Baffling Blend Page 10

  That’s a lot of sides. Is there a chance to cut some corners and make a circle?

  Leo was already talking with his mouth full, and now I was second-guessing bringing along all the edibles and treats.

  “Rowena isn’t going to be happy that Rye excluded her from this plan,” Liam warned, and rightly so. Aunt Rowena could be vindictive, but I was banking on her love for Rye to prevent her automatic reaction to burn everything to the ground. He was basically her son, by all accounts. That meant anything he said or did could be forgiven. Me? Not so much. “I don’t like this, Raven.”

  Me, either. Let’s turn around.

  “It was bound to happen sooner or later.” I drove slowly through the first stop sign in town, flipping on my turn signal in order to head toward Rye’s house. “Why else would Nan have crossed the veil to leave me that note about the necklace? It clearly comes into play somehow.”

  “Be careful,” Liam advised with a soft tone that he only ever used when wanting to convey how much he cared for me. My chest warmed, and this time it had nothing to do with my necklace. “And listen to your instincts.”

  The good ol’ sheriff must have forgotten who he was talking to, because your instincts have been known to malfunction a time or two…maybe three. Who am I kidding? I think the count is up in the three-figure region.

  “I will,” I promised before disconnecting the call. I could see Rye walking from his porch to his truck, giving me a wave that the plan was still a go. “Leo, hop up front with me. What can you tell me about Bridget?”

  I know what you’re up to, and it’s not going to work. I can talk to you from back here in catnip paradise. Is that…it is! My bag of pumpkin flavored catnip from All Hallows’ Eve!

  “Leo, I haven’t checked any of the expiration dates on those bags,” I warned, settling in behind Rye as he took the side street all the way down near the cemetery so that we wouldn’t be seen driving through the heart of Paramour Bay. The residents would immediately begin making assumptions, and then our lives would be seen twirling down the drain. “You said last night that you remembered Bridget, and you even mentioned her last name—Gablore. I looked up her lineage this morning, but the information on her family was pretty sparse.”

  Expiration date?

  “What do you remember about her?”

  What do you mean by expiration date?

  “Leo, everything has an expiration date on it these days.” I flipped on my turn signal once again when Rye made a left past the Paramour Bay Inn. The temperature was still rather on the cold side, so Gertie wasn’t sitting on the front porch like she usually did in the summer. Within seconds, we’d passed by the population sign and were on our way to the entrance ramp of the highway that would lead us to Windsor. “When did you first meet Bridget?”

  I could hear the bags and containers of catnip being swatted back and forth as Leo began to frantically search for those expiration dates. It was too late to undo the anxiety I’d caused him about food poisoning, so I tried to get comfortable for the long ride ahead.

  The ringing of my phone had me immediately tensing in apprehension that Rye and I hadn’t been fast enough in reaching Windsor. What if it was Beetle calling to tell me that my mother was…

  That’s what I’m going to be if you allowed me to ingest expired catnip.

  Relief flowed through me at the sight of Mom written across the lighted display of my phone. I answered and made sure the call was on speakerphone so that I could pay attention to the road.

  “Mom, are you having a good time?”

  “I was,” my mother replied in that all-knowing tone that took me back to my childhood. “Until I received a phone call from Beverly that the teashop hasn’t been opened since yesterday morning and that you’re currently following Rye out of town. Is there something you’d like to share with me?”

  So that’s what they mean when they say mothers have eyes everywhere…

  “I don’t have anything to share with you right now,” I replied, already accepting that there was no way I could pull one over on my mother. She would just have to remain in the dark. I was betting that she would be very cautious about what she said and did in front of Beetle. “Let’s just say it’s a surprise and leave it at that. How did you like the inn? Was it as nice as you thought it was going to be?”

  We’re in luck, Raven. Not one edible or treat bag is expired. I’ve sorted them out by dates, though. This way, I’ll consume those that expire first and so on. You might want to tell your mother about these expiration dates so that she can pass on this little nugget of information to my BFF.

