A sneak peek of The Crone of Elders Blaze

Hello my lovelies, I'm busy writing at the moment and have made excellent progress! I wanted to share this sneak peek of the first chapter of the book - a Christmas scene where you get a chance to meet Delia's grandkids! Let me know what you think in the comments. Blessed be xx

Delia

Delia smiled to herself as delicious aromas filled the house. With Marjie's help, she'd found the little button on the oven that allowed it to be magically extended for special baking occasions, and of course, Christmas dinner which was to be late at Gillian's request. Now, the delicious aromas of both ham and turkey were wafting through the townhouse.

Kitty was in the kitchen, chopping lettuce. "I still can't believe we were all fooled," she said for the sixtieth time that day. "I mean, we all knew Jerry was a buffoon, but that much of a buffoon?"

Delia looked out the front windows of the townhouse. Gillian would be arriving any moment with the children. She couldn't wait to see them.

She and Kitty had been cooking most of the day, preparing enough food to feed them all for a week, which was just as well, because after all that effort, she wasn't planning on lifting a finger for quite some time.

She turned back towards the kitchen and smiled at her best friend.

"Get over here, you lazy bones, and make me a cocktail," said Kitty as she tossed the salad, Delia smiled to herself as she poured the Christmas margarita mix that Marjie had given her into the cocktail shaker with ice and began shaking it before pouring out the ruby-coloured liquid. The scent of cranberry and spices added to the already festive cheer.

"I hope they're not late," Delia said, glancing towards the window again as she passed Kitty her drink. "I wonder if they'll even be able to find the place. Gillian insisted she had no problems with Google Maps like I do, but Myrtlewood is protected. I might have to go out on a bit of a hunt for them, bring them back."

Kitty sighed. "At least give them another ten minutes. Anyway, back to what I was saying before—Jerry bamboozled us all."

"Yes, I think I know that by now," said Delia, although she was still reeling from the idea that her ex-husband of thirty odd years was also somehow one of the leaders of a ridiculous patriarchal secret society the whole time.

"Yeah, it's funny. I kind of thought of the lot of them as buffoons, those red-cloaked maniacs…”

“And that's also how you thought of Jerry," said Kitty. "When they first started sending those loons after you, you assumed it was Jerry and a theatre troupe.”

“How close I was to the truth then," said Delia. She took a large swig of her drink, and then put it down in case she needed to drive soon, in search of her daughter.

"What are you going to tell Gillian?" Kitty asked.

Delia grimaced. “I've been trying not to think about that at all. A bit much, isn't it? She's already been through a lot of changes lately. She's been so helpful, despite everything. You know, she even hired a private investigator to help me with the divorce case."

Kitty nodded. "Yes, you've told me that a few times.”

“What am I supposed to say to her now? 'Oh, Gillian, by the way, your father…well it turned out to be the reason he was so distant and piggish because he was really in a secret magical cult the whole time.'”

“I can see how that might not go down so well. Perhaps you could wait a bit.”

“I don’t know,” said Delia. "I mean, Gillian deserves to know the truth. And what if she goes off to spend some time with him or sends the grandkids to him next?"

Kitty raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps you can warn her in a coded way that he's been mixed up in some sordid dealings. Maybe your lawyer could even back you up. He understands the magical world, doesn't he? When do I get to meet the handsome fellow?"

"My lawyer is in a committed relationship with a powerful witch," said Delia. "And by the way, you're also involved with someone."

***

Delia was just about to put on her coat and go in search of the main road to help Gillian get to Myrtlewood when the doorbell rang.

She heard a bark sounding from the front door.

"I bet I know who this is," Delia said with a smile. She opened the door and a little beagle puppy rushed straight into her arms. She knelt down to give him a cuddle. "Where have you been hiding, Torin?" she asked her familiar, scratching him behind the ears. He gave her a happy yip and licked her face.

During the winter solstice, when Delia and the other crones had gone off on their swamp mission, she'd sent this little guy to look after Kitty, which he'd done dutifully. He'd stayed with Una and Ashwyn's house, taken Kitty for walks, and then promptly disappeared.

Delia had wondered, with a pang of sadness and longing, whether he'd given up on her, but here he was again. He was just in time for Christmas, and as the car pulled up out front with three familiar faces staring in through the open door, so were Gilly and the grandkids.

"You found the place alright?" said Delia, as Gilly got out of the car. "I was just about to go out on a search and rescue mission."

Little Merryn ran up the steps and into Delia's arms, and eve littler Keyne held his mother's hand and kooked around as thay approached.

