Curses and Corpses (Witch Haven Mystery - a fun cozy witch paranormal mystery Book 3)

by K E O'Connor

  She glared at me for a second, before letting out a sigh. “Very well. And my news does have to do with the cemetery.”

  “Something else has happened there?”

  Her sunny smile returned, and she nodded. “I heard the news from several people. It’s quite incredible.”

  I couldn’t resist. “Does it have to do with a red mist?”

  She tilted her head. “It could do. Although no one mentioned a red mist to me. And they’d probably have described it as a gas rather than a mist.”

  I shook my head. “A gas?”

  “There was an explosion! Apparently, there was a natural gas leak in the middle of the cemetery that destroyed graves and tore up the ground.”

  I didn’t even try to hide my cynicism. “Is that the lie being used to cover up what really happened?”

  “It’s not a lie. I went and took a look myself. You can’t get in the cemetery. It’s been cordoned off for repair and cleaning, and the cemetery guardian doesn’t want anyone in there until it’s safe.”

  “You saw Silvaria Digby? That’s what she told you?”

  “No, and you don’t ever really see Silvaria. She’s only interested in you if you have no pulse. And she’s so grumpy that no one wants anything to do with her. But everyone’s talking about the explosion. Imagine, it could have been terrible if there was someone in there. They’d have been killed.”

  “There were lots of people in there when this so-called gas explosion happened. The living and the dead.”

  Odessa scrunched up her face. “I haven’t heard of anyone being injured. Are you sure you’ve got your facts right?”

  I looked at her recently bitten arm and the fading mark on her forehead. “Odessa, do you mind if we try something?”

  “Sure. What do you want to try?”

  I took the empty plate from her and set it on the table, before taking her hands in mine. “I’m working on a spell. You trust me, don’t you?”

  “Of course. I know you’d never do anything to hurt me.”

  “That’s right. And this won’t hurt you. I’m hoping it’ll help. Just don’t fight my magic. It may feel a bit weird.”

  She leaned back in her seat. “I don’t like the sound of that. Let’s have another cake and we can talk about our next ladies get together. I’m thinking maybe a chocolate making day. That could be fun.”

  “This won’t take long. And I’m sure you’ll feel much better after it.”

  Odessa chewed on her bottom lip, her gaze darting around as if she was looking for an escape route. “Is it a restorative spell?”

  “Something like that. It should add clarity to your thoughts.” It was a risk, using magic to get Odessa to remember, but if a spell had taken away her memories, I should be able to restore them.

  I settled in front of her, opened my power, and our magic joined together effortlessly. The familiar sparkles of Odessa’s power intertwined with mine and filled the room with the scent of cinnamon, although it smelt less powerful than usual.

  I evoked a recall spell under my breath and pulsed it through Odessa.

  Her eyes glazed, and she jerked away from me. “What are you doing?”

  “Nothing bad. How do you feel?”

  Her eye twitched uncontrollably, and she tried to pull her hands away. “I don’t like it. Stop that right now.”

  “Is it hurting you?”

  “No, I just don’t like it. Get away from me.” Odessa succeeded in yanking her hands away and breaking the connection.

  I sat back on my heels and looked at her. “Do you feel any different?”

  “Yes, I feel grubby. You shouldn’t have used that spell on me, whatever it was. I don’t feel any clarity, I just feel queasy. And my eyes feel funny.”

  Whatever magic was influencing Odessa, it was heavy duty, but I needed to find a way around it. I was tempted to try the spell again, but it seemed to have done more harm than good, and Odessa was still twitching in her chair and looking uncomfortable.

  “How about we have another cake?” I returned to my seat.

  “Yes, I need it after that.” She glared at me as she munched on another cookie.

  “Sorry. I really thought it would help you.”

  “Let’s forget about it.” Her smile returned, although it looked strained. “Maybe later we can go and look at the cemetery and see the after-effects of the explosion. How exciting. So little happens around Witch Haven.”

  “You’re kidding? Don’t forget Luna’s still missing.”

