Magic & Misdeeds

by Annabel Chase

  “I washed it,” I said.

  Philip wiped his mouth with a cloth napkin, smothering a laugh.

  Simon swooped into the room and served the drinks. I watched in surprise as Marley aimed her wand at her glass and changed her white milk into chocolate milk.

  “No wands at the table,” I said, trying to be quiet but firm. If the twins caught sight of chocolate milk, a riot was going to erupt.

  “Philip has a phone,” Marley said. “Why can’t I have a wand?”

  “Philip isn’t using his phone to turn water into wine,” I said.

  “I’m not a fan of wine,” Philip said. “I prefer ale when I drink.”

  Aunt Hyacinth wrinkled her nose. “Naturally.”

  “What’s wrong with ale, Aunt Hyacinth?” Marley asked. “Lots of paranormals seem to like it.”

  “It’s banal and pedestrian,” my aunt replied. She smoothed her napkin on her lap. “This family has standards.”

  “Yes, the Rose family,” Philip said. “The Muldoons aren’t so eager to put on airs.”

  Beside me, Florian coughed. “Here we go,” he muttered.

  “How’s the tournament going?” Sterling asked from the opposite end of the table. “Aster seems to think it’s going well other than the one issue.”

  “You mean the dead leprechaun, Daddy?” Ackley asked.

  Aster shushed him. “It’s rude to talk about murder at the table.”

  “It’s not like we can offend him,” Aspen said matter-of-factly. “He’s already dead.”

  “Unless you think he might be eavesdropping as a ghost,” Aspen said. His eyes cracked wide open. “Do you think he might be?” His blond head whipped around, searching the dining room for signs of the spirit.

  “Why would he come to our family’s Sunday dinner?” Hudson asked. “That’s stupid.”

  “Hudson, don’t call your cousin stupid,” Linnea warned.

  “I didn’t call him stupid. I called his idea stupid.”

  Bryn rolled her eyes. “It’s the same thing to a little kid.”

  Silver platters paraded into the room by unseen hands and I relaxed against my chair. Arguments were less likely to continue when everyone’s mouths were full, except for Hudson. He’d still talk. The werewolf tendencies were stronger in him than in his sister.

  “Are you playing in the tournament, Grandmother?” Aspen asked. “I bet you’d win.”

  Aunt Hyacinth wrinkled her nose. “Digital games attract two types of paranormals—the unattractive and those without magic.”

  “Thank Goddess for that,” Florian said. “For a second, I was worried you were going to say the poor.”

  “But my mom says you like to win at anyone’s expense,” the little wizard said and Aster quickly shushed him.

  “I like to play,” Philip said.

  “But you’re not keen on using magic,” my aunt said. “I’d lump you in with the paranormals without magic.”

  Philip gave his brow an exaggerated pat with the napkin. “As long as I’m not considered unattractive, I can live with that.”

  I decided to steer the conversation in another direction. “I saw the Tree of Bounty yesterday. I hadn’t heard of it before. It’s enormous.”

  Everyone fell silent.

  Marley looked from one end of the table to the other, sensing the tension. “Is it bad luck to go there or something?”

  “If that’s the case, it shouldn’t have been used as a hot spot for the tournament,” I said.

  “I didn’t realize that it was included,” Florian said. He shot a guilty look in his mother’s direction. “I would have asked them not to.”

  “How do they even know about it?” Aster asked.

  “It’s an unfortunate part of our history,” Aunt Hyacinth said. “I suppose they found it in articles on the town’s past.” She sniffed. “You know what they say about common sense.”

  “Are you going to tell us what the unfortunate history is?” I asked.

  “I don’t think it’s appropriate dinner conversation,” Aster said. She jerked her head toward the twins.

  “Is it more murder?” Aspen asked. He surveyed the room. “How many ghosts do you think we can fit in here?”

  “They’re not solid,” Ackley said. “They can just layer.”

  Philip cleared his throat. “I understand you have a special wizard in your life, Hyacinth. I’m sorry he couldn’t join us this evening.”

  “Craig has a very busy schedule,” she said in her usual haughty manner. “He can’t simply lounge around playing games on his phone all day.”

