I sat on the sofa, just for a second, to clear my head. The throw pillow next to me looked soft, a peachy silk thing, fluffy and clean, smelling as good as the rest of the house. Flowers and fruit, morning after a rain, a mountain breeze.
When my cheek hit the pillow, I decided it smelled like a dream, the best one I’d ever had.
Chapter Thirty
“You spelled me!” I cried, jolting awake.
It was morning. Birds chirping, sun shining, garbage truck roaring. Random was curled up between my legs and the couch cushions.
“Breakfast? I made us waffles.” Seth appeared in the doorway to the kitchen, a white apron tied around his waist.
I rolled off the couch, flung off a heavy quilt, and looked around for my shoes, which were no longer on my feet, annoying me further. “I don’t want your stinking waffles.” I pointed an accusing finger at him. “You spelled me.”
“Technically speaking, I don’t do spells. I’m fae. It’s a little different.”
Random climbed over the quilt and began licking my face.
“You trapped me with magic.” I found my shoes placed neatly under the coffee table and put them on. “Phil could be gone by now. He’s a billionaire. Maybe he’s halfway to Mars. His type make spaceships.”
“Let him,” Seth said. “If he’s a demon, you’ll never have justice the way you think of it. He doesn’t need a spaceship. He’s immortal.”
“He might hurt Birdie.”
“Why? He’s a demon, not a psychopath. They aren’t crazy, just… amoral.”
“Maybe he wiped out the entire property, all the buildings, the beach and the cliff, just because he’s amoral.”
“Then it’s a good thing you were here,” Seth said. “If he could overpower a party of witches on their own turf, you wouldn’t stand a chance.”
I didn’t care if he was right. At the very least it was bad manners, overriding my will like that. Why had I let my guard down?
No. I wouldn’t blame myself. “I’m leaving now. You’re not going to stop me.” I reached for my necklace. “And I’m taking the torc.”
“Relax. I’m not going to stop you. And the torc is where you left it on the kitchen table.” He snapped his fingers and set a bowl on the floor. Random, the traitor, jerked out from under my stroking fingers, catapulted off the couch, and trotted to him. Selfish mutt.
I patted my pockets, found my phone, and checked it as I walked to the bathroom. Birdie had sent a text at midnight, assuring me she was fine, the house was quiet, and her bedroom door locked and protected.
At least that was something.
A few minutes later, a tap sounded on the door. “There’s an extra toothbrush above the sink. Help yourself.”
“I live next door,” I said. “I’ll use my own stupid toothbrush.”
A trio of little blue soaps on the pedestal sink were shell-shaped, like a grandmother would have in the guest bath, and rested in an actual shell on the pedestal sink. The sage-green washcloth and hand towel I found in a cabinet behind the door were as fluffy as a baby bunny but smelled better.
When I was somewhat refreshed but still annoyed, I rushed out of the bathroom, tripped over Random, stopped to pet him, and then continued on to the kitchen.
Seth held out a waxy brown box. “Torc and waffles to go,” he said. “Did you want any syrup? I can put it in a little screw-top container so it doesn’t spill.”
I scowled at him and peeked inside. The velvet bag was there, and the waffles smelled good. “No syrup,” I muttered.
“I was going to make you tea but thought you might not want more wellspring water, so here.” He held out an unopened, store-bought bottle of lemon-flavored iced tea. “You don’t want to get a headache, giving up caffeine too quickly. I know how much coffee you used to drink.”
“Oh, do you?” I asked, hesitating before snatching the box and bottle out of his hands. “Did you learn that when you were pilfering my confidential financial records?”
He shrugged. “The drive will give you time to cool down and plan your approach.”
“Being awake last night would’ve given me even more time,” I snapped. I picked up my bag where I’d dropped it the night before— Wait, hadn’t I left it in the car?
“The gnome was concerned it might get stolen,” Seth said. “He issued instructions to keep it inside while you… rested.”
