Page 3 of Seas the Reckoning

Shanell steps aside.

I hear a resounding crack on the floor. The sound repeats, and Grammy Pearl smacks her cane one final time before coming to a stop in front of us.

Now I know something big is brewing.

2

PRIZES & PRICES

Starla sighs, looking first at the floor, where the tip of Grammy Pearl’s cane rests, then back up at the coven leader.

“I don’t suppose you’re here for trivia, or just because you missed your favorite granddaughter?”

And only granddaughter, although Grammy Pearl has gone on record that she considers me as good as a second grandchild. For that, and many other reasons, my loyalty to the seer is absolute. If Grammy Pearl has indeed brought news of a gruesome murder or case that needs our attention, I’ll help.

But another scenario is much more likely.

After our tussle with Leon, the Carolina Beach witches had to deal with an errant coven. The situation necessitated calling in a favor from Starla’s estranged father, and I can’t help but wonder if that's the purpose of her spontaneous visit.

“Not just trivia. And I always enjoy seeing my family,” Grammy clarifies. “We could discuss everything after the game?”

The seer is not normally one to hesitate when she has something to impart. Either her vision has told her the timing is important, or she’s taking pity on her granddaughter and giving her a last moment of normalcy.

In exchange for his help, Starla’s father demanded she agree to go in person to see him, and we knew the time had to come eventually. While many people might think that’s a far better outcome than Grammy announcing another murder, I have my doubts.

Starla ducks her head.

“Whatever you think is best, Coven Leader.” A picture of respect and decorum. “Plus, if you join our trivia team, we stand an even higher chance of whooping Exos’s butt! He’s more certain of himself than a stallion out to stud, and we’ve got to show him what’s what!”

She flashes a smirk, and when Grammy returns the expression with her own soft smile, I let myself relax.

Jackal and Exos both offer the older woman an arm, but she waves them off in favor of Brody as the red wolf shifter approaches the group with both a ready elbow and a freshly made cocktail.

“Got to know how to appeal to people,” he says with a wink as Grammy accepts the drink and his proffered help.

I’ve had my suspicions that the red wolf has a thing for Imogen, my witchy lawyer who helped me get out of a murder accusation, but right now he’s only got eyes for Grammy. The shifter helps the older woman into a chair before returning to the bar, humming to himself and smiling.

Imogen is currently back at the coven house working and has been taking calls directly from the Magikai to sort out the Leon Stone interrogations. Her introduction to the magical government has given her an even better look into the supernatural world, but I hope she’s able to get back to Carolina Beach soon. I’d like to see Brody keep his smile in place.

Luckily, I’m fairly certain she likes him just as much as he appears to like her. At least that’s my determination after watching them spend nearly every spare moment together since I siren-songed Leon and she stopped having to defend me against trumped-up charges.

More people trickle in, and teams are determined. Drinks are poured, appetizers are brought out, and trivia begins.

“Third place!” Starla crows, jumping up and down. She waves a small plastic bronze-looking trophy in the air. Then, directly into Exos’s face.

His eyes cross as he tries to look at the object.

“Yes, I have to concede it’s a great accomplishment. Now, I admit, I still have a lot to learn about the human world. Remind me again, though. Is silver superior to bronze?” He waggles his eyebrows at her, along with shaking his own, second-place trophy. His study has been paying off.

Starla raises her eyebrows at the gargoyle.

“What did I say? Brags more than an honor student parent! And even though you beat us by a couple questions thanks to that section about sports, which I know you’ve been studying, Leena was correct on every single ocean-themed question.”

“Should we stop them?” Jackal asks, leaning in toward me and whispering.

“I’ll handle it. Let’s not forget that we all came in behind the dock master and his friends,” I remind everyone.

Steve runs the docks and helps inventory stuff for my business, Siren Scuba. And, since he helped us by lying to the police back when they were investigating me for murder, he’s also someone I’d happily take a bullet for. Steve insists that my name being cleared is thanks enough, but Starla promised him and his wife free dinners for life, and they’ve happily taken her up on the deal each week on trivia night.