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

by Wendy Wang

  “She's not gonna kill me too,” Emma said to the cat. The cat replied by purring loudly. Suddenly she gave the cat a quick kiss on the nose and laid her down on the bed. She hurried downstairs and dug through her purse until she found what she was looking for. She pulled the simple cream-colored card and turned it over before picking up her cell phone and dialing the number printed on it. It rang twice before a sleepy voice finally answered.

  “Hello, is this Charlie Payne?”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “I'm sorry to bother you so late but this is Emma Winston. And I really need to see you tonight if possible.”

  All the marble and mirrors in the Marquis Hotel gleamed in the yellow light of old-fashioned light bulbs. The key to a place like the Marquis was to walk in like you owned the place. Charlie held her head high with one hand wrapped around the leather strap of her messenger bag. The bar was across the lobby directly in front of the receptionist desk, just as Emma said it would be.

  Charlie walked through the brass double doors and walked along the rows of tables and booths until she came to the last one where Emma Winston sat nursing a large glass of wine. Charlie slid into the booth across from her. A nearly empty bottle of Chardonnay sat in the center of the table. Charlie wrapped her hand around its neck and read the gold label.

  “Would you like a glass?” Emma asked. There was a fresh bruise high on her left cheek and the circles beneath her eyes reminded Charlie of the blackout that football players used to reduce glare.

  “Well, it's good to see you've been sleeping,” Charlie said wryly. “What is she doing to you?”

  Emma gulped the last bit of wine in her glass and slipped the bottle out of Charlie's hand. She tipped it and the golden liquid filled the glass almost to the top, emptying the bottle.

  Emma shook her head and smiled sadly. “Boy, you don't waste any time, do you? No small talk, huh? No how's your family or what's the weather like in Topeka?”

  “Have you ever been to Topeka?”

  “Nope. Not once.” Emma took a sip of her wine.

  “Well, honestly it’s after midnight, and I've never been one for small talk.” Charlie laced her fingers together and placed her hands on the table.

  “You know you'd never make it in a sorority then. We are the queens of small talk.”

  Charlie forced a smile. “You know I came from one of the outer islands, right? What exactly would you like to talk about, Dr. Winston?”

  “So formal. I mean you've already been the harbinger of death. You should at least call me by my given name.”

  “Fine. Emma. Why did you need me to come all the way downtown?”

  Emma wrapped both her hands around the bowl of her wine glass. Her eyes became unfocused as she spoke. “I thought if I left my house. That I would somehow be safe. That if I wasn’t in the house she couldn't get to me.”

  “Who couldn't get to you?”

  Emma let out a high-pitched nervous laugh, but still she didn't look at Charlie when she spoke. “You know who.”

  Charlie let her hand slip down to the pendant hanging around her neck and she brushed her thumb and forefinger across it. “I brought you something.”

  “You did?” Emma sat back, her face wary.

  “Yes, I did.” Charlie opened the flap of her messenger bag and dug around for the little velvet box her cousin had given her. She pulled it out and placed it on the table in front of Emma, pushing it toward her. Emma's blue eyes widened.

  “Ooh jewelry? On a first date?” Emma said teasing. She reached for the blue velvet box and flipped open the top. “You certainly know the way to a girl’s heart.”

  “I'm really glad that you're joking about it.” Charlie said. “It means she hasn’t broken you yet.”

  Emma took the silver pendant from the box and brought it closer to her face so she could make out the symbol. “Is that what I think it is?”

  “It’s a pentacle.”

  “Doesn't that—?” She paused and looked around then finished in a whisper. “Isn’t that some sort of satanic symbol?”

  “No. Although the Satanists have taken it and flipped it. The symbol itself is for protection against evil.”

  “Evil.” Emma echoed. “Is that what she is? Evil?”

  “I don't think she's inherently evil. But I think she’s angry, and a lot of times when spirits are angry it’s because they die angry. The emotion just consumes them after death. Poisons them. I think she's spent the last ten years growing stronger and angrier.”

