A Risky Potion Read online

  “You’re more than a little late.”

  “I am. And I accept your anger. I know I have to earn your trust. I doubt I will ever earn back your love. That is how this world works. We are all creatures of fate and feelings.” Clarissa stood. “I won’t bother you more. I suspect you have a job and are working. So, talk to your brother. I won’t force myself on you, but I do hope you can see your way to talking to me. If it’s okay with you and Ms. Greene, I’ll stop by here tomorrow. If you’re here, we’ll chat more, perhaps pick a time and place to hash out our differences. If not tomorrow, then the next day, or one day soon.”

  She reached out, but Ada did not take her hand.

  “Not yet. Too soon. It was nice meeting you, Ms. Greene.”

  I sat absolutely still as Clarissa walked away. With her went the feeling of power and desire. If she was anything like that when she was with Ada’s father, then the man didn’t stand a chance. I doubted there was a man in Goodsprings who could resist her, and very few women—witches excepted. I glanced over at David who seemed agog as Clarissa left. Who could blame him? Clarissa was a siren.

  “Quite a presence, isn’t she?”

  I looked over to where Phineas stood.

  “You heard?” Ada asked.

  “Enough,” Phineas said.

  “Do you have any recommendations?”

  Phineas shook his head. “I think she is exceedingly dangerous. But, perhaps, not to you. I sensed a genuine wish to be a friend.”

  “You might be right,” Ada said. “But the decision isn’t mine alone. I have to talk to Ethan.” Ada stood. “You will keep this to yourself?” Ada asked.

  I nodded. “As much as I can. But Clarissa is going to be noticed.”

  “I know, and no one will believe she’s my mother, not the way she looks.”

  “I’m afraid you’re right,” I said. “So, we’ll call her a cousin for now. Fair enough?”

  “Fair enough. I’ll get back to you.”

  Ada walked out, and I knew that the issue of Tessa and Ethan had disappeared for the moment. A far bigger problem had arrived in town, and that problem had a name—Clarissa. What were Ada and Ethan going to do about Clarissa?

  “I don’t envy Ada,” Phineas said. “Being friends with that woman will take all the control Ada can muster.”

  “I believe you’re right,” I said. “How was the wheatgrass?”

  Phineas laughed. “Samantha, you are truly a rare breath of fresh air. I know of no one who could trade words with that woman and then worry about a smoothie. I commend you. Come along, Chuckles, we have things to do.”

  I watched Phineas leave, and I was suddenly alone. That reminded me that I had to ride home for peaches. I was out the door before David could stop me, before some other long-lost person appeared out of nowhere.

  The ride home was refreshing, even if it was in the heat and humidity. I loaded up a basket of peaches and turned for town. From my perch on top the hill, I spotted a large truck moving slowly up main street. As I watched, it stopped in front of an empty store front that had once housed a pet shop. The pet shop had made some money, but it was more of a hobby for the woman who ran it. When she and her husband moved to Florida, there was no one to buy the place. So, it closed. Now, it looked as if some new enterprise was lining up for the space. That was fine with me. In fact, it was welcome. No merchant wanted a bunch of empty store fronts. Street traffic was important.

  Riding downhill was ever so much easier. I arrived in time to replenish the peaches that were being ordered by my customers. David grinned while he worked, and I suspected he found blending smoothies much easier and more satisfying than handling issues with blood.

  Blood.

  The thought reminded me of Clarissa. I wasn’t sure I wanted to think of her. She seemed more dangerous than anyone in Goodsprings, much more dangerous.

  The afternoon grew busy, and I joined David behind the counter. We worked away, content for the moment, and I forgot all about the truck and the store front.

  “Who was that woman?” David asked when things slowed for a moment.

  “What woman?” I asked innocently.

  He laughed. “Don’t do that to me, Sam. The one that was talking to you and Ada. Ada didn’t look so happy, and you looked as if you were going to throw something at that woman and scream.”

