Prologue
About twenty years ago…
Assoonasthebellrang,LucaGaliotorushedfromtheclassroom,bypassinghislocker,andheadingfortheouterdoor.He glancedoveroneshoulder,hisbreathinggrowingheavier,unsureifitwasthefearofRonnieSmithandthatlotgetting aholdofhimagainorthemassiveamountoftextbookshekeptinhisbackpacktoavoidthelockersaltogether orrather thechancehemightbestuffedinsideone.
HemadeitofftheSalemMiddleSchoolcampusandnearedEssexStreetwhenhesighedwithrelief.
“Thereyouare, maggot ”
Ronnie and his crew appeared outofnowhere Luca jumped back, catchinghis heel ona brokenbitofpavementand going downlikeatonofbricks.WhileeyeingRonnie,hescrambledtohisfeet,butundertheweightofthebackpack,hestruggledto rise.Thesecondhewasupright,Ronniepunchedhim,knockinghimoveragain.
Ronnieandhisfriendscackledwithglee.
SweatbeadedatthebackofLuca’sneck,hisstomachcoiling.
“Get up, Puke-a,” Ronnie cried, his friends holleringevenlouder at the newest nickname he’d beengiven. He had to give Ronnie credit.Atleastthatone rhymed thoughthatmightbe a stretch butitwas far better than Gypsy Trash, whichhe’d beencalledthepreviousyear.
Amanincolonialgarbappearedandstoodoverhim,watchinghim.“Youmustrisetotheoccasion,youngman.”
Great Perfect timing for a ghost to appear Just what I need right now
Slinking out of the backpack, he rose again, ignoring the ghost. Sure, he’d get another punch, but it was better than them crowding around him and kicking while he was on the ground Like they’d done last time They’d broken two ribs and puncturedhislung.He’dbeenhurtsobadlythathe’dstruggledtousehishealingpowerstomendhimself.
Truetoform,theminuteLucarose,Ronnie’sfistmethisface.Painblossomedinsidehisskull;thecopperytangofironfilled his mouth He landed onthe ground, air knocked fromhis lungs He laythere, time slowing Cars passing No one stopped Theyneverstopped.Hewasjustthatextremelysmall,weirdkidwithpurplehair,whichhisevenweirdermotherdyedblack to hide themselves fromthe normies Theymust’ve hidden superblywell, because he seemed invisible to most citizens of Salem,Massachusetts.
Toobadhewasn’tinvisibletoRonnie.
“Wemustcalltheconstable!”theghostsaidbeforecrying,“Help!Help!”
NoonebutLucacouldseeorhearhim.Ifonlytheothersknewaghoststoodfeetawayfromthem…thatwouldmakethemrun! “Shutup,”hemutteredtotheghost
“Whatdid yousayto me?” Ronnie asked “Shutup? Oh, I’mgonna shutyouup,that’s for sure Make youeatsome ofthose teethinyourmouth.Getup, Puke-a.”
The thoughtofgettingup for another punchwore himout. He laythere, staringup atthe electrical lines above, zippingand zappingas power rushedthroughthem, andwished he had the abilityto draw thatenergyinto himself. Maybe thenhe could fightoffhisbulliesinsteadofrunningfromthem
Hewastiredofrunning.
Glancingtotheside,hesawaSalemcopcarapproachingandfeltaglimmerofjoy.Theguyswouldrunoffiftheysawacop, surely.
Right?
“Oh,wonderful!”theghostcried.“Aconstablearrives.”
Only,thecarshowednosignsofstopping.Luca’sgazesoughttheofficer’sinsideasitneared.Itwasclearthemansawhim… andevensmiled Thecarcontinuedpast,leavinghimthereonthesidewalkwithhisbulliesandtheprospectofgettingbeaten toabloodypulp.
“Getup,shithead,”Ronnieyelled.Hisfriendssnortedbehindhim.“Iain’tgotallday.”
Lucacastaglancetothesideagain,praying someone wouldintervene. Anyone. Hesaw awomanwateringher frontgarden, actingoblivious yethergazemovedtheirwayhereandthere
Yetshedidnothing
Lucaclosedhiseyesanddrew inadeepinhale,knowingtherewouldbenohelpforhim Hestiffened,expectingthekickto come.
Itneverdid.
“Hey!Youlittleshits!Getthefuckoutofhere!”
Lucaopenedhis eyes,expectinganother ghost.Instead,amantoweredover him andtoweredwas anunderstatement.Luca barelysawtheguy’sheadfromhisspotonthepavement
As he satup, he noted the backs ofRonnie and his friends runningdownEssexStreetand smiled to himself Areprieve, of sorts.Suddenly,themanspunanddroppedtooneknee andLucagothisfirstlook.
“You okay, kid?” He scoffed. “Of course, you’re not okay. Look at you.” He reached behind him and returned with a handkerchief,whichheusedtoblotoffthebloodaroundLuca’snoseandmouth
“Yourherohasarrived Ishalldepart,”theghostsaidbeforewalkingdownthestreet
Lucaturnedtotheliving,breathingmaninfrontofhim Hehadafriendlysmileandbrightblueeyes “Thoseguysneedtopick onsomeonetheirownage.”
“Iam theirage,”Lucasaid,cringingwhenthemanpressedthehandkerchiefonasensitivespot.
“Sorry,”themanmurmured.“Youlookyounger.”
Everyonethoughtso.Hismother,whoclaimedherselftobeaseer,claimedhe’dgrowtobeatleastsevenfeettalloneday,but heknewshewaslikelytellingtalestomakehimfeelbetteraboutbeingagoodsixinchesshorterthanmostofhisclassmates
Thestoriesdidn’twork Notanymore
“Well,let’sseeifthere’sanymoredamage”Themanofferedahandtohelphimup
That’s whenhe noticed the swirlingsymbol onthe inside ofLuca’s inner arm He rana thumb over itand lifted his gaze to Luca.Afterachuckle,themanpooledasmallballofbluemagicinsideonepalm.“Followme.”
Lucastaredatthemagiccurlingaroundtheman’shand,knowinghismotherwouldhavehisheadonaplatterifhefolloweda witchhedidn’tknow,butcuriositywonout Hismotherrefusedtoteachhimmuchabouthismagicforsomereason Maybehe couldfindsomeonewhowould.Hegrabbedhisbackpackandturnedtoseewherethemanwalked onlytoseeagraveyard ahead,rightbesideachurch.
Therandomghosthereortherethroughtownwasfine,butonestepinagraveyardandhe’dbepummeledasbadlyasifRonnie andthosegoonshadbeatenhim.Theworldofthedeadwasaterrifyingoneforayoungboywiththepowertoseeghosts.He treadcarefully,ignoringthetideofghostsmovingacrossthecemeteryandstoppingalongthewrought-ironfence Lucakeptto theoutsideofthesidewalk,farfromtheirreach.
Once past, he breathed a bitbetter. Luca trailed behind the manup the steps ofthe BaptistChurchnearby, notingthe man’s curiouslook
“Whatwereyoudoingthere?”
“Nothing,”Lucalied
“Ah,”thewitchsaid,clearlynotconvinced “Name’sCassius,bytheway”Cassiustookthehandwiththeblueballofmagic andopenedthefrontdoorbeforeLucacouldofferhisnameinreturn.
Lucapeeredinsideanddidn’tseeachurch.Therewasonlyaswirlingbluelightwithinthedoorframe.
Aportal? Awesome!
“Icangetyouallfixedup,”Cassiussaid.“Justfollowme.”
Cassiuswalkedthroughthedoorwayanddisappearedthroughtheportal.
Lucagrinned.Hedidn’tknow manyofthewitchesinSalem,eventhoughhe’dlivedtherehisentirelife,andtheoneshedid knowkepttheirdistance Hismotherdidn’tbelongtoacoven,whichmeanthedidn’teither Acoven-lesswitchwaslikethe lowestIndiancasteshe’dlearnedaboutinSocialStudies.Untouchable.
Buttherewasawitchofferinghelp.
Lucasteppedthroughwithoutanotherthought.
Onthe other side was a… he frowned, notexactlysure where he was. Itlooked kind oflike a barbershop inside, withbig, blackchairs, butinstead ofclippers and shears, there were little needle guns intheir hands Luca casta glance around and realizeditwasatattooshop.
Enchanted Ink Tattoo. He’d passed it with this mother a million times, but he’d never been inside. He had gone into the magicalsupplyshopdowntheblockwhenhismotherneededitems,butnoneoftheotherwitch-ownedstoresclusteredthere, nomatterhowhe’dbeggedhismother.
“Hey,kid?”
LucaturnedtoeyeCassius.
“ComeonbacktomyofficesoIcancleanyouup.”
Amansatatadesknearthedoorway,scowlingathim.“Isn’tthattheGypsy’sson?”
“Calé,” Cassius murmured, urging Luca toward the back of the shop. Luca had never heard anyone but his mother correct someoneinregardtohisupbringing
“Betterwatchout She’sapistol”
“IthinkIcanhandleLuciana,”Cassiussaid,onehandpressedtoLuca’sback
He knows Mom?
