Alchemy and Arson

by Lily Webb

  “Call me Elle, and that goes for all y’all,” Grandma said, waving a finger across the table. “I know we ain’t all met yet, but if Zoe likes ya, yer family. Understood?”

  Everyone nodded and Beau helped Grandma sit down in one of the two empty chairs between him and Raina.

  I sat next to Grandma with Beau on my right. Raina beamed at us and leaned over to give Grandma a hug while Beau slipped his arm around my shoulders and pecked a kiss on my cheek. If I wasn’t already wearing red makeup, my blushing could’ve passed for it.

  “This is for you,” Beau said as he reached for the flower in his blazer pocket. He tucked my hair behind one ear and rested the flower on top.

  “How did you know I was wearing red tonight?” I asked.

  “I might’ve had a little family help,” Beau said with a wink. I faced Grandma and narrowed my eyes at her.

  “Now Zoe, what have I told you about makin’ that lemon-suckin’ face?” Grandma asked.

  “It’s gonna get stuck that way,” we said together and everyone laughed.

  “This was a great idea, Raina, thank you for organizing it,” I said. Raina waved me away, her deep purple robes flashing in the soft light.

  “It’s my pleasure, dear,” Raina said. “You’ve now solved two murders in my family, so I think it’s the least I can do to repay you.”

  It was supposed to be a joke, and a lighthearted one at that, but my heart fell at the mention of Circe.

  “I wish she was here with us,” I said.

  “Who says she isn’t?” Mallory asked from across the table. She’d tamed her wild hair by turning it into a long braid that trailed down her back and her shamrock-green dress suited her perfectly. I had no idea she could clean up so well.

  “I didn’t think you believed in that sort of stuff,” I said.

  “Zoe, I dunno if you’ve noticed, but we’re witches. If you of all people can learn how to cast a spell, truly, anything’s possible,” I said and the table laughed again.

  “Very funny,” I said. “But I can’t even do that right now.”

  “Maybe not for much longer,” Raina said, her eyes twinkling. My heart raced.

  “Does that mean what I think it means?” I asked.

  “We’ll see tomorrow morning, won’t we?” Raina asked.

  “Yeah, I guess so. I’m still surprised the Council decided to hold a public hearing for Sage,” I said.

  “What other choice did they have?” Ewan asked, both his elbows on the table. “She admitted to playing a role in the murders and she lied to the Council in front of pretty much the whole town. I don’t doubt they’re going to try to make an example out of her and probably Tony too.”

  “As they should,” Raina said. “Moon Grove needs to know we won’t allow this.”

  “Here, here. And to think I was working on a school project with her all along,” Mallory muttered.

  “Hey, what do y’all say we order up a rounda drinks before we get too deep in the weeds?” Grandma interrupted.

  “Are you buying?” I asked.

  “Nope, I ain’t go no currency so I guess you’re on the hook, Sugar,” Grandma said and everyone laughed. She seemed to fit right in — with witches, fairies, werewolves, everyone — and it occurred to me that at some point she still had to go back to Lumberton, as much as I didn’t want her to leave.

  “Lookie there, perfect timin’,” Grandma said as the same waiter we’d had last time I was at The Root appeared, his white-blond hair shining like fresh snow in the light.

  “Good evening, everyone. I’m Sage, I’ll be your waiter this evening,” the fairy said and Mallory whirled in her seat to look at him.

  “Relax, Mal, it’s not the same Sage,” I laughed.

  “You’re lucky, I was about to curse you to spell and back,” Mallory said.

  “Calm down there, killer,” I said.

  “Did I hear correctly that you’re interested in some drinks?” Sage asked.

  “You bet your purty lil’ head we are,” Grandma said. “Whaddya got? We need somethin’ fun.”

  “I’m glad you asked. Our special this evening is a homemade favorite called the Fairy Godmother,” Sage said and I laughed as I rested my hand on Grandma’s — she was more like my Fairy Grandmother, but I thought of her the same way. How fortuitous.

  “How’d it get that name?” I asked.

  “It’s an old family recipe passed down among the owner’s family,” Sage said.