  She frowned. “Oh, yes, of course. We must do something about that.”

  I studied Odessa as worry grew inside me. “We are. And we will get her back. It’s what we’ve been focusing on ever since she vanished. There’s no way we’re giving up on Luna.”

  Odessa patted her stomach. “We must not forget our old friend.” She glanced at the pile of Magda’s journals and picked one up. “What are these?”

  “More of my stepmom’s life history. I’ve been looking through them to see if I can find clues about the dark witch coven.”

  Odessa wrinkled her nose as she flipped through the journal. “There are a lot of curious poems in here.”

  “Poems? Magda didn’t write poetry.”

  “They look like poems. Although they also look like...” she laughed, “spells.”

  I walked over to see what she was looking at. Odessa had turned to a page full of scribbled notes on spells and ideas for how to make them more effective. “That’s exactly what they are.”

  She chuckled. “Of course. What fun. Magda had a real imagination.”

  “She did.” The worry that had been building inside me overflowed. “Odessa, what do you think you’re looking at?”

  “I’m not sure. It all sounds like fun, though. All these tales of witches, magic, and casting spells. If only it was true.”

  I pressed a hand against Odessa’s forehead. “Are you feeling okay? Maybe I shouldn’t have done that spell on you.”

  “I’m fine. Don’t I look fine?” She pushed my hand away. “I could do with another cake, though.”

  “You look like your normal self, but you’re talking as if you don’t believe in magic.”

  Odessa blinked several times and her eye did that weird twitching thing again. “I, um... I’m not sure I do. Is there such a thing as magic?”

  “Odessa! You make incredible magic filled scarecrows that terrify the villagers. It’s what you’re known for. You’re so proud of your awesome scarecrows.”

  Her expression blanked. “Scarecrows? You mean my pumpkin farm? I sometimes make scarecrows for the children, but that’s just for fun. And they’re never scary. I always overstuff them, so they end up looking chubby and comical.”

  This couldn’t be happening. Not only had Odessa lost her memories of last night, but she now didn’t believe in magic. Was this my fault? Had my attempts to bring her memories to the surface sped up her transformation into... a normal person? Was Odessa no longer a witch?

  I had to know for sure.

  I took the journal out of her hand and leaned in close. “Odessa, cast a spell for me.”

  She laughed brightly. “You’re funny. I wish I could. I’d imagine I was twenty pounds lighter. No, three inches taller, because then I’d be the perfect weight for my height. No, I know what I’d do, I’d cast a spell so all the handsome, eligible bachelors in the village fell in love with me. Then I’d have my pick. Maybe I’d create a spell to make a cupcake that had no calories. Wouldn’t that be amazing?”

  “You can probably do all of those things. Try it. Maybe something simple, like a light ball. That was one of the first spells we were taught how to control.”

  “A light ball?” She looked around the room. “You do need some lights in here. It’s getting gloomy. I think it might rain.”

  Panic gripped my insides and made me woozy. “Just pretend you’re an awesome witch and can cast any spell you can think of. Close your eyes and imagine doing it. Cast a spell ou
t in front of you and see what happens.”

  “That seems a bit childish,” Odessa said. “We’re grown women with responsibilities. We don’t have time for games. We have businesses to run. Well, I do. Have you had any thoughts about what you’ll do for money now you’re back? The refuse collectors are hiring.”

  “Humor me. Please.”

  She pursed her lips. “Very well. So I just close my eyes and think about a cupcake with no calories?”

  “Try the light spell,” I said. “That should work. Anyone can do a light spell.”

  Odessa looked at me as though I’d lost all reason. Then she closed her eyes, thrust out her hands and said, “light spell.”

  Nothing happened.

  “Give it one more try,” I said. “Really imagine a ball of light appearing in front of you.”

  “This is ridiculous.” She lowered her hands. “And you’re putting me off my cakes. Nothing puts me off dessert, but you’re being so strange.”

  I wasn’t the one being strange. Odessa had forgotten she was a witch. It was the strangest thing I’d ever seen happen.

