by TJ Green
He looked across the room to where Avery stood silently watching and feeling quite annoyed. “And you. You sell books on the occult, mysticism, divination, tarot cards.”
“I also sell books of romance, action, thrillers, and fantasy. It’s not illegal,” she said, her anger building. “This is not the dark ages. This town has a rich history, built on the witch-hunts and the burning. If you haven’t noticed, the whole town is full of soothsayers, fortune tellers, herbalists, and angel believers. That’s why tourists come here. I sell what people are interested in.” She could feel a breeze whipping up around her again, and she saw Newton narrow his eyes as a strand of hair lifted in front of her face. She quickly tucked it behind her ear.
His grey eyes darkened like a storm. “The woman on the road had had her throat ripped out. Car accidents don’t do that.”
El’s hand flew to her chest and Avery gasped and said, “I’m sorry to hear that, truly sorry, but we had nothing to do with it.” She hesitated a second, and then thought she should come clean—after all, he’d have seen Alex’s car. “I was with Alex Bonneville last night; I know you’ll have seen his car, too. We met El at Hawk House, but that’s all. We didn’t see anything, either.”
Newton’s face was like granite. “So you all met at the Hawk House site, a couple of days before the Solstice, and a young woman died violently.”
“I can assure you, those events are not connected,” Avery said, her voice icy as she glared back at Newton.
“We’ll need to speak to Alex Bonneville and Reuben Jackson.” Newton gave them both a long, searching look, and then he looked around the room carefully, as if something would suddenly reveal itself. “That’s all for now. Do not repeat what we told you about the way the woman died. If you think of anything, come and see me. And don’t go anywhere.”
He pulled his card out and laid it on the coffee table, while Moore pocketed his notebook. He had said nothing throughout the entire interview, and he followed Newton silently out the door.
As soon as they had left, Avery snorted. “Don’t go anywhere! Where the hell does he think we’d go? I live here!”
“Holy shit, Avery. We’re persons of interest in a murder investigation and a woman is dead!” El collapsed on the sofa and Avery walked over and sat next to her, cradling her now lukewarm tea and bringing one for El. They were silent for a few moments, and Avery leaned back, closing her eyes, trying to rationally think through the events of the night.
El interrupted her thoughts. “What do we know about demons, Avery?”
“Not much. Dark entities that need blood or souls to feed on—powerful, unruly, vengeful, and they don’t belong in our world. They can be summoned and controlled with necromancy. If you’re insane.” She opened her eyes to find El staring at her. “Well, that’s what I know. What about you?”
“The same. To be honest, I never thought they were real. I thought they were a magical figment that belonged in the dark ages. Manifestations of people’s fear.”
“Well, it wasn’t a manifestation last night. It killed someone and attacked Reuben.”
“If it’s here, it will kill again. We have to stop it.”
“So now we have three problems,” Avery said. “We have a premonition, a suspicious detective, and whoever’s attacking us and their pet demon to sort out. I better let Alex know he’s going to get visitors, and you need to tell Reuben.” And then she pulled her phone from her bag.
***
Avery decided she wanted the rest of her day to be normal, without any more drama. She stopped at the bakery and brought a selection of cakes, pastries, and three double-shot lattes with a sprinkling of cinnamon. When she arrived at the shop at just after eleven, she found Dan sitting on a stool behind the counter, reading a book. The music had changed, and Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” was now playing.
“Hi,” she grinned, trying to put her nerves behind her. “I’ve bought snacks.”
There were only a couple of customers in the shop, browsing in the thriller section, so she plonked the goods down on the shop counter and took a long drink of coffee. Sometimes she felt caffeine was the only thing getting her through the day.
“So the wanderer returns!” Dan said with a wry smile, and he put his book down and reached for a latte. “This is great. Cheers.”
“Quiet morning?” Avery asked.
“A bit of a rush earlier, but it’s quietened down now. What have you been up to? You’ve made Sally a very grumpy woman.”
