by K E O'Connor
“You didn’t do so well the last time you attempted that,” Nugget said.
“Because I didn’t believe in my abilities, and I didn’t trust anyone I worked with. But I need all of you to make this work. I need my familiars’ support and strength.”
“Maybe we don’t want to be your familiars,” Nugget said.
A coldness clung to my heart. “I... I’d understand if you didn’t want me.”
“So you should. You’re flaky, you run off at the first sign of trouble, and you treat your familiars like disposable assets. As I discovered to my cost.” He flicked a piece of mud off his paw.
I hung my head. I had baulked at the first sign of trouble.
“We should give Indigo a second chance,” Hilda said. “It must have been hard coming back here, given everything that happened.”
Russell squawked loudly as he settled on my shoulder.
“Thanks, you two. It wasn’t easy, but I’m glad I came back. I hadn’t thought about this place for a long time. I figured I had no happy memories here, but that’s not true. They came flooding back when I saw the house and met you all. Now, I want to stay if you’ll have me.”
“We don’t want you, and neither does the Magic Council,” Nugget said.
“Nugget! That’s not nice,” Hilda said.
“You try being nice when all you can taste is dirt.”
“I’ll get you fresh salmon. Would you like that?” I said.
Nugget sniffed. “It’s a small start.”
“And you’re right. If I’m staying, I need to figure out how to get the Magic Council on my side. I’ll make sure it happens. They aren’t chasing me out of my home. Not again.”
“They’ve been looking for you,” Nugget said. “They came through here just after I dug myself out. They’re not happy with you.”
“I’m not happy with me either.” I held my hands out to Nugget. “Need a hand getting down?”
He thrashed his tail at me. “I’m still angry with you.”
I lowered my hands. “How about I tell you what I found in Magda’s journal? It’ll make your day. It’s proof about her innocence.”
“I’m listening,” Nugget said. “But this better not be a ruse to get me back on side.”
“It’s not.” I looked at Hilda and Russell, and they nodded. “The day Magda went rogue, it wasn’t her fault. Another witch forced her to do it. She threatened my life and said if Magda didn’t help, I’d be killed.”
Hilda jigged on my shoulder. “I knew it! There had to be a reason she attacked the village.”
“Magda hid the truth in the pages of her journal. Magic revealed it to me. And she never meant to get me involved, but the magic was too strong and I got infected.”
Nugget inched closer along the branch. “That won’t be enough to convince the Magic Council you’re a trustworthy witch. It’ll take more than that.”
“It’s something. I can show it to them. And if I make enough noise, they’ll have to listen to me and reopen the investigation. There could be a dark witch coven still wanting to take over Witch Haven. They’ll want to stop that.”
“Good luck with that,” Nugget said. “The second they find you, you’ll be in prison.”
I sighed, his dejection hurting. “Not if you all help me.”
“I still want to be your familiar,” Hilda said. “So does Russell.”
Russell gave my ear a gentle nip.
“What about you, Nugget?” I said. “I’ll understand if you want me to go, but I really hope you don’t.”
He jumped down from the tree and sauntered over. “I have a long list of demands. They must all be met before I finalize my decision on my future.”
I grinned. “Whatever you say. But not now. We need to catch that ghost, save Luna, and then get Magda’s name cleared.”
Nugget twitched his nose. “That’s acceptable. And it’ll give me time to decide what I want as compensation.”
“Nugget!” Hilda’s tone was stern. “Indigo is our witch. We don’t make demands on her.”
“You can,” I said. “And you should. I’ve been a terrible witch.”
“You’re a witch who lost her way, but now you’re on the right road.” Hilda jigged on my shoulder. “It’s so good to be back together.”
Russell cawed loudly in agreement.
“So, what’s the plan to stop this ghost?” Hilda said.
“We gather strong enough magic to defeat him. Let’s head back to the house and assemble the most powerful spells and potions we have.”
“Are you sure you can handle that kind of magic?” Nugget said.
“Indigo fixed Russell’s wing and regrew my missing limbs,” Hilda said. “She can do this.”
“My magic isn’t misfiring anymore. I’m ready to go and kick evil spirit backside,” I said.
We dashed back to the house. I couldn’t stop smiling now I had my familiars back. Well, Nugget was still on the fence, but I’d convince him this was the best household to be a part of.
Half an hour of sorting through spells, potions, and ghost jars, and we were back at Luna’s apartment, and heading up the stairs. It was time to get rid of this ghost once and for all.
The door wasn’t locked when I tried the handle, and I eased it open and headed along the hallway. Everything seemed quiet, but I’d been fooled by this ghost before.
“Let’s move,” I whispered to the others. “Get the wards in place.”
We worked our way around the apartment, laying out the magic to contain the ghost. We were using a containment spell to keep him in one room, enchanted gems to drain his power, and dream catchers containing positive energy, to cleanse the room of his negativity.
The skin on the back of my neck tingled. I was being watched. It had to be the ghost waiting to make his move.
“Don’t tell me you’re too scared to come out and play?” I stood in the center of the living room where the last attack had gone down. Hilda sat on my shoulder, Russell hovered in the air, and Nugget sat beside me, his eyes narrowed.
