My friend stood and waved at everyone. “I’ll meet all volunteers at the front of the stage after the meeting.”
“Thank you, Blythe,” Flint said, perusing the other information on the sheets of paper he held. “I want to take this opportunity to thank those of you who have provided supplies to help out as well as offer the town’s gratitude to those who have provided employment for those who wanted to work right away. With teamwork such as this, our town should flourish and continue to succeed at fulfilling what the founders desired it to be—a safe haven for all magical kind.”
Applause broke out through the crowd, and I joined in, clapping my hands together with pride. Perhaps I took a little too much pleasure in my aunt’s soured expression.
Aunt Nora pasted a wan smile on her face. “Thank you, Mr. Hollyspring—”
“Furthermore,” Flint cut her off, “we also owe a huge thanks to Ms. Clementine Walker Hawthorne for leading the committee. Her attitude of inclusiveness has been a beacon for all of those willing to embrace new residents into our community. I’d ask for her to stand to accept our recognition of gratitude.”
My cousin rose with shy trepidation but forced herself to smile and nod her head at everyone clapping for her. She glanced up at Tucker who beamed down at her with pride. I emitted a shrill whoop of support and a few others followed my lead.
The mention of her own daughter forced Aunt Nora to paste on the same fake smile she reserved for me. She’d perfected the perfect expression that said “Bless your heart” and “Watch your back” at the same time. But when she gave Clementine her full attention, the smile softened into a genuine grin.
As the tumult died down, Flint took the opportunity to press forward. “And now, I’d like to speak as head of security for our town.”
“Mr. Hollyspring, that is not on our agreed agenda.” Aunt Nora waved her sheet of paper at him.
The gnome brushed his long beard with his finger. “I know, but there are some concerning things that everyone should be aware of if they aren’t already.”
He hopped down from his stool and made his way in front of the table so all could see him. “I’d like to extend my apologies to anyone who had a less than friendly encounter as you entered Honeysuckle. There seems to have been a misunderstanding of acceptable protocols. However, I can assure you that little hiccup has been dealt with.” Flint shot an annoyed glare at my aunt.
Placing a hand over my mouth, I snickered. When Lavender asked me what tickled me, I brushed her off, promising to tell her later. I wished I could have been a fly on the wall when the gnome confronted my aunt about overstepping. No doubt she found out that his small stature didn’t match the strength of his character.
“Also, I feel it’s my duty to inform everyone that there have been some fluctuations in the energy barrier that protects our town.” Flint held up his hands in an attempt to control the rise of disbelief and concern from the audience. “Let me assure you that my entire team is looking into finding the cause of the problem and that as far as I can assess, it doesn’t pose a danger to anyone here.”
Lee popped out of his seat. “I’d like to join you and your people in your search. I figure it’s not a big secret that some of you may be having issues with your spell phones as well.”
Alma Lewis waved her hand in the air a few rows in front of us. “I was able to use mine perfectly when out of town, but the moment I returned home, there have been consistent issues.”
“Yes, my team and I are aware,” Lee admitted. “So far, the only people affected are just us. Right here in Honeysuckle.”
Murmurs of discontent morphed into loud shouts of disbelief and frustration until the residents’ concern filled the entire hall. Aunt Nora did her best to gain control with formal requests to quiet down, but everybody ignored her in their panic.
Flint waited with steady patience. It took a few more minutes for others to notice his silence and quiet down.
“Is there anything else worthy to report?” the gnome asked.
Henry stood up and placed his hand over his heart. “I for one want to say that living here in Honeysuckle Hollow with all of you fine folk is a true privilege. Even with a few problems, this is still the best place to live.” He turned and smiled at everyone around him before settling in his seat again.
I pointed my finger and muttered to my friends. “There. That should be reported. My assistant has been kidnapped and replaced with a pod person.”
Flint narrowed his eyes in confusion at Henry’s proclamation but asked for any additional information. Other than more confirmations of spell phone problems, nobody else added anything noteworthy.
Aunt Nora banged her hand on the table in indignation. “Enough!” she roared. “This meeting will come to order right now!”
The audience participation in the discussion died down at the insistence of my aunt’s shrieks. For once, her collected composure cracked, exposing the raw fury she contained and rarely displayed to anyone. The petty part of me took a little pleasure in her loss of control.
Clearing her throat, she smoothed a hand over her hair. With a sniff, she kept her focus on the agenda she held in her hands. “That is quite enough rabble-rousing, Mr. Hollyspring.”
“I think it’s in everyone’s best interest that they are made aware of the issue. If there is a problem with what makes our town safe, then it benefits us to have everyone looking for possible causes and bringing them to me,” Flint defended.
“If anyone finds a problem, they should bring their concerns to me,” Aunt Nora pushed, tapping
