I fall to the ground, and Chris is on top of me.
“Penny!” Chris shouts. “Stay down!”
I do as he says. Though I’m weak and breathless, I finally manage to speak. “Chris, stop her! She’s dangerous!” I lift my head and look at Simone. Chris springs to his feat.
“Chief! Officer McDougal!” he says.
Chief Holcomb is aiming his gun at Simone. “Freeze!” he says.
Simone tilts her head back and cackles.
She’s actually enjoying this!
I realize suddenly that these officers have no idea what she is capable of. They see her empty hands as a weakness; she’s not holding a weapon. They don’t know the extent of damage she’s capable of!
I close my eyes, and try to take a deep, steady breath. It’s hard at first. My lungs still burn a little bit. I try again. “My place of power is above the clouds,” I whisper to myself. I focus on the sensation of breathing in and out. I feel the world begin to fade away. I feel myself centering, transcending the chaos around me, and growing more powerful with each and every breath.
With a final breath, I open my eyes.
My mind is clear. I know what I have to do.
“Her hands!” I call out to Chris. “Cuff her hands behind her back! She can hurt you with them!”
Every time I’ve seen Simone work magic, it was with her hands. We need to restrain them. I try to get to my feet, but I’m still too weak. I stumble and fall.
I look up. Chris is looking in my direction, confused. “She doesn’t have a weapon, Penny!” he shouts.
I shake my head. He doesn’t get it. There’s no time. I look back at Simone. She’s raising her hands now, aiming her palms at Chris.
I struggle to stand again. “Come on,” I whisper to myself. On my feet, I hurtle towards Simone.
“Chris, duck!” I shout, as I watch fiery lightning shoot out from Simone’s palms. I collide with Simone. She’s so focused on Chris that she didn’t see me coming. She topples to the side. I pin her to the ground, but I don’t want to stay on top of her for long. I know how that ended, last time. I spring up, off of her. “Chris, your cuffs!” I shout.
Chris runs towards me. As I hold Simone’s wrists behind her, Chris snaps on the cuffs.
Simone’s palms now face each other. I see green light flowing between her palms, but now it can go nowhere except back to her own body.
Chris looks over at me. “What is that?” he says. “How did you know she was going to attack me?”
“I just knew,” I say. “Keep her hands together like that,” I warn him. “She’s armed—even if we can’t see her weaponry.”
Chris nods. “You’re right,” he says, shaking his head. I know he’s having trouble wrapping his mind around what he just saw.
I hear the sound of more sirens, and look down the road. The ambulance is rushing towards us. Following closely behind, is Marley’s van.
It takes me a half an hour to convince the medics that I don’t need to go to the hospital, and another half an hour to explain everything to Chris in a way that he can believe. He doesn’t quite understand why Simone was willing to kill over a little green book, but as soon as he confronts her over it, she starts talking.
“Of course, I killed that annoying lawyer woman!” she says, from the back of the cop car. “And I would do it again. Just you wait, Penny Banks! I’m going to be back for you! I’m going to—”
Chris slams the door of the cop car before Simone can threaten me anymore.
“You’re going to keep her locked up, right, Chris?” I ask. “With her hands restrained?”
“For life, I’m guessing,” Chris says. “She just confessed to murder. On top of that, she tried to kill you. What kind of invisible weapon was she using to make those green electric charges?”
Magic, I think. I know that Chris won’t like that answer, so instead, I say, “Something really high tech.”
Chris nods. “It almost looked... military grade.” He shakes his head.
Then he looks at me. “Did I see you, earlier, on some kind of a hoverboard? I didn’t know something like that existed.”
I sigh. “Really, Chris? You think that was a hoverboard?”
Chris looks uncomfortable. I decide to spare him. “Yeah,” I say. “My friend Azure and I are part of an early test group. They’re called ‘broomstick hoverboards.’ They’ll probably hit stores this Christmas.”
“Cool,” Chris says with a nod. “Are you sure you don’t want to go to the hospital?”
