Witch Cake Murders (Sweetland Witch Women Sleuths) (A Cozy Mystery Book)

by Zoe Arden

  "What?" Megan answered.

  "Megan? It's Lucy."

  I could almost hear the eye roll.

  "Duh. What do you want?"

  "I want to know why you bought a love potion cake from Cakes and Creations."

  There was dead silence for a minute, then Megan began to speak. "Yoo uhhh... ummmmnnn... nooohh."

  Lucy and I looked at each other. As far as either of could tell, Megan had not spoken one single, comprehensible word.

  "Megan?" Lucy asked again.

  We could hear her breathing.

  "I didn't buy any love potion cake," she finally said.

  "Oh, yes you did," Felicity chimed in.

  "Am I on speakerphone?" Megan cried.

  "That's right," Lucy said. "Felicity and Ava are both here. We already know everything. Except what you wanted that cake for."

  "I tell you I never bought one. Are you really gonna take Felicity's word—the word of a... of a relative stranger—over mine? Your own sister?"

  "Felicity's not a stranger," Lucy said. "And yes."

  "Megan," I tried in a calmer tone than Lucy was managing. "You're not in any trouble. We just need to know so we can..."

  I looked around for help but Felicity looked just as frustrated as I was, and Lucy looked like she was ready to hex someone. A new idea occurred to me.

  "We just want to help Damon," I said.

  "Damon?" Megan's ears perked up. "What about him? Is he okay?"

  "Not really. He ate some more of that cake. He's in the hospital."

  I hoped Lucy wouldn't be mad at me for lying to her sister, but when I looked up, she was smiling smugly. "That's right," she said, playing along. "And we need to know exactly what was in the cake or else he might be the next to die."

  "But I thought I threw it all away!" Megan yelled. "I was sure of it!" I could picture her on the other end biting her nails and felt bad for lying to her like this. But it was necessary.

  "I snuck into his apartment while he was in the hospital and tossed whatever he had left. I even snuck into Campbell's place, just to make sure he hadn't left any behind when he... you know. You have to believe me."

  "Wait a second," I said. "You gave the cake to Campbell Price?"

  "No. I gave it to Damon. I was hoping... I mean... I thought if he ate some, just a little, he might... change his mind about me. I had no idea it would make him so sick."

  "Megan," Lucy scolded. "You know that's not how love potion cake works. You can't make someone love you."

  "I know. I wasn't trying to. I was just trying to open his mind a little, that's all. Besides, I read that it worked differently on humans than wizards. Like it was more effective."

  Felicity was shaking her head.

  "So you gave some to Damon..." Lucy prompted. "And then...?"

  "He split it with Campbell. I didn't realize it until the night of the party. I asked Damon how he liked it, and he admitted that he hadn't even tried it yet. He'd cut it in half and given some to Campbell because he said he'd never eat it all."

  Suddenly things were clicking into place. All this time I'd been thinking the love potion cake was directly related to the murders. Turns out, it was related to a love-struck girl trying to get the boy she liked to like her back.

  That meant Campbell's strange behavior right before he died had nothing to do with what killed him. It was just the cake he'd eaten acting out in his system.

  Lucy looked at me, and I knew she was having the same realization I was.

  "What about Damon?" Megan asked. "Is he going to be okay?"

  "What?" Lucy asked. "Oh yeah. Damon's fine. Sorry. I lied. He's not even in the hospital. He's probably at the beach, down by his boat."

  "What?" Megan cried. "You little wombat! I'm telling mom as soon as I—"

  Lucy hung up the phone. "Serves her right. Maybe now she'll learn her lesson."

  "All this time, I've had it wrong," I muttered. "The cake... the wand... they're not at all connected. Are they?"

  "Doesn't sound like it," Felicity said.

  "Yeah, but you know what that still doesn't explain?" Lucy asked.

  "What?" I asked, hoping she had some brilliant answers tucked away in the back of her brain somewhere.

  "Sheriff Knoxx. Why is he hiding that chocolate cake? You think that was love potion cake, too?"

  I shrugged. "No idea."

  The front door chimed, and Sheriff Maxwell came walking in.

