The Witch With No Name
Page 68
Jenks! the young woman exclaimed, hands in fists as she looked at the ceiling as if the pixy was up there hiding, and Red snorted, stomping at her show of frustration.
Ray, relax.
But I cant find it, Mom!
I wont cry, damn it, I thought as I stilled her, bringing her to a halt as I tucked a stray curl under a jeweled pin. I love it when you call me that.
Ray stopped short, her flush deepening. Well, you are, she said, fidgeting. Ellasbeth is nice and all, but youre the one Dad loves.
Meaning Trent, I thought, giving her a hug and feeling her strength and determination, happy that I might have had a part in that. Your mother would be so proud of you, I said as I dropped back, still holding her shoulders. You have her stately beauty.
Rays eyes dropped. And my dads hands, she said, meaning Quen this time. It made sense if you didnt think about it too hard. Mom, I cant get married without my cap, she said, her momentary calm gone as she began casting about for it again. Wheres Jenks? I know its Jumokes kids. They were plotting to hide it as they did my hair.
Of that, I had no doubt. The pixies had been in and out of the pavilion/stable all afternoon. Trent had banished them shortly before leaving with Quen, and smiling, I began taking out the pins holding my spelling cap on. Jenks is doing a last security check in the woods. Here. The last pin came out, and I shook my hair free. I wouldnt be doing any magic today. Wear mine. No one will know the difference.
I cant wear yours, she protested.
Eyebrows high, I smirked. I can ask Lucy for hers. Shes sitting with Ellasbeth.
Ray winced, her eyes flicking to the shifting walls as if able to see the large glen beside the river where her mother had last stood upon the earth. The last Id looked, Lucy was sitting directly between Ellasbeths stately snobbery and my moms loud refusal to let anyone think Ellasbeth was better than she was. Takata was enjoying himself immensely, sitting back and watching the show before the show, as it were.
Ahh, Ill wear yours, thanks.
My heart almost broke from happiness as she all but flopped onto a linen-covered bail of straw and I carefully used my hairpins to fix it among her elaborate braids. Ellasbeth was not happy, making no bones about her disapproval of Rays marrying a Rosewood baby, even if that baby had grown into a powerful demon whod turned his thoughtful studies into researching aura mechanics. The field was relatively new and massively funded by an ever-decreasing but desperate segment of the old undead. It had never occurred to me that Ray might marry one of the kids that Trent and I had saved from KuSox. Funny how things worked out.
But I think Ellasbeths disapproval stemmed more from the coming lack of grandbabies than from Kerics being a demon. While elves and demons had finally learned to live togetherin part because their new Goddess was a demon and she wanted it that waythe biology remained static. Thered never be a successful demon-elf pairing. The magic fought the science, and the science undermined the magic. There were some things, apparently, that even a crazy Goddess couldnt fix.
Ray wound her fingers around themselves, fidgeting as she looked to the billowing drapes and the coming sunset. Maybe I shouldve asked Loo to ride with me. Mom looks ticked.
Mom meaning Ellasbeth this time, and I sighed, fixing her hair and knowing it would be the last time ever. Shes not mad at you, shes mad at my mom. To tell you the truth, I think Lucy likes sitting between them. If she can keep them from throwing curses at each other, then she can convince a hanging judge that the sun is black and the moon is green.
Ray snorted, reminding me that under the finery and glam, she was the same little girl Id spent the last twenty-seven years helping Trent and Quen raise, putting Band-Aids on cuts, making unexpected cupcakes at dawn before school, cheering from the stands in the rain, and drying tears when a boy was meanmissing her when she was with Ellasbeth. If that wasnt being a mom, then nothing was. It had been glorious, even if Trent and I had never made it official. With Ray getting married, it felt as if a tie between us was being cut.
Im so glad youre standing with my dad, Ray rushed on, and I kept arranging her hair, knowing she needed soothing as much as that flaky horse did. I cant imagine Ellasbeth doing it.
