“She was,” I said.
“She’s gone already?” Dana queried. “What happened? Did she rob some poor sucker blind before she flew off?”
“She didn’t rob anyone,” the deputy said. “She’s dead.”
Dana steadied herself against the sideboard. “Dead? Not undead like me, right? You mean real dead?”
“Real dead,” the deputy confirmed.
The vampire’s lips melted into a malevolent smile. “Good. Whatever happened, I’m sure she deserved it.”
I tried to contain my shock at her reaction. She could at least feign a touch of sadness for her former friend. “You mentioned that the two of you were best friends at one time,” I said. Clearly, not anymore.
“Yeah, until she decided to get it on with my fiancé behind my back,” Dana said. “That sort of behavior generally puts the kibosh on a friendship, you know?”
The deputy stood beside my chair. I assumed he didn’t want to sit so that he wasn’t any shorter. Right now we were about eye level. “Did you confront Tatiana at the time?” he asked.
“I confronted both of them, fangs and all.” She popped out her pointy teeth for good measure. “I drew blood. Mostly Jake’s, but I got a few decent digs in with Tatiana too, before Jake went full wolf and ruined my advantage. He’s strong enough when he’s in human form.”
“Jake’s a werewolf?” I queried.
“I know, I know. Vampires and werewolves are supposed to be eternal enemies,” Dana said. “Mythos shmythos. Well, we’re enemies now, but at the time we were completely drawn to each other, probably because the relationship was so frowned upon. I thought we would live happily ever after.” She paused. “I was a moron.”
“Was Tatiana supportive of the relationship?” I asked. Was there a chance Tatiana had tried to do her friend a favor by showing Jake’s true nature before the wedding? Based on my knowledge of the fairy, the chances were slim, but still. She was dead and I wanted a better understanding of her. If for no other reason than it was the best way to pinpoint her killer.
“Of course she was. She thought Jake was hot,” Dana said. “Then again, she thought every male on two legs was hot.” She paused. “Even four legs, for that matter.”
“Sounds like Tatiana was very open-minded,” I said.
Dana glowered at me. “She was a sparkly slut.”
Okay then. “What about Jake?” I asked. “Any chance he’s been in touch with Tatiana?” Inwardly, I cringed at my use of the word ‘touch.’
“I have no clue and I don’t care,” Dana said. “Jake can rot in Heaven for all I care.”
“I think you mean Hell,” the deputy said.
She scoffed. “A guy like Jake would do well for himself in Hell. No, I mean Heaven. All that goodness. He’d die a slow and painful death.”
“Well, technically if he were in Heaven he’d already be dead,” Deputy Bolan said.
Dana silenced him with a menacing look. “Go and talk to Jake if you want, but do me a favor. If they’ve been in contact, I don’t want to know. I put that ordeal behind me a long time ago and I don’t want to relive it now. I have a successful graphic design job, and a great group of friends who would never betray me. The undead life is sweet.” She kissed her fingers like she’d finished creating a culinary masterpiece.
“No boyfriend or fiancé?” I asked.
Dana pinned me with a resentful look. “No, but there’s plenty of time. I’m immortal, remember?”
“Anyone since Jake?” I asked.
She pretended to examine her lengthy black fingernails. “No one worth mentioning.”
Hmm. So not really over the ordeal at all.
“One more question, Miss Ellsworth,” Deputy Bolan said. “Where were you on Monday between the hours of nine and three?”
“Here at the office, same as always,” Dana said. “Unlike some unscrupulous fairies and wayward werewolves, I don’t shirk my responsibilities.”
Her bitterness seemed as eternal as her life was.
“Thanks for your time,” the deputy said.
“No problem,” she replied. “Thanks for the good news. I might run out for a blood orange milkshake to celebrate. Care to join me?” She cocked an eyebrow at the leprechaun.
“We have a dead fairy and no one in custody,” Deputy Bolan replied. “We’re not celebrating anything today.”
Dana offered a pert shrug. “Your loss.”
