by J. E. Cluney
“He was quite a sweet lover. Guess he preferred a more experienced woman willing to…well, play around more,” Trish explained, winking as Hayley let out an appalled sound.
“Let me guess, finger in his arse?” Skip asked, his tone curious as he smirked.
“And some.” Trish winked.
“You dirty woman,” Skip said with a laugh.
“I aim to please,” she said, beaming as she tussled her messy bed-hair.
“I want to go back to Mom and Dad’s,” Hayley grumbled as she sank down in her chair. “This house is too supportive of your…eccentricity.”
“Lighten up, darling, we only live once. Enjoy it while you can,” Trish said as she served herself some toast and juice, while Lucas brought over the pan of scrambled eggs and bacon.
He served it up to a few of us before going back to make the next batch.
“So what’s the plans for today?” Trish asked as she eyed her phone that she’d brought out with her and set on the table.
“Studying, getting ready to go back to work and uni,” I said before taking another bite out of my toast sandwich.
Having my crazy grandmother staying with us sure was a wild ride, but she was keeping us all distracted, which I was grateful for.
Days passed, and we resumed uni and work. The Diner was bustling Wednesday evening, which Gina had asked me to come in for, and she had to up her orders of the magical treats. Each day, they were apparently getting more and more patrons, and they were looking into renovating and making a dining area outside to give them more space to accommodate everyone.
Thursday had been a warm day, but I was grateful to be back at uni and distracted, and I found myself walking home with Ollie after a full day.
“So, you still going to your show with Million?” I asked. He’d gone out to ride the gelding yesterday afternoon and had come back quite cheery afterwards.
“Yeah, I think I will. It’ll be fun. Will you come?” Ollie asked softly as he held my hand.
“I’ve already requested Saturday off for it,” I said with a grin, earning me a delighted, boyish smile.
I turned towards him, pulling us up and giving him a sweet kiss.
“I love seeing you so happy,” I murmured as he wrapped his arms around me.
“Thank you, same to you,” he whispered as he rested his forehead on mine.
The sun beat down on us unforgivingly, and we continued on after a quiet moment.
I shuddered as the strange dread washed over me once more. For the past few days, I’d felt like a shadow had been looming over me, but I’d done my best to ignore it and keep busy.
Today, it unsettled me, and Ollie noticed.
“Everything okay?” he asked as he gave my hand a squeeze.
“I don’t know,” I said honestly. Something felt wrong. Walter hadn’t reached out to me yet, but I was tempted to call on him and find out if he’d learned anything new.
‘Speaking off, I was at the station today with Claire. We believe we’ve almost got the magic off her. It’s been one hell of a slog, but we’re getting there. My father just informed me he’s heard back from the Council. The dagger was never recovered. Still nothing new on the Joseph front either,’ Lucas interjected, slipping into to mine to inform me.
“Damn,” I sighed out.
That wasn’t the news I’d been hoping for.
‘Sorry, Cupcake,’ Lucas said as he withdrew from my mind.
“Now what?” Ollie asked softly.
I had no idea. We could only hope Walter could come through for us. How else would we find this dagger?
I flicked my gaze as I heard incoming rushing footsteps and found Emma darting up behind us in a puff.
“Allison! Ollie!” She gasped as she pulled up behind us while we turned around.
She caught her breath for a second, hunched over like she’d been running for some time.
“The spirits, they’re talkative today,” she rasped as she straightened herself and pulled a water bottle out of her messenger bag. She took a large swig of it before stuffing it back in.
“What are they saying?” I asked instantly as Ollie shot me a look of concern.
“It’s hard to distinguish. They’re all overlapping. But they’re scared. Another body has dropped. They can sense something coming. Something horrible,” she said as she wheezed, those grey eyes filled with fear and panic.
This was serious.
I flinched as a portal opened up beside us and Lucas appeared in a blood-red suit.
“Emma,” he said and frowned at her as she nodded in acknowledgement, still struggling to regain herself.
“She said the spirits are chatty and another body dropped,” Ollie stated.
“I know. My father told me just now and asked me to come get you. He wants you to have a look at the body with Sasha. She provided the time of death for the last one but couldn’t sense anything else. He’s hoping you two can find something else this time, as his magic is coming up empty and there’s no evidence again,” Lucas explained as he straightened his red satin tie.
“You go. I’ll walk Emma home,” Ollie said as Emma flicked her gaze between us.
I knew she was on edge, and I hated not being able to be there for her right now.
“Is there anything you’ve heard?” Lucas turned to her.
“No, not really. But they’re spooked. Something big is coming,” Emma said firmly as she glanced around her.
She clutched the strap of her messenger bag close, and I bit my lip at the way her eyes glistened.
“You need to relax and not let them get to you. I can see they’re getting through to you and putting you into a panic as well,” Lucas said as he rested a hand on her shoulder, causing her to flinch.
“Yeah, it’s just hard. Normally, I can control it better,” Emma murmured.
“Ollie, let me know once she gets home safe, will you? Let her mom know too that it’s a bit difficult so she can help her,” Lucas said, then gave Emma a small smile.
