Witches in Wonderland

by Lauren Quick

  His lips parted. “I have an arrest warrant for Charles Atticus.”

  “What?!” Vivi erupted. Honora, the aunties, and Clover rushed forward, talking over each other, demanding answers.

  Lance held up his hands. “Hold on. Settle down, ladies, and let me explain.”

  “What’s the charge?” Honora demanded.

  Lance straightened to his full height, resting his hands on his belt. “Murder is the most serious charge, followed by grand theft of a council artifact.”

  Vivi was speechless. Who could her father have murdered and when? It was all too much. She didn’t even know Charles Atticus. Could he be a murderer or was his arrest a clever ploy by Kat Keene to take him down and get the coin in one devious swoop? Had she set him up?

  “We should let the guests leave,” Elsie said, gaze roving over the dismantled party. “The situation has grown more complicated.”

  “No one’s leaving until I allow it,” Kat said. Her hand shot to her hip and she stared at the guests, daring them to move an inch.

  Henrietta harrumphed. “The Red Queen has spoken,” she said under her breath.

  Vivi focused. The magical ward encompassing the house suddenly made sense. Charles Atticus wasn’t getting out of the attic, if they could stop him. Lance was the fairest lawman around. In a way it was a relief. Let Charles answer for his crimes, if any, but still something gnawed at her. “Murder. Whose murder?”

  Lance waved his hand and Juniper, his deputy, hurried over with the official parchment warrant. She unrolled the paper and read aloud. “This warrant issued by the Willow Realm Sheriff’s Department orders the immediate detainment and arrest of Wizard Charles Atticus for the alleged murder of Wizard Jack Rabbit.”

  “That’s impossible,” Vivi said, a chill raced over her arms. “Jack Rabbit can’t be dead. I saw him in my vision. He’s supposed to be here today.”

  “You saw him here at your sister’s house?” Lance asked. “Are you sure?”

  Vivi hedged. “Not exactly. I saw him receiving a message with Clover’s address and today’s date on it. He had plans to come here today.”

  “It appears as if Charles Atticus interrupted those plans,” Kat said.

  “Or you did,” Vivi snapped back. “Why should we trust you?”

  Juniper tucked a lock of blond hair behind her ear. “We just left Wizard Rabbit’s body at the morgue. He is definitely dead and according to the coroner, it was murder.”

  Honora stepped forward. “Sorry, Vivi. Seeing a corpse in person trumps seeing a vision.”

  Vivi’s cheeks burned. How could she have been so wrong? “But it doesn’t make any sense. I saw him alive and well. In fact, I was afraid of what he would do to us.”

  Kat stood triumphantly with her hands on her hips. “Looks like your little vision was less than accurate. I thought Mayhems were stronger than that. The apple fell far from the tree with you,” Kat said.

  Vivi glared at her. “I know what I saw, but I admit, I must have been wrong about Jack Rabbit.” Anger pulsed through her. She couldn’t believe he was dead and that her father was responsible. But how could she be sure? She didn’t even know her father. He could be capable of anything, but so could Kat Keene. There was more to Jack Rabbit’s death. She just knew it.

  “I know this is hard.” Lance lowered his voice. “Witch Keene told me that Wizard Atticus is your father. I didn’t know. This all happened so suddenly. I have no choice.”

  “What evidence do you have against Wizard Atticus?” Honora asked.

  “The evidence is none of your business. All we need is the warrant to take him into custody. Turn him over or we’ll take you all in for harboring a fugitive.” Kat thrust out her chest. “Sheriff, do your duty.”

  Lance nodded and two additional officers headed for the house. The back door opened and Charles Atticus stepped outside into the blinding sunlight. He held up his hands. “No need for any more drama. I don’t want anyone to get hurt. I surrender.” Stumbling, he grasped the porch rail and paused, gaining his footing. Vivi and her sisters exchanged looks of sad confusion. What could they do but watch as the wizard who they hardly knew as their father was arrested for murder? Lance stepped forward and read Charles his rights while one of the deputies locked magical cuffs around his wrists.

  “I want the coin!” Kat barked.

