by Lori Woods
Potions and Commotions
A Lola Sphinx Cozy Mystery
Lori Woods
Moonstone Press
Copyright © 2019 by Lori Woods
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Contents
Description
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Afterword
Description
A Magical Town, A Witch and a Mermaid, and a Murder Most Confusing…
Lola, a friendly young witch in the magical town of Warlor, has just opened up the towns first Potions shop, along with elderly man-fairy, Pim-Pim.
After Lola is asked out on a date by the handsome warlock, Detective Dereck, they decide to attend the grand Spring Welcome Celebration. However, all is not as well as it seems. Due to some unusual circumstances surrounding a sudden death, her best friend, Nawfar (who happens to be a mermaid), is accused of murder!
Can Lola and Dereck track down the true killer in time and prove Nawfar’s innocence?
Chapter 1
Lola Sphinx zipped over her home town of Warlor, balancing carefully on her broomstick. Warlor was a beautiful town – full of a diverse group of mythical creatures such as witches, goblins, various faes, and even the occasional troll. Today was a special day for Lola. Today was the grand opening of her new potions shop. Warlor had many wonderful things, but up until now local witches and warlocks had to travel nearly two towns over to the nearest potion shop – that or gather materials themselves. It was highly inconvenient, and as Lola was a rather skilled potions masters she had decided it was high time someone opened one up.
She landed outside of the potions shop, smiling wildly at the large “Grand Opening” sign that she had hung up the night before. She scurried inside, and she was greeted by a pleasant aroma of various mixtures of potion ingredients – mostly herbs and spices but also the more unusual items like dragons blood, and pixie dust. Lola had spent months preparing her inventory list and procuring the items for the grand opening – making sure the room felt warm and welcoming. The wooden walls and the low hanging rafters made the place feel like an old-fashioned study – not to mention the enormous fireplace that, with the flick of her wand, she set ablaze. She waved her wand about, and the various candled lanterns lit themselves, bringing a bit off additional light to the room.
“Perfect,” Lola said, smiling ear to ear. Reaching the point of a potions master was difficult work. Unlike most forms of magic, potion-making was a learned skilled. A difficult one at that. To be able to help people with this more daunting task was a dream to her. She wished there had been a local potions master in Warlor when she had been growing up; she could only imagine where she would be now with earlier training.
“Absolutely!” a squeaky voice yelped in agreement, a coo-coo clock’s door swinging open to reveal a young man with wings. The non-functioning coo-coo clock had been turned into a front door for the fairies entrance to his home – he lived within the walls of the shop. “I am very impressed with what you’ve done with the place,” he said. He was an older fairy gent, a fairy man named Pim-Pim. The building itself Pim-Pim owned, but he lived within the walls of the place. It was unusual for a fairy to own such a large home, but he had come to own it after a distant relative's passing and had very little need for such a large space. He had elected to build up his fairy-sized home hidden in the walls and had found a renter – Lola.
“Thanks, Pim-Pim,” she said. “I couldn’t have done it without your help.”
“I’ve hardly done a thing,” he said, flying over and landing on the back counter. He was dressed in greenery as was traditional for older fae’s like himself – he wore a hat on his head made entirely out of an acorn shell. His dark gray eyes were a strict contrast to the bright green eyes of Lola’s that were staring at him with childlike wonderment. Despite his size, Pim-Pim was someone Lola had long looked up to – an elder of the community who was always so thoughtful and wise. “You’ve put this whole thing together yourself, and you should be quite proud, Lola. I'm rather excited to see how all of this turns out. I've never had a tenant before, but you've proven to be quite a pleasure to have around, sweetheart."
“Thanks, Pim-Pim,” Lola said, tying up her long, blonde hair into a ponytail to keep it out of her face. She made a few last-minute adjustments to the positioning of some shelves, using her wand to do the heavy lifting for her, before turning the closed sign to open.
The rest of the morning was everything Lola had dreamed. Witches and warlocks came flooding into the building, all happily discussing how thrilled they were that a potions shop had finally opened up locally. And, as many of them commented, having an actual potions master in the shop made it all the grander. “Used to go to Grindie’s Cauldron to get my potions ingredients,” one witch said. “Nearly a two-hour flight by broomsticks and the man had no idea how to help me pick out proper ingredients. They should make a rule about who can and can't operate a potions shop. Honestly! He sold me the wrong breed of dragon blood for a potion once, and I broke out in hives!"
Lola had taken the time to prepare for this day – she had started potions studies very young. She wanted to make sure her shop was a success, and the best way to do that was to ensure her customers came back. She knew her potions handbooks front to back and front again like no one else. She helped everyone who came in the door, and even Pim-Pim (who had picked up a few things listening to ranting about potions over the past few months) helped a troll pick out a beginners cauldron.
As the day progressed, there was a long period of silence around lunchtime. Though, after the morning had been as busy as it had been, Lola wasn't the least bit worried. She cooked up some hot sandwiches for her and Pim-Pim, miniaturizing his to size with a simple potion she had brewed earlier that day – which he appreciated greatly. Halfway through her lunch, the shop door opened, and she felt butterflies in her stomach when she spotted who had come to support her shop.