I laughed, but it sounded almost like a cry. Me either. I had to stop. I had to let her go. Go on. You need to lose yourself in the woods. Keric knows where youll be, right?
She stood, looking like grace given substance, breathless with action and promise coiled up in her, ready to be loosed on the world. Yes. If you see Al, tell him if he doesnt wear the pelt, I will turn his ears into snakes.
I nodded, my hand trailing from her as she paced quickly to the back of the pavilion and slipped into the twilight. Hi, Ivy! she called, already out of my sight but heavy on my mind. Jenks, your kids are butt-hats!
Yeah? Tell me something I dont know, short stack! Jenks shouted, and I spun to the makeshift door. Ivy? The sun was still up. I hadnt expected her to make it until the reception when Nina could come with her.
Pulse fast, I wiped my eyes as she walked in, gray about the temples, wrinkles about her eyes, but moving as slinkily and smoothly as always. She made the fifties look good. Really good. You made it! I said, glancing from her to the saddle. I had to finish up and get out of here. I needed to be on the hill overlooking the glen by sunset, and it was almost that now.
Eyes glittering, Ivy pulled me into a quick, heartfelt hug. My eyes closed as the scent of vampire incense and contentment washed through me. Okay, maybe I needed some soothing, too, and I smiled as I pulled back, thinking she looked better than great. And shed made it before sunset. Id thought shed be too busy.
Rachel, you are as radiant as Ray, she said, and Jenks hovered between us, his silver dust graying about the edges. He was due for another rejuv charm, but was resisting.
You mean wild, the pixy said. Love the hair, Rache.
I touched it, not caring that Id ruined the elaborate upsweep by taking my cap off. It was frizzing already, and I took the last of the pins out. Trent liked it better wild anyway. Though Id not seen or heard the Goddess since Newt had become her, Jenks said mystics still coated me from time to time as she turned her thoughts my way. I knew every time she did because my hair became impossible. It happened a lot, and maybe thats why my life had been so perfect.
You said you couldnt make it until after sunset, I said.
Ivy smiled as if knowing something I didnt as she made kissy noises at Red and petted her soft nose. Nina told me to leave. Apparently I was fidgeting. Getting theoffice excited.
Jenks snorted, and I thanked him when he dropped a pin into my hand.
Nina keeps them in line better than I do anyway, Ivy said, eyes wistful. The old ones dont like me much. Not like before.
I cant imagine why. Ivy and Nina had flipped the vampiric power structure. Not a week went by without a protest or incident, but it was contained within the vampires, living and dead, and the world was content to let them figure it out.
They just dont know you like we know you, Ivy, Jenks said, darting back when Ivy idly threatened to smack him. It was an old game that neither tired of.
Nina will make the reception, wont she? I asked as I went to drop the saddle pad on Red. The music had shifted, both the baying of the dogs and the quintet. I was going to be late. No help for it now.
She wouldnt miss it. Ivy held Reds head as I placed the saddle, and my lace rustled as I leaned to bring the cinch up. It was good to see Ivy out of the office. Being the head of Cincys I.S. had taken her out of the church about the same time Id given up trying to be two things and moved in with Trent, though to be honest it was the girls pouting that moved me more than Trents heavy sighs. But all things change, and we both loved our lives.
I wouldnt miss it, Ivy whispered as I leaned into Red for leverage to tighten her cinch. You deserve this, and I wanted to be here to see it.
Yeah, its your big day! Jenks said, wings clattering. Make-it-or-break-it time! he said, gyrating wildly. Time to crap or get off the pot! he added, and Ivy shot him a look to shut up.
Excuse me? My motion to cinch Reds saddle hesitated. I suppose, I said. Id miss Ray, but Trent and I had been empty nesters before when both girls had been at school.
He means this wedding is a big step, Ivy said, glaring at him. The demons and the elves formally joined and their war officially ended.
