She laughs happily, thinking that I’m joking. “When are the lessons?”
“Weekdays, early mornings.”
We talk for several minutes more about the skate school and it’s only when she says, “Well, good luck with the championship,” preparing to walk away that I lose my grip on the posters and the whole pile goes up in the air around us.
We both drop to the ground, collecting the posters. “Off the ice, I’m a little bit clumsy,” I explain, my cheeks burning from embarrassment.
“I’m sure you aren’t that bad. I’ve just come back into town from California and I don’t know my sister-in-law that well yet, but I’m sure when it comes to clumsy, Magnolia could win a championship. So don’t beat yourself up, we all have a mishap every now and then,”
Once all the posters have been gathered up, except for five that unfortunately landed in a puddle which had to go in the bin, Iclyn hands her pile over to me.
“Thank you.”
She waves off my appreciation. “You just win that championship, alright?”
“That’s the plan.”
Then she’s walking away and I return to my task.
Masters of Mischief & Trickery
I t’s just beginning to get dark out when I pop into Highway to Spells to ask if I can put a poster up in their window. The potion shop has apothecary jars and bottles along the back wall. There are shelves filled with scented candles and gemstones and all sorts of magical goodies.
I can practically smell the magic in the air, with hints of sage and amethyst.
It’s surprisingly cosy in here with the fireplace lit and it doesn’t look like I’m the only one to think so. Willow, the owner of the shop is sitting in one of the cream colored chairs flanking the hearth, her legs tucked beneath herself on the seat, talking to a woman I don’t recognise. It’s hardly surprising that I don’t recognise her though. As much as I might think I know everything there is to know about this godawful town and its inhabitants, the truth is that a lot has changed since I last lived here.
The two women turn when they hear the door close behind me and Willow begins to get out of her seat. I immediately feel guilty for disturbing her break.
“Oh, don’t move. I won’t keep you from your hot cocoa,” I say, pointedly looking at the mug in her hand. There’s a massive dollop of cream on the top that is leaning to one side so much that I’m sure any moment, it’s going to fall down the side of her mug and all over her. “I just wanted to see if I can put up a cheeky poster for the Skate School in your window.”
“Of course,” Willow quickly agrees. “Actually, Ember let me introduce you. This is my friend, Kari. She’s just arrived in town today. Kari, Ember is pretty new to these parts too.”
“Hello!” I give Kari a little wave which probably just makes me look like a weirdo brandishing posters at her with my fiery hair standing at all angles because of the harsh wind I’ve just escaped outside.
“Hi. You have a skate school?” Kari asks politely.
“Our first class is on Monday.” I can’t hide my excitement, and my skin begins to tingle with heat as it often does when my control is slightly laxed.
“Oh, Kari you should pop along sometime.” Willow gives her friend a playful smile. “I’ve been telling Kari all about the weird things that happen here in Silver Springs. I don’t think she really believes me.”
“It’s no joke! Just the other day, I saw a fox on the ice rink.” I don’t bother to tell the two women that I was the fox in question.
I make quick work of hanging the poster in the window and then eye the door cautiously.
“It’s cold out, isn’t it?” Kari asks, her gaze on my clothes. Yup, I’m fully aware that I’m not dressed for the season.
“I’m not sure to be honest. I don’t really feel the cold. Wind and snow though? I’m not the biggest fan of those.”
“It’s not snowing?” Willow’s eyes widen in horror.
“Just started.” I nod my head with a groan. “Wish me luck. I’m going to need it.”
The two women wave me goodbye, their expressions making it clear that they’re both grateful that they can stay by the warmth of the fire.
“Good luck,” they say in unison as I pull open the door and step outside.
The snow is coming down heavily so I decide to call it a day. I’ve put up posters in most of the shops around town and we’ve already had plenty of interest in the skate school so there’s little point in me trying to battle with the weather.
As I walk down the street, for the first time I regret wearing a skirt. The cold might not bother me but the wet certainly does. The wind swirls the snow around in the air around me and my face burns but for once it’s not because of my fire magic.
Turning the corner, I stop abruptly when I notice someone walking towards me. She’s quite far away yet and the snow makes it difficult to confirm my suspicions. Because the woman walking this way looks just like Addie Ravenwood, the three-time figure skating world champion and my nemesis.
I know grown-ups aren’t supposed to have nemeses. We’re supposed to be beyond such things, capable of healthy competition. But when it comes to Wart Face Ravenwood, I’m not a grown up. Hell, in Kitsune years I’m practically a baby. But what’s her excuse?
Not really sure what else to do, I morph into the first human form I can think of. Miraculously, I don’t impersonate the woman in front of me. I’ve been known to do that before. Turns out humans and supes alike don’t particularly take well to seeing themselves walking down the street.
With a glance at my reflection in the window of one of the cars that line the street, I see Kari’s face looking back at me.
Wart Face is still walking in my direction—yes, I’m fully aware that it isn’t very mature of me to call her Wart Face—and I try to act normally. Taking on the form of another being comes easily enough to Kitsunes, what doesn’t come so naturally is acting like them. According to my father, like most of a Kitsune’s magical abilities, our talent for impersonation improves with age.
I’m so distracted by Ravenwood’s appearance that I manage to walk face first into the bus stop shelter. Lumi—the owner of the yoga studio up the road that I’ve been meaning to check out—is sitting within the shelter and laughs loudly before covering her mouth in shock at her own actions. Getting to her feet, she approaches me, her face now full of concern.
“Are you okay?”
Rubbing my nose—Kari’s nose—I look over her shoulder to where Wart Face is now looking through one of the shop windows. Why the hell is she here? The competition is ages away. None of the other contestants have arrived so early.
“Sorry. What were you saying?” I ask, realising Lumi is still waiting for a response.
“I was just checking if you were okay.”
“Oh. Yes. Perfectly fine. Thank you.”
She doesn’t look like she believes me and that might have something to do with the way I’m holding my breath.
“I don’t think we’ve met before,” she says, just as Addie Ravenwood turns and looks our way. Our eyes meet and for just a second, I fear that she recognises me but then she passes us and carries on down the street. Did I forget to hide my tail again?