Bad to the Crone

by Amanda M. Lee

  I told her everything, not because she ordered me to, but because I needed someone to bounce ideas off. Gunner was clearly out of the picture, so Bonnie was my sounding board. “I couldn’t not go in there,” I said finally, scowling when I remembered the way Steven went off on his daughter. “She needed help ... so I helped.”

  “No one blames you for going in there.” Bonnie adjusted her tone so she sounded conciliatory. “We’ve been trying to get her out for some time. We’ve never been able to actually catch him in the act and we were afraid that if we jumped the gun he would retaliate and isolate her. That’s not what we wanted.”

  I thought back over Raisin’s interaction with the club since I’d been introduced to her. “That’s why you guys were so keen to make sure she was going to school, not riding on motorcycles and all that other stuff,” I mused. “You didn’t want to give her father a reason to cut off contact.”

  “She latched onto us because she was a sad girl in dire straits,” Bonnie countered. “We’re all attached to her in our own ways. But we were terrified we would screw things up. Do you think Gunner, Rooster and Whistler didn’t want to go in there and bash his head in? We had to talk them out of it. If Steven met a violent end there was every chance Raisin would’ve been shipped away from Hawthorne Hollow.

  “You said she’s with her grandmother now.” she continued. “That’s good. Irene is strict, but she’s not abusive. She’ll give Raisin the attention she needs. I just hope the custody sticks.”

  “Oh, it will stick.” I turned dark as I thought of the things I’d seen in Steven’s mind before I slammed home the nightmare I created for him. “He’s not getting her back. If I have to convince him that she belongs with her grandmother, I’ll do it.”

  Bonnie pursed her lips. “I ... you ... what do you mean?” she asked finally. “Are you saying you can control his mind and make him sign over custody of Raisin?”

  The question threw me for a loop. “Well, basically, yeah. I told you I was a hereditary witch. I’ve been able to convince people to do things since I was nine or ten. It’s been very beneficial, especially when I was locked up in a variety of bad foster homes.”

  “Oh, geez!” Bonnie slapped her hand to her forehead. “I can’t believe you can do that. I’m dying to know what your mother could do. If you’re this strong and you weren’t raised in a coven ... I just ... we should really test your magic one day. I bet you don’t even know all the things you can do.”

  “I have a pretty good idea,” I countered. “I’m not sorry for helping Raisin. If it comes to it, I can offer more help. There’s no limit to what we can do for her. I’m not afraid to do what needs to be done.”

  “Clearly not.” Bonnie heaved out a sigh and leaned back in her chair. “You’re well and truly a badass. I think I’m going to like hanging out with you.”

  “That’s good. You’re stuck with me for the foreseeable future.” I drained the rest of my beer. “I’m running to the bathroom and grabbing another drink. Do you want one?”

  “Absolutely.” Bonnie nodded. “I’ll order them. Once you get back, I insist on hearing about you breaking into that crazy church. What were you thinking?”

  That was a very good question. “I don’t know, but the entire thing was weird. Like ... really weird.”

  “Well, I can’t wait to hear about it.”

  “You say that now, but I’m not sure you’ll feel the same way in twenty minutes. Either way, I’m running to the bathroom. Get me another Corona draft.”

  Twenty

  Gunner was standing by the jukebox when I exited the restroom. He made a big show of looking at the song selections, his elbows resting on the glass as he leaned over and stared, making for a tall and fit package that was ridiculously attractive.

  I’m not kidding. He was causing quite the stir with a group of women who had taken over one of the larger tables in the corner. They kept pointing and giggling, whispering behind their hands as they stared. For his part, he remained focused on the music.

  Of course, I knew why he was really there. He wanted to talk to me. If he thought I was going to be the first to speak, he had another think coming. Instead of going the obvious route and skirting around him, which would’ve forced me to brush against him, I opted for the scenic route and headed down a dark hallway. It was a longer walk to get back to the main part of the bar, but it was worth it.