It took me forever to convince Dali to help with the vows, I said, glad the grumpy demon had finally agreed to it, threats and promises aside.
Tinks last will and testicles, you should have been there, Ivy, Jenks said, and Red flicked her ears, threatening to snap if he got any closer. She laid down the law. Started every other sentence with Look, you, and had a list a mile long just to get him to come.
You do what you have to do, I said, smiling. Al had been there, and I swear Id felt Newts laugh in my mind. I was smart enough not to tempt fate with trying to contact the Goddess directly. Newt was gone but not dead, her spirit showing itself when elven magic spun out of control and into something unexpected and not always nice.
Jenks . . . , I protested as he teased Red, but Ivy just smiled and shrugged. Seeing Ivy happy was all Id ever wanted, and she was happy. What would happen when she died was anyones guess, which was probably why Ray was an expert in auratic physics and Lucy had focused on business law with a heavy slant toward vampiric living wills and trusts.
I still say I should be with the elven emissary and Dali in the woods wearing this rag, a low, cultured voice with a hint of a British accent said, and I started, not having felt Al pop in. My God, it still smells like wolf. Youre looking well, Ms. Tamwood.
Ivys eyes slid to Al as the demon brushed at the wolf pelt he wore over his extravagant suit. It almost rivaled Takatas in marks for Look at me! I dont care that youre staring! the fabric almost glowing from silver threads and dark dyes.
And you look ridiculous, Ivy said, making Jenks snort in agreement.
It is the required uniform. But still, he winced as he took off his hat and hunched, pleading with me. Rachel, love, talk to Ray. Tell her this is undignified. Its a wolf skin, and not a very big one. She said shed turn my ears to snakes if I took it off.
Then maybe you shouldnt have taught her that curse, I said, remembering getting that call at three in the morning. It was the last sleepover Ray had been invited to. Mothers of fourteen-year-olds have no sense of humor.
She listens to you! Al protested, and Ivy let go of Red when the horse got a whiff of Brimstone and tossed her head.
Al, just wear it, I said. And get your ass back out with the wedding party. Youre going to make them late coming in.
I will not, he said stiffly, frowning as Ivy gave me a kiss on the cheek. Quen has my steed. I have plenty of time to pop back. Listen, they havent even found her yet.
It was true. The hounds still bayed, and I shivered. Id asked Trent to forgo that part, but Ray had insisted. The dogs wouldnt be allowed to follow them back to the glen, though.
See you at the reception, Ivy said, turning to stand right in front of Al until he moved out of her way.
Damn cheeky vampires, he grumbled as he moved. Thinks she owns the world.
I soothed Red before reaching for her bridle. Shes in love, I said softly. She does own the world.
Al was silent, and I turned to see him staring at me, the wolf pelt hanging half off his shoulders. You took your hair down, he said, his voice shifting, deeper and less flamboyant. Is that for your elf?
No. The pelt was slipping off his shoulder, and I stood before him and tugged it straight. Jumokes kids took Rays cap, and I gave her mine. He wasnt jealousnot really.
I suppose if you have stood with him this long against all the forces of nature opposing you that youd be afraid to do anything . . . else? Al said, his tone rising in question at the end.
Jenkss wings clattered in warning that I was going to be late, but it was Al who grimaced. Im not afraid of anything except missing my cue, I said. Will you just wear the pelt? I grumped as I adjusted it. Its only for an hour. Pretend that its a job. Ive seen you wear worse. A horn blew, and I frowned. Damn it, I was late.
Its undignified! Al moaned, his usual mood restored.
Jenkss wings shivered against my neck. I hadnt even felt him land. This coming from the demon who let a live Tyrannosaurus rex eat him so he could blow him up from the inside during the last ten minutes of the film?
Al frowned. I do my own stunts. It was in the script.
Which was true. Al had five Oscars to his credit and had produced and directed movies that had earned twice that many. As he had said, Al did his own stunts, and the dinosaur had been real, reengineered from old DNA using sophisticated magic and some of Trents more illegal machines. The one they didnt blow up was on loan to the San Diego Zoo.
