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14
CALLIE
"James!" Hank runs into the room with Sugar on his heels. We're working on changing the room around so Will's mom and Hank's dad can bunk up in there. Of course, Hank’s dad insists Lola have the sofa, but the room is plenty big. We put a small cot from the firehouse in the corner and are working on hanging blankets around each to give them some semblance of privacy. With Fran taking one of the spare rooms, and Theresa and her men the other, we're out of space. But nobody dares suggest Fran room with Lola, or anyone split up. James, Will, Hank, and I make it work in my queen-sized bed with a couple of cots and trading off time in the bed.
But if we take many more people in, we will have to figure something else out. The same goes for time. I'm not sure how much longer we can cope with this situation.
"We've got to go help," Hank yells, even though we're right in front of him.
"Help what?" I jump up and grab his hands. "Calm down."
"It's Iris," he says with a wild look in his eyes. "Her shop is on fire, and she's trapped inside."
"What?" James roars, panic and anger warring for dominance on his face. He's mentioned Iris before, and it's clear he cares for her the same way Will and Hank do for their families.
Sometimes, family is the people you choose, not the ones you're born to. Looking around the room, I've never been so certain of that.
Sugar holds her hands up. "I just found out. They're keeping the flames at bay, but the backup crew that's been replacing your shifts is human. This has got to be a magical fire."
They don't waste any time and jump up. They run from the room toward the front door. There's no hesitation, which fills me with both pride and concern. This isn't the time to go anywhere without planning it.
"Wait," I cry. "You can't just go running off like that! It's probably a trap."
James whirls. "I can't leave Iris."
I pause for a moment. Am I sure this is a family thing? Could it be more than that? All three of them are rushing off. Perhaps it's someone who means more to them than...no. I have to trust them. Besides, we haven't had any serious talks about naming what's between us. I shouldn't expect anything from them.
“We’re going to save her,” Will says. “But we can’t be stupid. Let’s get some glamours on and go, at the least.”
James seems to calm down. “Glamours. Right.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” I ask, having managed to get a small handle on my surge of jealousy.
All eyes snap to me, but Will is the one to answer. “No. This is what we do. There's no reason for you to risk yourself like that.”
I feel helpless as James and Hank use their powers to glamour the three of them into men I’ve never seen before. Three big guys who look like brothers. Triplets with blond hair, bushy eyebrows, and small noses. I prefer their normal selves, even if the triplets could be what most women consider hot.
When they’re done, they put on the watches Hank enchanted, and Fran and Theresa put spells of protection on them. I still don’t feel good about them going out, especially when this whole thing screams of a trap, but I also know that they have to go.
A sick sensation settled in my stomach. This is going to end badly; I'm almost certain of it. But I understand why they need to do it.
“We’ll be back soon,” Will says, and there’s a promise in his eyes.
“You better be,” I tell him, then force a smile. They need to know I support them in what they're doing, even if it scares me.
Each of my guys gives me a tight hug, and then the three of them head outside. I stand in the doorway for far too long. Watching the three of them disappear from view and then waiting for something to happen. Perhaps I'm waiting for them to return, even though that doesn't make sense. Fighting a fire takes longer than ten minutes. Not far in the distance, I see smoke billowing into the darkening sky, and my feeling of unease intensifies.
“Come on,” Fran says softly. She puts her arm lightly around my shoulders and gives me a reassuring squeeze. I appreciate the attempt at comfort.
I don’t want to go. But when I turn to look at her, I can’t form the words. When my grandmother died, this woman had felt like a stranger to me. She’d felt like a shell of a woman. I suppose, in some ways, she was. She lost everything that day. Her home, her partner, her life. But she's pulled herself back from the brink. Something about helping the people hiding from my uncle has changed her. It’s given her purpose. And now, I can see the person my grandmother loved so dearly. A kind soul with an amazing strength.
A part of me wants to wait by the door and watch for the three of them to come back. But instead, I let Fran lead me away, and I’m instantly glad of it. Fran’s soft eyes warm, and her arm squeezes me more tightly.
“How about we have some coffee?” Theresa says, studying us. She's not come as close as Fran, and I'm glad of it.
