Muffins & Magic

A Melting Pot Café Paranormal Cozy Mystery #3

Polly Holmes

Western Australia

Copyright

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organisations is entirely coincidental.

Published by Gumnut Press

Copyright © 2021 Polly Holmes

ISBN: (ebook) 978-0-6451151-3-0

(Soft Cover) 978-0-6451151-2-3

Edited by Nas Dean (www.nasdean.com)

Cover by Victoria Cooper (www.thebookcoverdesigner.com)

All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or any other device now known or invented hereafter without permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

These forms include, but are not limited to xerography, photocopy, scanning, recording, distributing via internet means, informational storage and retrieval system.

Because of the dynamic nature of the internet, any web address or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid.

Dedication

For Christian,

May you continue to be as gorgeous and lovable as ever.

Also by Polly Holmes

Cupcake Capers Series

Prequel - Cupcakes and Conspiracy

Book 1 - Cupcakes and Cyanide

Book 2 - Cupcakes and Curses

Book 3 - Cupcakes and Corpses

Book 4 - Murder and Mistletoe

Book 5 - Dead Velvet Cupcakes

Melting Pot Café Series

Pumpkin Pies & Potions #1

Happy Deadly New Year #2

Muffins & Magic #3

Publishers Stocking

Polly Holmes Books

Amazon

Gumnut Press

Chapter One

“I swear, Tyler Broderick, if you let go, this will be the shortest ride of your life.” I gripped Tyler’s hand in my sweaty palm and squeezed, sucking in a lungful of fresh, salty sea air. Then I pulled at the red satin scarf around my neck, loosening it just enough to breathe around the lump in my throat. Tyler’s eyebrows shot up and he looked at me as if I’d asked him to marry me.

Whoa, where the heck did that idea come from?

“Are you for real?” A cute grin matched the cheeky glint in his eye. “You’ll happily fight a knife-wielding witch to save your best friend, or stare down the barrel of a gun for me, but big bad graduate witch, Evelyn Grayson is scared of the Ferris Wwheel?” He bellowed a feisty laugh. “Now, I’ve heard everything.”

“Hey, that’s not fair,” I grunted and play-punched him in the shoulder. “I may be a graduate witch, and these things may look innocent enough, but they can be dangerous. There’s something about the free-swinging basket and being suspended high in the air with no escape. As if we’re sitting ducks.”

Tyler’s head dipped and his blue eyes shone under the glowing ray of the mid-morning sun. “You rode the Ferris wheel just for me?” He placed his hand over his heart and a mocking expression crossed his face. “I’m touched.”

If he didn’t have a body like a Greek God, a gorgeous smile, and wasn’t my boyfriend, I would have turned him into a rabbit by now.

“Okay…okay, big guy, no need to be a complete douchebag. If the situation calls for it, I can handle myself.” His brow wrinkled, and his eyes turned a darker shade of blue. “What’s wrong?” I asked.

He shook his head and closed his eyes for a moment. “I was just remembering how you handled yourself after Prudence’s New Year’s Eve party. Witch or no witch, it guts me that your life was in danger.”

Prudence’s New Year’s Eve party…thanks for the reminder.

A shiver ran across my shoulder blades and down my spine. Now, there’s an event I won’t forget in a hurry. How could I? Prudence turned up dead in The Melting Pot Café pond just before midnight. Not the best way to see in the new year.

Tyler was right about one thing. Since he returned from his explorations in Nepal, my life has been one adventure after another. My friends seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and now, I’m convinced my parents’ deaths were no accident. I know in my heart they were murdered. Now all I have to do is prove it.

Tyler’s arm slid around my shoulders and a familiar warmth invaded my body, banishing the dark thoughts to the back of my mind. He brushed the back of his fingers down my cheek and heat exploded in my core.

“Have I told you how gorgeous you look today?” he whispered. “I do love the country outfit, especially the scarf.”

“You can thank Aunt Edie for the outfit,” I said, snuggling further into the safety of his embrace. “She insists on keeping our traditions alive. Even more so since I missed the last few annual shows away travelling.”

I fiddled with the tails of the red scarf wrapped around my neck and my mind drifted. Imagine losing both your parents, moving in with the coolest aunt, and then finding out you’re a witch all before your twelfth birthday. It wasn’t easy, but Aunt Edie never let me forget I was loved. She insisted on creating new memories and new traditions that we could call our own. Dressing up country style for the annual Saltwater Cove Show was one such event. She even made sure we had matching boots.

He leaned closer, and his breath sailed past my earlobe, bringing me crashing back to the present. He whispered, “Kind of sexy if you ask me.”

The blazing heat of the day was nothing compared to the temperature rising in my chest. I turned my head to see the corner of Tyler’s lip turn up into a grin. I gasped.

“Trying to bait me is not going to work, mister.”

His eyebrows shot up and his expression screamed innocence, but I knew better. We’d been dating three months now and Tyler knew too well his tantalising words sent my insides into a sizzling inferno. I brushed my stray blue-streaked hair behind my ears and turned to face him in the carriage seat. He looked so perfect. I blinked, and an image of his battered body lying on the ground had the hairs on my neck standing to attention. Prudence’s killer was a crazy lunatic, and poor Tyler had been caught in the middle. The warm sun fought to loosen the cold chills trying to wrangle their way into my chest. Thankfully, he had no lasting effects from the ordeal. On the plus side, it brought the two of us together and the murderer is securely behind bars. Win-win in my book.

Over my dead witch body will I ever let him put his life in danger again.

I shook my head free of the horrible thought and filled it with images of the sexy man sitting beside me. I looked up into his smouldering gaze, and heat reignited my body.

Okay, so maybe it was going to work a little.

Slowly, and with infinite tenderness, Tyler leaned in and pressed his mouth to mine. His warm, tender lips sent shivers quaking down my spine. Entranced in the moment, every nerve ending tingled and came to life.

Movement behind Tyler’s shoulder caught my eye, and I tensed. This kiss, while delicious, had lost the intimacy. Two black beady eyes drilled into me and goose bumps ran across the back of my neck and up my scalp. I pulled back, being sure to keep Tyler firmly within my grasp.

Two’s company, but three’s a crowd.

The hurt in his eyes gutted me. “Is there something wrong?” he asked.

I shook my head. “No, not at all. At least not with the kiss.”

He sighed. “I don’t understand.”

“I just prefer to be alone when we’re having a romantic moment.” I nodded my head towards the raven and Tyler’s head whipped around. The puzzled expression told me he had no idea it was Jordi perched on the end of the armrest.

He looked back at me, squinted, and shrugged. “What?”

My head tilted to the side. “Seriously? You still can’t tell? It’s Jordi. Since when do we have ravens flying freely in Saltwater Cove?”

He squinted and turned to face the raven. “Is that you, Jordi?”

I rolled my eyes and chuckled as the raven made a nodding action with its head. “Told you.” I leaned around Tyler and squinted at Jordi whispering behind my palm, “Karma is something you don’t want to mess with. You spy on me…I spy on you.”

Her midnight black beady eyes jerked from me to Tyler and then back again. A harsh grating sound roared, and her wings shot out full span. She took off and flew past our noses, soaring higher than the Ferris wheel. I gasped and one hand gripped the safety bar while the other squeezed Tyler’s hand.

“Whoa.” Tyler jumped as she glided through the air. “She sure is a beautiful bird. Why can’t she be that co-operative all the time?”

“Because then it wouldn’t be the Jordi we know and love.” I sat back and surveyed the festival scene as we started our descent. So many new rides this year: The Pirate Ship, Swinging Chair, and the coolest rollercoaster I’ve seen in a long time. The Esplanade hadn’t been this packed in years. People laughing and cheering in all directions. The hive of activity below spurred on the adrenaline beginning to stir in my veins. The annual Saltwater Cove Show was one of the most well-attended events on the witch calendar. It drew crowds from worlds near and far.

“I can’t believe how quickly the show rolled around this year. The Esplanade sure looks amazing with all the rides, stalls and tents covering it. We’re so lucky to have such a big open space by the water to host an event like this.”

Tyler sat back and breathed a sigh. “Not to mention the hordes of people in attendance this year. I wasn’t sure I’d be back for it, but I’m glad I am.” He fluttered his eyelashes my way and my chest tightened.

Oh yeah, I’m a goner.

Tyler looked past me, and his forehead wrinkled. He scratched his temple. “Um, I’m not sure if this is a good or bad sign, but I think that’s Harriet over by the carpark. By the looks of it, she’s about to turn into a one-eyed grumpy monster.”

“What?” My head spun and sure enough, my gaze landed on Harriet in the distance on the edge of the car park, her arms thrashing around in the air like she was attempting some wild ritual dance. The woman she was talking to didn’t look too impressed. Her arms were doing a wonderful impression of Harriet.

Oh, no, what could possibly be wrong?

“I think it’s as good a time as any to get off this thing.”

***

“I did no such thing,” Harriet said. A bold, fiery shade of red worked its way up her cheeks. “You are mistaken. Mind you, if I was going to run you over, you wouldn’t be standing here now, you’d be dead as a doornail.”

Her sharp words sent bile burning up to the back of my throat. “Harriet, why would you say such a thing?”

Harriet’s eyes widened and she looked at me and then Tyler as if she’d been caught breaking curfew after a night on the town. Her lips pressed together tight and the blood drained from her face.

The woman opposite Harriet stood with her arms folded across her chest, tutting away. Her long, shiny, blood-red fingernails tapped against her alabaster-coloured skin. The spider-like updo of her honey-brown hair was nothing short of extravagant, resembling a 1960s beehive hairdo. Kind of like Amy Winehouse used to wear. With eyes as radiant orange as the hottest part of a burning flame and long, exquisite black eyelashes, she was a dead giveaway for a witch belonging to the Coven of the Night Moon.

A Night Moon witch right here in Saltwater Cove. How cool.

I smiled and stepped forward, holding my hands up between the two women. “I’m sure this is a simple misunderstanding.”

“Hardly. This woman…” She paused and tilted her head towards my best friend and waited.

Harriet rolled her eyes. “Harriet…Harriet Oakley.”

The woman continued, the subtle breeze brushing wisps of stray curls across her face as she spoke. “Harriet Oakley here, decided she obviously dislikes witches because she tried to run me over with that excuse of a car over there.”

“What? I did no such thing.” Harriet huffed. Her arms flew up in the air and flopped by her sides like dead weights. “You walked right behind my car when I was trying to park. You could see me reversing, but you kept on walking. I didn’t hit you, I stopped. By the way, I love witches…I am a witch. Whom might you be?”

The woman pulled back, her mouth fell open, and her upper lip curled. She placed her palm on her chest and glared at Harriet.

“I am Seraphina Morgan.” She waited as if she expected Harriet to know who she was, then continued. “You young witches these days have no respect for those who came before you. Seraphina Morgan, High Sage of—”

“The Coven of the Night Moon,” I blurted. I smiled and cleared my throat. “I’m sorry, that just came out. It’s a privilege to meet someone of your stature in the witch world. I mean a High Sage and all.” Harriet stared at me with raised eyebrows and pursed lips. Heat blasted my cheeks and I mouthed, “What?” Seraphina’s squeaky, high-pitched laugh pierced my eardrums, and I cringed.

“Of course, it is my dear.” Seraphina dismissed Harriet’s flabbergasted expression, and she turned to me and asked, “And you are?”

I opened my mouth to answer, and she gasped. Her hand shot out and grabbed my forearm, her sharp fingernails digging into my skin in the process. “Wait, don’t tell me…you’re Evelyn Grayson. I should have recognised you from the blue-streaked hair. The Evelyn Grayson, how fabulous.”

What does she mean by The Evelyn Grayson? How the hell does she know about me? It’s not like I’ve met her before. At least I don’t think I have.

“Have we met?” I asked, my voice timider than I anticipated.

She shook her head, and I half expected her beehive hair to fall tumbling to the ground. It stayed perfectly still, as if she’d used a whole can of hairspray to keep every single hair glued in its exact position.

“No, I rarely get out of Douma Province, but I have heard of you and your aunt. Her cooking reputation is talked about all over the witch world. I just had to try my hand at competing against her this year in the annual cooking competition. I mean, how many times does one witch need to win the title of best baker?”

I glanced at Tyler, and he smiled. I cleared my throat. “I had no idea Aunt Edie’s cooking reputation had reached such distances. I should have guessed; she is the best cook in Saltwater Cove. Taught me everything I know.”

Seraphina’s eyes lit up like gemstones, and she squeezed her hands together. “I can imagine. I myself, have a stellar reputation when it comes to cooking and the wonderful creations I produce are nothing short of genius. Or so I have been told. It will be exciting to go up against one of the world’s best.”

My stomach bottomed out, and I bit the inside of my lip. I really didn’t want to be the one to break the news to her, but someone had to do it. “Um…I’m afraid Aunt Edie didn’t enter the competition this year.”

Seraphina gasped, and her hand flew to her throat. “What? No.” Her long black lashes fluttered in quick succession. “No, that can’t be right. I’m told she enters every year and is practically impossible to beat. I’ve practiced and worked extremely hard to perfect my dish.” Her lips curled with contempt. “I deserve the title of Witch Wonder—Best Baker. What’s the use of winning against a less inferior cook?”

Tension swirled between us, broken by Tyler’s masculine voice. “I wouldn’t call Harriet’s cooking inferior.”

Seraphina’s radiant orange eyes glared in Harriet’s direction. “You?”

Harriet held her chin high and her smile beamed. “That’s right. I entered in Aunt Edie’s place. Like Evelyn, she taught me everything I know.” She looked down at her watch, and a sly smirk turned the corner of her lip up. “And it’s not long now until the results are announced, so I guess we’ll be seeing each other again sooner rather than later.”

Seraphina’s shoulders heaved up and down, and a ruby red glow broke through her pale cheeks.

“I guess we will.” She whipped her head around and some stray, wispy honey-brown locks carved the air in front of Harriet’s face as she stormed off in a dramatic huff.

“O-M-G,” Harriet said. “If you hadn’t come along when you did, I thought I was going to have to draw on my acting skills again and pull out my Lady Macbeth.”

“I’m not sure Saltwater Cove is ready for Lady M to pay us another visit.” I smiled and linked an arm with hers. “Your acting skills are top notch, and you can hold it with the best of them, but we all know what happened to the crazy woman by the end of the show?”

“Yeah,” Tyler said, as a shiver jolted his torso. “The psycho woman ends up killing herself after she’s manipulated her husband into killing for her. Shakespeare had a phenomenal skill when it came to writing plays, but why the heck he had to make Lady Macbeth so darn frightening is beyond me.”

I looked at Harriet, then at Tyler’s twisted frowning expression and the seed of laughter bubbling in my belly grew until it blurted from my lips. Harriet was quick to join in.

“Oh, Tyler, you sure have a way with words. Come on.” I linked my other arm through Tyler’s and led them both towards Side-Show Alley. “We’re supposed to meet Jordi before her shift at the Kissing Booth starts.”

Harriet eased herself out of the threesome, leaving Tyler and I walking arm in arm. Harriet walked beside us, her hands animated and her mouth moving almost as fast as a vampire chasing their next meal.

“I can’t believe Jordi agreed to work the Kissing Booth this year. There are so many other stalls she could have offered to help out on, but the Kissing Booth? Ew. Kissing all those strange men. Yuk.”

Kissing…mmm. I know who I’d like to be kissing right now.

My thoughts of kissing abruptly interrupted by a swooping bird who flew right between Tyler and me. My breath caught as I jumped back, Tyler following suit. I turned to look at the black bird and called, “Hey, no fair, Jordi.”

Tyler’s jaw clenched, and he sighed heavily. “Does she have it in for us or something? Lately, every time we’re close, she seems to do something to interrupt.”

My chest tightened and I watched Jordi soar high above the carnival rides. Tyler’s words played on my mind. Maybe I’ve been neglecting Jordi and Harriet? 

Note to self: Spend equal time with all three of my best friends.

We continued walking towards the Kissing Booth, and the heaviness in my chest hung around. “You and I have been spending a lot of time together lately. Maybe she’s feeling it more than I realised.”

Tyler nodded and squeezed my hand. I glanced up into his glowing blue eyes, and I knew he understood. My heart sank as I took in Harriet’s shrug and rapid head shaking.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Jordi’s just being her normal drama queen self.” She huffed. “She may be a little jealous of you two, but she’ll get over it. You both deserve to be happy. Maybe that’s the reason she agreed to man the Kissing Booth. A selection of single men from worlds far and wide at her disposal. Not exactly how I’d like to meet my dream man.”

We walked around the corner and the grouchy voice of Nicolas Jackson caught my attention and I paused, my gaze glued to the scene in front of me. His sturdy frame stood blocking a group of irritated men lined up at the Kissing Booth.

“I can’t believe you’re doing this, Nerissa. It’s crazy,” Nicolas said, dropping his hands flat on the counter and leaning in. “Why won’t you accept my apology? It wasn’t entirely my fault. You have Tiffany to thank for the spell that put Prudence between us.”

The anguish strewn across Nicolas’ face clawed at my heart. He’d been all geared up to ask Nerissa out, but Prudence McAvoy manipulated her way between them, destroying Nerissa’s heart in the process. He’s been trying to make amends for months.

“Poor Nicolas,” Harriet muttered. “Why won’t she give him a second chance?”

Tyler piped up, “I guess she has her reasons.”

Yeah, but what?

A flush crept across Nerissa’s cheeks and ears. She looked as if she were going to murder Nicolas where he stood.

“This is not the time nor the place for this discussion.”

“When is the right time?” he asked, glancing behind him at the increasing impatient line of men and shook his head. Nicolas’ chin jutted out, and he stood tall. “I’m happy to stand here for as long as it takes. I’ll buy as many kisses as I have to until you agree to listen to me, or your shift finishes. But I’m not letting you kiss any other man here…except me.”

“Way to go, Nicolas,” Tyler muttered under his breath.

I smiled and my chest warmed at Nicolas’ ‘never give up’ gung-ho attitude.

Nerissa’s eyes widened, and she licked her lips, swallowing the lump in her throat. “Nicolas, you can’t do that.”

“Watch me.” He pulled out his wallet and began laying ten-dollar notes out on the counter one after the other. He leaned into Nerissa’s personal space, keeping his eyes glued to hers. “What’s it going to take?”

Harriet gasped and her hands flapped in front of her like a jittery bunny. “This is way better than any soap opera and it’s unfurling right in front of us.” Her gaze scanned the growing crowd. “And the rest of Saltwater Cove, by the looks of it. These two could star in their very own romance movie.”

My stomach knotted and I held my breath.

Come on, Nerissa, do it. He’s the man for you.

Nerissa’s hands moved quickly, and she gathered up all the ten-dollar notes. Harriet grabbed my forearm and squeezed as if I were her only source of life.

“Aw, ease up.”

“Oh, my goodness. I can’t believe she’s going to turn him away.” Harriet’s voice was raspy. “The poor guy will be shattered. There’s only so much rejection a man can take.”

My pulse raced and I squeezed Tyler’s hand. I bit into my bottom lip. The suspense was killing me. What was she doing?

Nerissa scribbled something on a large piece of cardboard, the sun reflecting off her long blingy acrylic nails then taped it to the front of the counter. A chorus of grumbles, groans of annoyed customers greeted her action. She stormed around the front of the booth, grabbed Nicolas by the arm, and led him away as the exasperated groans increased.

Harriet jumped up and down on the spot like a jack-in-the-box clapping. “Yay, I’m so happy for them. Good on you, Nicolas.”

I sucked in a cleansing breath and smiled, my heart beating against my ribcage. “It’s about time. I thought she’d never forgive him.”

The twinkle in Tyler’s eye shone my way and my stomach somersaulted.

“Ain’t love grand?” he said with a wink.

“Where’s Jordi?” Harriet asked, looking around the empty kissing booth for any sign of life. “Weren’t we supposed to meet her before her shift?”

I nodded. Tyler’s gaze lifted to the skies and he smiled. “If she knows what’s good for her, I’m betting she’s as far away from this booth as she can get. I know I would be.”

“I hardly think you have anything to worry about, Tyler, now that you’re spoken for.” Harriet paused and her sudden gasp caught my attention.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Oh no, don’t look now, but it looks like our newly unveiled fae is up to her tricks again.”

Harriet’s words sliced through my thoughts like a sword through silk. My head turned and I followed her gaze to the petite woman racing through the crowd coming from the direction of the judging arena.

Tiffany Regan. What were you up to? The judge’s arena is not open to the public yet. Surely the annual show is no place for your evil fae antics.

“This can’t be good.” A sigh left my lips.

Tyler yanked on my hand and pulled me toward the disappearing figure. “Come on, let’s see what she’s up to.”

“Are you serious?” Harriet huffed, but kept pace with our stride. “Why?”

Tyler’s eyebrows pulled together and he glared at Harriet’s screwed-up face. “Because the last time she used her powers that we know of, she nearly destroyed three lives.”

My pulse raced as I followed Tyler who was practically sprinting in her direction. We sped past tent after tent of delicious smelling treats and my taste buds sprang to life, my mouth watering at the thought of sampling some of them. We’d closed the distance and I spotted Tiffany rounding the corner of Christian McAvoy’s tall bronze statue standing pride of place in the centre of the Esplanade. She was heading towards the cemetery. Rounding the corner of the statue, I froze just as Tiffany vanished in a swirl of pink and purple dust particles.

“Damn it, we were too late.”

Harriet pulled up beside me and grabbed my shoulder to steady herself, heaving for air.

“Are you all right?” I asked.

“Oh sure,” she said with a swishing hand gesture. “I didn’t know attending the show would require an aerobic workout.”

Tyler frowned, still looking in the direction of the vanishing Tiffany. “I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all. That woman can’t be trusted.”

My stomach tensed. “I couldn’t agree more.”

“That’s just great,” Harriet said, annoyance coating her words. “Trust Tiffany to make a nuisance of herself.”

“What’s wrong?” Tyler asked.

She grabbed my wrist and pulled me back in the direction of the main carnival area. “Following Tiffany has made us late for the announcements of the competition winners. We’ve got about two minutes before it starts. I’m sure the arena’s half packed by now.”

A string of chills raced up my spine, and my chest knotted as I picked up the pace. Like I want to be on the receiving end of Aunt Edie’s wrath if we miss it.

“Last one there is a rotten egg.” I grinned at Tyler and Harriet and bolted ahead of them, adrenaline spurring my feet on.

***

“I can’t believe you almost missed the announcements.”

Aunt Edie’s stern voice scolded me as I sat heaving for air. Tyler beside me and Harriet occupying the spot behind us and Vivienne, Aunt Edie’s best friend sat two rows in front.

“I’m sure you’ll have a good excuse. Even Eli made it from The Melting Pot in plenty of time, and he had to clear out the final customers and close up.”

I leaned forward and looked past Aunt Edie to Eli Pruitt sitting on her other side. Eli helped out at The Melting Pot Café in between his other professions of busking and guarding me. It’s not every day a witch has their own Guardian. Just the ones that attract trouble. That would be me. I mouthed, “Suck up.”

“What?” he mouthed in return, his expression turned into a cheeky smile. I opened my mouth to let my rebuttal fly, and the piercing glare of Seraphina Morgan stopped me dead. A blast of chills vibrated through my body and my insides cramped. She sat not far from us, in a neighbouring grandstand.

Leaning towards Aunt Edie, I whispered, all the time keeping my eyes on the witch in question. “Aunt Edie, what do you know of High Sage Seraphina Morgan from the Coven of the Night Moon?”

Aunt Edie followed my gaze and her back stiffened. Seraphina caught her eye and dipped her head in acknowledgment. Aunt Edie repeated the action in response.

“Do you know her?” I asked. I jumped as Aunt Edie’s sweet voice echoed in my mind.

No, I haven’t met her, but yes, I know of her. She rose to the ranks of High Sage rather quickly, but I was told she didn’t like to leave the Douma Province.

She said she hasn’t met you, but your cooking reputation is known around the witch world.

I have been cooking for a long time, dear.

She came today with the primary goal to challenge you for the title. She wasn’t exactly happy when I told her Harriet was competing in your place.

I’m sure she’ll get used to it. Not everyone gets what they want, love.

“Welcome everyone to the Saltwater Cove Annual Show and competition winner announcements.” A roar of cheers and hollers exploded from the gathered crowd.

Aunt Edie squeezed my hand. “This is it.” She smiled at me and then turned to Harriet and patted her leg. “Good luck, but you won’t need it. I believe in you.”

Butterflies stormed my gut and my hands twisted together. A fresh bead of sweat trickled down my temple and I wiped it away with my fingers.

“I can’t believe how nervous I am, and I didn’t even enter.”

Tyler reached over and grabbed my hands, gently rubbing his thumb over the back of my palm.

“It’s all going to work out just right.”

I nodded and smiled up into his comforting expression.

The petite female voice of head judge, Acadia Starr, came booming across the arena. She’d taken her sweet time announcing the winners of every category, and now it was down to the final two. I was just about to jump out of my skin.

“And the winner of Jam-Junkie—Best Original Jam is…Vivienne Delany.”

Scattered cheers and wolf whistles erupted from our stand and I bolted to my feet, clapping as fast as my hands would allow. I cupped my hands around my mouth and called, “Woohoo, way to go, Vivienne.”

Aunt Edie stood beside me as calm as the sea before the storm, her hands clapping away. She smiled warmly as she watched her best friend head up to the podium to receive her trophy. “I didn’t have one doubt. Miss Saffron had already picked it as a winner, so how could she not take out the top prize?”

True.

Miss Saffron was my cheeky talking familiar. A Chausie cat who loved to eat Vivienne’s jams almost as much as she liked to get into Aunt Edie’s herb and spice pantry. If I knew my Miss Saffron, she was probably back at home snuggled in her bed, keeping a watchful eye on the place.

“And now we come to the final award for the evening Witch Wonder—Best Baker, and it was a close one, let me tell you.” Acadia’s heightened tone added to the anticipation growing within the arena. “We commend our two top entrants and the winner was decided by one point. The winner is…”

Chapter Two

My throat itched and an emptiness wallowed in the base of my stomach. I looked at Harriet and she swayed in her seat, a green tinge edged her cheeks. I reached over and squeezed her hand and whispered, “You’ve got this.” She nodded and gave me a half-hearted smile.

Acadia paused, and her gaze scanned the waiting crowd. To say you could cut the tension with a slicing spell would be an understatement. “The winner by one point over Seraphina Morgan is Harriet Oakley.”

A deafening roar erupted from the crowd around us, and I jumped up and threw my arms around my dazed best friend. “You did it…you did it. I’m so proud of you. I knew you could.”

Tyler’s jovial voice rose above the crowd. “Way to go Harriet. Knew you could do it.”

I tapped Harriet on the shoulder and whispered, “Now go and get your trophy.”

Jordi’s voice called from three rows behind us. “You go girl. You rock.”

Jordi? You made it. I knew you wouldn’t miss Harriet’s big moment. But why sit so far away?

Harriet’s tear-stained face turned to Aunt Edie and her smile, grew even bigger. She shone like a polished diamond.

“Thank you. Thank you for everything. This is your win as much as it is mine.” Harriet wiped her damp cheeks with one hand and held the other out towards Aunt Edie. “Please come with me. This was a team effort.”

“Oh love, it was all you and I am so darn proud.” Aunt Edie wiped at her watery eyes. “If you must take someone, take Evelyn with you.”

My cheeks cramped from the huge smile plastered on my face. You don’t have to ask me twice. I grabbed Harriet’s hand and headed down the stairs towards the podium. There was a steady stream of cheers and claps still humming in time with each step. My heart raced. Walking arm in arm with Harriet and for once, she was speechless. There’s a first time for everything. We’d not even made it a quarter of the way to the podium when snarky mutters and garbled murmurs to my left piqued my attention drowning out the rest of the arena.

“Cheater.” The word blared from the bank of the seats to our left and my footing slowed. My chest tightened amidst a chorus of gasps. “Harriet Oakley is a fraud. This whole competition is a sham.” The female voice oozing spitefulness called at the top of her lungs drowning out the remaining cheers.

“What?” Harriet’s eyes widened and she paled. She turned to look at the source of the voice and her jaw dropped. “I don’t believe this.”

Oh no, this is not how I thought this would go.

Seraphina Morgan’s sweeping arms slashed the air as she marched towards us, her long black dress animated with each step, as if she were floating across the air. Maybe she was. Her orange eyes now glowed blood-red and her hand shot out parallel to the ground, her long red polished fingernail pointing directly at Harriet.

“You…are a fraud.”

Harriet’s nostrils flared and she shook her head. “What are you talking about? I am not a fraud. I cooked those muffins, no one else did.”

The cramp in my gut loosened as Aunt Edie’s concerned face came into view.

“What seems to be the problem here?”

Seraphina spun and glared at Aunt Edie. The vein in the side of her head pulsed and her hands fisted by her sides. She opened her mouth to speak, but a woman next to her dressed in a similar outfit right down to the beehive hairdo butted in.

“This is all your doing, isn’t it, Edith Peyton?

Aunt Edie’s brow creased. “Excuse me?”

Seraphina stepped forward. “This is my sister, Lilith. She came today to watch me win only to have it ripped from my cold witch hands by a cheater.”

Lilith continued, sarcasm dripping from each word. “The almighty Edith Peyton manipulating the competition from the sidelines.”

Aunt Edie’s face blanked and her head flinched back slightly. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Harriet entered of her own accord and won. Plain and simple. Her talent as a baker speaks for itself.”

Lilith huffed. Seraphina’s eyes widened and the whites around her pupils glowed under the electric lights of the arena. Her lips snarled and she clenched her hands into fists obviously working hard to control her tremors, her blood-red nails digging deep into her palms.

“She can’t win, Edith,” she said, jabbing her finger into Aunt Edie’s personal space. “You rigged this competition.”

“Oh, for goodness’ sake. How did I do that?” Aunt Edie asked through clenched teeth. She folded her arms across her chest and tilted her head waiting for Seraphina’s explanation.

My body tensed. We’re going to have a witch war on our hands if we’re not careful. I swallowed the hard lump in my throat. “Let’s hear what Seraphina has to say.”

Harriet’s glared at me. “What? You can’t be serious? She’s calling me a cheater.”

I stepped forward and held up my hands. “This is getting us nowhere. Seraphina, if you think Aunt Edie manipulated the competition, would you kindly explain how?”

“It’s quite simple.” She paused, pursed her lips, and glared evils at my aunt. “Edith manipulated the system by entering Harriet in her place. The issue is, as we all know the Witch Wonder Baker competition is for coven witches only and she—” Seraphina pointed at Harriet “—is no coven witch. She should have entered the non-witch category and therefore should be disqualified. I am the rightful winner. That trophy belongs to me.”

Heat blazed up my neck and rooted itself in my cheeks.

“But I am a witch, granted, a new witch. But that shouldn’t matter,” Harriet blurted, throwing her hands up in the air. “I couldn’t enter the non-witch category. I may not belong to a coven, but Aunt Edie took me in and taught me how to be a witch, so in a way, I belong to her coven.”

“Exactly.” Aunt Edie caught the devastated expression of Harriet’s face. “Harriet is practically my niece, and I would be honoured to have her a member of the Mystic Grove Coven.

It’s been a while since I’ve heard her mention the name of our coven. A heaviness washed over me, and my gaze lowered. Maybe it was because of my parents’ death? Whoever took them from us had a lot to answer for and believe me, they will. I made a mental note to ask Aunt Edie to educate me more in the teachings of our coven.

“Oh, how touching.” Seraphina smirked and it took all my will power not to wipe that smirk off her face with a spell. Her tirade continued. “Unacceptable. The rules are there for a reason. Harriet is not a member of your coven, never was and never will be, so her entry is null and void.”

Harriet gasped and her eyes teared over. “You can’t do that.”

“I can, and I will.” Seraphina stiffened and stuck her chin out high turning side on to Harriet. There was no mistaking Seraphina’s harsh snubbing. “Mark my words, I’ll be taking this all the way to the head judge, higher if I have to. Even if I have to go all the way to the High Council, it will be over my cold dead carcass that you win this competition.”

Harriet’s shoulders pumped up and down and the tears she fought to control now flowed freely down her reddened cheeks. She pushed through the crowd bolting for the exit. My heart tearing inch by inch with each step she took.

***

“This is useless. I can’t find her anywhere,” I said, joining Jordi and Tyler beside the entrance to the judging arena. “Where could she possibly be?”

“Beats me. I did a quick aerial sweep and couldn’t see her.” Jordi shrugged. “She so doesn’t deserve what that witch said in there.”

“Even Aunt Edie couldn’t find her. I’m just glad she went back in there to try and sort this mess out. Surely, they’ll listen to a master witch like Aunt Edie?” Tyler said, resting against a bale of hay displayed by the entrance. “What should we do now?”

“I’ve got this. I know a quicker way of finding her. I should have thought of it earlier.” I sucked in a deep breath and placed my fingers on my temples and closed my eyes. “With this spell give me peace of mind, to locate the one I wish to find. Search high and low and seek them out, show me Harriet and her whereabouts.” A cascade of pins and needles tickled my temples as a hazy image of Harriet began to clear. My gut clenched as the saddened image of her sitting huddled behind the town hall under the porch in the corner out of sight.

Oh, poor Harriet.

My eyelashes fluttered open and three pairs of eyes were staring straight at me inquisitively waiting. Jordi, Tyler, and Aunt Edie.

“I know where she is.”

A frown furrowed Aunt Edie’s brow. “Is she okay? I’ve done all I can in there now.”

I shrugged. “She will be, we’ll make certain of it.”

“Damn straight,” Jordi blurted followed by a nod of agreement and gorgeous smile from Tyler.

“I’ll go get her and meet you all back inside the arena.” I turned and made a beeline for the back of the Town Hall ploughing through the throngs of tourists. Laughter, whistles, and cheers echoed around me. So many people oblivious to the drama unfolding metres away.

An almighty roar bellowed from my right and I froze mid-step. I glanced at the sign above the crowd and it read Gone Fishing – How big a fish can you land? Hoots and hollers came from the front of the stall and the people dispersed leaving Nerissa and Nicolas arm in arm grinning from ear to ear, a gigantic plush clown fish squished between them.

At least one thing went right today. Nerissa and Nicolas are back together.

Continuing my trek, my heart grew heavier with each step, I rounded the corner. I spotted Harriet huddled in the corner beside the back door, her chin cast down.

“Harriet?” I called, giving her fair warning I was approaching.

Her head snapped up and she gave me a half-hearted smile and nod of acknowledgement. My legs sluggish, I forced them to keep pace until I reached her.

“Honey, how you doing?”

She shrugged and kept her gaze focused on her fingers, peeling off her nail polish.

“You know that woman was way out of line?”

“Was she?” Harriet said, between sniffles. “She’s right. I don’t belong to a coven. I don’t belong anywhere. Mum and Dad, while ecstatic about my witch abilities, live overseas and when it all boils down to it, I work at The Melting Pot and you’re my best friend, but I don’t really fit in anywhere.”

I rolled my shoulders back and pushed down the nausea tickling the back of my throat. “That’s s load of codswallop if I’ve ever heard it. Granted, you may not officially belong to our coven, but you heard Aunt Edie…she thinks of you as her niece just like me and that means you are family. My family and if you want to be a member of our coven, then we’ll make it happen.”

Harriet’s jaw dropped and her eyes widened. “Really?”

I nodded. “Really. If anyone can make that happen, it’s Aunt Edie.”

Tears flowed freely down Harriet’s cheeks and she threw her arms around my neck knocking me off balance.

“Hey, careful. I’m not keen on face planting the concrete thanks.”

Harriet pulled back giggling and wiping her damp face. She brushed the wetness off my shoulder.

“Sorry, you always know the right things to say. Can I really join your coven?”

I shrugged. “To tell you the truth, I have no idea. But Aunt Edie will know.” The crackle of the loudspeaker blaring through the Esplanade caught my attention.

“Excuse the interruption. This is head judge, Acadia Starr.” Harriet gasped and her gaze shot to the loudspeaker attached to the end of the Town Hall. “Could all parties involved in the Witch Wonder situation please report to the office at the back of the judge’s arena post haste. Thank you.”

“That’s us.” I squeezed Harriet’s shoulders, adrenaline pumping through my system. “Now, where is the strong-willed witch I know and love? The witch that beat death and won?”

Harriet stood solidly and planted her feet in a wide Wonder Woman stance. “Right here. Let’s do this.”