I stopped on my way to the door. “Willy spoke to you?” So far as I knew, the gnome and changeling didn’t speak to one another.
Scratching the back of his neck, Seth looked away. “He speaks to Random.”
“Oh,” I said. I knew they had a bond, but… “How did Random speak to you?”
“Random’s a dog,” Seth said.
“Yes, I figured that out for myself recently.”
“The gnome lets me know he doesn’t approve of me by pretending to speak to Random when I’m nearby to overhear,” Seth said. “He’s very old-school, your tree dweller. Does he make you bow to him before he lets your flowers bloom?”
“Of course not.”
He cast a skeptical look in the direction of my house. “You might want to start. Your garden is looking a little ragged.”
“It’s October. And besides, we get along great. He’d never sabotage anything of mine.”
“He did look prepared to hurt me,” Seth said. “But Random’s behavior seemed to assure him you were in no danger.”
My heart swelled. I hated to think I’d worried Willy. I bent over one last time to pet Random, who rolled over for a tummy scratch. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Seth opened the door for me. “Maybe you could personally tell Willy you’re all right before you go. I don’t want him digging up my daffodil bulbs.”
“I will,” I said, stepping outside. “And Seth? Don’t ever do that again. If you want to stop me, use physical force. Or better yet, convince me with words. But never, ever take over my mind like that again.”
He looked like he was going to make a joke but stopped himself. He gave me a curt nod.
“Thanks for the waffles,” I said.
“Take care of yourself, Alma.” He flashed a smile before slowly closing the door between us.
I scanned the area before leaving Seth’s front step. The torc had a draw of its own, and I needed to get it safely locked up before another witch came looking for it. When I was sure nobody was nearby, I broke into a run and reached my house’s back door short of breath and sweaty.
It took several minutes to unlock the boundary spells, and then I was inside, so happy to be home, so worried to be without Birdie.
I hurried through my house to the massive, fifty-year-old file cabinet in my living room. With a hand over my beads, I sent out a needle of power, unlocking the canister lock. When the top drawer shook, I stabbed it with more magic, and the second drawer rumbled. Finally I closed my eyes and put my hand on the drawer, holding it there until it became too hot to touch. I’d eliminated the vocal command, fearing it could be too easily imitated.
I tapped the handle of the bottom drawer to see if the extreme heat had gone icy cold. Then I used the hem of a rag to open it, then shoved the torc under my old baby blanket.
If he was telling the truth, only Seth, and maybe my father, would know I had it. Others had suspected I already did and had tried, and failed, to break in. It was as safe as I could make it. Honestly, at that point, I didn’t want the stupid thing.
But the silver stake from the Protectorate—that I would need. I removed it, as well as a beaded lapis lazuli necklace, and reset the spells.
I showered and dressed, then went out to Willy with the box of waffles. He appeared at the base of the towering redwood tree immediately.
“You bring me the imposter’s baking?” he asked.
“It might be contaminated with wellspring water,” I said, holding out the box. Anything made with water from the wellspring was a precious delicacy to him. “Do you want them? They smell good.”
Willy, who loved human food almost as much as wellspring water, trotted through the carpet of dew-laden sorrel and put his small hand on the box. “For your own safety, it might be for the best if I were the one to consume this suspicious gift from your unreliable neighbor.”
“I agree,” I said, suppressing a smile. “Once again, thank you. For everything.” After a second’s pause, I bowed. Maybe my garden was looking a little sad.
Hat tipping forward, he pushed the box through the redwood understory as if it were a dogsled through snow. At the base of the tree, a tiny carved door appeared. “I will continue to guard your animal. The imposter will not harm him in any way.”
“Thank you.” I bowed again, wanting to help push the box the rest of the way but knowing his pride wouldn’t allow it.
I also wanted to ask him questions about my demon mark and if he could sense it, but I didn’t want to offend him. If he thought I was a demon, he wouldn’t have stayed in my garden.
Right?
