Slowly, I crept closer, trying to keep my feet from making a sound. I should get a weapon. Why had I packed the crystal spikes first? I had no idea which box they were in now. Maybe fire ant powder? A dash to the face, and any intruders would wish they were dead. At the very least, they’d run screaming, fingers clawing at their skin.
I skirted the hatch and searched the box of powders, finding the jar near the top. Off came the lid, while voices filtered up from the basement. There was more than one of them.
My fingers clenched the jar. Any sane person would run and get help, but they might be gone by the time I got back. The plan: Toss the powder down the hole, and ask questions later.
I flung the trap door open.
“Tessa, is that you? Where do you keep the elderberry wine? All you have is blackberry. You know I can’t stand the stuff.” Sylvia popped her head into view and gestured with her cane. “It’s a disaster down here. I don’t know how you find anything.”
“Sylvia! Why are you in my basement?”
She rolled her eyes. “The wine, dear. Are you hard of hearing? Where is it?”
“Found it!” A man shouted.
“Who’s down there with you?” I set the jar on the floor and clambered down the steps, my shoes crunching over glass and a sticky substance.
“Mind the glass. I dropped a bottle. It’s a bit slippery.”
“Tessa, my love!” Charlie held up a jug of wine and grinned. “You’re just in time. Your neighbor has cooked me the most amazing meal. She’s a wonder.” He held up the wine bottle. “Does red go with fish?”
“Elderberry wine goes with everything.” Sylvia swung her cane, making Charlie do a little side-step.
I shook my head, unable to make sense of the scene. “Charlie, where have you been? I’ve looked everywhere for you. Last I heard, you were in hiding.”
Charlie scrunched his nose. “Never stiff a weapons vendor. When they get mad, they have weapons. I had to close up shop—temporarily, of course. I’m getting back on my feet thanks to this dove.” He gestured to Sylvia.
“What?”
Sylvia flattened her lips with impatience. “Charlie heard you were searching for him. I was minding my own business, looking out the window at your magic shop, when I saw him. You weren’t home, so I invited him over for breakfast.”
“She makes the most wonderful breakfasts,” Charlie added.
“He’s been staying with me ever since. Fuzzy adores him.”
“And I adore Fuzzy.”
“Hold on.” I ran my hands through my hair, digging my fingers into my scalp. “You’ve been next door the entire time?”
Charlie shrugged. “I’ve been meaning to come by, love, but Sylvia has been such a gracious host.”
My patience ran out. “Charlie, I’ve been to the market every day this week. I’m at my wit’s end! You’re the only person I know who’s heard of Ironhazel. Tell me you have new information.”
“Of course I do. That’s why I came by.”
Sylvia grunted. “The fish is getting cold. We should head back.”
“Wait!” I blocked the exit, holding up my hands. “You can have all the wine you want, every last drop, but not before you give me the details on Ironhazel.”
“You might as well tell her. There’s no stopping her when she gets like this. We’ll never get to eat,” Sylvia said, gathering wine bottles into her arms.
Charlie uncorked the bottle in his hand and took a deep sip straight from the jug. “I know where you can find Ironhazel. What is it, Tuesday?”
“Yeah, Tuesday,” Sylvia confirmed.
“There’s a ship docking on Thursday with a huge shipment of illegal contraband, and I heard Ironhazel will be there. It might be your only chance to catch him.” He slapped his stomach with the palm of his hand. “All right. Now, let’s eat.”
Chapter 26
The ship would dock in less than two hours.
I tucked my hair beneath my hood and tightened the belt at my waist. My hands were clammy, muscles aching with tension. Each hour that ticked closer to the rendezvous made it harder to concentrate.
This was the lead I’d been waiting for, but I couldn’t shake the hollow feeling in my stomach. All I had to do was lay low and identify Ironhazel. Maybe I’d get lucky and see an opportunity to apprehend him, but the plan was to track him, find out where he was hiding, and take him down there. Catching him would bring us closer to catching Ella’s killer and would help bring justice to the other victims.
