Witches in Wonderland

by Lauren Quick

  Lance stepped forward to address the crowd. “That’s all for today. I’ve nothing to say publicly at this time, only that it was a productive day and when my report is filed you’ll all know about it, but not before.” The sheriff waved off a flurry of questions from reporters and headed back to his hovercraft.

  “Pepper, get over here,” Vivi said, motioning to her assistant. “What happened out there?”

  Vivi’s spunky assistant joined them, bouncing up and down on her feet. “I can’t tell. I’m under orders to keep it quiet until Lance does his thing. It’s all very hush-hush.” Her smile was huge, telling them she’d had a good day.

  “You look pretty happy with yourself. I’m guessing the potion worked.” Vivi took a different approach to getting information out of her.

  “Yep. It totally worked. But I can’t tell you what he said.”

  “Well, it didn’t look too good,” Priscilla said. “I’ve never seen the sheriff so agitated. He’s usually so cool and collected.”

  “Oh, that was nothing. We got to play good cop-bad cop. And I was the good cop. Even though technically I’m not a cop, but I was the ghost expert. Can you believe it? That’s what Lance called me. How cool was that? My parents are going to drop dead when I tell them, which would suck, but wouldn’t be so bad because now that my potion works, I’d still be able to talk to them.”

  Vivi smiled. Pepper was talking a mile a minute. “I think we need to get you back to the shop. Have you eaten? I think a little lunch might help settle you down.”

  “Sounds great,” Pepper said.

  “You two go on ahead,” Priscilla said. “I’m going to go chat with the nymphs and see how they’re doing. I’ll see you back in town.”

  Vivi and her family didn’t have to wait long for the results as an arrest warrant was issued for Kat Keene for the murder of Jack Rabbit two days later. It turned out when Jack was searching for Devlin Strange he found out Kat’s secrets, hence her motive to kill him. She was already in custody with Hex Division for the use of black magic, and with the potential murder conviction, it was looking like Kat was going to be spending a very long time in The Banishment.

  Charles Atticus was cleared of all charges and released from jail. He’d gotten a room in town and was staying put for now in Willow Realm. Vivi and her sisters would have plenty of time to talk to him and get to know him in the coming days and weeks. Whether he admitted it or not, his cover with The Order of Hazel was blown and his picture along with Kat Keene’s and Jack Rabbit’s was splashed all over the pages of Witch World Daily. Everyone in Everland knew his name now and no one was surprised he was related to the Mayhem sisters. Many even speculated that he was marred by the curse and that anyone who went near a Mayhem witch was doomed to the same terrible fate.

  Elsie and Henrietta decided to stay for the rest of the summer at Clover’s house to lend moral support and meddle in their nieces’ love lives. They saw it as their auntie duty. Vivi invited them to the shop, hoping to learn a few old family recipes to add to her grimoire. It was nice having family around to spend time with.

  On an even more exciting note, Pepper blew away the competition and won the annual potion-brewing contest. Her Ghost Potion was the star of the show and she’d been fielding interview requests and invitations from all over Everland. She’d even been invited to be the guest speaker at The Crossroads summer symposium. Vivi couldn’t be happier for her assistant. No one deserved it more than Pepper.

  But with her assistant’s recent success, Vivi had a lot of thinking to do on her own life and she knew that changes were coming. The wind had turned for her also.

  25

  Two months had passed since her father was freed from Lance’s jail and the family bonding and healing process had begun. In that time, Vivi decided she had some events in her own life that needed sorting out. Today was an important first step in her future plans. Her leg bobbed up and down under her chair. Sunlight streamed through the colorful stained-glass window of the domed room. Haven Academy had some of the most beautiful buildings in Everland and this one was no exception.

  Vivi sat in a classroom reserved for the prophecy department, although ironically, she had never attended a class in it during her tenure at the school. Her stomach was in knots. The muffin she’d choked down that morning sat like a stone in her gut. She’d forgone caffeine, not wanting the added stimulant. She’d barely slept a wink last night or hardly at all the past week, studying late into the evenings. But she’d signed up to take the seer exam a month ago and there was no backing out now.

