Witchin' Around the Clock

by Amanda M. Lee

  That wasn’t going to happen. “We’re coming no matter what you say.”

  Impatience overriding her again, Aunt Tillie grabbed the phone and pressed it to her ear. “Don’t even try to keep us away, Winnie. That won’t work.”

  I couldn’t hear Mom’s response, but it didn’t matter. Landon cast a worried look over his shoulder before pulling onto the highway, holding my gaze for a moment before focusing on the road.

  “Bay, it’ll be okay,” he reassured me. “It won’t take long to get there.”

  “I know.” I stared out the window. “They’re under attack ... and Dani will be positioned between them and us when we arrive. She has a lot of room to play with … and she’ll have the upper hand.”

  “She’s still just a kid,” Chief Terry protested. “We should be able to overpower her.”

  “Are you sure?” I certainly wasn’t. “Will you be able to shoot a teenager if you get a clear shot?”

  He balked. “Why are we shooting her? We’ll just order her to stand down.”

  “I think what Bay is saying is that Dani is unlikely to back down,” Landon replied quietly. “We might have to make some hard decisions.”

  “She’ll stand down.” Chief Terry sounded convinced. “She’s a teenager. Self-preservation is the most important thing.”

  I could only hope that was true.

  BIRDS SWARMED THE SKY ABOVE THE inn as we arrived at the Winchester ancestral property. Landon parked on the driveway instead of the lot near the hotel. We were clearly visible, but we weren’t boxed in.

  “Call Winnie,” Landon ordered Chief Terry. “Find out where they are and make sure they’re okay.”

  Chief Terry viciously swore under his breath as he fumbled with his phone. It was clear the birds made him nervous. “This is the creepiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

  I looked out the passenger window and found a huge bald eagle staring at me from a fallen tree. It was a large animal, majestic and beautiful ... and it looked aggressive. “Oh, geez.”

  Landon followed my gaze. “You have got to be kidding me. I didn’t even know we had eagles in this area.”

  “I knew we had a few, but ... we can’t fight that thing.”

  “No, we can’t,” he agreed. “It’s against the law to hurt one of them.”

  I hadn’t even considered that. “Well ... hopefully he’ll stay over there.” I focused on Chief Terry as he disconnected the call. “What did she say?”

  “They’re all safe in the dining room. There are no windows in that room, so the birds can’t get in. They’ve barricaded the swinging doors. They’re safe for now, but ... .”

  “But they can’t stay there forever,” I surmised, rubbing the back of my neck as I scanned the property. “We need to draw Dani out.”

  “And then what?” Landon protested. “Are we just supposed to shoot her when she appears?”

  “No.” I would never expect that from him. “I’m going to talk to her, try to reason with her.” And, if that doesn’t work, I’ll be the one to take her out, I silently added. I couldn’t expect him to take out a teenager. It wasn’t fair.

  “You’re going to try to reason with her, huh?” Landon made a face. “Look around, Bay. She’s summoned hundreds of birds to attack the second you exit this vehicle. I don’t think she can be reasoned with.”

  I was starting to fear that, too, but we didn’t have many options. “What do you suggest we do?” I challenged. “We can’t sit here while they hide inside a windowless room. Someone has to draw her out.”

  “That doesn’t mean it has to be you.”

  Aunt Tillie, who had been quiet for a long time, stirred. “I think he means I should be the one to try to talk to her,” she said. “He’s willing to sacrifice me.”

  “I most certainly am not,” Landon snapped, his eyes flashing. “I don’t want anyone to be sacrificed. There has to be a way to keep everybody safe.”

  “Even if you shot every bird on this property, we wouldn’t be safe,” I reminded him. “Her powers don’t simply revolve around the birds. She can do more … including set fires.”

  “So, what’s the plan?” Chief Terry demanded. “We’re going to exit the Explorer and try to get her to see our way of thinking after she killed her own father? No offense, but that strikes me as unlikely.”

  “We’re not all leaving the Explorer.” I was firm on that. “You three are staying here while I try to talk to her.”

