PRIZES & PRICES
Starla sighs, looking first at the floor, where the tip of Grammy Pearl’s cane rests, then back up at the coven leader.
“I don’t suppose you’re here for trivia, or just because you missed your favorite granddaughter?”
And only granddaughter, although Grammy Pearl has gone on record that she considers me as good as a second grandchild. For that, and many other reasons, my loyalty to the seer is absolute. If Grammy Pearl has indeed brought news of a gruesome murder or case that needs our attention, I’ll help.
But another scenario is much more likely.
After our tussle with Leon, the Carolina Beach witches had to deal with an errant coven. The situation necessitated calling in a favor from Starla’s estranged father, and I can’t help but wonder if that's the purpose of her spontaneous visit.
“Not just trivia. And I always enjoy seeing my family,” Grammy clarifies. “We could discuss everything after the game?”
The seer is not normally one to hesitate when she has something to impart. Either her vision has told her the timing is important, or she’s taking pity on her granddaughter and giving her a last moment of normalcy.
In exchange for his help, Starla’s father demanded she agree to go in person to see him, and we knew the time had to come eventually. While many people might think that’s a far better outcome than Grammy announcing another murder, I have my doubts.
Starla ducks her head.
“Whatever you think is best, Coven Leader.” A picture of respect and decorum. “Plus, if you join our trivia team, we stand an even higher chance of whooping Exos’s butt! He’s more certain of himself than a stallion out to stud, and we’ve got to show him what’s what!”
She flashes a smirk, and when Grammy returns the expression with her own soft smile, I let myself relax.
Jackal and Exos both offer the older woman an arm, but she waves them off in favor of Brody as the red wolf shifter approaches the group with both a ready elbow and a freshly made cocktail.
“Got to know how to appeal to people,” he says with a wink as Grammy accepts the drink and his proffered help.
I’ve had my suspicions that the red wolf has a thing for Imogen, my witchy lawyer who helped me get out of a murder accusation, but right now he’s only got eyes for Grammy. The shifter helps the older woman into a chair before returning to the bar, humming to himself and smiling.
Imogen is currently back at the coven house working and has been taking calls directly from the Magikai to sort out the Leon Stone interrogations.
Her introduction to the magical government has given her an even better look into the supernatural world, but I hope she’s able to get back to Carolina Beach soon.
I’d like to see Brody keep his smile in place.
Luckily, I’m fairly certain she likes him just as much as he appears to like her. At least that’s my determination after watching them spend nearly every spare moment together since I siren-songed Leon and she stopped having to defend me against trumped-up charges.
More people trickle in, and teams are determined. Drinks are poured, appetizers are brought out, and trivia begins.
“Third place!” Starla crows, jumping up and down. She waves a small plastic bronze-looking trophy in the air. Then, directly into Exos’s face.
His eyes cross as he tries to look at the object.
“Yes, I have to concede it’s a great accomplishment. Now, I admit, I still have a lot to learn about the human world. Remind me again, though. Is silver superior to bronze?” He waggles his eyebrows at her, along with shaking his own, second-place trophy. His study has been paying off.
Starla raises her eyebrows at the gargoyle.
“What did I say? Brags more than an honor student parent! And even though you beat us by a couple questions thanks to that section about sports, which I know you’ve been studying, Leena was correct on every single ocean-themed question.”
“Should we stop them?” Jackal asks, leaning in toward me and whispering.
“I’ll handle it. Let’s not forget that we all came in behind the dock master and his friends,” I remind everyone.
Steve runs the docks and helps inventory stuff for my business, Siren Scuba.
And, since he helped us by lying to the police back when they were investigating me for murder, he’s also someone I’d happily take a bullet for.
Steve insists that my name being cleared is thanks enough, but Starla promised him and his wife free dinners for life, and they’ve happily taken her up on the deal each week on trivia night.
The couple are the last customers out after the final cocktail, with Keegan pressing a bag of seasoned fries and some shrimp nachos on them as they exit.