  “What’s in ‘em?” Grandma asked.

  “A little bit of everything,” Sage said.

  “Sounds downright tasty. Bring us a round, would ya?” Grandma asked.

  “Certainly, though I must warn you they’re made with magic so you should be careful,” Sage said.

  “Ain’t everything in this town? We ain’t scared, let’s have at it,” Grandma said. Sage nodded and disappeared back into the kitchen.

  “So, Elle, what are your plans now that you’re almost as much of a celebrity around here as Zoe?” Ewan asked.

  “That’s a darn good question, and one I been thinkin’ about since I got here,” Grandma said. “I got a farm that needs tendin’ back home, but I ain’t in no hurry to do it.”

  “Can’t say I blame you. I can’t imagine taking care of a farm without magic,” Mallory said.

  “It’s hard work, that’s for sure, but it ain’t all bad,” Grandma said. “But it’s been awful quiet and lonely around there since Zoe came here.”

  “Have you thought about hiring someone to help you with it?” I asked.

  “You kiddin’ me? Your grandfather would come back to haunt me for the rest of my life if I tried,” Grandma said and we laughed.

  “Then what are you gonna do?”

  “Well, like I said, I been thinkin’ about it and I was wonderin’ if maybe I could just, I dunno, stay here,” Grandma said with a shrug and my heart skipped a beat.

  “What? Are you serious?” I asked.

  “Yeah, why the heck not, right? That farm ain’t been nothing but a bee in my bonnet for years anyway,” Grandma said.

  “But you love it and it’s been in our family for years,” I said.

  “That’s true, but honestly, Sugar, I don’t think I can keep up with it no more. It’s too much for me,” Grandma said. “Besides, after all I’ve learned about our family since comin’ here, there ain’t much about our family history that ain’t bullhockey no way.”

  She had a point. If my mother was magical and if she and my father were still alive out in the world somewhere, who was to say that the story about how the Clarke family farm had passed down to Grandma wasn’t true?

  “I think that’s an excellent idea,” Raina said. “It would certainly help us speed up our research into your family’s history, Zoe.”

  “I doubt the Council would ever allow it. They didn’t even want you here for a visit,” I said.

  “I think they might be willing to reconsider now, dear,” Raina said. “You and your grandmother were never a danger to Moon Grove and I think they see that quite plainly.”

  “She’s right,” Grandma said, beaming as she wrapped an arm around me. “You’re gonna put the police outta work at this rate.”

  “I dunno about all that,” I laughed.

  “Maybe you could petition the Council again tomorrow? It would be a perfect opportunity,” Flora suggested.

  “Yeah, I guess I could, but where would you stay if they said yes, Gram? We don’t have room for you at Flora’s, and what would you do with the farm?” I asked.

  “Sell it, I reckon. There ain’t no reason to keep it around,” Grandma said.

  “You’re more than welcome to stay with me until you find other arrangements, Eleanor,” Raina said. “I’ve more than enjoyed your company.”

  “Aw, shucks,” Grandma said. “Thanks, Raina, that’s awful kind of you.”

  “Are you sure about this? It’s not gonna be an easy transition,” I said.

  “If you can do it
, I reckon I can too. And you bet your booty I’m sure. Your life’s here now and I wanna be a part of it,” Grandma said. I almost started crying as she pulled me into a hug.

  Grandma might not have to leave after all. It was the best news I’d gotten in weeks.

  Sage returned holding a massive tray on one shoulder loaded with seven drinks. He set the tray down on the end of the table and passed a glass to each of us. The liquid inside was a royal blue swirled with gold streaks and the straws dipped into it was adorned with a pair of fairy wings.

  “Enjoy,” Sage said. “I’ll be back to take your order in a few moments.”

  “This looks fancy as all get out,” Grandma said as she held her glass up to admire it. “All right, since I ordered ‘em I guess I’ll be the guinea pig and give it a shot first.”

  She took a healthy swig from the straw and her face puckered. She swallowed and made a weird noise.

  “Wow, that lil’ bugger’s got some kick to it,” she said and the whole table laughed. “But the taste is real nice.”

