“Your coven will hold, Ceri.”
“Will it, Rhy?” The question was too neutral, too careless. Ceridwen had overplayed her hand. For once Rhiannon did not rejoice in seeing Ceridwen’s fear. She laid her head on her sister’s shoulder, rigid under her touch.
“Yes.” Then she got up and turned to leave. Before she reached the damn phthalo green door she gazed back to see Ceridwen still on the sofa, not looking at her.
“For me, Ceri. Just this once. Teach Prudence what she needs. I am here for now, but we both know I won’t be for much longer. And I can’t keep lashing out to protect women. It always ends up badly for me and for that family of hers.”
Ceridwen’s wide fearful eyes were a disturbing déjà vu as Rhiannon soundlessly closed the door behind herself and stepped into the warm night, the quiet sea breeze ruffling her hair doing nothing to allay her premonition.
14
PRUDENCE, MAYORAL CAMPAIGNS & WATCHING IN THE MIRROR
MAYORAL CAMPAIGN HEATING UP!
Several prominent Crow’s Nest citizens have registered their candidacies with the Election Commission during the last week. With the field getting busier, will it bring an actual competitive election this time? Or will Mayor Fowler run away with it, like the other five times? What issues are the Nesters going to prioritize? Will stability above progressiveness reign once again?
Watch this space, and watch the polls.
—Crow’s Caw
Pru blinkedat the not-so-veiled accusation of her father being an antithesis to progressive ideas. Once again she wondered at the voice behind the Caw, and once again she found herself torn between family loyalty and her firm belief that a change of guard was necessary. The world was changing too quickly, and her father… Well, he was changing with it, but maybe not in the same direction as Pru would’ve wished him to.
She set the newspaper aside and looked at the barista.
“It’s coffee, Seren, not holy water, I don’t know if it will help.”
“Unless a demon is chasing you, coffee will be of a lot more help. The way you look…”
A moment or two later a tall mug of milky brew was set in front of her. Pru sighed and wanted to dunk her head in it. She had not slept a wink. After leaving Rhiannon in her apartment, she tracked down Patches, who was once again gazing adoringly from under Boleyn’s window at her sweetheart. The cat showed no signs that she was aware Patches existed.
Pru no longer had that issue. Rhiannon was very much aware of her. The bruises on her behind would probably remind her of said existence for a few days. Pru closed her eyes and allowed the memories to overcome her. It had been…
Glorious.
She had no other word for it. To see Rhiannon take down Lisa before completely surrendering to Pru… She gulped, choked on her coffee, scorched the roof of her mouth, and then promptly dropped the mug and the remaining contents all over her hands.
Seren was at her side in a heartbeat. With a swift look around to check if any of the patrons of Crow’s Brew were paying attention to the commotion, she grabbed Pru’s scalded hands and whispered a short incantation.
Pru heard the end of it: “…I will it so.” And before she knew it, her fingers were bathed in cold vapor, cooling down the burning skin, washing away the sting of the spill. With a subtle wave, Seren vanished the wet sensation and was back behind the bar, making another cup before Pru could even blink.
When Seren set a replacement cappuccino in front of her, Pru reached out and laid a hand on a tattooed forearm.
“Thank you. I…I don’t know what to say.”
Seren shrugged, all nonchalance, but her eyes were warm when she shook her head.
“You’re one of our own, so what is there to say?”
Pru considered her words.
“Did Ceridwen tell you?” Then she scrunched her nose and reached for bravery. “Did Rhiannon?”
Seren’s smile was kind, as if she was breaking bad news to a child.
“Ceridwen asked me to keep an eye out, is all. You’re learning, and it’s not always smooth sailing.”
The fact that she sidestepped Rhiannon entirely was an answer in itself. And why would Rhiannon even bring her up?
