Magic Rising (2 page)

From Etoile, that was praise indeed, and I warmed even more as my eyes caught the framed photograph of my parents. I barely remembered them. What little I did remember might have just been my imagination from studying their photos. They were both witches right up until their deaths. I wanted them to be proud of me, wherever they were now, whether they watched over me or had their peace. But this was no time for sadness. Now was the time for celebrations and parties. I passed the final exam in a long stream of challenging skill tests that Evan and Etoile created for me to prove my mettle.

I beamed. “Thank you.” Slipping from under Evan’s arm, I crossed over and hugged her. “Thank you for everything,” I said softly.

“My pleasure.” Etoile stepped back, placing her hands on my shoulders. “You’ve been an excellent student.”

“You’re a good teacher.”

“Never again,” she said emphatically. She adjusted the lapel of her jacket and thrust her chin upwards. “I’m going out on a win.”

I hugged her again. She had served me as my rescuer, my teacher and my mentor, and sometimes at her own peril and great cost to herself. Now she was just my friend. Words couldn’t possibly convey what she meant to me. When I stepped back, I noticed the bags by the door. It was funny really, the way we often kept to old conventions like leaving our bags by the door when we prepared to depart. Except Etoile wouldn’t even need to open the door; she never did if she didn’t want to. She would
shimmer
with all of her luggage wherever she needed to go.

“Are you really leaving?” I asked, looking at the suitcase. The briefest moment of panic made me want to insist that she stay, but Etoile never shied from her duties and I knew the Summit meant a lot to her. As one of the leading families, the last generation of the House of Winterstorm, she took her role very seriously. Lately, I’d been wondering if it might be far too seriously. She was going to the city at every opportunity. Part of me was a little afraid she might not ever come back. Maybe it was selfish of me, but I liked having her as a roomie.

Etoile looked resigned as she pursed her lips. “You know I have to. There’s a lot to prepare before the Summit.”

“I wish you would tell me what’s going on. All these trips to New York…” I trailed off. I’d asked before, but it hadn’t gotten me anywhere. Kitty was just as puzzled, and Evan didn’t seem too certain either, except he pointed out that Etoile came from a long line of witches and one of the highest houses. She probably had to keep up appearances, especially given the political storm that was brewing ever since the last leadership was disposed. Although I wondered if there were other problems I didn’t know about, I knew I had to be supportive. The Winterstorms offered their protection to me when I was threatened, and without a family. Now it was a time of great uncertainty and the only leadership from the Council was a skeletal government. It made me a potential target for other witches who were seeking power in the run-up to the Summit. Or, in the case of Georgia Thomas, bullying her way into power. I shuddered. Seeing the necromancer again wasn’t up there with any of the things I looked forward to most about the Summit.

“You mustn’t worry.” Etoile drew me to the sofa and we sat. Evan took the armchair opposite, stretching his long legs, studiously pretending not to take an interest in the discussion. I watched as he plucked another stray thorn from his leg. The shrill blast of the phone made us all jump, then laugh. Apparently, we were all on edge.

“I’ll get it,” said Kitty, heading into the kitchen in search of the offending handset.

“I just have to help with some preparations,” explained Etoile. “Do you remember Steven Haller?”

I nodded. Steven was one of the first witches I’d ever met. He was a dapper, old gentleman and the executor of my parents’ affairs when they passed. If it weren’t for the box he’d given me when we were first introduced, I would never have received the deed or key for my parents’ house. In my mind, that meant I owed him a debt of gratitude.

Etoile continued, “He said he looked forward to seeing you again.”

“I didn’t know you saw him.” I reached for the cardigan, which was draped over the back of the sofa, and wrapped it around me.

“I’ve seen lots of people. We’ll visit him when you get there. You have the instructions?”

I called the invitation that was sitting on the mantelpiece, and smiled as it materialised in my palm. Opening it, I withdrew the card inside. Tucked beside it was the address Etoile had given me, along with my travel tickets. “Are you sure you don’t mind me staying in your apartment?” I asked. Despite being more than a little curious about Etoile‘s space, a place I’d never been, it was only polite to ask again, although I hoped she wouldn’t change her mind. Staying in my friend’s home seemed a lot nicer and cosier than taking a room at the hotel where the Summit was being held.

