Fae of Calaveras Trilogy: Three Book Box Set

By Kristen S. Walker

A teen witch in a small town with big problems.
3 books. 4 short stories. 800+ pages of magic and secrets!

Teen witch Rosa thought she had the perfect family, but her mother has dark secrets that could rip apart the entire magical community. When Rosa suspects something sinister in her home, she stumbles onto a conspiracy that threatens her family and their hometown.

As Rosa and her mother are drawn into the ancient battle between the Seelie and Unseelie Faerie Courts, they must choose sides. There’s no such thing as good and evil when it comes to the capricious Fae. Will they choose to protect their family or their community?

Includes:
Small Town Witch
Witch Hunt
Witch Gate
Witch Test
A Witch's Halloween Surprise
Midwinter Night's Dream
Midsummer Knight

The Fae of Calaveras Trilogy includes all three novels and four bonus short stories in an urban fantasy series for teens. If you like teen witches, sarcastic Fae, and family drama, then you’ll love this high-flying adventure from Kristen S. Walker.

Buy it now!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kristen S. Walker
• Release date: Nov 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311494009

Kristen S. Walker

Fantasy author Kristen S. Walker dreams of being a pirate mermaid who can talk to sharks, but she settles for writing stories for teens and adults. She's proudly bisexual, Wiccan, a liberal feminist, and lives in northern California with her family and two rescued pets. To find out more about her stories, please visit kristenwalker.net.

Book preview

Fae of Calaveras Trilogy

Fae of Calaveras Trilogy

The Complete Box Set

Kristen S. Walker

Kristen S. Walker

The Fae of Calaveras Trilogy

Kristen S. Walker

Copyright © 2013-2019 Kristen S. Walker

Cover Design: MiblArt https://miblart.com/

Edited by Charlee M. Redman

ISBN: 9781081412524

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

© Kristen S. Walker and kristenwalker.net

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Contents

Witch Test

Small Town Witch

A Witch’s Halloween Surprise

Midwinter Night’s Dream

Witch Hunt

Midsummer Knight

Witch Gate

Thank You

Free Book

Also by Kristen S. Walker

About the Author

Witch Test

Fae of Calaveras #0

Witch Test

When did you run into the Unseelie before?

Heather and I were sitting in my bedroom, me on my bed and her on my desk chair. We were supposed to be working on our homework, but instead we were chatting about everything that had been happening lately at school and the Faerie Court. I wasn’t surprised that Heather eventually got around to asking about my previous encounter with the Unseelie—I’d actually been dreading this question for a few days, ever since the subject first came up.

I looked at her. I’m not sure that it was actually an Unseelie that I ran into before, I said. It could have just been a test.

Heather raised her eyebrows. A test? Why would someone test you by pretending to be an Unseelie?

Well, it was part of the trial that I had to go through to become a witch. Everything was supposed to be a test so the Faerie Court could find out if they could trust me with magic.

She leaned forward. What happened, Rosa?

I put down my history textbook and pulled up my legs onto the bed, folding them under me. I get uncomfortable letting my feet dangle for too long, because my legs are too short to reach the floor. Well, it was my thirteenth birthday, which is on the Summer Solstice—the longest day of the year. The Faerie Court told me that I had to climb Quiggs Mountain, alone, through the forest, to reach the castle at the top. Along the way, there were supposed to be three tests, and if I passed them all, then I could swear an oath and a Fae would grant me their powers.

She nodded. That sounds simple enough, if you can manage that long of a hike. She made a face. Heather had health problems, so she couldn’t do anything too strenuous. So you thought the Unseelie was just one of their tests, like resisting the temptation of the dark side?

That’s what I thought at first—but then it seemed like something went wrong, and it got really weird.

The party at the castle had started the night before and I didn’t want to miss all the fun, so I started off bright and early in the morning with a small knapsack full of water bottles, food, and an emergency kit, all packed for me by my mom. I couldn’t walk on any of the roads, and the trail that I was supposed to follow was about eight miles long, which I expected to take me about six hours at the rate that I could walk back then. The day was also going to get hot later on, so I wanted to be up that mountain and in one of the swimming pools at the castle before the hottest part of the day hit.

The trail didn’t have any markers and I didn’t have a map, and like all the terrain around here, the ground actually goes up and down a lot so I couldn’t always tell if I was headed up to the summit. The only directions that I had were to stay on the path, and if I ran into a fork, I always had to take the first trail on my left. I was worried about getting lost and what I was going to do when I ran into the tests. What if I did something wrong and I didn’t pass? Fae aren’t really known for giving second chances to humans. If I didn’t become a witch like my mom, she would be really disappointed in me. She always made such a big deal about witchcraft and wanting to pass her secrets on to me.

The first two hours, nothing happened. I followed the path and turned left whenever I got to a fork. The scenery was beautiful: all of these old giant sequoias rose up around me, I saw squirrels and birds hiding in the brush, little wildflowers grew on the side of the path. I kept an eye out for poison oak, but the path was wide enough that I didn’t have to touch the greenery on either side.

Once, I came to a spot where an old tree had fallen across the path. Someone had cut out a large chunk from the middle where it had blocked the path—a long time ago, because the cuts were old and weathered—but left the rest of the tree lying there. The base of the tree looked like a face, with roots spreading out in all directions like crazy tangled hair. It reminded me of my curls when I don’t put them up in a braid. Bumps in the bark looked like closed eyes and a mouth, and a giant clod of dirt in the middle looked just like a big, bulbous nose. I pictured it as an old man lying there asleep in the middle of the forest.

