Voices sounded from the back of the building, so I headed toward the door on the far side of the room. It was shut, so I stopped and knocked, calling out, “Hello? It’s Isobel.”
A moment later, the door swung open. Emma stared at me, the most massive grin on her face. “Isobel! You opened the front door!”
“Um, yes?” I looked back at the door, then at her. “Was I not supposed to?”
She grinned even wider, though it shouldn’t have been possible, given how big her smile already was. “It was locked!”
“No, it wasn’t.”
She ignored that and grabbed my arm, pulling me inside the room. “Come in.”
I followed her, realizing that the room was full of witches. There were ten total, and all but Emma sat in chairs that faced each other around a circular table. They were clearly having a coven meeting, and I’d just barged in. I wanted to disappeared through the floor.
“I am so sorry,” I said. “I didn’t realize you were having a meeting. I thought the shop was open.”
“It wasn’t.” A woman in her forties with a sleek bob stood, her gaze on me. Interest glinted in her eyes as she walked closer. Magic radiated from her, and it was obvious that she was a very powerful witch. Probably the coven leader. “Emma, are you sure you locked the door?”
“I did.” Emma’s grin was still there, and when I spotted Holly, she, too, was smiling.
“What’s going on?” I asked. “You’re all very interested in the fact that the door was locked, but I’m sure it wasn’t.”
“This is a big deal,” Emma said. “Only a witch who belongs here can open the door if it’s locked.”
“She’s not even a member yet,” muttered a beautiful witch who still sat at the table.
“Lily.” Hazel’s tone was chiding, and the witch shut her mouth.
“Lily’s a piece of work,” Emma whispered to me. “But she’s our piece of work.”
“What’s going on?” I whispered back. “This is all a bit strange.”
Before she could answer, Hazel spoke. “Emma is right, this is a big deal. But first, I’m interested in hearing why Isobel has come today.”
I looked at all the expectant faces staring at me and suddenly felt overwhelmed. “Um, it’s okay. You’re clearly in the middle of a meeting.”
“You’re the subject of the meeting now,” Hazel said. “In a good way, I mean. You opened the door.”
“Are you sure you didn’t just forget to lock it?” I insisted.
“Very sure,” Emma said. “Now spill.”
I blew out a breath, suddenly feeling like I was under a microscope. But I needed the help, and Rafe was counting on me, even if he didn’t know it. “I think I have the gift of reading curses and enchantments, but I haven’t got a good handle on how to use it. I’ve been practicing,” I hurried to say, “but I really need to learn to use this power ASAP.” Should I tell them about Rafe and why I needed control of the power?
“For Lavender House?” Emma asked.
“Yes,” I said, latching on to that explanation. And I really should have thought of that. This power could help me figure out the specific details of how Lavender House had been enchanted, and that could help me fix it.
Also, I shouldn’t be throwing away my own goals for a man. True, he was in a horrible state and needed help, but I had a bad history of putting men before myself, and I needed to work on that.
“I think we can help you with that.” Hazel gestured and said, “Come here.”
I went to her and stopped right in front of her. As I did so, Emma said, “Hazel is particularly good at reading other people’s magic and diagnosing problems.”
“I’m just going to lay my hand on your chest, all right?”
I nodded, and she pressed her palm to the middle of my breastbone. I drew in a deep breath, feeling the warmth of her palm and the buzz of her magic. It flowed inside me, a fizzing sensation that made me giggle.
I snapped my mouth shut. “Sorry.”
Hazel smiled. “Don’t worry about it. My magic has that effect.” She frowned. “Although I’m sensing that your power is quite tangled up inside you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Have you been ignoring it?”
I winced. “Maybe a bit. For the last ten years.”
She blew out a breath. “That’s not good. Magic can’t be left alone with nowhere to go. It requires a witch to keep it in order. It’s a partnership, and you weren’t doing your part.”
“I know.” Heat flushed my cheeks, and I wanted to sink into the floor. “I had some…life things going on. But I want to get back on track and embrace my power.”
“Good. Because you’ve got a lot of it.” She removed her hand, and the fizzing sensation faded. “We can help you untangle it. You’ll still need to practice to become proficient, but it will be much easier to get caught up.”
“Oh, fates, thank you so much.” I looked around the room and found nothing but friendly, understanding faces.
I felt tears prick my eyes. I hadn’t expected to feel such emotion, but having all of these supportive, smiling women staring at me was the most wonderful feeling. Even Lily, who had been a bit snobby a moment ago, was looking at me with an understanding expression.
“I say we get started now,” Hazel said. “We were nearly done with the meeting, anyway, and since everyone is here, it’s a good time. And if Isobel is meant to join the coven, there’s no time to waste.”
Meant to join the coven.
I’d never been meant to do anything in my life. I’d kind of just floated along, but now I had goals.
It felt wonderful.
Hazel gestured for everyone to stand. “Let’s move this to the garden. Lily, will you please collect the athames? Holly, the crystals?”
“On it!” Holly hopped up and ran from the room, excitement glittering in her eyes. Lily followed, albeit a bit more slowly. But she gave me a smile as she passed, and I smiled back.
“Do you have a familiar, Isobel?” Hazel asked.
“I do. Shall I call her?” I sure as heck hoped it worked.
“Yes, she’ll need to be here for this.” Hazel turned back to the women who were leaving the room. “The rest of you need to call your familiars as well, if you have them.” She shot me a look. “In an ideal world, the familiars would attend the meetings, but none of them listen to orders unless they think it’s important.”
“Hopefully, this will qualify,” I said, smiling. I wanted to see everyone’s familiars, and magic always worked better when they were present.
“Oh, it will. A new coven member is a big deal.” She held up a hand in a slow down gesture. “Not that it’s official yet. Let’s get your magic untangled, and then we’ll talk. I realize we haven’t even asked you if you want to be a member.”
I do! I wanted to shout. But I just smiled and nodded, trying to play it cool. “I would, I think.”
“Good. I like the feel of you. You’ve got good energy.”