  I thought that right up until I realized there was no opening in the hallway that led to the bar. Instead, it led to what was obviously Whistler’s office and a storage room. There was no escape.

  “Are you trying to hide from someone down here?”

  I jumped at the sound of Gunner’s voice, turning quickly to find him standing behind me in the hallway. He looked amused.

  “I thought this led back to the bar,” I replied, forcing myself to remain calm. “I didn’t realize there was no exit.”

  “There is one by the bathroom.”

  That proved he’d been waiting for me by the jukebox. “Yes, well, I thought it would be easier if I came this way.”

  He crossed his arms and tilted his head, considering. “Why?”

  “What do you mean? I thought it would be easier. I was wrong. Are you going to sue me for being wrong or something?”

  “Not last time I checked,” he replied simply. “Why are you acting weird?”

  That had to be a loaded question. “I’m not acting weird. I’m acting like a normal person. You’re the one acting weird.”

  “No, you’re definitely acting weird.” He shifted from one foot to the other. “What did you do today?”

  Oh, well, that was just the limit. “What does it matter?” It took everything I had not to explode. As it was, my voice was a bit shriller than necessary. “You wanted off the team and you’re off. I have everything under control.”

  “Off the team?” He furrowed his brow. “That’s not what I said. I ... something came up.”

  “Oh, really?” I rolled my eyes. “You were here drinking. I doubt that was as important as you’re making it out to be.” I caught myself before I could descend into melodrama. “It doesn’t matter. We were forced together from the start and you didn’t like the pairing. I won’t make you keep coming around when you obviously don’t want to. It’s fine. You can wash your hands of me.”

  His next statement was enough to drive me bonkers. “Are you drunk or something?”

  I wanted to pull my hair and scream. I managed to refrain, but it was a struggle. “I’m not drunk. I’m being honest. You don’t need to hang around with me. You obviously have other things — other people — on your mind. I’m no longer your concern.”

  “Other people?” He looked confused, something that frustrated me to no end. “I ... you ... are you talking about the woman at the bar?”

  She was the last person I wanted to talk about. I actually felt sorry for her because her boyfriend couldn’t keep his hormones in check and repeatedly sent the wrong signals. Hey, it was easier blaming him than me.

  “I have to go.” I pushed past him with enough force that he had no choice but to step aside unless he wanted to get physical. “Bonnie is waiting for me. I have to get out of here.”

  “Wait.” He moved to grab my arm but thought better of it and pulled back. “I want to talk to you.”

  “There’s nothing to talk about.” I forced a smile for his benefit before continuing down the hallway. “Have fun on your date. You don’t have to worry about me. I’ve been doing this a very long time. I have everything completely under control.”

  I STOPPED AT TWO BEERS EVEN though my mood would’ve allowed for ten. I hated hangovers as much as the next person, so I said goodbye to Bonnie after explaining my breaking-and-entering excursion at the church and headed home.

  As much as I didn’t want to admit it, I remained annoyed that Gunner blew me off to hang with his girlfriend. Part of it was that he refused to admit he had a girlfriend. The other part was that I noted serious spa
rks between us the night before ... and it was very obvious that had all been in my head. I hated looking like a fool, but there was no other way to see myself now.

  I removed my bike helmet as I strode toward the cabin, uneven earth to my left catching my attention as I made the trek. On a whim, I detoured to look more closely at the ground. I was confused when I got closer, pulling out my key ring so I could use the flashlight attachment on it to get a better look.

  “That’s ... weird,” I muttered, frowning when I realized what I was looking at. I dipped a finger in the upturned dirt and touched it to my tongue, ignoring how gross other people would find the action and instead focusing on the task at hand. I wasn’t surprised at the tart taste and spit out the grit as I scanned the nearby tree line for hints of movement.

  “It’s salt,” a voice announced, causing me to jerk my head in the opposite direction. Instead of finding a creature about to attack I found a ghost about to ... well, peep, I guess.

  “Peeping Tim,” I noted, turning back to the mess in the yard. “Did you see who did this?”

