Nathalie was piecing the puzzle together. “Energy…the spell doesn’t do anything for Barrington. I’ll bet that the spell has to do with that demon, Dannerlich, who bothered me and left his calling cards around town.”
“Yes, he’s imprisoned in Superstition. We were able to confirm that before the barn spell was activated,” Taline said, “but now our means of accessing information has been cut off, so we have to speculate, just like you.”
“Internet’s up,” Dean said quizzically.
Taline laughed and looked at Dean affectionately. “It’s not the Internet Dean.”
Nathalie was thinking furiously. She watched as Nettie left the bake table and headed over to the barn.
“One of the towns is a red herring,” Nathalie said decisively. “This spell only really needs to protect one town, the other one is just to throw us off. The town in danger from energy is Superstition.”
Dean snorted. “They don’t even have electricity now. Why would more power be a bad thing?”
“The question to ask is why does Superstition avoid electricity—one of the most incredible power sources of your time?” Nettie asked quietly. “When and why did they choose to live like that?”
Nathalie answered. “Because power is power…magical or electrical…energy in any form obviously has an effect, most likely negative if they refuse to use it. If they thought the hex would create great energies, they would want to protect Superstition from it.”
“Protect what, though?” Luke asked.
Nathalie shrugged. “It has to do with Dannerlich. I know it does, but I don’t know why.”
“We need to find out when Superstition was founded, why there, and by whom. That, at least, will give us a time frame,” Dean suggested.
Nathalie nodded. She hoped Rain would find some information that answered their questions.
Taline looked at Luke. “Now about Sadie…you’re going to have to wait until she comes around and she’s herself again,” she said gently. Luke looked crushed.
“And be warned, lad. The witch’s power will only grow stronger as the days get shorter and the year moves on to Samhain. That is a very powerful night for a witch. The veil is thin and evil is at its height, as will be her power,” Nettie said ominously.
Dean shook his head. “I just don’t get it. We’ve gone over the hex, the facts. The Browns don’t have a living descendent of the line, so how can this be continuing?”
Nettie smiled grimly. “Never underestimate Willow Kellar, my boy. She always has means and a plan. Men would have killed for that slip of a girl.”
Nathalie looked at Nettie strangely. “You always speak as if you knew her personally.”
Nettie laughed. “Och, when you’ve lived with a story as long as I have, lassie, everything seems personal.”
“So how does the demon fit into all this? Why is he here? What does he want?” Dean wondered.
No one had an answer, but Nathalie had a thought. “Well, we know he’s trapped and very bored. I’ll bet you Beth knows. I’ll bet you Beth knows a lot more than she lets on.”
“Maybe she picked up one of those coins…” Dean said, looking beyond the barn to where Beth was giving out her free drinks.
“Maybe she’s giving out his coins,” Wayman said meaningfully. “That would explain where Eric Sweet got the coin he was tossing in the air. From what I understand, he’s one of her most faithful patrons and he frequents her booth regularly,” he said with disgust.
“The guy’s an ass,” Luke said suddenly, remembering what Sweet had said about Sadie at the last town council meeting.
“Luke, let us know when Sadie calls you,” Nathalie said abruptly. “I’m going to find Clara Innes. It seems to me that things started to go wrong when Bethiah came to town. I’m going to check when Beth arrived exactly, and how she’s paying her rent now that the candy factory is closed.”
“And that’s the other question. Where is Shaemus?” Dean wondered out loud.
Wayman laughed. “He’s Irish. The man ran. The Irish know what to do when strange comes to town. I’m sure he’s in Limerick, and he hasn’t been sober since July.”
“Watch out, guys. Trust no one. You never know who’s holding a gold coin these days,” Taline warned.
Luke headed home and Nathalie made a beeline for Clara’s little booth. She was in luck. Clara was there arguing with her favorite person, Father MacGunne.
“Hello, Father,” Nathalie said respectfully.
“Why, hello Nathalie me darlin’,” Father MacGunne replied with a smile and a twinkle in his eye.
