“I’m tired of the lies, Ryder.”
“You’ve put a target on your back, Tess.”
Noah poked his head outside. “Ryder, you might need to get in here before they start shooting magic at each other and you have more than one dead body on this island.”
“Go. Deal.” I waved my hand. “I’ll wait here until you’re done.”
“You swear?” he asked, glancing at the pendant in my hand.
“You have my word,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
Ryder hugged me and kissed my forehead before he disappeared back inside.
I could hear the yelling inside, but I didn’t bother to watch whatever happened. My time on the island was coming to an end. I could feel it in my veins. I wouldn’t be staying much longer. I couldn’t. Not with all of the hurt and anger running rampant through my veins.
I crossed the pool area but didn’t leave. That was one promise I was going to keep. My father and mother might have lied to those they cared about, but I vowed right then that I never would.
Sue Kimbrel was walking up the beach path and was startled by my presence.
“You surprised me. I didn’t see you there,” she said.
“Sorry,” I lied. “Mrs. Kimbrel, can I ask you a question?”
She turned to face me. “Sure, dear.”
“I’m thinking about taking a trip to California, and you look like you’ve traveled the world. Have you ever been?”
“I was just there for a short trip three months ago. What would you like to know?”
I knew it. Hell, Penny knew it. She was the one that suggested the Kimbrels were involved, and now I’d placed her in the same city as the other death. I held in my smile. “The name of a good caterer.”
All of the blood drained from Sue’s face. Bingo.
“I should really be getting back. I’ve had a long walk, and I’m tired. Maybe we can talk about this tomorrow.”
“Sure.” I smiled, and she turned to leave until I called out again.
“Where were you the first night on the island when Vinette Halliwell was murdered?”
She kept her back to me momentarily before turning around. “I was by the pool.”
“Can anyone verify that?” I asked.
“I was on a conference call with one of my charities. I can get you the number.”
“You’re lying.” I dropped my folded arms to my side.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, and it’s rude to accuse your guests of lying,” she said, lifting her nose.
I gestured to the phone in her hand. “Call someone.”
She glanced down at it but didn’t make a move to dial.
“You don’t have any service, do you?”
She met my gaze, and her lips pressed together. “You’re playing with fire, dear, and I’m not sure you want to piss me off.”
I chuckled. “You lost your hoity-totty accent to threaten me. Tell me, Sue, did you kill her because you found out that Peter and your daughter are married?”
She stayed silent, but her scowl told me enough. Heat climbed through her body, covering her chest worse than any sunburn the Island sun would have given her.
“You know about that?” she asked.
“I know plenty.” I nodded.
“Vinette was a mean, calculating woman.” Sue sneered. Her face contorted to something filled with rage. “She was going to rat me out.”
I hid my questionable look.
“She was going to expose my abilities and ties to witchcraft to the entire world. I would have lost everything. My husband, my status, everything.”
“Your daughter, Creely, told Peter the truth back when they started dating, didn’t she? That’s how Vinette knew.”
“That stupid girl. I already had to clean up her mess once when she told her college roommate.”
“That explains why you killed the caterer,” I whispered, remembering what Ryder had told me about her. She had gone to college for a couple years. Creely and the caterer had probably shared lots of secrets. “I have to admit the Witch Council hadn’t tied the two together yet.”
“And they never will once I kill you.” Sue formed and wielded a huge blue energy ball in her hands. It grew in intensity and fire. “You can take my secret to the grave, just like Vinette.”
The door behind me burst open, and my father shoved me out of the way just as Sue threw the blue flame ball. It knocked my father to the ground, and his eyes closed as I shoved to stand.
I dropped the pendant to the ground and wielded my version of a bubble the size of a Sue’s petite frame. Vinette’s voice whispered in my head. Imagine what you want the bubble to do.
“Stop her,” I whispered and focused all of my energy while Sue was trying to spawn another blue ball. I threw it at her, containing her inside the bubble. My balance teetered, and I dropped to my knees, trying to control the bubble and woman grappling inside as the bubble lifted her off the ground.
“Concentrate, Tess,” Penny shouted. “Concentrate on the outcome you desire. That’s how my mom’s magic worked. If she could think it, she could bring it forth.”
“Suck the air out and kill that bitch,” Pippy yelled.
“No, that’s my mother-in-law,” Peter growled. He lunged for me and Noah held him back.
“She killed your mom,” I said as a calm voice overcame me.
“Tess, if you kill her, it’s you I’ll be taking to the Council. This isn’t your fight. Release her and let me cuff her.”
The blue energy ball was still forming in her hands inside the circle.
“Concentrate, Tess. Take her energy, her powers, everything she uses to hurt people. Suck it into the bubble and let it become one.”
My head pounded as my heart raced. With laser focus, I strained until my muscles shook, but the blue ball started to evaporate just like Penny described. It was sucked into the bubble, turning the tint blue.
I held her motionless, hovering in the air. “Ryder, is my father alive?”
Ryder moved from my sight. “He’s injured, but I can heal him, Tess, just like I did your arm.”
