A Hillcrest Witch Mystery Collection

by Amorette Anderson

  Oh, that’s right! I should tell you about that. Victoria left town a week ago, shortly after Declan confessed to two murders and was arrested. His confession was confirmed when the autopsy report showed traces of the exact arthritis medicine that was in his pill bottle. Declan’s prints were on the pill bottle as well. His trial was swift, and his sentence fair: life in prison. Victoria moved out of town, heading across the state to be closer to the prison where Declan will live out the rest of his days.

  I guess it just goes to show—murder is never a good way to get what you want.

  “Isn’t that right, Turkey Werky?” I ask my cat, petting the soft, warm spot between his ears.

  I like to pet him there, but sometimes he doesn’t like it. Tonight he shakes off my touch.

  “Isn’t what right?” he asks.

  “Murder is never a good way to get what you want.”

  “Obviously,” Turkey says.

  I laugh. Turkey is in a state. He doesn’t love having company in our little shared apartment, to say the least. I can tell he’s feeling uncomfortable in his bowtie. “You look very handsome,” I assure him.

  He tilts his chin up and stretches his neck. “Ugh,” he says. “The material is scratchy. Can’t you take it off of me?”

  “But Turkey, tonight's special,” I transmit while adjusting a strap on my dress. “This dress isn't the most comfortable thing in the world either.”

  “Let’s get into PJ’s,” Turkey says.

  I laugh. “Turkey, you don’t wear PJs.”

  “I do,” Turkey says. “I wear my birthday suit. I sleep in the nude, Penny. It’s unnatural for me to be bound up with this—” he stretches his neck again.

  “Stop fussing,” I say. “This coven meeting won’t take too long. I’ll take the tie off of you right away when it’s over. I promise.”

  A knock sounds at the door.

  “And you really invited Azure?” Turkey asks telepathically. “You’re sure she’s not going to pull your hair again?”

  I nod as I make my way to the door. “I think we’re past that,” I say. “This is just a nice meeting between friends. Everyone knows and loves you Turkey. There’s no reason for you to be anxious or—”

  I open the door, and a giant—and I do mean giant—owl swoops into my apartment and begins flying in circles.

  “Meow!” utters Turkey as he ducks beneath one of the stools near the counter. He cowers there as I address Marley.

  “What the—Marley! Is this Skili? You didn’t tell me she was...”

  “Sorry! Sorry—Skili! Here girl.” Marley runs into the apartment, throws down her bag of knitting supplies, and slaps the top of her thighs. “Down!” she says aloud. And then, “Settle down! Stop that!”

  It’s no use. The large white owl continues to swoop in circles. Turkey yowls with concern.

  Marley puts a hand on her head. “She’s been following me everywhere!” she says. “And she doesn’t listen to anything I say!”

  “Skili!” I say, greeting the bird. “Hi there, girl!” I wave my hand a little bit.

  Skili aims one black beady eyeball at me. Then she slows down. I think she liked that!

  I try again. “Hi, girl,” I say, a bit softer. “There, there. Welcome. I’m glad you’re here.” I move slowly to my coat rack and begin pulling items off of it. I throw all of my coats, hats and sweatshirts into a pile on the floor, and then I drag the coat rack into the living room area, right near the couch.

  “Here you go girl,” I say. “You can sit here.”

  Skili does one last circle around the room, eyeing the coat rack the whole time. Then she flies right over to it and lands dramatically. I look over to Turkey.

  “Turkey,” I transmit telepathically, “This is Skili. Marley’s familiar. I hope you two can get along.”

  “Get along!” protests Turkey. “I’m going to be lucky if that beast doesn’t pick me up with her talons and take me home for a midnight snack!”

  “Oh, pooh,” I say. “Don’t be so dramatic.”

  I glance over at the large owl. Her talons are quite sizable. Before I can worry much more on the Skili-Turkey front, I hear a yipping sound coming from the open doorway.

  Cora pokes her head in.

  “Penny Banks!” she says in an approving tone. “Look at this place! You’ve finally cleaned it up. It actually looks like a home now, and not a college dorm room!”

