“This is my sanctuary. Not many are allowed in. You’re like family. So, when you came to me witch to witch, there was no other option but to invite you down.” She clarifies the lines between us. As lead witch for the mighty Lord of New Orleans Court, Blazh, she has to be careful about our interactions. At the moment, he and Cristobal are on friendly terms, and allies, but things can change swiftly. As lord of a large portion of land in addition to Cypress, we’re neighbors.
“Know I would do the same for you, Hal.”
She smiles. “I believe you. You’re the only visitor I’ve had here from back home.”
My heart aches for her. “I’m sorry, Hal.”
“Don’t be. I knew what I was forfeiting when I made my choices. To date, the gains far outweigh the losses.”
“I’m glad.” Despite my avoidance of all things black magic, I’m pleased to see her happy. She deserved far better than her lot in life. Magic can do many things, but it can’t fix a broken family riddled extreme sexism and dysfunctionality.
“Let me show you one of my favorite parts of the house. The kitchen.” The white theme continues in the cooking area. White subway tile on the walls is a contrasting backsplash to her butcher-block countertops. The appliances are top of the line stainless steel, and the window above the deep-set sink overlooks a large, well-kept garden.
She beams. “I like to grow as much of my own produce and herbs as possible.”
“I totally understand that. Spells are so much better when the ingredients are fresh.”
The rest of the house continues to be equally light and airy with pops of soft colors, and high-end, engaging pieces of art and décor. Very little of her previous life exists here. Her pictures are sparing, and the embellishments all seem new. Suddenly, I appreciate my family, warts and all.
We end up on the comfy, powder-blue couch in the living room with a bottle of rum on the table and glasses half full of cola.
“Tell me what brings you over this way.”
“I’m working on a case, and I ran into a sigil I don’t recognize. It’s old. So old even Cristobal couldn’t pinpoint it. He’s working on finding someone who might be able to, but I’m impatient. People could potentially get hurt if I let this go too long.”
“And you don’t want it on your conscious?” she says.
“No. I owe them better. What kind of leader would I be if I didn’t get my hands dirty and protect them?”
“A normal one. You realize the queen is protected by the hive, not the other way around, right?”
“When have witches ever sat back and watched injustices unfold? I’m only going at it from a different angle.
“Hmm.” She tilts her head. “Why do you think I’ll know what he won’t?”
“It’s a shot in the dark, but I’m doing something. I’ve exhausted most of my sources, and the other I’m avoiding?”
She leans forward. “You can’t say that and not tell me who and why.”
“Mémé. I’m on planning overload. I mean, you’d think I was getting married.”
“It’s even bigger than that, and you don’t get to choose who does and doesn’t come, so I’m wagering it’s worse.”
“Maybe that’s why it feels like I’m trapped in hell.”
She laughs?a husky, honeyed smoke sound that makes me think of seduction.
“I was stuck in a planning session from eight until two with a room full of maternal witches and a few snobby vampires the other day. I’m still trying to recover from it.”
Hal grabs the bottle of the rum and adds more to my class. “I think you need this more than I do.”
I roll my eyes but take a sip of the potent drink.
“Better?” she asks.
I give a mock cough. “Getting there. How have you been?”
“Good. I’m getting to know the magical community here. It’s different from what we grew up with. Practitioners are a lot more open-minded.”