Chapter 14
Rayna shuffled into her kitchen wearing one of Major Payne’s stiff white undershirts and nothing else, except maybe a vague sense of satisfaction.
Her hair looked like it had tried to mimic Medusa.
The coffee machine was already gurgling to life, and Major Payne, now known as Adam after sleeping with him, was perched on a barstool.
He was reading the back of a cereal box like it contained classified intel.
“Didn’t take you for a granola man,” she said, reaching past him for a mug.
He didn’t look up. “Fiber is tactical. Keeps you regular in combat situations.”
Rayna snorted. “Well, it’s comforting to know if we get ambushed by demons mid-breakfast, you’ll be light on your feet.”
He smiled into his coffee. “I’ve faced worse mornings.”
She slid onto the stool next to him, curling one leg under her. “Alright, Adam. Since you stayed the night and didn’t spontaneously combust, let’s talk while I make pancakes. Where’d a guy like you come from?”
“Military brat. Grew up on bases. Alabama, mostly. My dad was a colonel. My mom ran logistics, and also the universe. I served two tours before the L.A.W. crossed my radar.”
Rayna lifted an eyebrow. “Wait, you’ve known about the League for a while?”
“I was the file liaison, verifying intel with Bas. Read everything there was on your team. Figured most of it was exaggerated until I saw a were-goat vaporized on Fifth Avenue.”
Rayna shrugged. “Tuesday.” Then she wiggled her fingers, and pancake batter appeared.
He leaned closer. “What about you? Always been the witch next door?”
“God no. Academia. Medieval literature professor. Did my thesis on feminist trickster figures. Got hexed in Wales, blew up a library, and landed myself in L.A.W. after an incident involving a cursed teacup and one very flammable dean.”
Payne gave her a look. “You’re telling me the woman who threw me into a wall last night used to teach Shakespeare?”
“Only the dirty parts.” She spooned batter onto the preheated grill.
They both grinned, and for a beat, it felt normal. Like the world wasn’t full of shadow-creatures and hipster alien baristas and whatever-the-hell that graffiti had summoned.
Then they heard the sound of a key in the lock.
Adam blinked. “You gave them keys?”
“Of course. They live here,” she muttered, just as Michael and Daniel swung the door open, still wearing last night’s clothes and the smug glow of someone who hadn’t been bored in twelve hours.
Michael stopped cold in the doorway.
Daniel looked from Rayna’s borrowed shirt to the shirtless military man at her counter.
“Oh wow,” Daniel said slowly. “We leave you alone for one night…”
Rayna held up her coffee like a peace offering. “Say the words ‘walk of shame’ and I’ll hex your favorite playlist into sea shanties.”
Major Payne stood up, all coiled power and polite menace. “Gentlemen. Breakfast?”
Michael blinked. “You… you stayed?”
“Apparently, all night,” Daniel muttered, then grinned. “Honestly? Respect.”
Rayna rolled her eyes but didn’t deny it. “Coffee’s on. Granola’s tactical. And yes, he made the bed. Want to bounce a quarter off of it?”
Michael walked to the fridge. “This is going to be so weird when we debrief later.”
Daniel raised a brow at Payne. “You’re still terrifying. But now, in a hot way.”
Major Payne sipped his coffee. “Noted.”
Rayna flipped a pancake with magic, Daniel raided the fridge, and the storm on the horizon grew a little closer.
Joell led the graffiti-marked boy to the lounge, getting him set up with the VR headset before heading to the library to join the team.
Meanwhile, Michael and Daniel were making their rounds, collecting the witches' weapons for safekeeping before the mansion would uproot itself and move to Tennessee for Ostara—the spring equinox.
Michael was at the vault, carefully inspecting each weapon before tucking it away in a duffel bag. “Alright, we’re almost ready. Another six-week move. Witches are off to the mountains, and we stay here to keep things in check.” He gave Daniel a pointed look. “No off-the-grid nonsense this time.”
Daniel smirked. “You say that like I’m not constantly keeping things under control.
” He adjusted the straps on a sword hilt and tucked it neatly into place.
“The witches will have their time in Tennessee to do whatever… meditate, write, or cast the spells they do when they’re away. We’ll just hold down the fort.”
Michael grinned as he closed the vault. “Right. And we can keep the mansion’s grounds from randomly falling into a sinkhole or being sold to a developer while they’re gone.”
