Magic & Murder (Starry Hollow Witches Book 1)

by Annabel Chase

  The view of the ocean would have been enough, but as it happened, Starry Hollow was just as charming from above as it was from the ground. I didn’t know much about architecture, but I recognized pretty buildings when I saw them. And the buildings in Starry Hollow were among the prettiest I'd ever seen.

  As the sun warmed my skin, I realized how much I enjoyed being airborne. When I was younger, I remembered a conversation I had with a friend about our desired superpowers. Hers was invisibility and mine was the ability to fly. Maybe I knew something deep down.

  "Mom, look at that fountain," Marley said.

  Good. That meant her eyes were open. I followed the turn of her head to see a huge fountain on the ground below. Even from this distance, I could see seven statues with water gushing from a variety of places.

  “Mom, the statues are moving!”

  They were. The fountain statues were changing position before our eyes. Magic at work.

  "Can we go and see that when we’re on the ground?" Marley asked.

  "I don't know about today," I said. "Remember, Marley. There’s plenty of time to scope things out. We live here now."

  "I know," she said. "Isn't it crazy?"

  It really was. Starry Hollow was beyond my wildest imagination. It was a cross between an artsy beach town and Diagon Alley. I knew that we’d barely scratched the magical surface at this point. There would be ample time to get to know more of the town. I had no doubt that Aunt Hyacinth would make sure of that.

  "Look at that statue on top of that building," Marley said, as we swooped close enough for a decent view. The statue was of a witch. She wore a cloak and her feet were bare. A crown was carved into her head like the one I'd seen the High Priestess wear during my induction ceremony. In her hands, she held a disk up to the sky. A silver moon, presumably.

  "Do you think that building is the coven headquarters?" Marley asked.

  "That's a good possibility," I said.

  As we soared over more of the town, I was amazed by the ease with which I flew the broom. It was as simple and natural as riding a bicycle. I wondered whether it was the same for all witches.

  “There’s Fairy Cove,” Marley said, and I saw the curve of the shoreline not far from the lighthouse. “Kids from school like to swim there.”

  From this vantage point, I could see the newspaper office with its unobstructed view of the water. I wondered whether Mr. Hale was in there right now, polishing his cufflinks. Silly me, I was sure he had a minion do that for him.

  The group of broomsticks turned, so we turned with them.

  "I think we’re heading back to the dock now," Marley said.

  “Looks that way.”

  For a moment, I was concerned about my landing skills, but everything turned out fine. The broomstick basically landed itself. Marley and I climbed off without a hitch. No sooner did my feet touch the ground than Marley's arms were wrapped around my waist. I squeezed her tightly.

  "Are you okay?" I asked.

  She jumped up and down in my arms. "That was amazing. Can we do it again?"

  My heart soared. My anxious child wanted to fly on a broomstick again. "Another time."

  Lotus came over to check on us. "As soon as your mother gets her broomstick license, she can take you up whenever you like."

  "A broomstick license?” I queried. “Like a driver's license?"

  Lotus nodded. "That's right. It's standard for witches and wizards. Once you get your passport, you'll be able to take a test and get your license."

  I groaned inwardly. Another layer of bureaucracy to overcome.

  "Mom, can I help you pick out a broomstick when it's time?"

  I hugged her again. "Of course you can. I know you wouldn't steer me wrong. Get it? Steer me?“

  Marley moaned and rolled her eyes. "No mom jokes. My stomach is already nauseous from the flight."

  Lotus pulled a vial from her pocket and popped off the lid. She held it beneath Marley's nostrils. “Breathe this in and you'll feel better."

  Marley inhaled deeply and smiled. "Wow. My nausea is gone. What is that?"

  Lotus popped the lid back on. “A magical elixir I keep on hand for tours. You’re not the only one who gets nauseous. Sometimes, we get worse than that, so consider yourself lucky."

  I considered myself lucky in that case. After all, I was the one riding the broomstick with her.

