by CC Dragon
“You need to forget about it for a bit. You’re obsessed, and your mind needs a break. Come back at it with fresh eyes. Go to bed and get some rest. Watch some mindless TV or read a book. Get yourself away from this stuff.” She nodded.
“You’re right. I’m going to go to the movies. Not be here for a bit,” I said.
“Sounds like a plan. Go. I’ll cover for you here,” she said.
“Thanks.” I needed a mental break. The only decisions I needed to make were what to see, how big of a popcorn to buy and what flavor to add to my diet soda.
18
The movie was okay, but the time outside of my own head had worked. I felt refreshed and somehow like I’d hit the reset button on my brain. I didn’t have all the answers, but I was clearer on some things. I’d wait for the human report and see how they would handle it. Redo my spells and, if it was murder, pursue the guilty party with paranormal justice.
I waved to Brad and headed upstairs to my room. I wasn’t alone. A man was bent over my nightstand, using my phone.
Magically, I spun him around. The phone fell to the floor.
Ryan.
“Didn’t Esme lock you up tonight?” I asked.
“No, I think she forgot.” He gave me that flirty grin.
“What are you doing here? Stealing? Using my phone?”
“Who has a landline, anymore?” he teased.
“It’s for the security system. And spam calls. What did you do? Why are you trying to get away so badly?” I challenged him.
“What did I do? I killed a werewolf who was killing humans. By our laws, it’s fine. All the humans see is a human body, and that’s bad. Even if it’s collateral damage in my job, no one understands. I want to move on. Farther away. But I need to check on my sister. You don’t seem to care,” he said.
“You chose your job, and you’re the one who has to manage your family and work. I’ve got my own problems.” I pushed him out of my bedroom. “Wait. Collateral damage?”
“You do have your own problems. Someone was snooping down in your storeroom. I came up here to avoid being caught down there. You don’t want people to know I’m here, right?” he asked.
“Define people.” I magically flung him down the stairs.
“Damn, is that necessary?” he asked.
I stepped over him and walked to the counter. “You let him upstairs?” I asked Brad.
“Um, he got spooked by Belle. The other baristas are helping her stock, so he can go back. I told him to wait in the sitting area on the second floor while I had some customers. Not to go into your private room.”
“Well, he doesn’t listen.” I turned when I heard the bell on the door.
Bran walked in. Perfect timing. Why did that man always show up when I had chaos on my hands?
“Bad time?” Bran asked.
“Horrid, actually.” I smiled. I magically pushed Ryan toward the basement as Belle came up the stairs.
“Sorry,” she said.
“No, it’s not you. It’s our ever-rude guest.” I pointed to Ryan. “Jail.”
He disappeared. Once I felt him there, I went further. “Locked.”
“Impressive,” Bran said.
I laughed. “Not really. I grew up with twins who were always changing places. I learned teleportation young, so I wasn’t caught up in their tricks. They tried to blame me.”
“I can’t believe that. Iris and Violet are too sweet,” Belle said.
“Kids are never perfectly sweet. We all test the rules growing up. Belle Andrews, Bran Killean. Belle is a gypsy witch who supplies us with expired blood from the blood bank to keep our vampires fed safely. Bran is…” I paused.
“I’ve heard of his family.” Belle blushed a bit and shook his hand. “Never thought I’d meet one.”
“A gypsy? Forgive me, I thought the women stayed at home. You’re a modern gypsy?” Bran asked.
“I guess.” Belle tugged her coat tight around her. She was cute and sweet but thirty, and in gypsy years, that was an old maid.
“Belle chose a career. I think it was a better choice than getting married at sixteen,” I said.
“I’d tend to agree with you, but I don’t want to seem anti-gypsy traditions. My family takes its share of judgment. I don’t want others to think I disapprove. We all have to do what works for us.” Bran smiled at me and Belle.
The man was a flirt. Or he was this attentive and nice to every woman? Maybe I should wait for the brother to come home? I didn’t really know either of them well.