I nod. “Positive,” I say.
“Penny, you were just electrocuted by some crazy military-grade stun gun. I really think you should get checked out.”
I shake my head again. “I can’t go to the hospital now,” I say. “I feel fine. Better than fine, actually.” I smile. “Besides, there’s something I need to do. It’s important, and I have to do it alone.”
“You’re so weird,” Chris says, shaking his head. “Amazing... but weird.”
“Thanks,” I say, sincerely.
Chris walks away, towards the cop car, and I move towards the broomstick Azure lent me, which is lying off to the side of the road.
“Penny!”
I turn and see Marley running towards me. “Are you okay?” she asks. “I saw the explosion, and I tried to call you! You didn’t answer, so I called the police. I figured that was the next best thing.”
“It was,” I say, with a smile.
“Azure’s here, too!” Marley says. “She wants to tell you that she’s sorry about yelling at you. She feels bad about that. And look—your book!” She reaches into her purse and lifts out my little green ASBW.
I smile as I hug it to my chest. My precious book! I never imagined I could feel this happy to hug a book.
Marley continues. “She has all of our papers, too! She said that she saved them from a fire!” She points across the chaotic scene. I see that more of the town has gathered, including Cora, Annie, and Azure. Cora is holding Blueberry Muffin. I see a pile of papers in Azure’s hand.
There’s one being that isn’t here.
Max.
However, as my eyes roam over the hectic scene, I find that my heart understands.
Of course.
Of course, he’s not here.
This is not the time, or the place.
Not here.
“Silas is going to be set free,” I say. “Now that Simone has confessed, they have no reason to hold him.”
“Cora is going to be so relieved. She’s excited to talk to you. Come on! Let’s go! You’ve got to congratulate Cora, too. Hiroku’s daughter arrived and said that she doesn’t want to take Blueberry Muffin back to Boston. Cora is going to keep Blueberry!” Marley claps her hands, happily. “I think Blueberry Muffin is Cora’s familiar! Isn’t that great?”
I smile. “It’s awesome... but there’s something I need to do, first. Alone.”
Marley meets my eyes. With one look, we’re on the same page.
“You’re going to attempt the Desire Spell, aren’t you?” she asks.
I stoop and pick up my broomstick. “I talked about it with Max,” I say.
Mentioning Max’s name makes me smile. I feel lightness begin to fill me up. It will be easy to begin to fly. “He told me about the part none of us could remember. I think I’m ready to give it a shot, and I have a really strong feeling that now is the right time.”
“Then go for it, sister!” Marley says.
“Thanks, Marley,” I say. I throw my arms around her. “Tell Cora I love her and I accept her apology. Tell her I’m sorry too. I’ll see all of you soon. Maybe we could meet at the Death Cafe later?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Marley says. “Now go, tend to your business.” She gives me a wink.
With that, I head off into the woods on foot, carrying my broomstick with me.
Once I’m out of sight, I tuck my book under my arm and throw my foot over the broomstick. I feel light and happy as I
levitate off of the ground. I make sure to think of funny, playful thoughts as I point the end of the broom up, towards the treetops. Soon, I’m soaring over the trees, and then over Hillcrest.
The wind is bitingly cold. I know exactly where I’m heading.
The Stinky Socks Hot Spring is calling my name.
I slow my speed as I pass over Mill Creek Meadow and then veer South.
Scanning the ground through the treetops, I look for a small body of water.
Soon, I spot it. I’m careful to think light, happy thoughts as I land on the ground. As before, the ground seems to give way beneath me—almost as if I’m landing on a trampoline covered with pillows. Once my feet are on the ground, I hop off of my broomstick.
The Stinky Socks Hot Spring is about the size of a hot tub that’s sunk into the earth, but instead of plastic sides, it’s made entirely of natural stones. It is positioned in a small clearing in a grove of aspen trees. Tall white and grey slightly gnarled aspens hover round the tub, as if they’re watching over it. A big, bright white crescent moon is rising over the treetops even though it’s only nearing four o’clock.
