Page 27 of Seven Secret Spellcasters (Kitchen Witch Mysteries #7)

D ressed in a long white dress, her hair up on her head with a few curls drifting downward, Mia stared at herself in the mirror.

She didn’t feel beautiful every day. She didn’t take the time to slather on make-up or curl her hair, just to put on sweats and work in the kitchen.

Or, if it was her day off, jeans and a T-shirt to lounge around on the couch and watch reruns.

Jessica, Isaac’s new wife, looked like she was walking the runway every time she’d seen her.

Tonight, though, Mia thought she might be able to give Jessica a run for her money.

Dinner had been nice, but a little stilted, with Steve glowering in the corner and Finn quietly watching everyone.

Mia assumed the girl was in fight-or-flight mode, waiting for something bad to happen.

Mia wondered how much of her story Finn had decided not to share with her new employer and now, landlord.

Even when Mia had been single, she hadn’t been alone.

She’d had a roommate or two, but she’d always known that if she needed anything, her parents or Grans would come to the rescue.

Finn didn’t appear to have any kind of safety net.

She sent a prayer of guidance for Finn up to the Goddess. And protection.

Mia had just finished smoothing her dress when a knock alerted her it was time to go downstairs.

They’d set up in the gym, using the decorations for tomorrow to their advantage.

She thought it looked lovely. And if there was anywhere her life was going to change, she wanted her journey to start here.

Here in the school that she’d saved from being demolished and rebuilt into a strip mall for a frozen yogurt shop, a coffeehouse, and an axe-throwing bar. And probably a nail salon.

Instead, she’d used the commercial zoning for her cooking school, and her delivery and takeout business, but primarily, the academy was her home. For her and a few strays. A knock sounded again, but this time Trent called out, “Mia? Are you ready?”

She shook the thoughts and memories out of her head. No time to be waxing poetic about the building. She opened the door, and Trent’s jaw dropped. “I’m ready.”

“You sure are. I mean, you look amazing. You should wear that dress more often. At home. When we’re alone.” Trent held out his arm.

“You’re a nut.” She kissed his cheek, then wiped off the lipstick. “You clean up nice yourself.”

“This old thing?” Trent smiled. “Thanks for noticing. Everyone’s set up, so let’s go make you official.”

“And once we do, I can leave the house without worrying about being kidnapped for my powers?” Mia followed him to the apartment door.

“Most likely.” Trent hugged her, and they headed downstairs.

They’d almost made it to the gym door when she realized what he’d said. “Wait, ‘most likely’?”

“Just wanted to see if you were listening.” He put his hand on the door handle. “If you’re not ready, we can put it off.”

She shook her head. “No, that would mean I’d have to go through the last week all over again. I want the threat gone.”

He smiled as they walked down the stairs. “I told Mom and Dad that’s what you’d say. Steve’s trying to push the ceremony off. Something about you bothers him.”

“Maybe it’s because I see who he is now, not what a charming child he used to be?” Mia asked. She laughed at the look on Trent’s face. “Don’t even start. You all look at him like he’s the golden child, and really, he’s a bit of a jerk. Or at least he has been since he showed up here.”

They were at the first-floor landing now. Trent leaned over and whispered in her ear, “I forgot you were so insightful on behavior. I’ll tell him to cool it, as my almost-fiancée doesn’t like the persona.”

Mia wasn’t sure it was a persona with Steve. She thought maybe his true colors were showing up. When people left home, they tried on a lot of different faces to find the one that matched their heart. Steve’s heart was a little cold. Icy, in fact.

Three hard knocks on the front door made her jump. She looked at Trent. “Are we expecting someone else?”

“Everyone’s accounted for. Stay here and I’ll check it out.” He grabbed a baseball bat that he kept in the umbrella stand and slowly opened the door. His shoulders dropped, then he bent down to pick up a package. “Another gift from your adoring public.”

“Shut up,” Mia walked over and took the brown paper–wrapped box from him.

She peeked outside, but there was no one there.

Then she took the package over to a chair with a table and lamp nearby.

She turned it over in her hands, then pushed out some magic to check the interior of the box for any potions or spells.