“I don’t think callin’ her darlin’ is proper for a priest to be sayin’,” Clara said primly, her r’s rolling from her thick Irish accent.
“And what on earth do you know about what’s proper?” Father MacGunne said loudly. “You’re a right heathen with those tarot cards and crystals!”
Clara snorted and Nathalie smiled. Father MacGunne winked at the two of them before heading out. “I’ll leave you to your girl talk.”
“An’ I don’t think winking is appropriate either!” Clara yelled after him. He just waved before disappearing in the afternoon crowd.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Nathalie said shyly. She loved Clara and her shop. The woman herself was a gem.
“Och, it’s no matter. He’s no good for business anyway, always preachin’ and starin’ disapproval at me customers. What can I help you with love?”
“I wanted to talk to you about your tenant.”
Clara was stringing crystals onto leather necklaces and hanging them up to display. She stopped to look at Nathalie. “My what, now?”
“Your tenant…boarder…the girl who’s renting the apartment above your shop.”
Clara looked at Nathalie as if she had grown a third eye. “Love, what are you talking about? I don’t have a boarder, and I wouldn’t rent my apartment…it’s not permitted.”
Right…strange Barrington law…no graveyards or hotels. No ghosts no strangers.
“Oh, my mistake. I was quite sure that she told me she was staying at your place.”’
“Who, lassie?”
“Why…” Nathalie turned and pointed to Beth. “That girl over there.”
Clara turned to look at Beth and frowned. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’ve only ever seen her here, at the fair. She certainly isn’t renting my apartment.”
“Oh.” Nathalie was flustered. “I’m so sorry to have bothered you for nothing, Clara. My misunderstanding…how silly of me.”
“Pay it no mind,” Clara said easily. A client walked up and Clara waved as Nathalie walked off. She turned to look at Beth and found her smiling slyly at her. Nathalie just turned and headed home.
Town Circle—The Apartment above Clara’s Crafts & Crystals
Nathalie’s question had made Clara curious. She hadn’t been up to her apartment since she bought her house the previous year. She took out her ring of keys as she climbed the metal stairs to her old place. Brings back some good memories, she thought as she searched for the one she needed. Clara found the key and opened the door.
Friday, September 6
Barrington School Grounds
That morning Sadie was waiting for Luke at their regular spot to walk together to school. When he saw her he sprinted towards her and wrapped her tightly in his arms. Her arms tightened around him and she sagged against him. She looked exhausted and felt so frail that he felt he could crush her as easily as a delicate bird. He kissed the top of her head. “What happened?” he whispered fearfully.
“Later, after school. We need to talk,” she whispered.
“Okay,” he whispered back.
They held hands as they walked along Town Circle to school.
Sadie looked pale and tired. “The date is Halloween. That’s the day Willow plans to unleash the hex. For witches it’s the festival of Samhain, a very powerful night for us. I can’t believe I didn’t think about it. To top it all off, the witches’ ca
lendar is hanging up in my kitchen.” Sadie frowned. “I’m not myself, Luke. I’m usually smarter than that.” A ghost of a smile crossed her face. “I have to be able to keep up with my genius boyfriend.”
Luke laughed and after cutting through the alley beside Joe’s Java, he danced her through the trees. They had so many worries, but Sadie was here, now, and all he wanted to do was kiss her, so he did.
Luke’s lips were warm. She savored them and locked the memory away in her heart. She wanted more than a kiss. She wanted to devour him.
“We can skip school…go to our secret place,” he whispered to her.
Sadie shook her head. “I need to make an appearance. Did you see the paper yesterday?”
Luke clutched his bag. “Yeah, that one anonymous writer who hates you is really getting under my skin. I just can’t imagine what their motivation is.”
“They’re motivated by gold,” Nathalie said meaningfully, waving the paper in the air as she walked towards them. “It’s the demon’s influence, like Mr. Sweet’s bullying of Wayman. I’m sure the person who is writing those letters owns a gold coin.”
“Then there’s the event from Wednesday night…” Sadie said quietly.
