Magic & Malice

by Annabel Chase

  Fern gave me a haughty look before allowing me entry. “Do you need me to stay?”

  Stone frowned. “For a meeting with a reporter about Hattie? Whatever for, Fern?” He seemed genuinely dismissive of her.

  Fern’s jaw set. “Fine then. I’m going back to my office.” Her wings seemed to flutter a mile a minute, expressing her dismay. She slammed the door behind me for good measure.

  I gave Stone a curious look. “She works for you, huh?”

  Stone offered a sheepish grin. “Some fairies can be temperamental.”

  “My office manager is a fairy and she’s unfailingly pleasant,” I replied.

  “Have a seat,” he said. “I suspect you’re here to talk more about Hattie, now that it’s a murder investigation.”

  “Very astute,” I said.

  “The sheriff’s already been by this week,” Stone said. “That deputy has a real chip on his shoulder about being small and green. I can’t help it if he’s a leprechaun. It’s nothing to do with me.”

  I suppressed a smile. “Like fairies, some leprechauns can be temperamental.” I sat in the red leather chair across from him. “I understand you had an argument with Hattie the week of her death.”

  Stone looped his pen through his fingers. “Where did you hear that? Sampson? That butler is always lurking in the shadows.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” I said. “Can you tell me what the argument was about?”

  Stone hesitated. “Hattie being Hattie.”

  “And what does that mean?” I asked.

  “The old morgen was trying to control everyone’s lives. She had nothing better to do with her time, so she got involved in everyone’s business.”

  “And what was she trying to control this time?” I asked.

  He dropped the pen. “She found out about a corporate opportunity that I was considering. A larger company offered to buy us out. Pippin Enterprises. They also requested that I join their corporate headquarters in Starlight City.”

  “That’s not nearby, I guess?”

  “No, about twelve hundred miles away,” he replied. “Hattie found out and was furious that I’d even consider it. She didn’t want Avonne moving away from Starry Hollow.”

  “Did you talk to Avonne about it?” I asked.

  He shook his head. “I didn’t want to raise the issue until I knew how I felt about it. If I decided not to do it, I didn’t want to bother discussing it.”

  That made sense. “And what happened?”

  “I decided not to go ahead,” he replied.

  “Because of Hattie?”

  “No, but I’ll admit that her objection was on my mind.” He put his feet up on the desk and rested his hands behind his head. “Avonne and the kids are my priority. If they didn’t want to go, I wouldn’t have gone anyway.”

  “How did your employees feel? Did Fern think you’d made a bad business decision?” Maybe that was why she seemed hostile. Resentment toward her employer.

  “Fern liked the idea of moving to a new place,” he said. When I expressed surprise, he waved his hand. “They offered positions to all senior staff and that included Fern.”

  “What kinds of beverages do you distribute?” I asked. Judging from the posters on the wall, it included a variety of alcoholic beverages.

  “Nectar, mead, a variety of divine beverages,” Stone said. “It’s a popular market. Everyone assumes ale is the moneymaker, but I recognized their untapped potential.”

  “You do very well, I hear.”

  He placed his feet back on the ground. “How do you think I managed to land a morgen like Avonne Rollins-Mahoney? Do you think she would’ve settled for some shifter mechanic?”

  “Her sister did,” I said. Not that Weston was a mechanic, but he certainly wasn’t rich.

  “And look what happened to them,” Stone said. “Trust me, I saw what happened with Lacey and Weston. I didn’t want that to happen to Avonne and me, so I’ve made it my mission to stay on Hattie’s good side.”

  “In what way?” I asked. I was genuinely curious how anyone stayed on Hattie’s good side. Maybe pick up a few tips for Aunt Hyacinth.

  “I wore whatever ugly shirt she gave me. You saw the color-mad shirt I had on for her party. I did anything to impress her. I bought her expensive gifts. Brought her mead and nectar from here, in fact. I was willing to go the distance for the sake of my marriage.”

  “So she really had a good side you could tap into?” I queried.