***

A swarm of butterflies rolled around in my stomach playing tag with my nausea. Harriet rocked from side to side chewing the inside of her cheek. She’d chew it right off if she wasn’t careful. “Harriet, stop with the chewing.”

She shrugged and smiled. “Sorry. I feel like a child on their first day at school. Nervous and excited to be here, but not sure of the outcome. Where’s Seraphina?”

I glanced around the gathered people in the office and everyone appeared to be present except the lady in question.

Seraphina Morgan. Trust you to be late. Got to make your grand entrance.

Acadia Starr pranced into view through the open door, her platinum blonde locks pulled into an elegant fishtail braid intertwining her auburn dip-dyed ends. She’d changed from her earlier outfit into a sophisticated two-piece navy pinstripe suit that screamed elegance at its best.

“Well, witches. Thank you for…” She paused and raised her eyebrows at Tyler. “I didn’t know you were a witch.”

“I’m not,” Tyler said.

Acadia huffed. “Should you really be here then?”

Harriet’s strong voice boomed out. “He’s with me. Part of my support crew.”

Acadia’s golden-yellow eyes looked Tyler up and down the then did a placating eye roll. “Very well. I’ve spoken to—”

“Wait a minute,” Lilith said, stepping forward, her dark black brows pulling together. She paused and her gaze roamed to each person standing before her. “Seraphina has not arrived yet. We must wait until she is present.”

“Where is she?” Acadia asked, her hands thrust on her hips. Her question met with vacant looks from those present. “We don’t have all day you know, and my message was very clear.”

“I’m sure there’s a simple explanation. Can you page her one more time please?” Lilith asked.

“This is highly unusual, but I suppose it couldn’t hurt.” She flounced off out the door leaving the six of us standing in the office in awkward silence. I jumped at the intrusion of Acadia’s pompous voice echoing from the speaker outside.

“Seraphina Morgan, your immediate presence is required in the office behind the judge’s arena.”

It will all work out in the end, Evelyn. You must have patience.

I’m trying Aunt Edie, but it’s not easy. Poor Harriet worked so hard to perfect her muffins and she won. Ever since she found out the theme was muffins, she’s been working on them, baking them to perfection.

I swivelled and leaned in so only Aunt Edie could hear me. “After this is all sorted, do you think we can we talk about Harriet joining our coven? I know we’re not the most involved members, but I don’t want her to have to go through this again.”

Aunt Edie nodded but before she could utter an answer, Acadia’s voice cut our conversation cold as she re-entered the office. “Still no Seraphina?”

Blank faces and head shakes greeted her question.

Acadia picked up a notepad from her desk. “I’m afraid I can’t wait any longer, I shall have to make my ruling without her. Lilith, I’m sure you will pass on the information.”

A blunt shade of fire-engine red graced Lilith’s cheeks and she stood, arms folded, glaring at Harriet.

Acadia glanced down at the notepad in her hands, opened it and cleared her throat. “After looking into the situation in great detail and in-depth discussions with the High Council, and in light of the incident involving the witches of the Moonlight Coven.”

“What incident?” Harriet asked.

Acadia paled and a visible shudder ran through her. “I’d rather not go into detail. On reflection of the incident, it has been decided a witch can enter the Witch Wonder Baking section of the competition, as long as said witch is under the guidance of a coven master witch. Knowing Edith Peyton holds that very qualification, I’m pleased to declare Harriet Oakley the winner.”

I looked at the exuberant smile on Harriet’s face and my heart overflowed with happiness. Acadia handed Harriet the shiny trophy and her eyes just about popped out of her head. Our quick lived excitement was cut short by the disdainful voice of Lilith.

“This is preposterous,” Lilith spat, her nostrils flared while the veins in her neck bulged. “An outrage if I’ve ever seen one.”

Acadia snapped her notebook shut and pursed her lips. “You can rant and rave all you like, but the decision is final. I guess Seraphina will have to try again next year.”

Lilith shunted back as if she’d been zapped with a prodding spell. “You haven’t heard the end of this. Seraphina will not stand for it.” She marched towards Harriet and stood eye to eye, her face an expression of true scorn. “You will not get away with this.”

“A sore loser makes for a sour witch,” Acadia muttered. She moved towards the door and held it open. “Now, if you will all excuse me, I have a mountain-load of paperwork to get done before I can get out and enjoy the show myself. I’d really like to try my hand at those laughing clowns. Everyone says they’re a riot.”

The room froze while everyone waited for Lilith to move. My chest burned. Holding my breath was not the wisest choice. Lilith flung her hand dismissively, hiked up her dress and stormed out, her heels clicking the tiled floor as she went. A sigh escaped my lips and my head spun thankful to see the back of the woman.

An eery silence fell upon the room and amused looks were exchanged before a rumble of laughter bellowed up from my belly bursting through my lips. My hand shot to my mouth and I mumbled, “Sorry, but I couldn’t help it.” Soft laughter and mutters filled the room as the tension evaporated.

“O-M-G, Harriet?” Jordi’s high-pitched voice blared above the rest and I stopped to take in the grin on Jordi’s face. “You did it, you won Witch Wonder – Best Baker. You can totally make my lunch every day from now on.”

A chorus of jovial laughter and chuckles sailed through the air and in that single moment, everything was right with the world. What could possibly destroy the elation coursing through my veins?

“A-hum.” Acadia cleared her throat and tilted her head towards the open door. “I am very pleased for you Harriet, truly, but I wasn’t kidding when I said I had a lot of paperwork to do.”

Aunt Edie picked her woven rattan bag up and hooked it over her shoulder. Shooting her arm out she ushered us out the open door. “Of course, Acadia. Thank you for your time and dealing with this so promptly. We’ll get out of your hair now.”

Acadia smiled. “Yes, very well.” She made shooing action and closed the door behind us with a thud.

“I can’t believe I won.” Harriet’s eyes sparkled as she stared at the trophy held tight in her grip.

“I can,” I said, play shoving Harriet into Jordi who caught her in a big hug.

“Me too. You really are the best.” Jordi pulled back and brushed her hand through her raven black hair. “Don’t know about any of you but I’m eager to get on those Bumper Cars and show you all how to drive.”

“Oh yeah,” Tyler said, poking her in the ribcage. “I think I’ll have something to say about that. We all know men are superior drivers.”

Jordi stepped into Tyler’s personal space with her arms folded across her chest. “Oh hell no, you didn’t just say men are better than woman at driving, did you?”

“You guys, save it for the Bumper Cars,” Harriet said swatting Tyler across the shoulder. “But wait a moment while I freshen up and clean these tear stains off my face.” Harriet shoved the trophy into my hands. “Here, hold this while I pop to the ladies. Don’t drop it.”

“As if.” I chuckled but tightened my grip anyway. “Hurry up.”

Harriet’s blonde bob swished from side to side as she practically danced out of view. I shook my head and the tension dropped from my body replaced with a loving warmth.

Life is never dull with that girl around.

I turned to show Aunt Edie the trophy and the shrill of Harriet’s terrifying scream made my core temperature plummet to the ground.

Chapter Three

My gut clenched as if someone punched their fist right into my chest and ripped my heart out with their bare hands. My breath seized in the back of my throat and I looked toward the ladies’ room, my mind going to the worst scenario. One I’d been down before.

“Oh no,” Aunt Edie said, paling, she rubbed her forehead.

“Someone please tell me I’m in a dream and I didn’t hear Harriet scream at the top of her lungs?” Jordi’s voice had lost its normal jovial inflection.

“Harriet?” My feet were moving in the direction of the scream and the muffled shuffling of several pairs of shoes behind me told me I wasn’t the only one. My pulse raced as I turned the corner to find Harriet backed up against the wall. “Harriet, what’s wrong?”

“It’s…it’s…” She paused and scrunched her face up tight shaking her head from side to side and then her arm shot out to the side pointing to the ladies’ toilet. “In there…”

Tyler took a step back. “I’ll take a back seat on this one.”

“What about in there?” Jordi asked.

Harriet took a few deep breaths and then opened her eyes. A slight shade of rose pink had returned to her cheeks. “Why do I have to be the one who always finds a dead body?”

“Dead body?” Aunt Edie said in a shrill voice.

I gasped and Tyler’s hand found mine and squeezed. I was grateful for his reassuring strength and support.

“Who’s body?” Jordi asked, her eyebrows drawing together.

Harriet’s tormented gaze looked at each of us in turn and then her eyebrows shot up. “Um…I’ll give you one guess.”

Aunt Edie’s hand shot to her chest and her jaw dropped. “No, not Seraphina?”

Harriet nodded. “Got it in one.”

Harriet’s confirmation sent a wave of nausea bellowing up from my stomach to the back of my throat. Swallowing back the vile taste, questions bombarded my mind.

“What is all the commotion out here?” Acadia’s stern snappy voice drowned my thoughts.

I spun to see her standing not two metres behind us with her hands on her hips and her lips pursed like she’d just eaten a Creppichini Fruit and was holding back the vile eruption of puke rotting in her gut. The hallway plunged into silence interrupted only by the tapping of Acadia’s navy-blue peep toes shoes on the tiled floor keeping perfect rhythm with my racing pulse.

“Do I have to repeat myself?” she asked, ceasing her foot tapping and folding her arms across her chest.

Aunt Edie took a step forward and the air in my lungs froze. “Acadia, it’s Seraphina.”

Acadia’s golden-yellow eyes did another 360-degree roll and she huffed. “What has that witch done now? First she misses the meeting and now—”

“She’s dead,” Jordi said interrupting.

Acadia’s face fell and her jaw hung loose. Her gaze searched each one of us landing on Aunt Edie. “What is she talking about, Edith?”

“We were all about to go back out and enjoy the carnival rides when Harriet decided to freshen up. She came around here to the ladies and within seconds she screamed. I’m sure it was the same scream that drew you out of your office.”

Tyler piped up. “Concerned for her, we came around to see what was wrong. Then you showed up.”

Acadia’s drilling gaze shot to Harriet. “Seraphina’s dead? You saw her body?”

Harriet nodded while swallowing hard. “Yes, ma’am. She’s on the floor in one of the cubicles. As soon as I saw her body, I screamed and ran straight out here.”

“I don’t believe you,” she said and stormed straight into the ladies’ room.

I held my breath and caught Aunt Edie’s widened eyes. “Oh no.”

The wooden door flung open making an almighty thud against the brick wall. Acadia walked out and stopped, frozen, her face drawn by her ashen complexion. Her gaze settled on Aunt Edie and it was as if they were talking telepathically, but I know Aunt Edie can only do that with a familial link.

Acadia broke the tense silence, but it was the deep change in her pitch of her voice that took me by surprise. “Well, it’s clear someone took their disliking of Seraphina to the next level. I think someone had better call the police, if they haven’t already. And I suggest keeping it on the quiet side so as not to scare the show participants away.”

“Or the murderer,” Tyler said, dampening the mood even more.

“I’ll call them,” Jordi said, moving off to the side keying a single digit into her phone.

No sooner had she moved away my backside vibrated, and the tune ‘Dance Monkey’ echoed throughout the corridor. All eyes turned on me and it was as if I just committed the ultimate sin. “Hello”

“Evelyn, are you okay?” I couldn’t go past the concern in Eli’s voice. “Something’s happened, hasn’t it? I can feel it.”

“You could say that.” I paused, unsure if I should spill the beans about Seraphina yet or not. Tyler’s head tilted and my stomach knotted knowing he would want to know who I’m talking to. I covered the mouthpiece and whispered, “It’s Eli.”

He huffed and mouthed back, “Of course it is.”

“Evelyn, tell me what’s wrong,” Eli asked, his voice more forceful with each word spoken. “I sense evil is close to you, but there’s no immediate danger nearby. I can be there in an instant if you need me.”

“No,” I said more abrupt than I expected.

Gosh no, that’s the last thing I need. Having to explain to Acadia why an attractive man mysteriously materialised out of thin air in front of her eyes.

“It’s okay, I mean I’m okay. Yes, something has happened, but not to me.” I glanced towards the muttering sounds coming from the opposite end of the corridor. Wade was striding towards them, his gaze bouncing from one person to another pausing a little longer on Jordi. What is with that?

“Listen, Eli, I have to go. I’m all good and I’ll explain everything as soon as I can. I promise I’ll call you later.” Cutting his rebuttal short I pocketed her phone and turned towards Wade Antonio as he strutted towards our location.

He stopped a metre from where we were gathered and pulled out his notepad. “I hear there’s been a murder? Someone in Saltwater Cove sure knows how to spoil my afternoon.”

Acadia’s arms flung up in the air and landed by her thighs. “Excuse us for spoiling your precious afternoon, but I think a murder takes place over Fairy Floss and Corn Dogs.”

An icy chill worked its way across the corridor and danced up my spine. He glared at Acadia and her shoulders began to curl over her chest and her hand flew to her forehead.

“Please forgive me,” she said, in a raspy tone. “While Seraphina wasn’t a close friend, she was someone I knew, and it was a shock to see her cold dead body splayed on the floor like discarded trash.”

Wade nodded but kept his game face strong. “Where exactly is she?”

“In there,” Harriet said, her arm pointing to the door behind Acadia. “She’s on the floor in one of the cubicles.”

I cringed as Harriet’s words washed through me. A heaviness settled in my chest and I caught Tyler’s furrowed brows as he drilled his worried eyes into me.

“Are you okay?” he whispered. I nodded and gave him a half-hearted smile while my insides were anything but.

Aunt Edie cleared her throat. “I expect you’ll want to see the body first before talking to each of us.”

“Is anyone else having a Deja vu moment, or is it just me?” Harriet asked rubbing the base of her neck with her hand.

“What are you taking about?” Acadia asked. Her gaze locked onto Harriet, but it was Jordi who spoke.

“Three months ago, we were in this very same situation except it was Prudence McAvoy’s dead body they found and yours truly was the number one suspect.” She paused, her back stiffened.

Wade jumped in and took over. “But that’s all in the past now. The rightful murderer is paying for their crime and you are free to pursue other interests.” He smiled at Jordi and she blushed a crimson red before turning away from him. It was fleeting but, I saw it.

No way! Jordi and Wade Antonio…now that is a match I never would have guessed.

“I’d like to speak to each of you, but first, I’ll take a look at the body.” He paused and acknowledged the approaching officer with a nod. “Ah, good. Martins you’re here. Thanks for being so close by when the call came in.”

Officer Martins nodded. “No problem.”

“You’ll find our victim in the ladies room. Can you make a start collecting the evidence and I’ll be with you shortly?”

“Yes, sir.”

We all watched in silence as Cameron Martins dipped his head and moved off, evidence kit in hand. The ladies room door opened with a new eerie creak that sent goose bumps across my shoulder blades.

“Is there some place we can have a chat that isn’t out in the open for everyone to see and hear?” Wade asked.

“Yes, we can use the office,” Acadia said, waving her delicate fingers in the air. “It’s much more comfortable than this icy corridor and I have an expresso machine, which I’m sure, we could all use right about now.”

“Perfect.” He held his hand open. “After you.”

A giggle erupted from Acadia and she paraded her slim body past each of us as if she were on a catwalk in the middle of a fashion show. Harriet’s lip snarled and her nose wrinkled at Acadia’s pompous ‘higher than thou’ attitude. I linked arms with her and followed Tyler, Jordi, and Aunt Edie toward the office.

“Enough with the snobby attitude, Harriet. The last thing we need right now is to get on the wrong side of the head judge.”

Harriet gasped and her mouth opened and closed several times. “Oh gosh, my bad. Was I that obvious?”

“To me yes…to Acadia and the others, probably not.”

She bit her lip and nodded. Stopping just outside the door she turned and gave me a big hug. The sweet scent of her lavender shampoo tickled my nostrils. She whispered, “Thanks for the timely reminder of my snootiness. Whatever would I do without you?”

“You’ll never have to find out.” My chest expanded and I squeezed her once more absorbing the love of my best friend.

Walking into the office, Acadia was already on the way to the expresso machine by the filing cabinet. Aunt Edie and Tyler were deep in discussion and Jordi stood by the window, her gaze focused down on the bevy of excited tourists and town folk mingling outside in the carnival. My eyes glued to Jordi’s closed off posture; arms folded across her chest with one hand twisting a lock of her raven hair in circles, shoulders hunched forward, sullen expression. It wasn’t the normal Jordi standing there, but someone with a load on her mind.

I rolled my bottom lip between my teeth then turned to Harriet. “Do you think you could grab me a coffee? I think it’s just what my frayed nerves need.”

“Sure, happy to.” She flounced off and joined Tyler and Aunt Edie who were each stirring a cup of hot liquid.

My gut tensed as I joined Jordi by the window. “How long have we known each other?” I asked.

“Excuse me?” she said, her back straightening.

I repeated. “How long have we known each other?”

She rolled her eyes. “For heavens’ sake, Evelyn, you know the answer to that question. Ever since you were eleven when you moved to Saltwater Cove after your parents died.” She thinned her lips. “Although sometimes it feels like an eternity.”

My jaw dropped into an O shape and I jabbed her in the shoulder with my finger. “That was totally uncalled for.”

Jordi giggled and propped her shoulder up against the window frame. “Why ask then?”

“Because in all the time I have known you, I can always tell when you are keeping things hidden from me. Like now. Out with it.”

Jordi pushed off the window and stood straight like she’d been strapped to a wooden plank. She pulled the hem of her shirt straight and brushed out the supposed wrinkles in her pants. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

“Do I need to spell it out for you?” I muttered so only she could hear. She stared right through me as though I wasn’t even there. “You and Wade Antonio? I’m not blind, you had his number on speed dial. I saw the way he looked at you when he came in and the way you blushed in response. You had a moment. He may be new to the town and a necromancer but he definitely has the hots for you. Why didn’t you tell me you were seeing him?”

She huffed and stepped in closer keeping her voice quiet. “Because I’m not…well, not officially. We’re still in the friends stage.”

“Why are you being so coy about it?” She held her hands up and I paused mid-sentence. The silly grin plastered on her face matched the yearning look in her eyes “Oh boy, you’ve got it bad.”

“Keep your voice down, will you?” she blurted under her breath. “This really isn’t the time or the place to be talking about such things. Not with Seraphina’s dead body right down the corridor.”

“Jordi, Seraphina isn’t going to get any more dead than she already is and, it’s not like we can go anywhere until Wade comes back to take our statements, so now is as good a time as any.”

“Okay…okay. It was an honest accident how it happened. I mean, I hadn’t planned it or anything and you know me, I always like to plan the meet-cute.”

The wait was agonising. My body was ready to jump out of its skin. “Do you think you might get to the important part any time soon?”

She smiled and her hazel eyes sparkled like water glistening under the sunlight. This reaction was different to Jordi’s other boyfriends. She was usually the first to tell you all about them, but not Wade.

“Sorry.” A warm crimson blushed her cheeks and she dipped her head. “It happened about a week ago. I didn’t say anything because of my pathetic track record with men, and I didn’t want to jinx it because I really like him.”

“That much is obvious,” I said.

“Remember the day I went to Salty Snips?”

I nodded.

“Well, Wade was in there getting his hair cut and one thing led to another and—”

My pulse raced and my hand flattened against my chest. “Jordi, you didn’t?”

Her head drew back quickly, and she covered her gasping mouth with her palm. “Evelyn Brianna Grayson, how could you think so little of me. Of course, not. I was going to say, one thing led to another and we got chatting and then he asked me out for coffee after Misty had finished my hair.”

“Coffee?”

She grinned and nodded in short sharp nods. “Yes, coffee and…Oh Evelyn, he’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a man, but I’m afraid to believe it could be something special. You know my love life hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but…I want it so bad. There’s more to him than his gorgeous rugged looks.”

A stabbing pain shot across my cheekbones from smiling so hard. I threw my arms around Jordi and squeezed.

“I am so thrilled for you. You deserve to be happy, and yes believe it. Is that why you had his number on speed dial?”

She pulled back and nodded. “We were supposed to meet out by the Swinging Chair ride after the winners of the baking competition were announced. That’s why he got here so quickly. He was already at the show.”

My breath caught in my throat as the ruckus on the other side of the door caught everybody’s attention. The crescendo of muffled voices rung out like a cackle of Hyena’s on the approach.

“What is that?” Aunt Edie said, edging her way towards the centre of the room.

The oak door flew open and a deafening boom reverberated off the wooden walls like a roaring clap of thunder.

“What the…” Jordi said. Everyone turned to see Lilith standing in the doorway flanked on either side by Dahlia Burrow from the Sacred Meadows Coven and Henrietta Darkmore a new member of the Coven of Elysium.

Lilith stormed into the room, every extremity of her body shaking. One by one the other two witches joined her, their bodies just as fired up as Lilith’s. Her orange eyes disappeared and a deep fire-engine red glowed in their place. Her eyelids thinned and her gaze landed on Aunt Edie.

“You,” she said, her arm flew out, her pointy red fingernail aimed directly at Aunt Edie.

“You killed my sister,” she blurted at the top of her voice.

.

Chapter Four

“What?” I heard myself speak, but it was as if my voice came from someone else. My body seized and the air vacated my lungs in one breath. I blinked several times focusing on Aunt Edie’s body, frozen to the spot.

“That is the most ridiculous accusation I’ve ever heard,” Harriet blurted moving up to stand beside Aunt Edie. “This woman is no more a murderer than I am.”

“That remains to be seen.” A harrumph from Lilith was met with dumbfounded gasps and mutters from those around.

Acadia stopped mid-sip of her coffee. “What is the meaning of this intrusion?”

Has the universe turned upside down? Was it playing a cruel joke? No one accuses my aunt of murder and gets away with it.

“I think you had better rethink that accusation, Lilith,” I said through gritted teeth, joining Aunt Edie and Harriet. “You can’t just go around accusing people. You need a little thing called evidence.” The sarcasm rolled off my tongue easier than I thought.

A chilled blanket of silence covered the room, and it was as if time was locked in that moment. My heart beat so loud it rang out against my temples. The tense awkwardness broken by Lilith’s calculated steps towards Aunt Edie, her heels clicking the tiles with each step. Her two wingmen, or should I say women, moved with her.

“And evidence is exactly what we have.” Her gloating smirk followed by a series of cackles irritated the hell out of me. It’s cackles like that, that give witches a ghastly stereotype.

“What evidence?” Aunt Edie asked, standing her ground.

“This.” Wade’s voice boomed from the door.

My head turned in the direction of his deep voice. Wade stood in the door archway holding up a plastic evidence bag with what looked like Aunt Edie’s red neck scarf inside. The room around me started to spin and my hands balled into fists at my side. I looked at the bag in his hand, then to Aunt Edie’s rattan bag sitting on the floor beside the chair then to Aunt Edie. Her hand pressed against the base of her bare neck where her scarf should have been.

“See,” Lilith said. She pointed to the plastic bag.

Dahlia Burrow spoke up for the first time. “It’s your scarf, Edith. Everyone saw you wearing it at the arena while we were waiting for the winners to be announced. It matches Evelyn’s scarf.”

I’m sure it wasn’t just me who was irritated by the nasally high pitch of Dahlia’s voice. “Why is it any of your concern, Dahlia? If I remember rightly, last year Seraphina wasn’t exactly one of your favourite people after she ‘accidentally’ knocked your cake entry into the mud. I think I even heard you say you’d make her pay if it’s the last thing you did.”

“Sounds like a threat to me,” Tyler said.

Dahlia’s jaw dropped and she folded her arms across her busty chest. “Oh, for goodness’ sake, it was an empty threat.”

Tyler snorted. “I may not be a witch, but I’ve been around them long enough to know they hold grudges. Maybe you decided to get your payback this year.”

“Hardly, that was last year and she more than made up for it. Besides, that was before the witch rules were broken by Edith, before she manipulated the competition. Rules are there to be followed and I’m a stickler for the rules if nothing else. When Lilith explained the injustice of the whole situation, I had to agree with her. The rules were very clear, and for one to think they can bend them to suit themselves is most definitely not acceptable.”

“Here, here,” Henrietta Darkmore said, pumping her fist in the air.

Wade cleared his throat and came fully into the room. “Ladies, let’s not get off track. As I said outside, I’m not jumping to any conclusions until all the evidence has been examined. We can’t be sure who’s it is until we have completed the necessary examinations.”

Aunt Edie held out her hand towards Wade and asked, “May I please have a look?” He paused as if to question her intentions. It wasn’t like she could do anything in front of a room full of witnesses. “Through the plastic bag, of course.”

Wade finally nodded and handed the bag over and she fiddled with it, turning it over and pushing the scarf around with her fingers. My stomach dropped through the floor and a tsunami of dread washed over me from head to toe.

Aunt Edie nodded. “Yes, this is my scarf. See…” She stepped in closer to Wade and pointed to the corner of the scarf. “The initials E.P. right there in the corner prove it’s mine.”

My trembling hand flew to the corner of my scarf where E.G. was embroidered. The thick gold thread was like a ticking time-bomb under my touch. If only I hadn’t insisted we get them embroidered with our initials. My chest clamped.

“All that proves is it belongs to Aunt Edie. It doesn’t prove she killed Seraphina.”

“Wait a minute…” Tyler said, moving up behind me. “I remember Aunt Edie wasn’t wearing her scarf when she went down to join you on the floor of the arena.”

“I have to agree with the young man,” Acadia said. “I don’t recall seeing it around Edith’s neck.”

Aunt Edie’s eyes widened, and she clicked her fingers in Tyler’s direction giving him a decisive nod.

“That’s right. I remember taking it off after Harriet was announced the winner and shoving it into my bag. After Harriet ran out, Evelyn and the rest of them left to find her and when they couldn’t, she came to get me, and I joined the search. I took my handbag with me but left my bigger rattan bag under my seat in the arena with my cardigan and scarf in it.”

“Why would you do something so silly?” Henrietta asked with a sneer edging her lip.

Aunt Edie’s spine straightened and her she squinted at the loud-mouthed woman. “Because…I thought I’d only be away a short while and then back to hear Acadia’s verdict. But when we couldn’t find Harriet, I left them to it to head back in to see what I could do about sorting the mess out. Going back to get my bag was the least of my worries.” Her loving gaze moved to Harriet. “I care much more about the ones I love than my bag. Like I said, I had my handbag with me which had all my valuables in. This bag.” She paused and pointed to the larger woven rattan bag beside the chair. “I only brought with me for my jumper and maybe some jams I was going to purchase for Vivienne’s store for The Melting Pot.”

“I bet it’s not in there now,” Lilith said, thrusting her chest out.

“Well of course not.” Aunt Edie paused, sucking in a deep breath. “It’s right here in this plastic evidence bag. Which mean anyone in the stands could have accessed my bag and taken it out while I was down on the arena floor or when I was out looking for Harriet.”

Wade handed the bag to his offsider and held up his hands. “All right, this is getting us nowhere. Can everyone tell me the last time they saw Seraphina?”

Tension filled the room as questionable looks glanced from one to another. Acadia sighed and pushed herself to the front of the group, steaming coffee in hand.

“I can’t speak for anyone else, but the judging dispute in the arena was the last time I saw her, which was around one o’clock. After that, I was deep in conversation with the High Council as to what was to be done about Seraphina’s complaint.”

“Right,” he said. “And where was this meeting held?”

Acadia’s eyebrows shot up. “You can’t be serious?”

Wade looked up from his notepad to see Acadia gawking at him. Her gaze scrutinised him as though he had two heads. “What?”

“The High Council does not come to you; you go to them.” She shook her head. “Unless it is a matter of world domination or the destruction of the universe is imminent.”

“Thank you for the clarification.” The sarcasm in his tone did not go unnoticed.

“If you don’t believe me, feel free to contact Martin Heelee, he will be able to confirm everything. Then I called everyone back here at one forty-five and Seraphina did not arrive. I’m guessing she was killed somewhere between one and one-forty-five.”

Out of the corner of my eye Aunt Edie’s entire body tensed and she sucked in a shallow breath at the mention of her college nemesis, Martin Heelee.

“After the mix up with the announcement in the arena, I was at the Shooting Ducks stall,” Dahlia said shrugging her shoulders. “That is until Lilith came to find me. There were at least a hundred witness who will verify my whereabouts.”

Henrietta added. “And I was at Vivienne Delany’s jam stall. I’d just purchased some of her winning jam.”

I licked my dry lips. “Tyler, Jordi and I were all looking for Harriet who had stormed out as was Aunt Edie.”

Wade scribbled notes on a small notepad in his hand. “All together?”

I clutched my arms to my chest pressing against the heaviness that weighed it down. I looked at Aunt Edie and icy chills shot through me as her voice invaded my thoughts.

It’s all right love. You must tell the truth.

No, I can’t. If I do, it leaves you with no alibi.

“No, Constable,” Aunt Edie said, before I had a chance. “Tyler and Evelyn went one way, Jordi another and I went in the opposite direction.”

Wade frowned. “Can anyone vouch for you, or give you an alibi?”

She shrugged. “I know there were people around, but no one I knew or could say they saw me.”

“See…no alibi? You’re going to pay Edith Peyton,” Lilith said, spite dripping from her words.

Wade’s hands dropped and his lips thinned. His gaze pointed directly at Lilith. “That will be enough. The investigation has only just begun.” Lilith pouted, but remained tight-lipped. He continued. “And you Harriet?”

All eyes turned on Harriet and a cherry-pink wash had her cheeks glowing. She sighed and flopped down on the chair beside her, a sheen of tears glassing her eyes. “If you must know I was wallowing in self-pity on the porch at the back of the town hall.”

Wade’s lips pressed together in a slight grimace and then his gaze met Aunt Edie’s. “I want you to know—” he paused a moment before continuing “—with Detective Huxton out of town giving a lecture over at Castle Cove Meadow today, I’m following the book to a T on this investigation.”

Oh no, this doesn’t sound good.

“I’ll ask you all not to leave town until you have the all-clear from me and Edith, considering it was your scarf found around Seraphina’s neck, it might be best if you accompany me to the station and then we can get a full statement—”

“This is crazy,” Jordi said, interrupting Wade mid-sentence. “There has to be another explanation. There is no way Detective Huxton would let this happen. You know how he feels about Aunt Edie?”

“I’d hate to be in your shoes when he gets back,” Tyler said, his eyebrows raised.

Aunt Edie placed her hand on Jordi’s trembling forearm and smiled. “It’s all right dear. I’m sure the constable is just doing his job and we wouldn’t want him to do anything less. It’s not like I’m under arrest, is it?” she asked, her widened gaze turning to Wade.

He shook his head and pocketed his notebook. “Not at all, you’re just helping out with the investigation and then you’ll be on your way.”

“See, now calm down,” she said with a smile, patting Jordi’s arm. Her soothing tone seemed to calm Jordi who had started shaking and on the verge of shifting. That’s all we needed, Jordi to shift and make matters worse.

Aunt Edie’s gaze caught my boyfriend’s. “Tyler?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Be a good man and take these three ladies home and I’ll be sure to join you as soon as the constable and I are done with our chat.”

The air seized in my lungs and bile hit the back of my throat. “But, Aunt Edie?”

“It’ll be all right.” She threw her arms around me and squeezed. I held onto her like a lifeline, her heart pounding against my chest. She whispered in my ear. “Call Micah, he’ll know what to do.”

Oh gosh, I hope so.

He might be a Leodian and Saltwater Cove’s resident detective, but he was also head over heels in love with Aunt Edie. If anyone can fix this, he can. I held my breath and cringed as Aunt Edie walked out the door followed by Wade. 

Lilith huffed, stuck her nose in the air and spun on her heel heading for the open door, her snooty-nose entourage followed suit slamming the door closed behind them.

I stood paralysed staring at the closed door. It was like I was in one of Harriet’s visions except this was very much my real life, and it was falling apart for the best aunt in the world.

“What are we going to do?” Harriet asked, her fingers twisting in knots at her waist. “We can’t stand by and do nothing.”

“We’re going to do exactly like what she asked us to do.” Tyler went straight for the door and held it open. “I’m going to take you ladies home.”

Acadia placed her coffee cup on her desk and clasped her hands together. “That sounds like a splendid idea. There’s not much else you can do here.”

Every fibre of my witch being was charged, ready to ignite at any moment. Aunt Edie has been my rock since my parents died, if not for her, I can’t imagine where I’d be today. A level head is what I needed. The lingering voice of Aunt Edie echoed in my head, at least I thought it was. Could it be she’s still talking to me?

Call Micah, he’ll know what to do.

I turned to Acadia and forced a smile. “You’re right, we’ve already taken up enough of your time. Come on, Harriet…Jordi, time to go. We’ll leave you to your work now, Acadia.”

I moved double time, ignoring Acadia’s voice trailing off behind me. My fingers itched to yank my phone out of my back pocket and call Detective Huxton, but it would have to wait until I was certain there were no prying eyes or ears around.

I followed Tyler out of the building, but my thoughts were focused on anything but Tyler.

Aunt Edie can you hear me?

A deafening silence greeted my words.

Are you there, Aunt Edie? What’s going on? Talk to me.

The empty void pounding in my head clawed at my heart. I slid my finger into the knot of my scarf and yanked it from my neck shoving it in my pocket.

“If I never see this scarf again, it will be too soon.”

“It’s not the scarf’s fault, Evelyn,” Harriet said, keeping pace beside me. “It was just a means to an end for an unhinged murderer, that’s all.”

“You can say that again. Listen, will you ladies be okay waiting at the entrance while I go get the car?”

“Duh,” Jordi said, rolling her eyes. “As if we can’t take care of ourselves.”

Tyler’s gaze caught mine and my chest tightened at the intensity buried deep within. It wasn’t hard to tell his mind was mulling over the near miss I had with a knife-wielding witch or the deranged woman set on making Tyler her lover. My knees weakened as the reoccurring memory of Tyler splayed out on the concrete floor of The Four Brothers wine cellar, his head covered in blood from a gapping head wound.

I pushed up on tippy-toes and weaved my arms around his neck and held him close. “Go get the car Tyler, we’ll be okay. Promise.” He hugged me tight and I sucked in a sharp breath scarcely able to breathe under his tight grip.

“Okay, wait here and I’ll be back soon.” His sensuous lips lowered to mine and the touch of his soft lips had my libido racing. My eyelids closed as his sweet taste invaded my senses. I arched my back pressing my body against his, wanting more. More touch, and definitely more scrumptious kisses.

“Gosh you two…enough with the kissing already.” Harriet’s voice echoed from behind me.

“Get a room.” Jordi added with a giggle.

Tyler ended the kiss with a smile, and I turned to see my two best friends standing next to each other, arms folded, heads tilted, and lips pursed like they were sucking lemons.

A giggle rumbled up from the base of my belly. “If you two could see the looks on your faces.”

“I know you’ve been working on that transportation spell, Evelyn but it’s a shame you haven’t perfected it yet,” Harriet said, her lips turning up into a smug grin. “You could have whisked Tyler away to some romantic location and had your way with him.”

“And leave Aunt Edie in a time when she needs me most.” I paused and the grin on Harriet’s face fell. “Not likely, but it doesn’t hurt to grab a kiss now and then.”

Tyler squeezed my hand and moved off. “Be back soon ladies.”

I wasted no time in whipping my phone out and dialling Detective Huxton’s number.

“Who are you calling?” Jordi asked, her brows pulling together in a frown.

“Detective Huxton. Aunt Edie said to call him.”

It had only rung twice before his gruff voice echoed in my ear. “Detective Huxton here.”

My pulse sped. “Detective Huxton, this is Evelyn Grayson.”

“Evelyn, what can I do for you?” he asked, his tone now lighter.

“It’s Aunt Edie.” I paused at the half-silent gasp on the end of the phone. “There’s been a situation at the annual show.”

“Give it to me straight, Evelyn. Has something happened to your aunt?”

“Kind of.”

He huffed and grunted. “Kind of isn’t an answer. Has she been hurt…injured?”

“No, no she’s fine…physically. You see there’s been a murder—”

“Murder?” He cut in.

I nodded, more for my benefit than his. “Yes, here at the show and Aunt Edie is the prime suspect.”

This time he gasped in full force. “What on earth are you talking about? Edith is hardly a murderer.”

“We know that, but her scarf was found around the victim’s neck and Constable Antonio has taken her in to the station to answer some questions.” I pressed against my stomach trying to squelch my quivering insides. My gaze caught sight of the judging arena where this whole nightmare started in the first place and the location where Aunt Edie’s scarf was stolen. Maybe there might be something there to help us identify the killer. I covered the speaker of my phone and whispered in Harriet and Jordi’s direction. “Follow me.”