Nathalie looked at her. “Was that…”
“Me,” Sadie confirmed. “Well, not me, but I was physically there.”
“Wayman saw you,” Dean mentioned as he joined them.
Sadie turned to Luke. “The most important thing right now is finding out who is writing the hate mail. This ridiculous author is turning the town mean. Besides being accosted by Reg and the idiot squad, our home was defaced with excrement last night. ‘Die witches’ was written on our front door. The last thing we need right now is all this attention. Luke, Hannah works for the paper. Can you ask her if she knows who it is, or at least help us find out who it is?”
Luke looked uncertain. He hadn’t told anyone about Hannah’s lies because he had wanted to speak to her first in case her father had been exaggerating. But broaching this would be a good test. His expression changed to one of determination. Let’s see what kind of friend she really is. “Absolutely, that’s a great idea my sweet…and she’s over there! Hannah! Wait up!” Luke yelled, yanking Sadie along behind him. Nathalie watched as Hannah turned slowly and reluctantly.
“Hannah! Just a quick question for you! We need your help!” Luke said in a non-threatening voice. Hannah looked at Sadie and their eyes met briefly before she turned and acknowledged Luke.
“I don’t really have time…”
“It’ll just take a minute,” Luke said seriously. “The letters to the editor, do you have any idea who’s writing those lies or why someone would want to hurt Sadie?”
Hannah’s eyes flicked to Sadie quickly before she shrugged. “Sadie’s name is never mentioned. Anyway, I don’t know who the author is. It’s probably just sensationalism to build interest in the town.” She turned to go.
Lie! Luke thought to himself incredulously.
“Why does Heimler allow it?” Sadie asked pointedly.
“Ask Heimler,” Hannah replied in an unfriendly voice.
Luke grabbed her arm to stop her from leaving. “We won’t tell, Hannah,” Luke said reassuringly.
She shrugged him off. “Sorry, I wish I could help,” she muttered before she left.
“Lie!” he said out loud this time. “Some friend,” he muttered, hurt from her betrayal in his voice.
“She was lying,” Sadie said. She was clutching her necklace. It was hard to see in the sun, but it was hot and glowing.
“What? What was she lying about?” Nathalie asked, her voice tinged with dismay.
“Everything,” Sadie said grimly. “She was lying about everything. She knows exactly what’s happening at the paper.”
Luke turned to go after her, but Nathalie stopped him. “Luke, leave her be. She’s not going to be reasonable right now.”
“Why not? Sadie’s in trouble. Hannah’s our friend and should help us. We’d help her.”
Nathalie sighed audibly now. “Because she doesn’t want to help Sadie, Luke,” she said with emphasis.
He knew that. He just wished it wasn’t true.
THE BARRINGTON BUGLE – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor:
About Xander’s article, “Witch Hunt Cursed.” The only thing cursed around here is Xander’s writing. “Dr.” Leo Tauran is full of shit. This paper is going to Hell! Who on earth is allowing these retards to write in our newspaper? I’ll tell you how stress is going to manifest for Tauran–it’ll manifest as pain when I kick him in the ass for spouting all this crap.
-Dr. Lance Peabody
Dear Editor:
Dr. Leo Tauran is wrong. An uninvited guest was at the event that night and she planned to kill everyone. She’s just not powerful enough yet. Beware…the witch grows stronger every day. Get her before she gets us. Burn her!
-Anonymous
Sunday, September 8
Town Circle
After church, Sadie met Luke, Nathalie and Dean to have breakfast at The Rotunda. They chatted as they ate, enjoying the weather. Before parting ways, the four agreed to rendezvous at the fair after supper.
Luke and Sadie went for a walk and looked forward to a day to themselves, alone. They walked hand in hand. It was beautiful outside, warm and sunny, the perfect late summer day.
They walked the paths in Town Circle Park, now lover free, and eventually came out across from Pages Bookstore. They crossed over to look in the window, but Luke didn’t want to linger in town.
“Let’s go to our spot,” Luke said.