  Landon balked. “Absolutely not. That’s not happening.”

  “She’s not going to talk in front of you,” I pointed out. “She wants to talk to a witch.”

  “That’s why it should be me,” Aunt Tillie volunteered. “I’m the most powerful witch we’ve got. She’ll respect me.”

  “She might respect your power, but anything you say to her will come off as out of tune and dated,” I argued. “I’m at least closer to her age.”

  Aunt Tillie narrowed her eyes speculatively. “Are you saying I’m old?”

  “I’m saying that in her eyes you’re old,” I answered. “She’s a teenager. Anyone older than thirty seems ancient to her.”

  Aunt Tillie worked her jaw and I could see she was debating the merits of my suggestion. Finally, she nodded. “Okay. I’ll be watching your back from here. If you have to run back ... .”

  “Then I’ll run back,” I reassured her. “It’s okay. I’m our best shot of taking her down.”

  “And what happens when she doesn’t want to be talked down?” Landon challenged, grabbing my hand before I could exit the vehicle. “I won’t risk you, Bay. I ... can’t.”

  I shot him my most reassuring smile. “I’m the only option we have. You won’t lose me. I promise.”

  “But ... .” He changed course quickly. “Let me go with you. You’ll need eyes in the back of your head with all those birds. If I’m with you ... .”

  “Then you’ll become a distraction,” I finished calmly. “You need to be here with the others, safe. That way my attention won’t be split.”

  “I don’t want you alone!” he practically exploded.

  “I won’t be alone.” For some reason I was unnaturally calm as I regarded him. “You’re always here.” I moved his hand to the spot above my heart. “Besides, she might have an air force of birds, but I have an army of ghosts at my disposal. I think one will be scarier than the other when it comes down to it.”

  He didn’t look convinced. “Bay ... .” He almost sounded as if he was going to cry.

  I leaned forward and pressed my forehead to his. “I’ll be okay. Have a little faith.”

  “I have faith, sweetie. I just ... I don’t like being separated from you.”

  I could see that. “We don’t have a choice.”

  “There’s always a choice.”

  “And we have to make this one right now. I promise we’ll be drinking ourselves silly on Aunt Tillie’s wine and dancing under the full moon in a few hours. Just ... let me do this. It’s our best shot.”

  He blew out a sigh and then pressed his lips to mine. “Don’t you leave me.”

  “I’ll be back before you know it.” I caught Aunt Tillie’s gaze as I pulled away and reached for the door handle. “You know what to do?”

  She nodded, calm. “Everything will be fine. Do what I did when you guys were teenagers. Talk big and scare the crap out of her. She’ll fall in line fast enough if she thinks no boy will ever look at her again, so threaten her looks.”

  I was amused despite myself. “Do you think that will really work?”

  “Teenagers are vain creatures. It always works.”

  MY PALMS WERE SWEATY WHEN I made it to the end of the driveway. I cast the eagle a leery look, but he didn’t leave his perch. Slowly, I crossed in front of the Explorer and started plodding toward the house.

  I heard the birds in the sky cackling as they circled — and momentarily I wondered if there would be a bird crap situation at some point — but otherwise I focused on the trees and bush
es littering the yard during my approach. Dani was behind one of them. I was certain of it.

  Sure enough, when I was almost to the small parking lot, she stepped out from behind a huge maple tree and blocked my path.

  “I bet you’re surprised to see me,” she announced, grinning like a loon as she caught my gaze. “You had no idea it was me, did you?” She was obviously having a good time.

  “Not until I talked to your mother,” I admitted, stopping in my tracks. I didn’t want to get too close to her. “She told us what you are ... but only after we informed her of Masterson’s death.”

  “He had it coming.” Dani’s voice turned cold. “He was doing bad things with my mother and he totally deserved what he got.”

  She didn’t seem remorseful in the slightest, which worried me. “I agree that he wasn’t the best man,” I hedged. “That doesn’t mean you had to kill him.”