“My husband would disagree,” the leprechaun said.
As we left the fishbowl, I placed a hand on the leprechaun’s tiny shoulder. “If you have any powers of persuasion with Granger, please don’t let him end up like that.”
“From your lips to the gods’ ears,” the deputy said.
I was in the middle of an intense daydream involving Alec, me, and a vibrating broomstick when I was interrupted by a knock at the door. I bolted to my feet, heat emanating from my entire body. PP3 stirred at the end of the sofa but didn’t move.
“Don’t worry, guard dog,” I said. “I’ll answer it.” We both knew who it was anyway. I opened the door and flashed a deranged smile. “Welcome to the madhouse.”
“I’m glad you finally chose to acknowledge it.” Hazel strode into the cottage, gripping a purple bag I’d never seen before.
“Do a little shopping recently?” I asked.
She hefted the bag onto the dining table. “It was a gift, if you must know.”
My brow creased. “Someone bought you a gift? What happened?” I pictured an innocent family approaching her and asking if she’d show off her juggling skills. With her red curls and big red lips, Hazel looked like a descendant of the One True Clown. If Halloween were a thing in Starry Hollow, she wouldn’t even need a costume.
The Mistress-of-Runecraft scowled. “Why does something have to happen in order for me to receive a gift?”
I shrugged and joined her at the table. “So who’s the benefactor?”
She stroked the bag’s soft material. “If you must know, it’s a gift from my sister. She lives abroad with her family and sent it as a memento from her trip to Bon Mage.”
“That’s a shop?”
“No, a small city.” She scratched her cheek. “It’s not too far from your human city of Paris. Much older, though. Brimming with ancient magic.”
I inclined my head. “I guess that purple bag is magical then.”
“It has its perks.” She opened the bag and reached inside for the runecraft book I referred to as the Big Book of Scribbles. She bit her lip as she continued to rummage through the bag.
“Don’t go too deep,” I said, “because I’m not rescuing you from the underworld if you fall in.”
Hazel ignored my remark. “Ah, here it is.” She pulled out the book and placed it on the table with a thump. She must have registered my disappointed expression because she said, “Did you think I might have left it behind?”
“One can remain hopeful.”
She opened the book to the page after our last lesson. “We can pick up right where we left off.”
“Yippee,” I said, with only the tiniest hint of sarcasm.
Okay, maybe it was loaded with sarcasm.
She set a blank paper in front of me and handed me a fancy black marker. “I’d like to see improvement in your flourishes today. I’ve given you ample time to practice.”
“What can I say, Hazel? I’m not the artistic one in my family.”
“Speaking of Marley,” the crazed clown said, “how is she enjoying her new school?” She hugged herself. “I absolutely cherished my time at the academy.”
“All that homework and discipline,” I said. “I can imagine.” Egads, Hazel had probably been the worst brown-noser in school. “Marley seems really happy there. I feel like her world is finally starting to come together now that she has magic.”
“I never doubted it for a second,” Hazel said. “She reeks of excellence. It’s no wonder your aunt chose to bequeath the wand and grimoire to Marley.”
; “And what do I reek of?” I held up a hand. “Wait, don’t answer that.” An image of the portrait in the Black Cloak Academy Hall sprang to mind. “Do you know anything about our ancestor? The one that’s framed on the wall at the academy? She was holding the wand that Aunt Hyacinth gave to Marley.”
Hazel brightened. “Oh, you must mean Ivy.”
I nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, that’s her. Same white-blond hair as the rest of the bunch.”
“Yes, that hair color is a stunning feature. Too bad you didn’t manage to inherit it.” She didn’t sound particularly sorry.
“What’s her story?” I asked. “Calla said Ivy was the High Priestess at one point, but was forced to step down. She didn’t recall the particulars.”
“To be honest, I don’t know much about her,” Hazel admitted. “Perhaps you should ask your aunt. She’s the one in possession of the witch’s personal effects.”
