Magic & Monsters (Starry Hollow Witches Book 12)

by Annabel Chase

  I slapped a throw pillow over his face. “Are you really interested in hearing more about Ivy?”

  “Yes, absolutely.” Artemis leaned forward and lifted her cup to her cracked lips. Either she was in desperate need of Chapstick or Jefferson wasn’t giving her much time to come up for air, although I wasn’t quite sure how hanky panky worked with a ghost—nor did I want to.

  “I have Ivy’s Book of Shadows and I seem to have accessed the magic she’d hidden away before they stripped her of the rest of it.”

  Artemis barely reacted. “And you’re worried about Hyacinth?”

  “I don’t know if worried is the right word. I’m suspicious.”

  “You think she wants that power.”

  I nodded, wanting to unburden myself. “I think the whole reason she gave Marley those gifts is because she believed that Marley would be able to unlock the magic somehow and that, once Hyacinth finds out, she’ll swoop in and try to take it for herself.”

  “And you feel conflicted because you want to trust your aunt.”

  My eyes grew moist. Artemis was right. I did want to trust her, but I knew I couldn’t. “Honestly, everyone close to me lies. I should be used to it by now.”

  Her smile was sympathetic. “Like your father.”

  “I don’t blame him for what he did. I know he was only trying to protect me.” From the very aunt I didn’t trust—the one who seemed hungry for power and willing to go the distance to get it.

  “Still, it would be understandable if you were angry with your father. He hid an entire part of your life from you. A part of yourself.”

  “How can I be angry with him? He’s dead. There’s no point. I can’t yell at him. I can’t ask questions.” I slumped against the cushion. How did we get here? I’d only intended to help her with the twins and now I was in a therapy session.

  “Don’t resist those feelings, however uncomfortable, Ember.”

  I swallowed the remainder of my tea. “I would appreciate keeping this between us. I don’t want anyone to know about Ivy’s magic. She has such a bad reputation.”

  “But you’re not Ivy, dear. Remember that. Her magic…Her power. You’re still you, no matter what you have access to.”

  “I threw Wren across a clearing like he was a ball,” I admitted.

  She laughed lightly. “He probably enjoyed that.”

  I smiled. “He did.”

  She reached forward and patted my knee. “Try not to worry. The answer will come to you when the time is right. In the meantime, you handle it however you deem best.”

  “It’s a lot of power,” I said. “I become more aware of it when I’m about to fall asleep. I’ve had nightmares.”

  “Because your defenses are down. You’re probably resisting it during your waking hours.”

  “Why would I do that?”

  “Because you’re afraid, of course.”

  I nodded. “I think I am.” Afraid and yet also relieved that it was me and not Marley carrying this burden. She was far too young and inexperienced. At least I was old and inexperienced.

  The doorbell rang, startling both of us.

  “That must be Aster and Sterling,” Artemis said. “Jefferson will answer it.”

  “Not a word to Aster, okay?”

  Artemis met my pleading gaze and nodded, almost imperceptibly.

  My cousin came rushing into the parlor room. She looked beautiful with her hair in a chignon and wearing a hot pink dress. Her brow furrowed when she saw me.

  “I thought that was your car. Is everything okay? The boys weren’t too much trouble, were they?”

  “Not at all,” Artemis said. “They were little angels. Where’s Sterling?”

  “Waiting in the car.”

  “The boys are asleep upstairs. I can have Jefferson carry them down if you’d prefer not to wake them.”

  “That would be wonderful, thank you.” Aster fixed her gaze on me. “You left Marley alone at this hour?”

  I shrugged. “She said she’d be fine. My little girl isn’t so little anymore.”

  “And how was your evening out?” Artemis asked.

  My eyes widened. “Yes. How was your evening? Any progress on the thing we talked about?”

  Aster smiled. “We’ll discuss it later.” Two white-blond wizards floated into the room, their eyes closed and mouths open. “There are my sweet boys.” She glanced back at Artemis. “Thank you so much. You’re a lifesaver.”

  “It was lovely to have such youthful energy in the house again. It’s been far too long.”