“Do you want me to come by once I finish up there?” I asked as I moved in to give her a hug. I hated how she was trembling in my arms.
“I should be okay, but thank you. I might just have a tea and some biscuits and relax,” Emma murmured.
“Right,” I said on a sigh as I pulled away, smiling softly at her.
She forced one back as Lucas took my hand, and I waved to Ollie as we stepped through the portal.
I appeared in a park with police officers surrounding us as they taped off the area.
My eyes fell to the body under a sheet by Mr Brady, and Sasha was standing with him.
He spotted us and waved us over, and Lucas kept a firm grip on my hand as we strode over.
I drew in a steadying breath as dread washed over me heavily. That dark cloud that had been bothering me lately had suddenly turned into a completely overcast sky in my mind, despite the harsh sun overhead.
I felt like it was trying to suffocate me as my heart skipped a few beats and my breaths came in short bursts.
“Relax, Allison. I’m here. Everything is okay,” Lucas murmured as he pulled us up and took my other hand so I was facing him.
I stared up at him, hating how my hands were trembling in his.
The deep worry in those forest green eyes made my chest ache even more.
“Breathe, Cupcake,” he said softly as he traced small circles on the backs of my hands with his thumbs.
I nodded as I focused on my breathing.
This felt awfully similar to a panic attack I’d had years ago.
Why was this happening?
I closed my eyes as I steadied my breathing, and Lucas pulled me into his arms.
I drew in his sweet fruity scent, finding it comforted and calmed me even more.
We waited a few minutes until I’d relaxed, my heart settling before Lucas pulled back.
“You ready?” he asked gently.
“Yeah,” I mumbled, although I doubted anyone was ever
ready to deal with a dead body.
Mr Brady and Sasha were watching us, but I kept my gaze on the covered body as we walked over to them.
“Everything okay?” Mr Brady asked, his tone disturbed.
“Yes. Just struggling to deal with it all. We saw Emma Hall too. She said the spirits are rowdy and they sense something coming,” Lucas said, and Mr Brady sighed.
“Yes, I’ve had a few witches reach out to me to tell me the same thing. It’s distressing, and I think it’s highly likely all of these things are connected,” he stated as he turned and knelt down by the body. “This is Melanie Rayne. Another student, a koala shifter.”
I pursed my lips as I knelt down.
“Time of death was only a few hours ago. Did you feel anything?” Mr Brady asked, turning to me as I knelt down beside him.
“No. But I have been feeling off in general the last few days here and there. I couldn’t place what it was,” I admitted.
Mr Brady just nodded. “Miss O’Donnell has given me the time of death, but hasn’t turned up anything else. Would you see if you could find something?” he asked carefully.
I nodded as I tenderly reached out and touched the sheet, feeling the stiff body beneath it.
I closed my eyes, focusing on my banshee as she swirled inside me.
She was restless, but she had no answers for me on this death.
My void felt oddly heavy as I reached into it, and I shook my head as I withdrew, unable to draw upon anything.
“Nothing. Sorry,” I said on a sigh.
“That’s okay. I had my doubts. She’s been drained of magic as well. We need to get this manhunt underway and find Joseph. I just pray he’s working alone,” Mr Brady said as he stood back up.
I followed suit and shot Lucas a distressed look.
Why couldn’t they find him? Mr Brady was a renowned warlock, and Lucas had done what he could to help him.
The fact that they were struggling only made me more scared of Joseph. He had to be incredibly powerful to evade them.
‘Hey, we’ll find him,’ Lucas assured me, those emerald eyes set.
“This is worrying to say the least,” Mr Brady murmured as Lucas took my hand.
I focused on the warmth of it in mine, of the comfort it offered, and his love and desire to protect me no matter what.
“Perhaps we should alert the University?” Sasha suggested as she gave me concerned half-smile.
“I’ve been speaking with them already, so they’re aware of everything. We’ve increased wardings around the University since the first death, but we may need to crack down, especially since it’s students being killed.” Mr Brady stroked his beard in thought, his brow furrowed deeply.
“I’ll take Ally home. I think she can use a rest,” Lucas said when his father made no indication of sharing anything else with us.
“I think that’s best. But if anything comes up, let me know immediately,” he said firmly, and Lucas nodded.
I allowed him to lead me back through the portal, and we appeared in the lounge room.
I relaxed as the cooler inside air washed over me, and I slumped onto the nearest lounge, where Marcus was sitting with headphones on.
He took them off immediately and closed his laptop, setting it aside and offering for me to lay on his lap.
I did just that, wanting to feel safe and secure with my mates.
I closed my eyes as he began stroking my hair soothingly, and I wondered just how all this was going to play out.
Would they find Joseph? Or was another body going to drop soon?
How was this going to be stopped? Was my mother right? Did this rest on my shoulders? I just wanted to know what she meant about the scarlet dagger, what its importance was. It was tied to Joseph, but was there something more?
I did have Walter living inside my void, so I was tied to all of this.
“Relax, everything will be okay,” Marcus said softly as Lucas knelt down and stroked my face.
“We’ll sort this all out, don’t you worry,” Lucas said, giving me a soft smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
I wanted to believe them, but deep down, I knew this was big.
