Witch Way: The New Ashton Chronicles

by F. R. Southerland

  “I assure you, I am only here to assist you in whatever way I am able.”

  Andy rubbed the bridge of her nose, her voice a little strained. “He’s on our side, Casey.”

  “He’s one of the good guys.” Vinnie offered Casey what she hoped was a reassuring smile.

  Casey tossed up one of her hands in a gesture of defeat. “All right. Guess I’ll have to trust him too.”

  Andy straightened her back. “There are worse people you can trust.”

  Vinnie knew that was true. She hoped Casey would come to that conclusion herself soon.

  “I need to look further into this,” Mason began. “The connections between visions and the summonings are quite troubling.”

  “No shit,” Andy muttered.

  “What are you going to do?” Mara inclined her head toward Mason.

  “I have books on ancient summonings and demonology. I intend to search through them. Perhaps—” He cut himself off and faced Mara. “I will speak with my contacts as well, as soon as I am able. I may be out of town for the duration. Call me if there is a change.” He looked at Andy. “Any change.”

  “We’ll call,” Mara assured him. “Now go. You have work to do.”

  Mason’s gaze lingered on Mara for half a second more before he nodded. There came a small, barely discernible pop in the ozone and he was gone. A trace of amber lingered behind.

  Stunned, Casey stared at the empty place where he’d been half a second before.

  “It takes a while to get used to that,” Vinnie told her. Mason’s quick arrivals and departures were nothing unusual to them. “It’ll seem normal in no time. You’ll be fine.”

  Casey scoffed. “Yeah, I dunno. I’ve handled some weird shit before, but the magic thing’s always been out there. Even for me. Is it normally so… strange?”

  Andy did nothing to hide her sharp laugh. “This place has to be normally strange—otherwise, none of us would fit in.” She directed a smile toward the girl. “The world needs places like this, filled with people like us. A balance. It’s how it’s always been and how it always will be. Vinnie’s right. It’ll be fine. You get used to it.”

  Fine seemed so far away right now, but she could hold on to hope. Mason, Andy, all of them—they’d figure it out. It was what they did. But a lump formed at the bottom of her stomach.

  The gut feeling. It’s rarity stunned her so much Vinnie almost forgot to breathe.

  “Yeah. Yeah, we’ll be fine.”

  But she was no longer sure.

  Andy

  Later Saturday Night

  The day had passed by without further incident but what a fucking day. The lack of activity hadn’t eased her anxiety one bit. If anything, it had only made it worse. After Mason left the shop, Mara told Andy to go home and rest. She could hardly argue. Vinnie went along to make sure her sister would be fine and Casey hadn’t a lot of choice but to follow.

  Things were still quiet now. Even the television volume played low as they all stared at the screen. Andy wasn’t paying attention and hadn’t been all evening. To her, it was background noise while her thoughts worked their way around her head. There were too many to process but she had to puzzle them out.

  “Do you think Mason found anything yet?” Vinnie broke the silence. Her gaze stayed on the TV as she fidgeted with her pajama sleeve, bottom lip stuck between her teeth.

  Andy shrugged and flipped hair behind her shoulder. She sighed, letting her thoughts fade to the back of her mind. “I don’t know. With Mason, it’s hard to tell. When he figures something out, he’ll let us know as soon as he can. Or else he’ll keep it to himself and we’ll have to pry it out of him.” She forced a smile. “Either way.”

  “It’s been hours.” Vinnie shifted in her seat before she stood and began to clean. It wasn’t much, piling paper plates together and tidying up the mess on Andy’s coffee table, but it kept her busy. Dinner had been pizza from Marco’s, the best in New Ashton, but none of them had really enjoyed it.

  Andy didn’t have anything to say. Hours, minutes—none of it mattered much when it came to Mason. Beyond frustrating.

  Casey, too, said nothing but kept her arms crossed. Her eyes glued to the television set, but it was clear that she wasn’t watching the comedy either. Her temple throbbed when she clenched and unclenched her teeth.

  It had to be rough on the girl. Hell, Andy thought, who isn’t it rough on? The visions, the uncertainty—it only brought her headache back. She rubbed her forehead.

  Vinnie took immediate notice and paused, dirty napkins in her hand. “What is it? Another vision?”