I feel more of a connection to my grandmother's partner than to my mother's best friend. I don't think I'll be admitting that aloud to anyone. I don't want Theresa and her men to stop being her allies. But there's something about Theresa and her men that doesn't sit right with me.
Fran nods. “I think that would be perfect.”
We head to the kitchen, and I have the strangest feeling. Nothing would be right again until my men come home safely, but being in the kitchen with two women who have helped my family so much feels right, even if I'm having misgivings about one of them. This is what a real support system feels like. I can't believe I've gone my whole life without one.
I only hope the end of my story will be different than my mom’s.
“Shall I make it?” Theresa asks, gesturing towards the coffee pot resting on the stove.
I shake my head. “You guys sit down. It’ll give me something to do.”
They sit at the small table across from each other, and I see them both smile. They're like chalk and cheese; I don't think anyone would ever guess they're sort of friends. Theresa is the younger of the two women and wears the outfits to match. I'm young enough to be her daughter, and I can't pull off any of the things she wears. The streak of purple in her dark hair completes the picture and makes her seem more like a kick-ass woman from a book cover than someone who is actually real.
Fran is older, with long brown hair, which is fading in places. She still has an enviable figure but wears sensible clothes. Her pale blue blouse and comfortable looking jeans suit her perfectly.
On the surface, they have nothing in common. But beneath, there was something that linked them: love. And their connection to my family. I'm lucky in that sense. They're both here to help me. Both determined to do the right thing, even when it puts them in danger.
I’m lucky to have such strong women in my life. I hope I can live up to them.
Fran looks toward me, and her smile falls away. “You okay?”
I jerk, not having expected the question. “Of course,” I mutter, then try to remember what I’m doing.
“Coffee,” Theresa says, her voice kind. I'm glad for that. I don't feel like I'm being judged for forgetting what I'm trying to achieve. With everything that's going on, it's hard to focus sometimes.
I nod and go to the coffee maker.
“What do you need from us, hon?” Fran asks kindly.
"Just talk to me. I need to think about anything else right now.” If I'm not careful, I'm going to let worry for the guys stop me from functioning.
I hope they're staying safe while they're out there fighting the fire. A magical fire.
I try not to dwell on the knowledge that my grandmother died in a magical fire or that my uncle is probably responsible for this one, as well as the one that killed her. How are we going to get through this when he's so ruthless?
I realize I’m trembling.
“Hon?” Fran says and starts to rise.
“Tell me about my mother,” I blurt out, wanting to distract all of us from what's happening.
Fran stares at me for a minute, then slowly sits back down. She glances at Theresa, probably expecting Mom's best friend to want to start. I suppose that makes sense.
Theresa looks uncertain, but she starts to speak. "Did I tell you about the time your mother accidentally turned your uncle into a flea?"
I start the coffee maker, then go and sit at the table with the two other women, relieved she's chosen a light story to tell me. I'm not sure I could cope with anything darker.
We pass the time with Fran and Theresa telling me things about my mother and grandmother. I find myself smiling at the memories of the two women I'll never get to know, a small amount of sadness welling up within me at the same time. Our relationships have been ripped from us by the circumstances created by my uncle. For that, I'll never forgive him. But despite that, I finally feel as if I'm getting to know them.
The back of my mind is a constant panic, worrying that the king will get his nasty hands on my guys. But despite it all, I can't let it get me down. And hearing about the two women who gave their lives to protect me is a good distraction from it all.
The guys have been gone for almost two hours when my phone rings. Not my mobile, the house phone. Nerves flutter in my stomach. I'm scared to pick up and find out who is waiting at the other end.
I yank the receiver up. "Hello?"
Belatedly, it occurs to me that maybe I should have disguised who I am, but it's too late now. Will's voice comes through the line, frantic and out of breath. "It's bad down here. There is one watch left. Put it on."
"I can do a powerful glamour and be there?—"
"No!" he shouts. "I've got to go. Promise me you won't leave the house."
“Will—”
“Promise me, damn it! I don’t have time for this!” His voice is filled with terror, not anger, though.
Which scares me even more.
"I promise." The words come out as a whisper. I don't want to leave the three of them in danger, but I know better than to not listen to them.
