Fatal Charm

by Linda Joy Singleton

  Gold flashed on his finger and there was a dark emptiness in his eyes.

  The killer.

  Only instead of riding away as Dominic told us, he must have circled back and spied on Jade and I. He followed us out of camp—and was now sneaking up on us.

  Panic was like lightning jabbing my essence. I fluttered like a bird with damaged wings spinning out of control. My emotions were a cyclone, tossing me with fear. I couldn’t reach out to stop him. Like before, I was wretchedly helpless. And he was stealthily creeping closer, around the corner of the streambed, hidden by boulders. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sharp knife.

  “Jade!” I tried to shout. “Run!”

  That didn’t work, so I swept back toward my body, looking around desperately. What could I do? There had to be something. If I returned to my body, I might be able to run, but he was closer to Jade and she wouldn’t have a chance. Seconds ticked by and I couldn’t think of any way out.

  Two girls against a murderer with a knife—not very good odds.

  I hadn’t been able to save Darlene—what could I do now?

  Pay attention, a voice ordered in my head.

  I looked back at Jade, who was bending over my “sleeping” body. She wasn’t paying any attention to the subtle footsteps behind her. I scanned the area for a weapon—anything! There were a few river rocks within reach and the branch Jade used to sweep the rock. There wasn’t a quick escape route either. We’d have to go back the way we came. I didn’t see an easy way across the rushing stream other than swimming through icy water or leaping high to grab a low-hanging branch that stretched across the water from an ancient oak on the other side.

  The killer kept moving, slowly, holding the knife between his teeth as he pulled himself up a boulder several yards down from the plateau below Jade.

  There was no more time. I made a quick decision—slamming back into my body just as the killer slipped the knife back in his hand and reached out—

  “Move, Jade!” I shouted, and this time I had a voice.

  Jumping up with such force that I pushed Jade out of the way, I grabbed the pine branch and flung it at him. He cried out. His knife fell from his fingers, clattering down rocks and splashing in the water.

  He swore and lurched forward, but I was already grabbing one of the rocks I’d spotted earlier. I flung it at him. I missed, but when he ducked I scrambled out of his reach.

  Jade had done as I’d hoped and jumped for the low-hanging oak branch in a springy gymnastic move, swinging up and mounting the heavy branch like a gymnastic bar. She scooted across the branch, then down the tree and took off running. She was out of the killer’s range—but I wasn’t.

  “Who the hell are you?” he demanded, reaching down for his knife, which had only landed in shallow water.

  I didn’t wait around to answer, scrambling to climb up the steep bank. My hands grabbed onto roots and I inched upward. But I wasn’t fast enough. He was closing in and I could feel the wind from his knife as he swiped at me.

  So close! Too close!

  I climbed faster, higher, but he was coming up behind me with his knife—

  There was a sickening thud and a hoarse cry.

  I looked down as the man crumpled to the ground, his head spilling blood.

  Jade held a long stick as thick as a baseball bat; the tip dripped blood.

  “Ohmygod … is he dead?” Jade’s face was ashen. She tossed aside the bat and met me halfway. She pointed to the unconscious man. “I know that face! I’ve seen him before—with Darlene.”

  “You said you didn’t know him.”

  “I didn’t get a good look that night, but now I remember. I don’t know his real name, just that she called him Prince Charming because he was the most romantic guy she … um … dated. He came to the house a few times and gave her candy, flowers, and wrote romantic poems. But she said he was kind of strange and overly possessive.”

  “So he made sure no one could have her,” I said sadly.

  As we clung to each other, shaking and crying, there were shouts and suddenly Dominic was there. He explained that he noticed we were gone and had been searching for us when he heard a cry.

  Dominic checked the man’s vital signs and said he was alive, but there was no compassion in his tone.

  Catching a dangerous attacker caused a lot of excitement at camp. We tried to shield the kids, but they knew something serious was happening when a ranger arrived. He ran a quick check on the attacker’s ID and told us his name was Mick Hatha and there was a warrant out for him; apparently he had a long record of violence against women. His injuries weren’t bad and he was starting to wake up when he was handcuffed and led away by the ranger. Jade and I had to go along, too, to give our statements.

  We urged Simon to continue on with the ride and not spoil the kids’ fun. Although Josh, Dominic, and Evan wanted to come along with us, Jade and I insisted they stay for the kids. The ride must go on.