  Stone raked a hand through his hair. “I know she seemed salty, but she could be sweet when the mood struck her.”

  “Once in a blue moon?” I asked.

  He laughed. “Seems like you know the type.”

  “Did she ever let you taste her special mead, given your business?” I asked.

  He lowered his head. “One of my biggest regrets. She hoarded that fizzlewick mead like a dragon and its treasure.” He held up a finger. “One time she let me down in the cellar to see the inventory, but I wasn’t allowed to taste it.”

  “That’s too bad,” I said. “You’re the perfect one to assess it.”

  “I know, right?” He sighed. “Maybe now I’ll finally get a chance, depending on who controls it.”

  “Does the will mention it specifically?” I asked.

  “I don’t know,” Stone said. “I haven’t been privy to the contents. There’s been a delay because of the investigation.”

  “Are you expecting anything?” I asked.

  “Don’t need anything,” he replied. “I have all the money I could want. The perfect wife. The perfect life, really. That’s why I ultimately decided not to risk it with Pippin Enterprises. Nothing is worth rocking this yacht.”

  “I don’t blame you,” I said. “You seem to have a pretty good thing going here.”

  He bumped his fist lightly against his chest. “I still think about the moment that chandelier fell. If anything had happened to me, what would’ve become of Avonne and the children?”

  “Well, they have Rollins-Mahoney money,” I said.

  “True,” he replied, “but to live a life without each other.” He shuddered. “Of course, I saved Hattie, but for what?” He covered his face with his hands. “The whole thing still feels like a waking nightmare. Avonne’s been so distraught. She’s worried about her kids. Her start-up costs….”

  My head snapped to attention. “Her start-up costs?”

  He moved his hands back to the desk. “For her new business venture.”

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “A children’s clothing line,” Stone replied. “She’s always loved fashion and I think she figured if she could make a financial success of it, she wouldn’t be as beholden to her grandmother.”

  “Why not get the funding from you?” I asked. If she didn’t want to be beholden to her grandmother, borrowing money from the elderly morgen wasn’t the smart play.

  “Avonne didn’t want me to fund it,” he said. “She knows I’m self-made and she didn’t want to use me to build her business. And I support her independence. It sets a good example for the children.”

  “But is it really independence if she was relying on her grandmother for the seed money?” I asked.

  He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “I heard you live in a cottage on your aunt’s estate and you work for her paper. Is that true?”

  Ooh, Stone was smarter than his muscles implied. “Fair enough,” I said, bristling. “Though I was sort of dropped into the middle of Starry Hollow unexpectedly. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth.” Or whatever wealthy morgens were born with.

  “Neither was I,” Stone said. “And it feels good to make my own way in the world, let me tell you. Her grandmother never held real power over me as a result, and it’s a welcome feeling.”

  “I guess she doesn’t hold power over anyone anymore,” I said.

  Stone exhaled through his nostrils. “No. Hattie’s reign of terror is finally over.”

  Chapter Eight<
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  That night, my dreams were fraught with barrels of mead and nectar. I was running on top of them as they spun on their sides, like I was a cartoon hamster going nowhere fast. There were shadows behind me, but I couldn’t stop running long enough to get a good look at them.

  I felt a presence in the doorway of my bedroom and bolted upright. “Who’s there?” My eyes focused and I realized it was Marley. More importantly, her eyes glistened with tears. “Marley, what’s wrong?”

  “It’s my birthday,” she declared. She ran into my room and threw herself lengthwise across my bed.

  “Happy birthday, sweetheart,” I said, still groggy. I drew my knees to my chest to avoid getting smushed by her rolling body. “Why do you look sad?”

  “Because I don’t feel any different.” She pressed her face into the blanket and I heard her muffled cries.

  I reached forward and patted her back. “Listen, you weren’t born until the afternoon. That means you’re not technically eleven yet.”

  “Are we in the same time zone as New Jersey?” Marley asked.

  “We’re still on the east coast, so I think so.” At least I didn’t think there was a special paranormal time zone.

