Chapter 9
Chapter
Nine
Things were calm at the shop the next morning.
Ash and Tess had their heads together coming up with ideas for next week’s seasonal arrangement.
We didn’t do those every week, but our business boomed during the holidays and people who normally didn’t bother decorating started coming in asking for table arrangements and holiday centerpieces.
With Caelan’s wire transfer sitting in the bank account and all the extra business coming up, I was thinking about doing something special for the others in the form of a trip or a large bonus.
Moira was making tea for both of us, and I was putting the finishing touches on Hattie’s bouquet, this time with a joint pain spell. As my spells went, this one was mild, but my favorite customer should get some relief in her hips once we delivered the newest bouquet.
We’d opened the doors twenty minutes ago and hadn’t had any customers yet, but it was Friday morning, and things tended to be a little slow those mornings. Once lunch time came around, we’d get slammed with people looking for flowers and plants for the weekend.
Moira handed me a cup of tea, the scent of bergamot and lavender rising from the steaming mug. I inhaled and smiled my thanks. “New blend?”
The scent was a touch different from her normal brand.
“Lir added a touch of lemon balm. I’m dubious about it, but he gave me a deluxe sample to try.” She stared down into her mug. “He said he made it special for us and that he hoped it would calm us a little bit.”
Moira snickered. “I didn’t have the heart to ask him why he thought we might need calming for fear he might actually answer.”
I snorted. “Everyone’s heard about naked Caelan by now.”
The vampire whistled low. “You could bounce a quarter off dat ass.”
“Moira!”
She rolled her eyes. “If you weren’t so prim and modest, you could have looked your fill.” A sip of her tea, then, “I know I did.”
Ash chuckled from the corner.
“I don’t want to see anyone naked,” I mumbled. “Especially not in my shop.”
“And that is the reason why you are still single,” Moira said. “You don’t have to date them to see them naked.”
“Hush.” I waved her words away and sipped the tea. “This is surprisingly good.”
Moira frowned at her cup. “It is, but I don’t want to tell Lir. He’s too full of himself already.”
Like most merfolk, Lir was tall, handsome, tan, and he knew it. I didn’t think he was a bad guy, but he could be insufferable, especially every time he launched a new blend.
“Maybe that’s his magic. We shouldn’t deny him his successes just because he’s annoying.”
Moira shot me a look. “Spoken like a true kind-hearted person.” She made a disgusted noise. “Let me finish the cup and I’ll decide then.”
Grinning, I reached for a coaster before setting my cup on top of the worktable.
With Hattie’s bouquet finished, I needed to pot the pothos I’d propagated.
Since it was so easy for me to do, we’d all decided to start selling more plants.
There was no cost for the plants because they were all cuttings of my pothos, and we’d reached out to a local potter to source cute pots at a wholesale discount.
The cost of dirt was negligible, and I didn’t need to buy fertilizer because all the nutrients they needed were in my magic.
Ten bucks a pop could net them an adorable, handmade little pot, and a healthy pothos for their home.
We were netting a healthy profit and were thinking about adding more plants to the list. I had plenty I could propagate, but some would be more difficult to take care of because of their finicky nature.
For now, we were content enough with these. I listened to Ash and the others chatting with half an ear while I worked. Soon enough, I had twenty potted cuttings, and once I boosted their growth a touch, they were ready to be put on the shelves for sale.
Moira reached for them just as the bell above the door rang.
Power swept over the shop, making us all freeze. This wasn’t Caelan’s wild power, nor was it my mother’s colder power.
Neit stood in the doorway, his crimson runes glowing as his eyes swept the shop.
“Evie,” he greeted in his deep voice.
I stared for a beat. “You’re going to scare the customers if you keep standing in the doorway like you’re going to murder us all.”
Neit blinked. “How have you not been killed yet?” he muttered to himself.
“I keep people on their toes, and all you ancient fuckers like being surprised. Don’t deny it.”
Everyone froze. Moira sucked in a breath. “Evie.”
But Neit burst out laughing. “True, daughter of Cliona. Time does seem to freeze when you’re as old as me.”
“Would you like a cup of tea?” I asked.
