Desert Magick: Phoenix Lights

by Dana Davis

  Paul shook his head. “No. If he wanted me, he would have appeared to me.” He sounded just a tiny bit jealous.

  And why shouldn’t he be? I probably would be if some awesome Irish ancestor skipped me and went for somebody who didn’t even have a Celtic hair on her head. “I’m sorry, Paul. I have no idea why he came to me.” She crunched her nose in thought. “Have you heard about the hitchhiker?”

  “Daisy.” Bridgette frowned at her.

  “What? He’s a paranormal. And he’s a friend.”

  “Oh, right. I forgot we’re actually telling people about your stalkers now.”

  Paul paled again. “You have a hitchhiker after you? You’re just full of surprises.”

  He sounds like Bridgette. “Yeah, well, I’m awesome that way. Tell your council, or whoever you need to. I don’t want anyone else killed.”

  “It’s taking people already?” He uttered what sounded like a curse. “When did this start?”

  “Well, I kinda brought it back with me from the afterlife. I’m a medium now.”

  “The afterli – a mediu – you know what?” He gave a frantic wave and a look that Daisy interpreted as fear. “I don’t want to know any more details. I’ll let my people know about this hitchhiker. I let you have pictures of that map. And I’ll call you if I hear anything about Becky. But I’d appreciate it if you didn’t stop by here again for a while.” He looked genuinely scared now.

  “Paul?”

  “I’m sorry. I let you off when you took my Kachina. You did us a huge favor by defeating that skinwalker and I’m grateful I could help. But it came here for you, Daisy. And you went into the Superstition Mountains to defeat it. I read the news article. I know you were there. I know that’s where it happened. And now you tell me you’re a medium, you’ve been to the afterlife, and you’re the reason a hitchhiker’s here. I may not be as devout an Indian as my grandmother but I grew up listening to her warnings about the Superstitions. About the ancient evil spirit that lives in those mountains.”

  “Wait. You think I’m possessed?” She knew darn well the Kachina that had helped to save her life guarded those mountains now. She’d seen it with her own eyes after she defeated the skinwalker. After Wil Miller died. And it wasn’t evil. But maybe it’s guarding against more than just a skinwalker.

  “Possession? No, of course not. I’m an educated man. But I’m also a paranormal and part Indian. I think something you’ve done, or maybe someplace you’ve been, makes you attractive to dark spirits. Dangerous spirits.”

  “So, you want me to stay away from you? From the museum?”

  “I’m sorry but yes. At least until this hitchhiker’s gone.”

  Bridgette moved forward and sneered at Paul. She had a couple of inches height on him. “Daisy has risked her life to help others. I oughta put a spell on you, you ungrateful pri—”

  “Bridge. It’s okay.” He’s scared. “But what about the Hohokam spirit, Paul? Do you think he’s evil too?”

  “No. I think he’s trying to help you. I don’t know why. Maybe he’s doing it to protect the O’odham people. My people. His descendants. And I have to do the same. We have kids that come here, Daisy. My own spend a lot of time here. I have responsibilities.” He scrubbed a hand over his head. “Look, I’ll be happy to talk to you on the phone, help you get information. But I think it’d be best if you stayed away from here. For now anyway.” With a miserable look on his face, Paul opened the door to his office and a cool breeze entered from the hallway. “I’m sorry, Daisy.”

  A figure outlined in black hurried past the doorway. Well, he’s right about spirits being attracted to me. I just hope he’s wrong about dark ones. “It’s okay. I understand.” He’s scared. That’s all. He’s protecting his kids, his family. She forced a smile, hoping it would help push away the feeling of rejection. It didn’t work. Is this why mediums hide away from people?

  Bridgette studied her but didn’t say anything. The fire in those green eyes told Daisy they better leave before her cousin decided to go through with that threat to put a spell on Paul. Bridgette had always been overprotective when it came to Daisy. Even as kids.

