It's All Sixes

by Cindy Stark

  A hiss from behind brought her up short, and she found Mr. Kitty racing to catch up with her. She narrowed her gaze and shook her head to warn him away. But he didn’t stop until he reached her.

  Not daring to speak, she lifted her hands in a questioning gesture.

  Be careful.

  The words vibrated through her mind. Maybe approaching a coven of witches without being announced was a bad idea. The covens she’d known had been friendly and open, but she wasn’t in her territory any longer.

  Granted, Victor was there. But he was only one person.

  Through the thick trees, she caught sight of movement. Something red. Something darker. Maybe black or brown.

  The low voices suddenly stopped, and she ceased all movement. Her instincts jumped to high alert, and she fought to control her breathing despite the adrenaline rushing through her veins.

  This had been a bad idea. She needed to leave but feared she couldn’t do so without making a sound.

  Breaking twigs cracked to the side of her, and she swiveled her gaze. Her heart raced as she searched for danger.

  Nothing.

  When she turned back, Cora, her nemesis Polly McGillicutty, and Harriett Palmer who owned the garden nursery at the edge of town stood not far from her. They seemed as surprised to find her in their part of the woods as she did them.

  She didn’t sense any immediate danger from them, but Mr. Kitty remained close to her side, which freaked her out because that was out of character for him.

  Cora stepped forward with a smile on her face and an outstretched hand. “Hazel.”

  She smiled in relief at her friend. “I smelled burning sage and wondered…”

  Cora snorted. “Well, I guess the cat is out of the bag, so I might as well make introductions. It’s probably past time anyway.”

  Part of Hazel agreed. If there was a coven of witches meeting in her neck of the woods, literally, she should know them. Especially in a town that despised her kind. Safety in numbers, so to speak.

  Although Mr. Kitty had warned her to be careful.

  Victor moved into her line of sight, and a huge smile lit his face. “Hazel, my goddess.”

  He was at her side in an instant. He tilted her chin upward, and before she could stop him, placed a fat kiss on her lips.

  She wanted to slap him but didn’t dare. She had no idea where she stood amongst this group of people and didn’t care to make waves until she did. However, she did take several steps back from him.

  Victor straightened to his full height and addressed the group of ten other women, not including Cora and her. “May I present Hazel? A dear friend and love of mine. I hope you’ll all make her welcome like you have with me.”

  Hazel recognized Harriett, Cora, Polly and another woman, though she didn’t know her name. The others she’d seen about town but had never been introduced or had them come into her shop.

  She stayed on alert as most of them murmured their welcomes. A few though, including Polly, studied her with suspicious and wary eyes.

  Polly sneered. “You’re the new witch in town?”

  She shrugged, trying to remain casual, even if she’d closed her emotions. “I’m not exactly new. I’ve been here a few months.”

  “Long enough,” Polly muttered under her breath.

  Hazel swept her gaze across them again. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  Cora waved a hand, dismissing her concerns. “No worries. We were just about to—”

  “Call it a day,” Polly interjected. “This meeting is concluded.”

  Several looked at each other with puzzled gazes, but no one argued. They scattered into the trees like Clarabelle and her friends must have done in the past. Within a few seconds, only Cora and Victor remained behind with her.

  So much for making her feel welcome. “I feel like I ruined the party.”

  Victor wrapped a strong, consoling arm around her shoulders. “There is no party without you, my goddess.”

  She groaned and pushed away from him. “You know what I mean.”

  Cora rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Pay no attention to them. Ever since Glenys was incarcerated, the group has struggled without leadership. Polly stepped up, but many don’t like her and won’t follow her lead. We’ll get it together eventually. Despite her downfall, Glenys thrived with power, giving us direction and keeping us safe.”

  Hazel snorted. “Not counting when she murdered Belinda, right?”

  Cora gave an exasperated sigh. “Except for that.”

  Victor nodded with a look of appreciation on his face. “I should have come to town earlier. I could have calmed Glenys’ jealousy and kept Belinda alive.”

  Arrogance was not one of his finer qualities. “Whatever, Victor. Don’t you have somewhere to be?”

  He grinned, showing off a perfect set of teeth. He was a beautiful man. On the outside. “Only wherever you are.”

  Hazel returned her gaze to Cora. “Can you tell me what you guys were planning? Why the sage?”

  “Polly thought we might be able to clear the air of past issues and casualties. We all want to move forward, but there’s still so much baggage hanging around.”

  She narrowed her brows into a puzzled expression. “Why would they care if I’d witness that?”

  Cora gave her a beseeching look. “You have to understand, Hazel. You and I know you’re a good witch, and it would bolster our group if you joined. But the rest have only learned today that you’re one of us. I’m sure they’ll need time to process.”

  She and Cora turned in the direction of Hazel’s house and began walking. Victor stepped between them and clasped hands with both.

  Hazel sighed and gazed up at him. “I feel like a broken record, Victor, but what in the Samhain are you doing?”

  He grinned. “Strengthening our bonds as friends. What else?”

  Surges of warmth penetrated her skin, and she recognized the soul signatures from Cora and Victor. Regardless of anything else, she did have a solid bond with these two. As much as she hated to admit that where Victor was concerned, he might come in handy at some point.