“I’d better go. Mom always waits up. Nice meeting you,” Belle said to Bran. “Bye, Claudia.”
“Bye, thanks. Sorry about Ryan. The vampires were supposed to keep a handle on him.” I shot Brad a look.
The other barista came up from the basement. “Blood is stocked.”
“Good. Hopefully, by the next delivery, Ryan will be gone,” I said.
“Great. Are you coming to the wedding?” Belle asked as she lingered at the door.
“Probably. See you there?”
She nodded. “Mom insists. Gotta go.”
I waved. “Say hi to your mom for me.”
Bran remained quiet until she left.
“Complicated culture?” he asked.
“Yes. But I’m just a guest. Belle and her sister wanted more than to be housewives.” I knew more about the details of her family life that explained a lot, but Bran didn’t need to know.
“Quite the rebels. And you’re invited to a wedding?’ he asked.
“My uncle is a gypsy. It’s his nieces getting married. Double wedding. We’re not the most popular family to go, but my aunt and uncle don’t believe in cutting off family ties if they can help it. Sorry, I should go check on my horrible guest,” I said.
“Your troubles tend to linger,” he said.
I shrugged. “I can’t force the human world to work faster.”
“Want some help putting him in his place?” Bran offered.
“I can handle it.” I headed down the stairs, feeling like I should invite him, but it wasn’t his business or his problem.
Ryan paced in his cage. “You need to let me go. Just kick me out. You’ll never see me again.”
“If I believed that, I’d do it so fast your head would spin. I think you’ll run back here. I don’t need more headaches. Who were you calling?” I demanded.
“Does it matter? You lock me up. Cut me off from my family and friends. You hold me hostage. I could call the police,” he said.
I laughed. “I’m protecting you from the police. Please do call them. I’ll hand you over, at this point. My uncle will get over it.”
“I need to get out of here,” he insisted.
“Why? Did you kill Mrs. O’Conner? Did you think it was a favor or something?” I asked.
“No, I didn’t kill her. I was beat up here that night. I couldn’t even have made those threats.”
“You know about those?” I asked.
“Esme vents. She thinks I don’t listen. She talks to herself, sometimes. Who knows what she might’ve said to someone about that annoying old woman before? The threats might not even be related to the murder,” he said.
“You’ve spent a lot of time thinking about that, have you?” I asked.
“What else do I have to do here? Oh, you’re stocking too much eggnog. People don’t seem to like it in their coffee. But I’d make a shake out of it,” he said.
“The holidays are over, anyway,” I said.
“I’d keep a minty green shake year-round. People like it. Maybe do holiday flavors in July. When it’s hot and people want something cold and delicious. Peppermint and all those flavors.” He shrugged.
It wasn’t a horrible idea. “Thanks. Now, back to the real question. Why are you trying to blame Esme?”
“I’m not blaming her. She just talks a lot. Someone out there might’ve threatened the old woman to curry favor with you. Or even killed her to please you when they heard about her threats. You d
on’t know how powerful and known you are,” he said.
“Flattery crap won’t work,” I said.
“That part is true,” said a voice behind me.
Bran had followed me.
“What are you doing, spying on me? Nosing around my property?” I asked.
“I just want to help if I can. Esme asked if I could try and get you involved more in our world. Your powers are known and still growing.” Bran nodded.
“Esme is more powerful,” I said.
“Barely, and she’s a century older than you. You like humans, and that’s nice, but you need to grow you powers and flex them.” Bran glared at Ryan. “This human is not worth your time.”
“You’re a stronger wizard than I am a witch. Why do you want the competition?” I asked.
He smiled. “Competition makes us stronger. You let your guard down because you’re on top. It’s good to be pushed. Challenge me.”
“Do I need to be here for this?” Ryan asked.
“I can take him off your hands for you. I promise he’ll never escape my dungeons,” Bran said.
“Not cool, dude,” Ryan said.
