Spellbooks and Stakings
Page 20
“Sure,” I said with a shrug. She led me into her space and I was surprised by how small and cramped it was, due in no small part to the amount of clutter that littered every free inch of surface area.
“I’d offer you a place to sit, but one’s not readily available and this won’t take long anyway,” Circe said as she sat on the one corner of her desk that poked out from under papers and file folders.
“Listen, I know you’re disappointed about the Council’s ruling, but don’t get discouraged,” Circe said.
“Why shouldn't I?”
“Well, I can’t say anything about it officially just yet, but I think if you’re unhappy with the Council’s ruling, maybe you should consider throwing your name in the ring as someone who might be able to change things around here,” Circe said.
“Wait, are you saying what I think you are?” I whispered as if anyone but her would hear me anyway. “Is that what Heath meant when he said big things are underway?”
Circe smiled and nodded. “You didn’t honestly think we’d leave the Head Witch position vacant forever, did you?”
“No, of course not, but so soon? And with all this other stuff that’s been going on lately?” I asked.
“That’s exactly why the Council feels we need to fill the position,” Circe said.
“Wait, am I allowed to report on this? Can I quote you anonymously?” I asked.
“No, I’m sorry,” Circe said. I groaned and Circe laughed. “But don’t worry, there should be an official announcement very soon.”
“Any insider info as to who’s going to run?” I asked.
“I have a few ideas, but no one’s announced yet given that there’s not officially an election on the calendar,” Circe said.
Maybe it was a good thing the Council had ruled not to let Grandma Elle come to town after all. I couldn’t imagine trying to host her while something like a Head Witch election was happening. It would’ve been chaos, even for Moon Grove.
“I think you should consider it, Zoe,” Circe said.
“Are you serious?”
“Why wouldn’t I be? You’ve done a lot for this town and people love you,” Circe said.
“I dunno about that. Did you see the way Lorelei was looking at me? Somehow, I doubt she’d be thrilled to support me,” I said.
“You don’t need to win everyone over in order to win the election,” Circe said.
She had a point.
“This is nuts. I’ve only been here, what, a little more than a month? There are plenty of better-qualified witches in town than me. For Lilith’s sake, I don’t even know how to use this thing,” I said as I drew my wand from my robes, which I’d had for just about a week.
Circe pushed my wand away from her face.
“Well, the first rule, never point your wand at someone unless you intend to use it, dear,” Circe said, smiling.
“Sorry,” I said and pocketed it again before I put someone’s eye out — or turned them into a frog.
“In any case, I’m sure Raina would be happy to take you on for lessons again if you did decide to run,” Circe said.
“Your sister’s done more than enough favors for me, I couldn’t ask her for another,” I said. Had it not been for the Headmistress of the Veilside Academy of Magic, I wouldn’t even have a wand in the first place.
“You don’t have to decide now. Take some time to think about it. Of course, I’ll support your run if it comes to that,” Circe said, her smile widening. “Anyway, we’d better get back out there before anyone starts suspecting things.”
She stood and led me back out into the hall, which was full of noise as people shuffled their bodies and chairs.
“Thanks for the heads up,” I said.
“Anytime,” Circe said, and I took the opportunity to leave before anyone else had a chance to stop me. Outside, the fresh air was barely enough to keep me from floating away in my thoughts again.
I needed to call Grandma Elle to tell her the bad news before I went back to the office, but the thought of actually doing it made my skin crawl. Elle was so excited to come and see me, my friends, and my new life in Moon Grove — and now I had to call her and ruin it.
The Council must’ve had their reasons for voting against me, but it still made me feel like I’d overestimated how highly they thought of me.
I dug my phone out of my bag and tapped to Grandma Elle’s contact card. My finger hovered over the “call” button. What could I say? Elle knew her visit was subject to the Council’s approval, so she’d probably understand, but I knew she’d be crushed.
She wasn’t the only one.
Sighing, I tapped the call button and held the phone to my ear but barely heard the ring over the whooshing of anxious blood pumping in my veins.
“Hey, Sugar,” Grandma answered, her accent sweeter than apple pie and, as usual, I could see the smile on her face in my mind. The image was bittersweet.
