The Monstrous Seven (A Hannah Hickok Witchy Mystery Book 4)

by Lily Harper Hart

  “I’m not being facetious,” Lorna countered. “Thousands of years ago we identified the seven basic weaknesses in human beings. We were trying to make them aware of the things they had to avoid if they wanted to live a pure life.”

  “And you’re lust,” Cooper muttered.

  Lorna beamed at him. “Why? Are you feeling lusty thoughts? I can’t really tell ... and it’s an interesting phenomenon. Frank mentioned the first time that he thought you were resisting but couldn’t be sure. Then I heard you couldn’t resist the second time, although he died anyway so that story is all muddled.

  “Anyway, I was always offended by the idea of men losing their heads over women after they pledged forever to another woman,” she explained. “That was my ... thing. So what you call lust was born. It was around long before that, though, and I never chose that as a name.”

  “What is your name?”

  “Lorna Jacobs,” she replied simply.

  “No, that’s the human name you took over.” He stilled, his mind busy. “Wait. Lorna Jacobs is a real person. We checked her credentials.”

  “She was a real person,” the fury agreed. “Her boyfriend cheated on her with another woman despite the fact that she got these to keep him happy and faithful.” The woman grabbed her own impressive breasts for emphasis. “When we return to an area, we’re called by specific personality types. Lorna called to me, and since she was a bartender — a skill that could’ve gotten her a job out here — I gladly took her over.”

  Cooper felt queasy. “When was that?”

  Lorna shrugged. “A couple of weeks ago. We were in no real hurry when we returned. We never are. We like to take a few weeks and get accustomed to the changes in technology and society. Honestly, this jump was jarring for us. The strides you people have made in a hundred years ... .” She shook her head. “I lived Lorna’s life for several days before I even approached you for a job.”

  “And Lorna?” Cooper was afraid to hear the answer but he had to know. “Is she still ... alive ... in there?” He swallowed hard. “Will you let the real her go when you’re done?”

  She didn’t immediately answer, instead tilting her head to consider the statement ... and him. Finally, she let loose a long sigh. “This is hard for you, isn’t it? You want to be the hero, but you don’t know how when there’s no one to save. I hate to break it to you, but the whole reason we managed to take over the people that we did is because they were open to it.

  “Lorna wanted to hurt her ex-boyfriend very badly, just like he’d hurt her, but she didn’t have the guts,” she continued. “When I approached, I told her what I could do, explained it would cost her soul, but she didn’t care. She wanted me to do the things she couldn’t, so I did. I took over her body and soul. She still lives, but only inasmuch as I have absorbed her and part of her — a very weak part — is still aware of what is happening. There’s no putting her back.”

  “I see.” Cooper dragged a hand through his hair, sadness overwhelming him. “That doesn’t seem fair. She couldn’t possibly have realized what she was getting herself into.”

  “Maybe,” Lorna conceded. “Honestly, though, even if I explained everything in excruciating detail I don’t think it would’ve mattered. She was so far gone over that man.”

  “And did you hold up your end of the bargain? Did you take out her ex-boyfriend?”

  “Of course.” She bobbed her head perfunctorily. “When I make a deal, I hold up my end. That’s the only reason you’re still alive, quite frankly. I agreed to a certain plan with the others, and that means keeping you semi-cognizant, although you really should’ve fallen under my spell by this point and become malleable. I’m confused why you still have your senses. Did your girlfriend do something to protect you?”

  Cooper was taken aback by the question. “I ... don’t know. I don’t think so.”

  “She’s not yet aware of her magic and how strong she really is,” Lorna mused, more for herself than anything. “She’s ... an interesting woman. Sure, she's a pain, but I’m almost sorry she’s going to have to die. There’s no other way around that now, though.”

  Cooper’s heart gave a heavy jolt. “You stay away from her,” he growled, anger coursing through him. “Don’t you even think of touching one hair on her head.”

  “Oh, honey, she’s not on my list of problems today. You’re on the top of it. The others are handling your girlfriend ... and the veterinarian ... and the sheriff. My only worry is you.”

