CHAPTER 3
A lfred Howard hadn’t been what Mia had expected. The man was cheerful, jolly even. And his green eyes sparkled as he talked. She’d brought him inside to sit in the reception area while she went to get Trent and the Majors.
Of course, the rest of the group followed along, so the reception area was now crowded with people as they watched the proceedings. Mia set a plate of cookies on the table in front of Howard, as well as a tall glass of water. “I can get you something else to drink if you want.”
“Oh, no, this is fine. I can’t resist a freshly made cookie.” Alfred Howard’s eyes lit up as he picked up an oatmeal raisin one and sniffed it. “This reminds me of home. Thank you, Miss Malone.”
“I’m Trent Majors.” Trent reached out his hand as he followed Mia to where Alfred Howard sat, eating a cookie, the copy of Country Living now lying forgotten on his lap.
He finished the cookie and brushed the crumbs off his hands, looking up at Trent as he shook his hand. “Aren’t you a tall one? Six-two?”
“Six-three,” Trent responded as he sat in the chair next to the sofa. “Let’s all sit. We weren’t expecting you until Tuesday.”
“Oh, I took advantage of my assignment to come early so I could visit the great state of Idaho. I’ve never been here before. It’s so different here in the mountains. When I flew into the airport, I thought I was in a desert.”
“You were. The Boise area and the freeway you took to get here is high desert country. That’s why they set up the Air Force Base in Mountain Home.
But you get into the Sawtooth Mountain range north of Twin Falls.
Magic Mountain is to the north of us, on the other side of Magic Springs River.
” Trent reached down and picked up Cerby, who had started jumping at his feet.
“But I’m sure you’re not here to talk about the scenery. This is Cerby.”
“Oh, my. I knew he was a Maltese, but he’s small for his breed, isn’t he?
” Alfred Howard reached out to pet Cerby, but he growled and backed away into the corner of the chair.
“Well, he doesn’t like me one bit. Which is odd for a Maltese, but for a hellhound, it’s par for the course. They react badly to magical creatures.”
“ ‘Magical creatures?’ Cerby loves everyone we know, even those with magic.” Mia frowned as she watched the exchange. Howard had already discovered Cerby’s alter ego.
“Oh, dear. I let the cat out of the bag, didn’t I?
Miss Malone, I’m not only a witch—I’m from Ireland.
I’m also half leprechaun. My human witch mother was a bit adventuresome, I’m afraid.
My father, well, I’ve never met the guy.
” He winked at Mia. “Families, what are you going to do, right? Anyway, back to Cerby and Trent. I need to do more testing.”
“ ‘Testing’?” Abigail came around and leaned over Trent’s shoulder. “The paperwork was filed correctly, and a certified board member was part of the transfer ceremony. Trent doesn’t have magic anymore. It was passed to his brother, Levi.”
“Maybe it was, and maybe it wasn’t.” Howard made a so-so gesture with his hand.
A large emerald ring sparkled as he moved.
“That’s why I’m here. There have been situations in the past where magic wasn’t completely transferred.
I’ve been studying the issue for years. Sometimes it’s as simple as residual magic showing up due to the proximity of other witches.
Since Trent hasn’t moved away from home, the magic might dissipate when Levi and Miss Adams complete their move to Oregon. ”
“How did you know . . .” Christina started, but Levi grabbed her hand before she could finish.
“Miss Adams, I am very good at my job.” Howard nodded as he pulled out a notebook and pen from the leather bag he had strapped over his shoulder. “Now, I need to verify some details since I have so many of you here today.”
Mia listened as Alfred Howard went through the details of Trent’s magical life and the transfer of his powers to Levi. After that, he looked around the room. “Any inconsistencies there?”
Trent, Abigail, and Thomas all shook their heads. Mia figured this must be the information the coven had recorded on Trent when he held the power.
Alfred Howard grinned and clapped his hands.
“Good. It seems that your coven is keeping accurate records. You wouldn’t believe the state of some coven archives.
Especially ones like yours, where you’re far from a district-controlling body.
Some people don’t understand the need for order.
Okay, I have a few questions for Trent. When did you realize you could talk with your brother telepathically? ”
“Excuse me?” Trent glanced at his mom, who slightly shook her head.
Alfred Howard sighed and put his pen and notebook away.
