kisses me on the cheek and helps Mom up from her chair.
She gets up, grabbing her handbag, and walks to the front door, Regan moving quickly behind her, “Oh, and Maddock will pick you up tomorrow morning to drive you to Toronto, help you with all the bags of sugar.” They both disappear out the door, leaving me standing there in bewilderment. “Oh, and the spell you need is written on the bench. Brew it tonight and put it in his morning coffee or something. Don’t forget the drop of blood Ruby.” Her voice trails off as they get further away.
I turn, a pink post-it note is lying next to my laptop. A breath huffs out as I sit down on the seat. Guess we are doing this then. Reading through the ingredients of the spell, I realize I need some supplies, so I ring Happy Herbs, the local apothecary run by the Crowe family. Also, members of the Arbor Vitae coven, they’ve been supplying herbs and other items to the witch community for years. Placing an order that will be ready for me in thirty minutes, or so I’m promised, I thank Minerva and hang up.
While I’m waiting, I decide to test the hot tub on the deck. Making sure the front door is locked, I strip off my clothes and walk out onto the deck naked. Climbing into the spa, the hot steamy water, eases the ache from my tired, tense muscles. Clicking my fingers, and a glass of sparkling pink champagne appears on the edge of the hot tub. Now that's a great way to practice my magic. Leaning back, I allow my troubled thoughts to float away.
A little longer than thirty minutes later and more than one glass of champagne, I conjure up a towel, dry myself, and walk back into the kitchen with it wrapped around me. Sitting on the kitchen counter is all the things I ordered from Happy Herbs. Rereading my mom's note, I roll my eyes; of course, she wants me to perform this naked. The woman is such a freaking hippy. Good thing, I’ve had some champagne. Taking the ingredients, candles, an amulet, and a container to put the potion in, I head outside.
I head to the ceremonial clearing the coven often uses in the woods behind the manor. Sitting in the middle of the clearing is a cauldron. Dropping my towel, I light both a white and pink candle. Passing the amulet through the flames of the white one first I chant
To protect thee from harm
then the pink
To protect thee from stress
then the white again
To protect thee from negative influences
I then place the amulet into the cauldron and clicking my fingers to light a fire underneath it. Pouring in some water, I add the other ingredients. Basil, bay leaves, oregano, peppermint, sage, and black pepper. It starts to boil furiously. Using the athame that Maddock made me for my eighteenth birthday, I go to prick my finger, but a howl sounds out across the clearing startling me, and I slice my thumb pad open, blood gushing into the cauldron. Oops.
Looking down at the potion, it has turned a vibrant pink color. Shrugging my shoulders, I continue. Mom did say the blood was only so I would know if someone interfered with him again. I guess I will be extra tuned in. I start the spell.
The Wiccan Law ye must obey.
With pure love and faith, the Wiccan Creed to fulfill; shall harm none where you will.
Impure act or inkling fold back on thee three by three.
In Maddock’s hold now ye be, nary a thought of impurity.
For any thought or speech of hate, forever become your fate.
As you do unto thee, as I will, so mote it be
Finishing the spell with ritual words, the fire flares, water bubbles, and a wave of magic flows through me, warm tingles caressing me, before dissipating.
Using a pair of tongs, I pull the amulet out of the water, stringing it on a cord and putting it in my pocket to give to Maddock. Looking into the cauldron, there is a dark brown tea-like liquid sitting at the bottom. I magic it up and out of the pot, the fluid flowing like a ribbon through the air to pour into the flask. I’ll add some honey and some lemon to it and tell him it's a pick-me-up tomorrow.
Watching the flame die out, I magic some clothes onto my body. Wrapping all the items in my bath towel, I conjure some water to put out the fire and head back to my cottage and my bed. Praying to the goddess that all goes well.
That night my dreams are haunted by visions of the Tempting Ten. The girls fading away, ceas
ing to exist. Skeletons cackle and dark spirits infect the island, and we are trapped unable to escape, impotent to change anything. Just as the island is about to be swallowed whole by a thorn encrusted vine, suffocating all life, I bolt upright in bed. Breathing heavy and sweat covering my body. What was that? A foreshadowing? Is that what will happen to the island?