I took off towards the judging arena, Harriet and Jordi in tow. I’d taken a few steps and the sombre silence on the other end of the line had my heart rate kicking into double time. “Detective Huxton, are you still there?”

“Yes, I’m still here. I’m on my way back from Castle Cove Meadow now. I’ll head straight to the police station and find out what is going on.”

Tears welled in the corner of my eyes. “Thank you.” Knowing Micah was on the case made me feel a whole lot better.

“Evelyn, I think it’s important to get one thing clear. I will not let your aunt pay for a crime she didn’t commit, but being as close as I am with Edith, I will not be able to work the case as normal. It would be a conflict of interest. That does not mean I won’t do everything, and I mean everything in my power to get to the bottom of whatever has gone on.”

“I understand. I’ll be grateful for whatever help you can give. Thank you.” He hung up just as I made it to the entrance of the judging arena. I held the phone to my pounding chest, praying he would use his magic if he had to find some answers.

“Well, what did he say?” Jordi asked jumping from one foot to the other as if she were standing on hot coals. “And why are we here?”

Harriet stood with her hands on her hips while her toe tapped away on the cement. “Come on, don’t leave us hanging?”

“He said he would do all that he can to help, but because of their close relationship with Aunt Edie, he probably wouldn’t be able to work the case.”

“Great, where does that leave us if we don’t have a man in the inside?” Harriet asked.

Taking the lead, that’s where, and I know just the place to start.

“Look, he just said he couldn’t be on the case, he did say that he wouldn’t let Aunt Edie pay for a crime she didn’t commit, and he would do everything in his power to get to the bottom of whatever has gone on so I think we can count him on our side. And we have Jordi who, I’m sure, with a little coaxing will be able to get some answers out of Constable Wade Antonio.”

Jordi’s eyes widened and she grimaced, pursing her lips together. My heart dropped.

Whoops, there I go putting my foot in my mouth.

I held my breath and shrugged off my comment. “I mean, who else is better to get inside the police station and snoop than a shapeshifter.”

Harriet turned and looked around the empty arena. “So why are we here?”

Jordi mouthed the words, thank you and I nodded letting my breath out. My focus back on the task at hand, I stepped up beside Harriet. “Detective Huxton said he’d help, but I’m not about to stand around and twiddle my thumbs. I thought we could make better use of our time while we waited for Tyler. Considering this is where this nightmare began, it’s the best place to start.” I moved into the semi-lit arena. “And who knows what we may find. Now, let’s split up and meet back here, at the entrance in ten minutes.”

They both nodded. Harriet moved off in the direction of the podium, Jordi towards the stand where Seraphina and Lilith were, and I headed towards the stand where we all sat.

After what felt like forever, I threw my hands up in the air and groaned. “I give up. There is nothing here. I hope Jordi and Harriet were having better luck than I am.”

I took the opposite stairs back down to the arena floor two at a time, my stomach hardening with each stamp of my foot. Then I froze on the last step, a slither of light from behind the grandstand caught my eye.

“What the?” I bit the inside of my cheek and edged closer to the roaming light source.

My jaw dropped. I stopped by a small door leading to the space under the raised seating. A door that was not there two hours ago when I’d entered the arena for the winner announcements. There was magic at play.

“Where the hell did you come from?” I muttered under my breath. I looked for the light, but it was gone. Did I imagine it? My heartbeat raced, pounding my ribcage.

What or who is behind this door? More to the point, are they in there destroying evidence that could exonerate Aunt Edie?

I gulped down large breaths and silently turned the door handle. It didn’t budge an inch.

Not one to let a locked door stand in my way, I gripped the handle and held my other hand over the top. “What once was under lock and key, with this spell I now set free. Once done with it then let it be. Return it under lock and key.” My fingers goose bumped and tingled as swirls of glittered colour materialised around my hands swirling in figure eights through my fingers. The sharp click of the door unlocking was like a symbol crashing to the floor in the silent arena.

I stepped through the door and a bead of sweat trickled down my temple towards my chin. I wiped the sticky wetness away with the back of my palm, my eyes finally adjusting to the minimal light seeping through the structure. It was enough light to see I was standing in a makeshift witches’ cave. The door eased itself closed behind me with a thump and I jumped.

This is bad, very bad.

A large cauldron took pride of place in the centre of the space surrounded by crazy-shaped bottles and potions of varying sizes. The overpowering scent of stale dried herbs stung my nostrils and I squinted against the intense aroma of Licarbre Fern. “Oh no, this is worse than I thought. Dark magic.” I covered my mouth and nose with my palm and took a few steps further inside studying every part of the scene. Licarbre Fern isn’t something Aunt Edie stored in her pantry. Its only use is evil.

I stopped by an old wooden box. Bending down beside it, the sides were engraved with a picture of two wolf-like creatures each holding a small animal between their teeth. An icy shudder ran up my spine and goose bumps spread down my arms. “Ew, that is gross.”

I pushed back up and froze. The click-clack of footsteps coming from the opposite direction was enough to send my body into meltdown.

Oh no, I’m not alone? And what are they going to do when they find me snooping around their stuff?

Chapter Five

My shoulders heaved and I gasped for air as the walls started to close in. The air in my lungs gone. I forced my legs to move back towards the way I came in, but as my steps quickened so did the footsteps behind me. I smacked into the wall.

“You’ve got to be kidding me?” My heart racing, I slid my trembling hands up and down the wall, but the handle had vanished, so had the door. With nowhere to go and my entire body riddled with tremors, I flattened my back against the wall and searched for a possible hiding place.

“Evelyn?”

The voice stopped me dead in my tracks. I froze and waited, unsure if I was hallucinating.

“Evelyn?”

The familiar male voice was like being drenched with a bucket of iced water and thrown into a boiling caldron, all at the same time. I pushed off the wall and stood upright barely able to control the bubble of anger broiling inside me. “Eli? What the hell kind of trick are you playing at?”

He stepped close enough for my eyes to adjust under the minimal light to make out his facial features. “What has gotten into you? Is it part of your job description to scare the beejeebies out of me?”

“I’m your Guardian, Evelyn, there is only one element to my job description and that is to protect you at all costs, or have you forgotten Salis Van Der Kolt is after you?” he said, rocking from one foot to the other. “Remember, the High Council is adamant he’s returned to continue his quest for the Sphere. You know the hidden object that controls every world, magic or not and if it falls into his hands, it could mean the end of our world as we know it?”

“No need to get snarky,” I snapped.

“Imagine my surprise when I sensed you within a hair’s breathe of Licarbre Fern.” His firm tone grated on my nerves. He continued. “The very fern used in dark magic and, when used correctly, is known to destroy a witch within seconds. It’s never used for good, only evil.”

“Eli, I’m fine…no thanks to you. Do you think you might identify yourself sooner next time?”

“You said you’d be more careful and stay away from danger.”

That was before Aunt Edie was accused of murder!

“Do I need to enlist Tyler’s help to keep a twenty-four-hour watch on you?”

I wanted to throw the sarcasm that dripped from his words right back at him, but the slim thread of truth running through them held me back. I bit my lip.

He sighed. “Look, I’m sorry for frightening you, but when are you going to take the threats to your life serious? Did that little episode outside The Four Brothers just after the new year not convince you?”

A physical shudder ran through my body at the memory. An unprovoked attack by the hooded man, Aunt Edie suspected was Salis Van Der Kolt. The worst kind of evil there is. He’d fired a bolt of magic right into my stomach which catapulted me across the air and dropped me fair and square on the ground, my head bouncing off the bitumen. Bruised and paralysed in pain, Eli chose that moment to reveal himself as my Guardian by materialising right in front of me. I dipped my head and squeezed my eyes shut against the possibilities of what could have happened had he not been there.

“I get it, I do. I’m still dead set on finding out who killed Prudence’s and my parents and keeping the Sphere out of Salis’ hands just as much as you, but right now, Aunt Edie’s life is hanging in the balance and no matter how much this Salis dude might be after me, my first priority is to Aunt Edie.”

“Whoa, back up,” he said blinking several times. “What do you mean Edith’s life is in danger?”

“I’d love to fill you in on all the details, but is there any chance you can use your Guardian powers and get us the hell out of here and away from the Licarbre Fern?” I asked. “Tyler is probably going nuts by now.”

“Sure thing.” Eli slid his hand into mine. My back stiffened while my other hand balled into a fist. Before I could say anything, we were outside the entrance to the judging arena standing hand in hand in front of Tyler, Jordi, and Harriet.

Tyler’s gazed dropped to our joined hands and the deeply pained expression on his face clawed at my heart.

Eli released my hand and shuffled away from me. His gaze moved from Tyler to Jordi then landed on Harriet. “It’s not what you think. I swear. Evelyn was snooping again and in a place she shouldn’t have been. My Guardian radar went into mass panic when I sensed her around Licarbre Fern.” Harriet and Jordi’s unified gasp confirmed Eli’s analysis of the condemned fern. “And rather than wait until her life was in danger, I decided to rock up before it was too late.”

“All I did was ask you to wait out the front until I got the car,” Tyler said, shaking his head and rubbing his chin. “I guess next time I’ll take you with me.”

My tight chest relaxed as a smile spread across his face. “I guess you will.”

“Licarbre Fern, Evelyn…really?” Jordi tutted, changing the subject. “Why would you put yourself within a hundred metres of that infernal stuff?”

“It’s not like I planned it.” I sucked in a deep breath and relayed the whole situation from the moment I noticed the light until Eli and I materialised in front of them.

“You found way more than Jordi or I did. We both came up empty handed.”

Eli tapped his fingers against his thigh and clenched his teeth together. “I hate to interrupt, but can someone enlighten me on what is going on with Edith and why her life is in danger?”

“What happened to you after Seraphina’s big explosion in the arena?” I asked, tilting my head. “When we couldn’t find Harriet, I went back in to get help. Aunt Edie was there, but I couldn’t find you anywhere.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. Something came up, but it’s all sorted now.” He paused not offering any more information on the topic and I wasn’t about to pry…yet.

Why all the secrecy? I wonder if it has anything to do with me.

“What happened after you all went to find Harriet?” Eli asked.

Harriet cleared her throat. “The abridged version goes like this. We all got called to Acadia’s office, Seraphina didn’t turn up, Lilith insisted Acadia call her again, so she did. When she still didn’t turn up, Acadia pronounced me the winner, Lilith stormed off. I went to freshen up just down the hall from Acadia’s office and found Seraphina, dead on the floor strangled with Aunt Edie’s scarf.”

His eyes widened and jaw dropped. “Are you serious?”

“Afraid so,” Tyler said. “And now she’s at the police station with Wade answering goodness knows how many questions.”

Harriet stuck her chin out, her fingers fidgeting with each other unable to stay still. “And that’s where we should be; at the police station with her.”

“No,” I said, sharper than I expected.

Harriet wrinkled her brow. “No? Why not?”

“Because she asked us to go home and wait for her there.” I picked up Tyler’s hand and held it close. The smooth touch of his skin sent tingles up my arm and I smiled at the ease with which I felt around him.

“How will she get back to The Melting Pot?” Jordi asked, a note of alarm pricked her words.

Tyler and I headed out towards the car park and the rest followed. “Detective Huxton is on the way to the police station and I’m sure he’ll bring her home when she’s done. I can’t see him leaving her there, can you?”

“Nope…”

“…hardly.”

“As if that would ever happen…”

I paused by Tyler’s car, and it was the first time since this whole ordeal started my body screamed for rest. I ached, but rest was the furthest thing from my mind.

“I’ll take Jordi and Eli with me and we’ll meet you back at The Melting Pot,” Harriet said, half on the way to her car dragging along her two reluctant passengers.

A chuckle escaped my lips. “That woman is pure gold.”

“She sure is,” Tyler said. He gripped me in a tight hug and nuzzled into my neck planting kisses under my earlobe.

Pins and needles ricocheted through my body and I couldn’t help but laugh as he burrowed deeper into my neck.

“Stop that, you know I’m ticklish there.”

He pulled back letting out a heavy sigh. “I know, I wanted to hear you laugh again. You have such a beautiful laugh.”

Tyler beeped the car unlocked and I headed for the passenger seat. “Thank you, but given the circumstances, there isn’t much to laugh about at the moment.”

He nodded, turned the engine over and took off towards The Melting Pot. “Just know that I’m here for you, Evie girl.”

“You have such a big heart, Tyler Broderick.”

“And all of it belongs to you.” He smiled and my heart exploded with love.

***

By the time we got back home Eli was sitting at the kitchen table while Jordi and Harriet had the coffee already brewing. They were in the midst of making hazelnut and caramel liquid heaven. Just what I needed to calm the nerves.

“What is taking them so long?” I asked, pacing the floor like a marching band. “It’s been like forever, surely they wouldn’t have arrested her, would they?” I looked at my friends and the uncertainty in their eyes guttered me.

“Like Micah is going to let that happen.” Miss Saffron said from her spot on the kitchen bench. She was still dark at me for not filling her in on what happened sooner.

Jordi piped up. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. We all know the way Detective Huxton feels about her and he’s not going to let anything happen to her.”

“Took the words right out of my mouth.” Miss Saffron’s sarcastic tone did not go unnoticed. I pressed my lips together and glared in her direction.

Harriet placed a steaming mug in front of Eli and took the seat next to him. “You know, I’m kind of getting sick and tired of stumbling across dead bodies. First, Camille Stenson and now Seraphina Morgan. Why me?”

“Just lucky, I guess,” Eli muttered bringing his mug up to his lips to blow the steam from the top.

Harriet’s eyebrows shot up. With her elbows poised on the edge of the table she propped her chin in her palms. A perfect sulking pose.

“Well, if that’s what they call luck, count me out for any more thank you very much.”

I glanced at the door, but it didn’t move. My exhausted body begged for sleep and my bed was looking really attractive right now. A gazillion scenarios raced through my mind, and not all of them in favour of Aunt Edie.

“Why didn’t I just remove the scarf from around her neck when I found the body?” Harriet huffed and ran her pointer finger around the brim of her coffee cup in a continuous clockwise circle. “If I had, none of this would be happening now.”

I reached over and squeezed her other hand. “That’s a nice gesture, but if you had, your DNA would be on the scarf and then what would you have done if they found that to be the murder weapon? You would have been implicated as well and we all know that would not please Aunt Edie.”

“Remember how you felt when they accused you of murdering Camille?” Jordi said, leaning against the kitchen bench sipping her coffee.

Harriet paled and her eyes stared at the mug of hot coffee now pressed between both her hands. “I wish I didn’t, but it’s kind of hard to wipe it from my mind.”

Jordi added, “I’m sure Aunt Edie would not want you to go through that again just for her.”

“I know she wouldn’t,” I said, draining the last dregs of my coffee cup.

What the hell is taking so long? Surely Wade hasn’t got that many questions.

Miss Saffron’s tail bolted upright as if she’d stuck her paw in an electrical socket and she propelled herself on all fours towards the window above the kitchen sink. “She’s back.”

I gripped my coffee cup and stiffened as I turned towards the door, but nothing. I rubbed my temple and glared in Miss Saffron as if to ask; are you paying tricks on me? Sometimes it’s just not fair that no one else can hear her other than me.

She stuck her nose in the air and muttered, “Wait for it…wait for it.” The familiar hollow sound of the key turning in the door nabbed my attention and I spun to see Aunt Edie walk through the door sporting a grin and escorted by Detective Huxton.

“Aunt Edie!” I bolted from my chair and practically jumped into her arms holding on as tight as my arms would let me without crushing her. Seeing her released the tension and dissolved the knots or worry festering in my stomach. “Thank goodness you’re back. Are you okay? What happened? What did Wade say?”

“Calm down, child,” she whispered, her warm breath skimming past my ear. “I’m fine, better than fine, now I’m back home with my family.”

I fought the urge to glue myself to her in a permanent hug. Stepping back, I led her over to my vacated seat at the kitchen table. No sooner did she sit than Miss Saffron jumped up into her lap and rubbed her head against her shoulder.

“Aw, did you miss me too?” she asked, scooping Miss Saffron into her chest.

“Do you really need to ask? I may be Evelyn’s familiar now.” Miss Saffron paused and slyly glanced my way then returned to the comfort of Aunt Edie’s arms. “But you’re family, that will never change.”

Aunt Edie dropped a kiss on top of her head and ruffled her hair. Seconds later she was settled in her lap. Aunt Edie looked up to see the entire room staring at her intently.

“I’m sure you all want to know what happened.”

Before any of us could utter a word, Detective Huxton held his hand up for silence. My chest tightened. Was it worse than we first thought?

He licked his lips then spoke in his monotone detective voice. “I think it would be best if you let Edith do all the talking and save your questions until the end.”

“Works for me,” I said, while the others shrugged and nodded. “Just don’t leave any detail out.”

She gasped and put her hand to her chest faking a heart attack. “Me? Leave a detail out.”

How she can use humour in a time like this is beyond me.

Detective Huxton took a step back while she went through every meticulous detail ensuring each of us understood before moving to the next. “And that was pretty much it. See, nothing’s really changed from what you already knew. He really was the perfect gentleman.”

“I’m confused,” Harriet said, flopping back in her chair. “If that’s all that happened, why did it take so long?”

“Ah, the real fun came just as we were wrapping up. Lilith barged into the station demanding to speak with Constable Antonio. Micah and I waited while they conversed and believe me it was way longer than my discussion with Wade.” Aunt Edie paused, and her hand stroking Miss Saffron had become faster and more agitated.

“Oh no.” I bit my top lip curbing the expletives that were begging to be set free.

“Oh no is right. It’s bad enough someone is trying to frame me for murder. Lilith has filed charges against me with the High Council demanding, if proven guilty of Seraphina’s murder, I be stripped of my powers and banished from Saltwater Cove…permanently to live in exile.”

Chapter Six

This can’t be happening, it just can’t.

I struggled to breathe around the pressure squashing my chest. In one afternoon, my life had spun so far out of control my mind was struggling to play catch up. Random sounds and noises from around the kitchen pierced my mind. I shook my head vehemently. “No, no, no she can’t do that. How dare she file such stupid ridiculous charges?”

Aunt Edie slid her hand across the table and held mine in hers. “Sweetheart, I know this isn’t an ideal situation, and your dealings with the High Council have been limited, but according to Witch Law, Lilith is well within her rights to make such a complaint. The only option we have is to follow the rules which means my powers have been blocked until I’m proven innocent.”

A lump formed in the back of my throat and I forced my words out around the tightness. “Blocked, but this is crazy, all because of your scarf that could have been taken by anybody in the arena.”

Aunt Edie nodded. “Yes, and the fact that I don’t have an alibi.”

“But you were looking for me,” Harriet said, pushing out of her chair and heading toward the dishwasher with her empty cup.

Detective Huxton cleared his throat. “Alone.”

The single word hit me fair in the chest as if it were delivered with the striking hit of a baseball bat. He stepped up and placed his hand softly on Aunt Edie’s shoulder.

“I made the mistake before of leaving this woman, and now I have her back, I’m not about to abandon her in her time of need. I think you all know she means too much to me. We will get to the bottom of this. We will exonerate Edith’s name.”

“Yeah, but will we be able to do it in time before Lilith gets her way?” Jordi asked.

Aunt Edie patted his hand and forced a small smile. “Thank you, Micah.”

The heavy silence that hung in the room made my internal temperature soar. I stood, my chair scraping the floor like nails down a chalkboard. Every muscle in my body tensed as I leaned over and placed my hands flat on the table.

“Damn straight we will.” I glanced between everyone who was sitting around the table. “We’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again. Between the seven of us and the powers we possess, we’ll leave no stone unturned until we find the truth.” Enthusiastic nods answered my words.

“Powerful words, Evelyn,” Detective Huxton said with a tilt of his head. “It’s important to remember I will not officially be on the case, but that does not mean Wade will not keep me informed of any developments as they come to light.”

“Always good to have a man on the inside,” Tyler said. “As you all know, over the last few months I’ve been tossing up what to do with my life and I’d like you all to know you are looking at the new owner of TB Investigations. My services are at your disposal, Aunt Edie.”

The room erupted in congratulatory slaps on Tyler’s back and handshakes. I caught the sparkle shinning bright in his eyes and it warmed my heart to know he was happy. “Congratulations.”

He shrugged. “You always did say I was a wiz when I came to computers. If I remember rightly, you said it was my super power. Now, it’s just official.”

“That I did, and now we can put you to good use finding us a murderer.”

“That’s awesome news, Tyler, but…” Harriet paused and clapped her hands together and all gazes turned to her. “Come on people, think. Time is ticking. If Aunt Edie didn’t do the deed, we need suspects. Hit me with your ideas. Who do you think murdered Seraphina?”

“Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?” I asked, looking her up and down through squinted eyes.

She huffed and rolled her eyes. “Oh, for goodness’ sake, Evelyn someone has to take the lead and get this show on the road.”

“Oh, I do love you, you know. Even when life is full of doom and gloom you know how to make me smile.”

Harriet took a mock bow. “Thank you. I’m serious though. We need suspects. Any ideas?”

“What about Tiffany?” Tyler said, looking around the table.

Aunt Edie grimaced. “Come now, you can’t blame everything on Tiffany. That poor woman—”

“Fae, and a sneaky one at that,” Tyler butted in. “I wouldn’t exactly call her poor. It’s not as if she doesn’t bring it on herself.”

“That may be so,” Aunt Edie said, her eye catching Miss Saffron as she shuffled and stretched her limbs then snuggled back down on Aunt Edie’s lap. She continued, “You can’t assume she had anything to do with Seraphina’s death without proof.”

“We kind of have proof. Not proof exactly, more like a lead,” Harriet said. “Just before the winners’ announcements, we spotted Tiffany coming out of the judge’s arena. We followed her and she vanished down by the church. I know that doesn’t really mean anything, but what was she doing in the arena? What if she were there to see Seraphina and they were up to no good? What if whatever it was went bad and Tiffany got her own payback? We all know she missuses her powers.”

That could explain the secret witches cave under the grandstand I stumbled across earlier.

“And she can’t be trusted.” Miss Saffron’s voice floated through the air.

Detective Huxton held up his hand. “All right, I agree it’s probably worth the time to chat with Tiffany. If anything, it will allow us to cross her off the suspect list.”

Jordi snapped her fingers and pointed at Aunt Edie. “What about Dahlia, the stuck-up pompous know-it-all witch who was with Lilith tonight?”

“What about her?” Harriet asked.

Jordi huffed and rolled her eyes. “Hello…I think we can all agree, judging by Seraphina’s reaction to coming second, some witches take these competitions very seriously and—” she paused and turned towards Aunt Edie “—didn’t you say last year Seraphina wasn’t exactly one of Dahlia’s favourite people after she ‘accidentally’ knocked her entry into the mud before judging. I think you said you heard her say she’d make her pay no matter what.”

“That is true.” Aunt Edie rubbed her chin.

I watched a myriad of expressions pass over Aunt Edie’s face and my stomach dipped like a rollercoaster on a speed run.

“What is it, Aunt Edie?” I asked.

“Oh nothing, love. I was just thinking back to last year and the reaction Dahlia had to Seraphina’s blunder.”

“What do you mean ‘reaction’?” Harriet pried.

“At the time I thought nothing of it, but the vehemence in her voice triggered warning bells. I thought she was just upset at having to forego her entry in the competition. Her reaction was somewhat over the top and if I’m honest, she was so angry I thought she was about to murder Seraphina where she stood. It’s probably nothing.”

“Maybe she waited a year to extract her revenge.” Eli smirked and gave a brisk nod. “Does she have an alibi?”

“She ‘said’,” Harriet paused and held up her fingers making quotation marks, “she was at the Shooting Ducks stall?”

Eli continued. “Someone must have seen her, but trying to track someone down isn’t going to be easy.”

Harriet slapped Jordi on the shoulder. “Well done, Sherlock. Another suspect to add to the list. Should I be writing these down?”

Detective Huxton shook his head. “Between the seven of us, I think we can remember them.”

“And what about the other witch, Harryietta, was it? Do you think she may have had something to do with Seraphina’s demise?” Tyler asked.

He sure was cute the way he mispronounced Henrietta’s name.

Harriet’s jaw dropped and her gaze darted in Tyler’s direction, glaring her emerald eyes straight at him. If they were laser beams, she’d have seared a hole right through the middle of his forehead. “Her name is Henrietta, not Harryietta. The last thing I need is to have people mix up our names or mistake me for her.”

Tyler broke eye contact with Harriet and shrugged. “Sorry, my bad. Who’s able to remember all these witch names anyway?”

“Just don’t get us mixed up again. It’s not like you haven’t known me long enough. We practically grew up together. I’d be happy to take you down to the riverbank and whip your butt like I used to back in our school days.” A chorus of giggles and laughter rang out at Tyler’s pale expression.

A triumphant sparkle returned to Harriet’s eye and she nodded. “That’s right. You may be bigger and more bad ass since you came back from Nepal, but the butt whippings I gave you growing up are still fresh in your mind. I can tell.”

Eli’s eyebrows raised and he cocked his head to the side. “You whipped Tyler’s butt? Boy, what I wouldn’t give to see that.”

“Not going to happen. Enough with the butt whipping talk, Harriet.” Tyler grunted. “We were kids.”

I reached over and squeezed Tyler’s hand. “Why did you bring up Henrietta in the first place?”

Tyler smiled and shook his head at Harriet then returned his attention my way. “It may be different for witches, but most people don’t do something for nothing. Why get on Lilith’s band wagon unless there’s something in it for her. What was her reason for being there other than to see Aunt Edie squirm? If Aunt Edie’s winning reputation was a catalyst for Seraphina to take such strong measures, what’s to stop another witch from doing the same? Jealousy isn’t a pretty sight and combined with revenge? Sounds like a deadly mix to me.”

“Good point.” Detective Huxton paced the kitchen shaking his finger at Tyler as if he were thinking. “Tomorrow sees the close of the annual show and after that, most visitors to Saltwater Cove will be departing.”

A pained expression crossed Aunt Edie’s face. “And so may the murderer.”

“Exactly,” he said, stopping in his tracks to face her. Their gazes connected in a moment of focus as if no one else were in the room. A silent message conveyed between them and then it was gone. He continued, “Which means we must exonerate Edith before then, otherwise our job will become almost impossible.”

A cool chill whooshed around the kitchen and snaked its way into my bones. An ominous dark cloud hung over the room and it was pretty clear the underlining meaning behind his words. I reached for Aunt Edie’s hand and squeezed. “It’ll be okay,” I said, a turbulent wave of nausea chose that moment to turn my insides into a mass of mushy goo.

Harriet shot off her chair. “We can solve one mystery right now.” She walked over and picked up the receiver of Aunt Edie’s phone and dialled. “Henrietta said she was at Vivienne’s stall buying jams. Vivienne should be able to clear this up within seconds.”

“Did someone say Vivienne?” Miss Saffron said, the hairs on her tail standing to attention. Her whiskers twitched as she licked her paw.

On the phone silly. I know what you’re after, missy. More jam.

Aunt Edie tickled under her chin.

Typical. When the going gets tough, you go for food, award winning food at that.

Aunt Edie threw me a stern look. As if she wasn’t thinking the same thing.

We waited. It wasn’t just me fidgeting waiting for Vivienne to answer. Jordi crossed and uncrossed her legs. Eli and Tyler shuffled in their seats. Harriet’s free hand tapped the edge of her thigh and Detective Huxton’s toe tapped continually on the tile floor piercing the tense air sending agitated jolts down my spine.

Harriet huffed. “Hi Vivienne, this is Harriet, as soon as you get this message can you please give Aunt Edie a call, or me or Evelyn. It’s really important. Thanks. Bye.” She hung up deflated and turned leaning against the counter top. “That’s a dead end for now, but I’m sure she’ll call back as soon as she gets the message. Have you her mobile?”

Aunt Edie nodded. “Yes, I’ll try it, but I’m not sure if the answer will be any different.”

Detective Huxton’s foot finally ceased the persistent tapping. “How so?”

“Just before Evelyn came in to get my help with searching for Harriet, Vivienne came to give her apologises as she had to leave and couldn’t wait around to find out the outcome.”

“Leave?” I asked.

She nodded. “Yes, she said a family matter needed her attention and she had to address it before it was too late.”

“Really?” Jordi sat forward in her chair leaning in. “What was it…don’t leave us hanging.”

Aunt Edie’s shoulders slumped. “That’s just it, I don’t know. She said she’d tell me in good time, but for now she had to deal with it herself. It concerns me though. Vivienne has always been one to confide in me, even at the worst of times. It’s not always been easy, me being a witch and she not having any magical powers, but we always got through it.”

“I’m sure all will be fine and when she’s ready, she’ll tell you when the time is right,” Detective Huston said.

I glanced over at Aunt Edie and my stomach dropped. An emptiness replaced my nausea. The dullness in her eyes tore at my heart.

“Harriet’s right,” I said, lifting Miss Saffron off Aunt Edie’s lap and into my arms. I pushed out my chair and headed for Miss Saffron’s basket in the corner. “Come on miss.”

“Hey, no fair.” Miss Saffron growled. “I was comfortable there.”

You may have been comfortable, but it’s been a long day and Aunt Edie is exhausted. I’m relying on you to look after her when I can’t. She means the world to me and I’ll not lose her.

Miss Saffron twisted her head and snuggled into my chin. She arched up and her gorgeous opal eyes glowed a stunning golden hue.

That is something you never have to ask.

I tensed my stomach refusing to give in to the sudden heaviness that invaded the room. “It’s been a long day and we’re all exhausted, at least I am. As for tomorrow, Tyler and I have had some dealings with Tiffany before, so we’ll go and have a friendly chat. Jordi and Harriet why don’t you check out Dahlia and Henrietta’s alibis.”

Harriet and Jordi high-fived each other. “Sounds like a plan.”

Eli cleared his throat and put his two cents worth in. “I think under the circumstances, it might be an idea to close The Melting Pot for a while.”

Aunt Edie gasped and stood, her chair scraping along the floor like nails down a chalkboard. My insides cringed as the god-awful sound grated down my spine.

“Absolutely not,” she blurted. “I will not have this accusation darken my passion, my happy place, the place that gives me most joy. I may have a blocking spell that stops me using my powers, but it doesn’t stop me from cooking up a storm for my customers.”

“Edith is right.” Detective Huxton moved over and placed a soothing hand on her shoulder. “I’ll head into the station in the morning and get an update from Wade.”

Aunt Edie’s arms folded and the familiar spark reignited her eyes. “I don’t see why this has to change anything. The Melting Pot will open as normal and each of you will still do your fair share as per normal.”

“Okay.” Eli fidgeted with the skin between his thumb and forefinger as he spoke. “I’m rostered on tomorrow morning and I’ll be there as normal. It’d be great if you didn’t get into trouble Evelyn, that way I don’t have to leave Edith unprotected with no powers to come to your rescue.”

Why, the nerve of the man.

I bit the inside of my cheek and half closed my eyelids glaring at him, my breath seizing in my chest.

“That means not going near any dangerous ferns.”

“What?” Aunt Edie’s back straightened. “What dangerous ferns? Should I be worried?”

“No, it’s all good.”

Just you wait Eli Pruitt, you and I are going to have words.

“Don’t worry,” Tyler said, glancing sideways at me and grinned. “I’ll look after her, even if I have to spend every waking moment protecting her.”

“On that note I think it’s time to call it a night. Jordi, do you need a lift home?” Harriet asked, grabbing her coat off the back of the chair, and heading for the door.

“Hell yes.” Jordi threw her arms around Aunt Edie. “It’ll be okay, we’re on the case.”

Aunt Edie tapped Jordi’s elbow. “I know love and thank you.” Eli headed out soon after.

“Evelyn, I don’t suppose you and Tyler could give me a moment alone with Micah?”

“Of course, are you okay?”

“Yes, I will be.”

I slid my hand into Tyler’s and pulled him off his chair. “Let me walk you out to your car.” He smiled and leaned down and brushed his lips against my cheek. His warm breath skimmed my skin and my pulse sped.

He pulled me towards the door and I smiled at the light bounce in his step. “Good night,” he called over his shoulder. He closed the door behind us and my entire body went into hyper-sensitive meltdown as he wrapped his arms around me planting a mind-blowing kiss smack on my lips. I was barely able to register anything except my racing pulse and the way my body softened against this man as his lips devoured mine. The faint mumbling of voices from the kitchen threatened to tear my mind from Tyler’s embrace. The voices becoming louder by the second. I could no longer ignore them.

“I’ve made up my mind, Micah. Whatever this is between us is over and that’s all there is to it. I’m allowed to change my mind. We’re finished.”

Chapter Seven

The agitation coating Aunt Edie’s voice shattered the kiss and I pulled away, my gaze glued to Tyler’s. I whispered, “Did you hear that?”

That’s why she wanted me to make a quick exit so she could destroy the heart of the man who loves her. Oh Aunt Edie, please don’t throw away his love.

“How could I not?” he whispered back. “Come on. Let’s go.”

“No, Tyler.” I placed my hand on his chest, his fast tempo heartbeat reassuring me he felt the pull between us just as I did. I shook my head. “We can’t go. Did you not hear Aunt Edie tell Detective Huxton she doesn’t want to see him anymore? She’s throwing their relationship away, and for what?”

Tyler rocked from foot to foot, slipping a hand into his pocket. “What she chooses to do is none of our business, Evelyn. I don’t feel comfortable listening in on their conversation.”

His words hit me square in the sternum as though he’d swung a block of wood right into the centre of my chest. “She’s making a huge mistake. She thinks she’s protecting him. It’s just like Aunt Edie to think of others before herself.”

“Maybe so. We shouldn’t be eavesdropping, Evelyn. It’s not right.”

I opened my mouth to let my response fly, but Micah’s angry voice beat me to it.

“This is crazy, Edith. I’m not letting you do this.”

“I’ve made up my mind, Micah and there’s no use arguing with me. We’re over.”

“Like hell we are.”

That’s it, fight for her. She’s worth it.

Tingles shot up my arms and I turned to see a grimace on Tyler’s face. He held up our joined hands and his squashed fingers encased in my crushing hold.

“Oh gosh, I’m sorry.” I let go and he spread his fingers, shaking his hand.

“Damn woman, you have a strong grip.” He rubbed his hands together. “Remind me not to get you angry.”

I half-heartedly smiled but my attention returned to the conversation playing out on the other side of the door. Tyler standing close behind me.

“I know what’s going on, Edith,” Micah said. His calm voice was the opposite to my racing pulse.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Yes, you do, you’ve decided you don’t want to see me anymore because you’re trying to protect me. You’re worried something will happen to me, and that’s sweet. You always protect others before yourself and you think this is the only way.”

There was a pause and I leaned in closer straining to hear Aunt Edie’s response, but she didn’t say a word.

“I’ve got news for you, Edith Peyton…I love you.”

I fist pumped the air and Tyler smiled, wrapping his arms around me. His racing heart thumped against my back matching mine.

“Did you hear me, Edith?” Micah asked. “I love you. I always have and I always will. I know I let you down when I left five years ago without so much as a goodbye. But I had hoped you’d forgiven me by now.”

“Oh Micah. I have forgiven you. But I can’t possibly think about love, or a relationship while my life is spiralling out of control.”

“Let me finish, please.”

Silence greeted his words and I imagined him walking over to her and sliding his arms around her. At least that’s what I would do.

“I love you. I’m usually not very forthcoming when it comes to sharing my affections in public, but with you, I seem to have lost all sense of decorum and professionality. I love you and I don’t care who the hell knows. So, let’s get one thing straight right now. I am not going anywhere. You and I are going to continue to date, and we will find the person responsible for framing you, even if I have to use my powers to do it. That is a promise. I may be a detective, but I’m a man first and one who will not be pushed away because you think I may get hurt. You’re worth more to me than some job.”

“Are you done?” Aunt Edie asked, the tone of her voice resembled the strong woman who had fended for me for over half of my life. I waited. My lungs screamed for air like I’d forgotten to breathe. I sucked in a deep silent breath, my chest expanding to full width.

“I think so.”

“Good, because I only have one response.” Silence rung out like a booming marching band. I stood with bated breath waiting to hear her response, but nothing…zip…nada. I wanted to climb over the guard railing and peak in the window, but it was too far away.

What the hell is going on?