  “I didn’t kill him.” There was a hint of mischief flitting through her eyes. “I mean ... I heard that was a tragic accident. Birds somehow got into his house and killed him. You can’t blame that on me.”

  I pointedly glanced around at the birds circling the inn. “Oh, no? Are you sure about that?”

  “Very sure. I have it on good authority that I’m in the clear.”

  That was an odd thing to say. “Birds didn’t kill your father,” I pointed out. “You can’t blame your feathered friends for that.”

  “No, Mr. Masterson killed my father ... and the birds paid him back for what he did to our family.”

  Now I was definitely confused. “Masterson killed your father? But ... why?”

  “He was in love with my mother and wanted her to end her marriage. He was working with that horrible seamstress ... who is now hiding. She thinks that will stop me from finding her, but it won’t.”

  Well, that answered that question. “Then you haven’t killed Lisa?”

  “I don’t kill people. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  I frowned as I glanced over my shoulder. Landon’s Explorer was far enough away that I couldn’t read his facial expressions. I could feel his anxiety, though. “I think the time for games is over, Dani,” I started. “You need to stand down.”

  She snorted, disdainful. “And why would I do that? I’m the most powerful one here.”

  “No, you’re not.”

  “Who else is more powerful? That crazy old lady on the scooter? She’s not. I’ve been the one supplying all the magic to this town the past few weeks. Frankly, you guys have been a disappointment.”

  “Just because we don’t constantly show off our magic doesn’t mean we don’t have it,” I reminded her calmly. “You’re in over your head here. Plus, well, you’re woefully outnumbered. This place is crawling with witches. You picked the worst possible weekend to attack.”

  “Perhaps ... if I were alone in this. I’m not. I have a little backup of my own.”

  Even as I felt the shadow move in from my right, I realized the missing puzzle piece was finally visible ... and I couldn’t believe I hadn’t realized it sooner.

  Slowly, I slid my eyes to the familiar face joining the fray. She was a witch, and I wanted to kick myself for not grasping sooner how this was all going to play out.

  “I guess I should’ve seen this coming.”

  “I guess you should have,” Evie agreed, her eyes burning with malevolence. “You obviously weren’t smart enough for that.”

  Obviously not.

  Twenty-Eight

  Evie. The weird witch who was named after The Wizard of Oz. She seemed pleased with herself ... probably because I looked as shocked as I felt.

  I glanced over my shoulder again and saw that Landon was moving to get out of the Explorer. Chief Terry wrestled with him in an effort to keep him inside, but he wouldn’t be able to overpower him indefinitely. Recognizing that, I turned back to her.

  “Aren’t you going to say anything?” Evie challenged.

  “I’m considering what to say,” I admitted after a moment. “Why are you involved in this?”

  Evie shrugged, noncommittal. “Why not?”

  “Dani has a personal stake,” I pointed out. “She has a reason — however convoluted — for going after Masterson. Her father is more of a curiosity, but at least I can see the rationalization, however weak. But you ... .”

  “You think I have no dog in the show,” Evie noted. “I guess, from your perspective, you would think that. You weren’t even born when I left. Your mother, she knows me ... and yet she didn’t recognize me when I checked into her inn. That was a little ... disappointing.”

  I couldn’t hide my confusion. “My mother knows you?”

  “She does.”

  “But ... .” And that’s when things slipped into place. “Diane. You’re Diane.”

  Evie’s grin widened until it took over the bottom half of her face. “Very good. It took you longer than it should have — which means you’re as slow as your mother — but apparently you’re faster than Twila.”

  “How long have you two been in contact?” I glanced between them. Dani looked almost gleeful, as if she’d just won the lottery and was about to buy a castle. Evie’s reaction was harder to gauge.

  “I’ve been back in the area for years,” Evie replied. “I don’t live in Hemlock Cove, of course — that would’ve been too risky — but I live close enough to monitor the comings and goings of the area’s most famous witches. Of course ... those accolades aren’t exactly earned, are they?”

