Fury Godmother

by Annabel Chase

  “Magic always comes at a price,” I said.

  Rosalie smiled. “Yes, and that price is twenty dollars. Thirty if you need a curse removed.” Her smile faded. “Or if your name is Fury.”

  “But you’re conning people into believing they carry a curse in the first place.”

  “No, I’m not.” She wore an indignant expression. “Just last week, a young man came in here with a limp.”

  “So?”

  “It wasn’t a medical issue,” she said. “Someone had hexed him.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  “Because by the time he walked out of here, the limp was gone. You know I wouldn’t be able to do that if the limp hadn’t been magic-induced.”

  She was right. “And he knew to come in here to get rid of his limp?”

  “He’s friends with one of the Phelps boys,” Rosalie said. “They made a gentle suggestion to see me. Told him I was a practitioner in the healing arts.”

  “Any idea who hexed him?” I asked. Maybe it was someone I needed to keep tabs on.

  Rosalie’s mouth quirked. “Who do you think?”

  I exhaled. “Which one—Grandma or Mom?”

  “From the story he told me, sounds like your grandma,” Rosalie said. “Apparently, he took her parking spot downtown. By the time he left his car, he had two flat tires and a limp.”

  Oh boy. “And he knows my grandmother is responsible?”

  “Of course not. I hypnotized him first to get the story.”

  Small mercies. “So, in a way, my family sends you business.” This fact did not make me feel better.

  “Sugar, your family paid for the addition on our house two years ago.” She flipped her phone back over and began to peruse her dating options again. She swiped left.

  “What was wrong with him?” I asked. “He seemed okay.”

  She held the phone closer to her chest. “He doesn’t drink. I don’t trust a man who abstains from alcohol.” She paused. “I don’t trust a man who abstains from anything.”

  “You should meet Rupert.”

  “The new vampire in town?” She flicked a finger. “Too young for me.”

  “The immortal vampire is too young for you?”

  “He’d never be faithful,” Rosalie said. “I’m looking for a commitment.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “Any other questions, Agent Fury, or do you just want to critique my dating preferences?”

  “Do you know anything about John, the carpenter who won the lottery?” I asked.

  Rosalie frowned. “Yes, I heard about him. Nice fella, by the sound of it.”

  “I take it he didn’t come in here either?”

  “No.” She set her phone back on the table, suddenly interested in the conversation. “I see what you’re getting at. You think someone’s granting wishes.”

  “I do.”

  “And you immediately thought of me.”

  “Can you blame me?”

  Rosalie smirked. “I am considered gifted in that particular area.”

  “But it wasn’t you.”

  She shook her head. “Sorry, sugar. Fame and lottery winnings? That’s too much magic. I’d never risk it.”

  “Can you think of anyone who would?”

  “Outside of your family, not really.”

  I slumped in the chair. “I really hoped it was you.”

  Rosalie was silent for a moment. “Have you considered a wish demon?”

  A light bulb switched on in my head. “Sweet Hecate. That makes so much sense.”

  She harrumphed. “Maybe I should have taken over Paul Pidcock’s job.”

  “Cut me some slack,” I said. “This is all new to me. I don’t have experience tracking supernatural suspects.”

  “So glad the FBM decided to put you in charge here. I feel so safe.”

  I glared at her. “It’s going fine so far.”

  “Three people died already.”

  “Technically two. Paul Pidcock died before I got here and I caught the fear demon responsible.”

  “See? We’ve already had a fear demon. Is it such a stretch to consider a wish demon?”

  “No, it’s actually a good suggestion.” I was annoyed that I didn’t think of it myself.

  I’d never even encountered a wish demon. By all accounts, they were unusual in this world. Not as rare as a fury, but rare enough.

  “I don’t suppose you have any wish demons in your family,” Rosalie said.

  “Unfortunately not.”

  “Didn’t think so. They tend to be benevolent. Wouldn’t fit your family tree.”

  I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from hexing her. I may not be a fan of my family’s gene pool, but I had a twisted sense of loyalty toward them. Like most families, our relationships were complicated.

  “Must be tough for you,” she continued, “living with your family again when you were so desperate to get away.”

  “I’m moving into the barn,” I said. “As soon as it’s renovated.”

  “Well, it’s not three thousand miles, but I guess it’s better than nothing.”

  “Thanks for the help, Rosalie.” I tossed thirty dollars onto the table. “Can I get a receipt?”

  “A receipt?”

  “Yes. This counts as a business expense.”

  “Look at you, so official.” She scribbled the amount on a piece of paper and signed it. “Good luck to you, sugar.”

  I left Rosalie and began to walk the few blocks to my office, deep in thought. If a wish demon was to blame, then I had to stop it from granting any more wishes and send it back to Otherworld. If I could determine where the wishes had been made, that might lead me to the demon.

  I pulled out my phone and checked Mitsy’s social media accounts to see if I could track her down. A photo of her posing in Rockefeller Center told me I was out of luck, at least for a few days.

  Thankfully, I still had one more option.

  I bypassed my office and headed toward the marina. It was time to see how John’s Great American Novel was coming along.

