A Witch's Fate: Witches of Lane County

by Jody A. Kessler

  “But why South Bank? And what happened after you arrived there?” Tori asked.

  “South Bank Park is a point of power. We discussed the vibrational energies of the longitudinal and latitudinal coordinates last summer. Below Harbor Bridge at the edge of the river is an ideal location.”

  “I remember,” Tori said. “But you never mentioned going there to work magic.”

  “No, I did not. South Bank Park is possibly the epicenter for the entire Northwest for the thinnest barrier to the next dimension.”

  “That’s all we talked about. We never spoke about holding a ceremony there. It’s a public park, Delana. Exposing our magic to Portland is not a risk most magicals would take.”

  “I understand that perfectly. And that is where I took a risk. As much as I respect you and your ways of doing things, we have our differences. I’m sorry if my decision upset you. You must appreciate that I took the belladonna below Harbor Bridge for the specific reason of helping me cross over with ease. I was not nearsighted in my choice.”

  The collective shift from ignorance to enlightenment was felt around the room. The truth struck Leif with a dark understanding of what humans were truly capable of.

  “And Weston’s part in this orchestration?” Breck asked.

  Delana turned her violet gaze on Breck. “Weston drove me to the location. He helped me out of the car and to the spot below Harbor Bridge. Weston watched the area to make sure I was safe and uninterrupted. That is all. I asked him to do something unthinkable, and yet he still did it. I owe him much more than any monetary compensation can make up for.”

  “And the markings on your body?” Breck continued.

  “Again, the symbols were of my own doing, and I made the sacrifices of my blood.”

  Tori shuddered.

  Delana focused on Tori again. “The pain of cutting my flesh was nothing in comparison to the pain I lived with for the majority of my adult life.”

  Leif bent down and grabbed a folder he had on the floor next to his chair. He slipped out the photo and held it up. “Have you ever seen this man?” Leif came prepared tonight with real photos and paper. Losing his phone once to electrical disturbances at The Magic Bean was enough for him.

  Delana squinted across the table. The candlelight wasn’t bright enough. Leif passed the eight by ten photo to Tori. She glanced at it, gave him a pointed look, and held it up for Delana.

  “Is that—?” Willow’s whisper didn’t hide her alarm.

  Tori gave a brisk nod without taking her eyes off Delana. Leif was glad Willow didn’t say his name or otherwise refer to Gerard before Delana had a chance to answer.

  “I’ve never seen that man in my life. Should I know him?”

  “No. You shouldn’t.” Tori lowered the picture and made it disappear by shoving it under the table.

  Silence penetrated the room. Leif wished someone would open a window. The smudge pot with the smoking herbs and something resinous was overpowering. He lightly cleared his throat.

  “Well is someone going to tell me who that man is, or are you just going to sit there staring at each other.”

  “He was spotted at the scene of your passing. The police bureau wants to question him, but he disappeared from the city.”

  “Don’t bother him on my account. I chose to end my physical life with no influence from anyone else.” Delana turned to Willow. “Is this man in the picture an acquaintance of yours? You seemed upset when you saw him.”

  Willow glanced down and to the side letting the lock of hair fall forward and covering part of her face. She shook it out of her eyes before answering. Her covert glance in Tori’s direction was brief but not missed by Delana. “I know who he is. Unfortunately.”

  “And he was seen by the bridge right after my passing?”

  “Apparently so,” Tori said.

  “That is not a coincidence,” she remarked.

  “No. Probably not,” Tori agreed. “I brought you flowers. He followed me. It’s nothing to worry about.”

  “What about your home Mrs. Smootz? Can you tell us anything regarding the fire? Your property was destroyed in its entirety.”

  “Tori knows the answer. You could have asked her.”

  All eyes focused on Tori.

  “I don’t know anything,” she said, shaking her head.

  “If I know you like I think I do,” Delana said. “You considered at great length why I burnt the house down.”

