by Amy Boyles
"Well, that's a bummer," Reid said. "Maybe just blindfold him or something so he can't see for a while. He ate the pink jumpsuit I just crocheted."
Yes, you heard correctly. My sister Reid, now that she had her powers, had also figured out her witchy talent—it was to crochet giant, people-sized outfits. No, I'm not kidding. Yes, they were hideous. No, I didn't have the heart to tell her yet.
Roman entered the room. He kissed my forehead. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
I rose. "Sure."
We went back to my bedroom. I closed the door. "What's up?"
"I'm going out looking for Wanda's daughter. See if I can find her and figure out something on my own."
"Okay," I said.
"You're not happy."
I wrapped my arms to my chest and shrugged. "What if Wanda finds out? What if she breaks the deal because of it?"
He flashed me a thousand-watt smile. "I'm ex-witch police, remember? I'll be fine. Besides, I need to find out if she was telling us the truth. She could've just told us her daughter was in a coma to get rid of us—and we only have one week. What if Titus doesn't return by then?"
I rubbed my arm. Uneasiness settled over me. "Surely he'll come back before then. I mean, I hope to goodness he does. Adonis will have eaten the whole house in a week."
"Will you be okay watching the unicorn?"
Something shattered in the living room. I winced.
"Dylan," Reid shouted. "Better get in here and take care of your pet!"
"Looks like," I said. "Go and do whatever you need to. We've got to move fast on this."
Roman swept me up into a kiss that left me panting for air. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
I walked him to the back door and then stalked into the living room, fists clenched. "Okay. What'd he do now?"
Reid pointed to a toppled magazine rack. Pages lay strewn everywhere. Adonis stood in the middle of them, quietly chomping a glossy cover.
"Great," I mumbled, cleaning up the paper.
I heard the click of knitting needles and looked up. "What are you doing? Give up crocheting for knitting?"
Reid didn't stop to answer. "I'm making him an outfit. I'm hoping it'll calm him down."
"You're making the unicorn an outfit."
Now I'd heard it all.
She held up a baby-blue jumper looking thing. "Yep. Hoping once he wears this, our little guy will just want to curl up by the fireplace and chill out."
"Dreaming is good," I said.
She scoffed. "You saying it won't work?"
"Probably not."
She clicked a few more times and said, "Let's see how it fits."
I held Adonis while Reid slipped the yarn garment over his head and hooves. We stood back and inspected her work.
Reid rubbed her chin. "It's not quite finished, but it's getting there."
Adonis sniffed at the yarn and proceeded to nibble at it.
"Stop that," Reid stammered.
The baby unicorn got hold of a loose string and proceeded to suck on it like spaghetti. Next thing we knew, half the outfit was gone.
I hooted in laughter.
"That's not funny," Reid said.
"Yes, it is."
Sera walked into the room, nose-deep in her phone. "Adonis at it again?" she asked without looking up.
"You know it," Reid said.
Sera plopped down on the couch. She smiled as she typed something.
"You've been smiling a lot lately," I said.
"Hmmm?" Sera murmured without looking up.
"At your phone. You've been smiling more than usual."
"Is that bad?"
I shook my head. "Of course not. I'm guessing Brock is the one making you smile?"
Sera dragged her gaze to us. "Oh yeah. He makes me smile. What can I say?"
Reid shrugged. "Nothing, I guess."
Sera propped her elbow on the arm of the couch and rested her chin in her palm. "What do y'all think?"
"'Bout what?" I asked.
Her eyes misted. "About living here all our lives?"
Reid narrowed her eyes. "You mean in this house?"
"Hmm mmm," Sera said.
Reid gave me a look. "I don't know. I won't live here forever, I guess. I mean, once I finish school, I'll probably move out, but I'll stay in town."
"What about you, Dylan?" Sera asked. "You and Roman seem serious."
I made a halting gesture. "Whoa. Wait a minute. We are not that serious. I'm not moving out or anything." I studied her. "Why? Are you and Brock getting serious?"
