Witches of Palmetto Point Series Boxset Books 1 - 3: Haunting Charlie, Wayward Spirits and Devil's Snare

by Wendy Wang

  “So, mote it be,” Charlie and the other two women echoed.

  Jen opened her eyes. “So, we all have our assignments?”

  “Let’s do this,” Daphne said, sounding gung ho. They dropped hands and paired up. Jen and Daphne took the downstairs and Charlie and Lisa the upstairs. Jen lit a bundle of ashy colored sage and slowly moved through the rooms, swirling the smoke around. Daphne placed small polished black stones in every corner of every room.

  “Those aren’t going to stay put,” Jason warned. “Soon as Watson finds them she's gonna think they’re toys and bat them around.”

  “Don't worry about it,” Daphne flashed him a smile and pushed her pink-tipped hair behind one ear. The cat rubbed against Daphne’s leg and she bent over and gave the cat a good rubbing behind the ears. “You're not even going to see these, are you girl?” Watson closed her eyes and purred loudly.

  “Trust me, she'll see them. She's extremely curious,” Jason countered.

  Daphne leveled her gaze on him and smiled, her hazel eyes boring into him. “Trust me when I say she won't.”

  Jason's arms broke into goose bumps. Just one gaze from these usually congenial women could set him on edge.

  The word witch danced on the tip of his tongue, but weren’t witches just something in fairy tales? The other word that came to mind was powerful but it did not quite seem to fit either, although they were powerful. They knew things more easily than others without a whole lot of information. Charlie constantly told him that they can't do what she does and that she couldn't do what they did, whatever that meant. He crossed his arms, thankful when Daphne shifted her attention back to her work. Jen and Daphne moved on to a different part of the house, and Lisa went from window to window pouring a line of salt in front of each one then placed what looked like some sort of ash on top of it.

  “Should I even ask?” he said. He liked Lisa. She was tough and shot straight from the hip.

  She offered him a conciliatory smile and patted his arm as she passed him. “Nope. You don't want to know. Don't worry about the mess, we’ll clean it up once the danger’s passed. Although you may have to re-do some of it, if your cat decides to sit in the windows.”

  “Great,” he said his tone full of sarcasm.

  Finally, when they finished, the four women joined him in the living room. He sat in the leather recliner that faced the room entrance. Charlie was the last one in, and she walked straight over to them and stooped down in front of him. Jason sat up straight, shifting a little.

  “What?” he said.

  “Where did she hit you?” Charlie asked. “You said she touched you. Where?”

  Jason's gaze flitted from face to face. All of them stood around Charlie with their arms crossed staring down at him. Jason scowled.

  “For crying out loud, ladies, have a seat. You're making me nervous.”

  Daphne and Lisa took a seat on the couch, and Jen stooped down next to Charlie. Gently she placed a hand on top of Jason's.

  “Sorry about that. But we need to know how she entered you. Where she touched you.”

  Jason looked from Charlie to Jen and back to Charlie before blowing out a heavy breath. “She charged out of the mirror and hit me on the chest. I —” he cleared his throat. “I felt her fingers on my neck. I couldn't breathe.”

  Jen gave Charlie a knowing look.

  “What?” Jason snapped. “At least she didn't kill me.”

  “No, she didn't — this time — but it doesn't mean she won't try again,” Charlie said softly. Jen reached inside of her pocket and pulled out a black stone that was wrapped in silver wire and attached to a piece of leather. She took Jason's hand and wrapped the leather bracelet around his wrist, tying it tightly in place.

  “What's this?” he asked.

  “It's black tourmaline,” Jen said. “It'll protect you against negative energy and anymore psychic attacks.”

  “Psychic attacks?” Jason rubbed the center of his chest. “It felt real. This is not all in my head.”

  “Nobody said it was.” Lisa leaned forward, her hands clasped together, her elbows resting on her knees. “She can get to you physically and mentally. That’s what the stone protects you against. I didn't have time to stop and get a dream catcher from my house. Charlie, I’ll get it to you and then you can get it to him.”