  I laugh as Cora steps through the open doorway. “Yep, I’ve been cleaning on the regular—though I don’t really see what’s wrong with keeping my place like a dorm room.”

  Cora looks to the left, where my coat rack usually stood. Then she looks down at the pile of coats on the floor.

  “Toss your coat on the pile,” I say.

  “Well... maybe it is still like a dorm room in here,” Cora says. She places Blueberry’s carrier down onto the floor, sets her tote of knitting supplies down, and begins unbuttoning her bright yellow peacoat.

  “Or a zoo!” says Annie, arriving at the doorway and looking in. “Look at this place. An owl... a chihuahua, and the handsomest little cat I’ve ever seen.”

  Cora whips her head around just as Blueberry begins to emit a long string of barks.

  It seems that Cora and Blueberry have both noticed the large, snow-white owl in the living room at the same time.

  Skili is now sitting perfectly still. It’s only the blinking of her eyes that alerts the newcomers to the fact that she’s not a stuffed decoration.

  “Did Annie say I was handsome?” Turkey transmits silently, venturing out from under the chair. He leaps up onto a stool, keeping a wary eye on the owl.

  “She did,” I answer, stepping over to him and petting his back. “That’s because you are.”

  Then aloud I say, “What do you ladies think of Turkey’s outfit tonight?”

  A chorus of approval rings out from our visitors. Hoots, yips, whistles, and clapping.

  “Well,” Turkey transmits telepathically, lifting a paw and batting it against the material of his bowtie. “Maybe I should dress up like this every day.”

  “I think special occasions are just fine,” I answer silently.

  Marley has discovered the pitcher of iced tea. “Wow!” she says, from her spot in the kitchen near the sink. “Penny—this tea is delicious! Is this—it couldn't be... but it tastes like—is this Victoria’s secret recipe?”

  Soon all of my witchy sisters are crowded into my embarrassingly small kitchen, vying for a spot near the pitcher. I squeeze my way in too, trying to serve up ice cubes from a tray. Meanwhile, the ladies find a plate of cookies I’ve set out. It’s into this chaotic scene that Azure walks.

  We left the door open, somehow, in all of our excitement about the food and tea. Our familiars are getting to know each other. Though this sounds like a bunch of barking, yowling, and muffled hoots to me, I know there’s a great deal of sophisticated animal communication going on.

  Azure’s eyes are wide when I spot her, standing frozen near the doorway.

  “Come on in!” I shout, while I finally smack the ice cube tray against the counter hard enough to loosen some cubes. They pop up and fall all over the counter top.

  Azure frowns. “I thought—I thought you were hosting a coven meeting tonight,” she says.

  She pushes the door closed behind her.

  I gather up ice cubes as I say, “We are. We usually start out with drinks and food.”

  Marley holds up a tall glass of iced tea. “Azure, you’ve got to try some of this iced tea. It’s to die for.”

  “And I discovered the recipe during a murder case,” I add, proudly.

  “What’s the mystery ingredient?” Annie asks. She reaches for a cube and plunks it into her drink.

  “You’ll never guess,” I say.

  Before my friends can guess, Azure interrupts us. “But you are planning on conducting the Vision Spell tonight, aren’t you?” I see now that she has a white tote bag over her arm. The tote bag has a sky-b
lue pentacle drawn on it. Those must be her witchy supplies.

  Annie reaches for another ice cube as she answers Azure. “Yes, of course, Dear! We plan on doing the spell... but first we usually sort of, you know, warm up a bit. Chit chat. That sort of thing. Come have a glass of tea!”

  “And a cookie,” Marley chimes in.

  “Or a couple,” I say. “If you’re hungry. It is dinner time, you know.”

  “Cookies are not dinner food, Penny,” Cora admonishes.

  Marley, having just taken a sip, offers up her guess about the secret ingredient. “Is there Southern Comfort liquor in it? Am I going to get drunk?”

  Azure looks horrified. She sets her bag down and then looks for a place for her puffy, silver coat as she asks, “You’re drinking spiked tea?”

  I laugh. “No. There’s no alcohol in the tea.” I turn to Marley. “You’re wrong,” I say. “That’s not the secret ingredient.”