Ray, relax.
But I cant find it, Mom!
I wont cry, damn it, I thought as I stilled her, bringing her to a halt as I tucked a stray curl under a jeweled pin. I love it when you call me that.
Ray stopped short, her flush deepening. Well, you are, she said, fidgeting. Ellasbeth is nice and all, but youre the one Dad loves.
Meaning Trent, I thought, giving her a hug and feeling her strength and determination, happy that I might have had a part in that. Your mother would be so proud of you, I said as I dropped back, still holding her shoulders. You have her stately beauty.
Rays eyes dropped. And my dads hands, she said, meaning Quen this time. It made sense if you didnt think about it too hard. Mom, I cant get married without my cap, she said, her momentary calm gone as she began casting about for it again. Wheres Jenks? I know its Jumokes kids. They were plotting to hide it as they did my hair.
Of that, I had no doubt. The pixies had been in and out of the pavilion/stable all afternoon. Trent had banished them shortly before leaving with Quen, and smiling, I began taking out the pins holding my spelling cap on. Jenks is doing a last security check in the woods. Here. The last pin came out, and I shook my hair free. I wouldnt be doing any magic today. Wear mine. No one will know the difference.
I cant wear yours, she protested.
Eyebrows high, I smirked. I can ask Lucy for hers. Shes sitting with Ellasbeth.
Ray winced, her eyes flicking to the shifting walls as if able to see the large glen beside the river where her mother had last stood upon the earth. The last Id looked, Lucy was sitting directly between Ellasbeths stately snobbery and my moms loud refusal to let anyone think Ellasbeth was better than she was. Takata was enjoying himself immensely, sitting back and watching the show before the show, as it were.
Ahh, Ill wear yours, thanks.
My heart almost broke from happiness as she all but flopped onto a linen-covered bail of straw and I carefully used my hairpins to fix it among her elaborate braids. Ellasbeth was not happy, making no bones about her disapproval of Rays marrying a Rosewood baby, even if that baby had grown into a powerful demon whod turned his thoughtful studies into researching aura mechanics. The field was relatively new and massively funded by an ever-decreasing but desperate segment of the old undead. It had never occurred to me that Ray might marry one of the kids that Trent and I had saved from KuSox. Funny how things worked out.
But I think Ellasbeths disapproval stemmed more from the coming lack of grandbabies than from Kerics being a demon. While elves and demons had finally learned to live togetherin part because their new Goddess was a demon and she wanted it that waythe biology remained static. Thered never be a successful demon-elf pairing. The magic fought the science, and the science undermined the magic. There were some things, apparently, that even a crazy Goddess couldnt fix.
Ray wound her fingers around themselves, fidgeting as she looked to the billowing drapes and the coming sunset. Maybe I shouldve asked Loo to ride with me. Mom looks ticked.
Mom meaning Ellasbeth this time, and I sighed, fixing her hair and knowing it would be the last time ever. Shes not mad at you, shes mad at my mom. To tell you the truth, I think Lucy likes sitting between them. If she can keep them from throwing curses at each other, then she can convince a hanging judge that the sun is black and the moon is green.
Ray snorted, reminding me that under the finery and glam, she was the same little girl Id spent the last twenty-seven years helping Trent and Quen raise, putting Band-Aids on cuts, making unexpected cupcakes at dawn before school, cheering from the stands in the rain, and drying tears when a boy was meanmissing her when she was with Ellasbeth. If that wasnt being a mom, then nothing was. It had been glorious, even if Trent and I had never made it official. With Ray getting married, it felt as if a tie between us was being cut.
Im so glad youre standing with my dad, Ray rushed on, and I kept arranging her hair, knowing she needed soothing as much as that flaky horse did. I cant imagine Ellasbeth doing it.
I laughed, but it sounded almost like a cry. Me either. I had to stop. I had to let her go. Go on. You need to lose yourself in the woods. Keric knows where youll be, right?