As soonas Cassius hadhiminside anoffice area,he shutthe door anddrew magic intohis palmagain “Myhealingpower isn’tmystrongest,butIcanmendyousome.Makeithurtless.”
“Icanmanage,”Lucawhispered,drawinghisownmagic.Hewavedahandoverhisfaceandrepairedthedamage.
“Impressive,”themansaid,cockinghisheadtotheside.“Howoldareyou?” “Thirteen.”
“Youlookmuchyounger.”Cassiuseyedhim,silentafewseconds.“Andyoucanhealthatquickly?”
“Yep.”
“Canyouhealothers?”
“I’vehealedmymotherbefore.”
Cassiusrestedahipontheedgeofthedesk.“Whydidn’tyoufightback?”
“ThoseguysarebiggerandstrongerthanIam.”
“Butyou’vegotmagic.”
“HealingistheonlymagicIhave.”
Cassius narrowed his eyes. “You have nothing else? No battle magic, or persuasion, or transmutation, or memory or … anything?”
“Nope,”Lucasaid “Justhealing” “Perhapsthat’swhyyou’resogoodatit Thehealing”Cassiusscratchedhisbeardedjaw “Focusedenergy” “I’vehadalotofpractice,too,”Lucamuttered “Thebullies?”
Lucanodded
“Aretheythatbad?”
Lucaglancedatthefloor,heatfillinghisface
“Look,Luca ”
He knows my name, too?
“MaybeIcanteachyouathingortwo?Maybe…”Cassiussighed.“Maybewecanworktoseeifyou’vegotanyotherskills thatyouhaven’tdiscoveredyet.”
Lucafoughtthegrincomingtohisface.
ThedoortoCassius’officewhippedopen,andLuca’smotherappearedinthedoorway,furyetchedonherface.Shesnagged Luca’swristanddraggedhimcloser
“Youstayawayfrommyboy,Cassius.He’sofflimits.”
“Youknowhebelongshere,Luciana,”Cassiussaid.“Whyyouwon’tletmeworkwithhim,Idon’tknow.”
“We’renotmembersofthiscoven,norwillwebe,”hismotherroared.“He’s my son.Mine.HewilllearnthewayoftheCalé. That’s all heneedstoknow.”
Hismotheryankedhimtowardthedoor.
“Butyouhaven’ttaughthimanything, Luciana.Howishesupposedtoprotecthimself?”
Hismother frozeatthedoor.SheturnedtoLuca.“Standoutinthehallway…anddon’ttalktoanyoneor touchanything. Do you hear me?”
Lucanodded,neverhavingseenhismothersoangry.
Thedoorshutbehindherasshereenteredtheoffice.Hecouldhearraisedvoicesbutcouldn’tmanageanywords.Notuntilthe voicesroselouder.
“Deathhastouchedhim!Iwon’tallowhimdownthatroad.”
“Youcan’tkeephimfromhisdestinybyrefusingtoteachhimmagic,Luciana.”
“IwillprotectmysoninthewayIseefit.Heisnotyourson,Cassius.He’smine.Staythehellawayfromhim!”
Thedoor flew open,andhismother whippedout.ShehauledLucafromthehallwayandonthroughthetattooshop.Hisarm burnedfromtheforceofherdragging.Headsturned,andhisfaceburnedalmostasstrongly.TheywerehalfwaydownEssex Streetbeforeshecametoastopandturnedtofacehim “Luca,howmanytimeshaveItoldyoutostayawayfromthewitchesinthistown?”
“Butwe ’ re witches…”
“No!WearetheCalé.”
“Isn’tthatthesamething?”Lucaasked,inwardlyrollinghiseyes.
“Forgenerations,witcheshavebelittledandtreatedusaslesserthan.Wehavepowers greater thantheirs.Youshallbeoneof thestrongesthealerstoevergracethisworldoneday.Theycovetthatgiftandwishtouseyou.Iwon’tallowit.” “Hewantedtoteachmehowtousemygift,mama.”
“Hewantstogetyouunderhisthumbandtakeyouawayfromme,”shesnarled,jerkinghimcloser.“Youwilllearnthewaysof theCalé…nottheirEuropeanmagic.”
“Portugal is European,Mama.”
“Ourancestorsmaybefromthere,buttheywerefromRomaniabeforethat.Thebirthplaceofmagic.”
“RomaniaisEurope,too.”
Hismother’sfacetwistedwithanger.“Weholdaprimevalmagic,farstrongerandmoreancientthanthatofthewitches.”She cuppedhischin,liftinghisgaze.“Youweremeantforgreatthings,Luca.Don’tletthemmoveyouoffyourtrack,baby.”
“Thenwhydon’tyouteachme?”
Hismother’sfacetightened,hereyessad “Ijustwanttobeabetterwitch,Mama”
“Abetter vrăjitoare,” shecorrected
Lucarolledhiseyes VrăjitoarewasRomanianforwitch Whyhismotherwassostubborn,tryingherdamnedesttokeepthem fromothersoftheirkind,hedidn’tunderstand.TherewasnootherRomaleftinSalem,tohisknowledge,sotheywerealone. Sowhatiftheir ancestors wereRomavrăjitoarewho’dmigratedtoPortugal beforeemigratingtoSalem?Whydidthatkeep themapart?Theywereallthesame.
Iftheywerepartofacoven,theirliveswouldbeeasier.Wouldn’tit?Afterthatafternoon,hehadfarmorequestionsthanhe’d hadthatmorning.
“WhatdidyoumeanthatIwastouchedbydeath?”
His mother’s face paled.“Come on…Ineedtomake dinner before your father gets home andscreams bloodymurder.” She snaggedhishandanddrewhimalong
“Mystepfather,”hecorrectedunderhisbreath
Twodayslater,Lucaeyedthetattooparlorfromacrossthestreet,attemptingtohypehimselfupenoughtoforceonefootbefore the other until he ended up inside. He’d beenthroughitinhis head, repeatedly. He needed help to grow his magic. Witches avoidedthemliketheplague Onehadfinallyreachedoutwithanoffertohelp
Andhewantedtotakeit
After a good thirty minutes of contemplation, he crossed Essex and slipped inside As soon as the guy behind the counter eyeballedhim,hescowled.“Out.Youdon’tbelonghere.”
“IwanttoseeCassius.”
Theman’sscowlgrewevenmore.“Maybehedoesn’twanttoseeyou.”
“Askhimandwe’llsee.”
Theguybehindthedeskliftedaphonetohisear.“Yourlittlestreeturchinisbacktoseeyou.”Hepaused.“Yes,Itoldhimhe needed to leave, but he’s unwilling.” Another pause. “I’mnot touchinghim. Luciana would have myhide.” He hungup the phoneandsmiledwithoutwarmth “He’scoming Waitoverthere”
Lucawanderedtowardthemanybooksfilledwithtattooexamples.Beforehecouldturnmorethanacoupleofpages,Cassius appeared.HesighedheavilyandtookaseatdirectlybesidewhereLucastood.
“Yourmotherwasclear.Undernouncertainterms,Iamnottospeaktoyouagain.”
Lucafrowned.“That’snotfair.Ineedyourhelp.”
“Ihave toabidebyyourmother’swishes.”
TearsburnedthebacksofLuca’seyes.“Thoseboys…theywon’tstop.Ican’tdealwithitmuchlonger.”
Sympathyswamintheman’seyes.Helookedawayamomentinthought.“Doyoualwaysfixthebruisesandcutsimmediately aftertheyhurtyou?”
“Yeah.”
“Maybenexttime…don’t.”
Lucashookhishead.“Andremaininpain?”
“Youfixitsoquicklythattheschooladministratorsdon’tseetheharmthey’veinflicted.Theydon’tgetintrouble,sotheyfeel theycangetawaywithit.Themoretheygetawaywith,thehardertheypush.Themoretheyhurtyou.It’stimeyougotthemin trouble It’stimetheywereheldaccountableforwhatthey’vebeendoingtoyou”
“ThenI’djustbeasnitchfortellingonthem,”Lucasaid.“Itwouldmakethebullyingworse.”
Cassiussighed.“Idon’tknowwhatelsetotellyou,kid.”
“Help me, ” Lucamurmured.
“IwishIcould.”Cassiusheldhisgaze.“Whenyouturneighteen…comebackandseeme.”
“IfIsurvivethatlong.”
Cassiusfoughtasmile.“Webothknowyouwill,withthatgiftofyours.”
“Whatdidmymothermean?”
Cassiusheldhisgazebutsaidnothing.
“ShesaidIwastouchedbydeath.Whatwasthat?”
Cassiussighed.“Askher.”
“Idid…”
“Luca,sheneedstotellyouthatstory.Ican’t.”
Ayear later…
ASH MONTGOMERY STARED attheprograminhishands,hisearsbuzzing.Itwascoldinsidethechurch,somuchsothathisskin pebbledwithgoosebumps.Hisstomachhurt.Ithadtwistedandtightenedfordays,leavinghimunabletoeat.Unabletosleep. Unabletothinkcoherently.
Hescannedthefacesontheprogram.Smilingfaces.
