Dangerous Magic

by Evie Hart

  “Here.” We came to a stop, her white cloak swishing about her feet. “This area is rich in both poisons and herbs. If we lose it, we potentially lose the option to teach our children correctly, and the art of Herbology may one day be lost.”

  It sounded a little dramatic, but as a witch, I did understand what she was saying. Herbology was a vital skill when you wielded magic. Although witches used it primarily for minor potions and tonics and creams and things, druids used it in all stretches of their lives.

  For example: if I had a headache, I’d take a Tylenol. A druid would mix up something special to treat themselves.

  “I understand,” I said. “What kinds of plants are there?”

  She bent to her knee and picked up a stick. She pointed to each plant and gave me their names, but nothing more. I already knew them all, and I myself could tell the difference between the safe and the dangerous ones just by looking at them.

  I would hug my aunts extra hard tonight, that was for sure.

  “Belladonna—”

  “Belladonna?” I interrupted. “It grows freely here?”

  She tilted her head and looked up at me. “Yes. And one plant is cut back too far.”

  Oh my Goddess.

  “Aiofa, I need to mark this spot,” I said breathlessly. “The police need to see this.”

  Her eyes went wide. “Belladonna,” she whispered.

  “I need to find this spot again. Can you take me? I need to go.” I mounted my broom. Snow had long disappeared, and I was dang happy about that.

  “I cannot. I’m leading the children’s next lesson, but I can do this.” She straightened and pressed both her hands against the tree trunk. Touching her forehead to it, she spoke in an ancient language before waiting for a moment. She turned and looked at me, meeting my eyes. “Bring the police to my house and ask the oak tree in my front yard to guide you to the belladonna. The Earth will show you the way.”

  “Thank you. Thank you so much.” I pushed off from the ground, weaving through the trees until I had a big enough clearing to go over the forest.

  And I flew as fast as I could. The wind flapped through my hair, probably destroying it to a point of no return—Goddess bless my stupid red curls. Not.

  My broom wouldn’t go fast enough. The blood pumped through my body at the potential of my discovery. It could be a game changer for everyone if it was right, and bless the druids, they had no idea this whole time.

  The police station came into view, and I descended sharper than I should have. I knocked a trashcan over as my feet hit the ground, sending trash scattering across the sidewalk.

  Dismounting, I tossed a tidying spell behind me with a flick of my wrist and ran into the station.

  “Dax! I need to speak to Detective Sanders,” I said, my broom in my hand. I knew my hair looked like I’d been dragged through a bush backward, but I didn’t care. “Alyson, where is he?”

  The young water nymph behind the counter looked at me as if I’d just threatened her life.

  “Avery Thorn, what on Earth are you doing setting my station alight?” Sheriff Bones adjusted his pants around his midsection as he approached. “Is everything all right, child?”

  “No, it’s not. I need Detective Sanders to come with me. Or you. Or someone. It’s important.” I rushed him and almost smacked him with my broom. “Stars, I’m sorry. Please. It’s important.”

  “So you keep saying, child. What is it?”

  I shook my head. “I can’t. I just need you to come with me.”

  “If you’ve found another dead body, I’m going to kick you out of town myself,” said Dax from behind me.

  I turned. “Oh, thank Goddess. You have to come with me.”

  He took one look at my broom. A long, pointed look.

  I didn’t even care I was rumbled.

  “Oh, yes, it’s my broom! I went to see Orion. Will you listen to me?” I snapped.

  He jerked his attention back to me, something dark in his eyes. “What is it?”

  “Ugh! Get your broom and follow me!” I stalked past him to the sidewalk outside of the station. The man was infuriating. I clearly had important information that he wouldn’t want to be leaked immediately, and there he was, being a royal jerk.

  “Avery? What’s the matter, child?” Sheriff Bones joined me, touching his hand to my arm. “What’s the rush?”

  I took a deep breath and glanced around us to make sure we were alone. “I think I’ve found the plant that was responsible for poisoning Betty Lou.”

  He stared into my eyes, reading me to see if I was telling the truth. He nodded once, then turned back to the door of the station. “Sanders!” he bellowed. “Move it and get a team to go with you! Now!”

  • • •

  It wasn’t every day a group of witches descended into druid territory. We drew a lot of attention as we all touched down onto the soft grass outside of Aiofa and Emrys’ home, but I ignored it as I raced toward the oak tree.

  I flattened my hands on it as Aiofa had. “Please show me to the belladonna.”

  The tree hummed beneath my touch, and I could feel the Earth’s power as it seeped into my palms.

  A picture of the plant popped into my head, and I gasped. I knew exactly where it was.

  Magic was amazing.

  “Follow me. Come on.” I waved to Dax.

  He scowled. “Do you know where you’re going?”

  “Yes. Just move.”

  “Where are we going?”

  I slowed for him to catch up with me. “I think I’ve found the plant that poisoned Betty Lou.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “And you did that how?”

  “I was speaking with Aiofa and Emrys about the border issues, and she said one of the big issues they have with the wolves is that they breach the no man’s land that separates their territories.” My feet carried me without me having to think. “In that no man’s land is plants the druids need for Herbology lessons for their kids, so they have permission to cross the border for both the safe and the poisonous plants.”