"It's a strangely difficult place to find, isn't it?" Gillian said. "You know, it's funny. I was about to call you and ask for more directions when this little puppy showed up. It was the strangest thing. I yelled at him to get out of the road and he ran ahead. The children begged me to follow along, and lo and behold, he led me to you!"

"Such a good puppy," Merryn cried, hugging him. “Is he yours, Nana?”

"Well, I'm just looking after him for now," Delia mumbled, not sure what else to say. The puppy shot her a disapproving look.

Gillian shook her head. "Strange thing to do, Mum. You run off to a weird little town. All of a sudden, you have a house and a pet.”

“It seems like you're settling down, Nana," Keyne said, coming forward to hug Delia and plant a wet kiss on her cheek as she bent down awkwardly to greet him.

Delia straightened up, checking her back. It was strangely less achy than it used to be. Perhaps hanging out with those Crones had been good for her, or maybe it was just another feature of Marjie’s special tonic. She made a note to ask.

"This is a special place," Nana said Keyne.

Delia smiled at him. "It is a special place.”

Merryn laughed. “Yes! It’s magical.”

Gillian raised an eyebrow. “I have to say, the house is adorable,” she added as they entered the cottage.

"Thank you,” said Delia. “I must admit is rather strange, isn't it? I find myself so settled here already. But at least I'm close to you now."

"I'm terrified she's going to make it permanent," said Kitty, coming forward from the kitchen to give Gilly a peck on the cheek. "Ah, Gillian, so lovely to see you, darling. It's been far too long. Delia tells me you've gotten rid of that despicable husband of yours."

Gillian smiled tensely. "Yes, I might have," she mumbled. "It's been a strange time for all of us, I imagine."

"Indeed," said Kitty, giving Delia a stern look. They'd promised not to mention magic in front of Gillian and the children.

Delia had had a hard enough time convincing her daughter that she wasn't going totally insane after all the strange occurrences that had happened to her in recent weeks. The last thing she needed now was to be institutionalised from a slip of the tongue.

"It smells delicious, Mum," Gilly said, although her face was scrunched up as if she was in some kind of pain. "What is it, love?" Gilly shook her head and waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, nothing. I just, I've got cramps."

"Proof that the gods are off their rocker," said Kitty, handing Gilly a cocktail.

Gillian shrugged and thanked her. "I can't drink very much. I have to leave tonight.”

“Really. I've got the guest room made up for you too," Delia said, her heart falling.

"Sorry, Mum,” said Gilly. I have some important stuff that I need to do. I'll tell you about it at some point. I just, I just need to process. But thank you so much for taking the kids for a while.”

Kitty sighed and Delia tried not to show her disappointment.

"I knew I wouldn't have you for long,” Delia said gently. “I do wish it would be at least one night. Is that new law firm of yours working you to the bone?"

"No, it's not that," Gilly said. "I just can't talk about it yet, it's confidential."

Delia rolled her eyes. "Even from your own mother?"

"I'm afraid so," Gilly said.

Delia promptly decided to stop pouting and get on with setting the dinner table. "At least I've got the grandkids for a couple of weeks," she said, smiling at Merryn, who beamed back at her.

"We're going to have a great time, Nana. It will be magic."

"You say the funniest things, my love," said Delia, reaching out to stroke a golden tendril of hair behind his ear.

"So charming," Kitty agreed.

"Do you have much planned for the holidays?" said Gillian.

Delia and Kitty glanced at each other.

"Maybe some sightseeing," said Delia. "The weather has been unseasonably warm lately; might be too cold to go to the beach."

"Perhaps on a fine day," said Kitty. "There are lots of little pockets of the town to explore."

Kitty had done a bit of exploring over the past few couple of days, though it was largely focussed on skincare from the Apothecary and sampling local beverages at the pub.

"You will be careful, won't you Mum?" said Gillian, her voice tense.

"Of course, I will. I wouldn't risk anything happening to the children" Delia assured her.

"I know,” said Gilly. “But I've heard strange things about this place.” She looked around the room as if able to somehow assess the nature of the town from where she sat.

Delia noticed how pale her daughter’s complexion seemed; her mind began to race with horrible thoughts. Gilly had barely touched her dinner.

Of course, she must be sick with some kind of terrible illness that she is not ready to talk about; that explains the confidentiality.

Delia’s thoughts veered into increasingly panicked territory, wondering if perhaps Jerry was behind this. Could he have somehow poisoned their daughter just to get back at Delia? The possibility made her blood run cold. And yet, it was somehow even worse if Gillian had a regular old illness; at least something magical could have a magical cure. But for other ailments, she really had no idea, and she couldn't exactly ask Gillian about it now, not when she and Kitty had promised not to mention magic. Delia had half a mind to run off to find Marjie straight away to ask her what to do about her daughter, but that would have to wait.

