Sylviaraised an eyebrow. “Fair enough.”
Iturned to Sylvia. “You read my palm and you aren’t a seer witch.”
Adrianlaughed. “She’s a high priestess.”
Sylviamerely nodded as if that explained it.
“Right.”I was trying to keep up.
“Goodto see you, Aurora, Sylvia.” He bowed and walked off to greet some others.
“Arealchemists rare?” I whispered to Sylvia.
Sylvianodded. “The rarest. We’re lucky to have Maureen.”
*
Interesting.A tiny, old witch tapped the microphone on the stage. “Please take your seats!We will open with a blessing ceremony and then the program will begin.”
Wefound our table.Whiteraven Covenwas scrawled in gold lettering on apretty card. We were closest to the stage and I found myself wondering ifSylvia was somewhat of an honored guest. A lot of people in the magical worldtreated her like she was important. I took off my cape and draped it around theback of my chair, taking a seat.
‘Areyou okay, your energy feels muted?’Kai’s voice broke into my mind.
‘It’sjust a protection spell. I’m fine. There are lanterns suspended in mid-air, sofreaking cool!’
Hechuckled.‘Witches.’
Thewitch on the stage said a blessing over all of us, invoking the Goddess andasking for prosperity, love, and health for all of us in the year to come. Ifelt good when I was here with my coven. I felt like a witch. I didn’t feelmuch like a werewolf. It was weird and nice. As much as the pack was my family,so was Sylvia and this coven. As if reading my mind, Sylvia met my gaze andwinked.
Thetiny, old witch on the stage smiled. “Now the moment you have all been waitingfor!”
Iheard bells jingling behind the stage curtain and the music suddenly changed toa Middle Eastern beat. “Back for the fourth year in a row! The Pink Ladies!” thewitch cried out, leaving the stage. The curtain suddenly pulled to the siderevealing a dozen or so young, beautiful belly dancers. They swished their hipsin unison with the beat, shaking the gold jingle bells from their pink silkoutfits. Everyone burst into applause and I joined them. Grinning, I watched twoof the girls twirl in circles holding long, pink scarves that swirled in theair around them.
Theyrolled their abdomens, showcasing their flat, perfect bellies, and as the beatpicked up they ran down the steps off-stage and approached our table, circlingus. Then they threw their hands in the air and pink glitter dust fell onto ourheads. It smelled like roses and the second I inhaled it, I bubbled with laughteras an elated feeling came over my body. Sylvia was grinning at me as the bellydancers went to the next table throwing their arms high in the air and releasingmore pink glitter. I laughed again, because Gretchen was laughing and it washilarious to me for some reason. I felt stoned. It was so awesome!
Sylviareached out and touched my head. “Be gone,” she whispered as witches around uswere cackling in laughter. Suddenly, the feeling was gone as I frowned andshook my head, clearing it.
“Whoa,I felt drunk. What was that? I might need to take some home.”
Sylviasmiled. “That was happy dust. They’re showing off, but I like to remain clear-headedin front of so many magic users.”
Inodded. Good idea. Gretchen and Maureen were high-fiving each other andlaughing hysterically.
‘Whatwas that?’Kai asked.
‘Jesus!Kai. I’m having a good time, okay? Stop pouncing on me every time you feelsomething,’I shouted,harsher than I meant to.
Ifelt his anger and hurt.‘Fine. Radio silent,’he shot back, and I feltthe mate bond retreat a little.
Whoops.I was beginning to lose count of how often I pissed him off.
Thefood arrived and I gorged on exotic juice cocktails, sage and butternut squashraviolis, chocolate lava cake and shoestring french fries roasted in truffleoil.
“Oh.My. God. I will come here every year just for the food,” I declared to thecoven and they all laughed.
Maureenraised her glass. “It is quite spectacular.” She smiled and her gold-cappedtooth glinted in the candle light.
Ifelt so stuffed but I wanted to explore the market stalls and I had to peewicked bad.