Daniel tossed a few enchanted trinkets into a bag, making sure nothing was left behind. “I’m just going to give out these charms to make sure no one gets possessed by evil spirits. Or worse, gets caught up in some emotional wreckage.”
Meanwhile, in the library, Joell entered just as the witches began their conversation about Ostara. The table was filled with papers, magical texts, and half-empty mugs, while Katie, still absorbing everything, looked a little overwhelmed.
Michael and Daniel dropped the weapons they’d been collecting onto the table with a thud. “Weapons secured,” Michael announced, giving the witches a knowing look. “We’re good for the week. The mansion’s ready to make its move to Tennessee.”
Daniel shrugged, clearly unbothered. “And we’re stuck here. Enjoy your magical retreat. We’ll be keeping the brownstone running smoothly, as per usual.”
Katie blinked, still processing. “Wait, you’re not going with them?”
Michael shook his head. “Nope. Someone has to stay behind to make sure everything doesn’t implode while the witches go off and pretend they’re recharging.”
Joell rolled her eyes. “We don’t pretend to recharge. It’s a real thing, Daniel.”
She turned to Katie. “The mansion moves every six weeks, so that quarterly we’re in sync with the rhythm of our bodies. Then we have another four weeks of vacation, not spoiled by our feminine functions. The witches will take the time to rest, and we’ll… What’s the word, Rayna?”
Rayna smiled wryly. “Try to relax.”
Daniel raised his hands in mock surrender. “Right. Relax. We’ll just be holding down the fort.”
Katie chuckled. “Seems like you have the easy job.”
Michael gave her a knowing look. “Trust me, if something goes wrong, we’ll hear about it and respond accordingly.”
After picking up the weapons on the table, Michael and Daniel shared a quick, knowing look before they walked over to Rayna and planted a quick kiss on each of her cheeks, simultaneously.
“Stay out of trouble,” Michael said with a wink, then turned to Daniel, who grinned and added, “Don’t worry. We can come back in case you accidentally summon a storm or set the mansion on fire before you leave.”
Rayna grinned, holding up a hand. “I can assure you that no storms will be summoned. But thanks for the kisses. It’s nice to be missed.” She waved them off. “Go. Have fun with the mundane world.”
With one last glance, Michael and Daniel exited, hauling the weapons out of the mansion, then heading back to Rayna’s Brooklyn brownstone.
In the library, the mood shifted as the remaining witches settled back into their seats, and Katie leaned forward, clearly interested but still looking a bit out of her depth.
“So,” Katie started, “Ostara. What’s the deal with all the eggs? And the… What was it? Sun magic?”
Joell smiled, her expression calm and welcoming. “Ostara is about balance. It marks the Spring Equinox, the time when day and night are exactly equal. It’s a celebration of new beginnings, rebirth, and growth. The eggs? A symbol of life, of fertility, of promise.”
Sahara nodded in agreement, her voice smooth as she shared the wisdom of centuries.
“It’s about renewal, Katie. The Earth comes back to life in the Northern Hemisphere after the long winter.
And witches, well… We tap into that energy to amplify our magic.
It's when the natural world is most in harmony.”
Katie tilted her head, absorbing the information. “So… it’s like a witchy New Year?”
Magda chuckled softly. “In a way, yes, but more so in my time zone. Some pagans have considered Samhain the start of the New Year. But actually, Yule is when the sun begins to return. Now, Ostara is a time to honor the day/night balance. We notice the longer days and the growing warmth. The magic you use to heal or protect? It’s stronger now, because the world itself is growing stronger. At least in your hemisphere.”
Victoria added, as she adjusted in her seat. “And there are a lot of rituals that go with it, Katie. We light candles, plant seeds, and even pretty up some eggs. Things that symbolize rebirth. It’s a good time to set intentions, too. What do you want to grow in your life?”
Katie’s eyes widened. “Wait, so you guys do rituals?”
Rayna nodded, her expression shifting from playful to more serious. “Yes, but rituals are personal. You can do them any way you like. It’s about focusing your energy and trusting in the universe’s natural flow. A lot of it is about personal growth, too.”
“Speaking of trust,” Joell said, “we trust one another to know what’s right. We don’t get into each other’s business. You’re invited to our Ostara ritual, or you can observe it in your own way.”