  “It’s close,” Juniper said, waving her wand toward where Charles stood, performing a magical detection spell.

  “This is a strange turn of events,” Elsie said.

  “Very strange indeed,” Henrietta said.

  “We’ll sort this all out when they leave.” Vivi eyed her aunties. “You two have a lot of explaining to do.”

  The loud sound of incoming hovercrafts caught everyone’s attention. Within seconds Hex officers overran the yard. A black-clad Hex Commander Rye Finn made his way from the side of the house, flanked by two members of Hex Division. Elspeth Mayhem brought up the rear, her expression steady.

  “What’s the meaning of this?” Kat’s face reddened.

  Rye’s features were strong, his voice loud with authority. “We’re under orders to take Charles Atticus and the artifact into custody.”

  “You’re too late,” Kat said. “The sheriff has arrested him and I’m confiscating the artifact.”

  “Our orders override your warrant. You will release the prisoner and the artifact to me.” Rye produced a scroll of parchment.

  Relief washed over Vivi. The artifact would be safer with Hex than it would with Kat. And somehow knowing that her father was being held in Hex’s custody was a better option than being arrested and thrown in a jail cell.

  Kat shifted on her heels and waved to one of her lackeys. “Actually, I’m here under authority of the Witch Council to ensure that Wizard Atticus is arrested, and I will be taking the artifact with me under a decree from the council.” The young witch with Kat handed Lance the roll of parchment.

  “Dueling parchment scrolls,” Honora said. “This is interesting.”

  “Lance will sort it through,” Vivi said. Lance’s persuasion was a peacekeeper and his magic was to keep order and to come to mutual understanding. Plus, his knowledge of the law was astounding.

  Lance took a few moments to scan both documents before speaking. “Actually, we have an interesting case here. Hex’s orders supersede yours as far as enacting the laws against a wizard,” Lance said. “He can take the prisoner. As sheriff, I don’t have authority over Hex. But as for the artifact, I’m afraid the councilwoman gets that. As the council has authority to obtain or reclaim artifacts taken from its possession. Sorry to bear bad news to anyone.”

  There was a moment of silence as the ramifications sunk in. No one questioned Lance; knowing his persuasion, no one challenged him. If Lance said it was so, then it was. Vivi felt a flash of pride for him.

  As a courtesy, Lance handed the council parchment to Rye Finn. Rye cleared his throat after scanning the document. “The sheriff’s right. We’re taking the prisoner, but for now the coin is hers.” His dark eyes narrowed on Kat Keene who barely contained a look of triumph. After all, it was the coin she was really after.

  “You can’t just let her take the portal coin!” Vivi argued. Frustration welled inside her. “She’s the problem. She stole it from the council’s locked vault. She’s going to keep it for herself.”

  Lance shook his head. “Vivi, you have no proof of that. You can’t go accusing a council member without evidence and any vision you had isn’t admissible until you take and pass the seer’s exam and get certified.”

  His words, however true, stung.

  “Ask Atticus, he’ll tell you.” Vivi’s voice strengthened. Her vision was her only proof and she had to believe she wasn’t entirely wrong.

  “Charles Atticus is a criminal
and hardly a reliable witness,” Kat said.

  Lance was right. Vivi needed proof if she was going to take down Kat Keene. Henrietta was suddenly by Vivi’s side, looping her arm around her. “Not to worry, dear. We’ll sort all of this out in good time.”

  The sky darkened above them. Tension was building in the yard. Mayhem was brewing. Vivi could feel it.

  “I’ll take the coin, now.” Kat held out her hand to Charles. “Your betrayal won’t go unpunished.”

  Charles stared daggers at her. “Betrayal is a strong word. I did what I had to for the greater good, for all of us. But you wouldn’t understand that. As for the coin,” he said, motioning toward his bound hands. “I can’t possibly get it out like this.”

  Kat rolled her eyes. “Someone get the coin and secure the artifact. And watch these witches. I don’t want one of them trying to grab it.”

  The sheriff’s deputies stood guard in front of Vivi and Hex Division stood between Honora, Elspeth, and the aunties. Lance reached into Charles’ jacket pocket but couldn’t find the coin. Next, he checked the outside pockets and his trouser pockets. “It’s not here.”