“Hey, Gram.”
“I reckon you’re callin’ cuz you’ve got good news fer me?” Grandma asked.
My voice caught in my throat like grits.
“Sugar? You there?”
“Yes and no,” I said when I found my tongue again.
“What’s that mean? You’re either there or you ain’t.”
“No, I meant I have good and bad news. I went in front of the Council just now like I said I was going to, so that’s the good news,” I said. The line went silent for a few moments, interrupted only by the crackle of static.
“And the bad news?” Grandma asked. My heart hammered in the back of my throat like it was trying to climb its way out of me, and I couldn’t bring myself to say it. My phone slipped down my ear thanks to the sweat on my palm.
“Just kidding, there isn’t any bad news, you’re welcome to come,” I said, hating myself as soon as the lie slipped out of my mouth — which had turned so dry it hurt to speak.
“Really?!” Grandma shouted. “Oh my Lord, Zoe, that’s great news! I’m so excited! When should I make my way over?”
“I can get you on a bus here tomorrow,” I said, unable to believe myself as I kept the lie going. But what was I supposed to do? I’d already told Gram she could come and if I admitted I’d been lying, she’d never forgive me.
Then again, there wasn’t any way to hide the truth if and when she got here.
“Are you sure? That seems awful quick,” Grandma said.
“I’m sure, Gram,” I said, not at all sure.
I’d just have to figure it all out when she got here. Maybe once the Council got to know her they’d know Grandma wasn’t any risk at all. Besides, between all the people I’d helped them lock up for murder and all the residents I’d saved as a result, they owed me a favor.
“I’ll book the ticket for you when I get home from work in a bit,” I said, making a mental note to ask Flora, my fairy roommate and co-worker who’d no doubt be upset with me for lying, to help me get a seat on the Silver Bullet bus for Gram. As for where Elle would sleep, well, I’d have to figure that out later too.
“I can’t wait to see you, Sugar. You wouldn’t believe me if I told ya how much I’ve missed you and that little black varmint cat of yours,” Grandma said.
“We’ve missed you too, Gram. The farm’s boring enough when we’re there, I can’t imagine how mind-numbing it must be without us to entertain you,” I said.
“I’m gonna pretend I didn’t hear that young lady,” Grandma said and I laughed, realizing how badly I wanted to see her. “Anywho, I reckon I better light a fire under this old rump and start packin’ or I ain’t never gonna get there.”
“Okay. Just make sure you’re at the Lumberton bus station first thing in the morning and look out for a big silver bus. You’ll know it when you see it,” I said.
“Does that mean it’s gonna be packed full of Pagans?” Grandma asked and I laughed.
“What is it with you and the Pagans, anyway?”
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Grandma sighed
. “Guess that means I need to make sure I pack as many crosses as I can.”
“Whatever helps you sleep, Gram,” I said. “Listen, I need to get back to work. I’ll email you the ticket to print out later. Let me know if you run into any hiccups.”
“Zoe, Sugar, I’m about to board a bus goin’ to a town full of witches, psychics, and Lord only knows what other dark-sided deviants. There’s darn sure gonna be hiccups,” Grandma said.
“I know. Just take it easy, say an extra prayer tonight if you think it’ll help,” I said.
“You can bet yer keister I will,” Grandma said.
“Good. I love you, Gram. Talk to you tomorrow.”
“Love you too,” Grandma said and clicked off the line.
I stood staring at my phone knowing I’d made a terrible mistake and that I couldn’t take it back now.
But even if I could, I wouldn’t have. I was going to see Grandma Elle and that was all that mattered.
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The Magic & Mystery Series
1. Broomsticks and Burials
2. Spellbooks and Stakings
3. Alchemy and Arson
4. Heists and Homicides
5. Covens and Coffins
6. Vampires and Vanishings
About the Author
Lily Webb lives in the Pacific Northwest with her two cats, Hilda and Zelda, where she spends her time reading and writing all things paranormal. An aspiring witch herself, Lily’s always been fascinated by the magical powers of the written word.
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