  One of the things I loved about Artemis was her sweet disposition. If she told you your boys were angels straight sent from Heaven, whether she truly believed that or not, you knew she wasn’t going to turn around and bad mouth them to someone else.

  “I hate to run, but I need to meet Alec,” I said.

  “Make the most of your time together,” Artemis said.

  Raoul gave me a hopeful look as we left the house. Can we stop at a drive-thru on the way home? I’m hungry.

  I looked at him agape. You had a whole tin of biscuits. Don’t deny it. I heard you in the kitchen before you came back to the parlor room.

  And now I need salty to counteract the sweet.

  “I’ve got salty for you right here,” I said in a threatening tone.

  Forget it, he mumbled. I don’t like when you speak mobster. I’ll make my own way home.

  “Works for me. I’m driving straight to the Whitethorn anyway and you’re not invited.”

  Don’t forget to hold yourself accountable.

  I frowned as I opened the car door. “You mean don’t drink and drive?”

  He rolled his eyes. Obviously not, but I’m talking about Alec.

  “What about him?” I slid behind the wheel and started the car.

  Raoul stood next to the driver’s side door. You want to establish realistic goals that help you move forward in all areas of your life. That includes Mr. Tall, Toned, and Fanged. He’s either part of the solution or he’s part of the problem.

  I’m not having this conversation with you. I started to back out of the driveway, careful not to run over his paws.

  Then you need to have it with him. It’s time, Ember. You’ve let him off the hook long enough.

  What hook? There’s no hook. In the darkness, I saw the raccoon’s eyes shine.

  One that would have the fruit must first climb the tree.

  If I wanted a fortune, I’d have ordered Chinese food, I said.

  Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.

  “I am not doing this with you right now!” I pulled alongside him and rolled down the window. “If you want the rainbow, you have to tolerate the rain!”

  Raoul trained his small, dark eyes on me. It’s been raining long enough and I don’t see any rainbows, do you?

  I rolled up the window and sped off in anger, watching in the rearview mirror as the darkness swallowed him.

  Chapter Fourteen

  I arrived at the Whitethorn, determined to forget my argument with Raoul and enjoy the rest of my evening without his fortune cookie proverbs invading my headspace. His days as my accountability coach were unsurprisingly numbered. I’d been insane to accept his offer in the first place—or so mentally and emotionally overwhelmed that I was willing to accept any lifeline thrown my way.

  I hovered outside the entrance and checked in with Marley to say good night before making my way into the pub. I was relieved that she sounded completely fine. She was in bed with PP3 and Bonkers and no one was growling or hissing. Success.

  “Good evening, Captain Yellowjacket,” I said, approaching the bar with a big smile.

  “As I live and don’t breathe,” the vampire pirate said. He wore his trademark bright yellow jacket, black pirate hat, and, of course, an eye patch. As the descendant of the notorious Captain Blackfang, a vampire pirate that terrorized the high seas, he liked to dress the part. “If it isn’t intrepid reporter Ember Ros
e. What brings you here this evening, lass—business or pleasure?” His brow lifted as he glanced over my shoulder. “Aye. Pleasure it is then.”

  “Both, actually,” I said.

  His presumption made sense when Alec appeared beside me. He bent down to kiss my cheek. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”

  “Your eyes are sore because they’ve been locked on a screen all day. How’s the book?”

  “Coming along.” He greeted Captain Yellowjacket with a firm handshake and ordered an ale. “Ember?”

  “I’m still deciding.” The tea from Haverford House had made me a little nauseous. Jefferson had a tendency to overdo the milk.

  Captain Yellowjacket slid the glass across the bar to Alec. “Anything for you, lassie?”

  “As a matter of fact, I need to ask you about a visitor you had here the other night. A blond banshee named Amanda M’Leigh. She would’ve been on her phone most of the time. It makes a pew pew pew sound.”

  Alec chuckled. “I didn’t catch that. Can you make that sound again?”

  I nudged him with my elbow.