Not long after that, I came around a corner and was startled by the sight of an enormous black crow. It was perched on another fallen tree by the side of the path. The tree had only fallen recently, and it was torn all along one side to show raw wood underneath, like a huge beast had ripped the bark to shreds.

The crow had its back to me, but when I stopped short it turned to one side and looked back over its shoulder at me with one beady black eye. It cawed three times, so loud that I thought the whole forest must hear it. It stared at me for another moment, then spread its wings and flew away into the trees.

I took a shaky breath. The forest suddenly seemed very quiet. I felt a tickle at the back of my neck, like something was watching me, but when I turned to look, there was nothing there. Still, I couldn’t get rid of the feeling that there was an unseen stranger waiting for . . . something.

I paused for a minute and took a drink of water. Nothing else happened, so I kept walking.

A few minutes later, I saw an old woman sitting on a rock next to the path. Even though the day was already growing warm, she was wearing a heavy green cloak over her flower print dress, with the hood pulled up over her head. She was breathing hard.

I rushed over to her. Are you all right?

She looked up at me with a thin smile. Yes, dear, I just need to catch my breath. It’s a steep climb up this hill.

I looked around and didn’t see anyone else. You’re out here all by yourself? It’s still a long way to go, and it’s going to be hot soon.

The old woman nodded. I’ve made this climb many times before. It just takes me a little longer now. You can keep going—no need to stop and trouble yourself over me.

I hesitated. I wasn’t going to leave this old woman out here on her own.

I sat down on a tree stump across the path from her. You know, I think that I could use a little break, too. I pulled off my knapsack and opened it. Would you like a drink of water?

The old woman looked up at me with relief. Oh, do you have a little that you can spare?

There were two refillable plastic water bottles in my bag: a blue one and a green one. I’d already drunk from the blue, so I pulled out the green and held it out to the old woman. I haven’t touched this one yet, so it’s clean, I promise.

She accepted the bottle and took a long drink. Oh, that helps so much, thank you. She closed it and tried to hand it back.

I shook my head. Keep it. I have another one, and you’ll need it to get the rest of the way up this hill.

She smiled and slipped the bottle into an inner pocket of her cloak. Thank you.

I looked at the other contents of my bag. I have some food, too. I glanced at my watch: it was after eleven. It’s getting close to lunch. Do you prefer egg salad or peanut butter and jelly?

Oh, I can’t take your food, too—

I thrust a sandwich toward her. Try the egg salad, it’s my mom’s recipe. She adds fresh celery from her garden which is really flavorful.

When she saw the determined look on my face, she took the sandwich from me and sat there staring at it.

I opened the plastic baggie of the other sandwich and started eating. Peanut butter and jelly was not that exciting, except that the jelly was my mom’s homemade plum preserves. We had plum trees in our front yard, and every year there were more fruits than we could eat or give away, so she canned them.

The old woman eventually opened her sandwich and ate it. It’s good, she said between bites.

When we had finished eating our sandwiches, I pulled out another baggie full of cookies: little soft shortbread balls, colored blue and pink and green, and rolled in powdered sugar. Only some of them were broken from being jostled around with everything else. I took out one of the better ones. Dessert?

She shook her head. Oh, no, dear, those look too rich for me.

Are you sure? I made them myself. I popped it into mouth whole and licked the powdered sugar off of my fingers.

She watched me with a frown. Why is that one green? It looks moldy.

I grinned. I added food coloring to the dough to make them cute. I call them fairy cookies.

I see. The old woman tucked away her trash into her cloak and stood up. I think I feel refreshed enough to keep going now. Thank you for your generosity.

I put everything back into my knapsack and stood up with her. Can I walk with you for a while? I didn’t want to leave her alone.

The old woman shook her head. That’s kind of you, but I don’t think you can keep up with me. I have an appointment to keep.

I doubted that an old woman could really walk faster than me. I looked down at the contents of my bag. Are you sure you don’t need anything else? I could give you more food, or you could take the other water bottle—

I looked up and started in surprise. The old woman had disappeared.

I continued the hike on my own, wondering what had happened to the mysterious old woman. Maybe helping her had been one of the tests? If I was willing to stop and help others, surely that was a good quality that would make me trustworthy to the Faeriekin Court. If all the tests were like that one, then the rest would be easy. All I had to do was keep on following the path and do the right thing for the next two tests.

Another hour passed as I walked. By now, I hoped that I was at least halfway up the mountain. Without trail markers or a map, I didn’t have any way of knowing how far I had come or how many miles I still had left to go. The trail kept going up and down over little ridges, so it was hard to guess how high I was.

I was on an upward slope when I heard something crying out in the bushes. I crouched and tried to peer through the brush, but I couldn’t see what was making the sound. It sounded like a cross between a seagull and a baby. Whatever it was, it sounded like it was in distress.

Should I go see what it was? It could be another part of the test. But the faeriekin had been clear that I should not leave the path. The noise sounded close, though—I could just go a little ways into the forest and then find my way back.

The pathetic cry kept piercing through the bushes. Finally I decided that I’d had enough of it—I had to find out what was going on. I stepped off the path into the woods.

After I took a few steps, the noise suddenly stopped. I glanced back over my shoulder. I could still see where the path was behind me. It was safe to go a little farther.

I crept forward, trying not to make a sound. There it was again—just a tiny whimper, but I was almost there now. It was coming from behind that tree just over there. I looked back one more time to remember the way that I had come, and then walked over to peek around the tree.

