“Yeah, for someone else. I can’t get involved with a human. We all know what a disaster human-witch relationships are, and besides, he already left town.”
Dee Dee shrugged. “Anyway, after you took off, Stan and Owen showed up at the same time. I don’t know what you hit Christian with, but he babbled on and on about how he needed the salamanders and how his magic was so strong he killed Louella. Stan was practically peeing his pants with excitement, but poor Owen just looked confused.”
“I can imagine,” Raine said. “I don’t think Owen can wrap his head around magic.”
“He didn’t have to. While Stan and Owen were arguing over who was going to arrest him, Luigi showed up and took control.”
“What did he do?” Ember asked.
“He said this was an incident for the committee to handle and then did some wizardly mind trick to Dex, Stan, and Owen. After that they all agreed that Christian was clearly mentally ill and Luigi should get him to the proper authorities.”
“So Stan didn’t argue?”
“Nope. He thought Luigi was from some law enforcement agency and seemed to agree there was nothing paranormal going on. Owen agreed too. He was glad to get Christian off his hands, I think.”
“Luigi must have messed with their memory.” Issy wondered exactly what Luigi had done. Would Dex have any recollection of what he’d seen her do in the woods?
“So all’s well that ends well, I guess.” Dee Dee finished her drink. “And now I have to get going.”
She pushed up from the table, nearly colliding with Gray. On his broad shoulder, Cosmo flapped his wings to regain balance.
“Awwk! Watch it!” Cosmo shrieked.
“Glad to see you’re back to normal.” Dee Dee rubbed the top of the bird’s head, and Cosmo ruffed his feathers to show that he enjoyed the massage.
Gray pulled out the chair and sat as Dee Dee strolled off.
“Looks like Karen made out better than anyone in this whole thing.” Gray held a glass full of yellow juice up in front of his face. “The committee agreed she’d had enough punishment for her minor indiscretion and let her open up the juice shop.”
“Yeah, they’re busy with Christian now. She’s yesterday’s news,” Ember said.
“Speaking of yesterday’s news, whatever happened to Brittany?” Gray asked.
“Heard she left town,” Raine said.
“Phew. I was afraid she’d fixate on me again with Christian gone,” Gray said.
“She had been dealing with Hans, trying to sell the Vonner property out from under Fred. I suspect Christian had planned to coerce Fred into agreeing by using some sort of magic. So she probably figured she better get out while the getting was good.”
“And the salamanders?” Gray asked.
“They’re setting that area up as a sanctuary. They asked me to look at the area and see if we need to import any plantings to help increase the population.” Raine leaned across the table and lowered her voice. “I heard that Luigi de-magicized them so they can no longer be used for magic.”
“So things are back to normal. That’s good.” Gray picked out a piece of pineapple from his glass and fed it to Cosmo.
“And Cosmo has had no ill effects?” Issy asked.
“Nope. Seems fine. Other than a little bit of drool that marred the feathers on his neck.”
“Seriously? I don’t even get a thank you?” Brimstone sat on the sidewalk, his eyes more gold than orange as he assessed them. “I did what I had to do to get him out of there. You’re lucky that’s all he suffered.”
“I know, and I appreciate it,” Gray’s eyes twinkled as he addressed the cat, glancing around subtly to see if any humans took notice. Issy didn’t know why he was worried. Most humans talked to their cats, but then most cats didn’t actually answer back like Brimstone.
“Is that sarcasm? Honestly, you people are really something. Merlin never treated me with such disrespect. And here I got your butt out of hot water.” Brimstone turned his hard gaze on Issy.
“And I do appreciate it… though you could have shown up a bit sooner.” Issy muttered the last part under her breath, but it didn’t escape Brimstone’s keen hearing.
“I could have, but then you wouldn’t have defeated the dark magic on your own. I can’t do everything for you. See, there are reasons for these things. Don’t you feel more powerful now?” Brimstone asked.
Issy did feel more powerful. More confident in her magic. And proud that she had fought well and defeated Christian. “I guess I do.”
