Cory shook her head. “I’d better not, considering how much some members of the Flower Fairy Guild still hate me. You’ll be better off if I don’t go. Oh, and you don’t need to worry about the cake. Creampuff will be very disappointed if you don’t let her make it.”
“We wouldn’t want that!” Quince told her. “I’ll be happy to have anything she’ll make. Creampuff is a wonderful chef!”
“I should go now,” said Cory. “I still have work to do and Zephyr is playing at the Shady Nook tonight. You and Micah should come hear us sometime. Let me know when you’re available and I’ll see that you get in. Jack Horner is selling tickets ahead of time now and they’ve all been selling out.”
“We’d love to hear you play,” Quince told her. “I’ll talk to Micah about it.”
The girls said good-bye, and Cory started toward Macks, who was still waiting by his solar cycle. They were heading home when the vision of the two witches she was supposed to match formed in Cory’s mind. She’d have to find them somehow. There had to be some record of where they worked.
When Macks pulled up in front of the house, Laudine Kundry waved to Cory from the yard next door. Macks was parking Lucille when he said, “Why don’t you go talk to your neighbor? I’m going to see if Creampuff can whip up something for my lunch. Do you want anything?”
“No thanks, I’m fine,” Cory said, feeling guilty that she had eaten lunch and he hadn’t. She started across the lawn and met Laudine partway.
“I need to talk to you,” said Laudine. “I caught some frost fairies hiding in my trees while they spied on your house. I used a temporary ‘turn-to-stone’ spell on them in case you want to question them or turn them in to the FLEA.”
“I think being turned to stone for a while is enough punishment,” said Cory. “You can let them go. I doubt they’ll be back now that they know that you’re my neighbor.”
“Good enough,” said Laudine. “I also wanted to tell you that both Serelia and I have been trying to find out who was behind the incident with the kraken. Neither of us have had any luck so far.”
Both Laudine, the head of Witches United, and Serelia Quirt, one of the strongest members of the Water Nymph Guild, had been eating lunch in Cory’s backyard when a kraken attacked from the river. No one had been hurt because of the quick thinking of both women.
“We may never find out who did it,” Cory told her. “I just wish the guild members would stop pestering me. Most of the guilds are leaving me alone now, but the fairies can really hold a grudge.”
“They aren’t the only ones,” said Laudine. “Some witches are like that, too. I’ve been president of WU for over forty years. There’s a faction in my guild that has been wanting to depose me for nearly that long because I told them they couldn’t terrorize people for fun. I said that they have to have a legitimate reason and fill out application forms in triplicate. Most witches don’t want to bother with the leaf work, so witch-related violence has dropped by over half since I took office. This faction would love to take over, but it would change all the rules and damage the guild’s reputation. It would turn a lot of people against us. Hagatha Smerch is their leader. We used to be friends back when she was still Sarabeth, before she changed her name to Hagatha. She used to be such a nice girl, too.”
They turned toward the street as someone rode past on a solar cycle. “You know, Hagatha and her friends have been asking me about you, Cory,” Laudine continued. “They want to know why I’m sure you’re not using unlicensed love magic, but I can’t tell them. You really locked in that promise I made not to reveal that you’re a Cupid. I can’t even mention your name to anyone but the people in your household.”
“I’m sorry it’s made your life more difficult,” Cory said.
Laudine shrugged. “I’m the head of the most powerful witches’ guild. Things are always popping up to make my life difficult.”
“Talking about guilds,” said Cory. “Would you have a list of your guild members? I’m trying to match up two witches, but I have no idea how to find them.”
Laudine’s sour expression brightened. “Matching two witches! How wonderful! Unlike some witches, I believe in true love. I have ever since your grandfather matched me to the love of my life. I’m not supposed to hand out the membership list, but I’ll make an exception for this. And if there’s ever any other way I can help you make a match, just let me know!”
CHAPTER
3
Cory didn’t have a chance to look at the WU membership list until late that afternoon. When she was able to sit down and study the names of the members of Witches United, she finally found Zarinda Scard and learned that she taught at a preschool for young witches. Although Cory looked through the list three times, she couldn’t find Darkin Flay.