Something was coming, and my banshee could feel it.
8
Ollie.
“You okay?” I asked as I walked with Emma.
“Yeah. Just stressed, and everything going on with Allison has been bothering me too. She told me all about Joseph, and the scarlet dagger thing from her mom has her confused. I just wish I could give her more answers, but the spirits are rarely clear. I’ve asked her if she wants me to try reaching out to her, drawing her forth from the afterlife, but I’m not sure if I can do it. The spirits are frantic, and I’m a bit scared to try to be honest,” Emma said, then sighed.
Allison had informed me that Emma had made the offer when Mr Brady turned up nothing on the scarlet dagger, but even then, she’d said the spirit world was weird at the time and she wasn’t sure if she could pull the spell off.
Allison had left it, not wanting to put Emma under too much stress, but honestly, I was starting to think it might be our only option.
“I know. We’re all stressed,” I murmured as I shifted the weight of my bag on my shoulder.
“Any news on your blackout?” she queried.
“Not really. We’ve done all sorts of research, but all we’ve found is that it could just be a random shifter occurrence. It happens when shifters are stressed and their magic decides to relieve it by forcing a shift, but they normally have fragments of memory from it. I’ve got nothing,” I muttered in frustration. I hated not understanding what had happened.
And it was a horrible coincidence that at the same time, someone had been drained of magic.
At least I was safe in the knowledge that shifters were not capable of such things at all.
But still, it was awfully coincidental.
What terrible timing.
“Thanks for offering to walk me home too,” Emma said after a moment of silence had passed.
“Don’t you normally drive?” I asked. I knew she had an old red sedan that really needed to be upgraded.
“Yeah, it’s in for a fan belt change,” Emma said on a groan. “I swear, that thing is falling apart on me.”
“Time to upgrade.”
“I s’pose, but new cars aren’t cheap. I’ll see if I can get a few more years out of it before I go selling it or scrapping it.” Emma sighed. “I’m a little attached to the old thing.”
“So, the spirits are freaking out?” I asked, changing the subject, unable to push it from my mind.
“Yeah, and I can’t figure out why. When I try to listen, their voices are all overlapping. I wish I could just understand why. I have a bad feeling about all this. And I wish I could give Allison the answers she deserves,” she murmured as she rubbed her arms despite the glaring sun.
“She’s been feeling it too. I can feel it through her, like there’s something dark bothering her. She can’t pinpoint it, and we’ve been doing our best to ignore it and let Mr Brady handle it. But based on what her mom said about the scarlet dagger, I believe we’re all tied into it, whether we want to be or not.”
“I think so too,” Emma admitted quietly as she gripped the strap of her messenger bag. “I think I might come by tonight, if that’s okay. Once I get Mom’s help to clear my head a bit and focus. I want to help, so I’ll try to summon her mother forth and find out what the deal is. I just hope I can do it,” Emma said as she kicked a rock on the footpath.
I nodded as we continued walking in silence.
I couldn’t seem to shake the unease that had settled over me now. Fingers crossed Emma could reveal something tonight.
I dropped Emma off and headed home, sticking to the shade as best I could.
I had texted Allison and Lucas as soon as I’d dropped her off, and then I scrolled through some of my selfies I’d taken with Allison yesterday at lunch.
She was so vibrant and happy
, but there was an uncertainty in her eyes that made my heart pull.
I hated this worry that was sitting on all our shoulders.
Lucas was sure only one more day of working with Claire would be needed for them to finally lift the horrid magic on her.
Perhaps she’d unveil some answers too.
I could only hope.
I flicked through my photos, stopping as I spied one I’d taken of the intricate blue skull on the palm of Allison’s hand.
It still struck me with fascination how they’d appeared that day. They were a part of her now, and the power within her had grown since then.
She could protect herself if it came down to it.
Not to mention, we had warlock magic protecting us.
“OLLIIIEEEE!”
I scowled at the singsong voice I recognized so well.
Of course shit only had to get worse for me.
I turned to see Glenda driving up the street in the hot pink Jag her father had bought her.
Her friends were hanging out the windows watching me, and I quickened my pace.
“Ollie! Why you trying to get away?” Glenda asked as she revved the car and pulled up alongside me.
“I’m headed home,” I ground out, not bothering to meet her gaze.
I hated her for what she’d done to me. Allison had reversed it somehow with our bond, but Glenda had shown her true colors. We’d both changed since we were young, and she was not someone I really cared for anymore.
“Hey, you okay?” she asked, her voice taking on a softer tone, which caught me off guard.
I pulled up, frowning at her and her oddly sincere look. Did she really care? Or was she just a damn good actress? I would vote for the latter in this situation.
Still, it weirded me out.
“I saw you walking that psychic home,” she stated as she tapped her bright pink nails on the steering wheel.
Her face was done up in heavy makeup, something I didn’t find attractive at all. She was naturally quite beautiful, but this made her look fake.
Then again, considering the girl I once knew, this whole persona was new to an extent. She’d been sweeter when we younger, but always had a vicious, cruel side to her.