by Tena Stetler
“Pepper, you’re taking this way too lightly.” He huffed out a breath and threw up his arms, letting them drop to his sides.
“Lathen…I’m not. Only we have bigger things to deal with at the moment. When I was feeding Kaylee last night, Dad called. On their way home, they saw Ben’s car parked by the side of the road just before our driveway splits off.”
“Shit. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“We were—uh—otherwise occupied.” She grinned. “Besides, that was much more enjoyable than discussing Ben.”
“I didn’t see him skulking around anywhere and Ember patrolled the forest without incident,” Lathen said with a frown.
“Mom believes the magic kept him off the property and Dad agrees with her. It’s gained a lot of strength with both Dad and me here. You can feel it surge at times. Dad said it used to do that when he was a kid and all the McKay’s gathered on the property.”
“Crap, that’s going to piss him off.”
“Possibly. Mom and Dad will be over this morning. Thought we should walk the property. They wanted to see Gwen anyway.”
“Gwen knows about…” Lathen asked.
“Yes, she knows I’m a witch. We never really talked about it, but she knew I used powerful magic to save the rescue in Salem. That’s what set everything in motion.”
“I remember you telling me.”
“Shall we go down and face the music? If Gwen saw our clothes scattered all over, she’ll never let me forget it,” Pepper said with a grimace.
“I doubt she saw anything. Your clothes are strewn over the hot tub room.”
“True.”
“I’ll go open the shades and clean up while you visit with Gwen.” He paused, walking to the large bedroom windows overlooking the driveway. “Your parents are here.”
“Figures. So the day begins.” She walked over to him and leaned in giving him a long tender kiss. “I loved last night. All of it.”
“Me too,” he murmured against her lips. “Just wish…” Lathen squeezed her tight, then let go.
****
Pepper found Gwen sitting in the living room holding a mug of coffee and staring out the window across the meadow. Kaylee quietly preened on her portable perch until she caught sight of Pepper and whistled.
“Morning, Kaylee, Gwen. How’d you sleep?”
“Like the dead. Figured you’d have a late night too. Saw the grinder yesterday and helped myself to a mixture of coffee beans. It’s heavenly.” She inhaled deeply over her coffee cup. “Feels different than the last time I was here. Kinda like Salem before you left.”
Kaylee let out a loud whistle. Pepper said, “Okay, okay. I’ll let you outside, but fish only at the pond. The beach is off limits for food.”
“I envy your ability to converse with the creatures.” Gwen sighed. “I miss you.”
“It’s a blessing and a curse, depending on the day.” Pepper laughed. “So that’s why you kept me around so long.”
Narrowing her eyes, Gwen said, “You know that’s not true. I didn’t even know about your gifts until…well…you saved the rehab and decided to leave.”
“Morning, everyone,” Duncan said breezing into the room with a large bag from Bea’s, followed by Klaren with five cups of steaming liquid in a holder. Lathen, who’d let them in the front door, brought up the rear.
Klaren set the drinks on the kitchen table and walked over to hug Gwen. “We brought breakfast,” Klaren sang out, looping an arm around Lathen and kissing Pepper on the cheek. “Figured you’d still be feeling the effects of yesterday. Great turnout, by the way. Seems the whole town supports your project.” She glanced from her daughter to Lathen. “But you both look great.”
“Had a good night,” Pepper said waving her mother off, pulling plates out of the cupboard, stacking them on the table.
Over breakfast Gwen related the latest happenings at the Salem rescue. Klaren and Duncan touched on the subject of Ben but otherwise kept the conversation lighthearted.
“How about we take a stroll around the property to walk off all the calories I brought from Bea’s?” Klaren joked.
“I’m in,” Lathen said. “The sun’s still out, but the clouds are rolling in, supposed to be socked in by late afternoon.”
“If I had a physique like that, I’d never worry about calories,” Gwen said poking him lightly in the stomach. “Adds new meaning to washboard.”
Hiking through the forest on the far corner of the land, Gwen found a triad of dark crystals. She pointed to the ground. “What are these? Do you have them here for a reason?”
The others gathered around. “Didn’t put them there,” Pepper said glancing at her father.
