by Paula Lester
Crosby put his notebook away. “I may have more questions later. For now, please don’t leave town.” He grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the door.
I let him do it, even though I really wanted to stay and learn more. As we left the hotel room, the last thing I saw was Kressida turn toward Pence. She put her hands on his chest and gazed up into his face.
Clearly, the Crone’s Guard and the Crux had more than a co-worker relationship.
Kressida’s voice stopped me halfway through the doorway. “I think you’re supposed to be the next Crux,” she said. “But without your powers, you can’t ascend. If Marian’s killer isn’t found and eliminated and your magic returned, the Trio may be lost.”
Chapter 20
“OKAY, I CAN HONESTLY say that idea never crossed my mind. I mean, except for when Aunt Dru said it a little while ago.”
Crosby and I stood on the sidewalk in front of the hotel. I hugged myself and rubbed my arms against the evening’s chill.
What Kressida had said about believing I was supposed to be the next Crux had made me feel discombobulated.
“Do you think it could be true, though?” Crosby asked. “I mean, it seems like your parents were more involved in witch business than you may have once known.”
“Yeah, since I didn’t really know there was such a thing as witch business at all, really.” My tone was sarcastic, but I couldn’t help it. I had officially arrived at overwhelmed.
I watched as a stray cat approached. He yowled at me and gestured wildly with his tail and one front paw.
“I’m sorry. I can’t understand you anymore.”
His feline face crumpled into such a baffled look that I giggled despite the extreme helplessness I felt in that moment.
The giggling must not have covered my upset because Crosby reached out and squeezed my arm. “Is there any way I can help?”
I shook my head. “I’m okay. I have something to do, though. I’ll catch you later.”
Crosby appeared uncertain. “Shouldn’t I go with you? You’re not exactly the safest person right now.” To punctuate his words, he glanced around, as though a malicious witch would pop out of thin air and attack me.
I shook my head. “It’s Superior Bay. I’m fine.”
He delivered a pointed look. “People marched into your clinic and confiscated your power during broad daylight.”
He had me there. “Cros, I’ll be fine. I just have an errand to run, and to be honest, I could use a little alone time.”
Wrinkles appeared on his forehead, telling me he was unconvinced. After a few minutes, he sighed. “If something doesn’t seem right—anything at all—call me right away. I’ll stay in town, so I should be able to get to you fast.”
I gave him what I hoped was a reassuring smile, turned, and walked away. I could feel his eyes on my back, and it was all I could do to keep moving forward without glancing back.
I thought I’d be smart and turn at the next corner, so I wouldn’t be in his line of sight anymore. But as I made the ninety-degree turn, I ran right into Jeremy Miller.
“Oof.” He grabbed me by the arms as I wobbled. “Oh! Hi there, boss. Fancy meeting you here.” His expression was bright, but suddenly, he bent to look closer at my face, and it darkened. “Everything okay?”
I did my best to put on a mask of cheerfulness. “Yes! No worries.” I touched my abdomen lightly. “I think I ate too much at Stroves’ Bakery, though.”
“Well, that happens to the best of us.” He straightened, appearing mollified. “Hey, I’m glad I ran into you, though. Literally and figuratively.” Jeremy chuckled at his own joke, and I tried to respond in kind. “Listen, would you like to have dinner with me?” He held up his hands. “If it’s still too soon after that murder and you’re not ready, I totally get it.”
My mind raced as my heart beat faster. What should I tell him? Now that I knew Crosby had feelings for me, it felt wrong to say yes to Jeremy. I hadn’t even had time to process my own feelings for Crosby or figure out for sure what they were.
I desperately tried to come up with something to say.
I took too long, and understanding crossed Jeremy’s features. He backed up a step, holding up his hands. “Okay. No dinner—I get it.”
I stepped forward to close the gap between us again. “I’m sorry . . .”