  Though the test was administered by a Haven Academy professor, a monitor from the Witch Council, a severe-looking witch with black hair pulled back so tightly in a bun it had to hurt her scalp, was present and watching the applicants like a hawk. There were three other witches present, one of them Vivi recognized as a witch who worked at Scarlet’s shop. Her heavily made-up eyes were closed and she was taking long deep breaths as a stone rolled around in her hand. Vivi couldn’t remember the last time she’d breathed deeply. She clutched a potion vial in her sweaty hands, trying hard not to guzzle the calming concoction Pepper had whipped up for her. She wanted to be relaxed, but was afraid if she were too calm, she wouldn’t perform well in her test.

  A heavy wooden door to the side of the room swung open and a pale witch with red eyes and tears running down her cheeks scurried out, followed by a Haven Academy professor. He was dressed in a long gray robe and had a sharp nose and small intense eyes. Vivi had seen him before on campus but had never taken a class with him. The pale witch didn’t stop, but hurried out of the room, the door echoing shut behind her. The professor turned to the council member, shaking his head solemnly, and the monitor scribbled on a roll of parchment before reading off the next name. “Vivian Mayhem,” she said and stared right at Vivi over the top of her half-moon spectacles. “You’re next.” A cruel little smile played on her lips.

  This is going to be brutal. Vivi stood. The witch who worked at The Evil Queen smiled kindly at her and gave her an encouraging thumbs up sign. Vivi squared her shoulders and raised her chin as she walked toward the wooden door. What’s the worst that can happen? I fail? If so, I’ll keep trying. No worries. Her mind raced as she was led into the room and the professor followed her inside, closing the door behind him. The room was bare except for a wooden table and two chairs. On top of the table was a wooden box.

  “Welcome, Miss Mayhem. I’m Professor Cass. I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure.” He reached out a cold pale hand for Vivi to shake.

  “No, sir. I never took a prophecy class while attending Haven Academy.”

  “Not one?” His voice rose in surprise and he motioned for her to take a seat in the chair opposite his. “That’s strange. What did you study?”

  “Potions. That was my major at least. I studied all kinds of spellcraft, charms, wandwork. The usual.”

  “But no prophecy classes even though your persuasion is clearly seeing.” His eyes were kind and she wondered how he could tell what her persuasion was by looking at her. She had no idea it was clear to anyone else, sometimes even to herself.

  “I was in denial,” she said. “I repressed my true powers. Honestly, I didn’t want to see anything, so I guess you can say I’m a late bloomer.”

  “Interesting. You’ve been training with a professor? A mentor?”

  “Yes.” Scarlet was hardly a professor though she was a good teacher. No, she was a great teacher.

  “And what makes you want to be a licensed seer?” His eyes were cool blue pools, staring inquisitively at her.

  “I want to help people. I want to do my part in the community. I don’t want to just sit by and watch witches and wizards get hurt. If there is something I can do to help, then I want to do it.” After seeing Pepper and Lance working together, Vivi knew she had to take the test seriously and
progress with her magic. Today she would know just how far she had come.

  “Good. But you should know most witches and wizards fail this test on the first try. In fact you and the witch who just left are the only ones taking the test today for the first time. The others out there are on their second and even fourth attempt.”

  “That’s good to know. I won’t get my hopes up.” That was a dumb thing to say. She tried to smile, but felt uncomfortable. She needed to act more serious, more professional. She crossed and then uncrossed her legs. They had provided the hardest and most uncomfortable chair in all of Everland.

  “On that note, let’s get started. Shall we?” He turned his attention to the box, lifting the lid so only he could see inside and pulled out a gray leather glove.

  He set it on the table in front of her and motioned for her to pick it up. “I want you to tell me everything you can about the owner of the glove and where the witch who owns it will be in three days’ time.”