  John’s new boat wasn’t hard to locate. I figured everyone in town would know where the lottery winner kept his boat and I wasn’t wrong. I only had to ask the first person I saw.

  “Hey, John,” I called from the dock.

  He peered at me from the deck. “Barn girl?”

  That was the way he remembered me? Okay then. “Eden,” I said.

  “That’s right.” He tipped back his baseball hat. “Are you here to see me?”

  “I am, actually.”

  He beckoned me forward. “Welcome aboard, Eden. Happy to have you.”

  His skin looked a shade darker than when I’d met him in the barn.

  “Nice boat,” I said.

  “Thanks, it’s a dream come true,” he said. He walked to a cooler and pulled out a beer bottle. “Care for one?”

  “No, thanks.”

  He popped off the lid and took a long swig. “This is the life.”

  “What do you do all day?” I asked.

  “Fishing, water ski. You name it.”

  “I heard you were writing a book,” I said.

  “I work on my novel in the evenings,” he said. “I don’t like to miss the sun.”

  “I can see that.” I gestured to his tanned skin.

  He examined his arms. “Should probably apply a little more sunscreen. I’m used to working inside structures all day.” He leaned a hip against the side of the boat. “What brings you here?”

  “I was hoping you could recommend another guy for the barn job,” I said. “I’m eager to get it done so I can move in.”

  He chuckled. “Eager to get out of the family nest, huh? I can understand that, having met…” He stopped abruptly. “Well, we all want distance from our families, don’t we?”

  So much for my mother’s plan to date him. “Anyone come to mind for the job?”

  He took another drink. “Sure. I’ve got a few names. Want me to write them d
own for you?”

  “I can just put them in my phone,” I said.

  “Lawrence Masterson does a good job,” John said. “He lacks vision, but he’s proficient.”

  “Do you miss it yet?” I asked.

  He hesitated. “I’d be a fool to miss it, right? I mean, I’m living the dream.”

  “That certainly seems to be the case.” It wouldn’t be my dream, but to each his own.

  John’s facade cracked. “Who am I kidding? This whole thing sucks.” He whipped off his hat and tossed it aside. “I’m bored out of my mind. I can’t write a book. I don’t even like to read that much.”

  “Then why all this?” I spread my arms wide.

  “It’s what I thought I always wanted. The thing I wished for with every penny in the fountain, you know?” He gazed across the water. “I never expected my wish to come true.”

  “Who does?” I said. “Have you considered not quitting your job? There’s no requirement that you quit when you win the lottery. We’d still love for you to work on the barn.”

  “But where’s my incentive to finish the job and move on to the next one if I don’t need the money?” he asked. “I’ll drag my heels. You’ll get impatient and fire me.”

  “Then don’t drag your heels,” I said.

  “I think I’m someone who needs structure in my day. All this free time…it’s not good for me.”

  I could empathize with him because I was the same. I thrived in a structured setting. Too much freedom would unravel me.

  “What about living on the boat?” I asked. “That must be a plus.”

  He shrugged. “I kind of miss my neighbors. We have this neighborhood fire pit that’s really cool. We all hang out there on the weekends.”

  “No one visits you here?”

  “A few people have come by, but it’s not the same.”

  “Why don’t you just keep the boat for fishing and other activities and move back into your place?”

  He stroked his chin. “I guess I could. I haven’t sold it yet.”

  “And I imagine you haven’t spent all your money yet.”

  “No, the boat was obviously my big purchase,” he said. “I’m planning to invest the rest.”

  At least he was prudent. “Just out of curiosity, where did you buy your lottery ticket?” Maybe the wish demon had been the one to sell him his ticket, although that wouldn’t explain Mitsy.

  “Same place I always buy my ticket,” he said. “The convenience store downtown. Abilene always waits on me.” He smiled. “I think she was as thrilled as I was when I won.”

  “Abilene Forrester?”

  “That’s her.”

  Abilene wasn’t a wish demon. She’d worked at the convenience store since I was a kid. I would have recognized her true nature years ago.

  “Why do you ask?” John said. “You think lightning might strike twice?”

  I smiled. “My grandmother insists she’s feeling lucky, so I told her I’d buy her one at the same place you won.” The lie slid off my tongue with ease.

  “Others have had the same thought. I stopped in for milk the other day and Abilene said they’ve been swamped with people buying lottery tickets.”

  My phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out to see Anton’s name. “Would you excuse me for a second?” I turned my back to answer. “What is it, Anton? I’m kind of in the middle of something.”

  “I need your help. Could you please pick up Olivia from school? Verity and I are stuck at work.”

  “What about Mom or Dad?” I asked.

  Anton paused. “They’ve both been banned from school grounds.”

  “By Verity?”

  “No, by the school.” He sighed. “It’s a long story that involves an argument in the parking lot when they both showed up to collect her at the same time.”

  “Does it involve magic?” I whispered.

  “Not as far as the school knows,” Anton said.

  Good grief. “I’ll be there as fast as I can.”

  “Thanks, Eden. You’re the best.”

