The Raven and the Witchhunter

by H. M. Gooden

"So....what happened?" asked Cat, clearing her throat awkwardly.

  Vanessa laughed. "Oh, Cat. You know what happened. You pretty much saw everything, from the sounds of when you walked in. We just kissed laying down. That's all."

  Cat shook her head. "That's not what I meant. I want to know how you got there, to that place, to begin with. The last I'd heard when I left this morning was that Emma Jane was ready to bolt the instant the witch was found and destroyed. Instead, I walk in on you two canoodling on the couch a few hours later." She smiled mischievously, giving Vanessa a fist to bump. "Nicely done, may I say."

  Vanessa rolled her eyes at her sister's approval, secretly happy to have it. Although she’d never tell her that, she did accept the fist-bump.

  "Thanks, I think. It was a pretty eventful day overall. I took her to work with me. They found the makeup artist, Sandra, dead a few minutes after she did my hair and make-up. While I was in a dumpster, actually.

  Cat stopped walking, mouth open in shock. "No way!"

  Vanessa nodded, feeling the shock of the moment again as she realized she'd never see the vibrant, blue-haired artist again. She was going to miss her.

  "Yeah. I convinced Emma Jane to sneak out the side door to avoid questioning. I couldn't handle the idea, not so soon after the last round of police questioning we endured. And it was Sandra, Cat. I really liked her. Things aren't going to be the same without her there." Vanessa wiped a tear away, stuffing her hands into her pockets and sniffing.

  Cat tilted her head, raising her eyebrows as she looked at her sister. "You didn't, did you? You know that will only make them wonder more, right?"

  Vanessa shrugged but kept walking. "Yeah, maybe, but I couldn't deal with them at the time. They pretty much have me on speed dial, so it’s not like they can’t find me anytime they want. So yeah, I ran away and we came back home. Emma Jane went to lay down, probably to cope with her frustration at missing another chance at the witch, although she said she was tired, and I called Mom.”

  Cat nodded slowly. "Oh yes, Mom. The best place to go when stressed and conflicted. So, if you called Mom and Emma Jane went to lay down, how did I walk in on what I almost walked in on?" Cat asked, tilting her head as she stopped walking, waiting for Vanessa to answer.

  "Apparently, Emma Jane was eavesdropping again. Seriously, I’m going to put a bell on her. Be careful what you say if she's in the house because that's twice now. At least this time what she heard convinced her, somehow, to give me a chance. I'm not sure how exactly, but I’m not going to question it."

  Vanessa gave Cat a dreamy smile, wrapping her arms around herself and swaying slightly. “I'm just glad she did. But that likely means I'll need you to live with me forever, as I can't see myself without her."

  Cat shook her head. "That's fine for now, but we need to find a better long-term solution. That seems like an awkward way to live life in general and for me in particular. I mean, I love you big sis, but I’m not looking to be the third in this relationship."

  Vanessa started walking again, kicking a stray branch that was on the sidewalk in front of her. "Yeah, I know. But it's what I have for now. I'll be more than happy to entertain other options, if you find any. But Cat, I'm not sure I can live without her."

  They walked in silence after Vanessa’s stunning confession, along the tree-lined streets lit with Victorian-style street lamps in the dusk. They'd just turned the corner two blocks from the apartment when the figure of a woman appeared. Her face was hidden in the darkness and she was average size, but the long coat she wore looked familiar to Vanessa. When she came almost close enough for Vanessa to see her face, she leapt toward her without warning. Vanessa shrieked, reflexively using a blast of air to deflect the woman from her attack, causing her to narrowly miss grabbing ahold of her.

  Cat moved swiftly, creating a ball of fire in her hand to throw, but the woman was gone, vanishing as quickly as she’d appeared. They stood in silent consternation for a minute, looking around in all directions at the eerily deserted street, waiting for her to return. When the street remained empty and quiet, they looked at each other.

  "Did you catch a face?" Vanessa asked, panting from the suddenness of the attack and its effect on her slightly dampened powers.

  "No, it happened too fast. I did catch a really nasty-looking aura though. I think it was the same as the woman from the bar. I’m almost positive that was our witch."

