Page 35 of Amber: Deja Brew

Chapter 13

Amber

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I look up and spotZoe at the front door. She raises her hand to knock, and a few seconds after her knuckles make contact, water slams into the glass. She jumps back with a shriek and raises her hands, like she either plans to cast a spell or fight back, but when there isn’t a repeat attack, she lowers them again.

“I’ll get it,” Julian calls out, then mutters a curse when the water attacks him.

“It’s not like we were going to get it,” Karma mutters, smiling as more water rains down on her. She does have a point.

Julian opens the front door, gets hit by some water in the process, and then steps aside to let Zoe in.

“Hey, gang. Started the party without me?” she asks.

Water sprays in her direction, poised to attack, but she shoos it away with a flick of a wrist. Like an obedient pup, it turns away from her and finds another target. Which happens to be Julian.

“Why’d you do that?” He glares at the witch. The water takes that as an invitation and comes back for round two.

“You really should use a shield spell,” Zoe says helpfully. “For a witch who’s the talk of Silver Springs, you’re really dropping the ball here.”

“People are talking about me?” Julian frowns. Water shoots out at him, but this time, Zoe deflects it.

“Just the coven.” She waves the water away, and it lands on me and Karma. The two of us sigh happily, while Zoe continues. “Last night’s meeting was the most excitement we’ve had in a while. It’s no wonder it’s all they can talk about.”

“What are they saying about us?” Wes demands, and more water rains down on me and Karma.

“Nothing bad, Boss Man. Just a bunch of witch gossip. Most think the mating bond’s a coincidence—perfect timing, fate, whatever you want to call it—but a few are wondering if Julian could have cast it. Honestly, I think they’re just bored.”

“So you don’t think I cast it?” Julian asks.

“Not really sure.” Zoe shrugs. “On the one hand, you blew up two doors. On the other, you’re soaking wet.”

“I could cast a shield if I wanted to.” Julian pouts, and Zoe calls him on the lie by letting the water hit him head-on.

“Sure you could.” She deflects the next spray of water. Instead of raining down on Karma and me, this time it flies back to the sink, and Wes growls.

“Sorry, Boss Man. Want me to turn it off?”

“Of course I want you to turn that off! Do you think we’re enjoying this?”

“Kind of.” Zoe looks down at Karma and me. “I mean, you’ve brought mermaids to the party and everything.”

“This isn’t a party!” Wes sputters in response to another spray of water. “Never mind! Just turn it off. Please!”

“Okay, okay. No need to growl.” Zoe rolls her eyes. “Bears, am I right?”

Karma snorts, and I can’t help grinning. Zoe waves a hand to make the water stop, and the two of us share a disappointed look. Because despite not wanting to flop around on the cafe floor, the water calls out to something deep down inside us, and we can’t help wanting more.

Then all the water on Karma and me suddenly starts to rise up and float to the ceiling. I’ve never seen magic like this—not from Julian’s parents or anyone at the academy—and I roll over onto my back to watch. Karma follows suit, and we both adjust the guys’ t-shirts to make sure they’re covering all the important parts before we lose ourselves in the show. And it really is a show.

Zoe’s casting isn’t practical—it’s fun. I know she’s expending energy—witches do that every time they cast a spell—but instead of just letting the water rise, she makes it dance. Literally. The droplets fuse, forming a waltzing couple that makes its way across the cafe.

We’ve always got classical music playing at Jewels Cafe—softly, in the background, so I always forget it’s there—and with a flick of her wrist, Zoe turns it up. More water droplets rise up in groups and then separate outward like fireworks.

“Now this is a party,” Karma says.

“It is most definitely a party,” Zoe agrees. “So which one of you is Amber?”