Eight Enchanting Elixirs (Kitchen Witch Mysteries #8)

Chapter 1

What is the making of a man? His body or his soul?

Mia closed her eyes, trying to block out the argument going on in the next room with her grandmother Mary Alice Carpenter and Dorian Alexander.

She refilled the coffee carafe and grabbed more cookies from the pantry.

In a few hours, Finn and Abigail would be in here, getting ready for deliveries.

From what she’d heard, Christina might hang around too.

All because a golem with Dorian’s mind and soul had walked into Christina’s engagement party with a smile and a wish—for Mary Alice to marry him, instead of Robert, her betrothed.

The problem was, too many people in Magic Springs knew that Dorian had been killed in town a few years ago.

The coven members might accept his return without question, but there needed to be a cover story for the more human townsfolk.

Maybe Dorian could have a twin brother and go by Derek. Or Doug. Or even Dean.

She’d talk to Mark Baldwin, the town police chief, who was now aware of the magical parts of the town and considered magic-adjacent through his wife and daughter, who both had some power. Power that, according to coven canon, they shouldn’t have. This sharing of power was getting more common.

The world was just getting weirder and weirder.

She headed back into the waiting room and called out, “I’ve got more coffee.”

“That’s very nice of you, dear. You’ve blossomed in the last few years into such a remarkable woman.” Dorian looked down at Mr. Darcy, who was curled on his lap. “Your cat is quite taken by the changes you’ve made. Especially with your suitor.”

“Mr. Darcy should stay out of my love life. As should you,” Mia said as she set down the tray. “So, what have we decided, if anything?”

“He can’t stay at my house, so you’ll have to find a room for him here.” Grans refilled her coffee cup.

“I can get a room at the Lodge.” Dorian leaned back, focusing on Mr. Darcy, rubbing the top of his head.

“You will not. You’ve already put the coven in enough danger of discovery with your shenanigans when you showed up for Christina’s engagement party.

You need to keep out of the public eye for the rest of your stay.

My word, Dorian, don’t you ever stop?” Grans rolled her eyes as she concentrated on her ex-boyfriend. “Even dead, you’re a pain in the butt.”

“One, I’m not dead. Well, maybe my original body is, but I’m fine with this new one you created.

You did a very detailed job making this body, Mary Alice.

” The smile he gave her grandmother made Mia blush.

“And two, I understand your concern. I don’t agree with it, but I understand.

I’d love to stay here at the academy because it feels like home anyway. If that’s okay with my hostess.”

An old John Denver song about home and country roads played from the speaker system.

Dorian frowned as he listened. “Have the house ghosts been more active since I’ve been gone?”

“It’s not the ghosts. That’s Gloria. My kitchen witch familiar?

At least that’s what I thought she was. Recently we found out she’s one of the elders.

Did you have contact with her when you were in the spirit world?

” Mia shook her head. Gloria was the academy’s resident kitchen witch spirit, tethered to a doll, probably here to either watch out for Mia or train her in some way. Grans wasn’t certain yet.

“Nice of you to frame it that way rather than when I was a cat.” Dorian rubbed Mr. Darcy’s ears.

“But no, my time-sharing Mr. Darcy’s body felt more like waking up from a long sleep and then being different.

I didn’t communicate with the ghosts. I saw them, but I think that was more of Mr. Darcy’s power than my own. I’m telling you, I don’t think I died.”

“Well, you did.” Grans let out a long breath, then turned to look at Mia. “I hate to ask, but is it okay that he stays here?”

“Sure, but we need to change his backstory. Finn lives here, and I can’t explain the whole you-made-a-golem-for-your-ex-boyfriend-who-was-sharing-my-cat’s-body-for-several-years-after-he-was-killed story.

” Mia broke a cookie in half. “I think that’s just a bridge too far.

She knows she has witch blood in her veins, but I think right now, she sees that more as a cool party trick than the power she may or may not develop through her training. Call it my sixth sense.”

“I chatted with Finn last night when we came back from the party. She’s very bright.

And I believe she’ll train into an exceptional witch.

” Dorian tapped his finger on his lips, pondering the issue.

“But you’re right about the need to change my name.