  Casey’s head turned so fast Andy feared she’d get whiplash. Her eyes widened. “A vision?”

  “No. No vision. A headache. That nap I took earlier didn't do a damn thing for it.” No amount of sleep would.

  “I’ll get a pain potion,” Vinnie offered.

  Andy almost protested but she bit her tongue. Even if the pain hadn’t been so bad, the pain potion would help her sleep. Neoma always added nice sleepy herbs to it.

  Casey pulled her legs up and shifted her weight in the armchair. Her eyes followed Vinnie until she left the room, then turned to Andy. “I don’t like this waiting around shit.”

  “No one does.” Andy couldn’t help the bitter tone in her voice. She hugged the small couch pillow closer to her chest. “I’m sorry this is all so tough on you. I know you just want to find your dad, but there’s so much more going on here. So much other shit.”

  Vinnie stepped in and passed the vial to Andy. She gratefully took it but didn’t pop the cork yet. As her sister returned to her seat and muted the television, Andy sighed. “I’m sorry we didn’t get to do the locator spell. The scrying.”

  Casey shrugged, seemingly nonchalant, but Andy caught her expression. She was more disappointed than she let on. Even without actively reading the girl’s aura, she could tell.

  Vinnie licked her lips and leaned forward in her seat. “But we have tomorrow—if Mason doesn’t get back to us by then. I’ll help out. I’m pretty good with locator spells. I mean, not as good as you, Andy, but I can hold my own.”

  Her younger sister didn’t have many fortes, not like she did. Herbs and plant magic comprised most of her repertoire, but as far as simple spells went? Not so much. Still, it was pretty hard to fuck up a locator spell. “Yeah, Vinnie’s good. If I’m still not one hundred percent by then, she can take the lead. You’ll be in good hands.”

  Vinnie’s face went pink at the praise.

  Casey kept her gaze on the TV. Her lips pursed and she didn’t blink. The girl was more pissed off than Andy thought. A sharp pain hit her behind the eyes. It wasn’t because of a vision, oh no. It was much worse—a headache brought on by an angsty teenage girl. It sparked her own sudden, hot anger.

  “Look, I get that you’re pissed off, but shit happens. You gotta learn to go with the flow. Roll with the punches.”

  “Andy.”

  She ignored Vinnie’s warning and waved a hand in her direction to shut her up. “You know we’re trying to help you, but this shit that’s going on? It’s bigger than just finding your dad. It’s—”

  “I don’t want to be a part of this,” Casey snapped. Her gaze was venomous when she directed it at Andy. “The biggest—the only—thing in my life right now is my dad. You might not fucking get that, but that’s what I care about. Not this magic shit, or your visions, or any of that. I want to find my dad. And I’m fucking pissed off that you ain’t helping me.”

  “Casey,” Vinnie broke in, raising her voice for once. “We are trying to help you. We got distracted because of everything else, but that doesn’t mean we forgot or we don’t want to help. Sometimes, we just—we need to be patient. Magic isn’t always instantaneous.”

  “Fuck being patient. I’ve been patient long enough.” Casey planted both of her sock-clad feet firmly on the floor. She gripped the arms of the chair. Fire flashed in her eyes, a determination Andy only knew too well. “I lost my
dad when I was thirteen. Thirteen,” she repeated. “I’ve been on my own searching for him ever since. I am so fucking close right now. I’m tired of waiting, tired of searching. I just— I want him back and he’s so damn close now.” The passion didn’t waver, but her anger tapered into something else. Her voice broke with so much emotion—anger, sadness, uncertainty all tossed together.

  Shooing Vinnie back to her seat, Andy scooted forward in hers. “Casey—I know how you feel. I know—”

  “You don’t know shit.”

  Andy glared. “When I was eight, our father died. Murdered. Right in front of me. So, yeah. I know shit.”

  Vinnie’s sharp breath cut through the stark, sudden silence. Casey rapidly cut her eyes away. Andy gave her a few seconds to process that before she continued.