  I popped my straw into my mouth and took a small sip. Grandma wasn’t kidding, it was strong, but the aftertaste was sweet and delicious. It tasted like cotton candy.

  “A few of these and maybe I’ll be makin’ things float with the best of ‘em,” Grandma said as she took another drink. “Here, maybe I’ll give it the ol’ college try now.”

  Grandma pointed her hand at Mallory’s shamrock-green clutch she’d left on the table beside her and made a show of squeezing her eyes shut like she was spending all her energy to lift the bag.

  And it jumped across the table into her hands. A collective gasp tore across the table and I couldn’t believe what I’d seen. Had Grandma really made the bag move?

  “All right, very funny. Which one of y’all smartie pants did that?” Grandma asked as she dropped the bag back on the table like it’d burned her. I wondered the same thing, but from the stunned looks on everyone’s faces, I knew no one had moved the bag for her.

  “No way, there ain’t no way I did that,” Grandma said.

  “I think you did, Gram,” I said, breathless. Raina was smiling so broadly I thought she might burst with excitement.

  “Aw, hell’s spells, you mean I might be a Pagan sorcerer too? I guess I didn’t pack enough of my crosses after all,” Grandma said, and though I roared laughing along with everyone else, I could barely contain my excitement.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The eleven remaining members of the Moon Grove Council stared down at me from high-backed chairs — Lorelei not among them — but with Grandma’s hand in mine, I wasn’t nervous in the slightest.

  I glanced over at Tony and Sage, who were sitting far down the row to my right, their hands and feet magically bound so they couldn’t run — not that they would’ve gotten far if they’d tried anyway.

  Sage looked thoroughly bored, but Tony seemed like he couldn’t sit still, constantly glancing over his shoulder. Being hunted by the mob will do that to a person, I guess.

  The town hall was packed with people who’d come to see the two of them get their comeuppance, and I didn’t blame a single one of them. After all the stress and violence Sage and Tony had put them through, it was the least they deserved in reward.

  Head Warlock Heath Highmore brought the room to attention with his gavel.

  “Chief Mueller, please bring the accused forward,” Heath said, his voice commanding.

  I hadn’t noticed Mueller leaning against the far wall with Ewan until Heath said his name. Without a word, he and Ewan helped Sage and Tony out of their chairs and walked them to the center of the room. It was so quick I could’ve been imagining it, but when Mueller turned to walk back to his position, I swore I saw him wink at me.

  Of all the friends I’d made in Moon Grove, I’d never considered Mueller one of them — but maybe I was wrong about him too.

  “Ms. Snow, Mr. Romano, I won’t waste any time with pleasantries. The two of you stand before us accused of murder and conspiracy to murder,” Heath said. “The damage you’ve done to this community is in many ways irreparable.”

  “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” Tony whimpered, but Heath ignored him.

  “These are serious crimes that cannot go unpunished,” Heath said. He waved his wand and another appeared. Based on the panicked look on Sage’s face, it could only have been hers.

  “Prior to calling this hearing, the Council discussed what an appropriate punishment might be,” Heath said. Sage’s wand drifted down and Heath stood to take it between both of his hands. He flexed it gently.

  “No, please, I—” Sage begged. It was the first time I could ever remember seeing her afraid.

  “Those who would use magic to murder — or to conspire to murder — cannot be trusted with its wonder,” Heath said. “Sage Snow, you are hereby banned from practicing magic ever again. Your time at Veilside is finished. I suggest you find a new profession.”

  Heath raised Sage’s wand and snapped it in half like a toothpick. Sage howled and when I turned to look at Grandma, she was smiling. After what she’d survived thanks to Sage and Tony, I understood. Though I took no delight in Sage’s punishment, it was a relief to know she’d never threaten or hurt anyone again.

  “Let this be a lesson for all in attendance. We as a community must learn to live in harmony. We will not tolerate the abuse of magic, Moon Grove, or its residents,” Heath said as he looked out at the rows of people who’d come to see him do exactly this.

  For the first time, I understood why he’d been elected Head Warlock — he was a true leader and I had more respect for him than I’d ever had at that moment.