Cory was filing leaf work when Sarilee came to her door. “There’s someone here to see you. I had him wait on the back terrace.”
“Who is it?” Cory asked as she got to her feet.
“He says his name is Melter,” said her assistant. “He’s awfully big and furry. I think he smells like a wet dog. Orville said that your visitor has big feet.”
“Orville probably meant that Melter is a Bigfoot,” Cory said, and hurried out the door.
She found the Bigfoot sitting on the terrace steps looking out over the lawn and the river beyond. “You have a great view,” he said when he saw Cory. “And two very polite woodchucks.”
“I’m glad they were polite,” Cory said with a laugh. “They aren’t always.”
Melter shrugged. “I met them when I had lunch at your house after I was sent to terrorize you. We had a nice conversation and got along pretty well. Forest animals usually like me. We have a lot in common,” he said, scratching his furry side. “Anyway, I was back in town and thought I should tell you some of the rumors I’ve heard. The Itinerant Troublemakers Guild is no longer taking requests to send its members to your house. This new house is very nice, by the way.” He turned to admire it and sighed. “I wish I could afford something like this.”
“It’s my grandfather’s, actually,” said Cory.
“Ah! That explains it,” he said, nodding. “So I stopped by the house where you used to live. A witch who says she’s a friend of yours tried to turn me into a tree until I told her that I’m your friend, too. She gave me your address and sold me a candle she’d just made. She said she’d bought some, but they didn’t work as well as she wanted, so she decided to make her own. She has eleven different scents so far. I bought the one that smells like pine. She says they’ll get rid of flies. Or was it fleas? Either one will be good.”
“That was probably my friend Wanita. She’s really into candles. Was there something else you wanted to tell me about the ITG?” said Cory.
“Oh, right. Word is out that someone keeps asking them to send more Big Baddies after you. Headquarters isn’t doing it, of course, but there’s still a problem. Some of the old contracts on you haven’t been fulfilled yet, and the BBs haven’t checked in, so they don’t know the contracts are null and void.”
“So they still might be coming after me,” said Cory.
“Yup,” Melter said. “Keep in mind that most Big Baddies who’ve heard about Franklin wouldn’t go after you now, even if the contracts were still in effect. You know—Franklin the kraken? Some of the knots that witch tied are permanent.”
“Really? I’ll have to tell Laudine,” said Cory. “I can’t say I’m sorry, though. He was trying to kill us.”
“Oh, I don’t know if he’d have gone that far,” said Melter. “We were just supposed to scare you. It was all a big show.”
“Which seemed very real at the time,” Cory told him. “I’m sorry, but I have to go change my clothes. I’d invite you to stay for dinner except I’m not eating until after the show. I’m in a band called Zephyr and we’re performing tonight.”
“That’s okay. I’m staying with my cousin who lives just outside of town. He has a nice big den with a couch that has
my name on it. I wrote it there yesterday. I wonder if he’s noticed my signature yet. Anyway, he’s expecting me for dinner, so I should get going.”
“I’ll walk you out front,” said Cory.
They were starting around the side of the house when Shimmer came flying back from the river. The baby dragon had a fish flopping between her jaws. Seeing Cory, Shimmer opened her mouth to call to her, and dropped the fish. Before it could hit the ground, the dragon swooped down and scooped it up, only to swallow it whole.
“Watch out!” cried Melter. “Someone sent a dragon after you!”
Cory laughed. “That’s my dragon, Shimmer. She’s still just a baby.”
The little dragon flew straight into Cory’s arms, making happy sounds. Cory held her close with one arm and scratched Shimmer’s head with her free hand. “Was that fish your dinner or just a snack?” Cory asked her.
“A dragon, huh? I have a pet hedgehog at home,” said the Bigfoot as they continued walking. “I really miss Spike!”
“I think Shimmer is more of a friend than a pet,” said Cory.
When they reached the front yard, Melter stopped to say, “I just want you to know that I have no idea which Big Baddies might be coming after you, so you should be careful.”