She stood, looking like grace given substance, breathless with action and promise coiled up in her, ready to be loosed on the world. Yes. If you see Al, tell him if he doesnt wear the pelt, I will turn his ears into snakes.
I nodded, my hand trailing from her as she paced quickly to the back of the pavilion and slipped into the twilight. Hi, Ivy! she called, already out of my sight but heavy on my mind. Jenks, your kids are butt-hats!
Yeah? Tell me something I dont know, short stack! Jenks shouted, and I spun to the makeshift door. Ivy? The sun was still up. I hadnt expected her to make it until the reception when Nina could come with her.
Pulse fast, I wiped my eyes as she walked in, gray about the temples, wrinkles about her eyes, but moving as slinkily and smoothly as always. She made the fifties look good. Really good. You made it! I said, glancing from her to the saddle. I had to finish up and get out of here. I needed to be on the hill overlooking the glen by sunset, and it was almost that now.
Eyes glittering, Ivy pulled me into a quick, heartfelt hug. My eyes closed as the scent of vampire incense and contentment washed through me. Okay, maybe I needed some soothing, too, and I smiled as I pulled back, thinking she looked better than great. And shed made it before sunset. Id thought shed be too busy.
Rachel, you are as radiant as Ray, she said, and Jenks hovered between us, his silver dust graying about the edges. He was due for another rejuv charm, but was resisting.
You mean wild, the pixy said. Love the hair, Rache.
I touched it, not caring that Id ruined the elaborate upsweep by taking my cap off. It was frizzing already, and I took the last of the pins out. Trent liked it better wild anyway. Though Id not seen or heard the Goddess since Newt had become her, Jenks said mystics still coated me from time to time as she turned her thoughts my way. I knew every time she did because my hair became impossible. It happened a lot, and maybe thats why my life had been so perfect.
You said you couldnt make it until after sunset, I said.
Ivy smiled as if knowing something I didnt as she made kissy noises at Red and petted her soft nose. Nina told me to leave. Apparently I was fidgeting. Getting theoffice excited.
Jenks snorted, and I thanked him when he dropped a pin into my hand.
Nina keeps them in line better than I do anyway, Ivy said, eyes wistful. The old ones dont like me much. Not like before.
I cant imagine why. Ivy and Nina had flipped the vampiric power structure. Not a week went by without a protest or incident, but it was contained within the vampires, living and dead, and the world was content to let them figure it out.
They just dont know you like we know you, Ivy, Jenks said, darting back when Ivy idly threatened to smack him. It was an old game that neither tired of.
Nina will make the reception, wont she? I asked as I went to drop the saddle pad on Red. The music had shifted, both the baying of the dogs and the quintet. I was going to be late. No help for it now.
She wouldnt miss it. Ivy held Reds head as I placed the saddle, and my lace rustled as I leaned to bring the cinch up. It was good to see Ivy out of the office. Being the head of Cincys I.S. had taken her out of the church about the same time Id given up trying to be two things and moved in with Trent, though to be honest it was the girls pouting that moved me more than Trents heavy sighs. But all things change, and we both loved our lives.
I wouldnt miss it, Ivy whispered as I leaned into Red for leverage to tighten her cinch. You deserve this, and I wanted to be here to see it.
Yeah, its your big day! Jenks said, wings clattering. Make-it-or-break-it time! he said, gyrating wildly. Time to crap or get off the pot! he added, and Ivy shot him a look to shut up.
Excuse me? My motion to cinch Reds saddle hesitated. I suppose, I said. Id miss Ray, but Trent and I had been empty nesters before when both girls had been at school.
He means this wedding is a big step, Ivy said, glaring at him. The demons and the elves formally joined and their war officially ended.
It took me forever to convince Dali to help with the vows, I said, glad the grumpy demon had finally agreed to it, threats and promises aside.
