“I’m not a strong witch,” she said hurriedly. “I’m not even a mediocre witch. I’m basically a kitchen witch who can’t cook, which means I’m virtually useless.”
“Don’t say that,” Bronwen snapped. “You have a strong witch heart and mind. Those are the most important things.”
“I’ve always been interested in magic even though I don’t have any,” June explained. “Bronwen explains things to me and we talk regularly. I consider her a good friend.”
At the word “friend,” Bronwen and June exchanged looks that were almost mischievous in nature, as if they were hiding something. I was intrigued enough to consider trying to look in Bronwen’s head again. I would never dig in June’s mind because that would be rude. I didn’t care about Bronwen enough to worry about it, though. Was it a risk? Yes. She hadn’t known I was there the first time until I got distracted and showed her the image of Galen. I would be more careful this go-around.
“I’m interested in why you pitched the festival and then only confirmed at the last minute,” Galen prodded. “If the festival was your idea, why weren’t you involved from the start?”
“That’s simple. I contacted Alastair — and a number of other people, I should point out — about acting as backers for the festival. I envisioned it as something smaller, something that would bring witches from across the world together for a magical ritual and coven of togetherness. Alastair wasn’t interested. He wanted to monetize it from the start.
“I understood that he needed to make a profit for his investment,” she continued. “I was naive enough to think he would be happy with a modest profit. When I realized otherwise, I told him to forget it and moved on.
“I didn’t hear anything from him again and assumed the festival was dead in the water … until about three months ago. Then I heard whispers and started doing some digging. Apparently he stole my idea, tweaked it and decided to charge exorbitant amounts of money. That is not what I envisioned.”
As she spoke, I started poking around in her brain. I simply couldn’t stop myself. There was something odd going on between her and June, and I was desperate to know what it was.
“You still came,” Galen persisted. “If this isn’t the festival that you wanted, why come at all?”
“Two reasons. The first is that I wanted to see what he was doing. Powerful people were going to attend. I saw some of them talking about it online. I didn’t want to miss out on meeting some of them because there was every chance a similar opportunity would never roll around again. You probably think that makes me shallow, but there it is.
“The second reason is that someone from Calliope’s office contacted us and offered money if we would attend,” she continued. “They were doling out appearance fees to get anyone in the business who had a name to show up. I didn’t know about the payments, but that explained why so many big names were attending. Even though I don’t like paying for someone to show up somewhere, that didn’t mean I wanted to give up this opportunity.”
“I see.” Galen stroked his chin as I dug deeper into Bronwen’s mind. I could hear June’s voice whispering from somewhere, which is where I assumed the secret lived. A brick wall appeared and an image of Bronwen materialized in front of it. She didn’t look happy.
“I warned you about this.” She sounded like a scolding mother. “You can’t just climb into people’s heads. It’s rude ... and you’re not dealing with some garden-variety witch who can’t keep you out. The only reason you managed to get in on the docks is because I was distracted. I won’t let that happen when you’re around again. You need to learn a lesson.”
She lifted her hands and I scented magic in the air. I wasn’t sure what she was going to do, but I reacted out of instinct, raising a shield. The moment the mind image of Bronwen unleashed her magic, mine flared to life. The spell she cast ricocheted against the wall I’d created and spiraled toward her.
She couldn’t move fast enough to avoid it. Her eyes went wide and she was knocked backward, through the wall. I knew better than to try to walk through it and find my secrets. Instead, I beat a hasty retreat.
When I focused on Bronwen in the real world, I found that she was on her back, the chair upended, and she was staring at the sky.
“What happened?” June asked frantically, dropping to her knees. “Are you okay? What is it?”
“I’ll call for an ambulance,” Galen offered, digging in his pocket for his phone.
Those words were enough to stir Bronwen. “Don’t bother,” she said, shifting to stare at me. There was wonder in her expression. “I’m dazed, but mostly fine. As for you ... you’re all kinds of interesting, aren’t you?”
I had no idea how to respond.
“What’s going on?” Galen barked. “Did something happen?”
“Something definitely happened,” Bronwen replied. “Your girlfriend invaded my mind again and I was going to teach her a lesson. Instead, she unleashed a protection spell like I’ve never seen and my spell blew back on me so hard it hit me in the real world. It was ... very interesting.”
She didn’t look angry as much as mystified. Still, I was uncomfortable.
“Thank you for your time,” I said, hastily hopping to my feet. “We appreciate your cooperation. You have a good day now.” With those words, I practically leaped over the hedges that bordered the parking lot. I didn’t bother looking over my shoulder to see if Galen followed. I had to escape, so that’s what I did.
16
Sixteen
“What was that?”
Galen waited until we were in his truck to ask the obvious question.
“Where are we going next?” I asked, hoping he would let it go. I knew he wouldn’t, but was desperate for a bit of breathing room.
“Don’t even.” His expression was dark. “Did you try invading her mind again?”
“Maybe.” I was distinctly uncomfortable and shifted on the seat so I could look anywhere but his accusatory eyes. “It’s a nice day. We should get lunch at one of the restaurants on the beach. I’ll buy.”