  There was another knock at the door, and I turned toward it. “Don’t go anywhere. We’re not done yet.”

  “You’re so odd,” she muttered under her breath as I hurried to the front door.

  I opened it to find Olympus outside. “Hey! Nice vacation?”

  He stared at me. “Vacation?”

  “I came to see you this morning. You’d put a note on your door saying you’d gone on vacation. And you’d left the office unlocked.”

  “Err... okay. Maybe I did. But I can’t think about anything else right now. I must see you.” He barged past me and dashed into the living room.

  I shut the door and hurried after him. “What’s wrong? Have you got news about Bloom?”

  Olympus shook his head. “This isn’t about her.” He glanced at Odessa. “I was hoping to have a private audience.”

  “Don’t mind me,” Odessa said. “Indigo will tell me anything you say to her. We have no secrets. Although I should warn you, she’s being a little weird today.”

  “I love her weirdness,” Olympus said. “That’s why I’m here. I love everything about Indigo.”

  I stared at him. “You do?”

  “Every inch of you is perfect. From your strange colored hair, to your love of that hairy spider. All I can think about is you.”

  “Awww! How romantic,” Odessa said.

  “Is it? Or is it creepy and weird? Olympus, where have you been?”

  “On an important mission.” His eyes gleamed. “It’s taken me hours to get this right. At least, I hope I’ve gotten it right. That’s for you to decide.”

  “Have you been investigating the corpses?” I said. “Did you get a lead on what’s making them stir?”

  His smile faltered. “The corpses?”

  “Please say you remember last night in the cemetery. You came and rescued me from a corpse. Then you got bitten by Storm’s hellhound. Check your neck, you’ve still got the bite marks on your skin.”

  His hand went to his throat. “I thought they were love bites. Didn’t you give these to me?”

  I heaved out a sigh. “Hardly. Listen, something odd is happening to you, and I think magic is involved. You’ve lost your memory. So has Odessa.”

  Olympus clasped my hand. “If I have, then I’ll make plenty more beautiful memories with you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  Odessa sighed. “It’s like being at the movies watching you two.”

  “What movie are you thinking of? Dawn of the Dead? Or maybe Coraline? This day does feel like I’ve stepped into a parallel universe.” I tried to pull my hand out of Olympus’ grasp, but he held on tight. “Both of you need to stop being so weird. We’ve got a serious problem to deal with.”

  Olympus knelt on one knee. “I have to know if you can love me. Because if you can’t, I don’t know what I’ll do.”

  Odessa squeaked. “Is he going to...” she waved a hand at me.

  “Get up!” I tugged on his elbow.

  “Not until I ask. Indigo, will you marry me?”

  Odessa clapped her hands together. “Yes! And you must ask me to be bridesmaid.”

  “Oh, for broomsticks’ sake. Get off your knee. You don’t want to marry me.” My cheeks grew warm, and I felt mortified.

  “I absolutely do. Please say yes and make me the happiest man alive.” Olympus fumbled in his pocket and produced a small black box. He opened it to reveal a purple diamond. “To go with your hair. Not this hair, your real hair. When you look like you. Will you accept me?”

  I pushed the ring away. “No! I don’t even know you that well. And if you had any sense in that head of yours, you wouldn’t be proposing when we’re in the middle of a crisis.”

  His expression dropped, but he remained kneeling. “Will you at least think about it? I’d be an excellent husband, and I can provide everything you want. You won’t have to live here anymore. You can move in with me. Or we can buy a new place in Witch Haven.”

  I had to try something drastic to shock some sense back into him.

  “You want us to start wedded bliss in a village the Magic Council is thinking of destroying because it’s so tainted with darkness? A village where you had your heart broken because your daughter went missing? A place where I murdered sixty-six people? This is where you want our forever to be?”

  Olympus simply nodded and grinned at me. “I’d live anywhere, so long as it’s with you.”

  “And you must have plenty of spare rooms in your new house, so I can come and stay all the time,” Odessa said. “And of course, you’ll need space for a nursery for the little ones.”

