Witch, Please..., page 13
Rose lowered her chin, regarding him under hooded eyes. “I know that you’re referring to me and everything that you’ve said is completely false. I’ve demanded nothing. Mama Jamba requested this appointment. And I have had zero say in any of my wedding planning, which by the way was thrust upon me by Mother Nature since a union holds special magic.”
“So, you don’t want to marry London?” Elvis asked with a sudden look of disappointment.
“Of course, I do,” Rose said at once, watching as the sheep flopped down to take a nap in the middle of the shop. “I don’t even care that we’re being rushed. It feels right and the sooner we’re married, the sooner we can have our life together. I’ve spent enough of my life alone to know that I want to spend the rest of it with the man I love and my family.”
Elvis grinned. “Good. I knew you’d say that. I just wanted to hear it.”
“You’re such a romantic,” Rose teased.
“It’s true,” he said. “One may say that I Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
“Stop,” Rose urged, shaking her head at him and continuing to watch the goats fight.
“I can’t,” he continued. “I’m just All Shook Up.”
“Oh, you’re the worst.” Rose dared to move forward, into the shop, braving the fighting goats.
“Don’t walk away from me,” Elvis said, zooming after her. “Love Me Tender.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Entryway, House of Fourteen Headquarters, London, United Kingdom
It was becoming increasingly difficult to keep Gen from seeing the modern world. For the next attempt to return her to 1426, Liv and Rose took her to the House of Fourteen. However, that required them stepping through a portal to Santa Monica, which meant the Medieval Warrior got a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean, hippies in bikinis on the beach, and homeless people camped out beside the boardwalk.
“I’m sure you have so many questions about what you saw out there,” Liv said to Gen when they entered the House of Fourteen.
“Actually, I don’t even know what I saw or how to form questions about it,” Gen admitted, looking around at the entryway. “Wow, this is the current House of Fourteen? It looks…”
“Like it used to,” Rose said, filling in her sentence. “Yeah, not much has changed.”
Mesmerized, Gen stepped up close to the wall covered in symbols and lifted her hand. The Founders’ language glowed and began to dance under her fingertips. A laugh actually fell out of her mouth, like she was surprised.
“There’s so much more written here than in my time,” Gen said, craning her head to take in the walls and arched ceiling covered in symbols.
“Yes, and it invariably has spoilers in it,” Liv said, stepping in front of her and lifting her hand in an attempt to shield her eyes. “I might not be able to read the Founders’ language, but you and Rose can, so try not to take in too much of what you’re seeing.”
Gen glanced at Rose. “Why can you read it?” Then she redirected her gaze to Liv. “And why can’t you?”
Liv shrugged. “Well, it’s pretty complex and although I can read it, not with great accuracy or easily. It was like you all were intentionally trying to be difficult.”
Gen snickered. “We couldn’t make it so that just anyone could learn our secrets.”
“And we can’t really tell you why Rose can read it easily,” Liv continued. “That would involve spoilers, so we will just leave it to niggle your brain.”
Rose chuckled, realizing that Liv was right. If Gen knew that she was half-mortal and half-magician, then that might affect things in the past. The Mortal Seven also hadn’t been created in the House of Fourteen yet in 1426. Also, knowing that Rose was a demigod, well, that would be entirely too much information for the woman to process on top of everything else.
“Okay, well, I’ll be good and not look too much at the walls,” Gen said. “But to be honest, the symbols aren’t easily recognizable to me either. We had a fairly complex method for creating the language, so you shouldn’t worry that I’m reading spoilers.”
“Good,” Liv said, looking over her shoulder, ensuring that there wasn’t anyone in the area ahead of them. Then they’d definitely have some explaining to do. She pointed to the far end of the hallway. “That’s about where we ran into you and your father. Apparently, that’s the best spot for you to flip the second coin. Are you ready to try and return?”
Gen nodded. “I really hope it works this time. It sounds like everything is riding on me returning to 1426.”
Liv sighed heavily. “I can’t even imagine what will happen to this world if you don’t.”
“Okay, well, then I won’t delay.” Gen pulled out the coin, striding for the other end of the hallway. She paused in the spot where they’d met her in 1426 and turned to face Rose and Liv.
“Well, it’s been incredible to meet you both,” she said, sounding a little sad this time. “And I’m really proud to know that you are my family and are continuing to fight for justice. Continue to do so and I will work to pave the path that one day you will walk.”
“We know you will,” Liv said fondly, again hugging Gen, saying her goodbyes.
When released, Rose stepped up and embraced the time traveler, not saying a word, but offering a tender smile.
With a small wave, Gen spun around, holding the coin on her thumb like before. She flicked it into the air as she said, “Take me to 1426.”
Again, a bright golden opening appeared suddenly, nearly blinding them. Gen glanced over her shoulder at the other women. She smiled slightly. Let out a breath. Then turned for the gate. Without another moment of hesitation, she strode forward, stepping through the opening. As soon as she was through, the bright gate disappeared.
Rose let out the breath that she’d been holding and turned to Liv. “Okay, let’s hope it’s done this time.”
