“That’s too bad,” she said. “I hope you’ll come by and visit us a lot, though. I hope you learn to develop your magical powers.”
“Thanks,” I replied. “I actually am hoping that I’ll get a chance to learn to use magic, but right now I’m really focused on my career.”
“That’s good,” Victoria said. “I hope you’re also taking time to take care of yourself, too.”
“Sure,” I replied with a dry laugh. If working eighty-hour weeks and living off take-out food and caffeine counted as self-care, I was the queen of it.
“Anyway, we’re looking for Grandma Eva,” Scarlett said. “Sorry we can’t sit around and chat. We’re looking for Thomas Sade’s killer.”
Victoria’s eyes widened. “You are? Well, I do hope you find the paranormal responsible. I can’t believe Thomas is dead. He was in here just a few weeks ago looking for a potion for Linda.”
“Oh?” I asked, and Victoria nodded.
“Yes, she was having a stressful time at work, and Thomas wanted something that would reduce her stress levels.”
“What does Linda do?” I asked.
“She works at the Academy,” Scarlett explained. “She teaches five- and six-year-olds how to use magic.”
“Wow, I can imagine that being a stressful job,” I said, and Victoria laughed.
“Oh, yes. Thomas told me one time one of her students accidentally cast a spell on a box of crayons that turned them into swashbuckling pirates that began attacking the students. Of course, being crayons, they couldn’t reach higher than anyone’s ankles, but it took a second before she was able to come up with a counter spell to turn them back into regular, sword-free crayons.”
These stories from this world were, well, out of this world. It was so completely different from my life in New York.
“Anyway, I’m keeping you. If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know.”
“Thanks, Victoria. Will do,” Scarlett said with a smile, motioning for me to follow her. Behind the counter was a wall made up of floating red hearts moving slowly up and down the black wall, like they were stuck in a lava lamp. Scarlett walked right into the wall and disappeared, and I gasped.
“This is exactly like platform 9 and 3/4,” I mumbled to myself as I took a deep breath, held it just in case, and followed after her.
There was a kind of cold sensation as I passed through the wall, but a split second later I came out the other side and the feeling disappeared.
“Wow, that was cool,” I said, looking behind me to see the wall once more. Scarlett grinned.
“Right, I forgot you wouldn’t have that sort of thing in the human world.”
Looking around, I was now in a space at least as large as the one I’d just left, but this wasn’t a retail store anymore. To the left was a large desk piled with papers, where Grandma Eva was busy typing away on a computer. On the other, much larger side of the room, long wooden tables lined most of the space. Beneath the tables, on built-in shelves, were tons of cauldrons of every shape and size. The walls were lined with floating live-edge shelves, and thousands of bottles and boxes of every size, shape, and color imaginable covered every inch of them.
My mouth dropped open and I was momentarily distracted as I walked over to the shelves to see what all of these ingredients were.
German shepherd toenail clippings
Crow’s feathers
Rainwater – fresh
Rainwater – puddle
Buttercup petals – dried
Buttercup stems – dried
Fleece from male sheep with angry temperament
Red leaves (level 8) collected from the highest branch of a maple tree – dried
“Are all of these potion ingredients?” I asked, not able to imagine them being anything else.
“Yeah,” Scarlett replied, coming over to point things out to me. “They’re ingredients in the potions we make here.”
“They’re very specific.”
“That’s because they have to be. For example, see how all of the leaves have specific colors listed?” I nodded. “That’s because when a leaf’s chlorophyll breaks down, it changes color, and so it also changes the composition of the leaf. But other chemicals are at play, too. In these maples, anthocyanin is produced to give them a brilliant red color. Years when it’s cold but still above freezing in the fall, the leaves will have a higher level of anthocyanin than years when it stays warm through to late November. So for each type of tree we have a color chart to label the intensity of the shade of the leaf, as it has an impact on potions.”
“What kind of problems can arise from using the wrong shade of leaf?”
