The Hermetic Detective by Kirsten Weiss

Author:Kirsten Weiss [Weiss, Kirsten]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: witch mystery, female sleuth, urban fantasy, paranormal mystery, amateur sleuth
Publisher: misterio press
Published: 2015-10-31T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

White clouds massed above the mountains, reflecting their snowy peaks. Curtains of sunlight streamed through them, sparkled across the lake.

Three days until the solstice.

Riga and Pen sat at the kitchen counter, feeding the twins breakfast in their infant seats. Sweat pooled at the small of Riga’s back, where the holster locked into her belt. Her thin, black blouse did little to hide the weapon, but she wasn’t going anywhere without it today. She’d learned her lesson.

Pen scooped a tiny spoonful of pureed carrots from the jar. “Um, do you need me to watch the twins today?”

Riga’s stomach churned, and she reminded herself not to be greedy, that Pen had a life too. She had hoped to visit the Towers today, but there was other work she could do from home. “You’ve earned a day off. Besides, I have to take the twins to their doctor’s appointment this morning. Why? What’s your schedule?”

“I’m going to the tea shop to meet a few friends.” She shot Riga a quick, sideways glance.

“You mean the woo-woo tea shop?”

Pen grinned. “It’s a lot less woo-woo than you and I.”

The Mystic Tea Shop was more marketing than magic, but they blended good teas, and the owner was a relative of sorts — Reuben’s new wife. “I thought we agreed you’d stay home until we took care of our little problem.”

“It’s just the tea shop.”

Riga sighed. “Fine, pick up a box of that licorice tea for me, will you?”

“Sure, but, I’ll be there a couple hours.” Color rose to her cheeks. “I’m teaching a workshop there. Spiritual alchemy.”

Riga lowered her spoon. Pen was teaching? Had made friends here? “At the tea shop?” Why was this the first she’d heard of it?

Grunting with frustration, Jack kicked his feet, his mouth wide.

Hastily, Riga slipped the spoon into his mouth.

“Brigitte says it’s an important part of my training,” Pen said in a rush. “That teaching forces you to learn a topic at a deeper level.”

“She’s right. I just meant the tea shop is tight quarters for a lecture,” Riga lied. She’d never taught anyone aside from her niece. Riga worked alone, hadn’t made any real friends aside from Brigitte. But there was no reason to inflict that kind of isolation on Pen. And there were benefits to being plugged in to the magical network.

“It’s amazing how many people can fit inside that old photo shack when things are rearranged.”

“I’m sorry I’ll miss your debut,” Riga said. “Do you want to practice your lesson with me before you leave?”

“I’ve been practicing with Brigitte. I just hope I’m giving them something worthwhile.”

“Of course you will.” Riga scraped a dollop of carrots from Jack’s chin and tried to ignore the pain knifing between her ribs.

“But I was wondering,” Pen said, “I’d like to move on to alchemy in a lab.”

“And you need a space that won’t be disturbed?” Was Pen leaving? Had she already found a new home?

Pen shifted in her chair, and it squeaked on the tiles. “I was thinking of that little mother-in-law cottage you have out back.

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