  “Where is it?” Kat scowled, inches from his face. “I’m not playing games.”

  A strange hissing sound filled the air. A croquet ball plopped to the ground.

  “What’s that noise?” Kat asked.

  Elsie’s eyes widened and she yelled, “Watch out!” She ducked as a few rogue croquet balls suddenly went flying. Numerous balls whizzed around the yard, sending the officers into defensive maneuvers. Elsie flicked her wand and muttered a spell to deactivate the game but not before a ball careened across the yard and bashed into the back of Kat’s red suit, exploding in a geyser of potion liquid. The witch screamed and spun in a fury.

  “So sorry. We were playing a game when you all interrupted and the suspended magic spell wore off and the game reengaged. My mistake,” Elsie said with a shrug.

  Suddenly, a bright flash of light and energy erupted on the porch—the portal coin had been activated, but by the time Vivi spun around, the energetic portal had snapped shut and disappeared. She didn’t have to see to know exactly who had gone through, but she held her tongue.

  “What just happened?” Kat mumbled and slumped to the ground, the magical potion from the croquet ball taking effect.

  Henrietta raced forward to cradle the councilwoman’s head. “She’ll be all right. Don’t worry. It’s just a mild fainting potion.”

  Rye Finn cursed, racing to the spot on the porch where the light had emanated. “Someone stole the coin and activated a portal. I need a head count!” he ordered to his team. “Elspeth, talk to me.”

  “The magical field couldn’t stop the portal coin,” Elspeth said, her eyes wide.

  “You’re responsible for this.” Rye glared at Charles. “It’s all your fault.”

  “Vivi and Honora, I need to know now who’s missing from the party?” Elspeth said, glancing around the yard. “Who stole the coin?”

  “Clover,” Vivi and Honora said, exchanging a glance. Vivi had felt her sister’s departure the minute she left the yard, thanks to the potion they’d taken that morning. But she was just as surprised as anyone that Clover had taken it.

  “Clover?” Lance said. “I didn’t see that coming.”

  Rye shook his head. “This is a mess. At least we have Atticus. Sheriff, we’d like to use your jail cell until he can be processed and transferred to the city. I want him locked up in your cell and make sure he doesn’t try anything. He’s an obvious flight risk now that one of his daughters has the coin.”

  “I’ll make sure he’s contained.” Lance motioned to his deputies and they all filed out of the yard with their prisoner in tow. Juniper and Kat’s assistant lifted Kat from the ground and carried her to a hovercraft. Henrietta and Elsie tended to the party guests who’d had a front row seat to all the action.

  After speaking with Rye Finn, who was fuming, Elspeth approached her daughters. “I’m going to the station to make sure Charles’s taken care of and is all right,” Elspeth said to Vivi and Honora. “I couldn’t tell you girls what happened all those years ago. I wish you hadn’t found out about your father like this.”

  Vivi’s shoulders slumped. “Found out what? We don’t even know for sure what just happened,” she said. “All we know is that he had the coin in his possession. I had a vision he stole it from Kat, but that’s all we know about him.”

  “I know it’s hard to accept your father was a fugitive. But we know for a fact he stole the portal coin,” Elspeth said.

  “From the Red Queen, who isn’t exactly Miss Innocent,” Vivi twisted up her lips.

  “We have no proof of any wrongdoing by her. I’m sorry, but Lance was right. We can’t touch her without hard evidence.”

  “What about Clover?” Honora asked.

  “I don’t know what got into your sister. She’s always been the sensible one,” Elspeth said. “Now Hex will be looking for her.”

  Vivi and Honora shrugged, not whispering a word to their mother, whom they knew would have to divulge anything she learned to Hex. They knew exactly where Clover was. Vivi exhaled. She could hardly believe where her big sister had gone.

  19

  Clover gasped, inhaling a lungful of dank cold air. A thick fog engulfed her, the spring sun practically extinguished from the sky. She coughed and doubled over before regaining her bearings. The portal coin thrummed warmly in her palm and gave her a feeling of comfort and confidence. Its power was a rush of sheer energy rippling over her skin as if she’d been drenched in magic. She rubbed her thumb over the surface, the blue gem sparkling under her touch. She immediately understood how its power could be addicting and slipped the coin into her skirt pocket for safekeeping.

