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The amber glasses shielded me from the full affect of Rafe’s glare, that and the way he stared past me.
“That sounds quite reasonable, Mr. Fairchild,” Della said.
“Vincent,” I corrected.
“Of course. Vincent. We appreciate your offer.” Della tucked the envelope in her pocket. “It’s decided. Rafe will respond to the summons, and Vincent will accompany him.”
Where I would do my best to both keep him out of trouble and learn more about the Ferox Cor. And where I wouldn’t moon over him like a lovesick calf.
With that decided, we dispersed, to get ready for the following day. The rain returned, hammering the roof and sending rivulets of water down the windows. During dinner, I had the opportunity to question Della further.
“I know so little about this area.”
Della set a plate in front of me. “Chipped beef,” she said, and I thanked her.
“Do you have much contact with the other witches, the ones who made the new council?” Margaret asked, nodding her thanks as Della set a plate in front of her.
Della straightened, hands on her hips. “Martin was a singular person. He didn’t tolerate others getting in his way.”
“Amazing that he possessed the kind of power it took to prevent the formation of a council.” I kept my tone light, flirting with the real reason for our presence.Where did his power come from if not the Ferox Cor?
I got a sad glance for my trouble.
“My husband was a good man. He did his best to protect us from outsiders, and he took care of this town for many years. He secured the territory and kept the people who lived here safe from more than just the weather." Her voice rose as she warmed to her subject. “It was my honor to help him, and I won’t brook anyone speaking ill of him in my presence.”
“Pardon me, Della. That wasn’t my intention.”
She pressed her lips together, as if fighting the urge to say more. I waited for her next move, tension tightening my jaw. Margaret’s little cough broke through to both of us.
“This beef is delicious, Della. You must share your recipe.”
Della chuckled, her posture relaxing. “I surely will, Margaret, just as soon as I put your young man’s mind to rest. Martin Gallagher was far from perfect, but he did what he could. There was no one in the area who could match him, and every one of them was jealous.”
“It must have been lonely for you and Rafe.”
"You get used to it, being out here. It comes with being a weatherwitch.”
Margaret put a hand on Della’s arm. “She’s right. I expect I’ll end up someplace just as remote.”
“It was good of Madam Munro to send you.” Della gave each of us a tentative smile.
I felt lifted up in her estimation; not high enough to ask about the Ferox Cor, but close. “Madam Munro knows what she’s about. Now, tell me about this Oliver Stevenson so I don’t say the wrong thing tomorrow.”
“He’s a fisherman and he’s got power over water. He’s not strong enough to call himself a weatherwitch, so I guess this council thing is his way of grabbing power.”
The longer she spoke, the warmer she sounded, so I kept her talking. I learned that there were likely six witches on the new Seattle council – if it could really be called a council – each in possession of some manner of talent. There was one who could take animal forms, one had the power of invisibility, and two sisters who were accomplished herbalists.
The sixth was some kind of psychic, which caught my attention. “Tell me more. Can he read anyone’s mind?”
Della picked up Margaret’s empty plate and brought it to the sink. “She’s a woman, Mrs. Morrison, and she’s an odd one. She’s only been here a year or so and she’s not married, but she keeps rooms in town and a house on the banks of the Duwamish River. They say she’s a skilled clairvoyant, but I’ve never met her, so I don’t know.”
“She must make her money somehow.”
“That’s what people say. Of course, they also say she’ll make you a love potion for a dollar, so who knows what is true. Just be careful when you’re around her. Rumor has it that if she steals a thought our two, she’ll use them to hurt you.”
Margaret and I exchanged a glance. “Thank you, Della. I’ll do my best to put your information to good use.”
And in the meantime, I’d best find a way to protect myself against a psychic. The last thing I needed was for her to announce what she saw in my head, whether those thoughts had to do with the Ferox Cor or with Rafe himself.
