Magic & Mishaps

by Annabel Chase

  Pam shook her head, adamant. “I can handle it. Like he said, Hector and I are long over.”

  “If you have this life-changing woman in your life, then why wasn’t she with you on Friday night?” Sheriff Nash asked.

  “Because she was at Palmetto House,” Hector blurted. He shut his eyes for a moment, appearing to summon the courage to continue. “I’m talking about Bonnie.”

  Pam gasped and covered her mouth.

  “What about Bonnie?” the sheriff asked.

  Hector fidgeted as he seemed to fight for control of his emotions. “Bonnie and I were in love, man. I would never harm a hair on that gorgeous nymph’s head. I cared too much about her.”

  Pam’s expression was pained and confused. “This doesn’t make sense,” she whispered. “They didn’t even know each other. They only met that one night at the bonfire.”

  “How did you and Bonnie meet?” the sheriff asked.

  Pam pressed her palms flat against the magic mirror, listening intently.

  “At the blood bank of all places,” Hector said. “I mean, we didn’t really meet then, but that was the first time I saw her. Bonnie came to donate, maybe a year or two ago. I never laid eyes on her again until…” He exhaled slowly. “Man, she lit up a room, you know? Fairies have that natural sparkle, but Bonnie had what I call an inner sparkle.”

  “How clever,” Deputy Bolan said.

  Hector ignored the leprechaun. “I still remember what she wore the first time I saw her. A low-cut pink top. A black skirt that hit mid-thigh and knee-high boots.” He whistled. “If I’d had a pulse, it would’ve been racing at the sight of her.”

  Pam removed her hands from the glass. “His pulse would’ve raced at the sight of two cantaloupes in the fruit section. Vampire or not, Hector’s a boob man.”

  “Did you know who she was?” Deputy Bolan asked, scribbling notes as they talked.

  “Not at the blood bank,” Hector said. “It was only when I saw her the next time that I found out her name.”

  “When was that?” the sheriff asked.

  “Balefire Beach,” Hector said. “I’d gone to check out a bonfire and Bonnie was there with my ex, Pam Kellogg.” He whistled. “Holy hell. Her inner spark turned to sparks between us, man. It was incredible. I wanted to throw her down on the sand right there and then.”

  “Did you?” the deputy asked.

  “Of course not. I told you—Pam was there,” Hector said. “Not that I’m opposed to a threesome, but it seemed in poor taste to suggest it.”

  “You’re a real gentleman,” Deputy Bolan said.

  “I only knew that Bonnie felt the same when I ran into her again at the blood bank.” He smiled, showing his fangs. “She said she’d been coming by periodically, hoping to run into me again. I knew it hadn’t been one-sided. She said she had to act like she hated me—because of Pam.”

  “That’s not true,” Pam said, visibly upset. “Bonnie would never…” She broke off, unable to finish the thought.

  “And how did you react?” the sheriff asked.

  “I wasn’t surprised she had the hots for me, but I was surprised she was willing to act on it, knowing the things Pam must’ve told her,” Hector said.

  “And what would Pam have told her?” Deputy Bolan asked.

  “The truth—that I was a low-life, cheating scumbag,” Hector replied.

  “You got that right,” Pam muttered.

  “Bonnie didn’t care?” the sheriff asked.

  “She didn’t see me that way,” Hector said. “That first night we spent together, I vowed to be faithful. Once I’d had Bonnie, I knew I didn’t want to let her go.”

  “Sounds about right,” the deputy mumbled.

  “It wasn’t like that,” Hector said, pinning his gaze on the leprechaun. “Bonnie and I were happy together from the start. Content. I had no reason to hurt her.”

  “Then why not shout it from the rooftops?” the sheriff asked.

  Hector squirmed. “We kept it a secret because of Pam,” the vampire said. “Bonnie didn’t want to hurt her. She knew how hard Pam had taken the breakup.”

  “You didn’t mind?” the deputy asked.

  Hector shrugged. “My feelings for Pam were never that strong to begin with, you know? Bonnie was more loyal, though. She didn’t want to risk Pam finding out. They were in that heartbreak group and everything. Those girls were too important to her. She said she’d never managed to have girlfriends before and it was a big deal to her, so Bonnie didn’t want to break the girl code.”