  I laughed. “Did I look that way?”

  “Yep, and I know why. That woman was scary, but you know something? Even though she was scary, I still wanted to meet her, talk to her. Is that crazy, or what? If she had stopped, I would have talked to her, no matter what.”

  “Well, to satisfy your curiosity, her name is Clarissa, and she’s Ada’s cousin. I have no idea how long she’ll be in Goodsprings, but I’m sure she’ll be back in here. I’ll give you some advice, though, if I were you, I’d steer clear of her, not matter how you feel.”

  “Why would you say that?”

  “Because I think she’s the type that will take all you have to give, just suck you dry. You’ll end up without anything.”

  “Wow, you really think so?”

  “Let me ask you a question,” I said. “How often have you seen a woman like her all alone?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “A woman who looks as good as she does never goes anywhere alone. Someone, male or female, will claim her, because that’s just how things are. Gorgeous people are simply too rare to be left alone.”

  “You’re pretty, and no one bothers you,” David said.

  I laughed. “The day I hold a candle next to that woman is the day you’ll need your vision checked. Oops, here comes a group. What do you think? Something cooling, right?”

  “Sure thing, boss.”

  As afternoon marched into evening, traffic slowed. David and I cleaned up the blenders and made everything right for the next morning. While David thought he would be early, he couldn’t guarantee it. It seemed that every time he thought he had things under control, the world did an about face, and he ran like the dickens to catch up. I was not going to worry one way or the other. My calendar was clear. I would work.

  I was just about to turn off the lights when the stranger entered. He was tall, with a very straight back and coal black hair that changed into white around his ears. It was a strange effect, as if he were really old and dyed just the top of his head. His green eyes traveled over me from head to foot and back, as if he were some kind of robot, scanning me. The feeling was mildly uncomfortable, and I ignored it. I had been scanned by more fearsome people.

  “Hello,” he said in a smoothly modulated voice, like some kind of actor. “My name is Tomac Preston.”

  He held out his hand, and I shook. His hand was cool and dry, different.

  “I’m opening the book store down the street, used books.” He took out a card and handed it to me. “I’m guessing that a great many residents come through here, and if you don’t mind, I’d like to leave a small stack of cards on the counter.” He pointed to a corner. “You know, just to drum up some business.”

  “Of course, I don’t mind,” I said. “I’m Samantha Greene, and I own this place.”

  “Oh, of course, and you’re the person I’m looking for.”

  Chapter 3

  I continued to smile, even though I had no idea why this man would be looking for me. There was something about him that didn’t seem quite right, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. He wasn’t like Clarissa, who exuded dangerous power. It was more like a kind of slippery feeling, something oily. He was the smiling barker at the state fair who made you feel good even as he picked your pocket. He was a man I wouldn’t turn my back to. I chided myself for that thought. It wasn’t exactly kind.

  “As I understand it,” Tomac said. “You have quite a library of used books.”

  “Who told you that?”

  “Oh, several people who stopped in. You might have noticed the truck. It delivered my inventory, but I am always on the lookout for truly rare books.”


  “Well, it’s true that I have more than my share of old books, but I’m afraid none of them is for sale.”

  “Are you certain? I pay top dollar for fresh merchandise.”

  “I’m certain. They were gathered by my mother and grandmother, and I don’t feel I could part with a single volume.”

  He smiled, that clever smile. “Should you change your mind, I hope you will give me the opportunity to bid. And if you have the inclination, would you mind showing them to me? I love old books.”

  “I think I can arrange that,” I said. “But I have to warn you that my house isn’t exactly a showcase.”

  “Neither is mine. In fact, my shop won’t be the epitome of neatness either. Sometimes, it takes me a day or two to locate the book that I know I have.”

  I laughed. “Then, we should get along just fine. Call me in a few days.”

  “I will, and it might be more than a few. I have my books to arrange, and well, I’m prone to pick up a book and start reading.”

