Wickedly Magical (Baba Yaga, #0.5)(12)

By the time lunch was over, Jonathan had convinced the Morrisons that he was like the son they’d never had, and he’d promised to create the family they all wanted, and take care of everything from now on. By the time they arrived back in DeKalb, the Morrisons had happily signed their property over to him and moved into the smaller foreman’s house, and Jonathan had started the new, improved next phase of his life.

Now, as he gazed out the windows, he wondered how he’d ever managed without his little treasure. Everything was finally going his way.

***

There was a brisk knock on the edge of the door and Hugo stuck his head in. Hugo was one of Jonathan’s best finds; an ex-boxer who was happiest when he had someone to tell him what to do, and people to protect. Jonathan didn’t even have to use the medallion on him most of the time.

“Hey, boss,” Hugo said. “I’ve got a lady here, says she saw you speak in the park, and wants to talk to you.” He seemed a little hesitant, although Jonathan couldn’t see why—this was how they got most of their new members.

Jonathan sat up straight in his chair, feeling that spark of excitement that came whenever another beautiful woman entered his life. He had plenty already, of course, and a few were even favorites, but still, there was nothing like a new conquest. Especially if she happened to have money. Or a child to look up to him. Either one seemed to help fill the empty hole in his soul. At least for a while.

“Send her in, send her in,” Jonathan said. “All seekers are welcome here.”

“Uh, okay, boss,” Hugo said, and moved his bulk out of the way to allow their visitor to enter the room.

The reason for Hugo’s confusion became clear as the woman came into view. She might possibly have been beautiful, forty or fifty years ago. Her back was still straight, and her glossy silver hair was neatly tucked into a bun, but wrinkles covered her cheeks and her eyes had the slightly filmy look of someone who spent more of their time gazing at the past than at the future. Jonathan thought she could have been anywhere between seventy-five and ninety-five. But her clothes were clearly expensive, and gold rings with large winking gems covered almost every finger on her gnarled hands, one of which was wrapped around the top of an ornate cane, topped with the curve of a dragon with a ruby in its eye. Reason enough to be nice to her, for the moment anyway.

“Good afternoon,” Jonathan said, sweeping out from behind his desk and pulling up a chair for her. “Mrs. . . . ?”

“Miss,” his guest corrected in a lightly accented voice, sitting down gracefully. “Miss Anna Volkova. I apologize for coming without an appointment, but I must confess, I was so swept away after hearing you speak, I simply acted on impulse.” She gave him a small, tight smile that made it clear that this was not her usual approach.

“I’m honored,” Jonathan said, pulling up a chair next to hers, rather than returning to his seat. “And very flattered that you enjoyed my little talk, Miss Volkova.”

“Oh, I did,” she said, placing her cane neatly across her legs, feet in sensible low shoes aligned squarely in front of the chair. “I found it very inspirational. As you can imagine, at my age, one begins to ponder all manner of spiritual matters, and your discussion of becoming a higher being through acts of service really touched a chord with me.”

Jonathan nodded, smiling encouragingly. He offered her tea or coffee, but she said she’d rather just get on with it. Miss Volkova was undoubtedly a woman who rarely wasted either time or words.

“Yes, here at the Enlightenment Ranch we all try to be of service to each other,” he said.

“No doubt,” the old lady said dryly. Then she cleared her throat and went on, her reedy voice thin and light.

“In fact, I had a lovely chat with one of your young ladies when she came around with the offerings basket, and what she said about this being like one big family was what made me decide to come out and visit you.” She looked a bit wistful, her upright posture drooping for a moment before she straightened back up with an effort.

“It has been a long time since I have had relatives,” Miss Volkova admitted. “My parents had me rather late in life, and I was an only child. They died many years ago, and I never married. They left me quite well-off, and I’m afraid that most of my suitors were more interested in my inheritance than they were in me.”

Jonathan made the appropriate shocked noises, his pulse kicking up involuntarily at the thought of adding a wealthy elderly woman to his flock. “Have you no kin at all?” he asked, reaching out to pat her hand comfortingly. “How sad.”

“I have a lovely dog,” the old woman said, giving a tiny laugh. “He’s very good company.”

“Yes, but a dog is no replacement for the joy of having a family, is it?” Pat, pat, pat.

“No, indeed not. In fact, you might not be surprised to discover that I was quite drawn by the idea of becoming part of a ready-made clan , such as the one you have created here,” she said almost shyly. “If you would consider including an old lady such as myself. I noticed that most of your followers are quite young.”

“Ah, yes,” Jonathan said. “But we welcome all here. Think how thrilled the children would be to have a new grandmother.” He gave her his best charming smile and stroked the medallion under his shirt. Its familiar heat was like a reassuring touch from a lover. “I think you’d love it here.”