  “I didn't think about that either,” Jen muttered softly. “Dammit.”

  Jason laughed. “Okay, I think that's enough. I'm fine with the salt and the stones, and I appreciate your concern. I really do. But I'm drawing the line at dream catchers.”

  “That's your choice,” Lisa said. “But don't think she can't still get to you in your dreams.”

  “Well, isn't that what this is for?” He held up his arm with the bracelet now attached.

  “It'll help,” Jen said. “And it's powerful, but it's not fool proof. She's already proven that she strong enough to make her presence known to someone like you.”

  “She's gonna kill Emma.” Charlie leveled her gaze on him. “We need to do whatever we can to stop that from happening.”

  “Agreed.” Jason said. “But she’s adamant that nothing’s going on with her. How do we make her let us help her?”

  “We go after the source,” Charlie said. A chorus of yep and she’s right, came from Jen, Lisa, and Daphne.

  “How?”

  Charlie sighed. “We find Brianna and we trap her.”

  “Okay, great. How do we do that?” Jason asked.

  “Don’t worry about that,” Jen said. “We’ve got the trap handled.”

  “Great, how do we keep Emma safe till then?”

  “I’ll talk to her,” Charlie said. “We’re gonna have to find Brianna’s body, and Emma’s the only one who knows where it is.”

  “No offense, but she’s not admitting anything and she doesn’t even believe in you,” he said. “I’m not sure what good talking to her is gonna do.”

  “I have to at least try,” Charlie said.

  “How do you know Brianna won’t kill her before you can convince her?” Jason asked.

  “That’s easy.” Charlie sighed. “I think Brianna’s having too much fun torturing her.”

  “That’s messed up,” Jason muttered.

  “Yep.” Charlie nodded. “You know when I was a little kid, my father used to tell me that people turned into angels when they died, but in my experience people’s souls don’t transform into angels. At least not the one’s still stuck here on earth.”

  “What do you think they turn into?” Jason asked.

  Charlie shrugged. “Sometimes they become so consumed by their last emotions they turn into monsters.”

  Jason’s cheeks went numb and he sat back in his chair. He’d become a cop to fight the bad guys and monsters of the world. He wrapped his hand around his wrist and centered his palm over the stone Jen had strapped to him. “How the hell do we fight that?”

  Jen offered up a comforting smile. “With a little magic and a lot of faith.”

  Chapter 18

  Charlie picked up a file folder from her desk and fanned herself with it. She hung up with her last customer and let her phone go into a not ready code. A little twinge behind her eye threatened to turn into something worse and she reached for her purse inside the file drawer. She searched around blindly until she found what felt like the right bottle. When she was sure she had the right bottle, she shook two caplets into her palm.

  “Another headache?” her coworker Brian asked.

  She nodded and washed down the two caplets with some water from the large cup on her desk. “I think I need to get my eyes checked. They’ve been achy lately.”

  “Yeah, that's what happens when you get old,” he teased.

  “Watch it, buddy. You’re not that far behind me.” She swept her gaze across the call center, stretching her neck right and then left. A man materialized right in front of her and she froze. She looked right and then left with her eyes. Had anyone else seen him or was he –


  “Charlie?”

  She took a good look at him and her heart leapt into her throat. Scott. It was Scott. He was only four feet away from her and he looked around confused as if he wasn't sure where he was. Finally, his gaze met hers and he smiled wide like he was happy to see her. It had been a couple of years since she’d seen him smile at her that way.

  “Charlie! On my god. How did I get here? What’s happening?” Scott took a step forward and moved right into the desk.

  “Oh god,” Charlie muttered. Dread coiled around her heart and squeezed hard. As much she hated Scott, sometimes especially right now with their custody issues, she had never once wished him dead. And that's what he must be, wasn't it? Dead.

  Scott looked down, shock marring his pale face when he realized he was now part of the desk. The computers buzzed and flickered.

  “Charlie? What’s happening to me?”

  “Scott—.” The back of her throat tightened and she couldn’t get the words out.

