Mission Cozy

MISSION: COZY

C ozied up in the armchair in the formal living room, with headphones on to block out the noise of the construction going on upstairs, I almost miss my phone lighting up with an email from my cousin, Aris.

I set aside the book I was trying to read. Today is supposed to be my day off from doing errands for people around town, but with all my mates at work, focus eludes me.

When I open the email, I find a message thanking me for the translated pages of the Wendall grimoires I sent her and several attachments of spells she gathered from her coven’s spell books. It seems she found some stuff on curses and healing poultices for magical wounds, something that was lacking in my family books.

I shoot her off a quick thank you as I hurry down the hall to the elevator and ride the rickety thing down to the basement.

“Put your clothes on!” I slide open the elevator gate. “You have a visitor!”

I step out in time to catch Esme lowering her shirt and Zane straightening away from her.

With a gasp, I spin to face the wall. “Sorry, I didn’t think you guys would actually be doing something!”

“Relax,” Zane says dryly. “I was just checking on the baby.”

I peek over my shoulder, see that they’re decent, and turn back around. “You can do that?”

He nods, a proud smile on his face. “We’re far enough along to have a heartbeat.”

“Congratulations!” I clap my hands, since this is obviously joyful news for them before glancing around at our surroundings, which are less joyful.

The basement is as sterile and inhospitable as ever, with its cement floor, metal table, and racks filled with jars and propane tanks. Heavy plastic strips divide the space in half, my grandma’s old spellcraft space looking more like a slaughterhouse than a place to celebrate new life.

Not for the first time, I wish we hadn’t donated the extra furniture in the attic when we started the remodel. Zane and Esme deserve better than this.

I shake off the regret. There’s nothing I can do to change what’s already been done.

“Check this out.” I walk over to show Esme my phone. “Aris came through with some spells to try out.”

“Oh, I think I saw some of these ingredients down here.” Esme strides toward the shelves against the wall.

I follow, passing by the cots and blankets they arranged to try to make the space cozier. They’re the same ones we used when I first brought my coven’s witches to Hartford Cove, before we found them houses in town.

It was a sad, temporary setup back then, and it’s even sadder now. I’d love to sneak in some more furniture, but the nosy townsfolk would have a field day speculating why I was buying new stuff right now.

They all know the remodel isn’t complete, and the last thing I need is gossip floating around our small town. It’s already dangerous enough to have the wolf shifters upstairs with their super hearing. The last thing we need is someone to get curious about what’s happening in the basement.

Maybe I can find some extra blankets or something in town to soften the space, though.

“You have most of the ingredients.” Esme rummages through dusty shelves filled with jars and bottles, pulling out ones without labels.

I have no idea how she knows what’s in them.

“Your grandmother had quite the witch’s pantry.” Esme checks the spells on my phone and adds another jar to the growing pile.

“Aspen and Mel think she was an alchemist,” I offer.

“That explains some of the more peculiar items stored here.” She frowns as she goes back over the shelves. “We’re missing some key ingredients, though.”

“Haut and I have raided the pantry a few times, and haven’t restocked anything.” I grab a dusty notepad from the shelf and pass it to her. “Write down what we still need, and I’ll raid Mel’s shop to see what she’s got.”

Mel’s witchy storefront is almost ready to open, and she and a few of the other witches are already fulfilling online orders from what they showcased at the festival. But they should be busy setting up the community center today to get it ready for hosting our future coven classes.

Aspen will be there, too, organizing the room for the Grim project, since he’s the one who got us kicked out of Books and Blots.

“I’ll bring up what we have while you’re gone, so we can get started right away. I hope one of these poultices works.” Esme casts a glance back toward Zane, who sits on one of the cots. “The wound isn’t healing at all.”

“We’ll slather him in all the goops.” I take the list she holds out. “Mission: Ingredient Restock is a go.”

“Thank you, Rowe.” Esme’s eyes glisten. “I don’t know what would have happened to us if you hadn’t taken us in.”

I pat her arm awkwardly. “Go snuggle with Zane and let him listen to that baby’s heartbeat some more while I take care of this list.”

She gives me a watery smile, and I flee the basement before she tries to hug me.

I throw on my jacket, scarf, and gloves and step outside. The empty driveway reminds me that I need my own car. With my mates at work, there’s not a vehicle in sight. The town’s close enough to walk, sure, but there’s no way I’m hauling blankets and maybe a rug, not to mention my shopping list of ingredients, back up the steep driveway on foot.

I zip my jacket up to my nose and start walking, the icy wind nipping at my exposed skin. Should have grabbed my hat, too, but I’m already off the porch. No going back now.

