Wiggles sniffed the bag containing the demon and growled.
“Yes, I’m still carrying, so be careful. We don’t want to let this guy loose.” I scooped up the destroyed brownies and was about to put them back in the box when I spotted one pristine brownie sitting in there.
I dumped the rest of the brownies in the nearest trash can and reverently carried the single brownie back to Cloven Hoof, Wiggles trotting along beside me.
Once through the black, shiny double doors, I walked into the bar. It was quiet, only a few customers occupying the booths and a couple sitting at the bar. It never got busy here until the end of the working day. It got really frantic at weekends.
Merrie Noble, bar manager extraordinaire, stood behind the bar polishing glasses. “Welcome home. Did you have a successful trip?”
I patted the bag. “Job done. How’s everything been here?”
“No problems. We had a few tourists trying to get in the other day. I gently persuaded them that this wasn’t the place for them and they’d be happier trying the Ancient Imp.”
We were always careful not to let non-magicals into Cloven Hoof. Magic had a strange effect on them. The magic barrier around the building did a good job, but occasionally, they broke through.
“There are a lot of them out there. We need to keep an eye out for them.”
“The non-magical detector is operational,” Merrie said as she flipped her long blonde braid over one shoulder. “They won’t be getting in anytime soon.”
Wiggles rested his paw on my knee as I sat at the bar and opened the lid of the brownie box.
Merrie poked her head in hopefully. “You’ve eaten nearly all of them.”
“I had a Wiggles related incident. He came to say hello. Most of them ended up in the dirt.”
Merrie chuckled. “I wondered if you were back when he barged down the stairs and out the door before I could stop him.”
I grinned as I eased off my boots. I already felt more relaxed being home. I’d run Cloven Hoof for three years, transforming it from a dodgy biker bar into a reputable joint that served high-end products.
“I’ll be in my booth if anybody needs me.” I grabbed my brownie and walked away from the bar.
I’d just settled in my favorite seat and taken the first bite of brownie when I stiffened. Somebody was watching me.
Chapter 2
I kept my attention on Wiggles. He lounged by my feet, his tongue hanging out and his tail draped over my feet. That was a clear sign that whoever watched me wasn’t a serious threat.
“You shouldn’t be here,” I said as I turned and saw my sister.
Aurora emerged from the shadows. She approached me cautiously. “I wanted to see how you got on out of town.”
“I got the demon.” I kept my gaze averted, my heart kicking up a gear. She shouldn’t be here. She knew what she was doing was stupid by being this close to me after I’d been working.
“I need to talk to you.”
“Another time.”
“This can’t wait. It’s important. I need your advice about a date.”
I shifted in my seat. My sister had the weirdest notions when it came to what was important. She was obsessed with finding the perfect guy.
“Whoever it is, get rid of him. If you’re having doubts, then he’s not worth it.”
“He’s a mayoral candidate.”
“Even more reason to turn him down.”
“He’s a good-looking guy, though. It’s Deacon Feathers.”
My eyebrows rose. Deacon was one hot half-angel half-human. He was like an Adonis with a squint. He was muscled, blond and had piercing blue eyes. One eye was always half-shut as if he was thinking about some complicated puzzle, or maybe he was just constipated. I could never tell.
“Anyone running for mayor will have an ego too big for you to handle.”
Aurora sighed. “He’s a nice guy. We’ve been on a few dates already.”
It looked like I wasn’t getting rid of my sister any time soon. I checked in with Frank. He seemed content and wasn’t kicking up a fuss because his desired object was almost within touching distance. “What’s the problem?”
“There’s somebody else.”
“You’re two-timing Deacon?” My sister would never do such a thing, would she?
“No, nothing like that. It’s nothing serious with Deacon. I think he might like me though. He’s dropped hints about making us official soon.”
“Do you think he’s looking for a trophy wife to support his campaign?”
“Tempest! It’s not like that. He is sweet and funny. I like him.”