  Cora smiled. “I think it’s nice.”

  Hazel cast a sideways glance at Victor. “You’d better not have hexed her again to make her like you.”

  He gasped as though insulted. “I would never.”

  But he had, and Hazel had no doubt he would again.

  Unfortunately, she had other matters to consider first. She tilted her head so that she could see around Victor to Cora. “So, now what? I know who they are, and they know me. We can’t pretend I didn’t discover everyone and act like nothing happened.”

  A concerned look dropped like a curtain over her face. “I think, after time and some definite cajoling, most members, if not all, will see that it’s in our best interest to bring you in. I’m certain if I told them of your relationship to Clarabelle, that would seal the deal. They can’t exactly keep out a person destined to be in.”

  Destined? She didn’t like how that made it seem she didn’t have a choice. That none of them did.

  Maybe they didn’t.

  Mr. Kitty seemed to think she had something to fear from at least one person in the group. “I’m not sure, Cora. Maybe I should let things lie and keep to myself.”

  “I don’t think that’s an option, Hazel,” Cora said.

  “Most definitely not,” Victor agreed. “Give these witches a chance. They might surprise you.”

  That was what she worried about.

  Seven

  Hazel’s recent interaction with the witches of Stonebridge consumed her thoughts. She barely noticed the dappled shade provided by the trees alongside the road as she walked to Anya’s. Even amongst her kind, Hazel was an outcast.

  Something about that seemed very wrong.

  Maybe not an outcast with them all, but she certainly hadn’t received the warm welcome she’d hoped she would have when she finally met them.

  At the sound of vehicles a
pproaching, Hazel glanced over her shoulder. The sight of three police SUVs coming down her road spurred her into action. She switched from a lazy saunter into an all-out run.

  Had she somehow missed Peter’s notification call?

  She’d hoped to arrive at Anya’s before they knocked on her door with a search warrant, but the appearance of the witches had distracted her. At least she wouldn’t be far behind.

  She’d have to put her personal problems aside for the moment because she had no doubt Anya would need a friend today.

  Hazel arrived just as the officers entered the home. She found Anya standing outside her front door, her face pale from shock or stress. Most likely both.

  She hurried up the pathway toward her. She couldn’t tell Anya that Peter had warned her in advance, but she could certainly help now that the search was under way. “Anya, are you okay? I saw the police cars.”

  Anya slowly shook her head. She blinked and glanced inside her house. “They have a search warrant.”

  Hazel stepped closer and took hold of Anya’s hand. Her chilled skin gave Hazel a shiver. “I’m so sorry. But, please, don’t let it frighten you. Think of it as another box they can check that will prove your innocence, okay?”

  Anya studied her for a moment, as though needing time to process the information, and then she nodded. “Okay.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

  Hazel tugged her away from the home. “Let’s go for a walk. There’s no need for you to be here while they search. It will be less stressful if you keep your mind occupied elsewhere, and we’re better off out of the way.”

  Anya blinked at the tears forming in her eyes. “This is such a nightmare, Hazel. I don’t understand how any of this could happen. One moment, my life was peaceful, and now this.”

  Her heart broke for the defeated woman. “I wish I had answers for you, Anya. I can’t imagine how hard this must be.”

  “I haven’t been able to eat or sleep, let alone paint. I’m so afraid whoever did it will come back, and I can’t stop worrying that they’re blaming me.”

  Hazel nodded and led Anya across the street toward the river. The energy rushing off the water and the sound of it moving downstream might help calm her. “I’ve been afraid of that, too. I know the police are driving by more often, but they can’t patrol our street twenty-four hours a day.”

  “I’ve thought about getting a dog.”

  Hazel wanted to tell her she had a cat who could patrol, if only Mr. Kitty would stick around more. “If you’ve always wanted a dog, it might not be a bad idea. It could provide you with company as well as protection.”

  For someone living in isolation like Anya, a big dog sounded like a good option.

  Hazel pointed down the slope of the riverbank. “Do you care if we sit by the water? There’s a big boulder that’s perfect for sitting not too far down, and we can pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist. At least for a little while.”

  She shifted her gaze toward the river, and doubt shadowed her eyes. “I don’t know. I feel like I shouldn’t go too far.”

  “Come on. You’re better off out of the way and not watching.”

  Anya hesitated for a moment and then gave her a watery smile. “Thank you for dropping everything and staying with me. I’m sure you have better things to do.”

  Hazel waved away her comment. “It’s actually a light day for me today, workwise. Gretta has my shop covered until two, and I’d planned on unpacking some of my storage, which I really didn’t want to do anyway.”

  Hazel linked her arm through Anya’s. “There’s a makeshift stairway close to my house where we can get down to the bank easier.”

  Anya allowed Hazel to guide her down to the water and then along the bank until they reached the rock. The green canopy of trees overhead blocked out the world, and the lazy river reminded her that not everything needed to be crazy and stressful. “Peaceful moments like these should encompass more of our lives, I think.”

  Anya closed her eyes for several long seconds and inhaled a deep breath. When she released it a moment later, her shoulders relaxed.

