No Crone Unturned

by Amanda M. Lee

  That made more sense. “You’re talking about the bog monster.”

  “Lancelot.” Green Hair narrowed his eyes. “He wasn’t just a monster. He was a friend.”

  “Well, your friend was terrorizing people in the woods, showing them horrible things, and a few went missing. It’s obvious they’re dead.”

  “Yes, well, he had a few issues.” His eyes flashed with annoyance. “That didn’t mean he had to die.”

  “If you’re going to lure unsuspecting people into the woods and eat them — and I know darned well that’s what happened so don’t bother denying it — then you’re going to get some pushback. All he had to do to save himself was not eat people. He couldn’t manage that so he had to take a ... sabbatical.”

  Mama Moon snorted as Green Hair glared at me. “I told you, Cedric. She’s got a mind of her own. She’s not going to play the game the way you want her to.”

  Cedric. I didn’t recognize the name. The look he shot me now was filled with malice.

  “I’m going to miss that little idiot,” Cedric insisted. “I liked him. He was funny.”

  “He also had an open tab,” Mama Moon pointed out. “You’re more upset you’ll never see that money. Admit it.”

  “I don’t think I want to admit it,” Cedric countered. “It makes me look shallow ... and nobody likes shallow.”

  “That’s true.” Mama Moon sipped her drink and inclined her head toward mine. “You’ll be fine if you drink that. I promise it’s not poisoned.”

  It seemed rude to decline — and I was already on at least one list for killing a member of the clientele — so I sipped the moonshine. I expected to be grossed out by a liquid so strong it could strip my insides, but it was surprisingly smooth. “Oh, this is good.”

  Cedric arched an eyebrow and shook his head. “You have to work on your manners if you want to hang out with us.”

  “I’m not sure I want to hang out with you,” I admitted. “Knowing Rooster, I’m probably breaking ten rules I haven’t even thought about, so I might have to make my visits infrequent.”

  “I like Rooster, but he’s a real tight-ass sometimes,” the purple-haired woman announced. She was playing solitaire with tarot cards that glowed and she seemed transfixed. “You should do what you want to do ... but I have a feeling that’s never been a problem for you.”

  “Are you a seer?” I queried, genuinely curious.

  “I am ... many things.” Her eyes fixed on me. “My name is Tempest. That’s what my friends call me. I haven’t decided if we’re going to be friends.”

  She was blunt. I liked that. “Okay, well, let me know when you decide.”

  “You’re a child of the stars,” she said. “I was taught to be leery of your people.”

  I froze. That wasn’t the first time I’d heard that term. I had no knowledge of my actual origins so I was always agitated when someone else seemed to know more about me than I did. Two weeks ago a wolf shifter named Drake, a man with a shady past, claimed to have information about me. He promised to supply answers ... just as soon as his sister was back on her feet. She’d been held, essentially tortured by the world’s worst wolf, and he was focusing on her. I couldn’t blame him, but I wasn’t exactly the patient sort. I was desperate for whatever information he could provide, but I couldn’t push him.

  At least not yet. Eventually, though, I would be forced to go after him if he didn’t volunteer the information I needed.

  “And how do you know that?” I asked finally.

  “You have a pink aura.” Her expression was thoughtful. “You’re powerful, too. Children of the stars are rare these days. You’re ... unique ... even for them.”

  “Does that mean you know who I am?”

  The question seemed to confuse her. “Don’t you know who you are?”

  I rose, every intention of walking over to the table and shaking her until she started volunteering information propelling me, but Mama Moon grabbed my wrist before I could go on a rampage.

  “You’ll want to think long and hard about this,” she warned, her eyes somber. “I know that you grapple with a past you can’t remember, but she can’t help you.”

  I wasn’t convinced. “She knows what I am.”

  “That doesn’t mean she knows who you are. There are children of the stars everywhere. Your specific tribe is a mystery and you can’t change that at the moment. Starting a fight won’t help anyone, including you.” She tapped the side of my mason jar. “Drink that ... and loosen up. You can’t go starting fights your first night here. That’s a surefire way to get yourself banned.”

