The Uptown Witch

by Chandelle LaVaun

  She frowned and shrugged. “It’s different for rich kids, we spend a lot of time alone or with older kids. Especially here in the city.”

  My heart hurt for her and the loneliness she hid so well. “I’m sorry—"

  “Don’t be. Here.” She handed me a black wool coat with shiny gold buttons. “Thanks to you, my aunt and uncle have realized how distant they became and they’re actually hanging out with me. AND I have SOMA, with a ton of new friends. Plus, I have you now. You’re like the sister I never had.”

  That made me smile. I slid the coat on then pulled Amelia in for a big hug. “You’re like a sister to me, too. And ya know what? I’d love for you to join us tonight at dinner.”

  Amelia gasped, her violet eyes widened. “Really??”

  I nodded. “Yep. Really. So go get dressed, I’m going to go invite Heather and Sebastien.”

  “THANK YOU!” She did a little happy dance then sprinted out of the room. “I’LL BE READY IN FIVE MINUTES.”

  I chuckled and shook my head. Now time to invite Heather. My stomach flipped, but I couldn’t take it back now. So without letting myself overthink it any longer, I turned and headed out of Deacon’s room. My stiletto heels clicked and clacked down the hall, echoing off the walls as I walked. When I got to his parents’ suite, I stopped and knocked on the doors.

  Then waited with my heart in my throat.

  You’re doing the right thing.

  You’re showing her no hard feelings.

  This is how it should be.

  The door opened and I sucked in a deep breath.

  Deacon appeared in the doorway.

  My breath left me in a rush. “Deacon.”

  He grinned and leaned against the door frame. “Hello, my love. You look ready to go...and we match.”

  I glanced down at his outfit and my lips curved into a smile. We did match. He wore all black - which wasn’t his norm - and he was dazzling in it. His shirt was definitely silk. I’d gotten used to noticing the difference with Royce. The buttons and cuff links were gold, as were the studs covering his black dress shoes.

  “You look ravishing.”

  He chuckled and shrugged one shoulder. “Why, thank you. Right back at ya. So, were you looking for me?”

  I bit my lip and shook my head. “I wanted to invite your parents to dinner tonight.”

  “Oh, really?” Sebastian leaned in beside his son and grinned. He was wearing a gray three-piece suit. “Where are you going?”

  “Marriciana’s,” Deacon answered.

  Sebastien’s face lit up. “Ohhhh. Yep. We’re coming. Or at least I am. HEATHER GET YOUR SHOES ON!”

  I chuckled. “Where is she? May I?”

  “Yes, of course. Go ahead.” He tapped Deacon’s arm and stepped into the hall. “Son, let’s go look at that before we leave?”

  “Meet you at the elevator.” Deacon kissed my forehead then followed his father.

  Once they were halfway down the hall my nerves came rushing back. But I couldn’t let myself linger in the hall or they’d get the best of me. So I charged inside with my pulse hammering through my veins.

  “…yes, thank you. I’ll check back in first thing tomorrow morning.” Heather hung up her phone while pushing papers around like she was searching for something in particular. Without looking up, she said, “what did you say, Sebastien?”

  “I believe he said for you to get your shoes on.”

  She gasped and looked up. “Oh. Emersyn. Sorry, I thought you were my husband. I didn’t hear you come in — well, you look lovely this evening. Those shoes suit you well.”

  My cheeks flushed. I tucked my hair behind my ears. “Oh, thank you.”

  “Where are you off to — wait, why did he tell me to put my shoes on?” She frowned.

  I chuckled. “Actually, the answer to both of those questions is the same. I came in here to see if you and Sebastien would like to join us for dinner this evening. Sebastien asked where we were going and then decided he was going whether you did or not.”

  She rolled her eyes and shook her head, but she was smirking. She leaned back in her seat. “Where are you going?”

  “Marriciana’s.”

  “OH.” She pushed her chair back and stood. “That makes sense given his reaction. Though, it’s usually for special occasions. It’s rather fancy, and that’s saying a lot coming from me.”

  My stomach dropped. “Yeah, I’m scared now. Amelia helped me pick a dress but maybe it’s not nice enough —”

  “The Chanel?” She asked. I must’ve made a face because she smiled and pointed to my legs. “I can see the material below your coat. It’s the backless black one, right?”