  He nodded and turned away, and I was struck by the smoothness of his delivery, his speech. I wondered if he had ever been an actor. That would explain a lot.

  Dusk chased me up the hill to my house. It was that time of day when people took stock of what they had done and loaded the scales. Did they tip toward profit or loss? I thought mine tipped toward profit. The shop had been busy. David seemed to be committed to Happy Blendings. I had a vendor who wanted to buy my books. I had escaped a vampire. Well, I hadn’t really escaped, although it felt as if I had. Clarissa had that effect on people. In all, I found myself smiling. Not a bad day at all—if I didn’t count the Tessa-Ethan-Ada triangle.

  I walked into the kitchen and was immediately greeted by Cassandra.

  “What is this about a new vampire in town?” she asked.

  Cassandra had come to Goodsprings from Sunrise Beach, a place where I had been falsely accused of murder. She was also an earth witch, and that produced a natural affinity between us. With her was Paula, who had assumed her wildform, a parrot. Paula talked far better than any parrot ever, and she was perfectly at home in her wildform. Cassandra helped run the motorcycle accessory shop in Goodsprings. While older and heavier, she possessed the perfect combination of intelligence and sass that bikers seemed to crave. She had moved in with me because it was convenient. We got along well—for the most part.

  “You know Ada and Ethan are half vampire,” I said. “Clarissa is their mother.”

  “Oh, my, and they weren’t expecting her?”

  “Not a chance.” I recounted my meeting with Clarissa, and Cassandra raised her eyebrows. When I followed with the news about Ethan and Tessa, Cassandra finished her wine. While she went for another glass, Paula asked about Allie. Paula and Allie had formed a bond. Perhaps, because they weren’t full-fledged members of the coven. I explained what I knew about things. Cassandra arrived, and we hashed out what we thought might happen. I was reminded that ninety percent of the things you think will happen, never do. I was hoping for the best of outcomes, but what did I know?

  Before I went to bed, I passed through my library, the room of books my mother and grandmother had accumulated. All were tomes of spells and magic, and most were quite old. For a moment, I considered selling a book or two, getting the money I needed for more house repairs. It seemed like something I could do, especially if I took the time to cull out the books where I possessed two copies. One could go, right? But then, I came to my senses. No, I wasn’t going to sell a single book. In fact, I was probably going to put off Tomac until he stopped asking. That made sense.

  Before I went to bed, I looked out the bedroom window at the orchards behind my house. In the moonlight, I thought I saw someone slinking through the trees. Then a cloud obscured the moon. When it passed, the someone was gone.

  Or had I seen anything at all? I suspected it was just a wayward shadow. Shaking my silly head, I went to bed.

  DAVID WAS WAITING FOR me when I arrived at Happy Blendings. He held out a dark brown smoothie that smelled like dirty socks.

  “Are you sure?” I asked.

  “Try it,” he said.

  I could tell from his eyes that David had not had a great deal of sleep. But I tried the smoothie anyway. To my surprise, it tasted much better than it smelled.

  “You have to do something about the smell,” I said.

  “I know. What do think of a sprig of mint?”

  “Two sprigs, and you’re going home early today. You look like you were up all night.”

  “Just half the night. And I have to tell you, Sam, I’m getting a bit worn.”

  “Making enough money to give up the smoothie business?” I asked.

  “Maybe, but I like the smoothie business. I like the town and the customers and especially, my boss.” He grinned.

  “I tell you what,” I said. “Let’s cut your hours. Would you rather work mornings or afternoons?”

  “Mornings,” he said. “The vampire business doesn’t really start till after lunch.”

  I didn’t want to hear the word “vampire”, as it reminded me of Clarissa, the brittle. No matter what she said, I knew the veneer of civility was thin with her.

  “We’ll start today,” I said. “After lunch, off you go. And it’s fine. Mornings are always busier than afternoons.”

  “Unless the tour bus stops.”

  While Goodsprings did host the occasional tour bus, it was generally because the riders felt a need to stop. Goodsprings didn’t have a lot of interesting monuments or buildings.