Tyler’s arms tightened around me and his warm breath tickled the back of my ear. “I think I know what her answer is. She isn’t saying her answer with words, she’s showing him with her lips.”

Heat rose in my body and warmed my cheeks and ears as the penny dropped. A brimming smile turned the corners of my mouth up and Tyler joined me, grinning from ear to ear.

She was kissing him. Way to go Aunt Edie.

Aunt Edie cleared her throat. “Now just in case you didn’t get the message. I love you too, Micah Huxton.”

“Thank goodness,” he said with a sigh.

***

My eyelids drooped as the memory of Tyler’s final kiss sat at the forefront on my drowsy mind. Pulling the quilt up tight under my chin, I snuggled down for the night, my thoughts drifting between my parents, Tyler’s lips, Seraphina, the Sphere and finally Aunt Edie. My wonderful, awesome Aunt Edie.

“What the hell is going on?” I called from the back of the courtroom, my body shook and a continuous stream of sweat ran down my forehead to my neck. My pulse hammered the side of my head as my gaze searched high and low for an explanation of the grim scene before me. Aunt Edie dressed in prison blues, her hands shackled together, and her bare feet locked in a cement brace. I’d never been to the High Council before, but surely this can’t be it?

I screamed at the top of my lungs, “Aunt Edie.” But she never heard me. How could she with all the yelling and jeering coming from the courtroom gallery?

“It is the judgement of this court that the accused, Edith Peyton be found guilty of the murder of Seraphina Morgan. Murder in the first degree.” The scratchy words of the woman masked in a black hooded cloak occupying the judges’ position were like a sword to my heart, stabbing over and over again as numbness invaded every inch of my body.

“No. Oh God no.” I searched for a reason. Any that would make sense of this scenario. No one would look at me, no one even noticed my presence. Where were Harriet, Jordi, and Tyler…and Detective Huxton for that matter? How can that be happening?

The woman rose and her very presence silenced the chattery onlookers. My icy fingers twitched, and torturous pain shot through my knuckles as though they’d been hit with a sledgehammer.

The woman’s hands rose and pointed straight at Aunt Edie. “Edith Peyton will be stripped of her powers and forced to spend the rest of her life banished to Scorchwood Penitentiary.”

Scorchwood Penitentiary? You can’t be serious?

My body flew into cataclysmic meltdown. My legs turned to jelly, my chest all but seized through lack of breathing and the walls were closing in. I pushed through the hordes of people to the front of the spectators.

“You’re wrong, she is not a murderer,” I screamed at the top of my voice. “Let her go.”

“Let her go?” The woman barked and let out a guttural sinister laugh that sent harrowing shivers up my spine. The woman removed the hooded cloak and looked straight at me.

I gasped and bile rose in the back of my throat. My hands flew to my cheeks and I jumped, startled by the icy cold touch.

“Lilith?” What is she doing at the helm of the High Council?

“I told you she’d never get away with it.” I froze and watched as she laughed and laughed until the air turned icy, and heat pulverised my skin from all directions. Fear ploughed through my body. I looked at Lilith and she was no longer the same woman. In her place stood a gigantic figure with two bright green florescent eyes. The more my body trembled, the more it grew.

Green eyes? There’s only one place I’ve seen eyes like those and that’s in my dreams. If I am in a dream that means they belong to a Dream Warden.

Miss Saffron’s words over-rode all other thoughts in my mind.

You must always remember you control the dream. You must train yourself to realise you are in a dream and then work to control the outcome. Once you let a Dream Warden fully take over your subconscious, it’s almost impossible to get them out without the help from a higher source. They grow and get stronger from fear. If you stay in control of the dream, they soon lose interest and move onto someone else.

I rolled my shoulders back, swallowed the lump in my throat and held my hands ready to cast a spell. “Back off Dream Warden, this is my dream. I’ll decide what happens to Aunt Edie. Find some other sucker’s dreamworld to invade, this one’s off limits.”

I firmly stood my ground while my heart palpations beat out of control inside my chest. My mind blanked as the beast retreated and began to fade into the distance. The scene fragmented and disappeared before my eyes. My head heavy, but I held my ground until the only person left was Aunt Edie holding a metal box. She looked down at the box in her hands and then held it out towards me then vanished in a swirl of grey smoke.

“No,” I called, bolting upright in my bed, and reaching for her fading image, my shoulders heaving. The image of my bedroom broke through my hazy focus and I flopped back in my bed drained ad exhausted. “Damn, Dream Wardens.”

What was with the box in Aunt Edie’s hands and what secrets does it hold?

It wasn’t long before I woke from a much more peaceful slumber. The bright early morning sunlight streaming through the window pinpointing my left eye exactly. Rolling over and going back to sleep was futile. Squinting, I wiped the remnants of sleep from the inner corner of my eye, stretched my aching body and headed for a hot shower. The dream played over in my mind and by the time I went downstairs to the kitchen my brain was desperate for a caffeine fix.

The heavenly scent of caramel and coffee drifted from the kitchen and lodged in my nostrils soothing my ragged mind.

“Aunt Edie that is the best smell I’ve—” I rounded the corner and my words vanished at the sight of Detective Huxton standing by the coffee machine, his untucked shirt half buttoned up. A burning sensation hit my ears and they were sure to be glowing bright beetroot red. I tried to drag my gaze away, but it was as if it were glued to him.

“Evelyn…um, good morning,” he said, quickly tucking in his shirt. “I hadn’t expected you to come down so early.”

Obviously not. You stayed the night…with Aunt Edie?

My mind went to a place I knew it shouldn’t and a shudder rocked my body. Ew, Aunt Edie and Detective Huxton together in bed is an image I’d rather not see in this lifetime or the next.

I caught the look of contentment in his gaze and it calmed me to know his love for Aunt Edie was steadfast. Why shouldn’t he be here, why shouldn’t they take their relationship to the next level? It’s Aunt Edie’s house after all.

“Good morning, Detective,” I said, beaming a smile at him. “Any chance of a cup of that decadent coffee?”

He nodded and his tense shoulders relaxed. “Of course. Why don’t you take a seat at the table and I’ll bring it over to you?”

“Thanks,” I said, pulling out the chair and sliding into it. “I have to say I never expected to see you this morning, but I can’t say I’m altogether surprised.”

“Oh.” His eyebrows shot up as he placed a steaming mug in front of me then taking the chair opposite. “How so?”

“You and Aunt Edie have been seeing each other for a few months now, it’s a natural progression of the relationship of two people in love to want to spend the night together.”

He took a sip then looked straight at me over the rim of his cup. “You’re a very astute young lady. Yes, I love your aunt and every day I’m thankful she reciprocates that love.”

“For what’s it’s worth, you two make a great couple and I know you’ll do whatever needs to be done to protect her, just as I will.”

He nodded and his eyes glistened. “Damn straight.”

“Where is Aunt Edie?” I looked toward the door that connected The Melting Pot Café to the kitchen and then towards the staircase. “She’s normally up by now.”

“I expect she’s either rolled back to sleep or taking a shower. She was pretty tired this morning and mentioned something about opening The Melting Pot a little later.”

Tired? Ew, overshare. I do not need to hear about your bedroom antics especially this early in the morning.

I cleared my throat and quickly changed the subject. “I was wondering, do you still have that old key I gave you? The one I found taped under the desk in Camille Stenson’s office.”

I’d been hiding, crouched under Camille’s desk trying to prove Harriet was innocent of her murder when I found the ancient looking rusty key taped to the underside of her desk. At the time, I had thought it had something to do with her murder, turned out I was wrong. Now, I was thinking it had something to do with the Sphere or my parents’ death. If it did, the last thing I need is Salis Van Der Kolt getting his hands on it before I can find the answers I need. That would be like handing evil control of the world on a silver platter. Best to lock it away in a safe place until after Aunt Edie’s innocence is proven.

He nodded. “Yes, I do. It’s in the safe at work. So far, I’ve had no luck getting a reading on it. I pull it out every now and again to keep trying my luck. Why do you ask?”

I wanted to say, because my dream told me it may open a metal box although I have no idea where this box is or even if it exists.

But instead, I said, “It’s been playing on my mind. I thought I’d get Tyler to look into it. See what he can find out with his mad computer skills and all.”

“Fair enough.” He stood, rinsed his cup, and put it in the dishwasher. “I’m heading into work shortly. Would you like to come with me? There’s no use taking two cars and I’m sure if you find anything on the key, you’ll let me know.”

“Yes Detective, I remember. Two-way street.”

***

He bid Aunt Edie a quick goodbye and we were on our way in no time. The drive to the station was short and sweet and the small talk focused on Aunt Edie which warmed my heart. Walking up the steps of the police station, he stopped in front of me and his arm shot out like a metal barrier. I bounced right off it, pain shooting across my breastbone.

“Hey, what gives?” I asked, rubbing my sternum. I followed his arm to where he was pointing to see the lock had been broken and the door had been jimmied open. The glass was intact, but the frame was destroyed at the bottom. My heart jumped into my throat.

Who’d want to break into a police station? Whoever it was must be desperate for something inside.

“Shh.” He withdrew his gun and held it up, his hardened gaze focused on the front door.

It was still early. Had someone been inside when this went down? My stomach dropped and my breath hitched. A sharp pain stung my upper arm under Detective Huxton’s grip. I gasped and choked on the fresh morning air as he shoved me behind him.

He turned, the fire in his eyes blazed a hole right through me. “Evelyn, I want you to go and wait in the car, right now.”

Wait in the car? Are you serious?

I shook my head and his cheeks reddened.

“I’m not joking, Evelyn,” he whispered through gritted teeth. “Wait in the car until I know it’s safe for you to enter.”

“I can tell you if it’s safe to enter,” I whispered. His lips pinched together, and it was only a matter of time before he’d throw me over his shoulder and cart me away. “Just let me touch the door. I have a spell that will let me see inside, kind of like seeing into a crystal ball. It only works when I’m touching the object.” He grimaced and his brows drew together. “It’s a graduate witch thing.”

“Okay but be quick.” He stepped aside.

I nodded and ignored the increased rate of my breathing. I placed my hand on the door, half over the broken lock and half over the glass and closed my eyes. Sucking in a deep breath I said in a whisper, “Before I enter, let me see, what trouble and danger there may be. With this spell, please open my mind, to the possibilities of what I’ll find.”

Prickles and heat stung my fingertips and crept up my joints to my sweaty palm but I forced my jittery hand to stay pressed against the door. Pain pierced my forehead, and I scrunched my eyes closed tighter, fighting against the discomfort. A clear picture of the interior of the police station popped into my mind as if I were walking around inside. In my mind I moved from the foyer through the barrier and towards the desks, my gaze landed on a man splayed on the floor behind a desk, it was Cameron Martins. I gasped, but held my hand firm.

The faint voice of a male registered in the distance but I couldn’t make out the words. I moved past the man and searched the rest of the station, finishing at the holding cells. All clear of suspected felons. I returned to where the man was lying motionless on the floor, the air caught in my throat as though I’d been winded by a sharp blow to my chest. Wade Antonio lay face down on the floor, his forehead covered in blood. How did I miss him on my first sweep?

“Oh God.” I ripped my hand away from the door and swayed on my feet. Strong hands grabbed my shoulders and hauled me upright before my knees gave way.

“Evelyn, talk to me.” Detective Huxton’s gruff voice pierced the fuzziness that clouded my mind. “What the hell is going on?”

“There’s no one in there except Wade and Cameron. They’re both injured on the floor.” I heaved a lungful of air. “It doesn’t look good. Wade has blood coming for a head wound but I couldn’t get a good look at Cameron.”

“Bloody hell. But it’s clear of anyone else?” he asked.

I nodded and blinked a few times. “Yes, but they need our help.”

“On it,” he said, pushing the doors open and speaking into his phone at the same time. “I need an ambulance at the police station, stat.”

Adrenaline spurred me on, and I bolted through the doors after him. He was crouched beside Cameron, his fingers pressed to his neck checking for a pulse.

My feet moved double time towards Wade on the other side of the desk. A grumbled groan echoed from his direction and I rounded the corner to see him struggling to push up off the floor.

“Hey, easy there.” I grabbed a shirt from the back of a chair and held it to the gash on Wade’s forehead.

“Aw,” he said, jerking away.

“You’ve a head wound, now hold this on it so it helps stop the bleeding.” He placed his hand over mine and held the shirt in place. “And stay still until the medics get here.”

“How’s Cameron?” I called.

“He’s alive, thank God,” Huxton said, heading out to meet the paramedics by the entrance.

“I’m all right, damn it,” Wade snapped and struggled to get up once more.

He brushed my hands away and I sighed. “Come on Wade, hadn’t you better stay still until the paramedics take a look at you? You could have more injuries than you’re aware of.”

“The only thing injured is my pride, now help me up on that chair, will you?” He clenched his jaw and fresh beads of sweat coated his brow as he used all his energy to push himself up.

“Here, lean on me,” I said, threading my arms around his solid frame and guiding him to the chair. He did as I asked, and I was seconds from buckling under his straining weight when he slid into the chair and rested an arm on the desk for support. The exertion of energy used to move the short distance was almost enough to wipe him out. “Better?”

“Better,” he said, a slight twitch in the corner of his lips produced a smile. “Thanks.”

“I’m just glad you’re okay.” A familiar heavy cloud settled in my chest.

“What the hell happened in here, Antonio?” Detective Huxton’s raspy voice boomed across the station as two paramedics went to work on Cameron and one on Wade.

I stood and glanced back to where I found Wade and froze, my jaw dropping. It wasn’t the pool of blood smeared on the floor that sent my blood curdling, it was the old key that I’d given to Detective Huxton. The key that should have been locked in the safe but instead it was sitting right in the middle of the floor where Wade’s body had been laying.

What the…?

Chapter Eight

Huxton rolled an office chair over beside Wade and took out his notebook and pen.

“Right, explain, Antonio.”

“Cameron all right?” Wade asked.

“Yeah, looks like it, but we won’t know for sure until he’s been seen to at the hospital.”

Wade flinched as a paramedic attended his head wound. “Aw, that stings.”

“You really should go to the hospital and get a full examination.”

Wade shooed the man’s hand away and shook his head. “I ain’t going to no damn hospital. I’m fine, It’s just a scratch. Just give me some pain killers and I’ll be fine.”

“It’s a hell of a lot more than a scratch,” he said, covering the wound with a dressing. He handed Wade two tablets and grabbed the bottle of water from the desk and handed it to him. “But I can’t make you go if you don’t want to.”

“Detective Huxton, look.” I pointed to the key and both their gazed followed mine. My breathing laboured, I couldn’t wrap my head around why the key was in the middle of the floor. I turned to Wade, and my eyebrows shot up into my hairline. “Why is it out of the safe and what’s it doing on the floor?”

Wade’s nostril flared and his lip curled up into a snarl. “Today should have been like any other day, but it was far from it. I’d a niggle in the back of my mind. Something had been plaguing me for a while now, but I couldn’t place my finger on it then Martins opened the safe as I was walking past and the most powerful wave hit me. I knew I was being called to it by something or someone. I was right. When I picked up the key your mother’s ghost appeared before me.”

“What?” My body was paralysed by his words. Dare I hope they were true? “You spoke to my mother?”

He shook his head. “No.”

“I’m confused.” I was far too hyper to play silly buggers with him. “You said my mother’s ghost came to you when you touched the key.”

“That’s right. I knew it was your mother from the photos you have on display in The Melting Pot, but I couldn’t hear what she was saying.”

“But you’re a necromancer, you’re supposed to be able to talk to ghosts.” My head started to spin trying to make sense of what was happening.

“Usually, yes, but it’s never as cut and dry as that with me.” Wade paused and his head dipped forward and he listed to the side before righting himself. He grabbed onto the side of the desk. “It was like she was behind a barrier and no matter what she said I couldn’t hear it. She held a metal box in her hands.”

A metal box? No way, just like Aunt Edie in my dream. The key has to have something to do with the box. I’m sure of it now more than ever.

“I’m sure the key is what the bastard was after.” Wade wiped droplets of newly formed sweat from his brow. Just the act of talking was draining the last of his reserves from his body. “No…no sooner had I had it in my hand all hell broke loose. Before I knew it, Martins was out cold, and I was fighting to keep it out of his hands. He wore a hooded cape, I couldn’t see his face through his mask, but whoever the hell it was had strength to match mine. I got in few good blows.”

“Okay that’s enough for now,” Detective Huxton said. He nodded towards the key and headed over to pick it up. “Evelyn, go and get those damn paramedics back in here will you, he’s just about out on his feet. He needs to be in the bloody hospital. I’ll not take no for an answer, Antonio.”

“I already told you, I’m not going to any damn hospital,” Wade grunted, trying to push his body upright to prove he was okay. I shook my head at his attempted demonstration of macho bravado and brushed past Detective Huxton heading for the door.

“Look out.”

I spun at the screeching sound of Wade’s raised voice and flattened myself against a desk. I watched in amazement as the limp body of Detective Huxton swayed, his eyes rolled back in his head and he crumbled to the ground. He sat in a trancelike state on his haunches like a statue barely breathing, the key firmly held in his grip.

“Detective?” I called, leaning in to help him.

“No,” Wade’s hand squeezed my forearm and yanked me back beside him. “Don’t touch him.”

“Aw.” I brushed my palm over my arm where his hand had been. “What’s wrong with him?”

Wade slumped back in his chair. “Nothing’s wrong, he’s receiving a vision. From the key I’d say.”

“Really?” I asked. My voice sounded like a little school girl being told she can buy her lunch from the canteen for the first time. My back tensed and I watched Detective Huxton frozen on his haunches. “Why can’t I touch him?”

“Have you ever touched a Leodian during a vision before?” Wade asked.

I shook my head. “No, in fact, Detective Huxton is the first Leodian I’ve met.”

“You may disrupt or pull him out of his vision. You want him to find out as much as he can, don’t you?”

“Of course.”

He continued, his tone and voice much clearer. “On occasion, they have been known to lash out if the vision is a powerful one.”

My gut tightened as we stood in silence waiting for his vision to end. I wonder if it’s normal for him to look like a marble statue? The wait was agonising and with every passing second, my frayed nerves had my stomach twitching out of control. I looked at Wade and paused.

“What?” he asked.

“Looks like the painkillers are kicking in. Are you feeling better?”

“A bit. I still feel like I’ve been run over with a bulldozer. I’ll live.”

“Why aren’t you on the way to the damn hospital, Antonio?” Huxton’s tormented voice echoed from his crouched position in the floor. He pushed himself up off the floor and glared at Wade. “I thought I gave you a direct order?”

“Yes, sir. Painkillers have kicked in and considering you were receiving a vision, I thought you’d want me to hang around just in case things went sour.”

An awkward silence consumed the station as if a secret message were being passed between them. Huxton grunted and nodded.

“Fine. Be sure to let me know if it gets worse and as soon as someone comes in, I want you off to the doctor to get the all-clear.”

Wade nodded. “Yes, sir.”

A fluttery emptiness in my stomach was regurgitating my morning coffee.

“Well?” I asked, my eyes drilling Detective Huxton. “What did you see? Did you see my mother?”

His body perked up at the mention of my mother as did his eyebrows. “Why would you ask that?”

“My mother’s ghost came to Wade when he picked up the key.” I bit my bottom lip. “I guess I was hoping you’d see her as well. Maybe give me some clue as to why they were killed or who killed them. Something to go on at least.”

“You’re partly right. I saw your mother and more.” He nodded towards the chair behind me. “Why don’t you sit down.”

My chest hollowed out and tears stung my eyes. I sat as instructed, my hands fidgeting in my lap.

“Give it to me straight, I haven’t the stomach to drag it out.”

He opened his hand and looked down at the old key. “I’d say this key is very important in protecting our world as we know it.”

What is he on about?

I rubbed my forehead. “Detective, it’s too early for riddles, can you just tell me what you saw? I can handle it.”

He nodded. “Okay. It appeared they were in a kitchen, a place unfamiliar to me. Your mother and father were standing, arguing with another couple. The key was sitting atop a metal box in the middle of the table.”

My jaw dropped and my hand balled into a fist in my lap. “Are you sure? Was it a medium size metal box?”

“Yes, why? Do you know what it means?” he asked.

I shook my head, and a sharp twinge tightened my chest. “No, not yet. I had a strange dream last night and at the end I saw Aunt Edie holding a metal box and just before she disappeared, she held it out towards me and then Wade saw my mother’s ghost holding a box and now you saw it in your vision. I may be crazy, but that key must have something to do with the box. Maybe it opens it.”

Huxton rubbed his chin and looked once more at the key in his open hand. “Or keeping it closed forever.”

“Why do you say that?” Wade asked, gulping another mouthful of water.

“As I said, in my vision they were arguing with another couple, but it wasn’t about opening the box it was about where to hide the key so that the box can never be opened. They were adamant that what was in the box could lead to the destruction of the world and they were dead set on hiding it in a place it would never be found in order to keep their baby daughters safe. One mentioned a map, and another a relic. I’ve no idea if the map or relic is in the box or what’s in the box leads to their location, but from what we know now, I’d say it’s likely all related to the Sphere and they were trying to keep it from falling into the wrong hands.”

Baby daughters…he must mean me and Prudence.

I sat frozen, staring at him, the air in my lungs wrenched out by his words. My ribs grew tight until I could breathe no more. I forced the golf ball-size lump in my throat back down, licked my dry lips. “Um, did you say, keep their baby daughters safe?”

He nodded. “Yes. What is it, Evelyn?”

Focus, damn it.

Cursing myself wasn’t making breathing any easier. A cold shiver swept over me as I leaned over and picked up my bag from the desk where I’d dropped it before seeing to Wade’s injuries. Taking out my purse I withdrew the photo of Prudence’s and my parents. I spun it around and asked, “Are these the couples in your vision?”

Both men leaned in and examined the photo. Huxton nodded and pursed his lips. “Yep, that’s them. And they are?”

“Prudence McAvoy’s parents.” The words left a bitter taste in my mouth. Who knew my high-school arch nemesis’ parents would turn out to be best friends with my parents?

“Come again?” Detective Huxton blinked and tilted his head to the side.

My heart clutched tight once more as I ran my fingers over the picture of my beautiful mother. “I found this photo at Prudence’s house when we were trying to find out who murdered her. From what you told me today, I’m convinced now that both my parents, and Prudence’s were murdered.”

“Whoa…whoa wait up.” Wade held his hands up and his brows furrowed into a monobrow. “I heard your parents died in a car accident. Now you’re saying they were murdered?”

I looked up through my glassy gaze to the two men staring at me, my heart thumping inside my chest. “Yes, I’m saying exactly that. I’m also saying that Prudence’s parents were murdered the same way. Two couples accidentally die, in separate car accidents in cars that are exactly the same right down to their colour. That’s just too convenient for my liking. And now you say they were arguing over what to do with the key to keep their baby daughters safe.”

“You and Prudence are their baby daughters. Makes sense,” Wade said.

“Makes perfect sense.” Detective Huxton began pacing, tapping his chin with his finger. “I think we can all agree the key is linked to both the Sphere and the death of both sets of parents. Evelyn?”

My heartache dulled my senses, and my thoughts were only of my parents. I missed them so much. How I wish things could have been different.

“Evelyn?”

Detective Huxton’s snappy stern voice broke through my nostalgic moment. My head snapped up and I caught both men staring at me. Again. “What?”

Huxton continued, “Do you remember the High Council’s ruling?”

“What High Council ruling?” Wade asked, his nose wrinkling.

I nodded. “In short, after my parents were killed the records of their deaths were sealed and all those close to them sworn to secrecy. But once I found this photo and because I’m a nosy witch who refused to let it go, the High Council partially lifted my ban on finding the real cause of their deaths. No one is allowed to help me, but if I find it out myself, that’s okay. And believe, me I will find out one way or another. They’re worried dark magic has surfaced in the form of Salis Van Der Kolt and he’s after the Sphere, that’s why they partially lifted my ban. So, I could work it out, find the relics and destroy the Sphere before he gets his hands on it.”

“But didn’t Huxton just help you out by telling you his vision, isn’t that against the rules?” Wade asked.

“He told me his vision, but it was me who worked out how it all fit together.” I shot up from the chair and held my hand open in Detective Huxton’s direction. “If you’d be so kind as to give me my key back, I think it’s time I put it somewhere no one will find it but me.”

Detective Huston shook his head and pocketed the key. “No.”

“What do you mean ‘no’?” My neck stiffened. “It’s my key and I’d like it back please.”

“It may be your key, but I think it would be better to keep it here for your own safety and the safety of others.”

I pointed to the safe and then to Wade’s head and muttered, “And how’s that working out for you?”

“No need to be a smarty-pants.” He grumbled and folded his arms across his chest. “It was unfortunate what happened here this morning, but if they’re after you and you have the key, they’re one step closer. I’m not sure I want to take that risk with your life.”

“I think that’s my choice, not yours Detective Huxton. I’m very much aware of the dangers.” My teeth ground together and I held my hand steady, refusing to budge. “And let’s not forget Eli, my Guardian. He’s also here to guard and protect me.”

He pulled the key out of his pocket and tapped it on the palm of his hand. “This goes against my better judgement, but I also understand you’re the only one who can find the answers.” He placed it in my hand and a heaviness clung to my chest as though a mountain had been dropped on my torso. “Thank you. Two-way street, remember. As soon as I know something, so will you.”

He smiled and nodded, and I dropped the key into the zipper section of my handbag and popped the strap over my head so it was sitting across my chest. I tapped the side of the bag with my hand.

Soon you’ll be locked away behind a spell that even the best witches won’t be able to crack.

“Wade, time we got you to the doctor,” Huxton said, shaking his head and pulling out his phone to send a short text. “Evelyn, are you good to get home?”

I nodded. “Sure, I call Tyler to come and get me, but before Wade goes, remember we came in to get an update regarding Serafina’s death.” I turned towards Wade. “Any news?”

“I’m sorry, Evelyn.” Wade pushed a manilla folder under a pile of papers on his desk. “Seraphina’s death is an open investigation. I can’t really reveal anything.”

“What?” Restless sighs escaped my lips and my jaw clenched at his arrogance. “I know we haven’t worked together before but I think it’s important to note, I’ll find out one way or another. Now we can all work as a team, as Detective Huxton and I have done in the past, or we can each run our own investigations. It’s entirely up to you, but I know which one I’d choose.”

I wasn’t one hundred percent sure if the dumbfounded expression on Wade’s face was in response to my statement or that the bump he received on his head. He gazed towards Huxton and I smiled at the sly smile on the detective’s face.

“I know I’ve stepped aside on the official investigation regarding the murder of Seraphina Morgan, but if you want my advice? You want this young lady on your side, especially if things go belly up.” Detective Huxton’s warm friendly tone caught me off guard. He nodded, grinned my way and continued, “I’d know I’d want her watching my six if it came down to it. Better to have the locals on our side then against us. Two-way street. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Wade smiled and gave a crisp nod. “I’ve only been in Saltwater Cove for a few months and the more help we can get from the locals, the better. After all, they’re the ones who keep their ear to the group and are up on all the juicy town gossip.”

Town gossip like you having the hots for my shapeshifting best friend?

I bit my lip and thought better of exposing Jodi that way. She’d never let me live it down. “Now we have that sorted. What can you tell us?”

“Not much. I’m afraid,” Wade said, taking another gulp of water. “The time of death is yet to be confirmed, although it has to be between one and one forty-five pm according to eyewitness statements of when they last saw Seraphina and when the body was found by Harriet.”

My body deflated into a nearby chair. “Well, that doesn’t help much at all.”

“I do, however, have Seraphina’s possessions that were found with her body. I was going to study them first thing this morning. It slipped my mind considering the eventful morning so far.” He pushed up onto his feet and his shaky knees wobbled like a suspension bridge. My hands shot out to catch him in case he fell.

“Sit down, Wade. The doctor should be here any minute. Tell me where the evidence box is and I get it.”

Wade didn’t argue this time. He looked like his body wasn’t going to hold out much longer.

“Evidence room, top shelf to the left of the fridge.”

“Be back in a minute,” Detective Huxton said and moved off towards the back of the station calling over his shoulder. “Evelyn, make sure he stays put.”

“Will do,” I called as he turned the corner never taking my eyes off Wade. “You don’t mind if I give Tyler a call to come and get me?”

“Sure, go right ahead.”

I picked up my phone and moved to the front of the station punching in Tyler’s number. The familiar face of the paramedic marched through the door, shaking his head as he passed by.

“I knew I should have insisted we take Wade to the hospital the first time I was here.”

“This is Tyler.” My attention quickly reverted back to the phone in my hand. Tyler’s voice was a welcomed comfort.

“Morning, Tyler.” Hearing his voice always turned my stomach into a flutter. “I was wondering for a favour.”

“Morning Evie girl. For you, anything. Name it. If it’s within my power it’s yours.” He always was so agreeable.

“I was hoping you could come and get me from the police station.”

His audible gasp was sharp and piercing. “What’s wrong? What are you doing at the police station? Are you hurt? Is it Aunt—”

“Whoa, slow down. I’m fine, Aunt Edie’s fine. I just need a pick-up, that’s all.” My cheeks stung and my smile widened. “Tyler, calm down. I’m okay. I’ll explain everything when you get here. Can you come and get me?”

“Hang tight. I’m on my way.” The familiar click of the dial tone rang out and I smiled at his over-protective boyfriend persona. I loved that he was always looking out for me.

“Evelyn, do you want to take a look at these?” Detective Huxton’s voice called from the back of the station shattering my dreamy lovesick thoughts.

I cleared my throat. “Coming.”

Walking back through I squinted, blinded by the sun shining on an object in Detective Huxton’s hand. I veered to the side to escape the penetrating glint of light.

“What is that you’re holding?”

“This?” he held up an earring for all to see. “Pretty, isn’t it? Crystal I’d say, wouldn’t you?”

Wade piped up while his blood pressure was being taken. “That was found on the floor beside Seraphina’s body.”

“Yes, crystal.” I knew for a fact it was crystal, because I’d seen the matching earring on a witch just last night. A witch with a motive for murder.

Chapter Nine

My chest started drumming and I wanted to jump up in the air and scream I know who the murderer is, but I sucked it up and controlled the urge to blurt anything until I was sure I could prove it. I pushed down the nervous knots in my belly, donned a latex glove and sifted through the rest of the objects found with the body.

“Anything jump out at you, Evelyn?” he asked shuffling Seraphina’s belongings around the evidence tray.

Hell yes, but I’ll save that for another time. Until I’m hundred percent sure.

I let out a slow hum and my lips twisted and pursed all the time keeping my eyes glued to the objects in question.

“What does that mean?” Wade asked, staring at the array of objects.

“Evelyn, are you here?” Tyler called from the front of the station

Saved by the bell.

“That’s my ride. Catch you later,” I said, backing away from the table. “If I find out anything, I’ll let you know.”

I giggled internally at the jaw-dropping dumbfounded look on Detective Huxton’s face. “No time like the present to visit Saltwater Cove’s favourite fae.” I grabbed Tyler’s hand and yanked him towards the exit. His gaze scanned the broken door behind him as we headed down the stairs.

“Mind telling me why it looks like someone broke into the police station?”

“That’s because someone did.”

A sharp yank of my arm backwards and I was suddenly encased in both his arms, my gaze lost in the curious depths of his gorgeous blue eyes. His gaze lowered to my lips and my belly clenched. The intensity with which he stared at me made my breath quicken and my pulse race. Knowing we were standing arm in arm in the police carpark for all to see, I plucked the courage from deep within and pushed up on my toes planting my lips on his.

His arms tightened around my waist and his chest pushed against mine as he deepened the kiss. His tongue ran across my lips and I gasped. He took full advantage of my surprise reaction and delved his tongue in, exploring. A pleasurable shiver gushed through me, goose bumping my skin and sending me into sensory overload. My lungs starved for air, I pulled away and leaned my forehead against his.

“Well, that sure was the best greeting I’ve had this morning.”

Tyler smiled and pulled away keeping his arms firmly secured around my waist. “What’s this about a break in?”

“It happened before we got here. Cameron Martins was out cold, and Wade came to just as we entered. Both are okay, thank goodness.”

“Wow, they sure were lucky.” Tyler let go and made his way around to the driver’s side. “Any idea what they were after?”

A slight chill flushed through me and I crossed my arms keeping my worry hidden from Tyler.

“Maybe a small idea.”

He pulled away from the curb towards Tiffany’s house. “Well don’t keep me hanging here. What where they after?”

“I think they were after the old ancient looking key I found taped underneath Camille’s desk last October.” I sat as still as I could, barely breathing.

Please don’t let him pick up on the anxious vibes emanating from me in spades.

He’d only gone about a hundred metres when he pulled back into the curb and pushed the gearstick into park. He turned side on, drilling his gaze into me.

“What’s going on, Evelyn? Anyone can see you’re tense as anything. This can’t just be about that old key or the break in. What are you not telling me?”

I let out a sigh and dropped my hands in my lap resting on my handbag where the key now lay. “Okay, okay, there is more to it.”

“Ah-ha, I knew it.” He tapped the side of his temple. “I may not be a witch, but I have a sixth sense for when things are not right with you.”

I forged ahead. “Wade and I believe the intruder was after the key. The key has something to do with a metal box. There’s been three instances in the last twelve hours where the metal box has shown up. First, I saw it in a dream with Aunt Edie holding it, then Wade saw it when the ghost of my mother revealed herself to him at the station this morning. And lastly, Detective Huxton saw it in a vision when he picked up the key.” I took a breath and paused. Tyler sat still soaking up every word. “The vision he had was of Prudence’s and my parents arguing about what they were going to do with the key in order to protect their baby daughters. We’re certain the key and the box are both linked to the Sphere and we’re also pretty sure it was one of Salis Van Der Kolt’s followers who broke into the police station this morning.”

Tyler sucked in a quick breath. “Why didn’t you just say so.”

“Excuse me?” I blurted, lifting an eyebrow, and cocking my head to the side. “Is that all you’re going to say?”

“Your morning sounds much more exciting than mine. I was trying to trace the whereabouts of a missing ancestor for Mr Bernsteiner.”

Mr Bernsteiner…the private investigator he met in Nepal last year. Is he serious?

“Aren’t you going to tell me to stay out of trouble or leave it to the police to sort out?” Heat rose in my chest, but he sat there calm and smiled. “Tyler, what’s with the smile?”

He reached his hand over mine and rubbed his thumb over my pulse point. “This morning when you rang and told me you were at the police station it freaked me out. I hate it when you’re in danger and I feel useless without any magical powers to help you.”

“You are not useless.”

“Let me finish,” he said, pulling my hand up to kiss the back of my palm. “Sure, I’m good with computers, my super power as you say, but how is that going to help you when you’re in a sticky situation and the almighty Eli is not able to help you? There’s always going to be some danger lurking around the corner and it would destroy me if I was there and not able to help you.”

“I’m really not following,” I said, rubbing my forehead. A slow hum had begun behind my eyes.

“My heart will always belong to you, Evie girl. I worry about you and I’ll always worry. I know danger is part and parcel of being a witch, more so lately with the re-emergence of this Salis dude and the Sphere. Then it hit me, if you can’t beat them, join them.”

“Excuse me? You want to become a witch?” I asked. A giggle niggled at the base of my gut then worked its way up and exploded from my lips before I could stop it. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh. I just had visions of you standing in a witches’ outfit around a caldron waving a wand in the air trying to do magic.”

“Haha. I don’t want to be a witch, Evelyn.” He muttered under his breath, tapping his hand on the steering wheel. “I’m going to be a Private Investigator. Ignatius Bernsteiner has agreed to train me. He’s looking at retiring soon and he’s happy to teach me everything he knows. The martial arts training I did in Nepal is enough to get me by and I still have my gym at home. And once I’m up on all the other skills I’ll do some more focused body combat training.”

My jaw dropped, but my chest heated with love. “Are you for real? That’s amazing and you’ll be so good at it. Are you sure that’s what you want to do?”

“Absolutely.” He moved in closer and brushed several stray strands of hair behind my ear then ran his finger down my cheek stopping at my chin. His touch soft and delicate, and his lips inches from mine. Thank goodness I was sitting down otherwise my jelly legs would have given way for sure. I licked my dry lips.

“I know I can do this, Evelyn. I’ve been in limbo since I came back from Nepal unsure where my life was headed. The IT company idea is a good idea, but it would be more of a hinderance than a help. The last thing I want to do is get stuck working behind a desk. I’m pumped about this Evie girl, and this way I can combine my IT skills with what I learn from Bernsteiner…a win-win for everyone.”

