Summoning Annika_The Viking Witch Trilogies Read online

  Unable to hear, the two women stood watching as Michael handed Sam a glass and they clinked them together. Like bad lip reading, they could only interpret what was being said from watching their actions.

  Sam took a sip of the lemonade and then set her glass on a nearby table. Her smile faded to a more serious look and she put her hand on Michaels’ arm. The conversation began with Michael appearing to listen intently to Sam. He set his drink down and leaned toward her, his face looked calm. Sam continued talking and then gestured over where Iris and Katie were standing, “Oh, shit,” said Katie under her breath, “here we go.”

  Michael scratched his head and looked over at the two as Sam said something. He looked like he drew in a big breath and leaned his head back and closed his eyes and put his hands up behind his head. His expression wasn’t blank, but serious. He looked worried.

  Iris breathed out slowly, “Uh-oh.”

  He suddenly reached down and scooped Samantha up in his arms and spun around in a circle. She shrieked slightly as he picked her up. His blank look was quickly replaced by a beaming smile as he finished the spin and gently placed a relieved Samantha back on the floor.

  She jumped back at him and hugged him and then took him by the hand and dragged him over to where Katie and Iris were waiting. He looked Iris up and down as they got closer. Sam’s conversation had apparently contained at least one new paranormal disclosure about Iris.

  Michael spoke first, “Well,” he said with a guarded smile, “small world isn’t it?”

  Katie spoke up first, “Michael, I’m glad you’re not mad. Wait, you’re not mad right? Sam just wants you to be safe, Iris can help. Me, I’m just an invested bystander.”

  Iris took Katie by the arm, “Hun, you’re babbling. Let him say something, please.”

  Michael just smiled at Katie, “No Katie, I’m not mad. Surprised. Relieved maybe,”

  He looked at Iris, “Certainly curious, but I’ll wager if what Sam says about you is true, you’re good at keeping a secret.”

  Iris looked at him, “I’ll bet you have a lot of questions, I have some as well.”

  Michael scratched his head again, “Actually, I haven’t had time to think of any. I normally just over process in my head about what I should have said,” he shared a smile with Sam. “How we do things, right? Plus, it’s been kind of a big night.”

  Sam just hugged his arm and grinned, “Parker might not be so easily persuaded.”

  Iris smirked, “You leave Parker to me, he will be like putty in my hands,” she laughed a bit loud at her own perverse humor. “Michael, can I talk to you for a moment?” She looked at the two women, “In private? Don’t worry, no secrets. I just need to get a bearing on what he is thinking. It may have an influence on what is happening.”

  Before he could answer Iris stepped in between Michael and Sam and locked arms with him, “Don’t worry Sam, I’ll bring him right back, stay put.” She said over her shoulder as she escorted him down the hallway.

  Katie watched them leave, “If it was any woman other than Iris, you should be worried right now,” she said and cocked an eyebrow toward the beautiful witch leading Michael away, “you can trust her with your life.”

  Samantha looked at her friend, “I know he’s in good hands. Iris is worried about something. Michael is feeling strong. Weird, I don’t know how I know that.” She shrugged her shoulders, “As to the trusting her with our lives? Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

  # # #

  Iris spotted an open area at the end of the hallway far from the party traffic. “This looks good.” She swung herself down onto a bench and patted the seat next to her, “Sit.”

  Michael sat next to her. Some of his earlier confidence seemed to have waned on the walk down the hall. Iris recognized it immediately, “I know this is probably the weirdest thing that has ever happened in your life, so I want you to know that I have nothing but the best intentions for you. You understand that, right.”

  His initial answer sounded like he was twelve, “Um, right.”

  “Yeah, I know this is weird,” she looked around them, “especially in this setting, a Cosplay party, nobody here is their real selves.” She immediately addressed the subject at hand, “Have you ever had any paranormal experiences prior to the lightning strikes beginning?”

  “Nope, none. What do you think is going to happen?” he asked. He sounded more intrigued than nervous.