He was watching me. “What is on your mind, house witch?”
I paused to phrase my question the most delicate, respectful way possible. “Something about myself is unknown to me, but if I bother you with my ignorance, you might think I only value you for your ancient wisdom instead of the, uh, current brilliance of your company.”
Two fluffy white eyebrows rose on his forehead and disappeared under the brim of his cap. After a moment he said, “That is a lovely compliment, dearest Alma. I am valuing the brilliant company of you as well and also the baking products and the clover with four leaves you occasionally share with me.”
I nodded, afraid to continue. We were playing a game, and I didn’t know all the rules. “Thank you,” I said. And then, just in case, “You’re welcome.”
“What is this that is unknown to you about my friend Alma Bellrose?”
Thinking maybe I should get him more food from the kitchen, I glanced back at the house. But we’d been away for a few days, and I couldn’t think of anything in my cupboards he would want.
And what if by telling him I’d learned I was part demon, I drove him away?
“You are very full of troubles in your mind, I see,” he said. “Perhaps you should go into your home and climb under the blankets.”
“I’d like that,” I said. “But I have to go back north. Birdie needs me.”
He nodded. “Indeed she is needing you, and you are needing me, but if you are taking more time than this, I will have to say goodbye. The imposter’s food is needing me to get it inside my home.”
“A witch has told me I am demon stained,” I blurted. “Seth says it means an ancestor of mine was possessed once.”
I tensed to see if he would react in horror or disgust, but he simply stared at me. After another mournful look at the waffles, he said to me, frowning in confusion, “You did not know this?”
I shook my head. “It’s true?”
“Oh yes, it is usually true that the human who has most to say to me is also the human who was once, long ago, touched by the bodiless ones.”
The tension in my shoulders released slightly. “The bodiless ones are what we call demons?”
“I am not knowing everything about what you and your modern witches call the beings of earth and spirit, Alma Bellrose,” he said, “but many you do call by the demon name.”
“And I’ve been touched in some way by them,” I said. “Why aren’t you afraid of me?”
His face broke into a wide smile. “That is a very funny one. Very funny. I will sing a long song about that very good joke.”
I forced a smile. Better he was amused than offended, but my pride stung. “But if I’ve got this demon mark, and demons eat fae, why aren’t—all right, of course you aren’t afraid of me, being you’re so wise and powerful”—I had belatedly remembered to pepper our conversation with compliments—“but the other fae might fear me, right?”
“They are not stupid enough to fear you nor smart enough to admire you,” he said. “Now I really must be eating this bread with many squares the wrong one has made.”
“Yes, of course. I really appreciate you talking to me, Willy. I’ll make you more waffles when I get back.” I wondered if he was right about the fae being stupid. He didn’t seem to have a high opinion of any fae except other gnomes. “Thank you.”
“I will see to it that there will be an adequate quantity of bananas offered to your animal,” he added. “He seems to enjoy them very much.”
“He does,” I said, bowing. “I hope to be back at the end of the week.”
“The odds of your return would be greater if you left the necklace at home,” Willy said.
I brought my hand to my throat. “Which one? The lapis?”
“The blue rock is harmless, but you aren’t wanting to be having a chain of yourself so easily removed in witch company.”
I took off the chain made with my own hair. “You think it could be used against me? I’ve got a lot of protection spells on it, but—”
The chain disappeared, then reappeared in Willy’s hand. “Your spells are indeed very powerful. Very, very powerful for your kind indeed, and I’m most honored to have made your acquaintance.” He tilted his head, thoughtfully regarding the necklace. “But perhaps not strong enough for all beings.” He held it up to me.
I bent down and reclaimed it. He’d removed it without me feeling the slightest hint of breaking through my barriers. The limits of his power continued to confound me. “Thank you for the warning. But who—”
“They are not many, but they are some, and some are me, and some are witches, and witches go to parties, do they not? And when witches gather, so do other beings. At home with Elizabeth Crow, you are safe, but away from your fine house, please be thinking otherwise. Farewell, Alma Bellrose,” he said. “I am very pleased to see you again and wish you a quick, painless return.” A second later he and the waffles disappeared.
