The Big Fang Theory (Magic Market Mysteries Book 8)

by Erin Johnson

  Daisy growled, and I raised a brow. “As in, you became interested in different women?”

  He fiddled with the ticket book. “Something like that, yeah.”

  I nodded. “So after she caught you cheating, she dumped you, yeah?”

  Vince glared at me. “Yeah.” He shrugged. “Not like I care anyway. I went to live with my new girlfriend.” His smug smile fell. “Until she dumped me recently, too.”

  I raised my brows. “Shocker.”

  “Hey.” He splayed his palms. “I realized my mistake—”

  I held up a finger. “Again, after the other woman dumped you.”

  He shrugged. “I realized what I was missing out on with Polly.” He sighed, his gaze wistful. “Guess I’ll never get to taste those muffins again.”

  I curled my lip, unsure if we were talking about her baking or metaphorical muffins. I shot him a flat look. “What a tragedy for you.”

  He nodded, serious.

  Peter crossed his arms. “So why’d you show up at the baking competition, then?”

  Vince lifted his palms. “Why, to show my support, of course.”

  I drummed my fingers on the counter. “Not to kill her?”

  His eyes grew wide. “What?” He turned to Peter. “Is this broad crazy?”

  Daisy growled at him, her hackles raised. I grinned down at her—thanks, Days.

  Peter raised a brow. “Answer the question—did you kill Polly?”

  Vince gaped, then glanced behind him to find all of his employees staring. He threw a hairy arm up. “Get back to work!”

  All the ladies bustled away, and Vince turned back to face us. “No. I did not kill Polly, nor did I have anything to do with her death.”

  Peter and I looked down at Daisy, who wagged her bushy tail and whined. True.

  I huffed. Snakes. I was kinda hoping we could handcuff this guy.

  Vince shook his head. “Besides—how could I have? I was nowhere near her!”

  Peter and I exchanged exasperated looks. Yeah—that was the case for all of our suspects. No one was close enough to have killed Polly except the palace servant—and he didn’t know Polly or her girls or have any motive to kill them.

  We needed to figure out how our killer had snuck the poison into Polly’s tea—and how they’d managed to kill only her, when nearly all the bakers in the tent had drunk some.

  29

  NEO AND THE BOYS

  We’d just left Vince’s place when Peter got a call. He stepped a few feet away and pressed a finger to his other ear to block out all the noise from shoppers and passersby. A small group on the corner held signs and chanted in support of shifter rights.

  Daisy and I hung back under a string of lighted orange miniature pumpkins and gourds that had been hung between the stone buildings overhead. The festive fall decorations zigzagged up and down the street, while crisp red and orange leaves blew by in the gutters.

  Daisy sniffed the perimeter of the pet shop next door, and I was leaning up against a brick wall to get out of the way of foot traffic when a heavy hand clamped down on my shoulder.

  Before I had a chance to react, I was yanked off my feet and dragged down a dark alley. I thrashed and cried out, but soon had my arms pinned to my sides and a thick hand clamped over my mouth. I was pulled from the bright lights of the street into shadow behind a few stacked barrels and crates.

  “It’s just us. Snakes.” Neo’s dark eyes flashed at me while Viktor, beside him, cackled and twitched. It was odd to see the real duo when I’d been escorted into the sewers by the prince and princess posing as them just the night before.

  I relaxed slightly as I tipped my head back and realized Sacha, the enormous brick wall of a man, was the one restraining me. He relaxed the hand that had been clamped over my mouth, and I glared at Neo. There was no use fighting anyway—they all knew I’d lost my powers.

  Daisy came bounding around the corner a moment later, teeth bared, and lunged at Neo’s head. He spun and hit her with a spell that froze her midleap.

  “Hey! What’d you do to her?” I flailed and tried, pointlessly, to kick him.

  Neo shook his head. “Get a grip. I just froze her—she’ll be fine in a minute.” He raised his dark brows. “Now will you stop already? We’re here to help.”

  “Ha!” I let out an exaggerated cackle. “Oh! I’m sorry. How could I be so foolish? Of course, the men forcefully dragging me down a dark alley are here to help.” I scowled at him.