He shook his head and backed up again. “It’s cool. Really. I get it. You don’t have to explain anything to me.” He turned, walked away a few steps, then halted and spun around again. “It’s Crosby Patterson, isn’t it? Are you two, like, an item or something?” He shook his hands in front of himself. “Never mind. None of my business. Forget I asked.” He walked away, faster this time.
I tried desperately to say something—anything that would ease the pain of rejection for him, but before I could, his long stride carried him around the next corner. I’d have to run to catch up with him, and my body let me know it was way too exhausted to do that.
Instead, I turned and continued trudging toward the Witch Supply Store, feeling even heavier and more exhausted than I had before running into Jeremy.
But when I stepped into the shop, it felt like a weight was taken off me. I’d always felt better when I went into the shop, but today, it was even more pronounced. Fox rubbed against my shins almost immediately, and I kneeled to ruffle his ears. “I can’t understand you anymore, but I’m sure you’re grumbling about not having any mice to eat.” I smiled.
The place seemed deserted, even though the front door had been unlocked, so I made my way back to the reading area to find the book I’d looked at before. The cat came along with me, curling up next to my feet while I held the big tome in my lap. “Okay, now, let’s see . . .” I paged through the book slowly, looking for a table of contents. However, I didn’t find anything like that. The book seemed to be a jumble of information, with no actual organization.
“Okay, maybe I’ll go back to my kindergarten roots,” I muttered to myself. I flipped pages, looking at the pictures to figure out where I needed to be. I stopped on the page I had seen the last time I was in the shop—the one with a picture of the Trio and the Messenger standing nearby. I scanned the paragraph next to it. The font was a difficult one to read, and the language seemed old and obscure, but I could pick some things out and use context clues to help me understand it. It was all about the Trio and their Guards, assigned mystically to one another.
I immersed myself in reading, managing three or four pages before I heard a noise and Cordelia appeared in the doorway. “Oh, Willow. I’m sorry, I didn’t hear anyone come in the front door. I was just getting ready to lock up.” Her gaze dropped to the book in my lap. “Are you finding what you need?”
“Not really.” I shrugged. “But I’m not entirely sure what I need, to be honest.” I hesitated for a moment, studying her face, and then took the leap. “I need more information about the Trio and the Messenger.”
She nodded, a sage expression on her face that reminded me of Aunt Dru. “I understand. Maybe I can help.” She held out both hands, and I lifted the book into them. She set it on a small, round, waist-high table and began flipping through pages. It seemed to only take her seconds to stop and place her finger on a page. “Here. See if this helps.”
I got to my feet and stood next to her. The pictures on the page were of the Trio and their Guards. I tried to scan the paragraph that went with it but bounced back to start at the beginning and read more carefully. This wasn’t written in language meant to speed read.
When I’d gotten through the page, I cut my eyes to Cordelia, who was still looking wise.
Did I just read what I think I did?
I backtracked and re-read the paragraph. This time, I was sure I’d understood. “Romances between members of the Trio and their Guards are prohibited,” I breathed. I thought back to the interactions I’d seen between Pence and Kressida, and it hit me like a freight train.
They were in love.
Cordelia nodded once but didn’t add
anything to what I’d said. Instead, she flipped pages in the huge tome again, once more landing on one and pointing with finality. “I think this may also interest you.”
This page had a lovely picture of a blonde Messenger. I read the single line next to it and then turned toward Cordelia. “The Messenger line is familial.”
“It is,” she confirmed.
“My mother was a Messenger,” I croaked.
Another nod. “She was.”
The cat rubbed on my ankles again, and I glanced down. My power was gone. I couldn’t understand animals, but I also couldn’t defend myself if someone wanted to take me out because I was in line for the Messenger position.
I shook my head, trying to force all the pieces to click together and make sense in my mind. Kressida had said she thought I was supposed to be the next Crux, but what if I were destined to be Messenger? And what if someone was trying to block that ascension?
“I have to go.”
Cordelia nodded, closed the book, and replaced it on the shelf. “I hope this was helpful.”