Avery decided to come clean. “I’ve been questioned by the police, actually. All because me and Alex took a late night drive out to the moors.”
Dan’s face fell. “That poor woman. But they questioned you? I thought it was an accident?”
“A suspicious accident,” Avery explained, not wanting to say more. “Anyway, I think he was happy-ish with our explanation. Obviously, we know nothing.” Which wasn’t strictly true, but she wasn’t about to go talking about demons. Dan would think she was mad. In fact, she might be. “Where is Sally?” she asked, looking around.
“Out the back. Sally!” he yelled. “Coffee’s here.” He reached for a pastry. “Wow, these are awesome.”
“Oh, you’re back!” Sally said, coming from the back room, a mixture of relief and annoyance on her face. She looked at the coffee and cakes. “A peace offering?”
“Sort of. Sorry, Sally. It’s been a hell of a week.”
Dan spoke through a mouthful of pastry, “And she’s been interviewed by the police.”
“But I’m fine,” Avery rushed to calm Sally. “It’s just a misunderstanding.”
Sally leaned closer, glancing at the customers to make sure they were out of hearing range, and said quietly, “Things have changed since you picked up Anne’s stuff. Why?”
“It’s nothing,” Avery said, also leaning forward. “She just gave me some family histories, that’s all.”
“We both know about your—” she hesitated for a second, “practices. And it’s the Solstice. Do you need our help?”
Avery was so shocked that she almost spit her coffee out. “What do you mean—‘practices?’”
Dan smiled. “This is a witchy town, but we all know there’s more witch in some of us than others. And that includes you, Avery. And don’t panic.”
“I make no secret of my interests,” she started, defensively.
“Oh bollocks, Avery. We’re not talking interests. We’re talking practices,” Dan said, brushing pastry flakes from his shirt. “We respect your abilities, but they’re not a secret, not to us, anyway.”
Avery felt the hairs stand up on the back of her neck. She had tried so hard to hide her powers, and she hoped they didn’t know the scope of them. She must have looked shocked because Sally added, “Don’t worry; only a few people really know. Locals. We respect your privacy. But if something weird is going on, they will start to ask questions. We know you’re safe, but magic is magic, Avery.”
They both fell silent as Avery sipped her coffee and tried to think of something to say. Today was going to be one of those days, and with the impending Solstice, it could be weirder than most. “All right,” she said, making her mind up and glancing once more over her shoulder. “I have certain abilities. It’s hereditary. I am safe with my abilities, as in, I do not intend harm, but there are others who do. Things may not be so safe around here at the moment, so I want you both to be careful. I’ll prepare something for you to carry, and I want you to promise me to carry it always. At least for a while.”
Dan and Sally’s slightly jokey tone now disappeared. “So something is going on?” Sally asked.
“Yes. But that’s all I’m saying. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to head upstairs and prepare a little something for you.” She looked at their shocked faces and allowed herself a small laugh. “Well, you did ask.”
***
Avery headed up to her flat and first checked her main living area to ensure nothing remotely magical lay around, just in cas
e DI Newton wanted to visit, and then she did the same in the attic. She shoved the wooden box into the working area, where her shelves were filled with her supplies, and performed a spell to dissuade visitors from looking too hard in that particular area.
Satisfied with her work, she crossed the small back alley to the walled garden and entered it through the ornately decorated gate that was imbued with spells. She always kept it locked, but it also had protection added to it to ward off prying eyes. Once inside, she looked around with pleasure and sighed in relief. Her garden always calmed her.
It was surrounded with four high walls covered with climbers and espaliered fruit trees. It seemed bigger than it really was, because it was impossible to see it all from one spot. Pergolas and gazebos added height and structure, and everywhere you looked the plants were growing with a giddy profusion. There were roses, irises, dahlias, verbenas, geraniums, lavender, hollyhocks, delphiniums, lupins, shrubs and small trees, and much more. Gravel paths wound through everything, and everywhere she walked, she brushed by plants so that their perfume filled the air.
