Page 6

CHAPTER SIX

We spent about an hour on lunch before Ginger reluctantly glanced at her phone.

“I have a client coming in a while. I’d better get home and gather eggs before they arrive. I’m so glad we met,” she said. “I’ll drop in at your shop in a day or so and take a look.”

“Thanks,” I said. “I enjoyed this afternoon a lot. And I’ll take your advice—I’ll ask Aphrodite for her input. I’m still so new to all this priestess/pledged to the gods stuff that I’m not sure how everything works.”

“You’ll figure it out,” she said. “Okay, lunch is on me, this time. Next time, you can pay,” she added as I started to protest.

“Sounds good, but I’m leaving the tip.” I tossed a ten on the table. “Have a great session.”

As we left the restaurant, I realized I was more relaxed than I had been in a while. Ginger Lily definitely had a way of calming the spirits.

* * *

I dropped home to freshen up and play with Miss P. for a few minutes. By now, it was three-fifteen, and when I opened the door, Astra was there, at the dining room table, working on her laptop. She looked up as I came in the door.

“Hey, how’s your day been?”

“Actually, it started out kind of rough, but I met a new friend this afternoon and that turned the day around,” I said, hanging up my jacket and dropping my purse on the bench below the coat hooks. “I seem to be meeting all the Fae in town,” I added.

“Fae? What do you mean?”

“Well, last month I met Bealissa, and now I met another one of the Fae who’s chosen a life in town, rather than out in the wild. Her name is Ginger Lily, and she’s…interesting.”

Astra took off her glasses—she’d just been prescribed glasses for reading—and leaned back. “I don’t think I’ve heard of her.”

I told her about the meeting, and about Ginger Lily. “She’s really nice, actually, and just being around her makes me feel good. I don’t want to take advantage of that—I’m no psychic leech—but we did hit it off and she was the one who suggested we go out for lunch. We decided we might be able to send clients to each other.”

“Well, good. Just be cautious, Maisy. The Fae can be tricky. I’m not saying she is, but just keep your head about you.”

“I’m going to meditate for a few minutes. I want to be in a good space when Nightshade gets to my shop, and I need to ask Aphrodite something. It’s been a long day and I’ve still got the meeting with Nightshade, and then my exorcism class to go.” I gave her a quick kiss and headed to my office, where I’d set up a small altar to Aphrodite.

As I settled myself on the settee in front of the altar, I held up my athame and cast a simple circle. For meditation, and other simple acts, I cast the circle in silence, then made an acknowledgment to the elements, in the four directions.

As the magic settled around me, I sat back and took three deep breaths, slowly lowering myself into trance. When I had slid into the first level—where I was still conscious, but definitely in trance—I focused on opening the path to her.

“Lady Aphrodite, Lady of my Heart. I need advice. You know what I’m about to say—I feel like I don’t make the difference I want to. I don’t understand why I had so many clients in Seattle, but here I’ve only had one. I’m drawing people with heart-wrenching situations into my life for readings. Please, help me understand.”

A moment later, a faint mist swirled off of the statue I’d bought to represent Aphrodite. Bronze, it was an image of a curvaceous woman, draped in Grecian robes, with long hair and with a pair of doves at her feet. The mist swirled up and around me, and it felt full of warmth and beauty and compassion.

All matters of the heart are mine, and all matters of the heart are, therefore, yours. Sorrow goes hand in hand with love, as does joy. To find joy, people need to face their sorrows and learn from them. You can’t ignore sorrow. You must heal it for joy to grow. Even among your matches, there will be sorrows and difficulties to surmount. You’re not here to make the most matches, you’re here to help people navigate both the joys and sorrows that make up their lives. Making matches are merely one part of that. Do you understand?

I let out a slow breath.

You’re not here to make the most matches, you’re here to help people navigate both the joys and sorrows that make up their lives. Making matches are merely one part of that.

In that moment, I began to see that a long road stretched in front of me, and that I wasn’t in a race, but a journey.

“I think I see,” I said. “When I give the readings, I’m helping others find their peace, if not a little joy? Are you saying that I’m here to help bring peace, to bring love and joy to people’s hearts? To help them make long-term changes, not quick jury-rigged solutions?”

Sorrow and joy, love and loneliness…they’re all interconnected. As far as matching people up, some couples are simply meant to be. Others are to be for a limited time. It’s not for you to decide who makes the longest connection.

As her words settled in my mind, I felt even more unsure. At my old job, I had to make a quota, and I did that, spectacularly successful. So successfully that it led to me being out of a job. But I was no longer part of the business, and the future suddenly seemed so open that it made me nervous.