  “Don’t you dare change the subject, Raven Lattice Marigold,” my mother scolded harshly, all the while keeping her voice low. “What is going on? Is this about the dreamcatcher? Did you have another vision?”

  “It is about the dreamcatcher, and you’ll be pleased to know that we’ve taken care of that little problem.” I was rather proud of myself in how I was handling this conversation. Given that I was a horrible liar, I was doing pretty darn good in the truth area. “See? Now go and enjoy the rest of your day. You’re heading back tonight, right?”

  “We’ll be pulling in around nine o’clock,” my mother replied, though I could still tell that she was measuring my replies. “How did you take care of the dreamcatcher?”

  “I’ll tell you all about it when you get home tonight. Stop by the cottage for a cup of hot cocoa,” I suggested, noticing that Rye was already pulling onto the entrance ramp of the highway. “Drive safe!”

  I quickly disconnected before my mother could say another word, hearing Leo yawn after his adrenaline rush had dissipated after the expiration date fiasco. Now that I was reassured of her safety, all we had to do was convince the coven that this conflict between them could be resolved peacefully. The fact that this Bridget Gablore had been convinced by someone on the council to resort to murder had to be the stopping point, right?

  You’re assuming that the flower lady was casting dark magic at the behest of someone else. I remember her clearly now, and she was more like a Mrs. Frankenstein. The elders were always trying to rein her in from trying all the material components she could get her hands on. It was the reason the greenhouse caught fire a couple of times before my beloved Rosemary was excommunicated from the coven.

  “Bridget would have no reason to hurt Mom, would she?” I asked warily, not having considered the possibility that Bridget had an axe to grind with my mother. “Leo?”

  The lightest snore faintly reached my ears. Sure enough, a quick glance in the rearview mirror confirmed that the car ride had lulled him to sleep on top of all the bags and containers. He’d be out for most of the trip, which left me to figure out a few things—namely how could the coven split the Windsor Stone in two and what reason would Bridget have to utilize dark magic against my mother?

  Chapter Thirteen

  “I’m beginning to think this was a bad idea,” I murmured as both Rye and I stood in front of the five council members—Aunt Rowena included. The fact that she was arching her left brow in a manner that only a Marigold was known for had me wishing we’d thought this through a little more. “Maybe we should have brought your familiar. Leo would have at least had backup.”

  “Joey is out of the country at the moment,” Rye whispered back, watching the door open to reveal a few more witches and warlocks that I’d never met before. Considering this was only my second time to visit the coven, that wasn’t too surprising. “He’s working on something unrelated to this.”

  I wasn’t sure there would ever come a time when I sent Leo somewhere that far without me. We were a team, and we did things together.

  Well, right now he was looking for Aunt Rowena’s familiar.

  I don’t believe it was ever mentioned what kind of familiar she had, but it was clear that Leo didn’t trust him or her to not ambush him out of nowhere. His head appeared to be on a swivel. I made a mental note to follow up on why Joey was out of the country if we manag
ed to make it out of here today.

  The four council members were Merrick Bronach, Ruby, Angelica, and Aunt Rowena. There had been a fifth member before she’d committed the crime of kidnapping a familiar. Truthfully, we’d never heard what happened with Hestia or her familiar.

  The last time that I’d been in the presence of Merrick, Ruby, or Angelica had been when Leo and I had solved said kidnapping case. They all appeared to have aged in what could only be described as a bit haggard from this war that they seemed to believe needed to take place. I recalled Merrick saying during our previous encounter that they were losing the strength of their powers. Was it similar to what happened with Aunt Rowena earlier this week, or was there more to the story?

  I’ve changed my mind, Raven. You can keep my entire stash of catnip. I’m getting hives, my asthma is acting up, and I’m pretty sure there’s a tickle in my throat. That can only mean one thing—one of these power-hungry supernatural beings is trying to turn me into a toad.

