Hexes and Habaneros, page 2
“Where are you going? Not to that Kitchen Witch Academy! Alexander, stop him!”
“I can't. Even if I didn't have his book of spells, I'm supposed to escort him to the Academy.”
“No.”
“Grandpa's orders.” Alex grinned at me and I strode out of the room. The ice was slowly thawing on my hair, causing it to drip down.
“You can't leave. We have to give them something.”
“Well, that's for you to figure out. I won't be available until my lab is ready again.”
“You're not going, are you?” My aunt's panic brought a smile to my lips.
“Lead the way, cousin.” Baker grinned and I glanced at Mark Anthony.
Want to have some fun? I sent the thought to my familiar. His bright green eyes stared back at me. He dipped his head in acknowledgment and chuckled on my shoulder.
I strode away from my aunt's irrepressible annoyance and stepped into the Hallway of Portals. One, in particular, caught my attention. Mostly because of the bright red “x” painted on it. The mark was made years ago, and the person who did it still brought a smile to my lips.
I opened the door and stepped through, inhaling the familiar scent of chocolate, cinnamon, and chaos that represented the Kitchen Witch Academy. The bright blue sky of the atmosphere dome made me feel refreshed.
And so did my cousin's dumbfounded face staring at me from the other side of the door. He was shouting with all his might, but you couldn't hear anything on this side.
“Sorry, what was that? I can't hear you,” I shouted back to him.
He threw his hands up in obvious irritation, mouthing words in an exaggerated fashion that I had no intention of interpreting. I paid even less attention when I registered the word 'danger'. They stole some formulas from me. It's not like they could interpret my spells.
While I didn't want to listen to him, thankfully, he could hear me fine.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you. Only graduates from the Kitchen Witch Academy are allowed entry. That includes security personnel.”
My cousin's expression was priceless.
“I guess Grandfather will have to spend a few weeks not knowing my every move. See you later, cousin.”
The portal closed and I scratched Mark Anthony under his chin. “Should we hex him next time?”
Mark Anthony yawned and stretched on my shoulder, defying gravity the only way this crazy cat could. “We could block him from using the portal room.”
“That's a good idea. I'll do that when we get back.” And probably kick him out of my house, too. I'm tired of the cage my family tries to keep me in.
3
Veronica
The enthusiastic chorus from Everything About You by Ugly Kid Joe jerked me out of a dreamless and deep sleep.
I woke in a panic, hitting the volume-down button, trying to stay quiet. Then, I swiped the ignore option on the cell phone, letting him go to the hell of all those who dared to disturb me before noon.
It took only a moment to slip off when he called again. This time, I answered. “I hate everything about you,” I half sang, and half grumbled before ending the call and blocking him.
Another call came in, but this time in my default ringtone. I answered, rolling over to stare up at the ceiling. “What?” I forced out the question between clenched teeth, trying to stay as quiet as possible.
“You have a new assignment.” Baker's voice instantly put me on edge.
“Not interested.” It was my day off. And last night's mess weighed heavy on my mind. I needed to make hexes that wouldn't dissolve in water.
“This goes right, you'll get that letter of recommendation to apply to the Council.”
Excitement exploded inside me. I jerked up out of bed and hissed at the iciness of the floor. I lurched forward and stubbed my toe on something hard. Pain exploded up my leg. I bit off the sound of pain, careful not to make too much noise as I made my way across the room.
“What's wrong?”
“Nothing.” I'd rot before I'd tell him I hurt myself. Cursing under my breath, I hobbled into the kitchen, reigniting hex spells as I went. First, the floor heated up, then the lights came on. I lived and breathed hexes.
“Are you in, or not?”
This was the opportunity I was waiting for. Why was Baker the one to deliver it to me? “What's the assignment?” I asked as I poured water into my kettle. Without much thought, I ignited the fire hex on it and set it aside while the water heated.
Two sharp knocks rapped on the door. “Open the door and I'll tell you.”