  “Sounds like she did, though,” Deputy Bolan remarked. “Multiple times.”

  Hector smirked. “Sometimes in one night.”

  Pam squeezed her eyes closed.

  “So the plan was to sneak around forever?” the sheriff asked.

  “Only until Pam met someone,” Hector said. “Bonnie kept trying to find someone for her and encourage her to get out there, but Pam’s too hung up on me.”

  Pam bristled. “Egotistical piece of trash.”

  “And you were okay with this?” the deputy asked. “Doesn’t really seem like your style.”

  Hector flashed a grin. “I’m used to sneaking around.”

  Ugh. What a creep. He seemed proud of it, too.

  “It’s true about Bonnie,” Pam said quietly. “She’d been trying to convince me to go on these blind dates. I thought she was trying to be helpful. I never dreamed…” She covered her face with her hands and started to cry.

  I patted her back. “I’m sorry, Pam. I know this must be difficult for you.” She’d come here to support Hector and instead she’d subjected herself to a hurtful revelation.

  “So what happened then, Hector?” Deputy Bolan asked. “You and Bonnie fought. You lost your temper and sucked the life out of her?”

  “No way,” Hector said. “I’m telling you I didn’t do that to Bonnie. I loved her.”

  “Doesn’t mean you didn’t kill her,” Sheriff Nash said. “Love makes us do stupid, crazy things every day. Things out of character or that we never expected.” His gaze flickered briefly to where I stood behind the magic mirror and then back to the vampire. “If it was in the heat of the moment, the charge will be lesser than…”

  Hector flew to his feet. “I did not kill Bonnie Rydell!” His face was etched with anger and grief. “I’m still trying to accept that she’s gone. I wake up in the mornings and think the universe is playing a cruel joke. Letting me finally meet someone and decide I could settle, only to take her away in such a cruel manner?” He shook his head. “The world is a dark place, man.”

  “If you were so in love, why didn’t she stay with you instead of Palmetto House?” Deputy Bolan persisted.

  And why did Bonnie hit on Alec that night if she and Hector were in love? Something wasn’t right about his story.

  “I told you,” Hector said, sounding fed up. “Because she wanted to hide the relationship from Pam.”

  “But Pam wasn’t at Palmetto House that night,” the deputy pointed out.

  “Pam and I live close to each other,” Hector said. “She could’ve spotted Bonnie and me at my place. We thought it best if she stayed at the inn until her apartment was done being painted.” His hand twitched as he spoke and I wondered whether the sheriff had noticed.

  “You know, Hector,” the sheriff said. “We have it on record that Bonnie expressed an interest in another man the night she died. If you two were such a hot item, why would she do that?”

  Phew. I should’ve trusted that the sheriff hadn’t forgotten about Alec’s statement. Part of me worried he’d blocked Alec’s entire interview from his mind because of his own feelings. Deep down, I knew Granger was a better sheriff than that. I felt guilty for questioning his professional integrity.

  “Bonnie hit on someone?” Hector asked. The sadness in his voice was unmistakable.

  “Maybe she told you that night to taunt you,” the deputy said. “And you went over there in a jealous rage to teach her a lesson.”


  And then I saw it.

  Hesitation.

  Hector’s fangs snapped. “Okay fine,” he said. “We’d had an argument. That’s why she didn’t stay with me. But I didn’t kill her.”

  “What were you arguing about?” the sheriff asked.

  “What do you think? I was sick and tired of hiding.”

  “I thought you liked to sneak around,” the sheriff shot back. “That’s your area of expertise, right?”

  “But I didn’t want to live that way with Bonnie,” Hector said. “There was no end in sight. Pam could take the rest of her life to find someone willing to put up with her neurotic neediness.”

  Pam winced.

  “Too bad you won’t have the rest of your life to find someone to replace Bonnie,” the sheriff said. “Hector, you’re under arrest for the murder of Bonnie Rydell.”

  “Rot in hell,” Pam whispered to the magic mirror.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Are you sure you don’t mind being at the library?” I asked.