  Vivi stared intently at the glove and cleared her mind. She pulled her wand from her jacket and waved it over the glove while opening up her senses and casting a magical net of intention, inviting the object to reveal itself to her. She focused. She wasn’t getting any magical energy from the glove at all. Next, she set down her wand and picked up the glove, fingering the leather. It was cold as ice, the leather smooth and slick, almost slimy. There was something else—an odor, thick and gummy, like pond scum. She wondered if the witch would be near water—a lake, pond, or stream—but she needed more information.

  Vivi shifted in her seat and held the glove tightly though it was making her feel physically ill. She muttered a basic locator spell, hoping to hone in on the glove’s mate and the owner. A terrible sense of dread overwhelmed her. Darkness flooded her mind. Then it hit her.

  Vivi flung the glove across the room and it fell with a soft plop on the floor. “She’s dead. The owner is dead. She isn’t going to be anywhere in three days.”

  The professor’s expression was stone still. Was the glove a trick? No, of course not. If she wanted to help law enforcement, then she’d have to deal with the articles of clothing of lost witches and victims of crimes. Hot shame washed over her face. “Sorry,” she said and jumped up to retrieve the glove.

  Vivi shuddered once she touched it. “I’ll try again.”

  She swallowed hard, forcing the lump out of her throat. Once more she performed the locator spell. This time a vision of a dank pond rose into her view. Muddy reeds and cattails clogged the banks. A thin fog clung to the ground. She recognized it—Snakeweed Pond was an infamous old haunt for dark witches and wizards. Its banks had been the site of the murder of a young witch centuries ago and so the negative energy drew witches to its shore.

  Had the poor witch who owned the glove been there? Had she died there? Vivi felt water rising in her throat. She choked and coughed and shadows loomed above her as she thrashed around, but no one came to help her. Vivi relayed what she saw to the professor. The glove. What about the glove? She focused again and flowers filled her head, fragrant lilies and sprays of roses—funeral flowers. Vivi set the glove down and opened her eyes. “The witch who owned this glove will be buried in three days. I think she drowned at Snakeweed Pond. I felt overwhelming sadness, betrayal. I think she got in with the wrong crowd and paid a terrible price. I’m very sorry.”

  Professor Cass took the glove and placed it back into the wooden box, but said nothing. He waved his wand over the lid, mumbled an expanding spell, and pulled a large jar out of the slim box. A shiver rolled over Vivi’s skin when she saw what was inside the glass jar. A ruddy old skull sat in a pool of murky liquid. The skull was browned with age and barely visible through the soupy liquid. Without much effort, she instantly got a shot to the chest, a premonition. She saw Professor Cass taking the train, wearing his long gray robe, carrying a battered suitcase. The jar was covered and tucked under his arm. He left the Silver Train platform, wandered into town, and checked into a bed and breakfast. She saw a sign for The Crossroads but got the feeling the trip was for fun.

  “Are you going on vacation? With the skull? To The Crossroads?” Vivi was tentative. Who took a skull on vacation? She sounded like an idiot, but honestly who was she kidding? If that was what she saw, then she needed to be honest. Lying would only draw out her training. She clamped her eyes shut and focused her full sight on her persuasion playing out and then told him what she saw. “You’re going to stay at a lovely bed and breakfast with your skull and attend a conference on ghost communication. I see a lot of ghosts around you. Three or four, but you won’t be able to see them. This frustrates you, but your skull is very popular with the other attendees. Though to be blunt, I think it’s a fake and you brought it as a party prank.” She cringed, hoping she didn’t sound too disrespectful.

  “Also, stay away from the potato salad at the Saturday picnic, unless you want to end up with your head in the toilet that night. But other than the stomach issue, you’re going to have a blast, touring The Crossroads and meeting lots of kindred spirits.” Great, she’d just told a professor that she saw him puking up his guts. She opened her eyes. “That’s all I’ve got.” She shrugged her shoulders, hoping it was enough.

  His stare was blank. He whispered a spell and lowered the jar back into the box. “I’m not going to continue today. I think I’ve gotten enough information to make my decision.”