  “Games are my passion,” Philip said. “Everyone should have one. I highly recommend it.”

  “I have one,” Florian chimed in. “More than one, really.”

  “My passion is magic,” Marley said. She chugged half a glass of chocolate milk. “I want to become an expert with herbs.”

  “What about you, Ember?” Philip asked. “What’s your passion?”

  “Pajamas,” Marley said. “She loves to wear them as much as possible.”

  I silenced her with a look. “I don’t always wear pajamas.”

  “That’s true,” Marley said. “Sometimes you like to sleep naked when it’s too hot. Then you yell at me for opening the bedroom door.”

  The children giggled. I groaned and lowered my head. “I wouldn’t classify that as a passion.”

  “Naked in bed?” Florian said. “You’re halfway there.”

  “I don’t know that I have a passion,” I said. “I was never particularly good at anything like academics or music…or magic.”

  “I wasn’t good at games when I first started playing,” Philip said. “Took me ages to develop confidence.”

  Aunt Hyacinth gave me a pointed look. “See, Ember? Practice. This is why I provide you with private tutors.”

  “I thought that was so I don’t embarrass you in public,” I said.

  “If that were the reason, I’d hire you a personal stylist too,” my aunt said.

  I glanced down at my plain black top and jeans. “What’s wrong with this?”

  Aunt Hyacinth sipped her cocktail. “You’re asking the wrong question, darling.”

  “My passion is poetry,” Sterling announced.

  Aster nearly spit her wine all over the table.

  “Since when?” Linnea asked.

  “I’ve been tapping into my softer side,” Sterling said. “I discovered that I really appreciate the period the humans refer to as the Romantic movement. Lord Byron’s words are life-altering.”

  “You know what else is life-altering?” Linnea asked with a sharp glance at Hudson. “Deodorant.”

  Hudson shoveled turkey breast into his mouth, seemingly unconcerned.

  “He makes me feel like I’m living in a locker room,” Linnea said.

  “Hygiene really isn’t a topic for the table,” Aunt Hyacinth said.

  “You should really consider distributing a list of acceptable subjects prior to the meal,” Philip said.

  “An excellent suggestion, Philip,” my aunt said. “I’ll discuss it with Simon during our dinner post-mortem.”

  I balked. “You dissect the dinner afterward?”

  “How else can we improve if we don’t discuss the finer points?” she asked, completely serious.

  “It’s a family dinner, not an inaugural ball,” I said.

  Philip surveyed the table. “I must say, Hyacinth, it’s wonderful to see this side of the family together. I’m so glad I decided to participate in the tournament.”

  “We’re pleased you came,” Aunt Hyacinth said. “When do you leave?”

  Hudson laughed. “Here’s your wizard hat, what’s your hurry?”

  “Tuesday morning,” he said. “I wanted to make sure I was here for the announcement of the winner on Monday afternoon.”

  “Do you think you might win?” Bryn asked.

  “I’m in contention, but I doubt I’ll keep pace with the younger generation,” Philip said. �
��They can get by on energy drinks and so forth, whereas I’ve found I need a solid night of sleep.” He lifted his goblet of water. “And I wouldn’t miss the chance to spend time with family.”

  “No, time is too fleeting,” Aunt Hyacinth agreed. “You merely blink and decades have passed.” She drew her cocktail to her lips. “Suddenly, you’re surrounded by grandchildren and are no longer the center of the universe.”

  I’d never seen her so melancholy. “The two of you must have lots of stories from when you were younger,” I said.

  “Naturally,” Aunt Hyacinth said. “Philip was raised here. He was like family before I even became a Muldoon.”

  Philip wore a hint of a smile. “My cousin was punching above his weight when he decided to court you. Then again, he always was an overachiever.” He turned to me. “Your father was more like me.”

  “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” I asked. He’d seemed fairly laidback to me, especially compared with other parents.

  “It’s so interesting to be sitting here with the two of you now,” Philip said. “I could be sitting with your mother. You both bear a striking resemblance to Lily.”

  “We’ve seen her pictures,” Marley said.