  Tori chewed her lip. “It was a sacrificial cleansing.”

  “That it was. You are an amazing girl. Your craft has exceeded mine ten-fold by birthright alone. Your practice will only grow, and you will be extraordinary in a few more years.”

  “I’m not into measuring or keeping score, Delana.”

  “But I like to make a note of remarkable things.”

  Tori’s shoulders rose and fell in a small indifferent shrug.

  Delana focused on Leif and Breck. She eyed them carefully, turning her head slightly one way and then the other. “Because Tori is my dearest friend and my mentor in many ways. I told you more than I wanted to. I’ll only say this once and for your ears only. My house was mine alone. I didn’t want anyone discovering my sanctuary or the tools of my craft after I was gone. Burning down the house ensured my privacy from the media and anyone else whose curiosity may get the better of them. The fire was an offer and sacrifice to the governing element of fire and to the Goddess and the universe. Tori was an unknowing participant in my plans the night I decided to leave and not return. She had absolutely no knowledge of any of it. Weston was the only person I confided in. He did not give me anything or commit any crime. He is a dear for helping me on my way.” She sat up straight and looked around the room. “I’m afraid I’ve reached the limit of my stay. Ennui has set in. The tediousness of life on Earth is exhausting. Tori, my dear, when we meet again, we’ll have a grand celebration. Mr. Smootz and I will lavish up the Summerland like no one has ever done before.”

  Delana closed her eyes and vaporized.

  Was vaporizing the correct term for what she just did? Delana sat before him one second, vaguely transparent and speaking. If that weren’t creepy enough, she disappeared before his very eyes a second later.

  “Till we meet again,” Tori whispered.

  The sad smile on Tori’s lips tugged at Leif’s heart. The fact that he had heartstrings to tug was yet another surprise of the night. Leif glanced over at Breck to see his reaction to Delana’s final statement.

  Tori rose from her seat and performed her own disappearing act, only she hurried across the room and shut the bathroom door behind her.

  “Well that was fun,” Willow said.

  She picked up the wand from the table and reversed her previous actions, making the fog swirl backward. The fog condensed, returning to the silver tray and retreated into the carafe.

  Speechless wasn’t quite the description for Leif’s state of mind. He was more in the camp of baffled silence as he processed what he just witnessed.

  Willow held the wand over the burning smudge pot and let the smoke wash over the instrument from tip to end. “Like, the informative and depressing kind of fun,” Willow added.

  Breck broke out of his mental stupor and said, “Yeah. Good times. Whacked out, supernatural, freaky, good times.”

  His sarcasm elicited a smile from Willow. “Don’t diss my Thursday night entertainment. Let me guess what you would normally be doing on a work night? Hmm…” Willow tapped the end of her nose. “Basketball game, beer, and putting your feet up. In sweatpants no less.”

  “Man, she totally pegged you,” Leif said and peered down the hallway in search of Tori.

  Willow laughed as she held the wand out and pointed it at the floor lamp. The light came on, and she used her trick to bring up the other lights in the room.

  “Seriously, how is she doing that?” Afton piped up from his corner.

  “I’m not sure,” Leif said, rising from his seat. “It must be magic.”
>
  “Right. Like you believe in any of that,” Afton said and returned to focusing on the screen in front of him.

  “Really. How did you just do that?” Breck asked.

  “What Leif said. It’s the intention of the magic user for the most part. You can think of it like focus and mental direction. The wand helps guide and amplify my intentions to turn the lights on.”

  “But telekinesis isn’t real,” Breck said.

  “You sure about that?” Afton chimed in again.

  “Call it what you will,” Willow said. “But you watched it happen.”

  “True enough. Do it again,” he said with child-like enthusiasm.

  “Afton, if you’ve got what you need, can you pack up?” Leif asked.

  “Already shutting it down,” Afton said.

  Leif left Willow and Breck in the living room. They moved on to talking about Willow’s daughter and her lessons in charms and spells. He heard Breck ask, “Could a chump like me learn to move objects with magic?”