It was Detective Dereck, a handsome warlock whom Lola had had more than her fair share of awkward interactions with. "Dereck!" she yelped, nearly choking on the last bite of her sandwich.
He smirked as he looked around the shop. “Wow, Lola,” he said. “This place looks incredible.” He tipped his hat at Pim-Pim when he wandering gaze caught a glimpse of the fairy seated on the counter. “Always good to see you, Pim-Pim.”
“Same to you, Detective, same to you,” Pim-Pim said, still eating.
“Well, when I heard there was a new potions shop, I figured now was a good time to come get myself a new cauldron. Sort of burned a hole through my last one,” he said, blushing.
“Good job,” Lola teased, and he laughed.
She jumped up and began showing off the various cauldrons she had in stock, and he seemed highly impressed by each. Eventually, they were by the counter, and he had somehow convinced himself to buy two cauldrons. "You're a good salesperson," he said and winked at her.
“Thanks,” she said, laughing. “It’s always good to have a backup, and with your track record of burning through cauldrons I would say that is especially true.”
“You’re telling me,” he said, smiling. “You look good, Lola. You’re glowing; I can tell you are definitely in your element here.”
“I think so,” she said.
Pim-Pim, from where he was currently standing on the counte
r, kicked off and flew up into Dereck’s face. “She’s incredible,” Pim-Pim said firmly. “And don’t you forget it.” He zipped off and disappeared into his coo-coo clock.
“Um, is he okay?” Dereck asked.
“He’s fine,” Lola said. “He just is a little protective of me when guys start flirting.”
“Oh, I’m flirting, am I?” he asked, and Lola’s face turned a bright shade of red.
“Well…”
“I’m kidding,” he said. “I’m definitely flirting. I was wanting to see if you were interested in going to the party tonight by the springs with me?”
“Party?”
“The Spring Welcome,” he said. “Don’t tell me you forgot?”
“Oh!” Lola yelped. “Of course. Yes, I totally forgot that was tonight. Been so busy preparing my shop.”
“If you’re too busy…”
“No! I’m definitely not! I would love to go with you. Shop closes at six.”
He smiled. “I’ll be here to pick you up then.”
Lola finished checking him out and thanked him for coming. She smiled, feeling positively giddy that Detective Dereck had actually asked her out on a date – and to the Spring Welcome no less!
Chapter 2
Spring Welcome was a rather big deal in Warlor. Every creature in town came out to celebrate the welcoming of the new season out by the springs. The springs were located on the edge of town in the midst of a lovely forest – rivers and creeks flowed brilliantly through the area, and there were a number of large ponds that, thanks to some unusual algae, would glow brilliantly under the moonlight – this time of year in particular.
Lola and Dereck arrived arm-in-arm, each dressed nicely for the occasion. Creatures of all kinds were laying out on the grassy fields, and water creatures were swimming about and entertaining those present – leaping up out of the water from pond to pond and from pond to river. It was a beautiful sight to see. "Lola!" a voice called, and there was a loud splashing sound overhead – a mermaid with shiny black hair and dark brown eyes went flying overhead as she lept from one pond to the next, making an enormous splash and causing giggling children to flee.
The mermaid came back upright, her head popping up out of the water. “Nawfar!” Lola said, letting go of Dereck’s arm for a moment. “I’m so sorry I haven’t been out lately.”
“You’ve been busy getting ready for your shop, I know,” Nawfar said, propping her arms up on a stone – her mermaid tale slapping about in the water behind her.
“New hairpiece?” Dereck asked, referring to the shell currently holding back some of her hair.
“You like?” she asked, and they both agreed that it was lovely. “So, how is the shop going?” Nawfar asked.
“Incredible,” Lola said. “I appreciate your support in my endeavors to get my potions master title. Couldn’t have done it without you.” Lola thought back fondly of all those evenings she had spent studying out by the springs. Nawfar, a freshwater mermaid, spent most of her times in the ponds and rivers, and she had spent a number of evenings helping Lola study for exams.
“You could have, but I appreciate the thanks,” Nawfar said just as a merman leaped into the same pond that she was currently residing. She groaned as the man's head popped up.
“Nawfar, always good to see you,” he said, resting his arms on the same boulder.
Lola stared for a moment. “I don’t believe we’ve met?”
“Not from around here,” he said with a wink. He was a handsome fellow, but there was something about him that Lola didn’t like – though she couldn’t say what just yet. “A bunch of merfolk took the rivers in from the ocean. Name’s Cove.”
“Cove has some family out this way,” Nawfar said, still looking irritated that he was gracing them with his presence.
“That’s right,” Cove said, grinning at Nawfar. “Surprised to see you out this way. I thought you would have moved oceanside by now, you know?”
“I’m perfectly happy living here at the springs,” she said.
“Too bad,” Cove said. “The underwater cities are great, you know? Besides, you don’t look like your typical freshwater gal. Way too cute. You should come visit in the city more often.”
“I wouldn’t come to visit you, Cove, if I did,” Nawfar said.