  "There you two are," he said, looking from me to Lucy. "Hi, Felicity."

  She blushed.

  Lincoln returned his attention to us. "I've been looking everywhere for you. Sheriff Knoxx called when he couldn't find you and asked me to check around this side of the island."

  "For us?" I asked

  He glanced at Felicity, who smiled politely at him. I could see deep feelings for each other running between that glance.

  "Ava," he let out a breath, "there's no easy way to say this. Your father..." His voice trailed off.

  "My father?" I screeched. My heart hammered in my chest. "Oh, my witches. What is it? Is he... is he...?"

  "He's escaped."

  "Escaped?"

  In one dark flash, the world around me spun on its axis. The last thing I felt before hitting the ground was my heriotza necklace burning a hole in my chest. Then the world went black.

  * * *

  3 0

  * * *

  When I woke up again, I knew hours had passed. My eyes hurt adjusting to the light. I looked around the room I was in.

  It wasn't Cakes and Creations.

  Crud. I'd traveled or transported or whatever it was again. Where was I this time?

  Deep burgundies, plush carpet, and velveteen drapes filled the house I was in. The couch I was lying on was Victorian. Whether original or a remake, I couldn't say. The decorations were... assorted. There wasn't a nicer or more accurate way to put it.

  All around the room was gold and glitter. So much so that parts of the room looked like a golden disco ball. The rafters were solid dark wood. Pink ribbons and strings hung from them. A Santa Clause statue sat in one corner of the room, and in the opposite corner stood a statue of a giant orange rabbit. I tilted my head, staring at it.

  Why is it orange?

  I rose from the couch and a heavy drum began to thump away inside my head. At least it wasn't as bad as the first time I'd blacked out.

  "Ohhh," I moaned softly, then covered my mouth with my hand. This was not the time to talk to myself. I had no idea where I was or who I was with.

  Voices sounded from not too far away. They were whispering. There were at least three, maybe four of them. My stomach was churning and aching at the same time as I tried to walk. I took two steps and fell to the ground. My knees curled to my chest as a tsunami of pain washed over me.

  No. This isn't as bad as my first blackout. It’s worse.

  The wave passed, and I clawed my way back up to a standing position, grasping onto a small piano that stood against a wall. Slowly, I made my way toward the only door I could see.

  A thousand old movies of young women abducted by vampires flashed through my head.

  Please don't let vampires be real. Pretty please?

  The door was open the smallest of cracks. Enough for me to look through with one eye. The voices became louder. Clearer.

  "I think we should call Sheriff Knoxx," Lincoln was saying.

  "Absolutely not," Lucy roared as quietly as possible. "You have no idea whether you can trust him."

  I had no idea what they were talking about, but I was glad Lucy was smart enough to know better than to trust Knoxx. Not when we still had so many unanswered questions about him.

  "I just don't get the feeling that he's as bad as you think," Lincoln said. "An irritating individual, yes. But a bad cop? No way."

  "Forget it," Lucy said with a tone that said the matter was closed.

  "What about Detective Hudson?" Lincoln asked. "He works for COMHA. He's gotta be able to help.
"

  "We don't even know who gave it to her," Lucy said.

  "It doesn't matter," argued Felicity.

  "Of course it matters!" yelled Lucy.

  A voice I didn't recognize suddenly chimed in. "Girls, girls. Sheriff. Everyone, let's all just calm down a moment, shall we? After all, today is Sunday, a day of rest and relaxation. Let us remember that as we proceed."

  "Today is Tuesday, Mom," Felicity said.

  "Is it?" Felicity's mom asked, sounding confused. "Oh, well yes, of course it is. However, that changes nothing. We must proceed with caution."

  "I say we wake her up and tell her what's going on," Lucy said. I silently applauded my friend for taking my side.

  "I say we call her aunts first," Felicity said.

  "I say we call Detective Hudson," Lincoln said.

  "I say it's a little too late for any of that," Felicity's mom said. "Good evening, Ava. Glad you're back with us."

  Everyone turned to the door I was peeking through. My cheeks reddened, but I pushed the door open.

  "You're alive!" Lucy yelled, flinging her arms around me.

