Page 7 of Wicked Love
“Well, go if you must. But you and I must work today. Otherwise, who knows what happens tonight?”
“You really don’t understand the idea of softening the blow, do you?” I asked.
Zelda laughed. “Of course I do, but where is the sense in that? You have a problem, and I am a fresh set of eyes for your problem.”
“You’re not a fresh set of anything,” I muttered.
“I heard that, and while technically that is true, what is also true is that I have been part of assisting the coven leadership for many years.”
“Even now?” I asked. Sweet Goddess, if they talked to her regularly, they would know she was missing, and then getting her back to the crypt would be nearly impossible.
There was a moment’s silence, and then Zelda spoke, sounding stiff. “No, as of late, the coven leadership has needed less of my time.”
Oh. I knew hurt pride when I heard it. But for me, that was great. “That means it will be easier to get you back where you belong,” I said.
“How do you plan to do that?” Zelda asked.
“I have no idea. I don’t even know how to get the bodies back to their graves,” I said.
“I can help you,” she said eagerly. “There are spells that will return them.”
“Are you sure? You’ve been gone a long time,” I said.
“Are you questioning my ability?” Zelda asked. “The founder of your coven?”
“No, I’m not. I’m nervous,” I said.
“Understandable,” Zelda replied. Her voice had changed to that of a teacher.
I wasn’t sure if that was a good or a bad thing. “Listen, I need to get things done today, somehow get those bodies back, and get myself together for the coven ball tonight.”
“You can’t miss that,” Zelda agreed.
“Not when there is some question about me,” I said. “I swear, I’m never going to get past that.”
“Well, let’s get started. What are you wearing tonight?”
“I don’t know,” I said.
“That’s your first task then,” Zelda said.
I spent the rest of the day dealing with work tasks. I left the grocery shopping. I’d have to deal with it tomorrow. I kept a hunk of cheese in the back of the fridge. After lunch of cheese and some slightly old cucumbers, I went and got a manicure, asking the tech to please pamper my hands. I needed to look innocent as hell tonight.
Just after dark, I stood in front of the mirror in my room, turning from side to side. Zelda sat on the dresser on my left.
“You look wonderful, although you’re showing an awful lot of skin,” she said.
“Maybe to you,” I said. “I’m pretty modest.” My long dress was fitted, with a mermaid flair at the bottom. It was midnight blue, and the fabric sparkled as I turned from side to side.
“There’s no room for me,” Zelda said.
“What?” I spun around to look at her.
“Well, you need to take me with you. What if you’re bespelled by someone? You won’t be able to see that. I will.”
“You have got to be kidding,” I said.
Zelda didn’t reply.
