I stroked my medicine bag for strength, and to help me focus.
“Accompanied by Wind Spirit, in matching cupcake dresses.” Just as I’d thought. They carried large pink bakery boxes, which they set down on a nearby refreshment table. Wind Spirit started removing the cupcakes from the boxes and setting them on plates, while Renee worked the crowd, the picture of ease and contentment.
Surely she wouldn’t have dosed cupcakes that were for the general public, would she? Was I willing to take that chance?
“How does Wind Spirit know Renee, do you suppose?” asked Maya.
“I’m not sure, but I’ll bet it has something to do with cupcakes.” I continued to watch Wind Spirit, trying to determine if she was left-handed. She was using both hands to put out the cupcakes, not seeming to favor either one.
“You want me to . . . keep an eye on them, or something?” Maya asked. “I’m not sure what I should be on the lookout for, but I’m happy to try.”
“That’s okay, Maya. Thanks, though. Mostly I want to get Wind Spirit alone to see if I can get her to tell me anything,” I said.
“Wind Spirit? I thought you told me you were worried about Renee?”
“I’m worried about both of them. It’s . . . a long story.”
Maya nodded. “So what else is new, right? I’ll go ask Renee to tell me about her cupcake business. That ought to keep her busy for a little while.”
“That’s a great idea.”
She moved across the room to join Renee, then subtly steered her over to chat with Lucille on the other side of the room. I approached Wind Spirit as she was arranging the last of the cupcakes on a tiered glass stand. At least they hadn’t brought meat pasties, so I didn’t have to worry about poisonous mushrooms.
“Are those ‘special’ cupcakes?” I asked Wind Spirit.
“Oh, yes, indeed they are! From Renee’s bakery!”
“So I hear. Wind Spirit, I have something in the back for you that you left at the voodoo supply shop the other day. And, oh! Look at this!” I said, picking up the tiered cupcake stand. “This platter needs to be tended to. . . . It’s not shiny enough. Let’s bring it in the back with us. Would you grab the bakery box with the rest of the cupcakes? There are more platters in the back.”
“Oh, um . . . sure.”
I led the way to the rear workroom, where it was slightly quieter. We set the cupcakes down on the kitchen counter.
“That is such a cute dress,” I said. “How in the world did you and Renee decide to come together, as a match?”
“It’s the craziest thing! I’m wild about her cupcakes, but then, isn’t everyone? So anyway, the second time I went into her bakery, she remembered my name—I have people I’ve known for ages who can’t remember my name. She’s so thoughtful.”
“I’ll bet. Here’s the stuff you left at Hervé’s shop,” I said, handing her the canvas bag.
She took it from me and peeked inside the bag. A blush stained her cheeks. “Oh, thank you. Did you, uh, see what’s in here?”
“The hexing supplies? Yes, I did.”
“Please don’t tell the coven sisters,” she said, stashing the bag under the table. “They wouldn’t approve. It’s just . . . I’m trying to get this little side business going, believe it or not, growing mushrooms in the basement of my apartment building. The super gave me permission and everything. But then my cousin stole my idea, and she’s trying to edge me out. . . . I know it’s silly, and I shouldn’t resort to something like this, but . . .” She trailed off.
“What kind of mushrooms are you growing?”
“Champignons de Paris,” she said. “Otherwise known as button mushrooms.”
“Not amanita?”
Wind Spirit looked shocked. “Those are poisonous! I would never grow something so dangerous. I took classes—I know what I’m talking about. I won’t even forage in the woods around here because unless you really know what you’re looking for, it’s easy to make a mistake. No, I get the spores from a reputable source in North Beach, and sell to a couple of local vendors.”
“I went out to visit Calypso Cafaro recently, and she mentioned that you had been out there.”
“Isn’t she amazing? But, Lily, shouldn’t we bring the cupcakes out for everyone and join the party?”
“Soon,” I said, deliberately taking my time as I arranged the cupcakes on a painted ceramic platter. As far as I could tell, I thought Wind Spirit was telling me the truth, but I was hesitant to trust my dulled senses. “Calypso mentioned you knew a lot about glamours.”
Wind Spirit looked away and blushed again. “I’ve been reading up on them. But no matter how hard I try, I haven’t been able to manage much.”
“Why would you want to cast a glamour?”
She shrugged. “I know it’s silly. The coven sisters always tell me I’m beautiful, just as I am. But I’ve always wanted to be . . . lithe—d’you know what I mean? I’m short and not exactly petite. I’ve always wanted to be sort of elfin, for want of a better word. I know it’s foolish.”
“Bronwyn tells me you’re an expert in a martial art.”
“It’s called eskrima,” she said with a nod. “I practically grew up in my dad’s studio. I’ve known how to fight since before I can remember. I’m strong, but not . . .”
“Elfin,” I said. “I get it.”
“It makes it hard to fit into your vintage inventory. I’ll tell you that much. Anyway, the glamour thing might be silly, but I thought maybe I could make people see me in a different light, somehow.”
“Well, I agree with your coven sisters—I think you’re beautiful just as you are. And I think being strong and skilled in eskrima is more impressive than being thin, or even elfin.”
She smiled. Beyond the brocade curtains, the noise was ratcheting up. There was the usual chatter and music of a party, with the occasional raised voice as well. Wind Spirit looked longingly toward the curtains, as though anxious to join the party.
“I suppose we should be getting back,” I said. “Let’s bring some fruit with us.”
I picked up an orange and tossed it to her. She caught it with her right hand. So much for that theory.
“Lily, are you sure everything is all right?” she asked curiously.
“Yes, Wind Spirit. It’s fine. Sorry. . . . I just thought we should get to know each other better. Let’s go join the party. Do you happen to know what time it is?”
She took her phone out of her pocket and checked the display. “Almost eleven twenty.”
“I guess no one wears a watch anymore,” I said.
“I know I don’t,” she said with a laugh. “Want me to bring the cupcakes with us or save them for later?”
I hesitated. I hadn’t felt anything from the little cakes, and I truly couldn’t imagine Renee would ruin her reputation by putting anything frightening in this batter for such a public event. Still . . .
“Let’s hold on to them for later,” I said. “Just so people don’t pass up the home-baked items in favor of Renee’s cupcakes. We wouldn’t want anyone to get their feelings hurt. And besides, who would eat fruit if they could have one of Renee’s cupcakes? We’ll bring them out when the food runs low.”
Wind Spirit looked disappointed, but agreed. She grabbed the bowl of fruit, clearly unconvinced it was an adequate substitute for Renee’s elaborately frosted cupcakes.
“Lily!”
I ducked through the curtains as soon as I heard someone scream my name.
Out on the shop floor, I discovered all hell had broken loose.
Chapter 28
“What is going on?” I asked Bronwyn as she approached.
“The-there are bugs!”
Dozens of silverfish scurried around the crowded shop floor, light glinting off their little writhing bodies.
“Ew!” Starr cried out, and she and her foster daughters laughed and tried to step on them, as though it were a game. I heard one of them starting to sing “La Cucaracha” as she stomped.
Bronwyn reached out her foot to step on one, and for a brief second, she looked like her granddaughter, Imogen. I watched as Starr appeared to resemble her older foster daughter for a moment.