by Cindy Stark
Peter gave a swift nod. “Noted. I’ll look into all of them.”
Sirens sounded outside, and Peter turned his gaze toward the stairway. “Let’s go. You shouldn’t be in here anyway. The less chance of evidence contamination, the better.”
Once again, he’d relegated her to the sidelines.
He gestured with a lift of his chin. “You’ll need to stick around, though, to give an official statement. Besides the murderer, you’re likely the last person she talked to.”
A shiver raced over Hazel. “Yeah. She wouldn’t come right out and say it to me, but she knew she was in danger. I could hear it in her voice. She said she couldn’t pinpoint anything in particular that was wrong, but she knew.”
He looked skyward and shook his head. “I know it won’t be a consolation to her family, but we will find who did this and make him, or them, pay.”
Hazel had no doubt they would. She only hoped that no one else was hurt, or worse, in the meantime.
Eleven
Hazel sat on the back stairs, not far from her rear door, for nearly thirty minutes, studying the nuances of the atmosphere. Dark clouds had hovered overhead since she’d awoken that morning. Hours later, somewhere behind the clouds the sun would be setting, but Stonebridge had yet to have rain. With a storm looming, tension tightened the air, but instead of oppressing her, it filled her with restless energy.
She clasped the bag that held Clarabelle’s diary tighter to her winter coat and filled her lungs with crisp, cleansing air.
Peter hadn’t wanted her to venture even this far outside alone, but she’d insisted she’d be fine while she waited for him to join her. Mr. Kitty prowled the trees, roaming with his beloved Sorcha, and Hazel knew he would alert her to any danger if her other senses failed her.
The door opened behind her, and she glanced at her watch. Peter was ready by ten, just like he’d promised. Dressed in jeans, heavy boots, and a warm coat, he was ready for their trek into the woods to meet Cora and hopefully Polly.
She turned toward him with a smile. “It might rain on us.”
He shook his head. “Nah, I think it’ll hold off for a while.”
She chuckled. “Like your human senses are better than my witchy ones.”
He stepped down to where she sat, helped her stand, pulling her into his strong, comforting arms. “Listen here, wifey. You might think you’re all that, but I’ve lived in Stonebridge most of my life. I think I know the weather better than you.”
She grinned. “Want to make a bet?”
His smile matched hers. “What are you offering?”
“If I win, you owe me a thirty-minute backrub.”
His beautiful green eyes sparkled with laughter. “If I win, you have to cook dinner all week.”
She groaned. “But you’re such a better cook than I am.”
He lifted his brows. “Deal or no deal.”
She squeezed his ribs. “Fine. Deal. It doesn’t matter anyway because I’m going to win this one.”
“Uh-huh. We’ll see.”
He released his hold, took her hand, and they slipped into the thick trees at the back of the property. Small vestiges of light remained, and Hazel could barely make out the familiar trail she’d often used to visit the sacred circle. A bitter wind whipped through the trees, making them groan and creak. Her nerves shivered in response.
“I don’t know why you two insisted on meeting all the way back in the trees. We’re going to freeze our butts off.”
Hazel’s feet crunched dry leaves and pinecones as they walked. “Cora said it’s the only way she could get Polly to agree to meet.”
He shot her a sideways look. “Polly needs to get a backbone. Don’t you think it’s time for the others to come out, too? That makes you all stronger. Maybe if you all take a stand, no one else will get hurt.”
They’d had this argument several times over, and he knew where she stood. “Or it could make them more of a target. I can’t ask that of anyone.”
“But yet, it’s okay for you to be in the line of fire.”
She tugged on his hand until he looked down at her. “I had no choice. They do. Don’t tell me that if I had the option of still being hidden that you would want me to expose myself to danger. At least not until I was ready.”
“I wouldn’t want you to, ever. You know this.”
She understood his feelings, even mirrored them sometimes. “I need to talk to Cora and Polly, to find out what the other coven members are thinking. Maybe they will want to team up. And I need to know if Polly can translate Clarabelle’s diary. If so, that will give me more opportunities to meet with her while she translates, and maybe that will help her want to go public.”