The readings did help those in need. My empathy allowed me to give others emotional support, and so far, I had helped others find safety, find peace of mind and heart and resolve issues before they had to face losses that were inevitable. I was helping people…and even though it was hard on me, it added some joy and peace to the world.

“Lady, how do I cope with the difference between what I thought I’d be doing and what I am? How do I cope with the sorrow? How do I let it go?”

You will learn how to adapt, and you’ll see your way through this confusing time. And you will learn how to listen without taking on the emotions. It will take practice, but you have mentors who can help you. You only have to ask. Now be at peace, be patient, and attend to your life.

And with that, Aphrodite withdrew, leaving me calm and collected.

* * *

I freshened my makeup, kissed Miss P. on the head, and headed out the door after letting my aunt know I was leaving.

As I arrived at my shop, it was four-ten, and I opened the door. Instead of being mired down like I had been in the morning, now I felt cautiously optimistic. Just connecting with Aphrodite’s energy lifted my spirits, and meeting Ginger Lily had also helped.

There were five messages waiting for me from clients who wanted readings. I took down all the numbers and was about to start making calls, but a glance at the clock showed me that Nightshade should be here any minute. I tidied up my desk and set the list of clients to call to the side.

Promptly at four-thirty, the door opened and Nightshade walked through. Although she was older she looked timeless, with a graceful beauty. Her silver hair swirled into a chignon, with tiny curls wisping down on each side of her face. She had pale green eyes that sometimes looked gold, and she had an elegant sense to her, dressing like an old-time movie star, in palazzo pants and long embroidered dressing jackets. She reminded me of a Greta Garbo or Bette Davis type, and the picture would have been complete with one of those old-time long-handled cigarette holders, but thankfully she didn’t smoke.

“Maisy, so good to see you,” she said, looking around. “So, this is your shop? Very nice.” She paused, then added, “It’s missing something,” she said. “But you’ll find out what soon enough. I’d tell you but I don’t sense anything detailed.”

Everybody seemed to have an opinion about my shop. I offered her a chair by my desk. “You wanted to talk to me?”

“Yes, about your quest. The Crow Man came to me and told me what happened. You passed with flying colors, so we’ll be initiating you into the Dark Moon Society come Saturday night.” Nightshade leaned forward. “Few ever meet the Crow Man during their quests. That you did means you’re going to be an important part of the Dark Moon Society.”

“He scared the hell out of me,” I said. “He asked me to pledge myself against the?—”

“The Covenant of Chaos. Yes, I know. All of us who join the Crown Magika swear an oath to fight the forces of chaos. But when the Crow Man steps in, that means we have a special part to play in the battle. I met him during my initiation, and I follow the Morrígan. All right, you seem fit enough.” She was about to stand.

That was it? I didn’t know what I’d been expecting, but I felt like I’d gotten off easily.

“I need to ask you a question,” I said. “Aphrodite told me that I need to learn how to listen without taking on the emotions of others. I’ve been feeling overwhelmed.” I told her about the readings I’d been doing, and how they were affecting my moods. “It feels like they dampen my joy,” I added. “I want to help, but I don’t want to walk around in perpetual sadness.”

“We can work on that,” Nightshade said. “It’s not as hard as you think. At the regular meeting next month, we can help you. Meanwhile, be sure to cast a circle every night, cleanse your chakras at least twice a week, and use sage spray or cleansing spray daily. Keep your shop warded. Teaching you to learn to interact with others without taking on their emotions would be a good refresher for everyone, as well.”

I knew that I wouldn’t get an answer, but I had to ask. “What about Crystal?”

“She’ll be watched over on her quest.” She paused, then said, “I have little doubt that she’ll pass. Things can happen, but I’d be surprised. Don’t let your worries consume you. I will see you Saturday night. Your aunt will help you find a dress.” She stood and headed for the door. “Your shop is beautiful. You’ll make your success here,” she added. “Even if it’s not the way you think.”

I waved as she exited the shop, then texted Crystal. “Coffee?”

She texted back. “Always. Come over.”

Feeling renewed, and yet apprehensive, I picked up my purse, locked the door behind me, and stopped in at the Mocha Express before getting ready for class.

* * *

So many memories from my childhood surrounded the Midnight Manor Academy, and while not all of them were good, for the most part I’d really enjoyed my school days. Now, returning as an adult, I couldn’t help but look around and remember times spent there as a child.

My mother had enrolled me when I was six, and my aunts had made sure to keep me in the academy until the day I turned eighteen. Once in a while, I’d wondered what it would be like to attend the mainstream high schools, but my classes had been interesting, the teachers had been strict but fair, and Crystal and I had navigated our way through growing up.

