There was a knock on the door, and Jake moved to answer it while Coral quickly pulled on a t-shirt and leggings. Redd popped her head in the door.
“Am I interrupting?” she asked with a devilish smile and waggled her eyebrows for effect.
Jake shook his head and gave Redd an amused look as Coral rushed to deny anything was happening.
“Whatever. Coral, Faye wants to see the aquariums. Can we tag along when you feed the fish?”
Coral wrinkled her nose. She didn’t need to feed the fish. She almost said as much, but she caught Redd’s crazy gesturing while Jake’s back was turned to her.
“Yes! The fish! I almost forgot.” She walked over to slip on some shoes. “I’ll be back in a while, Jake. I have to feed the fish.”
She caught the skeptical look on his face as she rushed out the door with Redd, but she slammed it shut behind her before he had a chance to protest.
Faye was standing in front of the largest aquarium when Coral entered the atrium with Redd. She was waving her hands in front, and the fish were dancing around. As she got closer, Coral realized Faye was somehow making bubbles and playing with the fish.
She and Redd stood back and watched in awe for a few seconds before Faye noticed she had an audience. Then she quickly put her hands down, the bubblesdisappearing, the fish peering through the glass pane in confusion.
“That was a cool trick!” Redd exclaimed.
“Yeah, how were you doing that?” Coral asked.
Faye’s face flushed a deep pink and she shrugged her shoulders.
Redd’s streak in her hair flamed a deeper red as she took a step closer to her and narrowed her eyes. “You some kind of witch?”
Before Faye could answer, Coral stepped in. “Back off, Redd.” She turned to Faye. “That was pretty cool, though. She just gets a little defensive. Ignore her. I do.”
Redd stuck her tongue out at Coral, and Faye visibly relaxed over the break in tension.
“What’s your plan for this little meeting?” Coral directed her question at Redd. “You know I don’t have to feed the fish. They have auto feeders.”
“Redd just filled me in about your contract and your resulting problem,” Faye answered. “I thought maybe I could help.”
Coral’s heart lifted. She barely knew this woman and she wanted to help her?
“I think we can take this old bag,” Redd said as she swished her sword in the air.
Coral and Faye both took a step back, giving Redd a wide berth.
“Redd! Not in the house!” Coral scolded.
Redd pulled a face but sheathed her sword. “Fine. Let’s get down to business. When do you think this crazy witch will be arriving to claim your soul?”
“Um, I don’t know. I’m not even sure if she knows for certain. I mean, do you think she has like, a GPS on my virginity?” Coral asked.
Faye laughed at the prospect.
“Okay, well, we need a plan.” Redd paced the floor.
“Jake doesn’t want me fighting her, and he’s insisting on going alone. And Mr. Wolfe’s going to hit the roof if you go without asking him first.” Coral turned and looked at Faye, “What about you? What would Cade have to say about this?”
“I’m not really sure. I don’t even know what we’re doing.” Faye looked quizzically between the two women.
“We’re going to kick some sea witch butt!” Redd said as she jumped in the air.
“Is she always like this?” Faye asked Coral.
“No, just when she’s gearing up for battle. Or when she’s gearing down from battle. Or on days that end in ‘y’,” Coral joked.