  It didn’t take a Mensa member to figure she was bitter. She had issues with the older generation of witches in our family. She felt slighted. That’s what Lorna had said. She thought my mother and aunts should’ve embraced her, made her one of them, and instead they closed ranks. That was the Winchester way, but as an outsider she couldn’t have known that.

  “You’re still angry they didn’t want to play with you,” I supplied finally. “You wanted to be one of them, but they didn’t allow you to even serve as an alternate on the team. That must’ve been difficult for you.”

  Evie’s gaze darkened. “I don’t need to be one of them. I’m more powerful than all three of them combined.”

  I didn’t believe that for a second. “Are you? How do you figure?”

  “Look around.” She gestured toward the birds. “I’ve got your mothers trapped in their own house. They can’t leave unless I allow it. Me!” She thumped her chest. “I’m in charge here. I’ve set all of this up and I decide who plays on the team this time.”

  She was delusional. Had she always been that way? I couldn’t help but wonder. It really didn’t matter at this point. It was time to take her down. What about Dani, though? Was she aware of what she was doing? Did her aunt twist her? Was she just as evil as her aunt? I had to figure out those answers before I moved forward.

  “Did you kill your father, Dani?” I focused my full attention on the teenager because I knew it would agitate her aunt. “Did you do this or did she?”

  “What does it matter?” Dani puffed out her chest. “I was part of it. I knew what she was going to do. I put the butane in the workshop. I knew what would happen when it exploded. That was me.”

  That wasn’t what I wanted to hear. Still ... knowing what was going to happen was different than participating. “How did you two meet? Did she contact you?”

  Dani didn’t get a chance to answer. Evie did it for her. She was too enamored with the idea of being the center of attention to cede it to anyone, including her student.

  “I watched my sister for years,” Evie volunteered. “I thought there was a chance she would manifest after Mother died. I figured she was holding Lorna back. I was wrong on that front … sadly.”

  “You killed your mother,” I surmised.

  “I did.” Evie’s smugness made me want to wipe the evil smirk right off her face. “I came back to talk to her several years after leaving Walkerville. Talk, no more. I was having a rough time of it. I wanted to see if she would h
elp me. It turned out that was a mistake. She said she wouldn’t help unless I allowed her to bind my powers.

  “She didn’t recognize me at first, of course. I’d gone to great lengths to change my appearance for a very important reason. I didn’t want anyone in this town — least of all your mother and aunts — to recognize me. Once she became convinced of who I was, things turned ... ugly.

  “We argued and I told her she was missing out, that she wouldn’t have to struggle to scratch out a living in a dying town if she would simply embrace what she was,” she continued. “She didn’t agree.”

  I could see that. “Your mother was a good person who fought hard to take care of you and Lorna. You never saw that because you didn’t understand the benefit of hard work. You always wanted the easy way out.”

  “I’m a witch. If life was meant to be difficult for me I wouldn’t have been blessed by the Goddess with so much magic.”

  I shook my head and tried to regroup. Everything I thought I knew was wrong. I had to line up my thoughts if I expected to get even a modicum of a happy ending. There was a chance — however slim — that Dani could be saved. Evie had unleashed all the evil magic. Dani could still learn ... maybe. “When did you approach Dani?”

  “She was thirteen the first time we chatted,” Evie replied. “I’d been watching her closely over the years. I was pretty sure she was gifted when she was seven and I watched her take down that horrible woman who owns the unicorn store.”

  “Mrs. Little,” I volunteered. “She’s earned a lot of takedowns.”

  “Yes, she’s a horrible wench. Anyway, she sprayed some of the kids with a hose because they were on the sidewalk in front of her store. It wasn’t unicorns at that point. It was something else ridiculously stupid. I watched Dani, saw how angry she was, and then wanted to clap when the hose sprang a leak and doused Mrs. Little while she was terrorizing the kids.”

  “You couldn’t be sure just because of that,” I noted. “That could’ve simply been a weak hose, one that sat out in the sun for too long and developed a hole or something.”