  I’d yet to decide if I wanted to stay so I wasn’t particularly worried about that. Still, there was a reason for my visit. “How long have you guys been in operation?”

  “Does it matter?” Cedric made a face. “I’m more curious how you found us without an invitation. We’re very careful to leave the Spells Angels off the list ... and yet here you are.”

  “The Spells Angels are paranormal, so that doesn’t make much sense. I guess that’s your prerogative, though. I’m here because I found this.” I held up the matchbook. “Why was Honey Martelle hanging out here?”

  Mama Moon snapped her eyes in my direction. “What do you know about Honey?”

  That was an interesting reaction. “What do you know about Honey?” I shot back.

  “I know that she’s been banned from this place.” Mama Moon was suddenly alert. “You didn’t bring her with you, did you?”

  Her reaction caught me off guard. “No. I don’t think you have to worry about her ever coming back. She’s dead.”

  A low murmur went through the crowd and Cedric straightened.

  “What do you mean?” he asked after a beat. “Do you mean literally or figuratively?”

  “I mean literally. Her throat was ripped out and her body was dumped behind the library.” I tapped my fingers on the tabletop. “You guys didn’t know?”

  “No,” Mama Moon confirmed, finding her voice, “and I’m not sure what to do with the news. Honey was causing problems in the paranormal community. While I’m never thrilled with the prospect of murder, it’s a relief to know she won’t show back up here and try to get in.”

  “I need more information than that,” I argued. “I’m trying to figure out what happened to her and, so far at least, I’m running into brick walls. The matchbook was a fluke ... but I’m confused.” I glanced around again to confirm my suspicions. “Everyone here has some sort of paranormal ability. To my knowledge, that wasn’t true of Honey. Why was she hanging out here?”

  Cedric and Mama Moon exchanged a weighted look. When the green-haired bartender started speaking again, it was in measured tones.

  “Honey aligned herself with a certain faction.”

  “Is that faction here right now?”

  “No, and I don’t know if they’re coming back.” Cedric looked pained. “Look, I don’t know how to say this without coming off as callous. The thing is, Honey was not a good person. She was a thief ... and she was always open to selling private information. She jumped from man to man in an effort to find someone to fund her drug habit. She was just all over the place.”

  “You mustn’t think that we wished her ill,” Mama Moon reassured me hurriedly. “That’s actually the opposite of how we felt. We wanted to help her, break her of the addiction that was causing her to spiral, but she wouldn’t let us help. Instead, she stole from us ... lied to us ... and caused problems. We had to ban her.”

  That was interesting information, but I was still left with gaping holes to fill. “Why was she out here? She wasn’t paranormal, right?”

  “Not exactly.” Mama Moon shifted on her chair, clearly uncomfortable. “There are some new players in town ... and they’re not exactly playing nice with others. Honey aligned herself with them.”

  We were finally getting somewhere. “And what players are we talking about?”

  As if on cue, the barrier began to flicker, causing me to jer
k my head in the opposite direction. “What’s that? Is my magic failing? I ... that’s weird.” I was on my feet and ready to fix whatever I’d broken when a door opened at the far side of the barrier.

  “That was the doorbell,” Cedric replied grimly, his attention on the opening. “And, funnily enough, I think you’re about to get an answer to your question. The new players we were talking about are here ... and nobody is going to be happy to see them.”

  I focused on the three blondes sliding through the door. All females, thin and striking. I recognized one of them. “Melody Summers,” I muttered.

  Mama Moon slid me a keen look. “Do you know her?”

  “I met her this morning. She lives in the house on the bluff ... with that little ferret who likes to hide in the bushes and attack people.”

  “I don’t know what that means, but it sounds intriguing.” Amusement flitted across her face. “You know what they are, don’t you?”

