Witch in Exile (A Mackenzie Coven Mystery Book 7)

by Sonia Parin

  “You suspect Mirabelle of killing herself?”

  Lexie muttered, “She is not dead. I’m willing to bet anything she conspired… plotted against me.”

  “And Whip? You can’t suspect an O’Rourke detective.”

  “Why not?”

  Jonathan shrugged. “It’s unheard of, and if you suspect Whip then you’ll have to also suspect Slacker.”

  “Yes. He’s been very quiet. Usually, the O’Rourke detectives are more forthcoming with information.” Well, not really, but she always managed to get something out of them. She wrote the name down.

  “What about Cat’s name?” Rebel asked. “She has an aggressive streak. That broomstick of hers missed me by a hairsbreadth.”

  Lexie added Cat to the list.

  Groaning, Jonathan swung around. “You’ve got to be kidding. She’s your cousin. I thought you liked her.”

  “I do but everyone has their moment. She could have cracked and turned evil or she could be hosting an evil presence.”

  “Right. And that’s why she’s baking scones for us.” Jonathan’s stomach rumbled.

  Rebel inspected her nails. “What about your feline companion?”

  “I should include everyone’s name and then ask them to give me ten good reasons why I should cross them off the list.”

  “Splendid idea,” Rebel said.

  “They’re not going to like it,” Jonathan warned.

  Lexie crossed her arms. Rebel hovered over to her side and, crossing her arms, she looked at Jonathan. “Would you like to get the ball rolling and present your alibi?”

  Jonathan scowled at the fairy. “Why don’t you?”

  Lexie smiled. “She’s not on the list of suspects.” Should she include her? For all she knew, Rebel might be a spy. Lexie tilted her head and studied her. “How did the Fairy Queen hear about me?”

  “She visited the Crone. I believe you’ve met one of my kind there.”

  Yes, she had. A while back, Lexie and Luna had wandered down to the cellar at Jonathan’s pub and they’d found a little door that had looked like something out of a fairy tale. When they’d gone through it, they’d stepped inside the Crone’s realm. “How do you know?”

  Rebel gave a nonchalant shrug. “Despite appearances, the Crone is lonely and likes to blabber on. You were hailed a hero for both returning the stolen potion and for ensuring the Crone didn’t wreak havoc.” Rebel lowered her voice. “Some call you the peacemaker. I’m sure that will change when they hear about your fireballs.”

  Lexie taped the list of suspects to the wall and turned her attention back to the drawings. “You’ve only been drawing things that are happening now. Can’t you dig deeper? Try to remember what you drew last week. It might give us a clue. What if I did more than dream about confronting Mirabelle? What if it actually happened? And don’t give me that raised eyebrow look. I know we’ve all forgotten but we can at least try to remember.”

  Lexie brushed her hands across her face. If Jonathan had drawn her with Mirabelle and Whip, that could mean she’d met with them. When and why? “Wait a minute. How can I have met them in a hallway that looks the same as Cat’s hallway when I’ve never been here?”

  “How do you know you haven’t?” Jonathan asked.

  She didn’t. “But…”

  “What?”

  “You said you were struggling to come up with images from the recent past, the ones I saw in the chronicle you keep in the cellar, so everything you’ve drawn now is from the immediate present.” Lexie strode up to the wall and pressed her hand against it.

  “Yes,” Jonathan said, “We’re standing on solid ground. This isn’t an imaginary realm.”

  She couldn’t possibly be in two places at once. Or could she?

  Jonathan gave a pensive shake of his head. “I might have had a breakthrough and tapped into something that happened over the last few days. Or this image was strong enough to come through. There might be something to the idea of you sending yourself a message.”

  Cat strode in carrying a tray. “I bring you scones and tea. My advice is to sit down and enjoy them. Forget about all this for a moment.” Cat set the tray down and, looking up, she saw the list of suspects. “Me? Why am I on the list and at the very top?”

  Slacker strode in, a mug in hand and Luna sitting on his shoulder.

  Lexie mentally prodded her. “Did you find out anything?”

  “He has a thick head, as in, hard to penetrate,” Luna mentally replied. “Either that, or he doesn’t hold a single thought in his head.”