There is no one else here. The wind has died down now that it’s late in the afternoon, and besides the occasional hoot of a far off owl, I’m alone.
I crack open my book.
Standing beside the tub, I begin to read.
The Desire Spell
Dear One,
You have desires, don’t you? They burn like fire, inside of you.
Sometimes, the fire seems to burn you, from the inside out.
With this spell, you will learn to cherish the flames of your desire. You will have an experience of reveling in the heat.
Here are your steps, Dearest One.
Practice with precision, and a playful heart.
To Cast the Desire Spell
You must be situated near a natural body of water. Natural is key—the Earth must hold you as you bathe.
Now, step into it. Feel it wash you clean. Wash away all of you—become brand new.
Next, feel your desire to the fullest. You will feel afraid here—you’ve never allowed yourself to want so much. In the past your wanting hurt you. Not this time, child. Feel it all.
The third step is to practice intentional amnesia. You know the way.
Finally—enjoy. Be IN JOY, child. Soak in it. Marinate. Let it seep into your bones.
In this way, you will experience what True Desire is supposed to feel like. What you want will come to you, for it is Law. Do not wait. Do it now. Close this book, and experience, child.
I don’t read another word. Instead, I snap the little book closed.
If I’ve learned one thing over these past few months, it’s that strange and magical things happen when I actually do what this ancient book tells me to do.
I pull off my striped shirt, and then fold it up into a neat little stack. Then I strip off my pants. I’m going to have to ride my broomstick home after this little adventure with magic, after all, so I’d better have some dry clothes. I do leave my undergarments on, because—well, I’m just not that comfortable with getting naked out in the woods by myself.
I place the book down on top of my pile of clothes. It would do no good to ruin it by dropping it in the tub, after all the work I’ve just done to get it back from Simone.
I walk to the edge of the natural tub. The ground is cold beneath my feet. It feels so good to lower myself into the steaming water.
“Ahhhh...” I say aloud, breathing out as I slide into the hot, silky smooth water.
I find a stoney seat that’s just the right height for me. Once my shoulders are submerged, I lean my head back against the tub’s stoney rim.
Looking up at the sky, I imagine that I’m completely clean. I’m brand new. My imagination becomes real. I am new.
Time slides by, languidly. An hour passes, and then two. Soon little white twinkling stars begin to poke out from the soft lavender sky. I watch them emerge as the sky darkens. They twinkle back at me, first ten, then one hundred. The sky becomes darker and then there are thousands up there.
Alright—It’s time to feel what I want. I have a sensation like I’m in line for a rollercoaster ride. Am I ready? In my mind, I step onto the ride, and buckle myself in. I’m committed.
Okay—what do I want? What do I really, really want?
The answer comes to me, effortlessly. I don’t even have to think about it really; it’s like my question was shouted out into a canyon, and my answer is the echo, playing back to me automatically.
I want Max.
I really, really want Max.
I think I might love Max. Yep—I’ve been burned before by love, but if I can trust this book, I can’t let the fire scare me off. I need to feel the heat of it.
And right now, cleansed and feeling brand new, it does feel fun to let myself want him.
This is exciting!
Now, for the third step: Intentional amnesia.
I recall what Max told me, about intentional amnesia.
In my mind, I gather up all of my desire for Max. Then, I imagine a target, somewhere off in the distance. That’s my future with Max. I imagine loading the arrow into the bow, pulling back the string, and letting the arrow fly.
A huge sense of relief fills me. I don’t have to hold onto the arrow forever. I can just let it go.
I let my head loll back against the tub’s rim. I close my eyes, feeling a sense of peace and contentment in every bone of my body. It feels divine.
For minutes on end, I just let myself soak and enjoy it.
A soft rustling sound in the woods causes me to open my eyes.
Max is approaching the hot tub. He’s wearing bright red swim trunks, furry ugg boots, and a puffy jacket. He has a white towel in his hand.
