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The day was going much slower than Wynona would have wished. There were too many patrons at the moment for her to pass everything off to Lusgu so she could help out at the station, so Wynona had sent a mental message to Rascal and focused on taking care of her customers.
“Fresh eclairs and a pot of green rooibos,” Wynona said, setting the tray down with a small flourish of her fingers. She was finally using her magic in public, though in very small ways. Her customers hadn’t said a thing about it, which Wynona was grateful for. She had decided she was going to start integrating it in subtle ways until everything was running like a well oiled machine. But perhaps if her family knew magic was common in her life now, they would think twice about trying to pull her back.
Except Celia saw you in action.
Wynona blew a breath out her nose. True, she thought back. But I don’t think Celia is as sold on Mom and Dad’s plan to get me back as they are.
Violet scrubbed her face.
“Thank you, dear,” the older shifter said, smiling up at Wynona. Her hooked nose displayed her heritage as a bird, though her features were still lovely for her age.
Wynona nodded with a smile and walked away. She meandered around the room, checking on everyone, who seemed content at the moment. With a sigh of relief, she went back to the kitchen. “Finally, a little quiet,” she said softly.
Violet scrambled down and ran under the stainless steel island, disappearing from view. Lunch time!
Wynona chuckled. “Enjoy.” She had no idea what food her familiar kept under there, but Lusgu had proven to be a softie when it came to the mouse and Wynona was positive he kept Violet well stocked.
Her own stomach grumbled and she walked to the fridge to grab a bite. Wynona rarely had a sit down meal, but she was usually able to eat enough to keep her satisfied until Rascal joined her for dinner.
She pulled out a container with some leftover soup and began to walk to the microwave when Violet squeaked at her. “Right. Powers.” Wynona set the bowl on the counter and pointed at it. She held her breath, trying to keep the heat minimal. She knew from past experiments that she had enough power to blow up a building, when all she wanted was hot soup.
Her shoulders relaxed when the soup began to steam and Wynona dropped her hand. She was getting better at this and that was something she needed to be proud of, though she was usually too busy trying to keep up to celebrate the milestones.
The ringing of the bell at the front door caught her attention and Wynona left the soup, walking back out to the dining room so she could greet whoever had just arrived. Her steps came to a screeching halt, however, when a woman with hair black as pitch waltzed into the shop. Her pouty red lips were pursed and her skin unblemished from wrinkles or any other problems.
For Wynona, it was like looking in a mirror, other than the look of disdain her mother sported while studying the other tables.
“Wynona!” Marcella cried, once she spotted her daughter. Arms raised, Marcella walked quickly forward, as if to embrace Wynona.
Wynona automatically stepped back, her hand up. “Hello, Mother.” She was grateful Marcella stopped before touching her. She wasn’t quite sure her magic wouldn’t respond to her discomfort. “What brings you here?”
Marcella’s press conference smile was plastered on her face. “I came to see you. Isn’t that what mothers do?”
Coming!
A tiny bit of Wynona’s tension relaxed as Violet climbed her leg. She always felt more in control when her familiar was with her. “Not usually,” Wynona snipped. She pinched her lips together. She probably shouldn’t antagonize her mother. They were in public and Wynona needed to be professional. She stuck her chin in the air, ignoring the look of annoyance on her mother’s face. “I’m afraid I’m working right now. Would you like a table, or should we speak another time?”
Marcella’s smile was anything but kind. “I suppose I’ll take a table. Mothers should test out their daughters’ work, shouldn’t they? Who else will be honest with you about how you’re doing?” Smiling and nodding at the other ladies, Marcella flounced across the room until she reached an empty table.
Wynona ground her teeth. She didn’t want to serve her mother. In fact, she didn’t want to see her at all.
How about a little rhubarb in her tea? Violet snickered.
We’re not giving my mother a laxative, Wynona shot back. Instead of responding the way she wanted to, Wynona walked over. “Would you like a full tea? That includes a tray of pastries along with a custom tea. You can also order a pot of your favorite with or without the treats.”
Marcella sniffed. “Might as well go for the full service.” She tilted her head, batting her eyelashes. “What tea do you recommend for your mother?”
I’m starting to hate that word as much as I hate “sister”.
Violet laughed again, drawing Marcella’s eye.
“A mouse isn’t exactly...couth,” she said tightly.
“Violet is my familiar,” Wynona said firmly. “She stays.”
Marcella’s look changed and Wynona realized she might have given her mother more information than she should have.
Let her do something, Violet growled. I can handle her.