“I’m not sure how long I can hold her, but I’m not letting her go until you’re sure and I hear his voice,” I demanded with a shake of my head. “If she killed him, she’s going to die.”
Seconds ticked by that felt like minutes. My energy waned; the anger I’d been pulling from was suffocating, replaced with worry that my father might not make it out of this.
“Tess.” My father’s voice was hoarse but recognizable just as the last bit of energy zapped from my body. I fell, releasing Sue and letting the darkness pull me into its grasp.
Chapter 17
The colors. It was always the colors that let me know I was dreaming. Well, that and the fact I was on the beach where Vinette had tried to train me in her own little twisted way.
It was no coincidence that she and my mother were lying in beach chairs next to mine.
“Oh look, she’s here,” my mother announced.
“She did good, Margo,” Vinette said, raising her fruity drink in the air. “Your daughter protected my babies.”
I shoved to sit up instead of lying down. “Why are you two in my dream? I don’t want you here.”
They laughed like I didn’t have a choice. There was a good chance with these two that I didn’t.
“Contessa Jane, don’t be rude,” my mother said in the same way she used to when she was alive.
“Rude?” I asked, tossing my feet over the side of the chair. “How could you let me believe he was my dad? Why didn’t you tell me the truth?”
My mother sat up and leaned across the gap to cup my cheek. “He’ll always be your dad, baby. The same man that taught you how to ride a bike, the same man that used to bandage your boo-boos, and the same man that convinced me he’d keep you safe.”
“Safe from what?” I could feel the tears starting to fall. I shouldn’t be crying in my own dream. In a dream I would h
ave conjured, I’d have half-naked men strutting down the shoreline while one served me grapes and fruity drinks.
“It’s time. She’s ready.”
“She’s not ready,” my mother said, sitting back in the beach chair.
“She has my abilities mixed with yours and her father’s,” Vinette added.
“Who is my father?” The words left my lips before I even realized what I’d said.
“All you need to know will be revealed soon enough when the time is right, Tess. You must trust me.”
“Trust you?” I huffed, rising to my feet. “I don’t even know you. My entire life is one big lie that you orchestrated.”
“I’m your mother; that’s not a lie. Your dad who raised you loves you; that’s not a lie. And Noah loves you too. You’re very blessed, Tess. Always remember that and never forget.”
Vinette rose from her spot and neared me. I stepped back, making her chuckle. “You should not fear me, child.”
“Last time we met, you tried to kill me.”
“No, I was training you.”
“By trying to kill me.”
“Semantics.” She touched my forehead with her finger. “They’re worried about you, Tess. It’s time to go.”
I woke with a gasp, my chest rising from the bed as I met my father’s gaze. He was holding a cold washcloth to my forehead. My clothes soaked as I stuck to my bed.
Relief filled his eyes, and even a tear formed. He cleared his throat. “It’s about damn time we broke your fever. Welcome back, baby.”
“Did Ryder get her?” I asked, trying to sit up.
“Easy, Tess. That was a week ago. He’s already taken her to the Council.” Noah appeared on the other side of the bed and eased me back down.
“A week?” I asked, easing back into the bed.
“You’ve been unconscious for six days. Ryder assured us that the magic just drained your energy, and he healed you as best he could. He claimed you just needed time. We’ve been taking turns watching you ever since.”
I turned my gaze to the tube attached to my arm and up to the bag attached to the pole.
“I can’t stay,” I said, emotionless as everything started to sink back in.
“This will always be your home,” my father said.
“I know. You’re my dad no matter who I’m biologically related to.” I turned to Noah. “And you…” A tear started to form.
“You don’t even need to say it.” He lifted my hand to his chest.
“I still need answers. I deserve answers.” I sighed.
“Well,” Dad said, rising from his spot and crossing the room, “I might be able to help you with that.”
“What? Did Mom tell you who he was?”
“No, that was one secret she kept to herself, but while you were unconscious, you’ve been getting some very persistent calls from a man.”
“Who?” No one ever called me unless it was solicitors.
“When I answered, he started off by telling me he wasn’t selling anything, he doesn’t care about your religion, and he doesn’t know anything about a murder mystery box.”
I chuckled. “The man I hung up on.”
“Yes, I do recall him mentioning that. He said he’s been trying to reach you and leaving you messages on your cell phone.”
“Well, we all know cell service sucks.” I turned to my dad. “You should work on that.”
“It’s on my list, Tess. It’s on my list.”
He handed me a notepad. “The man claims to be the attorney for your grandmother.”
“I thought your mom died a decade ago.” I turned to look at my father.
“She did, and your mother’s died before mine.” My dad’s gaze softened. “I believe it’s your biological father’s mother.”
“Really?” I couldn’t believe it.
“He’d like to meet with you to go over the details. He wouldn’t discuss it with me.”
“Is he coming here?” I asked.
“You’re going there,” my dad said and dangled the pendant that Ryder had once loaned me to wear. “This is your chance, Tess. See the world, find your answers.”
