“I have an idea for you,” he said snidely, from his position on the floor below. “The next time you feel like sticking your nose in someone else’s business, don’t mess with a Level Nine Light Sorcerer.”
I was still tweaking in the light beam that he had aimed at me. I couldn’t speak or control my limbs. But my mind was working. Level Nine Light Sorcerer? I thought. It was ringing a bell, but I couldn’t remember where I’d heard it.
Someone was just talking about Light Sorcerers, I thought. Like, recently.
Adam gave another evil laugh. He swirled his finger around in little circles, and I swirled around, too. “How’s that?” he asked. “Fun ride? Just wait—the best part is coming. What goes up, must come down, you know?”
I could only see the floor in my peripheral vision. He was making my body twist and turn in the air so fast, that it was just a blur below me. Man, these ceilings are high, I thought. Why? Why do they have to be so high up?
“See ya, wouldn't want to be ya,” he said next. He lowered his finger, and I felt myself begin to fall. I hit the floor before I had a chance to regain control of my limbs, even though the light was no longer coursing through me. I felt my knee buckle under me. My right hip smashed into the floor, and then my right shoulder. Last was the side of my head.
To my amazement, I didn’t black out. My head hurt. My whole body hurt. But I wasn’t unconscious—so there was that to be thankful for. I was in too much pain to move, but I didn’t stop thinking.
Light Sorcerer, Light Sorcerer... Where did I—
Yes! That’s it! Beatrix spoke of it when she was on the phone with her lawyer. She was saying that Liam was studying to be a Light Sorcerer, even before he dropped contact with her and Carlisle.
Huh. What are the chances that both Adam and Liam study the same sort of magic? I wondered. I’d never even heard of a light sorcerer until this weekend.
Hey, wait a minute. What if this guy is actually Liam...
Suddenly, things started to make sense.
What if Liam had been here at the center the whole time, right under our noses - just under a different name?
It was becoming clear that Alyssa was the one with the inside line to her brother. She must have told him that the entire Crimson family would be here, at my center, I realized. She made up the story of having a fiance, just so that Liam could be here under cover. She told her mother that she didn’t want to introduce her fiance yet, because of course Beatrix would recognize her own son.
But Liam had seemed so genuine when he said that Alyssa wasn’t involved...
I tried to get up. I knew that the longer I laid on the floor, the farther Liam would get.
He was dangerous, and I needed to catch him.
But when I moved, a shooting pain radiated out from my shoulder. “Ah!” I cried out.
I laid back onto the floor, which eased the pain.
I closed my eyes, and tried to breathe as the shooting pain softened into a dull ache.
“Adam is Liam,” I whispered. “Liam wanted the inheritance money, so he killed his father. What did Alyssa have to do with it?”
I lay there, silently trying to answer my own whispered question.
“She told her brother that her father would be here,” I murmured to myself. “Did she also give him the murder weapon?”
I sifted through my mind, mentally going over all of Alyssa’s expressions. If she was in cahoots with her brother, she would not have been so shocked to discover that her hairdryer was the murder weapon.
I pictured her face. Yes, that was genuine shock, I thought.
Plus, she expressed genuine grief at her father’s passing. If she really helped orchestrate it, why would she be so sad? She would instead be looking forward to collecting her own bundle of cash, wouldn’t she?
It wasn’t quite making sense. But I knew I was onto something. At least I know that Liam killed Carlisle.
I tried to get up again. Pain sliced through me, hot and sharp, but I focused on breathing through it. I managed to get up to one knee, and then the other. I got my feet under me. I stood. I clutched my right arm close to my chest, which seemed to ease the pain in my shoulder.
Then, I ran to the door. I reached the hallway and picked up speed as I ran for the doors.
When I stepped out onto the staircase, I saw Skili, trapped in a beam of blue light. “Skili!” I shouted telepathically.
At the same time, I followed the beam. It was coming from above me. I looked up, and saw Liam standing on the third story, at the top of the stairs, right in front of the double doors.
