Spirit Sorceress: Spirit Sorceress: Book 1 (12 page)

I slid my sunglasses on before we reached the outside
sunlight.  My stomach had already started settling from the speed eating,
which I was thankful for, and I was also more awake from the food and
coffee.  I felt more like myself as the car left the dim lighting of the
garage and rolled out onto the pavement of the city streets.  The sun
still irritated my eyes a bit, but it also felt good against my body along with
the cool morning air through the open window.

The car was the fastest option, well, the fastest that we
could employ.  We could run there straight out, but although quicker, the
danger of exposure in doing that was too high.  Not only because of
humans, but the ever present traffic cams.  Despite Lisa’s best efforts,
with morning traffic it was a couple of minutes after eight as we found a spot
across from the candle store.

Lisa said, “Let me do the talking,” as we crossed the
street.

I wanted to be offended, but I couldn’t deny the witch
hadn’t exactly taken an instant liking to me yesterday.

“No argument from me.”

She smiled, “Sorry, it’s just…”

I waved her off, “I get it.”

She pulled the door open and I followed in her wake. 
Tina’s daughter was at the register again, it was getting close to late July,
so I imagined this was a summer type thing for her until school
restarted.  She looked miserable while she was watching some show on her
iPad with a pair of headphones in.

Lisa said, “Hi Katy, need to speak to your mom again.”

Katy paused the show and looked up, “Twice in as many days,”
she turned her head, “Mom!”

I covered my mouth and coughed to cover an amused smile, but
Katy completely ignored us and had already gotten back to her television show.

A few moments Tina came out, “Hi Lisa, Miku, what brings you
by this time?”

Lisa said, “A group of…” she was cut off by the door
opening, and we all turned around and stared at the people walking in.  It
was just an old human couple, possibly shopping for candles, or something.

Tina said softly, “Perhaps we should speak in the back, my
daughter can see to their needs.”

Tina turned and moved through the door behind the counter,
and I reluctantly followed.  I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but it
wasn’t what I found, a normal stock room.  Tina closed the door and turned
to us.

“The room is warded for sound so don’t worry about secrecy,
what’d you need exactly?”

I tilted my head in confusion which caught Tina’s eye,
“What?” she asked.

Crap, so much for letting Tina do the talking.

“Umm, it’s not important.  Just curious.”

Lisa looked exasperated, but Tina just smiled, “You mean,
how did I hear my daughter screech my name if this room blocks sound?”

I nodded sheepishly.

Tina said, “No harm in a little curiosity, the ward keeps
sound in, not out.  Like one-way glass does for light.”

I wasn’t sure how, but I felt like I just rose a little in
her estimation.

She turned back to Lisa, “So how can I help?”

Lisa replied in a matter of fact voice, as if giving a
report, “We were attacked by rogues last night, and their leader left a
trap.  We have a few of his turns, and we wondered if you could track a
maker bond.”

Tina didn’t answer right away, and her eyes got a faraway
look for a few moments.  Lisa and I exchanged a glance and then just
waited.

Tina replied, “Maybe.  Do you know how witch magic
works?” she looked at me, “As opposed to a sorcerer, or sorceress?”

Lisa shook her head, and Tina looked at me.

I answered clinically, following Lisa’s example, “Sorcerers
can see and feel magic, they can also directly control the magic they have an
affinity for, and only that one element.  Witches can’t see the raw magic,
and they can’t directly control magic.  They have to use rituals, spells,
and components.  But with those spells they can control four of the
elements, fire, earth, air, and water, not just one.”

The latter part offsets the advantages of a sorcerer, but
only if a witch was prepared with spells and devices.  If they were caught
out, they were almost helpless outside of a few basic spells that didn’t
require other components.  But when prepared, they were very formidable.

Lisa asked, “That’s interesting, but why does it matter?”

Tina smiled, “Because my power depends on spells and
incantations I know.  Written, verbal, arcane symbols or runes, it is all
passed down through the families and covens.  I know no spells that would track
the connection between a maker and his turn, but I know many that would trace
the connection between an article and the owner, and other similar tracking
spells.

“So my answer is maybe, because I can’t just make one
up.  I’d need a pair of vampires, maker and their turn, to… experiment
with my magic on, try different things.  There are no guarantees I’d get
it working, except that it wouldn’t harm the vampires in any way, but I might
be able to develop something.  With time.  It helps that we already know
the connection will be through the element of air.”

Lisa nodded, “So if we send you a pair from the coven? 
Do you have a preferred time to get started?”

Tina smiled, “Any time before three, after that I have to
hold the counter while my daughter runs about creation with her friends.”

I held back a snort.

Lisa nodded in thanks, “I think Ceara will move fast on
this.  Thanks.”

Tina walked us out, and Lisa didn’t say a word until we got
in the car.

“That went well.  And your side issues didn’t hurt
any.”

I asked, “Isn’t she an ally?”