  When he saw the list of suspects, Slacker laughed. “That’s a smart move. Trust no one.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “I never said we couldn’t leave the forest.” Cat turned to put away a mug and bumped into Rebel who’d been hovering behind her.

  “Sorry,” Rebel said in a small voice and, backing away, she hovered to Lexie’s side.

  Giving Rebel an uncharacteristic glare, Cat continued, “But I wouldn’t recommend going into town. The forest and the cottage are protected. You’ll be safe here.” Cat brought out a packet of dried chickpeas. She tipped them into a bowl and covered them with water, to soak overnight, she explained.

  Lexie tried to swallow but the thought of more chickpeas made it difficult. “I just think we need to chill out. I feel a bout of cabin fever coming on.”

  “Does that mean we’re off the hook or do we still need to come up with solid alibis?” Cat asked, still incensed by the idea of being held under suspicion. Her sparks had dulled and her easy smile had set into a grim line of dissent.

  “Okay. I might have overreacted,” Lexie admitted.

  Cat brightened. “That’s a relief, but I still think going into town is a bad idea. What if someone recognizes you? The Coven Disciplinary Board has far reaching tentacles.”

  “I’d like nothing better than to test my fireballs on someone.” Lexie didn’t want to mention the almost uncontrollable urge inside her telling her she needed to go to town. It had sprung from out of nowhere but she supposed it had to do with feeling helpless. A change of scenery might do the trick.

  “We won’t be long. You know how busy things get for me. This might be my only chance to take in the local scenery. Is the town far from here?” Lexie hadn’t actually given any thought to how she’d get there. The idea of going had flooded her mind and she could think of nothing else. Yes, she needed to get away and find some sort of distraction. Mostly, she wanted to find an alternative to chickpeas.

  “I have my car,” Slacker said as he strode into the kitchen, Luna in his arms.

  “Where are we going?” Luna asked in a drowsy purr.

  “To find you some Game Indulgence.”

  Luna leaped off Slacker’s arms and went into a frenzied sprint around the kitchen. She dashed out and moments later, Lexie found her clawing at the front door.

  “What took you so long?” Luna asked.

  “Why didn’t you just go through the door?”

  “My single-mindedness paralyzed all my abilities. It’s all I can think of now. Game Indulgence. You’d better not be pulling my tail.”

  They settled into the Jeep. Luna curled up on Lexie’s lap bouncing on it with the excitement of a giddy two-year-old and Rebel made herself inconspicuous in her hair.

  “Did you drive here?” Lexie asked. “I didn’t notice the Jeep outside before.”

  “Generally,” Slacker said, “You don’t see what you don’t expect to see.”

  She’d heard that before… “In other words, this is a special Jeep. I’ve been meaning to ask. What sort of powers do you guys have? And why do you all look the same?”

  The edge of his lip kicked up. “Have any other O’Rourke detective revealed anything about themselves to you?”

  “No. Let me guess, you’re not about to be the first.”

  He answered with silence.

  “Okay. I was just making conversation.” As they drove away from the cottage, the trees loomed tal
ler and the vegetation grew thicker.

  “How are we going to get through this?” The canopy of trees now blocked out the sunlight, the road narrowed and tree branches crisscrossed it. Lexie thought she saw a tree shift and edge closer to the road. Instead of slowing down, Slacker accelerated.

  “We’ll get through it,” he said. “It’s only a mirage. From the other side it probably looks like an impregnable forest. I wouldn’t be surprised if you can’t even see the turnoff.”

  “Really? It all looks real enough to me. I guess I’ll just have to take your word for it.” Lexie shifted and looked at him. “Hey, does that mean you didn’t come through this way?”

  Again, he answered her with silence.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t get that.”

  Slacker grinned and put the pedal to the metal.

  Lexie grabbed hold of Luna and closed her eyes. They hit a couple of bumps and a pothole. Slacker took that as a prompt to go faster. The next bump sent them flying. Rebel grabbed hold of Lexie’s hair and screeched. Finally they landed on the main road.

  Slacker nudged her. “I told you we’d get through.”

