A Hidden Witch (A Modern Witch Series: Book 2) (21 page)

“You know it’s not your job to feed everyone,
right?”

“It’s my pleasure; you know that.” He grinned
and fed her a strawberry. It was luscious—dripping goodness with a
chaser of chocolate. “Besides, the fridge downstairs is stuffed
full of food people have been dropping by all day, and Lizzie’s
parents are going to do a lobster bake on the beach tomorrow night.
It’s not all on me; there’s plenty of help.”

“Good.” Elorie yawned. As her magic-induced high
slowly wore off, she was sinking into the serious exhaustion
underneath.

Aaron kissed her head. “Big day. You should get
some sleep. The weekend’s going to be busy.”

No kidding. Throngs of people, never-ending
food, and the shared joy of magic. It was the kind of busy she
loved most.

Her husband settled a hand on her belly. “If we
made a baby with all that energy, I bet she’ll be one very active
little girl.”

A baby. In the aftermath of their magical
escapades, she’d forgotten to tell Aaron something important.
“We’re not the only ones. I think Sophie and Mike are getting
really serious. He gave her a daffodil.”

Aaron tugged her hair. “Translate, please.
That’s not covered in the guy manual.”

She giggled. “It means we may not be the only
ones trying to make a baby tonight.”

His chest rumbled with laughter under her ear.
“Moira will be thrilled.”

As she slid into sleep, Elorie made a mental
note to ask Sophie about magic and babies. She couldn’t ask
Gran—she’d never hear the end of it.

Elorie looked around. In an attempt to reassert
her responsible-adult persona, she’d called an all-hands logistics
meeting. Aaron had the weekend’s food and guests under control, but
they needed a plan for the magical part of the program.

Moira sipped her morning tea. “I think we should
have three circles, dear.”

Three? Elorie frowned. That was a lot of circles
for one day. “Why so many?”

“Well, we’ve a lot of new witches for the inner
circle, and a request to help with the algae blooms again.”

Elorie nodded. Algae blooms along the shore
disrupted the lobster beds, one of the main livelihoods of the
village. They were often asked to give a little magical push to the
ocean’s natural cleansing systems. It was one of the many reasons
the village of Fisher’s Cove embraced their local witches.

“The best time for that work is early morning.
We can put some of our witchlings in that one, but we’ll need an
experienced caster—that’s tricky work.”

Sophie refilled teacups. “Mike’s happy to do
that, if you’d like. He’s a solid spellcaster.”

Nell snorted. “He’s a lot better than
solid.”

“He’ll do nicely, I think,” Moira said. “Let’s
test him today with our local channelers, see who might be the best
fit. Dealing with the algae involves a lot of water and air power,
so we need to make sure those circle trios are strong.”

Elorie thought for a moment. “Lizzie’s ready,
and she’d be a very nice addition to our full circles for
water.”

She was pleased when Gran nodded. “Aye, she’s a
mighty water witch for such a little thing. Summer is an auspicious
time for her first full circle.”

“If you could use help on air,” Nell said, “I
have another pint-sized witch to suggest.”

That would work. Aervyn was a powerhouse. “He
does well with Uncle Marcus, so that’s a good choice.”

“So,” Moira started counting off on her fingers.
“Marcus on air point, Sophie for earth. Nell, you’ll handle fire
for us, please?”

Nell nodded. “Who’s trio leader on water?”

Moira sighed. “That will still be me, but with
Lizzie’s power, it will be a much easier job than usual.”

“Aervyn can handle point for a trio, if you
want.” Nell reached for a scone. “Jamie’s been working with him on
that. He has water talents, but I don’t think you want both him and
Lizzie in the same trio.”

Elorie shook her head, remembering their
squabbles of the day before. “No, and that would leave Sean on air
with Uncle Marcus, which isn’t the smoothest of fits either,
especially first thing in the morning.”

“Indeed,” Moira said. “And young Sean needs to
watch this first circle, not participate. We’ll want him to pay
close attention to Mike’s spellcasting.”

“So that takes care of all our trio leaders,”
Sophie said. “We could add Ginia on earth, too—has she done a full
circle yet, Nell?”

“No, but she’s ready, and she loves working with
you.”