  Then to Azure, who’s still looking for a place to put her coat, I say, “Just add it to the pile there. I had this place really tidied up but then Marley brought her pet bird and I had to do some rearranging.”

  Azure places her coat on the pile. Never missing an opportunity to correct me, she says, “Her familiar. That bird isn’t a pet, Penny. I’m guessing it’s not domesticated at all, by the looks of her. I can also tell that she’s an Ancestral Familiar, by the way she looks at Marley.”

  Azure’s words catch Marley’s attention. She’s been rummaging in my cupboards, looking for who-knows-what, but as Azure says the word ‘ancestral’, Marley pauses. She looks over at Azure. “What do you mean, ancestral?”

  “That owl is someone from your past,” Azure says to Marley. “Yes... I’m feeling that quite clearly. It’s in her eyes. It makes sense. Some witches, especially if they need to feel rooted to the past in order to gain power, will call Ancestral Familiars to them. This owl is female, isn’t she?”

  Marley nods. I reach for my glass of tea and sip while Azure answers.

  “Yes... I can sense that. She has a very feminine energy about her.” Azure gazes at the owl.

  “Who?” Marley asks. The word sounds just like the noise the owl was making, just a moment ago.

  Azure closes her eyes and sways back and forth a little. Then her eyes pop open. “I sense that she’s someone you never met. Yes. Someone you didn’t meet in person, but that you always knew. Someone you’ve been close to your entire life... in your own way.”

  “My grandmother,” whispers Marley. “My Grandma Greene.”

  Azure nods. “Yes. That’s it. She’s back to guide you on your magical journey.”

  We all look at Skili, who gazes back at us silently.

  “Marley,” I say. “Could you tell your grandma not to use her freaky owl talons to haul my cat off for a midnight snack?”

  “Oh!” says Cora. “And tell her not to try anything funny with Blueberry either.”

  Marley rolls her eyes. “She’s not going to try anything like that.”

  My mention of a midnight snack has caused Turkey to dash in my direction. He leaps up into my arms. Holding him, I turn to Azure. “Is Turkey an Ancestral Familiar?” I ask.

  Though Azure and I don’t get along perfectly, I have to admit it’s nice to have an experienced witch in attendance for once.

  Azure shakes her head. “No, no. Not at all. He’s a Complementary Familiar.”

  “Sweet!” Marley says. “Like how you get complimentary peanuts on an airplane ride?”

  I look down at the fur ball in my arms. “He is a little peanut, isn’t he?”

  Turkey wiggles. I don't think he’s having much fun.

  “Not that kind of complementary,” Azure says. “More like complementary colors, like purple and yellow. He’s here to be Penny’s opposite. To help her strengthen her weaknesses.”

  I lean down and kiss Turkey. “Hear that?” I say aloud. “We make a perfect pair... like purple and yellow.”

  Turkey purrs and grins. He likes this news too.

  “What about Blueberry and me?” Cora asks.

  She scoops Blueberry into her arms. Cora is wearing a pink bow in her blonde hair. It matches Blueberry’s bow perfectly.

  Azure doesn’t hesitate before answering. “I don’t even have to tap into my intuition to answer you,” she says. “That’s easy. Blueberry Muffin is a Companion Familiar, Cora. You two are paired together for your similarities. Instead of having opposite traits, you two have similar personalities. I’m guessing you get along very well.”

  “Extremely well,” Cora says, while Blueberry licks her chin.

  Annie wanders towards the couch with a glass of tea and small plate of cookies in hand. The handle of her basket of knitting supplies is looped over one arm. As she settles into sitting she says, “I do wish I had a familiar. I can’t seem to figure out how I’m supposed to get one though. Do I need to visit the animal shelter?”

  Once again, Azure closes her eyes. After a few seconds she opens them. “Your familiar is on his way,” she says.

  “On his way!” Annie exclaims happily. “Oh! It’s a boy! How exciting. It’s a boy!”

  I set Turkey down, and then look at Azure. “You sure are good at this stuff,” I say.

  Azure sticks her nose in the air. “Which is why I feel I should help you get your meeting routine into order. I’ve never seen a meeting that began with so much disorganization. Have you even cleared the space? Or cast a circle?”