  Emma walked backward in a slow circle, admiring the interior. “Are you kidding? A visit to a library is like another vacation for me. Besides, Daniel is flying over the sea, which I have no interest in, and my feet feel like puff pastries right now. It’s like walking on donuts. I’m afraid Boston cream will shoot out of my toes.”

  “Your pregnancy is so much better than mine,” I said. “Mine didn’t involve any baked goods…except the ones I ate.”

  Emma laughed. “I’d also like to see whether your library has any information on hybrids or demigods before we go. Might as well make the most of our extended time here.”

  “I guarantee they’ll have both, just maybe not the kind you’re looking for.” We lingered in front of the counter. “How soon are you able to leave town?” With Hector’s arrest, Sheriff Nash had given them the all clear.

  “Tomorrow morning,” Emma said. “I have to admit, if we had to get stuck somewhere, Starry Hollow is a pretty nice option.”

  “I’d think you’ve had enough of being trapped in strange towns,” I joked.

  Emma laughed. “Let’s hope this is the last time. Ever.”

  “Ember, how nice to see you.” Delphine Winter appeared behind the checkout counter. “Another paper for school?”

  “No, we’re on a break,” I said. “Delphine, I’d like you to meet Emma Hart. She’s visiting from out of town.”

  The curly-haired witch shook Emma’s hand. “Wow. You look ready to pop.”

  I couldn’t help but notice a touch of envy in the witch’s hazel eyes. She’d hoped to have a future and a family with Florian, but it wasn’t meant to be.

  “Soon enough,” Emma replied.

  “Are you here for baby books?” Delphine asked. “We have plenty on the shelves.”

  “Sort of,” Emma replied. “Do you have any books on hybrid children? I’d also like any information you have on the goddess called Nyx and her offspring.”

  Delphine’s eyes lit up. “No problem. Whatever you’re researching sounds fascinating.”

  Emma smiled. “Family history for Emma and Daniel Junior.” She rubbed her extended belly.

  Delphine’s gaze flicked to me. “Almost as interesting as the One True Witch.”

  Personally, I found Emma’a story far more interesting. “I’m still researching my ancestor, Ivy Rose.”

  “Yes, I remember.” Delphine looked downright giddy at the prospect of two research projects. “This is a librarian’s dream.” She hustled to the steps that led to the next level. “Follow me, ladies.”

  I glanced at Emma. “Are you okay with the stairs?”

  Emma hesitated. “If you don’t mind, I’ll take a shortcut.” She produced a baby blue wand and said, “Fluffy white clouds in blue skies/help this pregnant lady rise.”

  I watched as Emma rose into the air, wobbling like an unbalanced toy. She landed on the next level with both feet firmly planted. She turned and gave me a thumbs up.

  Delphine peered at me from upstairs. “Why don’t you try that, Ember?”

  “Very funny,” I said. With my luck, I’d end up with my head stuck between stacks of books. I hurried up the steps to join them.

  “Ember, your family history section is here, remember?” Delphine said.

  Emma fixed her gaze on me. “Your family gets its own section at the library?” She whistled. “Fancy.”

  “You’re heading to the section on gods and goddesses for your family tree,” I shot back. “I think you lose the right to call anyone else fancy.”

  Emma snickered. “Fair point.”

  “Do you still have that other book with information on Ivy?” Delphine asked.

  I nodded. “It’s very vague on the details, so I’d like to see what else I can find.” The more I could learn without involving my aunt, the better. I wasn’t sure why I was so wary of asking her questions about Ivy, but I’d learned to trust my instincts.

  “Remind me what you know about her,” Delphine said.

  “She attended the Black Cloak Academy. She was High Priestess.”

  “Your family predates the academy, so the fact she attended helps. I’m pretty sure a Rose was one of the founders.”

  “Color me not remotely shocked,” I said.

  Delphine walked down the aisle and stood in front of a section of books. She pointed her wand and said, “Inveniet Ivy Rose.”

  Several books slid toward her.

  Emma’s eyes rounded. “Librarian powers. Who knew?”

  “Start with these,” Delphine told me. “I’ll take Emma to her section and come back to check on you. Is that okay?”

