1. Chapter 1

1

Chapter 1

Mia

I push open the door to the Jumping Bean, inhaling deeply as the rich aroma of coffee envelops me. The familiar warmth of the café wraps around me like a comforting blanket, easing the tension from my shoulders. A few regulars look up and nod in greeting, their smiles genuine.

"Morning, Mia," calls out Kyle from behind the counter. I return his wave with a soft smile.

As I make my way through the shop, I notice a precariously balanced stack of books on a nearby table. With the slightest twitch of my fingers, I steady them, preventing what would have been a noisy crash. It's second nature now, these little acts of magic woven seamlessly into everyday life.

A flash of withered brown catches my eye – a once-vibrant sunflower drooping sadly in its vase. I pause, letting my fingertips brush lightly across its petals. A whisper of power flows through me, and I watch with satisfaction as color blooms outward from my touch, golden yellow chasing away the decay.

I scan the room, my eyes settling on our usual corner near the window. There they are – my sisters, already deep in conversation. Kara's hands are moving animatedly as she speaks while Rowan listens with her typical mix of amusement and skepticism.

As I approach, I can't help but smile. No matter what challenges we face, these moments – just us together – always feel like coming home.

I slide into my seat, warmth spreading through my chest as I take in my sisters' familiar faces. Rowan's glasses are slightly askew, and Kara's eyes sparkle with mischief. We exchange quick hugs before settling in with our drinks.

"You would not believe the morning I've had," Rowan groans, pushing her tortoiseshell frames back up her nose. "I tried that new protection spell from Gran's grimoire, and let's just say my bedroom now smells like a swamp."

I can't help but chuckle. "Oh, Ro. What did you do this time?"

She throws her hands up dramatically. "I followed the instructions perfectly! Well, mostly. I may have improvised on the herbs a little."

Kara rolls her eyes, but there's fondness in her voice. "Rowan, you know better than to mess with Gran's recipes."

"I'll get it right next time," Rowan insists. She eyes her coffee critically. "Speaking of which, watch this."

With a flick of her wrist and a muttered incantation, Rowan attempts to sweeten her drink. Suddenly, the mug overflows with a mountain of whipped cream, spilling onto the table.

"Oops," Rowan mumbles, her cheeks flushing.

I lean in, whispering a quick spell under my breath. The excess cream vanishes, leaving Rowan's coffee perfectly topped.

"Show-off," she grumbles, but there's a grateful smile tugging at her lips.

I take a sip of my own herbal blend, savoring the warmth. "So," I begin, steering us back to more practical matters, "have we made any progress on Mom and Dad's anniversary party plans?"

"I've made some notes," says Kara, who's always been the organized one. "But maybe you have some ideas, too?" She glances at me over the rim of her cup.

I lean forward, excitement bubbling up inside me. "I was thinking we could enchant the garden to bloom with flowers that glow under the moonlight. It would be so romantic."

Kara's eyes light up. "Ooh, and maybe we could create magical fireworks that form constellations that are important to Mom and Dad!"

She glances around quickly, making sure no one's watching, then cups her hand. A tiny, shimmering orb of light appears above her palm, casting a soft glow on her face. "Something like this, but on a much grander scale."

I nod enthusiastically. "That's perfect, Kara. Speaking of which, how did that corporate event go last week? The one with the fire dancers?"

Kara grins, extinguishing the light with a subtle flick of her wrist. "It was incredible. Dad's pyrotechnics were flawless, as always. And Mom's weather manipulation kept the rain away all night. I helped with some of the ambient lighting effects."

"You guys are really taking the business to new heights," I say, feeling a swell of pride. Our parents' specialized events management company has gone from strength to strength – with the help of a little magic, of course.

Rowan shifts uncomfortably in her seat. "I don't know…maybe we should keep the magic subtle for the anniversary. We don't want anything to go wrong."

I furrow my brow, confusion creeping in. "What do you mean, ‘go wrong'? It's a magical family celebrating a magical occasion. We should go all out!"

Rowan's shoulders hunch defensively. "You know my magic has always been…unpredictable. What if I mess something up and ruin their party?"

I feel a flash of impatience. "Oh, come on, Ro. You just need to practice more. You can't keep holding back because you're afraid of a few mistakes."

Rowan's face flushes, her voice rising slightly. "Easy for you to say! Your magic always works perfectly. You don't know what it's like to constantly worry about spells backfiring!"

Her words trigger a surge of frustration, and I snap back without thinking. "Maybe if you stopped doubting yourself all the time, you'd actually improve. You need to push yourself. And it would help if you'd actually stick to the spells when you use them."

Kara jumps in, her tone placating. "Hey, let's take a breath, okay? We're all just trying to make this special for Mom and Dad."

An uncomfortable silence falls over our table. I take a sip of my latte, internally wincing at my harsh words. Across from me, Rowan fidgets with her glasses, looking hurt and withdrawn. The cheerful buzz of the café suddenly feels oppressive, highlighting the tension between us.