He hangs up the line, and I stare at the phone for a split second before relaying the information to Theresa and Fran.
They both jump up. "I've known Iris for years," Fran says. "Since we were little. I'll go help, too."
Theresa is up shouting around the house in seconds. People come pouring out of every room. They race down the stairs, and there’s a panicked energy in the room that makes my blood pound. Not for the first time, I find myself surprised at how many people there are here.
“Iris’s shop is being consumed by a magical fire, and the boys called needing help!” Theresa explains. “Who will go?”
Everyone’s voices rise at once.
Fran nods. “If we all go, we can get it out quickly and get back here just as fast.”
Her words make sense, but as everyone gets ready, I feel strange. I’m supposed to be the one protecting everyone. Instead, I’ll be the one hiding from the danger.
It feels wrong. No matter what Will says, I can't leave them without any protection, can I?
"Don't you think the king's thugs will be watching? Won't they realize that all these strangers must be people glamoured?" I ask when I see Hank’s dad and Lola glamouring themselves, too.
"If the guys are asking for help, I’m going to assume it’s bad enough to warrant it. It’d be better for us to use our combined magic and put out the fire in minutes rather than a handful of us going and it taking hours. Besides, Iris is beloved by all of us. If she’s in danger, we’re going to help." Eric says, setting a hand on Theresa’s shoulder.
Fran and Theresa hug me, murmuring words of encouragement, and then they head out the door. I wave them out of the kitchen and watch them slip over to the firehouse. In a few minutes, I run to my front window to watch the second fire truck pull out of the bay. Eric is in the driver's seat.
I have no idea if he's supposed to do that, but what's done is done. Now I'm here alone, and they're there, fighting a fire almost certainly set by the king.
I should be there.
This is my fight. I'm supposed to be at the helm. How can I let them fight while I'm hiding in fear in my home?
I can't. It's not right. Who ever heard of a queen not leading her armies?
My mind made up, I glamour myself.
I've seen Fran do the spell of protection many times. It's not that hard, not really. Mostly, I just focus on myself. Then, I expand my senses out and press a curtain of magic around me. When it’s sealed watertight, I open my eyes and release a breath.
When I'm covered, wearing the watch, and looking like the woman I hated most from the last apartment building I lived in, I dart over to the firehouse’s back door.
Finding a firefighting suit on the wall, I start to pull it on, hoping like hell I’m doing it right. Magic seems to be able to do a lot of things, but it doesn’t make me fire-resistant.
"Excuse me?" A voice from the front of the firehouse has me ducking. It's Sugar.
Thank goodness it’s not someone dangerous.
"I know you're in there," she says in her sassy voice. "I can sense you, Callie-Cat."
A pang of sadness hits at the endearment. I miss my cat more than ever. She wouldn't have any problems following Will's instructions. She never put us in danger.
With a sigh, I walk out of the dressing room to face the music. She meets me in the hall.
"Why aren't you at the fire?" I ask.
"Because they knew you'd pull something like this, and I can't do my magic in front of all the humans and witches all over the place." She rolls her eyes, frustrated but also resigned. “I’m no more helpful than a human out there.”
I open my mouth to complain about them assuming I'd leave the house when Sugar's statement sticks in my craw. "Wait, why can't you do your magic?" I ask.
"It's obvious. I'm an ice dragon. When I put out a fire with my magic, I actually freeze it. The ice and flames combine to turn the ice into vapor, but it puts the fire out."
Ah, that may be the reason she doesn't want anyone to see her do it. She's said multiple times that she can't reveal herself for one reason or another.
The image of what she can do forms in my mind. "That's really cool. I'd love to see you in action one day."
She purses her lips at me and puts one hand on her uniform-clad hip. "What are you doing here, anyway?"
"I can't have them there while I'm cowering. What kind of future queen does that make me?"
"A smart one. A good leader knows to put the best people in the right places," she says. She takes the uniform out of my arms. "Just stay here. I'm going to go change. You won't be needing that."
"How'd you know it was me?" I ask, raising my voice so I can be sure she'll hear me. It probably isn't necessary; she may have super hearing for all I know. Sugar shouldn't be able to see through the glamour or past the spell on the watch, especially considering I'm using both.