  Realization swamped Cooper and he clutched his hands into fists at his sides. “If you hurt Hannah ... .”

  “I don’t have any control over that,” Lorna shot back. “Didn’t I just explain that to you? Besides, we can’t kill her. If we do, we can’t tap into the magic of this property, which is what we need to get home. You don’t have to worry about her ... at least not yet.”

  “Then what do you want?” Cooper’s voice was ragged.

  “We need her to turn over the property to us so we can claim the magic for our own,” Lorna replied simply. “To get her to do that, we’re going to need leverage. Unfortunately, my friend, you’re that leverage. It’s too bad, too. I really would’ve liked to play a few games with you ... but that’s not in the cards.”

  “You want to use me to force Hannah’s hand,” Cooper surmised. “You want her to give up everything she loves to keep me safe ... and then you’re going to kill me anyway.”

  “No.” Lorna was serene as she shook her head. “I already told you we keep the deals we make. We’ll allow you to live if Hannah holds up her end of the bargain. She’s another story, though.”

  The answer was enough to infuriate Cooper. “Don’t even think about touching her!” he roared, his temper on full display.

  “She’s already dead.” Lorna was matter-of-fact. “In fact, Nikki and Ray probably already have her in restraints. I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this is already over.”

  Cooper was officially horrified when he realized exactly how deep the conspiracy ran. He was about to push Lorna’s resolve to the breaking point and force her to fight him when the door to the seamstress shop flew open and Hannah rushed inside.

  “Or maybe not,” Lorna said dryly, rolling her eyes. “What are you doing running around? How did you escape?”

  Rather than explain, Hannah extended her hands and walked directly to Lorna. She’d heard enough outside the door to know she didn’t want to risk the woman being able to join with the others and fight. “I’m sorry, Lorna,” she announced, unleashing the same bolt of energy into Lorna’s head as she had into Nikki’s. “If the real you is in there and can hear me, I’m truly sorry.”

  Hannah sagged as she expended a terrific amount of energy. As with Nikki, Lorna reacted almost instantly. She was gone before she hit the floor, the empty husk that had been her body colliding with the wood and offering up a terrific thud before shattering into a pile of dust.

  “Hannah?” Cooper stepped over what was left of Lorna and drew the weary blonde to him. He’d never been so happy to see anyone in his entire life. “I can’t believe you’re okay.”

  “I was about to say the same thing about you.” Hannah held him close, basking in his warmth. “I was so afraid that I would be too late.”

  “Hey, I just realized you were in trouble.” He pulled back to study her face. “I thought if I could keep her busy that I could figure a way out. All that time you were in deep trouble and I didn’t even realize it. I’m so sorry.”

  Hannah snorted. “We’re a fine pair.”

  “Yeah. We’re okay, though.” He lowered his mouth to hers and gave her a soft kiss. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

  “Me, too.” She patted his back ... and then remembered Ray. “I only took out Nikki, though. Ray is still out there and I’m pretty sure he won’t be far behind me. I managed to take a shortcut through two buildings, but it won’t take him long to figure out where I went.”

  Cooper snapped to attention. “I ... .�
� He trailed off, his gaze going to the street in front of the store. Sure enough, Ray had appeared ... and the man didn’t look happy. “Do you think they know when their friends die?”

  Hannah held out her hands and shrugged. “I have no idea. He’s greed, though. Nikki was pride.”

  “And Lorna was lust.” Cooper kept one arm around Hannah as he studied the store. Then he remembered the gun Jackie kept “just in case” in the back room. “Watch him.” Cooper strode through the door, leaving Hannah bewildered. When he returned five seconds later with the weapon, her eyes went wide.

  “What if that doesn’t work?” Hannah queried, her voice shaking. “I mean ... what if you can’t kill him by human means?”

  Cooper thought about the things Lorna had told him. “I think the human component of this is even more important than the magical side of things. If it doesn’t work, you can fry his head just like you did hers. If it does work, though, then we’ll have a leg up on the rest of them.”

