“I like him,” Miss Elva declared, and Rafe immediately went back to fawning over her.
“And I likeyou, my great queen,” Rafe said.
“What are you doing with him?”
“He’s going back at the next cycle of the moon,” I said.
Miss Elva turned and surveyed Rafe.
“I think I’ll keep him.”
“Oh, my beauteous lovemountain, I will do anything for you,” Rafe gushed, floating around her in dizzying circles.
Miss Elva chuckled deep in her throat and I just shook my head, turning to look at Luna.
“Can she have him?”
“By all means,” Luna said, and Rafe crowed in delight.
“It’s like he’s a lost puppy or something,” I muttered as we made our way down the steps to Luna’s car. I slid into the small back seat, knowing Miss Elva would need the room of the front seat. Rafe squeezed next to me, his presence cold against my skin whenever he brushed against me. His eyes were focused adoringly on Miss Elva.
“Rafe, I thought you lovedme,” I said, deciding to poke the bear a bit.
“I lusted after you. I like your curves. But I love Miss Elva. She’s more woman than you’ll ever be,” Rafe scoffed and I drew back, stung a bit.
“Rafe, that’s unacceptable. Just because not all women are as powerful and full-figured as I am doesn’t mean you can be mean to them. I don’t tolerate such nonsense around me. We celebrateallwomen’s beauty,” Miss Elva scolded.
Rafe looked like she had kicked him. “Sorry, Althea,” he said, his head hanging.
“I get it,” I said, deciding to be nice. “We all aspire to be Miss Elva one day.”
Her laughter all but shook the car and I couldn’t help but grin as we zoomed through the streets of Tequila Key towards the outskirts of town. But as we left the main road, a wave of nervousness washed through me.
“You calm down back there. Everything’s going to be just fine,” Miss Elva said, her voice authoritative.
Famous last words.
Chapter Seventeen
In moments,we’dapproached a turn off the main road. Had there not been a small sparkly marker of sorts, I wouldn’t have noticed the turn. Luna eased the car onto the gravel road and we all fell silent as we followed the road between overgrown bush that concealed our view ahead. Luna eased off the gas a bit as we crunched along through a turn and our view opened up.
Illuminated in the headlights were two folding tables pulled at odd angles across the road, effectively blocking our path as we neared. Beyond the tables, what looked like a tent city was spread out, a cacophony of colors and movement. The scene made me think of a circus performers’ village. Lines of smoke from various fires streamed into the sky, while a woman – naked but for long ribbons tied around her wrists – pirouetted by.
“Toto, we aren’t in Kansas anymore,” I murmured and Miss Elva snorted.
“Now child, everyone’s religion looks a little different.The Pagans like to celebrate. No need to judge,” Miss Elva said.
“No judgment,” I said as a man riding a bicycle with a Bill the Cat doll firmly lodged on the handlebars weaved between the two tables, raising his hand to wave at the men sitting there. Luna eased the car to a stop and rolled down her window.
“Evening, gentlemen,” Luna said, her charm at a ten.
“Ma’am.” A bristly bearded man wearing a lavender tank top and plaid shorts nodded at Luna from his seat.
“We’ve been invited by Horace, though we haven’t paid any pre-registration fees,” Luna said.
“You have to pay registration fees?” I asked.
Miss Elva turned around and nodded solemnly at me, her dark eyes knowing.
