“For a check-in, then she’ll be back here. I hope Trent feeds her before she comes back. Too many stray cats hang around here.”
Christina looked stricken. “You don’t think …”
Mia shook her head. “There are a lot of things Idon’t know about dragons, so I’m just concerned. Besides, the way she chattered about Em, I think she has a soft spot for defenseless animals.”
“I’m not even going to keep thinking about that.” Christina held open the door. “I hope that sweater works out for you. If not, let me know and I’ll get you a different one.”
“It will be fine.” Mia set her packages on the table in the foyer and looked at the assembled group. “Are we starting a meeting of the Magic Springs Magical Outcasts Society for Justice now? Or are we waiting for more members?”
Her grandmother sat next to Damien, with Abigail and Thomas on the other couch, facing them. Levi came up to hug Christina and they sat with the group. Mia took the last seat.
Grans sighed. “It’s not funny, Mia. Mark stopped by and said someone sent him a video of you following Suzanne Parker in your car Tuesday night. He thinks you killed her.”
CHAPTER8
“Mark Baldwin does not think I killed Suzanne Parker. He’s just getting confirmation that I was here, with most of you, that night, waiting for my test scores. And if I hadn’t been here, the announcement would have found me and announced in the car or wherever I was. Sarah had to have told him that much.” Mia sank into a chair. She felt beat, but being back in the academy, under the protection wards, was giving her more strength. “I need to tell you what happened when we were at dinner.”
As she started talking about the glamour she’d seen at the restaurant, the room got quiet. Levi stood and went to the fridge and grabbed a beer for both Mia and Christina. After she’d finished with the fact that Trent had sent Buddy to follow them home, Thomas stood and paced.
“We haven’t seen magic like this against another witch for ages.” He’d paused as he’d formulated hisstatement, meeting Damien’s gaze. “Can you remember the last time, at least locally?”
Damien shook his head. “My books are being delivered next week. As soon as they are, I’ll dig into that question, and find out who cast the spell back then. But if I were to guess? It has to be almost a hundred years since we’ve had proof of this type of tampering.”
“I’ll spend some time in the archives tomorrow,” Grans offered. “I’m concerned that this isn’t just about your magical level.”
“I have that feeling too. Abigail, can you find out when Sonja was assigned to train Cerby and Tempest? I feel like I was set up to be alone here more than I have been this week. One, to ruin any alibi, but there may be another reason. The vision I had was based on something Christina and I were talking about at the mall. I’m either being followed or a listening spell has been cast on me.”
Christina raised her hand. “Or on me. I was supposed to be back in Portland this week. Levi, I think I’m moving back into my old room for a bit. How do you feel about not leaving Magic Springs just yet?”
“I don’t think we should leave. Whoever is doing this is skilled at breaking up the group. But I feel weird staying in your family’s cabin alone.” Levi leaned into Christina. “And I can’t go to Trent’s.”
“You can come home,” Abigail said. “You know your old room is always available for you and Christina.”
“Okay, maybe the Adams’s cabin won’t be that weird. Just don’t tell your mom I’m there alone. She’ll come by to count the silver,” Levi said.
“You’re awful but not wrong.” Christina laughed as she leaned into him. “I just can’t leave Mia here alone.”
“I have Finn and Grans most nights and Damien during the day.” She looked around the room. “I’m rarely alone here.”
“But when you are alone, you’re in danger,” Abigail pointed out. “If you’re going back to work, we should have someone with you at all times.”
“Really? How is that going to work? I have an event tomorrow and Saturday night. Then I go back full time on Monday. Does one of you want to give up your life to be my shadow?”
Christina held up her hand. “I can. My company has an exchange program with other hotels where we can visit and observe other locations for two months. I’ll put in the paperwork tomorrow and should be up and running by Monday.”
“I’ll call the captain and tell them that my mother is sick and needs her baby boy.” Levi grinned at Abigail. “She’s on her deathbed, but I hope to bring her back.”
“What happens if I visit Portland when this all settles?” Abigail asked.
Levi shrugged. “I pulled you from the jaws of death and nursed you back to health. Too bad I’m in a committed relationship or this story would get me dates for years.” He kissed Christina on the cheek.
“Don’t push it; you may not be in a committed relationship if you keep this up.” Christina swatted at him. Then she yawned, stretching her arms. “I’m glad I still have stuff here. I don’t think I could drive back from the condo tonight.”
Mia had been quiet while people were chatting. Shelooked at her grandmother. “Who else was here when you talked to Mark?”
“Just me. He knocked on the door, then waited for me to get downstairs. He’s such a nice young man.”
“I don’t want to offend you, but …” Mia didn’t get to finish her statement. Or had it been a question?
