Red Witch: Book Two of the Wizard Born Series (5 page)

“I think that’s what happened to Eddan,” Jamie said. “He eventually got tired of people asking him to take care of their problems, so he shut himself in his tower and ignored everybody until they gave up and stopped knocking on his door.”

“Did he ever get paid for his services?”

“Yeah, plenty. That’s how he saved up the money that he used to buy this house.” He gestured broadly at the room around them. “But he didn’t need any more money, or want it. He just wanted to study magic.”

“We promise we won’t bother you about doing stuff,” Lisa said.

“I don’t mind helping you.”

Lisa patted Jamie’s face and said to Rachel, “Don’t you just love this boy? He’s so good.” She turned to Fred. “Don’t you ever let this one get away, ya’ hear?”

* * *

Two witches sprawled on either end of their black vinyl couch, watching television. The only other light was from a small lamp on a table beside the front door. Stubby candles, unlit, with wax pooled at their bases, were scattered around the room in various ceramic holders. Deep shadows formed on the red-painted walls; dark furniture was covered in books and knick knacks and clutter.

There were no silver moons and stars hanging from the ceiling. There were no Tarot cards spread on the nearby table. There was no smell of incense in the air.

“It stinks in here,” Cassandra said. “Smells like a brewery. How much did you spill?”

Rita picked up the beer can from beside her and gave it a slight shake. “’Bout half, I s’pose.”

“Any bourbon left?”

Rita grabbed the bottle from the floor and passed it to Cassandra. She took it and said, “Next time, spill this instead. Might kill some of the mildew in the carpet.” She barked a short laugh.

Rita scowled. “Don’t see how you can smell anything…always got a cigarette in your face.”

Cassandra frowned and brushed ashes from her chest. “You smoke almost as much as I do.”

Their feet were propped on the low table in front of the couch. A Sterno stove sat in the middle between their bare feet, surrounded by bits of herbs, two small unstoppered bottles, and a mortar and pestle.

Cassandra took a swig from the bottle, wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and gestured at the clutter before them. “You ever gonna finish that potion for Geraldine? We could use the money.”

Rita reached over and took the bottle back from Cassandra. “Can’t seem to remember how.” She waved one hand at the bookshelves. “Recipe’s in one of those books somewhere, I guess. Isabelle was always better at this spell.”

Cassandra chewed one corner of her lip for a moment. “I miss her, you know? Didn’t ever think I would…she was so annoying and bossy sometimes. But now that she’s gone, I miss her.”

“Me too, Cass, me too.” Rita rolled the neck of the bottle between her fingers, resting the bottom on her paunchy belly. “If she’d a’ ridden home with John that night, she wouldn’t a’ gotten run over.”

“They fought too much,” Cassandra said sagely. “He said she was mad at him because he wouldn’t let her play pool with him.”

“Don’t blame him. She sucked at pool.” Rita gave a little laugh. “But she was good with potions.”

There was a long moment of silence as the two women stared at the television without watching. Cassandra said, “We’re gonna need a third witch soon.”

“I know Cass.” Rita took a long breath through her nose. “I know.”

Chapter 5

Rachel opened the oven door and peeked at the roasting chicken.
I think it’s done.
She switched the oven off and called, “Jamie, dinner’s ready. Will you set the table, please?”

Jamie put down the book he was reading on the family room couch, leaned forward to get a better view of the kitchen, and gestured with one hand. A cabinet door opened and a plate floated out.

“Not
that
way, Jamie,” Rachel said. “The old-fashioned way.”

“Yes ma’am.” He walked into the kitchen, grabbed the plate out of the air and pulled two more out of the cabinet.

Rachel put one hand on her hip. “I know you’re keen to use your magic every chance you get, but I don’t want you getting lazy.”
God, I sound like my mother.
“Try to save it for special….” — she fumbled for the right word— “circumstances. Or situations. You know what I mean.”

“Okay.” He set the plates on the table. “How about if I’m trying something new? I gotta practice that stuff, or I might do something wrong and make a mess.”

“All right, as long as you’re careful. But if you can do something by non-magical means, like taking out the garbage or something, then get off your butt and do it. Don’t be waving your hands and wiggling your fingers instead. Gramma would have a fit if she saw that.”

“Yeah, she would.” Jamie’s smile was lopsided. “How come you’re not as strict as she is?”