He grunted an unconvinced response.
Still, Hazel was grateful to have him close. She knew he’d be scanning their surroundings, too, and that he’d have his free hand resting on the butt of the gun he wore on his hip, the one he always kept near them even when they were home. He was her big, bad protector, and she loved him for it.
Granted, a gun might not be much good if the threat was magical, but it would work well against the human dangers likely facing her if they needed it. She’d tried not to let Gracie’s death scare her into hiding, but that hadn’t been an easy feat. The Sons of Stonebridge had made their stance clear, along with the lengths they were willing to go to protect it.
Several minutes later, they reached the clearing where witches had long ago practiced their craft, and, more recently, teenagers had messed with satanic rituals. From there, they turned toward the spot in the woods where the coven of today would sometimes meet.
She and Peter passed through the cloaking spell that hid the meeting place, and Hazel glanced about for Cora or Polly. She didn’t see anyone until Cora stepped from behind a cluster of pines. The lantern in her hand burst with light, casting a small circle around them.
Hazel grinned and rushed forward, wrapping her arms around her best friend in a warm hug.
Cora returned the gesture and then pulled back to meet her gaze. “It feels like ages since we’ve been able to talk openly.”
Peter greeted Cora with a friendly nod. “Must be what your ancestors felt like all those years ago.”
Hazel widened her eyes and nodded. “Except Clarabelle didn’t have the police chief to protect her.”
“And she wouldn’t have been able to walk about town like Hazel does,” Cora added. “They would have tried her and had her in the lake the second she showed her face in public.”
Hazel let that sliver of knowledge resonate deep in her heart. She might think she was being brave, but what she faced was nothing compared to what her grandmother had. “That hurts my heart to think about.”
“Yeah,” Cora agreed, sadness coloring her voice.
“You’re not worried about someone seeing the lantern?” Peter asked.
“No,” Cora responded quickly. “We have a spell in place around this area. Unless you’re within the perimeter, you wouldn’t see anything. And it’s not likely anyone would wander in because, to the naked eye, it looks like a dense cluster of trees, well off the beaten path.”
“Good.” Peter lifted his chin. “Where’s Polly?”
Cora glanced about. “They should be here—”
The sight of two figures emerging from the trees caused Cora to pause.
“Right here,” Polly said. The hood on her black cloak obscured most of her face, but when she directed her gaze to Hazel, deep lines of worry etched the coven leader’s face. Hazel regretted her part in adding to those worries.
Fauna walked closely next to her and pushed her hood back as she reached them. Though she’d been through horrible times recently, youth graced her with buoyancy and a resilient expression. Hazel was proud of the witch she often thought of as a younger sister and what she’d overcome.
Hazel glanced beyond them. She hadn’t expected Fauna to be there, but the sight of her made Hazel wonder if others were interested in meeting wit
h her, too. “Anyone else coming?”
Polly snorted. “You won’t likely find coven members anywhere near you. Your antics have them scared for their lives.”
Hazel widened her eyes. “My antics? I didn’t cause any of this. You can blame that solely on Harriett and Olivia.”
“You forced them to act,” Polly said.
Hazel’s tongue thickened with anger, leaving her speechless.
Fauna took Polly’s elbow as though to warn her to watch her words.
“No, Polly,” Cora interjected. “That was all on Olivia and Harriett. You can’t blame Hazel. She doesn’t control what they do.”
The look on Polly’s face proved she obviously disagreed. “Hazel’s not innocent. Even now, she’s brought another non-coven member into our midst and revealed our identities.”
Peter coughed. “Your secret is safe with me, Polly. I’d like to think you know me well enough for that.”
Polly glanced at Peter. “That is the only reason we’re standing here right now. If it would have been anyone else, we would have immediately left the area.”
Hazel worked to slow her anger, knowing it wouldn’t help matters. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me.”
