Stone to make sure Salma was still okay. Still alive, that’s what they really wanted to know, because Salma was definitely not okay. Joy hadn’t been to see her yet but Eilidh’s texts had confirmed what Cassidy had warned. Salma now looked like a woman in her late forties.
She’d aged twenty years overnight, and they were running out of time. Mor Margaret was especially at risk. No one knew how long her natural life would be but Joy was scared she was close to finding the end of it.
They worked all through the afternoon, hauling out buckets of warm soapy water, scrubbing, their hands and arms hidden by bright yellow Marigolds. Joy’s back ached, her shirt stuck to her skin, but by sunset they had the water feature clean. Stepping back, her hands massaging an ache from her spine, Joy admired their work. It wasn’t exactly gleaming, but it was back to its original pale golden stone and it looked elegant. It wouldn’t have been out of place in front of Paulina’s palatial house with her sphinx statues and intricate iron gates.
“Not bad,” Victoriya praised. “I reckon this’ll do. Joy?”
She nodded. “It looks nice.”
“Then let’s go wrangle that bitch out of the water supply.”
Ten
Wrangling the naiad out of the water supply was not as easy as Victoriya marching up the road, flashing her teeth threateningly at the cars that beeped at her, and spitting at Cassidy to get her arse out of the fountain and heal our witch sister.
Joy put her hand on Victoriya’s elbow in an attempt to silence her. “We found you somewhere else to go,” Joy explained to the static water in the basin. She wasn’t appearing as a water girl today, not in broad daylight. “It’s as nice as this fountain and it’s not in the middle of the road. It’s in a garden.”
“I don’t believe you,” came the snotty voice.
“Look, bitch,” Victoriya snarled, taking a step closer and ignoring the peering of gossiping ladies and the slowing of traffic around them. “The fountain is nice, and clean, and it’s got running water, and Joy called it elegant a few minutes ago. So you’re gonna haul yourself out of this fountain and get into the one we cleaned up for you.”
Silence from the fountain. Muttering from the spectators.
“I promise it’s nice,” Joy said, attempting to keep the peace. “And you said if I found you somewhere better to move to, you would, and you’d stop hurting those people who are sick.”
The brackish water heaved a deep sigh and, alarming the gaggle of old people on the pavement, rose to her feet. “Fine,” she spat, hands on her hips. “But it better be as nice as you say, or I’m moving right back in.”
Victoriya opened her mouth but Joy launched herself at her friend and slapped her hand over Victoriya’s mouth. “Come with us. Uh … if you can?”
Cassidy sighed again, and Joy got the sense of her rolling her eyes. “Just show me where it is. When I’m out of here, everything will go back. I promise,” she added, rather nastily for Joy’s liking.
Joy set off walking through the now-still traffic, letting go of Victoriya when she snapped her teeth at Joy’s fingers, and the two of them led Cassidy down the road. The fountain gave a loud gurgle and Joy looked back to see it flow clear once again, the waters clean. Relief made her chest ache but she kept herself together, sending a quick text to Gus who was sat at Salma’s bedside.
“This way,” Victoriya commanded, taking the lead. Anyone who didn’t know her would just see a woman marching through the cars as if to start a war, or end one. But Joy knew the furious energy driving her was born of fear and the need to get to Salma’s side. Joy rushed after her but slowed when Cassidy lagged behind. It was strange, looking at the girl out of water. She was no more solid, still formed of that black water and semi-transparent, but watching her glide down the street, droplets wicking from her skin, she looked more alive.
More present.
Joy was relieved when they reached the detached tan house where Victoriya lived and marched down the path into the garden. She braced for derision and scathing but Cassidy let out an ear-splitting squeal when she saw the fountain and bounded towards it. Well, as much as a water spirit could bound—it was more of a rush, like a wave grasping for the beach.
“Oh my gosh,” Cassidy gushed, climbing into the basin and dropping into it, her form suddenly released. In minutes the water moving down the golden tiers was dirty black.
“Guys,” she breathed. “Guys, I love it.”
“Great,” Victoriya replied in a dead voice. “Make yourself at home, I’m going to the clinic.”
Joy’s eyes snapped to the phone in her friend’s hand. “Salma—is she?”
“Gus says we have to go.”
Joy swallowed, her heart suddenly so tight she couldn’t imagine how blood would get out of it.
Cassidy’s giddy laughter chilled Joy’s blood as she followed Victoriya out of the garden.
