Page 22 of My Haven (Bewitched and Bewildered #16)

Varan looked vindicated.

Thad however, looked tired. “Meryn, we’re talking millions of dollars.”

Meryn looked flabbergasted. “Millions? Where in the hell is that money going? You don’t even have coffee shops.”

Jayne eyed Meryn. “It takes money to run a city this big. Do you think the people out there pay an electricity bill or a water bill? What about sanitation? We don’t have a refuse tube like Noctem Falls.”

Meryn’s mouth opened, then closed. “Oh yeah.”

Nia smiled at Meryn. “The outside assignments are highly sought after because they are extremely high paying jobs, and the witch gets thirty percent of the contracted price. The rest goes to the city.”

“So, they’re secret because people want to get paid more?” Genevieve asked.

Nia nodded. “In the past we’ve had disgruntled witches sabotage other’s assignments hoping they’d have a chance to swoop in and save the day. It’s why only council members have assignment listings.”

Meryn spun her cup around in her hands. “Zoe’s parents just wanted to escape then?”

Thad smiled sadly. “I’ve never met a more overwhelmed couple.”

“Thank you, for explaining things to me. I didn’t know how things worked here,” Meryn said, sounding genuinely grateful.

“It’s part of our job Meryn, to educate,” Jayne said.

Meryn placed a hand over Ryuu’s on her shoulder. “I think I’d like to head back now. The day is catching up with me.”

Ryuu moved to her side and helped her stand.

Once she stood, the men of the room also stood.

Caiden turned to the council members. “Sorry to cut our visit short, but as you see, Meryn’s health obviously takes priority.”

Nia nodded. “As it should.”

Thad waved off the squires at the door and held it open himself. “Please feel free to come visit whenever you wish.”

Meryn smiled up at him. “I will.”

Once in the hallway, Ryuu simply swung Meryn up into his arms.

Pip twisted his hands in front of him. “Meryn, are you okay?”

Meryn reached out and touched his hair. “Just tired.”

When they left the castle, Caiden watched as sweat began to bead on Meryn’s forehead. “Ryuu, detour,” Caiden called out.

Caiden led them to the border of the Lower City, to a small set of cottages off to one side. The one on the left, rose tall with a second and third story, the one on the right was a single story, but sprawling. Behind it, a vast garden spread to the wall.

“Fergus! You home?” Caiden called out.

The door to the three-story home swung open. “Aye, Caiden, lad that you?”

“We need to borrow your parlor,” he said, ushering Ryuu inside.

“Of course!” The older man said, stepping aside.

Caiden led them to a small sitting room. Ryuu set Meryn down and reached in his vest for the sachet. He looked up. “We left it at the castle.”

“What does the lil lass need?” Fergus asked.

“Blessed Chamomile,” Caiden responded.

“Give me a second. I know where Boragina keeps her herbs and teas, be right back,” the older man said, then hurried back out the front door.

Caiden took a deep breath and called on his air magic to cast the strongest soundproofing spell he could. “We’re secure Meryn,” he said, then steered his concerned looking mate into the chair by the door.

Meryn swallowed hard. “I don’t wanna, but I’m gonna throw up,” she whispered.

Nigel took her hand. “Get it out. Neil and I learned how to clean that up while we were éire Danu,” he assured her.

Meryn turned her head and leaned over the side of the chair. After a few moments of retching, she sat back. A glittering light now flew frantically around her head.

Nigel cast a spell in a low voice and the sweet smell of sickness dissipated, replaced with the smell of mint. “Kendrick taught us,” he said.

Fergus hurried in. “Poor wee thing. Here you go, squire,” he said, handing a small jar to Ryuu. “Blessed Chamomile, grown by one of the finest earth witches Storm Keep has ever produced.”

Ryuu bowed. “You have my thanks.”

Fergus, motioned for him to use the tea service at the side table. “Kettle is on the stove in the kitchen,” he said.

Pip popped up. “I can do that.” He practically ran from the room.

Fergus walked over to stand next to Caiden, watching Ryuu’s hands glow blue, as the squire held his charge gently.

“What set her off?” the older man asked.

Caiden frowned. “Not quite sure.”

Meryn swallowed hard. “I need Kendrick or Thane,” she whispered. “I can’t get it to stop.”

Caiden pulled out his phone. Kendrick answered on the first ring. “Hello?”

“Meryn needs you, now. We’re at Fergus Compton’s home. Soundproofing is in place.”

