Murder Of A Werewolf (A Brimstone Witch Mystery Book 1)

by Fernsby, April

I said, “Do you have something else to tell me about that day? I spoke to Gran, and she told me she saw you and Flint canoodling by the oak tree.”

  Anju frowned. “Canoodling? We weren’t canoodling, whatever that is. Flint was trying to comfort me. I’d gone to the oak tree to think about Jonathan. Flint found me there and took it upon himself to comfort me. It wasn’t long before he started saying horrible things about Jonathan and how he’d never been part of our werewolf pack. I politely told him to keep his thoughts to himself, but he wouldn’t listen. He went on and on about how it was a blessing that Jonathan had gone and that I could be with someone of my own kind. I couldn’t take his despicable words anymore and I ordered him to leave. He went running off, and it was a few minutes later that I heard your gran yell.” A look of surprise came onto her face. “Flint! It could have been Flint who attacked Esther. He was in a terrible mood when he ran away. Would he do that to her?”

  Stanley and I nodded at the same time.

  “I never hurt the old crone!” Flint stormed into the room and jabbed his finger in my direction. “I never hurt the interfering old crone.”

  Anju shot to her feet and yelled, “Flint, how many times have I told you? You do not enter my home uninvited. Stop shouting at my guests and get out immediately.” Her hands were clenched into fists at her side.

  Flint took a step back and said, “You need protecting, Anju. You need me. When are you going to admit it?”

  A yellow fire flashed in Anju’s eyes and her hands clenched even more. In a low voice she said, “Flint, this is the last time I’m going to tell you. I do not need you in my life. I do not want you hanging around me. And I certainly don’t want you barging into my home. One more incident like this and I’ll be having a word with my father. We might have to take drastic action concerning your future in our pack. Am I making myself clear?”

  Flint swallowed and took another step back. In a subdued tone he said, “Yes, I’m sorry. I understand.” His shoulders dropped and he looked in my direction. “It wasn’t me who attacked your gran. That’s the truth.”

  I nodded, but I didn’t believe him for a second. I said, “You followed me the other day after I spoke to Strom. You followed me along the forest path. Why?”

  He shrugged. “I wanted to make sure you got back to the town safely.”

  I shook my head. He was lying. I had another question for him. “You were heard arguing with Jonathan on the morning he died. What were you arguing about?”

  Confusion crossed Flint’s features. “I wasn’t arguing with him. It was impossible to argue with Jonathan. He was too polite, too mealy-mouthed, too human. There wasn’t one ounce of werewolf in him.”

  Anju stamped her foot on the ground. “Enough is enough!” She shouted. “Flint, get out now!”

  Flint lowered his head and left the room without uttering another word.

  Anju turned her blazing eyes in our direction and said, “I think it’s time you left. I don’t want to talk about Jonathan anymore. I want to be alone to grieve about him.”

  I wanted to ask more questions, but my attention was drawn to her hands which were dangling at her side. Was it my imagination or were her fingernails slowly growing into talons? Was she changing into a werewolf in front of me?

  I quickly stood up. I wasn’t staying here to find out. I picked Stanley up and put him under my arm. I said goodbye and thank you to Anju and then swiftly left the cabin.

  As we quickly made our way away from the cabin, Stanley whispered, “Cassia, did you see her fingernails? Was she changing into a werewolf?”

  I gave him a brief nod. “We have to get away from here. I don’t feel safe.”

  We continued to hasten forward. I could have sworn I heard growling behind me, but that could have been my imagination going into overdrive.

  As soon as we hit the path, I broke into a jog.

  Stanley was still tucked under my arm, and he hissed, “Cassia, there’s someone following us. I can smell them. They smell like a wet dog.”

  I hear someone behind us too. I started to run. I always seemed to be running away from something around these parts.

  There was a sudden loud growl, and I yelped in surprise.

  Stanley jumped to the ground and turned around to face whatever was following us. “Cassia! It’s a werewolf! It’s heading this way.”

  My legs took that moment to decide they’d had enough of running and came to a sudden stop.