“Would you like me to be?”

Jamie shook his head firmly.

“Good. Now go out to the garage and tell your father it’s time to eat.”

* * *

Fred was on her way to homeroom when she saw a familiar adult heading her way across the hall.
Oh no, it’s Mrs. Shlotsky
. Fred tried to duck behind a group of students but was too late.

“Fred!” Mrs. Shlotsky waved and walked toward her.

“Oh, hey Mrs. Shlotsky. How was your honeymoon?”

“It’s Mrs. Pringle, now.” She beamed as she joined Fred. “It was great, but too short. We went to Hawaii, and just got back last night.”

“That’s awesome. You look like you got some sun.”

“A little too much, I’m afraid. Funny thing…when I was at the beach on Saturday, I saw somebody that could be your twin, I swear. And she was with a blond-haired boy, too!” She shook her head. “What do you think the chances are of that happening?” Fred shrugged and the woman continued, “I could’ve sworn she had red hair just like yours, but when I looked closer, it seemed more of a light brown.”

“Oh, well, my hair’s definitely not brown.”

“No, it’s red. Very red.” She touched Fred’s hair. “It’s lovely. I’m glad it’s not brown.”

This is awkward
. “Thanks, Mrs. Shlotsky, I mean Mrs. Pringle. I gotta run, okay? Congratulations on your wedding and stuff.” Fred turned and hurried off.
That was too close. Jamie and I have to be more careful.

* * *

On her way to second period, Fred heard a familiar voice behind her.

“Fred, wait up.”

Melanie McCaskill. Oh great. What does she want?

The girl with the long blonde hair caught up and walked beside Fred, her books clutched to her chest, her brown eyes earnest. “Hey. I haven’t talked to you in a while.”

Why bother now?

“How’s Jamie?”

“Fine.”
You’d better not be trying to ask him out again
.

Melanie winced. “I haven’t gotten a chance to say anything about what happened at Bryce’s party.” Melanie had found Jamie alone in Bryce’s living room that night and kissed him, pretending to hold mistletoe over his head. “I’m real sorry about that, Fred. Honest. I’m not usually like that. I don’t want you to think I’m a slut or anything.”

“Because you kissed him?” Fred said.
He said it wasn’t a very good kiss
. “No. I don’t think that.”
Maybe just a little.

“Good. It’s just…it’s just that you were there with Kyle, and Jamie was alone and all…and….” She gave her head a tight shake. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” She stopped and grabbed Fred’s arm. “Do you forgive me?”

Huh?
Fred didn’t want to forgive her. She was still mad at her for kissing Jamie. Melanie was the prettiest girl in school, she could have any boy she wanted, and Fred was still deeply jealous of her.
But she seems so sincere.

Against her instincts, Fred said, “Okay.”

A look of relief spread across Melanie’s face. She squeezed Fred’s arm and smiled, her dimples deepening in both cheeks. “Thanks. I feel
so
much better. You don’t know how much sleep I’ve lost worrying about it.”

Really? Maybe she’s not so bad.
“Do you forgive me for asking Jamie to the Sadie Hawkins dance even though I knew you wanted to?”

“Oh, sure.” She gave a brief nod. “It would’ve been strange, anyway, if he’d gone with me.”

“Are you still with Michael?”

Melanie’s smile was sheepish. “Yeah. This is our second year, off and on.” They continued walking down the hall and Melanie said, “I’m glad you and Jamie are together. Everybody knew you would be, eventually.”

“Everybody but Jamie.” Fred chuckled.

Melanie grinned. “He didn’t stand a chance. Nobody does against you. You’re the prettiest girl in school.”

Fred stopped again. “What? Give me a break, Melanie.
You’re
the prettiest girl in school.”

Melanie shook her head firmly. “Now way, Fred.
You
are.”

“You’re crazy. You are definitely —”

“You gotta be kidding me!” A boy with brown hair hanging over his forehead, his backpack slung over one shoulder, walked around them, turning his head to talk to them as he passed. “This is the dumbest conversation I’ve ever heard. You’re both the prettiest.” And he walked away.

Melanie looked at Fred with eyebrows raised.

Fred had never considered the possibility. Nobody could be in the same league as Melanie, with her long, straight, golden-blonde hair, large brown eyes, and perfect face. Fred had noticed the occasional stares directed her way from boys, too, but had never paid much attention to them. The only boy’s attention she wanted was Jamie’s.

