The Trouble With Witches

by Kristen Painter

  “All of them do, actually.”

  “Do they still…” She paused to choose her words better. “What do they do here? Do they work? Or don’t they do anything?”

  “Thanos—he’s the Horseman of Death—runs the funeral parlor. He’s a mortician by trade.”

  She stared at Deacon. “Are you playing with me?”

  “No. That’s really what he does.”

  They drove under the Dark Acres arch.

  She wrapped her arms around herself. The woods here could be described in one word. Creepy. “Great. Good to know Death is active in the community. Does he know Beckett?”

  “I take it you’ve discovered what Beckett is?”

  “Yes.”

  Deacon nodded. “They know each other. Very different lines of work, though.”

  She sighed, shaking her head at it all.

  “You asked.”

  So she had. “Who else lives here?”

  “Medalina, Medusa’s younger sister.”

  “The chick with snakes for hair? The one that turns people to stone with a look?”

  “Same. For the record, they’re Gorgons. Not just chicks with snakes for hair.”

  “Right. Thanks.”

  Signs of a house loomed in the distance. Then another. Then another. All Em could see was a chimney here, a weather vane there, the peak of a roof. But it was enough to know that beings lived in this place.

  Beings that she hoped never to meet. But how could she hope that and still want to live here?

  She swallowed down her burgeoning fear. “If these people are really so dangerous that they have to live in this part of town, separate from everyone else, how are people not dropping left and right because of them?”

  “People do what they have to do to get by. Medalina never goes out without dark glasses and her hair covered. The banshees only speak in whispers when they’re in town. The Horsemen just go about their business.”

  “Then there’s nothing for me to be afraid of.” Except he hadn’t mentioned banshees before. Still, she managed to keep herself from reacting.

  “Not really—” He stopped suddenly, pulling the truck over with a soft groan. “Yeah, actually there’s a lot for you to be afraid of.”

  “At least you seem to think so.”

  He twisted to face her. “Why can’t you just do what your aunt wants and go live somewhere else?”

  The words struck her. She’d thought he liked her, but he clearly just wanted her gone. “For a lot of reasons. One, I’m my own person and I can do what I want. Two, I could really use a break in my life right now. And three…” She hadn’t been planning on telling anyone about three just yet.

  “What? Go on.” Frustration sparked in his eyes. “What’s your all-fired-up third reason?”

  She glared right back at him. “I got a job.”

  “You got a—where?”

  She lifted her chin a tiny bit, unable to hide her pride. “At the Black Horse Bakery. I’m going to be a barista. That’s a professional coffee preparer.”

  “I know what a barista is.”

  She crossed her arms. “Well, you had a look on your face like you were confused.”

  “I was. Because Black Horse doesn’t serve coffee.”

  “They do now. Or they will. I’m just waiting for Nasha to call me that the supplies have come in.”

  He sighed and slumped back in his seat. “You really aren’t going to leave, are you?”

  “Look, I’ve already told you, I don’t have a lot of other options.”

  “And what if your aunt won’t let you live with her?”

  Em hadn’t wanted to think about that, but it was a very real possibility and one she had to consider. “I’ll figure something out. I’ll…sleep in my car if I have to. Or find a cheap room to rent. I’m not picky. I can survive on cold showers and ramen if I have to. Or cupcakes. Especially since those are free.”

  He slanted his eyes at her, nodding a little. “You’re tough, I’ll give you that. And I mean it as a compliment. Gracie would screech to high heaven if she had to take a cold shower.”

  “Which you’ve made sure has never had to happen, am I right?”

  “Yes.”

  Em knew her tone had some bitterness in it, but she couldn’t help it. “I wouldn’t know what that’s like.”

  “What?”

  She stared out the windshield. “Having someone watch over me. Look out for me. My life has always been my responsibility. If I’m really being honest, at times it’s seemed like things have been stacked against me, you know? But I don’t like even putting that into words, because that feels like a defeatist attitude. Like I’m accepting that I’ve been handed the short stick. And I refuse to feel sorry for myself.”

