“You’d be surprised by the number of vampires who contribute to organizations that make life easier for the living.” Rowan shrugged. “As far as the rest of the men attracted to you, well, as you know, wishcraft rituals aren’t easily undone. You’ll have to cope with the aftermath.”
I nodded, thinking about what she had said. No doubt that Val Slater was a sleaze, but apparently, he was also someone who at least nominally cared about his community. Even if he only contributed to puff up his reputation, sometimes the ends did justify the means.
“Val said that I owe him. That makes me nervous,” I said. “But given all he has already done, what with Stellarview, I suppose I do owe him a favor.”
“Don’t let him push you into anything that makes you uncomfortable,” Rowan said. “He may not be the big bad wolf, but he will press for every advantage. He just likes to win.”
With that in mind, I let out a sigh and leaned back in my seat. “Now to just figure out what the hell to do about the Spit & Whistle.” I glanced up at the ceiling and lowered my voice. “I’m going to have to talk to Clarence van Nostram, I think.”
“That’s going to be difficult,” Rowan said. “While I was able to get hold of him by phone, he’s not going to want to make many appearances in public.”
Teran glanced at her. “Did he really leave the Covenant of Chaos?”
“Yeah, he did. And I think he’s living in fear, now. Once you leave organizations like that…”
“You put your life on the line,” Teran finished. “I know. Clarence was an arrogant asshole when the historical society forced him to repair the building, and from what you say, January, he only did so superficially. We could go in and require the current owner to return it to the original state, but take him to court for the costs.”
“I don’t think Louise would have a problem with restoring it to the original state, but right now, it’s too dangerous. I need a good medium, and probably an exorcist.”
“You’re the medium,” Rowan said.
Teran gave her a quick look, and I thought she was going to say something, but then she closed her lips and remained silent.
“Me? I’ve never talked to the dead. Well, except for Esmara.” Somehow, in my head, even though the Ladies were all dead, that didn’t count as talking to spirits.
“You’re a natural-born medium. Your aunt knows it, I can see it. You just haven’t ever really paid attention. Or maybe…” Rowan paused. “Maybe you’ve shied away from it out of fear. Tell me, have you ever been to a funeral?” She quickly amended that. “Besides your parents’ ceremonies?”
“Only a couple, in Seattle. Ellison knew a lot of older business-types. Two of them died and we were required to attend. Or rather, Ellison pushed it. He said it wouldn’t look right if I didn’t go with him, even though I didn’t even know either man.”
“Did you notice anything unusual when you went?”
I frowned, then nodded. “Actually, yes. When I think back on it, both times there were men there who seemed agitated. Well, a man. One at each—oh,” I said, suddenly understanding. “So that’s why nobody else paid any attention to their attention-seeking antics.”
One of the men had stood behind the minister and waved at the audience. I hadn’t said anything because the minister hadn’t seemed bothered by it and I thought perhaps it was part of the funerary rites. The second funeral, another man had frantically been talking to the widow, but she had stalwartly ignored him till finally, looking dejected, he had stalked out of the room, shoulders slumping and staring at the floor.
“The men I saw were dead?” I asked, explaining what had happened.
“Right,” Teran said. “I wish your magic hadn’t manifested in this manner, but I think Rowan’s correct. I don’t think you would have found the job with Conjure Ink if you hadn’t been meant to, and I think that means you really need to develop your abilities in mediumship.”
I stared at both of them, thinking about the ramifications. Being a medium wasn’t an easy job. It basically meant reaching out to spirits and helping them when I could, and it also meant that the more I worked on developing my abilities, the more I’d probably encounter the dead—and that was hardly my idea of fun. I preferred to spend my time among the living. But I also knew Rowan was right. When she said it, an alarm went off.
“Crap,” I said. “I really don’t want my life to take this direction, but there’s not much I can do about it. All right, suppose I am meant to be a medium? What do I do next?”
“You work with your crystal ball, your tarot cards, your runes, you go hang out in graveyards—not alone, take Ari with you—and start opening yourself up to seeing the spirit world around you. We’re constantly surrounded by spirits, but even those who are psychic only see a fraction of the spirit world. It’s a rich and varied tapestry among the threads that make up this universe, and you’d better learn how to navigate it before your powers open on their own and knock you for a loop.” Rowan turned to Teran. “January needs a guide. You work more with herbal magic, don’t you?”
Teran nodded. “I’m a kitchen witch. You remember that Althea was the one who inherited the type of magic we’re talking about. But she’s gone, and Esmara can only go so far in helping. What kind of magic does Ari use?” she asked, turning to me.
I blinked, trying to think back. Ari had always had a knack for manifesting things. “I think…earth-oriented magic? She can manifest—she’s always able to conjure up stuff. I mean, if she needs money, she’ll cast a spell and within hours, something shifts and the cash flows in.”
Witches—and witchblood families—had specializations. Not all magic was snap-your-fingers quick or noticeable. That said, some witches could instantly produce results. All they’d have to do would be to whisper an incantation and boom, flames would shoot up, or the earth would shift, or a vortex would appear. Those witches were few and far between, but they did exist and they tended to keep to themselves.
“You’ve never been tested? Your parents should have had you tested,” Rowan said.
I shook my head. “I left home when I was barely eighteen, and that’s when most testing starts. I left for college early. I figured I’d take the tests when I returned home, but…”
“But it never happened,” Teran said. “I warned your mother to get it done, but she wanted to let you decide when and where to be assessed.”
“Is it too late?” I asked. “I know most witches are eighteen when they go to the Aseer, but is there anything that says it’s too late for me to find out?”
Rowan shook her head. “No, and I think that would be a good idea. I tell you what, I’m friends with the Aseer here in Moonshadow Bay, so I’ll give her a call. And I’ll give Clarence a call and then let you know what they both say. Meanwhile, keep the owner of the Spit & Whistle from making any rash decisions.” She stood. “I’ll be in touch with you later today.”
As she headed for the door, I followed behind her. “Are you sure you’re good to go? This weather’s terrible.”