A full-grown gray fox had one hind paw stuck inside one of those old, rusty hunting traps. When the little animal saw me, it struggled and shrank away from me, but the trap held it fast, digging into its flesh. It whimpered again and held still, crouching low to the ground and watching me.

I couldn’t believe it. Foxes were a rare sight in the woods, and hunting any kind of animal wasn’t legal for miles around the mountain—the faeriekin protected it as a nature preserve. What was a trap doing out there, and how had an animal managed to get stuck in it? Even if the trap was old (and it looked like it had been there for a long time), there wouldn’t be fresh bait in it to lure a fox.

I knelt down next to the frightened animal. It’s okay, you poor little thing, I said in a soft, soothing voice. I reached out to it slowly, hoping that if I stayed calm and non-threatening, the fox wouldn’t bite me. I knew any wild animal would bite if cornered, and I didn’t know how to tell if it had rabies or something. I just want to help you get free.

The fox bared its little teeth at me, but it didn’t make a move. I managed to reach the springs on either side of the trap. At first, it stuck shut, but then I leaned on it with more of my body weight and the trap eased open.

The moment that the fox could pull its foot free, it bounded off into the forest in a blur so fast that I couldn’t tell if it was limping. I hoped that the foot would heal on its own and the animal would be okay.

I closed the trap again and put it inside my bag. I didn’t want to leave it out in the forest where it could hurt another animal. Then I turned and walked back the way that I had come.

There was the path, right where I had left it. When I stepped back onto the trail, I suddenly saw the old woman in her green cloak standing in front of me.

Well, aren’t you just the sweetest thing, she said with a smile.

I stopped and looked again. Something about her was different. Her voice was deeper, and the print on her dress was a pattern of green leaves, not flowers. How many little old women in green cloaks could there be roaming around the woods? Were they hired by the faeriekin to test me?

I couldn’t leave that poor animal there to suffer, I said. It wouldn’t be humane.

The woman’s smile broadened, showing her white teeth. It was a human who placed that trap there in the first place. You can’t judge what’s right for an animal by human standards.

I ignored that comment; I wasn’t going to argue ethics with a strange old woman in the middle of the woods. Did you need help with something? I have food and water if you need refreshment.

She shook her head. It’s kind of you to offer, but I am here to help you.

How?

She turned and pointed down the trail. Do you see that fork just up ahead? If you take the trail on the right, you’ll find a shortcut to the summit. It’s a steeper climb, but you’ll get there sooner.

I frowned. I was told to always take the first path on the left.

She raised one thin eyebrow at me. Do you think that anyone will even know which path you took? You’re going so slow, no one would think that you were showing up early. I thought you could use the shorter path so that you’re not stuck hiking out here all night.

I laughed. I might be going a little slowly, but I don’t think that it’s going to take me all night to go a few more miles. I’m more than halfway there already.

She shook her head. You’ve been walking for four hours and you’ve barely gone two miles. At this rate, you won’t reach the castle until after midnight.

I stared at her, my heart sinking into the pit of my stomach. That—that’s not possible.

How can you tell? Do you have a map? She shook her head like she already knew the answer. You’re going to need all the help you can get.

I walked around her, heading for the path on the left. I’m not going to get through this by cheating.

You’re welcome to keep trying. I’ll just catch up with you in a few hours when it starts to get hot out here, the old woman called after me.

I marched on up the hill without looking back. That was probably just another test, I told myself. She was trying to make me lose heart and tempt me into breaking the rules. Her ‘shortcut’ would probably just get me lost, anyways. I was on the right path and I was going to keep at it.

She was right about one thing, though. Now that it was past noon, it was starting to heat up a lot faster. The trees had kept me in the shade earlier in the morning, but now the sun was directly overhead, and there were big patches of sunlight across the trail.

It was only an hour before I saw the old woman again. I turned a corner and there she was, leaning against a tree.

You look like you’re getting tired, she said with a smirk. You know what you could use? The power to conjure up a nice breeze to cool your skin, or maybe you could summon an icy cold beverage for refreshment.

I scowled at her. I’m going to have power as soon as I get to the top of this mountain. The court will make me a witch if I pass this test.

She chuckled and shook her head. What makes you think that you can pass this test? Do you think that the Fae are so willing to share their powers with a mere human that they would give you an easy test? It’s rigged against you—and what’s worse, they’ve used an illusion to turn you around. Come with me, and I’ll help you get to the top.

I’m not going to fall for your tricks. I kept on walking past her.

Walking away from the old woman didn’t shut her up. Maybe you need a little incentive. She muttered something under her breath.

There was a low growl behind me.

I looked back over my shoulder, and saw a mountain lion crouched on the ground, preparing to spring. It growled again, baring long, sharp teeth.

I froze in place, keeping my eyes locked on the big cat’s. Everything I’d been told about mountain lions raced through my head: try to look big, make a lot of noise to scare it away, don’t run or they’ll mistake you for prey.

The old woman cackled. You’re going to need my help now, dear!

I ran.

Even though I knew running was the wrong thing to do, I couldn’t help it. My feet took off and I was obliged to follow. My heart pounded in my chest, I was breathing heavily, and my mouth was dry. I ducked my head, preparing to feel the weight of the mountain lion pouncing on me.

But the mountain lion didn’t pounce. It growled and chased me for a minute—I imagined that I could feel its hot breath on the back of my legs—and then I heard it crashing off into the underbrush to one side.

I slowed my pace from a sprint to a jog, but I didn’t stop moving. I had to keep going and hope that I was still going the right way. The only thing I could do was try to get to the safety of the castle before that crazy old woman sent something else after me.