  “I just don't understand. Why she’s so angry with me?”

  Charlie sat back against the condition of the booth. “Isn't it obvious?”

  “Isn't what obvious?” Emma laid the pendant down on the table.

  “She's angry because you killed her.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Emma’s gaze leveled on Charlie.

  “Part of what I do, how this whole thing works for me is, I have dreams. I had a dream about you and Haley dropping Brianna off at some abandoned old house in the middle of nowhere, wearing only her pajamas, in the middle of the night. When I see Brianna’s ghost, she’s wearing those pajamas.”

  “Haley and I did not kill Emma, if that’s what you’re insinuating.”

  “Maybe. Maybe not. But she believes you did. She’s not gonna let it go until you’re dead too.”

  “We did not kill her. I swear to God.”

  “You can swear to whoever you want, won’t change anything.”

  “You have to help me,” Emma reached across the table and her hand clamped onto Charlie's wrist. “You said you could help me.”

  “Fine.” Charlie glanced down at Emma's hand. “First, take your hand off me. Second, tell me what you and Haley did to Brianna.”

  Emma's hand released Charlie's wrist and she pulled it to her quickly, cradling it against her body as if Charlie's tone had somehow stung her.

  “We didn't do anything,” Brianna insisted. “We even filled out a missing person’s report. Now, would we have done that if we had killed her?”

  “I don't know. Maybe.” Charlie sat back and took a long look at her. Emma was scared but she wasn't telling the truth. “Maybe you did it to cover your tracks.”

  “If we wanted to cover our tracks we would never have drawn any sort of attention to ourselves,” Emma said.

  “Either way, it doesn't really bode well for you.”

  “Why?” Emma asked.

  “Because obviously Brianna believes you’re responsible. Otherwise why would she haunt you?”

  Emma picked up her glass and took a long slow sip from her wine.

  “The alcohol’s really not going to help you,” Charlie said. “It actually makes it easier for her to access your dreams.”

  “I don't know what you're talking about. I haven't been dreaming about her.”

  “You can lie to yourself all day long, but Brianna is the one in charge. Why do you think you’re so bruised?”

  “Will you help me?” Emma asked. “Please?”

  “Why should I? I mean honestly? The police are probably going to rule Haley's death a suicide, and if they don't then it will be ruled an accident. You can't be implicated at all. And of course, Brianna can't either because nobody's gonna bring up the fact that Haley died at the hands of a ghost. Maybe letting you die the same way is the only way that Brianna gets any sort of justice.”

  “Oh god,” Emma croaked. “I did not kill her.” Emma put her face in her hands and began to cry. Charlie wanted to feel sorry for, but something inside her just wouldn't allow it.

  “Even if — and that’s a big if, you didn’t kill her directly, you need to own up to your responsibility. She’s not gonna stop until your dead.”

  “Well, I can't let that happen.” Emma sniffed and wiped the tears off her cheeks. “I am a Mu Theta and we do not give up. If I do die, my blood will be on your hands because you didn't help me. And you can bet your bottom dollar that I’ll come back and haunt yo
u.

  Charlie cocked her head and narrowed her eyes. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell her to get in line, but instead she just laughed. “You’re good, I’ll give you that.”

  “So you’ll help me?”

  “Well, the last damn thing I need is somebody haunting me on purpose.”

  A smile stretched across Emma's lips. “Thank you. I promise you won't regret it. What do we need to do?”

  “Well, the first thing we need to do is go to the store. I have some supplies that we need.”

  “There's a Harris Teeter right down the street.”

  “Do you have your car? Mine’s parked all the way up on Broad Street.”

  “Yes. Of course I do.”

  Charlie held her hand out. “Keys please. You’re certainly not driving.”

  Charlie and Emma paused in front of room 308. Emma held her key card in her hand but didn't move to insert it. After another minute, Charlie took the key card from Emma and slid it into the lock until the little green light appeared. The lock clicked and Charlie pushed open the door. The two women quickly went inside.