My throat grew thick and I swallowed the lump away. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’re okay with it.” Tyler stiffened and his thumb rubbed back and forth across my chin.

“Hell yes,” I said, throwing my arms around his neck and holding on tight. My love for this man bubbled over and a happy tear ran down my cheek. “I’m so happy for you, Tyler and I just know you’re going to make the best private investigator. I can’t wait to share the news with everyone. My boyfriend, the private eye.”

I pulled back catching Tyler’s eye. “This missing ancestor you’re trying to track down for Mr Bernsteiner, is that part of your training or are you just showing off your mad computer skills?”

He turned the car over and headed back out towards Tiffany’s place. “It’s just a favour. I told him I’d need some time to square a few things away first before I can start my training, like helping you find out who framed Aunt Edie for murder.”

Happy for Tyler, my mind wandered back to the events of this morning and I mulled over Henrietta’s earring.

“We have another possible suspect.”

Tyler’s eyebrows raised and he half tilted his head and looked at me and half kept it on the road.

“Who?”

“Henrietta Darkmore.”

“No kidding. You mean that pompous witch we met at Acadia’s office yesterday. The one with Lilith?”

“The one and the same.” My insides did a familiar topsy-turvey role as we turned down Tiffany’s street. “One of her earrings was found next to Seraphina’s body. It didn’t register with me until I saw Detective Huxton holding it in his hands this morning then I remembered she was missing one in Acadia’s office yesterday. I doubt she even knows it was missing.”

“The question is, how did it end up next to Seraphina’s dead body?” Tyler asked.

“Well look at you, Mr Investigator, already asking the hard questions.” I giggled and poked him in the shoulder. My fingers bending and bouncing off his tight deltoid sending a sharp stinging pain through my hand.

When am I going to learn that it never pays to challenge this Greek God looking hunk of mine?

I stretched my fingers and the voice of Tones and I singing a muffled version of ‘Dance Monkey’ sounded from my lap. Searching my bag, the checky face of Jordi flashed on my screen.

“Good morning,” I said waiting for her cheerful response.

“Morning. What’cha up to?”

“Tyler and I are just about at Tiffany’s house. How about you?” Tyler pulled up outside Tiffany’s place and my nausea doubled at the thought of having to question her again. It seems where there is trouble, Tiffany is not far behind.

“Harriet and I are on the way to check out Dahlia’s alibi. Have you heard from Vivienne yet?”

In the chaotic events of the morning, I forgot about following up with Vivienne. “No, not yet. They haven’t got a confirmed time of death yet, so make sure you are looking for confirmation of Dahlia’s whereabouts between one and one-fifty, okay?”

“Got it. I’ve got to take care of a few distributors that are causing me a few headaches, but Harriet and I could follow up if you like?” Jordi offered.

“It’s all good. Some new evidence has come to light regarding Henrietta and I think I’d like to follow up on it myself. Tyler and I can pop over after we chat to Tiffany.” I paused and looked over at Tyler and he gave an agreeable nod. “How about we meet back at the Melting Pot for lunch? Aunt Edie will be eager to know what we’ve found out and one of us will need to take over from Eli.”

“Ooo, new evidence. Sounds like a plan. Toodles.”

Toodles? Where did that come from?

I looked at the phone for a moment and smiled at Jordi’s caller ID photo. Toodles? That’s a new expression.

“You ready to do this?” Tyler asked.

“Sure am.”

***

I stood at Tiffany’s door and a moment of Deja vu hit me. It wasn’t long ago Tyler and I were in the exact same scenario except this time, he’s my boyfriend and not just a sexy man standing beside me.

He rocked from one foot to the other, his gaze wandering, looking anywhere but the closed door before us. 

“Is everything all right?” I asked.

He shivered as if someone had walked over his grave. “The thought of facing Tiffany again makes my skin crawl. She’s a deceitful fae who doesn’t give a damn about others, only herself. If I had my way, I’d sooner pretend she never existed.”

The door flew open and Tiffany’s sour churlish expression was nothing new. She stood, arms folded, lips pursed and her emerald eyes screamed envy.

“Well…well…well, if it isn’t Saltwater Cove’s perfect lovey-dovey couple. Our very own Beauty and the Beast. Although.” She paused and tapped her chin. “I’m not too sure which one’s the beauty and which one is the beast.” A surly laugh bellowed from her lips and the evil glint in her eye sent a shudder racing up my spine.

“I suppose it’s hard for you these days,” Tyler said, edging his tense body closer to mine.

Her brows drew together, and she stuck her hip out. Her lips pouted like a spoilt school girl. “What is hard for me?”

“Not being in a relationship and yet seeing other couples so wonderfully happy.”

Ouch, that’s going to hurt.

Tiffany paled and her back stiffened as Tyler’s comment hit home. Her overpowering façade crumbled for a few seconds and then she was back to her sour faced expression. She stood and shook her head in a slow, disbelieving manner.

“That’s low even for you, Tyler Broderick. What do you want?”

“I’m sure you’ve heard about the death of Seraphina.” I paused, caging her reaction. If she had anything to do with it, it didn’t show on her face. “With Aunt Edie’s scarf wrapped around her neck.”

Nodding, she leaned against the door frame blocking any thought on letting us past the entry threshold.

“And I suppose you think I had something to do with it. A dead body turns up and you immediately think of me. I don’t know if I should be flattered or offended.”

Tyler’s shoulders heaved and his cheeks flushed. This was not going to end well.

“I’ll come straight to the point. We saw you leaving the judges arena yesterday before the winners were announced. The arena wasn’t even open to spectators so why were you there, and why did you leave in such a hurry? What are you hiding, and did it have something to do with Seraphina?”

She stuck her chin out and swept her hands open in a grandiose gesture. “Sure, let’s all blame Tiffany for every problem Saltwater Cove has. You make one little mistake and then the whole town turns against you.”

“Enough with the drama queen antics, Tiffany,” Tyler spat. “And it wasn’t just one little mistake, you used your fae powers for your own benefit and almost destroyed three lives. Not something people are likely to forget in a hurry.”

“Oh, get off your high horse, Tyler. That’s old news.” Her hands balled into fists and her knuckles cracked one by one. Taking a step forward, alternating her glare between Tyler and me. She said through gritted teeth, “I’ll give it to you straight. I was nowhere near where Seraphina’s body was found, at the time of her death, or before it. I was halfway across town at Salty Snips. I was catching up with Ashlyn. We some business to attend to. Now, as far as I know that’s called an alibi. You can check if you want to. As for why I left the judges arena, that’s none of your business.”

It was as if she’d open the floodgates and couldn’t stop. She continued, the intensity of her words and her pace getting faster with each word, “And instead of following me around town why not check out the many other visiting witches, like Annise Dupree from the Aurora Circle Coven.”

“Annise Dupree?” I glanced at Tyler and he shrugged. “Why would we talk to Annise?”

Tiffany slid her hand up the doorframe and took a step back. “Because it’s Annise I saw arguing with Seraphina discreetly tucked away behind the Dodgem cars, way before the winners’ announcements. If someone had a grudge to pick with Seraphina, it’s Annise. I heard her threaten Seraphina. Her words sounded like, ‘I’ll get you back for this.’ Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d rather chew the toes of a frog with my bare teeth than talk to you two a moment longer.”

My breath caught in my throat and I jumped as the wooden door slammed close in our faces.

“I swear, one day that woman is going to get what’s coming to her.” Tyler spun on his heel, storming off towards the car. He froze halfway down the path and turned, his face bright red.

“Oh gosh, Evelyn. I’m sorry.” He winced and made his way back up to Tiffany’s door where I was. He grabbed my hand and my skin tingled under his touch. His chin dipped and he swallowed. “I didn’t mean to leave you hanging here by yourself. That woman just makes me so mad, I can’t stand to be anywhere near her.”

“It’s all right. I get it.” We set off towards the car again, this time I held onto his hand reassuring him he had my support. It’s the least I can do after all he’s done for me.

“Hungry?” I asked, changing the subject. “With Aunt Edie stuck at The Melting Pot I’m sure she’s cooking up a delicious meal for the customers, and I did say to Jordi we’d meet her back there.”

He eased and let out a sigh at the mention on The Melting Pot. Even as teenagers, he was always around sampling Aunt Edie’s cooking, it’s only natural he’d feel at home in her café. Even if it was a witch-themed café full of all things witchy from magic potions to bubbling cauldrons. He always knew I was a witch and still never left my side when I needed it.

“Sounds good to me,” he said, pulling away from the curb. “My stomach will thank you. I left my toast in the toaster and bolted when you rang this morning.”

“Tyler, you didn’t have to do that, but thank you.” We sat in a comfortable silence and soon we were back into town. The gentle hum of chit-chatter of tourists walking up and down Fleetwood Street buzzed through the open window. The annual show, more so the Witch Wonder — Best Baker competition really put Saltwater Cove on the map. On the witch map that is.

He shrugged and stopped at the lights. “I can’t believe the annual show is coming to a close. If it weren’t for the murder and Aunt Edie the number one suspect, it would have been the best show ever.”

“You’re not wrong,” Tyler said, beeping the horn at the crosswalk stragglers. He took off shaking his head. “That’s one of my pet hates, though.”

“What is?” I asked, glancing his way baffled by his comment.

He gifted me a sly smile and a cute wink. “Slow tourists who think they can walk across the street anytime they want.”

“Tyler, lookout,” I screamed and grabbed the dashboard, my heart jumping into my throat.

Chapter Ten

Adrenaline shot through my body, my lungs void of air pleading for more oxygen. My grip on the dash so strong, pain exploded up my arms. The world blurred around me. Tyler’s car was on a collision course with an unexpecting Misty standing immobile in the middle of the road. My chest seized and my fingers tingled under the heat radiating from the dashboard. My gaze caught the edge of a streak of blue and green sparkles floating up from my hands. “What the…”

I held my breath and looked at Tyler. Gasping, the blood rushed to my head. He swerved the car in slow motion. Slow, slow motion.

How the hell is this happening? Is this me? Is this my magic?

I kept my hands cemented to the dashboard and my thoughts focused on the car staying in slow motion, slow enough to miss Misty altogether. An intertwined whirl of blue and green sparkles intensified, and Tyler veered towards the empty car bay on the side of the road bringing the car to a complete stop.

Tyler gripped the steering wheel, his hands clutching on for life. His eyes wide enough to show the whites around the whole iris. He sat with his gaze staring out the front windscreen. He let out a mighty gasp, breaking his trance.

“Wh…wh…what the hell just happened, Evelyn?” He turned towards me and placed a hand on either side of my face. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, my shoulders rising and falling with each breath. “Yes. I’m okay, how about you?”

“Yes. I think so.” He fell back against his seat.

Heat rose from my chest up my neck and into my cheeks as though I’ve been taken over by one bloody huge hot flush. I looked out my window and it were as though nothing had changed. People went about their business as normal. “If it’s what I think happened…my magic just saved Misty from becoming a flat pancake under your car. Somehow, and I don’t know how, I think I slowed time so you’d miss hitting Misty altogether.”

Tyler’s back straightened and his gaze searched outside. “Oh my gosh, Misty?”

I followed Tyler’s gaze to see Misty shakily walking across the street, pausing as she stepped onto the sidewalk.

“I hope she’s all right?”

Within seconds Tyler was out of the car and by Misty’s side checking on her.

That’s my man, always thinking of others before himself. Is he perfect or what?

“Misty?” I called, joining them. Her tear-stained face pulled at my heart strings. I ran a hand across her shoulders, her trembling body jarring my hand. “Hey, it’s okay, everything going to be okay. Nobody was injured.”

“I’m sorry, Evelyn. You too, Tyler,” Misty said, with a quiver in her voice. “I didn’t mean to walk in front of your car. I wasn’t thinking straight, it’s been a bit tough lately and my mind was elsewhere. I know it was a stupid mistake to make especially with so many visitors to town. Can you forgive me?”

Tyler frowned. “There’s nothing to forgive, we’ve all been in your position before. Life can sometimes get to you. A mishap if you will. As long as you are okay, that’s all that matters.”

Misty’s drawn fatigued appearance caught me off guard. She always dressed so elegant in her classic 1950s outfits and now she wore track pants, sneakers and a long grey woollen coat tightly wrapped around her waist.

“Misty, is something bothering you?”

Her eyes glazed over, and she tightened her coat round her waist. “No, I’m fine, just a lot on my mind lately. Running Salty Snip’s has put a bit of strain on me lately, that’s all.” She took a calculated step putting space between us. “I really must go. Again, I’m sorry for causing so much trouble. Bye.”

“You’ll let me know if I can do anything to help, won’t you?”

She nodded and spun on her heel, darting down the sidewalk towards the car park behind the Beauty Salon.

“That was weird, don’t you think?” I asked Tyler. “Maybe we should check in on her now and again, just to make sure she’s okay.”

Tyler stood with his arms folded and his chest puffed out like he was a warrior ready to go to war.

“Weird? You mean weirder than you doing whatever it was to my car back there?”

A buzz of electricity flowing through me when I turned and headed back towards the car.

“I know, it was pretty cool, huh?” I looked down at my hand. I’m not altogether sure why, maybe I thought they’d still be glowing with blue and green sparkles. Miss Saffron mentioned my true powers are not yet known and that they’re continually developing. I’ve added seeing ghosts and I guess I can now add slowing time. My whole body was like an energised electric charge.

“Cool?” Tyler’s pitch shot up. “Cool’s not exactly the word I’d use for it. I’d be more inclined to go with freaky.”

“Freaky?” I stopped and turned, my irritation levels rising. “I think that’s the first time since I’ve known you Tyler Broderick that you have called me a freak.”

“What?” His cheeks paled. “I would never call you a freak. I merely indicated that the action you took was freaky, not you, never you, Evie girl.”

I thinned my lips as tight as I could, but his puppy dog eyes were too much. My suppressed laugh broke through.

“Haha, gotcha. You’re so gullible sometimes.”

His complexion quickly turned from ashen white to rosy-red in seconds. His cheekbones raised as a smile crossed his face.

“You’ll keep, Evie girl. You’ll keep.”

We jumped back in the car and headed for The Melting Pot.

“Think about it, Tyler. I can now add slowing time to my list of powers. That’s pretty amazing if you ask me.”

“Do you even know how you did it? I thought your magic only worked when you were connected with the object? How were you connected to time? I didn’t hear you cast a spell, but then again, I was driving in slow motion. I’m not sure I would have heard it anyway.”

That’s a really good question.

I leaned my elbow on the armrest. “Um, I’m not actually sure how I did it. I didn’t say a spell or anything like that. Miss Saffron did say my full potential as a witch was not yet know. All I can think of is that I was holding on to the car dashboard and thinking about not hitting Misty. That’s when I saw the blue and green sparkles swirling in circles rising from my hands.”

He pulled into the driveway of The Melting Pot and killed the engine. “What, so now all you have to do it think of what you want, and it happens? No more spells?”

With a shrug I said, “I have no idea. I was touching the dash of the car so in a way, I was in contact with the object I wanted to slow, but instead of saying a spell, I thought what I wanted to happen instead. I’m hoping Aunt Edie will know. Maybe it was a one-time thing.”

Walking into The Melting Pot, my nose was instantly hit with the smells of mandarin, orange, and chocolate. One of Aunt Edie’s triple threats. It smelled like she’d been cooking up a sugary explosion of decadence. Judging by the smiles on the customers faces, I’d say I was right.

“Wow, looks like it’s been keeping busy,” Tyler said, glancing from table to table.

I threw my bag under the counter and went to work stacking dirty plates and passing them to Tyler. “Be a sweety and take these out to the kitchen and stick them in the dishwasher for me. They look like they can do with some help.”

“Sure thing.” Grabbing the plates, he darted out the back.

“Evelyn, thank goodness you’re back,” Eli said, coming around the corner to deliver food to a table. “I was just about to ring you.”

“Oh, is anything wrong?” My stomach tensed as his expression darkened.

“Not yet.” Eli tilted his head towards the empty tables. “If you can clear the last of the tables, I’ll deliver these meals. I’ll meet you out back.”

“I can do that,” I said and went to work.

I headed out back to the kitchen my arms laden with empty dishes, pausing just inside the door. Aunt Edie and Tyler were deep in conversation at the back of the kitchen. Every inch of the benches was covered in sweets. Cupcakes, meringues, scones, muffins, brownies, toffee, fudge and cakes of all shapes and sizes including Aunt Edie’s mandarin, orange, and chocolate classic.

“What is going on in here? I’m away for one morning and the place looks like it’s been taken over by the sweet fairy.”

Aunt Edie spun and she beamed like she’d won the witch lottery. “Evelyn, there you are. I was just telling Tyler about the new items I’m adding to the menu.”

“New items?” I dumped the dishes in the sink and joined them. “What on earth have you been doing? How are we going to sell all this food?”

“Oh fiddle-faddle, you can never have too much food, especially sweets.” Aunt Edie flounced across the room carrying a tray of what looked like red shiny toffee apples. “I’ve been busy.”

“I can see that. Why have you cooked so much food?” I asked not sure where to look. I caught the wide-eyed gaze of Tyler and he shook his head.

“Evelyn, love, none of us can predict what is going to happen.” Aunt Edie paused and a pondering expression crossed her face. “Unless of course Harriet has a premonition of the future. Has anyone thought to ask her?”

“Ask who what?” Eli asked as he came back into the kitchen.

“Harriet, if she has had a premonition of the future and how this debacle with Seraphina is going to work out.”

Tyler cleared his throat. “Don’t you think if Harriet’s had a premonition, we would be the first ones she’d tell? It’s not like she doesn’t have a phone on her to call, and she’s with Jordi so if she had, we would have heard from one of them by now.”

“You’re absolutely right,” Aunt Edie said, rubbing her forehead. “I guess the stress of the unknown is getting to me a bit.”

“Of course, it is, you wouldn’t be normal if it didn’t, but don’t worry…” I walked over and wrapped my arm around her shoulder. “With the seven of us on the job against one little murderer, we’ve got it in the bag.”

She chuckled and my heart sung hearing her laugh. “That’s more like it.”

“Detective Huxton rang earlier and told us about the break in at the police station this morning,” Eli said, stacking more dirty dishes into the dishwasher. “Wade and Cameron were pretty lucky.”

I took a seat and poured myself and Tyler a glass of homemade pink lemonade from the pitcher sitting in the middle of the table. “Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?”

Eli shook his head. “No, Vivienne finally returned Harriet’s call. Turns out Henrietta was lying. She wasn’t at her stall at the time of the murder, she was there much earlier.”

Henrietta lied? That figures.

“That is interesting.” I savoured the taste as the cool liquid slid down my throat. Bubbles tingled the back of my nose and a cold chill shivered down my spine.

Henrietta’s missing earring was found next to the body, and now she lied about her alibi. She has just shot to the top of my suspect list.

“And what of Tiffany?” Aunt Edie asked. “Do you think she had anything to do with Seraphina’s death?”

I saw Tyler stiffen. “According to Tiffany, at the time of Seraphina’s death she was over at Salty Snips visiting Ashlyn. She said they were taking care of some business. What business, I have no idea, but it shouldn’t be too hard to prove. They’re usually run off their feet at Salty Snips, especially with so many tourists in town.”

My mind wandered back to the worn image of Misty. Her agitated and flighty persona was definitely out of character for someone who is always so happy-go-lucky attitude. A cold shiver whizzed over my lower neck as if someone were trampling over my grave.

A high pitch tingle of the counter bell sailed through the open door and Eli rolled his eyes.

“I’ll get it,” Aunt Edie said. “You’ve been run off your feet all day, my boy.”

I moved in Eli’s direction and shoved him towards the door. “It’s all good, Aunt Edie…Eli will get it for you. I need to run something by you anyway.” Eli’s ambushed expression had my insides jittering, but I kept angling him in the direction of the door. “Do this for me, please. I’ll make it up to you. Promise.” That was my last word before I shoved him out the door to the café and closed it behind him. I say shoved, but he didn’t put up much of a struggle. A sigh left my lips met by my suppressed giggle.

“Evelyn, that wasn’t very nice.” She stood with her arms folded, her lips twisted and tilted to the side.

“A strange thing happened this afternoon, Aunt Edie, and I was hoping I could run it by you.”

Her eyebrows raised and she dropped her arms, her posture bracing. “Are you all right?”

“Better than all right,” Tyler said.

Aunt Edie looked at Tyler and then back at me. “Now I am intrigued.”

“My powers have only ever worked when my hand has been on contact with the object and I’ve said a spell and I’ve put that down to my graduate witch status. But today when Tyler and I were driving here, Misty was in a world of her own and walked straight out in front of our car. I grabbed the dashboard and called ‘Tyler lookout’ and instantly blue and green sparkles swirled around and then time slowed.”

“You slowed time?” she asked. “As in the world around was going in slow motion and they were all none the wiser?”

I nodded. “Is that normal? I mean, I know my witch powers are still developing, I just never thought they’d go this far.”

“For heavens’ sake, why not?” she blurted, her honey-brown eyes glowing. “You’re right, your witch powers are still developing, and it won’t be until you complete your witch training at twenty-five will we know all your powers.”

“You mean Evelyn has another year and a half before we really know what she’s capable of?” Tyler asked, his gaze locked on to mine.

“I guess so.” Aunt Edie caught the drooling gaze of Tyler transfixed on the tray of chocolate chip cookies. She nodded towards them. “Go on, you’re welcome to try them. In fact, try as many different sweets samples as you like, just be sure to tell me what you think and if they should be included in the new revamped Melting Pot Café menu.”

I waved my arms above my head to catch their attention. “Hello…don’t forget me, woman who can slow time, remember?”

“You talk as if it’s not normal.”

My hand pressed against my breastbone. “Um, it’s not normal…for me. At least it wasn’t when I woke up this morning.”

Aunt Edie flittered around the kitchen working her magic on her decadent creations. “If you think about it, it’s only natural you’d inherit powers from your ancestors. My great grandfather was able to slow time, I guess the power skipped a few generations and reignited with you my dear.”

“So, my mum didn’t have the same ability?” I paused and my gut tightened. “And Dad couldn’t have had it, he was human?”

“That’s right.” Aunt Edie nudged me in the ribs as she walked past with a tray of butternut pumpkin muffins. “It’s actually rather exciting watching your powers come to fruition.”

The kitchen door flew open with enough force to send a reverberating clunk across the room.

“Oops, Sorry,” Eli said, making a grab for the door so it didn’t fly back and squish him in the face. “Sometimes I forget my own strength. What’d I miss?”

Aunt Edie smiled at Tyler. “Well, it seems Tyler has given his thumbs up to the chocolate chip cookies, the butternut pumpkin scones, and the chocolate and macadamia slice.”

“What?” Tyler asked, his mouth half full of cookies. “They’re delicious, besides I didn’t get my breakfast this morning.”

She continued. “And Evelyn now has the power to slow time.”

Eli’s eyes bulged and his jaw just about hit the ground. “That is so cool, Evelyn. You stopping time and all.”

I shook my head. “No, I can slow time, not stop it altogether. But I still don’t know how it happened.”

Eli shrugged. “Either way, it’s pretty darn cool if you ask me.”

Tyler held up a chocolate chip cookie as if it were a champagne flute full of bubbly. “Here’s to Evelyn and her growing powers.”

An amalgamation of claps and cheers filled the room.

“Tyler, seriously?” I walked over and swiped the cookie from his hand just as he was about to enjoy its scrumptious taste and popped it into my mouth.

“Hey, that’s not fair. Get your own.” He stalked towards me with a sly cheeky grin that always meant trouble. Within seconds, he began tickling me and a hearty giggle erupted from the base of my belly.

“Tyler…st…stop it now.” I was barely able to speak through his tickling rampage. With the ruckus from Tyler’s antics, I barely heard my phone. The subtle ring tone of Tones and I. “Okay, Tyler, that’s enough. I have to get my phone.”

I struggled out of his grip but not before he planted a soft kiss of my cheek, his warm breath scooting past my earlobe sending a shiver up my neck.

“Hello,” I said in a half giggle.

“Evelyn…” My breath caught and my back stiffened.

“Jordi, what’s wrong?” My breathing sped up and all the comical antics vanished. I looked into three pairs of attentive eyes.

“Oh, Evelyn it’s awful, just awful.”

Please no, not Harriet. Please don’t let anything have happened to my best friend.

Her words had my mind running mad all over the place. “What is awful, Jordi? Has something happened to Harriet? For goodness’ sake, don’t drag it out just tell me.”

“It’s Henrietta. She’s…dead.”

Chapter Eleven

A tirade of emotions bombarded me from all directions. Did I hear correctly? “Say that again?”

“Henrietta is dead, and it looks like murder.” Jordi’s voice kept the same anguished tone as she spoke.

“How…what…when did this happen?” I asked. The questions circling inside my head like a spinning top.

“What’s going on?” Aunt Edie whispered, her gaze drilling me for a quick answer.

I covered the mouthpiece and whispered, “Henrietta Darkmore is dead.”

“No,” Aunt Edie said, her word muffled by a gasp. Tyler and Eli both stood stock still, their impressions a mix of amazement and what the?

“Jordi, I’ve Tyler, Eli and Aunt Edie here with me. I’m going to put you on speaker phone, that way I won’t have to repeat every detail.” I hit the speaker button and looked at Aunt Edie’s tense stare.

“Okay, go ahead we’re all listening.”

“I wasn’t totally convinced about Dahlia’s alibi at the Shooting Duck and those we’d already questioned said they saw her there but couldn’t pinpoint the exact time. We were on the way back to The Melting Pot to fill you in when I remembered one of the guys who was running the Balloon Burst stall next to the Shooting Ducks was staying at The Four Brothers. I remembered because he was on his break and sitting right behind me in the grandstand in the arena. It wasn’t as if I could miss his conversation, he was talking loud enough. We were driving right by The Four Brothers so it couldn’t hurt to check in and see if he remembered anything.”

“And?” I asked, heat bombarded my entire body.

“And we pulled in and headed to his room when we ran into Hannah then Acadia.”

“What was Acadia Starr doing there? The Four Brothers doesn’t even open this early.” Tyler asked, his brows furrowed.

“Guys, will you let me finish,” Jordi snapped.

“Sorry, go ahead,” I said, lowering my gaze.

“Like I was saying, we ran into Acadia. She was on the way to see Henrietta. We took the lift up together and while she went left down the corridor to see Henrietta, we went right and within minutes we’d heard a scream. We raced back and saw Acadia bent over with her hands on her knees struggling to breathe.”

Aunt Edie rubbed her forehead. “Oh my word, this is not good.”

“Go on,” Eli said, leaning in, his eyes fixated on the phone.

“We couldn’t get out of Acadia what was wrong, she just pointed to the window of the room. Harriet and I both looked through the window and neither of us moved, our gazes glued to the body of Henrietta laying on the floor…a kitchen knife sticking out of her chest at right angles to the floor.”

“This is not good at all,” Aunt Edie repeated, her pasty pale skin a vast contrast against her bright emerald-green shirt.

Eli shook his head, his brow creasing. “I can’t believe another witch has been killed and with a kitchen knife of all things. Which tells me the murder wasn’t necessarily pre-mediated.”

Tyler piped up. “A kitchen knife does seem to be a weapon of convenience.”

Jordi continued. “I just called the police and Detective Huxton is on his way over. He said for the three of us to sit tight until he gets here.”

I rubbed my hand against my tight stomach in an effort to dispel the rising nausea. “Tyler and I will join you.”

“We will?” Tyler asked, turning his gaze sharply in my direction.

“Yes, we will. Stay put, and we’ll be there soon.” I ended the call and shoved my phone into my back pocket. “Remember the earring?”

“What earring?” Eli and Aunt Edie asked in perfect unison.

“A crystal earring was found next to Seraphina’s body and I recognised it as the matching one Henrietta was wearing when we were in Acadia’s office yesterday. I don’t even think she knew it was missing.”

Aunt Edie threw her hands up in the air. “And now we’ll probably never know.”

“Maybe, but if I can get over there and see if the other one is still there then at least we’ll know in the last moments of Seraphina’s life, Henrietta Darkmore was with her.”

“Yes, but how does that help Edith if Henrietta is dead?” Eli asked, folding his arms over his chest, his pecks pushing forward. Classic body-builder stance.

I shrugged and my stomach sank. “I don’t know yet, but at least it’s a start.”

***

My heart hammered inside my chest. I took in the deflated image of Jordi and Harriet sitting on a bench not far down the corridor from the action. Crime scene tape blocked off the corridor and surrounding areas and they were busy at work snapping pictures from every angle.

“Jordi…Harriet, are you guys okay?” I asked on our approach.

“Evelyn?” Harriet jumped up and threw her arms around me. “About time you got here. We’ve been stuck here for ages and Detective Huxton says we can’t leave until he says so.”

“Pretty standard procedure after you find a dead body,” Tyler said with a turned-up lip. “And if anyone knows the procedure it should be you. What is this, your third or fourth dead body you’ve found?”

Harriet’s lips thinned and her eyes squinted in his direction. “Watch it with the wise guy comments. It’s not my fault I happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

I swatted Tyler over the shoulder, this time remembering not to press hard enough to hurt my fingers on his muscly shoulder. “Was that really called for?”

Tyler reached out tentatively and placed his hand on Harriet’s shoulder. “I was only trying to lighten the mood. Sorry if it came off any other way.”

I left Tyler and Harriet in the throes of playful banter and snuck towards the open door. Leaning across the crime scene tape, I peered inside Henrietta’s room. Police were flitting around snapping photos and doing their usual thing. Careful not to touch the doorframe, I moved in for a closer look. A familiar stench hit my nostrils and I held my breath searching the small hotel room. It looked barely lived in, it didn’t look like there’d been a struggle, nothing seemed out of place.

Unless you counted the dead body lying on the ground covered in a grey sheet out of place.

The bottles, bowls and flowers on the table didn’t appear to belong to the room. They looked like potions or at least some type of ingredients, but for what? I squinted to try to read the writing on the bottles, but it was no use, the lettering was too small.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Detective Huxton chatting with a very flustered Mercer Ambrose, the manager of The Four Brothers Bar and the attached Bed and Breakfast. I can’t imagine he’s too impressed a dead body was found in one of his rooms.

A deep-throated cough right beside my right ear made me jump ten feet. I whipped around to see Jordi staring at me, head tilted, wide hazel eyes and her lips thinned. This can’t be good.

“What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong?” she asked, with an edge to her tone that had my insides squirming. She kept her voice low, but continued, “I cannot believe you…my best friend did not even have the decency to call and tell me about the break in at the police station this morning and that Wade was injured and had to go to hospital.”

“Oh, my goodness, I’m sorry,” I said, slapping a hand across my mouth. Her hazel eyes turned darker. “Forgive me. I had full intentions of letting you know, and then one thing led to another with Tiffany and new leads, I just completely forgot. He’s okay though.”

“Yeah, now he is. I not long got off the phone to him.” She huffed and grimaced at me shaking her head in small jerky movements. “You know how much I like him, Evelyn.”

“Wait…how did you even hear about the break in?” I asked.

“From Hannah Graverson. She was on her way into her shift in the kitchen at The Four Brothers and mentioned it. You know what the Saltwater Cove grapevine is like, practically the whole town knew, except me and Harriet.”

“I really am sorry, I guess my mind was preoccupied with trying to prove Aunt Edie’s innocence. I’m sure you can understand.”

She paused and then a wide grin broke out across her face and she nudged her shoulder into mine. “Of course, I can. Which reminds me, how did it go with our resident demonised fae?”

I rolled my eyes at her. “Tiffany’s not a demon.” I paused and a shiver of ice ran through my veins.

At least I don’t think she is. Surely, I’d know if Tiffany was a demon or not.

“Then why do you look like you’ve just seen a ghost?” Jordi asked.

I pushed the absurd thought out of my mind. “Pfft, don’t be ridiculous. Tiffany was her usual charming self who has an alibi for the time of Serafina’s death. It still needs to be checked out, but I’m pretty sure she’s out of the picture.”

“Great, so where does that leave us?”

“With a slim list of suspects, I’m afraid. After I spotted one of Henrietta’s crystal earrings in the items found near Seraphina’s body, I would have said Henrietta was my number one suspect, but with her sudden demise, now I’m not so sure what to think.”

“For goodness’ sake, how long is this going to take?” Acadia’s irritated voice ran out loud enough to gain Detective Huxton’s attention. He glanced at Acadia and then bypassed Tyler and Harriet and locked onto Jordi and me.

After a few last words with Mercer, he turned and moved our way. “Evelyn…Tyler, I didn’t see you arrive. There was no need for you to come, I would have filled you in on my findings soon enough.”

I slid my arm around Jordi’s waist and pulled her close to my side. “I’m sure you would have, but Jordi was so upset on the phone, what kind of best friend would I be if I didn’t attend to her needs.”

He huffed and scribbled something illegible down on his notepad. “What kind of friend indeed,” he muttered under his voice.

“Listen, Detective,” Acadia stepped forward and thrust her hands on her hips. “I have been quite understanding waiting here, but my patience is running thin. Do you think you can find time to take my statement so I might be on my way?”

“What’s the hurry? Do you have somewhere to be?” he asked, his eyes narrowing.

An awkward silence settled among us and a quivery unease knotted my stomach. Acadia held Detective Huxton’s gaze and stepped right up to him. She sucked in a sudden breath as if she’d just got a whiff of his aftershave.

“As a matter of fact, Detective…I do have somewhere to be, and I’ll be pushing it not to be late.”

“Okay, okay,” he said, holding his hands up. He flipped over a page in his notebook. “I guess I can start with you, Acadia. I understand you found the body? Can you tell me what happened?”

Acadia gripped her hands together at her waist. “There’s isn’t much to tell. I may have been the first one to find the body, but both Jordan and Harriet were only seconds behind me.”

“That’s right,” Harriet said.

Acadia continued, “I knocked on Henrietta’s door loud enough to hear and then when there was no response, I peered through the window and saw her flat on her back with the knife in her chest. I screamed and Jordan and Harriet sprinted down. I was that distraught I couldn’t even get the words out. I just pointed to Henrietta’s room and they took over from there.”

“Meaning?”

Jordi stepped forward. “Meaning, once Harriet and I looked in the window and got over the immediate shock, Harriet went to see if Acadia was okay and I rang you and then Evelyn.”

Detective Huxton nodded and continued to jot down illegible words. If I didn’t know he was a detective, I’d have thought he was a doctor.

“And did any of you see anything suspicious about? Anyone who looked out of place?”

All three women shook their heads. He looked up at Acadia again. “What brings you to Henrietta’s room? The reason for your visit?”

Acadia hesitated and glanced down at her hands. “If you must know I felt terrible about the way things were left in the office yesterday after Serafina’s body was found. I was on my way past and wanted to call in and see if she was okay. I was too late.”

He turned and looked at Jordi and Harriet. “And why were you two here?”

“It’s no secret,” Harriet said in her matter-of-fact tone. “We were here to follow up Dahlia’s alibi with one of the guys who ran the Balloon Burst stall next to the Shooting Ducks. Jordi remembered he was staying here at The Four Brothers.”

Jordi added, “I remembered his loud conversation at the competition yesterday. We were driving right by so it couldn’t hurt to check in and see if he remembered anything that could help with proving Aunt Edie’s innocence.”

“I see,” he said, taking down more notes.

“Now what?” Acadia asked.

Detective Huxton tensed and glanced up from his notes to look at Acadia. “What do you mean?”

“Henrietta was a suspect in Seraphina’s murder, right? Now that she’s dead, where does it leave the investigation?”

Acadia doesn’t beat around the bush when she wants to know something. I like her style.

“That’s a really good question, Acadia.” My throat tightened and I crossed my arms, stuck my hip out and kept my focus drilled on him.

He closed his notepad and pocketed it. “I’m not at liberty to say at this point. The murders may be connected, and they may not. For the time being we are treating them as separate incidents until otherwise proven. If you’ll excuse me.” He spun on his heel and walked back towards Henrietta’s room, ducking under the crime scene tape.

“That’s my cue to leave,” Acadia said, finger-combing her platinum blonde hair from her face. “I’ve had about enough of this town. I’ll be glad when I can finally get out of this place and return home.”

Tyler shivered behind me. “Geez, remind me to never be alone with that woman. She gives me the creeps.”