“Well, it depends on the species of tree and the different intensity levels of the leaves that you’re using. If you’re making a potion to help you sleep, for example, you need dried maple leaves from anywhere on the tree at a level five intensity, middle-of-the-road. They’re basically pale green. If you use a level six intensity leaf, the person who takes the potion might just sleep through their alarm, as the potion will work a little too well. But if you use a level one intensity leaf, that’s too far off from what the potion requires and creates a new potion entirely. In that case, rather than making a potion that helps the user fall asleep, you’ve created a potion that turns their hands into hedge trimmers.”
“What? Why is that even a potion that can be made? When could being the suburban version of Edward Scissorhands ever come in handy?”
“When you’re trimming hedges and don’t want a loud machine to carry?” Scarlett answered with a grin. “Who knows? The point is, it’s probably not a mistake you want to be making.”
“Point taken,” I laughed.
“You’re already learning about magic, are you?” Grandma Eva said approvingly, turning around in her swivel chair to face us. “I’m very glad to hear it. Would you like a tour of the company?”
“Not right now, Grandma,” Scarlett said, pulling out her little notebook and pen. “We’re actually here for information.”
“Well, that’s one thing I have plenty of. What do you need?”
“Who was the shifter that Linda said Thomas knew at the coffee shop?”
“Ah, yes, I did see him. That was Mercutio Blane,” she said.
“Do you know where he works?”
“I’ve seen him before,” Grandma Eva said, nodding slowly. “I believe he runs a fitness center of some sort, but it’s not just a regular gym. He does classes that you have to be signed up for in order to get access. Eye of the Wolf, I think it’s called.”
“Cool, we’ll look into it, thanks,” Scarlett said. “What about the two elves that were there? Did you know them?”
“Sure, by name if nothing else. Yamordir works in management at the hospital. He’s the head of human resources. Borbordir is the head administrator.”
“Awesome, thanks Grandma, you’re the best.”
“Who were the other people in the coffee shop?” I asked. “The ones that Linda didn’t know. Do you remember?”
“I might be old, but this brain works better than it ever has,” Grandma Eva replied, tapping her temple. “Of course I remember. Bella Spark was there, having coffee with her husband Michael. And Egan Knucker was at his usual spot, drinking coffee by the window while reading a book. Subra was at one of the corner tables, eating a donut by herself, too. That’s everyone who was there. Why are the two of you asking about them?”
“No reason,” Scarlett said quickly, and Grandma Eva gave her a knowing look.
“You wouldn’t be thinking about trying to give Chief Enforcer Tyson a bit of a hand, would you? After all, that would be the fastest way to get Mina back to the human world.”
“Who, us?” Scarlett asked. “What could possibly give you that idea?”
“Your little too on-the-nose notebook cover, for one,” Grandma Eva replied, motioning with her head toward the two crows and the caption beneath.
“Whoops,” Scarlett replied with
a grin. “Well, here’s hoping you’re the only one who figures that out. Remind me to keep the cover hidden when we talk to others.”
“Just don’t tell your mother what you’re doing,” she replied.
“We weren’t planning on it,” Scarlett said. “Don’t worry.”
“Venus be with you,” Grandma Eva said. “Goodness knows you’re going to need all the help you can get.”
CHAPTER 11
Scarlett motioned for me to pass back through the wall of hearts with her and I did so, carefully stepping through the cool wall while holding my breath. I wasn’t sure that last part was strictly necessary, but it would have felt weird trying to breathe while walking through a wall.
When we got to the other side, my eyes landed on Chief Enforcer Tyson, who was standing at the counter, talking to Victoria. She smiled as soon as she saw us.
“Hello, witches,” she said. “How are things? I hope you’re settling in well, Mina.”
“I am, thanks to Scarlett,” I replied. “She’s showing me around.”
“Good,” Chief Enforcer Tyson said. “I’m hoping to get this case solved sooner rather than later, obviously. I’m having Victoria here see if she can figure out what kind of poison was used to kill Thomas.”