Then I started to hear things in the forest around me: growls, howls, bird calls, shrieks. I couldn’t identify all of the types of sounds, but it sounded like every wild animal in a ten mile radius was after me.

I reached a series of switchbacks on a steep rise. I tried to cut through them and head straight up the hill. The effort of climbing slowed me down to a brisk walk, and my muscles burned with the effort, but whatever was stalking me was getting closer. I could not afford to zig zag back and forth on the trail.

When I reached the top of the rise, I came face-to-face with a grizzly bear. The bear stood up onto its hind legs and growled.

I screamed and bolted off the path into the woods.

I was tearing downhill at breakneck pace. Trees rose in my way and I had to dodge around them, bushes scratched my legs, my feet kicked rocks and slipped on leaves. Then I tripped over a root and went flying.

The ground was so steep that it seemed to fall away from me, leaving me airborne. I had a moment to put my hands out to brace my impact and then I hit the ground, smashing up my hands and knees but thankfully keeping my head from hitting anything.

I lay there on the ground for a moment, stunned by the pain. I tried to sit up and winced as a dozen tiny cuts and scrapes began to sting. I took a deep breath and eased onto my side, then looked down. I couldn’t see all the damage because of the dirt: when I tried to wipe my hands, it only made it worse. But I could already tell that it was bad and I was going to have bruises before tomorrow.

I reached back and pulled the knapsack off of my back, clutching it gingerly between my fingertips, and managed to get my remaining water bottle out. I poured water—sparingly, because the bottle was more than half gone already—over my hands and legs. It stung all over again, but I got the worst of the dirt out. Inside the emergency kit, I found bandages to cover up the open wounds.

I was tempted to just lay there and cry, but I could still hear menacing animals all around me. I got to my feet slowly, every joint in my body protesting against the movement, and started to limp downhill again.

A look at the sky told me that I was heading south. If I kept going, I should be able to find the main road. Maybe there I could find someone driving by who could help me.

It was slow going, but after a few minutes the pain lessened a little and it was easier to move. I continued to hear menacing sounds from the forest but none of them seemed to get any closer. Maybe this whole thing was just a set up to make me panic and accept the old woman’s offer, not an actual attack—but while the panic was setting in, I was still stubborn enough to refuse to give in.

Do you hear that? I shouted to the trees and the things hiding behind them. I’m not giving up! You can keep trying to scare me, but I’m not going to play your game!

The noises around me stopped.

This game continues until you ask for my help or you lose your life, the old woman’s voice echoed through the forest.

I whirled around to look for her, but I could not see her. Leave me alone! I don’t want your magic!

She stepped out from behind a tree. It’s power that you’re doing this for, right? What does it matter how you get that power, so long as you have magic at your fingertips and the universe waiting to do your bidding?

She snapped her fingers, and a griffin stepped out of the trees next to her. It opened a wickedly sharp beak and let put a piercing cry.

My breath caught in my throat. I’d never seen a griffin before. But I folded my arms and stood firm. I said no, so just leave me alone.

The griffin leaned forward until its enormous head was right in front of me. Its breath smelled like fish. It opened its beak and snapped it shut again just inches away from my face.

Stubbornness could only get me so far. I backed away from the griffin and turned, hurrying down the hill as fast as my injured legs could carry me.

You can’t run forever! the old woman called after me.

I didn’t answer.

When I was out of earshot, I slowed down to a walk again, and then a few minutes later I stopped and leaned against a tree, panting for breath. I couldn’t keep this up. I looked at my watch: it was after one, less than an hour before I expected to be back at the castle. How long would I have to be gone before someone got worried and came looking for me? Was there somewhere I could hide until then?

You look like you’re in bad shape, little one.

It was a man’s voice, soft and kind. I looked up and saw him sitting cross-legged on the ground in front of me. He was tall and beautiful, with dark curly hair and the faint glow that marked a Fae. Something about him seemed vaguely familiar.

Do I know you? I said. What’s your name?

The better question would be to ask, what is my name today, he said with a faint smile.

That brought my memory back. He showed up at the Faerie Court whenever there was a party, and always insisted on being called by a different name. The night before, he’d told me his name was Franz and he asked me to dance. I was flattered—no one had ever danced with me before.

You were Franz last night, I said. What is your name today?

He clapped his hands together and grinned. You remembered. I’m Hugh today. Now, you seem to be in trouble. Can I help?

I glanced back over my shoulder. This old hag is chasing me. She has a griffin with her, and other animals, too. She keeps saying that she wants to give me magic but it sounds like a trap. I don’t know what she wants from me in return.

Hugh shook his head. No, I don’t think that would be a good idea. You should always be clear on the terms of a pact before you agree to it, and someone who is putting pressure on you isn’t offering good terms. He cocked his head to one side, like a bird’s. What do you think she’ll do if you stand up to her?

I stared at him. Her griffin almost took my head off back there!

He gestured down at my scraped hands and legs. Is that the worst she’s hurt you so far?

I brushed my torn pants and winced at the cuts. Actually, I got these from falling down the hill. But those monsters could do a lot worse to me.

Hugh shrugged. It seems to me that if she hasn’t hurt you yet, then she isn’t going to. That’s my advice.

The griffin roared in the distance—it was getting closer. I looked back over my shoulder. I don’t think it’s that simple—

But when I turned back, the mysterious Fae was gone.

I groaned. So much for getting help. But maybe his weird advice would actually work. Only way to find out was to face the old hag once and for all.

Somehow I didn’t feel my legs hurting as I marched back up the hill. I didn’t have to go very far before I ran into the griffin, stalking its way to me through the trees.