I watch as Rowan traces the rim of her mug with her finger, pointedly avoiding eye contact. Guilt gnaws at me. I know how sensitive she is about her magical struggles, and I've just thrown them in her face. But part of me still believes she needs to push herself more. How else will she improve?

Kara glances between us, clearly uncomfortable. She opens her mouth as if to speak, then seems to think better of it. The silence stretches on, heavy with unspoken words and hurt feelings.

I take a deep breath, guilt gnawing at me.

Great job, Mia. Way to be supportive.

I'll have to make this up to her later.

Softening my tone, I reach out to touch Rowan's hand. "Look, Ro, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. How about we work on some simple enchantments together? Nothing too flashy, just enough to add a magical touch?"

Rowan's shoulders relax slightly, though her expression remains guarded. "Yeah…maybe that could work. As long as you promise to have a backup plan in case I turn the cake into a frog or something."

I can't help but smile at that. It's so typically Rowan – self-deprecating humor to deflect her insecurities.

Kara jumps in, her voice cheerful. "I'll handle the guest list and logistics. That way, we've got all bases covered."

As the tension eases, I find myself falling into old habits. With a subtle flick of my wrist, I levitate a spoon to stir my tea. The motion is smooth, unnoticed by the non-magical patrons around us. I pluck a sugar cube from the bowl, infusing it with a hint of vanilla before dropping it into Rowan's cup. Her eyes widen slightly as she takes a sip, savoring the enhanced flavor.

A cool breeze wafts through the open window, carrying with it the crisp scent of autumn. Without thinking, I adjust it to a gentle warmth, making the space more comfortable.

Kara raises an eyebrow. "Show-off," she mutters, but there's no malice in her tone.

I lean in, excitement bubbling up as ideas start to flow. "I found an old spell in Gran's grimoire that could make the garden dance. Imagine roses waltzing to their favorite song."

Rowan's eyes light up, a genuine grin spreading across her face. "And maybe this time, I'll manage to enchant something without it turning into a squirrel."

Kara snorts into her coffee. "Yeah, Poppy wouldn't like that much. She's the most possessive familiar I've ever met."

I roll my eyes dramatically. "And sassy, too. Remember when she called my protection ward ‘about as effective as a paper umbrella in a hurricane'?"

As we delve deeper into party plans, I feel a surge of excitement. It's been too long since we've all come together like this, focused on something joyful rather than the constant threats lurking in the shadows. I can't remember a time when we weren't anticipating a vampire attack.

"Oh!" Kara exclaims, her eyes lighting up. "What if we enchant the champagne glasses to refill themselves?"

Rowan snorts. "Great idea. Let's get the whole family sloshed. I'm sure that won't end in disaster."

I'm about to chime in with my own suggestion when a sudden chill races down my spine. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and I have the distinct sensation of being watched. My laughter dies in my throat as I scan the café, trying to pinpoint the source of my unease.

My eyes are drawn to the window, where I catch a glimpse of a dark shape moving swiftly past. It's there and gone in an instant, leaving me wondering if I imagined it.

"Mia?" Kara's voice breaks through my thoughts. "You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I force a smile, shaking my head to clear it. "Sorry, just thought I saw something outside. It's nothing."

Get a grip, Mia. You're letting your paranoia get the best of you.

I take a deep breath, willing myself to relax. It's probably just stress from the upcoming party and all our other responsibilities. I've been working too hard lately, that's all.

As I turn my attention back to my sisters, my gaze sweeps across the counter. Kyle, our usually chatty barista, stands rigidly behind the espresso machine. His eyes are fixed on our table with an intensity that makes me uneasy. When he notices me looking, he quickly averts his gaze, busying himself with wiping down an already spotless surface.

That's…odd.

But before I can dwell on it further, Kara's voice pulls me back to the conversation.

"Hey, Mia," she says, waving a hand in front of my face. "You still with us?"

I push my lingering doubts aside, focusing on my sisters' faces. "Sorry, just got lost in thought for a second. Now, where were we with those self-refilling champagne glasses?"

"I'm still not sure about that." Rowan grimaces. "Remember how Gran ended up dancing on the table at that last coven meeting?"

Kara gives a snort that almost sends tea out of her nose. "Oh, God! I had to get her home that night. And she sang with her head out the window the whole way."

"You'd never think she was a coven elder," Rowan mumbles.

"Oh, go on, Gran's allowed to let her hair down from time to time." Kara grins back.

I lean back in my chair, savoring the last sip of my tea. The warmth of our shared laughter lingers, but I can't shake the nagging feeling that something's off. Rowan's fidgeting again, removing her eyeglasses and polishing the lenses, which I'm pretty sure are clean.

"Hey, Ro," I say softly, worrying that she's still mulling over our little confrontation. "Something on your mind?"