Hefoughtanotherroundoftears.
“Ash?”
Ashliftedhisgazetohisgrandmother’s awomanhebarelyknew.ShenoddedtothesideandwhenAshturned,therewasa handoutstretchedtowardhim Heswallowedthebilerisingandshooktheman’shand “I’msoverysorryaboutyourfamily ”
Everyonewassorry Wouldn’tbringthemback
“Thanks,”hewhispered,pullinghishandaway Hestareddownatthesmilingfacesagain He’dneverseethemagain ThemaninfrontofhimprattledonaboutsomememoryofAsh’sfather,buthecouldn’tfocus,notwithachurchfullofgossip swirlingabout.
I can’t believe he’s the only one left… it’s so sad.
He’s got to be devastated. His parents and both brothers? So heartbreaking.
Did you hear how they found them? Clinging to one another in the water?
He’s barely a man… what’s he supposed to do now?
Can you imagine? Drowning? How horrific.
Ashwishedtherewasaswitchtoshutoffhisears.Thechurchwasfilledwiththeir scurry their squirrel community,all of whomhad exceptional shifter hearing Including him That knowledge didn’t stop themfromblathering on about what his familyhadgonethrough.
Notthathewasclosewithmanyofthem.Eventhegrandmotherseatedbesidehimwasmoreastrangerthanfamily.Sheandher husbandhadexiledhismotherformarryingamannottotheirstandards Alowlypublicservantwithoutmuchtohisname AlineformedbehindthemaninfrontofAsh,allwaitingtopaytheirrespectswhenafewwereactuallybeingrespectfulatall I wonder what kind of food they’re serving at the reception after I haven’t eaten all day It better be good or we ’ re out of here.
Ugh, did you see Casey’s hat? She’s simply the worst. I wouldn’t be caught dead in that ugly thing.
Kind of odd he didn’t go with them, isn’t it? Why was he the only one who wasn’t on that boat?
Do you think they left everything to him? Probably not a lot, but the house has been in the family for generations. We should do some digging He has no need for that big old house
Ashrose, glaring at the surrounding shifters He bolted for the door, unable to sit there and listen to the ugliness swirling aroundtheinsideofthechurchfor anylonger.Assoonashewasoutside,hecouldbreatheeasier.Thefirstthinghenoticed washismother’sbestfriendseatedonaparkbenchacrossthestreet.
Hisgazemethers,andhefoughttearsseeingthetracksofhersdownherface.Descendingthesteps,heheldherstare.Itwasa lifeline.Hetookaseatbesideher,silent.
Adelaidewrappedanarmaroundhisshoulders.“Yourgrandparentsrunyouoff?”
“Theyweren’ttheworst,foronce.Notthattheyweregreat,either.”Hecockedhisheadtotheside.“Whyareyououthere?” “Atrashpandaattheirpreciousdaughter’sfuneral?Iwaskindlytoldtofuckoff.”Adelaide’sjawset.
“Youbelongtheremorethantheydo,”Ashwhispered.
Adelaide’seyesfilledwithtears,andAshlostthebattlewithhisseeinghers.“Yeah,Ido,don’tI?”Shewipedhertearsaway. “Iwon’tstartdramaattheirfuneral,though.Nomatterhow trashy ofatrashpandaIam.”
“They’rebeingprettytrashyintherethemselves.”
“How’sthat?”Adelaideasked.
“Gossip andtheyallknowIcanhearthemwhispering.”
“Whatinthehellaretheygossipingabout?”
“Ididn’tneedtorelivethewholething,buttheysurewantto.Onementionedthehousebelongedtothefamily,andthatIdidn’t needall that Notsurewhothatwas,butIsenseImightendupkickedout AnotherwonderedwhyIwasn’tontheboatwith them.”Tearssliddownbothhischeeks.“IwishIhadbeenonthatboatwiththem.”
“No,youdon’t,baby,”Adelaidemurmured,pullinghimintoherarms.Sheworethesameperfumehismotherdid.Heinhaled, the familiar scentbringingher backfor justa moment.He snuggledcloser,gettingone lasthugfrombeyond.“You’re where you’resupposedtobe Fatedidn’tputyouonthatboatforareason”
“Fuck Fate,”Ashsaidonasob
Adelaidebrushedahanddownhisback.“I’vehadafewmeltdownswithFatemyselfthelastfewdays.It’snotright.It’snot fair…butyou’restillhereforareason.RememberwhatIsaidlastnight?”
Adelaide had stuckbyhis side as soonas the news had arrived. She’d sleptinthe guestroom eventhoughshe onlylived threestreetsover justsohewouldn’tbealoneatnight She’dheldhimthroughthemanytears Addedsomeofherown
Heowedhersomuch Glancingatthechurch,hewasremindedofhismother’spretentiousparentsandfamilyinside Noneof themhadspentthenighttobethereforhim. Noneofthemhadevenbotheredcalling.
Theysurewereinterestedinthehouse,though.They’dlikelykickhimtothecurbtogettheirhandsonit.
“Those people inthat churchwere never around. And whentheywere, Momwould end up intears bythe end. After last Christmas,shesaidsherefusedtoinvitethemtoanotherfamilyevent Shewasn’tputtingusthroughthattrauma”
“Youknow,Irememberhersayingthat”Adelaidewipedmoretearsaway Theysatinsilenceforamoment,otherthanthequietsobstheyshared
“Doesthiscountasafamilyevent?”Ashasked Adelaideslantedhergazeathim,eyesnarrowing Asheyedher.“Ifitis,thentheyshouldn’tbeinvited.”
“Wantmetogointhereandclearhouse?YouknowIwill.You’vejustgottosaytheword.”
Ashconsidereditforamoment.“Whileitsoundsgood,weprobablyshouldn’t.”
Thechurchdoorsopened,andMarco,hisfather’spartner,appeared.Hescannedthestreet,hisgazefinallyfallingonAsh.He meanderedacrossthestreetinhisdressbluesandstoppedafewfeetinfrontofthem.
“Thiswheretherealpartyis?”
“Notmuchofaparty,”Ashmurmured. MarcoeyedAdelaide.“Racoon.”
“Wolf,” shespatback,hervoicegentlerthannormal
Neitherhadlikedoneanothermuchbeforehisfamilyhaddied,butthey’dbeenontheirbestbehaviorsince Itwassurreal,and giventheultimatelysurrealnatureofdeath,thatwassayingalot.
“IthinkIlikeditbetterwhenyoutwopickedononeanother,”Ashmuttered.
Marcosighed.“There’salotofthingsIlikedbetterthanwhatwe’redealingwithnow.”Hedugintohispocketandbroughtout aflask.Aftertakingabigswig,hehandedittoAdelaide.
“Agentlemanandanofficer.”ShetookabigdrinkofherownbeforehandingittoAsh.“Here,takeasip.It’llhelprelaxyou.”
“I’mnottwenty-oneyet.”
Marcochuckled.“Threemonths,kid.Ithinkthecurrentsituationwill allow asipofwhiskeyor two.”Hechuckledagain.“I promisenottoarrestyou.”
Ashgrabbed the silver flaskand vaguelyremembered his father givingitto Marco as a Christmas presentyears before. He scannedthesurfaceandsawtheengraving,“Tothebestpartneraguycouldeverhave…evenifhesucksatbowling.”
Ashsmiled, rubbinghis thumb over his father’s words. He tooka drinkand handed it backto Marco, wincingat the heat scorchingdownhisthroat.
MarcotookanothersipbeforehandingittoAdelaideagain.“Wegoingbackinthere?”
“Idon’twantto,”Ashmurmured.“Thosepeople…”
“Thosepeople?Someofthosepeopleservedwithyourdad,”Marcosaid.
“Imeanmymom’sfamily.Idon’tknowmostofthemandtheonesIdo,Idon’tlike.Theydidn’tgiveaflyingfuckaboutanyof us,sotheperformanceinthereturnsmystomach.”
“Ithinkweshouldclearhouse,”Adelaidesaid.“Whatchuthink,Wolf?”
Marcosighed,eyeingAsh.“Isthatwhatyouwant?Yousaytheword,andwewilldoyourbidding.”
Ashconsidereditamoment.“Idon’twanttomakeascene.It’snotfairtothem.”
“What’snotfairistheirkidsittingoutsidebecauseofthem,”Marcosaid.“Ascene?”HecastalookatAdelaide.“Youcoming, Racoon?”
Adelaidejumpedup.“Ithoughtyou’dneverask.”
Thepaircrossedthestreetandreenteredthechurch Momentslater,asteadystreamofpeoplecamepouringout Ashcouldn’t hidehissmileatthelooksontheirfaces.Adelaideappearedinthedoorway,awidesmileonherlipsasshewavedAshback. Herose,returningtothechurch.Ashslippedonearmthroughhers,thankfulaseverthatshewasthere.Walkinguptheaisle,he notedhisgrandparentshadremained.