  The room was nicer than any Charlie had stayed in, at least since she divorced Scott. There was fine mahogany furniture — a carved headboard and matching nightstands and dresser. There was a television hanging on the wall where a mirror normally would be — which Charlie thought to be a good thing. The fewer mirrors they had to deal with the better.

  In the middle of the bed was a white long-haired cat with large blue eyes and a flat face. Its tail swished back and forth. Its gaze followed them into the room.

  “You brought your cat?” Charlie said.

  “Of course. You didn't think I would leave her at home, did you?”

  “No — actually it's good that you have a cat. Some believe they're guardians of the underworld and can ward off the dead.”

  “Did you hear that, Blizzard?” Emma sat down on the bed next to the cat and scratched it behind the ears. “You’re mama’s little guardian.”

  Charlie rubbed the back of her neck losing her patience. “Have you actually seen her here yet?”

  “No not yet. Hopefully not ever. I was kinda hoping you could help keep her away from me.” Emma stared at her expectantly, her eyes punctuated by the dark circles beneath them.

  “When was the last time you slept, Emma?”

  Emma shook her head and tightened her arms around herself. “It's been a while. Since before Haley even died.”

  “Are you sure you don't want to tell me what happened with Brianna?”

  “There's nothing to tell,” Emma said. “Now, are you gonna help me or not?”

  “Yes,” Charlie said, fighting the urge to just leave Emma to Brianna’s mercy, or lack thereof. “I'm going to help you. Which door is the bathroom?”

  Emma pointed to the left door on the wall of the tiny foyer leading into the room. The door was shut.

  “All right,” Charlie started. “I'm going to go in there by myself first and check it out.”

  “Is that a good idea? What if she tries to kill you too?”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  “You sure?”

  “Oh yeah, her beef isn't with me, it's with you and Haley.”

  “All right. If you think that's best.”

  Charlie handed Emma her cell phone. “Do not come inside, even if I’m screaming. Do you understand me?”

  Emma nodded quickly.

  “But if I tell you to help me then I need you to call the first name on my favorites list. Do you understand me?”

  Emma looked down at the phone in her hands. “Jen,” she said softly. “If you call out help me, you want me to call Jen.”

  “Yes. Tell her I'm in trouble. Tell her the address and then go downstairs and wait for her.”

  “You want me to call your cop friend?”

  “No. He can’t help me with this kind of trouble but she can.”

  “Okay,” Emma croaked.

  Charlie opened the door and flipped on the light to the bathroom. She stepped up to the edge of the granite counter. In the mirror, she could see Emma watching from the bedroom. Her large blue eyes stared intently at Charlie’s reflection and she smiled, trying to reassure her.

  Charlie closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath, focusing on the rise and fall of her chest. Her mind cleared and her eyes opened and closed again. Long, slow blinks. The mirror fogged and the scene shifted. The light in the bedroom behind her changed. The bright bluish fluorescent light was gone replaced by the hazy gloom of night. Thunder boomed overhead making Charlie jump and glance at the ceiling. When she brought her attention back to the mirror, she was no longer alone in the bathroom. Brianna stood right behind her. The temperature in the small space plummeted and out of instinct Charlie glanced over her shoulder. Her breath stuttered in her chest. There was nothing there except Emma, standing in the same place watching her.

  “You okay?” Emma said.

  “I’m fine,” Charlie called up a smile and pushed the door closed. She pressed her palm flat against the wood door. Dread coiled around her heart and squeezed, making the deep breath she attempted harder. Finally, she turned around to face the mirror.

  Brianna stood just on the other side of the sink staring out at her, as if she was looking through a window.

  Not a window. A portal.

  Charlie's gaze shifted from her pretty translucent face to the blood-soaked t-shirt she wore.

  “Do you remember how that happened?” Charlie pointed to the girl’s chest. Brianna blinked and tilted her head as if she were unsure whether what she was seeing was real or not. The hair on the back of Charlie's neck prickled. “If you tell me where you are, I can help you, Brianna.”