Us.
When would I stop referring to everything with an us attached to it? There was no more us, only me, and maybe Vivian if she’d stop giving me a disappointed scowl every time I opened my mouth. She claimed I was being intentionally stubborn, even using the word pigheaded. Vivian might be the type of friend to follow me into quicksand if that’s where I led her, but she’d grumble the whole way and make sure her last words were, “I told you so.”
That was why she didn’t know about tonight’s caper. Tagging along while I visited with a loan shark was one thing, especially since she’d seemed to charm the scoundrel, but going after a potential killer? No way. I couldn’t risk it.
Ugh, I was turning into Derrick, the king of safety.
Regret wormed its way into my chest. Our last encounter had been playing on repeat in my mind. The way his hands had felt against my face, the deep, soothing tone of his voice, how there seemed to be so much left unsaid, and how his pain had broken my heart even more than his decision to push me away.
Sometimes, I allowed myself to imagine different outcomes. Funny, how every fictional outcome had us leaving together. Damn it! There was that word again. Two sneaky letters that wouldn’t leave me alone. Was there such a thing as a selective lobotomy? If so, sign me up.
I glanced at the time. I’d stalled long enough. My fingers trailed over the small vials of powder I’d attached to my belt. Sure, a witch’s weapons were her spells, but just in case, I’d tucked a small sheathed blade into my boot. A pinch of powder and a dose of steel made for one prepared witch.
Vivian’s hypnotic voice echoed down the hallway. I paused outside her séance room. Inside, she clung to an older woman’s hand, eyes closed, channeling a spirit. Incense burned and candles flickered, though the room was as chilly as an icebox. One of her eyes popped open when I stepped on a loose floorboard, the creak ruining my stealthy getaway.
“Keep your eyes shut, Mrs. Baldwin. The spirit is getting stronger, I just need to light another candle.” Vivian slipped out of her chair and pointed a finger. “Don’t move.” She said the words to me, but Mrs. Baldwin nodded.
Vivian followed me into the waiting room, assuming her scowl of disdain. “Where are you going dressed as a thief in the night?”
“This is your cloak, Viv.”
“Yeah, well, I usually wear that one when I’m about to do something stupid. So, good choice.”
“I have errands. Don’t wait up.”
“Errands, huh? Okay, let’s pretend I believe that.”
“Go back to your client. I know what I’m doing. I’ll be back later.” I opened the door and hurried down the steps, the night air freezing my breath and creating an icy sheen on the cobblestones.
Vivian stood in the doorway. “Hey, Tess, before you go, want to know the funny thing about you and ghosts?”
I paused on the bottom step and sighed. Apparently, she needed the last word too.
“What’s that, Viv?”
She took a breath and waited until I’d turned to face her. “You act the same. They wander around completely invisible, watching other people live their lives. Most of them don’t even understand why. They’re stuck. Then, one day, if they’re lucky, they meet someone who can see them, and suddenly, they’re not alone anymore. I think it might be like that in life too. When you find someone who sees you differently than anyone else, Tess, someone who opens your eyes to new possibilities and helps you deal with the baggage in your past, it changes thin
gs. What a shame that you’re willing to give it all up.” She gave me a weak smile. “But, hey, what do I know? I talk to dead people.” The door closed as she went back inside.
My hand trembled on the iron railing. A full minute passed before I took a wobbly step into the street. The wind stung my eyes, making them well up. Yes, it was the wind and not an emotional response to Vivian’s lecture.
The ghosts were messing with her head. I wasn’t invisible. Not literally, but wasn’t there a part of me that had always felt unseen, the witch who wished she was better? All my life, I’d lived in my mother’s shadow. A shadow that only got bigger after her death.
That didn’t make me a ghost.