  I nodded.

  “I remember you getting that one last month, I assure you it will be perfectly acceptable for Marriciana’s.” She stepped around the table and I saw that she was, in fact, barefoot. “Although I am not dressed accordingly. I would love to join you. I can be ready in five minutes – just need to change my dress. That okay?”

  “Yes. Yes, of course.”

  She smiled. “So, what is the occasion? I’m assuming my son picked the place, and he wouldn’t have done so without a reason. He is my son, after all.” She chuckled.

  I tried to laugh with her, but it came out as a sigh. “Honestly? My ex-boyfriend. The one I broke up with back in early August before I officially joined The Coven, back when I thought I was human. Today at lunch, Deacon and I ran into him and his parents at SOMA. Apparently they’re shifters. They invited us to dinner, and Deacon said yes.”

  She shook her head, while grinning. “Oh, this will be fun. My son is clearly experiencing some jealousy. It’s good for him.”

  I cursed. “Fantastic.”

  “Really, Emersyn, this is good for him.” She smiled. “Though I’m surprised you want us to meet your ex.”

  I shrugged. “Well his parents are coming so I just…I don’t know…thought it’d be nice to have my family with me. I mean, Deacon is my soulmate so y’all are kinda my family now, too.”

  Heather’s smile widened to a full-on grin. She walked up beside me and wrapped her arm around my shoulders in a very motherly fashion. “We are your family now, Emersyn. Happy to be so, too. And if this ex of yours is a shifter attending school in my city then it’ll be nice to meet him. Now, why don’t you go make sure Amelia hasn’t destroyed her closet while deciding what to wear, and I’ll meet you by the elevator in five minutes?”

  “Okay. Great. Thank you. See you in a few.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Emersyn

  “Wait, Em…” Amelia frowned up at me. “Are you wearing your hair like that?”

  I ran my fingers through the ends. “Um…yeah? Why? What’s wrong with it?”

  Amelia rolled her eyes and hopped over to the seat beside me. She dug into her little sequin purse and pulled out some bobby pins. “I know what dress you’re wearing. Your hair must be up. I’ll do it.”

  Deacon narrowed his eyes on my coat like he was trying to see through it. But I tried not to pay attention to that or I’d never be able to take this coat off. I was having major second thoughts about this dress despite both Heather and Amelia’s approval. Except Deacon wasn’t taking his eyes off me and the heat of his gaze was too distracting for my own good. Amelia was busy pinning my hair up and his parents were discussing some work matter.

  I pulled my phone out and opened up the group chat with Tegan, Bettina, Lennox, Royce, and Henley that I’d started earlier after seeing Chris. UPDATE. WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO A RESTAURANT THAT HEATHER THINKS IS TOO FANCY FOR NORMAL OCCASIONS AND IM NOT WEARING A BRA.

  My kind of gal, Henley sent back with a winking emoji.

  Lennox sent the emoji of a brunette girl shrugging, I haven’t worn a bra in two years.

  DID I MENTION ITS A HALTER DRESS? BACKLESS?!

  Tegan and Bettina sent a stream of GIFs full of Cardi B, eyebrow wagging, and various types of dancing.

  What are you trying to do to my p
oor cousin? Royce asked. Followed immediately by, asking so I know how to advise you to proceed...

  Then he sent emojis of an eggplant and a peach. I frowned. What does that mean - OH. Oh, Lord baby Jesus.

  ROYCE.

  Actually NONE of you are helping. Amelia made me wear this.

  Sooo let Deacon take it off? Tegan sent with the smiling devil emoji.

  Just not inside the restaurant... Bettina said.

  Don’t listen to my best friend, her BF is British. He wouldn’t.

  Oh, but Tenn WOULD? Lennox sent with laughing emojis.

  Bettina sent the emoji of the monkey covering its ears. EW NOT MY BROTHER. I’M NOT READY TO HEAR THESE THINGS.

  Tenn here…for the record, I have never, Tennessee said from Tegan’s phone.

  HAVEN NOT HELPING!

  That didn’t sound like he wouldn’t… Lennox said.

  CHALLENGE ACCEPTED. Tegan sent back.

  Wait which restaurant? Royce asked.

