The Trouble With Witches

by Kristen Painter

  He glanced at her. “I don’t want you to be guilty.”

  “Then you should be happy, since I’m not.”

  “The evidence says otherwise.”

  “I understand that, but my mother is a very manipulative woman. I’m sure she told the police whatever she thought would result in the best possible outcome for her.”

  “Maybe. But that still doesn’t explain the three accounts in your name with the five hundred thousand dollars in them. And your face on the bank’s cameras.”

  She adjusted her grip on the steering wheel. “No, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t an explanation. My mother does come from a long line of witches, after all. Couldn’t she have some magical abilities?”

  “I suppose.”

  From the lines bracketing her mouth to the furrows above her brows, she looked miserable.

  He wanted to comfort her. But how could he? He was the peacekeeper. He was the law in Shadowvale. And he was supposed to remain impartial.

  But his heart was aching for the woman next to him, and there was nothing impartial about that. “I’m sorry.”

  She frowned at him. “Yeah, you seem really torn up.”

  “I am.” He didn’t blame her for the attitude. “But I’m also supposed to protect this town from people like…”

  Her brows shot up. “Me?” She snorted with derision. “Yeah, I’m clearly a threat.”

  “Em. I am doing my job.”

  Her bitter expression lasted another three seconds. Then she sighed. “I know.”

  They both went silent for a few moments, then she spoke again. “My mother has been a weight around my neck my entire life. I didn’t find out her story about my father was a lie until I was eighteen and able to do some digging, including getting a copy of my birth certificate. You know what it says on the line for father? Nothing. It says nothing.”

  She shook her head. “My mother genuinely doesn’t know who my father is.”

  “Maybe she just didn’t want to say.”

  Again, Em snorted. “No, I promise you if she knew, she’d be draining that man for support.”

  “You’re what, twenty-seven?”

  “Twenty-eight. Why?”

  “You could have left before now.”

  “I tried. Twice. Once, I managed to save up enough money for first and last month’s rent for a tiny little shoebox of an apartment. She called the management company and told them I was running drugs out of the place. I came home and found the locks changed and all my stuff on the sidewalk. I had to beg her to let me come back home with the promise never to leave again.”

  He grimaced. “And the second time?”

  “The second time, I just packed a bag and bought a bus ticket to the West Coast. I was literally ready to be homeless as opposed to being pulled into another one of her schemes.”

  He waited.

  Em sighed like the world was upon her shoulders. “She called the bus company, told them I was off my meds and mentally unable to make decisions for myself, threatening to sue them if they didn’t tell her where I’d gone.”

  She shook her head. “She was waiting for me at the station when my bus arrived.”

  “So you gave up.”

  “I didn’t give up so much as I decided to bide my time. Wait for another opportunity. So when she got arrested, it was like a bright shining light telling me this was my chance. Maybe the best one I’d ever get.”

  “How did you end up in Shadowvale?”

  “I was going through my mother’s things—she was big on hiding money. Rainy day fund, she called it. Anyway, I found my mother’s address book and started paging through it. I knew I had an aunt Amelia, but also that my mother didn’t like her and didn’t like talking about her. Which made it seem odd to me that her name and address were still in my mother’s book.”

  She shrugged. “I figured if my mother didn’t like her, there had to be a good reason. Like maybe she was wise to my mother’s ways. I thought that meant she might take pity on me.”

  “Good call.”

  She gave him a long, hard side-eye. “Until recently, yes.”

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Em sat at Deacon’s desk and stared at his computer with him looking over her shoulder. The charges were there on the screen in black and white, along with the report on her supposed windfall and the details of her warrant.

  And then there was the bank footage in evidence.

  After watching it for a third time, she put her hand over her mouth and shook her head. “That looks just like me. But it can’t be. I’m done for. I don’t know how she did it, but I’m done for.”

  Deacon put his hand on her shoulder. “Maybe we can figure this out.”

  She looked up at him. “You sure you want to help me?”

  “I am. And I want to know the truth. Figuring this out will do that.” Then his gaze softened. “I want you to be innocent. More than anything.”

  That was reassuring. “Me, too. And I’m thinking I really need to talk to my aunt. Tell her about this. There might be something she can do. Something she can suggest. She’s lived a lot longer than me, she ought to have some idea I haven’t thought of.”

  “She already knows about this.”

  Em stood to face him, perplexed. “She does? How? You told her before you came to see me?”

  “I went to Indigo House first, after the reports came in. I was hoping to talk to you there, but you were already gone. Your aunt saw me and made me come in and explain why I’d shown up. She’s not happy with me. She thinks I should just let this go.”

  Em stared at him. The man she’d started to have future thoughts about. “I’m not thrilled with you either.” She put her hands up. “But I understand you’re doing your job.”

  “Thank you for that.” He studied her for a moment, looking very much like a man who wanted to kiss her.

  “Don’t,” she said.

  “Don’t what?”

  “Don’t look at me like you wish things were different. I wish they were, too, but you started this.”

  “Actually, you started it when you bumped into Gracie.”

