Putting on the Witch by Joyce and Jim Lavene Page A

tell Aleese about magic, even if she won’t ever be able to use it herself. I know she’s thought I was crazy all these years. But I was so afraid of what could happen to her if she knew about witches.”
    â€œI know what you mean.” Would I tell Mike? It was hard to say, but at least I could tell him if I wanted to, or needed to, as I had Joe. I could protect them from the council, but how wonderful it would be not feeling as though they had to be protected.
    The world would tilt for many witches who were afraid to share that part of their lives with their families. I would certainly support Makaleigh in that quest. I knew many others would too.
    Of course there would be many who weren’t ready for a broad change like that. I knew there would be stiff opposition. But Makaleigh led the council, and that could make all the difference. The evening took on a shimmering highlight that had nothing to do with diamonds or champagne.
    Elsie and I still hadn’t moved from the large stone landing. We stared at the array of blue diamonds on Yuriza’s chest, making a few impolite remarks to ourselves, before we finally turned away.
    I hadn’t bothered looking for Dorothy, since I knew she was with Brian and was probably busy being introduced to his other family and friends. But there she was suddenly marching back toward us.
    â€œIsn’t this amazing? I’ve never seen anything like it, have you?”
    â€œThat’s just what we were talking about,” I said, not telling her what Makaleigh had mentioned. It had no direct bearing on her as yet. Maybe never would, since she might marry a witch and have witchlings. “Where’s Brian?”
    â€œHe brought my birthday present and went to get it so he could show her off. I wish he wouldn’t have. Did you notice the gift table over there?” She pointed to the far end of the room. “A cat isn’t going to seem like much compared to all those other things.”
    We gawked at the tremendous pile of gifts—some wrapped, others open to scrutiny. There was a new red Harley-Davidson that only had a bow on it. Probably supposed to match his Corvette. I had to assume the motorcycle came from the same source.
    There were wrapped boxes that size as well as smaller gifts. One of them was a moving waterfall that we speculated might contain a vacation gift. Another was wrapped in rainbows, and still another was encased in a pyramid that had fiery torches on it.
    â€œThese people go all out, don’t they?” Elsie shook her head.
    â€œThere are real golden fish too,” Dorothy said. “Made out of gold. Brian and I saw them. My cat is really pathetic.”
    â€œBut I’m sure it will be well loved,” I assured her. “What do you do with real gold fish anyway?”
    â€œYou can’t eat them,” Elsie said. “I’m starving. Has anyone seen the food table? I hope it’s better than it was at the funeral.”
    The three of us went to search out the food as trays moved magically past us containing glasses of champagne and other colorful beverages, including some that were on fire.
    â€œWhat do you think that is?” Dorothy asked.
    â€œLet’s try one and see.” I grabbed two of the fiery beverages and handed one to her.
    â€œI want one too,” Elsie said, and grabbed one for herself off another passing tray.
    The drink that was on fire was surprisingly frosty and tasted like pineapple. Dorothy took a second one from another tray going in the opposite direction.
    â€œI wouldn’t want to live this way, would you?” she asked over the top of her drink. “I hope this isn’t what Brian expects after we’re married. This isn’t normal.”
    â€œBrian has made it very clear that this isn’t the lifestyle for him,” I assured her. “He said he wouldn’t even come tonight if it wasn’t for you.”
    â€œI know.” She