Eleven
Joy could see the fountain of Amerelda Lance burbling with clear water further up the high street as she followed Victoriya through the swish of the automatic doors into the clinic.
Victoriya didn’t bother to sign in—although, to be fair, as the daughter of one of the best healers the clinic had, she didn’t need to tell them her name—but Joy dutifully wrote her name and the time on the clipboard before racing down the disinfectant-smelling corridor to Salma’s room.
She had to pause to fill her lungs, to settle herself against what she’d find behind those doors, before pushing into the room. Joy couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face.
Salma wasn’t only alive but she was exactly the Salma Joy knew and loved. Oval-face, clear brown skin, short afro, and wide smile. The only thing that was missing was a length of ivy wound around her arm, or a spring of sage or nettle tucked into her sleeve. But she was okay, alive, and she was Salma. Joy waited a millisecond before rushing forward and throwing herself upon her witch sister, hugging her tight.
“I’m fine, Joy.”
“I know,” Joy mumbled into her hospital gown.
“Really. I’m okay.”
“I know.” But Joy was crying and couldn’t get it to stop.
“Pile on,” Gus announced, and his weight added to Joy’s on top of Salma. Eilidh came around from the other side, followed by Victoriya, and Maisie—who had clearly snuck in through a window—jumped onto the bed, nuzzling Salma’s face.
Salma laughed but she held them close, her trembling fingers betraying how afraid she’d been. “What happened while I slept? Exactly, Gus, no editing.”
“Don’t look at me.” He stood back, holding his hands up. “Joy and Victoriya did it all.”
Joy unfolded herself from the witch pile, and the coven gave Salma some space.
“Long story short?” Victoriya asked, looking uncharacteristically happy, her eyes bright.
“We bribed a naiad to leave the fountain and Joy made a bargain to get her to undo the damage she’d done to you and everyone else. She’s a right bitch.”
Salma looked at Joy for intervention or correction but Joy nodded and said, “She really is, Salma.”
“And now I have to live with her in my garden for the rest of my life,” Victoriya grumbled. “Thanks a lot, Salma.”
Salma laughed, her low voice soothing a worry deep in Joy’s soul. Joy looked around at her coven, grinning. She couldn’t think of anyone she’d rather vanquish a moody teenage water spirit with than these five people.
Thank you for reading!
I hope you enjoyed Dark Water. The first Pride & Joy book is available for purchase right now on Amazon and free on Kindle Unlimited!
A witch and a rookie detective versus a gruesome killer. This isn’t gonna end well…
When Joy finds the body of a witch on Agedale beach, she becomes suspect number one in the girl’s murder. Head witch Paulina will do anything to make sure Joy is locked in a prison cell for the rest of her life. Joy’s only hope at getting out is her ex, the newly appointed law enforcement of t
heir supernatural town.
As the only investigator in town, Gabi Pride is responsible for tracking down a witch killer. If she fails, not only will she lose her job and fail to follow in her parents’ footsteps, but Joy will be sent down for a crime Gabi is convinced she’s innocent of. If Gabi doesn’t act fast, the murderer will take another witch’s life. And next time it could be one of Joy’s coven.
Fae Witch is the first book in a new urban fantasy series full of magic, murder, and sinister supernaturals.
Please take a moment to recommend this book!
As an indie author, I rely on reviews and word of mouth to get my books into the hands of readers, and even the smallest, one-line review has an impact. Thank you to everyone who’s already reviewed. Your words mean I can keep writing the books you love!
This book was written, produced, and edited in the UK where some spelling, grammar and word usage will vary from US English.
Copyright © Saruuh Kelsey 2018
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the prior written permission of the author The right of Saruuh Kelsey to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
Model cover photo © Rowan Chestnut
Cover and book design by Saruuh Kelsey
http://saruuhkelsey.weebly.com/
Find these other books by Saruuh Kelsey:
Urban Fantasy:
The Legend Mirror series
The Beast of Callaire (Free!)
The Dryad of Callaire
The Powers of Callaire
The Divine of Callaire
Pride & Joy
Fae Witch
Bound Powers
Book Three (March)
Book Four (June)
Science Fiction:
The Lux Guardians series
Love In Forgotten Places
Under (Novella)
The Forgotten (Free!)
The Wandering
The Revelation
Other Fantasy:
Kiss of Gold & Thorns
Wicked Song
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Dark Water: An Urban Fantasy Story Page 4