“And this is where we always run into a problem. Mr. Majors, when you joined the coven, a link was created between you and the archivist. Every time you used magic from that time forward, it’s noted in the logbooks.
Now, most of the non-granted magic is inconsequential, like you boys chatting.
But when something big happens, like a hellhound being awarded by the Goddess, we check every instance of magic.
Do you think the Society didn’t feel the power surge when he arrived? ”
“If you already know everything, why are you asking me?” Trent asked, rubbing Cerby’s back as the little dog let out tiny growls every time Alfred Howard said a word.
Howard stood and adjusted his vest, or was it a waistcoat? Mia didn’t know the difference, but the more old-fashioned word sounded right. Mr. Howard winked at her, confirming the description. Now he was reading her mind.
“I’m here to find out why the Goddess is so interested in protecting you, Trent Majors.
Hellhounds are usually only sent to witches in the national leadership hierarchy.
And mostly as protectors from assassins.
Now, from your archive records, it appears that you would have been promoted quickly in leadership if you hadn’t decided to run the family grocery business instead.
The Goddess has never granted a familiar with such power as a parting gift before, so clearly, she has plans for you.
I’m here to find out how much power you still have since the transfer.
We may have to increase it to give you the levels you need to control Cerby.
Especially now that he’s started to manifest. The dragon seems docile. Have you had any problems?”
“Buddy is Cerby’s friend. We will deal with him and Cerby’s training needs.” Trent met Mia’s gaze. Then he leaned back in his chair. “You might as well know . . .”
“Trent, stop. He’s baiting you.” Thomas stood as well. “This isn’t my house to throw you out of, but I’d like to ask you to leave, with Mia’s permission. You’re taking advantage of my son without a coven advocate.”
Alfred Howard nodded and moved to the door.
Then he stopped and handed Trent a business card.
“You’re right. Your son does need to know the penalties for lying about his power to an assigned investigator.
I’ll let the coven know you’ve asked for an advocate, so as soon as that’s completed, I’ll be in touch.
For now, I’ll go back to the Lodge and schedule some tourist activities.
A friend lives nearby, so I’ll be experiencing your lovely area like a local.
You can reach me at any time at this number.
Even in the wee hours of the morning. I don’t sleep much. ”
Thomas followed Alfred Howard to the door, then stood and watched while he drove away. When the Irishman was gone, he shut and locked the front door. “This is a disaster.”
* * *
At the Lodge the next morning, Mia wondered if Alfred Howard had picked the hotel to be close to Magic Springs or if he knew she worked there.
Ambushing her at work would be a bad idea, since most people she worked with were human and didn’t know her other occupation.
Mia’s Morsels still wasn’t making enough profit for her to walk away from the day job.
When Blake met her at her office door, she wondered if she’d already run out of time.
“Good morning, Blake. Are you here to check on the dinner plans for tonight?”
Blake let Mia unlock the office door before she said anything. Then she followed Mia inside her office, closing the door behind her. “I got a visit from one of our guests this morning, asking about you and your boyfriend.”
Mia tucked her tote away in a desk drawer, then sat down at the desk. “That seems personal.”
“It was, and you know I don’t like the personal interfering with our work. I wouldn’t have even talked to this Alfred Howard person, except, as a coven member, I’m required to entertain all members of the National Society.”
Mia blinked, letting the information sink in. When she spoke, she tried to frame her words carefully. “You’re a witch.”
“I am. My coven is in a little town north of Boston, Newburyport. We’re a small group, and we keep our membership quiet.
Especially after the whole Salem thing. But that has nothing to do with either my role as your boss or my presence in Magic Springs.
And I told Mr. Howard that. I said that you were a valuable member of my work team and I had no information about your other activities, besides your ownership of Mia’s Morsels.
I don’t believe he liked my answer.” She straightened a pen that was on Mia’s desk.
“I find that when the national office gets involved in your life, things break. So be careful and don’t let anything drop.
I’ll let you get back to your work. I’m sure the event tonight is going to run smoothly, correct? ”
“I’ve got it under control,” Mia responded. She didn’t like the fact she’d been right about her suspicions about Howard. So, if he’d interviewed her boss regarding her personal life, who else would he talk to if he thought they might have information on Trent’s magic?