Page 34 of Seven Secret Spellcasters
“Most likely.” Trent hugged her, and they headed downstairs.
They’d almost made it to the gym door when she realized what he’d said. “Wait, ‘most likely’?”
“Just wanted to see if you were listening.” He put his hand on the door handle. “If you’re not ready, we can put it off.”
She shook her head. “No, that would mean I’d have to go through the last week all over again. I want the threat gone.”
He smiled as they walked down the stairs. “I told Mom and Dad that’s what you’d say. Steve’s trying to push the ceremony off. Something about you bothers him.”
“Maybe it’s because I see who he is now, not what a charming child he used to be?” Mia asked. She laughed at the look on Trent’s face. “Don’t even start. You all look at him like he’s the golden child, and really, he’s a bit of a jerk. Or at least he has been since he showed up here.”
They were at the first-floor landing now. Trent leaned over and whispered in her ear, “I forgot you were so insightful on behavior. I’ll tell him to cool it, as my almost-fiancée doesn’t like the persona.”
Mia wasn’t sure it was a persona with Steve. She thought maybe his true colors were showing up. When people left home, they tried on a lot of different faces to find the one that matched their heart. Steve’s heart was a little cold. Icy, in fact.
Three hard knocks on the front door made her jump. She looked at Trent. “Are we expecting someone else?”
“Everyone’s accounted for. Stay here and I’ll check it out.” He grabbed a baseball bat that he kept in the umbrella stand and slowly opened the door. His shoulders dropped, then he bent down to pick up a package. “Another gift from your adoring public.”
“Shut up,” Mia walked over and took the brown paper–wrapped box from him. She peeked outside, but there was no one there. Then she took the package over to a chair with a table and lamp nearby. She turned it over in her hands, then pushed out some magic to check the interior of the box for any potions or spells. Nothing. “There’s no address or writing at all. And it feels clean.”
“I can’t feel anything. And usually, I can.” Trent sat across from her and looked at his watch. “They’re waiting for us.”
“I know, but I feel like I should open it. Maybe it’s from the Goddess?” Mia met Trent’s gaze. “She sent you Cerby.”
“Maybe.” Trent lifted his head and listened. “No comments from the peanut gallery, or, as you like to call her, Gloria.”
Mia nodded. “She’s been quiet since the incident in the library. So, should I open it?” Mia waited for his nod, then carefully took off the outer brown wrapping. Inside, the box was wrapped again with silver and blue paper and a big bow. A card was slipped inside the ribbon. She held it up and read it. “ ‘Congratulations on your big night. I always knew you were special.’ ”
“No name? Is it from your mom?” Trent took the paper and folded it.
Mia shook her head. “My parents sent me money. Five thousand. I’m putting it into my travel fund for someday.”
She took a breath and unwrapped the paper. A carved wooden box sat on her lap. She warded the box, then opened it as well. A large opal, surrounded by what looked like diamonds set on a chain, was surrounded by blue velvet.
“Am I stupid in wanting to put this on?” She met Trent’s gaze.
“We have a bunch of people on the other side of the door, waiting for us. If it goes bad, you have backup.”
She smiled. “You’re not going to be the guy who tries to talk me out of jumping off the cliff, are you?”
“I’ll be the one jumping with you,” he responded. “Touch it. If there’s an issue, your grandmother’s protection stone should cover you.”
Mia reached out and felt a buzz, but it was positive and happy. No bad juju here. She lifted the necklace and put it on. It was made for the dress.
“Just another gift?” Mia handed Trent the wooden box. “Put that and the wrappings in the office, just in case.”
“Okay, then we’ve got to go. They’re going to come out and drag us inside if we don’t.” Trent came back from the office and pulled her up from the chair. “It looks beautiful on you.”
As they opened the door, Mia was transported into a magical woods scene. Jeani had been busy in the old school gym while Mia had been trying to figure out who killed Howard. Fairy lights twinkled in the trees, and a rock path led them to a large opening that Mia would have sworn was under a real nighttime sky. The only thing that made her realize they were still in the gym was the fact that it was warm. If they were outside, even with the small bonfire in the middle of the scene, she’d be freezing in this dress.
Her grandmother came and took her other arm. “Way to make a—” She paused, looking at the necklace. “Where did you get that?”
“It was left at the front door just now.” Mia reached up and touched the opal. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
“It looks familiar.” Grans shook her head and looked back at Mia. “And you look lovely. I’m so excited to be inviting you into my lineage tonight. When I pass on, my grimoire will find yours and meld into it. You will not only get my spells and knowledge, but you’ll get everything that was handed down to me from my mother, and her mother, and so on, all the way to the beginning of time, when we began to work to protect the earth and all those who reside upon this soil.”
She led Mia to a stone altar by the fire. A woman in silk stood there watching them approach. She looked familiar, but Mia didn’t think they’d ever been introduced. She smiled at her.
