Page 1 of Blood Caged

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Chapter 1

Mia

Ipush open thedoor to the Jumping Bean, inhaling deeply as the rich aroma of coffee envelops me. The familiar warmth of the café wraps around me like a comforting blanket, easing the tension from my shoulders. A few regulars look up and nod in greeting, their smiles genuine.

“Morning, Mia,” calls out Kyle from behind the counter. I return his wave with a soft smile.

As I make my way through the shop, I notice a precariously balanced stack of books on a nearby table. With the slightest twitch of my fingers, I steady them, preventing what would have been a noisy crash. It’s second nature now, these little acts of magic woven seamlessly into everyday life.

A flash of withered brown catches my eye – a once-vibrant sunflower drooping sadly in its vase. I pause, letting myfingertips brush lightly across its petals. A whisper of power flows through me, and I watch with satisfaction as color blooms outward from my touch, golden yellow chasing away the decay.

I scan the room, my eyes settling on our usual corner near the window. There they are – my sisters, already deep in conversation. Kara’s hands are moving animatedly as she speaks while Rowan listens with her typical mix of amusement and skepticism.

As I approach, I can’t help but smile. No matter what challenges we face, these moments – just us together – always feel like coming home.

I slide into my seat, warmth spreading through my chest as I take in my sisters’ familiar faces. Rowan’s glasses are slightly askew, and Kara’s eyes sparkle with mischief. We exchange quick hugs before settling in with our drinks.

“You would not believe the morning I’ve had,” Rowan groans, pushing her tortoiseshell frames back up her nose. “I tried that new protection spell from Gran’s grimoire, and let’s just say my bedroom now smells like a swamp.”

I can’t help but chuckle. “Oh, Ro. What did you do this time?”

She throws her hands up dramatically. “I followed the instructions perfectly! Well, mostly. I may have improvised on the herbs a little.”

Kara rolls her eyes, but there’s fondness in her voice. “Rowan, you know better than to mess with Gran’s recipes.”

“I’ll get it right next time,” Rowan insists. She eyes her coffee critically. “Speaking of which, watch this.”

With a flick of her wrist and a muttered incantation, Rowan attempts to sweeten her drink. Suddenly, the mug overflows with a mountain of whipped cream, spilling onto the table.

“Oops,” Rowan mumbles, her cheeks flushing.

I lean in, whispering a quick spell under my breath. The excess cream vanishes, leaving Rowan’s coffee perfectly topped.

“Show-off,” she grumbles, but there’s a grateful smile tugging at her lips.

I take a sip of my own herbal blend, savoring the warmth. “So,” I begin, steering us back to more practical matters, “have we made any progress on Mom and Dad’s anniversary party plans?”

“I’ve made some notes,” says Kara, who’s always been the organized one. “But maybe you have some ideas, too?” She glances at me over the rim of her cup.

I lean forward, excitement bubbling up inside me. “I was thinking we could enchant the garden to bloom with flowers that glow under the moonlight. It would be so romantic.”

Kara’s eyes light up. “Ooh, and maybe we could create magical fireworks that form constellations that are important to Mom and Dad!”

She glances around quickly, making sure no one’s watching, then cups her hand. A tiny, shimmering orb of light appears above her palm, casting a soft glow on her face. “Something like this, but on a much grander scale.”

I nod enthusiastically. “That’s perfect, Kara. Speaking of which, how did that corporate event go last week? The one with the fire dancers?”

Kara grins, extinguishing the light with a subtle flick of her wrist. “It was incredible. Dad’s pyrotechnics were flawless, as always. And Mom’s weather manipulation kept the rain away all night. I helped with some of the ambient lighting effects.”

“You guys are really taking the business to new heights,” I say, feeling a swell of pride. Our parents’ specialized events management company has gone from strength to strength – with the help of a little magic, of course.

Rowan shifts uncomfortably in her seat. “I don’t know…maybe we should keep the magic subtle for the anniversary. We don’t want anything to go wrong.”

I furrow my brow, confusion creeping in. “What do you mean, ‘go wrong’? It’s a magical family celebrating a magical occasion. We should go all out!”

Rowan’s shoulders hunch defensively. “You know my magic has always been…unpredictable. What if I mess something up and ruin their party?”

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