Moving to the bathroom, I splash some water on face, trying to clear the lingering creepy feeling the dream left with me. Looking at myself in the mirror, I look a little worse for wear. My pink hair is sticking out at all angles, the red roots are very noticeable now. I need to use some magic to fix that. My green eyes are sunken and surrounded by dark circles. Even the smattering of freckles across my cheeks look pale and listless. Running my hand through my hair, I turn around and go back to bed. Climbing in and pulling the blankets up, a sound on my window makes me jump. Looking up, I can see a tree branch scraping across the glass. Jesus, that dream made me jumpy.
Rolling over and pulling the blanket over my ears to block out the noise. I settle in, but a movement at the end of my bed has me screaming, throwing back the covers, a knife instantly appearing in my hand. Looking around, I can’t see anything. A plaintive meow from the end of the bed has me looking over the edge. My quilt is writhing, the meows are turning into hissing, screeching yowls. I climb off the couch and untangle the heap.
“Bloody hell, Sugar, you scared the crap out of me! Weird dreams and scratchy branches have got me nervous.” Putting the quilt back on the bed, I pick up Sugar, giving her a kiss before placing her down and hopping back into bed. She gives me a look of such disdain, turns her back to me and curls up at the end of the bed.
Settling down, I know she has forgiven me, as her quiet purrs sound out across the room. Slowing my breathing down, I think about tomorrow and pray to the goddess Moms spell works, that we can fix Maddock. I’m not sure what we are going to do if we can't. What I’m going to do if we can’t.
Chapter Thirteen
Ruby
The next morning is a struggle to get out of bed. Weird dreams plagued my sleep, so everything happens at a slower pace. But I’m still ready on time, coffees’ in hand, when Maddock’s black truck pulls up in front of the cottage. I go around to the passenger side and climb in. Shooting Maddock a smile, I pass him his special brew.
“Made you a ‘pick me up’ drink. You’ve been looking a bit gray the last few times I’ve seen you.” He grunts but takes it and takes a large gulp. I let out a massive sigh of relief. Things should return to normal any minute now. Watching him closely as he puts the car into gear, but nothing changes. I’ll give it a chance to work. Settling back in the seat, I watch as we pass the manor and head towards the docks. “Thanks so much for coming with me. I really need to get started on replacing all the candy, and I need the sugar like yesterday. I can't wait for the supply boat to come in.”
He grunts before grumbling his response. “Pru and Mom didn’t give me much of a choice.”
I roll my eyes. Jesus, I hope that potion kicks in soon, or it’s going to be a long-ass drive. Pulling my list out of the backpack, I study it. “I have a list of places to visit, supplies I need, but I’m not sure if we are going to be able to do this in one day.” Looking up, I notice he has stopped at the Buttered Biscuit. “What are we doing? Are you getting breakfast?” I ask him, but he doesn’t answer me. He gets out, slamming the door behind himself, and goes into the cafe. Climbing out, I follow him. This is getting annoying. If I thought my magic could handle the strain, I would just teleport myself there and then teleport the supplies home. But I don't think I could cope with that much yet.
The smells that greet my nose as I enter the Buttered Biscuit are enough to make angels weep, and suddenly I’m not so annoyed at Maddock. Approaching the counter, I view the assortment of tasty treats, trying to decide what to choose.
“Morning Ruby,” Beatrix says with a smile, wiping her hands on a dishcloth and putting it to the side. “What can I get you?”
“Beatrix, how can I decide when you just have so many options,” I complain.
She laughs before replying, “Are you off to Toronto today for supplies?”
“Yes.” I say to her, “As soon as Maddock finishes whatever he is doing.” A frown crosses her face, and her eyes move to the seating area to the side. A peel of laughter can be heard, and I turn to look at what she is frowning at. Seated in a corner booth, which is why I didn't notice as I walked in, is Sheree. She is laughing at whatever Maddock is whispering in her ear. Fuck! My head bangs against the display case, and Beatrix snorts. Why can’t I catch a break?
“Beatrix, I am going to need your biggest pastry. One where I can’t fit my foot in my mouth at the same time.” She opens the cabinet and puts a few cakes in a box. Maddock and Sheree leave the booth and approach me holding hands.
“Hurry up, Ruby, we’ve got a lot of driving to do. We’ll be in the car.”
“Both of you?” I question. I wince at my tone, but now I think I will probably need more than just sugar to get through this trip. I may have to conjure alcohol depending on what the next words out of his mouth are. I mean, it’s not like I can conjure up a gun and kill them both.