“You just ate two doughnuts.”
“Yes, but I’m always up for a good lunch. I’m thinking scallops.”
“Hadley.” His tone was no-nonsense. “We’re not leaving until you tell me exactly what you did ... and why.”
I could’ve gotten out and walked back to the lighthouse. It would’ve sent a strong message that … well, I don’t know what. I just didn’t want to admit what I’d done. Unfortunately, it was blazing hot and I didn’t want to walk. I was still feeling mildly lightheaded. “At least start the truck and get the air conditioning going,” I muttered. “I’m hot.”
He blinked several times and then did as I instructed, watching as I lowered my face directly in front of the vents. I felt as if I was on fire.
“Are you okay?” he asked finally, moving his hand to my forehead. “You’re hot.”
“Thank you. You’re hot, too, baby.”
“I’m not in the mood for this.” He was firm. “Tell me what you did.”
There was no way out of this conversation. I knew that and yet pushed all the same. I had no idea what was wrong with me, but it was best to get it over with. “I thought I sensed something about the way June and Bronwen looked at each other when they said they were friends, like there was more there. I just wanted to take a look, and I didn’t want to invade June’s mind because that seemed rude.”
“And invading Bronwen’s wasn’t rude?”
“Hey, it was your idea for me to invade her mind in the first place.”
“When did I say that?”
“On the docks. You expressly pointed her out, but at the time I thought it was because you thought she was hot.”
“Oh, geez. You’re just ... I can’t even.”
“Don’t give me grief,” I snapped. “I was curious. I thought I could get in and out without her noticing. She only realized I was there on the docks because you distracted me and my mind went to a dirty place.
That didn’t happen today.”
“And yet she knew you were there.”
“Yeah.” I rubbed my forehead as I related the story to him. When I finished, his expression was hard to read. “I’m really not in the mood for you to yell, so if that’s your plan can we hold off until ... never? That works best for me.”
He didn’t immediately respond, instead placing his hand on the back of my neck and pushing my head down so I could get a full dose of the air conditioner. His fingers were gentle as they rubbed there. When he finally did speak, it was in measured tones.
“Whatever you did with the protection spell was impressive. She was surprised ... and a little awed.”
“It was instinct. I just reacted.”
“Well, I’m glad your instincts are good ... most of the time. The thing is, you can’t just wander around invading people’s brains. One day it might get you into trouble you can’t get out of.”
“I thought it would be okay.”
“I know, but ... I’m pretty attached to you. Losing you isn’t an option. You need to be more careful.”
I didn’t like that he was right. “I’ll be better about it next time.”
“How about you don’t invade anyone’s mind until this festival is over and I can give you my full attention?” he suggested. “Then I’ll act as your bodyguard when you practice ... on people less likely to try to smite you for the effort.”
I laughed. “She wasn’t going to smite me. She doesn’t have the power. I mean ... she’s good, but she’s not nearly as powerful as she pretends.”
“Yeah, but I think you’re more powerful than she envisioned, and that’s going to make her curious. Just ... promise me. I can only take one catastrophe at a time.”
I heaved out a sigh. “I’ll think about it. That’s the best I can do. I can promise not to do it for the rest of the day. That’s the best I can give you.”
He didn’t look happy, but he nodded. “Fine. Let’s get through the day. After that, we’ll play it by ear.”
“Good enough.” I straightened. The heat was starting to drain from my body. “What’s our next stop?”
“There were other witches mentioned in those emails you found. They weren’t from the same time period, but if we can track them down they might have insight into where Alastair might’ve run. The thing is, I have no power to find him if he’s off the island. I need a place to look all the same. If I can call in a tip to other law enforcement organizations they might be able to find him for us and extradite him back here.”
“Do you remember the names of the witches?”
“Yeah, and they’re booked at one of the hotels instead of on the beach. I just got confirmation. That seems to indicate they knew something might be going down.”
“It can’t hurt to ask.”
“Yeah.” He leaned over and I thought he was going to kiss me. Instead, he pinned me with a pointed look. “You need to be careful with this magic stuff. I know it’s new to you and you’re excited, but you’re in over your head. You need to learn safety protocols before you run off half-cocked.”
“Is that an order, sheriff?”
“It’s a request. I can take a lot. Losing you isn’t on that list. I know I’ve said it before – numerous times – but I need you to be more careful for me.”
His earnest nature caused me to sigh. “You’re not going to lose me. I promise. I’ll be more careful.”
“Okay.” He gave me a hard kiss. “If you’re not, we’re going to continue fighting.”
At least he warned me. Still ... . “If we fight, we get to make up.”
“There is always that.”
THE TROPICANA CABANA (SERIOUSLY, HOTEL names are often ridiculous) was two blocks from Lilac’s bar. I’d yet to go inside but, from the street it looked like a tacky beach nightmare.
“This is ... weird,” I announced as we strolled into the lobby. Galen had called ahead and the two witches staying at this location were waiting for us in the bar.
“What’s weird?” he asked, sliding me a glance.
“Everything in here is pink ... and there are flamingos ... and that’s a really weird fountain.” I inclined my head. “The mermaid is naked.”