A warm smile burst on Fauna’s face. “Of course, Hazel. You know I support you.”
Hazel was grateful for that. She only wished the rest of the coven supported her, too. “I appreciate that. You must know, Fauna, especially after what happened to Gracie, that I don’t want to put anyone in harm’s way. We’re dealing with at least one dangerous person, and you’ve already suffered enough.”
Fauna gave her a fierce nod. “Which is exactly why I’m here. I’m done hiding. I want to fight.”
Polly gasped. “Fauna.”
The younger witch shook her head, and Hazel realized the innocence that once marked her demeanor was gone. Samuel Canterbury had stolen it. “Don’t tell me what to do, Polly. I can stand by Hazel if I want.”
A rush of gratitude filled Hazel, but her fears quickly stole it. “Thank you, Fauna. But I’m okay for now. Most importantly, I need you to be safe.”
Polly sighed with disapproval. “The reason I agreed to meet tonight, Hazel, is because of Clarabelle’s diary.”
Of course, she wanted a look at the bewitched tome. Still, Hazel didn’t care what her motives were if she could help.
She slipped the worn brown leather book from the bag she carried. The tome vibrated with energy, giving Hazel a boost of confidence. “The first time I opened this, I could read the words. I struggled a little because of the handwriting and old-fashioned way of speaking, but it was in English. Now, it’s gibberish.”
Polly held out her hands.
Hazel hesitated to release it from her custody, but if she wanted help, she had no choice. She placed the book delicately into Polly’s hands.
Polly reverently opened the diary, and Hazel appreciated her care. She studied the book for several minutes, turning a few pages as she did. “It’s been changed to the old language.”
Hazel raised her brows. “The old language?”
“A thousand or more years ago. Back to when the earth was much younger, to when our kind lived without fear.”
“But why?” Cora asked. “Clarabelle wasn’t alive during that time.”
Polly shrugged. “My guess is it’s a protective spell in case it falls into the wrong hands.”
Hazel snorted. “Excuse me, but this is my grandmother’s diary. My hands are the most appropriate ones right now.”
Polly rolled her eyes. “The previous owner of the book obviously disagreed.”
Of course, Timothy would. She despised that man more and more.
Polly pinned her with an accusatory look. “You took this from the library, didn’t you? You were the one who broke in.”
Hazel flicked a glance at Cora, but Cora stayed focused on Polly. “Yes. I was the one. I found the book during the time I’d volunteered at the library. I didn’t take it immediately because I didn’t want to draw suspicion. But once Harriett and Olivia exposed me, I found no reason to hold back.”
Polly nodded. “I would have done the same. Timothy has no business keeping this.”
Her announcement surprised Hazel, and it took her a moment to respond. “Yes. I agree.”
The leader of the coven released a deep sigh. “I may be able to help, but you’ll have to leave the diary with me. It could take some time to decipher.”
A fierce, protective instinct leapt inside her, and she swore she heard Clarabelle whisper “no”. “I…uh…I don’t think I can do that.”
Polly narrowed her gaze. “Of course, you can.”
Hazel snatched the book while she still had the opportunity and quickly tucked it inside her bag. “I can’t. It feels very wrong to let it leave my possession. Perhaps, we could work on it together at your house or mine?”
Anger circled around Polly, and for a second, Hazel thought she might physically try to take it from her. “That would expose me to considerable danger.”
Peter placed a protective hand on Hazel’s back, and she wondered if he’d noticed Polly’s irritation. “My heart tells me to keep it in my possession.”
Tense air surrounded the small group, and no one spoke for several long seconds.
Finally, Polly gave her a terse nod and took a step back. “Then our business here is concluded. Good luck to you, Hazel. I believe you’ll need it.”
She turned and strode from the group, heading toward the trees where she’d first appeared.
Fauna shot Hazel a commiserating look. “I’m sorry. Don’t worry, Hazel. This will work itself out.”
Hazel nodded. “Go now. Stay safe with Polly. I don’t want you out here alone.”