Hisgrandmotherwaslivid.“Whyyoubroughtthis…woman…inhere,Ash,Iwillneverknow.She’smadeamockeryofmy daughter’sfuneral”
“ShewasMom’sbestfriend. She’s beentheonehelpingmethroughthis.You’retheonewhoneedstoleave.” Adelaideslidcloser,runningahandoverhisback.
“Lookwhat you’ve done,” his grandmother said to Adelaide, fauxtears runningdownher cheeks. “You’ve turned our sole survivinggrandsonagainstus.”
“Youdidthatallonyourown,”Ashmurmured. Hisgrandmothergasped.
“Youtreatedherhorribly…allbecauseshehadtheaudacitytomarrybeneathher,orsoyousay.” Marcogroaned.
“My dad was amazing He was better than all her family rolled into one,” Ash said “He was always there Always supportive.Dideverythinghecouldtogiveusthebestlifehecould.Hewasagreatman…butyoucouldneverseethat.”Ash glanced at the four caskets at the front of the church before looking back at her. “You disrespect himby being here. You disrespectherandherloveforhimbybeinghere Youdisrespectmybrothers,bornfromthatlove by being here ” “Youcan’tkickmeoutofmydaughter’sfuneral”
“He’sthenextofkin,soyeah,hecankickyouout”MarcoeyedAsh “Wouldyoulikemetoescortthisunwelcomeguestout?” “Youwouldn’t!”Ash’sgrandmotherroared.Shetooktwostepscloser.“You’rejustlike him Worthless trash ” Sheglaredat Adelaide and turned her focus backto Ash. “Butwhatshould Iexpect? Mybabygirl was ruined byyour father. Ruined by
givingbirthtomore trash.”
Marcograbbedhisgrandmother’selbow.“TheonlytrashIseehereisyou.Timetogo.”
Assoonasthedoorsclosedbehindher,Ashcouldbreatheeasier.
“Youokay?”Adelaideaskedhim.
“Yeah,”Ashwhispered,staringatthenewlyemptiedpews.Whilehe’dwantedthemgone,beingremindedhehadnofamily leftnearlybrokehim
“You’renotalone,”Adelaidesaid,drawinghimtothefirstpew Shelinkedonehandinwithhis “I’llbehereforyouaslong asyouneedme,sweetheart.”
Marco returned fromescortinghis grandmother outand moved to sitbeside Ash. He tookAsh’s other hand and squeezed it tight.“You’vegotanextensivefamilywithyou,kid.Meandallyourfather’sbrothersontheforce.”
Agreatshufflingsoundedbehindhim.Heglancedoverhisshoulderandsaweverymemberofthepolicetherethatdayreturn andfill theemptypews behindhim.Tears brimmed.Everytimehethoughttherecouldn’tbeanother tear leftinhim,hewas provenwrong.
“Goahead,padre,”Adelaidewhisperedtothepriest.“Let’sgetthisshowontheroad.” “Thankyou,”Ashmurmured,eyeingher.
“Mademydecade,”Adelaideshotbackwithahalfgrin.“Butyou’retheonewhotoldoffthathorriblewoman.I’mhappyto havewitnessedjusthowstrongyouare NowIknowyou’regoingtobeokay”
Ashwasn’tsosureshewasright.Hedidn’tthinkhe’deverbeokayagain.Later,aftertheservice…afterhisfamilywaslaid torest…afterthefoodhecouldn’teatandthesorrowhecouldn’thide…thehousewasemptyoncemore.
Hewalkedthroughit,hearingechoesofthefamilythey’doncebeen.Hepausedatthefootofthestairs,eyeingthefrontdoor, halfexpectingthemtowalkthroughitonceagain
“Youheadedtobed?”Adelaideasked,headedforthestairs
“Yeah,inaminute”
“Wantcompany?”
“I’dliketobealone,ifthat’sokay?”
Adelaidesmiled,buttherewasgriefinhergaze.“Ofcourseitis.I’llbeupintheguestroomifyouneedme.” “Thanks.”
She took two steps up, kissed his cheek, and ambled up the stairs. When he heard the click of the latch on her door, he scrambledoutofhisclothingandshiftedbeforeracingoutthroughthedoggydoorinthekitchen,thickfurredtailslappingthe plasticandsendingitflapping Hescrambledacrosstheyardthatneededmowingandthetreelimbsthathadfallenfromthe stormthathadarrivedthesamedayhe’dlearnedtheyweregone.Hittingthebaseofhisfavoritetree,heclambereduptheside andnestledintheleaves,surveyingtheonlyhomehe’dknown Itwaschanged,somehow Notasbright Nolongerlively Nolongerlivedin
Sure,hewasstillthere,yethewasn’t Notreally Apartofhimhadgonewithhisparentsandhisbrothersthatfatefulday Fate
Fuck Fate
Scamperingintothetreehousehisfather hadbuiltfor himandhisbrothers,hetransformedintohishumanselfandlayonthe woodenfloor.Inthepalemoonlight,hesawthedarkswirlonhisinnerarm.Hismotherhadclaimeditwasamate’smark thathewasafamiliartoawitch buthe’donlyhalfbelievedher Noothershifterheknewwasawitch’sfamiliar,thoughhe hadheardwhispersaboutthembefore.
Cats,typically.Hewasasquirrelshifter,notacat.
Adelaide’swordswhisperedthroughhismind. You’re still here for a reason. Wasthatthereason?HadthatbeenwhyFatehadgivenhimotherplansthatday?
“You’vealreadystolenmyfamily…youcanfuckoffwiththismatenonsense…”
Themarkwarmedunderhistouch;hewassureofit.Asenseofpeacewashedoverhim,butwasgonethesecondhemovedhis handaway
Sorrowfilledthespacewherethepeacehadrested,andanotherwaveoftearshit
Hecriedhimselftosleephighinthetreetop
Salem, Massachusetts 2008
ThemorningofLucaGalioto’seighteenthbirthdaydawnedbright Herolledoutofbed,scrubbedahandthroughhisriotof spikyhair, and bounced his wayto the bathroomto take care ofhis needs, lightness fillinghim. He was officially an adultandcouldmakedecisionsonhisown andhealreadyknewthefirstonehewasmaking.
Muchtohismother’schagrin.
Heliftedhisgazetothemirrorthatcoveredonebathroomwallandnoticedtheghostofhisgreat-grandmotherwatchinghim andtheurgetopeequicklydriedup.
“Canyougiveme a little privacy?”
“AsifIdidn’tchangeyourdiapers,”thewomansaidflippantlybeforefloatingoutintothehall.
Lucasighed,staringdown,andwillinghis bladder torelease,butfor several moments hethoughtitalostcause.Finally,he finished,washedup,andheadedoutintothekitchenwherehismothersatatthescarredkitchentable,wavingahandtoward thestovewhereawoodenspoondancedinaskillet.Across fromher,his stepfather hadthousands oftinypieces spreadout beforehim,tinkeringwithoneofhismanytoys.
“Eggs are almostready,” his mother said,barelyliftingher gaze fromthe copyof Witch Monthly she was perusingthathad likelybeenswipedfromtheirneighbor Shewavedherwrist,andthetoaster’sbuttonsliddown “Youcanbutterthosewhen theypopup,hmm,love?”
Hepausedamoment,hopingshe’djumpfromher chair andshower himwithaffectionfor hisbirthday,butsincehe’dnever hadanyofthathisentirelife,heknewnottoexpectit “Sure,”hemurmuredashesaunteredoverthewornlinoleum,shoulders dropped.
“How muchlongerbeforeyougetthatthingfixed?”hismotheraskedhisstepfather,finallyputtinghermagazinedown.“I’ve gotabuyerdowninFloridawaitingforit”
“Ibarelyknow whatitis,”hisstepfather said,liftingacollectionofpiecesstill intact “Ifyou’dtell me,Imighthavebetter luck.”
“Betteryounotknow,”hisrepliedbeforeturningtoLuca.“Iknowwhereyou’reheadedthismorning.”
Luca’shandstilledmidwaythroughpouringhimselfacupofcoffee.
“Idon’tapprove.YouknowIdon’tapprove,butIknowyoudon’tcarewhatIhavetosayaboutthematter.”
Lucaspunandfocusedonhismother.“Idon’tevengetahappybirthday?You’rejustgoingtodiveinandyellatme?”
“HappyAnniversaryoftheDayYouExitedMyVag,”shesneeredashisstepfather’sheadwhippedupinshock.
“Nice, Mom.”
“Birthdaysaremorefortheparentsthanthechildren.”ShesearchedLuca’sface.“Ifyougothere,younolongerhaveahometo
comebackto.”
“Stella…”Luca’sstepfathermurmured.HeeyedLuca,sympathyinhiseyes.Ofallthemanystepfathershe’dhad,Lucaliked thisonethebest.Hehadasoulanddidn’tallowLuca’smothertowalkalloverhim.“Ipaytherent.Youhaveahometocome backto,kid.”
“Doyoureallywishtoincurmywrath?”hismotheraskedherhusband.
“Nodifferentthananyotherday,”hesaid,shrugging.“Benicetome,orIwon’tfixyourdoodad.”
Sheopenedhermouthtoargueagain,butforonce,Luca’sstepfathergotinthelastwordonthematter.