  He shook his head. “I wish you wouldn’t call me that, by the way. I’m not a peeper.”

  “Really? What do you call staring at women as they undress without them knowing it?”

  “A victimless crime.”

  If he were corporeal, this is where I would punch him. “I think we’re going to have to agree to disagree there. That’s not my biggest concern, though. The ground wasn’t like this when I left. That means someone came here and disturbed it. What I want to know is, why.”

  “I can’t answer that. I only just got here myself.” Tim moved closer to study the ground. “Did you know the ground was salted?”

  “Yes. I assumed Rooster did it to keep away unwanted pests. It doesn’t work for everyone — especially with unwanted peeping ghosts coming and going as they please — but it holds back some basic enemies.”

  “Rooster didn’t do this.” Tim was matter-of-fact. “He would prefer taking on an enemy rather than hiding behind a line. Rain did this.”

  And back to the mysterious Rain. “What happened to her?” I’d meant to ask Rooster when I saw him earlier — the question was becoming more and more necessary to ask — but it didn’t seem appropriate given the other things we were dealing with.

  “She left.”

  It was a simple response, but I could read between the lines. “No, it’s not that easy.” I shook my head. “Something happened to her, didn’t it?”

  “I didn’t do anything.” He sounded offended that I would dare insinuate anything of the sort. The problem was, I didn’t insinuate anything even remotely close to that.

  “I’m guessing she could put up with you, which makes you miss her,” I said. “I’m more interested in the things she couldn’t put up with. What happened to her?”

  “I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t.” He turned earnest. “She was here one day and gone the next.”

  “Did she leave of her own volition?”

  “I don’t know.”

  I hated that I didn’t have the answers I wanted. Tim seemed the type to fold under questioning and he appeared more confused than reticent. He was probably a dead end, at least on this particular track. “Well, I guess I should go inside.” I turned my attention back to the cabin. “Would you know if anyone was in there?”

  “I could check if there weren’t curtains over every window,” Tim scowled. “Curtains are the worst.”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah.” I made sympathetic noises. “What if I give you permission, just this once, to go inside? Could you see if anyone is in there if I allowed it?”

  He shook his head, taking me by surprise. “The salt is too strong the closer you get. I can’t get very close.”

  “Oh.” I straightened. “If you can’t I guess other creatures have the same problem.”

  “Maybe.” He didn’t look as if he cared. “But from now on I think it would behoove all of us if you simply left your curtains open — especially in your bedroom — so I can check these things from afar when you’re not here.”

  “And I think you’re dreaming.” Resigned, I moved toward the door. “If someone attacks and manages to kill me, make sure you wake Rooster so he can take care of the kitten. I don’t want him to go hungry.”

  “You really should name that thing,” he chided. “A kitten without a name is like a pickle without a toothpick.”

  I wasn’t sure what that was supposed to mean and I didn’t care enough to ask the obvious question. “I’m sure it will be fine. Just in case, though, I’m putting you on kitten duty.”

  He offered up a salute. “I won’t let you down, Ma’am.”

  “Awesome. But ... don’t call me ma’am. I’m not old enough to be a ma’am.”

  “Of course, madame.”

  I wasn’t sure that was better, but I let it go. I was too tired to argue. I needed to put this day behind me.

  THERE WAS NO ONE inside. As far as I could tell, no one had even tried the door. Still, I made sure to lock it before stumbling to the bedroom. There, I found the kitten stretched out on the bed. He didn’t look to be ceding the center spot, so I crowded in at the edge, even though it wasn’t exactly comfortable, and curled around him.

  That’s how I fell asleep. I didn’t wake until someone started pounding on the front door.

  “Geez.” I turned on my back and found the kitten staring at me with a look that could only be described as disdain. “Don’t look at me, buddy,” I groused, rolling out of the bed. “I know exactly three people in this town. It’s not my fault they keep showing up.”

  I’d slept in the same shirt I’d worn to the bar and a pair of flannel boxer shorts. I didn’t think about the fact that I wasn’t wearing a bra or socks until I’d already thrown open the door ... and found Gunner waiting on the other side. He had a box of doughnuts in one hand and a tray holding two coffee cups in the other.