  She hastened a glance at me. “What time in the afternoon?”

  “Maybe it’s best if I don’t tell you,” I said. “Otherwise, you’ll end up watching the clock all day.”

  She jumped onto her knees on the bed. “Please, Mom.” She threaded her fingers together and pleaded. “I promise I won’t fixate on the time.”

  I flipped back the covers and left the bed. “Yes, you will. You get obsessive.”

  PP3 ran into the room, barking to go outside. Marley scooped him off the floor.

  “If I take him out, will you tell me when I come back in?” she asked.

  “Nope.” I went into the bathroom and closed the door.

  “If I promise to give you all my birthday money, will you tell me?” Marley’s voice drifted through the small gap under the door.

  I leaned down and said, “Nope.” I waited until I heard her leave the room to vacate the bathroom. The truth was that Marley had been born in the early hours of the morning. The realization made my heart sink.

  Marley had not come into her magic.

  It had been different for me. I hadn’t known at Marley’s age that I was supposed to have magic. My father had hidden our identities. I’d grown up in New Jersey, never knowing my true heritage. Marley, on the other hand, had been waiting for this moment since our arrival in Starry Hollow and the revelation about our family. I had no idea what to do.

  I wrapped a robe around me and padded downstairs just as the front door of the cottage blew open.

  “Mom, guess who’s here?” Marley skipped into the house, clutching a beautifully wrapped gift under her arm. PP3 trotted in behind her, his leash dragging along the floor.

  “I hope it isn’t too early.” Alec ducked as he entered the cottage. His lips curved into a smile when he noticed me in a robe with my special brand of bed hair. “I can see that I should have waited another half an hour.”

  I ran my fingers through my hair in a lame attempt to tame the runaways. “We’re presentable-ish. Come on in.”

  “I thought it best to stop by on my way to the office and be the first to wish Miss Marley the happiest of birthdays.”

  “You’re the second,” I pointed out.

  Alec inclined his head. “Yes, of course.” His gaze swept the room, as though looking for someone else. Interesting. Did he worry that the sheriff would be here?

  “Can I open it now, Mom?” Marley asked. “Please?”

  “Yes, but only because Alec is here,” I said.

  Marley tore off the paper and gasped when she saw Alec’s latest book. “Is it for sale yet?” she asked. “Is this an early copy?”

  “It is,” he replied, “but there’s something even better. Open it.”

  Marley flipped through the pages until she reached the dedication. Her eyes popped when she saw her name. She looked up at Alec, her blue eyes shining. “You dedicated the book to me?”

  He ruffled her dark hair. “My number one fan? Of course, why wouldn’t I?”

  Marley clutched the book to her chest. “This is the most amazing present ever. Thank you so much.”

  “I hope you love the book,” Alec said. “There’s a strong female heroine in there and I think you’ll appreciate her.”

  “Like me?” she asked.

  Alec gave me a quick look. “And your mom.”

  Marley laughed. “Well, duh. Where do you think I get it?” She rushed over to the vampire and threw her arms around him. “I love it, Alec. It’s the best gift ever.”

  He stroked the back of her head and I felt my chest tighten at the sight. For whatever reason, Alec was like the surrogate father that Marley had been missing. Although I knew Marley liked the sheriff, I also knew that she had a special place in her heart for the stoic vampire. And Marley had impeccable judgment when it came to people—and paranormals. If only Alec displayed the same openness with me that he did with my daughter.

  But he didn’t. Or wouldn’t.

  “How’s Holly?” Marley asked. “She didn’t want to come with you?”

  “As I said, I’m on my way into the office,” Alec said uneasily. I didn’t need to be a crackerjack reporter to know there was a story buried in that sentence.

  “Your home away from home,” I said.

  He shifted his attention to me. “How is your progress with the article on the Rollins-Mahoney murder? I imagine your…access to the sheriff is helpful in this matter.”

  “It’s coming along,” I said. “The article, not the access. Well, I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t access, but….”