  “You can go out that way if you want.” Paul pointed to the employee exit at the end of the hallway. The closest exit.

  Boy, he really wants me gone. Daisy led the other two women down the hall and realized this was the same door she, Noah and Bridgette had broken into several months ago to get the Kachina.

  Once outside, she pulled sunglasses from her purse and shoved them onto her face. “That went well.” She took quick steps around the building and headed for the parking lot.

  Bridgette made a rude noise. “I could turn him into something for you.”

  She chuckled. Despite what movies and TV showed about witches, they couldn’t turn people into other objects, living or otherwise. Glamour spells, sure. But that was just magickal makeup to help someone appear different. “That’s what I love about you, Bridge. So darn subtle.”

  As they walked toward Bridgette’s convertible, a sudden thought slammed into Daisy’s brain. She stepped beneath one of the groomed palo verde trees that dotted the parking lot, pulled out her phone, and studied the photos of Paul’s map. At least he let me take pictures.

  “What’s wrong?”

  She glanced at her cousin. “Something Paul said. About crop circles.”

  Bridgette’s brows climbed above her sunglasses. “Aliens? Really? I think you must’ve hit your head when you fainted that last time.”

  Scarlet chuckled. “I always knew you were a crazy witch, Daisy.”

  “Ha-ha. Not aliens. Mazes. Halloween was just a few days ago, remember? Ever seen those ads for corn mazes? Some of them look—”

  “ – just like that spiral on your rock,” Bridgette finished.

  “Exactly. Let’s get to a coffeehouse. I need caffeine and wi-fi. I’d bet my best vintage piece there’s a spiral maze around here someplace.” Let’s just hope my instincts pay off on this one.

  Back to Top

  * * * *

  Chapter 23

  Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?

  Bridgette pulled into a parking lot with a metal building that advertised Genuine Corn Maze - Best in the West and took a spot closest to the entrance.

  Well done, Daisy. Her cousin’s hunch had paid off, and the drive here took about fifteen minutes from the coffee shop they’d stopped at earlier. We might not find a fucking thing here but I’ll be damned if I’ll stop her from trying. Even if it means stomping around in a dirty, corn maze. It’s the least I can do after she saved Liam. She wondered what would happen now that his medium powers had returned. It was because of those powers that he’d gotten stuck in a semi-comatose state for twenty-two years. She’d spoken with Hattie this morning. The woman had a medium working with Liam now. And thanks to Daisy, he might just have a chance at a normal life now. She didn’t do it alone, you big stupid witch.

  Guilt bubbled up and Bridgette eyed Scarlet. “Hey, about last night—”

  The medium waved a dismissive hand. “Forget it. You were worried about your friend. I would’ve been edgy too. So don’t go and get all mushy on me.”

  “Thanks.” But she still felt guilty about threatening Scarlet. Well, I’ll make it up to her.

  They waited while Daisy spoke with Noah on the phone, assuring him they were all okay, before piling out of the car.

  As they crossed to the entrance, Daisy pulled out her wallet and Bridgette tapped her arm. “Put your money away. I’m getting this.” Daisy had paid for the museum and Scarlet had bought them each a large mocha. “It’s my turn.”

  “But you’re driving, Bridge?”

  She smiled. “Then that means I’m in charge.” She grinned harder when Daisy smacked her arm.

  A stocky middle-aged man sat near the entrance gate in one of those folding camp chairs. The sign hanging on the booth next to him listed the prices.

  The man stood, one hand in a pocket his overalls. “We
lcome, ladies. The maze is half-price now. Corn’s dying off so it’s not as challenging.”

  “Even better,” Bridgette uttered as she pulled cash from her pocket. Though she had enough inheritance to last the rest of her life, and more, she loved a bargain.

  After she paid the man, he opened the gate for them. “If you get lost, just yell. Someone will find you. Eventually.” He offered a broad smile.