I kept walking, letting my conviction carry me down the road until even that felt thin and useless. My mind churned. Derrick had set aside his prejudice. He saw my intentions, welcomed my ideas, and treated me like an equal. His accusations in the holding cell had hurt. It made me think he didn’t know me as well as I’d thought. Except I didn’t believe that. I’d shaken his confidence and let my misconceptions about my worth spoil everything I’d accomplished. It was ironic how I’d insisted I wanted a partner, then didn’t treat him like one. I hadn’t trusted him even after he’d asked me to, and it had been my lies, not my failed spells or poor life choices that had driven him away.
Maybe it wasn’t too late?
If I wanted to set things right, I’d have to be completely honest. Ew. Okay, honest about the big stuff. A white lie here and there never hurt a witch. But that also meant being honest with myself. Double ew.
The truth was, I wasn’t ready to give up. Not the shop, not the case, and especially not Derrick. Shouldn’t I at least try to win him back? What better way to lure a detective than with the clue we’d been searching for? Damn. Vivian had the last word and an, “I told you so,” coming her way.
A carriage rumbled past. I raised my hand, picking up my pace to chase after it. The driver pulled over, and I climbed inside.
“Where to, Miss?”
“Take me to the Royal Agency. Fast as you can.”
Twenty minutes later, I was standing at Derrick’s office door. If he threw me out again, I didn’t know what I would do, especially since I’d decided I wanted to finish the case together. My knuckles connected with the wood, and I heard his clipped voice call out from behind.
“Enter.”
Derrick’s head was lowered, his attention buried in a stack of paperwork. He didn’t react when I walked into his office.
“Did you bring me the case file?” His heavy sigh made the candle flame waver. “Put it on my desk and head home. It’s late.”
“Do you always talk to your secretary that way, Detective?”
His hand stilled, a splash of ink welling where the pen stalled. He lifted his head, and the intensity in his gaze made me falter.
“Tessa, what are you doing here? Is everything—?”
“We don’t have much time. I know where to find Ironhazel, and I need your help. No, I want your help.” My voice cracked, and I had to clear my throat before I could continue. “Detective, can we be partners one more time?”
***
The wharf swarmed with sailors unloading cargo. Crates swung over the ship railings and were slowly lowered down to the dock. Shouts and animated conversation filled the air. Derrick had placed officers around the perimeter, so there was no way in and no way out without one of them seeing.
We moved through the crowd in search of the ship Charlie had written down. A crate of fish spilled open in our path, and the floppy monsters stared at us with beady, lifeless eyes. Their smell clogged the air.
I used my sleeve to cover my mouth and pointed to the furthest ship. “Over there. That’s the one.”
Derrick hesitated, reaching for my arm when I tried to move past him. “Tessa, wait.”
I recognized the indecision on his face. “No. Don’t even think about it. I’m going with you. We’re partners, remember? That was the deal.”
He sighed and gripped my shoulders. “Yes, I remember. Promise me, you’ll be careful.”
“Always. We should split up.”
“I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
“You’re being unreasonable.”
“Tessa…” His hands fisted my cloak, pulling it tight. “Don’t push me.”
“Fine. We’ll stay together, but we need a plan so we can get closer without attracting attention.” My foot tapped lightly against the ground while I considered our options.
A group of men stumbled past, bumping into a stack of crates. They laughed and kept on moving, leaving a trail of empty bottles in their wake. I picked one up and handed it to Derrick, then retrieved another for myself.
“Cheers.” With a clink of my bottle against his, I swayed into him, wrapping my arm around his waist.
Derrick took the full brunt of my weight, dragging my hood over my head when it slipped free. He chuckled at my drunken act, and the mood lightened. His smile made my heart stutter.
We wandered closer to the ship, weaving unsteadily through the mob of people. Near the gangway, I sank to my knees, peeking beneath the curve of my hood. A man with a ledger directed crates and passengers in different directions. We watched for almost half an hour, heads low, leaning drunkenly against a wooden post.
“Are you sure this is the right place?” Derrick asked.
“Why? Is there somewhere else you need to be?”
“No, nowhere else.” The arm he’d wrapped around my waist tightened.
I relaxed into his side, taking comfort in his solid warmth. Stakeouts were my new favorite thing. Next time, I might bring snacks and definitely some real wine. Assuming there would be a next time. Derrick had agreed to this little mission, but it didn’t mean we were back together.