I threaded my fingers through his and pushed up on tippy-toes and planted a kiss on his cheek. The delectable fresh scent of his aftershave calmed me. I whispered in his ear, “Don’t worry, she’d have to get through me first.”

“If you two are quite finished,” Jordi said. I didn’t need to see her to know her eyes were rolling. “There is a murder…actually two murders now to be solved or have you forgotten?”

I turned to face my two besties. “Hardly, but I do need both your help.”

Harriet nodded and stepped up beside me. “Name it.”

“It’s imperative we get inside Henrietta’s room. This morning at the station I saw a crystal earring that I know belonged to Henrietta.”

Harriet shrugged, “What’s so special about Henrietta’s crystal earring? It’s not like she’s going to want it back.”

“It’s special because it was found near Seraphina’s body.” I watched as the wheels ticked over in their minds. “It means that Henrietta was with Seraphina just before she was murdered. I don’t know if either of you remember when she stormed into the office with Lilith, she was missing her left earring which tells me it can’t have been missing long if she didn’t even notice it herself.”

“Sorry, I didn’t notice,” Harriet said, shaking her head in unison with Jordi. 

Adrenaline pumped through my veins. “It may not make much difference now, but we need to find the other matching earring.”

“What’s the point?” Tyler asked.

“The point is,” I paused and pulled Tyler into the huddle, Jordi, Harriet, and I had made. “The point is, if we can find the matching earring then that confirms she was with Seraphina just before her death and could be her murderer. It causes doubt, and opens it up to the possibility of someone else being the murderer other than Aunt Edie.”

“And if we can’t find the earring?” Tyler asked.

The air squeezed from my chest. “I don’t want to think about that right now. I’ve a way to get us inside and when we do, let’s just keep our eyes focused on the task. Are we clear?”

“…crystal…”

“Understood…”

“…clear.”

They all spoke at once. Adrenaline had my feet moving towards the door and my heart pumping. I swallowed and waved my hand towards Detective Huxton on the other side of the room. He caught my frantic wave and headed over.

“What can I do for you, Evelyn?”

I took a deep breath and forged ahead. “We were just chatting and realised that you could use our help.”

His brow creased and his chin stuck out. “How do you figure that?”

“I’m sure you have the dead body all sorted, but Henrietta was a witch and as a witch myself, I know I keep my intentions out of the eye of the public. Do you know what she was up to? It can’t have been all that good if someone killed her. Have you any idea what those bottles and flowers are on the table?”

His head turned to look at the table then back at me. “I can’t say that I do.”

“We can, or at least I’m pretty sure we can,” Jordi said, her gaze caught mine. “Don’t forget, Evelyn lives with one of the best bakers we know with a pantry to rival most witches. If it’s needed for a spell, then Aunt Edie probably has it in her pantry.”

I paused and ran my tongue over my dry lips. “We’re offering our services to come in and survey the room and see if we can tell what Henrietta was up to just before her sudden departure from this life.”

“Ah, I’m not sure that’s a good idea, you’d be disturbing evidence.”

“Wait a minute,” Tyler said pointing to the police walking around inside collecting evidence. “What if you give us those little blue booties to wear on our shoes then we wouldn’t disturb any evidence.”

My eyebrow shot into my hairline and I turned and looked at him. The expression on his face was adorable. “I don’t think they’re called booties, sweetheart.”

“No, Tyler is correct, we call them protective booties.”

Detective Huxton stood still as if contemplating my offer. His lips thinned and my chest tightened. I knew we were losing him. Time to go in for the kill. “I mean, if there’s something in Henrietta’s room that could prove Aunt Edie’s innocence, wouldn’t you do everything in your power to make that happen?”

His eyes turned a dark green glassy haze and his back stiffened. “Yes…yes, I would. But that’s what you were hoping for, wasn’t it?”

Oh gosh, he read straight through me as if I were made of glass.

“All right,” he said, with an exhausted sigh. “Grab some of those booties there and come in but be sure not to touch a single thing, and let me know if you find anything suspicious.”

By the time we got inside they were ready to move the body. Jordi and Harriet had dispersed to the bedroom, Tyler stood behind me on the edge of the kitchen and waited as they lifted the grey sheet to transfer her to a black body bag.

I gasped and gripped Tyler’s hand.

“It’s okay,” he said, easing his arm around my shoulder. “Don’t look. She’ll be gone soon.”

I turned and buried my face in his chest, surrounded by his strong comforting arms. From the outside it would look like I was upset by the sight of Henrietta’s lifeless body, and that was true in part, but more to the point, from the glimpse I got of Henrietta, she was not wearing any earrings. My pulse sped as I pushed away from Tyler and began scanning the kitchen bench either side of Tyler.

His soothing tone warmed my chest. “Are you okay, Evelyn?”

“Yes.” I nodded and pointed over my shoulder to the gurney wheeling Henrietta’s body out. Keeping my voice at a whisper. “But I saw there’re no earrings on her so let’s hope it is still somewhere here.”

“Evelyn?”

The hair on the base of my neck spiked at the gruff sound of Detective Huxton voice. I turned towards him while my fingers fidgeted with the hem on my shirt. “Yes?”

He nodded towards the table and scratched his cheek. “I’m guessing Henrietta was in the middle of some sort of magic spell. Do you have any idea what she was up to?”

I surveyed the concoction of herbs, flowers, and potions on the table. My eye caught the edge of a shiny object and my heart jumped into my throat. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a tissue. Refiguring it, I stretched around behind the plants and ferns and picked up the crystal earring. I held it up in front of Detective Huxton.

“Look familiar?”

His jaw dropped and he clicked his fingers pointing at the earring in my hands. “It sure does. I’d say it’s the partner of the earring we found in Seraphina’s possessions this morning. The one was found near her body.”

I held my chin high and gave a crisp nod. “The one and the same.”

“Are you sure it belongs to Henrietta?” He opened an evidence bag and I dropped the earring in.

“Yes, I’m sure. She had this one on when she stormed into Acadia’s office with Lilith, I remember it clearly. I know she’s dead, but Henrietta has to be a possible suspect in the murder of Seraphina. This earring of hers puts her in the vicinity of Seraphina around the time of her murder.”

He held the bag up to the light examining the earring. “It sure seems that way.”

My nerves were on the way to being well and truly fried. “Surly, that casts doubt where Aunt Edie’s concerned.”

“It’s a start. Great work, Evelyn.” He passed the bag off to one of his offsiders then fanned his hand over the table. “Can you tell me what any of this is? Was she trying to do a spell or some other witch concoction?”

I ran my gaze over the table and my nose wrinkled at the odd smell.

Oleander root, tongue of eel, Honeysuckle, beetle nails, hair of wolf and Licarbre Fern. Oh hell, no.

I held my breath and my hand shot over my mouth. Shuffling backwards I barely kept my balance. Tyler’s arms sprang out and caught me before I landed flat on my face where Henrietta lay moments ago. I stared at the table and my heart palpitations were loud enough to leave my ears ringing.

“Evelyn, what is it?” Detective Huxton’s voice broke through.

“Geez, Evelyn, what the hell?” Tyler righted me and kept his warm arms tight around me. “Are you all right?”

Harriet and Jordi’s garbled voices were like a cacophony of murderous thunder pounding my head.

“Damn it, Evelyn, what the hell is wrong?”

“T-there.” My arm shot out and my hand shook. “There on the table are the ingredients to a spell.”

“So,” Jordi blurted shrugging. “What’s the big deal?”

My throat closed over, and I sucked in a struggling breath. “The big deal is, on that table sits fronds of Licarbre Fern, beetle nails and the rest of the ingredients to a spell, a spell to steal a witch’s soul.”

Chapter Twelve

“No way, that is so not cool.”

“…what do you mean ‘steal’?”

“Seriously…?”

Detective Huxton held his hands up for quiet. “Okay, back up here. You’re telling me all this stuff here is a spell to steal a witch’s soul?”

I nodded, the nausea in my gut swirled. “Unless I’m mistaken, and I don’t think I am. Aunt Edie taught me well.”

“Wait,” Tyler pointed to the fern fronds, his brows drawing in together. “Isn’t that the stuff Eli said was deadly to witches?”

“Yes.” Harriet, Jordi, and I said in perfect unison. I continued, “But as long as we stay far away from it and don’t touch it, we should be fine.”

“Like hell I’m going to take a chance with your life.” Tyler stepped in front of the three of us and stretched his arms out like was a nightclub bouncer. “Back up, ladies. Let’s get you as far away from this table as possible. My suggestion would be on the other side of town.” My jaw dropped and I glared at him. He continued, “But since I know that is not an option, I’ll settle for near the door.”

My cheeks heated with a familiar warmth I got every time Tyler was over-protective.

“Why hasn’t your Guardian turned up to save the day this time?” Tyler asked. “I’m sure he can sense you’re close to that deadly fern.”

“Yes, he probably can, but he can also sense that I’m not in any danger.” I gifted him my best you’re my hero grin. “He can sense I’m in safe hands. I have Detective Huxton and you to save me if this turns pear-shaped.” Satisfied I’d answered Tyler’s query, my thoughts returned to the ingredients on the table.

Detective Huxton rubbed his forehead, his gaze reverting back to the table.

“There’s more.” My head pounded as I became the central focus of the room.

Detective Huxton’s hand lowered. “What do you mean ‘more?’”

“Yesterday, I stumbled across a secret witches’ hideout underneath the grandstand in the judging arena. Among other things I found a load of Licarbre Fern. At first, I thought it might have been Seraphina’s, but I’m guessing it may have belonged to Henrietta.”

Detective Huxton folded his arms and glared daggers at me. “What happened to the two-way street, Evelyn? I thought we were sharing all the information we collected?”

A shiver ran up my neck. “We are, but there was no use me telling you about the secret hideout or the Licarbre Fern until I was sure I knew what it meant.”

“And if we’re honest, we still don’t know what it all means.” Harriet piped up. “Let’s lay out what we know.”

“Yes, let’s.” The sarcasm dripping from Detective Huxton’s words did not go unnoticed.

Harriet cleared her throat and continued. “Evelyn found the secret room which held the Licarbre Fern, and it could belong to Henrietta, or it could belong to someone who sold the ingredients to Henrietta to make the spell.”

“That would mean someone has set up shop to sell illegal…and deadly herbs and plants in Saltwater Cove. Kind of like an underground black market. Who would do that?” Tyler asked.

“Good question. Either way, it can’t be good.” Detective Huxton muttered. “I’ll have my men look into this secret room you mentioned.”

“That might be difficult, unless you’re a witch. Once I got inside the door disappeared. Eli sensed the Licarbre Fern and knowing it can kill a witch, turned up to protect me. It was Eli who managed to get me out. I have no idea whose hideout it is, but it’ll most probably take a witch to find it again.”

Jordi added her two cents worth. “And let’s not forget one of Henrietta’s earrings was found next to Seraphina’s body so we know she was with her just before she was killed which means she could be the killer, and now there’s no way of proving it.”

“Okay, this is what we’re going to do.” Detective Huxton pointed at each one of us, his scowl enough to frighten a child. “It’s important we keep our eyes and ears open. If there’s a witch who wants to dabble in dark magic and sell illegal contraband in my town, I want to know about. It makes sense for you, Harriet, and Jordan to follow up on this secret room and I’ll take care of the other situation. Just keep me apprised of what you find this time.”

“Gotcha, we can do that,” Jordi said with a punch to her words.

I was surprised at Jordi’s happy-go-lucky tone.

She glanced down at her wrist and her eyes widened. “Darn it, I’m going to have to shoot off, I’ve got to meet a supplier whose been in town for the show and promised to catch up before he left.”

“It’s all good.” Harriet said, grabbing Jordi’s arm and practically pulling her out the door. “Jordi can drop me home on the way and I’ll grab my car and meet you two back at The Melting Pot. See you later.”

And they were gone. “What just happened?”

Tyler laughed and threaded his hand in mine. “That’s Harriet for you. Who knows what’s running through that woman’s mind? Maybe she just wanted to give us some alone time.”

Detective Huxton tucked his notepad into his coat pocket and buttoned up his jacket. “She has the right idea, though. Why don’t you two head on back to see your aunt and fill her in on what’s happened here.”

I nodded, the day wasn’t even half over, and I felt like I’d run my very first triathlon.

***

“Is Aunt Edie and Eli next door at The Melting Pot?” Jordi asked as she dumped her bag on the table and glanced around the kitchen.

“Eli’s next door taking care and things and Aunt Edie’s gone to visit Vivienne.” I blew across the top of my coffee mug, the rising steam tickling the end of my nose. “After I caught them up on the morning’s activities, Eli offered to help Aunt Edie for the rest of the day leaving us free.”

“I knew I liked that man.” Jordi giggled and headed for the coffee machine. “Where’s Harriet?”

I looked at Tyler and his confused expression matched mine. “She’s not here.”

“What do you mean she’s not here?” Her strained neck muscles were prominent against the low neckline of her cashmere sweater. “That can’t be right. I dropped her back at her apartment ages ago. She said she was going to do a quick change and then shoot on over. She should have been here long before now.”

A surge of heat washed through me and I clenched my gut. I slipped into the chair next to her.

“Are you serious? I though she must have changed her mind or something.”

“I knew I shouldn’t have left her by herself.” Jordi’s back straightened and her hands moved in quick succession searching her bag.

The edge of concern in her voice grated down my spine like nails down a chalkboard.

“What are you talking about? Why wouldn’t you leave her on her own?”

“Just as I pulled up to her house, she had a dizzy spell. She insisted she was okay. I said I’d wait for her and she could come to my meeting with me, but she practically bit my head off at the suggestion. So, I left.”

“What sort of dizzy spell?” I watched as she dialled Harriet’s number and put the phone to her ear.

“Kind of like the sort you have when you stand up too quickly. No answer.” She quickly redialled. “She brushed it off blaming the excitement of the morning. Seeing another dead body and all. Come on, Harriet, where are you?”

My pulse kicked into overdrive. Tyler slid into the chair next to me and placed his hand over mine. He gave a little squeeze and gifted me one of his I-have-your-back smiles that warmed me from the inside out.

“Harriet, thank goodness,” she said, raising her eyes to the roof and sagging back in her chair. “Where are you? I thought you’d have been at Evelyn’s by now.” Jordi’s eyes dulled and she flinched, clutching her hand to her chest. “Harriet, slow down. What are you talking about?”

My mind blanked while an ache in my chest grew to the point of immeasurable pain. I mouthed, ‘speaker phone’. Jordi nodded and placed the phone in the middle of the table.

“Harriet,” I said, in a calming voice. “Tyler and I are both here with Jordi. What’s going on?”

“Oh gosh, Jordi. It was awful just awful.” Her breaths coming fast and hard and her pitch rising an octave with every word. “I’ve been working with Aunt Edie on controlling my visions and I thought I’d be fine to handle the next vision I had alone. I was wrong, dead wrong.”

“What vision?” I asked, the words clogging around the lump in my throat. “Is someone dead, Harriet?”

“Yes…no…maybe.” She panted. “I have no idea. At least I hope not. You have to go and see if she’s still alive.”

She? Who’s she?

“Hold up a second.” My skin turned icy to touch and I paced my breathing. “Deep breaths, Harriet. Who are you talking about? Who are you hoping is still alive?”

“Acadia Starr.”

My gaze caught Jordi’s and we repeated at the same time, “Acadia Starr?”

“Yes. Someone has to help her before it’s too late, I can’t.” The urgency in her voice bolted me into action. I shot from my chair and leaned my hands flat on the table to stop their sudden tremors. “What do you mean, ‘you can’t?’ Are you okay, are you hurt?”

“No, I’m not hurt. It’s the vison, it took a lot out of me, more than usual. I feel like someone attached an electrical cord to my arm like a drip and sucked the energy right out of my body.”

“Tell us everything. Tyler’s here too, we can help her, but you have to tell us where she is and what happened.”

“Someone’s using her as a punching bag and beating up on her real good. She’s at the back of the cemetery near the mausoleum, hurry. In my vision, I heard the church bells in the background, and they’ve just started which means it’s happening right now. Oh Evelyn, she’s hurt real bad. You have to do something.”

Tyler held his car key up and shook them in front of me and Jordi and his message was clear.

“Okay, we’re on our way.” I snatched up Jordi’s phone and cancelled the speaker. Grabbing my bag, I gave Jordi my phone and whispered, “Call Aunt Edie and Eli and fill them in.” She nodded. With my attention back on Harriet, my chest tightened as her breathing sped up. “Harriet, I want you to stay put and regain your strength and as soon as we can we’ll be over. Can you give me any more information? Did you see who attacked her?”

“No.” Her voice trailed off as if she’d fallen asleep.

“Harriet, stay with me.” My heart jumped into my throat as the three of us bolted towards Tyler’s 4WD taking the front steps two at a time. “Are you sure you can’t tell me anything else?”

“No, just find her.”

“We will, rest up.” Leaving Tyler to do his The Fast and the Furious driving thing, I turned and looked at Jordi and waited while she finished her conversation.

“Okay, see you there,” Jordi said, ending the call. We swapped phones and she wiped her clammy hand down her thigh. Her shoulders tight, she stared right at me, her eyes glazing over. “This is all my fault. I should never have left her after her dizzy spell.”

The look of anguish in Jordi’s eyes shattered my heart in two. “You weren’t to know it was a vision coming on and knowing Harriet, she wouldn’t have let you stay anyway.”

The gravel under the tyres rumbled like an approaching storm as Tyler pulled up to the curb outside the graveyard, my shaky fingers fumbling with the cool metal doorhandle.

Hold on Acadia, we’re coming.

Adrenaline pumped through my veins and I barely registered my feet pounding the pavement as we raced towards the church. The cool sea air slashed my cheeks leaving pins and needles in its wake.

The pitter-patter of feet coming in the opposite direction seized my insides and I froze mid-step, Tyler ramming into my back, shunting me forward with a jolt.

“What is it?” he asked, his gaze searching our gloomy surrounds.

“Someone’s coming. Maybe it’s Acadia’s attacker.” The idea had my gut spasming. I gripped Tyler’s arms and my gaze searched for a hiding place big enough to conceal three people. The question was soon answered as Eli turned the corner and headed straight for our position.

“What the…how did you get here before us?” Jordi asked, arms folded across her chest.

“Magic, I’d say.” I gasped and whipped my head around to see Aunt Edie standing beside me.

“Where did you come from?” I asked, my hand flying to my chest covering my racing heart. “You just about gave me a heart attack.”

“I was on my way back from Vivienne’s when Jordi called so I detoured to meet you all here. Is there any word?”

Eli shook his head and frowned. “No, we just got here too.”

He stepped up towards the group, his shoulders broad and commanding. “Evelyn, until we know what’s going on I want you to stay here out of danger.”

“What…no way.” My quickened pulse pounded against my temple. “I am not staying here while everyone goes gallivanting off playing hero. If Acadia is hurt, I want to help just as much as you all do.”

“Oh, Evelyn.” Aunt Edie huffed. “That is not what Eli meant. He’s your protector and he’s only looking out for you. We have no idea if this attack has anything to do you and the Sphere or the murders or something altogether different, now let the man do his job.”

Why would this attack have anything to do with me? Or the Sphere?

My jaw tightened. “Whatever we do, we need to do it now if we have any chance of saving Acadia.”

“I have an idea,” Tyler said, the stern tone of his voice snapping everyone to his attention. Shooting into action he gestured everyone step in closer. “Eli, Evelyn and I head one way, you can head the other. We’ll cover more ground that way.” He paused and looked at Aunt Edie. “Can you call the police and an ambulance and let them know what’s going on? If she’s as beat up as Harriet’s vision, she’s going to need medical attention.”

She nodded and stepped away from the group.

A smile graced the edge of my lips. Watching him take control filled my heat with love.

“Jordi, can you do your shapeshifter thing and let us know what you can see from the air?” Eli asked, holding her focus.

Jordi pulled back and her head tilted. “My shapeshifting thing?”

Eli waved his hand. “You know what I mean.”

“Sure, I can do it.”

Aunt Edie returned. “Police are on the way.”

“All right.” The sharp crisp sound of Tyler’s hands clapping together brought everyone’s attention back to him. “Keep you phones handy in case we fall out of earshot. Let’s do this.”

Jordi turned and headed towards the opposite end of the cemetery. I caught a glimpse of glittered light as she morphed into a raven and flew high in the sky.

I held tight to Tyler’s hand. “Come on, time is wasting. Acadia might not have much time left.”

“Tyler?” Eli’s tense voice rung out behind us. Tyler pulled my arm and we stopped, his head spinning to face Eli.

“Don’t let anything happen to Evelyn, will you?” Eli said before lifting his chin and walking away.

“Not bloody likely.” Tyler’s hand squeezed around mine, sending pins and needles up my arm. “Come on. Who does he think I am? A man or a mouse?”

“Tyler, no…no he doesn’t think that at all.” We picked up the pace. “He’s my protector, remember? He’s just doing his job.”

“Yeah…well, he’s implying I can’t even take care of my own girlfriend.”

“No, he’s just asking you to watch out for me, that’s all. Anyway, it’s a moot point. Since I can very well take care of myself.”

We headed around the left-hand side of the larger head stones veering off to the side toward the stone mausoleum standing at the centre of the cemetery. I licked my dry lips and swallowed hard. The peeling, weather-worn structure had been beaten time and time again by the howling wind rolling in from the sea.

“Over here, I found her.” The voice of Eli hollered from the back of the stone building bellowing over the crackle of the wind.

My heartbeat slugged along, and my chest seized, a cement brick weighing it down. I forced one foot after the other and ran in the direction of Eli’s voice, bracing myself. I turned the corner and froze. One hand covered my gaping mouth and the other pressed hard to my stomach, squashing the nausea roiling around in my gut.

“Is she alive?” The words escaped my lips in a whisper. Cold fingers wrapped around my heart as my gaze clung to Acadia’s battered unconscious body. Her red-tipped blond hair no longer elegantly poised, now a shamble of mud, sticks and twigs. Red and purple bruises were making an appearance over her face and arms. Goodness knows what her internal injuries were.

Eli bent beside the beaten woman, his fingers checking her pulse. I held my breath, my lungs burning, waiting for his answer.

Could this be the third dead body to turn up in Saltwater Cove in two days?

“She’s alive.” Eli pulled his hand away and checked her for any external injuries. “She doesn’t seem to have any obvious injuries but we won’t know until she gets to the hospital.”

“If Aubrey were here, she would be able to fix her,” I muttered under my breath. Aubrey and Olive Garcina had arrived in Saltwater Cove to help solve the mystery of their murdered friend. They visit from time to time and they had many magical skills between them, one being Aubrey was a healer and would have Acadia’s injuries healed with a wiggle or two of her fingers. I’d been working with them and they’ve been teaching me some tricks of the trade, but I was nowhere near confident enough to try any.

“The ambulance is on its way,” Jordi said as she pulled up beside me, snapping me out of my memory lapse.

“Did you see anything, anyone who looked suspicious while you shifted?” Eli asked.

She shook her head. “No, only those still checking out the show stalls down on the Esplanade. But most of them there look like in the middle of packing up anyway.”

“What is going on in our town?” I looked at Acadia and my eyes watered. “Who would do something like this?”

Eli stood, his gaze still locked on the woman. “I have no idea, but either way, we’ll get to the bottom of it.”

“Coming through.” A strong male voice boomed from behind us, and I turned to see Wade Antonio followed by two paramedics heading our way, their feet moving faster than normal. Aunt Edie bringing up the rear.

He held up his hand and beckoned us to move towards the other side of the mausoleum leaving room for the paramedics to do their doctoring and help Acadia.

I caught the butterfly band-aids covering his injured head and suppressed the queasy sensation squirming in my gut.

“Are you okay, Wade? I mean after the break in at the police station early this morning?”

He gave me a brisk nod, almost as if he’d rather not have his failures aired in public.

“Fine. Would someone like to fill me in on what happened here?”

Tyler glanced around at each of us and then cleared his throat. “Would we be correct in assuming Detective Huxton has brought you up to speed on the events surrounding Henrietta Darkmore’s death?”

Wade nodded. “You assume correctly.”

“In that case, Evelyn, Jordi, and I were at her house, Eli was working at The Melting Pot and Aunt Edie was visiting Vivienne. Harriet was supposed to meet us there and when Jordi got there and saw she hadn’t arrived—”

“I was concerned,” Jordi said, running a hand through her raven black hair. “She shouldn’t have taken so long. After we left Henrietta’s place, I had a client to deal with, so I dropped her home to get her car and meet us at Evelyn’s place. She should have been there way before me. I called her and she just had a vision of Acadia being beaten.”

Wade continued to take notes in his notepad, but glanced up at Jordi, their eyes locking. “How do you know she just had the vision?”

Jordi continued. “Because she said the church bells had just gone off. Normally, she sees events that happen way in the future. And I suppose this was in the future, but when she said the bells had just one off, she knew then the vision was happening.”

My head pounded at the thought of going over every detail again. “We all got here pretty much at the same time and Aunt Edie joined us on the way back from Vivienne’s house.”

“That’s right.” Aunt Edie patted my shoulder and the warmth of her touch bled through my body, easing the growing tension. “I wanted to offer whatever assistance I could.”

“Where is Harriet now?” Wade asked.

“At her apartment,” Jordi said, her fingers fiddling with the top button of her shirt. “I told her to stay put and recoup and we would check it out and that’s just what we did and then you showed up with your trusty paramedics to save the day.”

“I just hope we weren’t too late.” The anguish in Aunt Edie’s eyes guttered me. “What that poor woman went through, I can’t even imagine.”

She’ll be alright, she’s a strong woman. She has to be. I pray we can stop them before they hurt another innocent witch.

“Will that be all, Constable?” Tyler asked. “I’m not sure how much more help we can be here?”

“I’d appreciate it if you could wait one moment until I have a chance to check the crime scene.” He turned and headed back towards the paramedics who were wheeling Acadia out. He surveyed the area and checked out certain spots on the ground before moving towards the mausoleum.

“Did you have to be so mean?” Jordi pulled up beside me, her fiery gaze practically burning a path right through me. “Maybe you could be a little nicer next time.”

“Excuse me?” I baulked at her bland assumption. “I didn’t do anything. He could use a crash course in etiquette though.”

“Maybe he still isn’t a hundred percent after the incident this morning. Cut him some slack, will you?”

Since when did I become the bad person in this scenario?

I glanced over at the man in question and paused, taking in the frozen image of him leaning up against the wall of the mausoleum. It was as if he were a statue, hunched over, forehead in his hand, paralysed. He wasn’t moving, why wasn’t he moving? My gut screamed and a jolt of shivers pricked my spine.

“Something’s wrong,” I said, unable to shake the icy cold tremor that clung to my bones.

“What do you mean?” Eli asked, stepping up beside me. Heated tension radiated off him.

“I’m not sure, but I can feel it.”

Wade shot off the mausoleum wall and turned to face me, his shoulders rising and falling with each heaving breath of air. He stood straight and his murderous glare sent daggers through me. My mind started to spiral out of control.

Oh no, I was right. What have I done?

.

Chapter Thirteen

He stormed towards me like a man after his prey. My airways tightened and I pulled back as he approached. His haunted eyes drawing me in like a moth to a spider web.

“Tyler, I want you to take Evelyn back home and wait for me there.” Wade’s deep abrupt voice hit me square in the chest. “No detours, no stopovers, straight back home and do not leave until I get there. Now go.”

I shook my head. “What’s going on?”

I caught Eli’s stern gaze locked on Wade’s and his lip curled into a snarl.

“I’ll explain later, now go,” Wade snapped. “It’s for your own safety.”

I gasped at the sudden pull of my arm. Tyler grunted and dragged me in the direction of his car. “You don’t have to ask me twice.”

“I’m coming too.” Aunt Edie double timed it to catch up.

“Wait.” Jordi’s arms waved above her head. “You’re not leaving me behind.”

“What the hell is going on?” In a matter of seconds, my world had turned into an action movie on fast forward. I settled in the front seat, Jordi slamming the door behind me then jumping in the back with Aunt Edie.

“Who knows, but I’ve never seen a look of such fierce conviction in Wade before. He looked possessed.” Jordi’s eyes widened. “You don’t think he was possessed, do you?”

“I’ve seen my fair share of possessed beings in my time,” Aunt Edie said. “And Wade did not look anything like it, more like a man determined to get a message across.”

I folded my arms and stuck my bottom lip out. “Yeah, more like a man determined to turn my world upside down. And why just me? Why was I the only one he told to leave the cemetery?”

“Beats me,” Jordi said.

“Did you not hear what he said?” Tyler’s voice edged on the side of frustration. “For your own safety, Evelyn. To me, that sounds like he knows a hell of a lot more than he’s letting on. Either way I’m not taking any chances with your life.”

Jordi’s phone buzzed from the back seat and I turned to see Harriet’s face beaming at me from the screen.

“I hope she’s okay,” Jordi said, putting the phone to her ear. “Hello.”

The gentle hum of the engine sounded more like a roar in the growing silence within the confined car.

“Yes, we found her in time. Ah-huh…I see…mmm…no kidding.”

Oh, for goodness’ sake, Jordi just hang up already.

My hands fisted in my lap and my stomach rolled in circles as the seconds ticked by waiting for Jordi to finish her idle chit-chat with Harriet.

“Okay, bye, See you there.” Jordi shook her head and smiled pocketing her phone in her bag.

My jaw opened to speak, but Aunt Edie beat me to it.

“Well, don’t leave us hanging here, young lady. What did she say?”

Jordi looked up and a crimson shade of red flushed her face.

“Oops, sorry. She asked if we made it in time. She said, her recovery was much quicker this time and wondered if the dizzy spell was more to do with her seeing a vision pretty much in the present rather than one in the future.”

“Mmm, interesting.” Aunt Edie tapped her finger against her cheek. “She may be right.”

“She’s going to meet us at The Melting Pot. Oh, and she said her parents rang and her dad is going to be doing some travel for work, so they’ve decided to take a detour via Saltwater Cove to see Harriet on the way.”

“That’s nice.”

Having heard Harriet was okay, my thought drifted back to the afternoon events trying to decipher who would want to attack Acadia. Aunt Edie’s soothing words caught me off guard.

“It will be all right, Evelyn. Wade said he would meet us at the Melting Pot and explain everything. I’m sure it’s just a precaution.”

“A precaution to what, Aunt Edie?”

“Your guess is as good as mine, love. But let’s not get caught up in the what if and wait for Wade’s explanation.”

“That sounds like good advice,” Jordi said.

Tyler pulled up outside The Melting Pot and a familiar ease washed over me. I looked at the witch-themed café entrance adjoining our home. Broomsticks, pot plants, shimmering magical talismans hung around the entrance. It really was the best place to work, and half the customers never knew if the potions and concoctions were real or just pretend to go along with the theme. They came for the food, the best in town. Exactly how Aunt Edie liked it.

She was the first to jump out. “Right, I’m heading straight into The Melting Pot to re-open, who’s with me?” She stood with her hands on her hips, her lips pressed tight together, and her eyebrows raised.

Her words spoke a question, but it was very clear by her posture that there was only one correct answer. I smiled and winked at Tyler. “I’m in. How about you guys?”

Jordi shrugged and bounded down the pathway towards the door. “Sure, why not. I could go for some of your chocolate fudge.”

“Did someone say chocolate fudge?” Tyler asked, bringing up the rear. “I’ll do anything for Aunt Edie’s chocolate fudge.”

I tilted my head and glanced up at him, squinting as the midday sun blinded me square in the eye. “Anything?”

He gifted me a cutesy wink and gave me a peck on the cheek. “Within reason.”

I tried to keep a jovial tone when we entered The Melting Pot and began working, but my mind kept wandering back to Wade’s abrupt change in behaviour. My mind shot to the worst-case scenario and my breathing accelerated.

Black magic.

Could Acadia’s attack have nothing to do with Seraphina’s death and everything to do with black magic and the return of Salis Van Der Kolt?

“Evelyn, if you’re going to mope around, do you think you could do it out in the kitchen where the customers won’t see your grumpy face?” Aunt Edie asked as she restacked the cake display cabinet.

“I am not moping.” I said, mortified she would even think such a thing.

“You kinda are.” Jordi’s eyebrows raised followed by a cheeky Jordi laugh. She pointed straight at me. “If you could see your face right now, you’d be laughing too.”

My eye started to twitch, and a bellow of laughter rumbled up from the base of my chest. “You’re incorrigible, Jordan Stone.”

Her face dropped. “Hey, what’s with using my full name? You know I’m just Jordi.”

I tickled her in the ribs. “That’s what you get for being a smarty-pants.”

The cowbell above the main door jingled and my gaze shot to the distraction. My fingers stopped mid-tickle and I froze as Wade strutted towards me followed closely by Harriet and Eli. His disposition seemingly more relaxed than he was earlier. Tyler stepped up behind me, the warmth from his body was a calming antidote for my racing pulse.

With Tyler by my side, I can face anything.

I wanted to slap my own forehead, appalled by the cringy cliché as it floated through my mind.

Wade stopped in front of me and rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry about earlier, but I can explain.”

I brushed the stray strands of hair behind my ears and nodded. “That would be great. At least then I’ll know what I did wrong.”

A fresh sheen of sweat coated his forehead. “You did nothing wrong. Let me explain.”

Eli made a shooing action towards the kitchen with his hands. “Wade has already brough me up to speed. I’ll take care of things out here while he updates you all. Now shoo, the sooner you know, the sooner we can make a plan of action.”

“Plan of action?” Harriet repeated. “Oh, this does sound interesting.”

“Follow me,” Wade said as he moved into the kitchen.

We gathered around the bench in the centre of the room, everyone’s gaze drilling into Wade. My chest was so tight it was about to squeeze my heart right into the back of my throat. “Spill, Wade. I’ve waited long enough.”

He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “Okay. I’ll come straight to the point. Earlier today when I was checking out the site of Acadia’s attack, I leaned against the Mausoleum wall to rest and take a few notes. A shockwave rushed through me from the top of my head to my toe.”

“What was it?” I asked.

“It was more of a who rather than a what.” He cleared his throat. “It was your mother, or her ghost to be more precise.”

My jaw dropped and a strained silence filled the room. “Why didn’t you tell me? I’ve been hoping she’d contact you. There’s so much I want to ask her. If it was my mother, why would you insist I leave in such a hurry?”

“As I mentioned when we first met, the ghosts choose when to show themselves to me not the other way around. I haven’t felt such a strong ghostly presence since—” He paused, and a look of longing filled his eyes. “—since a long time ago. But she was adamant that you leave the area at once. She said the mausoleum wasn’t safe for you. When I tried to ask why, she got more frantic and upset and insisted she wouldn’t say anything else until you were gone. Hence, my rude abruptness. I needed you gone, but I also didn’t want to break the link I’d established.”

Aunt Edie placed her hand over mine and squeezed. “Are you okay, love?”

I nodded, but my insides were firing question after question. “I think so. Once I found out Wade was a necromancer, I was hoping my mum or dad would make contact with him so I could find out what happened to them the night they were killed. I never expected this though.”

“What else did she say?” Harriet asked, leaning her elbows on the table.

Wade continued, his gaze aimed directly at me. “You must never go to the mausoleum, Evelyn. It’s far too dangerous for you. She was steadfast with this piece of advice, so much so, that she insisted I do all I can to protect you. Use whatever powers I have at my disposal to keep you away from the mausoleum. It holds secrets that, if you knew, could prove fatal.”

“Fatal? Fatal to who?” Gasps were heard around the kitchen table. My hands started to shake, and I pressed a palm to my sternum and rubbed to try to relieve the weight crushing my chest. My jelly knees gave way and I collapsed into the closest chair. “I don’t understand.”

“Black magic, Evelyn.” Aunt Edie slid into the chair to my right and grabbed my hands. “Evelyn sweetheart, your mother is trying to protect you.”

Heat ran up my neck and settled in my cheeks. I looked at Aunt Edie through glassy eyes. “You said before you felt black magic was alive in Saltwater Cove. Do you think Mum’s warning is about the attack on Acadia, or about her own murder or something entirely different? And don’t try and hide the truth from me because I’ll find out eventually. You know I will.”