Once the coast is clear, Brody locks the doors, and Grammy motions all of us around a couple of the high-top tables that have been pushed together. Keegan retrieves Pickles from the back office, carrying the dog curled up happily in his lava-covered arms.
I take my place next to Jackal, with my flaming hot pet and the volmander on my other side. I pat the air above Pickles’s head, well aware that I am much less burn-proof than my pup.
As soon as the last butt hits the chair, Grammy begins to speak.
“No sense putting this off any longer, and you all should be informed. As you know, my coven made a deal with Starla’s father for his help in getting the witch council to censor the Goldsboro coven.”
“Greedy, money-hungry group of backstabbing—”
Grammy Pearl raises a hand, and Starla doesn’t get to say whatever undoubtedly threatening and humorous insult she’s got planned for the witches who not only helped Leon in his crimes but would have happily taken Starla’s bar out from under her.
My best friend’s eyes are flickering with magic and anger. I run my hands over the shell necklace that hangs at my throat. Sent by my parents during all the Leon trouble, I know it has something to do with my siren curse, although I have no idea how exactly it will help.
Still, I’ve been wearing it since I received it, and it’s comforting to feel it against my skin.
The coven leader continues.
“A promise was made that my granddaughter would attend a function the councilman is hosting. As her father considers himself a bit of a socialite, there were several possibilities. He has chosen to call in his debt for his winter ball. An annual event hosted by the supernatural elite in England, and this year he is running the ball from one of his personal properties.”
“Fancy.” Brody whistles.
“One of his properties?” Keegan questions.
Pickles barks, seconding the volmander’s inquiry.
“The important piece is this,” Grammy continues as if no one has spoken, “Starla, Leena, Jackal, and Exos will need to go on this journey. And yes, Leena, you should bring Pickles.”
The seer manages to answer my question before my mouth is even fully open to ask it.
Keegan and Brody start speaking again, both insisting they want to be involved, and even Shanell is trying to talk over people.
“I’m not letting them go without extra muscle—”
“I missed the first investigation when I got kidnapped, and I don’t want to sit this one ou—”
“—a seasoned witch with law enforcement experience across dozens of investigations. There’s no way he invited her there without some ulterior motive.”
Grammy holds up her hand, staring everyone down until silence reigns again.
“I have also been in communication with Leena about the curse surrounding her siren abilities, and the fact that she needs to face her family’s past to break that curse. As you’re all aware, the use of her abilities causes not only chaotic side effects but has begun impacting her physically.”
I cringe, and Jackal places his hand over mine.
After facing Leon down, I fell unconscious and needed attention from a healing witch.
Following that, Grammy recommended I put a lid on the musical voice until her seer abilities indicated it was time to break the curse.
I’ve managed not to use my song since then, but I’m ready to have full use of the ability.
As much as the song frightened me at first, I’ve realized that I can use it to protect the people I care about.
At least I will be able to once the curse isn’t a factor.
Grammy clears her throat, then adds more information.
“My visions have informed me that Starla’s journey and Leena’s are linked.
And, yes, there will be danger. That’s why I want a solid group to go.
But also a solid group to remain here. This bar is both Starla’s crowning achievement and technically a coven interest, since she is in our coven.
Not to mention, the supernaturals in this area have been targets in previous crimes, and I don’t want them unwatched while my granddaughter is gone. ”
Starla frowns.
“Who would … wait. You think my father would use the opportunity while I’m away to try and pull the rug out from under me here?
Do something to the bar? He has always wanted to marry me off to some pretentious English supernatural akin to modern nobility,” she muses.
“If I don’t have ties here, or the bar’s under threat, I’d be easier to handle or coerce. ”
She doesn’t throw in a single metaphor or idiom, so I know she’s both dead serious and deadly focused.
Grammy nods.
Threats where we’re going, and threats where we’ve been.
It’s enough to make me wonder if we’ll ever feel truly safe.