I squinted my sleepy eyes toward the door and begrudgingly opened it. His knowing smirk gave me shudders. “The fact that you know where I live disgusts me.”
He strolled in and I slammed the door shut behind him. A folder dropped on my slightly messy kitchen table.
“What kind of weird science experiments do you have going on here?” He leaned over and peered into my beakers and test tubes.
“Magic, not science.” Mostly magic, anyway.
“Where is your familiar?” He picked up a red beaker and sniffed it.
I snatched it out of his hand and put it back down on the table. “Why are you here, personally? We don't have any kind of relationship that endears you to me, and I have a feeling this isn't a job that's on the books.”
“It's a family matter.” He sat down in my one kitchen chair and leaned back, making himself right at home.
“Forget it. Take the case back. I'm not interested in some family drama.”
“It's not like that.” He opened the file. “The job is a protection gig. It's for my cousin, John Reeves.”
My eyes widened and I took the folder from the desk. “John Reeves, the hex-making genius? Can create multiple seasons with one hex spell, once in a lifetime hexxer, John Reeves?” Excitement wiped away the last bit of tiredness I had. I took the kettle and poured the boiling water over old tea bags, hoping it would have a little bit of taste. Some of the water splashed over, hitting my hand. I hissed. That was two burns in less than a day.
Oh no.
I shook my hand, ignoring the burn, and glanced around the room. Two fire disasters in one 24-hour period meant two ice-based disasters heading my way. I eyed Baker. “With a family like this, why are you doing this line of work instead of being a money-spending magic boi? Family didn't want to fork over their fortune to keep you idle?”
“Everyone has their talents. Mine involves stuff like this.” He tapped the folder in my hand, and I moved away from him.
“Why can't you do it alone?”
“It involves a place I don't have access to.”
“Why me?” My intuition told me the answer would change everything. And if I was smart, I'd reject his offer right now.
A sudden banging on my floor surprised me. “You brat, I know you're there!” A shriek called out below me and I quickly dumped the tasteless tea in the sink, tea bag falling onto the stainless steel. I hurried from the kitchen back to my bedroom.
“Pay me double the last job. If I have to protect someone, that means full-time. I need per diem.”
“Okay, we can negotiate.”
“No negotiation. Binding agreement. Now.” I held out my hand. “Make the oath.”
“I can get someone else.”
“Bullshit,” I said with a grin. “If you could get someone else, you wouldn't come crawling to me at this ungodly hour.”
I saw the anger and arrogance twist in his face. If I wasn't desperate right now, I wouldn't say yes.
“Do it or find someone else.”
He grasped my hand in his and did the binding oath. A glowing string tied us together.
Baker jerked to his feet. “Where are you going?”
“You obviously need me to go somewhere, or you wouldn't show up out of nowhere. I'm getting dressed.”
“Pack two weeks worth of clothes,” he called behind me.
I slammed the door shut and my calm instantly crumbled. There was a reason I didn't use actual electricity in this apartment. And why I was so careful to be quiet at all times. Something I completely forgot when I saw Baker's face.
I shoved whatever clothes I could find into my bag. Toiletries went into the side pockets. My backpack was perpetually ready for this very moment. I took out the lanyard with my public transportation badges and draped it around my neck.
Running will be in my near future. I didn't have time to scramble for it later.
With deep regret, I looked around the room. It was time to go. I reached out with my magic and touched every hex mark in my room, dissolving them immediately. The pain in my chest twisted like a burning blade. All the money I spent on ingredients to make these hexes. Gone in a flash. I dragged on socks and stomped into my boots, zipping them up the sides.
With a growl of frustration, I tore open my door and stalked out, bags in hand.
“You have nothing to eat here.” Baker held a mason jar in his hand.
“Don't touch my candied habaneros.” I reached over and snatched it away from him, placing the dark at the top of the bag, nesting within my haphazardly packed clothes. “What else do I need for the job?”
