covencraft 04 - dry spells (29 page)

His mind wandered, going over the things Lily told him, - things about their past. Jade and Lily. Pieces of Jade’s personality were coming together for him now: her reluctance to trust, the way she flinched if someone touched her unexpectedly, her sharp attitude and abrasive behavior. All to keep people at bay. He wondered if he knew as much about her when he asked her join the Coven as he did now, what would he have done differently?

Would he treat her differently when she came back from the Dearth?

He turned a page in the demon runeology book and found his eye caught by a scrap piece of paper with Jade’s handwriting, tucked into spine of the book. Unlike Sakkara’s handwriting which was fluid and looping, long, arcing sweeps of ink against the paper, Jade’s handwriting was functional and stark.

The Resurrection rune - possible to bring back the dead? Consequences? People come back all the way? Or only partially? What a fucking mess.

Jade had drawn a flower next to her words. A lily. It was a flower Paris could appreciate more now that he knew the context. Jade had likely found this rune and wondered if she could bring Lily back from the dead. If that’s where she’d been. Paris didn’t understand what had happened between them. Their suicide attempt, Jade’s survival and then, years later, Lily’s return. He held the scrap of paper with Jade’s writing in his hand, turning it over. She’d written on the back as well.

V. Similar to Skra rune on pg 343 of grim. 2. Variation? Doesn’t seem to resurrect but binds? WTF? Ask C for secondary book by Hammond, pg 22.

Looking down at the grimoire, Paris noticed Jade had penciled in tiny page numbers, although he wasn’t sure how Jade numbered the actual books. Was he looking at book one, two or three? Flipping to page 343, he did find a rune that looked similar to the Resurrection rune, inked in heavy black and taking up nearly the entire page. What did it mean? Did Sakkara practice resurrection magic? Paris perused through the runeology book, looking for any further notes from Jade. He wished he had her recall for printed material. She was able to make connections across the grimoires that he couldn’t hope to match. Tucked between two other pages, he found a grocery list and a receipt for the local coffee shop, along with another post-it note with the words, “Pink Snow,” written on it. He set it aside, hoping Lily or Callie would know what it meant.

He asked Callie if she’d researched any other books for Jade, notably a book written by someone named Hammond. Callie regretfully informed him that she did order the book for Jade, but it hadn’t arrived yet - it was still going through magical clearance at the fourth Coven.

“I could have expedited that for you,” Paris said with a frown.

“I know, but Jade, she doesn’t like to bother you all the time.”

“It’s not a bother,” he protested.

Callie held up her hands, as though in surrender. “You don’t have to tell me. Tell her.”

“Right. Of course.” He nodded sharply. “Well, if that book arrives, please let me know.”

“Did you find anything else?”

Paris thought of the Resurrection rune, the one Jade had noted. “I don’t know. Nothing I think will help Jade, but there was something in Sakkara’s book…” Had she dabbled in resurrection? To what end? For whom? Or what? It seemed as though each time he thought her magic couldn’t go darker, deeper, further down the demon path, it did. Why had she been researching resurrection? What had she meant to do?

What had she already done?

“I think I need to see Sakkara,” he said at last, tapping his finger against her grimoire. He was glad of the cotton gloves Callie had given him, for the faint scent of linden blossom that wafted from them, but also for the protection they offered from the grimy, dirty feeling the demon magic books left on his hands.

“Do you want me to go with you?”

Paris looked up at Callie and her earnest, wide expression. She was ready to go with him, if that’s what he asked of her.

“No, but thank you.”

Callie breathed out. “I totally would have gone if you’d said yes, but, I’m seriously glad you said no. I just… don’t know what I would say to her. Your mother, I mean. I… I really liked her,” Callie blurted, looking embarrassed by the words. “I wanted to be her when I grew up. But now it turns out she did dark magic and she sent Jade away and she’s probably working for some demon and I…” Callie paused and collected herself. “But, dude, I would go if you want me to.”

Paris felt a smile ghost his lips. “I’ve no doubt of your intentions or your loyalty. But it won’t be necessary. I’m not afraid of my mother.”

“Should you be?” Callie wrung her fingers, twisting her hands as her eyebrows framed her dark brown eyes. “I mean, she’s still your mom and she’s never hurt you, but maybe you should be afraid of her. What if she goes all dark side on you?”

