Page 38 of Minions and Magic
“The flies say he’s a hundred yards out, but approaching.” Adrienne snagged another piece of brisket. “He’s alone.”
Alone. Bart hadn’t come with him. I had mixed feelings about that. I knew Stanley wanted him to lay low, but I’d really hoped that Bart would attend. Actually I hoped that Bart and Stanley would attend together. The fact that Stanley was coming to the barbeque by himself spoke to his courage, and his faith in us witches to protect him. I wasn’t about to let him down.
I left Adrienne picking bits of brisket off the smoker and headed to the entranceway where Dallas and Clinton stood. The two alphas, father and son, where chatting in an amicable tone that I’d never imagined would happen a month ago. Tink was off sitting with Alberta and Shelby as they ate, ensuring they both had her visible support as the alpha’s mate. But Stanley…
I hung near the entrance as the werewolf came from the forest. I was sure most in the room had smelled him arriving from a mile away given their shifter noses and the prevailing winds, but unlike with Alberta and Shelby, conversation did not halt when Stanley arrived—it continued as if he were invisible.
Dallas greeted him stiffly, shaking his hand and making the bare minimum of welcoming conversation. Clinton did the same. Stanley was tense and nervous as he moved past the alphas into the clearing. I intercepted him, guiding him toward the buffet line.
“Everything okay?”
He nodded. “So far. Ain’t seen anyone besides you come to welcome me.”
“Bart?” I looked around for the other werewolf.
Stanley bared his teeth. “I’m not gonna risk his status in the pack. Either I can stand on my own or I can’t.”
Okay then. I glanced over to where Shelby and Alberta and Tink were sitting and chatting, and debated the wisdom of placing Stanley there. I didn’t want to segregate the lone wolves, even though Tink seemed to be making it her mission to bring them into the fold. There wasn’t anyone else that I could sit Stanley next to other than Petunia, who was his boss at the auto repair, bait, and beer shop. What I really wanted was to begin to integrate him back into the wolf packs, though, and I didn’t see how that would be possible.
“Grab some food from the buffet and sit with Petunia or my sisters,” I told him, regretting that I couldn’t do more.
Stanley nodded and headed off, filling a plate and making his way through the tables. A few werewolves growled. Some put their feet out as if to trip him. Others scoffed, and I heard the word “traitor” bandied about. I held my breath, wondering what the heck I’d do if someone tried to attack the werewolf.
That was Cassie’s job. And Bronwyn’s. My witch siblings who could do more than make nasty tasting potions that healed people. All I could do was watch and hope for the best.
Stanley sat down with Petunia and his crew, and I turned my attention back to the buffet. There was a hectic few hours of refilling meat and the other chafing dishes as everyone ate. A group of werewolves took the stage with instruments to start some folk tunes, and several couples got up to dance. Dallas and Clinton had moved from the entrance to get their own plates of food, and I was happy to see the pair sit down next to each other and enjoy some friendly conversation as they ate. Once again the tension between my shoulders relaxed and I hoped that this would be the event that solidified peace between the werewolf packs, and provided a link between them and the other supernatural creatures in town including the lone wolves.
Finally the moment came and Dallas, Tink, and Clinton rose to announce the contest. There were lengthy speeches on both side about packs, loyalty, and solidarity, then they joked about their prowess in deciding the best brisket at the barbeque. I looked across the clearing, and for the first time in hours saw Xavier smiling with a smug expression as he held a platter of meat in front of him.
I pulled mine from the smoker and sliced it as I watched the demon present his brisket. Dallas, Clinton, and Tink all took a substantial helping, making approving noises as they ate.
It would really suck to lose out to Xavier on a matter of cooking. The nervousness I’d felt over him dragging me off to hell or taking my soul as his reward had vanished, and now I only pondered what a sting to my pride a loss would be. My cooking had always been the best ever since I’d been a child. To have someone else’s food judged superior would truly wound.
But maybe there was room in the world, and in Accident, for two amazing chefs. Xavier might beat me out on brisket, but I knew I still held the crown when it came to baked goods. Perhaps sharing the honor of best chef would be a good thing. I could feature some of his dishes in my catering jobs. He might eventually become a partner in my business with specialties of his own. And how nice would it be to relax for once and let someone else cook for me?
I swirled my special cognac sauce on the bottom of a platter, layered my brisket slices on top, then sprinkled on some fresh cracked peppercorn. With a quick wipe to make sure the serving dish was pristine, I made my way over to where the alphas sat.
“Gonna be hard to beat this one, Glenda.” Clinton stabbed another slice from Xavier’s nearly empty tray and shoved it in his mouth.
“Thinking we need to make him an honorary werewolf,” Dallas said as I moved Xavier’s tray to the side and put my platter in front of the three werewolves.
They all seemed happy, joking with each other and sitting together like this. The barbeque had been a success. Everywhere werewolves were mingling with other townsfolk, and the two packs were slowly starting to socialize with each other, migrating into mixed groups. This was what my sisters and I wanted—two packs living in harmony with the rest of the town. No more werewolf isolation. No more violence in the mountains between the two groups. Yes, they’d probably always live apart from the rest of Accident, but we’d all benefit if the us-versus-them mentality vanished.
“I’d love to be an honorary werewolf,” Xavier replied to Dallas. “All it will cost you is your soul.”
“I don’t think that’s what he meant.” I playfully swatted Xavier on the shoulder. “And souls inside the wards are off limits, demon. Make your deals outside of Accident.”
This was fun. This was amazingly fun. All of us here joking and enjoying the food and the friendship. And Xavier by my side, my…friend. More than a friend.
“Changing the rules are we?” The crossroads demon wiggled his eyebrows at me. “I’ll honor this new mandate, but rules put in place after a bet is made don’t apply. If I win this contest, I get anything I want. There were no limitations at the time of our bargain.”
I saw Cassie’s aura flare bright white, saw the determination in her face. She’d be there to help me if I needed it, but I didn’t need her help.
Trust.We’d never have anything together if I couldn’t trust him.
I rolled my eyes. “Like you’d want my soul. Two hours and you’d be begging me to take it back.”
He chuckled. “You’re probably right. But quit stalling. Serve your meat and get ready for defeat.”
