Page 24 of Hexes and Hiccups
The Cozy Cup was, luckily, only a few doors down from Fields’ Herbals,giving them a few minutes to spare. The cafe was rather busy when they entered, most of the tables already full and a few people in line at the counter. In the back corner, sitting by himself at a round table, was Malric. The young man looked the same as always: dressed in all black with his shaggy hair falling across one side of his face. He loomed over a steaming cup of coffee with an exhausted expression, a few books sitting beside him. When they entered, he’d given them a small glance, his lips pressing together in an awkward smile.
Tessa and Daisy went to the counter after the line dwindled down, ordering a pair of caramel lattes before heading to the table. Tessa’s abilities coaxed through the air around them, giving Daisy a much needed burst of calming energy. The anger and impatience from the store still clung to Daisy’s aura, giving her more anxiety about talking to Malric than was really needed. They knew he was a good boy after their previous encounters, regarding the curse being placed over Willowbrook. While he was an easy suspect to lean towards, due to his previousendeavors to be a rowdy but dangerously powerful teen, Daisy could hardly believe him to be the culprit.
If there was one person in Willowbrook who understood the damage a few rumors could do to someone, it was Malric.
As they took their respective seats across from him, Malric leaned back against his seat, putting more space between him and them. Tessa eyed Daisy sideways before settling, her magic spreading through the room. Malric’s energy was quite obvious and practically tangible. He was one of the strongest magic users of his age, and his power radiated off him more than he ever meant it to. Whether he knew it or not, the atmosphere around him was almost suffocating, his tension and moodiness almost impossible to ignore. But, due to his great ability, Tessa’s growing empath magic merely bounced off him.
The only reason for him to be so upset had to have been the writing on the wall in Fern’s house. Judging by the way the rest of the patrons within The Cozy Cup were eyeing him, most of the town already knew about it. Rumors spread like wildfire, and Malric was obviously aware of it. She was surprised for a moment that he agreed to meet them, but Daisy knew he was turning over a new leaf. Perhaps he wanted to make sure his name had been cleared, since Daisy and Tessa were known Coven Inquisitors.
Daisy cleared her throat. “Thanks for meeting with us, Malric,” she finally said. “I-I’ve heard you’ve been at a trade school. For plumbing, wasn’t it?”
His shoulders raised. “Yep.”
“I’m sure it’s nice to be busy again.”
Malric shrugged heavily and rested his hand over the textbooks beside him. “It’s fine.”
“Have you enjoyed it so far?” Tessa asked as she sipped her coffee. “Trade schools seem to be one of the best options thesedays. Teaches a lot and practically gives you a job the moment you get your certificate of completion. Good for you.”
Malric was quiet for a moment, his dark eyes holding onto Tessa. The corner of his lip twitched. “I enjoy it,” he mumbled, flexing his hands. “It occupies me. Better for…for the town, I think. It comes easily to me.”
“I think that’s –”
Malric scoffed suddenly, his head turned to face the window to his left. He crossed his arms over his chest, looking rather annoyed all of a sudden. “Not like the rest of the town agrees,” he muttered. “I don’t even need to look to know they’re all staring at me.”
Daisy pressed her lips together as she glanced around the cafe. Sure enough, the patrons eyed him every once and a while, noticing how he was raising his voice. Daisy frowned, suddenly feeling rather disappointed in the town she held so dearly.
“No matter what I do,” he snapped, “they’ll always think I’m the problem.”
It was so easy for him to blow a fuse, Daisy realized. Perhaps he did not have many friendly people to talk to, or close friends he could trust enough to turn towards. She wanted to reach for him, to give him a hug and offer that reassurance he obviously needed.
“They’re set in their ways,” Daisy said. “But they don’t matter, Malric. How you live your life is up to you, and –”
“Don’t say that as if you’re on my side.”
Tessa leaned forward next. “Now, hold on, Malric. Daisy has always stood up for you! No matter what, she is the first to say that you’ve changed, the first to reassure the Council!”
“Then answer me this,” Malric spouted. “Why’d you arrange this meeting with me? Just to check in? To offer that assurance you’re insisting has already been given to me?”
Daisy rested her hand on Tessa’s shoulder, her lips pressed together thoughtfully. “You’re right, Malric.” She leaned towards him. “We did come here to ask about the message in Fern Harper’s house.”
He glared and looked away, his foot tapping impatiently against the floor.
“But that doesn’t mean we’ve decided you’re guilty,” Daisy continued. “It’s the opposite, really. The Council takes what they see and runs with it. I know you’re innocent. But we’re looking into this ordeal, and if you don’t mind us asking questions, we’ll be out of your hair in no time.”
Malric settled against his chair, finally looking back at them, a calmer air about him. He glanced between Daisy and Tessa. “You…don’t think I did it?”
“Did you?”
He shook his head. “No! I couldn’t care less about rumors. I mean,” he huffed, almost humorously, “look at me. The entire town loves gossiping about me. If I cared about every little rumor, I’d be a total mess.”
Daisy sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“What for?”
“If there’s anything I’ve learned over the past few days,” Daisy said, “it’s that rumors and gossip are some of the most dangerous things a person can wield.”
Malric took a drink from his coffee. “What were your questions?”