  “And belladonna grows there?”

  “Yes. I saw it.”

  “You know it on sight?”

  “You’re a witch and you don’t?” I questioned, side-eyeing him.

  He shrugged. “Herbology was not my strong point. I don’t think I’d recognize it on sight.”

  “Remind me to tell Sheriff Bones to send you back to school.” I huffed and turned the corner to the edge of the druid’s territory. Just like I remembered from earlier, the plant patch was there, teeming with life.

  Except one.

  “Here.” I pulled him toward the plant and picked up the stick Aiofa had used. “This is the belladonna, and this is the plant. It’s been cut down to the stem. Leaves and berries.”

  “So it has.” He stepped over the plant bed and crouched down in front of it.

  “Don’t touch it!” I said, stepping forward. “The sap on the stem will kill you within minutes.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “I haven’t forgotten that much about Herbology, you know.”

  I shrugged. “You could have fooled me.”

  He straightened, shooting me a dark look that belied his frustration at me.

  What was he frustrated at? Me pointing out something basic, or the fact it was me who’d found this plant?

  I knew what I wanted to place my money on.

  He called the others forward. “This belladonna plant is the one I think was used to kill Betty Lou.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “Take samples of it for testing. Do not touch it unless you’re wearing gloves. This is an extremely dangerous plant, especially the roots. Handle this with extreme care.”

  I folded my arms and glared at him. How did I know he’d take credit for it? With a sigh, I turned and walked away from the now bustling crop of vegetation.

  “Avery. Where are you going?” Dax chased after me, touching my arm to make me stop. “I need a full statement on how you f
ound it and what the devil you were doing out here.”

  I yanked my arm away from his touch and hit him with the famous Thorn glare, making him take a step back. “I’m going home. If you want my statement, you know where to get it. I mean, you’re clearly the expert here, aren’t you?”

  He sighed, and I took that as my cue to go.

  I was so done with him.

  • • •

  I slammed the front door behind me when I got home. The whole house felt like it vibrated with my anger, and as I stormed into the kitchen and dumped my broom on the stand by the back door, I waited for someone to tell me not to do it.

  It didn’t come.

  “Everybody is out,” Angus said, pausing from licking his paw to deliver that information.

  I gave him a stern look. “You’re not supposed to be on the counter.”

  “And you’re not supposed to slam the door or curse the police, but here we are, love.”

  I rolled my eyes at the cat. He was just as ornery as always, even when breaking the rules. “Where is everyone?”

  “Let me see… Nicole is at work, and I do not care about anyone else.” He moved, rolling back and licking his butt.

  “Do you have to do that in front of me?”

  “Yes. It’s part of being a cat. You’d enjoy it if you were one.”

  “I highly doubt that.” I pulled a bottle of water out of the fridge. “I’m going up to see Dotty.”

  “She’s still asleep.”

  “I know. I just want to spend some time with her.” I smiled and turned around.

  “Avery, wait. Those flowers by the back door are for you.” Angus raised his paw and pointed to the string-tied bunch of yellow tulips resting on the top of the microwave oven.

  Weird place for flowers, but whatever.

  I put my bottle down for a second and walked over to them. A small brown tag was attached to the string, and my lips twitched as I read it.

  Avery,

  I still want to know about the detective.

  Orion

  I closed my eyes and laughed silently. I had a feeling the handsome elf wasn’t going to let me get out of that one.

  “Admirer?”

  “Huh?” I jerked around and looked at Angus. “Oh, no. A reminder that I apparently owe someone something.”

  “Is that something a date?”

  “I don’t know yet. He hasn’t said.”

  “Who’s he?”

  “Does it matter?” I filled the sink and put the flowers in the water so I’d remember to put them in a vase later. “No. I’m going to speak to Dotty unless there’s been a cake delivery I should know about?”

  “No,” he said, and promptly went back to licking his butt again.

  I shook my head, grabbed my water, and turned for the stairs. Thankfully, I made it this time. Honey was sitting on top of the banister, and I gave her feathers a smooth as I passed her.

  Dotty’s room was perfectly still and quiet. If I weren’t so used to it now, it’d be eerie.

  I pushed the door closed behind me and took a seat in the bright yellow armchair that now seemed to be glued to her bedside. “Oh, Dotty,” I sighed, leaning forward on her bed. The sheets smelled fresh, like lilies, and I folded my arms on it before resting my cheek there and gazing up at her.

  She looked beautiful, like she always did. Her crazy curls were tamed into two braids that lay over her shoulders, and the freckles that dotted over the bridge of her nose seemed darker than ever.

  Her chest rose and fell slowly but rhythmically, and I focused on that gentle movement until I felt the storm inside me calm a little.

  Today had started off so well, ended so badly, and been full of more than a little insanity.

  And it wasn’t even close to dinnertime.

  “I miss you so much,” I whispered. “If you were here, you’d know what to do. I can’t help but hate myself for taking you into that building that night. We didn’t do enough to protect you, and Dots, I really, really need you right now.