  A smile bubbled up from inside her. She’d done it. She’d really snatched up the portal coin right out from under everyone’s noses. In that moment, Clover realized that spontaneity had nothing to do with her head—thinking, reason, logic, and planning weren’t involved. Spontaneity was all heart. A rush of emotional impulse had surged through her, launching her into action.

  Surprisingly enough, Clover had known exactly where she wanted to go before she’d stolen the portal coin—the Dire Woods. A canopy of wiry tree limbs loomed above her, cold damp air creeping over her skin. She wasn’t sure if she should be insulted that no one had been watching her. Lance was watching Vivi and Hex was guarding Honora and the aunties to keep those unpredictable vixens under control. No one even noticed her. She couldn’t blame anyone for not suspecting her. Normally, she wouldn’t have been so bold, but the time for timidity was over.

  That was when Clover knew she had to snatch up the coin, right off the porch railing where her father left it. (Strange thinking of a wizard she’d not seen in decades as her father.) Charles must have left it there when he stumbled coming down the stairs, and then when Clover saw it, she knew she had to take it before Kat Keene got her hands on it.

  Activating the coin wasn’t difficult. She treated it the same way she did with any portal, only she infused the coin with magical intention instead of inserting her key, and then she pictured where she wanted to go. Suddenly, the portal had opened, and she was whisked away from her yard and into the dark woods. Pride welled inside her. She’d done it. She’d activated the portal and launched herself through. It was either a very clever and brave act or an incredibly stupid one. She’d have to decide later when her mission was accomplished.

  There was one piece of the puzzle that had never added up in her mind. And that piece was the Darklander and his involvement. Sure she was taking a risk coming to the dark woods, practically putting herself and the coin on a silver platter. He could easily overpower her, but she had a feeling he had another motive and it was worth the risk.

  His gray stone fortress loomed in the dista
nce. A shiver cascaded over her skin. If darkness had a smell, it would be dank and sharp, filled with the tang of blood and rot of decay. Clover shook it off. She was letting her imagination get the best of her. She glanced around her surroundings. A stone wall stood in front of her, fencing in a strange stone garden. The wall was between her and her destination, so she grabbed the edge that was shoulder height and used a broken crevice in the wall as a toehold.

  Sandals were a poor excuse for climbing shoes. With the pathetic upper body strength of a word witch, she heaved herself up. A grunt flew from her mouth as she clutched the wall and desperately hauled the top half of her body over the crumbling stone ledge of the wall. She gasped and hung half over the wall, face forward, head first. Sweat beaded on her forehead. Stealth was not her forte, but she was too far gone now. She grunted again and swung one of her legs over the wall and then the other until she came to a sitting position on top of it. Now all she had to do was jump down.

  She peered toward the ground. The leap was doable and the area was free of broken glass, barbed wire, and any other kind of insidious trap. Seeing bare earth, she jumped down and landed on her feet. She dusted the filth off her skirt and examined her surroundings. That was easy. Rather too easy. He knows you’re here. He was probably watching the whole thing through some wicked little scrying device.

  She held her head high and marched toward the house. Magical red orbs pulsed all around her—wards. Of course a dangerous wizard like the Darklander had security in place. The orbs winked at her as she walked by, twinkling in the overcast woods. This wasn’t a sneak attack. He’d know she was coming. She just hoped he didn’t incinerate her with some defensive spell before she had a chance to plead her case.

  Clover scanned the stone garden with its numerous macabre statues and strange plants, recording the details in case she ever needed to recall what a dark garden looked like for one of her books. Hopefully, she’d get to see inside his lair. Think of the research opportunities for her next novel. It wasn’t every day a witch got to explore a devious wizard’s abode. Never say Clover Mayhem wasn’t ambitious in her own right. She exhaled, trying to keep her thoughts on the lighter side. She wanted to talk; that was all. He had contacted Vivi, so he knew the Mayhems were involved with the portal coin. But how much he knew was still in question.