Etoile echoed my own thoughts. “Not at all. It’s much more inviting than staying at the hotel with the other attendees, and more private too.”

“It’s not for another week though. Do you have to go now? It would be nice to just hang out a while.”

“I’d rather get there early. Besides, don’t you want some…” Etoile‘s voice dropped and she mentally transmitted the rest of her thought, “
time alone with Evan?”

I shrugged and nodded as I slid a sideways glance at him.
Of course I do.
Kitty planned to visit friends for the next couple of days, and was spending the evening with Ryan, a werewolf she was dating. With Etoile in New York, I would have some precious time alone with Evan. We made a pact to spend more time together, but it wasn’t always easy. Living in a house of four meant little alone time, so, since returning home, we’d gone to Evan’s house, across the country, for some private time beyond our regular dates. Frankly, I was starting to think Evan was pretty brave living in a house with three women, never mind witches. What he really wanted was for us to live alone one day, preferably sooner than later, although we still had a few issues as to where. I wanted to stay in the house I inherited from my parents. It was the first place I’d really thought of as home; and he wanted to live in Texas, from which his business primarily operated. The travelling between the two places was a concession of sorts. Given that Evan’s job would soon take him away for a while, as well as the upcoming Summit, any time alone with him was a bonus. Plus, now there were no more lessons to be had, we both could enjoy more free time together.

“Thought so,” said Etoile with a knowing look. She got to her feet just as Kitty bounced back into the room. “What’s got you all peppy? Oh, let me guess. It’s that wolf?”

Kitty stuck her tongue out. “Actually no, it was Annalise reminding us about our housewarming party tonight.”

Etoile pulled a face, then buried her head in her hands. “I forgot!”

“So, stay another night,” said Evan, rolling his head back to look at her. He held up five lethal-looking thorns, then closed them in his palm. When he reopened his hand, they were gone.

Etoile glanced at her bags with a stricken look of indecision on her face; then she sighed. “I really can’t. Stella, you’ll have to apologise profusely for me. And I’ll send a gift.” She paused and lifted an eyebrow. “What’s the proper housewarming gift for a wolf?”

“Flowers,” I suggested. “A new vase? How would I know?” Annalise’s relocation to a new house had not been altogether unexpected. When I returned home from England, she confided in me that during the time in which she’d been held captive, she realised how much she wanted to be with Beau, her hulking wall of a boyfriend. Though they were taking it slow, due in part to Annalise’s bad previous marriage, she told me that she knew more than ever that Beau was the man for her. They decided to cohabitate a week later. When they finally found a house that suited them, I helped pack up her things. Now, my only neighbour on Shadow Wood Lane was her brother, Gage, who remained at the house. Between his work, his girlfriend, Michelle, and his avoidance of me, I hadn’t seen very much of him lately.

Etoile patted my knee as she got up. “I’ll work it out. See you in one week!” She blew air kisses at me, then Kitty, and quite unexpectedly reached over to ruffle Evan’s short crop of hair. He smiled up at her, but I noticed an expression of worry in the little creases around his eyes. “I’ll look after her in the big, bad city. I promise,” she said to him, trying to strike a note of amusement at his obvious concern. She shimmered, bags and all, leaving only a faint trace of magic in her wake.

“I know Etoile said the Summit was going to be dull,” Kitty said, “but I still wish I was going too.” She grabbed her jacket from the rack by the door and shrugged it on. “On the plus side, I won’t have to suck up to any stuck-up witches. Remember, six p.m. at Annalise and Beau’s place. Don’t be late!” she called as she searched for her keys.

I checked my watch. “Never mind late, you’re going to be early.”

“Not hardly. I’m meeting Ryan first. We’ll go together.” She held her keys up. “Found them. Later, lovebirds!” In a flash of doors opening, and a whirl of curly hair and a pink sweater, Kitty slammed out.

I rounded the armchair and allowed Evan to pull me onto his knee. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I murmured. “Guess what?”

“What?”

Giving an exaggerated look over my shoulder, then back to him, I said, “Whole place to ourselves.”