  “After that—years later—I realized there was nothing I wouldn’t do to get him back. And that led me down a dark, dark road. Believe me when I say I know how you feel. I know it’s frustrating and it’s fucked up and you have the right to be impatient.” She stared hard. “But we are helping you. This is the closest you’ve been and you’ll get closer still. You’re closer than either of us ever got to having our dad back. You have an immense opportunity. And you’ve waited this long. Just wait a little bit longer. We’ll find him. I swear it.”

  Casey didn’t look at Andy, but the anger evaporated from her face, replaced with sadness and shame. Shifting in her seat again, she pulled her legs up, hugging them close to her chest. She pressed her cheek against her knee.

  Andy eased back against her seat. Her head throbbed. She uncorked the pain potion, finally, and swallowed the vile-tasting liquid. It had been a trying night. Sleep would be welcome. In the morning, she could get started on the locator spell. Maybe Mason would call with news.

  With a soft meow, Vivi hopped into her lap. The ginger kitten immediately began to purr as Andy absently stroked her fur. Vinnie put her arms around herself and turned back to the TV. She looked as tired as Andy felt.

  “I’m sorry,” Casey said, her voice soft. “About your dad. I’m sorry he died.”

  Andy smiled a little and scratched Vivi under the chin. “Yeah. I’m sorry too.”

  “And I guess I’m sorry for being a brat.”

  “You guess?”

  Casey picked at a loose upholstery thread. “I mean, I am sorry. It’s—I’m still processing the weird shit I’ve seen today. I thought I’d seen plenty. Like, demons and vampires and all that shit—I’ve fought them before. But the magic thing and the vision thing it’s just… I’m outta my element.”

  “You don’t have to feel sorry for that,” Vinnie said.

  “Ain’t sorry cause I’m processing.” Casey turned, chin resting against her knee. “I ain’t sorry for that but I’m sorry for how I acted. Being all defensive.”

  “It’s fine. It’s been a long day. Tensions are high.” The bright colors on the screen danced vividly when reflected in Vinnie’s eyes. “I think we should sleep. It’s early, but we all need some rest.”

  Andy couldn’t disagree with that. “Yeah. Let’s call it a night.” With a wave of her hand, the TV went off. Vivi hopped from her lap and ran to the kitchen.

  “If you want to wait a minute,” Vinnie said, “I can get the extra bed made up for you. I’m staying the night too, but I’ll take the couch.”

  “No, that’s fine. I can ride the couch. No big deal.”

  “You sure?” Andy stifled a yawn. The pain potion worked fast. She should rebrand it as a sleepy-time potion. They might be able to sell it in the shop if they did, but she put that idea aside for now. Her head was already too numb and drowsy for many thoughts—just the way she wanted it.

  “Yeah, I don’t even need a blanket.”

  “Oh, what the hell sorta nonsense is that? I have blankets aplenty. Pick one and any pillow from the dozen I have around here.” Andy gestured. “Why be miserable if there’s comfort to be had?”

  Casey looked unsure.

  “Come on.” Vinnie smiled gently. “I’ll show you where everything is.” She gestured and led Casey to the closet in the hall off the living room.

  “Goodnight, girls.” Andy offered a smile. “Behave yourself, Lavinia,” she told her sister, teasing her with a tiny grin. “You too, Casey.”

  Vinnie passed her a scandalized look, her face lighting up in a blush nearly as bright as her hair.

  “Uh, okay,” Casey said, puzzled.

  “She’s just dumb,” she heard Vinnie murmur, tucking herself into the closet to hide herself. “Potion’s making her say stupid things. Ignore her. Here, you can use this blanket.”

  The door closed softly behind Andy. For a time, she leaned against the frame, listening, eyes sliding shut as the relaxing effects of the potion overtook her. The rise and fall of their voices became a soothing sound, but it soon tapered off into goodnights and then silence.

  They got along better than Andy thought they would. Given the circumstances of their first meeting, she didn’t think they’d make amends at all. And yet, here they were, sticking together, forming a friendship. Obviously, Vinnie liked the girl. She blushed damn near every time she was around her.

  For a second, Andy entertained the idea of her sister finally finding a girl to forge a relationship with. Oh, but she was getting ahead of herself. It was nice to see it, though, while it lasted and she couldn’t help but tease her a bit.