  “Honestly, Michael, I have no idea, but when I saw the lightning strikes, I mean, blue ones, really? That means someone is up to some serious magic, and, now that I know that you are involved, maybe I can help,” she looked at him and smiled matter of factly, “To at least try and keep you out of trouble, ok?

  “I appreciate that, Iris. Are we in trouble?”

  “Judging by how slowly this is manifesting itself, it’s hard to say. It’s just on such a large scale, it’s going to be a grand statement of some sort.”

  Michael recounted the story of going to the antique shop and picking up the items from Mr. Goodmund, “I think he’s a nice man, I never felt anything threatening from him. He’s been there a long time.”

  Iris found that comforting. At least he wasn’t a new development locally, that would have been suspicious at best.

  “I’m happy to see you and Sam are getting to know each other better, she is such a sweetheart.” With that, Michael relaxed more.

  “She’s always been around, and I never had enough nerve to ask her out on a date.” He chuckled, “It seems so easy now that I look back on it. Funny, Parker always said how simple it would be.”

  Iris agreed, “You acted from the heart and that resonates deeply with Sam. She’s very aware of how the people around her feel. She has a knack for that,” she added, “Parker, by the way, does not possess that gift, but he gets it right once in a while from what Katie tells me. So,” she continued, “In the days before the lightning began, what was on your mind? What kinds of thoughts, dreams, fantasies were you thinking about?”

  She saw him blush with that question, “Michael, look at me,” and she pointed at herself, “I’m not one to judge, ok, but it might be import...” she interrupted herself, “Look at it this way, Goodmund gave you the original pieces, he set this in motion, but, it’s something you were, or are, thinking about, that is likely driving this manifestation. If you give me some ideas, I think I can help, or at least try to keep you out of trouble.”

  Michael thought back to the day of the antique shop visit, “It was such a normal day. Parker and I hung out after school, played some catch then went around to the junk shops to collect stuff for the party tonight. I was thinking about Sam. I think about Sam a lot.” He smiled, “We connected tonight, she’s amazing. Maybe it was about us getting together, finally?”

  Iris cleared her throat, “Nope, I’m pretty sure, that’s not what this is about. I know you’ve wanted to be with her for a long time. I think we can cross that off the short list,” She smiled knowingly.

  “What else have you done, or people that you’ve talked to? Anyone.”

  Michael thought more, “Pretty sure the pizza delivery guy’s not that important,” he said with a chuckle, “Parker and I talked with my Mom, junk store people and people from school. That’s it, I have no life, really,” and he smiled.

  “Yeah, not really,” Iris repeated after him and then realized what she had said, “Michael, that’s not what I meant.”

  He just grinned, “It’s ok, Iris, I know.” He was becoming very comfortable around her. As striking a young woman as she was, he realized he didn’t feel anxious or the need to something other than himself around her.

  “You remind me of Sam, in a way, Iris.” His sudden candor caught her off guard, “What? she replied wide eyed, “How so?” she had no idea where this was going.

  “It’s hard to explain, and I just realized it with you, but Sam and I have been friends since back in grade school. I always felt comfortable around her, like I didn’t hav
e to pretend to be more than I was, if that makes any sense.”

  “I get it, Michael, you don’t need to peacock around me. I like that. I know you’re being genuine with me.” She couldn’t help but draw a comparison, “Unlike, Parker, who is always showing off. Think that has anything to do with why you are friends?”

  “Oh yes, I’ve known that for years. He has moments where he is more connected, like when my dad was killed. He showed up right away. He never said much really, but he was there for me. Funny, that was when Sam and I sort of parted ways. I hadn’t thought of that until now.”

  “She mentioned that to me,” Iris heard his breathing change, his brow furrowed. She quickly downplayed it, “Long story and nothing you should worry about. How about any fantasies or crazy dreams?”