  "Damn it. And she got away, again. I wonder why she gave up so easily. She didn't even try to fight or anything." Vanessa looked down the street, absently examining the cracks in the sidewalk as she tried to remember what it was that had struck her about the figure, then looked up, snapping her fingers.

  "I know what it is. I recognized her coat. I've seen it, just today. But I can't remember who was wearing it. It was definitely someone who was on set."

  "And it was the same aura as the person from the bar. Do you remember what she looked like?" Cat asked, adding with a shrug, "I didn't see her face that night."

  "I didn't see it either. Her hair mostly covered it and the rest of her was hidden by the other woman she was draining." Vanessa growled. "Argh! No wonder Emma Jane's getting so ticked off. This woman truly is a fart in the wind."

  Cat nodded sympathetically. "She's very good at being bad. But now we have an aura and a jacket to find her with. We know for sure she was someone you saw on set, that she's a she, and that her aura is blacker than black. Technically I have school tomorrow, but nothing too important. I can skip it to scope out the set and see if we can find her there."

  Vanessa nodded, her thoughts still focused on the coat. It wasn't a common one and it looked expensive. It lingered on the edge of her mind for several minutes, dancing just beyond her memory as they resumed their walk home.

  "I think I know who it is. That coat, I've only seen it once." Vanessa mulled the idea over, nodding with certainty once the idea arrived in full.

  "Who is it?" Cat waited for her answer, watching Vanessa instead of the sidewalk and almost tripped.

  Vanessa looked at her and smirked. "Careful there, Mabel,” she said, then shook her head. “I don't actually know the woman, but I saw her check in just before I signed for Emma Jane. I'm pretty sure it's the producer’s wife, but the sign-in sheet would tell me for sure."

  "That's wonderful!" said Cat, as she clapped her hands together. "Okay, I'm coming with you tomorrow for sure then. I'll get the study notes from a classmate, I’ll just text my friend. If we can find this woman tomorrow, hopefully we can end this for good."

  Vanessa was excited, but also concerned about Emma Jane’s possible reaction. She couldn’t help but wonder if she’d leave the city immediately once her hunt was over. Or would she stay a while, now that she'd decided to try having a relationship with her? Vanessa couldn't suppress the worry that tomorrow could be her last day with the potential love of her life, but she tried to push the fear away.

  "Hello?" she called, entering the kitchen and kicking her shoes off as Cat followed close on her heels. Vanessa entered the living room, but it was empty. She hesitated before knocking on the door to her room, feeling odd about needing permission to enter. When she didn't hear anything, she cautiously pushed the door open to find Emma Jane sitting on the floor, cross-legged with her eyes closed.

  Her breathing was so shallow at first Vanessa wasn't sure she was actually breathing until she noticed a piece of hair that had slipped forward onto Emma Jane’s face, gently moving back and forth with each exhale. Crouching down, Vanessa pushed at the silky lock, smoothing it down her back. Emma Jane opened her eyes, which were now a bright, cloudy white. Emma Jane smiled then leaned forward, lightly touching her lips to Vanessa's.

  "Hi," Emma Jane said, as she leaned back. "Did you have a good walk?" She tilted her head to the side as she waited for Vanessa to answer.

  Vanessa sat across from her on the floor and took her hands into her own, looking at their strong fingers and short, practical nails. Absently, she rubbed
her thumb across the back of Emma Jane's hand, appreciating her bone structure.

  "Actually, we think we had a sighting." Vanessa looked up to observe her reaction.

  "What? Are you okay? Did she touch you?" Emma Jane narrowed her eyes, running her gaze over Vanessa's body with worry, before exhaling with relief when she saw there weren't any injuries.

  "We're both fine. She startled us, but I apparently have reflexes, which is cool, and I was able to throw her off with a gust of wind. Cat was ready with a fireball, but it wasn't even needed, because she took off.”

  Vanessa looked at her, her excitement bubbling over. "I’m not sure why she took off, but I'm ninety percent sure I know who it is."

  "Ninety percent?" Emma Jane echoed, squinting her eyes in confusion.

  "Yes. I saw her coat today, right around the time we checked in. I want to make sure, but I think she’s the producer’s wife, which is why she’s got access to everyone who's been targeted so far."

