When Thorn and I pulled into Blair’s parking space back at Kindred Spirits with full stomachs an hour later, we found Jadis still out on the grounds practicing her summoning spell on the armada of weeds. As soon as she heard the popping of the car’s tires on the gravel, she spun and flashed us a devilish smile before running to meet us while we climbed out.
“Welcome back, lovebirds! Have a nice date?” Jadis teased as she looked us over, and her eyes widened at the sight of the flower in my hair. She pointed at it and laughed. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
“It wasn’t a date,” I insisted, though even I didn’t buy it. “Right, Thorn?”
Though at first Thorn stared at the ground, eventually he straightened his robes and shook his head. “Right. It wasn’t a date at all; just a tour of the town.”
“Starfall is really cute, Jadis. You should go see it sometime,” I said, hoping to keep her off the subject of Thorn and me having gone together.
“Too bad cute tour guides are in such short supply, huh?” she shot back and, annoyed, I stormed past her toward Kindred Spirits. “Oh, come on, Selena! Wait! I was only teasing you a bit,” Jadis called as she chased after me. She caught me by the wrist, forcing me to stop, so I turned to look at her. “I’m just having a bit of fun.”
“Well, it isn’t fun for me.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll stop, I promise.”
I hesitated, unsure whether I believed her. “Good. Thank you.”
Jadis flashed me a half-smile and gave me a hug I returned instantly; I couldn’t stay mad at her, no matter how badly I might’ve wanted. “Listen, I’m glad you had a good time. You’ve been working hard, so you deserved a break. That flower looks really nice on you too. Did Thorn give it to you?”
“Actually, Oliver’s business partner Giles did.”
“Oh, so you met Oliver then?”
“Unfortunately, no. He was giving a private lesson to a student of his when we got there, but we left a message for him with Giles. Hopefully, we’ll hear from him sometime today. Anyway, how have things been here? Any news?”
Jadis shook her head. “Nada. Blair and Kiki are cleaning the rooms, but I kept weeding.”
“Having any luck?”
Jadis scoffed. “I’ve been out here for hours, but I don’t think I’ve made an inch of progress. I swear, these weeds must be magical or something because they grow so fast and spread so far. Oh well, at least I’m getting plenty of spell practice.”
“Did you see Dominique leave while you were out here?”
Jadis raised an eyebrow at me. “No, but I was too busy weeding to have paid attention. Why?”
“I’m pretty sure I saw him in town, which was kinda weird. Since he checked in, he’s kept to himself, so why would he wander into town all alone without telling anyone?”
“Well, he’s a guest here on business, Selena. It’s not like he’s required to tell us about all his comings and goings. Blair said something about a Spring Festival going on in town after you left though, so maybe that’s why he went?”
“That’s what Thorn said too, but I don’t know. It just seems weird.”
Jadis shrugged. “I guess you’ll just have to ask him about it when he gets back then,” she said, and I shot her an annoyed look.
“Yeah, I’m sure he’ll be really forthcoming with me. Did he ever say what kind of business he does?”
“I can’t remember exactly, but I’m pretty sure I heard him say something about small business ventures.”
“Well, judging from what I saw in town today, there’s definitely no shortage of those around here,” I said, which got me wondering if that was why I’d seen Dominique speaking with Giles. Petals & Potions seemed to be doing pretty well financially, so could Dominique have interest in working with them somehow?
The sound of gravel popping again snapped my attention away from my thoughts, and I turned to find a hot pink compact car covered with an ostentatious flower pattern ambling up the drive. We weren’t expecting any new guests to arrive, and surely Oliver wouldn’t have moved that quickly to meet with us, especially if he could’ve called from town rather than making the drive up here. Then again, who else would drive a car like that?
“Who’s that?” Jadis asked.
“It has to be Oliver,” I laughed, and if I was right, then Thorn hadn’t been kidding about Oliver’s flamboyance.
The car stopped behind Blair’s and out stepped a smiling man in a set of rose red robes that matched his fire-kissed hair and facial scruff perfectly. He beamed and waved as he approached us with his bright blue eyes sparkling, and I noticed a pink rose petal pinned above his heart.