  I clapped my hands over my ears. “Will you two stop! No marriage, no ring, no babies, no house.”

  “I’ll convince you to love me,” Olympus said, still on his bended knee. “I’m not giving up. Whatever it takes, I’ll find a way to your heart.”

  I finally got my hand free from him and backed away.

  Olympus climbed to his feet and moved toward me. He was staring at my mouth. Was he going to attempt a kiss? If he tried, I’d hit him.

  A rush of warm, dirt-infused air swirled around me. Silvaria Digby appeared in my living room. She staggered about for a second, before her gaze locked on to me.

  “What the heck are you doing? How did you get through my magic wards?” I said.

  “There’s no time to explain. You’re coming with me.” She grabbed me, and we vanished.

  Chapter 12

  I stumbled to the ground as we reappeared somewhere cold and dark. The ground looked like concrete, and a musty smell of old damp cloth hung in the air.

  I glared up at Silvaria. “What’s going on?”

  “That’s what I want to know from you. You have some explaining to do.” She scowled down at me.

  “You first.” I climbed to my feet and brushed dirt from my pants. “Where are we?”

  She pursed her lips. “Inside a crypt in my cemetery. It belongs to a family of demi-goblins.”

  “And how did you know I was staying in Magda’s old house?”

  “I knew something was off when we first met. You claim to be Indy Archer, an employee of the Magic Council, but you know too much about this place for someone who’s just arrived. And all of a sudden, you’re friends with Storm and Odessa. Explain that!”

  “I... I am Indy. And I do work for the Magic Council. And... my friendship with Storm and Odessa is a new thing.” There was a muted thud against the side of the crypt, and I jumped. “What was that?”

  “My problem, and the reason I’ve brought you here.” Miss Digby crossed her arms over her bony chest. “Don’t lie to me. Your arrival coincided with the disappearance of Indigo Ash. Care to comment on that?”

  Eek! It looked like I’d been rumbled. “No, not really. Maybe Indigo is renting her house to me while she... has things to deal with.”

  “Sure she did. Or maybe you’re I
ndigo.” Miss Digby pinched my arm. “What’s with the disguise? And don’t say you’re not wearing one. I felt it when I grabbed you.”

  “Before I answer that question, have you got an issue with Indigo?” It felt weird talking about myself in the third person.

  “Why would I have an issue with her?”

  “Because of what she did when she was seventeen. Lots of people remember that.”

  Miss Digby lifted her chin. “I wasn’t here when she, or rather you, blasted this place apart with your stepmom. I turned up a couple of years after it happened. Of course, I’ve heard the gossip, but I’ve never been much of a one to listen to idle chatter. I make my own mind up about people.”

  “And have you made your mind up about Indigo?”

  “Usually, people are easy to figure out. They all want something, and will do whatever they have to do to get it. They stomp over people to meet their own needs. Maybe that’s what you did all those years ago with your stepmom.”

  I tilted my head. “I’m still not sure if you have a problem with Indigo.”

  Miss Digby grunted. “I can’t say as I do. I’m sure that’ll change once I get to know you better.”

  “You don’t want to toss me into a grave, burn me on a witch pyre, or expel me from the village if I let you know who I really am?”

  “I’d only want to do those things if you really annoy me,” Miss Digby said. “So, what’s with the disguise?”

  I held up my hands in defeat. “Okay, so I’m Indigo. And the disguise is needed because the villagers hate me and the Magic Council wants to arrest me.”

  She barked out a laugh. “You sure are unpopular. And I thought everyone around here didn’t like me. I’m glad you came back. I’m no longer the most hated person in Witch Haven.”

  “I definitely beat you on that score. But I still want to know how you broke through my magic and got into the house.” There was another thud against the crypt.

  Miss Digby glanced at the stone wall and licked her thin lips. “I’m a guardian of barriers. I monitor the barriers between the living and the dead. I’ve done this job for a long time, and there are always ways to get through wards and barriers when you know what to look for. And this is an emergency. I needed you here.”