Magical Midlife Madness (Leveling Up 1)

“Oh-ho! Double standards, much?”

His grin was lopsided and adorable. “Let’s get out of here.”

I looked at all the wine we’d left untried but slung my bag over my shoulder and stepped away without arguing. Old habits died hard.

“I’d like one of each of the bottles we didn’t get to,” Austin said to the man. “And two glasses.”

“You need more than two proper glasses for your bar.”

“This is for right now. We’ll take this tasting to go.”

Warm fuzzies radiated through me. I should’ve known to trust him. He’d probably read the regret at cutting things short in my body language.

Lord help me if I tried to lie to the guy.

He paid for the wine and attempted to pay for the few glasses we’d “sampled.” The tasting attendant wouldn’t hear of it. Austin left forty bucks on the bar, tucked the half case under his big arm, and motioned me to get moving.

“There’s a creek down the way.” He directed us right, walking down the alleyway that had previously held Mr. Tom. “If we get ambushed by one of the most powerful mages that walks this earth, we can float to freedom. Well…I can. You’ll be screwed.”

“Sir, please, let me help you.” Mr. Tom stepped out from his position against the alley wall. I jumped. I hadn’t seen him there even though he was still wearing his weird getup!

“Nice work, buddy,” I said, and put up my hand for a high five.

He stared at my palm in confusion. “Is that some sort of sign language?”

“Thanks.” Austin handed off the box, then paused. “I forgot a corkscrew.”

“No problem, sir. I will be right back with it.” Mr. Tom hurried away, his cape fluttering behind him.

“And see if they have any nibbles,” I called after him. I put a hand to my stomach and turned back to Austin. “I’m hungry. Did you see him there?”

Austin motioned for us to keep walking. “See him? No, I smelled him. The sun is going down. His magic is strengthening. It’s strongest at night.”

“So that’s what you meant by blending into things?”

“Yes. He blends into stone, concrete, stuff like that. He’s at home in the night, too.”

“I don’t get it. If he’s intent on protecting me, he wouldn’t leave me alone with you to go get a corkscrew. He’s clearly also parenting me. Or sticking with a butler role, I guess, but they don’t follow their charges around, do they? Isn’t this a bit…off? I mean, even for him.”

“I think being left alone in that big house for so long has been very bad for him. I wish I’d known. I would’ve…I don’t know…sent someone to terrorize him or something.”

“Why didn’t Peggy bring in a caretaker before now? I mean, it’s not like I do anything yet, though I think there’s a list coming, but she was quick enough to hire me.”

“You still don’t get it.” On the other side of the buildings, we ducked through a small patch of trees and then wound down a narrow path to the stream. We walked along it, the trees cutting out the dying sun. A nearly full moon hung heavy in the darkening sky. “That house doesn’t let anyone live there who doesn’t belong. Earl is a protector of the house and its magic. So is Niamh. Even Edgar. They have passes to be there. The magic allows them to stay.”

“But Auntie Peggy—”

“Wasn’t chosen by Ivy House. She is the title holder, nothing more. She can stay there for a few days at a time, just like your friend and the rest of their family, but that’s it.”

“But you’ve been there and you aren’t a protector.”

“I’ve only been there for a few hours or less at a time.”

“This is insane,” I said, stumbling. He offered his hand, and I latched on to it as I stumbled again, the lengthening shadows hiding the rocks and pitfalls. “Why me? I just don’t get it. I’m not special in any way. I’m the opposite of special. Just…why me?”

“Often we don’t see things about ourselves that everyone else finds apparent. Also, I’ve already told you. I don’t like repeating myself.” I could hear the laughter in his voice. “Just here.”

He pointed to a path that led up to a little bridge. A few moments after we arrived, Mr. Tom arrived. He’d brought the wine and a corkscrew, plus a picnic basket with fruits, nuts, meats, and cheeses. He laid out a little blanket, gave us a couple of pillows, and set about opening the wine. With everything out, he closed up the enormous canvas bag he’d transported everything in.

“How…” I looked at all this stuff, which one person shouldn’t have been able to carry, and certainly not so quickly.

“I’ll be close, miss, in case…you need anything.” He bowed. As he turned away, I heard, “Like mace.”