Katie thought for a moment, her voice quiet. “And, um, how does someone like me get involved in all this? I mean, you’re all witches. I’m just trying to survive the madness you guys are throwing my way.”
Joell chuckled. “Well, first off, you’re not just ‘trying to survive,’ Katie.
You’re in this with us. We’ve already seen you tap into some pretty powerful instincts, whether you realize it or not.
Ostara will give you a chance to harness that.
It’s the perfect time for a new start, no matter where you’re coming from. ”
Sahara smiled warmly, her eyes gleaming with a mix of mischief and wisdom. “You don’t have to be born a witch to participate in Ostara’s magic, Katie. The Earth’s energy is available to everyone. It’s about connections. And you’re already part of that now, whether you’re ready or not.”
Katie looked around the room at the witches, who were all watching her with a mix of patience and encouragement. For the first time since she’d joined their world, she didn’t feel like a complete outsider. There was a strange comfort in their presence, and maybe even something that she could trust.
“Well,” Katie said, with a small smile, “I guess I’m in.”
The witches all nodded, some grinning, others quietly pleased.
Joell spoke again, her voice steady. “Good. We’ll guide you through the rituals, and you’ll see…
There’s a power in the earth, in the magic of the seasons, and in gathering with like-minded women.
You don’t have to know it all right now, but the more you connect with it, the more you’ll understand. It’s really quite beautiful.”
Katie’s smile grew a little. “Alright. What do I need to do?”
Rayna stood, stretching out her arms. “First, we’ll prepare. There are a few things to gather for our ritual tonight. Seeds, candles, and some of our own specialized items.”
Magda added, “It’s going to be a small ceremony, but powerful. Ostara isn’t just about planting seeds in the ground. It’s about planting good memories in our lives.”
The witches all nodded, the air of camaraderie growing stronger. Katie felt the weight of their words, but also the curiosity to see how this strange new world could change her.
Michael kicked the front door shut with his foot, arms full of groceries and a six-pack of kombucha he was too embarrassed to admit he liked. Daniel followed behind him, holding a duffel bag of weapons and a pizza box like they were sacred artifacts.
Michael sniffed the air. “Is it just me, or does it smell like someone tried to cover up a magical explosion with Febreze?”
Daniel dropped the duffel by the couch and cracked open the pizza box. “Nah. That’s just Brooklyn.”
They moved around the brownstone with practiced ease. The lights were on, wards checked, and mail magically sorted. A few of the protective glyphs Rayna had scrawled near the windows glowed faintly, reacting to their presence. Nothing out of place. Everything felt normal.
Too normal.
Michael paused at the bay window, frowning. “There’s a guy across the street. He’s just standing there, staring.”
Daniel didn’t even look up. “So? This is New York. People do weird things. I once saw a man walk a goose on a leash through the park while screaming about his ex-wife.”
Michael squinted harder. “Yeah, but this guy’s been there since we pulled up. And he hasn’t moved. At all. Not a muscle.”
That got Daniel’s attention. He joined Michael at the window and looked out. Sure enough, there was a man, or something shaped like a man, standing next to a lamppost. Same as when they’d first seen him ten minutes ago. Same posture. Same blank stare.
“What’s he wearing?” Daniel asked.
Michael muttered, “Hipster starter kit. Beanie, vintage jacket, aggressively neutral expression. He looks like he’s trying to pretend he belongs here.”
Daniel tilted his head. “Could be Jeff, the barista who replaced Katie. That’s how Rayna described him.”
Michael nodded. “That’s what I’m thinking. But why just stand there? What’s the point?”
“To let us know he’s watching,” Daniel said. “To make us paranoid. He doesn’t need to sneak around if he wants to rattle us. All he has to do is be seen.”
They stood in silence for a long moment, both watching the still figure across the street. Then Daniel finally broke it.
“You want to go out there?”
Michael shook his head. “No. If he wants a reaction and we give him one, he wins. Let’s keep an eye on him. Reinforce some passive wards.”
“Like what? Another deadbolt?”
“Yeah, and maybe call the witches, if he starts doing something other than modeling for Urban Decay magazine.”
Daniel cracked a small grin. “Fine. But if he tries to touch the mailbox, I’m pouring kombucha over him.”