  Bet he uses that line every damn Halloween. The three of them chuckled politely then headed across the rocky dirt. Glad I didn’t wear heels today. She’d learned that when it came to these kinds of searches, they could end up anywhere, so she’d put on a jeans and boots just in case. Daisy and Scarlet were dressed in a similar fashion and the three of them looked like any ordinary trio of Valley women on an outing.

  A sign stuck in the ground announced the start of the maze, black letters standing out against a pale orange background. The wide path allowed the three of them to walk side by side. A good number of the stalks grew as tall as a house and the large leaves were mostly yellow now, some crunching under their feet.

  Bridgette eyed Daisy, who pulled out the petroglyph rock as they walked. “So, what do we do now?”

  Daisy shrugged. “Hell if I know. I came up with the maze idea. Your turn. Or how about you, Scarlet?”

  “Don’t look at me. I’m a medium, not an archaeologist.” Scarlet flipped a large leaf away from her face. “Or a farmer.”

  “At least there aren’t any ghosts here.”

  Scarlet stopped and faced Daisy. “You just had to say it, didn’t you?”

  “Why? Is that an afterlife jinx?”

  “I hope not.”

  A tiny surge of jealousy bubbled up and Bridgette stomped it out. Scarlet’s not replacing you, idiot. Daisy will always be your cousin. And she’ll always be like a sister. But she needs more help than you can give her now. “Why don’t we just walk the damn maze and see what happens? I’d like to get back to Jay before winter solstice.”

  Daisy smirked. “Someone’s got her panties in a knot.”

  “Damn right. And they’ll stay that way until we find this fucking hitchhiker.” Bridgette let a chink out of her mental wall to open her telepathic senses as they started moving again. “I’m going to eavesdrop now so keep your thoughts clean.” She smirked as sexual thoughts filtered in from both Daisy and Scarlet. Works every time.

  Daisy, used to Bridgette’s sense of humor, ignored her, but Scarlet let out a grunt of frustration. “Thanks, witch. I don’t have a man right now so remind me to pay you back someday.”

  “Hey, what’s the point of having telepathic abilities if I can’t have some fun once in a while?”

  “Quit it, you two.” Daisy led them a few more feet and followed a curve to the right. Dead-end. “Nothing here. Bridge?”

  “I’m not sensing anything unusual. Except for some very interesting thoughts coming from you two.” That was a lie but it got Scarlet thinking about sex again.

  The medium grunted. “You just wait, witch. I’m gonna find the most annoying ghost I can and send him to your house.”

  “Hey, good idea.” She smirked at Scarlet’s confused look. “Maybe that’ll scare my mom and send her back to Sedona where she belongs.”

  Daisy turned to her. “You’re terrible, Bridge.” She held the petroglyph rock out in front of her as they continued to walk through the maze.

  Bridgette snickered. When her cousin gave her an inquisitive look, she pointed at the rock. “Nice tricorder you’ve got there.” Daisy gave her a look of mild shock. “What? Surprised I know a Star Trek reference?”

  “No. I’m surprised you’d admit it.”

  Bridgette flicked a hand. “Had a boyfriend who liked the show. And before you ask, I was only with him because he was good in bed. Had really big feet.”

  Daisy shook her head and snickered.

  Scarlet, who started thinking about sex again, gave a snort. “You’re incorrigible.” But the corners of those pink lips turned up.

  “Maybe. But I have a hell of a good time.” Satisfied with the familiar banter that lightened the mood, Bridgette relaxed a little, the tension seeping out of her shoulders.

  As they followed another curve, dead leaves crunching under their feet, a cloud drifted across the sun and the air cooled immediately. She took in a deep breath. I love this time of year. With her gaze turned up, she didn’t see Daisy stop, and she bumped into her cousin’s arm. “What is it?”

  “Not sure. Hold on.” Daisy backtracked a few steps. “I thought I felt this get warmer.”

  “It’s a rock.”

  “Really? Thanks for the science lesson, Bridge.”