Neit nodded and stepped all the way into the store.
“There’s a seating area to your right. You’re welcome to have a seat.” I made his tea and brought it over, tamping down my smile at the absurd sight of him on the couch in his armor.
His large hands wrapped around the china cup and saucer.
“Yesterday, you looked like you either wanted to kill me or talk. Which one are you here for today?”
He sipped his tea. “Only to chat.”
Neit’s magic made the shop feel like a pressure cooker. My chest was tight and my Floromancy struggled to stay contained, but even worse was the crimson magic flowing through my veins. The god was a threat, and he was in my territory. The overwhelming urge to get him out made my skin itch.
“Alright then. Normally chats come with a purchase, but I’ll bite. What do you want?”
He studied me for a long moment, his dark eyes missing nothing. “Why do you diminish yourself so, demi-god?”
I’d been asked this question a few times, and it annoyed me every single time.
“I’m happy with the way I am.” The answer was the best I could give him.
Not quite a truth, but not a lie either.
I was happy with myself, even if the Chimera magic flooding my veins kept trying to take more and more from me every day.
“Few are happy with who they are,” Neit answered. “Gods amass power. It keeps them from ennui. Humans amass things.” His eyes roamed over my shelving snagging on the knick-knacks and masses of plants scattered around. “You amass flora. But that’s too easy. What do you want?”
“I want to go home each day knowing I’ve helped someone.”
Neit snorted.
Annoyance filled me. “Are you one of the gods who seek to bloat themselves with power?”
Neit waved a hand. “I am not like the others. My power came to me early and remains mine. As long as there is war, I never have to refill my well.”
“That’s a little sad, don’t you think?” For your lifeforce to be directly connected with the worst thing on the planet seemed a horrible way to exist.
“War is as inevitable as the changing seasons,” Neit said simply. “It is nothing I can control. I do not seek it out, but neither do I run.”
“Could you stop them if you wanted to?”
A flash of teeth belied his amusement at my frank question. “Why would I when conflict is the source of my power?”
I stared at the crimson runes covering his skin and his armor. “Even if you’re bloated with magic?”
He chuckled. “Such a frank and direct child you are. I bet it makes your mother crazy.”
“My mother doesn’t need any help there,” I muttered.
Neit laughed. “True. Cliona has always been one of my greatest opponents. Unpredictability is rare and interesting, don’t you think?”
“Depends on who it is and if it’s me and I’m winning. Then unpredictability is great.” I watched him sip his tea, surprised by how carefully he held the cup. “Are you here only to discuss my mother?”
“No. I’m here to tell you of the Chimeras.” His eyes flashed violet, a blip of magic there and gone. “Though I suspect you already know.”
My blood froze. “I’m not sure why you think I’d know anything about a Chimera.”
Neit leaned forward, so close we could have kissed, and whispered. “One of my underestimated and little-known talents is sniffing out bloodlines, Evangeline. And yours is very curious indeed.”
I swallowed hard and leaned away from him. “Is this why you’re in Joy Springs?”
“I am here for more than one reason. Cliona is here, and I will locate her soon enough. The Chimera threat cannot be allowed to grow, but I am not allowed to interfere. Not yet.” He smiled. “For that, you should be grateful.”
Ash tensed. Moira’s eyes flashed with anger. Tess narrowed her eyes and studied the god for a moment before she floated closer.
Neit’s eyes flicked over her, dismissing her after a quick glance. “You’ve lost someone recently. Someone you loved.”
Neit went deathly still. “Be careful, young banshee.” His voice shook with anger.
But Tess spoke again. “She is beautiful. Would you like to see her?”
Neit’s hand jerked, tea spilling over the edge of his cup. His tanned face went white with grief.
“Tess,” I warned.
The banshee didn’t wait for Neit to answer. Her eyes went an unholy silver, and her hair blew across her face in a phantom wind. “Be seen,” she commanded, her voice echoing with the sound of a thousand lives overlapping.
A woman appeared beside Neit.
I sucked in a shocked gasp and froze.
“Tess,” Ash said with horror.
Neit’s attention snapped to the spectral figure, his handsome face falling.