Nothing. “There’s no address or writing at all. And it feels clean.”

“I can’t feel anything. And usually, I can.” Trent sat across from her and looked at his watch. “They’re waiting for us.”

“I know, but I feel like I should open it. Maybe it’s from the Goddess?” Mia met Trent’s gaze. “She sent you Cerby.”

“Maybe.” Trent lifted his head and listened. “No comments from the peanut gallery, or, as you like to call her, Gloria.”

Mia nodded. “She’s been quiet since the incident in the library.

So, should I open it?” Mia waited for his nod, then carefully took off the outer brown wrapping.

Inside, the box was wrapped again with silver and blue paper and a big bow.

A card was slipped inside the ribbon. She held it up and read it.

“ ‘Congratulations on your big night. I always knew you were special.’ ”

“No name? Is it from your mom?” Trent took the paper and folded it.

Mia shook her head. “My parents sent me money. Five thousand. I’m putting it into my travel fund for someday.”

She took a breath and unwrapped the paper. A carved wooden box sat on her lap. She warded the box, then opened it as well. A large opal, surrounded by what looked like diamonds set on a chain, was surrounded by blue velvet.

“Am I stupid in wanting to put this on?” She met Trent’s gaze.

“We have a bunch of people on the other side of the door, waiting for us. If it goes bad, you have backup.”

She smiled. “You’re not going to be the guy who tries to talk me out of jumping off the cliff, are you?”

“I’ll be the one jumping with you,” he responded. “Touch it. If there’s an issue, your grandmother’s protection stone should cover you.”

Mia reached out and felt a buzz, but it was positive and happy. No bad juju here. She lifted the necklace and put it on. It was made for the dress.

“Just another gift?” Mia handed Trent the wooden box. “Put that and the wrappings in the office, just in case.”

“Okay, then we’ve got to go. They’re going to come out and drag us inside if we don’t.” Trent came back from the office and pulled her up from the chair. “It looks beautiful on you.”

As they opened the door, Mia was transported into a magical woods scene.

Jeani had been busy in the old school gym while Mia had been trying to figure out who killed Howard.

Fairy lights twinkled in the trees, and a rock path led them to a large opening that Mia would have sworn was under a real nighttime sky.

The only thing that made her realize they were still in the gym was the fact that it was warm.

If they were outside, even with the small bonfire in the middle of the scene, she’d be freezing in this dress.

Her grandmother came and took her other arm. “Way to make a—” She paused, looking at the necklace. “Where did you get that?”

“It was left at the front door just now.” Mia reached up and touched the opal. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

“It looks familiar.” Grans shook her head and looked back at Mia.

“And you look lovely. I’m so excited to be inviting you into my lineage tonight.

When I pass on, my grimoire will find yours and meld into it.

You will not only get my spells and knowledge, but you’ll get everything that was handed down to me from my mother, and her mother, and so on, all the way to the beginning of time, when we began to work to protect the earth and all those who reside upon this soil. ”

She led Mia to a stone altar by the fire. A woman in silk stood there watching them approach. She looked familiar, but Mia didn’t think they’d ever been introduced. She smiled at her.

“Mia Malone, I am Lilith Goldsman. I’m the most experienced—I don’t use the word old —kitchen witch on this earth. There are so few of us now. I live in France, but I cover most of Europe. We have several others scattered over the continents. I’m so happy to invite a new voice to our group.”

“Lilith, nice to meet you,” Mia said. She didn’t know if she should curtsy or shake her hand. “I’m sure I have so much more to learn.”

Lilith broke into a wide smile. “Mary Alice, you were right about this girl. She is extraordinary. Yes, there will be a welcome packet arriving tomorrow with your guidebook and a few initial assignments, but there is still a lot to learn. Tonight, though, is all about commitment and celebration.”

The ceremony was mostly a promise to do no harm and to help build a positive energy shield around the planet.

At least that’s what Mia heard. She had to breathe to keep herself from falling over during Lilith’s listing off of all the former kitchen witches from the archives list. One name hung in the air. Gloria Ann Lightfoot.