  Emma Jane nodded. "Hmm, that makes sense. So now what?"

  "Well," Vanessa said hesitantly, "this is where it gets tricky. To know for sure, I need to find the sign in sheet. It's usually kept at the front desk, but I don't want anyone to know I'm searching for it in case they come looking for me. So, I was thinking..." she trailed off, looking off to the side instead of meeting Emma Jane’s gaze as she usually did. "I was thinking maybe I could go back tonight, to get my makeup bag."

  Emma Jane sputtered in response, finally holding up a hand. "What the hell are you talking about? Are you crazy? That’s the worst idea you could have."

  Vanessa shook her head. "No, it's not the worst idea, but it could be dangerous, I get that. I'm hoping if you and Cat come it won't be as bad a plan. It all kind of hinges on that, really. By myself I'm totally a target, but with you two there I think we could pull it off."

  "Have you talked to Cat about it yet?" Emma Jane looked at her with disbelief, which made Vanessa smile.

  "Yeah, we've been talking this whole time. She reacted like you did at first but agreed there's not much we can do otherwise. I mean, this woman is coming for me. Evelyn must have seen that to tell you I was in trouble, and with all the deaths around me, I’m sure of it. Therefore, if I put myself out there with two super powerful women for backup, instead of being alone in whatever dark alley I was supposed to meet her in, it just stands to reason that I'll have a better chance at walking away intact and with my wrinkles to a minimum."

  "But what if that's what Evelyn saw in the first place?"

  The worry in Emma Jane's face made Vanessa feel incredibly lucky, but simultaneously increased her own fear.

  "I don't want to sit on this. I think we have a real chance, even if it may be slightly dangerous."

  Emma Jane scratched her head. "Okay. I'll come with you, of course. But we need to be careful. When do you want to go?"

  "I was kind of thinking now-ish?" said Vanessa, with a sheepish smile. "It's almost nine. I know the security guards and I can just have them pop me in. It’ll be easy to access my stuff and get out. The only concern I have is that if the police took the sign-in sheet, the trip itself may be a waste of time."

  Emma Jane sighed again, uncurling herself and getting up from the floor with a graceful movement that caused Vanessa to stop talking and watch. She realized Emma Jane was waiting for her to respond to something she’d said when she crossed her arms and pursed her lips.

  "What?"

  "I said, if you want to go now, I'll grab my bag. Hopefully, there won't be anyone around."

  Vanessa stood up too, only a few inches away from Emma Jane, and looked down from her five-foot eleven height at Emma Jane's more diminutive but powerfully muscular frame.

  "It's usually pretty quiet at this time of night in the warehouse," said Vanessa, as she smiled diffidently. "I've had to go back more than once to pick up something I forgot during the day, which is how I thought of this plan in the first place."

  Emma Jane shook her head and laughed, then moved a step closer. She brought her arms around Vanessa and she wrapped hers around Emma Jane in response. Without speaking, Emma Jane rested her head on Vanessa's chest and just like that, Vanessa felt something break open inside of her. They stood there, holding each other for a few moments, before Emma Jane lifted her head to look at Vanessa again.

  "I'll come with you and we'll try your plan. But Vanessa, I need you to stay behind me. This woman is after you; not me, not Cat. Let us protect you, just this once, okay?" Emma Jane hastened to add the clarifier as Vanessa's protest brewed.

  Sighing dramatically, Vanessa agreed. "Just this one time. For you."

  A wry smile slipped onto Emma Jane's face and Vanessa dropped her head to kiss her again.

  "HEY, ARE YOU READY in there? Guys?"

  The sound of Cat practically yelling outside the bedroom door caused Vanessa to reemerge from the comfortably hazy world of Emma Jane that she'd been visiting. She didn't know how long they'd been standing there, but she felt fatigued and short of breath. Vanessa pulled back to see a correspondingly dazed expression on Emma Jane's face.

  Vanessa giggled, kissing Emma Jane lightly on the nose. "I think that's our cue. I'll get re-energized while you get your stuff. Thank you."

  Emma Jane blinked owlishly. "For what?"

  Vanessa quirked her lips. "Thank you for being you. For letting me be with you. For walking into my life a few days ago and messing it all up."