  “Can I let go of her?” Sacha’s deep, slow voice rumbled in his chest at my back.

  Neo and I answered him at the same time.

  “Yes!”

  “No.”

  We glared at each other.

  “My boyfriend’s gonna come around that corner any moment and arrest you and all!”

  Neo rolled his eyes and stepped closer while the wiry Viktor kept watch. “Listen—I’m here to warn you. You shouldn’t go anywhere alone.”

  I shot him a flat look. “Or some dudes might nab me?”

  He huffed. “Exactly! If it wasn’t us, it’d be someone else working for Ludolf—and they wouldn’t be as kind.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, this is real five-star treatment, here.” Sacha’s bear hug still pinned my arms to my sides. I marveled at his hairy forearms—they were as thick as my legs.

  Neo stared at me, his gaze intense. “Ludolf’s put a reward out for bringing you in—alive or dead.”

  Well, that sent a chill right over me.

  “He’s got people everywhere—be careful, Jolene.”

  I sniffed. “Considering you also work for him… what now?”

  Neo shook his head. “This was just a warning. We’ve been tailing you, but I don’t know that we’ll be able to protect you next time.”

  Sacha let go, and I shrugged away from him, tugging on my jacket. I glared at Neo. “Ludolf’s been testing on me and hundreds of other shifters over the years. You know why? Your boss despises his own kind so much, he’s working for a ‘cure.’” I put air quotes around the last word. “This is who you’re working for.”

  I thought the color drained from Neo’s face, though it was hard to tell in the dim light of the alley.

  “You’d better get back to your cop.” Neo jerked his head and headed further down the alley into the shadows, Sacha and Viktor following him.

  Sacha waved a hand the size of a dinner plate. “Bye, Jolene.”

  I waved back at the man who could probably snap me in half like a twig. “Bye, Sacha.”

  I moved over beside Daisy and gently patted her unmoving head, then turned to call after them. “Whose side are you on, anyway?”

  But no answer came. Maybe Heidi was right that Neo had a bit of a crush on me. Either that, or a conscience. In any case, they’d warned me and disobeyed Ludolf. That was a first.

  A few moments later, a frantic Peter skidded around the corner. After he spelled Daisy back to normal, I explained what had happened. He started off down the alley after Neo and the boys, but I grabbed his arm, stopping him.

  I shook my head. “Not worth it.” I shrugged. “They were trying to help. They could’ve turned me in for the reward if they’d wanted to.”

  Peter hugged me tight to his chest and didn’t say anything for a long time. I felt like I was back in Sacha’s vise grip. Except, I wasn’t in a hurry for it to end. I hugged him tightly back while Daisy paced in a circle around us, growling and huffing.

  How dare they?! I’d like to see them try that again. I’ll bite their feet off! And then their faces!

  I grinned at her tirade. It was nice to have people who cared if I got snatched off the street.

  Peter spoke into the top of my head. “I’m not letting you out of my sight again—not until Ludolf’s behind bars.”

  I nodded against his chest. “Sounds good.” I bit my lip. “Though it might make bathroom time a little awkward.”

  He shook his head, groaning, but hugged me tighter.

  PETER, Daisy,
and I headed up to the palace together in answer to the call he’d just received. Apparently, Amelia, the event coordinator, had contacted him with some exciting information the gang wanted to tell us in person.

  Despite the alarming encounter I’d just had in the alley with Neo and the boys, I felt a flutter of hope in my chest. Had they found a cure? Would the shifters be turned back and be able to testify against Ludolf? Could my own cure be close behind?

  I squeezed Peter’s hand, which was clamped around mine like a vise. I grinned up at him as we sped up the cobblestone streets to the top of the island. “You know, I’m close to losing circulation in that hand.”

  He shot me a wide-eyed look, his wand gripped tight in his other hand, then relaxed a little. His throat bobbed, and pink tinted his cheeks as he shot me a sheepish grin. “Sorry. I just can’t stop thinking about how I might’ve lost you back there.”

  I nodded. “I know. Me, too. But it’s okay.” I didn’t want to think too hard about the price on my head or the shifters who might be hiding anywhere, in plain sight, waiting to nab me and drag me to Ludolf. If I did, I’d go crazy. Plus, my stomach fluttered with high hopes that this might all be over with soon. I waggled my brows at him. “Sounds like the royals have some good news for us.”