  I didn’t, but I had an idea. “They’re half-vampires.”

  “Very good.” She beamed. “I wasn’t sure you’d figured that out.”

  “I didn’t. Not until right now.” As if sensing me watching, Melody slowly lifted her head and scanned the crowd until she found me staring. “Well, this is going to be an amusing night after all. I think we’re going to have a lot to talk about.”

  “Just don’t destroy my place,” Cedric ordered. “I have it looking exactly how I want it now. If you make a mess, you’re picking it up.”

  That seemed more than fair.

  Ten

  Half-vampires.

  I knew a little about them. In the city, they were used to procure meals — human sacrifices — under the promise of immortality. Those promises were rarely kept. Three of them here meant a master was close ... and I was fairly certain where it was living.

  “What are you going to do?” Mama Moon asked, her face lined with concern.

  “I haven’t decided yet.” I took another sip of the moonshine and frowned. “Is there alcohol in this?”

  She shook her head. “It’s a magic booster. It’s supposed to balance you metaphysically.”

  Oh, well, that sounded lame. “Great. At least I won’t have to worry about driving home.”

  Mama Moon smirked. “You look intense, as if you’re trying to figure something out. I find you entertaining ... even when I’m certain you’re about to do something stupid.”

  “You don’t have to worry about me.” I flashed a smile for her benefit. “I’m a survivor. I never do anything truly stupid.”

  “I’ve spent a total of six hours with you and I’ve witnessed you do at least eight stupid things.”

  She had to be exaggerating. At best she’d witnessed me do three stupid things.

  As if sensing me watching her, Melody slowly shifted her eyes across the bar, not stopping until her searching gaze found me. Her face registered shock for a moment, and then she politely shuttered it behind a smile that was more feral than welcoming.

  “Well, we meet again,” she drawled.

  Her friends followed her gaze. Their expressions were harder to read.

  “It was only a matter of time,” I said as I debated exactly how I wanted to approach this. Finesse was clearly warranted. It would be a battle of wits. “So, you guys are half-vampires, huh?”

  Yeah. Screw a battle of wits. I’ve always preferred laying all of my cards on the table.

  Melody’s eyebrows hopped. “I see someone has been talking out of turn.” Her gaze was dark when it landed on Mama Moon. “I guess I should’ve expected that.”

  “Don’t blame her. I would’ve figured it out eventually. Your little buddy up at the house was hanging out with a vampire last time I saw him. It’s not a leap to figure out what you are.”

  “What buddy?” Mama Moon asked, clearly intrigued.

  “This little guy with bad coats,” I replied. “I met him when I was a teenager. He hid in the bushes and tried to jump me.”

  “I believe you have Bixby confused with someone else,” Melody argued. “It happens occasionally. You should be careful about the accusations you throw around.”

  “I actually believe the opposite. For example, if I throw around the accusation that you — or perhaps your boss — killed Honey Martelle, I’m reasonably assured that I’m right. I’m also sure there’s not a thing you can do about it.”

  “I wouldn’t get too full of yourself,” one of the other women seethed. She was shorter than Melody, though she had legs that went on for miles. “I don’t think you realize who you’re dealing with.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. I have no doubt who I’m dealing with. Dracula wannabes. They’re fairly normal in the city ... though the ridicule there seems to be at a higher level. None of these people are making fun of you, which is a true disappointment.”

  “Dracula?” The woman’s voice was high as she trilled out a laugh. “That is absurd. I’ve never heard nonsense like that in my life.”

  “Ignore her,” Melody admonished. “She’s simply looking for attention. Don’t reward her for bad behavior.”

  They wanted to play games so I decided to indulge them. “Yeah. All of you fang-bangers are fans of Dracula. It’s like goth kids quoting The Raven ... or the way annoying teenagers quote the Kardashians ... or annoying adults still quote South Park. I’m over it because it’s so pathetic.”

