Page 8 of Death Card

“No.” I glance down at my dress. “I need to change my clothes first.”

“Not so fast.” She hooks her finger toward me. “Come have a chat with your auntie.”

Oh boy. I can’t imagine what she wants to talk to me about.I’m not under the delusion that this will be an innocent conversation. Aunt Roberta’s a woman on a mission. She always has something to say.

“But—”

Despite my protest, she arches her brow in a way that says,Don’t test me, girl.

“Yes, ma’am,” I mutter, following her into the kitchen.

Sweat immediately beads on my temples from the heat of the oven. Uncle Larry, Aunt Roberta’s husband, stands at the stove stirring a huge pot of gumbo. At the counter, eighty-five-year-old Miss Connie is chopping tomatoes for the salad while her granddaughters frost cupcakes at the island. They all smile and shout greetings over the hubbub.

Aunt Roberta takes my hand and tugs me toward the doors leading to the back patio. I peer out to see Lizzie’s dad manning the grill. The younger kids are playing soccer in the grass. Someone shouts as one of them casts a spell to send a gust of wind straight at the ball. It’s enough to send it soaring into the goal. The rest of them begin to argue over whether it was an illegal move.

My aunt clears her throat, dragging my attention back inside. “Have you decided when you’re going to college yet, girl?”

Straight to the point. I can appreciate her tenacity even if it makes my life hell.

I hold back a sigh. “I’m taking a gap year. I thought I told you.”

“You did. And you’ll remember that I didn’t agree with that decision then, and I still don’t agree with it now.”

“Aunt Roberta—”

She stabs her finger at my chest. “You are too smart of a girl tolet that brainpower go to waste. Adelaide would be rolling in her grave right now if she knew you weren’t going to school this fall.”

“It’s too soon. I’m not ready.” I keep my gaze trained on the floor. “And besides, who’ll help Gramps run the shop if I’m not here? Orion?”

“Why not? The boy could use some responsibility.” In a gentler tone, she says, “No one said you had to leave New Orleans, baby. There’s plenty of schools round here. Tulane and UNO. I’m sure if you put in an application now, you can get a spot for the spring semester.”

“No,” I say, and Aunt Roberta narrows her eyes at me. “It’s my decision and I need a little bit more time.”

I’m well aware that I’m likely the only valedictorian in my high school’s history not to head straight to college. But without Gran here, it doesn’t feel right. The person I wanted to make the proudest isn’t even here to see my success.

There’s always next year, but for now, my focus is my family. Or at least, that’s the story I’m going with.

Aunt Roberta sighs and reaches for my hand. “Just promise me that you’ll go to college eventually.” Her gaze softens. “I think it would be good for you, Mikaela.”

I can’t make that promise to her, not right now. Deep down, I’m afraid that maybe this is all I’ll ever be: the late Witch Queen’s granddaughter who works in her grandfather’s magic shop. So instead of answering, I nod.

“All right,” Aunt Roberta says, patting me on the back. “Go, run along. The food will be ready soon.”

I quickly make my escape before she can change her mind.

4

Everyone’s lining upto make their plates by the time I’ve changed into shorts and a square-neck blouse. Lizzie and Chris are also back, with Orion in tow. They’re huddled in the corner of the living room while the older crowd makes its way through the line. I squeeze into their circle, bumping Orion out of the way with my shoulder.

“Where have you been?” he asks. He’s rolled up the sleeves of his button-down shirt to the elbows. I catch the faint whiff of alcohol in his soda, but I don’t mention it since Chris is carrying an identical cup. No need to start drama.

“Aunt Roberta cornered me as soon as I came in. Once I escaped, I had to change.”

“Last I saw, she wasn’t letting any ‘unauthorized people’ into the kitchen,” Chris says, using air quotes.

My gaze drops to the floor. “She was on me about college again.”

Orion snorts. “Funny. She never asksmeabout that.”