Chapter 6 #4
We arrive at their property and park near a smaller house painted the same white with bluish gray shutters as the large main house.
Ada’s father takes her luggage so she is free to walk me around the exterior of the house.
She calls it a two-story Greek Revival. She points out the front porches on both stories and the tall columns running the full height that support the overhanging roof.
The blue of the doors and shutters is called French blue, just a color preference her ancestors had, and the lighter shade on the porch ceilings is haint blue, a regional tradition to ward off Malefic.
She clarifies the paint on this house is not enchanted as a ward, only so that it does not peel and fade.
A tall, elegant cast iron fountain stands inside the circle drive in front of the house.
Water flows pleasantly down its three increasingly larger tiers designed to look like blooming hibiscus flowers, with their large petals draping downward.
A large marble circular pool at the bottom collects the water.
“It’s a lot, I know. It’s been here almost as long as the house.
Luckily, it’s enchanted to be self-cleaning and self-repairing.
We are so glad we never have to do anything but top up its magickal charge from time to time.
My dad made it my chore when I was old enough to learn how.
He said if I forgot to check it every week, I’d have to clean it myself by hand when it’s full of slimy leaves.
I never forgot.” She laughs lightheartedly.
We head inside and all three give me the grand tour of the house. Their love for its history and connection to their Mayweather heritage is clear. After we deposit our luggage in Ada’s bedroom, we head downstairs to talk while her parents prepare dinner.
Estelle chops vegetables while Whitt stirs something over the stove.
Ada and I sit at the kitchen table to keep them company while they work after they refused our offer to help.
From her place at the counter, Estelle keeps flashing her sparkling eyes at us and grinning.
I cannot recall if I have ever witnessed someone radiating this much happiness.
“We were so glad Ada met someone while studying. She didn’t have much interest in anyone here, but we knew there had to be someone special out there who would be perfect for her.
It seems like fate you crossed paths while both of you were so far from home.
Ada is very determined when she sets her mind on something.
If she had her eye on you, I’m not surprised you’re sitting here in my kitchen,” Estelle titters, poking some good-natured fun at her daughter.
“Mom, you’re coming on a little strong. Let’s not scare him. That’s not even what happened.” She groans, embarrassed, watching for my reaction out of the corner of her eye.
I grin at her, feeling my bottom lip stretch around my tusks. “I knew I would follow her anywhere after the first time we met.”
“Now you’re embarrassing me too!” she squeals, pretending to act indignant.
She giggles wildly, breaking the act, as I scoop her onto my lap and plant a comically loud kiss on her cheek. “I state the truth,” I whisper into her ear.
“It better be,” she replies with a wink. She pecks me on the lips before sliding off my lap and returning to her chair next to mine.
Her parents join us at the table while dinner cooks. They look exactly as a family should. They love each other, and they obviously enjoy each other’s company too. It makes for easy conversation.
“Did Ada tell you she was named after her great-grandmother? We couldn’t have known it at the time, but it really was the perfect name for her.
They are so much alike. So smart, so responsible, with the perfect dollop of feistiness.
I wish they could have known each other,” Estelle says with a wistful smile.
She quickly wipes her violet eyes and then uses her fingers to comb her long, dark brown hair away from her face.
“I did not know that. But that does sound exactly like her,” I agree wholeheartedly.
Eyeing Ada, she says, “You know sweetheart, you don’t have to return to the shop.
It was never your father’s dream to work there.
But I always loved it.” Estelle turns her attention back to me.
“I apprenticed there before her father and I mated. It’s how we met and got to know each other.
My family is from a community in North Carolina.
So anyway, when the time came, I happily took it over. ”
“But don’t you want my help?” Ada protests.
“I have plenty of help and we’re doing just fine.
Plus, I don’t intend to retire for a good long while.
You’ll be sick of me by then! Take some time to figure out what you want to do.
Travel while you’re young. There’s a wide world out there waiting to be explored.
You spent so many years studying. I don’t want you to feel like you’re going to waste it,” Estelle insists.
“Mom, I love working at the shop. My entire time at Sparklight Academy was spent thinking about how I could use this knowledge to expand our offerings. There are so many new alchemical services I can add. I have some ideas for the coven too,” Ada gushes.
“Speaking of the coven, they wanted to throw you a welcome home party tonight, but I asked them to wait a couple days so we don’t overwhelm you.
I don’t know how long I can keep them at bay now that you’re both here.
They’ve been excited to meet you, Norrell.
Sorry we spilled the beans on you. I heard you were keeping a low profile at the academy.
But when we found out you were moving here, we couldn’t resist,” Whitt confesses.
“Everyone was bound to find out anyway. It is good to be out in the open again. I am happy to meet all of them,” I say graciously.
“They do love a reason to throw a party. Don’t be surprised if they serve snow cones to try to make you feel at home,” Ada jokes.
“No. Would they? Yes, they probably would,” Estelle considers.
“They did ask me to find out if yetis like maple syrup,” Whitt chimes in.
“Well, trees cannot grow that far north to harvest it. But I tasted it once,” I tell him.
“That’s what I thought. I’ll let them know. But don’t be surprised if you see some maple flavored whiskey or maple bars there. Once they have an idea, they like to run with it,” he muses.
“Your coven sounds lively,” I observe, grinning at the thought of their misguided menu.
“They are. We have a friendly group here. We’re too big to meet all at once on a regular basis outside of our holidays and rituals. There’s a few hundred of us. So, they love opportunities like this. Believe me, you’re doing them the favor,” Whitt assures me.
“Yes, plenty of other witches around here to help me around the shop,” Estelle reminds Ada with a wink.