  “And you, Mr. Romano,” Heath continued, glaring at Tony. “You murdered not one but two of our sisters, one of whom sat on this very Council.”

  “I’m sorry,” Tony said, barely more than a whisper. Heath seemed unmoved.

  “Jailing is not sufficient for your crimes. You are hereby banished from Moon Grove,” Heath said and the spirit draining out of Tony was so palpable I felt it in my gut. “After the hearing, Chief Mueller and Officer Barrett will escort you out through the town gates and we will see to it that you are never allowed to return.”

  Tony’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water.

  “See them out, please, Chief Mueller,” Heath said. Mueller seized Tony by the arm and hauled him off, disgusted. I could only imagine how awful it must’ve been for the Chief of Police to punish a fellow werewolf for something as awful as this.

  Heath turned his focus to me and though I hadn’t been nervous before, it seized me now.

  “Moving on. Hello again, Ms. Clarke,” Heath said, his demeanor changed on a dime. “We really need to stop getting to know each other like this,” he continued, his eyes twinkling, and I laughed.

  “Agreed,” I said.

  “I see you’ve brought a guest today,” Heath said.

  “I did,” I said, squeezing Grandma’s hand. Though she smiled at me, she seemed flustered.

  “Welcome back, Mrs. Clarke,” Heath said to her. “I hope we get off to a better start this time around.”

  “You ’n me both,” Grandma said.

  Her palm was slick with sweat against mine. Maybe I should’ve been as worried as she was, but somehow I didn’t have it in me. All my friends sat in the row of chairs behind me — Beau, Mallory, Raina, Flora, and Marcel — unlike the first time I’d sat to request something from the Council.

  Raina rested a hand on my shoulder and squeezed to encourage me. Once she told Heath and the rest of the Council about the magic Grandma had used the night before during dinner, there was no way they’d be able to refuse her request to stay.

  Heath smiled.

  “I assume you’ve come to ask something of us?” Heath asked.

  “Yes,” I said and stood, pulling Grandma up with me. “The last time I came before you, I asked you to allow my grandmother to visit me here in Moon Grove.”

  “I remember,” Hea
th said, though he still wore a smile.

  “At the time, I felt entitled to it. I thought that because of everything I’ve done — solving the murders of Harper Woods, Opal Cromwell, Delia Frost, and Seth Highmore, your grandson — the Council owed me a favor,” I said.

  Heath sat back in his chair and listened, and the rest of the Council remained speechless.

  “But you said no and I didn’t take it well. Instead of accepting your decision and trying again later, I went behind your backs and snuck my grandmother into town during one of the most dangerous nights of the year,” I said.

  Heath exchanged looks with Councilwoman Bloodworth, who sat closest to him.

  “I don’t regret it,” I said and Heath’s eyes went wide as the people behind me gasped or laughed or both. “I know, it sounds arrogant, but the truth is if I hadn’t done it, I wouldn’t have learned some incredible things about my family.”

  “Such as?” Heath asked.

  “It turns out my grandmother and I have more in common than we knew,” I said, smiling at Grandma. She returned it with a weak, nervous one of her own.

  “Meaning what, exactly?”

  “It seems Mrs. Clarke has latent magical abilities of her own,” Raina said as she stepped out from behind me and strode to the front of the room. Heath stroked his chin.

  “You’re sure?”

  “I saw it with my own eyes last night while I had dinner with Zoe and her friends,” Raina said. “Show them, Eleanor.”

  Her hands trembling, Grandma removed her fingers from mine. I reached into the pocket of my robes and pulled out the vial stopper I’d found outside Circe’s house the night she’d been killed.

  “You can do it, Gram,” I whispered and Grandma nodded. I tossed the stopper into the air and, just as planned, Grandma shot her hand out and stopped it right in front of her eyes.

  Heath clapped, the only one to do so at first, until all of the Council joined in, followed by the attendees. Grandma pulled the stopper toward her and snatched it out of the air, beaming.

  “Oh, come on now, it ain’t no thang!” Grandma shouted over the applause, though I could tell she was eating up the attention.

  When the cheering finally died down, I turned back to Heath with a smile.