by Erin Johnson
His eyes fluttered open, and I whimpered with relief. “Are you okay? Can you speak?”
His blurry eyes focused on me, and he found my hand at his temple and wrapped his cold fingers around it. “Hi,” he croaked.
I let out a shuddery breath. He’d be okay. I leaned forward and pressed my forehead against his, the rough wooden floor beneath my cheek.
“I was terrified I lost you.” I didn’t want to think about the depth of the hole that had opened in my chest at the thought of it. I wasn’t sure I’d survive losing Hank. I pressed my wet eyes against his skin, his eyelashes tickling my nose.
I gave a wry chuckle. “I understand now why you were always so upset about my going after killers by myself and launching myself off volcanos.” I gulped. “It’s terrible being the one worried and unable to do anything.”
Hank leaned back, and his dry lips split into a grin. “Oh, now you understand.”
I pressed my lips into a tight smile, and he leaned forward and kissed me. For a few moments, I was lost in that kiss, and everything else ceased to exist.
“Arrrgggh!”
A strangled cry broke the pleasant spell. I reluctantly pulled away from Hank and struggled to prop myself up on my elbow. Chiyoko continued to scream, but the birds lifted from her and flew out the window, back into the dark forest.
One raven lingered behind. He hopped over to me—with one mangled tail feather.
I grinned. “Hey, buddy.”
He stopped just a foot away from me and looked at me sideways with one beady, black eye.
“Thank you—and your friends—for saving us.”
“Caw!” The raven flapped his dark wings.
Iggy, still sideways in his toppled lantern, scoffed. “Suck-up.”
The bird hopped away and took flight, the last to leave the witch’s hut.
My brother, back to leaning against the kitchen table with his arms and ankles crossed, watched the bird go. Then he turned to me. “They came to find me, you know. Good to have friends in high places.” He winked.
My jaw dropped. “Was that a pun? Did you just make a joke?”
He leveled with me a bored stare. “I joke constantly.” He sniffed. “Most just aren’t clever enough to catch my humor.”
“Oh yeah.” Iggy rolled his eyes. “You’re a real class clown.”
I slid an arm around Hank’s shoulders and helped him sit up. All around the disgusting, crowded hut, my friends gradually recovered and we found that everyone, though weak, was all right. The witch writhed on the ground, whimpering and clutching at her face.
I frowned at her, then looked at my brother. “So the ravens really alerted you and attacked Chiyoko just because we left them some bottle caps?”
Horace shrugged. “That and the fact that they’ve hated her for years, since she killed and stuffed quite a few of their friends and relatives.” He nodded toward a taxidermied raven on the mantle. He grinned. “Normally they’re not so aggressive, but with a little encouragement from me, they got their revenge.”
Iggy shook his head. “You’re a great influence.”
Hank frowned. “What do you mean by revenge?”
Horace’s smile widened. “I believe you’ll find that they plucked both her eyes out.”
The witch, still on the ground, let out a tortured groan.
I winced and turned away. “Glad we got on the ravens’ good side.”
“This is getting even more macabre.” Hank paled. “Which is saying something.”
When we could stand again, Horace magically bound the witch’s hands and we made the slow journey back to Kusuri to turn Chiyoko in to Chief Abe. He’d solve Daichi’s cold case before he retired after all.
As we limped along through the dark forest, our wands and Iggy lighting our way, Horace came up beside me, dressed in his signature black. “How are you feeling? Less cursed?”
I nodded. “Yeah. Less cursed… thanks to you.” I grinned up at him, with his upturned nose and high cheekbones. “Thank you, brother.”
Hank peeked over my head. “Yes. Thank you.”
Horace looked from Hank to me with that heavy-lidded gaze of his. “Yes, well.” He cleared his throat and awkwardly patted my back. “I am pleased you’re not dead.” He moved off again, and Hank slid his arm around my shoulder and gave me a squeeze.
“Sorry he’s not more effusive, but I know your brother cares about you.”