  “You listen here ... !” The unnamed half-vampire took a menacing step in my direction. I remained in my seat. Technically it was a position of weakness but I didn’t want them thinking they’d gotten to me.

  “Stop it!” Melody hissed, grabbing the other woman’s arm and tugging hard. “You’re playing right into her hands. You need to stop.”

  I kept my eyes defiant as the woman glared. This was too easy, even though I wasn’t exactly getting anywhere. Pushing all their buttons was well and good, but there was more to accomplish. “I guess you guys aren’t all that new to the area if you’ve already established yourselves as regulars here, huh?” My mind was busy. “What are you hiding up at the house? Is that where your master lives?”

  “We don’t have a master,” Melody shot back, her eyes flashing. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. You should really stop speaking.”

  “Oh, if that was the rule, I would never open my mouth,” I drawled. “I’m sure that there are plenty of people who would prefer that, but I don’t roll that way.”

  “No, you like sticking your foot in your mouth at every turn,” Mama Moon agreed.

  “I’m good that way,” I agreed readily. “So, Melody, you haven’t introduced me to your friends. I find that a little rude, but I’m willing to overlook it.”

  “You don’t need to know them,” Melody shot back. “We’re here to unwind after a hard day. There’s no need for you to even interact with us.” She inclined her head toward a table all the way across the clearing. “Now, if you’ll excuse us.”

  I’d almost forgotten Cedric was there until he cleared his throat. This time when Melody turned back it was with a hint of agitation. “What do you want?” she barked.

  “You can’t stay here.” Cedric was matter of fact. “We talked about this last time ... when I told you that you couldn’t visit again. This place is off limits to you.”

  “I thought you were joking.” Melody turned haughty. “It seems to me that a guy who sets up shop in the middle of nowhere needs all the bodies he can get.”

  “You might think that,” he agreed. “But you’d be wrong.”

  “But ... we want to stay,” the third woman said. She’d been silent since entering. Unlike the other two, she didn’t seem big on posturing and was clearly more thoughtful. She was the one I was most interested in, though I was certain I could push Melody to the point of no return if I wanted.

  “Well, I don’t really care what you want,” Cedric countered. “This is my bar. You’re not allowed. I warned you what would happen if you didn’t behave.”

  “And
how did we misbehave?” Melody was suddenly the picture of innocence, batting her eyelashes. “I think you have us confused with someone else.”

  Cedric wasn’t the type to be swayed by a pretty face. “No, I don’t. You need to go.”

  Melody’s demeanor switched in an instant. “Do you really want to make enemies of us?”

  “I don’t care in the least.”

  “Well ... then I guess that’s a mistake you’re going to regret.” Melody turned, sweeping out her arms. “We should go, ladies. We don’t want to hang out here anyway. These people are zero fun.”

  “But ... .” The third woman looked as if she wanted to argue, but Melody pinned her with a quelling look.

  “We’re leaving,” she ordered.

  I watched them go with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. When they reached the door, Melody turned long enough to stare directly at me. If she thought she was intimidating, she was wrong.

  “What do you think?” Mama Moon asked, her gaze intent on me as I downed the rest of my drink.

  “I think I’m going to follow them,” I said as I stood. “I know where they’re going, but I’m dying to see who’s hanging out with them at that house on the hill. I’m wondering if I already know him, too.”

  “Like you know this minion?”

  I stilled. “I’ve never heard that word used in normal conversation, but I like it. That guy is clearly a minion ... and he’s a pervert to boot. I should’ve ended him back then, but I didn’t know what I was dealing with. His friend was powerful enough to give me pause ... and I had other things on my mind at the time.”

  “Do you think you’re dealing with the same vampire?”

  That was a good question. “I guess I’m about to find out.”

  IT WASN’T DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW THE HALF-VAMPIRES. They returned to the house, as I knew they would, and were mired in full-on persecution complexes by the time they landed at the remote property.

  I secreted myself behind some trees so I could listen, fighting the urge to laugh at the whiny complaints flying fast and furious.