Page 15 of Sweets and Sycamores
“I am. And if you know enough about Archivists, you know we prefer old magic to new magic,” she stated, raising her brows in question. Allie nodded, and Mia resumed her search. After flipping through dozens of books, she finally grabbed one out of thin air and handed it to Allie. “I think you can start with this one.”
Baking for Dummies.
How suitable.
“I’ll take it,” Allie agreed. “And…” How could she ask about a book to help with her power? It meant admitting that she didn’t have it under control. That she didn’t know enough about it.Would the people of Sycamore Falls feel threatened by her lack of control, as her coven sisters did?
“And?” Mia looked intently at her for a moment, her hazel eyes kind and patient. She must have felt Allie’s hesitation as a corner of her mouth lifted just a tad. “I’m very discreet. I promise.” Allie held her steady gaze and sent a quick wisp of Reading magic around the lovely shopkeeper, looking for any signs of malice or evil intent. She found none and felt that the Archivist’s magic was warm and soft, like velvet or honey. So far, her intuition and Readings hadn’t failed her, so Allie decided to trust Mia with this piece of herself.
“I need a book on Witchcraft.” Mia blinked slowly once, twice, and Allie knew she expected at least one other crucial detail. She exhaled through her nose and added, “Elemental Witchcraft.”
Mia nodded and repeated the hand wave motion, bringing forth several books from which to pick. She frowned and grimaced at them until she found one she deemed worthy for her client.
“Here you go,” she said and handed Allie the second book.
Insights into Elemental Witchcraft.
“Thank you.”
Both headed to the counter, where Mia packaged the books and pocketed the money casually, disregarding the register. She must be the business owner.
“Have a good night,” Allie said and headed to the door.
“Allie.” Mia’s voice came rushed. She stopped and turned to look Mia’s way. “If anyone here is giving you trouble, don’t read too much into it. There was an…incident,” she spent a moment picking the right word, “about a year ago, with a Witch who had been living here for a while. I’ll tell you about it another day, but I guess she is mostly the reason for all the wariness.” Mia gave her a soft smile, but there was no trace of pity in it.
“Are there any other Witches in Sycamore Falls?” Mia shook her head, lips pressed in a straight line. “Thank you for the heads up,” Allie said and exited the store.
A precedent was highly inconvenient, especially because she didn’t know what had happened, but based on how she’d been treated her first day, she knew it had been something bad. As long as that Witch wasn’t a clumsy one like her with no control over her power, Allie was ready to prove to the people here that she was better.
She crossed the street to the bakery and noticed the lights were on. The sign on the door read “Closed,” but as she approached the entrance, she saw Dominic sitting at one of the tables, hands clasped under his chin, brown hair let loose atop his shoulders.
“Good evening, Mr. Ranford,” she said as she entered the store. Her boss didn’t move an inch, except for his mossy green eyes that moved over her so swiftly she paused in the middle of the bakery. He took her and her shopping bags in before leaning back in his chair, pointing to the one opposite him.
“Have a seat, Alecsandra.”
Chapter 8
MEN DON’T MAKE FAMILIES WITH WITCHES
Allie sat down facing her boss and shoved the bags under the table, trying not to crowd Dominic, and ended up rustling the paper for a solid minute. When she was finally situated, she smiled at her boss, unsure of what to say or do.
“Tea?” he asked, pointing at the pot and cups on the table.
“Thank you.” She picked one of the cups, and Dominic poured the amber liquid into it, steam curling up and caressing her cheeks. “How was your night, Mr. Ranford?” she attempted. His eyes had been glued to her ever since she walked in, and it was a long moment before he shifted on the chair and leaned forward, clasping his hands on the table. He didn’t waste any time getting to the subject of this impromptu meeting.
“Brandon told me how you two met last night,” he started. “Why did you leave Pearls Fields?”
His question didn’t offend her or take her by surprise, but she took a sip of tea to gather her thoughts. The man had taken her in, so he deserved to know more about the woman living and working under his roof. Allie pondered weaving some white lies into her story but decided against it. She had nothing to hide, although she wasn’t thrilled to admit her biggest shortcoming out loud.
To her boss.
Who could fire her.
Allie’s heart pounded, and she wished the tea had a magical calming effect.
“Well?” he demanded.
“I was living with my coven in Pearls Fields, the Silverbarks. They sent me away for a few weeks so I could learn more about my magic.”