I nodded. “I’m not sure how it all fits together yet, but it’s information I didn’t have before that I do now. Thank you for your help.” I squeezed her hands and then headed out.
It wasn’t until I was back on the sidewalk outside that I thought to wonder how Cordelia had known exactly which pages to turn to. Or why the shop was still open so late.
But that was a question for later. For now, at least one thing was clear. Earlier, I’d wondered whether I truly wanted my magic back. Being Key wasn’t a very attractive proposition.
Now, I knew I had to get my power back. Something more was going on than me being wrongly suspected of murdering Marian.
There may be someone actively trying to get me out of commission. As though there was an upcoming fight they didn’t want me to take part in.
Well, they would not get their wish. I wasn’t sure yet how to get my magic back, but something else had come into focus for me in the shop.
I was pretty sure I knew who had killed Marian.
Chapter 21
I MADE PHONE CALLS and rattled off texts as I walked, and Crosby pulled up to the curb to pick me up a few minutes later. I told him what I’d learned. He listened without speaking. Once I’d finished telling him who I suspected, he shot me a cautious look. “Are you sure?”
“Kressida and Marian fought about whether they should take my power away,” I said. “That’s a clue. And Kressida and Pence are in love—I’m sure of it.”
Crosby didn’t look convinced, but he did nod. “I saw some tenderness there, for sure,” he said.
We both fell silent, and I assumed he was sifting through what I’d said as he drove.
Julia and Alyson waited on the sidewalk in front of the venue when we pulled up. Julia handed me a cup of coffee and a scone. “I thought you may need a pick-me-up before we head in.”
“You thought right,” I said. “I’m exhausted.”
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Alyson glanced at the building. People were going in by ones and twos, and I recognized some visiting witches, including Victoria.
“I don’t want to, but I need to,” I said. “If I don’t, Marian’s killer may kill again, to keep anyone from figuring it out.”
She nodded and drew in a breath. “Okay. Well, we’re behind you.”
“So am I.” Aunt Dru’s voice made me turn around to watch her approach. But she wasn’t alone.
My mouth dropped open.
“Who’s this?” Crosby gestured at the tall man next to my aunt.
“This is Gordon,” Aunt Dru said. “He’s the Trio’s Vampire Guard.”
Crosby bristled, squaring off with the other man. “The one who stole Willow’s magic?”
“I stole nothing,” Gordon rumbled. “I am simply keeping the witch’s magic safe until the council decides what should be done with it.”
“You’re hoping to keep it, though,” Aunt Dru snapped. “I know how Vampires are.”
His expression was placid. He lifted his shoulders and dropped them again. “If the council decides her power should be removed permanently, I’ll absorb it. If not, I’ll return it promptly.”
My aunt rolled her eyes. She jabbed a thumb toward him. “He won’t admit anything, but he definitely wants to eat your magic.”
“I do not eat magic,” he huffed.
“Guys. Now isn’t the time.” I watched Kressida and Pence enter the building. “We need to get in there.” As we all walked toward the door, I leaned toward Aunt Dru and whispered, “How did you get the Vampire to come with you?”
“I called his mother.”
My eyes popped wide. “Vampires have mothers?”
But we’d arrived at the door, and Aunt Dru didn’t answer—she only grinned and winked at me.
Inside, the party was already in full swing. It looked like Dierdre had done a wonderful job. I’d been in the ballroom many times before, but it looked completely different now. It was decorated in lovely white twinkling string lights, with the rest of the room’s lights dimmed. A huge dance floor was already at least half full as people danced to a band on a platform at the back of the room. The theme seemed to be starry night or twilight at the beach, maybe. A huge spread of food lay on several tables along one wall, all decorated with seashells and fake sparkling sand. Everyone was dressed to the nines, in ballgowns and tuxedos, except for us.
For a moment, I felt uncomfortable, and I had the crazy thought I should go home and change, but Kressida and Pence, who danced close together to a slow song quickly captured my attention. The Crux’s head rested lightly on the Guard’s shoulder.