  “Merrick was the elder who wanted to find out who my ancestors were, and he was willing to do whatever it took to do it.” Rye motioned to the four individuals in front of us that they should take seats in the numerous chairs available. He’d arranged two of them for us to be facing the others, but I was too nervous to sit down. “Angelica, too.”

  “Well, they are married,” I pointed out, noticing that the additional members of the coven who had joined us remained standing near the entrance. “You might have to stay later than me to clear all this up with Aunt Rowena. She looks like she’s ready to spit nails.”

  You’re assuming we’ll still be able to communicate by then. All we might be able to do is croak out a ribbit or two. This is not how I pictured myself going, Raven. How will Skippy get my farewell note?

  “Leo, have some confidence,” I said just as Rye cleared his throat. “Who are you looking for again? What’s his name?”

  Gus.

  The name rang a bell, but I couldn’t quite figure out where I’d heard it before. It was hard to concentrate with Angelica whispering what could only be horrible things about us to Merrick while Ruby sat in her chair with her lips pursed in annoyance. Rowena only came across as livid as she continued to try and capture Rye’s attention in an attempt to speak with him in private.

  Gus. He’s the Wicked Witch of Windsor’s familiar. I told you all about him. Trust me, you can’t miss him. I managed to avoid him the last time we were here, and I plan to do so again. Could we please hurry this up before I lose what’s left of my fur to warts?

  “Could I have everyone’s attention?” Rye called out as I continued to scan the small audience. Bridget Gablore was nowhere to be found. “What we have to say is important, and we’d like those in central roles here at the coven to be present. If memory serves correctly, we’re still missing quite a few witches and warlocks.”

  “You’re lucky that you have an audience at all, Mr. Dolgiram,” Merrick spoke up after clearing his throat and shooing Angelica out of his ear. “You left here without notice and removed yourself from our coven by choice. You have no place here anymore.”

  Okie dokie, then. The Windsor of Oz has spoken, so let’s be on our way.

  “In case you haven’t noticed, Warlock Bronarch, there is no coven,” Rye pointed out with a confidence that clearly surprised those on the council, with the exception of Aunt Rowena. She’d finally sat back in her chair with pride, and I realized that she had mistaken the reason for our visit. She thought that Rye had brought me along to announce that we were joining her side of the faction. “You’re splintered into pieces over the Windsor Stone, dangerous actions are being taken with the use of black magic, and there will be nothing left by the time either side is finished. Is that what you all want?”

  Do you recall how I was left behind to be your advisor? Well, here’s a little tidbit that would go a long way in extending our lives—it’s not wise to anger the most powerful wizard in a coven. I’m now realizing that I should have eaten the entire stash of premium catnip edibles and treats. What a colossal waste.

  The murmurs of concern that arose from the back were unmistakable. The witches and warlocks weren’t being told the full truth about the severity of the actions by the separated factions. As for Aunt Rowena, she appeared no longer certain of Rye’s intentions.

  “That is for the council to figure out, not you.” Merrick abruptly stood as if he wasn’t going to give us the chance to speak to the congregation. “This meeting is over.”

  Adjourned! Did you hear that, Raven? It’s time to go. One foot in front of the other. Is your leg broken or something?

  “Those of you in the back,” Rye addressed directly before Merrick could make a grand exit. “Did you know that a hex bag was placed at Rowena Marigold’s residence for the sole purpose to deplete her power?”

  I didn’t realize that the cheater didn’t know when to fold his hand. That’s good to know for our next poker game if we manage to get out of here without being turned into toads. They don’t have opposable thumbs to hold cards, you know.

  “The reason our power is waning has nothing to do with hex bags or black magic,” Merrick declared angrily, turning around once more to face us. “If Rowena has told you differently, then she is wrong and only wanting to escalate this war. I believe it’s time for the three of you to leave.”

  Who knew that I would end up agreeing with the Windsor of Oz?

