“Thank you so much.” I examined the fan. It was made of antique silk and had tiny blue forget-me-nots painted across its surface. It was obviously valuable, and I said, “I’ll take good care of it.”
“Don’t worry.” She waved her hand. “It’ll take care of itself.” She glanced at the slim white gold watch on her wrist and shooed me away. “You better go. Believe me, you do not want to be late.”
With that less-than-reassuring remark ringing in my ears, I followed the signs and hurried toward the ballroom. As I entered, Francine spotted me and waved me over. I nodded, walked behind the table, and slid into the chair next to her.
James Dean, I mean Jeremy Wilson, was on my other side and he gave me a sweet smile, then turned his attention to JFK aka Patrick Fitzgerald aka the mayor, who cleared his throat shot me an annoyed glance, and said, “Now that we’re all here, let’s begin.”
If the mayor had aimed that barb at me, which was highly likely since I was the last one to arrive, he would not get the satisfaction of making me squirm. Anyone who had worked retail for as long as I had developed a thicker skin than being called tardy could penetrate.
Francine handed me a sheet of paper and explained, “Our agenda.”
I glanced at the numbered items, but before I could examine them, Patrick motioned toward Cole Pendergast and said, “You have the floor.”
Cole, looking unbearably handsome in a Givenchy gold and black jacquard two-button tuxedo stood and faced the group. “Now that our council is once again at full strength, we need to consider how we can help the Echo Springs citizens who have lost their abilities.”
I remembered Elissa mentioning that some families’ powers had faded, or a generation had kept the information from their descendants so they were unaware of their abilities.
“We have no idea what might happen if we meddled with other’s gifts,” the woman Uncle Will had told me was Virginia Hensley here, but Patsy Cline to the rest of the world protested.
“Heck, Cole, do we even know how to go about something like that?” Lucas asked.
“There has to be a charm that could help them.” Cole looked at me, and everyone else followed suit. “Now that we have a true Shield, it should be within her abilities to provide what they need.”
I opened my mouth, but if I had and fantastic words of wisdom to impart my brain refused to reveal them to my vocal cords.
“Perhaps we should give Lexie a chance to settle in and figure out her powers before we ask her to do something that’s never been done.” Francine bumped shoulders with me. “How does that sound?”
“Good.” I squeaked out. “That sounds really, really good.”
Patrick rose and nudged Cole out of his way. “I motion that we table this item until Alexandria gives us the green light. All in favor?”
Everyone, even Cole, said aye, then Virginia got to her feet and said, “Next, we have two citizens requesting to go on Saorsa. Faylynn Neville would like to live in Nashville to sing at the clubs and Ezekiel Provo would like to be a priest in the Vatican.”
Ezekiel’s choice didn’t surprise me. My first impression of him had been that he looked more like an angel than a man.
Lucas stood and addressed the council. “I thought we agreed no more celebrity Saorsas.” He glanced at Francine, then at the mayor. “Considering the difficulty with the extraction the last couple of times.”
Lucas was wearing a Western-style tuxedo and looking just as handsome as Cole did in his Givenchy.
“Faylynn has assured me she won’t sign any record contracts and will cut short her time out in the world if she begins to become well known.” Virginia’s lips twitched. “Are you sure your objection isn’t because your uncle will blow his stack if she leaves?”
“That is something to consider.” Lucas’ tone was neutral. “Do we want to risk our chief of police having a mental breakdown?”
“But is it fair to Faylynn not to allow her to go because of her father?” Jeremy asked. “I vote yes, and if Chief Neville loses it, we remove him from office.”
“How about Ezekiel?” Virginia asked. “Anyone have a problem with his application?” No one spoke, and she said, “Okay, I motion that we allow Faylynn and Ezekiel to begin their Saorsas as soon as they’re ready.”
I abstained and Lucas voted no, but the ayes carried, and we went on to the last item on the agenda.
The mayor resumed the floor and said, “We’ve had a query from Nimbly, Australia. Because their female population is declining, they would like to send some of their men here to court some of our single women.”
Ah. This must be the special town exchange that Aunt Nora had mentioned.
“Why?” I asked, then quickly added, “I mean what’s causing the dwindling?”
“Excellent question.” Cole gave me an approving smile. “And how many men are we talking about?”
“Three,” Patrick said, then looked at me. “And to answer Alexandria, they claim that there is a curse. There have only been a handful of baby girls born in the past twenty years.”
“And they don’t have enough abilities among them to remove this curse?” I asked.
“Evidently not.” Patrick’s smile was more of a smirk when he said, “They’d like to talk to you about that while they’re here.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The Courtship of the
Echo Springs Shield
The council decided in favor of allowing the Australians to visit and have a consultation with me. I again abstained. With that issue settled, they adjourned the meeting, and I fled to the bathroom.
I needed a few minutes alone before the doors the rest of the partygoers arrived for the ball. The idea that not only did the council expect me to help Echo Springs citizens find their lost magic, they also wanted me to undo Nimbly’s curse, was overwhelming.
Actually, overwhelming was too mild a way to describe my feelings. In truth, I was seconds away from a full-blown panic attack.