  “If you say so.” Hannah crowded close as Ray stormed through the door, pressing her chest to his side as Cooper extended the gun in Ray’s direction.

  “I told you not to run,” Ray ordered, his eyes on fire. “I just ... can’t you listen?” His gaze traveled to the floor, to where the dust that used to be Lorna remained. “Oh, not her, too!” He was beside himself. “That means there are only three of us left.”

  “Two,” Cooper replied, pulling the trigger before Ray could utter another word. To his surprise — and chagrin — the bullet smacked into his head but didn’t bring the fury to the ground.

  “Really? A gun?” Ray rolled his eyes as the bullet slowly worked its way out of his head and the wound that had been opened by the blast quickly healed over. “A gun doesn’t work on a fury. Are you stupid?”

  “We just wanted to see,” Hannah replied. “Now that we know it doesn’t work ... .” She raised her hands and unleashed a barrage of magic. Ray was expecting it, but given the blood running into his eyes, he couldn’t see as well as he would’ve liked and his reflexes were off.

  He managed to deflect the first jolt, but the second landed deftly in the center of his chest.

  “No,” he muttered, just as he realized what was going to happen. “No, no, no!” On the last no, his body exploded, dust flying in a million different directions.

  Hannah covered her eyes, and when she finally looked over at Cooper, she found he hadn’t realized what was about to happen and his face was covered with soot.

  “Whoops.” Instinctively she reached up to wipe it away but smearing the dust only made things worse.

  Ironically, Cooper found he was almost amused by her reaction. “At least we know you can blow them up, huh? I guess the gun was a bad idea.”

  “Except the blood distracted him. We might need that again.”

  “You’re doing pretty well.”

  “Yeah, except ... I’m tired.” It was hard for her to admit, but her strength was lagging. “Every time I use my magic, my energy is zapped. There are still two of them out there, and I have a feeling they’re already here. I can’t recharge.”

  Cooper studied her face for a beat and then nodded. “Okay, well ... we’ll hunker down in this shop and wait for them.”

  “We can’t.” She immediately started shaking her head. “Boone and Tyler are out there. Jinx, too. Jackie and Danielle are due to arrive. That’s on top of the FBI agent, who we’re never going to be able to explain this to.”

  Cooper had forgotten about Jacob. “You’re right.” He stroked his hand over her hair and then sighed. “Okay, you stay here. I’ll go and collect the others. You can rest.”

  “No.” Hannah was firm. “We can’t separate. I have a bad feeling about what will happen if we do. We have to go together.”

  Cooper was torn. “You’re tired, baby.”

  “I am, but we’re all going to be dead if we don’t gather together. It’s our only option.”

  He wanted to argue, but he knew she was right. “Okay. We’ll stick together. Come on.” He slipped his arm around her waist and tugged her to his side, taking as much of her weight as he could manage. “We’re going to be quick and head straight for the barn. We know Tyler is there. If we’re lucky, Boone will be there, too.”

  “Let’s hope we’re lucky for a change.”

  “That would be nice, huh?”

  18

  Eighteen

  Cooper remained alert as he led Hannah through the town. Rather than race down Main Street, which was the shortest route, he opted to cut through the buildings. It added time onto their trek, but it didn’t leave them open to random attacks.

  At least that’s what he hoped.

  When they hit the final hiding spot, the alley behind the saloon, he left Hannah leaning against the wall and poked his head out so he could get a look at the paddock. It appeared empty — other than the goats — but that didn’t necessarily mean anything. Tyler and Jinx could be inside.

  He pursed his lips as he turned back to Hannah, taking a moment to study her pale features. “You can’t fight them again,” he blurted out, taking her (and him, for that matter) by surprise.

  She raised her eyes, confusion blurring the blue. “What are you talking about? There are two left.”

  “I know but ... you can’t do it. You’re tired, baby.”

  “I am tired.” There was no sense denying it. She was certain it was etched across her face. “I don’t see where we have a lot of options, though. If I don’t fight, we’ll die.”