  “Yes, the Hawthorne genes prevailed in the looks department, I’m afraid,” Aunt Hyacinth said, “but I do believe Rose blood prevails when it comes to magic.”

  “The white-blond hair was such a dead giveaway,” Philip said. “Hyacinth was judged even from afar because everyone recognized her at a glance. Spending time with her in public was like living in a fishbowl. You and Marley are fortunate that you get to walk around town incognito.”

  Aunt Hyacinth sipped her cocktail. “Philip, you exaggerate.”

  “Hardly,” he said.

  “Sounds about right to me,” Florian said.

  Thanks to Philip, I glimpsed a side to my aunt’s life that I hadn’t envisioned before. I often said we were minor celebrities in Starry Hollow. Well, fame had a price, even on a minor scale, and it seemed that my aunt had paid it from a young age. It explained a lot.

  My phone vibrated in my purse and I discreetly checked the message. It was from Sheriff Nash.

  Think I’ve got Benny’s location.

  I pushed back my chair. “Thank you for dinner, but I need to go.”

  Marley’s face fell. “But I haven’t had dessert. That’s always the best part.”

  “Marley, you’re welcome to stay here while your mother handles her business,” my aunt said. She shifted her focus to me. “I assume you’re chasing a story.”

  “You could say that.” The story of who killed Clark.

  “I’ll bring her home after dessert,” Florian offered.

  I clapped him on the back. “Thanks. You’re the best.” I aimed a finger at Marley. “It’s a school night, so no dragging your feet if I’m not back by bedtime.”

  “Absolutely,” Florian said. “We wouldn’t dream of operating outside your rules.” He winked at Marley.

  “Now you know how it feels,” Aunt Hyacinth said, giving me a pointed look.

  There was no way I was anything like my aunt. If anything, I was like my dad. I didn’t have time to protest, though, not if I wanted to catch up with the sheriff.

  “No worries, Ember. You’re going to nail this story,” Florian called after me.

  “Thanks,” I said over my shoulder. But I really hope I’m going nail this killer.

  Chapter Fourteen

  I met Sheriff Nash on the edge of the woods. The full moon shone like a newly minted coin against the backdrop of the dark sky.

  “You didn’t need to come, Rose,” Sheriff Nash said. “I can handle Benny.”

  “I know you can, but he’s a werewolf and I don’t want your pack instincts to kick in,” I said.

  He gave me a wry look. “Are you suggesting that I can’t do my job when a werewolf is involved?”

  I sank against a tree. “No, of course not. I know you’re too professional for that.”

  A smile threatened to emerge. “Admit it. You’re hoping to see a wolf in a fedora, aren’t you?”

  “You mean a werewolf.”

  “No.” He pointed skyward. “I mean a wolf.”

  Sweet baby Elvis. Of course.

  “When your cousins were planning this event, I guess they didn’t bother to check the lunar calendar.”

  Well, this was unfortunate timing. With werewolves running amok, testosterone would be at dangerous peak levels. The players could be battling wolves on and off the game.

  “Do you know if pack members applied for a permit to turn?” I asked.

  “When’s the last time my brother and his friends followed the town regs?”

  Fair point. “Can we find them before they turn and stop them from running riot all over town?”

  “I’ve already texted Wyatt, but I can’t guarantee anything.”

  Then we could be navigating a minefield of wolves—and so could visiting players. “We should set up a perimeter and ward it to keep out unsuspecting paranormals.”

  “If you want to give it a try, feel free. I won’t object,” the sheriff said. “Anything to make my job easier right now.”

  “No promises,” I said. I turned and faced the town. Magic pulsed through me before I even had a chance to summon it.

  “Defendo,” I said. I bent down and tapped the ground with my wand. White energy flared along the edge of the woods, spreading like wildfire.

  I stood and saw the flash of admiration in the sheriff’s dark eyes. “Pretty good, Rose. You’ve been practicing.”

  I watched the magical signature fade. “Not that much.” I expected to feel a momentary drain from the creation of the ward, but I felt fine.

  The sheriff regarded me. “You okay?”

  “I am.” I tried not to sound surprised. “Are you sure Benny’s in the woods?”

