Sticks & Stones Spell Werewolf Bones: A Why Choose Academy Romance

by Rae Stapleton

  Still she was tight-lipped, and definitely hiding something. When he’d interviewed her, he’d noticed her eyes had flitted repeatedly to her closet door. Knowledge was power, and if he was going to solve this case then he needed to know what sort of knowledge the headmistress was keeping from him.

  After another minute of solitude, he decided to go ahead and check the door next to the fireplace behind her desk—the one she’d glanced nervously at. When he swung it open, part of him was shocked not to find her hiding inside, considering her nervous demeanor. Or was it that he thought she was sneaky?

  Speaking of which. Opportunity knocked and he decided to answer.

  The supply closet looked ordinary enough. There were a couple of cardigans and a coat hanging on hooks mounted on the back wall, and shelves lined the sides from floor to ceiling. Demas perused the items and started flipping through reams of paper, letterhead, and envelopes. Boxes of ink cartridges and toner for the printers and copiers. Nothing out of the ordinary. He leaned out and cocked an ear to make sure he didn’t hear anyone. Of course, with a werewolf’s hearing, he would have plenty of warning. He turned back to the job at hand and frisked the charcoal cardigan first. Really, he just squeezed it and felt inside the pockets, moved to the black one next, then the brown trench coat. He figured the headmistress of a school needed to dress conservatively, but did that mean no color?

  His stepmother, Aurora, managed to straddle being fashionable and professional just fine. Then again, Headmistress Barbara Barnabus was no Aurora Batavian.

  He turned to step out of the closet, his eyes drawn to the hilt of a steak knife that had been driven into the wall right next to the door frame. It pierced a piece of paper with the words, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT! He took a picture with his phone, crouching to get a better angle. As he straightened, his foot bumped a cardboard box under the bottom shelf. Although the box was closed, a bit of pink fabric poked out beneath the flaps. He pulled the box forward; the flaps tucked one under the other like an ill-fitted jigsaw puzzle, opened like a flower when he tugged on one. He took a picture before lifting the item out, — another cardigan, only it felt like he was petting an animal. Angora maybe?

  He snorted at himself. What did he know about women’s clothes? He backed out with box in hand and shut the door, watching for any incoming guests as he dialed Zephyr.

  Zephyr answered immediately. “Boss, Colten’s not back with Evie yet. Were they still planning to go to lunch?”

  “I’m not sure about Colten but Evie’s here with us and she’s doing fine. Sorry. It’s been a little crazy, but I should have at least texted you. When did you last see him?”

  “I don’t know. I guess it was right after you left. He bailed too.”

  Demas smiled, “Well, then I think we both know where he is right now.”

  “Yeah, what a dick. Hold on a sec, while I ping his location. Done. And yep you’re right. The asshole is there at the academy with you guys. He’s probably incognito.”

  “Hey, so I need to talk to Aurora to confirm, but I think we should stay in New York. The victim was Razor’s daughter.”

  Zephyr whistled directly into the phone. Demas pulled the phone away from his ear for a second before continuing. “It gets better. Guess who her only friend was?”

  “Shit, Evie. Why would it be anyone else?”

  “Exactly. If you need any gear from New Orleans, you might want jump down there through the portal and grab it, especially our tech stuff. Text Colten to come back and help you if you need it. We have a couple of items that we pulled to process ourselves. I have a bad feeling about this place.”

  “Sure thing, Boss. Anything else? What about Evie’s mom?”

  “Shit. Is Briar there?”

  “No, my location tracker has her at the tattoo parlor but has anyone informed her that Evie won’t be meeting her and why? You know how protective she is.”

  “No, but I’ll remind Evie to call her if she hasn’t already. Oh, and one other thing, could you overnight a new phone for the headmistress?”

  “Bodhi throw another one of his fiery tantrums?”

  “No, I did.”

  “Really?” Zephyr chuckled. “That’s not like you.”

  “I’ll explain later.”

  “Okay. Consider it done.”