  “Aye, I saw the lass you mentioned. She was here with three cats and Winston York, the gods rest his merry soul.” He lowered his head in a show of respect.

  “Three cats?” Alec queried.

  “They’re spoiled and she takes them everywhere.” I shifted my focus to Duncan. “Do you happen to remember what they ordered?”

  He drummed his fingers on the counter. “She ordered for both of them. Two brambles.”

  “That’s rum and burstberry ale in a cocktail?” I’d sampled it once before but didn’t care for the ale.

  “Aye. She finished hers first, but he nursed his for the duration of their chat.”

  “Would you say he drank any of it?” I asked.

  He peered at me with his one good eye. “Why do you ask?”

  “Just curious,” I said.

  “He might’ve sipped it to be polite, but when the glasses were brought back to the bar, his was full even taking into account the melted ice.”

  So if Amanda had poisoned him, it would have to be a toxin so strong that one anemic sip could do the deed, albeit many hours later. It seemed highly unlikely.

  “Did you notice any strange odors or unusual residue from the glass?”

  He recoiled. “Yar! I only use the best ingredients.”

  “Oh, I know. I’m sorry, Duncan. I’m not casting aspersions on your business practices, I swear.”

  “You don’t think she was testing any of her products on Winston York, do you?” Captain Yellowjacket tugged his ear thoughtfully. “Now that you mention it, his skin looked much shinier by the time he left.”

  “Squawk!” Bittersteel flew over my head, his colorful feathers skimming the top of it, and slammed beak-first into the captain’s shoulder. “Tell her!”

  Captain Yellowjacket narrowed his eyes at the parrot, now perched on his shoulder swaying back and forth. “Do I need to get out the drunk tank for you again?”

  “Liar!” The parrot punctuated his remark with a loud belch.

  “You might want to slow down on the fermented grapes,” I said.

  Bittersteel refused to be silenced. “Tell her the truth!” The parrot shook his feathered head so hard that he tipped over. He propelled his wings to keep himself from plunging to the floor.

  I peered at the vampire pirate. “The truth? What’s he talking about?”

  The red of his already ruddy cheeks deepened from embarrassment. “Don’t get the wrong idea, lassie. He only means that I might have finished the drink.”

  I stared at him blankly. “The drink?”

  “Winston’s drink. I despise the waste of alcohol…”

  “Waste not, want not,” the parrot squawked. He attempted to fly forward and ended up head-butting Alec.

  “It seems to me you want for very little alcohol this evening.” The stoic vampire gripped the parrot by the wing and flung him across the pub like a Frisbee.

  “Sometimes if a customer seems to have left a drink untouched, I’ll finish it.” Captain Yellowjacket exhaled loudly. “There, I said it.” He glanced around furtively. “Please don’t tell anyone. I don’t need health and safety officers swarming the place.”

  His confession ruled out a poison drink from Amanda. I leaned across the counter to pat his cheek. “Actually, your honesty has been a huge help. Thank you.”

  Captain Yellowjacket squared his shoulders and grinned, flashing a gold fang. “I figured it was Winston York. Living legend. How bad could his germs be?”

  “You’re a vampire, Duncan,” Alec said. “The chances of you being felled by any germs you might pick up in a shared drink are infinitesimal.”

  “Too true, me hearty. The worst I suffer is the occasional bout of indigestion that follows too many Yorkshire puddings.”

  Alec covered his hand with mine. “Shall we retreat to a booth or do you have more questions?”

  “No, I’m good.” At least I could rule out Amanda. Take that, Raoul. Another box ticked.

  “I’ll send over a couple of menus,” Captain Yellowjacket said.

  I waved him off. “No need. Unless you’ve changed it, I think I know it by heart.”

  Alec and I settled across from each other in a dimly lit booth. “Have I mentioned how lovely you look this evening?”

  “No. I’m all ears.” I cupped a hand to my ear, prompting a light laugh from the vampire.

  “You look lovely this evening, Ember.”