"I'm a dragon." She pops her head around the doorframe and gives me a knowing look. "You'd be surprised by the things I know and can do." She turns away again, presumably to go and get herself changed.
I smile at her retreating back, amazed. I don't think the guys have any idea half of what Sugar is capable of. If she's that powerful, why does she hide what she is? I shake my head to rid myself of the thoughts. It's up to her whether she tells me or not. Perhaps she will in time, but if not, then it's her business, not mine.
"Hello?" A male voice really makes me duck. "Anyone home? I'm looking for someone named Sugar?"
I peek out of the hallway. Hang on. I know that voice.
Benedict stands in the middle of the enormous bay, empty of its two trucks. He's facing the other side of the firehouse, where the kitchen and offices are.
A smile spreads over my face at the sight of him. He may not be my type, but that doesn't mean I don't find him charming and good company. "What are you doing here?" I walk out of the hall. He doesn't know it's me. For all he knows, I'm a secretary here.
"I'm looking for a fire person named Sugar," he explains, striding forward with his hand out.
I shake it and smile. "She's busy at the moment. Can I help you?"
"My name is Bene—" He's cut off by Sugar.
"Dick. I call him Dick." She's changed into one of her normal outfits. A hot pink pair of pants and a tight-as-sin black top with a low neckline. Pair that with the tall, black boots, and she looks awesome.
I wish I could pull that look off.
Benny ignores her dick comment, and that smooth smile of his blossoms on his face. "Hey, Sugar. Good to see you. Where is everyone? This place is too quiet."
"There’s a big fire in town," she says. "I'm here babysitting this one." She nods her head toward me.
Benedict studies me. "Oh, of course. Callie?"
My jaw drops as I shoot Sugar an accusing glare.
She shrugs. "I've known him for years. He knows me, too. What I am and why I'm hiding."
Benny smiles. “Yeah, I do.”
Sugar moves closer to him. “But he’s still a dick.”
Benedict pulls Sugar close and kisses her temple. "It’s good to see you too.”
"Why didn't you speak up in his favor when we debated whether or not to trust him?" I ask her.
"Because I don't trust him. I'm fond of him. I trust him enough to believe he won't rat us out. But Dick here, he's out for one person and one person only. Himself."
Benedict shrugs. "At the moment, I'm only after information. I have no reason to rat anyone out."
"Hmm." She tries to sound unimpressed, but I recognize the expression on her face. She's not as oblivious to him as she wants to pretend. Far from it. There's definite interest in her gaze.
"Well, while we're here, would you like to work on your water?" Benedict offers. "Or are you headed somewhere?"
I can't go back home. He'll see where we're staying. I have to wait for him to leave. Plus, I need a distraction anyway. "Sure, yeah. That sounds good."
We move over to the kitchen, and he gets out a bowl of water.
"Have you been practicing?" he asks, not even a hint of flirtation in his tone.
I had, as often as possible. "We added water to my routine, yes. I practice everything every day."
He shoots me an amazed look. "That's exhausting."
I laugh and agree.
Benedict has a comfortable way about him. Before I know it, we're tossing a ball of water back and forth to each other, laughing. My extreme worry for the guys has subsided a little bit. It's still there, but Benedict helps distract me and makes the time pass. I know they'll be safe. They're good at their jobs, and they're sensible. They're perfectly fine.
"Excuse me," he says after I throw the water hard enough to need to pull it out of his hair, skin, and clothes. "I need the restroom."
I grin as he heads out of the room, then can’t help but call out, “I hope they have a towel in there!”
He glances back at me. “Offering to dry me off?”
Before I can retort, he’s gone, and I’m left grinning and trying to come up with a good comeback when he returns.
Sugar, who's been sitting at the end of the kitchen table, bored, gives me a pointed look. "Looks like you've got a fourth, hmmm?"
“A fourth?” I frown. Is she jealous? It's hard to tell.
“Man in your life…”
"Oh, stop." I wave her off. Benny is naturally flirty, but he's not into me. It's not a serious flirting. It's friendly. Comfortable. I can see myself becoming fond of Benny, but not love. Not that kind, anyway.