  “Thanks.” Demas clicked disconnect and then shot Evie a text reminding her to update her mother. Speaking of which, he should take his own advice. He swiped his stepmother’s name from his contacts list. She always had his back even while she balanced duties as head of the Supernatural Society, but this could be awkward for both.

  “Demas, what’s going on up there?” Aurora asked.

  “Hello to you, too.”

  “Cut the crap. Eleutian texted me because he’s concerned you were losing it. So, I repeat, what is going on?”

  “Shit, alright. The dead werewolf is Howl’s daughter.”

  “Oh my God! Clotilde.”

  Clotilde? How had he forgotten her? “No, it was Maggie.”

  “You mean Clotilde, Demas,” Aurora said.

  “No, Razor must have had another pup. Her name was Magnolia. Evie was friends with her.”

  “What the hell is going on up there?”

  “I don’t know but I would like to find out. Do you think I should recuse myself from the investigation? I had to inform Razor about her death, so he already knows I’m up here.”

  “You absolutely will not recuse yourself! If he wants to learn what happened to his daughter, then he should want you on the case.”

  “But that’s the thing, he didn’t give two shits that his daughter was dead other than taking it as a personal affront.”

  “He always doted on Clotilde as his eldest child, even though she was female. Exceedingly rare for an alpha. Then again, her name means warrior. If she died first, he may not be processing Magnolia’s death.”

  “You’re being too generous, Aurora. How is that possible?”

  “You may find out someday how having children changes you, even if they aren’t your blood. Anyway, you have my support Demas. I trust you implicitly. You do need to explain your history to your team and Evie before this goes any further. Keeping them in the dark puts them at an unfair advantage.”

  Demas nodded to himself, then answered. “I’ll do it tonight. I may need some help with the forensics and autopsy because I think we should stay close to the academy for now.”

  “You have it. I know Evangeline likes to keep her pet demon with her but it might be a good idea to send Grimm down here for the autopsy.”

  10

  Midnight Witch

  “T

  hanks, Mama. I love you too,” I said, glancing sideways as I said good bye and hung up. I needed to see what in the hell Bodhi was cursing about. He was pointing at a dark-haired doll, and oh, shit, it had a paring knife stuck in the chest and there was red liquid dripping down the shirt. “I guess a pin wasn’t big enough.”

  He looked up as if he’d forgotten I was there.

  “I don’t understand, Bodhi. Did forensics miss this or have you found a new way to channel your aggression.”

  “Very funny. It’s new. It definitely wasn’t here earlier.”

  “Who does something like this when Maggie’s been found already? Anyway, she wasn’t stabbed so it doesn’t even make sense.”

  “That we know of,” Bodhi said. “Besides, you’re focusing in the wrong direction. We have two problems. First, how did someone get this doll past forensics? Or is the team compromised? And second, this is you, not Maggie.”

  I stared at Bodhi, shocked. “I don’t understand.”

  “Well, two things stand out: first, the doll’s hair is darker than Maggie’s.”

  “That’s crazy, it’s not that far off.”

  Bodhi snorted. “The second is the outfit. What’s the matter, can’t see through those rose-colored glasses? The doll is not wearing pink.”

  I glared at Bodhi for good measure. “For your inf
ormation, Maggie liked pink décor but she didn’t necessarily wear it. However, I do see what you’re saying.” She mostly wore dresses and this doll had on a simple black top over a tiny pair of jeans. My daily uniform. “Why are they threatening me?”

  “That’s an excellent question. One that will be reviewed in detail later tonight.”

  Great! The team would go all caveman on me again. I watched as Bodhi photographed and processed the area for the second time or third if you count the seemingly inept society forensic team. I had a large evidence bag ready when he picked up the doll and gingerly slid it inside. The doll itself was only a few inches long but the knife sticking out required a bag big enough to accommodate it.

  “I’m guessing this isn’t going to forensics.”

  “You got that right, sister. We may need to process more of the scene ourselves. I’m glad we kept those other items.”

  I wrinkled my nose. “Uh, don’t call me sister ever again.”