  “What about your parents?”

  She barked out a soft, sad laugh. “Never knew my father. And my mother…” She sighed and shook her head. She wasn’t interested in opening the Manda chapter for a public reading. Not now. Not to Deacon.

  She cared what he thought about her, so telling him about her criminal mother was never going to happen. Not if she could help it. And really, if it didn’t come from her, how would he find out?

  Chapter Eighteen

  A sharp pang of protectiveness and anger zipped through Deacon’s gut, as if a lightning bug had landed on him.

  All because of Em’s confession that she’d never had anyone to look out for her. How could that be? How could the world be such an unfair place?

  He wanted to fill that role for her. To show her how different life could be with someone in her corner.

  And yet, here he was, actively trying to get rid of her.

  Sure, he had a good reason. But that didn’t take the sting out of it.

  Watching her, seeing the sadness in the set of her mouth and the utter determination in her eyes, just made him ache to fix things. That was what he did, after all. But this wasn’t a curse he could take away.

  This was her past. And nothing could erase that. Maybe this fresh start could fade the memory of it, though.

  So did he continue to stand in her way? Or did he put his own needs—and Gracie’s—on the back burner and let Em’s desires take precedence?

  He tapped the heel of his palm against the steering wheel. He’d never felt so torn before.

  Maybe the better question was why did he feel this way about a woman he’d just met yesterday?

  He knew why. And it was stupid. Stupid, ridiculous infatuation. Plain and simple. He was letting dumb emotions get the best of him. Because she was pretty and kind and funny.

  The worst of it was, infatuation wore off. It always did. Love—which this wasn’t even remotely—took a long time. Longer than two days, that was for sure.

  “You’re awfully quiet.”

  He looked up and realized she was staring at him.

  She bent her head a little like she was trying to see him better. “Did I say something to upset you?”

  He shook his head. “No. I just got lost in thought is all.”

  “I see. So is there more you want to show me?”

  He rested both hands on the wheel. “I was supposed to show you Robin Gallow’s house.”

  “Who’s that?”

  “Deposed goblin king. Now he’s the mine foreman.”

  “Goblin king? Mines?” She raised her hands. “You want to back up a little?”

  “To where?”

  “There’s a king living here?”

  “Deposed king. His ex-wife, the queen, decided she wanted to be the sole ruler, so she poisoned him, dumped him at the Shadowvale gates, and said she’d only deliver the antidote if he agreed never to return or attempt to retake the throne. He did, so she did, and now he’s stuck here.”

  Em’s eyes went wide. “Holy crow. I bet he’s still mad about that.”

  “Yeah, you could say that.”

  “And the mines? What kind of mines?”

  “The gem mines. They’re how Shadowvale sustains itself
. Your aunt owns them, but she’s never been shy about pouring the money they earn into the town.”

  “What kind of gems?”

  He shrugged. “Rubies, sapphires, emeralds, moonstones, tourmalines, quartz, all kinds. Even diamonds. There are over twenty members of the Lapidary Guild. It’s a full-time industry, although I think some of the gems are sent out uncut, too.”

  She blinked. “This town just gets more and more interesting. It’s a weird mix of cool and creepy.”

  He snorted. “Which one am I?”

  She smiled slyly. “I’m not answering that.” Then her smile faded. “You really want me to leave, huh? Why? It can’t be that you’re worried about me. You’ve known me for two days.”

  He couldn’t tell her. He wouldn’t. Not after she’d just confessed to never having anyone watch out for her. Finding out that he basically had ulterior motives would just reinforce what she’d said about her life.

  But he had to tell her something. “I think anyone who doesn’t have to live here should feel lucky.”

  She snorted. “Lucky, huh? Well, that would be a first. And look, I appreciate your opinion. You obviously have more experience with this town than I do, but with a job on the horizon…I can’t turn that down.”