  “Everything is going insane. The shifters and the druids are close to being at war. That stupid detective is taking the things I found and claiming credit for them. I have this dumb new power that apparently means I have a temporary second familiar, and since he’s a bat, Snow wants to eat him. And, apparently, I have a handsome elf sending me flowers and angling for a date.

  “I don’t know what to do. About any of it. I’m not smart like you. And you know something. I know you do. That’s why you’re not here right now. I just wish I knew if you could hear me. Actually, it’s probably better if you don’t. You’re lying here while I’m whining about my life.” I sighed and reached for her hand. “Come back soon, Dots. We all need you.”

  More than she knew.

  I sat up and squeezed her hand gently.

  And she squeezed me back.

  I took a deep breath that burned. “Dotty?”

  Nothing.

  She was gone again.

  But there, just for a second, she was here. With me. And I’d needed that, just for a second, like I’m sure she had.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  THERE WAS A bat in my attic.

  And I didn’t know if you’d ever had a bat in your attic before, but they were loud. Especially combined with a cantankerous, moody old ghost who hated that we were in what she called her house.

  Never mind that she’d never lived here when she was alive, and nobody quite knew how Lady Barnacles came to be here. We weren’t even sure if that was her real name. She was a lot like Grandma Cherry, and that meant it probably wasn’t.

  Goddess knew Grandma would fashion herself an aristocratic title if nobody knew her actual name.

  I stood at the bottom of the ladder that would take me to the attic. It was old, and while I knew I could stabilize it with magic, it didn’t make the daunting task of climbing up into the old, dusty, abandoned space any easier.

  And yes, it was abandoned. Ghostly visits and a bat didn’t mean it was clean.

  Not to mention that it was pitch-black up there. Again, I could make it lighter, but that didn’t mean I wanted to.

  No, I didn’t want to go up there at all. Especially not at two in the morning, but two of my aunts and three cats had come into my room to complain about the noise they were making.

  Apparently, since Aristotle was ‘my’ bat, I was responsible for making him be quiet. I couldn’t even send Grandma in my place because she’d fallen out with Lady Barnacles over that butler business.

  I sighed.

  A ghostly head popped into view. Lady Barnacles looked the same as she always did, clearly not having any desire to change her outfit like Grandma did.

  Her hair was twisted into a knot at the nape of her neck and topped off with a hat that slanted to one side. It was regal, a throwback to a bygone era, much like the low-cut dress that was giving me a far too generous view of her cleavage from down here.

  Seriously. If she leaned over any farther, they’d pop right out of that get-up.

  She quirked one dark eyebrow, pursing her even darker lips. “Are you going to stand there all night, or are you coming to visit with me and Aristotle?”

  “Actually, I was coming to tell you both to keep the noise down. You’ve woken my aunts and three of the cats.” I fiddled with the hem of my Donald Duck sleep shirt. “Could you please try to be a little quieter?”

  She sighed, tugging up the neckline of her dress. “You know, this was my house first.”

  “No, it wasn’t. This house has been in our family for years. We built the damn thing. You didn’t show up until after Grandma was born.”

  Lady Barnacles rolled her eyes. “I don’t like your attitude, Avery.”

  “And I don’t like being woken up in the middle of the night because you and my bat are making too much noise, but I’m standing here, aren’t I?”

  A tiny black figure leaned over the edge, eyes gleaming. “Did you just call me yours?”

  “You d
on’t belong to anyone else, do you?” I turned my attention to Aristotle. “By the way, being nocturnal isn’t convenient, is it?”

  He shrugged his little bat shoulders. “I’m a magical bat. I can be awake in the daytime if you need me to.”

  “Really?”

  “I can’t keep your schedule, but I could wake up earlier, if that would make your training easier.”

  “My training?”

  “Yes. I’m here to teach you how to learn how to use that little bundle of power you’ve got.” He tilted his head to the side. “You know that, right?”

  “Yes, I knew that.” I stifled a yawn. “But it’s two in the morning and I want some sleep, and if someone wakes me up again because you two are having a dance party up there, neither of you will see the morning.”

  Aristotle raised his tiny hand to his head and saluted me. “We’ll try to keep the noise down, Avery. Terribly sorry.”

  Damn. It was hard to stay annoyed at him. Unlike Snow and her teenage-style attitude, he was kinda sweet.

  Never thought I’d be saying that about a bat.

  “Thank you. I appreciate it.” I paused. “And, Aristotle? Thank you for offering to wake up earlier to help me.”

  He nodded once. “We’ll start tomorrow. I’ll wake at four. Make sure you meditate before I get there.”

  “At four?” No, I couldn’t do four. “But I—”

  “Four it is,” Aristotle said. “Come, Lady Barnacles. Let us continue our game of Scrabble.”

  Both of them disappeared into the attic, with the ghost throwing me a friendly wave.

  I had no idea how a ghost and a bat could play Scrabble, much less how they’d acquired the game, but you know what?

  That was a question for another day.

  With that settled, I trudged back off to bed.

  • • •

  The next morning came with a glare through my curtains. Groaning, I flicked my finger in the direction of the window, making the curtains draw shut.

  Thank Goddess.

  “Hey!” Snow bounced onto the bed. “I was lying in that sun.”