The woman appeared to be in her early thirties, the slight hand of time written in the faint crow lines of her eyes.
She was dark-haired and green-eyed, dressed in a modern, mid-length sundress.
Her coloring was faded, like watching a sun-washed moving picture.
Her hand trembled as it rose to cup Neit’s cheek.
I quietly rose and jerked my head toward Moira and Ash. This was not for us to witness.
Tess’s neck craned back, and her hands were palm up, spread away from her body in a T shape. Silver light washed over the shop as the temperature plummeted at least twenty degrees.
Ash’s face tight with worry, he hurried to the door and turned the lock so no one would interrupt. On silent feet, we went into the small break room and shut the door.
“Holy shit,” Moira whispered, her eyes wide. “Did we know she could do that?”
I rubbed my hands over my arms, trying to wash away the feeling of horror touching me. To hold the power over life and death must be extraordinarily difficult. “No,” I whispered back. “I hope this doesn’t get us all killed.”
“It’s a gift and a curse,” Ash murmured. “Neit’s face told us all we needed to know. What Tess has done is a violation but also a precious gift Neit will never forget. Whether he will thank her remains to be seen.”
No one else said a word for several minutes. As soon as the temperature began to rise, I poked my head out the door. Neit still sat on the couch, his face wet with tears.
Tess was nowhere to be found.
Heart pounding, I stepped back into the main area of the shop and resumed my place on the couch. The silence was tense but fragile, and I hesitated to break it, but I was worried about Tess.
There was no evidence of violence in the room, but Neit could have dusted her in an instant if he wanted to.
“Who was that?” Neit croaked, lifting a hand to dash away the moisture in his eyes.
“Um. Tess. She’s the shop assistant.”
His voice cracked with a harsh laugh. “She is much more than an assistant, daughter of Cliona. Do you know who her mother is?”
“No idea. She never speaks of her.” I waited a beat. “Is Tess…okay?”
“She’s fine. How could she not be? Do you know how much power beats through her veins?”
I guess I never thought about it. “She’s just Tess,” I said lamely. “Banshee and our friend.”
Neit gave me an undecipherable look. “Do not let your mother take her. She will use that young banshee as a weapon.”
“What do you know that I don’t?” I asked, my stomach roiling.
“That much power is unnatural,” Neit said as he rose. He let out a shaky breath. “I came here to give you a warning and am leaving here with the greatest gift I’ve ever received.”
Neit shook his head. “You and your people unnerve me.”
A surprised laugh escaped me. “Excuse me? We’re just trying to run a flower shop.”
His expression was unreadable. “For the gift your Tess has given me, I will tell you this. Your mother searches for something she suspects you have. Never let her find whatever she seeks. She is plotting. I do not know what she plans, but Cliona only has her best interests at heart. You might be blood, but she will sacrifice you at the altar of her goals if you let her.”
Before I could ask any questions, Neit disappeared in a shower of divine magic.
Ash and Moira came out of the kitchen a moment later.
“Where’s Tess?” Ash demanded, his face pale with worry.
“Neit said she’s fine.” I leaned back against the couch and closed my eyes, wishing I could rewind this day.
“Oh and we’re trusting the gods now?” Ash snapped. “Tess! TESS!”
The banshee popped back into the shop in a cold gust of wind.
“Thank the gods,” Ash breathed, reaching for Tess to pull her into a tight hug. Moira ruffled the banshee’s pale hair, but all the energy had gone out of my sails, and all I could muster was a faint smile and a wave.
“Maybe give us a warning next time?” I said quietly.
“Death waits for no one, Evie,” Tess said as she brushed a kiss over Ash’s cheek and floated back over to the register.
“Right,” I said under my breath. “Of course.”
Moira plopped down beside me and grabbed my cup. “Want some more tea?”
“Only if it’s ninety-five percent whiskey.”
More Chimera meant even more danger, though I half hoped Finn would put his focus on the other one instead of me.
I’d seriously wounded Finn last time he came around, though I wasn’t foolish enough to believe he was dead.
I think I’d know the moment he passed from this world.
He was part of me, and the threat of his power had hung over me like a scythe for almost a decade now.
Resting easy would never be an option while Finn was still alive.