  Stanley said, “I’ll deal with it. I’ll protect you.”

  I slowly turned around to face the creature. I couldn’t leave little Stanley to cope with a wild beast on his own.

  I forgot to breathe as I saw a huge wolf walking towards us. It had bright yellow eyes, and its lips were pulled back to reveal large, sharp teeth.

  Stanley darted forward and shouted, “Back off! I won’t let you hurt my Cassia!”

  The wolf leapt forward, lashed out at Stanley and sent him flying into the bushes.

  “Stanley!” I cried out.

  The wolf looked my way, saliva dripped from its teeth. I watched in slow motion as the wolf came closer.

  Chapter 25

  I closed my eyes and waited for death to arrive. A little thought flashed into my mind about how unusual it was to be killed by a werewolf. I wondered if that would be stated as my cause of demise on my death certificate. Would it be carved on my headstone? Would a notice go online? Probably not. Gran would have to make something up about how I died. Shame. Death by werewolf would have been impressive.

  As more thoughts gathered momentum, I realised death hadn’t arrived yet. If that werewolf was going to kill me, I wish it would hurry up and get on with it. I didn’t have all day.

  I carefully opened one eye and looked at the creature in front of me. A huge shadow had fallen over the werewolf, and it was looking skywards and trembling. I opened my other eye. I could make out the shape of the shadow which was covering the werewolf and a lot of the area behind it. It was paw shaped. I looked up to where the werewolf was staring and could see an enormous paw raised in the air. It was twice the size of a bus.

  The ground shook as a voice boomed out, “Leave! Now!”

  The werewolf whimpered, turned around and scampered away.

  My knees suddenly buckled, and I collapsed to the ground. I knew any immediate danger had passed as I recognised the booming voice. It was Luca’s. I looked up again and could just about see his rabbit face. He looked as if he were about a hundred feet away.

  He waved his paw at me and said, “Hello.”

  Luca shrank to a normal sized bunny and then changed into his human form. He put his hands out and helped me to my feet.

  He said, “Cassia, are you alright? Did that werewolf hurt you?”

  I wiped the dirt from my behind and answered, “No, I’m alright, thank you. You turned up in the nick of time. Were you going to squash that werewolf?”

  “If I had to, I would have done. Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Stanley!” I cried out. “Stanley was flung into the bushes. Where is he?”

  “I’m here,” said a familiar voice. Stanley came through the bushes, looking a little bit worse for wear, but all in one piece. He looked over at Luca and said, “Luca! I haven’t seen you since you were a little boy.”

  Stanley scampered over to Luca and wound himself in and out of Luca’s legs.

  Luca laughed, bent over and tickled Stanley affectionately behind his ears. “Now then, Stanley. How are you, my friend?”

  “All the better for seeing you. Was that enormous rabbit, you?”

  Luca nodded. “Yes. I know I’m not a ferocious-looking creature, but I didn’t have time to change into one. Still, becoming enormous did the trick, and the werewolf has gone now.”

  I wagged my finger between Luca and Stanley. “How do you two know each other?”

  They both gave me the same incredulous look. Stanley said, “We used to play together when you and Luca were young. Don’t you remem
ber?”

  I shook my head sadly. “I can’t remember everything yet. Perhaps I will soon.”

  Luca asked again, “Cassia, are you sure you’re alright?”

  “Apart from thinking I was going to be mauled to death by a werewolf, yes, I’m alright. What are you doing in this part of the forest? Are you working?”

  Luca ran a hand through his thick hair and said, “I was on patrol in another part of the forest. I had a feeling that something was wrong over here, and I was right. When I came over to this area, I could hear someone following you. I was just about to show myself in human form when the werewolf leapt towards you. I knew my human form wouldn’t scare it, so I quickly increased in size. That worked.” He gave me a small grin.

  I looked back along the path and said, “Luca, did you see who the werewolf was? Did you see them before they changed into a werewolf?”