“You're going like this?”
I looked down at myself. I was wearing some light flannel PJs, but I had my boots on, at least. I reached over and grabbed my leather jacket hanging on the back of the chair. “There's nothing wrong with going out like this. Mortals do it all the time. Is there anything else I need?”
“This is our pass. You'll need it to go through the portal–”
A loud crash interrupted him and he turned toward the door, protection spells engaged.
I snorted. Like that would help. Stomping could be heard as something terrifying raced up the steps. One step at a time. Two at a time. Flying toward me.
I grabbed the portal pass out of his hand before he could say anything else and tugged the window open in my kitchen. My kitchen fed onto a balcony and fire escape, but the only way I could go out there was through a window.
I had one leg over the window ledge when my door flung open. Standing there, glaring at me, was Rebecca Saint, one of the meanest witches I have ever met in my life. While most witches tried to maintain their youthful appearances, Rebecca chose the path of chaos and destruction. She looked older than her age, fully embracing the hag form of fellow witches.
“Baker, meet Rebecca. Hello Rebecca,” I said with a smile.
“Veronica Alvarez, you stop right there.” Her shout sent chills down my spine.
“No can do. I have an assignment! See you later, Baker!” I waved the golden pass in my hand and went through the window, letting it slide shut behind me. With a whisper of power, I engaged the hex mark on the windowsill. Short of breaking the glass to follow me, no one in this world could open the window. I dropped my bags and put on the leather jacket. Well, no one could open the window unless it rained. Or when–
Glass shattered and gusted out in a whirlwind. A literal whirlwind that would shred me to pieces if it caught me. I touched my boots, activating the hexes, and jumped over the balcony edge, landing light and easy on the pavement below. Low-grav hexes on my boots made life easier, as long as I didn't accidentally leave them floating somewhere.
“Veronica,” she screamed at me as I ran.
My cell phone rang with that weird number from before.
“This woman tells me you owe her three months' rent.” Baker's voice ground over the phone.
“Yeah. That sounds about right. What happened to your old number?”
“This is my personal phone.”
Should I block that one, too? No, he was my ace in the hole for a promotion. A promotion meant working for the Council. Working for the Council would give me all the resources I needed to continue my hex research.
I raced down around the corner and kicked it into a higher gear when I saw a city bus pulling into a stop. The wind tore behind me, ripping at my leather jacket. With an extra burst of adrenaline, I barely made it in time, slapping my hand inside the door before it could close all the way.
“Sorry,” I called as I gasped for air, showing my bus pass.
I moved to a seat and flopped down, ignoring the gazes locked on my unusual clothing choices. With a disdainful sniff as my breathing got under control, I pulled my earbuds from their case and put them in. One was a little sketchy with sound and the other had seen better days, but they worked.
The moment I put them in, I heard a hostile voice. “I am trapped here as a hostage until you pay her rent.”
“Oh, I forgot you were still on the phone. Just front her the money. I'll pay you back.” I smirked and ended the call.
Feeling pretty proud of myself, I glanced down at the pass in front of me. Instantly, my self-satisfaction turned to outright dread. This assignment is sending me to the one place I swore I would never return to. The Kitchen Witch Academy.
I scrambled with my phone, panicked. Was it too late to fix this?
A text dinged.
Rent has been paid. You owe me. Do the job, or I will hunt you down.
Shit. Now I am really screwed.
4
Veronica
It wasn't desperation or a temporary lack of housing that had me standing on the sacred grounds of the Kitchen Witch Academy. It wasn't even the delicious welcome breakfast to the kids and parents of the special Halloween Kitchen Witch Camp that the Academy hosted for the last two weeks of October.
I’m not going to lie, though, I'm tempted by the wide array of food options, especially the cheese table. My gaze wandered from that delectable temptation.