A week ago, my biggest responsibility was finding a client a pair of pants that didn’t make her butt look big. Now, two towns were depending on me to perform miracles.
Staring into the mirror over the sink, I was distracted from my looming meltdown by the sight of my hair. How had it gotten to be such a mess?
When I styled it earlier, I’d been going for a sophisticated updo, but evidently, my curls hadn’t gotten the message and now hung like a bedraggled mop around my face. Had I been running my fingers through my hair without even realizing it?
Lucky for me, the hotel’s ritzy powder room provided hairspray among several other items wealthy women expected to have at their fingertips when attending fancy events. With the help of several pins and half a can of Aqua Net, I got my curls under control and back on top of my head. I had to quit playing with my hair when I got nervous.
After applying a new coat of Bobbi Brown pale pink lipstick, I took a deep breath, straightened my shoulders, and marched myself back to the ballroom. I had barely crossed the threshold when Cole appeared next to me and took my elbow, guiding me over to an older couple standing next to a table of hors d’oeuvre.
Cole gestured to the pair and said, “Alexandria, I’d like you to meet my mother and my father, Calista and Tariq Pendergast.”
We shook hands and exchanged pleasantries, then Calista said, “You look so familiar.” She tilted her head. “Have we met before?”
“I was in Will’s office earlier in the week and you passed me as you were leaving.” I hadn’t thought she saw me as she stomped out the door, but maybe she’d caught glimpse despite her snit.
“No. No.” She tapped her fingers on her chin all the while staring at me, then smiled. “That’s it! You look exactly like your aunt. The Ravenscraft genes are very dominant. I don’t see any of your mother’s in you at all.” Calista took a sip of something clear, and I didn’t think for a minute, it was Seven-Up. “Which is a good thing. Miranda’s weakness nearly brought down your family.”
&nb
sp; My tongue tripped over my response and the noise I made sounded as if I’d taken a gulp of lemon juice with a shot of lime on the side.
“Don’t deny it.” Calista took another sip of her drink, then refocused her gaze on me.
“From what I understand, Mom had good reason for everything she did. Especially moving away.” It wasn’t as if I didn’t know my mother had faults, but I wouldn’t let anyone else say so.
“That was the least of it,” Calista snapped. “If she hadn’t refused to acquire the abilities Pandora offered her, she could have helped protect your father, and he’d never have died.” Her voice broke. “It was selfish of her.”
“Now, now, dear.” Tariq put his arm around his wife and murmured in her ear.
Tariq was an older version of his son. No less appealing and no less powerful. But the lines around his eyes and mouth told me he was a lot craftier.
Calista continued to protest whatever her husband was saying, until Cole said, “Mother, why don’t we talk about this more tomorrow at brunch when you and Alexandria will have more privacy.”
“Capital suggestion.” Tariq beamed at his son, then said, “In fact, why don’t we escort the ladies to the dance floor? The two most beautiful women in the room shouldn’t be standing here like wallflowers.”
Cole immediately asked, “May I have this dance, Alexandria?”
I nodded and cautiously allowed him to take my hand. There was that same odd tingle as when he’d touched my palm at my welcome party, but at least this time, I didn’t feel faint and pass out at his feet.
We made our way to the front of the room, and I was thankful that the band was playing something slow. I’d never had lessons of any kind and could only hope I could follow his lead.
I slid into his arms and we started moving. My sense of rhythm wasn’t the best, but Cole’s must have been amazing. He twirled me around the dance floor and never once allowed me to step on his feet.
After a few minutes, he put said softly, “I’m sorry about my mother.”
“Believe me, I understand.” I leaned back so I could look into his eyes. “It seems as if my presence upsets her. Maybe we should cancel brunch.”
“Absolutely not.” Cole’s tone was firm. “You and she need to talk this all out so we can all be on the same page. It’s not good for any of the seven families to be at odds with one another.”
“Okay, but although my mom wasn’t by any means perfect and made some mistakes, I won’t allow your mother to blame her for everything.”
“All I ask is that you listen to what Mother has to say and perhaps share some of your story with her.” Cole brushed a curl out of my face and smiled. “I very much want you two to get along.”
“I’ll do my best for the sake of the town and its citizens.” I had been holding my evening bag in the hand resting on Cole’s shoulder, now I switched it to the other one. That was one of the things I hated about dancing. I never knew what to do with my purse.
“That’s not the only reason I want you and Mother to become friends.” Cole pressed his lips to my temple, and the tingle running through me turned into an electrical charge down my spine.
Before I could react, a large hand tapped Cole’s shoulder, and a deep voice said, “My turn.”
I lifted my head and met Lucas’ brown eyes. Cole hesitated, then with a final squeeze reluctantly relinquished his hold on me. Lucas immediately slid his arm around my waist and took my hand, causing a similar, yet distinctly different tingle to shoot through me.
Once we started dancing, Lucas said, “I hope you don’t mind me cutting in, but otherwise, Cole would have monopolized you all night.”
“I doubt that very much.” Glancing around the ballroom, I chuckled, “After all, it’s not as if I’m the only single woman here.”
“Just the most beautiful.” Lucas' voice lowered to a rumbling purr.