  “It was an accident. And you should have told me not to touch her.”

  “I told you not to touch anyone.”

  “Not the same thing. Not exactly.” She glanced back at the computer while she put one hand on the back of her neck and rubbed at the tense muscles. “There has to be a way to fix this. Some way to prove I didn’t open those accounts. I’ve never even been in that bank.”

  “Accounts have to be opened in person. That footage proves you were there. I’m sorry, but that’s pretty clear evidence that you have been at that bank.”

  Em snarled out a word she almost never used.

  Deacon’s brows lifted.

  “Oh, don’t look so surprised. You already think I’m a criminal. What’s a little swearing?”

  He nodded, trying to look serious and failing. “If it helps, I’m starting to believe less and less that you’re a criminal.”

  “A resounding endorsement if I ever heard one.”

  “That didn’t come out the way I meant it. Listen, would you be willing to do something for me?”

  She crossed her arms. “I have no idea until I know what that something is.”

  His hesitation told her it wasn’t something she was going to like. He grimaced, then said, “Take a lie detector.”

  “For real?”

  He nodded. “It would help us both.”

  “I already know I’m innocent.”

  “I meant me and Gracie.”

  “Oh.” She gave it a second of thought. She really wanted them both to have confidence in her innocence. So why not? “Sure. Fine. What do I have to lose?” She looked around. “Where is this machine?”

  “It’s not a machine. It’s a person.”

  “Someone’s curse?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you want to take Gracie along?”

  “No, she’s in her offi
ce working. It’s a good distraction, and she needs that right now.”

  “Is that why you didn’t tell her I was here?”

  “Something like that.”

  She sighed. Sounded like Gracie didn’t want to see her. That would change if Em could prove she was innocent. “Lead the way to the lie detector.”

  This time, he drove. And curiously, the way happened to lead to Stella’s Bargain Bin.

  She peered out of the truck window. “Are we shopping?”

  “Stella’s curse is the ability to always know when someone’s lying.”

  The things you learned about a person. “Interesting. I bet no one ever tries to return something and claim they never wore it.”

  “Probably not. On the flip side, she keeps a secret like no one’s business.”

  “Also good to know.” She glanced at him. “This is where I got my party dress.”

  A glint shone in his eyes. “That little black dress?”

  She nodded.

  He took a deep breath. “That was a good dress.”

  She kept her smile to herself as they got out of the truck and made their way inside.

  Stella was behind the counter, perched on a stool. Her billowy zebra-print top was balanced with black skinny jeans and red cowboy boots that matched the color of her hair. Black tassel earrings swung as she turned. “Howdy, kids.”

  “Hi.” Em gave a little wave. “My aunt loved the tiger pin.”

  Stella’s smile expanded. “I saw she had it on at Gracie’s party. Always nice to know a gift has hit the spot.”

  She gathered up the game of solitaire in front of her. “But you’re not here to shop, are you?”

  Deacon grunted something Em couldn’t make out. “We need your gift.”

  Stella snorted. “When it’s useful, it’s a gift. When it’s not, it’s a curse.” She tapped the playing cards on the counter to even them out, then slid them back into their box. “Which one of you?”

  Em raised her hand. “Me. And thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me yet.” Stella laid her hand on the counter, palm up. “Put your hand in mine.”

  Em did as asked. Stella’s palm was warm and soft. Comforting, actually.

  Stella folded her fingers around Em’s hand. “Go ahead, ask your questions.”

  Deacon nodded. “Did you steal the five hundred thousand?”

  “No. And I didn’t know anything about it until you told me.”

  Deacon looked at Stella.

  She nodded. “Truth.”

  He asked a second question. “Have you ever knowingly been involved in your mother’s schemes?”

  Em lifted her chin. “Once. I thought if I went along, she’d leave me alone. She told me she would.” She shook her head. “Another lie.”

  Stella glanced at Deacon. “Truth.”

  He asked another one. “Have you ever been in Oklahoma First Federal.”

  “Never.”

  “Also the truth,” Stella said.

  He seemed to relax. “Did you come here to hide from the law?”

  “No. I came here in hopes my aunt would have pity on me and give me a place to stay so that I could get my life back on track. So that I could have a fresh start. A life without my mother and all the baggage that comes with being her daughter.”

  Stella looked at Em this time. “You poor kid.” She sighed and shifted her gaze to Deacon. “All true.”

  “Good.” He smiled. “Very good.”

  “Good?” Em slipped her hand out of Stella’s. “I’d say it’s great.”

  “It would be great if we could prove it to the police.” Deacon put his hands in his pockets. “But we’ll find a way to get you out of this. Innocent is innocent.”

  Em narrowed her eyes. “And fair is fair. Put your hand on Stella’s.”

  Stella laughed. “She’s a clever one.”

  Deacon squinted. “Why?”

  “So I can ask you some questions.”

  He didn’t budge. “One question.”

  She cocked her head. “I didn’t limit you. Two questions.”

  He sighed and put his hand on Stella’s.

  Who immediately got a brand-new grin on her face. “Long time since I held hands with such a handsome fella.”