  Michael just shrugged his shoulders, “Other than pushing for school success and video game stuff, I can’t really think of anything that stands out. Parker fantasized about us conjuring up girlfriends, but that was after the lightning started, and that was him, I just played along.”

  Iris pondered for a moment, “Nothing really stands out. Keep thinking, maybe you missed something. The reason behind me asking is something called intention. It can be obvious, or it can be implied, but once someone decides a path, things have a way of heading that direction. Good or bad, just add a bit of magic and something’s going to happen. In your case, apparently add a lot of magic.”

  Michael was silent he just looked at her. He grinned at her, “So, what’s it like to be a witch? That is so cool.”

  Iris laughed, “Yes, it is cool, but I’d like to keep this quiet, if that’s ok with you?”

  “Of course, Iris,” he responded immediately but then thought for a moment. “There are two more people involved with this project now. Mac and Allie, geek friends of ours. That makes seven of us, including you. I’m sorry, but they are going to love this.” he said excitedly, “Don’t worry,” he added excitedly, “They are totally trustworthy, I promise.”

  Chapter 27

  Iris sat in the corner coffee shop stirring her tea. She was in such a good mood after her financial meeting. The party had been so much fun and she let her hair down in serious fashion. Sam’s apparent success with Michael was just a bonus. She booted up her laptop and watched as the screen opened to a screenshot of her when she had graduated from the hair academy. It made her think of the meeting she had just come from.

  The bank had recently greenlighted the next phase of her salon and it would allow her to start branching out further. She smiled to herself, the first visit to the bank had been a memorable one. She had walked in with almost nothing other than a take no prisoners attitude and a bullet proof business plan. At first, the green young banker just scoffed at her. There she sat, barely twenty and dressed far more provocatively than she did now. She spun her laptop around so he could see it and pushed play. He watched the numbers run and the pie charts compound on the screen. When the presentation ended, he looked at her, then back at the laptop and back to Iris. “Who drew this up for you,” he had asked.

  “I did it myself,” was her response. “I can supply references as needed.” She just pleasantly stared at him. She could have easily nudged him, just a little. Maybe plant a suggestion, her magic skills were developing even then, but she chose not to. She would do this without help, without influence.

  The young banker stood up with a smile, “Wait here, I’ll be right back.” He returned shortly with another senior banker and they replayed the presentation for him. That sequence repeated itself two more times and Iris walked out of the bank with a check to open her first salon.

  She now made it a ritual, so to speak, to return to the coffee shop at least once a month to replay that day. It kept her grounded and on track. The place was busy for a Friday. Several students from Concordia College were scattered around the tables visiting, or studying, or both. It was an overall casual, artsy atmosphere with a gentle murmur of conversation that wove in and out of the music streaming from a local alternative radio station.

  Iris was aware that there was yet another transaction happening at the cash register but then she heard the man speak to the barista. She turned and looked casually toward them as he ordered an espresso and a piece of pastry.

  His accent made her smile. She looked him over. He looked to be in his late twenties and was impeccably dressed. A sharp navy blazer and jeans gave him a preppy look, but his long wavy blond hair and wire rim glasses gave him an extra edge. No way he was a student. He certainly stood out, but to Iris, who was making a career of standing out, he had made quite an impression.

  He sat at the table just behind her. He had to excuse himself to ease between snug tables in the crowded shop. “Excuse me, if I can just slide through here,” he said to her as he moved toward an open spot.

  That was all it took for her. She let him land and get settled. They were almost shoulder to shoulder. He took a sip of his coffee. She looked at him for a second, then,

  “Danish?” she asked.

  “No, it’s a scone actually,” he replied in a slightly mocking tone but again his accent made her grin.

  She laughed, “No, your accent, where are you from?”

  He smiled back at her, his blue eyes almost twinkling at her. “I’m from Norway.”

  Iris was one to pay attention to details, but she could have sworn he winked when he said it.

  “You’re not a student though, right? You look a little too put together to be sitting in a class room.” Iris had never been one to filter her thoughts.