Mia heard the giggle from her kitchen witch doll and met Grans’s shocked look. Grans hadn’t been the only teacher for Mia’s development. Mia’s kitchen witch doll had been an actual person, once upon a time.

“You’re going to do great things,” Gloria said in Mia’s head. “I’m lucky to be on the journey with you.”

Mia decided that finding out more about Gloria would be her first entry into the research part of the archives. But that would have to wait until at least this weekend.

“Mia, are you ready to accept your new role as a kitchen witch?” Lilith smiled at her, and Mia wondered if she’d missed something while she was thinking about Gloria.

She took a deep breath and nodded. “I’m ready to accept my new role, and I am grateful to accept my new position with your group.”

A cheer went up, and Mia turned to greet her new circle. Grans, Abigail, Christina, Levi, Sarah, Thomas, and Trent. Seven people whom she could count on for advice as well as assistance. They were bound.

“Your circle of nine is very strong.” Lilith hugged her. “I’ve got a late flight out of Boise, so I need to go. Come by the chateau sometime, and we can talk about your history. You’ve got a very interesting lineage. Thomas, are you driving me?”

“Steve is waiting in the car and will take you back to Boise. He’s got to return to Denver now that Trent’s situation is cleared up.” Thomas kissed Lilith on the cheek. “It was nice to see you again.”

Lilith said her goodbyes to everyone, and Mia found a chair. A glass of champagne appeared in front of her.

“That was beautiful. Do you feel any different?” Trent asked as he sat next to her.

Mia took the glass and downed it. “Different? I guess a little. I feel you all around me. It’s kind of weird. Did this happen to you?”

“My initiation came with the coven. No circle of nine for me.” He switched glasses with her. “It was overwhelming, but I don’t think the attachment was quite as strong. Are you joining the coven tomorrow?”

“Still undecided. I don’t want to inadvertently blow your cover by joining.” Mia sipped from the new glass. Her dizziness was going away. “Wait, what did you say about the circle?”

“That the attachment was probably stronger.” Trent stood and grabbed a chocolate chip cookie off a tray. “You probably need some sugar after that.”

“No, the number. I have seven in my circle, including Sarah and your dad.” Mia looked around at the group mingling around her. They were giving her and Trent a minute. “You said nine.”

“Lilith said nine. She must have felt two more witches attached to you. Any idea who they are?” Now Trent looked concerned.

“One was Gloria.” Mia reached out to the connection and heard the giggle. “Gloria’s not a familiar. She is an actual kitchen witch. She was listed on the rolls that Lilith read off.”

Trent rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t listening. It was a long ceremony. So, who’s the other one?”

Mia closed her eyes and searched for another connection. She couldn’t find it. There was a glimmer, then she felt a hand on her shoulder.

“Thank you for inviting us.” Sarah smiled down at her. “I know you’re exhausted. I’ve got to get this baby to bed. Too much energy floating around here. She’s in heaven. I think one of your ghosts has been playing with her for the last hour. She keeps looking over and giggling.”

Mia hugged Sarah. “Thank you for saying yes.”

“My pleasure.”

“This was interesting.” Mark stood by his wife’s side, holding the baby’s car seat. “Weird, but interesting. I take it you’re free to come talk to someone tomorrow about Howard? I think I found a lead on the rafting trip.”

“If it’s early. We’re hosting the coven Halloween party, and there’s still a lot to do,” Mia explained.

“I’ll pick you up at eight,” Mark said, then he took his wife’s arm and they made their way out of the gym.

“So now Mark’s taking you on investigations?” Trent asked as they moved toward the treat table, where everyone had gathered.

“He’s not supposed to be investigating, so I’m his cover.” Mia took a sparkling water from the table, then looked around at her friends. Her family, really. She was still missing someone, but she’d figure it out.

“Here’s to the best circle a kitchen witch could ever have!” Mia held up her glass. “Thank you all for being here tonight.”

“To Mia!” the group responded, and as she sipped her water, she realized how happy she was at that moment.

Tomorrow would bring its own set of problems. But right now, right here, everything was good.