  He shook his head. “Unfortunately not. But I’ll find out, don’t you worry about that. There’s something weird going on in this forest lately. First, your gran was attacked, and now someone’s gone after you. I don’t like this at all. Cassia, what are you doing in this part of the forest anyway?”

  “I’m still looking into the death of Jonathan Tidewell.” I remembered how I’d spoken to Luca the last time we’d met. I added, “I’m sorry for being so rude to you when you offered your help to me. I wish I’d taken you up on your offer. I’ve no idea what I’m doing.”

  Luca gave me a broad grin. “That’s okay. I could try and help you now if you like? You can talk to me about what investigations you’ve made so far. I’ve seen you and Stanley walking to and fro across the town square. Do you want to tell me what’s been going on?”

  “I would love to, thank you.”

  Luca said, “Why don’t we head back into town? I don’t want to take the chance of that werewolf sneaking up on us.”

  “Good idea.” I turned in the direction of the path that led back to Brimstone.

  Luca looked down at Stanley and said, “You look tired, my friend. Would you like a lift back to town?”

  Stanley replied, “Yes, please. I am a bit winded by my tumble in the bushes.”

  Luca picked Stanley up and snuggled him next to his chest.

  A purring noise came from Stanley, and he said to me, “Cassia, look how strong Luca’s arms are. Hasn’t he got strong arms?”

  I nodded and averted my gaze from Luca’s impressive-looking arms.

  Stanley went on, “Look at his broad chest. Hasn’t he got a lovely broad chest?”

  I nodded again and concentrated on the path in front of me.

  Stanley hadn’t finished. “Cassia, have you noticed how handsome Luca is? Look at his beautiful blue eyes. Haven’t you’ve got a pendant that colour? Isn’t it your favourite pendant?”

  My cheeks warmed up, and I concentrated even more on the path in front of me.

  I swiftly changed the subject and said to Luca, “I’ve been talking to Mrs Merryweather about Jonathan, and she said he was having terrible dreams. Luca, is it possible for someone to put nightmares in someone else’s head by the power of suggestion?”

  Luca replied, “It certainly is. And it would be easy to do so if they used black magic. That’s not something that’s used in Brimstone, though.”

  “Let’s just say that someone was using it. Where would they get black magic from? Or is it something you learn how to do?”

  “Someone would need to go looking for it, and it comes in various forms. Why are you asking? Do you think black magic was used on Jonathan?”

  I frowned. “I don’t know. I’m still new to all this magic business. I also spoke to Tansy, and she told me she heard Flint arguing with Jonathan shortly before his death. Do you think Flint is capable of hurting Jonathan?”

  Luca said, “Last week I would have said no, but I don’t know what’s got into the werewolves lately. When you say arguing, what do you mean?”

  “Tansy said they were both shouting.”

  “That’s impossible. Jonathan wasn’t capable of shouting. When he was originally attacked by a werewolf, Jonathan’s vocal chords were partly ripped open. He could barely talk above a whisper, even in his werewolf form.”

  We came to the edge of the town square. Certain residents were rushing about and calling to each other.

  “What’s going on?” I asked.

  Luca said, “I’m not sure. Those are guardians. It looks as if they’re heading towards Blythe’s house.”

  One of the guardians, a young woman, looked over our way and called out, “Luca, there’s an urgent meeting. Hurry up.”

  Luca put Stanley on the ground and said to me, “I have to go. Will you be okay getting back to your house?”

  I nodded.

  Luca flashed me a smile before hurrying away.

  We watched him go, and when he’d disappeared from sight, I turned around and headed back into the forest.

  Stanley ran at my side and said, “Where are we going? I thought we were going home.”

  I looked down at my friend and said, “I think I know who killed Jonathan Tidewell.”

  Chapter 26

  I headed straight over to Tansy’s house with Stanley jogging at my side. I opened the small garden gate and walked along the path to her front door.

  Stanley said, “Why are we here?”

  “Tansy lied to me about hearing Jonathan and Flint shouting at each other. I want to know what else she lied about.” I raised my hand and knocked on the wooden door.

  Stanley suddenly arched his back and made a loud, hissing noise.