  His voice alone made me shiver with delight. He could read mortgage documents to me and I’d still want to jump his bones. Raoul’s words floated through my mind. You want to establish realistic goals that help you move forward in all areas of your life. That includes Mr. Tall, Toned, and Fanged. He’s either part of the solution or he’s part of the problem.

  “Is everything all right?” Alec asked. “You seem preoccupied.”

  I shoved the thoughts aside and forced a smile. “Everything is great.”

  We skipped the appetizers and ordered two main courses and a bottle of wine. Once the wine had been poured, Alec focused those mesmerizing eyes on me.

  “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were investigating Amanda M’Leigh for some reason. Did you unearth anything newsworthy about her? Aside from the charming sound her phone makes, of course.”

  I swallowed hard. I didn’t want to lie to Alec, but I’d promised the sheriff that I’d keep York’s murder to myself. I had to honor that promise. It was basically the same as protecting a source from my editor. Good thing I’d mastered the art of cloaking my thoughts from the vampire.

  “Sort of. I spoke to her as part of my research on York and I think she’d make a good story for the paper, after I’m finished writing about Winston, of course.”

  If he sensed there was more to it than that, he didn’t push the issue. “Speaking of a good story, you just gave me an idea for the chapter I’m working on.” He pulled out his phone and began typing a note to himself.

  I decided to send the sheriff a quick update on Amanda while Alec was distracted. Our meals arrived just as I hit send.

  “Checking on Marley?” he asked.

  “Yes,” I lied and immediately felt a surge of guilt. “She’s still awake.”

  “We can eat quickly if you’re in a rush to get home.”

  “No, she’s fine, but I appreciate the offer.” I desperately wanted to enjoy my quality time with Alec. It felt like forever since we’d sat across from each other, alone and without a computer between us.

  The food was delicious and, for the next half an hour, there was nothing in the world except the two of us. Alec was his magnetic self and we couldn’t resist touching each other during the meal, even though it was only our shoes meeting under the table. The topics I’d intended to discuss fell by the wayside and I just enjoyed being present in the moment with him.

  By the time we left the pub, Bittersteel was on a table by the door beak-deep in a pint
of ale with his eyes closed. I was pretty sure I heard him snoring.

  “I hope Duncan has a hangover cure for that parrot,” I said, laughing as we stood under a blanket of twinkling stars.

  Alec took my hand. “Care for a stroll on the beach before we go our separate ways?”

  “Best Journey song there is.”

  His brow knitted together. “Journey?”

  “Rock band. I’d sing it for you, but I can’t hit the high notes like my man Steve Perry. A stroll sounds romantic. Let’s do it.”

  “You’re certain? I understand if you’d rather go home.”

  I slipped off my shoes and held them in my hand. “Not me. I’m all for grabbing life by the unicorn horn.”

  His mouth twitched. “You have the most charming expressions.”

  I looked at him, experimenting with a variety of faces. “I do, don’t I? I’m a big fan of this one.” I showed him the ‘extreme smile,’ which was the hideous face I made in New Jersey when I received unwanted attention from men. It was a cross between The Joker and Marie Osmond—all crazy eyes and teeth.

  “Very attractive, indeed.”

  The moonlight rippled across the water and I released a happy sigh. “Before I forget, I wasn’t able to get the appointment with that new therapist. She was booked for the next two months, so I need to keep looking.”

  He squeezed my hand. “I think we have enough to occupy us these days, wouldn’t you agree?”

  “You can take a break from your book. You know I’m always willing to make time for us.”

  His thumb gently stroked my hand. “It’s always something though, isn’t it? If not the book, then other duties crop up that require immediate attention. The list is Sisyphean.”

  “That’s life, I guess, which brings me back to my original point of grabbing life by the unicorn horn. For all York’s flaws, he lived a good, full life.”

  “I envy him that.”

  I cast a sidelong glance at him. “You’re a vampire with an impressive career. Why would you envy his life?”

  “Because it gets to be complete. Winston York enjoyed a beginning, a middle, and an end. I’ll never experience that.”

  I listened to the waves as they crashed against the shore. Normally I found the sound soothing, but right now I was too unnerved to appreciate it.