  Vivi’s stomach sank. That didn’t sound good. “Thank you for your time, Professor Cass.” She rose and extended her hand. “It was a pleasure meeting you. I’ve learned a lot from the experience.”

  He squeezed her hand and patted it. His kindness was reassuring, but her heart still sunk.

  “I should tell you one of the reasons everyone fails is because I always start with the hardest tests. I figure why bother throwing out softballs. If a witch can’t handle the hardest cases, then she shouldn’t be a seer.” He followed her around the table.

  “Yes, sir. That sounds logical to me. Thank you for the opportunity. I’ll try harder next time.”

  He smiled kindly and winked. Vivi gave him a sad but polite nod and exited the smaller room, heading for the door across the vast domed classroom. The nervous witches watched her intently.

  “Miss Mayhem,” the professor called after her. She stopped and turned around. “Come get your paperwork before you leave.” He waved her back.

  “Oh. I didn’t know I needed more paperwork to retake the test.”

  “You won’t be retaking the test.”

  Her eyes widened, as did the monitor’s. Professor Cass moved to the podium and pulled out a piece of parchment. “You, my dear, got it in one try.” He scribbled on the parchment and signed it before handing it to her. “Take this to the Witch Council Administration building to get your license and badge. That will make it official.”

  Vivi’s mouth hung open like a fish gulping air. “Are you sure? I mean, really sure? I didn’t think I got anything close to accurate. The visions were kind of strange,” she whispered. “I felt like I was just blurting out impressions.”

  “That’s correct. As a seer you have to report exactly what you see, no matter how strange, horrible, normal, or even mundane. The glove is a tried and true test. We use a different article of clothing each time, of course. Now, the skull is a new test I brought for today. Your grade is a ninety-two. You need a little more confidence. But your persuasion was impressive, Miss Mayhem. It’s a natural gift. You must use it.” He lowered his voice so no one else could hear him. “And I must say, I didn’t see the potato salad fiasco coming, but I’ll be careful on my vacation. And, yes, the skull is a fake. After the glove test, everyone thinks it’s something horrible.”

  “Have fun.” A giggle bubbled up in her. Vivi took the parchment and hurried out of the room. When she closed the door, she raced down the hallway of Haven Academy, excitement flo
oding through her whole body. “Yes! I did it!” she yelled, and she didn’t care who heard her. She’d passed the test and was a licensed seer. Now she just needed to get to Clover’s house and get ready for the big day where a white dress awaited her.

  The thing about premonitions was that once the future was seen, the actual events could be manipulated. And that was just what the Mayhem sisters did. Vivi, Honora, and Clover crowded in Clover’s bedroom trying to get dressed.

  “Thank Hazel!” Honora bellowed as she shimmied into a tight white leather dress. “This is more my style. Seriously, I had nightmares of wearing a huge puffy white dress with dozens of layers.”

  “We all know how much you like leather, so that’s what I got for you,” Clover said. “And I had to fight the aunties tooth and nail. They wanted us all to match.” She wore a long white skirt and sleeveless lace shirt. “But that wasn’t going to happen.”

  “Can someone zip me? I can’t remember the right spell,” Vivi said and Clover whispered the spell, flicked her wand, and the zipper on the back of Vivi’s strapless gown zipped snuggly up.

  “Gorgeous,” Honora said. “And congrats on passing your test. Jenny knows you were taking it, so don’t be surprised if she tries to hire you for a future job.”

  “How are you going to juggle it all?” Clover said. “It’s a lot of work with the potion shop.”

  “I know. That’s why I decided to get a partner. Pepper is taking on an ownership stake in the shop. I’ll still own controlling interest, but she’s picking up a lot of the slack and deserves to be invested.”

  Honora smoothed her hands over her skirt. “I’m a little surprised she stayed. After the success of her Ghost Potion, she could have gone to work for the council or Haven Academy or anywhere in Stargazer City. I bet she had loads of offers,” Honora said.