Spells and Spooks (Witch Haven Mystery - a fun cozy witch paranormal mystery series Book 1)

by K E O'Connor

  I scrunched my brow. I don’t remember being threatened. What was she talking about?

  I was contacted by a dark witch. She threatened your life if I didn’t follow her orders.

  “You should have kicked her butt,” I muttered. Magda may not have been an Ash witch, but she’d had an awesome set of magic skills.

  At first, I ignored her demands. The coven she was a part of wanted to take over Witch Haven. They had plans to turn it into a place for wickedness. I refused, but then they showed me they’d harvested your personal items. They had your hair, blood, and clothing. They threatened to kill you if I didn’t do their bidding.

  I loved you like you were my child. I couldn’t have any of my own, and when I married your father, I was so happy to join the family. I must admit, I was intimidated by your power. You had so much and it shone brightly. I was honored you considered me a member of your coven. I hoped I’d never let you down. And at the time I’m writing these words, I know I haven’t, but I soon will. And you will be ashamed to have known me.

  I didn’t even realize I was crying until a tear dripped onto the journal. I quickly dabbed it off and kept reading.

  I tried to bargain with this witch, but it was a choice of your life or sacrificing other magic users’ free will to her. She wants them under her control so she can have an army of powerful magic users to do her work.

  I can’t lose you. Your father was taken from us far too young, and it would destroy me if you were taken too. I’ll do whatever I have to so you remain safe.

  Even if it means harming others.

  Guilt squeezed tight around my heart. All those people had died so I could live? It felt wrong. I wasn’t worth all those innocent lives.

  Although this witch has a dark soul, I believe her when she says no lives will be lost. Providing I cast the magic she demands over the village, you’ll be spared. But it’s dangerous magic, and unstable. I’ve been practicing for weeks to gain control of it, but I fear I’m losing myself. It’s the darkest magic I’ve ever experienced. It constantly breaks its boundaries and goes off in directions I don’t anticipate. I’m sure you’ve noticed my behavior has changed.

  I’m trying to keep you safe, but I fear I’m not strong enough.

  I swiped away more tears. “You shouldn’t have believed that witch. Dark magic can never be trusted.” I turned the page to find more text.

  Magda’s usually neat handwriting grew more erratic. Perhaps she feared she’d be caught recording this information and had to scribble quickly.

  There’s little time left. I’m casting the magic tonight. I’m so sorry you’ve become involved. I never meant for you to be exposed to this magic I must use, but it refused to stay contained. I deeply regret you were touched by these dark spells. It’s not your fault. You are strong. You will survive this.

  Our time is short. The dark witch comes tonight. When she arrives, she’ll expect to see Witch Haven under her control. All 666 residents will be hers. Less two.

  I’m taking you and the familiars out of the village. I’ll cast the magic and then we’ll leave before it affects us. I won’t be a slave to this witch’s evilness. I’m sorry other people will be harmed by what I’m about to do, but I cannot lose you. You mean more to me than anything.

  Once I’ve done what this witch commands, she’s promised to return your personal items to me. I’ve arranged a drop-off location so I can retrieve them before we leave the village. You’ll be free of her darkness, and we can start a new life somewhere else.

  I hope I can forgive myself for what I’m about to do.

  Stay strong. You’re an incredible witch. You have more power than you realize. I wish with all my heart you weren’t involved, but it’s too late to change anything. We’ll soon be free from this nightmare, and our magic will heal us.

  And once we are free from danger, we’ll find a way to return Witch Haven to a safe, beautiful sanctuary for all.

  Stay strong, daughter. And remember, I’ll always be there for you. No matter what you need, no matter what kind of trouble you get yourself in, I will be here.

  She signed off with two kisses.

  I drew in a ragged breath. Magda hadn’t been bad. She’d never meant to kill anyone. She’d been tricked. All this time, I’d had no idea.

  The back of my hand came away damp after I’d swiped it across my cheek. I had to make sure her name was cleared and her reputation restored. Here was proof that no one was supposed to die that fateful day.