When Benny comes back, he puts the bowl of water in the sink.
"Enough of that. Come on." He leads me to the middle of the bay. "Now, I'm going to try to distract you, and you're going to pull water out of anywhere you can in here, except not me or Sugar. Make a water ball enough to soak the front of my shirt."
“Distract me?”
“It makes it harder to focus, so you’ll do better in the real world.”
Makes sense.
I start stretching my senses out, feeling for the water in the air. For a minute, I feel nothing, and then it’s suddenly there, all around me. At this moment, it’d be easy for me to pull the water to me.
But that’s not the challenge.
I can’t do it yet.
Benny snaps his finger, and music suddenly fills the air. A slow song with a sexy undertone. Music? He really thinks music will distract me.
And then, he bows. “May I have this dance?”
I laugh. “Dancing? Seriously?”
“Trust me,” he says, flashing me a dashing smile. “It’ll take your water abilities to a whole new level."
I'm confused by this tactic, but one thing I've learned is to listen to people who know more than me when it comes to it. I take his hand, and he twirls me into a dance, back and forth across the room, leading me in a way that it doesn't matter that I've never danced a day in my life because he has all the control. All I have to do is let him lead, and we flow into an easy rhythm.
"The last time I danced was at a middle school prom thing, and the boy that asked me didn't even move his feet," I admit.
Benedict roared with laughter. "What has James been doing? Sitting on his thumbs? He's a fool."
"Oh, he's not. We've been a little distracted."
"As you are now. You've not tried once to pull any water to you, have you?"
I laugh as hard as he did when I realize he's right. "Your distraction worked, you jerk."
He took the name lightly, chuckling as I ignored the fancy steps and focused on sensing the water in the room.
"You know, you don't have to stay here and face this mess," he says in a seductive voice.
I drop the water I've been gathering, and it hits the bay floor with a splatter. "What are you talking about?"
He chuckles, moving one hand off of my back and waving it. The water gathers and flies out the open bay door. "I mean, the queen would love to have someone of your magnitude in her court. You'd be honored there, powerful."
“Me?” I blink at him. Yeah, right. Why would she want someone like me? That brings so much strife along with them. I barely want to be in my own life at the moment.
“Yes, you.”
“I think there are a lot of more powerful witches than me, even just around here.”
His eyes sparkle. “Have you ever been to Europe, Callie?”
I shake my head. I never had the money to go, even if I wanted to.
“Just imagine it… the sunsets are breathtaking. There’s wine, amazing food, and you could explore so many things you’ve never seen before.”
“That does sound nice,” I admit.
“And the queen doesn’t just need the most powerful witches. She needs witches who are young and passionate. Witches like you.”
“The people need me here.” I don’t tell him that the idea of not having all of this on my shoulders would be tempting in another life.
We stop dancing, and he pulls me a little closer. “You’re new to our world. Don’t you deserve to enjoy being a witch? Do you really need the mantle of ruler on your head so soon?”
I open my mouth, but I don’t know what to say. Of course, I don’t need it, but it’s mine all the same.
"What the hell is going on here?"
Will's furious voice cuts through the music. Benedict steps away from me and snaps his fingers. The music shuts off. I turn to see my entire crew, all the people on my side, walking into the fire station. They don't look like themselves, but I recognize their facades.
"Just a simple water lesson." He bows at me, then turns to Sugar. "Pleasure."
She smothers a smile but doesn't say anything.
He winks at her, then walks up to James. "I'll be in touch, old friend."
"Where are the trucks?" I ask.
Will’s face is covered in soot, but his expression is still enraged.
Hank is the one to answer, his voice tense. "Left them with the human firefighters. We got the fire out, got Iris out, and came home."
That’s when I notice the small woman at the back of the crowd. They'd brought her with them. "I guess you guys had better find another cot." I push through the crowd to the much-ballyhooed woman. "It's nice to meet you."
"Princess," she breathes. "I've prayed for your return."
For some reason, we hug. And the strangest part is that it doesn’t seem odd at all.
Somehow, all the people in my care have begun to feel like my family.
And maybe they are.
Table of Contents
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- Page 49 (Reading here)
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