  “Do you think you can manage a bite to eat?” I asked. “I saw a restaurant from the sky that looked pretty cool. It’s at the top of the lighthouse. I think the room revolves.”

  “It does,” Lotus confirmed. “It’s a very popular place to eat. The lobster mac-n-cheese is divine.”

  Marley’s eyes lit up. “Can I try that?”

  I couldn’t believe my ears. “You want to eat lobster?”

  “If it’s in mac-n-cheese, then yes.”

  I wasn’t about to argue. For the first time in her life since she ate strained carrots out of a jar, Marley seemed eager to try new things. I didn’t care how much it cost to eat there, I was willing to splurge.

  I rang the bell of the separate entrance for Florian’s man cave. The door creaked open, but no one was there to greet me.

  "Hello?" I called.

  "Come on down, Ember," Florian's voice drifted back to me.

  I took the modern metal staircase down to an open loft area. The first thing I spotted was a pool table in the middle of the room. Florian leaned against it, a pool cue in his hand.

  "Solo game?” I asked.

  "I find it relaxing," he said.

  Because his life was so stressful. It was rough being the rich man-baby of a famous family of witches and wizards.

  "This place is better than a Tribeca loft," I said. Or so I imagined.

  The interior walls were brick and there was a basketball hoop attached to the far wall. Two sofas made of light gray leather sat in the middle of the room and there was a surfboard propped up against the wall behind them.

  "That floating staircase is cool," I said, gesturing behind me.

  "It's not even magic," he said. "Just good architecture."

  Even his kitchen managed to be masculine yet impressive. The industrial look worked well in the space. I spotted a wine chiller built in to the lower cabinet area. A bachelor necessity.

  "I can see what attracts the ladies here," I said. "This is the ultimate bachelor pad." I never would have pictured a place like this in a house like Thornhold.

  "I like to think it's more than my furnishings that attract them to me," he said, raking a hand through his white-blond hair.

  "Linnea said that you’re into fairies at the moment," I said. "Is it a revolving door of paranormals?"

  He chuckled. "For now. There’s no one special at the moment."

  “At the moment or forever?" I queried.

  He picked up a basketball and began to dribble it on the hardwood floor. "What's the point? If I find someone special, it will only end in death or divorce."

  “That’s the spirit,” I said, giving him a playful punch on the arm.

  “You’re mocking me, aren’t you?”

  "What makes you so negative about it?" His attitude seemed horribly jaded for someone in Florian's polished loafers.

  "Look at Linnea. Look at my mother." He gestured to me. "Look at you. Even your parents. Those who marry for love seem to suffer the most."

  "I noticed that you didn't mention Aster," I said. "Do you think she isn't in love with Sterling?"

  He shrugged and shot the ball into the hoop. "I think they have a familial love. There’s no passion there from what I can see."

  "But they get along well, at least from the limited time I've spent with them," I said. "Isn’t that the kind of relationship that you’d be happy with?"

  “Not really.” He retrieved the ball and handed it to me. "Your shot."

  "I'm terrible at handling balls," I said.

  He burst into laughter. "I wouldn't advertise that fact if you're in the market for a
new boyfriend."

  I pushed the ball into his arm. "You know what I mean. I don't think you should be afraid to put yourself out there because of what might happen. Even if I knew in advance that Karl would die an early death and leave me alone with Marley, I’d do it all the same."

  He stared at me. "Would you, really?"

  I took the shot and was amazed when it landed in the net. "Sometimes you get lucky. Sometimes you don't. That's just life. It doesn't mean you don't take the shot."

  He grinned. "Look at you, making sports metaphors. Starry Hollow will change you yet."

  I was pretty sure it already had.

  "So to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?” Florian asked. “No runecraft today?"

  “Nope,” I said. “I’m working on an article about Fleur for the paper.”

  Florian appeared surprised. “I thought Alec had you covering local sports?”

  “Oh, I’m doing that, too,” I said. “I ended up with this assignment because of the sheriff.”

  “The sheriff?” Florian shook his head. “Forget it. You don’t need to explain. Alec Hale and Granger Nash in one breath says it all.”