  He hated the fact that she was right. What he hated more, though, is that he couldn’t help her. “Let’s just get to Tyler, huh? Once we’re over there, we’ll call Boone to join us, tell him what’s happening, and go from there.”

  Hannah nodded solemnly. “That sounds like a plan to me.” She forced a smile and pushed herself away from the building, her eyes catching on a glint of gold behind the dumpster.

  “What are you doing?” Cooper asked as she snaked around the side of the dumpster to get a better look. “Hannah ... .”

  “Oh, my ... .” Hannah choked on her words and reared back, smacking into Cooper in her haste to escape.

  Confused, he gripped her around the waist and ducked his head, his eyes going wide when he caught sight of the body. “Who is that?” He honestly didn’t recognize the woman.

  Hannah’s heart was doing a fluttery jig and she had to concentrate on her gag reflex. The last thing she needed was to lose the breakfast she’d eaten ... and risk dehydrating herself with another fight to come. “That’s the reporter. Portia Washington.”

  It took Cooper a moment to remember where he’d heard that name before. “This is the woman who showed up questioning you the other day? The one who nobody saw leave?”

  Hannah nodded as she rested her hands on her knees, briefly shutting her eyes so she wouldn’t have to look at the body.

  “She’s been here a few days,” Cooper noted, his mind busy as he glanced between Hannah and the fallen woman. “I can’t see any marks on her but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t murdered.”

  Hannah thought back to her interaction with the woman. “You know what’s weird?”

  “The fact that we’re hiding behind a saloon while trying to avoid furies who want to kill us?”

  Hannah smirked at his lame attempt at a joke. “That is definitely weird. I’m talking about her, though. I would’ve thought for sure she fit the bill for one of the furies.”

  “You didn’t mention it.” He tried to keep his tone from being accusatory. “I think that’s something that should’ve been mentioned at some point.”

  “I didn’t know she was a fury. I just, in the back of my head, thought there was something wrong with her, though.”

  “She’s obviously not a fury. I mean ... she’s dead and she didn’t turn to dust.”

  “Lorna didn’t turn to dust either. Neither did Nikki. The others did.” Hannah drew her eyebrows together. “Maybe there’s a trick to it. Maybe I
did something with the others.”

  “Yeah?” Cooper was intrigued despite his worry about her being so pale. “What do you think you did?”

  “I don’t know.” She held out her hands, helpless. “I just ... don’t know. I reacted, Cooper. I don’t think sometimes before it happens. It’s as if there’s something inside of me that knows what to do and I just do it.”

  “Well, it’s worked so far.” He moved away from the body and closer to her. “We’ll have to deal with Portia after. Just out of curiosity, which one of the sins would you have pegged her for?”

  To Hannah, that was the most interesting question of all. “I don’t know. Lust or pride would be the obvious choices, right? Maybe greed. Ray was greed, though. They came right out and said it. Nikki was pride.”

  “And Lorna was lust,” he mused. “We know Donny was gluttony and you’ve pegged Frank as wrath, although we have no confirmation of that.”

  “It makes the most sense.” Hannah was adamant. “I know he was wrath.”

  “Okay, then that leaves envy and sloth. Which one do you think she was?”

  “Envy would be the only choice, although she didn’t act as if she was envious of anything when she was out here.”

  “She could be a helpless victim,” Cooper pointed out. “She could’ve been out here because she was legitimately chasing the story and ran into one of our furies.”

  “Yeah, but ... why throw her behind the dumpster like this?”

  “I can’t answer that.” He grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the barn. “We need to check on Tyler and Jinx. We can’t worry about her now. We’ll come back and deal with her ... later.”

  Hannah nodded, casting a final look over her shoulder before falling into step with Cooper. He was right. They could do nothing to help the dead. They had to focus on the living. “Okay. Let’s go.”

  He squeezed her hand and then broke into a jog, gratified that she seemed to have no problem keeping up with him. He ignored the goats in the paddocks and swung straight into the barn, letting loose a relieved exhale when he found both Boone and Tyler tending the animals, Jinx resting on his bed in the corner.