  Marriciana’s.

  Oooooooh shit. Their bathrooms are single use and large enough for two.

  Dude is tryin’ to get y’all arrested. Lennox said.

  They’re rich enough to make bail even without Deacon’s magic. Henley said with a winking face.

  Tenn here again. In other news, we’ll be holding a lesson on not abusing our power right after Yule.

  “Okay, all done. This should do it.” Amelia sounded pleased with her work.

  The limo pulled over to the side of the busy street and my pulse fluttered. ALRIGHT Y’ALL AREN’T HELPING AT ALL. WE’RE HERE NOW. G2G. PRAY FOR ME….AND DEACON.

  Then I shoved my phone into my little Chanel clutch so I wouldn’t be tempted to look at their responses.

  Deacon climbed out of the limo then held his hand out for me. I placed my hand in his and let him pull me to my feet on the street. Bitter, ice-cold air whipped down the street like we were in a wind tunnel. I hissed and pulled my coat tighter. Only my neck, hands, and ankles were uncovered but that was far too much for this weather. I didn’t know why women tortured themselves to look all fancy once the temperature dropped to single digits. If it were me, I’d live in fleece-lined pants and Ugg boots, and about five sweaters under my coat.

  And I was naturally warm from my fire magic.

  But this five-degree nonsense was bullshit.

  Why do people live here?

  Deacon gripped my elbow and rushed us inside the grand, gold-trimmed revolving doors. Thick, warm air slammed into me and I actually sighed. Out loud. My body tingled as it tried to thaw out just from those fifteen feet of exposure. Deacon chuckled and put his hand on the small of my back then led me over to where a young guy stood next to a big closet. He wore a black suit and a name tag that I couldn’t read because my eyeballs were frozen.

  The guy smiled wide and held his hands out. “I’ll take your coats.”

  I frowned. I was still cold. I didn’t want to give it up.

  But Deacon already had his off. Amelia bounced right over to the guy and handed him her coat. I glanced to my left and found Heather and Sebastien already unbuttoning theirs. Dammit. Okay, act cool. I cleared my throat and slowly began unbuttoning my double-breasted wool coat that was super warm. I stalled, pretending to be stuck on a button while I soaked in as much warmth as I could – knowing my dress did nothing to fight the cold.

  “Emersyn?”

  I looked up and found Deacon holding his hand out in front of me. Fine. Stupid backless, sleeveless dress. I yanked it off of me like I was ripping off a band-aid, then held it out to Deacon. He took it and turned back to the coat-checker-dude while goosebumps attacked my bare skin. I balled my fists at my sides and summoned my flames just enough to fill my hands with heat but not enough for any wandering human eyes.

  Deacon thanked the coat guy then turned toward me. “All right, we’re all set. Let’s go inside and—” Deacon choked on his words and his eyes bugged out wide.

  I held my breath, waiting for his reaction.

  His gaze traveled down my body slowly, then back up with his mouth hanging open. He blinked and licked his lips. Then his jaw dropped again. “I…I…um…”

  My heart sank. “You don’t like it?”

  “Are — are you…” Deacon cleared his throat and stepped closer to me. His gaze dropped down then shot back up to my face, his cheeks flushed. “Are you not…are you…”

  Oh. I smirked and shrugged one shoulder, going for nonchalant. “In this dress? Nope, not wearing one.”

  He groaned and ran his hand through his hair. “Oh Goddess, please don’t run in that —wait no — please do run in that. Or skip. Do jumping jacks? The Bend and Snap?”

  I giggled and turned away from him so he wouldn’t see the burning redness in my cheeks — the proof of what kind of effect he had on me.

  “Oh, dammit woman.”

  “What?” I glanced over my shoulder and found him scrubbing his face with his hands and shaking his head. “What are you mumbling over there? Got a problem with my dress?”

  He narrowed his eyes and waved his hands. “Don’t look over your shoulder at me like a pinup doll, not when I have to be civilized.”

  “Emersyn?”

  I spun at the sound of Chris’s voice…and found him standing just inside the door, with his parents behind him. All three of them stared at me with wide eyes and raised eyebrows. Chris looked me up and down – his jaw dropped.

  “Oh…hi…” I walked closer while running my hands over my dress. “Chris. Joyce and Paul.”