“Well, thank you,” I shook my head, “but we both know that’s not true.”
“Eye of the beholder,” Lucas murmured in my ear as the music stopped.
He stared at me as if daring me to say anything else, then when I was silent he escorted me to a table occupied by his father.
After saying hello to Quill, I sat down on the chair Lucas held for me. As he slid me closer to the table, I twitched my dress into place.
I was still fussing with the flounces on the skirt when a middle-aged woman with a thick brunette braid and darkly tanned skin strolled up to us. She dropped a kiss on Quill’s head and nodded at me.
She was carrying two tall, slender glasses, and handed me one as she said, “Hi, I’m Lucas’ mother, Ramona.” She took the seat between Lucas and Quill and smiled. “I hope you like prosecco.”
“Love it!” I was surprised. Prosecco wasn’t exactly a common wine. I tasted it, and the light, delicate, fruity, and floral flavors were immediately identifiable as my favorite kind. “Is this Mionetto?”
“Of course. Your raven told me it’s your preferred brand.”
“My raven?” I asked sure I’d misheard her.
“You’ll meet him later.” Ramona’s dark honey eyes twinkled, and I had just taken another sip of wine when she added, “He came to me first because he knew I’d want to make sure to get the best for my future daughter-in-law.”
The prosecco blasted down my trachea, and I choked, then gasped, unable to catch my breath. Lucas leaped to his feet and gently thumped me on the back.
When he sat back down, he glared at his mother who smoothed the laces sleeves on her dark orange gown. Although she seemed unconcerned at his censure, I could see the muscles on her biceps tighten.
Lucas continued to stare until Ramona lifted her eyes, then through gritted teeth he said, “I thought we agreed not to make Lexie uncomfortable.”
“Why would me saying I wanted to please your betrothed, make our darling Alexandria uncomfortable?” Ramona’s expression may have been innocent, but I could hear the craftiness in her voice.
“Because we only met a few days ago, and I haven’t proposed yet?”
Taking a gulp of much-needed air, I was probably just about to say something marvelously clever, but I couldn’t remember what had been in my head because Lucas’ words had completely shut down my brain.
I glanced at Quill, who was obviously the king of deadpan. Too bad maniacal is more my speed, and I’m sure my own expression was crazed.
With three pairs of eyes focused on me, my mind raced for an appropriate response and I finally said, “Well, it’s a shame then that I already have a fiancé.”
The momentary panic on Lucas’s handsome face was worth the points in heaven I’d just lost for lying.
“Just kidding,” I smirked then quickly got to my feet and said, “Thank you for the wine, but I should mingle.”
As I walked away, I heard Quill’s voice say, “You better fix that right quick.”
Assuming he meant Lucas needed to repair things with me, I increased my speed and scanned the room for a safe harbor. My best bet was my uncle and aunt, especially since Elissa was with them. I briefly wondered why I hadn’t seen Uncle Will at the ball, but his absence slipped my mind as I zoomed over to my family’s table.
The three of them welcomed me with broad smiles, and as she gestured to the empty fourth chair, my aunt said, “You’re just in time, dear. The staff will serve dinner any second now.”
“Terrific.” Although it hadn’t occurred to me that there would be a meal, it made sense. I hadn’t eaten dinner, so I was hungry, but after my encounter with the Furmans, my stomach was tied in knots.
When the waitress brought our salads, I used the distraction to whisper to Elissa, “You will never believe what just happened.”
“What?” She kept an eye on her parents who were debating the merits of balsamic vinaigrette over classic Italian dressing.
“Ramona Furman said I was her future daughter-in-law.” I kept my voice low.
“Well, that’s surprising.” Elissa shook her head. “
I would have expected the first volley to come from Calista.”
“The first volley?” Once again, I had no idea what was happening.
“Oh. Yeah.” Elissa slapped her forehead. “I didn’t explain that you were promised as a bride to either the eldest male Furman or Pendergast.”
“Promised?” Evidently, all I could do at this point was echo my cousin’s words.
“When your dad married outside of the community, to secure our family’s continued place on the council, he had to promise his firstborn’s hand in marriage to one of the other founding families. The Pendergasts and the Furmans are the only ones with male heirs.”
“What happens if I fall in love with someone else and marry him?” I asked.
“Banishment.” Elissa’s features darkened. “For all who have the blood of the Ravenscrafts.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Cut to the Witch
I stuck it out at the ball through dinner, which would have been delicious if I hadn’t lost my appetite, then persuaded Elissa that I needed to leave. As we were leaving, I spotted Uncle Will at the bar with a group of older men I didn’t recognize.
He smiled and nodded at us, but returned to his conversation without beckoning us over. Which was fine with me, as I was more than ready to go home.
The five-minute trip was silent, but as I got out of the car Elissa said, “I know this is all a lot to take in, but we’ll talk about everything tomorrow night. Come on over to my place around seven. We’ll watch chick flicks, eat stuff we shouldn’t, and I’ll answer as many of your questions as I can. Until then, don’t worry.”
“Sure, why should I be concerned that someone wants me dead? Or the council expects me to perform magic on command. Or that my father evidently agreed to a forced marriage for me before I was even born?”
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