“Do you like the other guy more?”
“That’s the problem. I think so. He’s different. Older than me.”
“You’re dating a sugar warlock?”
Aurora drew closer to the table. I held my hand up and shook my head. “Bad idea. I’m exhausted.”
Her smile faded. “I trust you not to hurt me.”
“Then you’re an idiot.” I took a large bite of brownie. Sugar always helped keep Frank occupied.
Aurora’s gaze lowered. “I don’t know what to do. I’ve agreed to go on another date with Deacon tonight, but I don’t think it’s right. Maybe I should give him another chance. He is fun, but...”
“He doesn’t set your panties alight like the old dude does?”
Aurora laughed. “It’s not all about sex. I never thought I was into older guys. This one is special.”
“Then you’ve solved your own problem. Date him and ditch Deacon.”
“I don’t want anybody to get hurt.”
“They definitely will if you don’t make up your mind. You can’t leave two guys hanging.” Aurora was always the good girl. The one with the perfect white magic spell ready to help anybody at a moment’s notice.
I kicked out a stool, the sugar from the brownie giving me a hit of energy. “Sit down, you’re making the place look untidy.”
Aurora grinned at me as she took her seat. “What would you do in my position?”
“Date neither of them. They sound like more trouble than they’re worth. An old rich dude or an up-and-coming egomaniac. Hard pass on both.”
“Neither of them is like that. They’re both sweeties, just in different ways.” Aurora shrugged, and her hand drifted to my half-eaten brownie. She pulled off a piece and popped it into her mouth. “I could go on one more date with both of them. That would make up my mind.”
“Or make you more confused. Perhaps neither of them is right for you, which is why you’re finding it so hard to make a decision.”
Aurora licked chocolate off her fingers. “You could be right. I’m doomed to a life alone, never finding love or happiness.”
“You’ve just described my life.”
“Tempest! That’s not true. You decided not to date.”
“They’re not exactly queueing up outside the door to get me to change my mind.”
“Your work keeps you busy.” Aurora waved a hand in the air. “Then there’s the whole... demon thing.”
I flinched in my seat as Aurora alluded to my unwelcome passenger. Every time I let my guard down, Frank took advantage, especially when Aurora was around. “You should go.”
“This is nice. We should do it more often.”
“Not today. Get out of here.” Frank stirred inside of me, finally alert to Aurora’s presence. I felt his hot, sticky energy slide up my windpipe, like a gross bout of acid indigestion. An unpleasant side effect of containing such a strong demon inside me was the burps.
Aurora carried on, seemingly oblivious to my trouble. “Mom wants to see you for lunch tomorrow. We’re all getting together. Can you make it?”
“Sure, I’ll be there.” I gritted my teeth as I fought with Frank to stop him from getting a foothold. If he did, Aurora would be at risk.
“Are you having problems with the one we never talk about?” Aurora’s gaze turned cautious, and she stood slowly from her seat.
“My only problem is you. Get out of here. Now.”
Aurora backed away. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to cause you any trouble. I missed you; that’s all. I miss not having my big sister around to talk to when I have a problem.”
“You should be used to it by now.” I squeezed my eyes shut and pressed my fingers against the bridge of my nose. A gross tasting sulfur belch shot from my lips as Frank made his presence felt.
Aurora turned and hurried away. “See you tomorrow?”
I nodded as I watched her leave, my throat burning and my eyes hot. “Frank, you son of a demon. You are not having my sister.” The hot burn sank back into my stomach, and a faint chuckle filled my head.
That was too close. I had to keep Aurora out of my life as much as possible. It was better for her if she wasn’t around me. Better for my whole family. I didn’t trust Frank not to try to take a pop at one of them out of spite.
I could never stay in Willow Tree Falls for long. There was always too much temptation for Frank.
Tomorrow, I’d go to Angel Force, get a new job, and get out of here for another week or two. Willow Tree Falls and my family were better off without me.