  This was exactly what Hazel had hoped for. Fresh air and nature always did a body and soul good.

  “You really have nothing to worry about, Anya. Let them look.”

  She shifted an uncertain glance her way. “I’m trying to tell myself that. They won’t find anything, but it’s the principle of it, you know? Everyone believes I’m guilty, and they’re invading my space because of it.”

  “I don’t think you’re guilty,” Hazel offered.

  Anya gave several small nods as though trying to console herself with that fact. “Thank you.”

  But she did wonder if Anya could provide more information that would help solve the case.

  Hazel studied the water, trying to appear as casual as possible. “I dropped off tea to Gretchen the other day. She was pretty crushed.”

  Anya snorted. “I’m sure she would be. Isaac was her pride and joy. She would have done anything for him. I want to feel sorry for her because it’s a horrible loss for anyone to bear, but I blame her in part for how he turned out and how miserable she made our married life.”

  Hazel might feel similarly if put in the same situation. “I met Edmond outside the house beforehand,” she ventured. “Apparently, there was no love lost between the brothers, either.”

  Anya closed her eyes and shook her head as though reliving unbearable moments. “That’s an understatement.”

  “In fact,” Hazel continued. “Edmond said he’d be celebrating now that Isaac was gone.”

  She snorted. “Edmond and I should have been better friends since we both seemed to be in the way of Gretchen and her baby boy.”

  That stoked her curiosity. “But you weren’t?”

  “We were okay friends right up until the moment he hit on me. Isaac was out of town, and Edmond stopped by the house. He wasn’t very happy when I asked him to leave. Said I was the one who’d led him to believe I was interested.”

  Anya paused and shook her head. “I don’t know why he would have ever thought that. I think he saw it as a way to get even with his brother. Needless to say, we didn’t talk much after that. Edmond left town and didn’t come back until Isaac moved to Boston to be close to his quack of a doctor.”

  “Is that why you separated?” she nudged.

  “You mean because of Edmond? No. I never told Isaac what had happened. Isaac had some serious stomach issues, and the meds the doctors around here put him on didn’t help much. After he left because of our fight over him lying about money, he found this homeopathic doctor and went to see him. The doc said he had a bunch of toxic chemicals in his body. Isaac, the idiot, accused me of poisoning him and moved out for good. I think blaming me was his way of not having to face his lies.”

  So, what Gretchen had said was true.

  “I think he must have told his mother because she started accusing me of that, too.”

  Yep.

  “I was beyond hurt when Isaac left me, even though he was a jerk. But time and distance has made me realize the whole family is crazy. I’m better off on my own. I’d thought I’d cut them from my life except for legalities, but now here they are back in my business again.”

  Hazel sighed. What a mess. “I’ve never had problems with Gretchen as a customer, but I’m sure that’s a whole different game than having her as a mother-in-law.”

  Anya drew a weary hand down her face. “She’s the epitome of a bad mother-in-law in every way. People always say that when you marry, you marry the whole family not just the person, and it’s true. I wish I would have paid better attention to that in the first place.”

  Hazel gave a soft smile. “But you can’t when you’re in love.”

  Anya scoffed and nodded. “Isn’t that the truth?”

  They sat for several long moments in silence, and Hazel searched the water for fish. She’d been able to spot a couple in the past. Even without seeing any fish, watching the water
drift past was soothing. The river didn’t emit as much power as the crashing waves of an ocean, but this energy was softer and smoother on the soul, not the turbulent wash associated with the sea.

  Still, she loved both in their own ways.

  Hazel shifted her gaze toward Anya who’d closed her eyes and lifted her face toward the heavens. Judging by her expression, she seemed at peace for the moment, and that brought Hazel joy.

  The lull of the water stole her gaze again and encouraged her to breathe deeply. A breeze teased the trees overhead, sending shards of sunlight to the river where the water broke them into sparkling diamonds.

  Upstream and close to the opposite side of the river, one glint seemed bigger than the rest, and Hazel brought her eyes fully open. She stared into the water that was now shadowed by the shade again unable to identify the object.

  Probably a fish.

  Except her instincts argued otherwise.

  She stood and headed farther up the edge of the bank so that she could see the object better.

  “What is it?” Anya called from behind.

  Hazel stopped when she was directly across from the flash she’d spotted. “I think I see something.”

  She leaned as far as she could without falling into the water and stared. Something dark lurked in the murky shadows, but she couldn’t tell what it was.

  Anya touched her elbow, and Hazel startled, not realizing her friend had come up behind her. “A fish?”

  “Maybe,” Hazel whispered. “But I don’t think it’s moving.”

  “Probably just a rock then.” Anya sighed. “Listen, Hazel. I think I should get back. This has been really nice, but I won’t be able to relax until they’re out of my house.”

  The breeze kicked up again, sending more sunlight dancing across the water. For a second, the light illuminated the object again, and Hazel gasped. “I think it’s a gun.”

  Eight

  Hazel tensed when Anya gripped her arm.

  “No.”

  She ignored the panic in her friend’s voice. “Yeah. I’m almost certain.”