  The best thing about the smoothie business was the steady flow of repeat customers. Both David and I had come to know and expect certain people at certain times. So, I wasn’t at all surprised when Phineas walked in with Chuckles on his shoulder. While Phineas wasn’t as certain as the tide, he was a regular.

  “What will it be?” I asked. “We feature a cool cucumber, avocado, and lime smoothie guaranteed to keep the heat at bay.”

  “I, for one, welcome the heat,” Phineas said. “I suppose that makes me old. And winter isn’t that far off. The Autumnal equinox is right around the corner.”

  He was right of course, and I hadn’t forgotten the equinox. For a witch, all the calendar special days—equinox and solstice—were important. Our powers grew on those special days. Magic became easier and more potent.

  “But I shall have the wheatgrass,” Phineas said. “And I have a special request. Would you bring it to the patio? I wish to have a word.”

  “Of course,” I said. “I’ll be right there.”

  My mind raced through any number of reasons why Phineas would want to talk to me. From Chuckles to the shapeshifter to Mr. Bluth, the resident vampire, to the Otter King who lived in Lake Windermere, to the new vampire. Those were just the paranormal topics we might cover. The mundane ones were too numerous to count. Yet, it was a good bet that Phineas wanted to discuss the new book store or the price of rutabagas in India. Who knew?

  “Ahhhhh,” Phineas said as he sipped the smoothie. “Samantha, you have the magic touch. You can turn a bunch of fruit and vegetables into something delectable.”

  “I call it my smoothie touch,” I said. “For some reason, I can guess what will suit a person just by looking at them. I suppose it comes from years behind the counter.”

  “I’m sure it does, but I have a special favor to ask.”

  “You know, I’ll do whatever I can to help.”

  “You know something of my current circumstances. You know that Chuckles here is very important for a number of reasons. It has to do with another dimension, as I think you’re aware of. I won’t go into details, but the time is coming to send Chuckles back to the other side.”

  “Because of the shapeshifter?” I asked.

  “Yes, that and events in that other world. You know how things go. There are moments when one must do the proper thing in order to keep the world spinning in the proper orbit.”

  “So, how can I help?”

  “The p
ortal isn’t far from here. The exact location isn’t important to know right now. Opening it requires a great deal of energy. Keeping it open requires more. And I have to keep it open if I am to return to this realm, which I vastly prefer.”

  “So, what is my job?”

  “You and your sisters—”

  “The coven,” I said.

  “Yes, the coven. I would like to enlist your magical powers to keep the portal open long enough for the completion of my task.”

  “I can’t speak for everyone,” I said. “But I see no reason why we can’t help.”

  “There are many,” he said. “But the most important one is that it will be very dangerous. There are other beings that would go to great lengths to keep the portal closed, or to close it very quickly once it’s open.”

  “Beings on this side?” I asked.

  “I’m afraid so. The worst part is that we won’t be able to discover them until they act.”

  “But you’re a wizard,” I said. “You can’t tell?”

  He shook his head. “I’m afraid not. The other side has wizards and witches also. They hide as well as we do.”

  “And you want me to talk to the coven.”

  “If you would. The request coming from you might be more persuasive than if it came from me.”

  I thought a moment, and I knew the other members of the coven would help. Or, I thought they would. Danger wasn’t to be taken lightly.

  “I’ll talk to them. When are you thinking of opening the portal?”

  “The equinox,” Phineas said. “It has to be the equinox.”

  When I returned to the counter, I found Allie waiting.

  “Got a minute, Aunt Sam?” Allie asked.

  Allie’s face said she had been crying, and I was almost willing to bet that they were tears of anger, not sorrow. Allie was a fire witch, and fire witches represented the anger quadrant of the coven. I guessed Tessa had informed Allie of the plan to move in with Ethan. I smiled and led Allie to a table.

  “You’ve heard the news,” Allie said.