The Whimsy Witch Who Wasn't - Donna Augustine Page 0,66
met.” He put a hand on my back, pushing me forward as if he didn’t understand my hesitance. Was this a Hawk problem? Had he not given a shit for so long that his social skills were so far gone he didn’t know when people hated him?
“No. We haven’t,” she said.
I smiled, having a harder time figuring out what fake formalities were needed. When the person you were introduced to was staring at you like you were vermin they’d discovered crawling out from behind a basket, did you smile and continue as if nothing were amiss here?
“Nice to meet you.” Reflex made me lift my hand and then yank it back, because the moment hadn’t been awkward enough.
She tipped her head, clearly out of fake formalities as well. As she did, a chirping noise exploded from her hair and a tiny pink bird burst out of the strands and flew across the room to perch on top of the shelving.
“Dammit, you made me lose my songbird!” Varima screeched.
“Well, we’ll be seeing you,” Hawk replied, going to the door and holding it open for me, which was much longer than the bird needed to escape.
Screams filled our ears until the door swung shut again.
“Why would you bring me to meet someone who hates you?” I asked, and as we walked away I watched the songbird disappear into the distance.
“She doesn’t really hate me. She simply dislikes me,” he said. “There’s a vast difference between the two.” He pointed up ahead. “Let’s stop there before we continue. I could use a drink.”
That I wouldn’t argue about. I might need a few drinks if the day’s agenda continued in this way.
The door was wood with a marble surround, and the restaurant looked inviting, with white tablecloths and little flowers in the center. The place could’ve been in Salem, if the people didn’t look so odd.
We walked in and took a seat in the corner, and it was immediately clear something was amiss here too. Everyone in the place looked at us and were clearly wondering why we were there. They whispered behind their hands. Some just whispered. Some spoke loud enough to hear.
A man a booth over leaned closer to his companion. “That’s the Whimsy witch who wasn’t. I’m not sure why they’re here.”
I was wondering the same. My anger grew stronger as the voices grew louder.
The waiter came to the table, stuttering as he took our order. He kept looking around the room, as if he thought he’d get stabbed for serving us.
As soon as he walked away, I leaned forward and grabbed Hawk’s arm to get his undivided attention. That gesture sent a hush through the room, and I let go of him immediately, forgetting that these people didn’t touch. I’d probably just made it worse, just as Hawk must’ve in the shop before. I’d definitely made it worse from the way they were staring at me. Now they didn’t think I was an associate of his but with him.
If that wasn’t bad enough, I was sure the story would get back to Belinda somehow. Now I really needed to take Raydam’s invitation seriously or my daily life was going to be hell. This all compounded to make me shoot past anger to fury.
“Did you want to say something?” Hawk asked, as if he didn’t have a clue how mad I was.
With the entire restaurant openly staring, I sat back and said, “No.”
I wasn’t giving them more of a show. I’d get him out of here first and then kill him.
Turned out that was going to be a good long while, as he ordered another round of drinks, then appetizers, main courses, and desserts. By the time we left three hours later, I was looking forward to meeting Raydam. Maybe it was time for a change. Maybe I was too flat and needed some folds.
I kept it together long enough to get out of sight of the restaurant.
“We’re done. I’m not going anywhere else.” That needed to be cleared up before he tried to ambush me anywhere else.
“That was probably enough,” he said, walking behind me for once.
“I don’t understand why you’re doing this. The people here clearly aren’t happy with you, and now they’ve all labeled me as an enemy. You might not care what people think of you, but you know this place. I’m new here. Are you trying to make me feel isolated and horrible?”
“Just thought you should know where the lines are drawn.”