“Maybe we should leave my bedroom now,” Nola slurred.
The three of us returned to the kitchen where Nola took possession of her glass once again. I fought the urge to remove it from her grasp. This was her home and it wasn’t my place.
“Did you ever tell Tatiana how you felt?” I asked.
“Of course,” Nola said. “I’m not shy. I was drawn to her immediately. I mean, I waited until I had a sense of her first, so that I wasn’t coming out of nowhere with it.”
“What made you decide it was safe to tell her?” Deputy Bolan asked. “I remember what dating was like before my husband. I felt like I was blind and drunk on a regular basis.”
“That about sums it up,” Nola said. “Tatiana made it easy, though. Or so I believed. One night after a drunken escapade involving a unicorn and a ball of yarn, she kissed me.”
I wasn’t even going to touch the part about the unicorn and the ball of yarn. “She kissed you?”
Nola nodded and her eyes swelled with tears. “I thought this was it. I’d found my soulmate. That she was someone like me, unafraid to live an authentic life. The next night I invited her to dinner and I told her I wanted a relationship with her.”
“And then what happened?” Deputy Bolan asked.
Nola stared blankly at the far wall. “She laughed.”
My heart seized. “She laughed?”
Nola managed a small smile. “Humiliating, right? She told me it was all in good fun, that she was drunk and would’ve made out with a lamp post had one been near enough. She told me I didn’t appeal to her.”
It sounded as though Tatiana didn’t mince words. “That must’ve been very painful for you.”
Nola slammed down another shot and smacked her lips together, seeming to enjoy the burn in her throat. “Worst day of my life.”
“How did you react?” I asked.
She shrugged. “My usual defensive mechanism. I got angry. Pushed over the table and screamed obscenities at her. She sat there and smiled the whole time. She seemed to enjoy my outrage.” Nola winced at the memory. “I made a fool of myself and she lapped up every second of it.”
“Tatiana sounds like a sociopath,” I said.
Nola was silent for a moment. “I would have loved her anyway.”
“Would she have been worth it, though?” I asked. “She would’ve hurt you over and over again. Consider it a blessing that she left town.” And that she was dead.
“She wouldn’t have been happy with anyone,” Nola admitted. “She was too selfish and burned through relationships quickly. I bet that centaur she left town with only last a few months at the most.”
“You didn’t ask her about it when you saw her at the bar?” I asked.
“No,” Nola said. “She mentioned a few guys’ names, but I didn’t ask for details. I was only interested in her.”
“How did it feel to see her again?” I asked.
“Honestly? Exhilarating,” she replied.
“It didn’t stir up old wounds or anger?” I asked.
“The anger faded a long time ago,” Nola said. “Tatiana couldn’t help being irresistible.”
“No, but she could help being a horrible creature,” Deputy Bolan said.
“She was in a fine mood when I saw her,” Nola said. “She even brought up the night she kissed me. Didn’t seem to remember laughing at me the next day though. She only reminisced about the fun parts. It made me miss her like crazy.” Nola hugged herself. “Brought all those feelings back to the surface, even though I knew she hadn’t changed her mind about me.”
It wasn’t her mind that would’ve needed to change. It was her entire being.
“Why do you think she spent time with you if she wasn’t interested?” I asked.
Nola poured herself another drink. “What do you mean?”
“She usually had a motive for getting involved with someone,” I said. “Money, power, access. What was her reason for bringing you into her orbit?”
She tapped her short, sensible fingernails on the side of her glass. “Amusement, if I had to guess. I kept her entertained.”
“And power,” Deputy Bolan said. “She was smart. She probably sensed how you felt about her from the start and thought it would be fun to see how far she could push you.”
Nola’s expression hardened. “I never said she was nice.”
“No,” I agreed. “I don’t think anyone has said that to describe Tatiana.”
“Did she leave the Whitethorn with anyone the other night?” I asked.
Nola shook her head. “I watched her go. She said she was meeting someone to claim her inheritance the next day. That they were bringing it to her aunt’s house.”
