It was the tone of her voice that had Booker and Galen moving in on either side.
“She was just making conversation, Lilac,” Booker said in a low voice. He didn’t want his girlfriend to lose control.
“Of course she was.” Julian gave Lucinda a stern look. “Don’t get them worked up.”
“Definitely not,” Galen agreed. “We’re friendly enough over barbecue and drinks but if you get one of us riled the wheels come off the bus.”
“How charming.” Lucinda rolled her eyes until they landed on Lilac again. “There’s a rumor you’ve mastered four-element magic.” She sounded like a census taker she was so bland. “Is that true?”
“True enough,” Booker replied. He slid his arm around Lilac’s neck, keeping things loose, and anchored her against his chest. “We’re still a work in progress.”
“When we were kids, Lilac, Aurora, and Booker mastered three elements,” Galen volunteered. “When Hadley got here, it was as if the set was finally completed. It felt as if she always belonged here.”
“Your mother was from here, correct?” Lucinda asked me. “Why weren’t you raised here?”
“Oh, well … .” This was always such a difficult question.
“Hadley’s mother married a mainlander,” Galen interjected. “She was raised there.”
“Where is your mother now?” The question was innocent enough but coming from Lucinda it rankled.
“She passed away giving birth to me,” I replied.
“I’m so sorry.” Taylor looked tortured. “That’s terrible.”
I managed a smile for her benefit. “It was a long time ago.” And something I really didn’t want to dwell on.
“Is it true you didn’t know you were a witch until you arrived here last year?” Lucinda pressed. She sounded as if she was digging for dirt she could use against me later.
“It’s true,” I replied.
“She’s come into her own very fast,” Galen added. There was a warning in his eyes as he regarded Lucinda. “She’s amazing at everything she tries.”
I laughed hollowly because I didn’t know what else to do. “He’s kind of fond of me so he always brags me up.”
Galen shook his head. “It’s the truth. Nothing can stop my Hadley.”
My cheeks burned under the praise.
“Ignore her.” Julian gave Lucinda an admonishing look. “She tries to intimidate people right out of the gate because it amuses her. Don’t play into her hands.”
Galen’s smile was flat. “I’m not too worried.” Hemeant it. So did Lucinda.
THE BARBECUE ATMOSPHERE RELAXED SOMEafter that. We met other members of Julian’s security detail. He had more administrative assistants as well, although he reiterated that Taylor was his go-to. She was the one I liked best.
“How long have you been with Julian?” I asked her when the men had moved to the beach to play volleyball. It was a two-on-two situation — Galen and Booker facing off with Julian and one of his bodyguards — and the trash talk was off the charts.
“Him?” Taylor dragged her eyes away from a shirtless Julian to focus on me. “Oh, I’ve been with him for two years.”
“And you’ve already moved up to righthand woman status? Impressive.”
“I like my work.” Taylor cocked her head as she regarded me. “You’re the mayor, right? How did that happen?”
I laughed. “It’s a very long and convoluted story.”
“The Downtown Development Association was ousted from power and everybody agreed that since Hadley was new to the area she wouldn’t play favorites,” Aurora volunteered as she emerged from the shadows to join us. “It was a pretty seamless transition.”
I was sheepish. “Apparently the story wasn’t that long after all.”