“Thanks for the offer, but I’ll handle my own problems.” I added a magical perimeter until morning then walked up the stairs.
Bran followed me.
“I don’t think I helped,” Bran said.
“Actually, you gave me some information that helps. Esme put you up to this. Chatting with me. Helping me. It makes sense, now,” I said.
“No,” he said firmly.
“Yes. I’m not a fool. I appreciate any help to socialize with the witching world. I don’t know why it’s such a big deal. My aunt never pushed me. Esme never did either before. What’s changed?” I asked.
Bran shook his head. “I’m not sure. I know, when your mother died, it was big news in the magical and paranormal community. She was such a strong witch. Esme promised to make sure you were connected, but your aunt kept you from the groups and activities as a child.”
“You were included in them?” I asked.
“No, but that’s my family. You don’t cultivate a certain reputation by joining in everything. I knew about them. We occasionally were allowed to do something over the summer. My brother pushed for it more than I.” Bran folded his arms.
“You have a brother?” I asked.
“Esme didn’t tell you?” he replied.
I played disinterested rather than dumb. “She mentioned someone in Romania studying and also you have a cousin staying. I didn’t retain all the details. Human trouble.”
“My brother is studying the history of vampires. Myths and facts. He’d love to meet your gypsy blood fairy. My cousin is staying. She wanted to try college but needs Esme’s magical tutoring. Her skills are lacking. Her parents let her run a bit wild and free with humans. We should really go back to boarding schools.”
“Like Hogwarts?” I laughed.
“Don’t mock it. Homeschooling and private tutors only works so well. Trying to fit into a human world makes us weak and fearful of them. We need to organize and be stronger.” He looked me dead in the eye.
“I agree there. But we can’t ignore humans. We need to know what they’re thinking and planning. Anyway, I’m sure Esme will help your cousin. When your brother comes back, please bring him by. I’d love to meet him, and Belle would, too.” I smiled.
“Why don’t we get to know each other better before that?” he asked.
“You don’t have to do anything special with me. Esme put you up to it, and it’s not needed,” I said.
“Dinner can’t hurt. Fill in some blanks about things. Then, I can escort you to the Vernal Equinox ball. My cousin says I need to get a life,” he said with a smirk.
“I’m hearing that a lot. We can blame Esme for that nugget being planted, I’m sure.” I chuckled.
“Doesn’t mean we can’t be good allies and friends—if not more. Our dating pool isn’t as massive as humans have. You might like my brother better. I couldn’t let him marry a gypsy, anyway,” Bran said.
“Let him?” I asked.
“Strong magical families have to keep their powers strong. Bring in power, not eccentricity.”
“You’re already rich and powerful,” I shot back.
“Riches can be invested, built on, preserved and grown. Power, magical power, is individual. A weak wife would hurt him,” Bran replied casually.
“Then, you don’t know much about gypsies. Many of them have the sight. Visions of the future, and the curse of a gypsy witch is one of the hardest to break. Just because they don’t socialize with your kind doesn’t mean you should underestimate me or my gypsy cousins.”
“You said you weren’t a gypsy,” he said.
“I’m not. But my uncle is, and that means I have extended family that is. I’ve known many of them all my life. I might not be as strong as you, but I know gypsy magic that you’ve never even heard of.” I smiled and picked up a cup from the counter.
Brad handed Bran his coffee, as well.
“You’ve intrigued me. We’ll have plenty to talk about over dinner. I’ll pick you up Friday at seven. I wish I could help more with your human problem, but it’s not my area. If you need anything, just let me know.”
“Thanks. See you then. And you don’t have to take me to a ball. I’m sure you have another woman you’d rather take to something that fancy.” I had to wiggle out of that.
He leaned in and smiled. “You take me to the gypsy wedding, and I’ll take you to the fancy magical ball. You’re fascinating, even if you want to get rid of me. You’ll see at the ball that quality dating material in the witching world is very hit or miss.”