  Andy went about her usual nighttime bedroom routine with sluggish movements, her arms and legs leaden. All the thoughts and emotions she’d accumulated during the day drifted away. The potion’s full effect left her hazy and calm. She brushed her hair and teeth, wiped her face clean, and set her alarm for the morning.

  Her mind was quite blank and at ease by the time she sank into the bed, among her many pillows.

  Thank the gods for potions and sleep. It was her last thought before the sleep she so desperately needed overtook her.

  Casey

  The apartment was quiet.

  Casey liked having the noise of traffic or sirens in the distance. Even the sounds of industrial machinery clanking far off, or a train whistle had become familiar to her. They’d keep her awake at first, then lull her finally into sleep.

  But not here, not in Andy’s cozy little apartment. But the quiet wasn’t a bad thing— just different.

  Having people around and relying on those people… that was different too. She didn’t do well with others. Hunters were like that. They lived solitary lives, trusting very few people. Like her father.

  Thinking of him made her heart heavy and it made trusting these witches twice as difficult. It felt like she betrayed him somehow by enlisting their help, but what choice did she have? So close and yet so far. It would take time, they said but time was running out.

  She tossed and turned and finally gave up. Sleep wasn’t coming, not right now, maybe not at all. With a weary sigh, Casey kicked off the blanket and got up. Water. She needed a drink. Her mouth was dry.

  Padding softly across the linoleum, she headed to the kitchen and began her search for a glass. She spotted some in an upper cabinet and stretched on the tips of her toes to snag one. The water from the faucet came out lukewarm so she let it run for a minute before filling her glass. She drank down half of it quickly, then refilled it to the top.

  She sat on the couch, set her water on the coffee table, and wrapped up once again in the blanket. Sleep would be hard to find, but Casey closed her eyes, settled back onto the cushions. Warmth enveloped her. The AC kicked on and the hum lulled her, finally, to drowsiness.

  The couch shook. Startled out of sleepiness, she instinctively grabbed something to hold her steady. What was it? An attack? Shit. Her weapons were in her bag, on the floor next to her. She knew she should’ve kept them out. She should’ve—

  Another, stronger tremor shook the thought away. Dishes in the kitchen rattled. The window creaked. Water from her glass sloshed onto the table.

  She wasn’t under attack. />
  An earthquake? She hadn’t experienced one of those since she’d hitchhiked her way to California a couple of years ago. She hadn’t liked them then and she certainly didn’t like them now. Did Virginia even have earthquakes?

  When another quake rattled the room, the couch slid across the floor and Casey gasped. A bookshelf tilted over, falling with a crash. Andy’s cat—the big one she called Doom—ran by in a blur of black, heading for safer territory. Her water glass toppled, spilled, and rolled away.

  “Andy!” Vinnie called out. Casey saw her in the doorway of the guest room, gripping to the door frame. Her long red hair spilled into her face, but she could still see her eyes as they darted fearfully. She began to edge her way to Andy’s room, sticking close to the wall.

  The tremors hit hard, one right after another, and didn’t stop.

  “Don’t move!” Casey called. “Go back to the door!” That’s what they said you should do, right? Move to a stable place, like a doorway, whenever there was an earthquake? “Go back!”

  “I can’t. It’s Andy. I have to stop her.”

  “What?” It made no sense.

  “I have to stop her!” Vinnie reached Andy’s door and leaned against it as she opened it. It stayed open, swinging back and forth, as she released it and disappeared into the blackness of the room.

  Shit.

  Casey rolled off the couch. Uncertain of her own two feet in a quaking room, she crawled across the floor. When she reached the door to Andy’s bedroom, it took all her strength to stand and lean against the frame. It took more to stay upright, adjust her eyes to the dark, and to understand what she saw.

  Andy thrashed around on the bed, tangled in blankets. Casey froze, mouth agape. A primal fear sparked deep down within. Another vision? A demon? Possession?

  Vinnie knelt at the side of the bed, just as a more violent tremor rocked the room. Photographs on the wall shuddered and crashed to the floor, glass shards flying.

  “Andy!” Vinnie grabbed her arm. Andy’s mouth opened in a silent scream. Her eyes were glazed-over, white and unseeing. She had a death-grip on the tangled sheets. Her knuckles, too, had gone white.