“Unless she knew something. Can we speak to her son about the night she was killed?” Francisco asks.
Hiram’s expression hardens. “Absolutely not.”
“Grace is the most solid lead yet. Her murder is an aberration. We need to figure out why the Botanist targeted her. Perhaps, with her son’s statement, we can put the pieces together. If anyone else was there, where they went.Anythingwill help. There are a lot of families that need answers and want justice.”
“I said no.”
Gabriel and Francisco exchange glances before the former tags himself in. “As a father myself, I understand your concern. I know this is difficult, but her son was found at home, and there was evidence of a struggle. Why Grace left the house, we don’t know, but she was found nearly a quarter mile away. Her son—”
“Her son is alsomyson,” Hiram snaps. “He hasn’t spoken since she was found, anyway, so you’re wasting your time.”
“There are other ways to interview him—”
“I’m more concerned with protecting him from the trauma you’re asking him to revisit.”
“If we could just—”
“No.”
Hiram closes the door in their faces and returns to the pursuit of stability amid the chaos.
The Ellis name is complicated.
Hiram grew up sheltered and spoiled. As he caught glimpses of life beyond the carefully crafted confines of the Ellis way, he realized his identity was a python wrapped around his throat. The more he fought to unlearn the prejudiced lies taught as truths, the tighter his heritage constricted. College was Hiram’s first gasp of freedom. He traveled to places where no one had heard of his family, made a name for himself without the unseemly association, and dated without caring whether they were acceptable matches. Each year, he distanced himself further from his old life—until two months ago, when learning of his son’s existence sent him into a tailspin that ended with a phone call to his father and an invitation to come home and mend broken bridges. His confidence wavers now that he’s back in Proventia, where the weight of his name is heavier.
He’s in a children’s boutique downtown when the owner, Nancy, says he looks familiar and asks for his name. Hiram considers lying, but truth wins out.
“Hiram Ellis.”
Her face changes as she vehemently shakes his hand. “Ellis? LiketheEllis family?”
“Barrett Ellis is my father.”Unfortunately,he doesn’t add, despite the urge.
There are two types of people in Proventia: Mages who love his family, and Seers and sympathizers who don’t. There are no in-betweens. Fortunately, Nancy is one of the former. It makes things easier, but also far more uncomfortable.
“Oh, you’rethatHiram. Welcome back.” She clasps her hands together. “The town’s buzzing about your return.”
To his credit, Hiram manages to mask his disdain. “I need clothes for a six-year-old boy.”
“I’d be happy to help.”
The more questions Hiram asks about the magical enhancements in the clothing, the more suggestions Nancy makes. The more clothing he picks out, the friendlier she becomes. Hiram is choosing between two bow ties when Nancy stands too close. He’s been so focused, he hasn’t realized he’s made himself prey. She’s figured out his status as a single father and joked that her beagle is the longest relationship she’s ever had. Hiram smoothly puts space between them to inspect a pack of socks spelled to always find their mates. Judging by her surprise, this isn’t the typical chat and number exchange Nancy expects. He understands why. With her tall, slim figure, blond hair, green eyes, fair skin, and freckles partially concealed by bronzer, she’s attractive, decently witty, and clearly used to getting what she wants.
“We have other accessories you might be interested in. Bow ties are old-fashioned, but imbued animal pendants are in style. They can either protect your child from a spell being cast on them or act like an amulet and absorb the cost of a spell cast. Most on the market can absorb up to ten low-level spells, but these only do five. Child Mages don’t pay for magic like teenagers and adults. What is your son’s favorite animal?”
Hiram doesn’t know, but he’ll never admit it. “It changes every week.”
“Oh, well, we have one that changes to their favorite each day, if you’re interested.”
The pendant is expensive, but Hiram agrees and follows Nancy to the counter while she totals everything up and removes the antitheft gemstones from the tags.
“Also ... if you’re interested in refamiliarizing yourself with Proventia, I’m available.”
She’s bold, Hiram will give her that. “I’ll pay with cash.”
Her smile fades. Hiram pays, grabs the four bags, and heads to the car. His next stop is Fallen Oak Apothecary for potions and elixirs to stock his medicine cabinets. Hiram is reaching for the doorknob when three enforcer patrol cars with lights on screech to a halt near his sedan. The talisman atop the door pulses and jingles when Hiram enters. Lavender and thyme are choked out by the scent of confrontation.
“Don’t move!” A short, older woman points toward an aisle, shouting accusations of theft and illegal magic use. Hiram can’t see the accused, but the older woman glances at him. “We’re closed.”