Lisa nodded, “Yes, but she’s also a witch.  They can be
touchy.  She’s supposed to help us, but the speed of that help can vary if
you catch my meaning.”

She started the car and pulled out into the road.

“What now?”

Lisa sighed, “I can let Ceara know what’s going on, if you
want to deal with the construction part.  I need to start my shift
anyway.”

Oh, so that’s why we’d gone so damned early.  I
should’ve realized that a while ago.  Between my uncle, my mate conundrum,
and getting used to the idea that I was a vampire I was probably more
self-absorbed than usual.  Actually, there was no probably about it. 
I wasn’t usually this way, I was overwhelmed, not selfish.

Still, no matter the reason, I needed to take my head out of
my butt, or I’d continue to miss the obvious, and maybe next time it won’t be
about something harmless…

When we got back we split up when we reached the third
floor.  Lisa went straight to Ceara, and I was standing in Ethel’s office
door.  I’d knocked almost a full minute ago on her opened door, and she
hadn’t even looked up yet, her face was buried in a sheaf of papers.  I
wasn’t sure what I’d done to deserve her attitude, but I was already tired of
it.  Clearly, she was making me wait to make some incomprehensible point
that only made sense to her.

Still, no matter how good knocking her out with lightning
and simply grabbing my stuff off her desk would feel, I knew it was a really
bad idea.  So I waited.

It was another minute before she looked up.

“Can I help you Miku?” she said in a voice that indicated
she’d rather not.

“I came by to pick up my paperwork, Ice sent me.”

She smiled at me but it didn’t reach her eyes, “Right, you
need identification so you can… serve humans.  I’m sure you’ll fit right
in.”

She picked up a manila envelope and waved it at me.  I
suppressed a number of curse words, and walked over and took it from her hands,
managing not to snatch it as if I was angry.

“What’s your problem with me Ethel?”

Ethel’s eyebrow rose in faux surprise but her smile was
vicious that her games were having an impact on me.  I already regretted
the question.

“Whatever do you mean dear?” she asked innocently

I had to suppress an eye roll, and the desire to flip her
off, and just thanked her, though it galled me, and then I walked out before
she could say anything else.

Daniel caught my eye, and then waved me over.  I kind
of wanted to call Jared and was tired of being sidetracked, which probably
proved I was definitely a masochist.  But Daniel was nice, and painfully
shy so it must be important.  So I gave him a light smile of greeting as I
walked over.

“What’s up?” I asked brightly, and I found I meant it. 
It was nice to see a friendly face after dealing with that… woman.

Daniel said, “The estimate’s been approved by Ice already,
so you might as well schedule the work when you call about Pulse and Legends.”

I frowned, my mind was drawing a blank.  Then it came
to me.

“Oh, for B and B?  Sure, I can do that.”

It was his turn to look confused, and I said, “Billiards and
Beer…”

Daniel chuckled, “Right, sorry.  I guess I’m distracted
this morning.”

I tilted my head, “Do you know why Ethel… is Ethel?”

Daniel appeared surprised and looked past me.  Of
course, she’d probably just heard every word, damn vampire hearing.  Way
to put my foot in my mouth.

He mouthed questioningly, “Lunch, eleven thirty?”

I nodded and winked conspiratorially as I walked away. 
I suppose in a way it didn’t matter, I could live with her enmity.  But I
did want to know why, she didn’t know me after all.  I stopped by the
dining area for another cup of coffee before heading up to my condo…

“Jared speaking,” his voice was low, and went right through
me.  Not for the first time I wondered at the wisdom of this.

It all came out fast, “This is Miku.  I’m calling to
schedule the repair on Billiards and Beer.  Also, I need a couple of more
estimates.  There was a fire at our Legends location, and cosmetic damage
at Pulse.”

He replied, “Okay.  I do have that approval right here,
faxed an hour ago.  What happened at the other sites?”

I wasn’t sure how much I was allowed to tell, it was coven
business after all, so I kept to the basics.

“Arson in the bathrooms.  Like I said though, Pulse
just has light cosmetic damage.”

He grunted, “Alright, I can have my crew out at the pool
hall first thing tomorrow morning, after that we can look at the other sites?”

Dear Inari, the man’s voice made my stomach flip, and other
things.  This was a bad idea.

“I’ll be there.”  Probably exhausted after waitressing
tonight with little sleep, but I would.

Jared replied, “See you then,” and hung up.

I stared at my phone a few minutes, I was such an idiot.

I had a couple of hours before lunch, and it would be a long
night followed by another early morning.  I figured I should try and catch
a little sleep.  I had the feeling vampires did
not
hold normal
hours.  I put my phone on the end table and curled up on the bed. 
Unlike last night, I fell asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow…

I reached over and swiped my phone.  The alarm was
annoying, but I didn’t want to stand up Daniel for our lunch plans.  I
brushed my hair out in the bathroom, and made sure my shirt wasn’t wrinkled,
the stretchy shorts I didn’t have to worry about since they were skin
tight.  I grabbed my stuff and wasn’t even late when I got down to the
lunchroom.  Daniel waited for me at the doorway.