  He gave me a tight grin and gently squeezed my hand. “I sure hope so. We could use some.”

  Daisy trotted ahead, ears pricked, on high alert. She swiveled her head from side to side, growling at every little squeak of a bat or rustle in the bushes. We’d nearly reached the palace and now walked through one of the posh neighborhoods on the top tier, with their gated estates and lush landscaping.

  I let out a quiet woof, as we were the only ones on the street. Pretty sure we’re in a safe neighborhood, Days. You can relax.

  She turned and curled her lip in a snarl. I’ll relax when I’m dead.

  I nodded and let out a quiet whine. That’s the attitude.

  She growled. You’re not the one they put a freezing spell on, Jolene! That’s an attack on a police officer! I’ll catch them all and drag them to jail myself if I ever see them again!

  She ran up to a gate and barked at a squirrel until it clambered back up the tree and disappeared into the foliage.

  “Daisy! Shh. There, girl.” Peter dashed over, me in tow since I was pretty sure he wouldn’t be letting go of my hand for the next couple of months.

  He petted her head and stroked her back. “Come on, girl, we’re all just a little rattled. It’s alright.”

  I nodded and let out a small bark. Peter says you’re doing great. Super healthy way to handle your anger—taking it out on innocent squirrels. Definitely keep it up—I think there’s still a few people in the neighborhood you haven’t woken up.

  Daisy flattened her ears and shot me a glare, but after one more snarl, walked away from the fence. She paced ahead of us, huffing and growling to herself. She glanced back at me. Maybe if you were less prone to getting yourself in trouble, I could relax a little.

  I grinned and whined back. Aw, Days. I pressed my free hand to my heart. I didn’t know you cared.

  She huffed. Don’t get too full of yourself. I just don’t want Peter to get all depressed again, which he would if you got yourself kidnapped or killed.

  I grinned and woofed. You wouldn’t even miss me a little?

  She glanced back and rolled her eyes, huffing. I guess I’d wonder who would sneak me bacon when Peter wasn’t looking.

  I winked and whined. Keep it on the down low, Days.

  The tip of her tail wagged just the tiniest amount, and she winked. I glanced up at Peter to find him watching our interaction with a twinkle in his eye.

  30

  A CURE

  A palace servant showed Peter, Daisy, and me back to the healing wing. The long, cool space that had been so quiet before buzzed with excited energy.

  I grinned at Peter, and we picked up the pace as we headed down the center aisle to the back, where several tall tables stood covered in potions and spell books. Healers decked out in smocks and gloves bustled about, and I spotted Prince Harry and Princess Imogen as well as several of their friends among them.

  Princess Imogen, her baking flame in a lantern on the table in front of her, glanced up and beamed at me. “Jolene!”

  Maple, beside her, looked up and squealed when she spotted us—or should I say, Daisy. “Puppy!”

  I doubted I could get away with calling Daisy a puppy, but she didn’t seem to mind when the princess’s friend did it. Maple ran forward and dropped to a crouch, cooing over Daisy and scratching behind her ears.

  Within moments, Daisy had rolled onto her back, eyes closed, and was happily accepting belly rubs. Maple, raking her fingers up and down Daisy’s fluffy tummy, let out a wistful sigh. “Sam would’ve loved to pet her. I hope he’s okay.”

  The royals and their friends hopped off their stools and came over to join us. Princess Imogen squeezed Maple’s shoulder. “I’m sure he’ll turn up sooner or later. Amelia, Kenta, Rhonda and Francis, plus half the palace staff are out searching for him.”

  Maple nodded as Daisy continued to soak up the attention, her long tongue hanging out the side of her mouth. She groaned. A little to the left.

  I scanned the room, searching for Will and Heidi. I spotted them lounging on one of the beds, Will stretched out with his ankles crossed, and Heidi sitting, legs crossed, with the sloth wrapped around her neck, reading a magazine.

  “Hey, friends!” I waved, and they both glanced up as we approached.

  “Did you hear?” Heidi beamed at me, closed her magazine, and then patted Will’s legs. “C’mon.”