  His back flattened out, and he looked up at me and said, “I’m so sorry for swearing like that. I don’t know what came over me.” His whiskers twitched as he looked left and right. “There’s something evil around here, I can sense it.”

  I knocked again on the door and waited. There was still no answer. I reached out and opened the door, stuck my head through and called out for Tansy. There was no reply.

  Stanley said, “We should leave, right now.”

  “Now that we’re here, we may as well see if Tansy is inside somewhere. I want to have another talk with her. I’ve got a funny feeling about her.”

  Before Stanley could convince me otherwise, I stepped into the house. I continued to call out Tansy’s name, but there was no answering reply.

  I walked into the kitchen and looked around at the shelves and work surfaces.

  Stanley said, “What are you looking for?”

  I shrugged. “Lotions and potions? A spell book? A list of black magic incantations? I’ve no idea. Can you pick up on anything in here?”

  Stanley put his nose to the wooden floor and began to sniff. He moved along the floor continuing to sniff as he did so. He came to a stop further along and looked back at me. “There’s a trapdoor here, Cassia.”

  I went over to where Stanley was and looked down at the trapdoor.

  “A trapdoor,” I said. “It would be a trapdoor, wouldn’t it? There’s always a trapdoor in horror movies and on TV shows. And you know full well there’s going to be something horrendous waiting for our hero beneath the trapdoor.”

  Stanley said, “Why don’t we walk out of here right now? We can come back another time to question Tansy. I don’t like it here. Something’s not right.”

  “I feel the same, but we have to do do this. Stand back, and I’ll open the dreaded trapdoor.”

  I put my hand on the metal ring of the door and lifted it. “You stay here, and I’ll go down and investigate.”

  “No way. We’re a team.” Before I could stop him, he scampered down the wooden steps beneath the open trapdoor.

  I whipped out my phone and put the torch on. I shone it down into the darkness and saw Stanley a few steps down. He moved his head left and right as I aimed the torch towards the bottom of the steps.

  He said, “I can’t see any corpses or hideous weapons of torture. I can see a light pulley, though. Just a moment.” He ran down the rest of the st
eps, and a moment later the area beneath the trapdoor flooded with light.

  I carefully lowered myself to the first step and called out, “Stanley? Are you alright down there?”

  “Yes, there’s a big room down here. You’d better come down and have a look at this.”

  I went down the next few steps, closed the trapdoor behind me, and then slowly descended the rest of the steps.

  Stanley was standing in front of a wall which was covered in drawings of Jonathan Tidewell. There were images of Jonathan in various poses, and in different places. Jonathan fixing the roof tiles on Tansy’s house, Jonathan in the garden leaning against a fence. Jonathan sitting on a picnic blanket on the grass waving a sandwich in the air. It was like looking at the wall of a serial stalker. Or a murderer.

  I stated the obvious, “Tansy was obsessed with him.”

  My attention was drawn to a different kind of image at the side of the others. It showed a werewolf with their head chopped off. The werewolf had long, copper coloured hair. Obviously Anju.

  Stanley looked at me. “It seems Tansy was in love with Jonathan. She must have been outraged when he got engaged to Anju. Do you think she killed him?”

  “She’s only little, so if she did kill him, she must have used magic of some sort. See if you can find any evidence of magic in here. Perhaps any bottles or spells. Anything that looks suspicious.”

  Stanley nodded and then began to investigate.

  I looked along the nearest table and was drawn to a small, wooden box. I had a feeling I knew what, or who was inside.

  I lifted the lid of the box, and my heart sank as I saw a green butterfly lying on the bottom of the box. I whispered, “Sarah? Is that you?”

  Stanley jumped onto the table and came over to the box. He peered inside and said quietly, “Is she dead?”

  “I don’t know. I hope not.” I carefully put my hand inside the box and lifted the butterfly out. She lay flat on my hand. I could feel the tiniest of heartbeats and said to Stanley, “I think she’s still alive, but only just.”

  Stanley looked into my eyes and said, “You have to do magic on her. Can you do that?”