It was coming together well. Elorie loved this
part of readying for a gathering, all the behind-the-scenes work of
effective witchcraft. “Kevin can join you on fire, Nell. He and
Sean have done a couple of full circles, and he’s very steady.”

Moira beamed. “So many young ones in the circle.
What a lovely thing that is.”

Sophie nodded. “Add Lauren as monitor, and I
think we have everyone covered.”

Elorie debated a second scone as she ran through
the trios one more time in her mind. “Aaron has a big breakfast
planned, so I’ll let him know to give us time for that initial
circle first. What did you have in mind for the other two,
Gran?”

“One for Kevin and Sean to work as channeler and
caster. Nell, if you’d act as Sean’s backup, and we can get Lauren
to support Kevin.”

Elorie nodded. It was always smart to have
experienced witches ready to step in and help if things got hairy.
“We should be able to leave most everyone else in their same roles
from the morning. Sean’s best at night, so perhaps his should be
the final circle of the day.”

“We’ll need to make sure some witchlings get
naps,” Nell said. “I have two that will get grumpy otherwise. That
leaves your circle for the afternoon, Elorie.”

Her brain slid to a halt. “I’m going to be in a
circle?”

Moira smiled. “Of course you are.”

And how exactly were they going to pull that
off? Laptop cords didn’t extend to the beach.

Gran must have read her face. “I have an idea,
my girl. But I need Lauren’s thinking. Does anyone know if she’s up
yet?”

Lauren stumbled into the kitchen. “Just barely.
Coffee. Begging.”

Elorie got up to pour a cup, her mind whirling.
Forget the issue of Internet on the beach. Circles were at the core
of witch tradition, and every circle began with a call to the four
elements. Net power wasn’t one of them. What on earth did Gran have
in mind?

She wasn’t the only one who was curious. “Why
don’t you fill us in,” Nell said. “We can always run back over it
when Lauren’s brain wakes up.”

“Well, I wouldn’t normally rush a new witch into
a full circle this quickly, but I’d like to do it while we have so
many Net witches present. It’s new ground we’ll be breaking, and
more heads will make that lighter work.”

Gran
was calling for change in one of the
core traditions of witchcraft? Elorie frowned, feeling very
unsettled.

Lauren grinned in sympathy.
A little strange,
isn’t it
?

Elorie slapped her hand down onto her computer
mouse. Not that Lauren was an impolite intruder, but jeebers, she
was tired of having people breezily comment on the thoughts in her
head.

She realized Nell and Gran were having a
conversation, and she’d missed a good chunk of it. Sophie seemed to
approve, whatever the idea was.

“My brain’s moving forward now,” Lauren said.
“Can someone give me the short version?”

Moira set down her tea. Elorie hid a smile. Gran
wasn’t particularly good at summaries—they went against her Irish
instincts. “Well, just like we used mind witches in each trio for
your first circle, Lauren, we’re going to use Net witches at each
element for Elorie’s circle.”

Lauren nodded. “So they can blend elemental
power with Net power, right? Makes sense, and it worked well for
me.”

Elorie remembered that Lauren’s first full
circle had been groundbreaking in its own right. Which should have
been comforting, but it wasn’t. California witches were more…
adventurous. Gran had always kept the Nova Scotia witching
community firmly traditional. It was a heritage Elorie loved and
was deeply committed to preserving.

She had no idea why Gran sat there nodding
happily as the very foundations of circle work were undermined.

“So for Net witches, we’d have Ginia on earth,
Moira on water, Kevin on fire, and that would leave Aervyn on air?”
Sophie ground to a halt. “Wait, we need Kevin channeling. What am I
missing?”

“Well,” Nell said, “we’re hoping it will work to
include those of us who have the spellcoding variety of Net power.
So you, Marcus, and I will play, too.”

Sophie nodded. “Makes sense. That’s a lot of
computers we’re going to need.”

“Marcus and Ginia are on that.” Nell grinned.
“There’s a shortage of modern laptops here, so expect yours and
Mike’s to be commandeered.”

“No.” Elorie stood and spoke firmly. It was time
to stop this madness.

Moira looked confused. “What’s wrong, my
dear?”

Elorie struggled for the words. “Circles are
tradition. They’re the core of who we are. This isn’t right. What
am I going to do, sit in a trio and wave my mouse when we call to
earth or water?”