  “Yep. I called around the pack and asked where I could find him,” he said.

  “Wait. Benny’s local?” That thought hadn’t occurred to me.

  He nodded. “I don’t know him well, but I’ve seen him around, fedora included. I’ve had dealings with one of his older brothers a few times.”

  “Define dealings.”

  He smirked. “He’s been in trouble here and there. Nothing serious.”

  “Do you think Benny is in the woods to shift?”

  “I suspect so. I’m going to try to track him down before he turns. Harder to talk to a wolf, as I think you know.”

  “I’ll come with you,” I said.

  Sheriff Nash gave me a sharp look. “I don’t think that’s wise, Rose. You know how wolves get.”

  “You’ll be with me,” I said. “I’ll be fine.” I wanted to hear what Benny had to say.

  The sheriff’s nostrils flared. “Have it your way. You always do.”

  As we trekked deeper into the woods, the moonlight disappeared and left us steeped in darkness. I managed to trip over several tree roots before having the wherewithal to conjure a spell for light.

  The sheriff chuckled. “Sorry, I didn’t think I’d need to hold your hand.”

  “Excuse me that I don’t have your heightened senses, Mr. Wolf.” I waved my wand around. “I can handle myself and I don’t need any wolf genes to do it.”

  “I know you don’t, Rose.” Even though I couldn’t see his face, I could feel him smirking. “I appreciate you helping out with the investigation. I know it’s probably not how you expected to spend your weekend.”

  “I was covering the tournament for Vox Populi no matter what,” I said. “I might as well make myself doubly useful. I get an article and you get a murderer.” Hopefully.

  “I feel like you get the better end of that deal,” he said.

  “Honestly, neither one of us does,” I said. “Games like these aren’t really my jam.” Nor Marley’s, it seemed. She’d quickly lost interest.

  In the distance, a wolf howled, sending shivers down my spine.

  “Stay close,” he u
rged.

  “Did we miss our window?” I asked.

  “Not necessarily,” he said. “I bet we’ve got players from out of town turning too.”

  “What about you? Will you turn?”

  White teeth flashed in the inky black. “Not tonight, Rose. I’m on duty.”

  The sound of scattering leaves caught my attention. Sheriff Nash sniffed the air.

  “This way,” he said.

  I crept directly behind him, careful not to step on the heel of his shoe. I hated when Marley did that to me.

  Overhead, an owl hooted and I jumped forward, knocking into the sheriff. “Sorry,” I mumbled.

  He chuckled under his breath. “We haven’t even seen a wolf yet.”

  “For some reason, that makes it worse.” My body began to feel heavy and breathing became more difficult. I looked up at the giant ash tree and realized that it was the Tree of Bounty. The area seemed even creepier in the dark. The light on the tip of my wand fizzled out.

  “What happened?” the sheriff asked.

  “I’m not sure,” I said. Something prevented me from doing the spell again—a pressure.

  Footsteps thundered in our direction and I backed against the tree. The sheriff stood protectively in front of me. The feminist part of me wanted to shove him aside, but the mother in me let him act out his heroic urges for Marley’s sake. No need to leave my daughter an orphan.

  I peered at the approaching patches of light and realized that the thundering footsteps didn’t belong to a pack of wolves but to a gang of eager players with their phones illuminated, including one werewolf in a fedora.

  “Benny?” the sheriff called.

  The werewolf glanced up from his phone to see us. “Sheriff Nash? What are you doing here?” He noticed me behind the sheriff and grinned. “Oh, sorry to interrupt.”

  “You haven’t interrupted anything,” the sheriff said. “We’ve been looking for you.”

  “Me? Why?” Benny was the picture of innocence.

  “We need to ask you about an incident…” Sheriff Nash didn’t get a chance to finish. Benny was off like a shot, darting between trees. We ran after him and I groaned when I saw the flick of a tail. Benny had decided that now would be a good time to shift after all.

  I took out my wand, ready to conjure another spell, but the sheriff was too quick for me. He leaped through the air and tackled the wolf, pinning him to the ground. The wolf struggled for a moment, but eventually the fur and snout receded and Benny returned to his human form.