  Joyce smiled and gave me a hug. “Oh, honey, you look beautiful.”

  “Thank you, Joyce.”

  “Yeah…yeah, you look…” Chris’s gaze lingered just like Deacon’s had except I didn’t want his to. “Very pretty.”

  Paul cleared his throat and pointedly looked away from me. “This is some place you got here, kiddo. Glad I packed my slacks.”

  “Are we dressed okay for here?” Joyce whispered.

  They wore classy, simple clothes. Their outfits weren’t expensive or designer. I didn’t even need to look at the garment tags to know. I knew them. I’d never seen them in something other than cotton and tonight wasn’t an exception. Although, given what I’d recently learned about shifters and their clothing, it suddenly made a lot more sense.

  “You’re dressed fine. Plus, you’re with us.” Deacon gestured toward the wooden doors. “Follow us and we’ll get to a table.”

  I smiled at them, then started toward the door. Deacon stepped up beside me and pressed his hand to the small of my back. My bare back. The heat of his skin sent warmth floating through my limbs. I peeked over my shoulder – Chris stared at Deacon’s hand like it was a monster about to attack him.

  The second we stepped through the wooden double doors, Paul whistled under his breath.

  “There you are, I was just about to come looking.” Heather smiled and stepped forward in her classic black Louboutin pump. She also wore a black dress, but hers was a turtleneck and the material wasn’t as clingy.

  Sebastien was still in his gray three-piece suit, and Amelia wore pink glittery ankle boots with a little black dress of her own.

  I turned to our guests then gestured toward Deacon’s parents. “This is Deacon’s family, they’re joining us for dinner this evening. This is Heather, his mother. Sebastien, his father. And Amelia, his first cousin extraordinaire.”

  They all shook hands and smiled.

  “Madame English?”

  Heather spun around to the waiter at the door. “Yes, we’re ready now. Please lead the way.”

  We followed her in silence into a beautiful dining room filled with soft golden light from low hanging crystal chandeliers. Spread throughout the room were large white tables that had to seat at least ten. Heather led us to a table then gestured for us to sit. Deacon pulled my chair out, so I slid onto the cool leather seat.

  “Good evening, friends,” a middle-aged waitress said with a soft drawl as she stepped up to
the table. “May I get you something to drink?”

  “Kendall Jackson chardonnay, please,” Heather said softly.

  Sebastien smiled. “Oh, you know, I think I’ll have the same this evening.”

  “Coke for me, please?” Amelia grinned at me.

  I met the waitress’s eyes. “Coke as well, thanks.”

  Deacon pursed his lips. “Sprite. Thanks.”

  “Same here.” Chris nodded like this was a major sign of approval or something.

  Paul lifted his finger into the air. “Jack and coke, ma’am.”

  “Do you have sweet ice tea?”

  “Sweet tea?” The waitress frowned and shook her head. “No, we don’t do that here.”

  Joyce groaned. “Oh, darn. Well, all right, I suppose I’ll have a ginger ale. Thanks.”

  “Excellent, thank you.” The waitress stepped back. “I’ll be right back with those.”

  Three more waiters came rushing over with white linen covered carts full of food. None of us spoke as they began picking up the plates and placing them all in the middle of the table. Each was a long white plate offering different lightweight snacks —from a cheese selection, vegetables and dips, caviar, and even shrimp cocktails served in glass goblets.

  The waitress returned carrying a massive tray that held each of our drinks of choice in glass cups. She quickly sat them down, then hurried away.

  “What kind of place is this?” Chris asked with a frown.

  Deacon chuckled softly. “This is the first room. We have finger foods here before moving into the main dining room to order proper appetizers and entrees.”

  “I’m sorry, did you say the first room?” Chris’s eyes widened. “How many rooms are there?”

  “Only the two.” Sebastien loosened the button on his sleeve. “This room and then the main dining room. After dinner, this room serves as a post-meal dessert room.”

  Just then two waiters who had to be my age wheeled white linen-covered carts up to our table.

  It was my turn to frown. “What is this?”

  “Create your own salmon toast.” Deacon gestured to the items on the plates. “First you pick what you’d like – salmon, bread crackers, eggs, capers, etc. Then they make it right here for you.”