“I’m sure she inherited them, same as everything else,” I said. “It doesn’t mean she’s privy to details about the witch’s life.” I made a mental note to ask Delphine Winter, the local librarian. As a member of the coven, she was bound to know something about Ivy.
“Well, I’ve heard rumors, of course,” Hazel said, “but I’m hardly an expert.”
My head swiveled toward her. “What kind of rumors?”
Hazel lowered her gaze. “Oh, I shouldn’t tell tales out of school.”
“We’re not out of school,“ I insisted. I patted the book on the table. “This is exactly the place where you should tell tales.”
Hazel hesitated. “I don’t know. Your aunt would take her wand to my knuckles if she knew I was saying something I shouldn’t.”
“I highly doubt Aunt Hyacinth would resort to old-fashioned schoolroom discipline. Her methods are far more subtle.”
Hazel winced. “True. She only needs to give me a certain look and my insides quiver with fear.”
“She has talent, I’ll give her that.”
“Unlike you,” Hazel said. “Now show me that you’ve learned something.” She tapped impatiently on the table.
I managed a few strokes with the fancy black marker. “There. Satisfied?”
Hazel hovered over me. “You can’t be serious. Is that the best you can do? It looks like your canine companion dipped his paws in an inkwell and walked across the page.”
I glanced up to meet the crazed clown’s critical gaze. “Aren’t you supposed to be supportive and encouraging?”
“Since when?” Hazel scoffed. “Your aunt doesn’t ask me to be supportive. She asks me to teach you magic. I’m not about to give you a gold star for halfhearted efforts.”
“Halfhearted?” I repeated. I gesticulated dramatically to the page on the table. “That’s blood, sweat, and tears right there.”
“I require none of those things,” Hazel said. “Only correctly drawn runes.”
“Calla is way more relaxed than you,” I said. I heard the note of taunting in my voice, but I didn’t care.
Hazel aimed her wand and my chair pulled out from under me. I dropped to the floor, flat on my butt.
“Ouch.” I got back on my feet and rubbed my sore bottom. “No need for violence.”
“Says the Jersey girl.”
“Violence doesn’t suit you, Hazel,” I said. “It looks much better on me.”
The door flew open and Raoul stumbled in. He looked even worse than the last time. Bonkers flew in after him, landing on the cottage floor with a thud. Her right wing was torn and her hair was askew. I was relieved Marley wasn’t home to see the state of her.
“Great Goddess,” Hazel said. “Look at you both.”
I scooped up Bonkers off the floor and examined her injuries. “We need a healer.”
What about me? Raoul asked, thrusting out his paws.
“We’ll get to you next,” I assured him. Marley would never forgive me if something happened to Bonkers because of my suggestion.
“I have some healing abilities,” Hazel said. She bustled over and took Bonkers from my hands.
“Since when?” I asked.
Hazel gave me a firm look. “I’m a far more competent witch than you give me credit for.”
“Competent in being annoying, yes,” I said. “Competent in healing. Not so much.”
Hazel glared at me. “Do you want me to heal this creature or not?”
I put my hands on my hips. “You’d deny her treatment because of my salty attitude? Some healer you are.”
Hazel’s hands began to glow and I jumped back. She smiled in satisfaction. “It’s fun to surprise you.”
Hurry up, Raoul whined. I want my turn to be coddled.
“What happened?” I demanded. “You were at the dump?”
The crow, Raoul said. What do you think?
“This is ridiculous,” I said. “He can’t be that tough. He’s a crow, for Elvis’s sake, not a wolf.”
“Maybe you should go down to the dump and take care of him then,” Hazel said.
I thought of all the times Sheriff Nash teased me about being a broomstick mama, or as humans call it—a helicopter mom. “I can’t. This is the kind of thing Raoul needs to resolve on his own.”
“It’s not a schoolyard scuffle,” Hazel said.
“No, it’s a junkyard scuffle,” I shot back. “I don’t belong in the middle of it.”
The raccoon lowered his head in abject disappointment and I felt a twinge of guilt. You’re right. I’ve gotten by my whole life without a support system. I can do this on my own.