He smiled, “Let’s go,” and walked over to the stairs.

It took me a brief second to realize we were going out for
lunch, and the obvious reason why.  We couldn’t talk here either, not
without everyone hearing us. 

As we walked out on the sidewalk he asked, “Do you like
sushi?”

I shrugged, “I like fish.  But I haven’t tried it yet.”

He nodded and we set out.  About halfway to the sushi
place, I realized we were being followed, and not by anyone alive.  There
was a soul following, and he had his eyes glued to me.  I was aware
sorcerers of elemental spirit gave off a light, spirit energy, that disembodied
souls could see.  He was obviously curious.

I concentrated on him for a moment, and read his soul. 
His name was George, at least for his most recent life, and he’d died fifteen
years ago in a mining accident.  It happened sometimes, if the death was
traumatic enough, a spirit could fail to move on.  Be stuck here.

It was with a certain sense of relief that I reached out and
fed his soul some spirit power, and broke the bindings he’d inadvertently place
on himself.  There was satisfaction as his face cleared of confusion, and
I could see in his face that the memories of lifetimes were returning to
him.  Finally, something easy, that I knew exactly what to do to help.

I smiled as he faded, finally back on track with the plan of
the universe.

Daniel was quiet, but he held the door open for me as we
went into the sushi place, and had me go first when the server led us to a
table.

I asked, “What’s good?”

Daniel replied, “I usually get a sampler plate, little bit
of everything.  It’s hard to say what you’ll like, and a good way to
figure it out.”

We ordered, and I went with that.  Such a simple thing,
yet I’d never tried it in all my years, how could I out in the forest?

Daniel asked, “So you wanted to know why…” he trailed off.

I nodded, “I try not to let others’ opinions of me matter
that much, but she seemed to have her mind made up before she met me. 
Some others too, though mostly they’ve just avoided me so far.”

Daniel took a sip of water and put it back down, “Jealousy.”

I was a little baffled by that, “In what way?”

“You are unique, and beautiful.  Though I don’t think
it’s the looks.  You… upset the balance of power in the coven.”

I frowned, “I didn’t mean to, how?”

Daniel replied, “Just by being what you are.  You
already have the ear of Ceara.  The rumors say she already asked you for
advice, a three-day old vampire.”

“Four,” I said absently, as I thought through what he said.

He chuckled, “Okay, four days.  Point is, Ethel has
been busting her ass trying to help Ceara clean up James’ messes, she’s over
two hundred years a vampire, and she doesn’t have Ceara’s ear.  The others
are just waiting for the shakeup of two weeks ago to clear, and you’re working
with the guards.”

I nodded, I already knew that one.

“So why are you willing to talk to me?”

He blushed, “I’m content with my place in the coven.  I
don’t desire more power, and I don’t fear authority because of it.”

It felt like he was leaving something off, and when all the
pieces finally fell together in my mind I felt stupid again.  He’d been
distracted talking to me this morning, the shy stares every time we shared the
same room, saying I’m beautiful and unique, and taking me to lunch.  Crap,
was this a date?

I shrugged, “I’m not sure if I have more political power,
I’m just a useful tool with a unique outlook and point of view.  Maybe
that gets my foot in the door, but I don’t want to run anything either, it’s
not in my nature.”

He waved that away, “You don’t have to tell me, I’m not the
jealous one.  Ethel isn’t bad though, just give it time.  She’ll get
over it.”

I wasn’t so sure she would, but now that I knew what it was
about, I didn’t really care all that much either.  I didn’t need to be
friends with everyone in the coven.  Not that I wouldn’t be, just didn’t
need to be.  I was satisfied with what I had, I was finally in the
city.  Sure, I had problems, but Ethel didn’t register on that scale at
all.

For the rest of our lunch we just talked about normal stuff,
and outside of trying not to lead him on I didn’t worry about what he wanted
from me.  He was even kind of cute, if it hadn’t been for my damned heart
and hopes stuck on my old dreams of meeting my soul mate, I might have even
went for it.

After lunch we walked back, and I found myself at loose ends
again.  I had about six hours before I needed to show up at work, and
again, all my friends were working.  I thought about tracking down some of
the other vampire waitresses or bartenders and saying hi, but decided to get to
know them at work first.  Randomly knocking on people’s doors was probably
a little weird.

Another nap didn’t appeal to me either, so I wound up going
back out, and doing the tourist thing and some people watching.  I also
practiced and stretched my spirit magic.  I just walked around the city
and took in the sights, and the stores.  My packet from Ethel had my
driver’s license, a social security card, a birth certificate, and a bank card,
so I even had a little money to spend. 

I went back and had plenty of time to share a dinner with
Lisa, Eustice, Daniel, and Jerry.  Turns out Jerry was going to be a third
security guard for tonight, covering the back of the club.  After dinner,
it was off to the club with Eustice and Jerry, though Lisa said she might come
by…