He could hear movement. “Me? Not Aiden?”

“She asked for you or Thane.”

“It’s her magic then. Be right there.” Then the phone went silent.

“You’ll like this tea Meryn. Kendrick’s is strong, but this one feels kind,” Neil said, taking her hand.

Fergus eyed Neil. “You must be a pretty strong earth witch yourself, to sense that much of Boragina in the tea.”

Meryn swayed a bit. “Why is that name familiar?”

“Do you know Boragina Sageson?”

Meryn covered her eyes with both hands. “Micah’s grandma?” she whispered.

“Aye.” Fergus, looked up at Caiden. “When will that friend of yours get here?”

“I’m here,” Kendrick said, walking past them to get to Meryn. He knelt down in front of her. “Talk to me, Meryn.”

“Make it stop,” she begged.

Ryuu’s hands were now a deep azure. “It’s taxing her too much, whatever it is. I’m using my own magic to keep her conscious.”

Kendrick stood and laid a hand on the top of her head. The second he made contact, he jerked away with a curse. He took a deep breath, before his hands began to glow green. He moved his hand back to her head.

This time it was Kendrick that was swallowing hard. “Gods above,” he whispered. “Boys,” he called out.

Nigel and Neil knew without having to be told, to lay their power hands on Kendrick’s shoulders. The three of them began to glow a bright emerald color.

Caiden paced back and forth.

Genevieve touched his arm. “What’s going on?”

Caiden pulled her close. “Something triggered Meryn’s innate empathy at the castle. I’m not sure what she’s experiencing, though it must be bad if Kendrick needed the boys.”

“If I send you a list, can you get the ingredients I need to make her some chicken noodle soup?” Genevieve asked.

He passed her his phone, with Kyran’s text window up. “Just tell him what you need.”

Her fingers moved quickly as she kept a watchful eye on Meryn.

After a minute or two the green light began to fade. When it was gone completely, the boys dropped to their knees and Kendrick was feeling around for a chair. Fergus stepped forward and helped him sit in the seat closest to Meryn. “Is she okay?” he asked.

Kendrick sat back and closed his eyes. “I will never, ever be envious of those with empathy. Gods above, what a curse,” he whispered.

Meryn yawned wide. “I feel better now. It was touch and go there before you got here,” she admitted.

Pip came from the kitchen carefully carrying a kettle. “Ryuu, the water is just right,” he said, keeping both eyes on his task.

Despite using quite a bit of magic himself, Ryuu took the kettle easily. “I have no doubt that since you got it ready for Meryn, it will be perfect.”

Pip looked pleased, then dropped to the floor to scoot closer to his brothers.

Caiden walked over and placed a hand on Kendrick’s back, passing him some of his air magic. It would help replenish the earth magic Kendrick used for Meryn.

Kendrick peeled his eyes open. “My thanks.”

“What did you see?”

Kendrick turned to Meryn. “How much of that was allegory?”

“How would I know? It all looked like freaky shit to me,” she admitted.

“Back it up. What triggered the images?” Kendrick asked.

“Meeting the Witches’ Council,” Meryn answered.

“All of them?”

“Nah, that Karl douche wasn’t there.”

“Was it one member in particular?”

She shook her head. “I was getting images from all of them, but they were telling me important stuff, so I kinda tried to ignore it. It did not like that,” she shuddered.

Kendrick blinked. “You were getting images from multiple people, and you decided to ignore it because the conversation was interesting?” he demanded.

Meryn squinted. “You make me sound silly when you say it like that.”

Kendrick stood and began pacing, obviously feeling stronger. “You know better!”

“They told me they would give me their list of human contracts they have,” she countered.

Kendrick’s eyes bugged out. “Seriously?”

“Yup. I told them I mind my own business, but if I had the list, I could help counter any leaks before they became a big deal. I think they knew I could do it and decided it was worth it to loop me in.” She gave a weak laugh.

“As if I couldn’t find that shit now that I know it’s out there. A list does make things easier though.”

“Before I give you my opinion, what do you make of what you saw?” Kendrick asked.

Meryn sighed, looking very tired. “Symbolism at its finest. I kept seeing a stage with all the council members on it. They kept changing masks.”

“I saw the smiling and crying faces associated with theatre,” Kendrick confirmed.

Meryn shook her head. “I saw actual faces, as masks. But, as the faces changed, their hearts changed too. And…”

Kendrick waited. “And?”