The griffin stopped and looked at me, and I looked back. It gathered its haunches, lion’s tail lashing behind it.

I clenched my hands into fists and tried to make myself look bigger. Then, with a piercing scream, I raced toward the griffin, waving my arms wildly.

The griffin turned tail and ran away.

I’ll just summon something bigger and more terrifying, the old woman’s voice came from up the hill. She came striding down to face me.

I glared at her and held firm. I don’t think you’ll hurt me. I’m tired of running. Either you do your worst right now, or you let me go on to the castle.

How nice of you to find your courage. You’re right, I won’t hurt you. With a smirk, the old woman threw back the hood of her cloak, and suddenly she was a much younger woman, tall and beautiful like a Fae. I admire your guts. If you ever get tired of playing by the court’s rules, come and find me.

She stepped behind a tree and disappeared. I knew she was gone—I made sure to climb up there and check.

When I climbed back up to the path, I found Hugh there waiting for me.

You handled that well, he said with a smile.

Thanks, I said, grinning back. I looked back over my shoulder. Um, was that part of the test? And was it okay for you to give me advice like that? I don’t want to do anything that’s going to screw up my chances.

Hugh’s face darkened. I don’t know what the court planned, but something about that woman was very strange. His smile returned, and he laid one finger on the side of this nose. But I won’t tell anyone if you won’t.

I laughed nervously. Okay, it’ll be like our secret.

He nodded. And when you make it to the castle and pass the test, come find me. I’ll offer you terms on a witch pact that are more than fair: power in exchange for friendship.

I stared up at him in surprise. I hadn’t considered who I might choose to be my patron, since I didn’t really know any of the Fae that well. But he seemed nice enough, and friendship was an easy thing to promise. There’s no catch? I asked cautiously.

Only exactly what I said. He offered his hand to me. Sound like a good deal?

Deal. I took his hand and shook it.

Hugh tipped his head to me. Enjoy the rest of your hike. Then he stepped around a tree and disappeared.

I walked on.

In my bedroom, I smiled to myself, remembering the events of that day. It turned out that the last test was a trail marker, pointing me to the castle—on the right side of a fork. I went to the left and I passed the test. And then later, after I swore to obey the laws of the Seelie Court and gave my fealty to Count Duncan, I found Hugh—or Dandelion, as you know him—and he became my patron. I held up my right hand, with the five-pointed star on my ring finger. This is the mark he gave me that made me a witch.

Heather frowned. And did you tell anyone about the old woman in the woods? The one that you thought was Unseelie?

No one, I said with a shake of my head. I was afraid if I told anyone about the attack, then they would find out that I had help from a Fae. The Seelie laws are very strict, especially when it comes to things like letting humans have magic. If they knew that I cheated on the test, then they could take away my witch powers or worse.

But if there are Unseelie around here, we could all be in danger, she said. Did you ever see her again?

I shrugged. Not that I’ve ever recognized her. She could obviously disguise herself. If she’s at the court, I don’t know about it. I think tempting me was all she could do. If she meant to do real harm, she didn’t have the power to do it on her own.

She leaned back in her chair and folded her arms. If you ever see her again, then you have to tell someone.

I’ll tell Dandelion before I tell the court. Of all the Fae, he’s the one that I trust the most. But she could have been part of the test, and then he was in on it, too.

Heather shrugged. There’s no way to tell without confronting them.

For three years, I’ve had no reason to worry about it, and I don’t think that seeing some symbol scratched on an old wall is anything to cause a panic.

Let’s hope that’s all it was.

Small Town Witch

Fae of Calaveras #1

For Luke,

this story would not be written without you

Contents

1. The Perfect Family

2. The New Girl

3. The Ghost Town

4. Right to Privacy

5. The Faeriekin Party

6. Aftermath

7. Pride

8. A Fun Night Out

9. Full Moon Flight

10. The Kiss

11. Into Faerie

12. Lavender's House

13. Discoveries

14. Powered Down

15. Rose's Garden

16. Run Away

17. Desperation

18. Destruction

1

The Perfect Family

I wrinkled my nose up as I walked in through the back door and saw the latest harvest from the garden. The kitchen was crowded with too many different smells, spicy and woody and sharp all mixed together. Freshly-cut herbs were piled on the table and counters. In the middle was my mother, Rosmerta, tying together bundles with twine so she could hang them up to dry.

Whew, it stinks. I opened the window, letting in a fresh breeze. Do you have to do all of that in here?

Why not? Mom pointed to a pile. Some of this is for the kitchen.

I picked up a piece of something and smelled it. It made me think of Italian food. What’s this one for?

That’s basil, she said in a sarcastic tone. I was thinking of making fresh pesto sauce for dinner tonight. Would you rather have pasta or pizza?

I rolled my eyes. I knew my family could afford to get take-out once in a while, and in the twenty-first century not all frozen dinners were disgusting, but she always insisted on making home-cooked meals for us every night. I didn’t have that kind of patience for cooking. Yes, but what kind of magical use does it have?

Mom sighed. As a witch, so she used all of these plants in her spells, and she tried to teach me how to use witchcraft, too. She looked at me. You’re supposed to remember these things, Rosamunde.

I could just write it all down to help me remember. I put down the basil and picked up a sprig of lavender. Or maybe I’d remember it better if you taught me the spells that I would actually use them in.

I only teach you as much as you’re ready for, she said for the hundredth time.

