Elemental Shadows (2 page)

I
f there were a police force, or law enforcement for Witches, it would be the branch of practitioners called Clerics. These Witches were best at tracking, divination, telekinesis, psychometry—most all of the Dianic Gifts. But they were also each Gifted with an Elemental Sponsor, which was much different than the usual Elemental Witch like myself.
 

Clerics, when initiated, were subjected to a brutal and grueling set of tests to both study the candidate's resolve and strength, as well as their brother's and sister's ability at discerning the truth from someone.
 

In laymen's terms—the initiate was tortured. Magically. Which I hear is pretty damn painful. Regular Cowen (non-witches) tortures are mostly physical. But Clerics deal with truth and punishment on all three facets of the human experience: the physical, the astral, and the mental.
 

Meaning they fucked you up times three. Ever heard the phrase three-fold?
 

They take that shit seriously. If a suspect is guilty in any of these states of being, then a Cleric has the right and the training to cap their magic.
 

As a Hive, a grouping of four, they can also cap an area's magic. It doesn't necessarily mean they remove the magic; they just gum up the works. Which is what appeared to be happening in my shop, hence my inability to summon my Elementals.
 

Except Air.
 

Kyle came back out front. "I can't even spark a flame to start incense. Even the water's not working in the sink."
 

"Area's been capped. It's Clerics."
 

"Holy Lord and Lady!" Kyle hissed as he looked at the door and noticed my weapon. "Why in the hell are they here?"
 

I glanced at the Elemental surrounding the crystal on the shelf. Would they be able to sense him? And how was it I was able to summon him, much less
any
magic with a cap in place?
 

"I don't know."
 

But I had a suspicion. I believed they were here because I killed an innocent, and I'd used Arcane Magic to do it, which was strictly forbidden. Somehow they had discovered the truth, either on their own or someone had given them just cause to investigate me.
 

My first thought was that Dionysus had pointed them in my direction. And why not? I was the one Witch who knew the truth, that the Leviathan had stolen the body of my mom's best friend, Inamorata Devonshire, and I had killed an innocent girl. I'd used an Arcane spell from the Malleus Maleficarum, The Witch's Hammer, to strip the innocent's soul from her body. I thought I was exorcising the Leviathan.
 

I was so…so damn wrong. Instead of destroying the monster that took my mother from me, I'd made that poor soul vulnerable to Dionysus's needs. I'd made that girl a prisoner to a monster in a human body.
 

This was the secret I kept. This was my shadow.
 

I knew they were here for me.
 

But I wasn't going to go quietly. Not when I had innocent children to find and a boyfriend who needed my help, whether he wanted it or not.
 

The lights flickered and I heard the Sylph's voice in my head saying to put the gun away because the Clerics would see it as a threat. I hid it behind the counter.
 

The door opened again and the four of them filed into the shop. I felt a pressure against my own personal wards, but they didn't penetrate them. Either they couldn't, or they weren't trying. But they were
testing
.
 

Their hoods were up, and their robes closed. The robes were floor length and tailored to each Cleric. Each cloak also had a shoulder drape, much like the old depictions of Sherlock Holmes's cloak.
 

I stood my ground. They stood theirs.
 

Finally, Kyle spoke up. "Welcome to
Bell, Book and Candle
. I must say I like your robes," he put his hands together. "May I get you some tea?"
 

"Is that the nephew?" The tall one on the left asked. There were two on either side like bookends.
 

The other tall one nodded. "He is a Hedge Witch. A rarity in the House of Vervain."
 

"No," said a female voice. "The Vervains are known for their agility and prowess in Hedge magic. This one's rarity is that he is
male
."
 

I looked at Kyle. He looked…irritated.
 

"So, no tea then."
 

They all pushed their hoods back at the same time as if they'd rehearsed it. There were two men, and two women. Equal representation of the Elemental Witnesses. Earth and Water were female, while Air and Fire were male. Each Cleric wore a medallion with the corresponding color.
 

The open door to the break room widened and Grey padded out. Grey was my wolf Familiar. My circle of friends were the only ones to call her a wolf because I didn't want anyone alerting the local animal control to a wild animal on the loose.
 

Grey
could
be dangerous. I'd seen her in action.
 

But she was mine. And no one was going to bother her. I watched her pad to the edge of the counter and sit between Kyle and the counter wall.
 

"This is the Familiar," the tall one on the right said as he took a step forward. Beneath their robes, each of them wore dark clothing. I couldn't see it well enough to know of it was some kind of uniform. This guy was older than the rest, maybe the Hive Leader. His red medallion indicated a Fire Sponsor. He sort of reminded me of a graying Jason Isaacs.
 

Only not as good looking.

The Air Sponsored on the opposite end looked to be in his mid-thirties. He also looked like he just stepped away from a game of Middle Earth. His hair was so blond it was almost white and pulled back from his head in a long ponytail. His eyes were dark and his brows the same. Great, a Legolas fan.
 

The two women were just as unique. The Water Sponsored with the blue medallion had short dark hair and dark red lips that moved as she smacked on chewing gum.
 
She had to be in her twenties.
 

The Earth Sponsored with the green medallion drew my attention. She looked as old as the Fire Cleric, with long silver hair that brushed her hips as she pulled it from beneath her robe. She also seemed the least mysterious as she clapped her hands together. "Oh Mr. Kendrick I would
love
some tea. Do you have chai?"
 