I chuckled and snuggled closer against Hank’s side as we limped on. “You kidding? That was the first time he’s been the first to touch me. Every other time it was only after I’d trapped him with a hug attack.” I beamed. “This is real progress.”
And it felt like it. It felt like we’d turned a corner—not just me and Horace, but in all areas. We could finish fixing up the house now, open our bakery, and settle in to our new lives here in the Badlands.
Up ahead, Sam and Kenta walked along, their arms around each other. I grinned and looked up at Hank’s handsome face. Something had changed for me when I’d lain there on the ground, afraid I’d never speak to him again.
“Hey, fiancé?”
He grinned down at me. “Yes?”
I bit my lip. “I have an idea I’d like to run by you….”
58
Moving On
Hank and I, with Iggy’s lantern slung around my wrist, ducked into the Ohayou Diner.
“Oh wow.” It looked so different from the last time we’d been in.
Nearly the entire wall to our right had been knocked down. Carpenters and construction workers bustled back and forth with blueprints and piles of wood magically hovering behind them.
We waited for a couple of men and a lady to pass, then quickly skirted past the wall. I glanced over as we did. A matching hole in the wall of what had been Yoshi and Yori’s Oishi Bakery opened on a similar construction scene. Hammers loudly banged away as we hurried up to the counter.
Smiling, Emi and Haru emerged through the swinging kitchen doors, and stopped short when they saw us. Color rose to Emi’s cheeks, and Haru’s smile faltered for a moment. Then he stepped forward, chin lifted, and gave us a tight smile. “Hank and Imogen.”
“And Iggy,” my flame chirped.
Haru’s smile widened, a genuine one. “And Iggy.” He looked back up toward me and Hank. “What can we do for you?”
Emi slid up beside him, and threaded her arm around his waist. Her cheeks still flushed pink, but she looked happy. They both did.
I jerked my head towards the hole in the wall and raised my voice to be heard over the hammers. “Looks like you’re expanding?”
They grinned at each other, then at us.
Emi chuckled. “Apparently, when Chief Abe hinted blackmail charges might be leveled, Yoshi and Yori took off.”
Haru rolled his eyes and ran a hand through his wavy hair. “It is an island though, they won’t get far.”
Emi nodded. “We’re combining the spaces—we’ll have a bakery and diner, now.”
Haru looked down at her. “Which we were already running—it’ll be a little easier now that we’ll be seeing all the profits.”
Emi smiled up at him. Then she quickly glanced our way, a serious look on her face. “I hope you don’t see this as a threat to your bakery. I do very different kinds of desserts and pastries.”
I grinned. “I know. I tried some… when I thought Yoshi and Yori were baking them. That pancake thing with the custard and jelly was delicious!”
Emi beamed. “I’m so glad you’re not upset. We’ve been worried you might be. And after all you’ve done for us….” Tears welled in her eyes. “Thank you.” They both bowed, deeply.
Hank and I exchanged looks. “I’m so glad things have worked out for you. And you’re… uh…” I pulled my lips to the side. “Openly together… now?”
They straightened and color flooded Emi’s face again.
Haru gave her a gentle squeeze. “Chief Abe hinted to us that the town already knew, or suspected as
much. We talked it over with Mai first.”
I raised my brows. “How’s she handling it?”
Emi gave a shy smile. “She was a little confused.”
“Oh, because her brother turned out to be her dad?” Iggy rolled his eyes. “Kids.”
I shot him a look.
Emi bit her lip. “But she came around quickly. It doesn’t really change things for her—she’s always treated Haru as a father anyway. I think she’s just glad that she has a dad.”
“Speaking of Mai….” Hank dug around in his pocket and pulled out a wooden hummingbird whose wings magically buzzed. “Yann wanted us to give this to her.”
Emi smiled and took the toy. “Thank you. She’ll love this.”
Hank cleared his throat. “I heard you had a ceremony… for your father?”
Haru hung his head for a moment, then looked up. “The chief was able to figure out which grave Chiyoko had buried his body in based on his interrogations of her.”