Even if Polly disliked Hazel, she knew Polly would do everything in her power to protect Fauna.
The younger witch flashed a forced smile and turned, hurrying to catch up with the leader of the coven.
Cora aimed an uncertain gaze in Hazel’s direction. “Why didn’t you let Polly help you?”
Hazel rubbed the base of her throat where tightness still lingered. “I’m not sure. When she said she wanted to take the diary, my instincts reared. I swore I heard Clarabelle warning me against it, as well.”
Peter wrapped an arm about her waist. “Normally, I agree that you should always listen to your instincts, but that book might hold important answers.”
Cora nodded her disappointment, agreeing with Peter this time. “But now you’re left on your own. This could have helped us.”
Their disapproval weighed heavy on Hazel. “I’m sorry, Cora. I don’t mean to make things harder on any of us. I’ll just have to find another way.”
Cora nodded, but her eyes said she was anything but convinced. “I should go. It’s late.”
Hazel frowned, not wanting to leave things with her best friend unsettled. It wasn’t as if Hazel could meet her over tea the next morning and discuss everything. “Do you think it’s okay if I text you?”
Peter shifted to face her. “I don’t think so. Access to Cora’s phone records should be protected, but I wouldn’t chance it at this point. Especially not with Cora already in their sights.”
Sadness enveloped Hazel, but she agreed with a nod.
Cora sent her an empathetic smile. “Stop by the café every now and then. No one will suspect more than they already do, if you don’t stick around too long.”
Hazel supposed she’d have to take what she could get.
She gave Cora a fierce hug, before her friend turned away.
“We can walk you close to your car,” Peter offered.
Cora glanced over her shoulder. “I’ll be fine. I have a concealment spell that allows me to blend in with the shadows and should keep me hidden until I get home.”
Hazel hated that they had to part ways. “Stay safe, my friend.”
Hazel and Peter walked through the darkness in silence for a long time before he spoke. “What will you do now?”
/> She shrugged, trying not to wonder if she’d made a big mistake by denying Polly. Doing so proved a lack of trust that wouldn’t go unnoticed by Polly and the others. She couldn’t very well expect them to trust her if she didn’t trust them, but…
“I don’t know. I need time to think. I read the first bit of her diary the first time I encountered it. Maybe I can figure out what each symbol means and translate myself.”
He snorted. “You think?”
Her frustration urged her to punch him, but she refrained. “There’s someone out there who can help me. Maybe Clarabelle. Maybe Mr. Kitty. They’ve both been useful in the past.”
“Then why wouldn’t they have helped already?”
She shot an annoyed glance in his direction. “Maybe because I haven’t asked.”
He gave a non-committal grunt in response, and once again, she sensed him questioning her choice.
“Don’t worry. It’s my problem.”
He shook his head. “It’s our problem. We’re a team, remember?”
She ignored his response as they walked toward the house in silence, accompanied by nothing but the sound of their feet crunching frozen twigs.
Giving Polly the book would have been the easy thing, but her gut disagreed, and she’d learned she needed to trust that. Whether anyone approved or not.
When they reached the house, he paused at the back door. “By the way, it didn’t rain. I win, and you’re cooking this week.”
She muttered words of exasperation and annoyance as she stepped into the house. She shouldn’t have made the stupid bet.
Peter closed the door behind them. “What did you say? Did you just hex me?”
She glanced at him over her shoulder. “Not yet, but don’t tempt me.”
He chuckled, and she fought to stay mad. But his sparkling green eyes and the grin on his lips wouldn’t let her. She turned just in time to keep him from seeing her smile.
“Love you, earth witch,” he called after her.
She shook her head and kept walking. Good thing he was cute.
Twelve
Hazel reached for a canister of dried lavender from one of the higher shelves in the backroom of her teashop and then resumed her seat. She lifted the lid and inhaled the soothing scent. Rumors of a witch in Stonebridge had circulated to nearby towns, and more than a few neighboring residents had made the trip so that they could purchase teas from a real witch.