"Yes I do." Her response to him put a smile on his face.
 

"Wait," Mr. Fire said with his hand up. "We have business."
 

"And he's a part of that business. But that doesn't mean we can't be sociable," Miss Earth nodded to Kyle. "You make tea. We'll be right here. Oh and I like it English style."
 

"We've got unsweetened coconut milk. Is that okay?"
 

"That's perfect."
 

I watched the interchange with a worried expression. Once Kyle disappeared behind the door, Mr. Fire was at the counter. Grey was on all fours and growling.
 

"Tell your mutt to be quiet or I'll make sure he stays quiet."
 

I arched a brow at him. "Grey is a girl, and she can speak for herself. I don't like your tone and I don't like you barging into my establishment, overriding my wards." I knew I shouldn't be speaking to them like this. Every Witch grew up learning about the Clerics. They were the boogeymen of our culture. But if they were just getting rid of Kyle so they could accuse and punish me, I wanted them to get it over with. So provoking them seemed a good way to go.
 

"We do things our way," Mr. Air said as he moved to stand beside Mr. Fire.
 

"Oh posh," Miss Earth said as she came forward and offered me her hand. "My name's Emily Pearson."
 

"Why did you give her your true name?" Mr. Fire's face turned red.
 

"Because she's not the person of interest, Fred. So take it down a notch. I told you capping this area was just overkill."
 

"I was making a statement."
 

I gave him a narrowed look. "What, like I have a small penis so watch my magic?"

Oh, I'd just made an enemy. But learning from Miss Pearson that I wasn't under investigation made me breathe a little easier. I set the gun on the shelf under the counter and raised my hand to shake hers. Her palm was warm and dry and I missed my
dex
not activating and showing me what she was.
 

"Oh," Emily said and then smiled. "I felt it try. That's a good spell to have auto trigger in your personal ward. Very smart. Just like your mother."
 

I pulled my hand back. "You knew my mother?"
 

"Oh yes. Fred and I both did. She was asked to be a Cleric many times, but always refused. So," she straightened her robe. "We should get down to business soon as Mr. Kendrick comes back."
 

"Why don't we just move this to the break room?" I gestured to the door. "I have a table that will accommodate at least ten."
 

They all nodded except Fred. He was still eyeballing me. As they filed through the door I looked at the Sylph and invited him to my shoulder. He came with a sprint and settled in my hair. I couldn't exactly feel him, but I knew something was there. I'd done this several times with my Salamander but never with a Sylph. I might have to try it with all my Elementals.
 

Kyle set out a silver tea service, snacks, and everything needed to host a party.
 

Only this wasn't a party.
 

Fred insisted on sitting at the end of the table. Since I always sat on the end nearest the door, he sat on the opposite side and scowled. Grey sat at my left and I idly stroked her neck. I could feel her muscles taught and ready under her luxurious fur. She hadn't taken her eyes off of Fred.
 

After a few awkward moments, and me feeling like the whole scene was too surreal for daytime TV, Emily broke the ice. "Miss Hawthorne…can I call you Samantha?"
 

"Sam's fine."
 

"Oh good. Sam, we're here on behalf of the local Eldership to ask you a few questions about Arden Vervain."
 

Kyle and I glanced at one another. Arden Vervain was the self-appointed Witch Queen of New Orleans, and she was Kyle's aunt. I'd met her twice now.
 

That was enough.
 

"What about her?" Kyle asked as he sipped his tea.
 

"What's Vervain's relationship to you?" Fred asked. He had a lot of tension in that voice.
 

"She's my aunt."
 

"Not you," he pointed at me. "Her."
 

"My name is Sam, Fred. Use it." I continued to pet my wolf. "Arden is Kyle's aunt. There is no relation to me."
 

"Don't be a dumb bitch—"
 

"Fred!" Mr. Air said. It was only the second time he'd said anything. And then he looked at me. "We're aware of Miss Vervain's proposition to the Eldership, during an emergency meeting a few weeks ago."
 

I pursed my lips. "You mean when the Changelings were attacking their parents and eating people's faces off."
 

He blanched. Renn Faire boy had a weak stomach. "Yes. During that time Mr. Alfonso Higgins was killed. He was this area's Grand Master, in case you weren't aware."
 

"I was informed of that after he was killed."
 

"The meeting was held in her home in the Garden District and at that time she promised—"

 
Fred stood at that moment and slammed his fist down on the table. Grey growled and stood. "Where is that damn head? We know you have it because Vervain said she'd seen it here. We demand you hand it over to the Hive now!"
 

I was on my feet before I knew it.
 

So was Kyle.
 

And the Sylph at my neck was also on alert, whispering in my ear.

I'm usually a pretty patient person. Or I hope I am. I try to be. But this was just out of hand. And getting ridiculously stupid. The man wasn't spouting nonsense though.
 

Up until two weeks ago I did have a head in my basement. It was the head of the former Obsidian Queen, Medbh. And the head talked. Given the Faerie's inability to lie, if I asked the head a direct question it would have to tell the truth or say nothing.
 

Most of the time the damn thing kept quiet, but when she did tell the truth, I learned a lot. My biggest complaint about her had been her off-key, colorful rendition of bawdy pop songs.
 

And she didn't sensor.