She bypassed the garden table and chairs where she had seen Alex the other night, and pressed on to where the herbs grew. She stopped and filled a basket with a variety of cuttings, and decided she’d come back later as the light fell to collect some roots. They were best gathered at dusk.
They would welcome the Solstice here tomorrow, and they would be undisturbed. In the centre of the garden was a grassed area, as smooth as velvet and perfect for rituals. Although the garden was surrounded by other buildings, only her own flat was high and close enough to see into it.
Avery saw Dan and Sally once more before the end of the day to give them their hex bags. She called them into the back room, and left the door part way open to watch for customers. “Here you go,” she said.
Dan looked bemused at the small muslin bag that was filled with herbs and tied at the neck with cord. “What do I do with it?”
“Wear it.” She pulled the cord free of the bag. “See, you can hang it around your neck, tucked under your shirt, or put it in your pocket. Whatever you choose. Just wear it.”
Sally looked at her wide-eyed. “It just looks like the herbs I put in my underwear drawer. Does it do anything?”
“It does plenty. Just take it and use it,” Avery said.
Sally leaned forward and touched it gingerly, and then lifted it over her head like a necklace so it rested under her shirt, as Avery had suggested, while Dan put his in his jeans’ pocket.
Avery felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders, and although she was sure that feeling wouldn’t last long, she decided to enjoy it while it lasted. It was nice to be able to be even a little bit honest with two people who weren’t witches. “Excellent, now, be careful.”
“What are you doing for the rest of the day?” Dan asked. “We’re going to The Mermaid for a pint if you want to come?”
Avery shook her head. “No, I’m having a quiet night, thanks. Just me, the cats, and the TV.”
“You sure?” Sally said, looking worried.
“Absolutely. See you in the morning.”
Once they’d gone and the shop was locked up, Avery enjoyed the laziest night she could, not even wanting to look at Anne’s research. The previous night’s events had exhausted her, and the woman’s death had depressed her. Magic was the last thing she wanted to do. And besides, the Solstice would be a busy day.
14
Saturdays were always busy, customers streaming in and out of the shop, and all the talk was about the celebrations on the beach later. Avery, like many others, had decorated her shop window. The day passed in a whirl of chat and sales, and she barely had time to think about their own celebrations that night.
Neither Dan nor Sally made any mention of their conversation from the previous day, and Avery was relieved. On his way out the door, Dan asked, “Are you going to any of the celebrations on the beach later?”
“No. I’ll be celebrating privately tonight. Are you?”
He grinned. “Sure, who doesn’t enjoy a good bonfire, a bit of chanting by our local pagan druid, and a few beers?”
She laughed. One of the town councillors liked to officiate at the Solstice and Equinox celebrations, proclaiming himself the local druid. Visitors and locals loved it, although there was no real magic involved at all. The crowds should be enough to keep the demon and whoever was controlling it away. “Good. Stay with the crowds. And enjoy!”
The pale blue sky seemed like a lid on the town, trapping the heat of the day within the lanes and buildings. One of the pleasures of mid-summer, Avery thought, was the light that lasted late into the night. She headed into the garden, spending the next few hours preparing for the other witches’ arrival, and trying to ignore her growing hunger pangs. Some magic needed an empty stomach so Avery hadn’t eaten since breakfast.
They had decided to celebrate the Solstice with a very non-witchy BBQ after their celebration. Avery’s brick-built BBQ hadn’t been used since the previous summer, so she scrubbed it clean. She prepared salads for later, and made sure there were plenty of candles to supplement the low electric lighting that illuminated the garden paths, plants, and the table; the whole place would look pretty and magical.
Alex arrived first, letting himself through the gate. Avery heard the crunch of the gravel as he headed down the path. She sat at the table sipping water and smiled as he came into view. Last week, she had wanted to strangle him, but now her heart raced a little quicker as she remembered that long, lingering kiss.