  Another laugh and then he couldn’t hear the rest of the conversation.

  “Tori? Are you all right?” He tapped softly on the door with his knuckles.

  She didn’t respond. No sound filtered through the door. He waited, feeling more uncomfortable by the second. The door popped open, and Tori graced him with a blatantly fake smile. “Did you get what you needed? I think it went well.”

  Her false interest took him aback. She was clearly upset and pretending everything was okay. He apparently responded incorrectly because her fake cheerfulness crashed to the floor. She dropped her gaze and brushed passed him.

  “I’m not feeling well. I’ll talk to you later.”

  She strode down the hall, made a similar excuse to Willow, Breck, and Afton and was out the door before he had a chance to say goodbye.

  Chapter Eighteen

  THE KNOCK SOUNDED on her door about thirty minutes later. Tori expected Willow on the other side, a bottle of their favorite chardonnay or mead in hand. Instead, Leif stared down at her.

  She left the door standing open and returned to her spot on the couch. Tori pulled her legs beneath her and fiddled with a thread on the hem of her sweater. Her latest favorite band played on her sound system and helped distract her mind and ease the distress of the night.

  “I thought you would be Willow,” she said.

  “I asked her if I could check on you instead.”

  “Why would you do that?” Tori couldn’t look up. Too many emotions ran close to the surface. The vulnerability disgusted her. She didn’t like exposing her weaknesses to the world.

  Leif closed the door and joined her in the living room. “I’m sure Willow is better equipped to deal with… with whatever this is.” He paused at the edge of the area rug. “That didn’t come out right. I meant to say, are you okay?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “About what? What’s wrong? Why did you rush out earlier? Delana proved your innocence, and she was happy to do so, and to see you.”

  “Do you want a drink? I need a drink.”

  “I’m not drinking anything unless I pour it myself. I haven’t forgotten your confession about attempting to erase my memories."

  “Suit yourself.” Tori unfolded her legs and climbed off the couch. When she stood in front of her mini bar, she desperately wanted a martini or shot of liquor, but she couldn’t seem to reach for the vodka. Alcohol wouldn't help her melancholy, and if she learned anything recently, it was drinking made everything worse. She shuffled over to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of sparkling mineral water.

  Tori grabbed two glasses from a cabinet and set them down on the counter. She only filled one. There was no sense in trying to convince him she was making changes in her life. She could only demonstrate them. He followed her to the kitchen and stood at the end of the island watching as she drank the alcohol-free beverage.

  “Pour some if you want. I won’t use magic against you. I learned my lesson.”

  Leif poured a small amount in his glass but didn’t drink any. “You still worry me.”

  He was formidable standing there in her kitchen, hands on the counter, eyes narrowed slightly, and a hard set to his jaw.

  “If you’re ever comfortable around me, then something’s horribly wrong.”

  “Damn straight,” he said. “Why all the theatrics tonight?”

  “What theatrics? You needed to see Delana for yourself. I set up the séance so you could.” The skin across her shoulders prickled in alert. Leif was a skeptic. It wasn’t a secret, but how’d he guess she and Willow created a ceremony with a lot of unnecessary frills? “I thought you said you’d never been to a séance before.”

  “I haven’t, but I’ve seen enough movies to figure out what’s for show and what’s for go.”

  Tori sipped the water and set the glass back down keeping her hand wrapped around the smooth surface. Delana upset her, and she didn’t want to talk about the séance. It was the reason she disappeared into the bathroom at Willow’s. She needed time to collect herself and let the grief settle down, and she couldn’t do that with an audience. Yes, she felt somewhat better after taking a minute to breathe, but it was still less than an hour from learning that her client and friend committed suicide.

  Without realizing, Leif had walked around the island and now dominated the space by her side. His arms came around her and held on tight.