  Alec held up a hand. “No need to elaborate, Miss Rose. I shall leave you both to your morning ritual.”

  “I can’t wait to read this,” Marley said, hugging the book. “It’ll have to wait until after my sleepover, though. The other girls probably won’t like it if I hide in my room and read while they’re here.”

  I patted her head. “You’re learning, my little bookworm.”

  Alec strode to the door. “I look forward to hearing all about the party. I have no doubt the event will be a complete success.”

  I was glad one of us believed that. With me in charge and Marley’s magic on the line, I wasn’t convinced.

  “That was really thoughtful of him, don’t you think?” Marley followed me into the kitchen where I jumped into action on the breakfast front.

  “Yes, it was,” I said. “You’re lucky that he has such great affection for you. He’s not like that with many others.”

  “It’s because of the way he feels about you, Mom,” Marley said. She sat at the small kitchen table and opened the book. “He’d never have taken such an interest in me if he didn’t have feelings for you.”

  A lump formed in my throat. “Don’t be silly, sweetheart. You’re a special little girl and Alec is smart enough to recognize that. It has nothing to do with me.”

  “He’d make an awesome stepdad,” Marley said with a sigh. “It’s too bad Holly doesn’t have kids.”

  “Well, it’s possible he and Holly will have kids of their own eventually.” Hearing the words aloud, even from my own mouth, made my stomach turn. I knew it was irrational, but it served no purpose to deny that I felt that way. At least to myself.

  “I’m not so sure,” Marley said. “I think they’re having issues.”

  “Issues?” I repeated. I couldn’t help but smile at Marley’s adult vernacular sometimes.

  “Couldn’t you tell?” Marley asked. She skimmed a few pages of the book. “You should read this mom. I think his main character’s love interest is based on you.”

  “What makes you say that?” I walked around the counter to peer over shoulder.

  “For starters, she matches your physical description,” Marley said. “Dark hair, light eyes, expressive face.”

  “T
hat could be anyone,” I said.

  “Oh, look.” Marley giggled. “She’s prone to using inappropriate language. That’s definitely you.”

  “Mother of….” I snatched the book from her hands and continued to read the description of the D’handra, the mysterious woman from another land that enters the protagonist’s life.

  “See?” Marley said, satisfied. “Totally you.”

  I handed the book back to her. I didn’t have time to get caught up in a fantasy world right now. “I’ll read it after you. No spoilers.” Knowing Alec, he probably kills her off by the end and has the protagonist marry some milquetoast nymph with big boobs named Lolly.

  “What time did you say I’d come into my magic?” Marley asked.

  I pulled a face. “Nice try.” I needed to hurry or Marley wasn’t going to have time to eat before school. “I’m saving my magical breakfast skills for tomorrow morning when your friends are here.”

  “Don’t worry, Mom. I warned my friends not to expect anything fancy. I know your culinary skills are limited, even with magic.”

  “Gee, thanks,” I replied. I went to the pantry and pulled out the present I’d carefully hidden there. Marley was an excellent snoop, so I’d had to find somewhere clever to hide her birthday gift.

  Marley held out her hands in a gesture that reminded me of when she was a toddler. Instead of handing over the present, I slipped in for a hug. “I love you, birthday girl.”

  She planted a wet kiss on my cheek. “I love you, too.” She wiggled her fingers against my back. “Now grabby hands want present.”

  I released her and gave her the gift. I watched her unwrap it, unsure how’d she react to what was inside. She pulled out the beautiful ivory picture frame and examined the photograph of the woman cradling an infant.

  “Is that you and baby me?” she asked.

  “No, that’s one of the few photos of my mother with me before she died,” I said. “I thought you’d like to have it.” I swallowed hard. I hadn’t expected to feel so emotional about it.

  Marley traced my mother’s outline with her finger. “She’s so pretty. No wonder we don’t look like Roses. We look like her.”

  I snaked an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. “We do.” Although my mother didn’t have the ethereal beauty of my cousins, she had a beauty that was all her own. “I think we would’ve liked her a lot, too.”