Ignoring Violet’s vicious streak, Wynona studied her mother. She had to set aside her own longing, hurt and pain in order to open her magic, which didn’t seem to want to work for her at the moment.
“Is there a problem?” Marcella pressed. “Does it always take this long to figure out a drink?”
Violet pressed her nose into Wynona’s neck and the extra focus was enough to help her finish the task. “Orange,” Wynona finally said. “Orange with basil and mint.” She straightened. “It’ll help you handle the stress in your life.” Spinning on her heel before her mother could argue, Wynona left for the kitchen, already using her magic to begin putting together the tray. She wanted her mother gone as soon as possible.
It only took a few minutes for Wynona to bring the tray out, using her magic to settle in front of Marcella. The tray landed in the middle and then Wynona placed the cup in front of her mother. With a wiggle of her fingers, she filled the cup with hot water and then dropped the infuser into it. “Enjoy,” Wynona said as she started to walk away.
“Sit.”
Wynona paused and turned around slowly. “I’m working,” she said as politely as she could.
“I said sit.” Marcella pointed at the chair next to her.
A force tugged on Wynona, trying to pull her to the seat, and Wynona felt her magic instantly come to life. Her feet cemented to the floor and the tug on her snapped back like a broken rubber band.
Marcella jerked back, blinking rapidly. There was nothing seductive about this look. She was actually shocked and Wynona wasn’t sure she had ever seen it before. “How did you do that?”
I have no idea. There was no way Wynona was admitting that out loud. “Please refrain from using your magic,” Wynona said coolly. “You have no right to compel anyone in here.”
Marcella’s lips became a thin line. “This isn’t over.”
Wynona knew she was right, but she wasn’t going to stick around. “Please let me know if there’s something else you need.” She turned and walked away, hesitating when every other patron quickly turned back to their tables. A stark reminder that they weren’t alone.
“I think. perhaps, your other patrons are done.”
Turning, Wynona’s jaw dropped. “Excuse me?”
Marcella slowly stood. “As President Le Doux’s wife, I don’t feel safe in this establishment while it’s open to the public. While I’m here, I believe you should close the dining room to others.”
Wynona’s hands clenched, but she worked to control herself. She could feel the sparks of magic starting to snap against her skin. “I’m afraid that’s not possible right now. They were here before you and I was unaware you were coming. If you would like to make a private appointment, I can make sure the private dining area is ready for you next time.”
Scrambling behind her caused Wynona to turn. Apparently, the other women didn’t believe Wynona would sufficiently protect them as each one was hurrying to leave. Wynona raised her hand to stop them, but dropped it. It was no use. They were already going out the door.
She spun, glaring at her mother. “Are you happy now?”
“If it will keep you from walking away from me, then yes.”
“You had no right.”
“I’m your mother,” Marcella said confidently. “I have every right.”
“You spent thirty years not wanting anything to do with me. I’ve been disowned by Dad. I don’t think you get to count me as your daughter anymore.”
Marcella’s eyes flashed and her red magic sparkled. “Times change.”
“No. Curses change.” Wynona knew she was getting too emotional. Her vision was going purple and she was reacting with anger, which wasn’t going to help her, but she was struggling to pull herself back. This confrontation had been a long time in coming and now that it was here, Wynona found every bad memory from her childhood, and even from recently, coming to the surface.
Easy, Violet warned. Don’t let her push you into something you don’t want.
Wynona breathed deeply, not daring to close her eyes or look away from her mother.
“Yes...” Marcella said, eyeing Wynona. “Curses. I’d like to hear the story of what happened to yours.” Her eyes flashed red and Wynona knew her mother was looking for answers. One of her gifts had been to see magic. Not residual like Daemon could, but live, pulsing magic. So far, it was something Wynona couldn’t replicate.
Marcella’s eyes went back to normal. “It’s gone. Completely gone.”
Wynona nodded. “Yes.”
“Did you ever find out where it came from?”
Wynona hesitated too long and her mother’s eyes grew shrewd. “Tell me. Who would dare go against our family?”
Wynona shook her head. “It doesn’t matter now. It’s over.”
Marcella pounded a fist on the table, rattling the tea service, and slowly climbed to her feet. “It’s NOT over. Someone thought they had the right to deprive our family of your gifts and they deserve—”
“What, Marcella?” a voice interrupted.
Wynona spun, shocked to see her grandmother’s ghost standing in the doorway. Her mother must have been just as shocked because she fell back into her seat, shaking.
“Saffron?”
“What do they deserve?” Granny pressed. “Death? Were you going to say death?” Granny threw up her hands. “Well, congratulations because that’s exactly what they got.”