  “Bodhi, stop creeping Evangeline out,” Demas said as he and Eleutian walked in. He looked spent, but still gave me a half-smile.

  “Oh, but he’s so good at it. Leave a man to his talents, would ya, boss?” Eleutian said.

  Demas’ eyes widened as he glanced around the room until they landed on my face. “What’s happened here?”

  “There’s some weird shit going on. You know we searched this room and waited for forensics to arrive, then I spoke to the coroner for a minute as they were packing up,” Bodhi said.

  “Yeah, so?”

  “I noticed the drapes were closed over the window seat,” I said and blew out a breath before continuing. “Show them what we found.”

  Bodhi handed the evidence bag over to Demas while Eleutian sidled up to them.

  “That’s a voodoo doll,” Eleutian said. “Bodhi, do you still have gloves? I want to see this.”

  Bodhi showed his gloved hands and gently pulled the doll out. Demas and Eleutian both cursed profoundly. Apparently, they saw the same thing Bodhi had.

  “Forensics miss this?” Demas asked.

  “We’re not sure. Either they missed it or one of them planted it. That is one of multiple questions that need answers immediately,” Bodhi said.

  “Has anyone seen the headmistress in the last hour or so? She has a master key and I want to confiscate it before we leave.”

  Everyone shook their heads.

  “Speaking of disappearing people, where the hell is Grimm?”

  “I haven’t seen him since this morning,” I said. “He slinks around without anyone noticing him. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he’s started up a blackmail business that is probably profitable.”

  “Dammit, we need to find him. Bodhi, stay here until I can get that key,” Demas said. “You two, follow me.” He didn’t wait to see if we followed.

  Bodhi tucked the doll back in the bag and put it away.

  “I’ll take that,” Eleutian said, as he grabbed Bodhi’s duffel.

  I walked slowly and grabbed Eleutian’s arm to keep him in pace with me. The distance between us and Demas lengthened with every one of his angry strides.

  “What’s wrong with him, Eleutian?” I whispered.

  “Hell if I know, darlin’, but I witnessed some surprising behavior from the professor today.”

  “I can hear you!” Demas yelled as he continued at a brisk pace.

  11

  Professor Werewolf

  D emas knew he would have to explain himself and soon. He hated the idea of sharing his past when all he wished was to keep it buried. At least he knew he could trust the members of the tracker team —and Evie, of course. Enough of that. Right now, he needed to focus on the Headmistress.

  As he crossed into the communal room once again, the silence felt wrong. The kids should be enjoying themselves on a Friday night. Demas expected marathon streaming sessions of Netflix favs like Sabrina and Lucifer. Of course, they could all have met up at an underground club; he had no idea what the student body did here, since he hadn’t taught this first term of Evie’s. They thought it best for her to make connections prior to adding Demas as a staff member. Besides, the tracker team had been busy with the move to the small private island in the seaway near the school as well as dealing with the Supernatural Council’s demands.

  He glanced toward the women’s dorm hallway but didn’t see anyone. Demas made the turn to enter the administrative area again and walked directly into Headmistress Barnabus’ office without knocking. Her back was to him as she faced her computer screen. He cleared his throat and watched as she jumped nearly a foot in the air.

  Babs turned and reached up, covering her neck in a defensive gesture. “Demas, you gave me a fright.”

  “You do seem easily rattled, Babs,” Demas said as he sat in front of her desk. “I wonder if it has anything to do with that message in your closet?”

  Her face instantly drained of color. He wasn’t sure he’d ever seen anyone this frightened.

  “What m-m-message?”

  Demas shook his head. “Please don’t waste my time with your little game of denial. I’ve too much to deal with right now.”

  Babs nodded and blew out a breath before resting her elbows on the desk and massaging her temples.

  “I don’t know who it came from and that’s the truth.”

  Demas sat forward. “How long has this been going on?”

  Babs wouldn’t look at him, but said, “It’s the first one I’ve received.”

  “Have you reported this?”

  She just shook her head.