“Mom, I told you! Mayhap I’ll consider starting my own business, but I’d base it out of the shop anyway. You act like you’re trying to get rid of me!” Ada huffs.
“Never. It will be so lovely working with you again. I just don’t want you to feel any pressure or hold you back from bigger and better pursuits,” Estelle reiterates, squeezing Ada’s hand. They share an affectionate smile.
“If you do not work at the shop, what is your vocation, Whitt?” I ask. Ada told me a little about it, but his magickal talent seemed difficult to comprehend.
“Well, I work in sort of a specialty field. I have proficiency in languages as well as codebreaking. My magick works well in translations between human languages as well as those spoken or written by some Whispered Folk. Sometimes I’m called away as a translator for lesser spoken languages.
Nowadays I’m also working on enchantments for books, paper files, and even digital files to make them indecipherable should a human find them.
Like encryption, but through magick, making it hack-proof,” Whitt explains.
“Did you have to learn how to write code to do this?” I wonder aloud.
“What’s a few more languages?” he jests.
“Have you ever studied the native language of yetis?” I ask, genuinely curious.
“I never did. I’d love to learn a little from you if you don’t mind,” he requests. “Do your people speak it as well as English?”
“Yes, we all learn it in school, but it is not spoken much. The language is shared across our people, but we all have our own dialects from when our clans split apart long ago. Well over a century ago, our clan leader at the time decided we should learn English fluently to get by more easily as our contact with humans became more frequent. We needed to blend in better. Since then, English is the main language of the clan. It was a wise decision. Our native language is ancient and limited. It would not be useful in today’s world anyway.
Words do not exist for many commonplace items and ideas,” I explain.
“That’s fascinating.” His interest sounds genuine. “It will be an honor to have the opportunity to learn it from you. A rare privilege for a language nerd like me.”
“Norrell, we would be happy to inquire around if there’s any work you’d like to try. But there’s no rush. We want you to get to know the town. And of course, you two need to have a nice long honeymoon first. You both deserve it after studying so hard,” Estelle suggests.
“That is very generous, Estelle. I will think about it and let you know. I am sure something will appeal to me. My training as a hunter may be too specific to be of use here, but I am a fast learner,” I assure her.
Whitt’s face lights up. “Ada said you loved to read, especially historic texts. No wonder you met in a library. After dinner, come up to my study with me. I have so many books I think you’ll be interested in,” he says enthusiastically. It is an offer I cannot refuse.
I am honored to have known Whitt and Estelle.
They were special, and I cared for them deeply.
From the first time I met them, they treated me like a son, embracing me as a full-fledged member of the family.
Losing them was devastating in a way I had never experienced up until that point.
Ada was inconsolable. The well of her sadness was deeper than I could fathom.
Grief was her shadow in those months before I left, ever-present, following her even when she did not realize it. I fear it still is.
Mercifully, Niven ends the interview and calls for a break.
Taking the pastries with her, Ada walks out of the room with controlled steps, but from her stiffness I can tell she struggles not to run out.
Clancy and Madge trail closely behind. The loud sudden scraping and clattering of chairs disrupt my reverie.
Her parents were my family once too. For a short time, anyway.
I do not know what they would think of me now, had they not died when they did.
Their disappointment and sadness would have shamed me even more. I know that much to be true.
Needing some air myself, I step into the hallway.
I’m also curious if Ada is still nearby, but it is empty except for a few others milling around who exited the room right before me.
I am unsure if I would say anything to her if I saw her, but I need to know whether she is alright.
Growling in frustration at my powerlessness, I pace the long hallway for a couple minutes, figuring out what to do.
I should give her something special to make up for her terrible day. The nearby shops should have something.
A pair of shifters, whose eyes are a striking shade of electric green, converse near me in the hallway. I do not intend to eavesdrop, but my hearing is too sensitive to fully ignore them.
“Did you ever hear about that fae who was caught at a school playground in Boston trying to trick young witch children into injuring their classmates with a dangerous spell? Somehow breaking their bones? Pure evil. It happened about a decade ago,” one of the shifters says, sounding disgusted.
“I did.” The other shifter shudders. “It hid in the shadows, away from the adults. Another kid saw something moving in the dark and alerted a group of magick-wielding teachers who chased it off. Who knows what would have happened if it wasn’t caught?”
“Knowing what horrible things they’re capable of, why would anyone bring one here? How could anyone want to spoil this place with violence? It’s a little slice of paradise,” the first one remarks.
The second one snorts. “Ashes, it’s always these crusty old warlocks making trouble for everyone.
That male, the really speciesist one, threw his fool hat in the wrong ring.
He could have been the hero of Monstera Bluff, warning them of a fae threat, leading the charge to protect his town.
Moon and stars, they’d have thrown a parade in his honor!
Put his likeness in front of town hall!”
The first one chuckles darkly. “Nah, they’re all the same. A warlock isn’t going to save anything. They choose to be villains. His cronies fell into step because they’re the same breed of hateful little malcontent. They’d rather watch the world burn and then try to rule over its ashes.”
Their offhand remarks hit home. This town was close to ruin.
It was a stroke of luck that there were no casualties other than the town’s innocence.
The shock will fade in time and townsfolk will feel safe again.
But Ada will not be able to move on until her magick returns.
I need to see that she recovers with my own eyes.
I do not care about these meetings beyond seeking justice for her.
I will make sure that fae gets exactly what it deserves after I work out how to restore Ada’s magick.
There will be no mercy. I will not leave until both are done.
On instinct, I stretch my claws wide, ready for the fight.
But now is not the time. By the bluest glacier, I will be ready when it is.
My resolve is ice cold. And that damned disgusting fae will rue the day it came to Monstera Bluff.