“I’m surprised Sheryl managed to stumble into it. When I think of how close she came to being swallowed up…”
“I’m not. She’s earth-focused in her magic, and I think the town drew her here for a reason. I think—once she heals up—she’s going to end up working with the Court Magika on occasion. Meanwhile, since she remembers what part of the forest she was in when she disappeared, they’re cordoning off that area for now. It’s difficult, given the Mystic Wood has a life of its own, but we’re doing the best we can.”
“You know, those oils are actually pretty good,” I said. “I didn’t feel any magic off of them when I was first examining them, but turns out they pack a belated punch. But are they safe, given a shadow person made them?”
Rowan shook her head. “Toss them. We don’t know if there are any dangers associated with them, but it doesn’t hurt to make sure. We’re putting out a recall notice to anyone who bought them and refunding their money for return of the oils.”
As Tarvish and Rowan moved off to talk to others, I joined my aunt Teran out on the back porch. She was bundled up in a warm cardigan and I draped a shawl over my shoulders. The snow was still falling, and it was absolutely lovely, drifting down to cover the backyard.
Teran glanced over at me. “I know it won’t stay, but I kind of wish it could. There’s something gentle about the snow, about the starkness of winter. It’s soft on the eyes and ears. Snow muffles the wounds of the world.”
I nodded. “I know what you mean. I wish it could stay, too.”
“If you come over next Saturday, I’ll teach you how to make apple butter. And we can work on some herbal magic—medicinal stuff. I think it would be a good idea if you learn some healing magic, and since you are earth magic–based, herbs would be the best way to go about it.”
I nodded. “I’d like that.” I stared out across the backyard, shaking my head. “Life has changed so much since my parents died last year. That started everything. If they hadn’t died, I don’t know if I would have come back when I left Ellison. I might have stayed in Seattle. I don’t know,” I said, shaking my head.
“And you probably never will. Life doesn’t work like that. So, do you enjoy your job?” My aunt looked at me, and I could tell she was truly waiting for an answer.
“Yes, I do. I’m looking forward to getting back to work next week. This so-called vacation has been harder than most weeks I put in at Conjure Ink.”
At that moment, Killian popped his head out the door. “Here, I got the ribs from my house.” He handed me two slabs of barbecued ribs, his specialty, on a tray. I thanked him and took the tray, cautiously descending the steps. The stairs were covered with snow, and they were slick. I was wearing a pair of ballet flats, and my feet instantly froze as I sank into the scant half-inch of snow that blanketed the yard. But I pushed onward, hurrying to the edge of the wood.
The Mystic Wood rose high around me, looming dark and ominous under the snow, and yet it was beautiful and bewitching. I paused at the trailhead, then whistled twice.
“Rebecca? Are you around?”
A few moments later, the imp darted out from the forest, her golden hair shimmering under the falling snow. “Yes?”
“I brought you a gift.” I sat down the tray, and then backed away. She eyed the ribs suspiciously, then glanced up at me.
“Why?”
“Because in our society, today’s called Thanksgiving. It’s a yearly tradition to break bread with friends and share food. It’s a day of giving back to others.” I paused, unsure as to my motives. But then, I found myself saying, “You’re the closest thing I have to a neighbor other than Killian. And you watch over this part of the forest. I thought I would just share some of my bounty with you.”
She stared at me for what felt like an eternity, then slowly bent and picked up the tray. She glanced up at me and for the first time, her gaze was devoid of the sly glint she always had. “Thank you. I don’t have a gift for you.”
“Just keep watch and let me know if anything goes awry. Enjoy your dinner,” I said.
As I hurried back to the house, which was filled with love and care and friends and family, I realized just how lucky I was.
If I vanished, there would be search parties out there hunting for me. If a shadow person latched onto me, my grandmother and friends would immediately notice and do what they could to save me. Maybe I wasn’t as rich as some people were, but I had a home and friends and family that I loved. I had a boyfriend who adored me, and he was becoming more important to me every single day. I loved my job and I was good at it. And while I had my share of troubles, I could navigate most of them, and those I couldn’t, I could ask for help and usually find it.
Killian escorted Teran and me back into the house, where Tarvish was playing with the kittens, and the game was blaring on the television. I took a deep breath, looking around. It was Thanksgiving, the tree was lit and beautiful, and the holidays were coming up.
I had everything I could ask for.