She smiled and wiped a lone tear from my cool cheek with her thumb. “I believe you will. I have too much respect for you to lie to you.” She paused and glanced at Eli who was standing in the doorway half listening to the conversation and half listening for customers in The Melting Pot. “But you know the High Council’s ruling, I am sworn to secrecy when it comes to your mother’s death, but I feel comfortable saying that I don’t believe Wade’s vision has anything to with Acadia’s attack, or Seraphina’s murder for that matter.”

Tyler huffed. “What then?”

“I believe it has to do with the Sphere.”

“The Sphere?” Wade and Jordi asked in unison.

Aunt Edie nodded. “Yes, I believe Salis Van Der Kolt has returned to Saltwater Cove and is going to use black magic to locate the relics needed to find and control the Sphere.”

“That’s it.” I flattened my hands on the table startling the rest of them. “Sorry, but that’s it.”

“What’s it?” Harriet stood with her hands open, waiting. “You can be so infuriating sometimes you know, Evelyn.”

“Mum was so adamant I stay away from the mausoleum because I bet that’s where either the Sphere, or one of the relics or at least a clue is to finding one of them is hidden.”

Wade pursed his lips and tilted his head. “How can you be so sure?”

Adrenaline was pumping through my veins like helium. “Don’t you see? Detective Huxton had a vison when he picked up the key I found taped under Camille’s desk. He saw a couple arguing, my mum and dad with another couple over a box. Prudence’s parents. But it wasn’t about opening it, it was about where to hide the key so that the box can never be opened.”

Harriet clicked her fingers. “You think the box is the key or the missing link and it has the Sphere or a relic in it and Salis is using black magic to find it.”

I nodded. “Yes. Detective Huxton said they were adamant that what was in the box could lead to the destruction of the world and they were dead set on hiding it in a place it would never be found in order to keep their baby daughters safe.”

“You and Prudence.”

I nodded at Aunt Edie’s quick deduction. “Apparently, one mentioned a map, and another a relic. I’ve no idea if the map or relic is in the box or what’s in the box leads to the location of the other relics but from what we know now, I’d say either one of those objects is hidden in the mausoleum and that’s why my mother wants me to stay as far away from it as possible.”

Wade had been jotting details down in his notebook. “That kind of makes sense. You’re the key, Evelyn, not the relics or the Sphere, it’s you.”

“Me?” I was conscious of everyone’s eyes drilling into me.

“It’s you, you’re the one who wants to find the truth behind your parents’ murder and to do that you have to uncover what they were hiding and I’m pretty sure we can all agree they were hiding the Sphere and the relics to keep it out of Salis’ hands.”

“So maybe it would be best to leave it alone and let their deaths be.”

I turned to Aunt Edie as if her words had just hit me like a crowbar to the chest. “Aunt Edie, I cannot believe you just said that.”

“Maybe she’s right,” Tyler said, his blue eyes tainted with torment. He pulled out the other chair next to me and sat. “It’s too dangerous, Evelyn. I can’t lose you and if you go after this Sphere, goodness knows what Salis will do.”

“I don’t believe what I’m hearing. You want me to give up?” I ran my sweaty palms down my thighs and gripped my knees under the table. “Sure, I could give up, after all I’m still only a graduate witch. It’s pretty likely Salis either killed my and Prudence’s parents or had them killed. But what makes you think he’ll ever stop looking for the Sphere?” I paused and watched the clogs ticking over. “My parents died trying to protect me and the world they love. They hid the Sphere and the relics so Salis wouldn’t find them, and do you really think he’s going to stop searching just because I do? No, he’s going after the Sphere and when he finds it, we all know what he’ll do…take control of the world, both magical and human. In the meantime, I sit idly by and let him do it. Like I’m ever going to let that happen.”

The deafening silence echoed throughout the room like a booming choir.

“When you put it like that, I feel like a complete jerk.” He grabbed my hand and threaded his fingers through mine and kissed the back of my palm. “Have I told you lately how amazing you are?”

“Oh no.” Jordi held up her hands. “This isn’t going to turn into a soppy love fest, is it? I’d really love to keep my lunch down.”

A chorus of laughter filled the room dissolving the built-up tension and I breathed a relaxed sigh.

Eli joined us at the table. “Before we change the subject, let’s get one thing clear.” His words dampened the chatter and all eyes turned to him. “It’s my job as Evelyn’s Guardian to protect her from all things dangerous including dark magic, but if she’s determined to get to the bottom of her parents’ death and find the Sphere, we are all going to have to raise the bar when it comes to looking out for her. And Evelyn, you have to promise to help us out by not doing anything stupid like visiting the mausoleum.”

I gasped and put my hand over my heart faking a heart attack. “Me…do something stupid…as if.”

The laughter resumed along with some choice remarks that did not go unmissed.

Wade quietened everyone down. “Okay, okay, I think we’re all on the same page here. Protect Evelyn at all costs and to show I’m on board I will take a team to the mausoleum later and search every inch of it, inside and out to see if we can come up with any clue. If anyone cares to join us, you’re most welcome.”

“I’m in,” Eli said, followed by a chain-reaction.

“Me too,” echoed Tyler.

Harriet and Jordi answered with a “Hell yes.”

“While you’re at it do you think you can check out Prudence’s house?” I looked at Wade and his creasing brow clearly showed his misconnection.

“I believe Prudence’s parents were killed by accident. It was supposed to be my parents. I’ve only learned recently that her parents and mine were best friends before we were born so there maybe something at her house that could help us pinpoint who was responsible for the death.”

Wade pinched his chin, his gaze downcast. “I’ll see what I can do. I know it wasn’t long after Prudence’s death that the house went on the market. It’s under offer so I should be able to wangle a visit via the real estate.” The vibration of his phone in his top left pocket caught his focus. “Excuse me.” He moved to the other side of the kitchen to take the call.

Aunt Edie’s soft voice caught me off guard. She spoke softly enough for only me to hear.

“I’m sorry, love.”

“What on earth are you sorry for?”

“For doubting you and for letting my fears get in the way of doing the right thing. You were right all along. Salis will not stop searching for the Sphere and we have to get to it and destroy it before he does.”

I threw my arms around Aunt Edie and soaked up the warm radiating from her heart.

“Thank you. I love you.”

“I love you too, Evelyn Brianna Grayson. You certainly are your mother’s daughter, grit determination and all.”

“That was Detective Huxton,” Wade said, pocketing his phone. “Acadia is awake, albeit a little groggy, but awake enough to answer some questions. I’m heading over to the hospital now. Detective Huxton will meet me there.”

I felt Aunt Edie’s body tense at the mention of Micah Huxton.

“Can Aunt Edie and I come with you?” I held my breath ready to put up a fight if he said no. I turned to Tyler. “You don’t mind, do you?”

“Of course not.” He beamed a sexy smile my way. He was the best boyfriend a woman could ask for.

“I think that’s a good idea. What about the rest of you?” Tyler’s gaze searched the room.

Eli pointed over his shoulder to the main café area. “I’ll take care of The Melting Pot.”

“I’ll help you,” Harriet said and they both disappeared after a few throw away goodbyes.

Jordi cleared her throat and sent Wade a sweet smile before directing her words towards Tyler. “If you’re heading out, can you drop me home on your way?”

Tyler nodded. “Sure.”

“I’ll notify you all when I’m ready to head to the mausoleum,” Wade said, moving to the door.

Please have some answers for us Acadia, at least some that may help clear Aunt Edie’s name.

Chapter Fourteen

The sterile scent of disinfectant itched my nose while the soothing voice of Ed Sheeran wafted down from the nurse’s station. Aunt Edie sat patiently outside Acadia’s room, a non-descriptive expression on her face. I’d been pacing for a good twenty minute or so. Anything but sitting still and counting the seconds as they ticked over waiting for Wade and Detective Huxton to come out of Acadia’s room.

I threw my hands up in the air and sighed, flopping down in the chair beside Aunt Edie.

“What is taking is long?” Sliding back in the chair I crossed my arms and stuck my bottom lip out.

“If only you could see yourself.” I winced at the infuriated tone of her voice. “They’ll be out when they’re done and not before.”

I straightened in my seat shuffling from butt cheek to butt cheek, a heavy sinking weight settling in the base of my gut. The silence dragged, but this time, it was Aunt Edie who bounded off her chair and began pacing.

“This is ridiculous. How can it possibly be taking so long?” She paced with her hands on her hips, a sharp hundred-eighty degrees turn after each fourth step. “I mean there are only so many questions you can ask, isn’t there?”

I shrugged. “Maybe they’re just being thorough, you know, not wanting to leave any stone unturned as they say.”

She paused by the door and folded her arms. “The way this is going there will be no stones left unturned in the whole of Saltwater Cove.”

The click of the door opening startled both of us and I jumped up next to Aunt Edie, my heart racing like a stampeding elephant.

“Well? What did she say? Considering how long you took, it must be a pretty good story.”

Wade took a momentary glance in Detective Huxton’s direction and a sour taste in my mouth almost made me gag.

“What’s wrong? I can tell it didn’t go as planned. We haven’t the time to beat around the bush, just give it to us straight.”

Detective Huxton looked Aunt Edie square in the eye and paused, his chest caving in.

“It isn’t good I’m afraid.”

“How bad can it be?” I asked, fidgeting with the wicks on my thumb nail.

“What did she say?” Aunt Edie asked. The dullness in her eyes guttered me.

Wade flipped open his notepad. “Acadia says she most definitely saw her attacker, in fact, she knew her attacker. Their face was as clear as day.” Wade read word for word. “She said, she would remember looking into the eyes of the attacker and feeling the hatred firing from them until the day she dies.”

Detective Huxton took over the explanation. “She says she was attacked from behind and hit over the head with a hard object and fell to the ground. While trying to escape, she rolled and was able to get a good look at her attacker.”

Aunt Edie gasped. “Who was it?”

“You.” They both said in unison.

Aunt Edie’s jaw dropped, and the soulful voice of Ed Sheeran was doing zero to help the instant spike in tension.

“Me?”

“Acadia is adamant that you are the one who attacked her. She said she got a good view, and it was your face that she saw under a hoodie.”

Aunt Edie’s complexion flashed white then pink then to a fire-engine red in a matter of seconds. I turned and looked at my beloved aunt, and the dumbfounded expression of her face said it all.

“That is the most preposterous thing I’ve ever heard. She’s obviously lying. Aunt Edie would never attack anyone.” The words blurted from my lips before I could draw them back.

Wade shook his head, but the shadowed depths of his eyes showed where his thoughts really lay. “I don’t want to ask this, but you know I have too. Do you have an alibi for the time of the attack?”

“Do I need one?” Aunt Edie’s voice snapped.

“Edith.” Detective Huxton ran his hand down Aunt Edie’s arm, her hand coming to rest in his. His voice calming. “It’s not like we actually suspect you, but it is routine to ask these questions.”

Her expression softened and she nodded. “Of course, I’m sorry. I was at The Melting Post most of the day and then went to see Vivienne. She rang with a family issue and I went over to see if I could help in any way. After that I came back home, or at least I was on my way back home and saw the commotion by the cemetery. Jordi rang to fill me in and I recognised Tyler’s car so I stopped by to see if there was anything I could do, and you know the rest.”

I dug my nails into my palms at my sides. My pulse beat inside my head and I fought hard against its constant drumming. “We all know someone is framing Aunt Edie and if Acadia’s words are right, there has to be a double or at least a witch impersonating Aunt Edie running around Saltwater Cove committing murder and blaming it on an innocent woman.”

“Can Vivienne confirm the time you heft her house?”

“Of course she can, although.” She paused and bit her bottom lip, her mind elsewhere. She looked to see each of us staring at her. She continued, “Although she was gone for some time dealing with a phone call. In the end, I decided I’d be better help back at The Melting Pot. I said my goodbyes and was on my way back.”

“Technically, no one saw you once you left Vivienne’s?” Wade’s questioning tone was a notch above irritating.

“Technically.” Aunt Edie made cute quotation marks with her fingers and I swallowed back a giggle working its way up. “No one saw me, but then again, I wasn’t planning on attacking anyone, so why would I care if anyone saw me or not. At the end of the day, Acadia is quite mistaken.”

“That may be so, but until we can verify your whereabouts—”

Aunt Edie held up her hand silencing Wade mid-sentence. “I’ve had quite enough of this nonsense for one day, thank you very much. I think it’s time I had a word with Acadia myself.”

“Edith, please. That’s not going to happen, besides, she’s sleeping now.” There was a longing in Detective Huxton’s voice that ripped my heart out. He turned to Wade and his expression slackened. “There’s not much more we can do here, why don’t you take Evelyn back home and Edith and I will be right behind you.”

My world was crumbling around me and I was helpless to stop it.

“It’s all right, love. Go with Wade, Micah and I won’t be far behind.”

“This can’t be happening, Aunt Edie. It’s a frame up, someone is trying to frame you and they’re doing a damn good job.”

She smiled. “But they won’t win, Evelyn, not with you and Micah by my side. Off you go with Wade and we’ll be along soon to work out our next step.”

I threw my arms around her neck, my body heavy as though I were carrying a twenty-kilo dumbbell around my chest.

“I love you so much.”

“I know, I love you too,” she said. My arms squeezed as much warmth from her as I could muster. “Now, off you two go.”

I smiled, nodded, and followed Wade towards the lift, my mind reviewing the new information.

My heart throbbed and my throat dried as I watched Aunt Edie and Micah deep in conversation outside Acadia’s room.

“What do you suppose they’re talking about?”

Wade looked up from his notepad. “Excuse me?”

I repeated, a niggle of annoyance flared in my chest. “What do you suppose Micah and Aunt Edie are talking about?”

His gaze followed mine and locked on to the two animated figures. “I don’t know, but whatever it is, it seems Micah has the upper hand. I’m sure they’ll let us know if it’s important.”

***

“Are you serious? That is great news, Tyler.” I sat curled on the sofa with the phone, coffee in hand, stroking Miss Saffron’s fluffy tail while watching the second hand of the clock tick over. Why does it always seem to go slower when you’re watching it?

“Bernsteiner said surveillance training needs real skill development and I should make it my top priority. He’s got a schedule all planned out.” I couldn’t help smiling at the enthusiasm in Tyler’s voice.

“Look at you. Before you know it, you’ll be Tyler Broderick, Private Eye.” My heart bubbled with pride.

“My only concern is, it will mean more time away from you for training and I’m not sure that’s such a good idea right now with everything that’s going on with Aunt Edie, Salis, and the Sphere.”

I shuffled on the couch.

“Do you mind?” Miss Saffron said in her cheeky voice, her head shaking side to side. She brushed her paw over her twitching nose then continued, “Disturbing your familiar’s slumber does no one any good.”

I smiled and gave her a tickle under her chin, and she purred her appreciation.

“You like that, don’t you?” I whispered away from the phone.

“Do you even have to ask?”

My attention returned to Tyler. “I know you worry, but you also have to do what’s right for you. I’ve not seen you this excited in years and now’s the time to grab it and run with it. I’m a witch, Tyler, so there’s always going to be an element of danger hanging around, but that hasn’t stopped me so far and I’m not about to let it start now. I’ll be okay, and I have Eli and the others to look out for me.”

“And you did promise you won’t do anything stupid.”

“I suppose I did promise that.” The muttering of voices from the kitchen snapped my mind back to the here and now. Miss Saffron’s head popped up and her golden eyes glowed under the warm yellow fluorescent lights. “Listen, Tyler can I call you back, I think Aunt Edie and Detective Huxton are home.”

“Of course. Keep me posted.”

“Will do, chat soon,” I said, ending the call. I scooped the ball of fluff into my arms and bounded from the couch. I giggled as her whiskers tickled the sensitive skin at the side of my neck. Turning the corner, I stopped at the sight of Eli and Aunt Edie exchanging coded whispers with each other, their eyes animated portraying a multitude of stories. They looked so comfortable together, as if they’d known each other for years. A chilled shiver ran across my shoulders and my stomach hardened.

Maybe they have in a past life, and they just never knew it.

I brushed off the ridiculous thought, cleared my throat and continued into the room.

“Sweetheart, I didn’t see you there.” Aunt Edie smiled and placed her bag on the table.

Obviously not.

“How are you, Evelyn?” Eli asked. “I know it hasn’t been one of your best days.”

Miss Saffron snuggled higher into my chin, and I jumped as her claw scrapped my forearm. “I’ve had better days. I don’t mean to pry, but what were you two talking about when I walked in?”

Aunt Edie’s bland expression looked at Eli and then back to me. A sparkle beamed in her eye and a quirky smile turned her lip up.

“Oh that, it was nothing at all.”

“Yes, just a cooking tip,” Eli said.

“Cooking tip?” My jaw clamped together. I headed towards Miss Saffron’s basket in the corner muttering under my breath. “You could have fooled me.”

“Excuse me?” Aunt Edie hung her coat on the hook inside the kitchen door. “What is going on with you, Evelyn? Are you feeling okay?”

My back straightened like I’d been zapped with an electric prod. “Yes…no…gosh I’m sorry. It’s just when I rounded the corner it looked like I interrupted an important conversation. I thought it might have something to do with Acadia’s attack or Seraphina’s murder.”

“Goodness no.” Aunt Edi placed her warm hands on my cheeks and gave me a peck on the nose. “You do overthink things, my dear.”

My eyelids closed and I wished the world would stand still so I could revel in the intimate moment a while longer.

Eli’s voice shattered my moment of serene bliss. “It really was a cooking tip. I’d just finished closing up next door when Detective Huxton pulled up out front. He had to fly off somewhere, so I offered to walk Edith inside and she agreed to tell me the secret ingredient in her chocolate fudge.”

“No way.” I stood with my hands on my hips tapping my fingers. “That is a Peyton family secret.”

“Hey, don’t I qualify as part of the family now?” Eli asked, his hand flattened across his chest. “I mean, being your Guardian is no easy feat and I kind of feel as if I’m a part of the family sometimes.”

A grin lit up his face and, a hearty laugh exploded from my chest.

“Who am I to argue with that?”

Eli’s phone rang, piercing the ease that had fallen between us. He glanced at the screen. My gut clenched as he frowned, and the playfulness disappeared from his expression.

“Hello.” His focus held me frozen to the spot. “Really? No kidding.” He glanced at the antique wall clock. “Right now?”

He paused as if listening to instructions. The knots in my stomach rolling in circles refused to listen to my commands to settle down. I looked at Aunt Edie.

“Seriously, can he drag this out any longer?”

She gave me a cheeky wink and mouthed one word. “Men.”

“Sounds good to me. See you there.” Eli ended the call.

Folding my arms, the tension in my stomach had exploded through the rest of my body and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. “You’ll see who…where?”

“That was Wade,” he said, pocketing his phone. “He’s got his team ready and he’s heading to the mausoleum. The rest of us will meet him there.”

“Rest of us?” Aunt Edie said. “I hope you don’t mean Evelyn?”

My breath caught in my throat and I turned to see her standing with her arms folded parading her best, try-and-get-one-past-me look.

“Don’t even think about it, young lady, you are not going near that place. You might like to tackle the unexpected head-on, but after the warning your mother gave us earlier, I’ll not risk your life now, or ever.”

Eli moved up to stand beside Aunt Edie and joined her with his macho protector stance. Arms folded, and chest stuck out like a superhero.

“I’m with her,” he said, pointing his thumb in her direction. “It’ll make my job a hell of a lot easier if I know you’re safe and sound here with Edith.”

“I…” The tension in my body was at breaking point. I was itching to go with them, but I couldn’t, knowing my mother gave her life to protect mine.

Eli continued. “Besides, between Wade’s team, Harriet, Jordi, Tyler and myself we’ve got it covered. If there is anything to find in that place, we’ll find it.”

“I see…and don’t I get a say in this?” I pressed my lips together holding in a giggle pushing to get out. I may want to find and destroy the Sphere and work out who killed my parents, but I’m not about to purposefully put my life in danger to do it. Now that would be the definition of stupid.

Eli’s brow wrinkled and he pinched the skin at his throat. “Listen, Evelyn. You can’t expect—”

I couldn’t hold it in any longer against the pain in my throat. A boisterous laugh burst from my lips cutting his words short. I sucked in mouthfuls of air while holding my hand up in a placating manner.

“I’m sorry.”

Aunt Edie pulled back, her widened gaze one of pure shock. “Evelyn, what has gotten into you?”

“I’m sorry. You looked so manly in your superhero protective stance I couldn’t help myself.” A sharp pain bolted up the side of my torso and I gasped, pressing a palm to the side of my ribs to dull the pain. “I’m sorry. I was just trying to lighten the mood. I have no intention of going anywhere near that place, today or any time in the future. Graduate witch or not, I know a warning when I hear one.”

A half grimace, half laugh crossed Aunt Edie’s expressions and out of the corner of my eye I caught her lips pressing tight together to keep from laughing. Eli’s eyes narrowed and he sighed heavily.

“That is so not fair, Evelyn. I thought I was going to have another battle on my hands.”

“I really am sorry.” I tilted my head and pouted, giving him my best puppy dog eyes.

He stepped back and shook his head. “Oh no you don’t. That is not going to work on me.”

He turned and headed for the door, but paused a few steps in. He drilled his eyes directly into my soul and I swallowed hard. “All kidding aside, are you two going to be all right here? If you need me all you have to do is ask, no matter where you are, and I’ll hear you. I’m here for you, Evelyn, to protect you and I don’t want you to ever forget it. My life for your life if it ever came down to it.”

His gaze connected with mine and a burst of heat flooded my cheeks, as if someone turned the heating up to extreme. I nodded under his intense stare, but hearing the words pass his lips had my stomach sinking. I don’t want anybody to trade their life for mine.

“Okay, that’s enough of the emotional gooey stuff,” Aunt Edie said, shooing Eli towards the door. “We understand, Eli but let’s hope it never comes to that. We’ll be fine here. Besides I may have a block on my powers but Evelyn doesn’t. Now off you go.”

“As you wish.” He gave us one last nod and was out the door.

“I thought that boy would never leave.” Aunt Edie flicked the lock on the door. “Now.” She paused and glared my way. “Would you care to explain yourself? Why would you make a joke about such a serious situation?”

I flopped down in the nearest chair, my thumb rubbing the inside on my other palm.

“I’m sorry. It’s just…something didn’t feel right. My witch radar was on high alert and I couldn’t shake the feeling. I thought I was going to snap in two and the only thing I could think of to break the tension was to say something to lighten the mood.”

“Lighten the mood?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

She pursed her lips and leaned back against the bench. “Well, I guess I can understand that. Next time do you think you can give me a heads up?”

“Sure.” My shoulders sagged forward as the tension eased. “Do you think they’re going to find anything?”

Aunt Edie held up a coffee cup and I nodded, my taste buds salivating at the thought of the mouth-watering liquid. “I think that’s just what the doctor ordered.”

“I couldn’t agree more. Except, I think I’ll have a garnish brew instead.”

I sat and watched as Aunt Edie flittered around the kitchen, my mind torn in two. Wondering what was happening at the mausoleum and the other wanting to know what happened outside Acadia’s room. With one option out of reach, I licked my dry lips and dove head-first into the other.

“Speaking of doctors, what was going on between you and Micah outside Acadia’s room earlier?”

Aunt Edie spun and stared at me, tea bag in hand. No sooner had her jaw dropped, it righted itself and she carried on with the task at hand.

“I do believe that we are adults and need to keep some secrets to ourselves.”

Nervous energy spiked in my system and I bounded from my chair.

“Come on, Aunt Edie, spill. I know you love him, and he loves you…a lot. I’d even go as far as saying Cupid is in the air.”

Aunt Edie brought two steaming cups to the table and took the seat next to me.

“You do have a wild imagination.”

“It may be wild, but it wasn’t my imagination when I remember you saying you’d fill me in if things got serious and…” I paused and blew across the top of my coffee mug the whiffs of steam tickling the hairs on the inside on my nostrils. “And from where I’m sitting, things have gone way past serious.”

“You’re right as usual.” If her silly grin wasn’t a dead giveaway, the warm pink glow of her cheeks certainly was. “Micah is such a wonderful man. He’s such a gentleman and he makes me laugh. I miss not being around him.”

“And that’s a bad thing why?” I asked. Aunt Edie stilled and an eerie foreboding settled in my bones.

“Oh gee, let me think.” She tilted her head, pouted, put a finger to her cheek and rolled her eyes heavenly. “Um, maybe because I’m being framed for murder and I’d rather not take the people I love down with me.”

I clicked my fingers, pointing straight at her. “Ah ha, you do love him. I knew it.”

She gasped and her eyes blinked in fast succession then turned away covering her mouth.

“It’s okay, I kind of guessed you were in love with him and he with you. You always have a glow about you when he’s around. It suits you. I like seeing you happy.”

“I like being happy,” she said, her forehead wrinkled adding a few years to her expression. “But how can I possibly make Micah happy with Seraphina’s death hanging over my head, not to mention Acadia’s accusations?”

It bugged me no end that someone would dare frame a master witch for murder, let alone my aunt.

“If I know Micah Huxton, he wouldn’t give two hoots about them. He’s not the sort of man to give up on the woman who has stolen his heart.”

“Maybe you’re right.” She took a sip of her garnish brew and placed it delicately back down on the table. “He did, after all, tell me he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me.”

OMG, that sounded like he proposed marriage.

The corners of my lips turned up and my pulse raced. I grabbed Aunt Edie’s forearm. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

Her gaze locked onto my hand. “If you’re asking if he asked me to marry him…not quite, but he did say that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me and when the time was right, he would let me know just how much he loved me.”

My breath hitched in the back of my throat and I stared at her through my tear-glazed eyes. “That is so romantic. It’s like a scene straight out of a romance movie.”

“Now sweetheart.” She placed her hand over mine and tapped. “Let’s not get carried away. Yes, it was romantic, and I do love Micah but I’m not about to accept any such declaration of lifelong love and commitment until this nightmare is over.”

She stood and placed her empty cup in the dishwasher.

“But when it’s all over, will we hear wedding bells?” My heart raced waiting for the word to roll off her tongue.

A bellowing laugh erupted from her belly and she threw her head back and smiled.

“You are incorrigible, Evelyn.”

I tossed my messy blue-streaked hair over my shoulder and huffed. “Just like my aunt. I learned from the best.” A soft humming vibration skipped her phone across the counter and her smile grew bigger as she read an incoming text.

“Let me see if I can guess who that is.” You could not miss the hint of sarcasm in my tone. “What does the nice Detective have to say?”

Her brow creased. “He’s been held up and wants me to meet him.”

“Where?”

Her brow smoothed. “Little Miss Nosey, aren’t you? If you must know, he mentioned meeting at the very location where I’d made so many cooking victories, but…” Her fingers moved double time as she typed away. “I can wait until he’s finished whatever it is he’s doing. I’m not about to leave you by yourself.”

The feet of the chair scraping the tiles sounded like fingers down a chalkboard when I stood. I cringed. “Aw, please don’t tell me you turned him down because you think I need babysitting?”

“Well, who else is going to keep you company?”

I rubbed the back of my neck and took in a big calming breath. “Aunt Edie, I am not a five-year-old child. Just because everyone else is off at the mausoleum doesn’t mean I’m going to race after them if I’m left alone. I took Wade’s vision and my mother’s advice very seriously. You should go.”

“I don’t mind, Evelyn.”

“I mind,” I said, holding my jittery stomach at bay. “I hadn’t planned on doing much more than chilling out with Miss Saffron and doing some research into the Sphere. I figured it’s about time I caught up on its history, that’s if I can find anything on it. You should go and then I can get started.”

She crossed her arms then relaxed them then crossed them again. “Are you sure? I can wait.”

“I’m positive, if you don’t text him back…I will.”

In an instant, her arms were around me and the air was being squeezed out of my lungs at a painful rate.

“I love you, Evelyn Grayson. You always know just what to say to make everything all right. Thank you. I will go meet him.”

I squeezed back and stood a moment letting her love and warmth soak into my bones.

“I love you too. Thank you for everything.”

One last squeeze and then she pulled back and gave me a kiss on the cheek before disappearing upstairs.

***

“Well, that site was another total waste of time, hey Miss Saffron,” I muttered to the rolled-up ball of fur on the other end of the couch. I lifted my laptop and shuffled my numb backside to a more comfortable position and repositioned the throw rug.

Her ears spiked and she stretched, arching her back against the plush lounge. “Oh Evelyn, you do have the impatience of a goldfish sometimes.”

“Excuse me?” I said through a stiffened jaw. “You are one to talk. When it comes to you finishing off one of Aunt Edie’s homemade meals, you fight with the best of them to get to it first. The elegant cat goes flying out the window.”

“Why I never. Why don’t you try looking up the Zetherant race?” She grumbled and rolled over, snuggling down in the corner of the couch.

A lovable warmth passed through me at the playful banter between witch and her familiar. “The Zetherant race? You mean the one Salis tried to wipe out?”

“The one and the same,” she muttered, licking her paw then turning in circles until she found the best position to fall into a slumber.

“I suppose it couldn’t hurt.” My fingers moved lightly over the keys tapping the words out.

The screen popped up with a church like building at the top of the article and my chest clamped as my thoughts reverted back to Tyler and the rest of them currently checking out our own mausoleum. I glanced at the clock at the bottom of the computer screen and was amazed at the hours that had flown by.

What’s taking them so long? I thought I would have heard from at least Tyler by now. Please don’t have let anything happen to them.

As soon as the thought went through my mind, the high-pitched ding of the doorbell pierced the silence. “That must be Tyler now,” I said, ruffling Miss Saffron’s hair on her head as I pushed off the couch and bounded for the kitchen door.

Pulling the door open, I froze, and the smile vanished from my face. My stomach dropped and a cascade of cold chills inched up my spine.

“Detective Huxton, where’s Aunt Edie?”

Chapter Fifteen

Huxton’s brows pulled together. “That’s an odd question, Evelyn.”

“It’s only odd because she went to meet you over an hour ago.” My stomach sank through the floor.

His eyes widened and his face turned white. “What are you talking about? I told her I’d be over to pick her up for dinner after work.”

“After work? No, that’s not right.” My entire body froze as he passed by me stopping beside the kitchen table. “You sent her a text saying you were held up and could she meet you and she did.”

“I did no such thing.” He spoke with absolute conviction, and it sent another run of chills up my spine. “I think I would have known if I’d sent Edith a text.”

I pushed the door closed and ran a hand through my hair. “So, if you didn’t send it, who did and where is she?”

He flipped out his phone and shook his head. “Blank. Damn it, where are you, Edith?”

“All right,” I said, holding up my hands, my heart pounding against my ribcage. “We don’t want to jump to the worst-case scenario just yet. There could be a perfectly reasonable explanation.”

“I’ll call her.” Before he could, the rattle of his ringtone pierced the air. “Huxton here.”

Aunt Edie, where the hell are you? Can you hear me?

My hands fisted and I pushed them against the hard rocks forming in my belly. I held my breath staring at him, waiting for some recognition the other person on the end of the line was Aunt Edie.

“What the hell do you mean she has no alibi?” he blurted down the line. My gaze stuck to him as he began to pace the confines of the kitchen. “Ah-huh…ah-huh…Are you serious? That leaves her with no alibi for Seraphina’s murder.” He stopped and his gaze zeroed in on me. My heart sank. “If you find out anymore, I want to be the first one that hears about it. Understand?” He slammed his phone shut and dropped it on the table.

I forgot I wasn’t breathing. Pain shot through my chest and with a loud gasp I sucked in a deep breath. “What’s going on? Who doesn’t have an alibi?”

“Acadia?”

“Acadia Starr?” My mind raced trying to make sense of this new information. “Acadia said she was in communications with Martin Heelee of the High Council and his father at the time of the murder.”

“Yeah…well it looks like she lied.” He nodded towards the phone on the table. “That was Wade. They all are still at the mausoleum, but he got confirmation while he was there that Martin Heelee’s father was not present at the meeting at the said time and what’s worse, he confirmed that his son was with him at the time he was supposed to be with Acadia and therefore was not able to provide her with an alibi.”

“Do you think Acadia murdered Seraphina?” I asked.

He nodded. “It’s certainly a possibility with this new evidence.”

Acadia a murderer? I did not see that one coming.

Jittery excitement bubbled in my stomach. Aunt Edie is off the hook.

“I never would have imagined in a millennia Acadia is a murderer and if she—”

“Whoa, hold up there.” Detective Huxton said, his stern grimace pausing me mid-sentence. “All we know at present, is that she lied about her alibi. We don’t know why and until we ask her, we won’t know.”

My blood began to boil in my veins. “Her lying to cover up the murder of Seraphina is the only thing that makes sense. And if she lied about that, she could have also lied about seeing Aunt Edie attack her.”

Detective Huxton’s head flinched back, and he stared at me with his Mediterranean green eyes. “Why on earth would Martin Heelee cover for Acadia?”

“Because he’s Aunt Edie’s nemesis, that’s why.” I wiped my sweaty palms down my thighs. “I’ll give you the short version. They went through magic school together, Aunt Edie and Martin Heelee. Aunt Edie always beat him in everything, and he hated it. He could never measure up to her standards. She said he hated playing second fiddle to her. He was expected to do well because he has Cyprian blood running through his veins.

“Cyprian blood? No kidding?”

I nodded. “She said Martin comes from a long line of exceptional and very powerful witches, but he’s been second rate all his life. If Acadia needed an alibi and wanted to frame Aunt Edie, he is the perfect witch to make it happen. If his disdain for Aunt Edie is as strong as she made out, he’d do anything to get back at her for the years of humiliation he suffered.”

Hold on Aunt Edie, we’re coming.

“He sounds like a piece of work.” He picked up his phone and dialled, putting the phone to his ear. “I’m calling Edith again. Assuming you’re right, we still don’t know where she is, but I’m betting it has something to do with Acadia and that makes my skin crawl.”

I threaded a finger inside the neckline of my shirt pulling it away from my sweaty skin. It was as if it were choking me.

“Well?” I asked as he hung up.

“Straight to message bank.” His shoulders rose and fell faster than normal. He held his phone up and shook it. “I swear, if something happens to Edith, there won’t be a place in this world or any other, they will be able to hide from me. I’m not about to give up. Think, Evelyn, think hard, did she give you any hint of where she was going?”

My eyes held him to the spot while my mind wandered back to our last conversation. My mouth and throat dry.

“Think.” He repeated, stepping in closer. “She must have said something to tell you where she was going?”

Chaotic and jumbled thoughts raced around in my mind all vying for top position and then within seconds two words shot through the rest like neon lights above a bar. My jaw dropped. Strong hands gripped my shoulders and I gasped.

“Evelyn, what is it? What do you remember?” Detective Huxton asked, the tone of his voice serious but also calming.

I licked my lips. “Cooking victories.”

“Cooking victories, what’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’ll explain on the way.” I grabbed my bag and coat and bolted for the door Detective Huxton wasting no time arguing with me. He followed. I could hear his heavy breathing behind my shoulder. 

“I remember she said the text said to meet her where she had so many cooking victories.”

The clear-cut beep of his car alarm cleared it for entry.

“Again, what’s that supposed to mean?”

He turned the car over and pulled out from the curb. “Just tell me where the hell I’m going?”

“The judging arena.” Every nerve in my body was pulsating against the other. “That’s where she’s had so many cooking victories. She’s won best witch baker in the Saltwater Cove Show for as long as I can remember.”

“Are you sure?” He asked as he took the corner like a rally driver.

My knuckles turned white from gripping the dashboard so hard. “I’m sure.”

By the time we pulled up outside the judging arena, every stall had pretty much packed up and the Esplanade was empty, all but the garbage trucks scheduled to do their annual clean up after the festivities.

My gaze scanned the quiet surroundings as we edged our way towards the entrance of the arena.

“Do you suppose they’re here?” A sharp stab of pain clawed at my upper arm and I felt my body yanked to the side, a heavy hand covering my mouth. In the kafuffle I found myself crouched behind one of the grandstand entrances with Detective Huxton at my back.

My mind blanked, and my whole body seized against his chest. His warm breath skimmed past my ear and my stomach clenched.

“Shh. I’m sorry, I couldn’t have you make a sound. Look.” 

My gaze followed his and my heart raced so fast the pain in my chest was almost unbearable. I pushed his hand from my mouth and shot to my feet gripping the grandstand to stop my knees from giving way.

“Aunt Edie.” Her name whispered past my lips while my eyes battled a fresh stream of tears.

We both froze a moment taking in the scene before us. Aunt Edie stood in the middle of the empty arena not three metres from Acadia Starr who had her wand pointed straight at Aunt Edie’s heart. There was no mistake, Acadia intended Aunt Edie harm. The red crystalised glow on the end of her wand confirmed it.