Tinks last will and testicles, you should have been there, Ivy, Jenks said, and Red flicked her ears, threatening to snap if he got any closer. She laid down the law. Started every other sentence with Look, you, and had a list a mile long just to get him to come.
You do what you have to do, I said, smiling. Al had been there, and I swear Id felt Newts laugh in my mind. I was smart enough not to tempt fate with trying to contact the Goddess directly. Newt was gone but not dead, her spirit showing itself when elven magic spun out of control and into something unexpected and not always nice.
Jenks . . . , I protested as he teased Red, but Ivy just smiled and shrugged. Seeing Ivy happy was all Id ever wanted, and she was happy. What would happen when she died was anyones guess, which was probably why Ray was an expert in auratic physics and Lucy had focused on business law with a heavy slant toward vampiric living wills and trusts.
I still say I should be with the elven emissary and Dali in the woods wearing this rag, a low, cultured voice with a hint of a British accent said, and I started, not having felt Al pop in. My God, it still smells like wolf. Youre looking well, Ms. Tamwood.
Ivys eyes slid to Al as the demon brushed at the wolf pelt he wore over his extravagant suit. It almost rivaled Takatas in marks for Look at me! I dont care that youre staring! the fabric almost glowing from silver threads and dark dyes.
And you look ridiculous, Ivy said, making Jenks snort in agreement.
It is the required uniform. But still, he winced as he took off his hat and hunched, pleading with me. Rachel, love, talk to Ray. Tell her this is undignified. Its a wolf skin, and not a very big one. She said shed turn my ears to snakes if I took it off.
Then maybe you shouldnt have taught her that curse, I said, remembering getting that call at three in the morning. It was the last sleepover Ray had been invited to. Mothers of fourteen-year-olds have no sense of humor.
She listens to you! Al protested, and Ivy let go of Red when the horse got a whiff of Brimstone and tossed her head.
Al, just wear it, I said. And get your ass back out with the wedding party. Youre going to make them late coming in.
I will not, he said stiffly, frowning as Ivy gave me a kiss on the cheek. Quen has my steed. I have plenty of time to pop back. Listen, they havent even found her yet.
It was true. The hounds still bayed, and I shivered. Id asked Trent to forgo that part, but Ray had insisted. The dogs wouldnt be allowed to follow them back to the glen, though.
See you at the reception, Ivy said, turning to stand right in front of Al until he moved out of her way.
Damn cheeky vampires, he grumbled as he moved. Thinks she owns the world.
I soothed Red before reaching for her bridle. Shes in love, I said softly. She does own the world.
Al was silent, and I turned to see him staring at me, the wolf pelt hanging half off his shoulders. You took your hair down, he said, his voice shifting, deeper and less flamboyant. Is that for your elf?
No. The pelt was slipping off his shoulder, and I stood before him and tugged it straight. Jumokes kids took Rays cap, and I gave her mine. He wasnt jealousnot really.
I suppose if you have stood with him this long against all the forces of nature opposing you that youd be afraid to do anything . . . else? Al said, his tone rising in question at the end.
Jenkss wings clattered in warning that I was going to be late, but it was Al who grimaced. Im not afraid of anything except missing my cue, I said. Will you just wear the pelt? I grumped as I adjusted it. Its only for an hour. Pretend that its a job. Ive seen you wear worse. A horn blew, and I frowned. Damn it, I was late.
Its undignified! Al moaned, his usual mood restored.
Jenkss wings shivered against my neck. I hadnt even felt him land. This coming from the demon who let a live Tyrannosaurus rex eat him so he could blow him up from the inside during the last ten minutes of the film?
Al frowned. I do my own stunts. It was in the script.
Which was true. Al had five Oscars to his credit and had produced and directed movies that had earned twice that many. As he had said, Al did his own stunts, and the dinosaur had been real, reengineered from old DNA using sophisticated magic and some of Trents more illegal machines. The one they didnt blow up was on loan to the San Diego Zoo.