  “You could get a job somewhere else.”

  “I’m sure I could. Eventually. But my aunt is about the last family I have left. Is it so wrong to want to be close to her? And to dig into the witchy side I apparently have? Wouldn’t it be kind of cruel of her to drop that bombshell on me, then kick me out?”

  “Yeah, that would be uncool.” He couldn’t argue with that.

  Then she sighed. “Sad thing is, I think she’s avoiding me. On purpose. She was pretty much unavailable all night last night.”

  “You were both at breakfast.”

  “She only came in a few minutes before you did. And I’m not sure how much personal stuff I want to discuss in front of her staff. I like Beckett, but I don’t know Helen at all. It’s just weird. Like Aunt Amelia is reluctant to get to know me. Which sucks, because I was really anticipating that she’d see what a decent person I am and want to give me a chance.”

  Deacon knew exactly what was going on. Amelia was hoping he’d scare Em off enough that she wouldn’t have to get to know her niece and have her heart broken again.

  Well, that was a crappy way to treat family. Even if Em was only going to be here a few days, why not at least spend time with her? Again, his protective instinct wound through him with fresh fire.

  He reminded himself that it wasn’t his place to get involved. “I’m sorry. Maybe you’ll catch her tonight.”

  “Yeah, we’re supposed to have dinner, but I’m not holding my breath.” She looked out the window. “So you want to show me this goblin king’s house?”

  “Okay.” He took the truck out of park and drove on, feeling more and more like he was becoming the bad guy. He hated that feeling. He was coming up against a hard decision, and he knew it.

  He turned onto Candlewick Court.

  Em gasped as they came through the first thicket of trees. “That’s a house? That’s not a house.”

  “No, it is. Really something, huh?”

  “It’s exactly how I described this town. Cool and creepy.”

  “You’re right, it is.” He’d never paid much attention to Gallow’s home, having lived here for so long that such things got taken for granted, but now he tried to see it through Em’s eyes.

  With its deep-purple roof, curved gray stone walls, and imbedded gems, the house was a very unique dwelling. He had a feeling nothing like it existed beyond the gates of Shadowvale.

  And he knew that Gallow lived there alone, except for some staff, but the man had been a king. Accustomed to a palace. Deacon supposed the size and grandeur of this place was Gallow’s attempt to make up for the loss of his previous life.

  Em leaned forward. “I see skulls. Do I really see skulls?”

  “Yes. Goblins are fierce creatures.”

  She grimaced. “Are they, like, from people he’s killed?”

  “No. They might have been in his homeland, but here in Shadowvale those are just carved decorations like the gargoyles on the corners.”

  “Good to know.” She kept staring at the house. “It’s hard to look away from, isn’t it?”

  He studied it, too. “It is. Like a train wreck. Sort of.”

  His phone buzzed. He checked the screen and saw a message from Gracie.

  On my way to the diner. See you in 15.

  “We’d better get going. I promised Gracie we’d meet her for lunch at the diner.”

  “Oh, cool.” She looked at her watch. “Hey, it’s almost noon. Time flies, huh?”

  “Yeah, it does.”

  She looked at the house again. “I’m not really sad to be leaving Dark Acres, though. This is my least favorite area of Shadowvale so far. There’s something very curious about it, but there’s a vibe here I don’t love. Makes my skin itch. Like I’m on the verge of getting a rash.”

  “It’s because you’re a witch.” He turned around in the cul-de-sac. He wasn’t unhappy to leave Dark Acres either. “I’m sure you can feel the magic leaking through the meridian line, even if you don’t really know what it is.”

  She tipped her head. “I thought it was just a bad vibe, but yeah, maybe it’s more than that.”

  “Ask Amelia. She can probably explain it better than I can.”

  “Sure, if I ever see her.”

  “You will. You know, your aunt has been alone for years. Decades, really. She’s probably forgotten how to be around people.”

  “Maybe. But she has Beckett. It’s not like she’s been completely alone.”