  Scott took a deep breath, his chest expanding. “My god,” he muttered. “This is amazing. So amazing. It's like you see everything and know – everything.” He raised his face and closed his eyes, as if he were basking in sunlight. “It’s so bright.”

  Charlie glanced at her coworker, not wanting to panic him and certainly not wanting to speak out loud to Scott, but she had so many questions for him. Like what had happened? Why was he here? A shadow filled her peripheral vision and Charlie brought her gaze back to Scott. The reaper loomed up behind him. Scott jolted and opened his eyes when the creature put his hand on Scott’s shoulder. Scott slowly glanced down at the bony fingers, terror marring the lines of his face. “Charlie? What’s happening?”

  Charlie screamed as the reaper dug his fingers into Scott and raised the scythe in his hand. She jumped to her feet. The scream building in her chest died on her lips as

  the reaper disappeared taking Scott with him. Dizziness swirled through Charlie’s brain, and the world around her grayed at the edges just as her body struck the floor.

  “I wish you’d let me call for an EMT.” Joan, the manager of the call center, handed Charlie a cup of water. Charlie took it and sipped the cool, tasteless liquid. When she’d come to, Joan had insisted she come to her office. It was bigger than the supervisors’ offices, and had a window overlooking a green lawn and a cement path that led to a walking trail.

  “I am so sorry I disrupted the call center,” Charlie said for the hundredth time. “I’m fine, really. Please don’t.”

  “All right. If you’re sure,” Joan said.

  Charlie nodded. She fidgeted in her chair and looked at the phone on Joan’s desk.

  Joan turned her head, following Charlie’s gaze. “You keep looking at that phone almost like you’re expecting a call.”

  “I – um,” Charlie started. What was she supposed to say? Why yes, Joan, I’m expecting someone to call me and tell me that my ex-husband is dead. How do I know he’s dead? Because his ghost visited me out there on the call center floor. Yeah, that would go over well.

  “Charlie.” Joan paused, and Charlie could almost feel the question coming. “I don't know how to ask this without sounding well . . . ”

  Joan hesitated and shifted her legs. Her fingers fiddled with her hair before finally pushing the long silver strands behind one ear. She looked Charlie squarely in the face. “Does this have anything to do with that thing they talk about?”

  “I'm not sure what you mean. What thing?”

  Joan frowned and wrinkles around her lips deepened. “You know.” She didn’t finish her thought. Aloud.

  Charlie fought the inexplicable urge to laugh. She knew people talked about her. Sometimes they stopped talking when she entered the break room or when she passed people talking in the hall.

  Charlie took a deep breath. She really didn’t have time for this. “I’m not sure what they say about me. I’m not even sure who they are.”

  “Nothing really, it doesn't matter. Are you going to be all right?”

  “Yes. I'm fine.” The phone on Joan’s desk rang, and she gave Charlie an apologetic look. “I just need to take this really quick.”

  “Sure.” Charlie leaned forward in her chair and put her elbows on her knees.

  Joan reached for the phone on her desk. “Yes? Of course, put her through.” Joan cast a glance at Charlie. “Hello? Yes. Yes she is. Can you hold just a moment?” She smiled and held the receiver away from her ear. “Charlie, it’s for you.”

  Charlie straightened up in her chair and her heart leapt into her throat. Her hand shook a little as she took the dull black handset from Joan and put it to her ear. “Hello?”

  “Mom?”

  The fear in her son’s voice sent a chill through her. Oh god. What if Evan had been with Scott when he died? Charlie choked out the words, “Baby, what is it? Are you all right? Are you hurt?”

  “They just took dad away in an ambulance.”

  “Is Miss Cora there with you?”

  “Uh huh.” Evan sobbed.

  “It’s gonna be okay, Evan. I’m gonna come get you. Can I speak to Cora?” A shuffling noise came from the other end of the line.

  “Ms. Payne, this is Cora.” Her warm voice soothed. “I just want you to know Evan is safe. Mr. Scott’s been taken to the hospital.”

  “What happened?” Charlie closed her eyes and listened carefully, images flooded her mind as the woman told her what she knew.