Liv held up two crossed fingers. “Let’s hope.”
In unison, they both turned. Halted. And slumped with defeat.
Standing squarely in the middle of the hallway of the House of Fourteen and looking as despairing as them was Gen Beaufont.
CHAPTER FORTY
The Crying Cat Bakery, Roya Lane, London, United Kingdom
Once again, Rose and Liv returned Gen to the Fantastical Armory to the annoyed and hostile glares of Papa Creola. Subner would have to make another coin, which would be the last one. After that, it was unclear what Papa Creola would do to try and fix the scenario. When Rose asked Liv about it, she had said that it wasn’t worth worrying about until they got to that point and hopefully, they never did, and the final coin worked.
Since they had to wait while Subner made the last coin, Rose decided to knock off another task from her wedding list. Jeremy Bearimy and Juergen were busy making her dress and London’s suit. Paris and Christine were hard at work on the details for the venue, decorations and more. It was intriguing to Rose that someone had offered a place and that it was a surprise. She really didn’t know where it could be, but then again, the possibilities were also kind of overwhelming.
Since she only had so much mental real estate for thinking on such things, Rose pushed the curiosity of her surprise wedding venue from her head and entered the Crying Cat Bakery. As with every occasion that she found herself in the strange and magical bakery, she wasn’t sure what she’d find there today. Usually the assassin baker, Lee had King Rudolf tied up or was sharpening an axe.
When Rose entered the bakery, she was met by a loud banging sound, a grunt and a string of curse words. She blinked at the commotion happening on the other side of the bakery counter. Lee was yanking a rug over the wood floor of the bakery, pushing it into place as if trying to cover something up. She straightened, looking directly at Rose with an irritated expression.
“Go away,” Lee muttered, pointing at the door Rose had just come through. “We’re closed.”
Rose checked the door over her shoulder before looking back around. “The sign says otherwise.”
“Do you want to die?” Lee asked matter-of-factly.
“Not particularly,” Rose replied, somewhat amused.
“Well, leave,” Lee said, toeing at the corner of the rug, trying to make it stay down. “I’m working on an important baking project and can’t be disturbed.”
Rose eyed her with a sideways expression. “It looks more like you’re working on an interior design project. Is that a new rug? What’s it covering?”
“Where I plan to bury you,” Lee threatened. “Now vacate the premises before you’re no longer a citizen of this planet.”
“I will,” Rose said, pulling the list and note from Mama Jamba from her pocket. “But first, I have a project for you.”
“No,” Lee stated with conviction. “There’s no way I’m doing anything for you right now. I’ve got my own thing going on.”
“Okay, great, well, I’ll just take this handwritten note from Mama Jamba that’s addressed to you and throw it in the trash,” Rose said, a teasing quality in her voice.
Lee’s eyes widened with surprise. “What does she say?”
“It states that you are required to drop everything and make me a wedding cake,” Rose said, crumpling up the note with a sly smile. “But you’re busy. I’m sure the creator of the planet that you want to kick me off will understand. Should I tell Mama Jamba that you refused or…well, she knows everything, so she’ll know soon enough, especially when there’s no cake at my wedding.”
“Do you enjoy being a horrible and wretched pain in my ass?” Lee asked, as if this was a serious question that needed a real answer.
Rose pretended to think on the matter. “I wouldn’t say that I enjoy it.”
Lee strode over, extending her hand over the counter. “Give me the note, you horrid enchantress hunter.”
Rose held the note out, but then yanked it back, playing with the assassin baker. “I hunt witches.”
Lee snapped at her, impatience in her eyes. “Whatever. Just give me the note. If it’s forged, then I’m chopping off all your long pretty hair.”
“It’s not forged,” Rose said, handing over the note.
Lee unwrinkled the paper, scanning it. As she did, something started to bang from under the floorboards where the rug was located.
Lee cut her eyes nervously to the side. Rose lifted up on her tiptoes to get a better look.
“What’s that?” Rose asked.
“Nothing,” Lee said at once.
“Doesn’t sound like nothing.”
“We have rats,” Lee stated. “Lots and lots of rats.”
Rose indicated to the case full of pastries. “At a bakery that serves food? Is that safe?”
“We don’t put the rats in our cookies,” Lee said, folding up the note and handing it back to Rose. “And fine, I’ll make you an emergency wedding cake.”
“Thanks,” Rose chirped.
“But it’s only going to have three tiers,” Lee said over the banging which was now vibrating the rug on the floor.
“That’s fine,” Rose replied, not really having a say in any of the wedding planning and not really concerned about it. When Mama Jamba and Saint Valentine were taking the reins of a wedding, no one needed to worry if it would go all right. It was destined to with those two women leading the charge.
“And I’m only putting two different buttercreams in the cake and five sponge flavors,” Lee continued, as if hoping that Rose got fed up and fired her.
“That sounds great, actually,” Rose said with a smile. “Thank you so much.”
“You’re most not welcome,” Lee stated over the incessant banging which now also was followed by a muffled voice.