What if she did?
thought Paris. What would he do if she turned on him and started using demon magic? Did he have the power to fend her off? And even if he had the power, did he have the will?

“I don’t imagine she would,” he said, hoping his words were true. He closed her demon grimoire and the runeology book, pulling off the cotton gloves and handing them to Callie. “Would you be able to give Lily and Bruce a ride home, if necessary?”

“Oh, for sure,” Callie said. “I might see if she wants to come back to my place for a bit. She seemed so sad during coffee today. Henri and I thought maybe she’d like to come over and watch some movies or something.”

“That’s kind of you. I’m sure she’ll appreciate it. Jade would too.” Although Paris didn’t like to speak for Jade, he thought she would appreciate the kindness Henri and Callie were showing Lily, and their effort to make her feel included.

“Well, she might not thank me once Bruce meets Stu,” Callie said, referring to her overweight cat. “Stu gets territorial and I’m not sure how he’ll react to a giant lizard. I guess we’ll see.”

“I’m not sure who I want to put money on in that fight. Bruce is magic, but Stuart is exceedingly large for a cat. And mean.”

Callie rolled her eyes. “I’m telling you it’s mostly fur! He’s not fat! And he’s not mean he’s just
particular
.”

“Particularly mean and fat,” Paris added.

Callie shook her head and laughed. “All right fine, he’s spoiled. But I’m sure he’ll play nice with Bruce. And Bruce is such a sweetheart, you know? For a big lizard, he’s really a softie.” Callie thought for a minute. “It makes me think about Jade. Because familiars are supposed to be like their witches, you know? And Bruce is kind of standoffish at times, but all he really wants is a warm fire and a place to snooze.”

Paris did know what Callie meant. He wondered the same thing too. Especially with the way Bruce seemed to prefer spending time with Paris, his eyes watching Paris throughout the day as Paris worked. The few times Jade had brought Bruce to the Coven, Bruce had made his way to Paris’ office and slept there. The large lizard had even taken to sleeping in the room Paris was staying in.

“I think Bruce goes and gets the things Jade wants but isn’t sure how to get herself,” Callie added thoughtfully, unaware of the effect her words had on Paris. “Anyway, all that to say, yes, I can make sure Lily and Bruce get home. We just might take a detour to my place. Or the mall. Or the FroYo bar.”

“FroYo?”

“Frozen yogurt. It cures all - breakups, fights, bad days at work. Although I’ve not yet tried it on missing witches and their familiars. I guess we’ll find out.”

“Thank you. As I said, I’m sure Jade would appreciate it.”

“Well, she can tell me all about how grateful she is when she gets back. So,” Callie said, straightening her shoulders and grabbing her purse and coat. “You’re off to see your mother?”

Paris nodded.

“And if you don’t show up for work tomorrow, do I call Hannah or the cops or come looking for you with a hex book, some sage and a scythe, or what?”

“I hardly think that will be necessary.”

“Okay, but I’m serious. If you go missing, who do I call?” Callie said, her eyes leveling Paris.

Paris was somewhat stumped by her question. “Hannah, I suppose,” he said slowly. “You know, my first instinct is to say Jade, but she’s not…” 

Callie nodded knowingly. “I know. I asked because I was thinking the same thing. If something happened to you, she’s the first person I’d go to, even though she’s not really the next in charge. She can be kind of scary when she wants; plus, she knows how to get shit done.”

“She’s quite resourceful.”

Callie snorted. “Yeah, and she’s got shit-tons of power. But Hannah it is. Text me tonight or I really will call Hannah back here. Or just drive by your house until I know you’re all right.”

“Don’t,” Paris said immediately. “Everyone should stay away from my mother. I don’t… I don’t know all of what she’s capable.”

The levity that had formerly been between them fell like puppets with no strings.

“Okay. I’ll be careful. But you too.”

“She’s my mother. I don’t think she’d hurt me.”

“You didn’t think she’d lie to you about being dead either.”

Paris pressed his lips together grimly. “Point taken.” He nodded to the demon runeology book. “I suppose you should lock that up again.”

“Did you find what you needed?” Callie asked, slipping on the cotton gloves.

“I did, although I also found some notes from Jade. Do you know what
Pink Snow
means?” he asked, referencing Jade’s obscure note.