“It’s not working,” Nugget said.
“Give the magic a chance. This is the only room not containing any repelling magic. Wherever the ghost goes, he won’t feel welcome, so he’ll have no choice but to come this way and join the party,” I said.
“And then we’ll get him,” Hilda said. “I believe in you, Indigo.”
“You also believe in unicorns,” Nugget muttered.
“They’re real,” Hilda said. “I’ve seen one.”
Russell squawked an agreement.
Something slammed against a wall in another room, making me jump. “We’ve got his attention,” I said.
“And he’s not happy,” Nugget said.
“We’re stopping his fun. Whatever twisty reason this ghost has for attaching himself to Luna, it’s coming to an end.”
“Don’t be so sure about that.” The low, menacing voice of the ghost sounded in my right ear.
I spun around and backed away, sparking magic on my fingers. “Welcome to your new prison.”
“This isn’t a prison. This is my home. I choose to be here.”
“Not anymore. You’re trapped in this room. Now, it’s time to leave.” I produced a triple spelled ghost jar from my bag and held it out.
He growled, and the air in front of me shimmered as if the spirit was about to manifest.
“Show yourself. I’m not afraid of you.”
“Then you’re stupid.”
“I’ll admit, I was never top of the class, but I know what I’m doing. You can come quietly or you can fight me all the way. I don’t care. But you are leaving this place.”
Jagged flickers of black energy sparked around the room. “You failed to catch me the last time. I expect you were surprised to find the wrong spirit trapped in your pathetic basket.”
“You know about that?”
“I know about everything. I encouraged the ghost into that trap. And I’ve followed your journey with
interest since you returned to Witch Haven.”
I tilted my head. “Why the interest in me?”
“Darkness attracts darkness. I know all about you. You should join me. With your dark magic abilities, we could have fun together.”
“You’re not my idea of a fun time. And there’s nothing fun about what you’re doing to Luna. It’s time you left this place.” I opened the ghost jar.
The room shook, sending picture frames crashing to the floor.
“Is everyone ready?” I lifted my chin.
My three familiars shot to the corners of the room.
I backed away into the empty corner, still holding the jar in front of me. We could do this. The ghost was weakening. Thanks to the magic artefacts placed in the room, his energy was draining and he’d soon be weak enough to capture and contain.
I couldn’t have done this without my familiars. I’d missed not having a team to work with, who understood the power of magic and how incredible it was. I’d gotten so used to being alone and doing things my own way. I’d been wrong. But I could put things right. Capture this ghost, make Luna’s apartment safe again, and she’d no longer be sick and fearful for her life.
That was step one. Then I needed to clear my name and make sure everyone knew Magda wasn’t a dark witch. It was no small task, but I was up to it now I had my familiars.
The temperature zoomed from icy cold to blazing hot, making me sweat. Swirling black mist spun around the room as the ghost fought the magic containing it, slamming against the walls as he tried to break free.
“You’re only making this harder on yourself. Come quietly. And if you behave, I may find you a nice quiet spot where you can’t bother anyone else,” I said.
“I don’t want quiet. I crave destruction.”
“You need to get a hobby, my friend. Have you tried puzzles? They’re very soothing. Or how about bowls? It’s good for working out your frustrations by smashing hard balls into one another.”
“I’ll destroy you all. I’ll take your bones and grind them to dust. I’ll—”
“I’ve had enough of this.” I rushed forward and swiped the ghost jar through the mist.
There was an ear shattering scream and the dark mist evaporated.
I smacked down the lid and turned slowly, looking around the room.
“Is he gone?” Nugget said. “Did it work?”
A smile slowly crossed my face. “We did it. The atmosphere already feels different.” I waved the jar containing the ghost in the air. “We got him.”
Russell swooped around the room, squawking his delight. Hilda did her funny tap dance on the floor, and Nugget licked one paw.
I did a quick check of all the rooms. Everything was quiet, and there was a pleasing sense of calm. My magic was working again, and it felt amazing to use it for good.
“This deserves treats,” I said as I returned to the living room. “Who’s up for Chinese takeout?”
Nugget’s head swiveled to the door. “Errr... what’s that?”
I turned, my grin fading as my gut twisted. A thick red mist seeped under the door, bringing with it a foul sewer stench.
I looked at the ghost jar that held the ghost. “It can’t be the same spirit. He’s in here. I can feel his angry energy. We definitely got him.”
“Then we have a problem,” Nugget said. “Whatever that thing is, it feels like it wants to gut us and hang our entrails out the window.”
The room darkened and grew stifling hot. The red mist swirled, growing larger. I saw a flash of fangs and claws as it morphed into a tornado.
“Everyone get back.” I crowded my familiars behind me just as the red tornado engulfed us.
I grabbed Hilda before she was swept off her legs and tucked her inside my jacket. Russell was still flying in the air, but being dragged toward the center of the tornado.
I scooped him out of the air and tucked him in with Hilda.
Nugget caterwauled, his claws digging into the floor to stop himself from being dragged inside the swirling mass of evilness.
“Grab my arm. Hold on tight.” I reached out my arm.