  "Of course I'm alive," I said. Then something occurred to me. "Is there a reason why I shouldn't be?"

  My question was met with dead silence. My stomach churned again.

  "How are you feeling?" Felicity's mom asked, touching my forehead. Her hand was cool compared to the fever burning in me.

  "Not so great, to be honest. My stomach hurts."

  "That will pass," she said.

  "Ava, this is my mom, Amelia Redfern. You're at her house, right now."

  "Nice to meet you," I said, manners taking over despite the pain I was in.

  "I wish it was under better circumstances," Amelia said. "Like a picnic or a hurricane."

  I was glad she missed the look I gave her. Whatever was going on, she seemed to be trying to help me. I didn't want to hurt her feelings.

  "So maybe one of you can tell me why you're all standing out here deciding my future without me?"

  "Ava," Lucy said softly. "You've been asleep for four hours."

  I blinked. "You're not serious?"

  She nodded. I looked around at the solemn faces. At the tabletop littered with takeout boxes and dirty napkins. At the black cat clock hanging on the wall, its tail giving out the time. And I realized she wasn't joking.

  "What happened to me?"

  My stomach began to burn. Instinctively, I reached for my heriotza necklace. It was gone.

  "My pendant!" I cried, alarmed. "I've lost it."

  Amelia shook her head. "No, dear. I removed it from you."

  "You removed it?" I asked, confused. "Why? It's my good luck charm."

  Four pairs of eyes widened in disbelief.

  "Who in the witching world told you that rubbish?" Amelia demanded.

  "W-what do you mean?"

  "Ava!" Lucy cried. "Do you seriously not know what that stone you've been wearing around your neck is? How long have you been wearing it anyway?"

  "I, uh, I don't know exactly. A week or two? Since just after Brendan died."

  "A week... or two?" Lincoln asked, looking pale.

  "And you're still alive?" Lucy blurted. Her frightened face suddenly brightened. "You're Superwitch! I should make you a costume with a giant S on it."

  I tried to laugh but it came out like a croak.

  "Will someone please tell me what's going on here?"

  "Ava," Amelia said, gently taking my arm and leading me to a full-length mirror. It was the kind of mirror you'd find in a horror novel. Dark and ancient with black trim. It looked classically scary. Except for the troll doll with pink hair poking its head over the top, winking.

  "Look," Amelia said.

  I stood staring in the mirror, not knowing what I was supposed to be looking for. I looked like my normal self, so far as I could tell. Bright blond hair, though it was somewhat matted to my head. Pink lips, though they looked a bit grayer than usual. Smooth creamy skin, except... around my neck.

  I pulled the collar of my shirt open for a closer look. Just under my collarbone, in the center of my chest, was a bright red circle the size of a golf ball. In the center of it, it looked as though my skin had been eaten away by acid.

  "What happened to me?" I cried, panicking.

  "Ssh," Amelia said, stroking my hair. "You're safe now. But we have to know something, before another moment passes. Who gave you that necklace?"

  "Why?" I asked.

  "Because," Amelia said. "That necklace is no good luck charm, Ava. It's bad luck. The very worst kind."

  Lucy jumped in, unable to contain herself.

  "Ava, heriotza is an old Basque word for death. Whoever gave you that necklace is trying to kill you."

  * * *

  3 1

  * * *

  "Kill me?" I squeaked.

  That couldn't be right. Polly had given me that necklace. Polly. My friend.

  "I have to admit, Lincoln and I suspected some sort of dark magic was involved you when you showed up at the beach. Snowball said you appeared out of nowhere. That's not an easy thing to do."

  "Then why didn't you say something?" Lucy cried.

  "We weren't sure. And in the witching world you don't go accusing other witches of dark magic unless you have some sort of evidence. You know that. It can lead to disastrous results if you do."

  I remembered learning about the Salem Witch Trials growing up and thought maybe Felicity had a point.

  Amelia opened a small wooden box. Inside, wrapped in a cloth tied with a sage leaf, was my necklace.

  "Sage acts as sort of shield," Amelia explained. "It drains some of the power from the stone."

  "Like Kryptonite?" I asked.

