Page 125 of No Charm Done

“Hear, hear!” Jasper raised his glass in agreement.

Nate gestured back with his own glass, creating a sort of long-distance cheers between them. “For those of you who haven’t met him, that’s Jasper over there. The magicians’ save-point solution enables him to continue his work outside Oak Haven and then return to us without poor Delilah having to re-explain her family tree every day. So you see, we all have something to be grateful for. In any case, thank you again, and thanks to all of you for joining us. Cheers, everyone.”

Glasses clinked all over the green, and the Earls’ table erupted joyfully. “That’s my son!” Twelve leaped up and waved. “Congratulations, my boy!”

“And my grandson!” added Eleven.

“And my great-grandson,” offered Ten, and so on until all the generations had been adequately acknowledged.

At the table beside the Earls, three figures from New York were making the best of an awkward situation. Hector and Diego sat on either side of Adrienne, the twins’ silver hair catching the floating lights as they surveyed a party where the only person they knew didn’t bother to show up.

“She’s still not here,” Hector said.

“Indeed she is not,” Diego confirmed.

Adrienne shook her head. “Classic Luna Melrose.”

“Hello, folks!” Nine leaned over from the Earls’ table. “First time meeting the Melrose sisters?”

“We know Luna well,” Hector said.

“But the other two,” Diego continued.

“Not so much.”

“Ohhhh I see,” Nine said, chuckling. “You’re from the New York coven.”

Adrienne took a long sip of her wine. “That’s correct. Luna swore she’d be here. Swore it. Said, and I quote, ‘I wouldn’t miss Scarlett’s wedding for anything.’ Ha. Should’ve known.”

“Wellll, you know our girl. She has always been in her own little world a bit. Still, though—” Nine reached out to shake each of their hands in turn. “I’m awful glad you’re here. Gives me a chance to thank you for all that help last year.” He turned to his progeny. “Hey fellas, these here are the subway witches. Make ’em feel welcome, yeah?”

The Earls erupted in enthusiastic welcome, chairs scraping as they all turned to properly greet the newcomers.

“The subway witches!” Ten exclaimed. “Well, blow me down! ’Bout time you visited us here in Oak Haven!”

Eleven raised his glass high. “Any friend of Luna’s⁠—”

“Is probably as mad as she is,” Twelve finished, grinning. “Which means you’re our kind of people!”

“To the subway coven!” Nine called out.

“To new friends!” the Earls chorused, glasses clinking together.

Adrienne looked slightly overwhelmed by the onslaught of pirate hospitality, but she was smiling. “Well, this is⁠—”

“Quite the welcome,” Hector said.

“Quite the family,” Diego agreed.

“Aye, that we are.” Nine settled back into his seat. “And you’re family, too, as far as we’re concerned. Whether Luna is here or no.”

* * *

Over at the head table, Delilah frowned briefly at Luna’s empty chair. Then she sighed and went back to picking at her salmon.

Beside her, Jasper reached idly into his tuxedo pocket. “You really barbecued the hell out of that bouquet, Del. Some people would interpret that as a sign of some sort.”

She shrugged. “Some people believe the Earth is flat.”