  The lush green countryside spread out before them with undulating hills that resembled a patchwork quilt design.

  “There’s a cow,” Luna exclaimed, her voice filled with wonderment. “And another one. Oh, they’re everywhere. What do people do with so much milk?”

  “They turn it all into something else. Chocolate. Cheese. Cream. Cakes. It’s a staple and used in baking and cooking.”

  Luna blinked up at her. “And yet you only buy it for me.”

  Lexie smiled. “That’s because I’d never hear the end of it if I didn’t.” Would Rebel give her a hard time if she didn’t get her blueberries? Lexie pointed ahead. “There. I see the town.” The buildings looked quite old. Victorian, she guessed. Her gaze zeroed in on a sign. A café! Pickup trucks were parked at the curb. A few locals strolled by. The moment Slacker parked his Jeep Luna leaped out and stretched her legs.

  “Don’t stray,” Lexie said. “I’d rather you stay by my side.” She peered inside the café and, to her surprise, she saw a woman sitting down with a dog by her feet. “Pet friendly. That’s unusual.”

  Slacker came to stand by her side. “Joyce’s Café. Purveyor of the finest quality coffee and tea and anything else your heart desires except egg white omelets.” He turned to Lexie. “Doesn’t that just make you want to go inside and order an egg white omelet?”

  “No. It serves as a warning.”

  He smiled. “I don’t see that written anywhere.”

  Lexie pointed with her finger. “It’s in the inflection. It’s implied.”

  Slacker brushed his hand across his chin. Sighing, he shook his head. “Nope. I’m still tempted.”

  “Please try to contain the urge and, Luna, make yourself invisible. I saw a dog in there, but I’m not willing to risk it.” Distracted by the feeling of being watched, Lexie looked over her shoulder but she didn’t see anyone.

  “What about Rebel?” Luna asked.

  Lexie said, “She’s hiding in my hair.”

  “No, she’s not.”

  Lexie patted her head. Nothing.

  “I’m down here. On your wrist,” Rebel called out.

  “Could you warn me before doing that?” Rebel had changed her colors to shiny silver and had wrapped herself around her wrist. “I suppose this is your way of being close to the food.”

  Rebel grinned. “Order some blueberry pancakes.”

  She followed Slacker to a table by the window. Moments later, someone came by to take their orders.

  Lexie looked at the menu. “The biggest mug of coffee you have, please.”

  “Could you be more specific?” the waitress asked.

  Looking up, Lexie smiled. The waitress looked like a version of Audrey Hepburn with bright red lipstick and her hair cropped short.

  She tapped a pen against her chin. “You look like a Shoot for the Stars Rocket Fuel type of person.”

  “If that’s a coffee that will give me a twenty-four hour caffeine hit, then yes. I’ll also have some blueberry pancakes, please.”

  The waitress nodded and turned to Slacker. “You look like a tea drinker.”

  Lexie hid her smile behind the menu.

  “You’re quick to judge.” Slacker cleared his throat. “I’ll have a Rocket Fuel whatever else you called it too and an egg white omelet.”

  Lexie noticed he’d used his O’Rourke compelling voice. “That’s cheating,” she murmured.

  The waitress smiled. “Sorry, we don’t do egg white omelets. If you’re keen on it, you’ll have to go to the pub. They do a nice one there.”

  Slacker’s eyes widened. “I don’t think you heard me right.” He cleared his throat and tried again. “I’d like an egg white omelet.”

  The waitress pointed to the menu. “It’s right there, bold and underlined. We don’t do compromises. Either you have the whole egg or you don’t.”

  “That’s odd,” Luna mentally said. “An O’Rourke detective’s compelling voice works on everyone. Do you think she’s a witch? She doesn’t smell like one.”

  Slacker sat back and crossed his arms. Lexie watched the battle of wills unfold. If she had to bet on anyone, she’d…

  Slacker sighed. “Fine. Since you insist, I’ll have some sunny side up eggs and toast.”

  “Will that be Murdered Sunny Side Up?” the waitress asked.

  “Huh?” Slacker picked up the menu. “No. No ketchup.”