He sank into the chair opposite hers. “How you doing?”
“I’ve been better.”
He placed his proffered beer in the cooler and took a swig of water. “Thanks for the heads-up yesterday. DI Newton arrived with his silent witness in tow. What a creepy pair they are.”
“They do have a murder to investigate.”
“I know. I’m trying to make light of a bad situation. I’m not normally suspected of murder.” He looked around. “I can feel you’ve increased your protection.”
“Yep. And I gave Dan and Sally an amulet bag, too.”
He raised his eyebrows.
“Apparently, a few locals know I’m a witch—and you too, probably. They mentioned others and I didn’t ask. I’m really not sure how much they know of what we actually can do, but we’re trusted to do the right thing, apparently. So I did. Has anyone ever said anything to you?”
“About magic? Never. But I work in a pub, not an occult bookstore. And I think people associate women far more with witches than men. Doesn’t sound like they’ll be hounding you out of town, anyway,” Alex said with a grin. “Did you ask El what happened at Hawk House—you know, how the demon arrived?”
“No, Newton arrived before I’d had a chance to find out. We’ll ask later.”
His eyes darkened and his gaze fell to her lips, and it seemed he was going to say something when the gate opened again, and she heard El and Briar arrive. Avery wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed.
Briar was looking her most ethereal. Her dark hair was loose and she wore white everything—a long skirt and a lace-trimmed cotton shirt. El was wearing her usual black, and her white-blonde hair glowed in the evening light. She was carrying a large object wrapped in a blanket.
“No Gil yet?” El asked.
“No. Any news from Reuben?” Avery asked.
“No,” El answered, with a slight grimace.
Briar looked at all of them. “I feel I’m missing something.”
“We’ll hang on for Gil and then we’ll fill you in,” Avery said. “What are you carrying, El?”
“I’ve brought a sword, bound with ceremonial magic. I thought it would be great to draw our circle.” She unwrapped it and Avery’s jaw dropped in amazement.
“Wow! That’s so cool!”
The sword had a simple hilt, a mix of silver and what looked like copper. The blade had a fine engraving running down the centre. Al
ex leapt to his feet. “May I?”
El grinned. “Of course.”
Alex lifted it and then swished it around. “I like this.”
“Better not let Newton see you with it, or he’ll be accusing you all over again,” Avery said.
Briar was silent, but she watched Alex admiringly, and for a second Avery felt a flash of guilt as she remembered their kiss from last night. She was sure Briar fancied him, but it seemed Alex was oblivious. His muscles flexed as he moved, and Avery felt desire stir within her.
El laughed. “Seriously, Alex, you’re holding it all wrong.” She stepped in to adjust his grip when Gil arrived, surprising everyone when Reuben appeared behind him.
For a second El didn’t move, she just looked at Reuben with wide, questioning eyes, and the place fell silent for a brief second as Alex strode towards them. “Gil, good to see you. Reu, how are you? We’ve been worried sick.”
Despite the attack a couple of nights before, Reuben looked as handsome and rugged as ever, and he broke into a grin. “It’ll take more than a demon to finish me off.” He looked serious for a moment. “Thanks for your help the other night. Without you two,” he glanced at Avery, “things would have been very different.” He looked at El. “How are you?”
Relief washed over her face. She had been so worried he wouldn’t forgive her. “Feeling guilty. I could have killed you.”
“No, the demon could have. It wasn’t your fault. You could have died, too.”
“What about the burns?”
Reuben showed the angry red welts at his wrists, arms, and legs. “They’re still there, but they’re healing—thanks to Briar’s poultice.”
Avery relaxed, relieved that El and Reuben seemed to be okay.
Gil sat at the table. “Well, I’m pissed at all of you. This is still insanity to me.”
Alex put the sword on the table. “You’d better get used to it, because it’s not going away.”
Gil looked up at him. “I don’t appreciate the police coming to visit, either.”