  “Do you know why they dislike each other so much?”

  “I’ve heard rumors, but you’d have to ask Linnea. She may have gotten the real story from Wyatt a while back.” He dribbled the ball on the hardwood floor. “So how’s the article coming along?”

  “I’m stuck,” I said. “I’ve spoken to Fleur’s herbology partner, her Maiden understudy, her best friend, Uri…”

  Florian choked back a laugh. “Best friend? Is that still the official story? I guess I can understand why.”

  I balked. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “There’s no way those two were strictly platonic,” Florian said. “I used to see them around town together. Trust me, I’m a guy. I know these things.”

  “But everyone I spoke to, even Uri…”

  “Uri is just trying to be a gentleman at this point,” he said. “His girlfriend is dead. Why soil her reputation now?”

  “But she was the Maiden,” I argued. “What would be the point of having a boyfriend if they knew they had no future as a couple?”

  Florian shrugged. “Who knows? They were young and into each other. If they were anything like me, they probably weren’t thinking about a future at all.”

  Hmm. Or maybe only one of them was. Part of me had hoped to keep a low profile and figure things out without the need to speak with anyone official, but I couldn’t drag my heels any longer. It was time to seek out the High Priestess.

  Chapter 16

  I found Iris Sandstone exactly where Mr. Hale said I would. It was a tough climb to the water's edge, but the payoff was worth it. The view across the water was stunning. White seagulls dotted the blue horizon—at least I assumed they were seagulls. Who knew in Starry Hollow?

  Iris stood front and center, her eyes closed and her arms outstretched. She was doing some kind of yoga, although I couldn't tell you which position. My knowledge of yoga was limited to stretching and breathing.

  She looked more serene than the woman I’d met during my induction ceremony. No surprise since she was alone and doing her own thing. She wore a baggy gray dress and bare feet. Her long, silver hair was partially pulled back, with the remaining hair hanging loose down her back. Around her neck she wore a simple pendant—a silver moon glistened against her chest.

  I wasn't sure whether to start talking or make a noise first. I didn't want to startle her and send her flying off the edge of the cliff. The coven didn't need to lose two members after my arrival. Talk about bad timing.

  “It's a beautiful view, isn't it?" Iris asked.

  I squinted. Yep, her eyes were still closed. And here I thought I had magical ninja skills. Bummer.

  "Did you hear me coming?" I asked.

  "No, I felt you." She opened her eyes and focused on me. "Would you like to join me in a sun salutation, Ember?”

  I was pretty sure that did not involve simply giving the sun a friendly wave. "I'm good, thanks."

  "Many coven members find peace and serenity in yoga," she said. "Perhaps you will be one of them."

  "I seriously doubt yoga is my thing," I replied. "I'm from the Northeast. We’re a pretty high-strung bunch."

  She gave me a relaxed smile. "Nothing that can't be unlearned." She continued her yoga, moving into another position.

  "What's that one called?"

  "Warrior pose," Iris said. "It's a strong pose, meant to work every muscle in your body.”

  Every muscle? That sounded like overkill to me. “You don’t do yoga with other witches?”

  "I come here most mornings alone," she said. “But I also do group sessions at The Arched Cat—it’s a yoga studio on Thistle Street. I find it relaxing to start the day with only Mother Nature smiling down on me."

  I generally started the day with a smelly dog staring down at me. He liked his breakfast bright and early.

  "I'm not sure if you know, but I'm working for the newspaper," I said.

  She shifted to a different position. "Yes, I’m aware. It didn’t exactly come as a surprise. Hyacinth likes to take care of her own."

  "I'll be honest. I'm grateful for it," I said. "I'm not qualified for much of anything, so the fact that she’s giving me a chance to do more than make coffee is appreciated." And I wasn’t even sure I’d be that adept at making coffee.

  Iris smiled at me again. "Gratitude is a good quality in anyone, particularly a witch. Giving thanks to the universe enables us to receive its many blessings."