Sera's phone buzzed. She glanced at it. "I don't know. Maybe."
Panic fluttered in my chest. Wait, maybe that was my heart. I don't know; it was something kicking somewhere in my body. "You can't leave. You only just met him. A few months ago. It hasn't even been a year yet."
She rolled off the arm and nestled back in the couch. "I know. It's nothing. Never mind."
"Dylan," Grandma called from the kitchen.
"Yes?"
"Better take Adonis outside so he can go poop-poop."
Poop-poop?
I popped my head into the kitchen. Grandma and Nan sat at the table reading over the town newspaper and drinking cups of coffee. "When was the last time he went?"
"A couple of hours ago. I'm not cleaning up another mess, and since he just ate whatever it was Reid made, I'm sure he needs to go."
"And you're sure people won't be able to see him?" I said.
She waved off my question. "As long as he's in the yard, he won't be seen. I've cast a spell to ensure it."
I sighed. "Okay, whatever you say." I grabbed a rope that we were using for a leash and looped it over Adonis's neck. "Come on, boy. Let's go poop-poop."
"Don't let him chew through it," Nan warned.
"I won't."
I led him outside. My anklet bleeped, reminding me of my annoying house arrest. Couldn't Pearbottom have just gotten some kind of spell to stop me from leaving the house? Why give me this stupid weight on my leg?
Probably to annoy me.
If that was his goal, it worked. Perturbed described my mood perfectly.
Sighing, I tried to forget about my immediate problems. A glorious day greeted me outside. The sun shone brightly. It was Sunday, and we'd been taking care of Adonis for almost a whole day. I stared at the neighborhood as the unicorn nibbled on grass. New people had moved into the house next door after our old neighbor, Rick, had kidnapped Reid and me and tried to kill us. He was locked up in witch prison somewhere, reportedly brain frazzled from a pill he'd taken.
I felt Adonis tug on the leash and stepped forward to stay with him.
My phone buzzed in my back pocket. I pulled it out and read a text from Roman.
Love you. See you soon.
I replied. Love you more.
Love you to infinity.
I smiled. I decided to let Roman win that one. I gazed away from the unicorn, thinking about the man I loved. I thought of his touch, his fingers brushing against my skin. A warm tingle spread over my body. Before I got all caught up in a fantasy, I pushed the thought from my mind, focusing back on reality.
I turned around and gazed at the end of the leash. It was frayed, chewed through. The baby unicorn that was supposed to be roaming on the end of it—gone.
My heart knocked against my chest. I scanned the backyard. The gate had been left open. I dashed over and peered through the links. There, three backyards away, stood Adonis, chewing a patch of clover.
The anklet bleeped from its place on my leg.
House arrest be darned. I had a unicorn to nab before anyone saw him.
I ran through the gate.
The anklet blared to life, signaling to Pearbottom that I was on the loose.
FIVE
A crippling shock pulsed from the cuff. The pain stole my breath, and I stopped, having to will myself on. Adonis chewed a clump of grass, blinking at me silently. I sprinted toward him. The anklet roared like a siren, and I kn
ew I only had a matter of seconds to scoop up the unicorn and take shelter back at home.
Adonis, that little weasel, trotted farther away. A wave of pain flashed from the anklet, searing up my leg. I stumbled. I was not going to let that thing stop me. I pushed on, reaching the unicorn. I wrapped my arms around his solid body and raced back to the house.
Pain jumbled my brain, but I forced myself on. I would reach the house before anyone showed up. I would do it.
I could do it.
I jumped up the back porch steps and crashed into the door. Adonis leaped from my arms as I basically splatted face-first on the floor.
"Oh, that hurt," I moaned.
"Wow. That was something," Reid said. "Seriously. You should have seen yourself. I've never seen anyone run so fast."
I tucked in my arms and heaved myself off the floor. "Did it work? That stupid anklet went off. I was trying to get back before Pearbottom showed up. Is that ugly-faced jerk wad here?"
The clicking of heels stopped in front of me. "No, that ugly-face jerk wad doesn't always come when someone breaks their house arrest. Sometimes I do."
