The Calling (9 page)

“Like them?” Romney said, turning his head so Miki could see. There must have been another pierce in his ear that she hadn't seen, since he'd placed the diamond stud to the right of the silver ring. Kyle had done the same, the two sharing the pair of earrings.

“Let's go into the Celebrity Used Clothing store,” Miki suggested. “I brought all the money I could find. I want a cape like yours, Davin.”

“You shall have it.” He put his arm around her as they headed up the sidewalk. “Or similar.” He turned and smiled at Primavera. “Maybe not so old.”

She laughed, and stopped to look in the window of an art deco shop. All kinds of strange black and white sculptures hung or sat on display.

Rima walked behind them, hanging back, sulking, it seemed to Miki. She had a frown on her face and her purple lips were drawn up into a pout. She had sprayed deep purple tint on her ebony hair, a style which, although strange, was flattering. The tint matched the silk chiffon scarf tied around her neck. Long dangling earrings of antique purple glass set in silver swung from her earlobes. She was the very picture of Victorian Gothic. Miki felt plain beside her.

When Primavera took her arm, Rima pushed her away, preferring to walk alone, not wanting it seemed, for anyone to change her mood.

Paige looked at Miki, a question in her eyes. Miki shrugged as if to say, I have no idea what's wrong. She did, though. She knew Rima was jealous because Davin looked only at her, talked only to her, gave her all of his attention. How could she protest just to make Rima feel better?

The used clothing store had a faint odor of aging fabric, clothing with ghost scents from heavily perfumed Broadway stars. If the dresses could talk they'd tell of balls where they danced all night, of garden parties, of performances of classic musicals and dramas.

Miki combed through the racks, letting her hands linger over satins, velvets, and crisp taffetas. She set tassels swinging and straightened lace collars and bodices. Dim light sparkled off sequins and beads.

She didn't know when Davin disappeared, but when he returned from the back of the shop he held a long black cape in both his hands. Then, like a magician, he unfolded the circular garment before her with a flourish. Inside, a deep red satin lining shone like fresh blood spilling across the carpet.

“Who was that who spread his cloak for the queen to cross the puddle?” he asked Romney.

“I remember. Sir Walter Raleigh, wasn't it? Queen Miki.” He offered his arm to Miki.

“Oh, I couldn't step on this. It's perfect. Let me try it on.” Please, please, don't let it be too expensive, she said to herself as Davin scooped up the cloak and let it settle around her shoulders.

She expected it to be heavy, but it was feather light, caressing her bare arms with its cool satin folds. She spun around, letting the cloak float out. Then she looked for a full-length mirror.

“Here, over here,” called Kyle. “Here's a mirror.” He stepped away from the three-way mirror quickly, letting Miki have all the room in front of it.

She preened, turned, and admired the flow of the cape as she twirled slowly. “How—how much do you think it costs?” she asked Davin, who stood admiring her from a short distance. “Come over here. Let's look at ourselves together. The cape is like yours but, well, more feminine.”

Davin shook his head and stayed put, making her walk toward him. “It's yours. I've already paid for it. I knew it was what you wanted.” Davin waited for her to get close. “It's perfect for you.”

“Oh, I can't, Davin. You can't.”

“I already have.”

“No, I can't let you buy this for me. I know it was too expensive. I'm sure I can put it on layaway. I'll give them what I have and come back for it later.”

“Too late. Giving you something you like is my pleasure.”

Miki sneaked a look at Paige. She had stood watching, her eyes big again. Miki couldn't tell if she approved or disapproved of her accepting such an expensive gift from Davin. But what did it matter if Paige disapproved? Paige would never accept it, but Miki wasn't Paige.

“I can never thank you enough.” She turned back to Davin.

“You have already done so. Watching you enjoy it gives me pleasure. You are lovely.”

Miki wished she hadn't looked at Rima at that moment. Her anger and jealousy was frightening. Her cold green eyes glared at Miki, sending an icy chill across the distance between them.

Miki shivered and pulled the cape close. She had to use all her concentration to pull her eyes away from Rima's, to look back at Davin and not be afraid of someone who could hate so intensely.