  I hesitated. “Have you always been like this?"

  She tilted her head. "Like what?"

  “Like this.” I zigzagged my finger. “This new wave, hippie dippy, Berkeley-inspired granola act."

  She laughed softly. "Some people might find your question insulting, but I’ll choose not to take offense. To answer your question, yes. I’ve always been like this. I come from a long line of hippie dippies, as you call them."

  "I wasn't trying to offend you," I said. Although in hindsight, I could see how it might be construed that way.

  Iris relaxed her pose. "I know, Ember. I feel what's in your heart, and it isn’t malignant."

  I'm glad she could feel that, because there were days when I wasn't too sure myself.

  “And what about Fleur’s heart?” I asked. “Could you feel what was in hers?” If Fleur was shadowing Iris, they would have spent a lot of quality time together. Plenty of opportunity for someone as insightful as the High Priestess to sense any budding romance between Fleur and Uri.

  “Fleur had a kind heart,” she replied. “And she was an excellent Maiden. Her death is a great loss to the coven. Performing her funeral rites was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

  I was confident that Iris had deliberately misinterpreted my question. With that slight misstep, she’d given herself away. I’d have to push harder.

  “How long have you known about Fleur and Uri?" Okay, so maybe my question was a little too on-the-nose.

  “They’ve been friends since childhood,” she replied smoothly. “What’s there to know?”

  I moved closer and looked her in the eye. “You know what I mean, High Priestess.”

  The muscle in her cheek spasmed. Not so relaxed now, are you, Iris?

  "Do you think their relationship is relevant to her murder?" the High Priestess asked.

  I shrugged. “Could be. It was a pretty big secret to carry around, especially since she was the Maiden. Major repercussions if anyone discovered the truth.”

  Iris lowered her gaze to the ground. "I knew about their relationship. It was difficult not to know. All you needed to do was stand in their presence for five minutes to feel the intense connection between them.”

  “Did you ever see anything firsthand?”

  Iris shifted her gaze out to the ocean. I moved to stand beside her. It really was a gorgeous vista.

  "Yes, one time. Fleur
was meant to bring me herbs from the greenhouse for a ceremony we were preparing together. She was taking longer than usual, so I went to the greenhouse to see if I could help."

  “And you saw her there with Uri?"

  She nodded once. "It was a shock. They were kissing. I knew they loved each other and had for years, but I expected more discipline from Fleur. She knew how easily she could slip up, once hormones were hard at work.”

  I could relate. Marley was the direct result of my hardworking hormones.

  "Did she see you?" I asked.

  Iris shook her head. "I was glad of that. I don't know what she would have done had she realized."

  "You must've been angry with her, even if you didn't tell her what you'd seen,” I said.

  Iris inhaled deeply and closed her eyes, allowing the warmth of the sun to comfort her. "Not anger. Only disappointment."

  "You wanted a Maiden who followed the rules," I said. It was more of a statement than a question.

  She opened her eyes. “Of course. I’d invested so much time and energy in Fleur’s training. What kind of High Priestess would I be if I treated our oaths so disrespectfully? I still feel guilty when I think of her."

  My ears perked up. Guilt? Was this a confession?

  "I understand that hemlock can be a peaceful way to die," I said. "Whoever killed her must have cared for her."

  She cast a sidelong glance at me. "I've had much the same thought.”

  Not a confession then.

  "Ianthe seems like a better choice for the Maiden," I said. "She's very dedicated."

  Iris gave me a sad smile. “She is that."

  "Did you choose Ianthe as Fleur’s replacement?" I asked.

  "It's never an individual choice," Iris said. "The coven leadership decides based on a set of criteria."

  I was not getting positive vibes from her regarding Ianthe. I decided to dig a little deeper.

  "Ianthe didn’t seem to know the truth about Uri," I said.

  "I'm not surprised," Iris said. “If she had, she would’ve used it to try to have Fleur removed from her position.”

  “Why didn’t you?” I asked. “If you were concerned about Fleur’s dedication, why didn’t you have her removed?”