  “Interesting experiment,” Lexie mused as the waitress moved away. “Why do you think she didn’t respond to your compelling voice?”

  He looked none too pleased, in fact, for the first time since his arrival, he scowled. “Her strong will is exceptional.” His eyes narrowed and he looked over Lexie’s shoulder.

  “What?” Following his gaze, Lexie turned. “What did you see?”

  “I thought I saw someone looking at you. You know, really looking. One moment she was there, and the next she was gone.”

  “I’m picking up something,” Luna said. “It feels familiar. I’m afraid that’s all I can tell you. My senses appear to be overwhelmed. It must be the café. There’s a strong energy here. Vibrant and full of sugar and coffee.”

  “I felt something too. I hope it’s not Mirabelle finally making contact.” Lexie sunk back into her chair. She’d never again complain about finding dead bodies or being forced to go undercover. She’d prefer that to not knowing… not having a single lead. She felt Luna settle on her lap and snuggle as if looking for a comfortable spot.

  The waitress approached and set their order on the table. “Enjoy,” the waitress said and stopped to look at Lexie. Specifically, she looked at Lexie’s lap where Luna had curled up in her invisible form.

  Lexie heard Luna sniff and mentally say, “I still can’t pick up anything. She must be one of those people who sees things. Maybe she possesses a sixth sense.”

  Slacker eyeballed the waitress who didn’t shy away.

  “Let me know if there’s anything else I can get you,” she said.

  As the waitress moved away, someone strode past their table. Lexie sensed the person settling down behind her. She tried to catch Slacker’s attention but he only had eyes for his meal. Lexie kicked him under the table but he didn’t respond.

  “Psst. Psst.”

  Lexie turned.

  “No. Don’t turn.”

  “Huh?”

  “It’s me.”

  “You? You who?”

  “Octavia.”

  Her personal assistant?

  “I’m in disguise,” Octavia said.

  Luna scrambled up to Lexie’s shoulder. “It is her. Hello, Octavia.”

  “Shh.”

  Lexie leaned back and slanted her gaze to look at her. “What are you wearing?”

  Slacker looked up and raised his eyebrows at her.

  “Okay, that sounded odd. What disguise are you wearing?”<
br />
  Slacker’s eyebrows shot up even further.

  “What?” Lexie mouthed.

  “Is it safe?” Octavia asked.

  “Hard to say. The strangest things have been happening. What are you doing sitting behind me? Come and join us.”

  “No. I think it might still be too dangerous. I made sure to cover my tracks but I might have been followed. I’ll find another way to meet up with you.”

  Lexie turned but she didn’t see anyone sitting behind her.

  “Care to explain what that was all about?” Slacker asked.

  Lexie leaned forward and told him about his personal assistant. “Luna suggested contacting my personal assistant, Octavia, but I thought it might be too dangerous and lead the Coven Disciplinary Board right to Cat’s door.” But her trusted assistant had found her way to her. How?

  Two hours later, Slacker insisted they make their way back to the cottage. “You have a year’s supply of frozen pizza and cat food. If your assistant found you in a café out in the middle of nowhere, she’ll find her way to Cat’s cottage.”

  “Please drive around the town one more time. She can’t have gone too far.” Lexie turned to Luna. “Did you see what she was wearing?”

  “She had blonde hair and large dark sunglasses. Oh, and a trench coat and a fedora hat.”

  Great. She had a personal assistant slinking around disguised as a female version of Humphrey Bogart and a cousin who might or might not be dead.

  Lexie heard the sound of rummaging behind her. She turned and saw Rebel going through the grocery bags.

  “Frozen blueberries?” Rebel exclaimed. “Is that the best you could do?”

  “It’s all they had at the store. Sorry.”

  “They’re rock hard.”

  “Wait until they thaw.”

  “But I’m hungry now,” Rebel wailed.

  “You ate half my pancakes. Where do you put it?”

  “You think these wings run on air? I need energy to fly. Do you have any idea what it takes to hover, not to mention turning myself into ornaments?” Rebel hovered in front of her for a second and then went limp. Her lithe body floated down to her lap.

  “Hey,” Luna yelped. “Can’t you see I’m here?”