His words stung. I knew what it was like to operate without a net. To get through each day knowing that the only one I could count on was me. Starry Hollow had changed all that for me. Why couldn’t I change all that for Raoul? He was, after all, my familiar. That made him family.
“Okay, I’ll help you,” I said.
His raccoon face jerked up. You will?
“Your bully is my bully,” I said. “We’re a team, Raoul. We’ll handle him together.” Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Hazel’s smug smile.
Raoul lifted his paw to high-five me and I was careful not to get scratched by his sharp claws. Got any food? A guy can get pretty hungry after an altercation.
“I don’t think you need an excuse to be hungry,” I said.
No, but I was working the sympathy angle. Did it work? He eyed me hopefully.
I motioned for him to enter the kitchen. “There are cookies in the tin.”
He hesitated. Um, just out of curiosity…
“Marley made them.”
His relief was evident. I hope there’s milk. Can’t have cookies without milk.
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t push your luck.”
He disappeared into the kitchen before I could change my mind. When I turned back to the Big Book of Scribbles, Hazel’s amused expression caught my eye. “What?”
“Nothing,” she said quickly. “Sometimes you remind me so much of your aunt and other times…”
I frowned. “Other times what?”
She sucked in a breath. “And other times I feel as though I could actually like you.”
Chapter Nine
I knew something was amiss the moment I walked into the office at Vox Populi. Tanya and Bentley wore matching concerned expressions and no one bothered to greet me. Bentley didn’t even offer an insult.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“Your little green friend is back there with Alec,” Bentley said.
My pulse began to race. “Deputy Bolan?”
“I told him unequivocally that Alec would never harm a hair on Tatiana’s head, but he ignored me.” Tanya dabbed at her eyes with a sparkling handkerchief.
“He’s not supposed to conduct interviews without me.” I stormed off to give the leprechaun a piece of my mind. We were supposed to be working as a team. Interrogating my boyfriend without warning was completely unfair.
I heard Alec’s voice through the closed door. “Am I to be charged with an
ything?”
“That’s to be determined,” Deputy Bolan replied. “Should I be charging you with something?”
“You want to,” Alec said. “I can hear that thought loudly and clearly.”
“No mind reading! That’s against the law.”
“It actually isn’t,” Alec said. “You simply need better defensive measures.”
I threw open the door, ready to throttle the deputy. “Back away from the vampire.”
Alec sat behind his desk, looking like his usual calm and cool self. Deputy Bolan stood by the top left corner of the desk. He straightened when he saw me. It didn’t help him look taller, but I imagine it made him feel taller.
“Rose, I was told not to expect you until later in the day,” the deputy said.
I wagged a finger at him. “You’re not supposed to be doing this without me.”
The leprechaun jabbed a green finger in Alec’s direction. “He’s your boyfriend. You can’t be privy to the interrogation.”
“He’s not officially my boyfriend yet,” I said. “So I can be here.”
Deputy Bolan seemed momentarily confused. “He’s not?”
“I’m not?” Alec echoed.
“He hasn’t fulfilled his obligation yet,” I said.
“And what obligation would that be, Rose?” Deputy Bolan asked.
“That’s personal,” I said.
“If you want to witness this interview, in complete silence I might add, then tell me why he’s not officially your boyfriend.”
I crossed my arms. “Because we haven’t gone to couples counseling yet.” I needed to make the appointment, but the counselor I’d originally wanted didn’t handle couples.
I expected the leprechaun to laugh or mock me in some way. Instead, he gave me a respectful nod. “Smart.” He pointed to a chair. “Now sit and don’t say a word.” He motioned to his head. “And no mind reading either. I can tell when you’re doing it, so don’t even try. Your eyes go goopy.”
“Goopy?” I repeated. “Is that a word?”
The leprechaun’s beady eyes bugged out. “I’m doing this as a favor. Don’t make me regret it.” He turned back to Alec. “Do you know why you’re here?”
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