I rolled my eyes. Yeah, you keep saying that, but when am I ever going to be ready for anything? I’m probably one of the most responsible sixteen-year-olds ever. I get okay grades in school, I don’t get in trouble, I’ve never even scratched your car while driving, I always call to let you know where I am, and I come home on time.

Don’t make a mess, Mom said sharply.

I looked down at my hands and realized that I’d been picking apart the lavender piece by piece while I talked. I swept the bits into a little pile and looked up at her. Well?

Well, are you practicing all of your exercises like I taught you? You need discipline to learn magic.

She meant the deep-breathing exercises and meditations. They were so boring that they often put me to sleep. Yeah, um, sometimes, when I get the chance. But I’ve been doing the same things for years. Other than flying on my broom, you hardly ever let me do anything.

Mom raised her eyebrows at me. When you demonstrate discipline, then I’ll trust you to do more. If you don’t like the way that I teach witchcraft, you can learn sorcery at your school. She turned her back on me. I’m not going to argue with you, Rosamunde.

I opened my mouth to protest that sorcery was completely different from witchcraft, and did she really want her daughter to stop following in her footsteps? Glaring at my mom was hard, because even at sixteen I was still shorter than her. Since I’m only five-foot-four, most people were taller than me, but Mom was also really good at looking intimidating. She pulled herself up straight and loomed over me in a way that made me feel like I was five years old again.

I was interrupted by something insistent bumping into my leg. I looked down and saw a small black cat’s head. Oh, hi, Menolly, I cooed. I bent over so that I could scratch behind her ears. I didn’t see you there. All the stinky plants didn’t chase you out of the room?

Menolly sat back on her hind paws and arched her back so that her head lifted under my hand. She blinked her round, yellow eyes at me and then turned her head to rub her chin on my hand. I continued to pet her, and soon I managed to coax out a purr.

Mom cleared her throat loudly. I looked up at her, blinked, and then remembered that we’d been having an argument.

I’m sorry, Mom, I said. I went over and put my arm around her. I think you should make potato gnocchi with the pesto sauce for dinner. That was really good last time.

Mom nodded. I’ll see if I have any potatoes. Don’t you have a test to study for tomorrow?

I’m already on my way up to my room. I turned and left the kitchen.

The next morning, I repeated a familiar ritual: waiting for my sister to finish getting ready. I drummed my fingers on the banister and looked at the clock. We should have already left for school by now. Akasha, we’re going to be late! I called up the stairs. Get your butt in the car now!

The bathroom door opened and Akasha came out, head down and a scowl on her face. She was dressed in her school uniform, but her hair was still hanging down in messy curls. I haven’t done my braids yet.

You can do it on the way. We have to go now. I folded my arms and glared at her. She couldn’t use the hair excuse with me. I had the same long, thick curly hair and I knew enough to get up early so that I had time to braid it up properly before school.

Okay, you don’t have to yell at me. Akasha picked up her bag and started coming down the stairs.

I wouldn’t yell at you if you were ready on time. I’m the one driving you to school now, so that means I’m the one who has to be responsible for you. And today you’re setting new records for being slow.

Mom came out of the kitchen and gave us a hard look. Rosamunde, you don’t need to be that harsh with your little sister.

I whirled to face her. But she—

No arguing. Mom put her arm around Akasha and kissed her on the forehead. And you need to listen to your sister when she reminds you that it’s time to go. Hurry along now, girls, but don’t fight.

I rolled my eyes, but bit my tongue and waited while Akasha put on her shoes. When she finally had everything, I rushed to the garage. I didn’t know what Akasha’s problem was today, but I didn’t want to get in trouble for being late to school.

I was already backing the car out of the driveway when she turned to me with big, tear-filled eyes. Rosie, I don’t want to go.

The old, childish nickname annoyed me. My friends called me Rosa now. I stopped the car and shot her a look. You never want to skip school. Are you sick?

My sister screwed up her face and looked at the floor. Well, no, I feel fine—

I started the car again.

No, wait! she said. Can’t I just take a day off?

I can’t play hooky with you today. It’s my first social studies test, and I actually studied for it. I looked up at the house. Do you want to ask Mom to stay with you?

Akasha shook her head. No, I don’t want to bother her. Let’s just go.

Okay. I left the driveway.

Akasha turned and looked out the passenger window as we drove, still brooding. As my annoyance wore off, I began to wonder what was bothering her.

Why don’t you want to go to school today? Is something going to happen?

No. I just don’t feel like it, she said without turning around.

That doesn’t sound like you.

She said nothing. I thought about the past few weeks since school had started, and realized that Akasha had sounded less like herself for a while. She’d been sullen like this before, and she didn’t talk about her classes or teachers at all. I’d just been too busy to pay attention.

Time to be the big sister. Look, I said, everyone has a hard time adjusting to a new school. The work is harder in seventh grade and at a private school, but you knew that. I had problems when I started at Crowther too, remember? You just need to give it more time. Try to make some friends.

Akasha shook her head. Sarah’s parents pulled her out. She’s already switched to St. Teresa’s.

St. Teresa’s was another local private school—an all-girls Catholic school, with Bible readings and everything. It was a good school, but they’d never accept a witch as a student, or even a witch’s daughter.

I tried to remember the girl and failed. Who’s Sarah?

She was the only other human in my class.

Despite our town’s reputation, humans were still the majority over magikin. Out of four thousand people, less than a quarter of our neighbors had any magical family trees, but that was still more than the normal ten percent. Many of the humans also practiced magic. Mom and I were the only witches, but there were lots of sorcerers and most people knew how to do a few easy spells.