“Did she say who left the inheritance or what it was?” Deputy Bolan asked.
“She didn’t know,” Nola said. “She said it was a big mystery and she couldn’t wait to find out. She only planned to stay in town long enough to collect and then she was hightailing out of here again.”
The fact that the inheritance was still a mystery bothered me. It had to be connected to her death.
“Just for the record,” the deputy said, “where were you on Monday between the hours of nine and three?”
Nola stared into her glass. “A couple of those hours, I was at a pack meeting.”
“In daylight?” the deputy asked. “Isn’t that unusual?”
“Our alpha is unwell,” she said. “It was an emergency meeting to discuss a new beta, should the need arise.”
That would be easy enough to verify. “I hope Ferdinand is okay,” Deputy Bolan said.
“I’ll be sure to give him your well wishes.”
“We’d also like a patch of your fur,” I said. “To see if it matches the one on file. Just standard procedure.”
Nola’s mouth formed a thin line. “It won’t.”
“Even so, we need to log it into evidence,” the deputy said.
“Evidence that isn’t left next to an open flame this time,” I said archly.
“Fine. It’s easy enough to dust off the floor. The stuff gets everywhere.” Nola brought the drink to her lips and paused. “It seems strange that someone would have left her anything. I’ve been imagining that it’s a steaming pile of garbage, that they lured her here to screw with her. It’s the kind of stunt she would’ve pulled.”
“We’ve been trying to figure out who might have had a soft spot for her,” the deputy said.
Nola’s lips formed a half smile. “Besides me? I think I’m the only one who was stupid enough to hold out hope for her.”
“Even if she were still alive, I wouldn’t have recommended it,” I said. Tatiana would never have changed, not for anyone or anything.
Nola set down the glass, unable to finish it. “Maybe this is just the news I needed to hear.”
“To cheer up?” the deputy asked.
Nola unclenched her fingers from the glass. “To let go.”
Chapter Fifteen
“I can’t believe this party is for me,” Marley said, as we entered the grand foyer of Thornhold. There were so many cars parked outside that I wondered whether everyone in town had ended up invited.
“Aunt Hyacinth has been hoping you’d be one of us,” I said. “It’s her subtle and wealthy way of saying ‘hooray.’”
Aunt Hyacinth’s right hand intercepted us in the foyer. “Welcome, Miss Ember,” Simon said. “Miss Marley.”
I was about to compliment his shiny shoes when I noticed the decorations. “This house looks amazing,” I said. The interior had been transformed into a magical wonderland. Tiny fey lights glittered all around us. It was as though we’d entered a forest.
“Is the whole house like this?” Marley asked. Her blue eyes had never been bigger.
“It is, miss,” Simon told her. “You should see the ballroom. That’s where most of the guests have congregated.”
“Seriously?” I asked. Aunt Hyacinth rarely opened the ballroom for events. Apparently, it had once been
a regular feature of Thornhold parties, but that was back when her husband was still alive.
Marley’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Why would she go to so much trouble for me?”
I pulled her close and kissed her forehead. “Nothing is too much trouble for you. You’re a special girl, Marley Rose, and don’t you ever forget it.”
“I’m a special witch,” Marley said proudly.
“That too,” I agreed. We left Simon at his post by the door and made our way to the ballroom. We passed a bubbling cauldron that filled the house with a wonderful aroma of spices. Tree branches arched at the ceiling and I inhaled the smell of sandalwood as we continued to the ballroom. Soft music played in the distance and Marley gripped my hand and squeezed.
“I’m a witch, Mom,” she said. “I have magic powers.”
I smiled. “I know. Pretty cool, right?”
She shivered with excitement. “The coolest. I wish my classmates in New Jersey could see me now.”
“You could change your Facebook profile to ‘witch.’”
Marley rolled her eyes. “Facebook is for old people, Mom.”
