Free covencraft 02.5 - carnival moon by Margarita Gakis Page A

they like it better now.”
    Jade’s eyebrows came together in surprise. “Are you serious?”
    Paris nodded. “Quite. Apparently the way our magic was before, the way it has always been, was slightly dissonant to them. It was the main reason why, if we were using it improperly or letting it bleed over to their territory, the werewolves found it so disagreeable. But since we reset it - ” Jade gave him a pointed look and Paris nodded his head once, “Since I reset it, they find it much closer to their own inherent magic and more accordant.”
    “Wow,” Jade replied, drinking her coffee. “What does that mean? Is that good or bad?”
    “I’m not sure, but since it is a significant change in our magic, and they’ve noticed it, they have an interest in you.”
    “Is this gonna be like Seth has an interest in me?” Jade asked, thinking of the demon that continually showed up in her pantry uninvited. Seth’s little black demon heart was set on making Jade deal with him. So far, she’d managed to avoid it but he was persistent - popping up in Jade’s life and needling her regularly.
    “Hardly,” Paris answered, bristling. “The werewolves are our allies. They are our supernatural neighbors and nothing at all like… the demon.” Paris had an aversion to saying Seth’s name. From what Jade understood, the entire coven had grown up being told nighttime horror stories of what happened to good little witches who consorted with demons. Jade had a healthy fear of Seth but having not grown up in the coven herself, she wasn’t as superstitious as the rest of them.
    “So what do I have to do to meet werewolves? Is there a lunch? Is it raw? I don't even eat sushi. Is there a blood ritual? If anyone even attempts to pee on me I'm out."
    Paris looked fatigued and unimpressed with her questions, cradling his coffee in his hands. “Are you quite finished?”
    She smirked. “For now.”
    “You've been invited to their winter carnival, their Wolf Moon celebration. It's quite an honor. I don’t know the last time anyone from a coven was invited to any of their moon celebrations.”
    “Is this another party thing like the coven ball?” Jade asked, recalling the big event the Coven had just had two weeks ago - sort of a gala. People dressed up, fancy dinner, nice meal. It had been right after she and Paris had dealt with Dex. Having never been to a big party like it before, Jade had found it fun. Except for the part where Hannah, maternal figurehead of the Coven, had called Jade up in front of everyone and given a little speech about her. Jade thought back on the moment, standing in front of the entire coven, while Hannah had welcomed her officially into their ranks. At that time, Paris had presented Jade with a talisman. Instinctively, Jade’s hand drifted up to where the salamander charm hung around her neck and she fingered it lightly, feeling the warmth of the charm from where it had been resting against her skin. “Is it gauche if I wear the same dress?”
    “The wolves have asked for your size to send you an outfit. Their Wolf Carnival is a masquerade event. It's based in their lore and mythology and it would be inappropriate for you to wear anything of which they hadn't approved.”
    “What kind of outfit?” Jade asked eyes narrowing. “I'm not wearing a pelt. Or a Barberella dress.”
    “And there will be no dog jokes or references,” Paris added not answering her question.
    Jade grinned cheekily. “But it's so much fun! And so easy!” She slugged back the rest of her coffee.  “Is it ‘inappropriate’ of me to tell them that I’ll wear their outfit so long as I’m covered up?”
    Paris inclined his head once. “I will pass the message along for you.”
    Jade had a sudden, nerve-wracking thought. “Um, you’re coming too, right? Like it’s not just me that’s been invited?” She really wasn’t sure she wanted to go without Paris. Not that she didn’t think she could go on her own, but if