In the public schools, like Madrone Elementary where Akasha and I both went when we were younger, most of the students were human. Crowther Private Academy, the combination junior and senior high school where I’d been for four years and Akasha just started, was exceptional because it was small, only letting in twelve students each year, and most of the students—and teachers—were magikin. There were only five humans in my class, and all of us studied magic of one kind or another. Apparently Akasha’s class had even less, but that shouldn’t have made a difference.

I gave Akasha a pointed look. You had plenty of magikin friends in elementary school.

She pouted. That’s different.

How is it different? All of a sudden you have to start sticking with your own kind?

She shrugged and turned away. They’re the ones who want to stick with their own kind. I don’t belong at this school.

I sighed. No one feels like they belong in middle school. If they’re forming faeriekin cliques or whatever, it’s because they feel just as insecure as you do. You have to open up to them first if you want to make friends.

You wouldn’t understand. All of the faeriekin love you.

I stopped the car at an intersection and threw my hands up in the air. That’s because I make an effort! I talk to them, I hang out with them after school, I go to their parties and hang out at their Court. It doesn’t take magic to make friends, just being friendly.

Akasha started crying again. She rubbed her face. It’s not that easy for me. And even for you, your best friend is still a human like you. You’re just sucking up to the faeriekin because of the pact, but they’re not really your friends. Don’t you feel like they can’t really understand you?

I stared at her with my mouth open. How could you say that? Lindsey is just— I stopped and shook my head. All of my friends are good friends, and I’m not sucking up to anyone. And it wouldn’t hurt for you to at least get to know them before your test. Your thirteenth birthday is going to come up faster than you think.

Akasha looked up and glared at me. Would you and Mom just stop giving me such a hard time about the test? Ugh! I’m not even sure that I want to become a witch like you two!

I snorted. Don’t be stupid. I turned away and started driving again. Of course you want to be a witch. And you’ll make plenty of friends at school. You just started, give it some time.

Akasha turned her head away and looked out the window. I don’t think that we should fight about it any more.

I gripped the wheel tighter and didn’t say anything. I was trying to help her, not fight with her, and she wasn’t listening. Well, yelling about it wasn’t going to help anything. I just kept driving.

Crowther was chaotic first thing in the morning. There was always a long line of cars full of parents waiting to drop off their kids around the front of the old ranch mansion that had been converted into the school. The small paved parking lot was already full, reserved for staff. Students who brought their own cars had to drive around to the gravel lot on the far side of the new wing and walk back.

The yard was a stream of students, all clad in the black-and-white uniform. Seeing them from a distance made me think of those nature documentaries where the deep-voiced narrator points out that in a herd of zebras, all of the animals look the same, so that predators can't pick out an individual. It was the same way at school: there were naga tails and pookha ears here and there, but they all blended together as just another group of teens.

In the middle of this, a pale yellow horse came walking out of the trees, picking up her feet and raising her tail. On her back were two tall faeriekin, a boy and a girl. They were both blond and beautiful, but the girl looked that much more ethereal than the boy: finer features, pointed ears, perfect skin. They were Glen and Ashleigh, two of my classmates and friends. I waved to them as they rode by on their way to the stable.

At the front door, every student had to pass through the wards. Crowther had magitek locks which that keyed to recognize every student and staff member and keep out anyone who didn’t belong. A little bit of magic was needed to use the doors, so the first thing that anyone learned how to do was operate them.

But today, I realized that Akasha wouldn’t touch the doors herself. She waited for someone else to come along and open the door, and then grabbed it before it could swing closed again.

She held the door open and looked at me. Are you coming?

Just a minute. I took the door out of her hand and pushed it shut. Open it.

Akasha looked at the ground. I thought that you didn’t want to be late for your test.

Yeah, I just want to see you open the door.

Another group of girls came up behind us. One of them started to reach for the door. Wait, I said, putting out my hand again to stop her. Let my sister get it.

Akasha looked up and glared at me again.

The other girls looked at each other and smirked. They brushed past us and opened the door.

Before I could stop her, Akasha rushed to follow the other girls inside.

I shook my head, but let her run off to her own classroom. I had to hurry, but the worry that my sister was developing an aversion to magic lingered in the back of my mind.

I made it through the test and the classes after. My friends and I caught up on gossip in between the lessons. It wasn’t until lunch that I remembered my earlier conversation with Akasha. Then I found myself thinking over the things that she’d said and wondering what could really be going on.

I was eating in the dining hall with Lindsey, who had been my best friend since we started at Crowther. We sat together at one end of a long wood table. Some of the furniture at Crowther was part of the estate: polished wooden tables, carved chairs, fine lace curtains on the panoramic windows.

I thought maybe Lindsey would be able to help me understand my sister’s problem, because she was a human, too. I asked her, Do you think that it’s hard for us, being some of the only humans in our class?

Lindsey swallowed a bite of her sandwich and shrugged. Not really.

What about the first year?

She paused. I guess it took some getting used to. This school is different than the one I went to before. She looked at me and smiled. You were always nice to me, Rosa. We hung out so much that first year that I barely even missed my friends at my old school.

I ducked my head and blushed. Yeah, well, I didn’t have any friends here, either. It helped having someone else to talk to.

Lindsey nodded. I was so shy back then, do you remember? Even though Julie is super nice, I was too nervous to speak up in class or talk to anyone else. If I didn’t have you, I don’t know what I would have done. And look at me now! She grinned.

I laughed. Now it was hard to imagine Lindsey being quiet and shy, but she used to follow me everywhere. Do you remember how we used to braid each other’s hair every day before class?

