“In serious danger of annoyance,” he said. “I’ve made a lot of concessions in sharing a home with Bijou and Hairball, but this is getting ridiculous.”
Walking toward the kitchen, I saw the problem immediately and felt it in Bixby’s growl. The entirety of our magical training class had gathered around the counter, while Atticus paced and Tiffin reclined in a dog bed by the door. The puppy was chewing on a toy I bought for Bixby in our early days, when I thought he might like to kick back like a regular dog once in a while. He didn’t. Aside from enjoying his grub and a warm sunbeam, he didn’t really “do” dog.
Ren was arranging a charcuterie board while Sinda set out plates, cutlery and serviettes. There was an open bottle of wine, but only Marli Seagrave was drinking. It was another strike against her. In this town, you couldn’t afford to be inebriated for fear of misjudging a threat.
Glancing up at me, Ren gave me a sheepish shrug that told me they’d been ambushed even before she spoke. “Welcome home, Janelle. We have surprise guests.”
“Such a surprise,” Sinda echoed. “We were expecting Liberty, but not an army.”
“We didn’t take no for an answer,” Marli said, taking another sip. “Everyone’s feeling unsettled after class today and the others said you’d know what to do.”
“Me? Why?” I put Bixby down with a mental order not to get into a skirmish with the visiting dogs. “I’m as new to training as you are.”
“But not as new to magic, at least according to gossip,” Marli said. “You have a bit of a reputation.”
“If you’re at the Brighton manor to talk about gossip, I’ll need to excuse myself and head upstairs,” I said. “It’s been a very long day.”
Brianna spoke up. “That’s not why I’m here. I’m confused about the assignment and hoped we could put our heads together.”
“It’s just a crossword puzzle and so basic,” Marli said. “I’m nearly finished already.”
Cassie’s face flushed. “It wasn’t that easy for me. I’m so new to all this.”
Sinda came around the counter to touch Cassie’s arm. “We all are, dear, and I’m intimidated, too. But you’re the only one here who lost a parent today. I’m surprised you’re functioning at all.”
The young woman’s posture improved immediately with the healing vibes Sinda sent into her arm. “It hasn’t sunk in, yet. My father and I were never close.”
“But he was still your father, and it’s a huge loss to process,” Sinda said. “I’m sure the mayor and Mr. Strump would understand if you prefer to postpone training.”
Cassie shook her head. “I don’t. Keeping busy is the best thing for me.”
Blaine rested his hand on his wife’s other shoulder. “She wanted to start clearing out his house but the police wouldn’t let us go in.”
“Where is your mother, dear?” Sinda’s face paled as she poured energy into Cassie’s arm. In future, I’d need to be more cautious about accepting her gift if it drained her like that. I’d already taken more than my share in the library.
“New York City. She moved there after my parents divorced. I don’t see her often, but she’s coming home tomorrow to help with arrangements.”
“That’s good. The more support the better.” Now Sinda’s voice sounded dry, as if she were running low on juice.
“Sinda, would you mind checking in with Liberty?” I said. “I’m worried about her.”
I was worried about what Liberty might be doing. But I was more worried about Sinda overtaxing herself.
Cassie let out a long sigh. “I feel better being here with you, Janelle. You were so helpful when we were getting married. Things were scary then, too.”
Bixby clicked back to me across the tiles. “So helpful she vanished the mayor’s cat and nearly scuttled the wedding.”
“Never mind,” Ren said.
“Never mind what?” Marli asked, tipping her head. The chandelier gleamed off her smooth golden hair.
“Never mind hair envy, Janelle,” Bixby said. “Get these folks out of here. The last thing we need is a bunch of newbies hanging around.”
Ren blinked at Marli and smiled. “I talk out loud when I’m anxious, and Cassie’s right, it’s a scary time.”
Marli turned to me now. “Did Cassie’s dad really die from a hexed book while you were watching? That’s what people are saying.”
I shook my head. “Marli, let it go. We need to be sensitive to Cassie’s feelings.”
“It’s okay, Janelle.” Cassie’s voice had a quaver. “I’d like to know what happened and the police are being vague.”
“All I can say is that by the time I looked into the stacks, he was already gone, Cassie. I’m glad I missed what happened. No matter how difficult he was, your father didn’t deserve to pass in such a way.”
“Jury’s still out on that,” Bixby said.
I told him silently to simmer down. When the discussion had so many players, it was harder for me to keep track of his commentary. Eventually, I’d trip up, as Ren had.
Blaine came over and rested his hand on my arm. “You’ve been such a support to us, Janelle. We’re grateful.”
I grabbed the countertop for support as a torrent of Blaine’s thoughts and memories flooded into me. The impact was magnified by his wedding ring, which I knew had once belonged to his father. In fact, a man who looked like a graying Blaine appeared in many of the images and I could tell they’d had a good relationship. Another man who had similar features was there, too, but the feeling was very different. At one point the other man had bent over Blaine, face contorted with rage and spittle flying. There was so much fear in Blaine even now that it was palpable.
Waving his thanks away, I said, “And how are you doing, Blaine? It’s been a rough few weeks. Do you have family nearby?”
He shook his head and then nodded reluctantly. “My parents are gone, but my uncle is back in town. Called twice, but I don’t want to see him.”
“Is this the man who…” I let the sentence trail off. Marli and Brianna didn’t need to know about Angus’s shady dealings with Blaine’s uncle. They’d basically brokered the union to facilitate their business, like a royal family. Or a mafia family, the term Blaine had once used. At least the bride and groom loved each other.
Blaine nodded. “He’s been in Europe for ages and I hoped he’d stay there.”