  “Well, he came home early, complaining of some pain in his left shoulder. I told him he should go rest, but he decided to go for a run. Twenty minutes later, Evan comes screaming into the kitchen that his dad is dying on the driveway. I called 911 and they came right away.”

  “Thank you, Cora. Thank you so much for being there for Evan. I’m gonna come get him and take him home with me. All right?”

  “Yes ma’am,” Cora said. Charlie was grateful the housekeeper didn’t argue. “I think that’s a good idea. You should prob’ly know that I called Mr. Todd too.”

  Charlie tightened her jaw. “That’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

  “I just wanted to make sure you knew, in case he got mad about you taking Evan with you.”

  “Don’t you worry, I can handle Todd.” Charlie suppressed the urge to spit after saying his name. She’d had a contentious relationship with Scott’s brother for most of her marriage, and it had only gotten worse since the divorce. Todd Carver never believed Charlie was good enough to be part of his family because she didn’t come from old money – or any money at all for that matter.

  “Yes ma’am.”

  “If you could pack Evan a bag and make sure he has everything he needs for school, I’d really appreciate it.”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  They said their good-byes, and Charlie looked up to find Joan watching her intently.

  “Everything all right?” Joan asked warily.

  “No. My husb — my ex-husband was just taken to the hospital with chest pain apparently. I need to go pick up my son.”

  “Oh my gosh, of course.” Joan said her voice full of concern. “I’ll let your supervisor know.”

  “Thanks.” Charlie rose from her seat.

  “Call me and let me know if there’s anything we can do.”

  Charlie ducked into the call center through the back entrance and quickly gathered her things without a word. If they took Scott in an ambulance to the hospital, that meant he was alive – at least for the time being.

  Charlie sat next to Scott's bed holding his hand, ignoring the old man in the hospital gown sitting in the chair in the corner watching them. When had he died and how long had he been hanging out in this room?

  “He’s going to be okay, I think,” the old man said. Charlie shifted her gaze back to him. “I hate to see such a pretty girl like you worry.”

  Charlie bit the inside of her cheek. If she revealed she could see him, he might not leave her alone, or worse. He might raise the flag for any other spirits
wandering the hall who wanted her to pass a long a message to those left behind. She blinked.

  “Did you hear me?” The spirit sounded astonished. He sat up and his gown raised higher on his thighs. Too high. Charlie blinked and shifted her focus back to Scott. She really didn’t need to see an old ghost man’s junk today. Scott’s pale, wan body had tubes running into his arm and electrodes disappearing into his gown. When asked if she was family, she’d lied and told them she was his wife. It was stupid, but it got her into the ICU ward.

  His eyes fluttered and his hand tightened around her fingers. He reached with his free hand, touching the cannula resting just below his nose.

  “Hi,” she said placing her other hand over the top of his. “I was beginning to think I might miss you.”

  “Miss me?” he said his voice scratchy. “Water?”

  Charlie stood up and fetched some ice chips from the nearby nurse’s station. There were actual doors in the cardiac ICU, but they were not closed for the most part.

  Charlie spooned some ice into his mouth and he closed his eyes and wrinkled his brow. “What happened to me?”

  “You had a pulmonary embolism. The doctors think it's because of the fall you took off your bike last week. Something about it causing a blood clot.”

  Scott’s eyes widened and his gaze fixed on her. “I saw you,” he whispered. “God, it was so real. You had on headphones and you stood up and stared at me.” He swallowed hard, but the words still sounded like he’d pulled them across a rasp. “It was probably just a dream. Neurons dying maybe.”

  Charlie poked the spoon into the cup of ice. She didn’t want to look at him. What if he opened his eyes and saw the truth — that some part of her wanted him to acknowledge without doubt that he’d been dead. If only for a few minutes. and he’d seen her and she had seen him. Charlie’s heart sank to her belly, an icy rock of disappointment. “Yes, a very bad dream.”

  “Evan found me.”

  “I know. He’s pretty shaken up. I don’t want to start a fight, but I’m taking him with me until you’re better.”