Page 1 of Night Wedding
Chapter 1
Nova
If a siren asks you to go to the beach, just say yes. When it comes to swimming, they are relentless.
At least Gianna, my best friend and half-siren, was. When she called that morning and starting to sing, “Beach baby, beach baby,” I knew my plans for that day had changed.
“Hey, you got the lyrics right,” I teased. Although she had a beautiful voice, she screwed up the lyrics to most songs, which had provided me with endless amusement since we were kids.
“Only two words, so it wasn’t too hard,” she replied. “Come on, it’sbyoo-tee-ful out. We must take advantage. Before we know it, we’ll be buried under a New England blizzard.”
She had a point. I leaned back in the ergonomic chair I’d bought for my setup here on the third level of the house I’d inherited from my aunt. Given my recent concerns about my vampire boyfriend Diego, heading outside for some fresh air might be a good way to get me out of my head.
I closed my laptop and glanced around the turreted room my aunt had used as her witchy workspace. I’d kept her altar and magical supplies and added an antique desk in front of a window.
“Sure, I could use a break to get out of this mental funk.”
“What kind of funk?” she asked.
I pursed my lips. Should I tell Gianna now? “I’ll tell you later.” Before she barraged me with questions, I added, “It’s nothing, really.”
“You can’t go wrong with some vitamin D. Beach therapy is the best.”
Gianna was right. If I stayed lost in my thoughts for too long, I could be swallowed by dark shadows. Basking beneath the sun beside the ocean would be restorative. My growing understanding of the elements had taught me how powerful their effect could be on mind and body.
As if reading my thoughts, she added, “And it’s perfect for a witch like you. You’ve got earth, air, and water—you know all the elements you use in your magic.”
“What about fire?” I quipped.
“Maybe someone will have a bonfire going, but that’s unlikely until dark.”
“Okay, I can go for a few hours, but I need to head into the Network this afternoon.” I split my time between admin and editorial tasks for a children’s publisher in New York and working here at the Salem Supernatural Network where I dealt with all kinds of situations, from purifying new homes with sage to cleaning up magical mishaps.
“I’ll pick you up in twenty.” Gianna ended the call.
I climbed out of my chair and walked to an open window, inhaling the crisp morning air. Diego was safely in his room on the other side of the house, where the windows in the apartment were covered. Dating a vampire had made me acutely aware of the power of sunlight—especially since I’d almost fried him the first time we’d met.
Summer had arrived and so far, we’d had no more trouble with demons and sirens. Would the bright days keep the darkness from returning? I wasn’t naïve enough to think that, but a witch could dream—or at least visualize a more positive outlook.
The blue sky was cloudless, and the sun shone brightly. In the herb garden below, Lucas, a blond-haired dragon shifter, pulled out weeds. He lived in the main part of the house with Diego and Sebastian, a wolf shifter. What an odd assortment of beings to have as housemates. Now that I did, I couldn’t imaginenotliving with this quirky crew.
“Good morning, Lucas,” I called from the third floor.
“Hey, Nova.” He shielded his eyes with the back of his hand as he glanced up. “I just cut some lavender, sage, and comfrey.” He raised a bunch of cuttings that he’d put aside. “Do you want any?”
He’d kept my aunt’s garden growing, which was a wonderful way to honor her memory, and also a bountiful way to keep our supply of herbs stocked. All the green witches at the Network loved him for his talents.
I glanced at the collection of glass jars on a shelf that were stuffed with herbs. The lavender and sage jars were both full, and I had enough comfrey infusions to last a decade. That plant never quit. I loved the pink flowers but would never be able to control the bountiful growth. “I have plenty, thanks.”
When he gave me a thumbs up, I joked, “Oh look, your thumb is green.”
He glanced at his hand and teased, “If the green spreads all over my body, you’ll have to call me incredible.” He flexed his bicep and growled like the Hulk.
“I’m sure Zoe thinks you are already,” I said with a chuckle. Lucas dated the elf detective who’d recruited me to work at the Network.
He nodded, flashed his signature grin, and returned to the garden.
Back here in Salem, I finally felt like I fit in somewhere. I’d grown up here as a witch without magic, which had made me feel like an outcast. It wasn’t until my aunt had died last fall that the block on my magical abilities had been lifted, one that my mother had insisted was necessary for my safety. To say I was miffed at being lied to for almost twenty years was as understated as saying that the Titanic had been struck by an ice cube.