  Josh followed us to the ranger’s pickup. “Are you sure you’ll be fine?”

  “Yeah. Don’t worry.”

  “I’m sorry we didn’t get to spend more time together.”

  “Me, too,” I said for completely different reasons.

  He bent over to kiss me and I moved so it was only the faintest brush against my lips.

  “Bye, Josh,” I said sadly. “Make sure the kids have the best trip ever.”

  “I will. You and your cousin take it easy.”

  “We will.” I paused, glancing over at Jade who was waiting for me in the pickup. “By the way, Jade isn’t my cousin. We’re sisters.”

  I’ll never forget the stunned look on Dad’s face when he came into the sheriff’s station and saw Jade and I together. But he quickly recovered and slipped into lawyer mode. He sorted through facts and accusations, insisting we be truthful. Jade agreed. Then, before I could tell my side of the story, she announced that Mick Hatha was a murderer and that she’d witnessed him killing Darlene. I was grateful to be off the hook. Only a few people would ever know who the real witness was.

  When the sheriff checked Mick’s car (parked by Manzanita Stables where he’d left it after he’d stolen a horse), they found bloody evidence, which eventually led to a confession and the location of Darlene’s body.

  It was early Sunday morning by the time Dad dropped off his two eldest daughters at Nona’s. “Let’s not tell your mother about this,” he said as I stepped out of his car.

  But I shook my head. “No more secrets,” I insisted.

  “Sabine, be reasonable.”

  “If you don’t tell Mom, I will. Jade is my sister and I’m not going to hide it.”

  Jade came over, her expression close to tears, and hugged me like a sister.

  Dad wasn’t quite so appreciative, but he didn’t argue as he drove away alone. While I watched his car lights fade down the driveway, I knew things would be okay. This was part prediction and part knowing my mother wouldn’t throw away her home and family so easily. It would be rough for a few months, but my parents would work things out.

  On Sunday I slept in until noon—luxuriating in my own bed without any wayward astral trips. Jade, who was staying a few more days with us, was still asleep.

  After making me my favorite hot breakfast of powdered-sugar French toast, fresh fruit, and orange juice, Nona invited me to tell her about my weekend. That took a while.

  When I finished, she wrapped her arms around me. “You did good, honey,” she said.

  “You think? I made a lot of dumb moves.”

  “Not telling anyone about the killer wasn’t smart, but I understand your reasons. You were very brave and I’m proud of you.”

  “Thanks. And you’re looking really good. What’s with the new hairstyle?”

  She patted her head. “I had my hair cut and colored. I need to look good for client meetings. Business has picked up so much now that I’m better, I may promote Penny-Love to Executive Love Assistant.”

  I laughed
. “She’ll love that.”

  “Now I think it’s time to attend to that other matter.”

  “What?”

  “Giving Jade her séance. It’s the least I can do for her saving your life.”

  Then Nona hustled off to call Velvet.

  *

  It was another moonlit night and a small group was gathered in Dominic’s loft over the barn: Nona, Jade, Dominic, Velvet, and myself. Candles flickered around the darkened room and a scent of sandalwood incense swirled in the air. It was a small séance, but Velvet assured us there was enough energy with two psychics in the room to easily open the door to the other side.

  We sat quietly in a circle reverently while Velvet said a prayer and called forth a protective white light. I was keenly aware of Dominic sitting beside me and tried to shut out my feelings for him and concentrate on the séance. There was a peaceful calm in the room, a receptive energy as if the spirits were eager for us.

  Then Velvet called out for Douglas.

  And just like that, with no flashes or drama, he was there.

  Jade cried out joyfully as he sent her messages through Velvet. I watched in awe, so happy for Jade. I was a little surprised when another spirit arrived, and instead of talking to Velvet, the woman appeared to me. I’d seen her once before—Dominic’s mother. So I relayed her message to Dominic, calling him “Nicky” and urging him to continue taking classes and studying hard.

  I was so absorbed in these wonderful reunions, I didn’t notice any change in the aura. I didn’t hear the footsteps that climbed up the steps. I didn’t notice a shift in the air as the door opened. And I had no clue someone stood beside the door, spying on us.

  Until he stomped into the room.

  “Josh!” I gasped.

