WITCH SHIfT

I came in on Rte. Three and it was quiet. Of course it was a Tuesday so what did I expect. I drove right by the two biggest customers the distributorship had and onto Main Vein, their idea of Main street. Took a left and followed the blue signs to the sheriff’s department. All paranormals had to check in with whatever town they were in, it was a law the humans passed.

I parked out front with my Subaru wagon and walked inside. It was busy but not too bad and I walked up to the reception desk to a very heavy weight man waiting for me. “Excuse me, I need to register. I am here for work but I don’t know how long I will be staying.”

“Name,” he asked bored as he took a form out of the desk.

“Maryse Oliver,” I said and he wrote it down.

“Reason for visit?” he asked not even looking at me again.

“Work, I work for North Distributing out of Waterloo New York. I am here to visit with our buyers and see what we can do to help.” I said leaving it wide open to interpretation.

He let a throaty chuckle escape from behind the desk and that wasn’t reassuring at all.

“Says you are a Witch, but under power level it has an N and A. What does that mean?”

I bristled inside. They could have just written down what it was and I wouldn’t have to explain. Someone on the council was punishing me. I hated the council.

“It means not applicable. I’m only factor one. I don’t have any powers, I am just from a witch family.” I explained and he nodded.

Wow that was different. Most people either smiled at me or felt sympathy for me. He acted like he understood for some reason.

Without even thinking about it he went on with the next question “where are you staying?”

“Uh a bed and breakfast called Harper’s?” I asked questioningly.

“Good choice.” He said writing it down. “It’s on the lake and has a nice view. Here is your pass Miss Oliver,” he said handing me an official looking pass. “if you need anything else, don’t hesitate to stop in.”

“Thank you for your help,” I said taking the pass and walking away so the next person could take my place.

I left and followed the GPS and it took me by the two bars again and some big building called Mail Orders and to the lake. Harpers’ was a really nice modern style bed and breakfast. As I pulled up a young man came out to open my door for me. All of a sudden I wondered how much I was paying for this place again and then I remembered the company was and I smiled, I didn’t care.

“Why thank you,” I said stepping out.

“My pleasure maim,” he said with a very bright smile and very bright teeth. Even if I didn’t know, I would have known, he was a shifter of some sort, and I was ok with that. Especially the way he looked like he wanted to eat me up. It had been a while since a man had looked at me like that, even if he was a little young for me.

“I’ll park your car and get your bags for you. If you would like to head inside and register please,” he said handing me a parking slip and letting his warm hand touch mine for a brief second.

“I’ll do that.” I said taking the slip and heading inside. “Wow,” I said when I entered the place.

“I wish everyone had that reaction,” A woman said coming toward me as I stepped all the way in.

“It’s lovely,” I said meaning it. The natural wood was expertly fitted in with modern touches and I was in love with the whole thing.

“You must be Maryse Oliver,” she said coming forward with her hand stretched out.

“Yes I am,” I said shaking hers back.

She was lovely. She was really thin but on her it looked right and her long flowing hair reminded me of something but I wasn’t sure what.

“I’m Harper by the way,” she said pulling me toward her for a hug.

Ok that was a little weird but I went with it. “I have you in the family room on the third floor. The witch’s council requested that room for you, or someone did.”

She had a smile on her face and my confusion must have shown. “It has special wards on it from the local witch’s coven.”

“Oh, thank you for that, but I am a factor one, barely a witch.” I said feeling guilty that I was in such a protected room.

“Nonsense, you are a witch, and as such, you deserve it. Now let’s get you up there. Here is your key,” she said handing me a swipe card. Then she directed me to the elevator and went up with me to the room.

I opened the door and stepped in and the first thing I felt was peace. The room was decorated in light blues and greens and there was a hint of water in the air, it was magical. “Wow, this is just so perfect.”