I glanced up and came face-to-face with Gladiolas. She wore a stylish pantsuit the color of charcoal and high heels that matched. The councilwoman patted one side of her short-clipped hair. A tumble of loose curls cascaded over her crown and down to her eyebrows.
My heart leaped. Thank goodness! Gladiolas was on our side—always. If I could count on anyone to take absolute pity on me and free me from this horrible house arrest, I could count on her.
She offered her hand. I took it, pushing my wobbly legs to stand. "Gladiolas. It's so good to see you. Now we can get this whole mess cleared up. See, we accidentally—"
She lifted her palm, gesturing me to stop. Her face was drawn, giving her an expression that wasn't quite angry but didn't exactly reflect joy, either.
"I know all about what happened—the house arrest that Pearbottom got approved."
I smiled at her eagerly. "You don't think it's right, do you?"
She nodded. "In fact, I do."
I edged my ear closer to her. Had I heard that correctly? "You do?"
Gladiolas sighed. She crossed to the table and sat. She gestured for me to join her. "You grew a giant flower in your backyard, and half your neighbors saw it."
I grimaced. "It was an accident?"
"At some point you have to get control of your magic. All of you do. Any other witch never would have attempted that sort of spell where others could see her. You've got to show some restraint. Some judgment."
I smirked. "You know who I live with, right? My grandmother isn't always the best when it comes to guidance."
Gladiolas threaded her fingers through the shock of bangs above her eyes. "That's where I expect you to do what's best. You're the oldest. Start acting like it."
I scoffed. "Will you at least give me back my powers? Pearbottom took mine, but left Reid and Sera theirs."
The councilwoman quirked an intrigued brow. "Did he? And that bothers you?"
"Yes, it does."
Gladiolas smiled. "Ironic, don't you think? It took you a while to embrace your power, and now that it's gone, you miss it."
"I miss my magic, not other witches," I said.
Gladiolas straightened in her chair. Scorn beamed from her. My cheeks flushed. Had I really said that? How could I be so rude?
"I'm sorry," I said. "I didn't mean it."
Her lips tightened into a button. "I think you did. I think you meant every word of it." Gladiolas rose. "No, Dylan Apel, I will not return your powers to you. That is for Jonathan Pearbottom to decide. When you've finished your punishment, then and only then will you get them back."
I glanced around. "Why isn't he here? He said he'd be the one to come if my anklet went off."
Gladiolas's jaw tightened. "Because I thought I wanted to see an old friend."
She snapped her fingers and vanished.
I sank my forehead to the table.
"Good job," Reid said.
I wrapped my arms around my head. "Go away."
I heard the shuffle of her feet as she crossed to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Hey. At least you got the unicorn back before any neighbors noticed. And don't worry; your power will be returned soon."
My stomach rolled. I poked a bit, trying to see if I could find my magic, but it was no good. It wasn't there. It was gone. All I needed to do was find it.
"Thanks for the kind words," I said to Reid. She left and I lifted my head. Roman stood in the doorway.
He sank into a chair and tipped his head back to stare at the ceiling.
"Bad news?"
"Horrible," he said. "Worst thing that could happen."
I leaned forward and squeezed his hand. "Whatever it is, I'm here for you."
He dropped his chin to his chest and exhaled a deep shot of air. "A guard from the prison called."
"Oh? Is everything okay with Wanda?"
Roman shook his head. "Everything is definitely not okay. LaRue has escaped."
SIX
Panic clawed up my throat. "What? How did LaRue escape?"
Roman shook his head. "They don't know. Looks like she had inside help. When they went to deliver breakfast to her, she was gone."
I nibbled the edge of my finger. "Do you think she's headed to see her daughter?"
He tapped a fist on the table. "That's my first guess. I'm going to ask your grandmothers to set an alarm so that I'll know if she shows up."
"Sounds like a plan," I said.
"Sounds like it's the only thing I've got to hold on to."
I rose and crossed to where he sat. I leaned over, wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tight. "You've got me."