“Webothknowyoulovethiskid.Doyoureallywanttopushhimaway?”
HergazeflickedtoLuca’s,painshininginhereyes.Lucaknewshelovedhim.Deeply.Butshehadaweirdwayofshowingit sometimes.
“Youare not awitch,”shesaid,thesadnessinhereyesdisappearingasifithadneverbeenthere.“YouareCalé.”
“Whichisoneandthesame,”Lucamutteredforwhathadtobethemillionthtimeinhislifetime “Itisnot youarebetterthanthosewitchesyouplantoalignyourselfwith Yourpowercomesfromadeeperfont” “We’rethelastoftheCaléinSalem,”Lucasaid “Youwon’thelpmedevelopmytalents,andCassiussayshewill” “Cassius,”shesnarled “He’sbeneathyou,Luca Yourtalentsare ”Tearsshoneinhereyes “Comparedtoyou,Cassiusisan ant,andyouareagod.Whatcanheteachyou?”
“Thenteach me,Mom.Don’tmakemeseekouthelpsomewhereelse.”
She eyed him, frowning. He watched the swirl ofsomethingundefinable inher expression, his chestachingto know whatit wasshehidfromhim He’daskedtimeandtimeagain,butsheclaimedshehidnothing Heknewshelied,senseditdownto hisverybones.
“I’mnotahealer,”shesaid.“ButwecanfindaCaléhealer.TherehastobeoneintheStates.”
“OrIcanacceptCassius’generousofferandhecanmentorme,”Lucasaid.Fromthemomenthe’dmetCassiusthatfatefulday yearsbefore,he’dsensedkinship.
“Hecannotgiveyouwhatyouneed,Luca.”
“Norcanyou!”Assoonasthewordswereoutofhismouth,heregrettedthem.Notbecausetheyweren’ttrue,butthelookof painthatflashedoverhismother’sface.Hisstomachtightenedasheawaitedthelashofhertonguetocome.
Onlyitdidn’t.Eyesshining,shereturnedtohermagazine,ignoringhim.Hisstepfatherliftedhisgazeandglancedoverbefore returningtohistinkering.Thetoastpoppedfromthetoaster,andwhenLucaturned,hesawitwasblackened.
“HappyBirthdaytome,”hewhisperedhotly.
“IfyougotoEnchantedInk,demonswillcomeafteryou.They’lldrainyourpower,andyou’llloseyourabilities.”
“Demons?” heaskedbeforescoffing.Hismotherhadahabitoftellingtalestogetherway,usinghersupposedforesightasan excuse.Mostofthetime,itwasbullshit,andtheybothknewit.“You’renotgoingtoscaremeawaywithnonsense.”
Shecontinuedtoreadhermagazine.“It’snotnonsense.I’veseenit.”
Hewaitedanotherfewsecondsforhertofinishbeforerefusingtoletherdragthingsoutaminutelonger.Heturnedandstalked fromthekitchenandoutthefrontdoor.“Happybirthdaytome.”
Notlongafter,LucawalkedthroughthefrontdoorofEnchantedInkandsteppedtowardthefrontdeskwhereamansatperched overmultipleoldspellbooksopentodifferentpages adifferentonethanthemanseatedthereall thoseyearsago Thisone wasyounger thougholderthanLuca withasetofreadingglassesperchedontheendofhisnose.
“Do you have an appointment?” the guy asked without lifting his gaze. Luca rolled his eyes. It was his morning for being ignored,clearly
“No,IwashopingtoseeCassius?”
ThemanliftedhisgazeandfullyeyedLuca,asneercomingtohislips.“Noappointment?” “Hetoldmetocomeandseehim.”
Themanatthedeskrolledhiseyesandliftedaphonereceiver.
“Noneedtocall,Atlas.I’mrighthere.”
LucaturnedtoseeasmilingCassiusstridingcloser.Heextendedahand,andLucatookit,sensingajoltofpowerrushthrough him He’dknownCassiuswasstrongbuthadn’trealizedjusthowstrongallthoseyearsbefore Themagicradiatingfromhim wasimpressive.
ButLuca’shealingskillswereimpressive,too.Hopefully,Cassiuswasstillwillingtohelphim. “Youdidn’twaitlongafterturningeighteen,hmm?”Cassiusmurmured.“Happybirthday,bytheway.”
Lucagrinned,appreciatingthatsomeone saidit. “I’vewaitedfiveyears.Iwasn’twastinganotherday.” “Doesyourmotherknowyou’rehere?”
“Yeah… and she’s not too pleased. She said demons would come after me if I came, but my mom is…weird.” An understatementiftherewereany
“She’saseer,”Cassiussaid,frowningandleaninginclose “Didshesaymore?”
“She’swrongalotmorethanshe’sright Plus demons?Come on ” “Demonsarereal,kid,”Cassiusmurmured
Lucafrowned “Iknow,butit’sjustcrapshesaidtoscaremeintonotcoming”
“Maybenot andshe’sonlylookingoutforyou”Cassiuseyedhiswatch “Ihaveaclientupinmystudio Wanttocomehang outandwatch?Thenwecanchataboutwhyyou’rehere.”
“Sure.I’vealwayswantedtoseeyourmagic.”
CassiusgazedaroundbeforeeyeingLuca.“Normiesgettattsonthefirstfloor,sonotalkofmagicdownhere,”hewhispered. “Mystudio is fair game Let’s head up” He waved Luca toward anelevator atthe backofthe shop As soonas theywere onboardandalone,Cassiusgrinned.“Ourapprenticesworkthefirstfloorandpracticeonhumanclients.Realmagichappens upstairs.”Hewavedhishand,andmagiccoiledaroundit.Thedoorsopenedagain,andtheywereonanotherfloor thoughthe elevatorhadn’tmoved.
“I’veseennoonewhocouldportallikeyoucan.”Lucastared,mesmerizedbytheswirlinglights.Thefirsttimehadbeenthe dayhe’dgottenhisasskicked.Cassiushadbroughthimthroughonetotheshop.Theilluminationswerebeautiful,tosaythe least “Butthen,Ihaven’tbeenaroundmuchrealpowergrowingup”
Cassiuswavedhimonbeforewalkingthrough Lucajoinedhimoutinthehallwayandheadeddownthelongcorridor “Whathasyourmothershownyou?”
“Notmuch,honestly.Shetaughtmetodistinguishbetweenlightanddarkmagics.Howtosenseacurse.”
“Yourhealingpowers?”
Lucashookhishead.“Shetriedtohelp.Gotmeafewbooksfromsomewitchshetradesstuffwithonline.Otherwise,it’sbeen trialanderror.”
“Trialanderror…andyouwerethatdamnedgoodatthirteen?”Cassiusappearedimpressed.“Haveyougottenanybetter?”
Lucafoughtthesmilecomingtohisface,butfailed.“Brokebotharmsandshatteredmylegonadirtbikelastsummer.” “Thatsentencespokenbyanyoneelsewouldn’tbeaccompaniedbysuchawidesmile.”
Buzzingsoundsfilledthehallwayastheywalked,growinglouderbehindacoupleofdoors.“Well,gatheringmagicinmyhand wasn’texactlyeasywithbotharmsbroken,butIwasmendedinlessthanfiveminutes.”
“Notbad,”Cassiussaid,stoppingatthedoorattheendofthehall.“Thisismystudio.Myclientisagargoyle,sobeprepared. He’slikelynotgoingtobeinhumanform.”
“Gargoyles arereal?”
Cassiuspulledthedoorclosedandturnedwide-eyedtostareatLuca.“Areyoukiddingme?”
Lucashrugged “I’veneverseenone,exceptifyoucountthatoldcartoon”
Cassiuscursedunderhisbreath “Iexpectedbetterofyourmother”
Lucahad,too
“Weneedtogetyoueducated,andfast Fornow,assumethecreaturesyou’veheardofinfolktalesandgothicnovelsare all real.ManyofthemcomeinandoutofEnchantedInklookingforhelp,soyouneedtoprepareyourselftoseeawidevarietyof creatures.”
“Preparemyself?”
“You’llstartasanapprentice,butyou’regoingtogetoneofthesestudiosyourselfoneday,”Cassiussaid,grinningbroadly “Me?” Lucaasked,stunned “Anapprentice?”
Cassiussmiled “It’swhatyouwant,right?”
Lucanodded,asmilesplittinghisface “Yeah”
“We’veneededapowerfulhealerforsometime Dottytoldmesomeonewascoming,andI’dalreadymethim,soI sensed it hadtobeyou.”Cassius’smilegrew.“Well,yourfirstactasanapprenticeistoshadowmeinthere.Youready?”
“ReadierthanI’vebeenforanythingelseinmylife.”
Apex, Pennsylvania
Afew months later
AshMontgomerywalked across the stage to thunderous applause inthe packed auditorium He shookthe commander's handashegraspedhisdiplomaintheother.He’ddoneit graduatedfromthepoliceacademy.
“Congratulations,son.You’vedoneyourfatherproudtoday,”theCommanderofferedbeforesaluting.