  Brianna's eyebrows raised and her mouth opened, forming a perfect ‘O.’ “How do you know my name?”

  “I know a lot about you actually. I know you went missing ten years ago. I know that Haley and Emma are responsible. Looks like you took care of Haley yourself, but if you’ll let me, I’ll make sure you get justice. I can help you pass on to where you're supposed to be.”

  A thundercloud shrouded Brianna's face and her eyes darkened to the point where Charlie could only see black hatred. Her lips twisted into a snarl and the anger rolled off her, pouring into Charlie. She swallowed back the bitter taste of bile, threatening to make her vomit.

  Brianna raised one hand, her forefinger pointing. Her words sounded venomous in Charlie’s ears. “You tell Emma she's next.”

  “Brianna, don’t – ” Brianna crossed the barrier of the mirror so fast Charlie had no time to react. The spirit wrapped its fingers around her throat and slammed her up against the door hard enough that Charlie saw stars. Charlie clawed at her throat only to find nothing there. Still she couldn't breathe. She gasped and fought against the apparition’s grip.

  “Charlie?” The doorknob rattled. Emma sounded like she was crying. “Charlie? Are you okay?”

  Brianna’s attention shifted to the voice coming from behind the door, and her grip loosened enough for Charlie to breathe. Charlie dug into her pocket for the piece of polished black tourmaline Evangeline had given her. She touched the stone to her throat. Brianna screamed and pulled her hand to her chest, cradling it, as if she’d been burned. “You bitch!”

  “Fine. If that’s how you want to play it, then that’s exactly what you’re gonna get.” Charlie pulled a fistful of salt from her other pocket and tossed it into Brianna’s diaphanous body. The hard-white crystals dusted the floor. Brianna screeched, her face twisting into a mask of pain and fury. Charlie pulled out another handful of salt and showed it to the spirit.

  Brianna spit in Charlie’s direction. The room temperature plunged, and Charlie’s breath puffed in large clouds.

  “Stay out of this, bitch, or I swear I will come after you too.” Brianna hissed then turned and scrambled back through the mirror. Charlie fell forward onto her knees, gasping and coughing. Her hand went to her throat. She crawled toward the door and tu
rned the lock on the knob and pulled it open.

  “Oh my god? What happened?” Emma whined.

  “Emma, don’t come in here.” Charlie said, her throat feeling like she had swallowed a handful of rocks. “I saw Brianna.” She coughed again and rubbed the skin of her neck where Brianna’s icy fingers had squeezed. Would there be bruises? It wouldn’t be the first time a spirit had left its mark on her.

  “Did she hurt you?”

  Charlie cleared her throat. “I’m okay. But I need you to be honest with me now. Where did you and Haley take Brianna that night? The night you say she disappeared.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Emma said defiantly.

  Charlie gritted her teeth and pushed herself to her feet. “Fine. Don’t tell me. Keep your little secret until your dying day. Which I presume will be a lot sooner than you think. I’m done here.” Charlie slipped the tourmaline back into her pocket and got to her feet. She grabbed her bag off the bed and slung it over her shoulder. Emma let her get as far as the door before crying out, “Wait! She’ll kill me!”

  Charlie wrapped her hand around the doorknob and turned it. Light from the hallway spilled into the room through the crack as she opened the door. Emma pushed the door shut, putting herself between the exit and Charlie.

  “You cannot leave me here unprotected. You promised!”

  “I did. It's really disappointing when someone breaks a promise, isn't it? I bet that's exactly how Brianna felt when you and Haley broke your promise to her. Now move or I will move you.”

  Charlie yanked on the door again forcing Emma forward. From the bathroom, they both heard someone whisper Emma's name over and over again.

  Charlie stepped out into the hallway, and Emma grabbed hold of her arm giving it a tug. Tears streaked the young woman's face, and her eyes pleaded with Charlie. She twisted her wrist out of Emma's hands.

  “Stop!” Emma said. “Fine! You win. I'll tell you what you want to know. But you have to help me.”