He pretended to look around too. “So we do,” he said, smiling.

“You want to do that thing you said you were going to do if you caught me in your trap?”

A smile spread across Evan’s lips and his eyes turned dusky. “You bet.”

TWO

Annalise and Beau rented a narrow, two-story house with a red-painted door half way into town on Oak Street, named for the trees flanking both sides of the road. Why they chose the house was evident the moment one stepped into the backyard and saw the thick tangle of trees, bordering the rear of the property. Heading north led right past the werewolves’ clubhouse, the Loup Garou, and a little further on, the woods ended by my house. I surmised it was the ideal compromise, giving them the privacy they wanted, as well as providing the bond to nature and their kind that they needed.

Given the ordeal she’d been through when she was kidnapped by the Brotherhood, I had to give her kudos for taking her life in both hands and thoroughly embracing it. Beau had no problem leaving the apartment he lived in, in favour of the sweet, little house that now bore Annalise’s mark. Evidence of her handicrafts and decorating were everywhere in the house from the crocheted throw to the hand-sewn pillows randomly strewn on the sofa. Beau didn’t seem to mind the colour, the florals or the fun prints one bit. He was every inch a man’s man and had no need to prove it. Better still, he was hers and that seemed to be just fine by him too.

Annalise had big news for me.

“It’s beautiful,” I breathed as I held her left hand in mine to admire the sparkling ring on her ring finger. “I’m so happy for you.”

Annalise linked her arm through Beau’s, her smile radiant, and he kissed the top of her head gently. Beau was a big man — a former Marine, (although I wasn’t sure how he managed that, since he was also a werewolf like her) but he had innate grace. It seemed like he was all too aware how easily he could crush a body if he weren’t careful. Though they had been high school sweethearts, their reunion was recent and full-bore. I liked him a lot.

“The wedding will be in two months,” she told me. “Why wait? And I want you to be bridesmaid.”

My heart swelled with pride. “Really?”

“Absolutely. You’re my best friend. I won’t hear anything but ‘yes’ for an answer.”

“Then, yes!” I dropped her hand. “Did I mention how happy I am for you? For you both?”

“I think you did.” Annalise giggled.

“Ever been to a werewolf wedding?” asked Beau. He didn’t bother dropping his voice. Glancing around, I judged most of the guests tonight were wolves, and those that weren’t certainly knew about them. It was surprising in a town like Wilding that everyone didn’t know. Their signatures were evident everywhere, from the high school wolf mascot to the symbols of moons all over the place. Aside from their population, there were Kitty and I, the only witches, and Evan, the only daemon in town. As far as we knew, he was the only one of his kind most of us had ever met. Demons and daemons, who were products of liaisons between humans and demons, were not the friendliest species, from what I understood, and preferred to keep to their own. I never quite figured out why all the other supernatural beings were so wary of his kind, but he was nevertheless quite welcome here in Wilding.

Right now, I was watching Evan from across the room, who was deep in discussion with a wolf I vaguely recognised. Behind him was Gage, and his girlfriend Michelle Dunphy, a red-headed wolf who proved an ally when the Brotherhood assaulted us. That fateful day was months ago. She raised a hand and waved to me, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes. She didn’t seem genuinely pleased to see me. I waved back regardless, just to be polite, and was glad to see the cast gone from her wrist. We were little more than acquaintances. She visited Gage at his place a few times since they started dating; and I saw her coming out of his house very early in the morning, only a couple of days ago. Gage looked up at Michelle’s wave and nodded at me. I mouthed “Hi,” but he quickly turned away, and smiled at something Michelle said. It cut me a little. He once told me some things that couldn’t be taken back; and although I didn’t reciprocate, I still had a lot of affection for him. If losing his friendship helped him move on, then I couldn’t stop him, even if I didn’t like it.

I listened to what Annalise was saying, something about the ceremony being under a full moon.

“It sounds wonderful,” I said.

“And the partying goes on all night,” she added.

“You’re not going to rip off your dress and go furry, are you?”

“Hah! No.” She knocked me on the arm. “We do that tomorrow night. It doesn’t really have to be full moon, but it’s supposed to be auspicious, and you know how we love the moon.”