“I ran this entire area day before yesterday, they weren’t here then,” Lathen said.
Pepper raised an eyebrow.
“It was during my morning run. I do it almost every day,” he said easily. “A great stress reliever, not that I have any stress around here.”
Duncan took a cloth bag out of his pocket, ran his hand over it a couple times, and turned it inside out over his hand and picked up the crystals. He drew the bag around them and tied the leather drawstring. He tucked the pouch in his pocket. “Don’t think they belong here,” he said firmly. Silently to his wife and daughter, his words floated through their minds. It’s his attempt to access the property through dark magic. Didn’t work.
“Okkaay, then…” Gwen kicked at the scorched earth where the crystals had been and glanced at Pepper. “Someone tried to start a fire using the magnifying properties of those crystals. Probably kids.” She shrugged. “Never understand the consequences of their actions until it too late.”
The rest of the property was clear. They set up a croquet course in the meadow and played until the afternoon storm chased them inside.
****
Two days later as Gwen packed her car to leave, a vehicle came tearing up the driveway. Two teenagers jumped out, racing around to the back, jerking up the hatchback.
Pepper sprinted around the car followed by Gwen and saw a crate completely covered except the front. A large brown bird with golden highlights on its head and neck struggled to one foot. A wing hung useless. The bird’s weak cry worried Pepper. “She’s in shock.”
Breathlessly the girl introduced herself as Judy and explained that they were driving up Hwy 3 and saw the bird struggling on the ground. It was wound in some type of fishing line. They cut the line and threw the thick blanket, now covering the crate, over the bird.
“At first I tried to hold the bird on my lap, wrapped in the blanket. But it was so strong, Rick”—she pointed to the other teen—“worried that we were doing more harm than good. So we stopped and released it into the crate Rick uses for transporting his dog and headed straight here.”
Pepper nodded.
Judy drew in a long breath and continued. “We were here for your celebration and watched the videos she”—Judy pointed at Gwen—“showed. We didn’t have anything to stabilize the wing and that beak…”
“You did fine.” Pepper turned and hurried toward Gwen’s car, conjured a pair of long leather gloves and returned. Opening the crate door, she closed her eyes, focused on the bird and her ability to calm it. She reached in and picked up the bird. “It’s all right, you’ll be fine,” she cooed quietly to the bird. Then turned her attention to the others. “Let’s get her to the aviary.” Holding the bird tight to her chest, Pepper sprinted to the building.
Gwen, who ran ahead, had the extra-large padded crate out and open next to the examining table.
Pepper eased the bird onto the table. “It’s a juvenile female golden eagle. You can tell by the dark-banded white tail and white patches on the primaries.” She handed her phone to Judy. “Scroll down to the name Dylan, when she answers, tell her what’s happened and I don’t think transporting the eagle to the vet office is a viable option at this time.”
The girl stood wide-eyed staring at the phone in her hand. Rick shook her shoulder. �
�You can do this.”
As Pepper stood at the table, she saw Gwen look up from examining the bird and smile. Lathen’s strong hands reached around Pepper and held the bird gently. “I saw you take the bird and run. Grabbed your emergency bag by the door. Thought it might be faster than looking for everything here. We need a rolling cabinet stocked with emergency supplies right by the table.”
“Great.” Pepper ducked under Lathen’s arm and held the bird’s wing in place. Gwen took vet wrap and secured the wing to the bird, leaving the good wing free.
“Excuse me,” Judy said. “Dr. Foster will be here within the hour. Do you need to talk to her?”
Pepper took the phone, explained what they’d done and the condition of the bird, and listened to Dylan’s suggestions.
Gwen snipped the remaining line from the bird’s foot, checked the lacerations. “No serious damage here. Antibiotic salve should do the trick.”
Pepper nodded in agreement.
The eagle treated and resting, the group walked back to Gwen’s car. “You guys did a great job today,” Pepper said to the teens. “The only thing I would suggest is that next time you call us when you discover an injured creature. That way we can be prepared and tell you how best to act. Or if it’s better you stay and observe until one of us gets there. Today, you two saved this young eagle’s life. Good job.”