“Sheree's tagging along to keep me company.” He replies then drags her out the door to the car.
“Because I'm chopped liver,” I grumble quietly.
Beatrix smiles sympathetically and opens the warming cabinet. “Sugar just isn't going to cut it today, is it love?” She piles a couple of greasy ham and cheese danish into another bag. “Just eat yourself into a food coma and nap the whole way.”
“It’s about four hours Beatrix,” I whine, “I don’t think I can handle it.” Handing her my money, I grab my food and trudge back to the car, stopping abruptly when I see Sheree has taken my front seat. Fuck! I kick a stone on the footpath. Climbing in, I see my backpack and its contents strewn across the floor in the back. “Bitch!” I mumble quietly under my breath.
“Sorry, Ruby, did you say something?” Maddock asks.
“I said I have an itch.” I scratch my eye with my middle finger as he eyes me in the rearview. I duck my head and start picking up my stuff. The amulet from yesterday's spell has fallen out, and I shove it into my pocket, hoping I can place it on him at some point through the trip. Done, I sit up and strap in. Maddock starts the truck and heads towards the ferry.
Once we board the ferry, I take my food and leave the car heading towards a peaceful seating area at the front, so I don’t have to spend any more time in the car. I nod to the crewman as I walk past,
“You might want to check on those two, not sure if he applied the parking brake because he’s so distracted if you know what I mean.” I wink at him. A slimy smile crosses his face, and he nods his thanks and heads back towards the truck. Laughing at my deviousness, I continue to the bow of the boat. Fresh air, my coffee, and some pastries should lighten my mood immensely.
The ferry trip is nauseating, and that’s not from me being seasick. By the time the truck hits solid ground and starts the almost three-hour drive to Toronto, I have already had enough. Once we all got back into the car to drive it off the ferry, Sheree slowly inched further and further over on the bench seat until she is practically sitting in his lap. The potion shows no sign of having worked. Maddock has barely said two words to me, and everything out of Sheree's mouth aimed in my direction is passive-aggressive. It's excruciating. I discreetly conjure a blanket and wrap myself into a sad little cocoon. I don't really care if Sheree sees it and asks, I'll just tell her it was back here on the floor.
A tear rolls down my face at the thought of having lost Maddock permanently. I conjure a bottle of wine into my hand. Did someone order a pity party for one? Unscrewing the top, I take a swig and pull put my phone to text, my mom.
Me: It didn't work!!!
Me: Sheree is hereeee!!!
Mom: What do you mean it didn’t work? That spell was flawless.
Mom: What did you do
&nbs
p; Me: Well it didn’t
Mom: Did you seal it with a kiss.
Me: SMH WTF
Mom: Language!
Me: You didn’t say it had to be sealed with a kiss.
Me: How am I going to do that
Mom: Well, when a boy likes a girl…
Me: Shut up Sheree is here
Mom: Oh yeah that may be hard
Mom: You’ll work it out
Me: Middle finger
Mom: Smiley face
The sound of giggling and a zipper being opened reaches me as I throw my phone on the floor of the truck. I hear Maddock whisper. “Not here, baby.” And the zip goes back up. Thank Fuck for small miracles
I settle down to make this wine my bitch, hoping and praying for sleep to put me out of my misery.
A door slamming wakes me from my dream of caramels, taffy, peanut butter cups, and hard candies swirling through my mind. Stretching and sitting up, I wipe the drool away from the corner of my mouth and rub the sleep out of my eyes. Looking out the window, I can see a large industrial building. Frowning, I unstrap and climb out of the car. Raising my arms high, I stretch out the last of the kinks. Looking around in frustration, I can see Maddock and Sheree strolling down a white sandy beach dotted with striped umbrellas. We’re at Sugar Beach Park. What the hell?
Chasing after them, I shout, “Hey, what are you doing?” They ignore me and continue to the wall where the water meets the beach. There aren't many people around due to the cooling temperature of fall, but a few people are dotted on the lounge chairs here and there.
Breathing heavily from running through the sand, I finally catch up. Placing my hands on my hips, I catch my breath before asking again. “Hey, I asked what you are doing?” They turn back towards me, Sheree has a frown on her face again. God, I think it's her default face.
Candy Conniptions (Arbor Vitae Coven Book 1) Page 10