When I reach the town square, the new statue in the center of the road displays a distressingly familiar witch statue. I avoid looking at it as I veer toward the historical society building. It sits right next to the sheriff’s office, with only a small graveyard separating the buildings.

As I open the door, Mrs. Smith’s nagging voice comes from Owen’s office.

I peek around the door frame to see the wrinkly old hag waving a stack of papers at my mate. “With the festival over, we must discuss how we’re going to spend the town’s money!”

Owen’s eyes flicker between Mrs. Smith and me, calculating his escape plan. “Mrs. Smith, as I’ve said before, we’ll be discussing the budget at the next council meeting. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Rowe is here to discuss something important with me.”

“Very important,” I agree, playing along. “Sorry to interrupt, Mrs. Smith. ”

Mrs. Smith glares at me. “You live with the man. Leave his office hours for the rest of us.”

“Sour as always, I see,” I respond cheerfully. “Don’t worry, I’ll bring extra-sweet hot cocoa to our next card game.”

“Fine, I’ll go for now,” she grumbles, but a pleased smile curls her lips. “Don’t forget cookies for Westen, too. He was asking for ginger snaps this morning.”

“Sure thing.” Gingersnaps are her favorite, but the stubborn woman can’t bring herself to ask Jesse for them.

Their feud remains strong, even after Delilah swept the pie competition out from under both of their noses during the yearly festival.

With a final harrumph, Mrs. Smith leaves us in peace.

“Thanks for the rescue,” Owen whispers.

Ignoring the chair option, I slide onto his desk. “How long had she been here?”

“She was here when I arrived.” He pulls me to sit in front of him, my legs on either side of his chair, and leans forward to hug my waist, his warmth chasing away the chill from outside. “Comfort me.”

“There, there.” I stroke his black hair with my mittens. “The big, bad wolf is gone now. ”

He unzips my jacket to burrow his nose against my sweater. “What adventure brought you to my humble office?”

“Can’t a girl miss her mate?”

He lifts my sweater to reveal the new flower pattern birthmark on my stomach, proof of our mating bond, and presses a tender kiss to it, sending a shiver through me that has nothing to do with the cold. “You don’t need to butter me up, Rowe. I’ll give you whatever you want.”

“Good to know.” I cup his cheeks and lean in for a tender kiss. “I want your car.”

Owen blinks at me in surprise, hesitating as he glances toward his jacket hanging by the door. “Well…”

I straighten. “What happened to you’ll give me whatever I want ?”

He buries his face against my stomach. “I didn’t expect you to ask for something so terrifying.”

“Hey!” I protest. “I’m an excellent driver! Just ask Tris!”

He tilts his face up to me. “Why do you need my car?”

“I want to do some shopping while I’m in town and don’t want to haul it back on foot. ”

His lips purse, and he glances away. “Then have it delivered.”

“It costs extra.”

“We should funnel money back into the local businesses whenever possible,” he hedges.

My hands move to my hips. “Owen Hartford, you will loan me your car, or I will steal it and drive it into the ocean, where it can live alongside my old sedan.”

When he still resists, I shove back his chair with my feet and hop off his desk. “I’m taking your car!”

He stands. “I can go with?—”

I point a finger at him. “Sit your mayoral ass down and get back to work, Mayor!”

Powerful Alpha that he is, he sits.

“Good boy.” I walk to his jacket and dig out his car keys. “I’ll bring it back in an hour or so. If you’re lucky, I’ll also bring lunch.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He scoots back up to his desk. “Please, drive safe.”

“There are exactly two main roads in town.” I shake the keys at him in exasperation. “And they’re both straight lines. I’ll be fine!”

With Operation: Cozify the Dungeon a go, I scurry from Owen’s office before he can change his mind and hop into his sedan .

The home goods store is a short distance away, not even worth driving if not for the heavy items I plan to purchase.

I park at the curb, glad most people in town walk, so that finding a spot close to the entrance isn’t a problem.

Inside the store, I head straight for the pillow section. I need something soft, squishy, and baby-friendly. Luckily, a lot of what the store sells comes with organic labels, and after a bit of rummaging, I find a couple of suitable options.

I pile them into my cart and head across the aisle to the blanket section.

A fluffy orange one catches my attention. It’s the same color as Zane’s hair and will be super warm. I add it to the cart and head for the rugs.

As I flip through the hanging options, I come across a thick, plush one with a fern pattern on it. I check the number on the corner and locate the matching one rolled up on the shelf. The only problem is that it’s massive. No way I can carry it alone.