  He kept his eyes closed. “Do I have to?”

  She rolled her eyes as she pushed off the bed and onto her feet. She poked his ribs. “You’ve been napping all night. C’mon.”

  He huffed. “These have been the first days off I’ve had in about five years, so cut me some slack, alright, sister?” He opened his eyes and flashed them at her.

  Heidi just giggled and bounded over to give me a hug. “They found a cure,” she whispered in my ear.

  I grinned at her, torn between joy and hesitation. I’d had a lot of good things turn sour in my life, and it wasn’t always easy for me to believe they might be turning around. “Really? This isn’t some cruel prank?”

  She shot me a flat look. “Like I would do that.” She smirked. “See for yourself.”

  I froze, my heart racing—had they already cured one of the trapped shifters?

  The prince, who’d by this time joined our little group, swept an arm toward an old man sitting on a stool. A few wisps of white hair covered his otherwise bald head. Several healers fussed over him, handing him tea and checking his vitals. “Jolene Hargrave, officially meet Carthamus Cook.”

  The old man shot me a watery grin. “We’ve met.” His voice sounded hoarse and strained, as though he hadn’t used it in many, many years. “I was the raccoon.”

  The raccoon. I grinned, tears stinging my eyes. “I’m glad you won’t be hanging around my apartment stealing all my earrings and rings anymore.”

  He grinned back, his dark eyes twinkling. “Sorry about that.” He shrugged his thin shoulders. “I like shiny things; what can I say.”

  A few of the healers chuckled.

  I bit my lip, trying to hold back the strong emotions washing over me—a mix of relief, sadness, excitement, and a sudden, profound appreciation for the gift I’d for so long viewed as a curse.

  If I weren’t able to speak to animals, this man, Carthamus Cook, would likely have lived the remainder of his days trapped in raccoon form, no one knowing what had happened to him. While he’d lost a lot of years, maybe now he’d get justice and see Ludolf Caterwaul pay for his crimes.

  Heidi nodded, patting the sloth’s back like it was a baby. “You were such a troublemaker.” She winked at Carthamus. “So cute though.”

  The old man grinned back at her. “Thank you, Miss Heidi, for all the care you
took of us.”

  She beamed. “Happy to.”

  The sloth in her arms let out a couple of slow squeaks. You’re… so… pretty.

  I raised my brows at Heidi. “You’ve got an admirer.”

  She sighed wistfully down at the sloth. “Can we change him last? I’m gonna miss carrying this little guy around.”

  Prince Harry looked at his wife, then back at us. “We think we should move as quickly as possible to cure the shifters.”

  Princess Imogen nodded, her thick curtain of bangs bobbing. “They’ve spent enough time trapped.”

  Heidi pouted down at her sloth.

  Will finally dragged himself out of bed and came to stand beside me. “Not to mention, once Ludolf gets a whiff of this, he’ll be hightailing it out of here to save his own hide.” I glanced up, and my friend flashed his eyes at me. “We need to move fast.”

  I nodded and spoke to the whole group. “This is—amazing.” I looked at Prince Harry and Princess Imogen. “What you’ve done… it’s way beyond what I ever imagined. So thank you.”

  They beamed at each other, then at me. Prince Harry lifted his palm. “It’s just the start. We’ll do our best to repair the damage my father’s done to the shifter community.” He looked down, brows pinched, and the princess nudged him with her shoulder until he met her eyes.

  “Your dad’s pretty awful.” The princess raised her brows. “Luckily, you’re nothing like him.”

  The prince grinned.

  “And your brother is turning out to be a pretty good king.” Princess Imogen shrugged. “I know this seems scary and hard, but we’ll figure out how to handle it—together.”

  Iggy nodded solemnly. “That’s what she said.”

  The princess’s brows pinched together for a moment as she puzzled it out, then realization dawned on her face. She hauled her flame’s lantern up to face height. “Iggy!”

  His flame shuddered as he cackled.

  Daisy, still on her back with Maple fawning all over her, peeled an eye open. She frowned, rolled onto her side, then rose to sitting and stretched her neck out as long as she could, gingerly sniffing the air in Iggy’s direction.