“We laid Daichi to rest… properly.” Emi sighed. “I think it was closure that we both needed.”
“I’m glad everything’s going so well for you.” Hank looked to me and I nodded.
“We just wanted to come by and say… no hard feelings.” I smiled. “And good luck with the bakery.”
Emi smiled, though she looked like she might cry. “Thank you—that’s so gracious of you.”
Haru nodded. “And good luck, as well.”
Hank lifted a palm. “We hope you’ll come by next week for the grand opening?”
Emi and Haru exchanged looks, then bowed their heads. “We’d be honored to.”
59
Sure
Hank and I strolled back to the new house hand in hand, in no particular hurry. As we passed the tiny flower shop, the owner popped his head out the window.
“I’m working on your flowers right now!” His cheeks glowed with a flush. “I’ll have them to you by three this afternoon.”
Hank and I smiled at each other, then at him. “Sounds perfect, thanks!”
Hank waved and we continued on. He seemed more harried by the preparations than we were.
As we turned up our street, Hank slowed, tugging me to a stop with him. He pulled me around to face him and leveled me with a serious look. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
I grinned. “Marry you? Uhhh, let me think about it. Yes.”
He rolled his eyes. “Well, good. But I meant… are you sure you want to get married like this?” He bit his lip. “I know this is our life now and… and to be honest, I really like it. It’s peaceful here.” He tilted his head side to side. “Well, aside from the occasional haunting.”
I grinned. “I like it, too. The land is beautiful, we’ve made some really good friends, and—” I gave a happy little shiver. “And we have a house, all together, and a bakery.” I smiled so big my face hurt. “I’m really happy. This is exactly what I want.”
Hank sighed and wrapped his big hands around my shoulders. He leaned closer, a line creasing the space between his pinched brows. “You mean it, though? A backyard wedding, just our closest friends—that’ll be enough for you? You won’t regret not having a big royal shindig?”
I laughed and wrapped my free hand around his wrist. I opened my eyes wide and met his gaze. “Yes, Hank. Just you and me would be enough—but with all the people I love….” I thought of Amelia, K’ree, Shaday, and Junie, my kind of adopted grandma back in the Earth Kingdom. Then I thought of my adopted parents and sister. We’d never been the closest, but I understood now that they’d kept the secret of my magic from me to protect me.
“Well, with almost all the people I love here to support us….” I shrugged, my eyes suddenly filling with tears. “It’s not just enough… it’s everything.”
Hank pulled me against his chest and wrapped me in a warm hug. Bees buzzed in the delicious-smelling orange and cherry trees that lined the stone-paved street, and a raven circling overhead cawed. I guessed it was my buddy.
Iggy, still dangling in my hand, scoffed. “Geez, bird, can’t you see they’re having a private moment here. Scram!”
I leaned away from Hank and lifted my flame so I could see him. “Since when are you into giving us our privacy?”
Hank chuckled. “Yeah. Usually you’d be telling us to get a room about now.”
Iggy shot him a blazing look.
Hank lifted his palms. “Sorry.”
I waggled my brows. “I think a little competition might be a good thing.” I gave Iggy a pointed look. “Might encourage some people to be a little more polite?”
We started up the street again toward the house. Iggy gasped. “Competition? What competition? Between me, a magical flame forged in the fires of the most famous volcano in the kingdoms, and what? A mangy old bird that eats worms and can only say ‘caw’? Right.” He crossed his arms. “I’m so threatened.”
Hank and I grinned at each other. We stopped on the curb in front of our new house and admired it. The dark shingles of the roof stood out against the bright white paint of the wood siding and the wraparound porch railing. Yann had installed a mermaid weather vane at the top of the tower, just as Maple had requested. She said it reminded her of Queen Winnie.
Lush rosebushes and gardenias bloomed at the base of the steps and all around the front of the house, thick green grass peeking up between the stones that formed the walkway up to it. Rhonda lay sprawled out on the porch swing Yann had hung just yesterday and a mint green sign above the door read The Badlands Bakery in black lettering. Misaki had told us she’d come to like our nickname for the island—said it made her think “badass,” so we’d gone with it.