  “You two were close. Every time her name comes up you shrink inside yourself. Whatever we witnessed tonight, whether she’s a ghost, or apparition, or a projected image, you’re upset, and I’m sorry for that. You took on a task you didn’t want to, and that shows your courage. Tori, thank you for sharing tonight with me.”

  Tori turned to him, her forehead pressed to his chest. “You’re not welcome, damn it.” Her fists clenched against his sides.

  “Breck wanted me to tell you that the medical examiner confirmed the overdose of belladonna. The other substances in Delana’s bloodstream were noted but not as the cause of death. He said her death will most likely be ruled a suicide. The M.E. also discovered ovarian cancer and a small brain tumor. Your friend was very ill.”

  “I knew that.”

  “You won’t be questioned any further in the investigation.”

  “And Weston?”

  “Suicide isn’t manslaughter. Chances are good, he’ll be cleared of any suspicion. Even if he’s not, he’s unreachable.”

  Tori loosened her clenched hands and looked up. “No one will find him. Delana paid an exorbitant amount of money for a shield charm. Weston found me at the resort. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to talk to him.”

  “I know. Breck thinks he understands as well. He’s more open minded about what we witnessed tonight.”

  Leif rubbed Tori’s back with gentle and warm strokes as they talked. It worked wonders on her tension.

  “How can you still have doubts?” she asked. It was unimaginable that he continued to disbelieve in her magic after everything she’d shown him. Maybe he deserved to have his memories erased after all. The thought helped lighten her solemn attitude, or it might be the incredible massage on her tight muscles.

  “I don’t know what to think anymore.” His hands slid down her back and rested at her waist.

  “At least you’re still being honest.”

  “That much I can do,” he said.

  The heat radiating out of his palms warmed her backside and traveled inward. The muscles in her pelvis clenched. Tori inhaled as longing for him threatened to distract her from any further conversation. The steadying breath failed at its job. She pressed her lower body in snugly against his and stared into his eyes for any reaction. He was here and held her in his arms, but nothing had changed between them. She wanted a friendship with hot and steamy benefits, and he couldn’t be that guy. Her hand trailed up his side and came to rest on top of his sculpted shoulder.

  “The theatrics during the ceremony tonight were for Delana,
” she said, answering his earlier question at last. If he could be honest with her, she could be as well.

  “Why?”

  Tori gave a half-hearted shrug. “She liked the ceremony. Every session we had together had to have all the accouterments. She adored the candles, crystals, incense, and grimoires—the whole nine yards. Delana might have been out of show business for decades, but she never stopped loving the show.”

  Leif smiled, and the warmth in her belly spread upward. His smile was even sexier than his ass, she decided.

  “It’s sort of ridiculous, isn’t it? I mean we could have done without all the smoke and candlelight.”

  “Some of the ingredients were necessary, but not all of them. I could have contacted Delana with a mirror and the right spell.”

  “I knew it,” he said, so sure of himself that Tori wanted to purr and rub herself against him to let his ego stroke her.

  Her fingertips brushed along the collar of his shirt and found their way to the back of his neck. Leif nudged his pelvis closer to hers, his hands keeping her in place.

  “What are we doing?” he asked.

  “Being friends.”

  “I can’t be friends like this. If any other man looked at you the way I do, I would shred him to pieces.”

  “You don’t need to worry about that anymore,” she said, thinking about her family curse and how the women in her family wouldn’t hold the same amount of sex appeal any longer for members of the opposite sex. It was one aspect of Madeleine’s curse that truly infuriated her. She never knew if someone was attracted to her or if the curse was influencing the men around her.

  “Because you’ve decided you can be in a committed relationship?” Leif asked, surprised but trying not to show it.

  “No. I’ve not decided yet.” Did she really see disappointment in his eyes, or did she only want to see that reaction in him? “You don’t need to worry about other men because I no longer have that effect on them.”

  The skepticism on his face definitely wasn’t in her imagination this time.

  “Do you seriously have no idea of how much other guys want you? It’s infuriating, and I have no claim on you whatsoever.”