“Thorn, it’s so good to see you again!” Oliver shouted and pulled him into a hug as if they were old friends.
“That’s quite a ride you’ve got there, Oliver,” Thorn said when they broke.
“What can I say? I believe in flower power. Besides, it makes people smile to see, and that’s worth it alone.”
“You’ve always had a soft spot for brightening people’s lives.”
“It’s important in a snowy, depressing place like this! Anyway, Thorn, where are your manners? Shouldn’t you introduce me to your colleagues?”
“Oh, right. Uh, sorry,” Thorn said to Oliver’s laughter.
Oliver flashed me a smile and covered his mouth with his hand to whisper, “Thorn’s always been a bit behind the times,” then winked at me. I had to admit, as charming as I found Thorn, Oliver definitely gave him a run for his money. No wonder the two of them had become friends while they were in school together.
“I heard that,” Oliver said, though he smiled. “The person you just slandered me to is Selena, and the other is her best friend, Jadis.”
Oliver offered me his hand, which I took and gave a gentle shake. “Pleased to meet you both,” he said, then caught sight of the flower in my hair. “And what’s this?” he asked as he fingered the petals. “One of Oliver’s rapturous rhododendrons?”
I nodded. “Giles gave it to me when we ran into him.”
Oliver’s eyes flashed. “Did he now? Interesting. He didn’t mention it to me.”
“He told Selena he thought it would look good in her hair,” Thorn explained.
“Who knew that boring bloodsucker had an eye for fashion?” Oliver asked, making us all laugh. Oliver looked away and thought for a moment, then shook his head like he was trying to shoo away a thought. “Maybe I underestimated him…” he trailed cryptically as he rubbed his arms. “Anyway, I’m freezing out here! What do you say we head inside to talk this business proposition over?”
“Sure, come on in,” I said and led the way to the door, though I didn’t find it half as cold back up on the mountain as I had down in the valley. Then again, Oliver was pretty thin and seemed sensitive, so maybe he just didn’t have the same tolerance for the cold that the rest of us did.
“I’ve gotta say, Oliver, I’m surprised to see you so soon,” Thorn said as we all shuffled through the giant double doors into the inn. “Selena and I were just at the apothecary an hour ago.”
“Giles told me about your message as soon as I finished my lesson with Azalea,” Oliver said, and when Thorn shot him a puzzled look, he chuckled. “Right, sorry. You don’t have a clue who that is. Azalea’s one of my most promising pupils, and a genuine delight in her own way. I’ve never seen anyone with such a natural eye for arrangements — well, besides me, of course,” he continued to more laughter from the rest of us. I hadn’t expected Oliver to be so funny.
Blair met us in the foyer with a confused look, which passed quickly when she put two and two together. “Ah, you must be Mr. Pollock!” she exclaimed with her arms thrown open in welcome. “Please, come into the dining room and have a seat,” she said and led us all across the foyer to the western wing that housed the dining room and kitchen.
Blair shoved the wooden double doors open and sighed when she found Lox and Keez, twin red and blue-haired imps tied together by their tails, sitting on the massive table that ran the length of the room. Both clutched a piece of fruit they’d pilfered from the fruit bowl in their clawed hands, and juice stained their faces and fronts.
“Oh, dear Lilith, how many times have I warned you two about stealing food?” Blair asked with her arms crossed over her chest. The imps squeaked in surprise and took to the air, their tiny wings furiously beating to get away. Unfortunately for them, they’d flown in opposite directions, pulling their tails taught and sending them slamming into each other’s backs. With a pitiful squeak, they tumbled onto the table, sending the fruit bowl and its contents flipping through the air.
Thinking quickly, I yanked my wand from my robes and aimed it at the bowl. “Devoco!” I shouted and watched with glee as the glass bowl soared into my open hand, where I clutched it against my chest. The various pieces of fruit thudded to the floor, but a few bruises wouldn’t ruin them.
“Well done, Selena!” Blair said as she applauded me.
“Seriously! You’re a regular sharpshooter,” Thorn laughed. “Maybe Officer Aimes’ offer to help you join the police isn’t such a bad idea.”