“I will,” said Cory. “Thank you for the warning. It was nice of you to come tell me.”
“Good luck!” Melter said, and headed to the street.
Cory had just turned around to go back inside when she heard someone calling to her, “Oh, Miss Feathering! Yoo-hoo! Over here!”
Cory turned toward the voice and saw an older fairy woman with blue hair waving to her from the other side of the lawn. She had never met the neighbors on that side and didn’t know anything about them. Perhaps it was time to introduce herself, although they did seem to know her name.
Cory started across the lawn, still holding Shimmer. “Hello,” she said when she reached the fairy woman.
“I’ve been so wanting to meet you!” the woman told her. “I’m Thrush Thistlethwaite and this is my husband, Thorny Thistlethwaite.” She gestured to an older fairy who was watering the garden. He glanced at Cory and grunted, then moved farther down the lawn.
“I know you’re Lionel’s granddaughter, but I’m afraid I don’t know your first name.”
“I’m Cory,” she said. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“We’ve been living next to your grandfather for the last ten years—ever since Thorny invented the automatic pollen spreader and made his fortune. I’m sure you’ve heard of it—all the flower fairies use it now.”
“I’m not familiar with—”
“Oh, good! Here’s my daughter Poppy. I’m sure you’ve heard of her! She started a new guild with a friend of hers. It’s very well known already—the Belly Button Lint Guild. You and my Poppy are probably around the same age. Just think—you can be friends, too! Poppy dear, her name is Cory, just like you thought, but she hasn’t told me any more than that. I’ll leave you girls to talk. There are things I need to do inside.”
“So you’re Cory Feathering!” said Poppy. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Very little of it was good. You sure did a number on the guilds.”
“It wasn’t anything they didn’t deserve,” said Cory. She already didn’t like the girl, not only because of the snooty look on her face, but also because the Belly Button Lint Guild had sided with the Tooth Fairy Guild against Cory.
Shimmer started to make a deep-throated growl that shook her whole body. Apparently, the little dragon didn’t like Poppy, either.
“I don’t like the way that dragon is looking at me,” said Poppy. “Does it bite?”
“I’ve never seen her bite anything but her food,” Cory replied. “She doesn’t need to. She has a very hot flame.”
Shimmer shifted in her arms as if she was getting ready to demonstrate. Poppy took a step back. “I don’t think people should be allowed to own dragons,” said Poppy. “They’re very dangerous.”
“Shimmer is dangerous only to people who mean me harm, or who come to my house to cause trouble. You don’t know anyone like that, do you?”
“No, of course not!” Poppy declared, backing away again. “Tell me something. I’ve heard rumors that you’re a matchmaker. Is it true?”
“I have helped some of my friends make matches in the past,” Cory told her.
“If I paid you, would you make a match for me?” asked Poppy.
Cory shook her head. “I’m not doing that anymore.” At least not the way I used to, Cory added silently. “You’ll have to excuse me,” she told Poppy. “I need to go. I’m sure I’ll see you soon.”
“I’m sure you will,” said Poppy.
As Cory walked away, Shimmer wiggled around until she was looking behind them. When the dragon hissed, Cory patted her back, saying, “I don’t trust that girl, either. We’ll have to keep our eyes on her.”
Cory rode on the back of Blue’s solar cycle to the Shady Nook, while Macks and his girlfriend, Estel, rode Lucille. A group of ogres riding solar cycles joined them on the road when they were almost there. Cory liked ogres, but they drew so much attention that she felt as if they were in a parade when everyone on the streets stopped to stare. She couldn’t help but notice that while many people they passed smiled and waved, some of the fairies gave her dirty looks.
After the ogres parked their cycles, they went in to find seats. “Go on ahead,” Macks told Estel. “Get a good seat and save one for me. I need to do a security check before Cory goes in.”
Estel pointed to the guards at the door. “The restaurant owner is already taking care of security, so I don’t know why you have to do it, too. I didn’t come here to sit by myself.”