Nugget latched his claws into the fabric, but the tornado grew in strength. His claws ripped through my sleeve and slashed the back of my hand as he was torn away.
I grabbed for him, but I was a second too late. There was a roar, and a vicious face with fangs and glowing eyes appeared. It seized Nugget and ate him.
Chapter 20
Horror made me dizzy as I stared at the spot Nugget had been a few seconds ago. The ghost creature had... eaten him. I’d just got Nugget back, and he was gone again. Another of his lives taken because he was helping me.
“What’s going on?” Hilda yelled from inside my jacket, her legs beating against my chest to get my attention.
I sucked in a breath. “That mist thing got Nugget.”
The red tornado backed away, unpleasant chewing sounds coming from it.
I pressed a hand against my stomach. Of course, it was never going to be this easy. Luna was a powerful witch. If this was a simple haunting, she’d have dealt with the ghost on her own.
But what was inside the jar? Had I captured the wrong ghost again?
White hot anger flared inside me as a low rumble of laughter echoed around the room.
“Let Nugget go.” I raised my hand and sparked magic.
There was more laughter. The tone was different to the first spirit I’d encountered. There must be more than one apparition haunting this place, and this one had been hiding until now.
“He was tasty. Thanks for my treat.” The voice was low and female.
“Return him now, and I may spare you. You saw what we did to your companion. Don’t think I won’t do the same to you.” I was bluffing. I’d only brought one ghost jar with me, but this spirit didn’t need to know that.
There was another derisive laugh.
I growled in response. I was done playing nice with this spirit. I slammed magic into it.
The red mass wavered, but the laughter continued as if my magic did nothing more than tickle it.
I refused to retreat. Not this time. I had my team beside me, and we were more powerful together. And this ghost wasn’t keeping Nugget.
“I could do with a hand out here.” I opened my jacket and peered in at Russell and Hilda.
“We’re ready. What do you need from us?” Hilda said.
“A distraction. But be careful. This thing bites!”
Russell zoomed out and over my head, sweeping around the mass and pecking at it.
The red mist reared up, making a grab for him, but he dodged and weaved, avoiding attempts to be captured.
“Don’t get too close, Hilda. This thing seems hungry,” I said.
“It won’t want to eat me when it sees my full size.”
I glanced at her. “Your full size?”
“Give me a magic boost, and you’ll see what I mean. Touch my back and open your magic to me.”
I kept a close eye on the spirit as I touched Hilda. I yelped and leaped back as she spasmed, her limbs lengthening, her body growing huge as hairy spines so sharp they’d cut through flesh sprouted from her.
“Holy broomsticks, Hilda! I had no idea you could do that.”
“I couldn’t until I was claimed as your familiar.” She reared up, rubbing her fangs together, before lunging into the mist.
I was about to yell a warning, but given how terrifying Hilda looked, anything in her path would be wise to flee. Her monstrous size even sent a shudder down my spine, and I considered her a friend. More than that. She was my familiar. She was part of my family. And that meant I didn’t want her getting hurt.
I waded into the fight, blasting magic at the mist as it circled us.
Russell was snapping his beak and raking his talons through the mist like a ninja warrior bird. Hilda was slashing with her fangs and hurling herself into the fight repeatedly, getting shoved back, but going right back in. I joined them, and we kept on figh
ting.
And I’d keep fighting until this was over. Magda’s reputation had been ruined, as had mine, by things I hadn’t been able to control. My life had felt over, but the truth was, it was just beginning. Now, I had a family again and a place that felt like home. There was no way I was giving that up.
“I’ll kill you all,” the enraged misty ghost roared.
“Do your worst. We’re going nowhere. And leave my familiars alone.” I slammed more magic into the ghost.
A hole appeared through the mist where I’d hit it.
Hilda scuttled back and thumped my leg with a hefty, hairy limb. “It’s too strong. I can’t find a way through its barriers.”
“We’re getting Nugget back. I’m not leaving him.”
“How can we get to him? I’ve tried biting, punching, and magic. Nothing gets through for more than a second.”
I stepped back. My power was beginning to drain. I’d need a time out to recharge soon, and this ghost wasn’t showing any signs of slowing.
We were almost out of time and luck, and Nugget was still trapped inside this evil entity.
“Take me instead,” I said. “Return Nugget and have me.”
Hilda gasped, and Russell squawked and flew over my head.
The mass shimmered, before taking the form of a tall, slim woman.
“Is that what you really look like?” I peered at her features, but her face was shielded by a dark hood that was pulled forward so I couldn’t get a good look at her.
“I take many forms. This is one I prefer.” She drifted closer, her feet an inch above the floor. “You’d sacrifice yourself for the mangy creature I took?”
“Nugget’s a friend. He’s worth saving.”
“You can’t,” Hilda said. “I feel the darkness this ghost gives out. It could kill you. Or... turn you dark again. We’ve just got you back.”
Russell squawked in agreement and flapped his wings.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I said. “This thing won’t be able to hold me for long.”
“You sound confident for a ruined witch no one believes in,” the ghost said.
I stared at her. I knew that voice. I’d heard it somewhere before, but I couldn’t place it.