  “Sounds good to me,” I said. “Good luck, Emma.”

  “Thanks. Same to you.”

  I pulled the protruding books from the shelves and brought them to a nearby table to review. Although Ivy Rose was identified in the first two books, there was almost no information. They basically confirmed her existence and not much else.

  “Another reference to excessive force,” I murmured. Again, no details.

  I tapped my nails on the table beside the book. I found it hard to believe that Aunt Hyacinth didn’t know these facts about Ivy, especially given that Ivy had served as High Priestess. My aunt made it her business to know the history of the local coven and the town, for that matter. She sat on the Council of Elders, for Goddess’ sake. If there’d been a scandal at some point in Starry Hollow history and it involved a Rose, there was no way my aunt was ignorant of it. There had to be a cover-up to blame. The fact that my aunt had possession of Ivy’s wand and grimoire for all these years suggested that she knew something.

  I continued to pore over the contents of the books, hoping to find something new, but to no avail.

  “How are you getting on?” Delphine asked. She pulled out the chair across from me and dropped into it.

  “Not great,” I said. “How’s Emma?”

  “Napping in the middle of Goddess of the Ages. I didn’t have the heart to wake her. I can wipe the slobber off easily enough without ruining the page.”

  I laughed. “Reminds me of my pregnancy, except replace book with bag of Cheetos.”

  “What have you learned about Ivy?”

  “She was very accomplished but very scandalous,” I said.

  Delphine rested her chin in the palm of her hand. “Is that useful?”

  “For my purposes, yes.” I paused. “I think Aunt Hyacinth knows more than she’s letting on, but I can’t figure out why.”

  “Your aunt is often close-mouthed about family business,” Delphine said. “That’s her way. She’s always been a private witch.”

  “And very controlling,” I said.

  “That explains much of Florian’s behavior,” Delphine said with a rueful smile.

  “Florian is both coddled and controlled,” I said. “A bad combo.”

  Emma emerged from the stacks with her hair disheveled and a strand of crusty drool along her cheek.

  “Learn
anything good, Sleepy?” I teased.

  Emma scratched at the crust. “Actually, I did. Nyx was quite the godly slut.”

  I cracked a smile. “I think you’ll find most gods and goddesses have that reputation.”

  Emma joined us at the table. “She was up to all sorts of sexual shenanigans. I probably have more cousins in this world than I’ll ever know, which is strange for someone like me who walked the earth feeling like she had nobody.”

  My hand splayed against my chest. “I feel seen.”

  “She caused as many problems as she solved,” Emma continued. “I found one section which basically lists a bunch of her exploits.”

  “Someone was counting the notches on her bedpost,” I said. “Kind of creepy.”

  “She left a long line of jealous women in her wake,” Emma said. “Other goddesses included. Apparently, Ananke was none too pleased when her partner took up with Nyx. Ananke had to play it cool because she was the primordial goddess of compulsion, so she kind of created the problem, but she was not a happy camper.”

  “Guess there was no girl code back then,” I said.

  “Not among the elite,” Emma said. “They swapped partners more times than a hot cowboy who knows how to country waltz.”

  Delphine and I stared at her. “Okay,” I said slowly. “Did they duke it out?” I paused. “What’s the godly equivalent of hair pulling?”

  “According to one story, Ananke sought revenge by trying to suck Nyx into the cosmos and prevent her from returning to earth.” Emma shuddered. “That would be way worse than flying.”

  “How did Nyx stop her?” I asked.

  “She shrieked so loudly that all her suitors came to her rescue,” Emma said. “Ananke released Nyx and withdrew into the cosmos, never to return to earth.”

  “Must be nice to have all that muscle at your disposal,” I said. “Then again, it sucks that even a powerful goddess like Nyx was a damsel in distress at one point.”

  Emma shrugged. “It’s just a story. Who knows how much it’s been embellished and changed over the centuries?”

  Delphine’s brow knitted. “And Nyx is your…”

  “Grandmother,” Emma finished.

  I blew out a breath. “I think a goddess grandmother trumps an original witch from centuries back, don’t you, Delphine?”