Judy’s face blushed red, and Rick stood next to their car digging the toe of his shoe in the dirt. “Thanks,” they said in unison.
Over the course of the next few weeks, an Atlantic puffin was brought in with injuries to its feet and beak. It was treated and would spend a few weeks in rehab, but would eventually return to the wild as would the golden eagle. Two peregrine falcon chicks caught in a terrible storm were huddled in the alcove between Pepper’s greenhouse and cabin, when Lathen found them. They would be released in Arcadia National Park in a couple months or in the spring depending on their progress, under the watchful eye of the park service.
Dylan Foster brought a gray wolf pup to the rescue. The wolf had been hit by a vehicle in Arcadia National Park, shattered his hind leg and jaw. She pinned the jaw, put a rod in the leg, and neutered him because she felt, even with rehab, the pup wouldn’t be suitable for release. Ember watched over the wolf pup, encouraging his recovery. Even after only a few days, Pepper saw a bond forming. After a long discussion, Pepper and Lathen decided the wolf pup would be the first permanent resident of Lobster Cove’s Rescue and Rehab Center. They called him Tonk.
Chapter Twenty-Three
If Cursed or Possessed Is the Question, an All
Hallows Eve Celebration Could Be the Answer
In the weeks following the discovery of the dark crystals, Lathen, Pepper, and her parents met for barbecues or pizza at the cabin. Sometimes her parents would bring breakfast from Sweet Bea’s all to make sure their discussions regarding Ben and Tom would not be overheard and lessen the chances of another attack. He no longer could access the McKay property, so planned attacks would have to be in town where he’d be more vulnerable. They determined Ben was behind all the attacks, but obtaining undeniable proof was difficult without putting people at risk. Evidence was needed to enlist the participation of Ashling’s coven to stop Ben before the attacks escalated or turned fatal.
A couple of weeks before Halloween, a soft knock followed by a slow squeak of Pepper’s office door caused her to look up from her computer. Colleen stood in the doorway with a cumbersome book in her hands and a friendly smile.
“I saw Lathen on the path to your cabin. He said you were in the office and to go on in. Is this a bad time?” Colleen asked.
“No, not at all. It’s good to see you again. Did you and your family enjoy the rehab celebration? Sorry, I wasn’t able to spend much time with you.”
Colleen set the book on the desk. “It was fine, dear. We enjoyed ourselves tremendously. I am so happy you are finally where you belong, doing what you love.”
“Well—thank you. I’m just sorry you had to…”
“No, it was time. I was unpacking the rest of my boxes and found Ashling’s grimoire. McKay’s book of magic handed down from generation to generation. I know she meant for you to have it.”
“Thank you, Colleen. It may be just what we need.”
“Yes. After I heard you’d contacted our coven to help with the Ben situation, I remembered packing the book. Didn’t want it left on the property unsupervised, you know. Do you really think he’s cursed Tom? Bewitching him to do Ben’s dirty work?”
“Yes. After all of Mom’s research turned up only benign McKay skeletons in the closet, no evil spirits seeking revenge, it’s the only conclusion that makes any sense. According to Ravyn, a minion curse on Tom would enable Ben to control him without being in close proximity.”
“I don’t understand why he continued when you took over the property. A McKay witch in residence would control the magic of the property. It wasn’t up for grabs anymore.” She sighed. “Sure wish we’d been aware of the consequences of Ashling’s life estate. I never would have stayed.”
“Don’t worry about it. You aren’t responsible. Ben’s unstable mind would have brought all this down sooner, had I taken over at her death. Our theory is that he figured Ashling’s death would bring Mom and Dad back to the property. He planned to eliminate Dad, take over the property, and have Mom all to himself. Any rational person could see all the holes in his plan. But he’s spent forty years pining for Mom and blaming Dad for his loss. Not a stable individual. What he didn’t count on was me taking over the property instead of Dad, and the surge in magic with two blood McKay’s in residence, even it if was only for a little while.”
Colleen nodded. “I could feel the magic pulse even before we turned onto the property. It’s much stronger than it was when Ashling and I lived here. Of course, your dad’s magic ability was strong. Ashling was good, but Duncan…he was exceptional. Then he married Klaren, a Parker witch, and you were born with the best of both worlds. Anyway, no use rehashing ancient history.”
