Chapter 18

Landing gracefully in a secluded area after his morning flight, Lark transformed into his human form. He straightened his clothes and made his way to the local cafe for breakfast. Jasper would join in to discuss the festival.

The cafe was already bustling with activity when Lark arrived. He spotted Jasper at a corner table, the ghost's translucent form flickering slightly as he waved Lark over.

"Morning, Jasper," Lark greeted, sliding into the seat opposite him. "Any ghostly insights on the festival overnight?"

Jasper chuckled, pushing his spectacles up his nose. "Nothing too alarming. Just the usual tricks from the resident spirits. They seem excited about the festivities."

Lark grinned, taking a sip of his coffee. "Good to hear. We could use some lighthearted fun amidst all the planning."

As they discussed the festival schedule, a waitress brought over a plate of pastries. Lark eagerly bit into a flaky croissant, savoring the buttery taste.

Jasper eyed the pastries wistfully. "Ah, to be able to taste food again. I miss the simple pleasures of a good breakfast."

Lark swallowed his bite and offered a sympathetic smile. "I can't imagine. But, hey, at least you don't have to worry about gaining weight, right?"

Jasper laughed, his spectral form shimmering. "Silver linings, indeed."

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Ivy Sullivan, the owner of the Green Thicket Tea House. She slid into the booth next to Lark, her curly hair bouncing with her movement.

"Morning, boys," Ivy greeted cheerfully. "I hope I'm not intruding, but I have some interesting news from the herbal community."

Lark raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? Do tell."

Ivy leaned in conspiratorially. "There have been reports of unusual plant growth patterns around the festival site. Some of the herbs are displaying odd behaviors, almost as if they're reacting to magical interference."

Jasper stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Interesting. Could it be related to the sabotage attempts?"

Ivy tilted her head, finger tapping her chin. "It's more a sign of magic being drawn from the earth."

"What do you mean?" Lark asked.

"It's hard to explain," Ivy replied. "It's a witch thing. Shifters wouldn't deal with this type of magic."

"Is it dangerous?" Lark asked. "Should we take action?"

Ivy shook her head. "I don't think so. It's not uncommon for something like this. I just mentioned it because you asked for anything different."

Lark considered the information, his mind spinning with ideas. "What if we turn this into an opportunity?"

Ivy tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

"We could incorporate these unusual plant behaviors into the festival's displays," Lark explained, excitement building in his voice. "Create educational exhibits about magical flora and how they interact with the environment. It could be a fascinating addition to the festivities."

Ivy's eyes lit up. "That's a brilliant idea, Lark. I can work with the herbal community to gather more information and create the displays."

Lark grinned, pleased with the creative solution. "Perfect. It's all about adapting and turning challenges into opportunities."

The trio spent the next hour brainstorming ideas and discussing logistics, their conversation filled with laughter and good-natured banter. Lark's ease in maintaining a cheerful demeanor, even in stressful times, was evident as he cracked jokes and kept the mood light.

As the meeting wrapped up, Lark checked his watch. "I better get going. I have a meeting with Reed Mallory to review the festival's security measures."

Jasper nodded. "Good idea. With the recent problems, it's crucial to have a solid plan in place."

Lark bid farewell to Ivy and Jasper and made his way to the festival grounds. The site was already bustling with activity as vendors set up their stalls and decorations were being hung.

Amid the hustle and bustle, Lark spotted a familiar figure: Eleanor Vance. The older witch was known for her resentment toward being overlooked for the festival's leadership role. Lark approached her casually, determined to gauge her interest in the festival's management.

"Eleanor, lovely to see you," Lark greeted, his tone friendly. "How are the preparations coming along in your area?"

Eleanor turned to face him, her silver hair pulled back in a tight bun. "Lark, always a pleasure," she replied, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "Everything is under control, as expected."

Lark nodded, subtly assessing her demeanor. "I'm glad to hear it. We're all working hard to make this festival a success. Your contributions are greatly appreciated."

Eleanor's posture stiffened slightly. "Of course. I've been involved in this festival for years. It's only natural that I play a significant role."

Lark sensed the underlying bitterness in her tone but chose not to address it directly. "Your experience and knowledge are invaluable. If there's anything you need or any concerns you have, please don't hesitate to bring them to me or Sera."

Eleanor's gaze sharpened at the mention of Sera's name. "I'll keep that in mind, Lark. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have matters to attend to."

With a curt nod, Eleanor turned and walked away, her robes swishing behind her. Lark watched her go, a sense of unease settling in his gut.