Sweet Murder Hex (Sweetland Witch) (A Cozy Mystery Book)

by Zoe Arden

  That was probably the most simplified version of events I could give him. He still looked confused.

  "If this is a joke, Ava?"

  "It's not."

  "You're telling me my father's alive?"

  I hesitated. Vampires weren't really alive. Not exactly. Perhaps it was better if I just left that part out for now. Just learning his dad wasn't buried in the ground somewhere was more than enough to take in without him also being a vampire.

  "How am I supposed to believe you?"

  Russell and I had discussed this very thing. He'd supplied me with the answer.

  "I know my word isn't quite enough right now. Not after breaking your trust and talking to Dean Lampton like I did. So, Russell told me to tell you something."

  Colt's ears perked up.

  "He said that the last time he saw you, you had the opportunity to punch him, but you didn't take it. You were angry. You knocked him to the ground. But in the end, you couldn't hurt him."

  Colt's bottom lip trembled. "That's right. I've never told that part of the story to anyone." He took a deep breath. "He's really alive?"

  I nodded. "He really is. And he wants to see you."

  "When?"

  "As soon as you're ready."

  Colt stood there a moment, looking uncertain what to do. "I can't believe it."

  "I know. It's crazy."

  "Can you set up a time for us to meet?"

  "Of course. The next time I see him, I'll tell him you want to meet."

  "Ava, I can't just forget you going behind my back like you did."

  "I'm so sorry. I promise I won't do anything like that again." Tears were dripping down my face, a combination of happy and sad and scared.

  "I wasn't finished." He took a deep breath. "I've been mad at you, but I've also missed you. I'm willing to give things another chance."

  "You... you are?"

  He nodded. Then he grabbed ahold of me and scooped me into his arms. It felt good to be back in them. I didn't want to let him go. I kissed him. He didn't pull away. When we came up for air, Colt stood looking at me with dreamy eyes.

  "Don't keep things from me anymore," he said.

  "I won't," I told him and meant it. But that didn't mean I had to tell Colt his father was a vampire this very second. I wanted this moment to last. The vampire thing could wait until tomorrow.

  * * *

  CHAPTER

  TWENTY-FIVE

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  Melbourne showed up at my window just after midnight. I'd been sleeping with Snowball curled up next to me. Rocky had just completed his usual patrol of our house before retiring. My father had gotten home from his date with Sadie—it had gone well. She was going to be his date to Eleanor's wedding.

  There was a tap on my window. I looked up, already knowing who it was. I didn't know what to do at first. Russell had told me to stay away from Melbourne. I was scared, but part of me hoped there was still some sort of explanation.

  I unlatched the window and Melbourne came inside. He sat down in a chair at my desk and asked if he could have some water. Snowball was watching us suspiciously.

  "Vampire," she said from her spot on the bed. Melbourne looked at Snowball and smiled.

  "That's right," he told her.

  "Vampires smell funny," Snowball said. My cheeks blushed.

  "Let me go get you that water," I told him. I didn't like leaving him alone in my room but I knew Snowball could handle herself. She'd also report anything he did that he shouldn't have done, like looking through my drawers or planting voice bumpers.

  Trixie was in the kitchen talking to Eleanor.

  "You're awake," they said when I came in.

  "Yes," I said, surprised to see them both up. "So are you."

  "Eleanor's just showing me some pictures. We're discussing the ins and outs of wedding cakes."

  There was a binder open on the table between them. The picture on the left showed a towering chocolate cake with blood orange frosting swirled with cream. White flower petals sat all along it the rims of the cake. It was shaped like a skyscraper. The page opposite showed a cinnamon butterscotch cake with pure white vanilla frosting. Puffs of frosting trailed vertically up the cake from the bottom layer to the top. It reminded me of clouds caught in a tornado, though I wasn't sure that's what its creator was going for.

  "Which do you like?" Eleanor asked, excited. She seemed wide awake for so late at night. Trixie yawned.