As we crossed the threshold into the ballroom, the room exploded with applause. Marley beamed with pride as familiar faces congratulated her. I took a step to the side to grant her the spotlight and surveyed the ballroom. A faux full moon shone overhead. It looked authentic thanks to my aunt’s magic. An ice sculpture dominated the middle of the dance floor. It was carved into a likeness of the witch statue mounted on the top of coven headquarters. Like the statue, the sculpture held a flat disc over her head to signify the silver moon of our coven. It rested in an empty round pool, presumably to catch any drippings.
I glimpsed the headdress of the High Priestess over by the snack table. Iris Sandstone’s willowy frame lingered by the crudités. She was deep in conversation with Wren and I fought the urge to grill the Master-of-Incantation about his budding romance with Delphine.
A cool hand rested on my shoulder. “Even from the back, you are a vision.”
I whirled around to see Alec gazing at me with an intensity that triggered every nerve ending in my body. I pressed my hands against his firm chest. “Hello, handsome. When did you get here?”
He leaned down and kissed me. “Only half an hour ago,” he said. “Hyacinth has spared no expense, I see.”
“Are you surprised? She won’t be doing this again until Ackley and Aspen come of age,” I said. The four-year-old twins had a while to go yet.
He slipped an arm around my waist. “It feels like the entire town is here.”
“That was my thought, too.” I wasn’t sure what the ballroom’s capacity was, but my aunt was definitely aiming to meet it with this crowd. “Maybe I should do more digging about Tatiana. If everyone is here, then someone here must know something.”
Alec cast me a sidelong glance. “A dead end with the she-wolf?”
“Most likely,” I replied. “We sent her fur sample to the lab to see if it matches. No word yet, though.” I spotted the sheriff chatting with two members of the Council of Elders by the ice sculpture. “I should say hello to Sheriff Nash.”
Alec squeezed my shoulder. “I assume it’s best that I don’t cross paths with him.”
“Not here,” I agreed. “I’ll be back in a minute.” I maneuvered my way through the throng of bodies to the ice sculpture.
“And here’s the lucky mother now.” Misty Brookline flapped her yellow fairy wings.
“Congratulations, Ember,” Arthur Rutledge said. The elder werewolf greeted me with a warm smile. “You must be very proud.”
“Well, I can’t take credit for genetics,” I said. “They have a will all their own.”
Arthur chuckled. “The sheriff tells me you’re on the hunt for a werewolf. Do let me know if I can be of assistance. I may not be an alpha, but as an Elder, I have a certain degree of influence.”
“The fairies are also very keen to help,” Misty said. “Tatiana may have not been a model member of the community, but she was one of ours all the same.”
“Thank you,” I said. “Deputy Bolan and I have been following up every available lead, but I’ll let you know if we need anything from you.”
“I gave my second fur sample to the lab, so hopefully I can join the investigation as soon as I’m cleared,” the sheriff said.
“Too bad the lab is closed on weekends,” Misty said. “It would be good to have you back at the helm.” She smiled at me. “Not that we don’t appreciate your efforts, dear.”
Arthur clapped Sheriff Nash on the back. “Another ale, Granger? Yours is dangerously low.”
The sheriff gave a gruff nod. “That’d be great, Arthur.”
“I’ll join you,” Misty said. “Standing this close to the ice sculpture is making me chilly.”
I waited a beat for them to leave before facing the sheriff. “It’s nice of you to be here,” I said. “I’m sure you’d rather be anywhere else right now.”
Sheriff Nash swigged the remainder of his ale. “I’m happy to be here for Marley, Rose. She’s a great kid and she’ll be a talented witch, just like her mom.”
My heart swelled. “I’m glad you feel that way.”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?” His expression soured. “Do you really think I’d let my disappointment in us affect my opinion of your daughter? That’s not the kind of man I am, Rose. I think you know me better than that.”
He was right. I did. I remembered the locket he’d given Marley for her birthday, the one that displayed a photo of me on one side and of her father on the other. It had been a thoughtful gift and I loved him for it.
But not enough.