“Why did you change your mind? I thought you wanted to win.”
Silence stretched between us. I fiddled with the top of my bottle, circling my finger around the rim as I stalled for time. I didn’t know how to start.
His hand closed over my fingers. “You always fiddle with things when you’re nervous. Stop. Tell me the truth.”
“I can’t believe you notice that.”
“What? Fiddling with things? You do it all the time.” He paused, angling his head to rest against mine. “I notice everything you do. You play with my collar when you’re trying to get your way, and I pretend I don’t like it. You turn your head when you curse. I don’t know why you bother, I can hear you loud and clear. And I know you can’t see it, but you get this look in your eyes when you’re about to cast a spell. It’s half-terror and half-hope, and every time, I want the spell to work because I know you’re going to flash me one of your smug smiles.”
“I do not have a smug smile.”
“You do, and for some reason, I find it incredibly charming.” His voice lowered. “So, tell me why you changed your mind.”
The stupid wind was making my eyes sting again. How was I supposed to talk around the lump in my throat? I cleared it away.
“It was this thing Vivian said about ghosts and being invisible. You kind of had to be there. She’s probably been waiting her whole life to use ghosts in an analogy, so I have to give her credit.” I looked up at his face. “But she had a point.”
“And what was that?”
With embarrassment heating my cheeks, I bowed my head. “You see me. No one else does, but you do.”
“Tessa…”
“I know. I’m botching it. I said, you had to be there. Of course, you can see me in a literal sense, but—”
Derrick placed his hand over my mouth. I inhaled a sharp breath, my eyes growing wide. He had not just shushed me while I was attempting to bare my soul!
“Tessa, look.” He gestured toward the man with the ledger. A hooded figure approached and handed a heavy pouch to the crewman.
“That way,” the man muttered, pointing to a pile of crates. The figure turned, and the hood fell back to reveal a familiar
face.
Helen Lockwood.
What was she doing here?
I met Derrick’s equally wide gaze, and he pressed a finger to his lips. With a nod, we climbed to our feet and followed her toward the crates, keeping our distance. Another man cracked the lid with a crowbar. The pungent scent of herbs mixed with the salt in the air.
“Is that all of it? Where’s the nightshade?” she asked.
He cracked another lid, revealing jars of dark berries. Nightshade. Another name for Belladonna.
Helen was Ironhazel!
My mind raced. This whole time, she’d been hiding in plain sight. I was right to be suspicious of her from the start. My instincts were good—there might be something to Vivian’s “I told you so”’s after all. They should make me a detective.
“Have it delivered here.” She handed over a slip of paper, and the man nodded then crooked his finger until she leaned closer. Whatever he whispered in her ear made her go rigid. Derrick had turned his back and was tugging on my sleeve for me to turn as well, but I was so busy planning my victory party that when Helen angled her head and looked right at me, I froze.
Blast!
She took off at a dead run, using the crowd to mask her escape. Derrick signaled his men, and we began to chase after her, losing sight altogether when she turned a corner. Frustration pumped my legs faster. We couldn’t lose her. She’d go to ground, and we’d never find her again.
I rounded the corner into a dark alley and spotted her slipping between a narrow crevice. It was too small for Derrick to fit. He grabbed my arm as I attempted to squeeze through.
“No. We stay together.”
“She’s getting away! Go around the other side, I’ll be okay.” I shook off his arm, his fingers grasping then slipping through mine.
“Damn it, Tessa!” The flat of his hand rammed the wall as I navigated through the narrow space.
“Go!”
Grating his teeth in fury, Derrick disappeared from view. His footsteps faded as he ran parallel down another alley.
I caught sight of Helen’s blonde hair and ran after her. I needed something to slow her down, or I’d never catch up. Digging deep, I channeled my magic, hoping a burst of energy would take her down or knock something into her path.
Spellbound After Midnight (Ever Dark, Ever Deadly Book 1) Page 23