They walked slowly towards the Barrington Estate. The mood was somber. Luke kept looking at Sadie’s face. It was set and determined. Luke sighed. There’s going to be a fight, he thought to himself. Their talk on Friday had not gone well.
As they walked around, Luke began to notice that people were making signs to ward off evil, and muttering to themselves. They were looking at Sadie. Luke stopped in shock as an old lady spit onto the street in front of Joe’s Java. He looked at Sadie and she was standing stiffly, her chin notched up a bit higher.
“Strega!” The old lady hissed. “Witch!”
“Are you kidding me?” Luke yelled as another man walked by and made the sign. “Are you all ignorant assholes?” he yelled in anger.
Sadie’s face tightened. Luke never used language like that. He was changing for the worse…because of her. She wanted to cry.
People dropped their heads as they walked by. Joe Curtis came out of the coffee house. “Move along,” he growled at a few of the gawkers. He looked at Luke. “No point in yelling in the street, Barrington. Ignorance is a disease that spreads even to smart people.” He looked at Sadie. “You be careful now, Miss Kellar. The talk I’m hearing in the house is not very friendly. People aren’t reasonable these days. That anonymous letter writer in the newspaper isn’t helping, either.”
A server came out with two coffees and some pastry to go. Joe handed them to Luke and Sadie and disappeared back into his establishment.
“See, Sadie, an act of kindness. Not everyone in this town is against you,” Luke said encouragingly.
They picked up their pace until they were safely on the Barrington Estate. They headed to their spot where they laid out their blanket and sat down. Sadie spread herself out on the blanket and closed her eyes. Luke sipped his coffee and explored the bag of pastries. Eying her, he took out the largest one he could find. “Eat it,” he commanded, pulling her up. “You’re all bones, baby, and you need your strength to fight.” She eyed the pastry dubiously, but took it.
They ate and drank their coffees, which were strangely fortifying. Eventually it was time to talk, again.
Sadie cleared her throat and brushed the crumbs off her dress. “We need to break up, Luke,” she managed to say matter-of-factly even though her heart was breaking inside. Luke fell back onto the blanket and put his arm over his eyes.
Sadie turned and lay on top of him. She kissed him softly and found herself suddenly underneath him, his heavy warmth pressing her against the ground as he kissed her. His mouth was warm and his tongue heavy as it slid against hers. Sadie moaned and tightened her arms around him. When he broke the kiss Sadie was panting. He burrowed his face into her neck and kissed her delicate, white skin.
“I know Willow hates me, Sadie. I know that my presence angers her because of what Jacob Barrington did to her. But I don’t want us to be apart. I’m so afraid we’ll never be together again,” he whispered into her neck. “I love you. With you I’m complete. I don’t want to be a half person anymore.” He sounded so sad, and she could feel wet tears from his eyes roll down her neck.
Tears were leaking out of Sadie’s eyes too, but she didn’t relent.
“It’s only until this is over, Luke. Willow thinks I’m dormant when she takes over now, but I’m not. I’m quiet, but I can see and feel what she does. Her emotions go beyond hate, Luke. Before she died she was using her magic to transform herself into a demon so she could have eternal life. She hates humanity like the fallen angels did. I’ve never felt anything that strong before. People hurt her and took her life from her, and this started way before Jacob Barrington came along and finished the job. She’ll hurt you and me. Once she gets her way, she’ll take my body permanently, but even that’s temporary, I’ve just found out. Once she transforms she won’t need a physical body anymore.” Sadie sighed. “She has to see me as valuable and not just as a Barrington boy’s girlfriend, and therefore someone to despise. She is so angry that my loyalty is with you—her own flesh and blood! The passage of time has no meaning to her, only achieving her goal. I need to placate her. She has to believe my allegiance is to her.”
Luke was silent, but then he sat up, pulling Sadie with him. He wrapped his arms around her. “Wayman is worried about the same thing,” he admitted quietly. “He believes Willow will hurt you because you’ve made a poor choice in boyfriends,” Luke winced at that, “but really to strike at a Barrington to make one suffer.”
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