Chapter 3
No matter how hard I tried to ignore it, the persistent thumping sound wouldn’t go away.
I rolled over and groaned, covering my head with a pillow.
Wiggles wriggled in under my arm, nudged the pillow away, and licked my cheek.
“You have my authority to go eat whoever is making that awful noise.”
Wiggles laid next to me and continued to nudge the pillow off me.
With a resigned groan, I pulled myself out of bed and stomped downstairs, through the empty bar and to the front door of Cloven Hoof.
Lula Greenwood stood in front of me. She had elected herself the unofficial village’s gossip and was ideally placed to fulfill that role as the owner of Sweet Pixie Beauty, the only hairdresser and beautician in Willow Tree Falls.
“Has somebody died?”
Lula’s almond-shaped eyes widened. “Not that I know of.”
“Is the village burning down?”
“Erm, no.” She glanced over her shoulder.
“Has the demon prison collapsed?”
“The demons are fine, I think.”
“Then you have no reason to be banging on my door. Go away.”
“Wait! I had to come and tell you as soon as I heard.” Lula bounced on her toes.
“I’m not interested.”
“Aurora’s been arrested.”
I scowled at her. “My sister would never be arrested. You’ve made a mistake.”
“I promise you, I haven’t. I saw her being taken away not half an hour ago.”
“Taken away by?” I rubbed my eyes, wondering if this was a horrible dream.
“Dazielle. She never leaves the office unless it’s serious.”
I grimaced. Dazielle ran Angel Force. She led a group of twelve angels who spent most of their time polishing their halos and preening their feathers. “Are you sure it was Aurora?”
“Positive. They marched right into Heaven’s Door and brought her out. It looked like she was crying when they took her.”
What had my sister got herself into? I should leave this alone. One night of sleep was not going to make me safe to be around. “Does our mom know?”
“I came here first. I was going to drop by Cora’s place next and let her know what’s happening.”
“Do that. This must be a mistake by the angels. It won’t be the first. Any idea what they’ve taken her in for?”
“It’s terrible what people are saying,” Lula said as she ran a hand down her long, silky hair. “I hope it’s not true.”
“Tell me.” Aurora’s worst crime was being too sweet or stroking a puppy for too long.
“Some people are saying she’s been arrested for murder.”
I choked out a laugh. “Then this is all a huge mistake. My sister can’t squash an ant. She wouldn’t kill anybody.” I needed to stay out of this. This mess could be sorted by Mom.
“Aurora must need a friend right about now,” Lula said. “I went and asked if I could speak to her and got turned away. Apparently, they’re still processing her. I knew she’d need a friendly ear, though.”
“I bet you did.” Lula would be hot on any gossip trail, just waiting to spread it around as quickly as she could. I let out a sigh. I needed to see what had happened. I couldn’t abandon my sister if she’d made a mess of things.
“I can wait here for you while you get ready.” Lula eyed my sleep shorts and faded gray tank top. “We can go to the station together.”
“No need. I know the way.” I closed the door in her eager-looking face. I needed strong coffee with a magic hit if I was getting into this mess.
I hurried upstairs and pulled on clean black pants and a fitted black shirt. I grabbed the ripe smelling bag full of captured demon and clipped him to my belt. He would enjoy a trip to see the angels just as much as I would.
I headed down to the bar. We had a state-of-the-art coffee machine that I’d never quite figured out how to use. I managed to make an expresso and dumped in a heaped teaspoon of stardust. It would give me the right natural boost of energy to get me through this and hopefully keep Frank satisfied.
As soon as my family found out what had happened to Aurora, they’d invade Angel Force’s headquarters. My family was a handful. A big, powerful magical handful, who couldn’t afford to get distracted by this.
“Stay here, Wiggles,” I said as I pulled open the door. “Keep this place safe until I get back.”
He whined as he watched me leave. He hated me going anywhere without him, but Angel Force was no place for Wiggles. They’d spend all their time petting him and feeding him treats like he was their toy to play with.