On the edge of the dance floor, Celeste stood with Griffin, watching the couple. She wore a troubled look until her gaze met mine—then she lifted her chin and pressed her lips together.
She knows.
I nodded once, and she nodded back. Even fifteen feet away, I could see the clear pain in her eyes.
Crosby swept past me. He marched over to the band and spoke to the drummer. A moment later, the music abruptly stopped. Everyone in the room cast their eyes toward the small stage, confused.
Lila stomped over to Crosby. “What is the meaning of this?”
Crosby crossed his arms and returned her furious expression with a calm one. Instead of answering her, he spoke over her head to the room at large. “I’m sorry to temporarily interrupt the party. I have an urgent need to ask a few questions of the party-goers.” He darted around Lila, whose face darkened in barely restrained fury.
“I believe Marian’s killer is among your group.” Crosby addressed Kressida, who stared back at him coolly. “How long have you and Marian’s Guard been having a love affair?”
She blinked a few times, the impassive expression fading, transitioning to unease. Her eyes darted toward Pence. His nod was so slight as to be almost imperceptible. Her throat spasmed as though she’d swallowed hard. “We’ve had a relationship for a couple of years.”
“Such a thing is forbidden!” Lila’s tone was pure shock.
I couldn’t help but wonder whether the woman was blind. Pence and Kressida had just been dancing incredibly closely. And that wasn’t the only sign—I’d seen many tender glances and touches between the two in the limited time I’d spent with them. How could Lila have been following the Trio and never caught on?
Kressida bowed her head and folded her hands over the skirt of her pale pink gown. “I know.”
“These two should be immediately removed from the Trio!” Lila bellowed, shaking a fist in the air.
Pence stepped toward the woman, prompting to Crosby to move between them. The Guard stopped and glared. “This isn’t the Crux’s fault. It’s the fault of archaic rules. We can’t help what our hearts feel. Kressida shouldn’t be punished for that.” He clenched his jaw. “I’ll step down.”
Lila looked unsure for a moment. She searched the crowd until her gaze fell on Albert. “Do you know the law for this? Can
he step down? Is it allowed?”
Albert shrugged. “The only way to know is to try it. If a new Guard ascends, it’s allowed. If not, it isn’t.”
“Ascension doesn’t seem to be working at all,” Lila grumbled.
“I think I know why.”
Everyone turned to look at me, and I almost regretted speaking for a moment. But I squeezed Aunt Dru’s hand and then dropped it to move forward and stand next to Crosby.
“You?” Lila looked like she may spit with disdain. “How could you know what’s going on? You barely have any knowledge about witch life at all.”
“Maybe not. But I understand people. Sometimes, anyway. And I understand that the way the Trio and Guards are set up means that people sometimes can’t be together the way they want to be. It means people can’t be with their family. They can’t have the job they may want. Can’t love who they want.”
Lila wrinkled her nose. “It’s a greater calling. They should be happy to serve.”
“It takes their choice away,” I said firmly. “That’s my point.”
I heard murmurings in the room behind me. What I was saying shocked some of them. Others seemed to agree.
“Still,” I went on, speaking louder to be heard over the din, “none of that is grounds for murder.”
Celeste appeared, and she grabbed Kressida’s hands. “You should have come to me. I would have done what I could to help you. You didn’t have to kill our Crone.”
Kressida’s eyes popped wide. “I didn’t kill Marian! I loved her.” A sob engulfed the last words.
But I wasn’t watching her. I glued my eyes to someone else. “Did you love her too, Pence? Or was she only an obstacle to you spending more time with your beloved?”
Silence seemed to crash over the room like a sound-dampening wave. Suddenly, I could hear my own blood rushing fast through my veins, as though it wanted to pound out of the confines of my body.
Pence stilled. Only his eyes moved. They flicked from me to Kressida to Celeste to Lila to Crosby like a bug darting around.