He tipped his head to touch mine. "Trust me, darlin'. If I could wish for you to be enough, I would."
Hurt, I edged back. "What does that mean?"
"It means I wish all of this would go away and it could just be the two of us on a deserted island."
"You'd get tired of me."
He shook his head. "Never. Unless you had terrible habit of chewing with your mouth open; then I probably would."
"Very funny." I curled into him, inhaling the clean scent of his hair. "How's Boo?"
Roman squeezed my arms. "He's okay. At Castle Witch, waiting for all this to simmer down."
"I'm glad he's safe."
Since Roman's father had seen what happened the night of the murders, we knew at some point the witch police would want to bring him in for questioning. However, since his brain had been a bit fried for the past twenty years, what with the amnesia and all, Roman didn't want many people knowing he was back—to protect Boo's fragile mental state. The best way to protect him, Roman had figured, was to send him away to live at Castle Witch. Roman had a small cottage there, and Boo would be well protected.
Roman smacked his thigh. "Okay. Let me see what I can do about LaRue. Will you call Milly?"
I pulled my cell out of my pocket. "I'm already on it."
An hour later my entire family convened for the great Wanda LaRue summit, complete with baby unicorn.
"What is it you want us to do?" Grandma asked.
"I need to know if LaRue shows up at her house," Roman said.
"LaRue won't do that," Milly snapped.
We all turned to her.
"She's not stupid. After being in prison for ten years, do you think she'd risk it all by showing up at the one place they'd expect her?"
I poured a cup of coffee from the station set up on the side buffet and handed Roman a cup. He threw me a quick, appreciative smile that made my heart flutter.
"Her daughter's in a coma," I said. "She'll want to see her."
Milly thumbed her nose. "Nah. LaRue's not going there. She's not stupid."
"Then where is she going?" I asked.
Milly gazed at each and every one of our faces before saying, "Here."
The room stilled. Even Adonis stopped chewing on a ch
enille throw blanket.
"Here?" I said. "Why here?"
"Because we're the ones who're supposed to be helping her," Roman answered.
Milly smiled. "Exactly right. She'll look for you first. Then maybe if she thinks it's safe, LaRue will go to her daughter. But I doubt it. At least not until she has what she needs from you to cure the girl."
I gulped. "So that crazy lady is coming here?"
Milly nodded. "When you visited her in prison, did she guess that you weren't me?"
LaRue's insinuation that I wasn't Milly churned in my head. I chewed on my lip for a moment. "Is there a right answer to that question?"
Milly's expression darkened. "So she did. Now we've got a real problem."
Reid threw up her hands. "What? We didn't have a real problem before? Some crazy murderer is going to show up here—to do what? Kill us?"
Grandma Hazel fingered the pearls around her neck. "Not us, Reid. Just Dylan and Roman—because they have the cure she needs, and they also know she was one of the people who committed those dastardly acts against Roman's family."
I scowled. "Thanks. That makes me feel better."
"Cheer up," Grandma said. "At least you're on house arrest, so we'll know where you are at all times."
Not sure how that was supposed to make me feel better.
Reid clapped her hands. "Maybe I can crochet an outfit that will make this Wanda lady forget about us. We can ambush her and throw it over her head before she kills anyone."
Um. Sure.
Sera rolled her eyes. "That's not going to happen."
"We can at least try," Reid whimpered.
I glanced at my maternal grandmother. "Milly, why were you saying that now we had a real problem since LaRue knows it was me and not you at the prison?"
Milly rubbed knotted hands over the hook of her cane. "I've known LaRue a long time—a very long time. We grew apart like plenty of people, losing touch with one another. Then of course her life twisted and warped into the one it is now. If she suspected that we switched places, she'll know that I have the same knowledge as you—that Boo claims he saw her murder his wife and family."
"So?" Sera said. "I mean, she's already a murderer. What's one more kill on her list?"
Milly shook her head. "It's not about the kill—it's about what I can do. Mark my words, LaRue will come here with two intentions—get the spell to save her daughter—"