Page 7 of Clinically Bewitched
“Oh.” I looked back down at my cards, tilting my head. “Well, the universe doesn’t really work on a schedule, so...”
“TODAY!” Braveheart shouted. “The universe wants you to go today!”
I frowned. “I don’t think that’s how—”
“I’ll drive you to the airport,” Juju offered, already pulling out his keys.
“I’ll help you pack,” Thore added.
“I’ll buy your ticket,” Worm said.
“First class,” Gator added firmly. “We’ll get you a first-class ticket.”
I blinked at them, confused by their sudden enthusiasm. “That’s very generous, but I can’t just leave right this second. I need to prepare properly. I have to pack my crystals and myherbs, and I should probably do a protection spell before I travel, and—”
“We’ll help with all of it,” Gator said, and there was something almost manic in his eyes. “Whatever you need. We’re here for you, Athena. We support your journey.”
“You do?” That was surprising. For the past several weeks, I’d gotten the distinct impression that the Bourbon Kings weren’t entirely thrilled with my extended stay at their bar. But maybe I’d been misreading their energy. I did that sometimes.
“Absolutely,” Donut said, shoving a beignet into his mouth, nodding so vigorously I worried about his neck. “We’re all about supporting spiritual journeys here.”
“We are?” Worm said.
“We ARE,” Gator said through gritted teeth.
“Oh.” I smiled, warmth flooding through my chest. “That’s so sweet. You know, I was worried you all might be getting tired of me.”
The silence that followed was deafening.
“Tired of you?” Gator said finally. “Why would we be tired of you?”
“Well, I know I’ve been here for a while, and I did accidentally set off the smoke alarm last week with my sage cleansing, and there was that incident with the salt circle in the parking lot...”
“Water under the bridge,” Thore said quickly.
“Ancient history,” Juju agreed.
“We barely remember it,” Braveheart added.
I tilted my head, studying them. Their auras were all very... orange. Agitated. Excited. Desperate, even. But also genuinely hopeful, which was nice.
“Well, if you’re sure you don’t mind helping.”
“MIND?” Gator laughed, and it sounded slightly unhinged. “We’d be HONORED.”
“Okay, then.” I gathered my cards carefully, wrapping them in their silk cloth. “I suppose I should start packing. Oh! I need to call my sisters and let them know. They’re going to be so excited. I’m the last Malpas to find my person, you know. Freyja is going to flip when she hears the news, and Phoebe is going to be over the moon, though I suppose Scribe won’t care as much, but Mother and Father will be—”
“That’s a great story,” Gator interrupted, “but maybe you could tell us while you pack?”
“Oh, right. Yes. Packing.” I slid off the barstool, and immediately, all six men moved toward the back room where I’d been staying. “You know, the universe works in such mysterious ways. Several weeks ago, my cards told me to come to New Orleans, and I thought maybe my person was here, but clearly, I was just meant to pass through. This was a waypoint on my journey. A necessary stop to align my energy for what’s coming.”
“Sure,” Worm said. “A waypoint. That’s exactly what this was.”
“Not an imposition that nearly drove us all insane,” Donut muttered under his breath.
“What was that?”
“I said you’re very wise and I’ll miss you when you’re gone!”