“Excuse me!” I wave down a store clerk. “Do you think you could help me load this into my car?”

His eyes widen when he spots me. “We can have it delivered to the big house, Ms. Wendall. ”

I smile tightly. “I’d rather take it with me.”

“Okay…” He glances around as if expecting one of my mates to pop up and be all manly.

“It’s just you and me, kiddo,” I tell him. “Car’s at the curb.”

With a nod, he lifts the rug with ease and carries it to the front of the store. I push my cart behind him, running to keep up. I pay at the register, and he follows me outside.

With some creative shoving, we stuff the rug into the back of Owen’s car. It sticks out the window, but it’ll do for the short drive home. The clerk takes another look around before he gives me a bow and runs back inside.

Guess all my efforts to humanize myself with the locals got set back to square one when I broke the werewolf curse on Owen and Deputy Arden. Damn my family heritage and the stupid town statue that reminds the residents of how special I am.

With Operation: Cozify the Dungeon accomplished, I trot down the street to Mel’s shop, The Enchanted Cauldron, and use my key to let myself in.

The tinkling of bells greets me as I step inside, the scent of lavender and sage swirling around me. Mel’s store is an eclectic mix of everything witchy, with shelves stuffed full of jars of herbs, crystals, and mysterious powders. Equipment for potion-making fill tables, and charms hang from display shelves.

I pull the list from my pocket, unfold it, and grab an empty box from the pile by the counter waiting to be broken down.

Time to shop like a witch on a secret mission.

I scan the list, then search for the corresponding jars.

They’re labeled and in alphabetical order, which makes finding them easy. I add dry powders and a vial of shimmering liquid to the box, making a note on my list of their prices so I can pay Mel back later.

As I reach for some crimson berries, the tinkling of the door opening comes from behind me.

“Rowe?” Mel’s voice rings out, tinged with confusion. “What are you doing here? My magic alarm went off.”

I kick myself for not considering she would have a ward on the shop. Since most people in town leave their doors unlocked, I’m not accustomed to people worrying about thieves. Though they should.

Case in point, me.

“Magic alarm? Is that, uh, a high-level spell?” I laugh nervously, trying to play it cool as I slide the berries into my box. “I just came down to grab a few things I don’t have at home. ”

“Really?” Mel raises an eyebrow. “And why do you need ingredients?”

“Um…for a spell I want to try…”

Her other brow joins the first. “Does Aspen know about this?”

“Of course not!” I exclaim, perhaps with a little too much defensiveness. “He’s been so insufferable. And besides, this is just… experimenting. You know, harmless fun. Totally won’t hurt anyone. Probably.”

“Probably?” Mel crosses her arms. “Are these spells on the forbidden list?”

“Um, not exactly,” I hedge, knowing full well I’m treading on thin ice. “They’re not spells that have been reviewed yet.”

“Interesting,” Mel muses. “But all of your family’s spells have been reviewed already, haven’t they?”

“Uh, yeah, but…” I falter, trying to come up with an excuse. “These are, uh, new discoveries? Yeah, let’s go with that.”

“Rowe,” Mel sighs, not buying my half-baked story. “You know I’m here to help you, but I can’t do that if you’re keeping secrets from me. What’s actually going on?”

“Okay, fine,” I cave, my shoulders slumping. “ Aris sent me some anti-curse spells I want to practice.”

With no easy way to explain the healing ones, I keep those to myself.

“Anti-curse spells?” Mel’s arms drop to her sides, and she comes closer. “Why the sudden interest in those?”

“Well, after what happened in Silver Hollow, and with Tris…” I trail off, hoping she’ll fill in the gaps in my vague answer.

“Ah, I see.” Mel nods, understanding softening her expression. “You’re being proactive in case something like that happens again. I’m proud of you, Rowe. But practicing these spells on your own could be dangerous. If you don’t want to work on them with Aspen, then I’ll help you.”

“Really?” My stomach twists at the thought of Mel coming to my house while Esme is expecting me back alone, but I can’t refuse my mentor’s offer. “I mean, that would be great. Thanks, Mel.”

“Of course, just promise me one thing.” She pokes a finger into my shoulder, emphasizing the seriousness of her words. “Be honest with me about what you’re doing, and don’t hesitate to ask for help. I know you’re mad at me for siding with Aspen, but you and I are still a team, all right? ”

“All right.” I hang my head. “Sorry for being a bitch to you last night.”

“Sorry for flip-flopping on my stance about the Grim Project.” She wraps an arm around my shoulders. “I just don’t want you to end up on the wrong side of the line with the council.”

Oh, if only she knew how far past the line I’ve already gone.