  Amelia looked with confusion to Felicity, who shrugged. Felicity looked to Lincoln, who also shrugged.

  Lucy laughed. "Yes," she told me. "It's a lot like Kryptonite." She leaned over to Felicity, who still looked confused. "I'll explain it to you later," she whispered.

  "Anyway, it's very dark magic," Amelia said. "Very dark and very dangerous."

  "The fact that you've been wearing it so long and are still alive proves how powerful a witch you are," Lucy said.

  "So?" Lincoln asked, putting on his sheriff's face. "Who gave it to you?"

  Everyone leaned in a little closer, waiting for my answer.

  I licked my lips. "Polly Peacock," I croaked.

  Lucy's face went white. Amelia and Lincoln turned to each other. Amelia picked something off a table and held it over her head. It looked like a round, white stone. She began to walk around me in circles, chanting something.

  "Um... Amelia?" I asked.

  "Sssh," Felicity, Lincoln, and Lucy said at once.

  I kept my mouth shut until Amelia had finished. "I've just placed a protective charm around you. It should help to keep you safe, at least for a short while. And you won't be randomly transporting anywhere anymore. It was all we could do to stop you from disappearing on us this time."

  "That's right," Lucy said. "It was actually kind of cool. One minute you were here, the next you were turning into a sort of bubble."

  "I turned into a bubble?" I screeched.

  "Not exactly," Lucy said. "It's just part of what the heriotza can do to a witch. You should be grateful you only transported the one time while you were wearing it."

  "I am. And thank you for the protection charm," I said. "Um, what about my chest?" It was hard to resist fingering the deep red crater where the necklace had literally burned a hole in me.

  "You should be all right for now. Felicity and I laid some peppermint petunia oil over you while you were unconscious. It will prevent the burn from worsening and heal you to a point. But when you're back in Sweetland Cove, I advise you to see Dr. Dunne."

  "Sweetland Cove!" I suddenly cried, turning to Lucy. "Oh, my witches! We need to go. Now!"

  "Why?" Felicity asked. "It's getting late. And you're still hurt. Stay here tonight. Both of you. Go back to Sweetland
tomorrow."

  "My aunts! They don't know what's going on. What if something happens to them? I need to warn them!"

  "You stay and rest," Lincoln said. "I'll call Sheriff Knoxx and tell him what's going on. Let us handle this."

  "No way," I told him, already searching the room for my purse. "I have to get back. Tonight."

  "Why do citizens always think they're Columbo?" Lincoln asked, giving Felicity a knowing look. I ran back into the sitting room where I'd woken up to see if my purse was there. Lucy followed me.

  "If I drive fast," she said. "I can make it back in two hours. Maybe less if I use a speed spell."

  "You can't just blink us there?" I asked her.

  "Blink us there? I'm a witch, not a genie."

  I paused in my search just long enough to look at Lucy and ask, "Genies are real?"

  "Of course they are."

  The door behind us clicked shut.

  "Sorry, girls," Amelia called through the thick wooden door. "We'll let you out when we know it's safe."

  "Warthogs!" Lucy cried, trying to push the door open.

  "They locked us in?" I asked, infuriated. You just couldn't trust anyone on this island!

  Lucy and I spent the next twenty minutes trying to find another way out.

  "Do something magical," I told Lucy, annoyed that with her witchy powers she couldn't even open a locked door.

  "I've tried," she snapped. "Amelia must've placed some sort of enchantment over it."

  I sighed and flopped onto the couch.

  "Where's your phone?" I asked, kicking myself for not getting one yet.

  "In my purse," Lucy sighed. "Out there." She pointed toward the door just as we heard a click. Felicity's head poked into the room.

  "Felicity, you cannot keep us here!" I hammered at her.

  "Sssh!" she said, holding a finger to her lips. I stopped talking. "My mother's in the next room. Lincoln's down at the station."

  "You're letting us out?" Lucy asked.

  "I know what it's like to be in this kind of... sticky situation. Sometimes the only person you can trust to be Columbo is yourself." She opened the door for us. Lucy and I ran from the room before she could change her mind.

  "Thanks," we told her. Lucy grabbed her purse. Felicity had mine ready for me. We took it and got out of there.