Delia took a mouthful of stuffing and felt a pang of guilt. She'd been so annoyed with Gillian for creating so much distance between them; it had broken her heart to think they might lose their closeness. She'd been selfish. Gillian had been dealing with all sorts of terrible things, and Delia hadn't even been able to be there for her. She'd been so wrapped up in her own ridiculously dangerous adventures that she'd barely put any effort into figuring out how to help her daughter. Perhaps if she'd been more attentive, Gillian would have confided in her…

And then there was the other problem, of course. Gillian deserved to know about her father, and yet how could Delia tell her, especially where all the magic was concerned?

Delia was doing her best not to be thought a raving lunatic, but the effort was a tremendous strain.

"Have you heard from your father lately?" Kitty asked.

“Uh…no?” said Gillian, taken aback. “Why?”

Delia nudged kitty with her foot but she mere waved a dismissive hand and continued.

"I heard he's been caught up in some dodgy dealings," Kitty said, giving Delia a meaningful look.

Gillian frowned. "I last heard he was in London.”

“You’re not seeing him for Christmas?” Delia asked, her breath catching in her throat.

“Oh no,” said Gillian. “I’m far too furious. It's sad how he's treated you, Mum. I'm not about to play happy families with him. Don't worry.”

Delia breathed a quiet sigh of relief. "Good, best if you stay away for the time being, I think," said Delia, turning to the table as Gillian shot them both confused looks.

"What's this all about? Dodgy dealings?"

"Oh, nothing, dear. It's just..."

"Oh, yes," said Kitty, cutting in, "gangs, perhaps mafia, that sort of stuff."

"That's dreadful," said Gillian.

"I mean, that's only a rumour," Delia added hastily, not wanting to totally freak her daughter out.

"Best to steer clear for now," said Kitty.

"Agreed," Gillian replied, and Delia felt her shoulders relax a little.

Kitty, for all her overt enthusiasm, had done a good job steering Gillian away from her father. Though it might seem like a white lie, it wasn't all that different from the truth, leaving out the magic. She was merely suggesting the mafia instead of a secret brotherhood of musty monks who were nonetheless a dangerous gang of sorts.

The children enjoyed several helpings of Kitty's trifle, then leapt up from the table and raced around the room demanding presents. "Not till tomorrow morning," said Delia. "Besides, it's almost your bedtime."

Merryn sighed dramatically. "Why does it always have to be bedtime?" she asked, with a hand on her hip.

"Don't test me, young lady," said Delia, with a half-smile. She had to admit, she admired the girl's confidence.

"Bedtime is a great time of day," said Keyne, dreamily, "because we get bedtime stories."

"I do like stories," Merryn admitted, giving her brother a playful shove.

"Alright, stories in five minutes,” Delia announced. “If you can race into your pyjamas and brush your teeth that fast."

"I can, I can!" said Merryn. They ran off, with Keyne following close behind.

"I suppose I'd better go now," said Gillian. "I've got something first thing in the morning.”

“It seems so dreadfully unfair,” Delia said. “But I’m glad you made it for dinner.”

Delia hugged Gillian and held a hand on her shoulder before she could make her way out the door. "Look, darling, I know there's something you're not telling me. I just want you to know that, whatever it is, when you're ready to talk, I'm here. I don't care how scary it is."

Gillian looked taken aback. She stumbled over her words for a minute before allowing her shoulders to slump. "What do you think it is?" she asked suspiciously.

Delia shrugged. "I don't know, but you’re so—”

“Mum—”

“Look, l’m not pressuring you to talk before you’re ready,” said Delia. “All I know is, after the last few weeks, I'm very open-minded to unusual things."

"That's sweet, Mum. But I'm not coming out of a closet or anything.”

Delia laughed. “Darling, I used to work in the theatre. Queerness is hardly unusual. In fact, quite the opposite."

“Used to?” Gillian said. “So you’ve really given up your whole career because of that awful man?”

Delia shrugged. “For now. Let’s just say, I’m on a sabbatical before I figure out what to do when I grow up, but back to you...”

Gillian sighed. "I do want to talk. I really do, but I can't yet."

"It's okay," Delia said reassuringly, patting her daughter on the shoulder. "I'm here when you’re ready."

After another hug was shared between them, and several farewells, Delia watched her only daughter wander out the front door, get into her car, and drive off into the night.