  "The one on the left," I told her and got my glass of water. Eleanor's face scrunched.

  "You do?"

  "I like the other one," Trixie said. Eleanor looked undecided.

  "That one's nice, I suppose. If you like the modern look." I bit my bottom lip. "It's your wedding, Aunt Eleanor. It doesn't matter what Trixie and I like."

  Eleanor smiled but Trixie looked affronted. I knew she was still trying to wrap her head around the idea that by this time next month Eleanor would no longer be living here. Trixie was the youngest of the Rose sisters, including my mother. I had the feeling that she always thought she'd marry first, but instead she'd watched as first my mom and now Eleanor married before her.

  "Have you decided who you're taking to the wedding?" Eleanor asked Trixie suddenly.

  She blushed and pretended to be absorbed by the pictures of the cake. "Someone mysterious," she muttered.

  Eleanor laughed lightly, no doubt thinking her sister was trying to be dramatic.

  I knew better, though. Trixie probably already had this elaborate plan in her head—a way to reintroduce Melbourne to the population of Sweetland Cove using Eleanor's wedding as the perfect vehicle. I backed out of the room with my water and when I returned to my bedroom, Snowball was curled up in Melbourne's lap. He was scratching her head tenderly. I almost dropped the glass.

  "Snowy," I said, "come here a minute, will you?"

  Snowball opened one eye and peered at me. I could tell she didn't want to move but she came over to me anyway. "Do me a favor. Go downstairs and keep an eye on Aunt Trixie. I don't want her coming up here just now and finding..." I looked at Melbourne "...company."

  "Okay, Mama. Vampire man is a good scratcher. Not like detective man, but still good." Snowball trotted out the door, and I shut it behind her.

  "Melbourne, what are you doing here?"

  He seemed surprised by the agitation in my voice.

  "What's wrong?" he asked.

  There was no time to beat around the bush and no point. He would either lie or confess. If I was lucky, maybe he could explain.

  "Russell Hudson came to see me. You can imagine my surprise when I found out he was still alive. You know, since you told me he was dead."

  Melbourne's lips tightened. His eyes widened. "You saw Russell?"

  "Yes."

  "What did he tell you?"

  "That you've been threatening him. That you and Vlaski are a team. That you're working with the enemy, not against him. Actually, he pretty much told me that you are the real enemy."

  Melbourne stared at me. He took a step closer and I backed up. The back of my legs bumped against my dresser. I couldn't go any further.

  "Have you seen Vlaski, as well?" His voice was low and throaty.

  "Yes. When he tried to kill me."

  "He tried to kill you?"

  "That's right. Russell saved my life. Luckily, he's the one who's been following me, not you. Why'd you let me think it was you anyway?"

  "I didn't want to scare you."

  "Well, good job with that. I'm completely freaked out."

  "Did you give him the book?"

  "What? No. I haven't even found that stupid book. I'm starting to think The Last Vampire doesn't exist."

  "It exists."

  "Well, gee, that's great. Thanks for showing more concern over a book than my life. I tell you Vlaski tried to kill me and you barely bat an eye."

  "He wouldn't have rea
lly done it. Not now."

  "What do you mean? Why not?"

  "He needs you. We both do."

  I gulped. "Does that mean when you don't need me anymore you're going to kill me?"

  "I won't kill you," Melbourne said.

  My heart skipped a beat. "Melbourne... you haven't answered any of my questions. Not really. You're just deflecting them with more questions or half-answers."

  "I'm not sure I heard you ask any questions," he said. Was he toying with me? There was a strange smile on his face and the way he was talking had my hair on end.

  "Are you working with Vlaski? Are you a part of the Cult of V?"

  Melbourne didn't answer me.

  "I saw a picture of you," I said, hoping to rattle him. How could he stand there without any emotion whatsoever? "You had your arm around Vlaski. You were smiling."

  Melbourne looked toward my window. "Then your mind is already made up," he said.

