Page 6 of A Silenced Midlife

"Smart." I nodded, impressed despite the situation. "Twice now, magic's been too public. The mayor thought Imogene moved those statues... But this? She wasn't near the school."

"Her powers might be more advanced," Melody said, watching me closely. “Or they could be growing?”

"Perhaps," I said, but inside, doubt gnawed at me. I knew the limits of Imogene's power, or thought I did. And this? This was beyond her reach. That school was miles away.

“Come on,” I said. “Let’s get the meeting going and find out if anything else weird has happened.”

The mantel clock ticked loudly, almost impatiently, as the last of the coven trickled into the living room. I scanned the group and was about to call the meeting to order when the front door burst open. Ben and Brandon stumbled in with faces flushed from more than just the summer heat.

"Sorry we're late," Ben leaned against the wall dramatically. "Had a situation at the B&B."

Melody stared at them wide-eyed. "What happened?"

"This big family was checking in," Brandon said. "And then... Well, it was like a scene out of Poltergeist. Furniture started floating around by itself."

"Chairs were swapping spots, the couch flipped over, and an end table..." Ben trailed off, shaking his head. "It started doing pirouettes in mid-air."

"Did you try stopping it?" Melody asked, her voice tinged with both curiosity and worry.

"Of course, but our spells bounced off like rubber balls." Ben grimaced. "We had to evacuate everyone. Made up some story about electromagnetic disturbances. The family left. Canceled their reservation and everything."

A collective murmur rippled through the room as everyone digested the news. This wasn't just an accidental spell gone awry; this was something else.

"Let's take a seat and figure this out." I motioned to the scattered chairs that Winston, the house, had neatly arranged in a semi-circle without being asked. He was great.

Once settled, the room hummed with theories and whispered concerns. It was clear there was a consensus: we were dealing with something entirely new.

"Everyone, please," Melody spoke above the chatter. "Keep an eye out for anything unusual. Report back immediately if you do. Now, going back to the incident at the festival. I believe I’ve found the spell we need." She pulled a worn, leather-bound grimoire from her bag. "It's designed to stop townsfolk from speaking about magic. The coven has done it before, it should be easy enough to manage again."

Scratching at the front door pulled my attention away from the coven's worried murmurs. I walked over and swung the door open. Snoozer ambled in first, his undead tail held high. Behind him, Poe and Lenore tumbled through the doorway, their kitten energy unstoppable. They’d been a constant source of amusement, playing, fighting, and zooming around the house. Lucy-Fur was last, something dark and shapeless clutched in her mouth.

"Lucy, what have you got there?" I demanded.

"Mrphm mrrph," Lucy attempted to respond, her words distorted by her catch.

"Drop it," I commanded and pointed to the ground. “Now.”

With an indignant glare, she complied, depositing the small item onto the doormat. Holy freaking crap. It was a tiny bat, its delicate wings folded against its body. I gasped, a reflexive sound of concern.

"Lucy, that's not a toy. Bats can carry diseases, you know that."

She just rolled her eyes at me. "Chill, Ava, it'll be okay," she replied with her typical nonchalance.

I wasn't so sure. Grabbing a towel from the kitchen, I gently wrapped the bat, which seemed to be sleeping, or knocked out, more likely. It needed a safe place for it, at least until I could figure out what to do with it.

In the hall closet, I found a shoe box. Shoes hit the floor with a thud as I emptied it, too focused on the task to care about the mess. Nestling the towel-wrapped bat inside, I made sure it was secure before closing the lid. Just a few air holes and the temporary shelter was ready.

I tiptoed past the kitchen, glancing at the gleaming countertops where Alfred often prepared feasts fit for a king or a Viking. The thought of him finding a bat where his sourdough should rise made me shudder. Not risking it, I carried my tiny, slumbering stowaway to the sanctuary of my office where I placed the box on my desk.

"Stay safe, little one," I muttered and shut the door with care. “I’ll check on you later.”

Back in the living room, Melody was holding court with her usual flair. "...and as the solstice approaches, we've got to make it one for the books. It's not just about the ceremony. It's about unity."

The coven murmured in agreement. They were a tapestry of nods and eager faces, ready to weave their magic into the coming event. I leaned against the door frame, listening, but not completely part of their circle.

"Come on, Ava," Melody called out, spotting me. "You'll join us this year, won't you? You could use some fun."

"Maybe," I said, a smile tugging at my lips despite my hesitation. "It does sound fun."

---