  I couldn’t agree with what she’d done, choosing to save me and risk so many other people, but I understood. She’d been so protective of me, always promising to keep me safe. And Magda had been a strong witch, so must have figured she could control whatever dark magic she’d been forced into using.

  My hand pressed against the page with her words on. I had to make this right. The truth about what happened to Magda must not be hidden. If residents in the village knew the truth, they may forgive her.

  But I couldn’t do this on my own. I had to go back to Witch Haven, and I needed my familiars by my side. I’d find the evil witch who’d done this and make her pay. She’d regret ever tangling with me and my family.

  I clutched the journal to my chest. I’d been on my own for such a long time that it felt alien to need help, but it wasn’t a weakness to admit you needed support.

  And I’d doubted my own magic ability for too long. I’d always figured there was something broken inside me, something that made me turn to dark magic and destroy so many innocent lives.

  None of it was my fault. Magda had been trying to protect me, but it had gone wrong, and I’d ended up involved in something dark that she’d tried to keep me away from.

  I had to believe in my own magic. I used to be a powerful witch no one messed with. It was time I returned to that.

  And to do that, I needed to go back to Witch Haven, protect my friends, and clear my family’s name.

  I just had to hope that when I returned, I’d be forgiven. There were a lot of people I needed to say sorry to.

  I stood and walked to the apartment door. I should have faced my fears earlier. If I had, Nugget may still be alive. It was too late for him, but I’d give him an awesome send-off when I returned and make sure he had an incredible memorial.

  I tossed a few things into a bag, placed Magda’s journal inside, and left my apartment.

  It was time to go home. And this time, I was staying.

  Chapter 19

  I waited until darkness fell before re-entering Witch Haven. This time, it felt natural to be back. I belonged here, and it was time people got used to that.

  I kept to the back alleys and side streets, to avoid residents or members of the Magic Council noticing me, ducking into shadows if anyone came too close.

  This was my chance to make things right, before the Magic Council caught up with me. I was prepared to face them. And this time, I wouldn’t go quietly. Now I knew the truth about what happened to Magda, I needed to convince them a darkness had tried to infect Witch Haven, and it had nothing to do with either of us.

  I patted my bag, reassured by the feel of the journal inside. It wasn’t perfect proof, but it should be enough to give them pause. They’d reopen the investigation into what happened that day once they read the contents of this journal. And while they were looking into what really happened, I had to find a way to convince them not to take away my powers. Because I wanted revenge on this dark witch, and to do that, I needed to be in top magical fighting form.

  Once the coast was clear, I headed to the house. I pressed my hands against the magic barrier concealing it from view, and it melted away. The reveal spell came easily, and I’d even healed my burns. It had never felt this effortless to use magic before.

  All this time, had I been the problem? I was so full of doubt over my magic that I’d literally stopped it from working.

  I headed to the front porch and up the steps. I opened the door and walked inside. I heard Russell’s
alarm call before I saw him.

  He ran out from the living room, pecking at my feet and legs, one wing still held out at an awkward angle.

  “Stop! There’s no need to attack. It’s me.” I hopped back as his large wing smacked against my calf.

  Russell squawked again and continued to flap at me.

  “I understand you’re angry, but I’ve come back. I’m sorry for what happened.” I stumbled into the living room and tripped over something, landing heavily on my knees.

  Russell bounced onto my back and hopped up and down, his talons sinking through my clothing and scratching me.

  Something soft brushed across the back of my hand. I opened one eye to see Hilda staring up at me. “Hey! Any chance you can call off Russell’s attack? He’s not listening to me.”

  “No. What are you doing here?” Her black beady eyes were fixed on me as she rubbed her fangs together.

  I huffed out a breath. I deserved the cold shoulder, the sharp looks, and talon attack. “I’m sorry. After everything that happened in the apartment, I thought the best thing to do was leave. That was wrong.”