  “What the hell is this?” He stared at the candles, incense, and crystals. His eyes widened,then narrowed. “A séance? Sabine, how could you?”

  “What … What are you doing here?” My heart thudded with dread as I faced him,

  “I asked Grey to stop here so I could give you this card.” He held up a pink envelope. “I missed you and couldn’t wait to see you. Ha! What a jerk I was.”

  “I’m sorry. I meant to tell you—”

  “Liar! You’ve been lying to me since we met.”

  “Don’t shout at her.” Dominic came beside me protectively.

  “I’ll shout if I want because I’m furious. You’re all sick! Deluding yourself and everyone who believes you. This is exactly what’s wrong with the world.” He pointed around the room. “Charlatans!”

  “Josh, calm down.” I had no idea what he was ranting about and saw he was upsetting my grandmother. I reached for his arm to lead him outside, but he shook me off.

  “I suspected things were shaky with us, but I always trusted you. I admired so many things about you. Only you lied to me. You’re into the occult, the work of the devil. You practice the very things I detest. And I can never forgive that.”

  Then he ripped the pink card to shreds and stormed out of the room.

  Stunned, I stood there until Dominic pushed me forward. “Go. Talk to him.”

  So I ran down the stairs and grabbed Josh’s arm just before he reached the blue Mustang convertible where a gray-haired man waited.

  “You have to listen to me,” I told Josh. “I know it’s over with me but I want you to understand. We weren’t doing anything wrong.”

  “Give it up, Sabine,” he practically spat out. “Just leave me alone!”

  “Need some help, Josh?” The guy in the car stood and turned toward us. To my surprise, his face and voice were a teenager’s, even though his close-cropped hair was prematurely silver.

  “No, Grey, I can handle this,” Josh was saying but I hardly heard him.

  I was too busy staring at Grey. Ohmygod! I’d seen him before, only he’d been wearing a long jacket and fleeing the scene of a crime.

  “Hang on, Grey,” Josh called out. “I won’t be long.”

  “Your friend!” I whispered to Josh. “He’s the one who vandalized Trick or Treats!”

  “What? No way! He’d never go to that wicked shop.”

  “He trashed the shop. I saw him.”

  “You’re only accusing him because he’s my friend.” Josh’s eyes widened, as if seeing an ugly truth that had been right in front of him all along. “You’ve always been jealous of Evan, and now you want to turn me against Grey. I guess I owe Evan an apology for taking your word against his. You’re nothing but a possessive manipulator!”

  “That’s not it … ” My words trailed off. What was the use? It was my word against Grey’s, and Josh would never believe me. I couldn’t change his mind any more than he could change mine. We’d grown apart and there was no going back. The best I could do was end it all with dignity. “Josh, I’m sorry. It was wrong to hide my real self from you.”

  His expression changed, the anger fading in an instant to regret. “You can change, Sabine. I’ll forgive you if you stay away from séances and voodoo magic.”

  “Goodbye, Josh,” I said quietly.

  “Come on, Sabine! Be logical. It’s all wrong; you have to see that. You can’t honestly believe psychics are real.”

  “Yes, I can,” I said simply. “Because I am one.”

  When he walked away, this time I didn’t stop him.

  Watching the car blur down the driveway, it hit me that it was really over with Josh. Instead of being sad, I felt uplifted and free. I had a vision of Josh with a dark-haired girl wearing a sparkly magician’s assistant outfit and knew he’d be fine.

  As for me? I was already fine.

  I had a new sister, a great family, a healthy grandmother, good friends, and a special guy who understood me and loved me just the way I was. What more could a girl ask for?

  I turned around, my heart soaring as I hurried back to the loft.

  To Dominic.

  Linda Joy Singleton lives in northern California. She has two grown children and a wonderfully supportive husband who loves to travel with her in search of unusual stories.

  Linda Joy Singleton is the author of more than twenty-five books, including the series Regeneration, My Sister the Ghost, Cheer Squad, and, also from Llewellyn, Strange Encounters.

  Table of Contents

  Cover

  Half_Title

  Title_Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Part_One

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Part_Two

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Part_Three

  Twenty

  Twenty-One

  Twenty-Two

  Twenty-Three

  Twenty-Four

  Twenty-Five

  Twenty-Six

  Twenty-Seven

  Twenty-Eight

  Twenty-Nine

  Thirty

  About_the_Author