Chapter 11 #2
Moira made a disgusted noise. “All the events, all the times Evie went out of her way to help someone, and this is how they thank her.”
“Caelan is not helping,” Sirena said. “His casual dismissal of their relationship made waves around town and contributed to their general dislike of Evie.” Her glance was apologetic. “They are used to following their Lord’s lead on things, regardless of whether he’s right.”
“Regardless,” Mom interjected, “tonight we find out whether Marnie is responsible. Then we make a plan.” Her azure gaze slid to Moira.
“Do nothing tonight but gather evidence. She will know someone was in her workspace, but take this and drench yourself before entering. The perfume will help muddy your scent and disrupt any spells to help differentiate the scent. By the time it dissipates, we will be long gone.”
“Why didn’t you do this when we first came?” I asked.
“Because smelling like a streetwalker on a busy Friday night in a crowd gathers too much attention. Moira will smell like one only to confuse the witch’s senses.” Mom flicked a hand toward the door. “She can shower when we return.”
Moira plucked the bottle from Mom’s fingers and popped the lid off to take a whiff. “Good enough.”
I leaned over to smell. “White Diamonds.”
Sirena shuddered. “The perfume of the 80s. Everyone’s mom smelled like that and strutted around like they were on Dynasty.”
“That shit could clear out a room in a hurry,” Mom added. “Perfect for tonight.”
Moira pocketed the bottle and adjusted her black beanie. The hat made her look like a sophisticated cat burglar. With her pale hair and night-dark eyes, Moira was the epitome of a creature of the night.
“Ready when you are,” she said and gave me a cheery wink. Her cheeks were flushed with color.
I laughed. “You love getting into trouble.”
Moira grinned. “We always had to be so careful when we were living here. This is the first real chance I’ve had to raise a little hell.”
Mom held her hands out. “We’ll come in at the edge of the forest, so no one sees our arrival. Remember, Moira. Get in and get out. Call to me when you’re ready, and I’ll transport you back to Evie’s house.”
Moira nodded.
“Alright then. Join hands.”
A moment later, in a dizzying lurch, we stood in a dense forest, surrounded by trees. Mom stepped away and peeked out to see if the coast was clear.
“Come,” she hissed.
Moira went the other way, cutting through the forest to come out on the backside of Marnie’s restaurant. The rest of us walked through the square, our conversation inane in case there were curious ears. When we arrived at the restaurant, I sent a quick text to Moira to let her know.
If things were going to fall apart, it would happen within moments of us entering.
When we opened the door, the comforting scent of home cooking washed over us. Mom let out a low curse. “Maybe I’ll get an enormous thing of soup to freeze,” she muttered.
“If Moira sees a recipe book, she’ll probably steal it,” I whispered.
Mom brightened at the thought of petty theft, especially if it netted her the soup recipe.
The door shut behind us with a solid thud, sealing us inside.
Thankfully, the place was busy, filled with townspeople and tourists.
I recognized some and kept my eyes averted.
Curious gazes watched us for a moment before returning to their own spaces.
Their eyes lingered on Sirena the longest. Unsurprising.
The siren was stunning, and part of her power was luring men in.
Marnie stood behind the counter. Twyla was nowhere to be seen.
“Follow me,” Sirena whispered.
We stayed a foot back and smiled at Marnie when Sirena introduced us as some of her old friends. “Where’s Twyla tonight?”
Marnie jerked a thumb over her shoulder. “In the back. There was a run on baked potato soup, so she’s prepping a new batch.” The witch frowned. “We haven’t been this busy in ages. Not since—” Her gaze flickered over us before she frowned. “Well, no matter. The customers are a blessing.”
“Well, you’re in luck again, because these two heard about your famous food. They’re dying for some of the soup.” Sirena motioned us forward. An almost undetectable breeze swept over us. Sirena’s work to keep our scents from reaching Marnie’s nose.
Clever.
I let Mom do the talking.
“Erm, yes,” Mom said in a posh British accent. “I’d love some of the baked potato soup to go, the largest serving you have.”