Arthur returned with the sheriff’s ale and I politely excused myself. The sheriff had probably endured as much of me today as he could handle. I didn’t want to push it.
I turned around and walked straight into the massive chest of Zale Murphy, the merman who saved Aunt Hyacinth from drowning in the ocean.
“Sorry about that.” I tipped my chin up to look at him. “How are you, Zale?”
“Pleased to be invited,” he replied. “Your aunt seemed hesitant to include me at first, but she came around.”
“She’s not someone who’s quick to welcome change,” I said. “I’m impressed you’ve made it this far already.”
He offered a slight bow. “Hyacinth is a jewel to be treasured. I have the patience of the sea at my disposal.”
“Good, because you’ll need it.”
The ring of Aunt Hyacinth’s bell quieted everyone. The music came to a halt and the guests craned their necks to pinpoint the location of the hostess. In true diva form, my aunt levitated above the crowd in a golden kaftan and matching heels in order to address them. She held Precious in her arms and I laughed at the sight of the cat’s golden circlet.
“Greetings Silver Moon witches and wizards and esteemed guests,” she began. “As you know, we are here today to celebrate as we welcome my lovely great-niece, Marley, into the bosom of our beloved coven.”
I hope she doesn’t mean her actual bosom. Raoul’s voice filled my head. She could suffocate the entire coven with those weapons of mass destruction.
Raoul? I hissed. I looked around but couldn’t see him in the crowd.
What? he replied. She can’t hear me.
But I can and it’s distracting. What are you doing here?
What am I ever doing anywhere? he said. There’s food.
You need to go, I said. There’s enough going on without you in the mix.
Are your two boyfriends giving you trouble?
I do not have two boyfriends. I have one and he’s coming toward me now with a flute of bucksberry fizz.
The other one looks angsty. Maybe get him a flute of fizz before he starts issuing tickets to the parked cars.
Go. Away. I returned my focus to my aunt’s speech.
“We expect incredible things from this young witch. She is, after all, a descendant of the One True Witch. I look for
ward to seeing her perform wonderful magic for years to come.”
There was a smattering of applause.
Alec nuzzled my ear as he handed me the flute. “And I look forward to having you perform your magic on me for years to come.”
“Works both ways,” I said softly.
His expression smoldered. “So it does.”
“Marley, I believe you’ve been preparing a small presentation of your magic,” my aunt said.
I stiffened. Marley had been preparing a magical presentation? When? I watched as my aunt conjured a spell to bring Marley level with her in the air. My daughter seemed perfectly at ease, as though she’d levitated a hundred times already.
“What in sweet Elvis’s name?” I said in a hushed tone.
“What’s the matter?” Alec asked.
I observed my daughter as she held her wand, completely poised, and aimed it at the ceiling. She said a word in Latin that I completely missed because I was too busy wondering when she had time to practice magic behind my back. Fireworks erupted over our heads with colorful sparks shooting in all directions. The guests ooh-ed and aah-ed and then clapped wildly.
“Marley’s doing real magic,” I said.
Alec chuckled. “What did you expect?”
I stared at my daughter in awe. “She looks so beautiful up there. So grown up.” It hit me how quickly time was passing. She was already eleven. Eleven! When did that happen? Most of the time when I looked at her, I still saw the scared little girl who insisted on sleeping with the lights on.
“You’ve done an amazing job with her,” Alec said. “You should be proud.”
Marley and Aunt Hyacinth returned to the floor and the music resumed. Linnea waved to me from across the room. Nope, not waved. Gestured. I followed the motion of her hand and saw Wyatt ambling toward us. Oh, I understood. Linnea was warning me.
“If it isn’t the lovely couple.” Wyatt Nash shuffled in front of us, grinning. “What does it matter whose heart you break as long as you’re happy, am I right?”
“That’s rich coming from you,” I said.
“Someone’s taken a swim in the punch bowl, I smell,” Alec said. “Tell me, Wyatt, did you manage to leave any for the rest of us?”
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