  “It was. You didn’t even say goodbye,” Hilda said. “We were worried something bad had happened to you. We thought the Magic Council had arrested you again. Then Russell suggested the ghost had taken you. You scared us.”

  Russell squawked and jumped up and down.

  “I know. I’m an idiot. I should never have done that. I got scared. I figured Witch Haven was better without me living here.” I caught hold of Russell and eased his talons out of my hair. “I promise; I’ll never leave again. I get how angry you are. You have every right to stamp and peck and squawk.”

  Russell squirmed out of my grip and hopped away to stand beside Hilda.

  “Did you take Nugget with you when you left?” she said. “We’ve looked everywhere for him, but he’s missing.”

  “Oh! Nugget.” If they didn’t already hate me, they would now. “He... um... he didn’t make it. He fought the ghost, and... it killed him.”

  “That’s impossible,” Hilda said.

  “I tried to revive him with a spell, but my magic misfired.” I looked at my hands. “At least, I thought it did.”

  “No, you don’t understand. Nugget can’t die,” Hilda said.

  I gave her head a little pat, hoping it would give her comfort. “I know he was a tough old cat, but he wasn’t breathing when I found him. I don’t know what the ghost did, but—”

  “No! Nugget has nine lives. Actually, he has way more than nine lives. You do know how old he is, don’t you?”

  A weird gurgling sound came out of my mouth. “You’re saying he can die and come back to life?”

  Hilda tap danced on the back of my hand. “Exactly that. Magda never wanted to lose him, so used magic to make sure he lived as long as she did. We were worried when she died in case the magic faded, but he kept on living. Although he has become much more cantankerous. I blame that on a side effect of being given eternal life. Or a ridiculously long life. We’re still figuring that out.”

  I leaped up, taking Hilda with me. “Oh, crud! That means I’ve done something terrible to Nugget.”

  “What did you do?” Hilda said. “Where is he?”

  “I didn’t know. I thought he was dead. I couldn’t leave his body in the apartment for the ghost to mess with, so... oh, heck! I buried him in the pet cemetery.”

  Russell squawked and flapped his one undamaged wing.

  Hilda danced from side to side on my hand. “Oh! You’re in so much trouble. He won’t be happy. We’d better go dig him up.”

  Russell hopped to the open door.

  “Wait, before we do that, let me heal you both. It’s my small way of saying sorry.” It would also give me time to figure out how to apologize to Nugget. I couldn’t believe I’d buried him alive. Well, he was technically dead when I buried him, but I didn’t know he’d regenerate.

  Hilda backed away to the tips of my fingers. “Are you sure your magic is working well enough to do that? Healing spells take it out of you, and I’m missing two legs. You don’t grow those back with an easy chant and a sprinkle of something simple.”

  “Positive. My magical malfunction was all up here.” I tapped the side of my head. “Let me help you. Russell, you must be in a lot of pain with a broken wing.”

  He cawed mournfully and hopped closer.

  I kneeled in front of him, placed Hilda on the floor, then rested my hands gently on either side of his damaged wing. I inhaled and blew out slowly, pulsing warm, healing magic through his broken bones, and imagining the wing strong, healed, and healthy.

  After a minute, he cawed softly, stepped back and flapped both wings. He held them out, stretching his wings wide.

  “You look so handsome.” I grinned and clapped my hands.

  Russell shot in the air and circled around us. I was getting used to his different tones, and the noise he made suggested joy.

  “Now you, Hilda.” I held out my hand.

  She climbed into it again. “Are you sure about this?”

  “Yes! Look at Russell. Don’t you want your legs back?”

  “More than anything.”

  “Then let’s get you back to the eight-legged beauty you once were.”

  Regeneration spells were harder than general healing magic. If you lost focus for a second, the wrong body part could grow back, and there was no way I was messing this up for Hilda. She’d been my biggest supporter since I’d come back to Witch Haven.

  I grounded myself, sensing the calm, welcoming warmth of my home. Hilda’s warm little torso nestled on my palm, and I took a moment to focus on her whole body, sensing every hair on her remaining limbs and the slight shiver of her fangs. I imagined her whole and healthy, doing one of her jigs when she was excited.