“Because she’s from an earth coven and they’re better at dealing with potions than members from the coven of Venus?” I asked, and Chief Enforcer Tyson looked at me approvingly.
“That’s right. You’re really fitting right in here, aren’t you? Good for you.”
Victoria was on the other side of the counter, ignoring us as she tapped the small vial of coffee with her wand a few times, muttering to herself. Then, she grabbed a cauldron from underneath the counter and poured the contents inside. I watched carefully as she strode confidently to the shelves and grabbed three different ingredients before returning to the counter.
She was obviously in her element here. Carefully stirring the coffee with her wand, Victoria then added one ingredient — I peered at the label to see it was fresh dandelion root — muttered something, then added the two further ingredients. She then tapped her wand against the edge of the cauldron and murmured something else. I gasped as blue smoke started billowing from the cauldron at a rapid pace, like a volcano about to blow.
After about ten seconds the smoke dissipated, and there floated above the cauldron a sort of chemical formula, like some sort of hologram. I couldn’t make out what it said at all, but Victoria immediately grabbed a pen and paper from the counter and began copying it down. A moment later, the formula disappeared in a tiny, silent puff of smoke.
“What is it?” I asked Scarlett, and she shrugged.
“No idea. Potions was never my strong suit. That’s why Victoria is doing this.”
“It’s certainly a poison,” Victoria replied. “You can tell that from the molecular structure. I’m not one hundred percent sure which one it is, but it was designed to stop the lungs from functioning. It’s in a family of very fast-acting poisons.”
“That matches with the reports we got from onlookers,” Chief Enforcer Tyson said.
“This is a very difficult potion to make,” Victoria said. “Whoever did it is very skilled. I’ll consult my books and let you know exactly what it is later today. I can call you when I know, if you’d like.”
“That would be great, thanks, Victoria.”
Chief Enforcer Tyson nodded at the three of us and then left, as Scarlett peered over Victoria’s shoulder to look at the formula written on the sheet of paper.
“So whoever did this had to be good at potions, you say? Do you think it could have been someone from the coven of Venus, or would it have to have been a witch or wizard from an earth coven?”
“I think someone from a non-earth coven could have made it, but they would have had to be exceptionally skilled,” Victoria replied slowly.
“Kind of like a Magical Fixer might be?” I asked, and Victoria nodded.
“Yes, I think someone trained to be a Magical Fixer would have the skills to make this potion, provided they were decent at their job.”
Scarlett’s eyes met mine. “You think Andrea might have done this?”
I shrugged. “Well, who else in that coffee shop would have had the skills to make a poison like that?”
“But why would she kill Thomas?” Scarlett replied.
“I don’t know. That’s what we have to find out.”
“Do keep in mind that the paranormal you’re looking for may not have made the potion themselves. There is a black market for potions in the paranormal world, although one of this potency and difficulty would have fetched quite a price.”
“Oh,” I said, suddenly feeling a little bit deflated. Of course I should have thought of that.
“But it doesn’t mean you’re wrong,” Scarlett said. “After all, black market potions are hard to get ahold of if you don’t know what you’re looking for, and you’re right that Andrea would have the skills to make one. I just don’t know what her motive might be.”
“A part of me wishes you would leave this to Chief Enforcer Tyson,” Victoria said with a smile. “I can’t help but think it must be dangerous to be hunting a criminal like this. And especially you, Mina, with your lack of magical skills. You’re at a significant disadvantage if you get into trouble in this world.”
I shrugged. “If I lose my job because I’m stuck in the paranormal world for the foreseeable future, I might as well be dead.”
Victoria gasped. “You can’t say that! I don’t care if you’re joking. This world is better for having you in it.”
“I don’t want to just exist,” I replied. “I want to thrive. I need to get to the top of the corporate ladder. I need to be one of the partners at the company, with the corner office that has a view of the Manhattan skyline.”