Lindsey tossed back her brunette hair, which she wore in a short bob. Yes, I remember. And you still wear your hair up in a braid. You should let me style it sometime.

I started to reach out and touch her hair, but I stopped myself. I clenched my hand and put it back under the table. I liked you better with long hair.

Lindsey caught the movement and looked away from me. She cleared her throat. Why—why did you bring that up, anyways? About being human?

I had a weird talk with my sister this morning. She didn’t want to come to school.

Lindsey raised her eyebrows in surprise. Akasha never wants to skip school. Was it just a bad case of the Mondays?

I shook my head. She says she can’t make any friends because now she’s the only human in her class, so she hates school.

She’s the only one? Lindsey frowned. That’s gotta be hard for her. Your sister doesn’t make friends easily.

Yeah, but she says it’s their fault. She thinks they exclude her because she’s human, which is ridiculous. I mean, have you ever seen anyone at this school giving us a hard time?

Lindsey turned her head and looked around the dining hall. I think some kids do, especially when they first start here. If they went to a public school before, they were probably the ones who got excluded, and now that they’re at a school that accepts them, they can turn the tables a little bit. It’s not fair, but it happens. It tends to go away after a few years, though. The class is so small that we all end up being pretty close.

I stared at her. I don’t remember anyone getting picked on for not being human in school. I was never mean to the magikin students.

Elizabeth, one of our other classmates, overheard me from down the table. She scooted her chair closer to us. Just because you didn’t see it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.

Elizabeth, or Zil for short, was a pookha, a kind of magikin known for playing tricks. She was a shapeshifter, but even in human form she had black horse’s ears, yellow eyes, and fine black hair on her arms and legs. I got picked on all the time when I was younger, and so did the other magikin kids I knew. I was so glad when I came to this school because everyone looks different, so I don’t stand out.

I’m sorry, I said quickly. But does that mean that you have to be mean to the humans here?

Zil glanced at Lindsey. I thought it was kind of weird that there were humans here at all, so I didn’t really talk to them at first. Now, I guess I’m just used to it. But why do humans come to this school in the first place?

Lindsey smiled at Zil. My first elective is art, but I’m studying sorcery here, too. I’m trying to find a way to incorporate magical techniques with fashion design, sort of like what the magitek shop does, but more— She waved her hand, searching for the right word. Creative.

Then Lindsey turned to me and said, I wouldn’t worry too much about your sister. School’s just started. She needs time to adjust.

Yeah, probably. I hoped that was true.

Zil rolled her eyes. Wanting to stay home from school just one day is hardly a problem. Your family’s always so perfect. It’s like you never fight about anything.

I frowned. That’s not true. I just had a fight with my mom yesterday.

Lindsey’s mouth dropped open. What happened?

I shrugged. We disagreed about some magic stuff. We made up after.

That’s what I mean. Zil shook her head. When I had a fight with my mom over the summer because she didn’t want to let me get my license, I didn’t talk to her for more than a week. Your family never has a real fight.

What’s wrong with it if we get along?

It’s kind of creepy, Zil said.

Whatever. I got up from the table. You guys are just jealous.

Zil smirked and went back to her lunch.

Lindsey stood up and hurried after me. Forget we said anything, she whispered. I hope things work out with your sister. And hey, are we still on for shopping later?

It’s already forgotten. I smiled at her. That’s the plan. I can drive if we drop my sister off at home first.

Lindsey nodded. Okay, sounds good.

After school, Lindsey and I hung out downtown. She wanted to check out the fabric store.

I’m looking for ideas for my Winter Solstice gown, she said.

Already? That’s months away. I looked around the store. They still have all the fall colors.

Lindsey fingered the bolts of fabric and pointed to a dark red. Some of this will work for winter, too. I just finished making my dress for the party this weekend, and with school, December is going to come up fast. I need to get started soon.

I ran my hand over the red fabric. This feels too rough for a dress. What kind of a design are you thinking about?

Lindsey shrugged. Something long and elegant that I can sweep around the ballroom in. She leaned closer and whispered, Peter asked me to go to the party with him on Friday.

I took a deep breath and tried not to let my disappointment show. When school started, Lindsey broke up with her previous boyfriend, Robert. Since then, we’d been spending a lot more time together. I didn’t think that she would find a new guy this fast.

I looked away. I thought we were going to the party together.

We weren’t going on a date or anything. You know I won’t do that again. She gave me a significant look.

I know, but—

You know how upset I’ve been about the break-up. I need to move on and have fun. She sighed. I thought you’d be happy for me.

I kept my face turned away from her. I am happy for you, Linds. I just wonder if you’re rushing into another relationship too fast.

I’m just going to a party with the guy. She sighed again, like a long-suffering mother hen. You should get a date for the party, Rosa. That way we can both have fun. Why don’t you ask Domenico if he’ll go with you?

I wrinkled up my nose. Why would I go out with Domenico?

Because, you know, he’s a sorcerer and you’re a witch—

I rolled my eyes. That’s not the same thing at all, and besides, he’s a jerk. All he ever does is make fun of other people.

She folded her arms. Okay, then who would you go out with? Is there a boy or a girl that you like?

I pretended to look at the fabrics and tried to make my voice sound casual. Maybe, you know, Kai. He’s nice. I glanced at Lindsey to see her reaction.

She made a face. Wouldn’t it be, I don’t know, weird?

I guess that depends on how you feel about tails. Kai was a kitsune, which meant that he could change between a human and a fox demon. He was young, so he only had one tail while in his fox form, but he liked to tease girls with it.

"I’m less worried about the tails and more about, um,