“Rid of you? It depends how narrow-minded you really are. I like humans and gypsies. I just can’t believe Esme put you up to this. It’s not fair to ask you to give up your social life,” I explained.
“I see you as more of an expansion to my social life. Until Friday.” He took his coffee and left.
“Men,” I grumbled.
19
The next morning, I came down to the coffee shop level to find Mr. O’Conner sitting at a table. It was barely six in the morning. He sipped a black cup of coffee. I gave Brad a look, and he just shrugged.
I walked up to our favorite protester. “Everything okay, Mr. O’Conner?” I asked.
He cleared his throat. “The police called me last night. I’m sure they’ll call you, too, but I wanted to let you know I’m done. They confirmed that my wife died of natural causes. Her body just shut down. Looks like it started in her brain, but her heart gave out about the same time. They think it was a stroke. Either way, it was natural. I’m sorry I couldn’t face it.”
“It’s all right. I’ve been bugging everyone in your family and all her friends to see if there were any signs. If we missed something. We’d never do anything deliberately to hurt anyone here. Whether she liked witches and pagans or not, the first rule is do no harm to anyone. I hope you believe that, now.” A weight lifted off of me. The suspicion was gone. We were in the clear.
“I do. I think you need to see something, as well.” He picked up three shoeboxes from the floor.
“This was her insulin and testing stuff.” He opened one box.
“This was her other meds. Heart and blood pressure. She took them religiously.” He opened another full box.
“I believe you, Mr. O’Conner. I’m very sorry for all you’ve been through.”
He nodded. “She also took a bunch of vitamins and supplements. The doctor knew about it. So many pills. But she took them. She kept active. But there are no guarantees.”
“No, there aren’t. Someone mentioned she took a sleeping pill. And, sometimes, it made her do things that she didn’t remember later. Do you think maybe she could have forgotten she already took her meds and doubled up on something?” I asked.
“She never did that before. She’d eat or shop online. But maybe it could’ve happened. We’ll never know, but she was a woman
who wanted to live. She liked your place here. True, she complained about the witch history and pagan symbols, but our grandson loved Harry Potter when he was little. She took him to all those movies. I reminded her of that. She insisted it was different, somehow.” He sat and closed the boxes.
“I think she just had to find flaws with things in her life. We couldn’t be perfect,” I said.
“That’s true. But she liked your place better than the chains. You cared, and you have good coffee. I’m sorry I made a fuss.” He sighed.
“I’m sorry if I gave you a hard time. I had to protect my reputation,” I said.
He nodded. “I’m just going to finish my coffee and go meet the funeral director to make arrangements.”
“If you need anything, just let Brad know,” I said.
I went into my office and called Detective Shelley.
“Ah, Ms. Crestwood, I was going to call you when I got to the station.”
“Oh, right. Sorry about the hour; it’s a hazard of my business to be up with the early commuters. Mr. O’Conner was here and said it was all natural causes. I just needed to hear it from you guys,” I said.
“It’s true. Nothing toxic found in her body. Her heart and brain showed signs of system failure. The case is closed,” she said with a tempered cheerfulness.
“Did they check her glucose level?” I asked.
“Why? That’s not standard,” she said.
I heard papers shuffling. “Well, she’s a diabetic. She was on a lot of meds. I just wondered if she accidentally took too much or doubled a dose. That might explain it. But with the results in, I guess it’s all done. Doesn’t matter, now.”
“Yep. You can move on. Any protesting issues? Mr. O’Conner seemed to take the information, and it calmed him down.”
“No, no problems. He got the answers he needed. I guess I just wanted to know more. So much trouble resolved with one exam.” I sighed.
“On behalf of the city, I apologize for the delay. I know it hurt your business, but we appreciate your patience. I advised Mr. O’Conner to mention in the obituary that she died of natural causes. It might help answer any customer questions, once and for all. Can I help you with anything else?” Shelley asked.