Ashreturnedthesalute,abittersweetsmilespreadingacrosshisface.Heturnedtoeyehislatefather’spartner,Marco,andhis late-mother’sbestfriend,Adelaide alongwithabunchofhisfather’sfellowofficers allontheirfeet,clapping,andaimed thecoiledpaperintheirdirection,pointing.Adelaidehooted,sheandMarcolouderthananyoneelseintheauditorium. Alumplodgedinhisthroat,wishingthepeoplehemissedmostcould’vebeenthere.Ashhadn’tconsideredpoliceworkbefore hisfather’spassing,butMarcohadbeentheonetourgehimtoapplytotheacademy.
“We need people like us on the force Your father knew that ”
Ash had eyed him across the table at the mom-and-pop burger spot they ate at once a week since the funeral He scanned the crowd before lowering his voice “People like us? As in… shifters?”
Marco nodded. “It’s guys like your father and I who help protect and serve two communities.” Marco paused, a slight frown marring his face. “Helped.” He chuckled mirthlessly. “It’s been six months, and I still struggle with past tense when it comes to him ”
Ash knew the feeling He still struggled himself
Marco sighed “My responsibility, first and foremost, is to the shifter community Normies get too close way too often Being in a position of power, I can help mitigate issues. Direct focus elsewhere.”
“I won’t protect criminals, no matter which community they’re from.”
“I’d never tell you to let a guilty man go free. If a shifter harms a human? They deserve punishment but by our kind, not humans The Celestial Council exists for that exact reason ” Marco scratched his beard Just the mention of the Council seemed to get under people’s skin. Ash had often seen the same look on his father’s face when it came up. “That’s the main reason I became a cop To protect our own ” He pegged Ash with a glare “It’s why your dad did, too Just like his pop before him.”
After considering Marco’s words, Ash had applied and easily gotten in. He’d sailed through the program with ease and graduated atthe top ofhis class thoughattimes, ithad seemed as ifthe instructors had expedited his journey. Mostofthe trainershadknownhisdadorknownofhim.Ashhadn’tbeenblindtothesympathythathadshownintheireyesonoccasion.
Ithadalmostcompelledhimtoquit.Somehow,Marcohadshownupwhenhe’dbeenpackingabagandconvincedhimtostay.
Two days after graduation, he walked throughthe frontdoors ofhis newlyassigned station, readyto startwork. Yetnearly everygazethatcamehiswaywasfilledwithpity.Hisfamily’stragedyseemedetchedintheirminds,impossibletoforget.
MakingitevenharderforAshtoforget,too.
Everywhereheturned,hegotthoselooks.Neighbors.Extendedfamily.Familyfriends.Hell,hisownfriendshadtreatedhim withkidgloves.
Itthreatenedhiscareerifhisfellowofficerscouldn’tseehiminsteadofthetrauma.Bytheendofhisfirsttwoweeks,hemet up withMarco for a beer after a shift. Slidinginto a boothawayfromthe crowded bar, he drained halfthe pintand leaned againstthebackoftheseat,exhausted.
“Bad day?” Marco asked, one heavybrow rising. Marco was one ofthe few other shifters Ashknew onthe force. He and Ash’sdadhadformedatightbondoverthatfact,evenifMarcowasawolfshifterandhisfatherasquirrel Beingneartheman broughtalittleofhisdadback,insomesmallway.
Hemissedtheman.Hemissedhiswholegoddamnedfamily.
“No…itwas…good.”
“Mindtellingyourfacethat?”
Ashforcedasmile.
“Whatisit,kid?Policeworknotallyourthoughtitwouldbe?”
“No…that’s notit.” Maybe that was partofwhathe was experiencing, buthe was still feelinghis waythrough. Ithad only beenacoupleofweeks yethesensedheneededachange “It’smorethepityIseeineverystarethatlooksmyway” “That’ll pass Once you get your feet wet and prove yourself, they’ll see you instead of seeing ” Marco shrugged “You know.”
“Ihopeyou’reright.”Hetrailedafingerovertheblackcoilofthecurledmarkonhisinnerforearm.Supposedlyitmeanthe wasfatedtomateawitch,thoughhe’dnevermetonehisentirelife thathewasawareof,anyway Shifters,sure He’deven metavamponce,althoughmetwasabitofastretch.Theguyhadwalkedintoaroadhousebarheandhisbrotherhadsnuck intobeforethey’dturnedlegal,flashedAshaglare,andleftsoonthereafterwithadazzlingblondoneacharm
“I’msure,”Marcosaid,winkingashetookanotherswigofhispint “Youhavetogiveittime”
“Yeah”Ashsatbackinthebooth,eyeingthemanacrossfromhim “Seeingthoselooks itmakesitharderfor me toforget”
“Youwannaforgetthem?”
“Ofcoursenot ButIwanttheguilttogoaway,man Idon’twantiteatingatmetwenty-four,seven”Hetookanotherswallow, strugglingagainsttheknotinhisthroat.
“Yougotnothing tobeguiltyabout,Ash.Youdidn’tcausethatbullshit.”
Logically,heknewthat,deepdown,yetitwashardtomakehisheadandhisheartlisten.Hewasthelonemanstanding,andhe fuckingmissedthem Missedhavingthatconnection Hisgazewasdraggedbacktothemarkonhisarmforsomereason,andit wassuddenlyhardertobreathe.
“Iwannahearyousayit,Ash.”
AshliftedhisstaretoMarcobutremainedsilent.
“Here,letmehelpyou. I have nothing to feel guilty for. There,that’sallyou’vegottasay.”
Thestingoftearsburnedthebacksofhiseyes,buttherewasnowayAshwasgoingtoletasingleonefall.Notinfrontofa toughguylikeMarcothewolfshifter “Easyforyoutosay”
“Everthinkthoselookscomingyourwayarecomingbecausetheyseeitinyour eyes?Ifyouwantthemtoletitgo,maybeyou needtoshow‘emhow.”
AshheldMarco’sgaze.Letitgo?Impossible.
“Igetsurvivor’sguilt,”Marcomurmured.“Ido.Yourdadinvitedmeandthekidstocomeoutwithy’allthatday,too.Iwas supposedtobethere,butNathanielgotsick.”
“I’mgladyouandyourkidsweren’tthere,”Ashsaid
“I’m glad youweren’teither,” Marco spat, leaningacross the table some, a lightshininginhis eyes. He seemed to realize himself,glancingaround,beforesittingback.“I’mgladalittlepieceofyourdadsurvivedandwillcontinueoninthisworld. Hewasagoodman You’rehisandyourmom’slegacy,Ash”
Ashglanceddown,noticinghisfingerabsentlytrailingoverthemarkonhisinnerarm. “Giveittime.Ifyoustoplivinginthepast,maybetheywill,too.”
Ashtookthattoheart,yetnomatterwhathedid,hecouldn’tseemtoconnectwithhisfellowofficers.Theycontinuedtogazeat himwithsympathyintheireyes,nomatterhow manyarrestshemade…nomatterhow solidhewasasacop…alltheysaw washisdad Theywerebigshoeshe’dneverfill
Nordidhewantto Hewashisownmanandwantedtobetreatedassuch
Afterthefirstyear,nothinghadchanged,sohe’dstartedputtingoutfeelerstootherdepartmentsinnearbycities “Hey,kiddo.”
AshliftedhisgazefromamountainofpaperworktoseeMarcoseatedbesidehisdesk,thedepartmentbuzzingaroundhim.A widegrinstretchedhisface.“Hey.”
“Iheardaboutthatarrestyesterday.Goodjob,”Marcosaid.“Iknewyou’dturnouttobejustlikeyouroldman.”
“Yeah,andthankstothat,I’mplayingdeskjockeytoday.”Anewwaveofguilthithim.Hehadn’ttoldMarcohe’dbeenlooking atamove Therewasn’tanypointinsayinganythinguntilapositionopened
“Youknowthat’sstandardprocedureaftershotsarefired,”Marcosaid
Theshotshadn’tbeenfromhisgun,butthatofthearmedassailantrobbingtheconveniencestorehe’dhappenedtostopinfor tograbsomecoffee.Heseemedtohavetheknackforbeinginthewrongplaceattherighttime.He’dwalkedinmid-felonyand beenshotatforhistrouble Fortunately,thehumanhadbadaimandAshhadbeenabletotakehimdownwithease
Marcosearchedhisface “What’sup?”
“Nothing”
Themansmiled “Icanseesomething’stroublingyou”
“I’mgood,Marco Iswear”Ash’scellphonebuzzed Helifteditfromthesurfaceofhisdeskandscannedthenotification An email.FromtheSalem,MassachusettsPoliceDepartment.
Thesecondheopenedit,thecoiledmarkonhisinnerarmhadtingled.Helifteditandnoticedahintofpurplelightappearand sinkbackintohisflesh
What the hell?
He rana palmover the mark Itwas warmunder his touch His shoulders dropped His jaw unclenched Asense ofpeace washedoverhim.
Asenseof… home.
Heglancedattheemailagain,andthesamethingoccurred.Anotherswirlofpurplelight,strongerthesecondtime.