I smile.
He unzips his jacket. “Penny,” he says, in that deep, resonant voice that I love. “What a surprise! I didn’t know that you enjoyed winter night soaks.”
“Oh, I do,” I say.
I watch Max carefully remove his boots. He folds his jacket, and then deposits his towel on top of his little stack of clothes. He walks towards the tub.
“Mind if I join you?” He asks.
Mind? I summoned him here. Of course, I don’t mind!
I smile. “Not at all,” I say.
He lowers himself into the tub, across from me. He sighs, just as I did. I watch him. My mind is completely blank. I feel this vast sense of freedom, flowing through me.
Max meets my eye. I begin moving towards him. He moves towards me. I feel butterflies in the pit of my stomach as I wrap my arms around his neck. Never once do I break eye contact with him. I don’t need to. I want this—with every cell of my body.
He wraps his arms around my waist. And then, as if it’s just as natural as breathing, our lips meet. The kiss is soft and gentle, but then it becomes deeper. I’m not thinking at all. All I can do, in this moment, is just enjoy.
I want Max Shire so goodly.
I want him in the best way.
Epilogue
“I always have a pen and paper with me,” I say to the instructor. He’s a bit rotund around the middle, and there’s a coffee stain on his white button-up shirt—which is more of a pale yellow than a crisp white, and is missing the top two buttons.
He yawns.
I continue. “I think it’s important to take notes when I’m out in the field. I actually have a fantastic memory. My mind is like a steel trap. Penny Steel-Trap Banks, they call me! But nonetheless, I like to take backup notes. Never hurts to have a backup, you know.”
He yawns again. Then he says, with an air of boredom, “I have one last question for you, Penny.”
“Great!” I say. “I’m ready.”
We haven’t gotten far from my apartment building; we’re standing in the parking lot near the bike shed. I suspect that’s because the instructor Speed’s Online Licensure Program has sent to me this time is not thrilled about walking too far
. In fact, he’s taken every short-cut that he can during this exam. His minimal-effort approach is much more of what I was expecting the exam to be like.
It doesn’t bother me. This guy may be giving me the most boring exam of my life, but at least he’s not a murderer!
And on top of that, I think I’m doing really well. I’m going to pass this thing. I can feel it.
The instructor looks down at his clipboard as he mumbles his question. “Name three types of evidence that would hold up in a court of law,” he says.
“Good question!” I say. “A court of law... the best kind of court. Well, besides a quart of soy milk. I like the vanilla kind. Put that with a bowl of choco-puffs, and—”
“Ah hem.” He clears his throat pointedly. If this guy is serious about anything, it’s about getting this exam over with so that he can hit the road.
“Right. I’m getting off track. Alright... evidence. Well, there’s evidence from a reliable witness. Even better if it’s a few people saying the same thing. That’s hard to manage, since people tell fibs a lot. Then there’s physical evidence, like blood splatters on an office floor by a filing cabinet.”
“That’s really specific,” the instructor says. “You can be more general than that.”
“Oh, okay. A third type of evidence... let’s see...” I tap my lip, thinking. Part of me wants to mention evidence seen through mirrors after a proper Looking Glass spell has been cast, but I know that will go right over this guy’s head.
I better stick to the basics. I’ll go general, like he said.
“A third kind of evidence that will hold up in court is prints. You know... fingerprints or footprints... especially if they’re footprints that are made by fancy Alphonso ankle boots.”
My instructor gives me a puzzled look.
However, since he seems bent on putting as little effort as possible into this test, he doesn’t question me. “Good,” he says. “You got it. That was the last question. You passed. “
“I passed?” I ask happily. “Is that what you said?” I mean, I heard him, but I want to hear it again.
“Correct, ma’am. You passed. You’ll receive your renewal certification in the mail.”
“Fabulous,” I say with a smile. I can imagine it now, framed and hanging in my little office. “Thank you.”
A Hillcrest Witch Mystery Collection Page 53