I looked thoughtfully at my necklace, twirling it between my fingers. His words hadn’t been completely illuminating, but I was grateful he’d shared anything at all.
I bowed and mumbled more thanks at the empty air outside his tree, then went into my house, made myself a sandwich for the road, and returned to the Jeep.
Part demon. Demon mark, demon stain. Bodiless ones.
I needed to get back to Hawk Ranch. First, trusting Willy’s warning, I would make sure Birdie took off any spelled objects made with her hair or similar biomatter. I’d have to help her in person to make sure she got all of it. Then I’d talk to Darius about the ring and see if he’d found anyone else in the house who’d reacted to it—such as Phil. If he listened, I’d tell him about my suspicions regarding the billionaire.
And then I would find Phil.
Just before I hit the road, I texted Birdie for an update, but there was no response.
Chapter Thirty-One
I arrived at the Hawk Ranch just before eleven, which had required my using magic to speed safely and without punishment by the nonmagical authorities. The stress of the journey had taxed my nerves so badly I almost didn’t notice what was in the garden.
And in the cypress trees lining the property behind the private cottage. And in the grassland leading down to the cliff.
Fairies—flower and forest, rock and sea—in large numbers, everywhere I looked.
I slammed the door to my Jeep and bowed to the small woman in the red cap who stood under the rhododendron.
“Thank you for the crunchy red water cakes,” she said.
Heart pounding, I walked to the edge of the garden and took a knee. “You’re very welcome, Madam Gnome. May I ask where you were? We missed you.”
Her brown eyes narrowed. She was very old, with skin like a ponderosa pine, brown and deeply lined all over. “It is also such that I am pleased by firm, salty milk blocks,” she said. “Cow is good, goat is best.”
“I’ll get you some. You mean cheese, right?”
She disappeared.
&nb
sp; I looked around, saw the other fairies were still visible in the trees. If she was like Willy, disappearing like that was a form of showing off, to let me know that she, unlike the other fae, still controlled who could see her.
The demon who had scared them away wasn’t here—or was dead.
I put my hand on my wood beads, cast my senses around me to search for everyone. There were bodies in the farmhouse, but the walls and the individuals themselves were thickly spelled, and I couldn’t identify them from here.
But there was something—there, in the driveway. Darius’s car wasn’t there, but I could sense a recent trail of his leading toward the freeway. Had he intentionally left it for me to find?
I hurried over to the side door to the farmhouse, paused to check again for danger, then went in. At the big window facing the sea, Warren bent over at the telescope with Birdie beside him, holding a book. The feel in the room seemed peaceful, even boring.
“Alma!” Birdie said, turning to me. “Warren is teaching me about seagulls. I’ve never really looked at birds before. Ironic, right? Given my name?”
I looked around the empty living room. The dining area seemed deserted too. “I was trying to call you,” I said.
Birdie shook her head. “I was afraid of that. My phone died. The charger was loose.”
I clenched my teeth. She should’ve checked it. “Where is everybody?” I used a subtle spell to hide my agitation. “Are Phil and Zoe up at the cottage?”
Warren looked up from the telescope. “Phil had to do something in Fort Bragg. Seems he owns a craft brewery there.” He frowned and bent down to the telescope again. “Don’t know why he’d bother. The man could buy out Anheuser-Busch.”
So, Phil was in Fort Bragg. “And Zoe?” I asked.
“She came by when I was eating breakfast,” Birdie said. “She said Phil had the Mercedes, but she’d decided she really wanted to get out too. She actually borrowed Nathan’s Hyundai, isn’t that hilarious? Tierra offered it to her. I think she was pissed about Nathan going running without her.”
Neither of them were here. So the demon could be either one. “Darius let her go?” I asked.
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