  A hot blast of magic emerged from my hand and encased her in a red glow. Hilda was my only focus as I pulsed the regeneration magic through her.

  Her new limbs sprouted and uncurled to reveal two new, healthy legs.

  I gently eased back my magic, drawing it inside me. “How do they feel?” I asked.

  She jigged on my hand. “I feel ten years younger.”

  I scooped her up and placed her on my shoulder, before holding out my arm to Russell. “I hope you can forgive me. I promise, I’ll make it up to you. No matter how long it takes. I can’t keep running away from my problems. It solves nothing and only ends up hurting the people I care about.”

  Russell hopped onto my arm and then bobbed up to my other shoulder. He nudged me with his head.

  Hilda tapped my cheek. “You’re learning how to be a great witch again. But isn’t there somewhere we need to be?”

  “Of course! Let’s go dig up Nugget, and hope he doesn’t have too many murderous intentions toward me.” I ducked out into the night again, speed walking to the cemetery.

  “Russell, take to the wing and let us know if there’s anyone to avoid,” Hilda said.

  He zoomed into the air, seeming happy he now had two functioning wings again.

  “I can’t believe I didn’t think about magic being involved with Nugget’s long life. He’s so old,” I said.

  “Don’t say that when you’re within earshot of Nugget. He’s sensitive about his advanced years,” Hilda said. “But almost anything is possible when you have enough power.”

  I nodded. I really was out of practice when it came to magic. I kept believing what I was seeing, and that never worked when it came to the supernatural.

  I raced into the cemetery and over to the pet burial area. As I arrived at the grave where I’d placed Nugget, something was wrong. The pile of stones I’d made as a temporary headstone had been scattered everywhere, and the earth was disturbed.

  “Did someone dig him up?” I swallowed. “Or has he come back as a zombie cat?” A zombie Nugget would be a nightmare.

  “I don’t think he’s been dug up by anyone. He must have dug himself out,” Hilda said.

  I grimac
ed and closed my eyes for a second. “He’s going to be so mad at me, isn’t he?”

  “He is. He’s plotting a nasty end for you.”

  I jumped as Nugget’s voice carried down from the trees.

  “What were you doing burying me in the ground? Have you lost your senses?”

  I looked up into the trees where Nugget’s voice came from. He was perched on a low branch, his fur covered in mud and his tail swishing back and forth.

  Air whooshed out of me. “You’re alive!”

  “Top marks for observation. You didn’t think you could get rid of me that easily, did you?”

  “I had no idea you couldn’t die. Hilda just told me. If I’d have known, I’d have never put you in the ground. I’m so sorry.” I hurried to the base of the tree.

  “You will be,” he hissed at me.

  I winced at the sharp tone. “You did do an excellent impression of being dead. You had me convinced.”

  “And I was dead for about half an hour. Magda’s magic takes its sweet time to bring me back. Each time I die, I stay dead a little longer. I don’t know why it works like that.”

  “That doesn’t sound fun. Where do you go?” I said.

  “Nowhere pleasant. But it’s better than waking and finding myself covered in filth with your unwashed jacket tucked around me.”

  “Hey! That was my favorite jacket.”

  “You can have it back if you want to dig it up.”

  I glanced at the grave. “No, you’re good.”

  Nugget sniffed. “I demand compensation for this assault.”

  He wasn’t going to let this go. I didn’t blame him. I’d be hugely cheesed off too if someone buried me before I had a chance to regenerate. “You’ll get it. Whatever you need. But we have bigger things to worry about.”

  “Bigger than the fact you tossed me into the ground like a piece of garbage?”

  “Nugget! I honestly thought the ghost had killed you. When I woke up, you were flat out on the kitchen worktop.”

  “You didn’t even try to bring me back to life?”

  “I tried, but my magic refused to work. But it’s different now. I’m different, and I’m going to make that ghost pay, and then I’m going to make sure Luna is safe.”