  "If you can't offer me some explanation—"

  "Would you believe anything I say at this point, Ava? If I told you that Vlaski tricked me? Used me? Would you believe it?"

  "Did he?"

  Melbourne's smile was grim.

  I repeated my question for Melbourne. "Are you a part of the Cult of V? Have you ever worked to try and enslave humanity?"

  Melbourne was silent before responding. "Yes," he finally said.

  There was a knock on my door and it started to open. Trixie poked her head in. "Just wanted to stay goodnight."

  I turned around and Melbourne was gone. What if he came back when I wasn't here?

  "Trixie, can you come in for a minute? And shut the door?"

  She looked worried. She closed the door behind her and sat on the edge of my bed. "What's wrong? Is it Melbourne?"

  I nodded. "He's been lying to us."

  There was an audible gasp. "About what?" Her face was growing paler by the second.

  "He's been working with Vlaski Ambrose this whole time. Not against him. He tricked us."

  Aunt Trixie got up from my bed and started pacing the room. "How do you know that?"

  "He told me."

  She rounded on me, her face livid. "Melbourne told you that he used us?!" Her voice was loud enough that Eleanor must have heard it.

  "Not in those exact words, but he admitted to being a part of the Cult of V. He admitted that he was trying to enslave humanity."

  "Don't be ridiculous!" Trixie shouted. I'd never heard her sound so angry.

  "I'm not making this up!"

  "I think I know Melbourne a little better than you do, and I know he couldn't do these things you're accusing him of!"

  There was a loud knock on my door. It opened without waiting for a response. My father and Aunt Eleanor hurried into the room, looking worried.

  "What in the witching world is going on here?" Eleanor asked.

  "You two woke me up," my dad said. "I was just about to capture a leprechaun in my dream. You know how lucky that is?"

  Sorry," Trixie mumbled.

  "Sorry," I said.

  Eleanor and my father exchanged a look. "Are either of you going to tell us what you were arguing about?

  Trixie and I looked at each other. "Eleanor's wedding cake," Trixie said.

  Eleanor blanched. "Well, I know my wedding is a momentous event, but there's no reason to argue over it. If it helps, I'll simply have two wedding cakes.”

  At least we were both on the same page. Keep Melbourne and Vlaski to ourselves for now, no need to involve anyone else. Maybe if I told Trixie about Russell, it would help her to understand. Maybe she could even speak to Russell herself.

  Trixie started to exit my room.

  "Where are you going?" my dad asked. "You two can't go to sleep like this."

  "Eli's right," Eleanor said. "Apologize to each other."

  Trixie and I looked at each other. "Sorry," I said.

  "Sorry," she said.

  We gave an artificial hug and I went to bed, still angry.

  * * *

  CHAPTER

  TWENTY-SIX

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  Trixie gave me the cold shoulder the next day. All day. I hated fighting with her. Halfway through my day at Mystic, I gave up and told Eleanor and Trixie that I was going to Coffee Cove to see Lucy. Eleanor was too busy to say anything and Trixie just didn't want to.

  I couldn't say I blamed her. If anyone had insinuated to me that Colt was an evil vampire intent on enslaving the world, I'd have thrown a frog at them. And I hadn't just insinuated it to Trixie. I'd flat out said it.

  I was sitting on a bench in the town square when someone suddenly placed their hand on my shoulder. I turned to look behind me and saw Russell standing there. He was wearing a spring jacket and a bowler hat. He had the brim pulled way down, almost covering his eyes completely.

  "Hi," I said, surprised to see him out in public. He only seemed to show up when we were alone. Right now, the square was bustling. It was mid-afternoon and we wouldn't be alone here for hours.

  Russell must've read my mind. "There's no better place to hide than in public," he told me. "Have you spoken to Colt about me?"

  I nodded. Colt was ready to meet Russell, though he was nervous about it.

  "When can we go see him?" Russell asked.

  I shrugged. "I was waiting to hear from you. I supposed that if you're ready now... we might as well go."