  He smiled. But only a little.

  For the first time since Em had met Deacon, he seemed nervous. She liked that. She leaned one elbow on the counter as casually as she could and asked her first question.

  “How do you really feel about me?”

  He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he looked at Stella.

  She nodded. “Go on, tell her.”

  “I like you. A lot.”

  Stella nodded vigorously. “He does.”

  Em gave careful thought to her next question. There were a thousand things she could have asked, making it almost impossible to pick the right one. “What do you want more than anything else in the world?”

  A muscle in his jaw twitched, and his mouth firmed up. “For Gracie to be free of her curse.”

  Stella gave Em a thumbs-up, then cupped her hand around the side of her mouth and whispered, “But that’s not all of it.”

  Deacon frowned. “That’s all I’m telling you.”

  Em could understand that, but there was so much more she still wanted to know. “Why is that so important to you? Shadowvale is full of cursed people. She seems to be happy living here.”

  Frustration darkened his eyes. “Happy is relative. I know what she really wants, and that’s to be a wife and mother. But she refuses to get involved with anyone anymore because of her curse.”

  Em nodded. “I can understand that. It would be like living on the brink of a chasm. Always waiting to find out the thing that would push you in.”

  Deacon took his hand off Stella’s. “Gracie has enough burdens to bear in this life. She deserves to have her heart’s desires. But won’t. Not as long as she lives here. Not as long as she’s chained to her curse.”

  A light came on in Em’s head. “Which is why you tried so hard to get me to leave. My aunt was going to help you with Gracie’s curse.”

  He didn’t give a response, but the answer was on his face. When Em had decided to stay, Deacon had lost the chance to help his sister.

  No wonder he’d tried so hard to turn Em against this town.

  “Thanks, Stella,” Em said softly.

  “You’re welcome.” Stella patted the side of her hair, even though it hadn’t moved since they’d arrived. “You have a good day, now.”

  “You, too.”

  Deacon grunted and headed for the door. He held it open for Em, but didn’t say another word, even after they’d gotten into the car.

  Em looked at him. “You don’t seem happy. And I thought you would be now that you know I’m innocent.”

  He blinked. “I am happy. Just thinking about how to get you out of the mess you’re still in.”

  “That’s what you do, isn’t it? Fix things. Keep peace. No wonder you got the job. You’re very good at it.”

  He sighed. “Not always.”

  “You’re just saying that because nothing went the way you thought it would.”

  He turned the engine on. “What do you mean?”

  “You didn’t get rid of me, you didn’t get help for your sister, and then you fell for the woman who ruined that for you.”

  He rested his arm on the steering wheel, his other hand braced on the seat between them. “I don’t regret falling for you.”

  “Even with my terrible past?”

  “Your mother’s mistakes aren’t yours, and you shouldn’t be judged for them.” He tapped a finger on the wheel. “I didn’t react well when I first heard what Gracie had found out. I’m sorry.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate that. And you’re forgiven.” She reached out and touched his hand. “Do you have any ideas on how to prove my innocence?”

  “Not yet. That security cam footage is a killer.” He tried to smile. “Sorry.”

>   “It’s okay.” She gave his hand a squeeze. “In the meantime, I have an idea on how to solve something else.”

  Chapter Thirty-six

  Deacon parked the truck where Em asked, then got out and met her on the side of the road. “This is impossible, you know. It’s really just a myth. One of the great urban legends of Shadowvale.”

  “No,” she said. “It’s not. Now follow me.”

  “Em, you can’t just traipse into the woods and—”

  She was already traipsing into the woods.

  With a sigh, he went after her. “This is the enchanted forest, woman. People get lost in here. Like, really lost. Search-party lost. Never-to-be-found-again lost.”

  She turned abruptly. “Just trust me, okay? You know I was telling you the truth before, right? So trust that I’m telling you the truth again. After all, why would this time be any different?”

  She had him there. “Lead on.”

  And lead she did. With a confidence that surprised him. They went deep into the enchanted forest, following a lightly worn footpath.

  They walked through drifts of fog, causing little eddies of vapor to spin up in their wake. As they came through it, Deacon realized the footpath they’d been following was gone.

  Still, Em kept going. She took his hand, glancing at him as if to ask if that was okay. He squeezed her hand in response and chastised himself for ever doubting her.

  Fireflies danced past, and sprite moss lit their way.

  Then they went deeper still. What little light had been filtering down dimmed further. Sprite moss and fireflies were all they had to go by.

  Until the glowing blue orbs appeared.

  Deacon stopped, tugging on Em’s hand. “Fairies,” he whispered.

  “I know,” she said, smiling. “Aren’t they beautiful?”

  He nodded, unable to say more. In all the years he’d lived here, he’d never been this deep in the enchanted forest. Not for lack of trying.

  Every attempt he’d made had ended up in him going in circles. Once, he’d gotten into a thick patch of mist that had rendered sight beyond a few feet impossible.

  He’d been lucky to get home that time.

  But he’d never found his way to the fairy realm.