“I tried to stop him from running,” Skili transmitted. Her voice sounded weak. “I got a few pecks in, but then he trapped me in this beam of light.”
I pointed at Liam. “Stop that!” I said to him. I used all of my energy, which was a little bit low, thanks to the pain I was in, to conjure up a spell. It was a binding spell, one that I’d practiced many times before. I saw ropes appear around him. They pinned his arms down to his side.
As his index finger moved downward, trapped by the ropes, Skili moved downward, too. Only she wasn’t flying down, she was falling down. I knew she was probably just as helpless as I had been, during my own fall. She likely hadn’t yet regained control of her wings.
I released my focus on Liam, even though I knew it would diminish the effects of my binding spell. I had other priorities. I turned my gaze to Skili. With all of my focus on her, I spoke the first spell that came to mind.
“Witches from above,
Witches from below,
Help this falling bird,
To land on a soft pillow!”
As soon as the spell escaped my lips, the lobby lights flickered three times. That was a good sign; there’s always a change in lighting when my magic works.
Skili was falling fast, and just as I looked to the place where her body was to collide with the floor, a big, purple pillow with golden tassels appeared. Skili hit it, bounced off of it about two feet back into the air, and then hit it again.
“Well done,” she transmitted.
I didn’t stick around to see her stop bouncing. I knew that she had survived her fall, and that was enough. “Thanks,” I said, as I charged toward the stairs. I took them two at a time. Liam was gone, but I knew he was on the third floor somewhere.
Where?
I pulled open the double doors.
Well, that question was answered at least. Liam was waiting for me, with that blasted finger pointed my way again.
I was ready this time.
I said a silent protective spell. When the cool, buzzing light hit me this time, it didn’t affect me
But I pretended it did.
I froze where I stood, and as he raised me up into the air with that awful finger, I cast a levitation spell on myself. It wasn’t hard to do—it was actually one of the first spells I ever learned as a witch. I floated up, all the while pretending that I had no control of my limbs. I just let them go limp.
“You’re a glutton for punishment, aren’t you?” he asked me, as he raised me up toward another ridiculously high ceiling. What is up with the ceilings in this place? I wondered. At least this time, I wasn’t worried about the fall. I had complete control.
I waited for him to grow impatient with holding me up. It didn't take long. “Don’t come after me this time,” he said. “I have some business to attend to. Then again, if you want to accompany me, I could always give you a third high vibe experience. Enjoy the drop, you busybody.”
With that, he lowered his finger. He didn’t even wait for me to drop. He really was in a hurry. I faked my fall—landing hard enough to make a sound against the oriental carpet, but not hard enough to cause actual pain. I’d had enough of that this evening, thank you very much.
I laid on the ground, watching him out of one eye as he strode quickly to Alyssa’s room. As he approached her doorway, he looked back at me. I quickly closed my eyes, and made myself look unconscious.
&
nbsp; I held this position for a few beats, and then chanced a quick peak. I saw Liam slip into Alyssa’s room. I stayed put, watching out of one eye.
I heard the faint sound of movement down by the double doors that led out to the hallway, which were behind me. I couldn't see what caused the sound though, and I didn’t want to move, in case Liam popped back out of Alyssa and Beatrix’s suite, which was about six doors down.
I felt a faint breeze on my cheek, and Skili landed on the carpet next to my head. She bent down and peered into my open eye. “What are you doing?” she asked.
“Faking like I’m passed out,” I said.
“Why?” she asked.
“Because, the only way I’m going to get this guy is if I catch him off guard. I think this is going to be to my advantage. He’s sure he dropped me here. I know he’s not going to stay in Alyssa and Beatrix's room for long. His mom doesn’t even know he’s here at the resort. I think he’s going in there to get Alyssa.”