  “How did you even manage to drive out here on a motorcycle with that thing?” I asked, genuinely baffled. “That’s impossible.”

  “Anything is possible if you put your mind to it.” He grinned as he took in my outfit. “I take it you’re sleeping in.”

  “I didn’t mean to.” I turned and padded into the kitchen, leaving him to follow. I’d mostly forgotten I was trying to cut him out of my life, which is why I allowed him into the cabin. Truth be told, the caffeine and doughnuts didn’t hurt. I would remind myself that he was no good once I was sugared up and ready to face the day. “I guess I slept later than I thought.”

  “Maybe you needed the sleep,” he suggested, resting the coffee tray and doughnut box on the counter and grinning when the kitten came racing into the room. “Hello, little guy.” He reached over and scooped up the wriggling mass of purrs. “I take it you’re hungry. Is your mother not feeding you enough?”

  “Don’t call me his mother,” I shot back, automatically reaching for the Iams bag on the counter. “As for feeding him, he can eat whatever he wants. He slept the entire night away, too. It wasn’t just me.”

  “You look rather well rested,” he noted as he lowered the cat to the ground and watched as I filled his bowl. “I was a little worried after the way you left last night.”

  The way he phrased it grated. “Why? I wasn’t drunk and I’m fully capable of taking care of myself.”

  “I didn’t say you weren’t.” He held up his hands. “There’s no reason to go crazy.”

  “I’m not going crazy. Why do men always say that? Just because a woman is agitated doesn’t mean she’s going crazy.”

  “Uh-huh.” He ran his tongue over his teeth and regarded me. “That’s something my sister would say. That’s who I was with at the bar last night, by the way. My sister … Ashley.”

  I pressed my lips together, mortified. “I ... .”

  “She wanted to meet you,” he continued, a hint of his charming smirk back in place. “I told her I would make it happen, but apparently I didn’t keep my word. She�
��s angry with me, too, in case you’re wondering.”

  I collected myself as fast as humanly possible. “I didn’t know you had a sister. I was under the impression you were an only child. That’s how you made it sound ... I mean, with the stories you told about your mother.”

  “I guess I should explain,” he said. “Ashley is my half-sister. My father had an affair with a woman while married to my mother — something that didn’t help her mental instability — and she completely went over the edge when she realized his mistress was pregnant.”

  I worked my jaw but kept quiet.

  He smiled as he watched my reaction. “It’s okay,” he assured me. “I’ve come to terms with my father’s part in my mother’s breakdown, and I’m over it. She would’ve always ended up where she is. Whether it was sooner is the ultimate question.”

  I found my voice. “I’m sorry. That’s awful.”

  “It’s not Ashley’s fault,” he noted, opening the doughnut box. “She’s all right. We get along ... okay. I’m older than her. Her mother doesn’t want her spending time with me because Ashley doesn’t shift. She found out my father was a shifter and, thankfully for them, Ashley’s genes appear to be dormant.”

  It was a lot to take in. “I’m sorry,” I repeated because I didn’t know what else to say. “It’s nice you spend time with her even if you don’t like her.”

  “She insists on spending time with me,” he corrected. “We’re casual half-siblings. She comes around once a month and catches up on life. She doesn’t generally announce herself when she does and simply inserts herself into what’s going on.

  “She has a natural curiosity when it comes to Spells Angels,” he continued. “She wants to be part of it but can’t because of her mother. When she showed up out of the blue yesterday, I felt it was necessary to take the day off so she didn’t get too involved with what we have going on. The last thing I want is for her face to go missing.”

  I felt like a dolt ... and then some. Still, he could’ve admitted that’s why he was taking the day off from the start instead of playing it cryptic. Ah, well. It was in the past. “What kind of doughnuts did you get?” I peered into the box and immediately reached for a cake doughnut with chocolate icing and sprinkles. “How did you know this is my favorite?”