‘Let’s say that Ihopeyou can help me,’ Mallory replied carefully. ‘Nothing is definite.’
‘Indeed.’ The High Priestess tapped the end of her pen on her desk. ‘What do you know about our issue with the Association of Ogres?’
No offer of a chair yet, but this was progress. ‘They have a restrictive covenant in place on this property that forbids you to grow magical plants or herbs of any sort.’
‘Yes.’ Vanessa sniffed derisively. ‘They have resisted all our efforts to void the covenant, even though it’s completely redundant. We have a vast garden at the back of the house that we could use for all manner of things, but we’re being held to ransom by market forces because we have to buy in all our supplies. Have you seen the price of vervain lately?’
Mallory opted for honesty. ‘I can’t say I have, but I can imagine. Why is the Association so determined to uphold the covenant?’
‘Spite. There can be no other reason.’
Mallory wondered if that was true; it seemed possible, but she’d reserve judgement until she knew for sure. ‘Well, I thinkI can help you. All I ask for in return is the temporary use of a bellarmine jug.’
Vanessa was already shaking her head. ‘We don’t have one.’
Mallory’s heart sank to the soles of her shoes. It had always been a long shot and on this occasion her optimism had definitely gotten the better of her.
‘However,’ Vanessa said, ‘I may be able to procure one. I have connections with many of the covens in the area and I believe I know of someone who may have a bellarmine jug stored away that they could lend you.’
‘Which coven?’
The High Priestess gave a tinkling laugh. ‘I’m not telling you that! You’ll simply cut out the middle man and I’ll be hung out to dry with those damned ogres.’ She paused. ‘Tell you what, let’s have a chat about how this might work. I believe there’s a good chance we can do business together. Have a seat.’
Mallory smiled.
The ogres wereone of the smaller Preternatural communities in Coldstream and Mallory had never had any of them as clients, but that didn’t mean she didn’t know anything about them. She was certain there were a few entries in her notebook, although she didn’t think there was any detail about their association. She couldn’t check because her notebook was currently lying on her coffee table at home; it was far too precious to bring out with her.
It would be foolish to go back and read what was written there when she was a mere hop, skip and a jump from the association’s building. There was a chance that Mallory could solve her entire bellarmine jug conundrum within the next hour – a tiny chance, to be sure, but she crossed her fingers.
Although the Pitcairn coven maintained their house and clearly looked after it, they hadn’t been able to disguise its somewhat shabby and dilapidated air. The Pitcairns were feeling the pinch, which went a long way to explaining why they were so desperate to get rid of the restrictive covenant and start growing their own magical supplies.
The building that belonged to the Association of Ogres was an entirely different affair. Although it wasn’t especially large, it was certainly grand; looking at the pristine sandstone, perfect paintwork and immaculate planting around the building’s perimeter, Mallory didn’t doubt that these ogres were doing very well for themselves. Vanessa Pitcairn had mentioned that the coven had offered £20,000 to void the covenant and that the association had turned them down flat. The ogres obviously weren’t short of a bob or two and certainly had no need for the witches’ pennies.
Mallory eyed the tall irises on either side of the front door; they were truly stunning. Several of them were almost the same shade of amber as Alexander’s eyes. Her steps faltered briefly and she gritted her teeth. ‘Enough, Mallory,’ she hissed. This was getting beyond ridiculous.
She stepped up to door and knocked. By the time it opened, she’d plastered on her most professional smile, and she maintained it even when the person in front of her obviously wasn’t an ogre. She hadn’t expected to find a nymph here, let alone a water nymph with delicate blue skin.
‘Good afternoon!’ she said brightly. ‘My name is Mallory Nash and I’d like to make an appointment to speak to Richard Stone-arm. I believe he’s the head of the Association of Ogres. It’s vitally important I talk to him as soon as possible.’
The nymph blinked at her with wide, limpid eyes. ‘He ain’t here.’ She started to close the door.
‘Somebody else then,’ Mallory said quickly. ‘Another ogre.’
The nymph sighed. ‘Ain’t no ogres here at all.’
‘This is the Association of Ogres, right?’
The nymph shrugged. Mallory continued to smile. ‘I’ll take that as a yes. Where are they if they’re not here?’
‘AGM.’
‘Uh…’
The nymph rolled her eyes. ‘Annual General Meeting, innit? Ogres love a damned meeting.’
‘Of course!’ Mallory exclaimed, as if she’d known that already. ‘Remind me – where is it taking place?’
‘Not telling.’