My eyes swept the hallway, and landed on suite 312. “I have an idea,” I transmitted, as I fished the master key from my vest pocket. “Use this card to get into Carlisle’s room. His ghost form should be lying on the bed. Use your wings to beckon him out into the hallway. Be sure to shut the door behind you. Carlisle’s a ghost, so he should be able to just float through the walls, or whatever ghosts do. Just make it obvious that you want him to leave the room. I think he’ll know what you’re getting after if you wave your wings in the right way. But you stay inside, with the door closed, okay?”
“Got it,” Skili said, as she gripped the master key in her beak and flew toward suite 312.
I watched her, from my position on the floor, as she gripped the keycard precisely on its corner, and flew at the perfect angle to lower the card through the little swiper. I was impressed. I cheered her on telepathically as I lay still.
“Nice, Skili!” I said. I watched her use her talons to push down the door handle. The door opened. She flew inside.
“Yes!” I cheered silently. She waddled further into the room on her short legs. Then the door closed—she must have pushed it from inside.
I stayed put on the floor. Just as I’d suspected, the door to Beatrix and Alyssa’s shared suite opened again. Liam and Alyssa stepped out into the hallway. I closed my eyes quickly, and feigned unconsciousness.
“What, Liam?” I heard Alyssa demand in a hoarse whisper. “You shouldn’t be here! Mom could have woken up and spotted you. I told you to just sign the stupid form and get out of here.”
“The whole form thing was a hoax,” Liam said. “The document was a fake. That Marley chick did that to trap me. Listen, Alyssa, I know you’re not going to like this—but what’s done is done.”
“What are you talking about?” Alyssa said. “No... no... Liam, don’t tell me...”
“I did it,” Liam said.
“You killed Dad?” Alyssa was shocked. “Liam, no!” her voice was rising, but she lowered it again. I had to strain to hear her. “Liam, that can’t be true. I don’t believe you.”
“Listen to me, Liss,” Liam said. “See that body down there at the end of the hall? That’s this place’s owner.”
“That lady, Marley?” Alyssa asked. She gasped, probably as she spotted me. “Liam, what have you done?”
“She’s not dead,” Liam said. “She just hit her head and passed out. She’s going to come to eventually, and when she does, she’s going to be looking for me. She wants to arrest me. I don't think she has any evidence, but I wanted to warn you—she suspects you, too.”
“But I didn’t do anything,” Alyssa said.
“That’s the beauty of my plan,” Liam said, sounding proud of himself. “I used your hairdryer to kill him, Liss. And unless you cooperate with me, I’m going to testify that you’re just as guilty as I am. I’m going to say we were in on this together.”
“But—we’re not!” Alyssa said. “Sure, I told you that Dad would be here this weekend, but I told you that so you could ask him for money, Liam, not kill him for it! I knew you were facing hard times. I wanted to help you. I went to all the trouble of pretending you were my fiance, and getting that fake name lined up for you for your registration. If I’d known you were this desperate, I never would have returned your call when you reached out to me last month.”
“Boo hoo,” Liam said. “You can cry about it into your pillow later. But right now, I need your help—or you’re going to go to jail right along with me.”
There was silence, and then a faint sob. Then Alyssa spoke. “I’m not going to help you—you evil, heartless—” Another sob. “Oh, Dad!” she whispered. “I’m so sorry!”
“There’s nothing you can do for Dad now,” Liam said. “Here. I wrote down the number for my offshore bank account. It’s in the Water Realm, where I’ve been spending some time lately. I’m going to disappear for a while, and I need you to deposit your entire share of the inheritance into that account. My share, too, if you can manage it, but that might be off the table now that I’ll be wanted for his murder.”
“I won’t,” Alyssa said again.
“You have to,” Liam said. “Unless you want to go to jail. Is that what you want?”
“No,” she said.
“Then do as I say.”
I heard footsteps approaching, coming from the direction of Alyssa’s suite. They got louder and louder. I was sure it was Liam. I remained still, with my eyes closed. Then, just as the footsteps passed me by, I sprung into action. I opened my eyes, leapt to my feet, and aimed both hands and all of my attention at Liam.