  Russell's jaw dropped a half inch. "You mean... right now?" He suddenly seemed nervous. He lifted his hat and ran his hand through his hair before replacing it.

  "There's no time like the present," I told him.

  "What if he's not home?" I wasn't sure whether vampires could sweat, but it seemed to me that Russell was fixing to break out in a cold, thin film of it.

  "I'll call him," I said and pulled my phone from my pocket.

  "No, don't. I mean..."

  I patted Russell gently on the shoulder as I stood up. "It's okay. He wants to see you."

  "Does he know that I'm...?"

  Crud. I hadn't yet gotten around to telling Colt about his dad being a vampire. If I was honest with myself, it was less about finding the right opportunity and more about working up the right nerve.

  "No," I admitted. "Tell you what. Give me a half hour. I'll just go to his apartment and tell him the news." Tell him the news? It sounded like I was preparing to tell Colt that Russell had won a cooking contest or gotten first place in a swim competition.

  "Maybe we should wait," he said.

  "No. Melbourne came to see me last night. He admitted to working with Vlaski. I think we might be running out of time to stop them." Russell's eyebrow twitched. "I know it's scary, Russell, but he's your son."

  He nodded. "Call me Russ. And yes, you're right. Of course, you are. Okay. A half hour."

  We parted and I made my way to Colt's apartment. He opened his door on the second knock.

  "Hi," he said, happy to see me. He kissed my cheek and pulled me inside. The boxes I'd seen last time I was here were gone.

  "Are you still moving?" I asked.

  "Not anymore."

  I was relieved to hear that. "What made you change your mind?"

  He smiled at me. "You."

  I laughed nervously. My heart thumped in my chest. "Won't your mom be disappointed?"

  "Yeah, but she'll understand."

  "I still owe her an apology. A big one."

  "Yeah, you do, but I think you'll find that she's pretty forgiving. Especially when it comes to women I'm seeing."

  "She told me the only girlfriend of yours that she's ever met was your high school girlfriend."

  He blushed slightly. "My mom got a little... clingy after my dad died. I think she hoped that I would get married and have kids. She never really wanted to let me go; she just wanted to expand her family. Fill the void that was missing with my father's absence.”

  "Speaking of your dad
..."

  "Have you talked to him? When does he want to meet?"

  "How's a half hour?" I asked.

  "A half hour? From now?"

  I nodded. "He's on his way."

  Colt started wringing his hands together. He stood in the corner near the saxophone I'd given him, still untouched since the day he'd unwrapped it.

  "Colt, there's something I need to tell you about your father."

  He turned to me with raised eyebrows.

  "It's just that... your dad... he... he's different."

  Colt's brow furrowed. "Different how?"

  "Well, he's not the same man you remember. Not exactly. A lot happened in the field. He's been through things, changes, that might be hard to grasp at first."

  He waved off my concerns. "Of course, he's changed. I know that. Thirteen years is a long time."

  "Right... it's just—"

  There was a knock on his door. Colt shot me a look. "Is that him?"

  I shrugged. It hadn't been a half hour. More like fifteen minutes, if that.

  Colt inhaled a long breath, held it, and let it out. He opened the door. Russ stood there, his expression alternating between grim and happy. He reached out one hand. Colt shook it, then pulled him into a hug. They stayed like that a moment, father and son, reuniting after a point in time when both had thought that would be impossible.

  "Come in," Colt finally said. His father stepped inside. "Have a seat."

  "Sorry if I'm a bit early," Russ said. "I uh, thought I'd better just get it over with. I mean, you know." There was silence as Russell took a seat in an oversized armchair across from the couch. I sat on the sofa next to Colt. The silence continued for a full minute until Russ finally broke it.

  "This is weird, right?" Russ said and we all laughed nervously. "I suppose you have a lot of questions for me."

  Colt attempted to smile normally. "About a million of them. Ava filled me in on a lot of things, but I think I'd like to hear it from you."