As Mom ordered an outrageous amount of food, I sent Moira a quick message.
Twyla’s in the kitchens. Mom ordered enough to feed an army. Should keep them busy for a bit. Good luck.
I tucked the phone away, only to hear Mom still ordering.
“And you, Glinda? Is there anything else?”
I almost choked at the name she used. Good witch, my ass. “Erm, you got everything,” I said, in a warbly high-pitched voice.
If Marnie didn’t see right through this, she was either very tired or completely clueless.
The witch gave us an odd look but sent the purchase through. “Might take a bit. Twenty minutes okay with you?”
“Fine with us,” Mom said. She handed over a few bills and waved the change away.
We found a seat toward the back. I sagged against the cushioned back. “I don’t think I’m cut out for subterfuge like this.”
Mom reached over to ruffle my hair. “You’re made of the earth, where all the good and plentiful things come from. I’m made of dust and wind. Far more suited to this kind of work.” She slid a look at the siren. “And this one is made for the sheets.”
To my surprise, Sirena burst out laughing.
“You make me sound like a common harlot, Cliona. We both know I possess far more specialized skills.” She clicked her tongue.
“In case you didn’t know, I’m an old thing, Evie.
I no longer have to feed as often. A bite and a nibble here and there will feed me for months. ”
Sirena had never shared anything about her power. I leaned forward. “Months?”
At her nod, I plowed on. “When you say a bite or a nibble, what does that mean exactly?”
Mom sent me a warning look that made Sirena chuckle. “She’s young, Cliona, and I don’t mind answering. It’s not often that I am allowed to hang out with the youth.”
I blinked. “Is that because you bite them?”
Sirena grinned. “Those days are behind me. I only bite with permission now.”
At my wide-eyed look, she chuckled. “During relations, an energy transfer occurs. When I was still learning, the transfer only occurred via completion. My powers are honed far better than my younger brethren. Now, I can receive energy through touch or kissing.”
I studied the hand she’d held not long ago.
Sirena grinned. “Not to worry. You will feel if I ever try to take energy from you.”
“Plus, I would kill her,” Mom chimed in.
I glanced back and forth between them. They were smiling at each other, but their smiles held sharp edges. Mom did not sound like she was kidding, but Sirena seemed unconcerned. Did they have history? Was this a frenemy sort of relationship? Both options seemed viable.
“Let’s change the subject,” I said slowly. “Before this turns into a showdown.”
Sirena snorted but sat back and turned her attention to me. “You look well, child of the gods. The other Lord’s territory agrees with you.”
“Lots of glorious greenery out there,” Mom murmured. “Evie blossoms where there is life.”
Sirena grunted in agreement. “I was surprised when you moved here. Every territory needs a Floromancer, but there’s a reason those in the past never stayed long.”
“Most didn’t get involved with their local Lord,” I muttered.
Sirena’s eyes twinkled. “Yes, there’s that.”
My phone dinged.
Got it.
I leaned close. “She’s ready.”
Mom straightened. “Marnie almost has our order ready.”
I stared at her in disbelief.
“What?” Mom sounded affronted. “This is the last time I’ll ever get that soup. I’ll get our girl. You get our order.”
Mom grinned and breezed out the door just as Marnie called Sirena’s name.
We walked up to a counter full of carefully packaged goods.
I stared at them, wondering how we were going to carry everything, when Sirena took out a large picnic basket decorated with pearlescent seashells and carefully started packing everything.
“I wish I could do that,” I said wistfully.
Sirena gave me an odd look. “You can, child.” She handed me over the final bag that wouldn’t fit. “We’ll talk on the way.”
Sirena smiled at Marnie and turned toward the door. When we were outside, she looked over her shoulder. “Let’s get out of sight. Marnie is in the back quite often. We won’t have much time until she discovers someone has intruded into her space.”
We hurried toward the place where we came in. Mom was already waiting for us. Her face lit up at the bounty we carried. Without a word, she grabbed us both by the arm and whisked us away.