“I won’t be long,” Macks told her. “You know it’s part of my job.”
“And I’m your girlfriend!” Estel cried, stomping her foot. “I should come before your job! If you were a real ogre, you’d put me first. My grandfather never had a job and my grandmother always came first. He’d go on rampages and come back with whatever she wanted.”
“That was a long time ago, sweetie!” Macks said. “People don’t do that anymore.”
“Don’t ‘sweetie’ me!” said Estel. “I’m going inside.”
“Are you and Estel okay?” Cory asked as the ogress stomped off.
Macks shrugged. “A friend of hers saw me outside Dora’s Dress Shoppe when I was waiting for you. She asked Estel if she had been looking at wedding gowns. Estel blew up when she heard that I was there because of my job. Now I can’t seem to do anything right. Excuse me, I’d better go in and do my security sweep so I can go sit with Estel.”
“I seem to be making everyone’s life harder these days,” Cory said to Blue. “First Laudine, now Macks.”
“Macks and Estel will be fine,” Blue told her as they walked toward the entrance. “They fight like that all the time.”
Cory wasn’t so sure when Macks came out to get her a few minutes later. “You can go in now,” he said, but his face looked grim, and he followed Blue to a seat near the stage. Cory looked for Estel and saw her seated with the other ogres. Apparently, she hadn’t saved Macks a seat after all.
The band played well that night. They started with “Morning Mist,” then played “Storm-Chased Maid” and “Shooting Stars.” The ogres got rowdy during “Thunder’s Clap,” but no one seemed to mind. After a break, Zephyr played “Owl Goes A-Hunting” and other older songs, then finished the night with everyone’s favorite, “Summer Heat.” Cory noticed that when audience members acted as if they really were feeling the heat of summer, the waiters served a lot more drinks.
When the band finished playing and the audience was leaving, Jack Horner, the owner of the restaurant, came to the platform to talk to Olot, the ogre and bandleader. “That was great!” Jack said. “I would have a packed house every night if Zephyr was playing. I’d like to show my appreciation tonight and offer you folks dinner. Are you interested?”
Olot turned to
the band members. When they all nodded, he grinned and said, “Sure! Playing like that always makes me hungry.”
“Excellent!” said Jack. “Then you finish packing up and I’ll have my people get your table ready.”
Macks came up to Cory while she was covering her drums. “If you’re going to stay, do you mind if I take Estel home?”
“Go ahead,” Cory told him. “Blue and I will be fine.”
“Thanks!” Macks said, and hurried off to find Estel.
The waiters put together enough tables that the whole band and their friends could sit together. Cory and Blue sat at the end near Olot, his wife, Chancy, and Jack Horner. The waiters brought out one dish after another. Olot had just filled his plate when Jack Horner turned to him and said, “I’ve been thinking about sponsoring a Battle of the Bands. Do you think your band would be interested?”
Olot looked puzzled. “Why would we want to fight other bands?”
Jack laughed, but he stopped when he saw that Olot looked serious. “I can see why an ogre would think that! Actually, it’s a competition. You play your music and the other bands play theirs. The audience decides which band is the best. A fairy friend of mine heard about it in the human world. I thought it sounded like a good way to show everyone just how great Zephyr is.”
“When are you planning this ‘Battle’?”
“As soon as I can make the arrangements,” said Jack. “We’ll hold it in one of the big parks.”
“Then we’ll be there. Anything to get Zephyr’s name out,” Olot told him.
“Good enough!” Jack replied. “I’ll see if there’s a park available.”
Cory and Blue left the restaurant at the same time as Chancy and Olot, although a number of band members stayed behind. Blue had just turned his cycle onto Lionel’s street when Cory said, “What do you think of that Battle thing? I think it sounds like fun.”
“I think it sounds like a real security problem,” said Blue. “It’s one thing to perform indoors, where we can control who’s coming and going. Even ogre parties held outside aren’t hard because we can spot anyone who isn’t an ogre. But a big event in a park with all sorts of bands and all sorts of people there … I don’t know how we’d handle security for that.”