It didn’t seem possible for Marcella’s eyes to widen any further, but they did. “You?” she breathed. “You cursed Wynona?”
Wynona felt like she was at a tennis match as her head snapped back and forth between the two women, but this wasn’t a conversation she wanted to be a part of.
“I did.” Granny clasped her hands and tilted her head. “And now she’s free. Thank goodness.”
“Free?” Marcella recovered quickly, her lips pulling into a sneer. “You cursed her in order to get her away from us, didn’t you?” Slowly, she rose to her feet. “How dare you. She wasn’t your child.”
“And now she isn’t yours,” Saffron said with ease. “After all, you did disown her not too long ago.”
Marcella’s chuckle started low and it immediately put Wynona on edge. Even Violet winced and tucked deeper into Wynona’s neck.
“And now what?” Marcella asked. “You’re dead,” she spat. “Wynona can’t control her powers by herself. Who do you think she’s going to turn to?”
Wynona backed up. If her mother thought Wynona would come running home, she was crazier than anyone knew.
Marcella put a perfectly manicured hand to her chest. “The only person strong enough to handle her.”
“I don’t need handling.” The words were out of Wynona’s mouth before she could stop them. Now all the attention was on her and she wanted to disappear. Instead, she forced her chest out and her shoulders back. “I’ve built a life without you, Mother, and I’ll figure out my magic without your help.” She waved her fingers at the tea tray and scooped everything up, sending it back to the kitchen in the blink of an eye. “I think it’s time for you to leave.”
Marcella’s face tightened and Wynona prepared herself for the backlash headed her way. The problem was, she wasn’t sure if it was going to be verbal or physical.
“AHHH!” Marcella screamed, throwing a hand toward Granny. “This is all your fault!” A shot of red burst from the witch and Wynona responded without thought.
Throwing her own hand between them, a purple wall blazed, stopping the red flame coming from Marcella.
The flame stopped almost instantly and Granny chuckled darkly. “Did you really think you needed to protect a ghost, dear one?”
Wynona didn’t care that Granny could have disappeared and been unharmed. “This shop is mine,” Wynona said to her mother. Her voice was deeper than normal and Wynona was surprised by it, but kept going. “I won’t let you ruin it because of a simple tantrum. If you want a fight, take it elsewhere. This. Is. My. Home. And my friends are my family.” Wynona pointed toward the door. “I will never be coming back and you will never control my magic. Now leave before I force you to.”
Marcella’s mouth snapped shut. “It’s true. It’s purple.”
Wynona didn’t budge. Please don’t make me do it, she begged. Please don’t make me push you out. Her heart was racing and sweat was trickling down her back. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could hold back the waterfall of emotional magic raging in her system. If her mother didn’t leave quickly, Wynona would end up hurting her without even trying.
Marcella’s nostrils flared, but she spun and stomped to the door. “This is far from over,” she declared right before slamming the door so hard the windows rattled.
“VIOLET!” Wynona shouted, grasping her head and dropping to her knees.
A frantic howl told Wynona that her soulmate had sensed her distress and was almost inside. Her mother’s shriek meant he was at the door.
NO! Wynona screamed internally. She didn’t want Rascal anywhere near her at the moment. She’d already hurt him once, she didn’t want to do it again.
“Cecidimus.” A finger touched Wynona’s forehead and the magic faded into nothingness.
As her body swayed, Wynona fell into a large furry body. She sucked in a breath, her lungs finally working properly. Her hands came up, gripping Rascal’s fur. She kept her eyes closed until her body began to relax. “Lusgu,” she said weakly. She knew exactly who had stopped the outburst.
The brownie stood to the side, watching her carefully. His black eyes went up and down her body before nodding. He turned to leave, but Wynona reached out to stop him by taking his hand.
“Thank you,” she whispered hoarsely. She squeezed his long fingers. “I don’t know how you can do that, but I’m so thankful Granny sent you to me.”
A light red colored the tips of his long ears as he snorted away her thanks. Without another word, he shuffled to the kitchen, his broom jumping to life behind him.
Turning, Wynona wrapped her arms around Rascal’s large canine body. “I’m okay,” she assured him, speaking out loud for her own benefit as well. “I’m okay.”
Rascal whined and shifted so he was wrapped around her.
In a minute she would need to let him change back and explain, but his warm, soft fur was helping calm her down and she needed all the help she could get. “I’m okay...” She blew out a breath. “It’s going to be okay.” Maybe someday that would be the truth.