I blew on the end of my wand and tucked it back into my robes, making everyone laugh. “I’ve had lots of good instruction,” I said to Blair with a smile. She beamed back at me and took the bowl from my hand.
“Well, I can only take so much credit for that,” she said as she ambled around the table to pick up the fallen fruit. She placed the pieces back in the bowl and set it on the table, then pulled her own wand out to point it at the imps. “As for you two, I think you deserve a time out in the basement.”
“But imps only hungry!” Keez protested, her eerie yellow eyes growing large like a puppy’s appealing to Blair.
“Then you should’ve asked Emile to make you something rather than stealing,” Blair said, unsatisfied with Keez’s explanation. “Now shoo. Evanesco!” she said with a flick of her wand, and the two imps vanished with a pop. She pulled out a chair and gestured for Oliver to take it. “I apologize for the scene, Mr. Pollock. Please, have a seat.”
“No apology necessary. The two of them were quite entertaining, in my opinion,” Oliver said as he sank down into the high-backed chair. I sat across from him while everyone else chose a seat, and I watched with curiosity as Oliver tugged loose the robes wrapped around the base of his neck. I couldn’t be sure from across the table, but it looked like he was sweating — but hadn’t he just said he was freezing? Maybe, despite all his bravado, he was nervous?
“Entertaining?” Blair scoffed. “Wait until you’ve spent more than a few hours dealing with the imps. You’ll change your mind about that quickly.”
Oliver chuckled. “Then I take it they’re a mischievous pair?”
“That’s putting it lightly, but they add to the ambiance, so I suppose I’ll allow them to stay… For now,” Blair said with a playful smile. “Anyway, given that you’re here, I assume that means you’ve considered our offer?”
Oliver pushed his hair off his forehead, leaving a wet streak behind, and I noticed him panting. He didn’t seem to have registered Blair’s question.
“Mr. Pollock?” she prompted.
“Yes, sorry. I’m just a bit flustered,” he said and shook his head as if to bring himself back to his senses. “To answer your question, yes, I’ve thought the offer over, and I’m interested, but I’m afraid I can’t accept without making some modifications.”
“Such as?”
Oliver didn’t answer right away; he seemed to process everything on a delay. Between that and his sweating, I couldn’t help worrying if it was more than just nerves bothering him. He cleared his throat and grimaced. “I’m, uh… Well, I’m… Sorry, where were we?”
My heart skipped a beat as I exchanged a concerned look with Blair. Something wasn’t right with Oliver.
“Ah, yes, that’s it. I’m quite busy as it stands between running Petals & Potions and teaching classes there. If I were to accept your offer to maintain the grounds here, my work at the shop would have to take precedence,” Oliver said so confidently that I almost forgot he’d just completely lost his train of thought.
“That’s perfect. We’d only need someone part-time, anyhow. Most of the work required would be at the start, and we’d obviously lend a hand there. After that, it’s all maintenance and design, which we all know you’re more than capable of handling,” Blair said with a smile.
Oliver swallowed hard and further loosened his robes, and this time I couldn’t have mistaken the sweat beading on his upper lip for anything else. He noticed me looking and quickly wiped it away with the back of his hand. “G-great. When would you like me to start then?”
“As soon as you can,” Blair said, “though there’s no particular rush if you need time to make arrangements at Petals & Potions.” She sat staring at Oliver for a few moments, and when he didn’t respond, Blair’s brows furrowed. “Are you feeling okay, Mr. Pollock? You look a little clammy.”
“I-I’m fine, it’s just… Could I have a glass of water? My throat feels drier than a broom’s bristles suddenly. M-must be nerves.”
“On it,” Jadis said and jumped to her feet to run into the prep room to fetch a glass, leaving the rest of us sitting in an awkward silence while we all stared at Oliver who seemed to be melting in front of our eyes.
“There’s nothing to be anxious about, Mr. Pollock. None of us are going to bite,” Blair said, and Oliver’s eyes darted up to hers for a moment before he turned in his seat to look over his shoulder.
“It’s not you I’m worried about…” he muttered, so quietly I wasn’t sure I’d heard him correctly, and the words sent a chill rippling across my skin.