“Did someone mention my name?” Duncan stuck his head in the door and smiled at Pepper. “Your mom and I were passing by and thought we’d stop.”
“Nice to see you, Colleen,” Klaren said peering over her husband’s shoulder.
“Hi, Duncan, Klaren,” Colleen said cheerfully.
“Lathen will be over in a minute.” He looked from Colleen to Pepper. “We’re not interrupting anything?”
“No…no, not at all,” Pepper replied. “We were discussing ancient history.”
Her dad raised an eyebrow but continued on. “After talking with you and Lathen the other night, I think we’ve devised a plan to take care of dear old Ben permanently,” Duncan said sardonically. “Ravyn has agreed to go along with our plan as long as it culminates in his admission of guilt. Then we are free to move forward with the second part of the plan.”
“Ravyn and the other nine witches of the coven have agreed to help us. They’d like to meet here to discuss the plans and look over the area,” Klaren said.
“Sure, no problem. Barring any unforeseen events, my schedule is wide open.” Pepper glanced up as Lathen strode in the door.
“Did I miss anything important?” He grinned and glanced around the room. “Nope, no unaccounted-for toads or rabbits, so we’re good.”
Pepper narrowed her eyes at him as her parents let out a simultaneous groan.
“See, this is what happens when you take up with a non-witch,” Duncan said, his lips twitching. “You going to be howling at the moon this evening, Lathen?”
“Nope, it’s not full until Halloween night, then watch out,” Lathen shot back. “Of course you’ll be too busy donning pointy hats and flying through the sky on your broomsticks.” Lathen roared with laughter.
“Touché,” Duncan said with a chuckle.
Pepper rolled her eyes. “The pointy hat thing again. Need to come up with something new. Now, can we get back to more important things.” Pepper ti
lted the book up from the desk. “The McKay’s grimoire. Colleen brought it by.”
Her dad peered at the book, ran his fingers over the worn leather, and touched the metal clasp. “Been a long time since I’ve seen this.” He rubbed his chin with his hand. “Could be very useful. What do you think, Klaren?”
“I agree. Maybe we should take a look at it now.”
“If you’ve other plans, you could take the book with you,” Pepper offered.
“We don’t have any plans today,” Klaren said. “Besides, I don’t think the grimoire should leave the property, now that it’s back.”
“Sounds good. I’d like to hear your plan, anyway,” Pepper said.
****
Traditionally All Hallows Eve or Halloween is when the veil between the spirit world and the mortal world is the thinnest. This allows spirits to cross over and share the mortals’ plane of existence for one night ending at midnight. Pepper intended to use that magic to her advantage. She was thankful for the unusually mild weather in Lobster Cove. Halloween evening temperatures would be in the upper forties to lower fifties, a boon to the town celebration and the culmination of the events her family and Ravyn’s coven had set in motion last week.
Earlier that morning, Pepper had walked to the pond to make sure everything was ready for tonight and to allow Kaylee to feed. Pepper’s insistence that Kaylee return to the cabin aviary had been very unpopular with the osprey. Lathen volunteered to check on the eagle, puffin, and peregrine falcon chicks while she took care of Tonk and Ember, a job he usually handled. But today she had strict instructions for Ember.
After checking on Tonk and giving him and Ember their breakfast, Pepper said, “Ember, stick close. I’ll be back to lock you in when we leave this afternoon. After that, I want you to stay in the building with Tonk until I come and get you late tonight.” She washed out bowls and filled them with fresh water. “You’ve plenty of food and water,” she said before walking to the barn.
In the old barn now known as the seabird aviary, where they’d set up a table and benches, Pepper sat down and viewed the pumpkins sitting in front of her on the table, picked up the carving knife. Was the plan foolproof? What if Ben didn’t react as they expected? The townspeople couldn’t be endangered. What if he refused to admit his wrongdoing? What if they were wrong? Not possible. She reviewed the plan in her mind once more and sighed. Nothing will go wrong. I won’t allow it.