“This is the way it’s going to go down, Evelyn,” he whispered the whole time keeping his eyes glued to Acadia’s wand. His vein beat a visible pulse beneath his skin. “We have to tread carefully. We’ve no idea what has already transpired and what will push Acadia over the edge. I’m not about to lose the woman I love.” He wiped the sweat from his brow. “I want you to stay outside and wait for back up while I—”

“Like hell I’m going to wait outside while Aunt Edie is in there with a killer.” I snapped, my chest heaving as each word sprouted from my lips. “That’s my aunt in there. You can try and keep me out, but the way I see it, is if we work together, we’re going to cover more ground faster. Two-way street, remember?”

“Stubborn woman, just like your aunt,” he muttered. He pointed to the far side of the grandstand. “You head around that way and I’m going to head the other. Don’t do anything to draw attention to yourself. I’ll get around behind her and hopefully take her by surprise.”

“You think you’re so clever, don’t you Edith? Well, I’ve got news for you honey, and it’s all bad.” Acadia’s sinister laugh sent icy chills through my body. I could see Detective Huxton slowly moving around the back of the grandstand on the other side of the arena. The longer he stayed quiet and out of sight the better.

Aunt Edie folded her arms across her chest. “What is it you want from me, Acadia?”

Acadia waved her wand around in front of Aunt Edie. “Oh Edith, you are so oblivious to the world around you.”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s not what I want from you…It’s who.”

That was a cryptic clue if I ever heard one.

My mind raced with spells and ways to incapacitate her, but Detective Huxton was right. We needed Acadia to confess to the murder of Seraphina otherwise we’ll still be at square one.

“You forget Edith, you have no powers against me. They’ve been blocked, remember? After all, we can’t let murderers walk around town with powers, can we?”

“I am not a murderer,” Aunt Edie spoke through gritted teeth.

Acadia held her wand firmly towards Aunt Edie. Her evil glare holding her in place.

“Oh, but you are. You strangled Seraphina with your own scarf. You have no alibi and let’s not forget the attack on me.”

“I did not murder Seraphina and I certainly did not attack you.” Aunt Edie’s hands scrunched into fists. I was close enough to see a bead of sweat trickle down her temple. “That was you. I’m sure of it now. But what I don’t understand is why. Why frame me?”

A bellowing laugh filled the arena sending shockwaves through my entire system.

“It’s all your fault.” She shunted forward, both hands pointing at Aunt Edie before they curved into claws. Her eyes widened, her nostrils flared and, a guttural growl echoed up from her belly through gritted teeth filling the arena with a sinister echo that had my toes curling.

My heart jumped into my throat.

What does she mean it’s all Aunt Edie’s fault?

“I don’t understand any of this, Acadia.” Aunt Edie threw her hands up in the air. “Why is it all my fault?”

“Because.” Her hands shook and her flushed and mottled skin was a clear indicator she was fast losing her battle with reality. Her voice screeched, “You’re the one who stole my true love from me. He was mine…mine, you hear me. He was in love with me.”

“Who are you talking about?” Aunt Edie asked in a gentle tone.

Acadia cracked her neck from side to side and her lips pulled back, baring her teeth. “Micah Huxton of course. He was mine. He gave his heart to me. We kissed, we kissed under a Traven Moon…our Traven Moon. And because of you, he threw it all away, he threw me away like a discarded piece of garbage.”

Micah Huxton kissed Acadia Starr? He cheated on Aunt Edie? Why that no good lying piece of—

“No, you’re wrong,” Detective Huxton yelled as he bolted from his hiding place, his gun pointed at Acadia.

“Micah,” Acadia whispered, her expression dropped.

“You’re wrong, Acadia.” He held his ground. “Edith is not to blame…I am.”

Acadia shook her head and I saw her hands shaking.

“No, it was her, she stole you from me. Just like Seraphina did, but I took care of her.”

“What the hell is he doing?” I muttered, under my breath. Every inch of my body felt as if the walls were caving in around me. I grabbed my chest and forced my short breaths into long calming lungsful of air.

“What do you mean ‘you took care of her?’” Huxton asked.

“She wasn’t about to give you up. She said as much, so I killed her with Edith’s scarf.”

I cringed and held my breath at Acadia’s sinister laugh. This was one crazy psychotic crazy witch.

“And what about Henrietta? Did you kill her as well?” he asked.

Acadia rolled her eyes and her lip snarled at the mention of the woman. “Henrietta was weak. She was okay with luring Seraphina into the bathroom, but the stupid witch grew a conscious, so she had to go. Jordan and Harriet turned up just as I finished the deed. I couldn’t have timed it better if I tried. What better alibi to have than two of Saltwater Cove’s most trusted?”

Oh hell no, this witch is a certified looney if I’ve ever seen one.

Acadia continued. “And even though Seraphina was strangled, I think once the police complete their investigation, they’ll find her soul was stolen. I have to say I’m pretty impressed with what you can buy on the black market in Saltwater Cove.”

“Why would you kill Seraphina?” he asked.

“Don’t play dumb with me, Micah. You know very well. She tried to come between us, but it was me who comforted you when you were searching for your brother’s killer. It was me who brought you all those dinners at night when the pain and heartache got so bad you refused to eat. I nursed you through and now the only one standing in the way of us being together is good old, Edith Peyton.”

Micah’s face fell and a tremor raced through his body.

“What is she talking about, Micah?” Aunt Edie asked. The pain in her honey-brown eyes tore at my heart.

“Tell her…tell her, Micah,” she screamed at him. Her shaky wand was still pointed directly at Aunt Edie’s heart. “Tell her how it’s me you love, not her and once she’s out of the way, you and I will be together forever. I did it all for you, my love.”

Aunt Edie cleared her throat and clenched her jaw together. She turned to face him ignoring the threat aimed straight at her. “Tell me, Micah.”

Me and my darn apprentice witch status.

If only I were able to use my powers randomly like other witches, I could end this now, but no, I have to be in contact with the object I wish to put a spell on. I’m so over being an apprentice witch.

I know he loved Aunt Edie. I’m trusting he’ll protect her. If he stayed in front of Acadia, my only option was to keep working my way around the grandstand behind her and take her out from behind.

“Micah?” Aunt Edie’s stern voice was not one to be ignored. “Talk to me.”

Without taking his aim off Acadia, he licked his lips and began. “When I left five years ago, I had one goal in mind; find my brother’s killer. I searched day and night and it almost killed me. Both Seraphina and Acadia were good friends to me, friends who helped me through a hard time.”

“Friends?” Acadia asked, stepping closer and glaring daggers at him. “Friends? We were more than friends, Micah. We kissed, we kissed under a Traven Moon which means our love is destined forever.”

“No,” he snapped. “You kissed me. I never kissed you back. I couldn’t because I don’t love you, Acadia.”

“Yes, you do. You’re just confused.” Her body shook as if his words of rejection were slowly seeping through her hardened exterior. Her face reddened and her gaze locked on to Aunt Edie. “It’s all you fault.” Acadia’s body shook as she raised her trembling hands.

“Calm down, Acadia,” Detective Huxton said in his best soothing tone. “I’m sure we can work this out, there’s no need for more bloodshed.”

Acadia rocked from one foot to another, panting and her shoulders heaving. Her eyes so wide the whites shone like glittered diamonds.

“The only blood that’s going to be shed this evening is the blood of a traitor. Your blood, Edith Peyton.” She stuck her wand out and a red electricity-like bolt shot straight for Aunt Edie’s heart.

Chapter Sixteen

“Noooo,” I screamed, running, my tight chest gasping for air. Adrenaline soared through my body and I bolted towards Aunt Edie. I swear I moved in slow motion, the noise around me turning into garbled chaos. Micah’s body flung in front of Aunt Edie’s and they both hit the ground with a thud that rung out in my ears like a bolt of thunder.

“Micahhhh,” Acadia screamed at the top of her lungs as his limp lifeless body rolled on the ground atop Aunt Edie’s.

“Noooo.” My voice echoed in my head and Acadia twisted around, wand up high. Her vengeful eyes caught mine.

Spittle built up in the corner of her mouth as she screamed, “You’ll pay just like she will.”

Acadia held her wand out towards me and I skidded to a stop just as a bolt of red fired from the end aiming at my chest.

I suddenly rose and catapulted across the arena. Spinning in the air, I landed on the cement, a fiery pain licking up the right side of my body. Every limb a dead weight and barely able to move, I angled my head just enough to recognise the figure standing between me and psycho witch.

Eli…thank God.

Eli opened his arms and a ball of blinding white light gathered in front of him and he tossed it with all his might at Acadia. Her red stream of light from the end of her wand reflected off it and hit straight back at her. A guttural cry pierced the air as it spread throughout her body and she exploded into a gazillion little pieces right in front of my eyes. I stared at the shower of sparkles that rained down where Acadia once stood.

“What the?” I grabbed my side and hoisted myself up to a sitting position, pain ricocheting through every muscle in my body. “What did you do, Eli?”

“What I had to do to protect my charge,” he said, threading his arm around my shoulder and helping me to my shaky feet.

“Evelyn.” The torturous cry of Aunt Edie’s voice reverberating across the arena sent my body into an emotional meltdown. The burn of bile in the back of my throat brought the last few minutes rushing back.

“Oh no, before you got here, Acadia shot at Aunt Edie, but he...”

Tears glazed my eyes and even though my body was riddled with pain, I put one foot after the other and bolted in the direction of her voice, my chest panting with each step.

“Aunt Edie,” I called, my voice just above a whisper. Her head shot up and my heart seized as tears flowed down her cheeks. She held Micah’s motionless body in her arms shaking him. I dropped to my knees beside her, Eli on the other.

“You stupid, stupid man.” Her words scattered with emotional gasps. “Why would you do such a dumb thing?” His body slid from her arms onto the cold concrete, his head listing to the side.

“Do something,” she cried. “If we don’t do something, he’s going to die. Oh God, please don’t let him die.”

Nausea welled up in my gut and headed north to my throat. “Help is on its way.” I looked into Eli’s hollow gaze and he nodded. “It will be here soon.”

Her face reddened and tears flowed freely. She jittered and moved around him and grabbed my hands. “They’ll be too late. It’s up to you, Evelyn. You have to heal him.”

My jaw dropped and my head spun. “Me? I can’t heal him.”

“Yes, yes you can,” she pleaded. “I’m useless, I still have a block on my powers. You can heal him. I know you’ve been working with Aubrey and Olive on developing your powers and she said you have come so far. Please try. I can’t lose him. Try…for me.”

Her last two words did me in. Her watery eyes held mine and my muscles tensed. Aunt Edie’s life was turned upside down when she took me in after my parents were killed. She gave up more than I could imagine for me, now was my chance to give back to her.

Eli’s voice echoed her words. “You can heal him, Evelyn.”

I looked from Aunt Edie to Eli and back again and nodded, my words stuck like a clump of peanut butter in the back of my throat.

“Remove his clothes so I can get to the wound.” They moved frantically removing his jacket, his tie and then his shirt. I stood above him and held my hands out as Aubrey had taught me to and froze.

How the hell am I supposed to heal him when I can barely control my powers as it is?

“Hurry, Evelyn.” Aunt Edie held her hands together in prayer position, her gaze insistent. She pressed her elbows to her sides and bent down close, whispering in Detective Huxton’s ear.

“Trust in yourself, Evelyn,” Eli said. “I believe in you.”

I gave him a slight nod and refocused on my hands splayed out above the charcoal burn wound in the centre of his chest. Then I planted my feet and closed my eyes, my mind travelling back to my healing lessons with Aubrey.

Clear you mind, Evelyn. Your only thought must be of you and the wound. You must become one with the wound and take the pain up through your hands and crush its existence before it becomes your pain to endure. Okay, focus on the pain, become one with the pain and crush it. I can do that.  

My jaw clenched and my forehead twitched as my only thought was of the wound. My fingers stretched to the point of pain and a splatter of white light flowed down from my hands and hovered above his wound. A sharp stabbing pain hit my gut like a bolt of lightning, and I gasped against the onslaught of unbearable pain pulverising my body. Aubrey’s words repeated in my mind, almost as if she were here, in my mind talking me through it. Was she?

You can do this, Evelyn. Take the pain up through your hands and crush its existence before it becomes your pain to endure. Squash it as though it was a speck of meaningless dirt in the way of perfection.

My hands fisted. An almighty excruciating throb beat through every inch of them and then they shot open, and it was gone. My eyes flew open and I gasped, sucking in air.

“Did…it work?” I asked between breaths.

I only needed to look down at the happy tears trickling down Aunt Edie’s cheeks and the smile on her face as she locked eyes with Micah to know my answer. My body drained of every ounce of energy, I swayed where I stood.

“Woah, easy there,” Eli said as he eased me to the ground. “You did well, Evelyn.”

Detective Huxton slowly turned and caught my eye. His eyes were still glassy, but a soft pink colour had returned to his cheeks. His voice was hoarse and strained, but the corner of his lips turned up and he nodded.

“Two-way street.”

I smiled and breathed an exhausted sigh. “Two-way street.”

A stampede of footsteps boomed from the entrance and I turned to see several familiar faces running towards us led by my burly and worried looking boyfriend. The sight of my friends safe sent a rush of giddiness to my head.

“Evelyn,” Tyler said, throwing his arms around my shoulders and squeezing the life out of me. “Thank goodness you’re okay.” He pulled back and lowered his lips to mine in a delicate kiss. He tasted so yummy I’d almost forgotten. His sweet masculine scent soothed my mind and my soul.

“What happened here?” Jordi asked, startling me from the throes of pure bliss.

Eli huffed and folded his arms puffing out his chest. “Evelyn saved the day with a little help from yours truly.”

Tyler’s gaze caught Eli’s and he nodded his appreciation. A mutual understanding passed between them and it was clear they had one common goal: my protection.

“That figures.” Harriet’s forehead creased and her bottom lip stuck out in the cutest pout. “You get to have all the fun while we’re stuck searching a place full of dead bodies only to come up empty handed.”

Everyone looked at Harriet’s sulking face and one after another they burst into laughter.

***

“I can’t believe you came up empty handed. You guys were gone for so long.” I gasped and clutched my side shuffling in the chair in the hospital waiting room.

“Evelyn, you should still be back in that hospital bed resting,” Harriet snapped. “After everything you went through, not to mention healing Detective Huxton, I can’t believe the doctors discharged you so quickly.”

It hadn’t taken long for Wade to get everyone’s statements at the arena so by the time the ambulance arrived to take Detective Huxton and myself to the hospital, they all decided to follow along and commandeer one of the hospital waiting rooms for themselves.

Tyler piped up. “My fault I’m afraid.”

“Your fault?”

“Well, she was giving the doctor such a hard time, I promised him if they discharged her into my care, I’d take her home and put her to bed and make sure she stayed there for the next three days.”

Harriet giggled. “I’d like to see you get out of that one, Evelyn.”

Tears welled in my eyes at the friendly banter flying back and forth but I quickly wiped them away. The last thing I needed was to have them all wonder if I was in pain. I cleared my throat.

“Is it true you found nothing at the mausoleum?”

Wade lent forward in his chair, resting his elbows on his knees. “Afraid so. We turned that place upside down and found zero out of place, nothing resembling a box or any link to your mother and father or the Sphere. I’m sorry.”

“Maybe the warning has nothing to do with the Sphere or their deaths and everything to do with me.”

“How so?” Wade may have asked, but I could hear all conversation had stopped and all eyes were on me.

“My mother gave me a warning to stay away and one I took very seriously, but I can’t help thinking it’s tied to my future somehow. If not through the Sphere, then some other way. Regardless, this doesn’t stop me from wanting to find out who killed my parents or wanting to stop Salis from getting his hands on the Sphere, it just may take me longer than expected.”

“And there is no problem in that.” Aunt Edie’s soothing voice was magic to my ears.

She stood by the entrance to the waiting room, arm in arm with Detective Huxton who, although he looked like he’d been through the wringer, I’m guessing, wouldn’t be any other place than next to the love of his life. Gasps, hurrahs, and cheers all mingled into one comforting sound.

“Aunt Edie…Detective Huxton, are you okay?”

He smiled and dipped his head. A crimson blush filled his cheeks. “I am, thanks to you. Some power you have there, young lady.”

Wade sprang up and shook his boss’ hand.

“I’m glad to hear it, sir.” A frown marred Huxton’s expression. “What’s wrong? Did we miss something?”

“Yes, we did.” He moved further into the room and gathered those present around. My gut clenched at the uncertain expression on his face. He continued. “Before Acadia’s demise, she confirmed my suspicions that we do indeed have an underground black market ring dealing in contraband spell ingredients running in Saltwater Cove. It appears you can get anything you need, for a price.”

“Since I had my inkling dark magic has surfaced in Saltwater Cove, I wondered if it would venture into a more sinister avenue.” Aunt Edie’s words rained down on everyone like a storm warning. “I think we can all agree our hometown is changing, and not for the better. It’s imperative we keep our eyes and ears attuned to the comings and goings of the town folk and tourists.”

“…agreed.”

“Count me in…”

“…someone’s got to do it…”

“For sure.”

She clapped her hands together looking pleased as punch with herself. “Right, now that’s settled, how about we all head back to The Melting Pot. We have a lot to celebrate tonight, like being alive and having our loved ones with us.”

Cheers erupted, but they were short lived when Detective Huxton held up his hand for quiet. “Tonight, could have ended quite differently. As I explained to Edith, I had no idea, Acadia had taken such an interest in me.”

“Obsession more like it,” Jordi muttered under her breath.

“Okay, obsession. Truth be told, she did help me through a difficult time when I was searching for my brother’s killer, but it was friendship and that was all. I want to make that perfectly clear.” He paused, turned to Aunt Edie. “There is only one woman who has had my love and will hold my heart in hers for as long as I live and that is you, Edith Peyton. I love you and I know you love me too.”

A lone tear rolled down Aunt Edie’s cheek, but it was the watery tears in my eyes that clogged my throat. This was way better than a romance novel and it was playing out live right in front of me.

“Yes, Micah Huxton, I love you,” she said softly.

His shoulder visibly relaxed as though he thought she might reject him. He only took a moment, then rolled his shoulders back and stepped in closer to her. “Then there is only one course of action forward from this moment.”

Her eyebrows raised. “Oh?”

“Marry me,” he said. “Marry me and make me the happiest Leodian who ever walked the planet. I love you Edith Peyton and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to show you every day how much I love you.”

I gripped Tyler’s arm and held my breath. I wanted to fist pump the air, but I was frozen to the spot just as everyone else was…waiting.

Her jaw dropped and her eyes widened. “I…I…um…”

Don’t leave us hanging here, we all know you love him.

Harriet edged in and whispered. “I think the word you’re looking for is yes.”

She looked at Harriet then her gaze fell to me and I nodded blinking back tears as they ran down my cheeks.

She turned back and nodded. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Micah Huxton.”

A multitude of cheers and hugs erupted. Aunt Edi threw her fist up in the air. “To the Melting Pot.”

“To the Melting Pot,” I repeated along with everyone else. The underground black market would have to wait, tonight was time to celebrate.

Thank you for reading Muffins & Magic.

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About the Author

Polly Holmes is the award-winning cheeky alter ego of P.L. Harris. When she's not writing her next romantic suspense novel as P.L. Harris, she is planning the next murder in one of Polly's cozy mysteries.

According to Polly, the best part about writing a cozy mystery is researching. Finding the best way to hook the reader, a great way to murder someone, a plethora of suspects and of course a good dose of sweet treats thrown in for good measure.

Polly lives not far from the beach in the northern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia with her Bichon Frise, Bella. When she's not writing you can find her sipping coffee in her favourite cafe, watching reruns of Murder, She Wrote or Psych, or taking long walks along the beach soaking up the fresh salty air.

You can visit Polly Holmes at her website: www.pollyholmesmysteries.com  

Book 1 out now

Read on for an excerpt of book 1.

Try your hand at Polly’s Puzzle on page 294.

Chapter one

“O h, my goodness, breakfast smells divine,” I said, bounding down the stairs two at a time toward the lip-smacking scent streaming from the kitchen. Rubbing my grumbling stomach, I peeked over Aunt Edie’s shoulder at the green gooey concoction boiling on the stove. I’ve been living with my aunt for the past eleven years since my parents died, and not once have I questioned her cooking abilities. Until now. I folded my arms and leant against the kitchen bench. “I know it smells amazing but are you sure it’s edible because it sure as heck doesn’t look like it.”

Aunt Edie frowned and her eyebrows pulled together. Her classic pondering expression. She snapped her fingers and looked straight at me with her golden honey-brown eyes glowing like she’d just solved the world’s climate crisis.

“Popcorn. I forgot the popcorn. Evelyn, honey be a dear and grab me the popcorn from the second shelf in the pantry. The caramel packet, not the plain.”

Caramel popcorn for breakfast? That’s a new one.

I shrugged. “Sure.” Walking into Aunt Edie’s pantry was like walking into the potions classroom at Hogwarts. Every witch’s dream pantry. Normal food on the left-hand side and on the right, every potion ingredient a witch could possibly need, clearly labelled in its allocated spot. Aunt Edie would always say: a place for everything and everything in its place.

“I can’t believe Halloween is only three days away,” I called, swiping the caramel popcorn bag off the shelf. Heading back out, the hunger monster growing in my stomach grumbled, clearly protesting the fact I still hadn’t satisfied its demand for food.

Aunt Edie’s cheeks glowed at the mention of the annual holiday. “I know. It’s my most favourite day of the year, aside from Christmas, that is.”

“Of course.” I handed her the bag of popcorn and made a beeline for the coffee machine. My blood begged to be infused with caffeine. Within minutes, I held a steaming cup of heaven in my hands. As I sipped, the hot liquid danced down my throat in euphoric bliss.

“I love how Saltwater Cove goes all out for Halloween. Best place to live if you ask me.”

She paused stirring and glanced my way.

“I’m so glad you’re back this year. The Melting Pot hasn’t been the same without you. I haven’t been the same without you.”

The pang of sadness in her voice gripped my heart tight.

The Melting Pot is Aunt Edie’s witch themed café. Her pride and joy. We’d spend hours cooking up new delicious recipes to sell to her customers. Her cooking is to die for, I guess that’s where I get my passion from. My dream was always to stay in Saltwater Cove and run the business together, but she insisted I travel and experience the world. Done and dusted.

I glanced around the kitchen, my gaze landing on the empty cat bed in the corner. “Where is my mischievous familiar this morning? Doesn’t she usually keep you company when you’re cooking?”

Miss Saffron had been my saving grace after my parents died. She’d found me when my soul had been ripped out, when I had nothing more to live for. Thanks to her friendship, I rekindled my will to live, and love.

It isn’t uncommon for a witch to have a familiar. It’s kind of the norm in the witch world, but none as special as Miss Saffron. My diva familiar, of the spoilt kind. Her exotic appearance with high cheekbones and shimmering black silver-tipped coat still dazzles me. They say the Chausie breed is a distant cousin of the miniature cougar. She certainly has some fight nestled in her bones. But Miss Saffron’s best features are her glamourous eyes. More oval than almond-shaped with a golden glow to rival a morning sunrise.

“Oh, I’m sure she’s around somewhere. She’s probably found some unexplored territory to investigate. I’m sure she’ll turn up when it’s time to eat or you get into mischief.”

Although not completely wrong, I ignored the mischief comment. “Speaking of eating, what is that?” I asked, leaning in closer, my mouth drooling at the sweet caramel aroma. A cheeky grin spread across Aunt Edie’s face.

Oh no, do I want to know?

“Well, Halloween’s not for everyone and some of the kids were complaining last year certain townspeople were grumpy when they went trick or treating so it got me thinking. I thought I’d spice things up a bit this year with a happy spell.”

My eyebrows went up. “A happy spell?”

She nodded and scooped a little spoonful into a pumpkin shaped candy mould. “When I’m done, we’ll have cheerful candy to hand out for all the grouchy Halloween spoilers out there. Within ten seconds of popping one of these little darlings in their mouth, their frown will turn upside down and they’ll be spreading the happy vibes to all. I’m going to make sure this year is as wonderful as it can be.”

“Aunt Edie, you can’t.” My stomach dropped and I gripped the edge of the kitchen bench with one hand. The disastrous implications of her words sent shivers running down my spine. “You know it’s against the law to use magic to change the essence of a person. You could be sanctioned or worse, have your powers stripped.”

“Relax, sweetie,” she said, pausing, her smile serene and calm. “This falls under the Halloween Amendment of 1632.”

“What are you talking about…The Halloween Amendment of 1632? I’ve never heard of it.”

A subtle puff of air escaped her lips. “Halloween wasn’t exactly your favourite holiday growing up, especially after your parents died, and then you missed the last two or so travelling.”

“But I was back by last Christmas.”

She smiled. “Yes indeed. And it was the best Christmas ever. But Halloween was always a reminder you were different.”

“Yeah, a witch.”

“Yes.”

She placed her hand on mine. A sigh left my lips at the warmth of her reassuring touch.

“A day when young girls dressed up as witches. Where their fantasy was your daily reality.”

Aunt Edie’s words were like a slap in the face with a wet dishcloth. “Was I really that self-absorbed? I’m so sorry to have dumped it all on you. I guess I was pretty hard to live with at times.”

“Hard? Never,” she said, her jaw gaping in mock horror. “Challenging, now that’s a definite possibility.”

She burst into laughter and my heart overflowed with warmth as the sweet sound filled the room.

I threw my arms around her and squeezed. “I love you, Aunt Edie.”

“I love you too, sweetheart.”

I pulled back and drilled my eyes into hers, wanting answers. “Now, what is this Halloween Amendment of 1632?”

Her eyes sparkled like gemstones and she resumed filling candy moulds with green slimy goo. “The amendment is only active for five days leading up to Halloween and finishes at the stroke of midnight October thirty-first. It allows any graduate or fully qualified witch to enhance the holiday using magic as long as it is temporary, no harm or foul comes to the object of the spell or intentionally alters the future.”

“Are you serious? That means me. I’m a graduate witch,” I said. My inner child was doing jumping jacks.

Aunt Edie tutted. “True. A graduate witch who is still learning the ropes and until you receive your full qualification at twenty-five, even then, you must always strive to be the best witch you can be. We can’t afford another mishap like graduation.”

If it wasn’t for my three besties, Harriet, Jordi, Tyler and, Aunt Edie’s guidance and training, I may never have made it to graduation. My mind skipped back to the disastrous end to the graduation party. It wasn’t exactly my fault the party ended in rack and ruin. Who knew having a shapeshifter for a best friend could cause so much havoc?

I caught the upturned lip of Aunt Edie and chuckled. “Oh, come on, even you thought it was funny when Jordi shifted into a raven and chased that cow, Prudence McAvoy around the ballroom. She’s had it in for Jordi ever since I moved to Saltwater Cove. I guess she pushed one too many times, I mean, no-one taunts Jordi and gets away with it.” I giggled, the blood-red face of Prudence covered in banoffee pie was the best graduation present, ever. “Besides, my involvement came down to wrong place, wrong time. Prudence eventually owned up, it was all on her. But I get the message. Be a good witch.”

“That’s my girl.” Aunt Edie huffed, dropping the spoon back in the empty pan. She wiped her sweaty brow with the back of her hand and smeared the remains of the gooey green substance on her hands down her apron. “There all done. Time to let them set.”

“How do you know the spell works? I mean, will they work on everyone?” I asked.

Aunt Edie crossed her arms and pinched her lips together, her cheeks glowing a cute rosy pink. “Of course, they’ll work on everyone, even those beings of the paranormal kind. Since when hasn’t one of my spells worked, young lady?”

True. You don’t earn the title of master witch by doing terrible spells that fail.

She rubbed her chin and continued. “But I wouldn’t say no to testing them before Halloween rolls around.”

“Have you got a guinea pig in mind?” I paused at her sly grin. “All I can say is, it better not be me.”

***

Daily life was made a whole lot easier since The Melting Pot joined Aunt Edie’s house. Walking next door to work suited me just fine. Kind of like an extension of her kitchen. She loved to share her passion for cooking delicious food with the rest of the world. A passion we both shared.

I twisted my wavy blue-streaked chestnut hair into a messy bun on top of my head and shoved it under my witch’s hat. Glancing at my reflection, I saw it screamed modern classy-chic witch in an understated way. My dainty black satin skirt fell just above my knees showing off my trendy black and orange horizontal strip stockings. A slick black short sleeve button-up blouse fit perfectly covered in an orange vest, the words The Melting Pot embroidered above the right breast pocket in white. To add the finishing touch, I slipped my size seven feet into a pair of black lace up Doc Martin ankle boots and tied the black and silver glitter laces in elegant bows. I surveyed my reflection one last time in the mirror and grinned. I mean, who else gets to dress up every day as a witch to go to work. “Me, that’s who.”

An electric buzz filled my blood as I pushed open the door and stepped into The Melting Pot, closing it swiftly behind me. A clever tactic on Aunt Edie’s part to design her café like a witch’s cave. Everywhere I looked shouted witch heaven. Cauldrons of various sizes and candelabras standing high on their perches framed the seating area. Pumpkins scattered among the witches’ brooms and replica spell books. Potions and brews strategically placed high on display shelves gave off the perfect image of a witch’s cave. Best not tell anyone they’re real. Aunt Edie insisted on an element of authenticity. Every child’s Halloween dream all year round. I squeezed my hands together in front of my heart. “Gosh, I love my job.”

A purr echoed from the floor to my right and glancing down, I saw my four-legged feline slinking elegantly in a figure eight between my legs. “You love it here too, don’t you, Miss Saffron?” She stretched and catapulted up onto the counter, her agility and poise qualities to admire. Her big yellow eyes stared at me and she purred. “I swear you know exactly what I’m saying.”

Aunt Edie’s merry voice trailed into the main serving area from the kitchen. “I’ve got a wooden spoon here dripping with the last of my famous chocolate-strawberry sauce. Unless someone comes to claim it in the next ten seconds, I’ll have to wash it down the sink.”

“Shotgun,” I whispered in Miss Saffron’s direction then took off dodging tables and chairs in record time to make it to the kitchen. “Don’t you dare. You know it’s my favourite.”

Miss Saffron sat tall on the counter, her beady eyes keeping a firm gaze on the chocolate covered spoon in my hand. My insides salivated as I licked it clean. “Oh my God. A-MA-ZING.” The best part of my childhood was beating mum to the spoon and bowl when Aunt Edie was cooking up a storm. My gut clenched. I missed my mum and dad so much some days the hurt was unbearable.

The cowbell above the main entry door jingled and I jumped, startled by the unexpected intrusion. I glanced at the antique wall clock. Eight fifteen. We weren’t even open yet. 

“Anybody here?” Barked a familiar grouchy pompous voice.

Great. Why does today have to start with a visit from the Queen of Complaints?

“Evelyn Grayson. Stop scowling right this instant,” said Aunt Edie. “You look like you’re sucking a lemon. It may be fifteen minutes before we open, but you know my policy, every customer deserves a warm witch welcome.”

My chest hollowed out as Aunt Edie’s words curbed my inner snob. “Of course, you’re right. I’m sorry,” I said, dropping the spoon in the sink and wiping the chocolate sauce from my face.

“But…” Aunt Edie paused and handed me a plate. The cheeky twinkle in her eyes confused me. “It wouldn’t hurt Saltwater Cove’s town grouch to be happy once in a while.”

I looked down at the plate and a gasped in jubilation.

Green happy candy.

“Why Aunt Edie, you are positively sinful. I love it. But I’m not even sure a happy spell will work on Camille.”

“Worth a try. After all what better guinea pig could we ask for?”

I nodded and grabbed the plate. Plastering on a smile I headed out ready to see if one happy candy can soften the most bad-tempered creature I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.

“It’s about time. What does a woman have to do to get service around here?” Camille Stenson snapped. “What sort of business are you running, making customers wait so long?”

I bit my tongue and held back the cynical comment chomping at the bit to get out. “I’m terribly sorry to have kept you waiting, Miss Stenson. What can I do for you?”

Her jaw dropped and a fiery shade of red washed over her pale complexion. I pursed my lips tight together to stop the laugh growing in my belly from escaping.

“It’s Wednesday or have you forgotten?” She asked, her eyebrows raised, showing the stark whites of her eyes.

A shudder bolted through my body.

Scary. Yes, I know, Mr Bain’s dinner, of course.

Why he can’t come in and get it himself is beyond me. She’s supposed to be the loan’s officer at the bank, not his wife. The sarcastic tone fuelled my inner desire to squash her like a petulant fly.

Perfect guinea pig.

I eased the plate of yummy caramel scented candy in front of Camille’s nose. “My sincere apologies. Please accept one of Aunt Edie’s treats as a peace offering. She made them especially for the Halloween season.”

“Pfft, Halloween is a waste of time if you ask me.” Camille leaned in to examine the plate and frowned. Her brows crinkled together in an unattractive monobrow. “Mmm, you’re not trying to poison me, are you?”

Poison? No. Cheer you up so you can stop making everyone else miserable? Yes.

“How could you say such a thing?” I said, feigning hurt. “You know Aunt Edie’s food is the best for miles around. That’s why people keep coming back.”

“Fine.” She rolled her hazel eyes to the roof, huffed, and popped a candy in her mouth.

I stood frozen, waiting, my pulse pulverising my temples as if I was standing on the edge of a cliff ready to jump. One…two…three…four. Camille stared at me, her hazel eyes clouding over. Five…six…seven. Nothing, absolutely nothing. Eight…nine. My eye caught Aunt Edie peeking in from the kitchen and she shrugged. I guess it doesn’t work on people whose core being is made up of such deep-set crankiness. Ten.

“Evelyn, my dear precious Evelyn.” Camille’s tone shot three octaves higher. A smile flashed across her face as electric as a neon sign in the dead of night. “You look positively radiant as always. I never seem to tell you enough how beautiful you are. Just like your mother. God rest her soul.”

My mother? How did she know my mother?

I swear I’d been transported into an alternate universe. “Um, thank you. That is kind of you to say. But how…”

“Pfft, nonsense,” she interrupted with a sashaying movement of her hand. “It so great to have you back in Saltwater Cove. I bet your aunt is pleased you’re home?”

Did she mention my mother? Maybe I imagined it. I made a mental note to follow up Camille’s comment about my mother with Aunt Edie.

“I….” Stunned by Camille’s reaction to the spell, my words caught in the back of my throat.

“That I am,” Aunt Edie said, threading an arm around my waist. With her head turned from Camille’s view, she gave me a cheeky wink.

She handed a paper bag to Camille and smiled. “Here you go, Mr Bain’s dinner. His usual, just how he likes it.”

“Perfect. He doesn’t know how good he has it eating your wonderful meals four nights a week. He’s off to some big Banking Symposium at Dawnbury Heights this afternoon but insisted I still pick up his dinner so he can take it with him. He can’t stand hotel food, mind you, who can? Makes him all bloated.” Camille said, placing the food inside a bigger tapestry carpet bag.

It kind of reminded me of Mary Poppins’ bottomless bag. She turned toward the exit and waved.

“Ta-ta now. You ladies have a wonderful day, and may it be filled with all the magical wonders of the world.”

The cow bell rattled as she left. My jaw dropped, and I stared at the closed door in silence. I looked at Aunt Edie and within seconds we were both into hysterical fits of laughter.

“Well I’d say…that spell…is a winner, wouldn’t you?” I said, barely able to speak between giggles.

She nodded and cleared her throat wiping a tear from her eye. “I hope she stays that way for the next hour and a half. But who knows, it all depends on the individual person.”

I laughed so much a stitch stabbed my side. “Aw,” I said, pressing against the pain. “Okay, I give up, why do we want it to last an hour and a half?”

“Because Vivienne has an appointment with Camille in about thirty minutes regarding her loan application. If all goes well, she’ll be able to expand her business just like she’s always planned.”

Vivienne Delany and Aunt Edie have been best friends since primary school. Aunt Edie ran The Melting Pot and Vivienne was the proud owner of Perfect Pumpkin Home-Made Treats where she made every kind of dish out of pumpkins one could dare to conjure up. And even though they both ran food business; they’d die before letting harm come to the other. That’s what best friends do for each other.

“Let hope your spell does the trick.” The cow bell jiggled over the door, signalling the beginning of the morning rush. “I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”

Polly’s Puzzle