Romney interrupted the silent exchange between Rima and Miki. He hurried from the front of the store. “Come and see what I've found,” he said. “A witch's store. It's full of great stuff.”

They followed him, Miki hanging back, waiting for Rima to go ahead of her. Paige took her arm and whispered, “That girl Rima hates you. Is it because of Davin?”

“I think so. I'm glad you saw it. Now I know it's not my imagination.”

“How could you imagine her feelings? She makes her jealousy very obvious. She scares me, Miki. All these people are strange. I'm sorry, but they are.”

“I know.” Miki hugged Paige. “I think they're wonderful, though. Relax and enjoy them.”

Away from the shop lights, the sky was black with evening. Miki was glad to look in the witch store, but she was starved. She hoped they'd go eat soon. The smell of freshly baked bread and pastries came from the bakery on the corner. Smells of pizza and Italian pasta sauces floated from three doors down.

As they stepped inside the witch shop, though, incense burned, filling the air with mystery and the sweet, spicy odor of cloves. On every table, in the window, and on the counter near the register, candles flickered. They provided most of the light for the store.

“Have you ever been in here?” Paige whispered, taking Miki's arm and hanging on tight.

“No, isn't the atmosphere terrific? I think the store is new. I wonder if someone tells fortunes?”

Paige clung to Miki as they moved slowly, staring at crystal balls, tiny pewter figures of wizards and unicorns, and jars of flakes, petals, or dried herbs. Who knew what some of the strange dried shapes were.

They stopped at a display of tarot cards—so many different kinds. “Do—” Miki was about to ask if either of the women in the shop gave readings. But when she looked at the young woman behind the counter, she caught her breath.

The woman stared at the troupe of dancers that had filled her small shop. And the look on her face was unmistakable. She was frightened. Miki looked back around at Davin sorting through a stack of old books, Kyle and Romney sniffing each box of incense in turn, Primavera and Rima whispering in a corner. Why was this woman afraid of any of them? Admitted, they looked like punks or Gothics. But Miki saw nothing threatening about them. Maybe it was because she was used to them.

“Paige, come here.” Romney motioned to Paige. “Smell all these scents. Help us choose.”

Paige looked at Miki. Miki pushed her. “Go on, help them. They're really harmless, Paige. Honest.” She laughed at Paige, terribly conservative Paige. Could she eventually relax and enjoy the evening?

Primavera stepped up to Miki, interrupting her worry about Paige. “Let me try on your new cape, Miki. It's wonderful. I wish I had seen it first. Davin always finds the best things.”

Miki hated to part with her new cape, but she slipped it off her shoulders and handed it to Primavera. Primavera swirled it around her own shoulders and went in search of a mirror, Miki supposed.

Miki felt cold without the wrap that had caressed her body so gently. She shivered. But before she could follow Primavera and get the cape back, an acrid smell reached her nose.

Glancing down, she could not believe what she saw.

Somehow her skirt, the floating chiffon overlay, had come in contact with a candle flame. The material ignited immediately, shooting flames upward.

Miki was trapped in a sheath of flames!

Thirteen

M
IKI SCREAMED, BUT
before she could react, Davin was beside her. He yanked the elastic top of the skirt down, pushed Miki to the floor, and smothered the flames with his body.

“Miki!” Paige knelt beside her. “Are you all right? What happened?”

“I—I don't know. Suddenly my skirt burst into flames.”

“You must have gotten near a candle.” Paige squeezed Miki's hand. “You could have been badly burned.”

“Davin.” Miki sat up, remembering who had saved her. “Davin, you're hurt. You must be.”

As Miki got to her feet, a searing pain shot through her ankle. She looked down. A long patch of skin on one leg was red.

“Oh, I'm burned. I just realized it.” Shock from the accident started to wear off. Miki stared at the raw red wound and realized she could have been burned like that all over. Davin had reacted so quickly and without fear for himself.

“Here, let me.” The young woman from behind the counter knelt beside Miki with a towel filled with ice. “Sit back down. Good thing we have ice in the back for drinks.”