Stuart Waterline had gone to Midnight Point High, but we met at a football game when we were both in our sophomore years. It had been crush at first sight, and my fifteen-year-old self had fallen hard for the handsome shifter. Stuart had played on the high school baseball team, so by spring, I was attending every game he was in, cheering him on even though I had no interest in baseball. I’d learned the lingo, developed a penchant for true crime shows, and faced the embarrassing talk with my aunts about birth control and self-respect when it came to sex.

I had to give it to Astra and Sara, they had handled it well. Astra took me to the doctor for my first gynecological exam and my stash of birth control pills—the ones that worked for witchblood. I’d also been given a stern warning that sex and men weren’t worth more than my self-respect. My hormones might have been strong, but my aunts made sure my sense of self was stronger. Astra also assured me that if Stuart ever crossed the line into any form of coercion or abuse they would put him six feet under.

Midnight Manor Academy’s campus took up a little over five hundred acres on the east side of the island. The campus was one hundred and fifty years old and had been established twenty-four years after Port Townsend became a city, the same year that Midnight Point was founded. I wasn’t sure if any of the current inhabitants had been here at the beginning, but it wouldn’t surprise me.

The campus was mostly patches of thickets and fields, but there were six main buildings.

Albertson Hall was for the elementary students, including grades one through six. Derrickson Hall included grades seven through nine, and Barbary Hall was for students in high school—grades ten through twelve. Mayer Hall served the community classes.

The other two buildings included the Community Hall, with a large auditorium, a theater, the administration offices, and the cafeteria. The Rec Center, with a swimming pool, indoor track, and other amenities for physical education was the last big building. There were some minor, smaller, buildings scattered around campus—magic and science labs, a pottery studio, and a greenhouse where the earth witches put in volunteer time in the gardens. The gardens supplied the cafeteria with most of their fresh vegetables throughout the spring and the summer, and the greenhouse did the same during late autumn and winter.

All in all, the campus was a tangle of wild nature and manicured beauty.

I parked in the lot near Mayer Hall and slinging my tote bag containing my notebook, laptop, and e-reader over my shoulder, I set out briskly, trying to avoid being caught in the downpour waiting to happen. An army of gray clouds loomed threateningly overhead.

I was nearly at the door when Alexa—one of my classmates—waved to me.

“Hey, you ready for the quiz?” She caught hold of the door and held it open till I caught up with her.

“I don’t know. I just hope it’s written and not an actual test. I’ve had one hell of a week.” I shook my head. “I haven’t had much time to study.”

“Professor Themasa isn’t exactly forgiving, I’ve noticed.” She giggled, rolling her eyes.

Alexa was about ten years younger than I was, far more perky and almost annoyingly positive. But it was a genuine positivity that never seemed forced or affected. She was one of those women who really believed that everything would work out for the best, but when things went south, she was right there to comfort those who were hurting.

“You’re right about that,” I said with a laugh. “Hopefully she won’t call on me if there’s a verbal component to the test.”

We were a few minutes early. As we entered the room, I noticed that Professor Themasa hadn’t arrived yet.

“How’s your day been?” Alexa asked, taking a seat. I grabbed the chair next to her—most community classes were held at long tables instead of individual desks.

“Long but boring. Tomorrow night, I have a meeting with a potential client,” I said. “He can’t come in during the daylight hours.”

“You’re meeting a vampire ?” she asked, her eyes wide. “I wish I could.”

“Be careful what you wish for,” I said, but I grinned. “To be honest, I’m curious, too. I don’t know if I’ve ever met one—I mean, how do we know, unless they reveal their nature? All I know is that I’m planning to be really careful to avoid making him feel uncomfortable.”

“ Him ?” Alexa raised her eyebrows. “You have a male vampire who’s looking for love? I don’t know why, but that surprises me.”

“Maybe it’s the stereotype? They’re always seen as playboy types—” I paused as the professor entered the room. “Okay, here we go. Good luck on the test.”

“Class, for this test, I’m asking you to space yourselves a chair apart. Quickly, now.” Professor Themasa tapped her wand on her desk.

Everybody scrambled to spread out. The professor was daunting, and nobody wanted to be on her bad side. She was fair but strict, and the first night, she’d shown us a video of her performing an exorcism to banish a Haunt—a ghost who was angry and able to manipulate physical objects. She packed so much power that it made the entire class take a step back. But I had to admit, she was a good teacher and I had already learned a lot in the three weeks that I’d been coming to class.

Alexa moved a chair away, and I stayed where I was. As the professor handed out our quiz papers, I set my bag on the floor next to me and readied my pen, hoping I’d managed to study enough.