She hesitates, biting her lower lip. "Have you two felt anything…odd lately? Like a strange energy around town?"

Kara pulls a face. "Probably just the upcoming full moon stirring things up."

I turn back to Rowan. "What kind of energy, exactly?"

Rowan shrugs, her gaze darting around the café. "It's hard to explain. Just…unsettling. Like something's out of balance."

I nod slowly, considering her words. "It's important to stay vigilant. I'll talk to Gran about reinforcing the wards."

Kara sighs. "You two are such worry warts. But I suppose a little extra protection never hurts."

"Speaking of Gran…again," I say, struck by an idea. "Why don't we head over to her place tomorrow? We can gather supplies for the party and finalize our plans."

Rowan's face brightens. "That's perfect! Gran always knows how to make things special."

Kara nods in agreement. "Plus, her garden will be in full bloom. We might find some inspiration there."

As we call for the check, I can't help but feel a surge of love for my sisters. Despite our differences, we always come together when it matters most.

I gather my things, slipping my phone into my purse and shrugging on my jacket. The earlier tension still hangs in the air, a reminder of my thoughtless words. Rowan fusses with her scarf, avoiding eye contact.

"Hey, Ro," I say softly, touching her arm. "Call me if you want to practice those enchantments, okay? No pressure."

She looks up, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks, Mia. I'll think about it."

As Rowan heads out, her shoulders still slightly hunched, I feel a pang of guilt. I shouldn't have pushed her so hard. Before I can dwell on it further, Kara pulls me aside, her voice low.

"Don't be too hard on yourself," she murmurs. "Ro's been really sensitive about her magic lately. I think she's been struggling more than she lets on."

I sigh. "I know. I shouldn't have been so shitty to her. I'll call her later to apologize properly."

Kara nods, giving my arm a squeeze before heading out herself. I linger for a moment, gathering my thoughts. The café feels different now, the earlier warmth dissipating with my sisters' departures.

I step outside, pulling my sweater tighter around me as the cool evening air hits my skin. My mind races, replaying the conversation with Rowan. I'd meant to be encouraging, but my words had come out all wrong. How could I have been so insensitive?

The sidewalk bustles with evening foot traffic, but I barely notice. I'm too caught up in my own thoughts, torn between frustration at Rowan's reluctance to push herself and guilt over my harsh reaction. Maybe Kara's right – maybe there's more going on with Ro than I realized. But through it all, I still can't shake that feeling of being watched. I scan the bustling street, searching for anything out of place.

A couple hurries past, laughing softly. A businessman checks his watch, frowning. Nothing seems amiss, and yet… I can't shake this feeling. My gaze darts from shadowy corners to reflective shop windows, half-expecting to see a lurking figure.

Ugh! You're being ridiculous.

I take a deep breath, trying to center myself. The crisp scent of autumn fills my lungs, grounding me in the present moment. I need to focus on what's important right now – making things right with Rowan.

God, I was such an ass to her.

My sister's hurt expression flashes in my mind, twisting my gut with guilt. I've always prided myself on being the supportive one, the peacemaker. How did I mess up so badly?

I square my shoulders, determined to put this right. I'll call Rowan as soon as I get home, maybe even stop by her place with a bottle of wine. We'll have a laugh, and I'll get to the bottom of what's bothering her.

As I start walking toward my apartment, that nagging feeling of being watched lingers. I resist the urge to glance over my shoulder, focusing instead on the warmth of the streetlights and the familiar sounds of the city at night.

I pause at a crosswalk, waiting for the light to change. The streetlamps flicker to life as dusk settles over the city. A cool breeze rustles through the trees lining the sidewalk, carrying with it the scent of fallen leaves.

That's when I see it – a raven perched on top of the nearest lamppost. Its glossy feathers shimmer in the artificial light, and its eyes…they're fixed directly on me. There's an unsettling intelligence in those dark eyes, almost as if it's trying to convey a message.

Don't be ridiculous, Mia. It's just a bird.

But a raven sitting right beside a busy street? What are the odds?

I shake my head, trying to shake off the eerie feeling. The light changes, and I hurry across the street. When I glance back, the raven is gone.

Oh, come on. You're letting your imagination run wild.

I take a deep breath, forcing my thoughts in a more positive direction. There's so much to look forward to – the anniversary party, spending time with my sisters, seeing Gran tomorrow. Everything's going to be fine. Great, even.

As I continue my walk home, I focus on party plans. Maybe we could enchant some fairy lights for the garden. Oh, and those little appetizer spoons that float from guest to guest! Mom and Dad will love that.

A smile tugs at my lips as I picture the whole family together, laughing and celebrating. It's been too long since we've had a proper gathering. This party is exactly what we all need.

With each step, I feel my earlier unease start to fade. By the time I reach my apartment, I'm humming softly to myself, my mind full of twinkling lights and dancing roses.