Dead and Dusted by Lily Webb (most recommended books .TXT) 📗

“Oh, believe me, I know.”

“Good. Then we’ll just have to see how it goes,” Blair said, and reached for a dish to load her plate with the delectable green bean casserole Emile had made.

“Thank you again for inviting us all to join you, Blair,” Flora said from beside her.

“Oh, don’t mention it. It’s the least we could do to repay you for your help with all this,” Blair said, resting her hand on Flora’s forearm with a smile. “I’m just glad you could take the time out to relax with us for a while. I’m sure the bureau must be having a field day with our friend Morea.”

“If all the noise the Marth family is making is any sign, I’m sure they’re overwhelmed fielding calls from the entire family right now,” Brady said with a chuckle from further down the table. “Thankfully, it isn’t my problem anymore.”

“It isn’t? What do you mean?”

“They fired me,” Brady said with an amused smile. “I can’t say I blame them, but I also can’t say I’m not relieved. I don’t know how much longer I could’ve handled the work.” Instinctively, my eyes shot to his left arm, which was still covered. I hadn’t shared his condition with anyone, and never would, but I couldn’t help wondering if it had something to do with his relief. While the avalanche had recently brought to mind for the rest of us how precious time was, Brady was already well aware.

“I’m so sorry to hear that. What are you going to do now?”

“Retire,” Brady laughed. “I’m getting too old for this stuff, and my family would love to see more of me, anyway.”

My heart lurched at the mention of his family because I didn’t know he had one. I knew nothing about gargoyles, or what happened to someone when they turned into one, but I hoped for the sake of Brady and his family that it didn’t mean they’d lose him.

“Good for you,” Blair said. “I’m looking forward to that myself. Luckily for me, I have a young, capable witch who I hope will one day make that possible for me,” she said and winked at me.

“Assuming she doesn’t become a cop first,” Jadis quipped, and Flora’s gaze floated to me.

“A cop? I wouldn’t have guessed.”

“Neither would I, but apparently, Officer Aimes of the SVPD thinks I’d be a good fit,” I said, and Flora nodded slowly.

“Actually, the more I think about it, the more I can see it. I’ve seen first-hand that you have a few gifts that would make you an asset. Are you considering it?”

“Not really. I mean, I’ve got plenty to take care of around here, and I might have a wand, but Lilith help me if I know how to use it well.”

Flora chuckled. “Well, there’s still plenty of time to learn. I know a witch who’s an awful lot like you. She came to Moon Grove knowing nothing about magic and wanting nothing to do with it, but eventually she worked her way up to Head Witch. So, anything’s possible.”

“Ah, you must mean Zoe Clarke?” Blair asked, and Flora nodded.

“The one and only. She’s my best friend,” Flora said with a smile, looking at Jadis and me. “You two remind me a lot of us when we were your age. If you ever make it to Moon Grove, I’m sure Zoe would love to meet you. I bet the two of you would have a lot in common to talk about.”

“You know of her, Blair?”

Blair looked at me like I’d asked the silliest question. “Of course, I do! She’s a legend. But more than that, it’s important to know what’s going on with the leadership in other magical communities, so I try to stay on top of the news.”

Thorn squeezed my hand. “I’ve been to Moon Grove. It’s nice. Maybe you and I could take a trip there sometime. I mean, if you wanted to.”

“That would be nice,” I said, and the table fell silent as everyone dished up samplings of Emile’s exquisite vegetarian concoctions. There was something for everyone, from the green bean casserole to eggplant parmesan and everything in between. I helped myself to a healthy serving of the eggplant and made sure to douse it in Emile’s homemade sauce that’d simmered for days, and by the time I finished, I caught myself nodding off at the table while trying to listen to everyone’s conversations — and it was perfect.

Sometime later, after everyone’s stomachs were full, Thorn gently squeezed my shoulder, pulling me out of my sauce-induced slumber. “You’re nodding off. You okay?” he whispered.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I said. “Just tired, happy, and full.”

“Come on, I’ll take you to your room so you can get some rest.”

“You really don’t have to do that, Thorn—”

“Yes, I do,” he interrupted, “Unless you’d like to be wearing a marinara sauce mask,” he said, pointing down at the plate in front of me still swimming with sauce.

“Okay, fine, you’re probably right,” I sighed. The last thing I wanted was to embarrass myself in front of everyone when we were having such a good time. “But at least let me say goodbye first.”

“Sure,” Thorn said as I pushed back from the table, drawing everyone’s attention.

“I’m sorry to eat and run, everyone, but I’m falling asleep at the table so I’m gonna go take a nap.”

“No need to apologize, love. We all know how exciting this weekend has been for you,” Blair said with a smile.

“It was such a pleasure meeting and working with you, Selena,” Flora said. “I hope our paths cross again soon. Who knows? Maybe one day we’ll be colleagues.”

“Maybe, but I wouldn’t hold my breath,” I laughed.

“I dunno, Flora might be on to something,” Brady said.

“Okay, okay, I’ll keep it in mind.”

“I would certainly put in a good word for you, Selena,” Mayor Nash said. “I’ve sat through a lot of questionings, but I’ve never felt as on edge as I did sitting across from