“Yes, we use ice for burns at home. That will feel good.” Miki was glad the woman had acted quickly.

“I was admiring your skirt when you came in, and then I realized that was the style that was recalled because they catch on fire easily. A friend of mine took two back, reluctantly though, since they're so beautiful.”

Taking Miki's foot and cradling it to her stomach, the woman chattered as she held the icy towel to the burn. Immediately the pain receded and Miki felt relief, unless the burn was just numb. But still …

“Davin.” She called his name, looking all around. “Davin's hurt too. He must be.”

He returned from the front and knelt beside her. “I threw your skirt onto the curb, Miki. Are you all right?”

“I will be.” Miki saw Davin's hands. “Your hands, Davin. No, oh, no. You're the one who's badly burned. Here, you need help more than I do.”

Miki took the towel from her leg and held the ice to Davin's long slender fingers. Both his hands were red and puckery, already blistering. She felt like crying looking at them. This was all her fault. Why hadn't she listened to Paige? Been sensible, instead of stubborn and vain?

“We need to get you to the hospital, Davin.” Miki turned to the shop woman who had helped her. “Call for help.”

“No!” Davin's voice was sharp. “No, that's not necessary. Some minor burns is all it is. I have no need for medical attention.”

He spoke in a formal manner, his tone forceful and adamant. “I do not need a doctor.”

“But—”

“I do not want a doctor, Miki.” Davin stared at her. Miki felt a bit frightened by the look in his eyes. All protests, all words shriveled on her tongue and she looked away. She went back to holding the ice to his hands, his beautiful hands.

“I know what happened, Miki.” Primavera stood nearby watching. But apparently she hadn't heard the shop person. “You were wearing one of those imported skirts from India that are being recalled. They passed no tests for safety in this country. I read a newspaper article that said they would go up in flames easily. It would seem you have proved they are right. How did you catch your skirt on fire?”

People kept asking Miki how this could have happened. She had no idea. She wasn't close to any candles. And a candle would have to be burning on a low table to reach her skirt. Glancing around, there was no evidence of that happening. The only candles on low tables were near the wall of the store, and she hadn't been over there.

Suddenly she felt nauseous, cold, and frightened. “I think I'd better go home.” She put one hand to her face and felt her knees wobble. Romney and Kyle suported her on either side. Someone removed the ice and towel from her hands.

“You are ill,” Romney said.

“We will take you home.” Kyle pulled at her arm.

The store manager stood watching them. “I'd feel better if we called someone, reported this accident.”

“No, it's not necessary.” Davin led the way from the store. “I promise you, we'll cause no trouble over this. And Miki's burn is insignificant.”

If being sued for having dangerous candles burning so that Miki could catch fire was the manager's worry, she'd have to settle for Davin's statement. They were all on the sidewalk outside the store in a few seconds.

“Wait here,” Davin ordered. “I'll get the car and bring it around to get you.” He started away down the sidewalk.

“But Davin—your hands.” Miki couldn't imagine that Davin could drive. He must be in incredible pain. Just the slight burn on her leg ached.

“He'll be all right.” Rima's voice suggested that this whole affair was a nuisance, interrupting their evening out. She stood, watching Davin leave, her body posture unconcerned and pouting. How could she be so uncaring?

The fresh air cleared Miki's head. She walked to the curb, ready to get into the car when Davin came around. An acrid smell directed her attention to the charred heap in the street.

Her lovely brown and rust skirt was now mostly black, only a smattering of purple showed from under the burned mess. It had been the only thing she'd bought to wear in a long time. She had been so vain, had loved the way the chiffon overskirt swirled and billowed around her ankles.

A shiver riffled along her spine at the image of her whole body being charred, lying alongside the burned fabric. Immediately she closed her mind and shut down her imagination to all the possibilities. Davin had saved her.

Primavera stepped up behind her and placed the lovely new cape around Miki's shoulders. “You're shivering. That's a reaction to the accident. Drink something hot when you get home and go right to bed.” She squeezed Miki's shoulders. Her heavy gardenia smell mixed with the odor of charred cloth making Miki feel sick to her stomach again. She hugged the cape tightly.