Sheer white curtains hung in all the windows, except for the bay windows in the tower on the second floor. We’d left them uncovered so we could look out across the tree tops of the lush forest.
“It’s like a whole new place.”
Hank slid his arm around my shoulders. “Our new place.” He let out a weary sigh. “And we only had to survive vandals, break a curse, and capture a murderer to get it.”
I grinned. “You know, since it is our house that seems weirdly appropriate.”
We walked up the stone walkway arm in arm. Around the side of the house, I spotted the basement doors, painted black to match the roof (and in honor of the people who now lived down there).
Francis and Rhonda had called dibs on the basement, and they’d made it their own, decorating it like a witchy caravan. They’d painted the walls black, covered the windows in black velvet curtains, and hung silk lamps and chandeliers about for mood lighting.
They’d decked the place out in plush chaises and dark wardrobes, antique furniture that’d come with the house. Luckily, it was a tall basement with exposed rafters, so Francis could still sleep hanging upside down from the ceiling. I was surprised to see Rhonda up so early and out in the daylight.
As we climbed up the porch steps, I called over to her, “What are you doing up at this hour?”
She peeked out from under the hand thrown over her eyes. “Helping with the wedding preparations, of course.”
A happy thrill ran up the back of my neck at the mention of the wedding. Every time it hit me that Hank and I were getting married this evening, I got excited. I gave his big hand a squeeze.
Rhonda covered her eyes again and returned to dozing.
“Such a help.” Iggy rolled his eyes.
60
Preparations
Hank held the front door for me, and we stepped inside. Stairs, no longer falling apart, led up to the second story. Sam, Annie, and Yann had all claimed rooms on the second floor.
Annie’s was off to the right of the landing. She had the bedroom in the tower, adjacent to the sitting room with the wraparound windows and the gorgeous view. She’d already started taking her morning cups of tea on the upholstered window seats Yann had built.
Maple had surprised me when she announced that she and Wiley would be taking the tower attic as their s
uite of rooms—the same tower attic where Iggy and I had been frightened nearly to death by the apparition of Daichi’s ghost. Then again, it hadn’t really been him—just Yoshi and Yori’s spell, meant to scare us away.
I’d been hesitant to climb the spiral iron staircase back up there, but had been wowed once I did. The main circular room had a tall peaked ceiling furnished with comfy armchairs, while the dormers off it formed a bathroom, bedroom, and a little nook for Cat’s bed and toys.
Hank led the way through the front parlor, the grandfather clock’s tick-tock keeping time with our steps, past the dining table, and into Maple’s favorite room of the house—the kitchen.
“Oh.” Hank stopped short, and my eyes widened.
A cloud of flour hung thick over the counters, and enchanted utensils flew through the air. A wooden spoon splashed into a pot of caramel bubbling on the stove, while a knife frantically chopped raisins on the cutting board. Maple looked up from the bowl of batter she mixed, hugging it in the crook of her arm. Blonde tendrils clung to her forehead. “There you are.” She let out a relieved sigh. “I need to borrow you, Iggy.”
Annie and Yann stood on opposite sides of the big kitchen counter topped with a butcher block—just like back in Bijou Mer. Yann smiled and waved, and Annie winked.
Sam sat at the tall counter on a wooden stool, piping intricate frosting flowers that I would’ve sworn were real. Rows of finished ones, pale pink peonies with bright yellow centers, sat beside him on a sheet of wax paper, their magical petals fluttering and blooming.
My jaw dropped. “Maple.” I said her name gently. “You do know there are only going to be about twenty of us, right?”
Hank frowned. “I thought you’d finished baking the cakes yesterday?”
“I thought so too.” Maple set down the bowl of batter and the spoon continued to magically stir all on its own. My friend rushed forward and, with a smile, pulled Iggy’s lantern away from me and ushered him over to one of the brick-lined ovens built into the wall. She held the lantern open for my flame. “In you go.”