  Demas cursed again. No wonder she was so nervous all the time.

  “Alright, I’m going to collect that note and process it with everything from Maggie’s room. I need that student list I asked for earlier and your master key.”

  Babs eyes widened. “You found things in Maggie’s room?”

  He narrowed his eyes. “I can’t discuss the investigation.”

  “Yes, yes, of course. Here is the list. I need my master key, though.”

  “I thought you said it was for emergencies only. How many do you have daily?”

  “You’re right. I guess I think of it as a security blanket,” Babs said as she pulled it off her keychain and handed it over.

  Demas looked over his shoulder when he heard footsteps approaching, glad to see Evie and Eleutian had finally arrived.

  “Do either of you have an evidence bag on you?” Demas asked them.

  “Yes,” Evie said, pulling new gloves and a bag from Bodhi’s duffel bag.

  “Great. There’s a note tacked on the wall in the closet. I already took a photo, so if you would bag and tag the knife and note off the wall? Babs, here is my phone number. Let me know if you hear anything or if you receive another threat. We’ll be heading out as soon as we secure and seal the crime scene.”

  “You’re leaving?” Babs screeched.

  “We have an investigation to run and we can’t do that here, but we live nearby and may be in and out over the weekend.”

  Demas motioned for Evie and Eleutian to go on while he waited until Babs nodded.

  As all three walked into Maggie’s room, they didn’t see Bodhi but the drapes were moving.

  “What are you doing, Remoussin?” Eleutian asked.

  “Shit!” Bodhi yanked the drapes open with one hand and rubbed his head with the other. It looked like he might have hit his head on the bookshelves that started four feet above the cushion in the window seat. “I was checking the window to see if someone entered that way.”

  “Wouldn’t forensics have checked that?” Evie asked. “Oh, I guess we can’t trust them until we get answers. Wait a minute, that window has never opened. It was a pet peeve of Maggie’s because she always wanted fresh air.”

  “Really?” Bodhi said as he reached over and with one finger raised the sash that glided open silently. The sweet scent of autumn clematis swept into the room. “Did she ever try to open it when you were here?”

  “Y
es, she did. Someone must have fixed it, is that how the murderer got in?”

  “I’m not sure. I can’t see anything on the ground below, but we definitely need to check.”

  “Alright, let’s do that on the way to the marina. Evie, would you call Grimm and find out where in the hell he is?” Demas asked.

  Bodhi snorted. “I talked to him. He’s over at the house—and I quote —relaxing after a tough day at school.”

  “Did you tell the fucker what’s been goin’ on here?” Eleutian asked.

  “Hell no, I figured he could find out when we get there and feel guilty,” Bodhi added.

  “Yeah, right. Grimm and guilt go hand in hand,” Demas said.

  “Why are you guys still acting like that? He helped a great deal when I went missing and everything else that happened. And you know he gets upset over anything that affects me,” Evie admonished.

  All three looked slightly ashamed.

  “Evie, you’re right. I think it’s more that you were involved, and he wasn’t here to help, more than our old feelings toward Grimm,” Eleutian said. “Demas, give me the key. I’m going to ward the window and door before I lock up and meet you below the window or if you’re not there, then at the marina.”

  12

  Midnight Witch

  T he wind whipped my hair into my face until at last I relented and pulled a black NY Yankees cap from my bag, tucking the loose strands away so they could no longer tickle and blind me. Eleutian was at the helm, guiding our speedboat down the St. Lawrence Seaway toward Millionaires Row, where Aurora and Demas had recently purchased an island home in the Thousand Islands area using shell companies to hide it from the society. Why, I didn’t know but they seemed to be holding information close to their proverbial chests regarding the whole situation lately and I fully planned to get answers, right after solving the murder of my friend.

  The trip took about twenty minutes from the academy’s marina to the private island’s dock but on occasion, if a large cargo or tanker ship was cruising through, the trip could be up to forty minutes. Luckily for us, I discovered a strong and stable portal that could be used for quicker travel when needed. The only drawback was that we had to be on foot.