Passion poured out of her. “I don’t deny this
new power of mine, and we’ll figure out how to use it. But it
doesn’t belong in a circle.” She appealed directly to Gran.
Certainly, of everyone, it would be she who would understand. “Our
traditions matter, our connection to generations of witches past. I
won’t have it weakened because you love me, because you want me to
belong.”

She watched in utter astonishment as Gran’s fury
blazed. “Elorie Shaw, you listen, and you listen well. You have
belonged to me, and to this community of witches, since the day you
were born. I won’t have you cast that aside because of your
doubts.”

Her spluttered protests died as Gran stormed on.
“There is no one who values the traditions of witchcraft more than
I do, no one who holds to the past with more joy. But fear is the
wrong reason to resist change.”

Gran’s voice softened, and she reached for
Elorie’s hand. “Your magic is one of connection and joining,
sweetling. Can you think of a talent that is more suited to a full
circle? You were born to this. We just need to figure out how to
make it work.”

Irish temper fully blown, her smile was one of
gentle compassion. “To join in community is the very oldest of
witch traditions, my darling girl. It’s yours by right. Don’t push
it away.”

Elorie stared in stupefied silence, her gut a
churning mix of defiance, confusion, and yearning.

Witches gathered under the stars and repeated
the words of centuries. How could a power that was ten minutes old
be part of that? Everything she’d ever known, ever believed in,
screamed “no.”

And yet Gran believed.

She jumped as Sophie touched her other hand,
eyes laden with compassion. “It’s all too easy to walk away from
what you want most, to hide in what’s comfortable.” She swallowed
audibly. “I should know.”

Elorie shook her head, not understanding, but
feeling her sister’s pain.

Sophie’s grin was a little wavery. “And Gran
doesn’t raise scaredy-witches.”

She dug for something to say. Anything at all.
And then pushed by love and the gentle dare of her oldest friend,
grasped at hope. “Which trio will I be in, then?”

Gran smiled in approval. “You’ll be
spellcasting, child. Where else would you be?”

Her brain absolutely ground to a halt again.
Spellcasting? Leading the circle? Everyone had gone stark raving
mad. She’d been a witch for all of a week.

Panic clawed its way up her ribs.

“Don’t worry so, darling girl. After that stunt
you pulled on my nephew, you’re clearly ready.” Gran’s grin was as
wide as the Bay of Fundy. “In fact, it was his idea.”

~ ~ ~

Elorie leaned against the doorway and fumed at
the laptops and cables overrunning her living room. “Ginia, there’s
a snack in the kitchen if you’re interested.”

Whether it was hunger or manners that drove
Ginia out of the room, Elorie was grateful for the moment of
privacy. Letting her simmering temper bubble to the surface, she
glared at Marcus, who had yet to acknowledge her presence. “It’s an
interesting form of revenge you chose.”

“And what would that be?” He continued to tinker
with a laptop.

“Setting me up as spellcaster for a full
circle.”

“Most would consider that an honor.”

“From anyone else, perhaps.”

He shrugged. “So don’t do it.”

Elorie snorted. “Fat chance. You’ve managed to
convince Gran it’s a good idea.”

“She didn’t take much convincing, but feel free
to blame me if you like.”

Elorie paused, and then asked what she’d truly
come to find out. “Do you expect me to fail?”

Marcus finally looked up. “Certainly not. I
expect you to uphold the fine tradition of Nova Scotia witching and
handle your circle competently and well.” He squinted at her.
“Wait, you’re serious.”

She nodded mutely.

He sat there for several moments, saying
nothing. “It took two hours and five witches to undo that spell you
cast on me, niece. It was a very impressive piece of magic. You’re
a witch of uncommon strength, and that kind of talent shouldn’t go
wasted.”

He turned back to his laptop. “And if you tell
anyone I said so, I’ll seriously reconsider my plan to turn you
into a frog.”

She was pretty sure he couldn’t do that. Then
again, he was cozy with a four-year-old who probably could.

However, they’d talked for two whole minutes
without her temper boiling over, and much as it galled her to do
it, she had a favor to ask. A really big one. Now might be as good
a time as any.

“Will you teach me?” she blurted.

Marcus turned around, a pained look on his face.
“Teach you what, exactly?”