Beckoning him?
“What the fuck, Ash?”Marcowhispered.Heslappedapalmoverthelight,hidingitfrompryingeyes. “Idon’tknow,”Ashwhisperedback.
Marcorose,yankingAshtohisfeet.Hedraggedhimthroughthedepartment,weavingthroughdesksandcoworkersuntilthey wereoutsideandaroundthecornerfromtheentrance AssoonasMarcoturnedtofacehim,heliftedhishand Themarkhadreturnedtonormal asimpleblackswirl asithadbeensincehisbirth “Anyonecould’veseenthat…”Marcoeyedit.“Hasitdonethatbefore?”
“No.”Ashtraceditwithafingertipandfelttheskinwasstillwarmerthannormal.“Momsworeitwasawitch’smark.”
“What?”
“ThatFatemarkedmetomatewithawitch.”Fate?ThesameFatewho’dtakenhisfamilyfromhim? Fuck Fate. Yet…
Marco’seyeswidened.“Youandabroomrider.Whoknew?”Hescannedtheskyandthenthestreetaroundthem.“Youthink thiswitchmightbeclose?Didtheysetoffthemark?”
“Dunno”Hethoughtagainabouttheemail fromtheSalemPD Salemwasnotoriousfor witches Washismarktryingtotell himsomething?Heliftedthephonestillclutchedinhisrighthandandopenedtheemail.
Themarkbegantoglowagain.
“Youneed to cover thatshitup,” Marco said. “Before yougetcaught. Ireallydon’twantto have to call the Council about you ”
“I’mwonderingifthishassomethingtodowithit,”Ashmumbledbeforehandinghisphoneover.
Marcoglancedatthescreenbeforesnaggingthephoneandreading Whenhisgazelifted,Ash’sstomachturned “Youapplyfor this,kid?”
Ashswallowedtherisingbile.“Idid.”
“Youwannaleavehome?”
“I’llforeverbeinhisshadow,Marco.I’vetriedtoletitgoandlivemylifelikeyousaid…but…ithasn’thelped.Andit’snot justhereatwork.It’severywhere.Theyseemeandtheythink,here’sthatpoorkidwholosthisentirefamily.Ican’tgetaway fromit.”Heclosedhiseyes,unabletowitnessthehurtinMarco’saminutelonger.“Ineedafreshstart…somewherewhereno oneknowsme.”
MarcoshovedthephoneatAsh’schest.Hiseyespoppedopen,andhemetMarco’sstare.
“Igetit,”Marcosaid,hisvoicebarelyoverawhisper.Tearsshoneinhiseyes.“Ido…Ijusthatetoseeyougo.”
Ash struggled to hold on to his own emotions seeing this big, bad wolf shifter with tears. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciatewhatyou’vedoneformesince ”
“You’refamily,kid You’llalwaysbefamily Doyouhearme?”HedraggedAshintoabearhug “Youdowhatyougottadoto succeedinthisworld,kid.”
WhenMarcosteppedback,heliftedahandandwipedabitofwetnessaway.“Seemsthatmarkofyoursistryingtotell you something Maybeyoushouldlisten”
Ashnodded
“ButlikeIsaid coverthatshitupbeforeyougetcaught”Marcopunchedhimlightlyontheshoulder “I’llgogrababandage fromthefirstaidkit.Waithere.”
“Thanks,”Ashmurmured,barelyholdingontohiscontrol.He’dneverknownanythingbutlifeinasmallcityontheoutskirts ofPittsburghneartheWestVirginiaborder
As he stood there waiting, a train’s hornsounded inthe distance, likelyfilled withcoal cars Abreeze washed over him, rufflinghishair,thescentofcharhittinghisnose.Hescannedthecommunitythedepartmentwasnestledin,thefamiliarityofit burned into his brain He’d been born and raised in Apex It was home The only home he’d ever known The thought of packinguphisentirelifeandmovingtoacityhe’dneverseenwasdaunting yetthrillingatthesametime. Amate?Anewlife?Onewherenooneknewhispastandonlythepresentlaidoutbeforehim…
Buttherewerepeoplehe’dmiss…namelyMarcoandAdelaide.Theywerethelastlittlepiecesofhisparentsandallhehad left.Marcoreappearedwithafewitemstuckedintohisarm,avoidingAsh’sgaze.Silently,hewenttoworkbandagingAsh’s mate’smark.Whenhewasdone,heliftedhisgaze,andAshsawsorrowintheman’seyes. “Thereyougo,”Marcomurmured.“Thatshouldkeepeverythingunderwraps.”
HeheldAsh’sgaze,silent…yettherewassomuchsharedwithoutthewords.
“Ibettergetbackout.Investigatingsomerobberiesacrosstown.”
“Needbackup?”Ashasked,grinning.
Marcodraggedhimcloser,anarmaroundhisback,andledhimbacktowardthefrontdoor.“You’readeskjockey,myfriend. You’dbestplasteryourassinyourchair.”
Ashgrowledunderhisbreath “Don’tremindme”
“Heh you’vegotnewadventurescomingyourway,itseems Restupandgetready”
anIhaveeveryone’sattention?”Cassiuscalled
Lucaliftedhisgazefromthetattoohewasalmostfinishedwith,noticingahotgirlstandingbesideCassius Longcurly hair,longlegs.Sheworeblacktightswithknee-highleatherlace-upboots,alongwithashort,shortblackdress.Tatsgraced onewrist.Agorgeousflowerthatalmostlookedreal abrightpinkpeony thatwastheantithesisofallthatblackshewore. Herglossylipsmatchedtheflower.Hesmiledatherandwinked.Sheofferedawinkofherown,aslowgrincrossingherlips. ItwasthenthatLucarealizedhemight’vemisgenderedher.Him?
“I’dlikeyoualltomeetournewestapprentice.Gideon.He’sjoiningourragtaggroupandstartstomorrow.”Cassiuspaused.
“He?” anotherapprentice,Damian,asked.
“Doyouhaveaproblemwiththat?”Cassiusasked.
DamieneyedGideon.“OnlyaskingbecauseIwasstraightwhenIgotherethismorningandnow,I’mnotsosure.”
Lucachuckled,alongwiththeotherapprentice.
“Nicetomeetyou,Gideon,”MartasaidfromtheboothbesideLuca
“Samehere,”Lucamurmured
“Gideon,thisisDamian,Luca,andMarta They’regoodeggs”Cassius’gazelandedonLuca “Forthemostpart” “Notsurewhyyou’relookingatmewhenyousaidthat,”Lucasaid
Cassiusgrinned “Ijustlikekeepingyouonyour toes”HeeyedGideon “You’rewelcometohangout Havealookaround I’llbeinmyofficeinbackifyouneedanything.”
“Surething,”Gideonsaid.HeturnedhisattentiontoLuca.
AsdidCassius,whowalkedcloser.“Where’sOz?”
Oscar “Oz” Ortega was their official babysitter for the day. He wasn’t a tattoo artist, but he was one hell ofa witch, who createdthemagicallyimbuedinksthemastertattooistsusedatEnchantedInk Therewasawholerooftopgardenabovewhere hewastypicallyfound,growingthemanyplantsheusedintheircreation.
Whileapprenticeswerestilllearningonhumans,theyoccasionallygotsomeofthemilderinkstoplaywithsotheycouldgeta feelforhowtheyworked.Thatday,theyweregettingtheirhandsonaslightlystrongerone,henceOzbeingtheretowatch.
“Hehadtogoupandgrabanotherbottleofink,”Lucamurmured.“Heshouldberightback.”
“Yeah,Damienknockedoneoverandspilledmostofit,”Martaadded “Tattletale,” Damiensaidthroughacough “Man,Luca,didyoujustseethatbuscomestraightforme?”
“Maybeifyouweremorecarefulandnotconstantlydroppingshit,I’dfeelsorrierforyou,”Lucamurmured.
“Ican’thelpitifIhavebutterfingers,”Damienmuttered,wavinghishandaround.Hiseyeswentwideashegazeddownatthe bigbikerdudehewastattooing.Hemouthed “Fuck” beforeCassiusmovedinquicklyandwavedahandtofixwhatevermess Damienhadjustmade.
“Thanks,Cas,”Damienmumbled.
“Bemorecareful,”Cassiussnapped. Damien’sheaddropped,hisshouldersrising.“Willdo,boss.”
“Careful?” thebikerasked,liftinghishead,concernonhisface.
“Abouttheink,”Cassiussaid,wavinghishandagain.Thebikerrelaxedandloweredbacktothechair,andCassiusleftthem. GideonambledclosertoLucaandwatchedhimwork.“That’sagorgeoustattoo.Youdonicework.”
“Thatis,too,”Lucasaid,noddingtothepinkpeonyonGideon’swristbeforere-focusingonhisclient.“Itcaughtmyeye.”
“WishIcouldtakecreditforthisone.Mymentorgaveittome.”Gideonslidtheedgeofhisdressup,baringhisupperthighs. Lucaclenchedhisteeth,notingthestockingswerethighhighs Justabovetheedgeofthestockings,therewasanother,smaller peony.“Ididthis,though.”
