At least that was something.
“Phineas, there’s steamed spinach and tofu for you,” Hetty stated.
“Excellent, thank you,” Phineas replied excitedly.
“So,” Hetty said, breaking the silence by passing the ceramic bowl full of potatoes. “How was your first day at the new job, Mercedes?”
“It was…” She paused, thinking back to it, but all her mind could focus on was the mishap in the laundry room. She metMagnus’ gaze and she could tell by his pained expression he was worried that she was going to blab about him wandering aroundau naturel.“Good.”
Magnus’ tense expression relaxed.
“That’s great,” Hetty said. “Did you meet any of the spirits?”
Everyone else went quiet at the table.
“Mother,” Finn said with a hint of exasperation. “You and the spirit world.”
“What do you mean me and the spirit world, Finn? You know I’m a witch and your father knew that too. You don’t think he comes and visits me?”
Finn rolled his eyes as he took a scoop of potatoes.
Mercedes smiled at Hetty warmly. “I met several of them, actually.”
Magnus’ eyes widened. “There are ghosts at Room with a Tomb?”
“Your dead-and-breakfast? Yes, a few. Most are friendly,” Mercedes replied.
“I can’t see ghosts,” Magnus stated. “Which has been a sticking point with Sven and I for years. Hetty told us it was haunted…”
“I can’t really see them that well, but I can sense they’re there. I need a deep connection in order to communicate directly through the veil,” Hetty explained.
“I can see them quite clearly,” Mercedes said. “As clearly as I can see all of you and I can talk to them.”
And they can also transmit feelings and affect my thoughts, but she kept that little tidbit of information to herself.
“You must be a powerful witch and descend from a strong bloodline,” Hetty remarked.
“I suppose.” Mercedes was a bit uncomfortable because the last thing she wanted to do was talk about her ancestor, Yrsa, thewitch she resembled who’d apparently cursed Magnus, causing all the resentment.
Magnus snorted in derision. Next to him, Phineas looked decidedly uncomfortable.
“I want to make it clear. I am not my ancestor.” Mercedes squared her shoulders. “Other than talking to the dead and ghosts, spectres…ghouls, I’m actually quite a disaster at magic.”
“How so?” Margaid asked. “I mean, I’m just a human with no special powers.”
“So you think,” Finn said, sweetly taking her hand.
Margaid blushed. “Stop that.”
“Yes. Please,” Phineas stated. “Finn is way too mushy lately.”
Finn shot Phineas a look, but Phineas was grinning, his yellow eyes sparkling.
Hetty was chuckling softly and Mercedes couldn’t help but laugh too. It was cute. It was clear how much those two were in love and adored each other.
“Anyways,” Margaid continued. “I’m curious why you think you’re a disaster at magic when you clearly have a powerful gift.”
“Well, the gift is one thing, but when I actually try to practice magic, like spells and that sort of thing, I tend to cause explosions.”