  “We aren’t going anywhere until all those in the central roles here at the coven hear what we have to say,” I said loudly, despite the apprehension that was flowing through my veins as if they were slip and slides at a water park. “We have a solution to end the coven war, and it benefits both sides.”

  “Rye and Raven, I don’t think that…”

  “You know nothing of this coven and its…”

  “This is ridiculous, and we shouldn’t be catering to…”

  You certainly got the peanut gallery to pipe up, didn’t you? I think it’s important for you to know that I don’t like this side of you. Common sense seems to be nonexistent. Can the other Raven make an appearance so that we can exit stage right?

  “I’d like to hear what they have to say.”

  The surprising comment came from Ruby, who was staring at me rather intently. She had been Hestia’s best friend, so it couldn’t have been easy for her to remain on the council after they’d handed down a sentence to Hestia. Then again, Ruby had been devastated to learn that Hestia had resorted to kidnapping a familiar just for the fairy’s special power.

  “Ruby,” Angelica admonished as she turned in her chair to glare at her fellow witch. “These two have nothing to do with our coven. They should have been stopped at the gate and turned away. We have a covenant of rules.”

  “Rules that no one seems to be abiding to lately,” Ruby pointed out, not once removing her attention from me. It was rather unsettling. “Angelica, you are fully aware it only takes two members of the council to agree to yield the floor. Rowena and I both give our consent. Miss Marigold and Mr. Dolgiram, give me thirty minutes to request the others’ presence for your speech.”

  I think we might have gotten a reprieve from living our lives out as toads. I say the second they walk out that door…we vamoose! Who’s with me?

  “Ruby, since when do we fraternize with—”

  “It has nothing to do with collaborating with our enemy, Angelica.” Ruby rose from her seat, patting the back of her red hair as she tilted her chin in defiance. “Neither side is going to come out the winner. It can’t hurt to hear what they have to say. I’ll be back shortly.”

  This is our chance, Raven. Hey, cheater….good luck. Let us know how it all goes.

  “Leo, we’re not leaving until I see Bridget Gablore with my own eyes. She has plans to murder my mother. If we explain that there might be a way to separate the rock with her help, she should be able to convince whoever asked her to resort to such violence to stand down. This is a win-win for everyone.”

&n
bsp; I’m not well-versed in premonitions, but did you ever consider that this particular meeting is what sends the flower lady over the edge? I might need to start calling her the Venus Witchtrap. Get it? Venus Flytrap? Venus Witchtrap?

  “Just what do the two of you think you are doing?” Aunt Rowena asked harshly under her breath while maintaining a forced smile so that she appeared happy if anyone was watching too closely. “We have thirty minutes. You’re coming back to my house to explain why you would put yourself in danger, Rye. We all know this war only has one ending—with one faction in full control.”

  “There are things that have happened that changes the outcome of this war,” Rye explained, not backing down. “Raven and I have come up with a solution, and it’s best if both sides of the coven accept it. Things have gone too far, and someone is liable to get hurt or worse.”

  The fact that Rye and I were putting up a united front visibly shook Rowena, who had thought that Rye was completely on her side. The pendant against my neck was still warm, telling me that we were on the right path to a solution.

  I’d like to take the path out of here, but we don’t always get our way. Now that we have a bit of a reprieve, I’d like to point out that something is majorly wrong for Ruby to go against Merrick and Angelica. We should be the smart ones here and leave before energy balls are exchanged and black magic has us all turning into ash. I’m not only keeping my eye out for Gus, but I’m also looking for Ivan.

  “Ivan doesn’t work this area,” Rye muttered rather nonchalantly, taking Rowena’s elbow in his hand as he began to escort her toward the side door. “We’ll go to your house for twenty minutes to explain the plan. It’s probably a good idea not to remain out in the open, anyway.”

  What do you mean Ivan doesn’t work this area? Then who am I supposed to look for in order to gauge how grave the situation is, cheater? Sweet angel of mercy! We’re now at a disadvantage. You clearly don’t know how to deal with an apocalypse. Raven, we need a new recruit.