“I think I should leave now,” Rose said, backing for the door. “Good luck with your baking project and the wedding cake.”
“I won’t need it,” Lee said, turning her attention to the rug and vibrating floorboards. “But someone else definitely needs all the luck.”
Rose spun around, bolting out the door, not wanting to be a witness to a murder. She was certain that the vigilante assassin was simply imprisoning some awful criminal, but still, Rose didn’t like to see blood, even if the person deserved to bleed.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
The Chamber of the Tree, House of Fourteen Headquarters, London, United Kingdom
“Whoa,” Gen said when she stepped through the Door of Reflection into the Chamber of the Tree. Her eyes were wide as she peered up and around at the domed room, the ceiling twinkling with lights.
Rose could only imagine how bizarre the last experience had been for the Beaufont from 1426. There was no way to enter the present-day chamber in the House of Fourteen without passing through the Door of Reflection. That magical entrance didn’t exist in Gen’s time.
Rose knew that walking through the mirrored door that served up someone’s worst fears as seemingly real nightmares was really daunting and sometimes painful. Gen would have faced her greatest horrors right before entering the Chamber of the Tree. Thankfully, the experience didn’t seem to be haunting her still, but that was only because she looked amazed by the sight of the round room.
Liv gave Rose an uncertain expression as Gen craned her head to look at the many flickering lights overhead. They represented each magician out in the world. In 1426, when Liv and Rose were in the Chamber of the Tree, there were far fewer lights, but that was a different time. The implications of how the world had grown would be overwhelming to Gen.
Thankfully there was no council meeting in the Chamber of the Tree that day, giving them the opportunity to test that location. Subner had crafted the third and final coin. If this didn’t work, then Rose was worried what they’d have to resort to. The notion definitely seemed to make Papa Creola nervous. However, the Chamber of the Tree held a lot of magic and was partially created by Gen with the help of her father and the other Founders. Therefore, everyone was certain that if any place would bring her back to 1426, then it would be the domed meeting room.
Unfortunately, the location for returning Gen posed a certain problem that there was no way around. After taking in the many lights on the ceiling, the Founder turned for the bench at the far end of the room and froze.
Liv stepped straight in front of her, blocking her view. “It’s best if you turn around and not study the family names on the tree.”
Gen nodded, cooperating, turning back around.
Liv had come into the Chamber of the Tree and attempted to cover the glowing tree on the far wall that held the family names of the Warriors, Councilors, and Mortal Seven. Yet, there was strong magic on the tree that prevented it from any tampering. Seeing the current names on the tree wasn’t as much a spoiler for Gen as knowing which names weren’t there anymore.
The only founding families that remained in the House of Fourteen were the Beaufonts and the Takahashis. It was better for everyone if Gen didn’t know this information. She couldn’t know that the Sinclair family would go on to try and destroy mortals and nearly kill Papa Creola. Things simply had to happen, even if they nearly broke the world in half.
Coming around to stand in front of Gen, Rose and Liv both gave her tentative expressions. They all had to be hopeful that this attempt to put her back would work. But the tensions were running high because everything rested on what happened next.
“Are you ready?” Liv asked.
Gen laughed at this, holding the last golden coin up. “I wasn’t ready to time travel here or learn everything that I’ve tried not to know so I don’t know if I’m prepared to return.”
“Well, it’s understandable that this has all been very confusing and overwhelming for you,” Rose said.
“And as much as I’ve grown really fond of you,” Liv began with a twinkle in her eye. “I really hope to never see you again.”
Gen actually frowned at this. “I know you mean that in the nicest way possible, but I’m going to miss you all and this strange world in the future. It’s starting to feel…well, not so strange.”
“That’s exactly why you have to get out of here,” Liv encouraged. “The more you start to feel normal here, the harder it is to get you back to 1426. But I get it…” She motioned between herself and Rose. “We’re pretty great. Papa and Mama are the best. But they are around in your timeline because well, they created everything. So, you could always find them, although I’m not sure that’s part of your destiny.”
Gen held the coin up between two fingers, winking. “Or maybe I was always destined to come through that gate and see what I did and that’s why I go on to do whatever it is that I do.”
Rose laughed, thinking of the complexity of this scenario. “Anything is possible and time travel does create a lot of paradoxes.”
“Just try and go back to how you were before you came here,” Liv urged. “Act how you would have. And don’t tell anyone about this experience.”
“Like they’d believe me if I did,” Gen joked, shaking her head.
“True,” Liv said, looking at Rose. “I think she’s going to keep her mouth shut.”
“I would too,” Rose said, smiling at her aunt.
“Well, good luck and hopefully this is goodbye.” Like on the other two occasions, Liv stepped forward, hugging the woman from Medieval times.
When Gen released Liv, she immediately hugged Rose.
“Okay, we’ll see you in the history books,” Liv said, waving at the time traveler.
Ironically, neither Liv nor Rose had looked up the specific history on Gen. That had been the advice of Papa Creola who thought that they might unknowingly be influenced or give Gen spoilers if they knew what she did in her timeline.