Fred shrugged. “Okay. Let’s leave it at that.”

Melanie nodded. “Then we both are. We can have our own club. A club of two.”

“I’ve never had been in a club at school before,” Fred said with a straight face.

Melanie flipped her hair back behind her shoulder with one hand. “The Prettiest Girls in School Club.”

“Okay.” Fred grinned.

“I’ll go tell the yearbook staff so they can take our picture.” Melanie’s eyes widened and her hand went to her face. “Oh. That sounds conceited. You do know I’m kidding, don’t you?”

“I’m not.” Fred winked and they laughed before going to their separate classes.

* * *

Jamie, Fred, and Rollie sat together in the bleachers on Friday night; the lights sparkled like clustered stars on tall poles in the cool, clear early October air. The band was playing the school fight song, but few sang along. Fred was talking to the group of kids sitting next to them.

Jamie nudged Rollie. “You’re not paying much attention to the game.”

“Huh?” Rollie said. “Oh. I’m trying to catch Tanisha’s eye.”

Rollie’s sweetheart was down on the edge of the field with the other cheerleaders, vainly trying to fire up the meager crowd in what was looking to be another loss.

“Rollie, I don’t think she’s supposed to be looking at you.”

“She blew me a kiss a minute ago.” He waved at her but she didn’t wave back.

Jamie nudged Rollie again with his elbow. “So what did you think of the vet clinic?”

“Okay, I guess. Thanks for taking me over there today and getting me the job. I can really use the money.”

“Do you think you can handle it tomorrow morning ’till I get there?”

“What time’s your cross country meet over?”

“About 9:30. I should get there a little after 10:00. You won’t be helping with the examinations yet, just taking care of the animals in the back. I already had a talk with them, so they’ll behave for you.”

Rollie chuckled. “Funny. It’s like when your parents get a babysitter.” He shifted to a falsetto voice.
“Honey, be good ’till Mommy gets back.”

“You don’t want to get bit, do you?”

“No, I’m glad you talked to ’em. So, what’ll I do during an examination?”

“I’ll show you tomorrow. It’s not too hard. You just have to hold the animals a special way when the doctor gives them a shot. I don’t have to do that, though. I usually just put my hand on their head and talk to them with my mind. Cats are harder, though. Their brains are so different.”

“Cats are autistic.”

Jamie laughed. “Yeah, I guess you could say that. But I think you’ll like the job.”

* * *

Jamie drove straight from the cross country meet the next morning without showering, pulled into the parking lot of his older cousin’s veterinary clinic and thought,
Hope Rollie’s doing okay. Took me longer to get here than I expected.
He walked in and waved to Judy, the receptionist, on his way to the back. When he put his hand on the door to the room where they kept the cages, a chorus of barks arose.
They know I’m here.
He smiled to himself.

Inside, he found Rollie, wearing the familiar blue scrubs that the assistants wore, holding a small plastic scoop and cleaning out a cage. “’Bout time you got here.” Rollie said. “You’re missing all the fun.”

“So how’s it going?” Jamie pulled off his sweaty shirt as he talked.

“Fine. All the animals are behaving so far.”

Jamie slipped on his scrub top. “Have you helped with any exams yet?” He kicked off his shoes and slipped out of his running shorts.

“No, but I heard Boris is coming in at 11:00. They want you to assist.”

Jamie chuckled, pulling on his scrub bottoms. “That dog is ornery. Wanna help?” Rollie looked unsure, so Jamie added, “It’ll be fine. I’ll chill him out, and you can get to know him. Cousin Earl will think you’re as good with dogs as I am.”

“You mean, Dr. Carter?”

“Right.” Jamie pulled his shoes back on. “You need to get this stuff down quick so you can start working more. How many hours are they going to give you?”

“I come in on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school and Saturday, nine to one.”

“Is that going to mess up your basketball practice?”

“I’ll cut back here soon as official practice starts. Right now, I need the money, honey.” Rollie closed the cage and opened another. “Have you given any thought to what you’re going to do in that show that’s coming up?”

“The Young American Talent Search? Not really. I figured I’d just do some ordinary off-the-shelf magic with some comedy. Nothin’ fancy ’cause I’m not trying to win. How ’bout you?”