The food wasn’t as tempting as the assignment I’d been given this time. Protecting one of the greatest hexxers of our generation while he was at the Academy while preventing others from stealing his spellcraft. Turned out the book of spells we recovered belonged to him. I regretted not taking a peek at it while it was in my hands.
John Reeves. Genius Hexxer. Powerful Kitchen Witch. Former best friend who betrayed me. Meeting him again filled me with trepidation. We weren’t kids anymore, but the memory of what he did still stabs me in the heart.
“Student or Faculty?” A chipper voice interrupted my thoughts. I turned my attention to a peppy blonde with a purple fetish. From head to toe, she was covered in plum purple. And still, somehow, pulled it off.
I caught the way she eyed my torn jeans, Renegade Witches t-shirt, and leather jacket. My PJs were safely stashed in my bag. It wasn’t the most professional, but it was the best I could do.
“Neither. I'm looking for someone.”
Her smile widened. It was amazing how such a beautiful smile couldn't reach her eyes. Faked emotions and disdain, exactly what I remembered from my years at the Academy. “Oh, a parent, then.”
“Wrong again,” I said with a smile that matched hers, my voice dripping with the same singsong fakeness she displayed.
Her million-dollar smile twitched. “If not a parent, student, or faculty, then who are you?”
“I'm looking for John Reeves.” Saying his name made my stomach do that weird butterfly thing. Okay, once I read the file, I realized the amazing opportunity before me. I had a different identity from our childhood. Meeting professionally gave me opportunities I wouldn’t normally have.
Besides, he wasn’t this amazing when we were friends. I still remembered the way we would experiment. More disasters than successes, but it was worth it to find someone else who loved hexes as much as I did.
This was a chance to get deeper into the hex arts.
If I could learn from the John Reeves, maybe my hex efficiency would rise. Or even better, find out if he's found a way to prevent hexes from dissolving in saltwater.
Her perfect mask cracked and she clicked her tongue at me. The frown on her face seemed much more natural and I could respect the absolute disgust that permeated her very being. Of course, this wouldn't be easy. Baker wasn't here to smooth the process, so this was all I could think of.
“No one meets Mr. Reeves without a golden pass. I don't know how you got here, but not just anyone can enter these grounds.”
I fished around in my bag until I found the portal pass I'd stuffed inside. “You mean this thing? I used it to get here.”
Golden passes were incredible. It offered a smooth portal transition no matter where you entered the magic travel system. Of course, only the richest, most powerful families and organizations had pocket dimensions like the Academy grounds, but the ease of travel couldn't be underestimated.
I smoothed the paper where I'd crumpled it earlier out of irritation. Returning to the Kitchen Witch Academy was my worst nightmare. Outside of losing my ability to cast hexes, of course.
She took the pass from me with a gentle tug. I expected it to be snatched, so I was slightly surprised. Her gaze traveled the length of the pass, and almost instantly, her sneer turned to panic. “Wait right here,” she said as she turned to leave.
“Wait.”
She froze.
“Give that back to me, first.”
Her sneer was back. “I need to verify this.”
“Then bring the person who needs to verify it to me. I'm not letting that go.” It was my only way back home. Once the Halloween Camp started, the entire campus would be locked down. Only those with passes like these could let a witch come and go when they wished.
She seemed flustered, so I gently took the pass back out of her hands.
“Wait right here. Don't go anywhere.”
“No problem,” I smirked, liking this side of things. For such a generous gift, maybe I would stop giving Baker such a hard time.
After a moment's hesitation, she rushed off, dragging other members of the faculty with her as she went.
Damn Baker, what kind of pass is this?
I stared at it, trying to figure out what made it so special. It simply stated a port of entry to the Kitchen Witch Academy. No special symbols. Simple font. Was there some kind of hidden mark or something? I held it up to the sky, trying to see through it. Nothing.
Oh well. Whatever it was, it might make things smoother. I folded the pass back up and put it in a side pocket, zipping it shut. Until she returned, I would enjoy the buffet.