  Annie speaks, “Oh, I did cast on already. Not onto circular needles, I’m afraid.” She pulls her latest knitting project from her basket and situates it on her lap.

  Azure looks bewildered.

  “We knit,” I explain. “While we study magic.”

  “Well, that explains a lot,” Azure says. “For one thing, it explains why you all seem to fumble about so much. Magic takes dedication and focus. You can’t just putz around with your little craft projects and expect to advance with your studies. If you really want to learn magic, you’re going to have to stop knitting so much and—”

  I hold up a hand to stop Azure. “Impossible,” I say.

  “Simply not happening,” says Annie. She’s really into the swing of things now, moving her needles full speed.

  “Not this coven,” Cora says.

  “It’s how we operate,” says Marley.

  “We’d be lost without our knitting projects,” I say. Then I turn to Annie. “Speaking of—did you happen to bring the pattern book with the skirt in it?”

  Annie pauses her knitting and begins rummaging in her basket.

  Marley carries her supplies to the couch and sits next to Annie. “Penny—I bought us yarn a few days back. I forgot to tell you! Matching colors too... we’ll be twins.”

  I laugh and find a seat next to my friends.

  Azure walks to the living room and stands in front of us.

  “I don’t see why I’m here if you’re not even planning on taking this spell seriously,” she says, placing her hand on her hips. “This is a waste of my time. You know, I’m a very important witch. I have better things to do than fritter away an evening like this.” She motions to our activities.

  Cora wanders over with two glasses of tea in her hands. She hands one to Azure. “Knitting is not a waste of time,” she says. “Here, have some tea.”

  Azure accepts the tea reluctantly.

  Annie chimes in. “It might help you relax, Dear. You seem to get worked up easily. Knitting is meditative.”

  “Takes your mind off of things,” I say.

  “Helps you feel centered,” adds in Marley.

  “And productive,” says Cora, as she settles into a chair.

  Azure sips tea. “My—that is good,” she says.

  I smile. “Now, sit for a minute,” I say. “Let’s all just relax and catch up. Then we’ll get into the spell.”

  I pick up the yarn that Marley has produced out of her bag. With the yarn in hand, I get up off of the couch and move to sitting cross-
legged on the floor. This leaves a seat for Azure. I’m pleased when she nestles into the couch. For the next twenty minutes, we chit chat about knitting, Cora’s wedding plans, and news from town. All of the ladies are interested to hear from Marley about her living situation.

  “Now that Declan is off to jail, are you back on the land?” Annie asks Marley.

  Marley nods. “Mm hmm... and it feels so good, too. I always felt a connection in that spot. Now that I know more about Grandpa Felix, my feeling of belonging is even stronger.”

  Marley’s white owl flutters her wings, and then settles again.

  I smile. “That’s so good,” I say. My friend always seems so happy when she’s up at the old mine, surrounded by the wilderness and mountains. I didn’t want her to have to leave it. “I wonder... if Declan forged that will just so that he could manipulate his way into getting the gold—”

  “Sneaky young man!” interjects Annie.

  I continue. “—Does that mean there’s a real will out there somewhere? Or do you think it’s been destroyed?

  “Skili communicated with me about that,” Marley says. “She says that Felix wanted the mine to stay in the family. She said that Felix felt very strongly about leaving a legacy for future generations.”

  “Meaning you,” Cora says.

  “Yes—My dad and me,” Marley says. “We’re the only Greenes left.”

  “You might be coming into some money, then,” Annie says. “If the mine should have been left to you, that means the money from the sale of the gold nugget should be yours as well.”

  “Declan certainly doesn’t deserve it,” I say.

  Marley nods. “I’m going to talk to a lawyer about it,” she says. “It’s not that I want the money so much, it’s just that—”

  “Marley!” I interrupt. “It’s eleven million dollars! Of course you want it!”

  Marley grins. “Okay,” she says. “I want it.”

  We’re all excited for our friend as we keep chatting away.

  Eventually Annie reins us in. “I do suppose we’d better get down to business,” she says.

  “You think?” mutters Azure. The tea and her spot on the couch has placated her a bit, but I sense she’s still eager to get down to work.