  “Student, no. Instructor, yes,” he said, “I’m a visiting professor at Concordia this semester, Scandinavian Studies.”

  His accent had an almost melodic tempo to it. She wanted to hear more. “I’m sorry,” she said, “I don’t want to interrupt your break, if you have things to do.”

  “Not a problem. I’m on a break from classes for the next hour.” He nodded toward her laptop, “I don’t want to keep you from your studies.”

  Iris laughed, “Nope, I’m not a student. I’m in business and this has sort of become my office. I come here pretty frequently,” she fibbed. “College wasn’t my thing, no offense.”

  He just laughed and maybe winked at her again, she wasn’t sure. It rattled her a little and that never happened. “None taken. What is it you do for a living?”

  “I own a couple of salons, working on opening another one.”

  “Hey, you’re an entrepreneur, how exciting. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” and he reached out his hand, “I’m Stefan.”

  She had to twist in her chair to shake his hand. His grip was firm but not too hard, “I’m Iris, the pleasure is mine.” She meant it.

  He held onto her hand, “Iris? Like the..”

  “Flower?” she interrupted, “Yeah, I get that a lot.”

  “I imagine so,” he said, “but I was thinking more like beautiful, yet tough, perennial. Not like your average young college student, you’ll be around for a while.”

  That was one she had never heard before, now she liked him even more.

  He turned his chair to face her and, in doing so, moved slightly closer to her. Their faces were now very close together. Iris didn’t budge. She liked the proximity, the potential.

  “Have you visited here before?” she asked.

  “No, this is my first time here, as part of the college,” he added. “They are looking to expand the curriculum, I’ll have a small role at the language camp outside Bemidji as well. I hear there are bears out there.” And he raised his eyebrows in mock fear.

  “Bears in Norwegian camp? How dare they?” she said laughing. I’m actually nervous, What the hell!? “Do you travel by yourself?”

  “Yes, it’s just me here in the States. My family is, sort of, scattered all over the place.”

  “Well, what have you been doing since you got here. I mean for fun.”

  “I just arrived this week, actually. I haven’t had time to look around the city.” H
e smiled and ran his hand back through his long hair, “Any tour guides available?”

  Iris looked at him. He was interesting, and she was interested. She reached in her bag, “Here’s my card, I’m a pretty good tour guide. I’m unconventional, but you might find that of interest as well.”

  He took the card and as he put it into his shirt pocket, his phone beeped a tiny alarm. “Oops, I’m sorry my time is up,” and he stood. “Glede å møte deg, Iris,” and he offered her his hand again.

  She just smiled and took his hand gently, “the pleasure was mine, Stefan.”

  He looked shocked, “You speak Norwegian?”

  “With a last name like McKinnon? Not a single word,” she winked. “I just took a shot at it, maybe we’ll meet again,” she squeezed his hand once more.

  He put his hand to his chest patting her card, “I think that will be the case, see you soon.”

  She watched him walk out the coffee shop door and down the street, taking a moment before packing up her laptop to reflect on their meeting. Iris had always been able to get a read on people she met. She thought of it as a gift, though occasionally a curse. Something about this man was different. She liked him immediately, almost felt drawn to him in some fashion. She took a sip of tea to try to regain her focus. The memory of his accent continued to interrupt her thoughts.

  She checked the time to see how long she had before she would meet her newfound geek friends at Michael and Parker’s. Just enough time to search through the Victoria’s Secret catalog for a bit, maybe to add a little spice to a future evening.

  Chapter 28

  The group met that night at the apartment. Iris stopped by to pick up Katie and Sam and they walked down the hallway together. Mac and Allie had already arrived and the four of them were chatting as the women arrived. Iris decided to tone down her appearance slightly to downplay the witch connotation for the meeting. It was important to her they all were comfortable and open. Her long, highlighted hair pulled back into a pony tail pulled through the back of a baseball cap made her look like she was on her way to the gym.