“Youmustlovethatflower.”
“Ido,”Gideonsaid.“Itremindsmeofmygrandmother.”
Luca finishedthe lastofhis fill-inworkandcleanedthe client’s shoulder blade before wipinga house-made salve over the inkedskin.“Alldone.Wannagotakealook?”
His clientrose fromthe chair andeyedthe nearbyfloor toceilingmirror “Man,this is as goodas the photographIshowed you!Momlooksgood,dog.”
AfterLuca’sclientbro-huggedhimandpaid,hewanderedout,allsmiles.
“Doyouhaveanotherclient?”Gideonasked.
AcornerofLuca’slipscurledup.Washebeinghiton?“Nah…butI’mhereforanothercoupleofhours.”
“Good,” Gideon said, hopping into his chair. “I want a portrait of my grandmother.” He lifted the dress over his head thankfullytherewerebikeshortsunderneath andslappedapalmaboveonepec.“Righthere.”
“Youhaveapictureofher?”
“Yup,”Gideonsaid,pressingapalmtoLuca’sforehead
Suddenly,animageofanolderwomanwithaglorioussmileandbrighteyesslammedintohisbrain Shewashanginglaundry outona sunnyday, the breeze whippingthroughsheets. He was almostsure he could smell lavender, freshcutgrass… and peonies.Apale-yellow farmhouse was nearby,andalongthe back,wrappinguptowardthe front,were dozens ofbigpeony bloomsinamultitudeofshades
Thesunwaswarmonhisskin,andhecouldn’thelpbutsmile.Butthen,assuddenlyashewasthere,hewasbackintheshop, sittingonarollingstool.
“Whatthefuckwasthat?”heaskedunderhisbreath.
“Mygrandmother,”Gideonwhispered.“Canyoutattooherforme?”
Herfacewasasclearasdayinhismind,thememorystrong.“Yourcorepowerismemory?”
Gideonnodded.“Andyours?”
“Healing.”
“Notabadonetohave,”Gideonmurmured.Hissmilefalteredamomentbeforeitwasbackinplace.Lucahadseenthatover andoveragainwhenfolksfoundoutwhathispowerwas.Toomanyhadthosethey’dlostandwishedthey’dhadatalentlike
his.“I’mreadywheneveryouare,Luca.”
Lucafoughtasmileasheroseandsanitizedhistools.Hepreppedhisspacebeforesittingdowntocreatethememorialtattoo. “Ready?”
“Always,”Gideonreplied.
He reached over to cleanthe skin, and Gideonsnatched his arm He turned to eye the swirlingmate’s markonLuca’s inner forearm.
“That’stoobad.Ithoughtyouwerecute,”Gideonsaid.
“Too bad?”
Gideonlifted one arm. Onthe inner bicep was a mark a differentone thanLuca’s. Itswirled like the crestofa wave, far differentfromhiscoil.
“Witches don’t mate withother witches,” Luca whispered. Theymated witha familiar or as was the case withCassius’ coven,afamiliarandahuman.
“Witches rarely matewithotherwitches,”Gideoncorrected.“It’shappened.”
“Iwasn’taware,”Lucasaid.Therewasalothewasstilllearning.He’dbeenapprenticingforthreeyears,buttherewasway toomuchknowledgeoutthere.Eonsofwitchcraft.Hismotherhadtaughthimsome,butnotnearlyenough.
“Mygrandfathermatedanotherwitchandtheirsharedfamiliar,”Gideonsaid.
“Yourgrandmother?”LucaaskedashebegantofreehandsketchonGideon’schest.
“Nah,thoseweretheothergrandparents,”Gideonsaid.“GrandmawasthelonehumanIgrewuparound.Therewasasenseof peaceaboutherImiss.”Heglancedatthepeoniesonhiswrist.“Ienjoyhavinghermemoryclose.IgetlostinthemwhenI’ve hadtodealwithawfulshit,youknow?”
“Afterseeingyourmemory,Icanseewhy,”Lucasaid.“Itwas peacefulthere.” Gideonsmiledsoftly.
Luca focused on the quick sketch. When he was done, he sat back. “Wanna peek at it and see if you’re happy with the placement?”
Gideonhoppedoffthechairandeyedhisreflection.“Perfect.”
TheycontinuedtochatawayforthehoursittookLucatofinishthetattoo.WhileGideonwasflirty,Lucafeltmoreasenseof kinship.Therewassomethingaboutthemanthatputhimatease.PerhapsthatwasagiftGideon’sgrandmotherhadshared serenity
Attheend,Gideonhoppedoffthechairandspiedthetattoo “Damn,Luca,youreallyaregood”Heliftedhisgazeandeyed Luca in the reflection. “I had a good feeling about you.” He whipped around, grabbing the discarded dress. “Is your shift over?”
“Yep”
“IwannacheckoutthatBewitchedBitesplacedownthestreet Wannajoinme?”
Lucanodded “I’mfamished”
Oncehecleanedhisstation,theyleftinsearchoffoodandfoundthestartofawonderfulfriendship
investigatethereasonhismarkwentbatshitcrazywhenhe’dcontemplatedthemove.
Hepausednearthesix-footstatueofElizabethMontgomeryseatedonacrescentmoonfromherBewitcheddays.He’dalready readonlinehowtheshowcomingtoSalembackintheseventieshadgivenbirthtothetownembracingitspastandturninginto atouristattraction.
Ashwatchedmultiplefolksgettheirphotostakenatthesculpture'sside,smirkingattheirexcitement.Scanningthelocalshops hepassedthroughDowntownSalem,allhesawwaswitchthis,witchthat.TheWitchMuseum.Hex.Coven.TheGoodWitch. There were dozens more withparanormal-inspired names, whichwould’ve beencool iftheyweren’tall owned byhumans He’d always heard thatSalemwas full ofwitches, yethe hadn’tseena single witch-owned establishment. Maybe ithad all beenhype
Heranahandoverhismate’smark,whichhadcontinuedtotinglesincetheminuteheenteredtown Hismother’svoicewasin hisear,too.She’dclaimedhewasafamiliarhisentirelife,andhe’dneverbelieved.Asquirrelfamiliar?Itmadenosense. Yettherehewas,intheWitchCity,hismarkdrawinghimsomewherewithin.
HisstomachgrowledashewasdrawnfartherdownEssexStreet.Hepassedbyafewrestaurants,butthetinglingofhismark seemedtogrowthemorehewalked,sohebypassedthem,followinghisgut Asetofbusinessesontherightsideofthestreet drew his attentionas iftheyhad a bigneonsignpulsingabove them. Finally, some real witches! Anentire blockofwitchownedbusinesses,infact.ThefirstonehisgazelandedonwasaplacecalledBewitchedBites,andhisstomachdraggedhim closer
Thescentoffresh-bakedbreadpleasedhisnosethesecondheopenedthedoor Theplacewaspacked,andhereconsidered there didn’t seemto be anemptytable inthe joint but his markwasn’t havingit. It pulsed withlife, all but leadinghim forward Searchingtheinterior,heeyedasingletablewithanemptyseat
Andahot-as-fuckpurple-hairedwitchseatedatitreading
HeliftedhisgazefromthebookandmetAsh’s Ash’smate’smarktingledandgrewhotter Agaspofairdraggedfromhim,his entirebodystiffeningwithawareness. Mine.
Asmileplayedoverthewitch’slipsashereturnedtohisbook.Hissquirrelbarkedinhismind,demandinghewalkover.
Play it cool, man. Don’t make a scene.
Insteadofrushingoverandslammingthemanagainstthewallandhavinghiswickedway,heclenchedhisjawandfistedhis handsathissides,beggingforanounceofcontrol
The mating impulse is no joke!
Sweatbrokeoutalonghisbrow ashedraggedhisgazeaway Heslowlyambleduptothecounter,hopinghedidn’tmakean assofhimself.Ifhelostit,theyhadapackedhousetowitnesshisdownfall.
Butwhatadownfallitwouldbe.
“Heythere!WhatcanIgetforyou?”
Ashsurveyedthemenuandstruggledtofocus.Nothingonthemenuboardwasasenticingasthewitchreadinginthecorner. Givingup,hesimplysaid,“I’llhavethespecial”
“Goodchoice”ThemanranghisorderupandAshpaidwithhiscreditcardbutcouldn’thelpbutnoticespacesintheregister filledwithwhatappearedtobebitsofsilverandgold.Talkaboutoldschool.“Yourorderwillberightout.Justheaddownto theendofthecounter”
“Thanks,”Ashmurmured,shovinghiscardintohiswallet Ashewaitedforhisfood,hescannedthediningroomandnotedhis witchwatchinghimclosely.
Hefoughthisownsatisfiedsmile,hiscockcomingtohalf-mastatthethoughtofthewitch’sgazeonhim.
Bright blue eyes stared back from a handsome face. A shock of spiky purple hair looked like it hadn’t seen a brush that morning Hehadafirmjawandstrongnosesoftenedbyfulllipsandthicklashes Hislonglegsspreadoutbeforehim,hinting