“Bind him!” I said aloud. A thick rope appeared around Liam’s body, and tightened like a cobra strangling its prey.
I kept focusing.
The ropes grew tighter. Liam screamed.
One of the hotel doors flew open, and then another.
“What’s going on out here?” one guest said groggily.
“Is everything alright?” I recognized Shauna’s voice.
“Eeeiiii!” That was surely Doreen.
“It is now,” I said.
Beings began pouring out into the hallway. I think every room emptied, but I wouldn’t take my eyes off of Liam long enough to look. I was afraid that if I did, the ropes around him would loosen. I focused on tying knots in the thick rope, with my mind.
When I was satisfied that they would hold, I finally let my focus wane. I felt so drained and exhausted, that when I saw a shimmering light in the air near suite 312, I thought for sure I was imagining it due to my weariness.
But then, as I watched the shimmering light, it started to morph into a form—the form of a figure.
Carlisle Crimson’s ghost, to be exact.
“Killed by my own son,” he said, with a shake of his head.
It was clear to me that no one could see him but me. I addressed the crowd. “This man killed Carlisle Crimson,” I said, pointing to Liam’s bound body. “And he was about to get away. Not only that, but he attacked me, too.” I still felt an aching pain in my shoulder.
“I’ve never restrained anyone like this before,” I admitted to my guests. “But it felt necessary for my own safety and the safety of everyone here at the center.”
“Good!” Neil shouted from the back of the gathering. “He deserves to be tied up.” He wore a white sleeping cap, and he stood a full foot above even the tallest in the crowd.
“Do you have evidence against him?” the vampire man asked.
His wife chimed in. “Carlisle was from the air realm, right? That means his killer will face justice there.”
“I could contact the Air Realm authorities right now,” Shauna offered.
I grimaced. “I don’t really have evidence, at least that I know of. I’m new to this whole detective thing. I mean, I have some bumps and bruises to show that he threw me around just now, but other than that—”
“Hang on there, little lady.” This was Carlisle. He sounded happier than I’d ever heard him before.
�
�I think you have the best evidence you could ask for. Have I mentioned I am a very respected record keeper? I should think that my statement—translated through a fellow scribe who can see and hear me, of course—would carry quite a lot of weight within the Air Realm’s justice system. I just heard everything my son said. I’ll have one of my fellow scribes write it all up in a very detailed report. In fact, I’m very pleased. My life will have a very interesting record on the books. When anyone in the future looks up Carlisle Crimson, they will read a dramatic tale of greed and betrayal. Killed by my own son! What a record it will be!” He rubbed his transparent hands together and smiled, as if with excited anticipation for the whopper of a record.
The crowd couldn’t hear him, so they began to converse again, seeing as I’d stopped short.
“I’ll call the authorities anyway,” Shauna said. “Maybe your bumps and bruises will be enough at least to get him behind bars.”
“Eeeiiii! What a scoundrel!” Doreen shrieked
The vampire man put his arm around his wife. “We’re very glad to have some closure,” he said. “This way, we can book our next stay without worrying about whether there’s still a killer in the vicinity. We do plan on coming back, Marley.”
“Oh yes, us too!” another vampire couple chimed in, in unison.
“This weekend was wonderful,” a merman said.
“You have a beautiful center here, Marley,” Lee said. “And it absolutely delivers what you promised. The murder was just a little hiccup, I’m sure. All in all, this place was very peaceful. I feel like I’m a new person, thanks to Neil.”
All heads turned to Neil, who was still in the back of the crowd. He parted the crowd and joined me. As he reached my side, I saw that in addition to his white sleeping cap, he also wore white satin pajamas. Everyone started offering up thanks for the wisdom he had imparted. I added my own heartfelt thank you, along with the other guests, and I gave him a big hug.
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