Callie blinked. “Yeah, it’s a new shade of lipstick that just came out. Jade’s been obsessed with it, but hasn’t bought it yet. Why?”

Paris shook his head, somewhat amused. Only Jade would leave notes on a demon Resurrection rune and a shade of lipstick inside a spell book simultaneously. “I found a note in the book. I thought it was code for something.”

Callie grinned. “No, just for our shopping trip.”

“All right,” Paris said, slipping his coat on. “I’m off to see my mother.”

“When Jade gets back, if you want to talk about your mom…” Callie shrugged. “Let me know.”

“I will, thank you. Please tell Lily I’ll be back at the cottage later.”

“Ugh, you know tongues are wagging all over the Coven about that, yeah? As in, you spent the night at Jade’s place?”

“If we could get people to focus on their actual jobs as much as they focus on gossip, we’d have a real shot at successfully finding the spell for alchemy.”

Callie wrinkled her nose. “I know. But, hey, as far as rumors go, better the rumor that you’re sleeping with Jade than the one where your mother is back from the dead and banished Jade to the demon world?” She gave him an obnoxious thumbs up.

“I suppose. I hope Jade feels that way.”

“I don’t think she’ll have a problem with it,” Callie said, pulling the cotton gloves on and picking up the runeology book. “I feel weird. Like I should tell you to tell your mom hi for me, but also let her know that if I see her, I’ll probably punch her in the face.”

“Well, you’re in good company as it appears Jade may have done just that when she last saw her,” Paris said dryly.

“I think she might be my hero. I want to be her when I grow up,” Callie said. She took a deep breath. “Good luck. If I don’t hear from you, I’ll alert the cavalry.”

“Thank you.” Paris could only hope he wouldn’t need it.

#

As the car travelled endlessly forward, the buildings Jade saw in the distance crept closer slowly, so slowly, until they were upon them.

“Customs,” Seth said. It was the first word he’d spoken to Jade in… well, since time was immaterial in the Dearth, she couldn’t be sure. But it had been a while.

“What happens at Customs?”

Seth smoothed his hair back with one hand. He was nervous, Jade realized. A sick feeling churned in her gut. If Seth was nervous….

“Don’t speak. Don’t leak any magic. But don’t look like you’re purposely not speaking or trying not to leak any magic. Act natural.”

Jade swallowed. What did
natural
look like in the Dearth? Was she acting natural? If Seth was worried, should Jade just kiss life as she knew it goodbye?

The car rolled along, with Seth bringing it to a slow stop at a small kiosk booth, the kind you passed by on the way to national parks, or a newly constructed bridge.

“Papers?” A nondescript man-shaped thing was in the booth. Old. So old that Jade wondered if they had some kind of emergency plan in place for when he died, because surely it was a possibility at any moment. She hesitated to say he was human because something about him was distinctly ‘not.’

Her lizard brain, the part of the body that controlled fight or flight, was strongly and vigorously urging her toward flight. Jade looked away from the booth, trying to appear casual and what she thought she saw out of the corner of her eye had her immediately snapping her eyes back to the man-shaped thing in the booth. She’d seen things. Writhing. Crawling over one another. Insectile.

“We’re passing through,” Seth said, his tone conversational.

The man-thing hmm’d, checking something on a long ledger he had. A chittering sound came from inside the booth, like thousands of locusts swarming. Jade felt her neck tendons flex.

“This isn’t your car.”

“It’s on loan,” Seth replied.

“Hmmm.” The old man-thing was round. Round like a basketball. Or a snowman. His head was round and his body was round. She had no doubt that if she saw his legs, they’d be somewhat round as well. His head was shiny, like Mr. Clean, but his handlebar mustache was dingy, as though it had never been cleaned. She didn’t want to know what it was dirty with. The chittering sound escaped the booth again, accompanied by a sort of shrieking noise. Jade sat in the passenger seat, hands in her lap, and tried to look relaxed, but her heart thumped against her rib cage, ready to burst out. She had the sensation she was failing hideously at looking natural. Her face probably looked like the Joker.

“Says here you got an auditor looking for you,” the round man-thing said.

Seth smiled, his teeth extra pointy and sharp. “Anyone who’s been dealing as long as I have has an auditor looking for them.”