“And you’ll never get there if you find yourself the victim of a murderer,” Victoria pointed out.
“That’s true, but I’ll also never get there if I get fired.”
“There are other corner offices.”
I shook my head. “No, I can’t risk that. I worked too hard to get where I am. We’ll stay out of trouble, and if we find out who the killer is we’ll just tell Chief Enforcer Tyson, but I have to do what I can to make sure I can go home quickly.”
“Well, I hope you succeed,” Victoria said. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do that doesn’t involve me actually getting involved.”
“Thanks, Victoria,” I said. She was nice, and I liked her. Victoria seemed like a really caring person, and I had to admit it was nice to have someone who felt like they cared about me, even if she was a complete stranger.
Scarlett and I headed back out into the street.
“I think you’re on the right track with Andrea,” Scarlett said. “Let’s go talk to her first. The office of the company she works for is just around the corner.”
Sure enough, we turned off Aphrodite Way and onto Vulcan Avenue, and Scarlett led us toward a low-rise craftsman cottage with Fairy Falls Fixers stamped onto a wooden sign hanging on the lawn. We walked up to the front door and walked in, where another fairy was sitting behind the reception desk. This one had canary-yellow wings, jet black hair, and a thin face.
“Hello, welcome to Fairy Falls Fixers, how can I help you?” she asked politely, tilting her head to one side as she looked at us.
“Hi, we were wondering if Andrea is in right now, by any chance,” Scarlett said. “We were hoping to speak with her.”
“She’s in her office, down the hall, second door to the right,” the fairy said. “However, she’s had quite the shock this morning, so I’ll ask you to please be considerate of that.”
“Of course,” Scarlett replied with a kind smile. “We wouldn’t dream of doing anything else.”
The fairy nodded and I followed Scarlett through the doorway and into a long hallway that led down to the back of the cottage-turned-office. Sure enough, the second door to the right read Andrea Bolt. Sc
arlett knocked on the door, and the reply came a moment later.
“Come in.”
Scarlett opened the door and the two of us entered. I wasn’t entirely sure what I was expecting. Maybe it was because everything else in the paranormal world was so crazy, but this office was just…normal. A wooden desk behind which sat Andrea, a green plant in the corner — ok, so this one had flowers that were currently humming a tune — and a filing cabinet against the back wall. Apart from the singing flowers, this could have been any office in the human world.
“Hello, what seems to be the problem today?” Andrea asked, and I got a good look at her. She was of slightly-larger-than-average build, with straight blonde hair tied back in a ponytail. Her blue eyes were wide, matching her plump lips. She was very pretty.
“Hi, I’m Mina, and this is Scarlett,” my cousin introduced us. “You might recognize Mina from the coffee shop this morning.”
“Sure,” Andrea replied, nodding. “You were talking to Eva.”
Wow. This was a small town. How on earth had she remembered me?
“And you were there when Thomas passed away, unfortunately,” Scarlett continued. The smile fell from Andrea’s face.
“Yes. What a tragedy. Poor Linda. I can’t imagine what she must be going through right now.”
“I didn’t realize the two of you were friends,” Scarlett said.
“I’m not sure friends is the right word. We’re certainly acquaintances. We have a contract with the Academy, so whenever there are problems at the school that require magic to fix — and when you give a hundred youngsters wands and try to teach them how to use magic, there are a lot of those problems — I’m often the one sent in to go have a look and fix it. So I would see Linda a couple of times a week. And on top of that, we were in the same fitness class, so we’d chat a little bit here and there afterward.”
“Is that fitness class one of the ones run by Mercutio Blane?” I asked, thinking about what Grandma Eva had said, and Andrea smiled.
“That’s the one. He should have been born a wizard, let me tell you. That shifter is basically a miracle worker. Have you ever taken his classes? You don’t feel like you’re exercising at all, and when you come out of it you feel like a superhero.”
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