Page 51 of Jingle Spells

Oof, she thought. I have to start from the beginning now. Delilah had never dealt with someone who’d been in Oak Haven, then left, and then returned . . . much less tried to flirt with someone who was in Oak Haven then left then returned. He’s basically living yesterday all over again but he doesn’t remember a thing. Like Groundhog Day but upside down.

But before she could explain the situation any further, Scarlett appeared. She slid into a chair across from them, looking like she’d slept even less than Delilah. Her hair was pulled into a messy ponytail and there were dark circles under her eyes.

“Morning, sunshine,” Delilah greeted her. “You look like you’re riding the Saturnalia struggle bus.”

“Riding it?” Scarlett grumbled. “More like it ran me down and left me for dead. I forgot that my entire skincare routine is magic-based, and I don’t even want to talk about haircare.”

Nate joined Scarlett at the table. He was looking slightly less disheveled than his partner, but no less exhausted. “Hey, guys. We checked out the casino from a distance this morning. Place is crawling with magicians in fancy outfits, looking all smug and villainous. A lot of capes.”

“Way too many capes,” Scarlett added. “They’re definitely preparing for something. And I don’t think it involves taking ‘no’ for an answer tonight.”

“Have some coffee, my darlings.” Mama glided over, carrying a fresh carafe of coffee in one hand and mugs in the other. “You’ll need your energy for the day’s labors.”

Kelly was looking improbably put-together for someone orchestrating a feast for hundreds. Only the slight flour dusting on her sleeves betrayed any kitchen activity whatsoever.

“Mama,” Delilah began, “the magicians⁠—”

“—are lurking about, being menacing and overdramatic. Yes, I gathered.” Kelly poured coffee into the empty cups with precision. “That’s not exactly breaking news, dear. Magicians have been menacing and overdramatic since top hats were invented.”

“This is different,” Scarlett insisted. “They gave us a deadline. Sundown tonight. That’s when⁠—”

“Darlings, tell me: what exactly do you propose we would do right now? Storm the casino with wooden spoons and strong language? We won’t have our powers back until after Saturnalia.”

“Well . . . we could warn everyone,” Delilah said. “Get the town prepared?”

“And cause a panic that would ruin a sacred tradition?” Kelly arched an eyebrow. “No, I think not. We can’t give in to bullying. If those magicians think they can disrupt Saturnalia with vague threats, they clearly don’t understand Oak Haven very well.”

“But, Mama—” Scarlett tried again.

“The feast begins at six,” Kelly interrupted. “There will be plenty of time to deal with the magicians later.”

Delilah exchanged a look with her sister. Their mother’s confidence felt misplaced, especially given the creep show they’d seen in the council chamber.

“Now,” Kelly continued. “Caffeinate yourselves as necessary. I need all hands on deck, please. The feast preparations are catastrophically behind schedule, and I just caught Jerusha trying and failing to enchant the cranberry sauce. Now we have cranberries all over the ceiling.”

“The thing is, Mama . . .” Delilah tried one more time.

“No arguments, Delilah. This feast is happening, no matter what. I’ve already taken precautions. Why do you think I hired Maximillian to perform tonight?”

“I was wondering about that,” Scarlett said. “Isn’t he the one who helped the magicians try and take over the town last year?”

“Of course—not that he remembers.” Kelly smiled with the satisfaction of a chess player revealing a particularly clever move. “Keep your friends close and your enemies where you can watch them sparkle. Now, finish your coffees and meet me in the kitchen. All of you.”

She departed in a cloud of subtle perfume and absolute authority. “And if anyone sees Candace,” she called over her shoulder, “tell her those centerpieces need to be redone! They look like something the cat dragged in and vomited tinsel all over!”

A silence fell in her wake.

“Is she always like that?” Jasper asked.

“Yes,” the sisters said together.

“So I guess we’re⁠—”

“Yep.” Nate stood up. “Galley slaves until further notice.”

“Wait,” Delilah said as the others began to rise. “Hang on. I still don’t think we should just wait for disaster to strike.”

“Sure.” Scarlett nodded. “But what can we do? Everybody in town is focused on this feast tonight. Mama does have a point: they’re all salivating about coming here for dinner, and they aren’t going to want to hear any bad news from the Melrose sisters.”