“Yes, the owner is a total pervert. He loves naked mermaids. He and Aurora have gone around a few times because he likes to take his mornings on the beach and often lands at whatever place she happens to be skinny dipping that day. She believes he’s stalking her.”
“Is he?”
Galen shrugged. “As I’ve told Aurora, if she continues to swim naked in public she has to put up with creepers. That’s on her. If she’d wear a bathing suit like a normal person she wouldn’t have this problem.”
“I think she likes to feel the water on her bits,” I explained. “Who doesn’t love skinny dipping?”
He arched an eyebrow. “Is that an invitation?”
“Maybe. We’ll have to see if we’re fighting later.”
“Oh, that was low.” He squeezed my hand before releasing it and leading me toward the bar. As much as he loved flirting, his mind was clearly on other things.
“What are their names?” I asked, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand. “Who are we looking for?”
“Thalia Thompson and Luster Light.”
I pulled up short. “I’m sorry, but ... Luster Light?”
His grin was quick. “I know. I almost choked when I saw it, too. It’s more of a porn star name than anything else.”
“Or a meteorologist. Were Misty Fields and Sunny Skies already taken?”
He laughed loudly, drawing a few sets of eyes. “See. I can’t stay angry at you even when I’m determined to put my foot down. You have a strange power over me ... but don’t go climbing inside my head unless I agree to it. I think that has to be a rule.”
“That’s fair,” I agreed. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to be in your head under any circumstances. I might see something I can’t un-see and ... I don’t want to ruin things. They’re really good.”
“They are. You won’t find anything in there that’ll ruin things, just for the record. Unless ... you won’t be offended if I have images of you dancing naked under the full moon running on a loop throughout the day, will you?”
I frowned. “I’ve never danced naked under the full moon.”
“Maybe not in real life, but you do it constantly in my head.”
“Ugh. You’re such a pervert.”
“We’re all over the island.” He was markedly more relaxed as he scanned the tables until he found the one he was looking for. It was early in the day so there weren’t many people drinking. It wasn’t difficult to identify the witches. One was brunette with dark makeup smeared under her eyes and a sterling silver moon charm hanging from a light chain around her neck. The other was sunny and blond ... and giggling nonstop.
“The blonde is Luster Light,” I volunteered as we started moving in that direction.
“Did you pick that out of her head?”
“It’s just common sense.”
It turned out I was right. Luster was ... well, lustrous, and she knew it. She was a laughing, eye-lash-batting, giggler extraordinaire, and I could practically feel the sex vibes rolling off her when she got a load of Galen.
“Are you the sheriff?” She extended her hand before he answered, tilting her head in a playful way as she tugged on the sun charm on her necklace. “Wow! If I’d known the cops on this island looked like you I would’ve made more of an effort to get arrested.”
Thalia and I rolled our eyes in unison.
“I’m Sheriff Blackwood,” Galen confirmed, pulling out a chair for me. “This is Hadley Hunter. She works as a consultant with my department.”
That was a bit of an exaggeration, but I understood why he wanted my presence to be official.
“She’s a witch,” Thalia countered, eyes narrowing as she looked me up and down. “She’s a powerful witch.”
I kept my face neutral. “I�
��m an expert consultant.”
“Oh, she’s definitely a witch,” Luster enthused. “I can feel the magic.” She extended her fingers in my direction and only pulled them back when I glared. “You’re a born witch. You didn’t make yourself. That’s ... very rare.”
“I’m a born witch,” Thalia countered. “It’s not that rare. Not everybody likes putting on a show.”
Sensing trouble, I decided to change the subject. “We’re actually here for a reason. Sheriff Blackwood has some questions to ask you.”
He stared at me a moment, his lips twitching, and then focused on the two witches. “I do have questions ... about the festival.”
“It’s a mess,” Thalia replied, her eyes darkening. “It’s an embarrassment to pagan festivals everywhere. News will spread and people won’t want to return to the island if you’re not careful. You should do something about it.”
“The festival isn’t my responsibility,” Galen argued. “Moonstone Bay allowed Alastair Herne to pull a festival license. He’s responsible for what’s happening on that beach right now. We can’t do anything to fix his mess.”
“Uh-huh.” Thalia didn’t look convinced. “If you say so.”
“It’s the truth.” Galen was firm. “Alastair is in charge. That said, I’ve sent Calliope down to start fixing things. She’s one of the event organizers, but Alastair’s name is on all the contracts.”
“And where is Alastair?” Thalia asked. “Why isn’t he down there?”
“We can’t find him.” Galen didn’t mince words. “He’s either been taken against his will or voluntarily fled ... somewhere. He’s not at his house and he doesn’t return calls. He’s the reason we’re here talking to you.”
Luster’s hand flew to her mouth, sparkly acrylic nails on display. “You think we did something to him? How could you possibly believe that? We’re beacons of the light, purveyors of hope and holders of the magical chalice.”
That entire final sentence sounded like nonsense. “What’s the magical chalice?”
Thalia shook her head. “Oh, ignore her. She’s full of it. She makes stuff up all the time. She can’t seem to help herself. There is no magical chalice.”
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