  It was Emma Jane's turn to smile then she shook her head. "I didn't do anything. This is all because of the woman you are. We both have a lot to thank Evelyn for."

  Vanessa nodded, then winked. "I think you're right. Okay, let's do this. I'll give you a minute." Vanessa gave her one last quick kiss on the lips, then opened the door her sister had just tapped on again, causing Cat to almost fall into her.

  "Hey, I was just..." Cat stumbled back as Vanessa exited the room.

  "It's okay. We got distracted." Vanessa grinned smugly at Cat, who gave her a stare with unfocused eyes before shaking her head.

  Cat rolled her eyes. "I can see that. Okay, come here. You know, it's a really good thing I live with you. I wouldn't be able to keep up otherwise. But this isn’t a long-term solution, that's for sure."

  Vanessa watched her sister concentrate for a minute while she kept her hand on Vanessa's shoulder. She knew that Cat could heal without touching, but for quicker results and less energy expenditure, her sister preferred direct contact. Vanessa was always in awe of everything Cat could do. Vanessa had the ability to control air and turn into a raven, but Cat was far more powerful. Vanessa wasn't scared to come face to face with this witch, no matter how much Emma Jane worried for her. She knew they'd faced worse back in Scotland. Heck, even high school had been more dangerous, because she hadn't known anything about this stuff back then, and Declan had almost succeeded in taking her soul before she'd learned about her powers. The current situation didn't worry her as much in comparison.

  "There, all done. Try to keep a little distance from her for the rest of the night, okay? At least until after we get back from the set. You'll need all your skills and wits about you," said Cat then paused, giving Vanessa a pointed look. "Capiche?"

  This time, it was Vanessa who rolled her eyes. "Yes, Mom. I feel fine."

  Emma Jane entered the living room with her bag slung across her shoulder. "Are you guys ready?"

  Her face was serious and set for battle and Vanessa knew that Emma Jane meant business.

  "Yep. Good as new. Let's go and see what we can see. Hopefully, this will be the end of this."

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  The parking lot was eerily quiet as they walked toward the large warehouse where Vanessa's workplace was located. She'd returned more than once at this time of the night, but had never noticed how deserted the area was after dark. She stopped at the security desk as she didn't have a key of her own and rang the buzzer. Cat looked at her with surprise.

  "What?" she whispered, shrugging. "I'm
not that famous yet. Plus, the security guards have flashlights and I don't like the dark."

  Cat shook her head but didn't respond. A moment later a man appeared at the security desk.

  "Bob! Hey, how are you?" Vanessa gave the security guard a huge grin and hugged him, letting go when Emma Jane stepped forward protectively. She'd forgotten she wasn't supposed to touch anyone, but brushed off the glare she caught out of the corner of her eye. It was Bob. She knew beyond a doubt he wasn't going to hurt her.

  "Hi there, Miss V. What are you doing back so late? Were you here for the big event this morning? Pretty awful,” Bob said, his face assuming a solemn expression which was a stark contrast to his previously happy greeting.

  His wrinkled eyes were creased with sadness. Vanessa thought about how he'd always been her favorite, with his warm fatherly demeanor and laid-back personality. She'd heard he'd been a cop in LA at one time but had come to San Francisco to retire. He must have been disappointed to have a murder at his job site if he'd moved cities to get away from all that.

  "Yeah, I was here, but I left,” Vanessa admitted. “I didn't want to see what had happened. I figured if it was bad enough, the police would track me down. Did they question everyone? No one has called me. I'm not even sure if I'm supposed to come in tomorrow. But in all the drama, I realized that I left my makeup bag behind. I'll need that for the morning, to look beautiful, don't you know."

  Bob scoffed at that. "Oh, come now, missy. You don't need any of that stuff to make you beautiful. But I know how you women are about that sort of thing. Why don't you three come with me? I'll keep you safe. You never know what could be lurking. This place seems to be going to the dogs lately, what with today's death and the other two this week." He looked at Vanessa questioningly. "Did you hear about those? Awful things."

  Vanessa sighed. "Yeah, I was saddened to find out about them all. I knew them both. And the one happened incident happened right outside my house."

  "Say what now? I hadn't heard that," he said, as he regarded her closely.