  I tucked away the phone and spun around to face John. I’d have to continue my questions another time. “I’m sorry, but I need to go pick up my niece from school. It’s been great talking to you, though. If you decide to work on the barn, let me know as soon as you can.”

  “Before you go…” His grip on the beer bottle tightened. “Do you think you might be interested in going out with me sometime?”

  I blinked. “On a date?”

  “Sure. Why not? Unless you have a thing against lottery winners.”

  “I don’t know, John,” I said. “You might be working on my future home. You don’t think that might be awkward?”

  “One date,” he said. “No big deal if we decide we don’t like each other. We’re both grownups.”

  I hesitated, quickly running through the pros and cons in my mind. A date would give me more time to question him and that was the priority.

  “Okay. What do you have in mind?”

  He smiled, his relief evident. “How about Chophouse tonight?”

  “Maybe somewhere else?” I asked. Dinner at Rafael’s restaurant guaranteed that my mother would find out.

  He scratched the back of his neck. “You don’t like the most popular restaurant in town?”

  “I do, but it’s always so busy and loud,” I said. “Makes it hard to have a real conversation.”

  John’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “Quiet conversation sounds good to me. How about you give me your number and I’ll text you the plan?”

  “Sure.” I gave him my number. “I’ll see you tonight.”

  “Great. I’m looking forward to it.”

  I raced back to the car, not wanting to keep my niece waiting. I felt a little guilty for agreeing to go out with John just to question him about his wish, but I wasn’t willing to turn down the opportunity to get more information. There was too much at stake. At least we’d both get a decent meal out it, which—according to Clara—was the definition of a good date.

  Chapter Ten

  I met John at the restaurant so that no one in my family knew about it, at least not immediately. I used my invisibility locket to get out of the house unseen. One look at my outfit and my mom would know I was going on a date. Lipstick alone would’ve been a dead giveaway because I rarely wore makeup, much to her chagrin. She’d even spelled my eyes in middle school with longer lashes because she felt mine were “substandard” and lacked “batting ability.”

  “You look pretty,” John said, giving me the once-over.

  John had left his baseball hat behind. Tonight he wore a light blue collared shirt that showed off his tan and neatly pressed khakis.

  “Thanks, you look nice, too. I like the sandals.”

  He glanced down at his feet. “I couldn’t bring myself to put on real shoes,” he said. “That’s one of the perks about living and working on the boat.”

  The hostess seated us at a table by the window, which was fine by me because I liked to people watch. I figured if the conversation was dull, then I still had an activity to occupy my mind without being super obvious about it.

  “What looks good to you?” John asked, inclining his head toward the menu.

  “I basically will eat any type of seafood,” I said.

  “Same. Want to share the grilled shrimp appetizer?”

  “Sounds delicious.” I ended up ordering crab cakes for my entree. I couldn’t resist Maryland crab, even though it was on pretty much every menu in town.

  I ordered a glass of white wine and John ordered a beer. Although the conversation started out stilted, we both seemed to relax after our first drink. I decided it was the ideal time to dig a little deeper into his lottery win.

  “So have you always played the lottery?” I asked.

  “Every week for—oh, I don’t know—a number of years now. Just was a habit when I’d stop in for my milk and bread, you know?”

  “But you seem to enjoy your work
,” I said. “What made you think money would improve your life?”

  “Doesn’t everybody think money would improve their life?” he asked. “I mean, I feel like winning the lottery is on most people’s wish list.”

  “I’ve never actually played,” I admitted.

  John’s eyed widened. “Really? I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who hadn’t played on occasion.”

  “I guess I’ve been motivated by things other than money.” Which was easy to say when I’ve always had enough of it.

  “I’d be hammering away and daydreaming about what I would do with a million bucks.” He popped a shrimp into his mouth. “Passed the time.”

  “And now that you have it, you’re not too enamored?”

  He hung his head. “Life’s funny that way, isn’t it?”

  “At least you’re smart enough to figure it out,” I said. “That’s more than I can say for a lot of people.”

  “You’re right about me, by the way,” he said. “I do love my job, or I did, before I was stupid and packed it in. I kept my own hours and fished when I felt like it. And it’s not like I need a lot of money to be happy here. My needs are pretty simple.”

  The appetizer quickly disappeared and the waitress returned with our main dishes. It smelled wonderful and I couldn’t wait to dig in. As I sliced my fork through the first crab cake, I glimpsed Chief Fox outside on the sidewalk. He stood in front of the window, in the midst of a conversation with someone out of view.

  No, no. Not here. Don’t come in, I willed.

  He came in.

  Chief Fox was accompanied by a petite blond woman. She had her arm linked through his and was smiling up at him adoringly.

  My stomach lurched.

  Okay, that was ridiculous. Why did I care if the chief ate dinner with a pretty blonde? We weren’t involved. We couldn’t be involved. And the chief seemed like a reasonable guy. If he liked her, then she was probably perfectly acceptable.

  He noticed me and waved. I wanted to blend into the wallpaper or close my locket and disappear, but instead I sat there and smiled.

  “Good evening, Agent Fury,” the chief said, approaching our table. His gaze flicked to John. “And who’s your friend?” I noticed the question came out a little stiff.