What about Damien Alexander? I can be a cousin, or a slightly more attractive younger brother. ”

“As long as you don’t invite your kids to visit, I think that might work with the people in town.” Grans stood. “I need to go home. I have to call Robert and deal with this debacle.”

“I’d rather not see or talk about my children. They were a disappointment in how they handled my demise.” Dorian gently took her hand. “Mary Alice, just promise me you’ll think about my proposal. We would make an amazing partnership and I still love you.”

Grans stared into his eyes and just when Mia thought her grandmother was going to succumb to Dorian/ Damien’s charm, she jerked her hand away.

“It’s not a good time for me to be getting married anyway.

I will postpone the engagement with Robert.

He’ll be hurt, but I’m sure he’ll see my side in this chaos.

But don’t think that means you’ve won me over. I still haven’t changed my mind.”

And with that, Grans stood and headed to the door.

Mia stayed at the table, watching her. So much had gone on in the last month, having Dorian back was just par for the course.

She waited for Grans to leave, then turned to ask, “Where do you want to set up a bedroom? I have a guest room in the apartment, or we can update a room on the second floor.”

“Let’s do the second floor for now. When are you moving in with Trent?

With a dragon to consider, I’m sure you’re already thinking about the next step in your relationship.

” He pointed toward the hallway to where Finn’s room was located.

“Make sure she’s okay with me staying here. I don’t want to scare her.”

“The house ghosts like her,” Mia said, then added, “and the library.”

He smiled as he turned back. “What’s not to like? She’s very much one of your tribe already. I always wondered about your ability to collect people. Maybe it’s one of your gifts from the Goddess to help you in the fight.”

“If there’s a fight, I’m not going to be leading it. All I want is to run my catering company and be part of the community. I don’t want to become some magical Joan of Arc, fighting for the rights of the downtrodden.”

“Sometimes what we want is superseded by what is the right thing to do. Don’t build your box until you know all the things you want to let in and those things you want to keep out.

” Dorian tapped his finger. “I wonder if I’ve been called back for something more than just my love for your grandmother.

Has she been doing all of your training? ”

“Yes. The coven says I need to keep training so I can test out for level four next year. But I’m not sure I want to level up. Even just being level three hasn’t been much of a blessing so far,” Mia admitted.

“I’m going to look over Mary Alice’s training plan.

And I’ll have furniture sent over to set up living quarters on the second floor.

I may need to do some remodeling, if you don’t mind.

All at my own expense, of course.” He tapped the table with the palm of his hand.

“It’s time to get things moving. Where will I find the keys to the second floor?

I need to get busy on my space. I may need a bed upstairs in your apartment for a few nights, if that’s okay. ”

“The alternative is to have you sleeping on this couch or renting a room at the Lodge, so I think we’ll make do with the guest bedroom in the apartment.

” She stood and checked the security camera by the door.

“Abigail, Finn, and Christina just arrived to start their day. I’ll let them know that Damien is staying with us on the second floor for a while. ”

“You even said that with a straight face.” He chuckled as he pointed to her office. “Is the key to the classrooms in there?”

“Hanging on a red ribbon. My lab’s key is on a purple ribbon and the other rooms that Grans and Christina have appropriated for storage have a yellow ribbon.

So any room the red ribbon key will open is up for grabs.

I don’t think any of the remaining rooms have secret exits to the outside, but with the academy, you never know.

Just let me know and we’ll rekey the rooms you choose.

I’ll keep one of the keys, just in case, and you get to pick your ribbon color. ”

“I’d love blue. Like your grandmother’s eyes.” He disappeared into the office as the front door opened and the three women came inside.

Abigail’s eyes widened as she saw Mia downstairs.

“Oh, I figured you were at work already or I would have invited you to the house for breakfast. We just finished talking about our next week’s schedule.

We have several additional deliveries, as well as two holiday parties, one that will be held here.

I was planning on emailing you the monthly calendar in case you have room in your schedule to help us out. ”

“That will work. I’m heading to work as soon as I change. I had a meeting with Grans and Damien, Dorian’s brother, this morning. He’s going to be staying here at the academy for a while. He’ll be living on the second floor,” Mia added, directing the information to Finn. “He shouldn’t bother you.”