I raced along the street and had made it ten steps past Puddles’ office when she shot out the door. “I heard about Aurora. I hope everything is okay.”
“It’s all a mistake. She’ll be out in no time.” I kept walking.
“Oh, that’s good to hear. Have you got my check?”
I grimaced. In my haste to get to Aurora, I’d forgotten about the overdue rent. “Later. I’ll get it to you later.”
“I do need that money,” Puddles called as I raced away.
“You’ll get it. End of the day, I promise.” Puddles was a pain, but I always paid my bills.
“Give my best to Aurora.”
I ignored her and continued to hurry along the main street of Willow Tree Falls until I reached Angel Force. I barged through the double doors and had to blink several times. Everything was white. It was such a cliché. It wasn’t as if residents didn’t know the place was run by angels. They had the name emblazoned over the door in glowing lights to hammer home that they were pure, angelic beings that wafted around with those ridiculous wings doing good deeds.
I stomped to the desk where Sablo stood, her perfect blonde hair in a coil on top of her head. She stood her ground as I stopped in front of her and craned my neck. Angels were tall.
“I’m here to get my sister out.”
Sablo pursed her perfectly full lips. “Aurora is about to be questioned.”
“What’s she being questioned about?”
The doors behind me burst open. My mom, Cora, was the first through the door. She was followed by her sister, my aunt Queenie, Uncle Kenny, and just behind them was Granny Dottie and Grandpa Lucius.
I shook my head. Did the whole family have to turn up? I’m surprised they didn’t drag my cousins along as well. We could have had a picnic.
Mom grabbed me in a hug. “What’s going on? We just heard what happened. How is our baby?”
“Aurora is twenty-three. She’s not a kid, and I’ve no idea how she is. I just got here.” I extracted myself from Mom’s embrace. “I was about to spring her out.”
“Nobody is springing anybody out,” Sablo said sharply.
“Somebody mentioned a murder.”
Mom turned her dark, intense eyes on Sablo. “I can’t believe that. Not my little girl. You’re barking down the wrong hole if you think she’s involved.”
“Up the wrong tree, Mom, not down the wrong hole.” Mom always messed up her metaphors.
“You know what I mean. This is a big mistake.”
“Aurora is being questioned in relation to a death,” Sablo said.
The whole family erupted into cries of protest.
Sablo held up a hand and waited until they’d quietened down. “We are questioning her to get more information and discover what she knows about it.”
“We must all be there,” Mom said.
“That’s not possible,” Sablo said. “But Aurora has asked for one of you to be present.” Her gaze went to me.
I stepped back and shook my head. “That’s not a good idea.” Angels made Frank twitchy. Therefore, I was also twitchy. When I was twitchy, Aurora was in danger.
“She says you know the process. Apparently, you’ve been arrested before.”
I shrugged. “That was a long time ago. Aurora would be better with someone else. Auntie Queenie, you should go in.”
Auntie Queenie chewed on the large pastry she had in her hand. “I get so nervous under pressure. I might blurt out my secrets and be the one to end up behind bars.”
I shook my head. Auntie Queenie did have something of a murky past. “Grandpa Lucius?”
He patted my arm. “You go in. Your sister needs you. She’s asked for your help.”
They were crazy letting me anywhere near her. They knew what risk I posed to Aurora. I couldn’t abandon her, though. She was terrible under pressure. “Fine, I’ll go in for the questions.”
“I’ll take you there now,” Sablo said.
After reassuring Mom I wasn’t going to let Aurora get stuck behind bars, I followed Sablo through a doorway and along a white corridor. She knocked at a door and opened it to reveal a small interview room with a table and chairs.
Dazielle sat on one side of the table and my sister the other.
Dazielle’s teal-colored eyes narrowed a fraction when she saw me. “Come in, Tempest. Aurora has asked for your presence in this interview.”
Luck of the Witch (Crypt Witch Cozy Mystery Series Book 1) Page 2