Somehow on mydirect flight to New Orleans, I was seated between two people that did not understand personal space.There was absolutely no arm space and eating the snacks I packed was nearly impossible. A handful of chocolate-covered almonds, two yogurt squeeze packs, and half of a sandwich because the other half ended up on the floor when one of my seat mates knocked into me and caused it to go flying into the runway. It wasn’t very good, but it was better than spending $18 on one airport pretzel. The only promising thing about landing soon—besides getting away from the two people who squished me for almost 3 hours— was the food waiting for me in the city. I didn’t know what to expect but after doing a deep dive on New Orleans cuisine, I decided this wasn’t the worst thing that could happen to me.
Yes, I was going to marry a man I didn’t know. I was extremely worried he was horrible looking and that was why no one else agreed to marry him. What if he had a wort on his nose? What if he smelled like mothballs? What if he had the smelliest breath?
Yes, I was leaving everything I knew behind. But at least I was moving to a community with deep magical roots. At least it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. Maybe I could do a deep dive into their library!
I could have been shipped off to a part of the country that lacked soul, and good food. Oh! And music. There was great music waiting for me too.
As soon as the plane landed, I placed my hand over my stomach and groaned. “Oh no.”
The large man beside me paled. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t think those yogurt packs were any good. Maybe they were expired?” I squeaked.
He shuffled into the aisle and motioned for me to go ahead of him and I practically ran off of the plane. Too mortified thatI’d used such a gross excuse, I ran for the nearest bathroom and locked the stall behind me. The airport was a big one and full of people. I closed my eyes to try to get some kind of balance back to my brain, but it wasn’t happening with all of the commotion around me.
Papa said someone would be waiting for me by luggage claim with my name on a sign. I squeezed my eyes closed, unlocked the stall, and walked down to baggage claim.
Smooth jazz blasted through the room as a five-member band played their hearts out in the center of the airport. It was welcoming and immediately, my shoulders relaxed. If the worst thing I had to go through was a stinky, wort-nose husband… It wouldn’t be so bad here.
I was wrong.
Oh, boy, I was so wrong.
The drive into the coven was something out of a TV show. I’d seen them all and this was what it was like. There was a private parking garage and a huge courtyard in the center of the Spanish architecture. Surrounding the entire estate were huge oak trees. Their branches were big enough to carry my entire family and they looked like they wanted to with how they dipped to the ground. Spanish moss covered everything and gave me the chills. The driver in the front seat, who was not from the coven, I’d risked it all apparently, tipped his hat to me as he pulled into the parking area.
“Have a nice stay, miss.” He held his hand out and I placed mine in his hesitantly. He pulled his back with a scowl. “A tip?”
“Don’t speed or you’ll get a ticket?”
His mouth dropped open as he shook his head and kicked my luggage before he got back into his SUV and sped away.
“That’s a good way to get shot.” A little voice said from the shadows.
I jumped. “What?”
The little girl laughed and came into the light. “Nothing, but he’s not going to be happy with you. You should have brought cash.”
Her curly brown hair was pulled back tightly against her scalp and she wore some type of uniform. She probably went to a private school… but that was strange considering witches didn’t like humans teaching their children. Her light brown skin had a sheen to it, which made sense with all the humidity in the air. I hadn’t chosen well with my clothes for the flight. A long-sleeve top and jeans? I’d lost my mind.
“And you are?”
“Amelia. You’re here for Rune.”
She cocked her head as she stared at me with big brown eyes. “Um.”
“Leave her alone, Amelia.” A voice said from behind me. I turned to find a woman with deep black hair and pale skin staring at me. She was a tall willowy woman but her features were sharp. “I’m Babette. I’m sorry I wasn’t here on time to meet you. Amelia likes to lurk where she doesn’t belong.”
“Nice to meet you, Babette.” I held my hand out to shake hers but she merely stared down at it like it was offensive. “I’m Ma-”
“Maple,” She turned on her heel and began to walk away. I grabbed my bag from the ground and raced behind her. “I know who you are. Don’t offer your hand so easily. Anyone could read you around here and you wouldn’t be wiser. Fortunately, I don’t feel like getting sucked into my magic today. I thought your coven would have prepared you better.”
Oh.
Oh.
They had diviners here and by the sounds of it,many. This was news. I mean I figured but I also didn’t know much about their magical affinity either. I was way behind.
“Did you not learn that in your magical classes?”