  “No, but from what I understand, the loss of Pasqual nearly destroyed her.”

  Em nodded, going silent.

  The silence stretched out awhile longer, then she spoke again. “That had to be very hard.”

  “No doubt.”

  She was looking at him again. He could feel her eyes on him. Feel the questions just building up inside her.

  “Have you ever had your heart broken like that?”

  He gripped the steering wheel tighter. “That’s kind of a personal question.”

  She ignored his comment. “I haven’t. Not like that anyway. I just asked because I can’t imagine what it feels like to put everything you have into someone only to be rejected by them. I’ve been through a lot in my life, but nothing like that. Nothing where I felt so torn down that I wasn’t sure if I could get up again.”

  “I know his loss changed her. She was friends with my mother, and I remember my mother coming back from visiting with her on one of her bad days, and my mother would just hurt for her.”

  “That was kind of your mom. Do they still visit?”

  “No.” He swallowed. “My mother doesn’t live here anymore.” He wasn’t sure she lived at all, but that was too hard a subject to dig into.

  “Oh.” She hesitated. “Is your father still around?”

  He shook his head. “My father left us right before Gracie was born. Couldn’t take life in Shadowvale anymore, I guess. Decided the world of men was a better option. My mother used to call the world beyond the gates that. He died a couple years after he left.”

  She looked horrified. “He left your mother with three kids and one on the way?”

  “Two on the way, actually. Gracie’s twin didn’t survive.”

  Em inhaled, her soft gasp filling the cab. “That’s awful.”

  Deacon frowned. “I shouldn’t have said anything about that. Don’t mention it to Gracie.”

  “I won’t. I promise. It’s forgotten.” She stared out the windshield. “Sorry about your dad. That’s pretty awful, too.”

  Deacon nodded. “Yep. All because this place was too much for him.”

  “Do you know where he went?”

  “He sent a check at Christmas the first year. The address on it was Titusville, Florida. But nothing after that
ever again.”

  Deacon planned to head there as soon as he was free of this town. Just to see if there was any trace of his father. Maybe find out what happened to him. How he’d died. Then maybe he’d hunt down their mother, even though Gracie had made him promise not to.

  “Sorry,” Em said. “I’ve upset you.”

  “I’m fine. It’s history. We’ve moved on.”

  She smiled weakly. “Okay.” A few minutes passed, then she straightened. “So where are we going for lunch?”

  “The Sunshine Diner.”

  “Ironic. I like it.”

  “It’s not entirely ironic. There are UV bulbs in the lighting over every booth. Pretty much means there are never any vampires there, but a lot of us go to get a little dose of vitamin D.”

  “Cool. Do the people that own it not like vampires?”

  “I don’t think they have anything against them. Just is what it is.”

  “Are they supernaturals?”

  “No. They’re humans with curses. Well, Mr. Applegate has a curse. His wife is fine, as far as I know.”

  “What’s his curse?”

  Deacon shot her a look.

  “What? I’m asking you, not him.”

  He couldn’t argue with that. “His moods tend to affect the weather. Fortunately, the diner makes him happy, so things haven’t been too bad since he and his wife moved here. His son seems to have inherited the trait, however, and Carter isn’t quite as even-keeled. Doesn’t help that he’s a teenager.”

  “I suppose it doesn’t.” She seemed to ponder that a moment. “Does that mean we could get rained on during lunch?”

  Deacon shook his head. “In Shadowvale, you just never know.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Amelia tossed Thoreau another steak. He caught it midair and gobbled it down in a few big bites. She folded the butcher paper to be put in recycling. “That’s all for now, pet.”

  The beast stretched out his front legs, bending low as he arched his back, then plopped down in the grass, rolled over, and closed his eyes with a happy sigh.

  She walked back to the patio, took a seat, and contented herself with watching him. She could do it for hours without growing bored. He was just so beautiful, and the amazement that this incredible creature shared space with her never grew old.