“Your loss,” he said. “Freshwater girls, honestly… cuter girls in the city anyways… you all look so trashy anyways – not worth my time.”
“You mean,” a grumbling voice said from behind, and Lola and Dereck turned to see a large troll standing nearby.
“Grun,” Lola said, smiling. “Glad to see you’re out of your cave. You’ve been hiding out a lot lately.”
Grun ignored Lola, pointing down at Cove. “Mean merman. You go now.”
Cove laughed. “I don’t speak oaf.”
Grun grunted. “Go.”
“Only a troll would come to the defense of a freshwater,” Cove said with a grunt.
“Go,” Grun warned.
Cove held up both hands. “Whatever, I’m out,” Cove said and then pointed a finger in Nawfar’s direction. “I was just trying to be nice. You may be cuter than your average freshwater mermaid, but you’re still ugly in comparison to a city girl.”
Nawfar slapped him – hard. Cove yelped slightly and Grun let out a loud, threatening growl before Cove disappeared below the water and shot across the pond to the other side. “Nice,” Dereck said. “I probably would have popped him sooner than that. Where does he get off?”
“He thinks freshwater merfolk are country trash,” Nawfar said. “That’s Cove for you.” She smiled up at Grun who was swaying slightly, staring out at the water like he planned to throws something the moment he saw Cove’s head pop up. “Thanks, Grun,” she said to him.
Grun grunted and smiled a bit, showing off his enormous, rotting teeth. “He mean to nice mer-lady,” he said and began walking off, dragging his giant feet as he went.
“I’m going to go warn some of the other locals that Cove has decided to show,” Nawfar said. “I’ll catch up with you in a bit, Lola – I want to hear all about the shop,” she said and dipped down beneath the water.
“He sure was pleasant,” Dereck said.
“That’s just Cove,” a warlock who had been standing nearby during the confrontation stated. The man was dressed in all black, a large and fancy coat draped about his shoulders – one of the ways warlocks liked to show off their wealth. The man’s name was Antioch, and he came from a well-to-do family in Warlor.
“You’ve met him before, Antioch?” Dereck asked.
“Just seen him at some events like this in the past,” he said. “Cove comes out and tries to win the affections of freshwater mermaids and a few witches by insulting them. I’ve rarely seen it work for him.”
“I’m surprised it would work at all,” Lola said.
“He’s a little creep – manipulative,” Antioch said. “His flirtatious behavior is downright unsightly. Frankly… just between us wizards, I’m not a fan of the merfolk at all. Bottom feeders.”
“That’s uncalled for, Antioch,” Dereck said, and Antioch shrugged.
“Enjoy the festivities,” Antioch said and wandered off.
“We will,” Lola said, glad that he had gone.
Lola went with Dereck to gather food – the event was more or less a picnic potluck. Lola had actually brought stuffed frog, one her personal favorites, for her fellow citizens to enjoy. Everyone was having a wonderful time laughing, singing, and dancing – welcoming in spring. She felt like the day could not have possibly gone better between the grand opening of her shop and the fact that Detective Dereck had asked her out on a date.
Just when she was thinking that it was the most perfect day, they heard a bunch of screams coming from a nearby pond. Dereck, always ready to act, jolted towards the noise – Lola followed after. Much to Lola's horror, she saw a group pulling Cove out of the water – a large, golden staff sticking out of his chest.
Chapter
3
The merfolk leaped from one pond to the other until they were all gathered by the one in which Cove had been pulled and laid out beside. There were shouts and cries all around, and the next thing Lola knew several of them were pointing at Nawfar. “I saw her fighting with him earlier!” one of the merfolk shouted.
“I saw her slap him!”
“That’s’ a water spear, isn’t it?”
“Must be! Look at the handle!”
“Everyone calm down!” Dereck called out over the accusing merfolk. Nawfar looked panicked, and Lola tried to silently tell her friend not to do anything reckless, but Monica knew Nawfar well. She was a panicky individual. Suddenly she bolted, swimming towards the edge of the pond, looking ready to leap from the one the merfolk were all gathered to the next – perhaps to escape?
“Stop her!” Dereck shouted, and Lola wanted to punch him in the arm for it, but she knew he was right.
Several mermen darted around her, blocking her from getting too far from the edge of the pond where she could leap to freedom. She dove under, and several more merfolk dipped down below after her. Lola could do nothing but stand over by the pond and wait to see whether or not her friend made an escape or was brought in looking all the more guilty than if she had just waited patiently. Unfortunately, with the number of merfolk floating about, she had no means of escaping. She was brought up to the surface of the water and over to the edge.
“Nawfar, why did you run?” Dereck asked.
“Because everyone was accusing me of murder!” she exclaimed.
There was a rather unfortunate protocol for mer-creatures who were under watch from the law – especially those like Nawfar who quickly proved to be a flight risk. As a mermaid, Nawfar could obviously not be brought to the station for holding. Instead, what looked to be an enormous bird cage was brought to her and chained to a stone outside of the pond. It was dipped down halfway in the water, and Nawfar was shoved inside by her fellow merfolk who all looked rather disappointed in her attempt to flee.