Meryn looked up. “The mirrors showed different things from the eaves.”

Kendrick sat down and scooted the chair forward. “You saw mirrors?”

“Yeah. Everything was flipping through scenes, masks, lights and it was doubled or tripled for me, because of the mirrors.”

“Meryn, sip slowly,” Ryuu said, handing her a cup.

Meryn did as he advised, and her head popped up. “I like this one.”

“I bet you do,” Fergus said slyly.

Meryn began to gulp the tea. “It’s…” She took another sip. “It’s like a hug in a cup.”

Fergus burst out into loud laughter. “Boragina would love that compliment.”

Kendrick huffed. “Mine is more potent,” he said.

“Yeah, but your tea, is like your lessons. They’re hard to take, but good for ya,” Meryn said, then held up her empty cup. “It takes me a while to get through one cup of yours, but I could easily drink two of hers for the same effect.”

Kendrick scowled.

Fergus wiped away tears of laughter. “She just simplified your argument of thirty-years with Boragina.”

Kendrick eyed Meryn as she was sucking down her second cup of tea. “What was your overall impression of them?”

“They seemed nice,” Meryn said.

“Nice?” Kendrick asked, sounding shocked.

She nodded. “Karl was a sucker punch. We may not have hidden my reaction as well as we thought. Not a single one of them hit on my asshole meter.”

“That’s disturbing,” Kendrick admitted.

“Doesn’t mean we can’t kill them, right?” Meryn asked.

At Caiden’s side, Fergus’ mouth dropped open. Caiden lay a hand on his shoulder. “Maybe you should head to one of the unit houses or to Noctem Falls to visit Boragina,” he suggested.

The older man shook his head. “Boragina may be the earth witch, but I have been playing with air currents since I was smaller than that one,” he said, pointing to Pip. “I’ve been listening out for whispers. Not every witch is smart enough or capable of casting a soundproofing spell.”

“Are you sure? You’re taking a risk if the Witches’ Council catches you,” Caiden asked, feeling unsure about leaving the old man alone.

Fergus looked from him to Kendrick and back. “I’m more worried about places where I don’t hear anything at all.”

“Soundproofing?” Kendrick asked.

Fergus shook his head. “Not unless someone figured out how to make one permanent. I’ve been calling them, dead zones. No sounds of voices, birds, people moving about, nothing. And it’s constant.”

“Where at?” Caiden asked. “I can add those places to our routes for when the units patrol.”

“Around the castle, but that isn’t surprising, is it? One building closer to the Academy and one in the Lower City,” Fergus said.

“If you think for even a second enforcers are coming for you, get to a unit house. Micah listed you as family, we’ll get you to safety,” Caiden said.

The older man’s eyes filled. “He’s such a good boy.” He laughed. “A handful, driving Boragina to drink that wine of hers, but a good boy.”

“Meryn, do you think you can make it back to the Nu house?” Caiden asked.

“Yeah, but I may need that bed in Genevieve’s cool van,” Meryn said.

“It’s all yours for the way back,” Genevieve promised. “I had Kyran run out for ingredients, I’m making you my famous chicken noodle soup.”

Meryn stared. “Like not from a can?”

Genevieve gasped. “You’ve never had homemade chicken noodle soup?”

Meryn thought it over. “I don’t think so. What makes homemade better than can?”

Caiden placed a comforting hand on his mate’s shoulder. “She’s genuinely curious.”

Genevieve, hands on hips. “What did you have homemade growing up?”

“Like food? Nothing,” Meryn replied.

“No cookies, breads, soups, pastas, nothing?”

“I was lucky if I got food at all. If my grandmother made something from scratch, she would have probably beaten me half to death if I ate any of it,” Meryn confessed wryly.

Caiden felt icy anger in the pit of his stomach. He thought of all the meals he made Amelia while she was growing up. If they found Meryn sooner, she could have had all of it as well.

“Well, you’re going to be my taste tester while you’re here,” Genevieve said. She crossed her arms over her chest. “No homemade chicken noodle? That’s like blasphemy.”

“Us too?” Pip asked, as he helped Nigel and Neil stand.

“You bet,” Genevieve said.

Caiden felt the rage fade as the warmth from his mate’s kindness spread over his heart. She really was perfect for him, in every way, even in taking care of their family. She smiled up at him and hugged his arm. “Our grocery bill is going to be huge!”

“That’ fine by me,” he said, as the boys talked excitedly with Meryn about the soup. “Absolutely fine.”