“Oink!” A blur of pink sped past, a purple leash trailing behind it.
“Woof!” Bella took off after the trailing leash.
“Hiss!” Brimstone arched his back and hissed his disapproval at the ruckus.
“Oh dear. Oh dear.” Enid Pettywood weaved between tables, trying to catch up with the runaway pig. “Now, Becky, you get back here!”
Gray was up in a flash, and before Becky could disappear from sight, he stomped on the trailing leash with his foot.
“Squee!” Becky jerked back then spun around, glaring at Gray. Gray picked up the leash and handed it to Enid.
“Why, thank you. You always were such a nice young man. Now I should reward you with something.” Enid pursed her lips together. “Now ,let me think. I know a spell for—”
“No!” All four of the Quinns cried out. Enid’s spells didn’t always come out the way she intended. Issy had the flowering quince in a pot on her counter as living proof.
“Oh, right. I’m off spells for a while. I know my memory isn’t what it used to be. That’s why I’m drinking this.” Enid held up her glass. Inside, a turquoise-blue liquid sloshed against the sides. “Will help with my memory.”
“That’s great, Mrs. Pettywood. I’m sure you’ll be fine,” Ember said.
“Well, of course I will, dear. Now, come along, Becky.” Enid pulled the leash, and they watched her waddle off, the pig trotting behind her.
“I really do hope she’ll be okay,” Issy said. She didn’t like the idea of losing her memory or her magic. Would that happen to her some day?
“Don’t worry. We’ll watch out for her. We stick together here in Silver Hollow,” Gray said.
“We sure do,” a voice said from behind Issy, and she turned her attention from Enid Pettywood to see that Owen had joined them. She was glad to see he was back to wearing his usual attire of Hawaiian shirt and shorts. Things really were getting back to normal.
“Hi, Owen. Nice work on the Vonner case,” Gray said.
Owen smiled. “Thanks. I guess I showed those FBI guys a thing or two. You see, when I found the receipts that he’d been buying up fish tanks out of town, I figured he had something to do with those salamanders and he was the one who wanted Louella out of the way. Too bad he’s getting the easy way out by copping an insanity plea. Though he did seem quite unhinged.”
“At least he won’t be able to hurt anyone else,” Raine said.
Owen nodded. “That’s the important thing.”
“You want a juice?” Gray asked.
“Nah. I just came for this.” Owen fished around in his pocket and pulled out an egg-shaped black rock. Issy’s talisman. He held it out to her. “I think this is yours.”
“Yes, it is.” Issy blinked at him. Was he giving it to her instead of keeping it for evidence?
“I found it and figured you’d want it back.” He plunked the talisman in her hand, winked, and then turned and strolled away. “See you guys later. I’m heading to the coast for some surfing.”
Issy turned the talisman over in her hand. The cool, smooth surface gave her comfort.
For the first time since Louella’s death she felt positive. Even the ominous presence of Luigi couldn’t bring her down. She had proved to herself her magic was strong, she had her talisman back to protect her, Bella was healthy and safe, and she had her cousins by her side. What more could she ask for?
The End.
*******
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ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
WRITING AS LEE ANNE JONES:
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The Rockford Security Series:
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About the Author
USA Today Bestselling author Leighann Dobbs has had a passion for reading since she was old enough to hold a book, but she didn’t put pen to paper until much later in life. After a twenty-year career as a software engineer with a few side trips into selling antiques and making jewelry, she realized you can’t make a living reading books, so she tried her hand at writing them and discovered she had a passion for that, too! She lives in New Hampshire with her husband, Bruce, their trusty Chihuahua mix, Mojo, and beautiful rescue cat, Kitty.
Her book "Dead Wrong" won the "Best Mystery Romance" award at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention.
Her book "Ghostly Paws" was the 2015 Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem First Place category winner in the Animal Mystery category.
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A Spell Of Trouble (Silver Hollow Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series Book 1) Page 18