“I thought it might be Maryse, relax for a bit and your bags will be up shortly. I will see you later” and with that she left and I walked to the window. The window was actually a sliding patio door that led to a very small balcony with two chairs and a table on it. I sat down and looked out over the lake.

It was so serene. I never even noticed when the bags came into the room. I just sat and watched the lake. If it hadn’t started getting dark I would have sat there all day but then my stomach started reminding me that I hadn’t eaten either.

I hurried and unpacked my bags. I changed into something comfortable and headed down to the lobby. Harper was there all alone as I entered. She smiled at me and I smiled back. I wasn’t into women, but if I was, her smile would have been all I needed to convince me.

“Hi Harper, I lost track of time, do you know where I could grab something to eat, that’s fast?”

“Frank and Weiners, is where I was going. Would you like to accompany me?”

“Sure,” I said thinking it would be nice to not eat alone.

“Its close enough we can walk,” she said leading me out of the inn. “Fae-Ville while home to the paranormal world makes its money on tourists. Some of our businesses really push the supernatural connection to help their businesses. Frank and Wieners is not run by Frankenstein, but by an ogre named Frank who dresses up for it. The tourists love it and he makes the best sandwiches in town.”

“Makes sense to me.” I said walking beside her like we had been best friends forever.

“So what brings you here?” She asked.

I explained what I do for a living and why they sent me and she never said anything till I was done. “I think your talents are wasted working for a company that doesn’t even appreciate your unique gifts.”

“I’m only factor one, in case I forgot to tell you.” I said pretty sure I already told her that.

“Factor one of something special, is still something special, and don’t let anyone tell you differently.” She said smiling at me.

“Oh I like you,” I said smiling back at her. “My parents treat me special, but sometimes I wonder what it would be like to have my own powers and not be stunted.”

“Well stop, whatever is supposed to happen, will, and you are special no matter what powers you have. You are you, and no one, and I mean no one, should make you feel less than who you are.” She said with vengeance in her voice and I wondered if someone tried to make her feel bad once. I bet she hadn’t stood for that.

“Thank you Harper.” I said meaning it.

We talked about the town and the different buildings we passed and before I knew it we were in front of Frank and Weiners and it was homage to Frankenstein, but it was crowded so I believed her when she said they were the best sandwiches in town.

“Harper, you’re table is ready.” A guy I assumed was Frank said as we walked in.

Harper led us to the back and next to the entrance to the kitchen where a small booth for two was already waiting for us with a reserved sign on it.

“Menu’s are on the table. I’ll be back” he said grabbing the reserved sign and rushing back toward the front. He looked like an offensive lineman for a football team, not an ogre, till he moved quickly, then everything didn’t seem to move at the same speed.

“There specialty is the meat dogs. It’s up to you though.” Harper said looking around the room for someone or something.

Everything looked good and sounded good since I was hungry but I would take her advice since she was the expert.

“So what would you like,” Frank asked me?

“How about two meat dogs and a Pepsi,” I said in an asking way.

“Good choice, and Harper you want the lake dogs?” He asked her.

She nodded and I wondered why she told me to get the meat dogs when she didn’t. When Frank walked away she smiled at me. Damn it was a nice smile. “I only eat fish,” she said looking embarrassed. “Their specialty is the meat dogs though.”

I nodded and smiled back.

Ok she was right. The meal was wonderful and we left happy. She told me more about the town and I told her about the city. We made it back to the inn just in time as it was getting real dark out.

“I had a pleasant time tonight, thank you Maryse for sharing a meal with me.” Harper said.

“No thank you,” I responded quickly. “It’s nice being new to have someone to eat with and explore with. I hope we can do it again sometime.”

“Me too,” she said coming forward for a hug.

I hugged her back and felt her slight body tremble in mine. I held her tight so she knew I was here for her if she needed a friend.

We broke our hug and she smiled at me. “Oh Maryse,” she said smiling and then she walked back to the office.

Not sure what that was but I smiled at her retreating form and went toward the elevator and my room for the night.