This was my shot to get out and see the world.
“I thought you’d be happy.” My dad’s gaze softened.
“I thought I would too,” I answered honestly.
“You will be,” Noah announced, rising from my side. “We’ll keep the light on in your cabana. That way you can find your way home.”
Chapter 18
A week later I stood at the ferry with my luggage by my legs. I’d told the others not to show. I wouldn’t leave if they did.
The ferry was going to be an empty ride. No one was scheduled to show up for another three weeks. Dad had canceled an entire month’s worth of guests and spending time taking care of me and being there in ways that I’d always needed him to be.
It was never too late to get to know his children. I reminded him when I left the hotel. I really hoped he decided to take my advice. They deserved to know he was a good man.
The ferry pulled in, and I grabbed my bag and was heading up the dock when Ryder appeared in the mist, his hands in his pockets, standing there like he’d been waiting on me.
“I hear you’re leaving.”
“Yeah, but I’ll be back,” I answered, stopping in front of him. “Why are you here? Do you want your pendant back?
“I’m here for you,” he announced, taking my bag and walking to the boat. “I wanted to be your escort for your first time on the mainland.”
“Who told you?” I asked.
“Noah. He called and said he was handing over the reins. He had your back on the island; I have your back in my world.”
Heat crept into my cheeks. “That’s not necessary.”
“I might have a personal agenda.” He grinned. “But that’s need to know.”
I playfully smacked his ribs as I stepped onto the boat. “I think I qualify.”
He turned me into my arms and cupped my cheeks. “Let me show you.”
He lowered his lips to mine in a kiss that I’d never forget no matter where my travels took me.
The End.
I hope you enjoyed Tess’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Stay tuned for how Tess’s life turns upside down while learning what her grandmother left her in the will. Keep reading for a sneak peek into the next book: Witchy Trouble on Amazon.
Chapter 1
I sat idly in the attorney’s office while he dug through his filing cabinet in search of Mildred Hexford’s file. You might be wondering who exactly Mildred Hexford was; I’d had the same question. A grandmother whom I never knew existed, one that I’d never get to meet. Why? Because she was dead.
I didn’t know what bothered me more, the fact that the man that raised me wasn’t my father or that my mother had kept the sperm donor’s identity a secret. That was why I was here waiting for Michael Stephens, Esquire, to locate my grandmother’s file.
He slammed the drawer of the cabinet and moved to a picture hanging on the wall. The man in the picture resembled the attorney, with exception of the clothing. There was a century or so difference. The gold plaque attached to the creepy picture read, Mitchell Stephens Senior, Canapoly Falls, North Carolina 1st US Marshall.
“I see serving the law runs in your family.”
“Yes, well, one might think that, looking at this picture,” he mumbled as he removed it to the floor, revealing a state-of-the-art wall safe hidden behind it. “My grandfather was an interesting man, much like your grandmother. Both stubborn to a fault, never backing down.”
“And here I thought I got my stubborn streak from my dad.”
Mr. Stephens rested his hand on the palm reader and waited for a click before he replied. “Your father was stubborn and unique.”
“I was referring to the man that raised me,” I answered as Mr. Stephens took a box and file out of his safe before closing it.
He sat down at his desk, his ruddy cheeks now much br
ighter. “My apologies, Miss Venture. Mildred explained you didn’t know your father.”
“You can call me Contessa or Tess. I answer to both. Did you know my father?” I asked, slightly tilting my head.
“Yes, but we’re getting ahead of ourselves. I can’t tell you much. I’m bound by confidentiality in Mildred’s will.”
I uncrossed my legs and inched forward on my seat. “My grandmother stipulated that you couldn’t talk about my father?”
“That and much more, I’m afraid.”
“Why?”
He sighed as if debating the words he wanted to use. It would be useless in the end. I’d find my answers one way or another. I was good that way. He flipped the file open and entwined his fingers. “Once I go over your inheritance, you’ll understand.”
“Okay,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “What did the woman want?”
“This is the last living will of Mildred Hexford,” he started to read.
“Give me the Cliff Notes,” I suggested.
“Tess, you’re entitled to one-third of the estate once her stipulations are met.”
“Stipulations?”
“She stipulated that you must stay at the Hexford Inn and run it for one full year, including, but not limited to, seeing to the needs of the live-in tenants.”
“Who’s taking care of those people now?” I asked. My grandmother had been dead for three months.
“Your grandmother made arrangements. You’ll find she was very efficient at handling all of the details, but you needn’t worry. Your current guests won’t be much of a bother, and I’ll introduce you to them later if you agree to the rest of the stipulations.”
Interesting. The woman couldn’t have been that bad if she’d made plans before kicking the bucket that her guests’ lives wouldn’t be bothered by her departure. Interesting, indeed. “Continue.”
“You’re also to accommodate any and all guests in the reservations previously written in the register.” Mr. Stephens rested his hand over a large leather-bound ancient journal.
“What, she doesn’t believe in a computer?”
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