  She grinned. “I’m here to help.” She studied Daisy’s worried face. “Seriously, it got warmer?”

  “I think so. I don’t know. Maybe it’s just warm from my hand.”

  At this close range, Bridgette caught Daisy’s thoughts without effort. Her cousin remembered what Paul said about waiting for an alien ship, and as hard as she fought not to do it, Daisy glanced up.

  Bridgette laughed. “This isn’t a crop circle, Daisy. But if you see a little green man, ask him to give us a lift back to the parking lot. This is too much like hiking for my taste.”

  “Bite me. And get out of my head.”

  Scarlet eyed the two of them but her face gave nothing away. Bridgette could read only surface thoughts from her most of the time. And nothing at all when Scarlet thought about secret medium crap. Same with Daisy, for that matter.

  Bridgette nudged her cousin. “If you’re done looking for aliens, let’s keep walking.” She chuckled when Daisy grunted at her. “Cranky.”

  The three of them had just rounded another curve in the maze, when Daisy and Scarlet stopped short. They both seemed to be looking in the same direction. Bridgette saw only corn stalks but her senses picked up a presence. No thoughts, just heaviness in her mind, almost like a headache coming on, that let her know someone dead was near.

  Fucking ghosts. She crossed her arms and raised a brow at her cousin. “Who is it?”

  Before Daisy could answer, the corn rustled. Bridgette didn’t see anything, but it must have whizzed off into the corn on the other side because the stalks moved too much for the amount of breeze they were having.

  “Okay, who the hell was that?” From the pressure Bridgette felt against her mind when it was near her, it had to be a ghost of some type.

  “Another shadow spirit?” Daisy said as she focused on Scarlet.

  “Very good.”

  “Shadows and ghosts and orbs, oh my.” Daisy pursed her lips and Bridgette could tell she was frowning, even behind her sunglasses. “Where are poppy fields when you need them?”

  That made Bridgette think of something, though she didn’t know if Scarlet could tell her the answer. “That reminds me. You said orbs are rare, right? And they avoid the living?”

  The medium studied her. “Yes.”

  “But when we were doing research a while back, I saw a website with orb photos. Lots of them. Didn’t look like they were avoiding the living to me.”

  Scarlet waved a dismissive hand. “Those aren’t the real deal. Some mortals are so desperate to see ghosts, they cry orb at every dust particle that lights up in a picture.” She sniffed. “Just as well, I guess. All that attention on fake orbs tends to put them low on mortals’ radar. Which is good news for us mediums, since we’re the only living people true orbs tend to show up around.”

  Bridgette narrowed eyes on Scarlet. “I saw that one in the McDowells and I’m not a medium.”

  “Of course. They’re not invisible. Even mortals can see orb spirits on rare occasions when they do show up. And you’re with two wicked-ass mediums so you might want to buckle up, witch.”

  “Wow, an actual humorous comment from the great Scarlet Mendoza. Maybe these shadow thingies are telling us it’s the end of days.”

  “Oh, quit goofing around, Bridge.” Daisy smiled, pushed her sunglasses higher o
n her nose and turned to Scarlet. “Can orbs communicate with you? With us, I mean?”

  “Not in that form.”

  “Oh. And what about this shadow spirit? Why do you think it – he – she – whatever – why did it come here to a corn maze?” Daisy held up a hand. “Wait. Don’t tell me. My new powers attract them.”

  “You’re learning.” Those pink lips pursed in thought and Bridgette wished she could get more with her telepathy. “I’d love to get an aura reader to take a look at you, Daisy. He might be able to tell us more about your powers. Or at least, how much you’re connected to the afterlife.”

  Bridgette’s heart did a flip. “What? You mean she’s still connected?” A disturbing vision of Liam in his semi-comatose state popped into her head. He’d been connected to the afterlife for twenty-two years. And that seriously fucked him up.

  “Not the way you’re probably thinking, Bridgette. Liam was a rare case. The more powerful a medium, the easier it is for her to connect to the afterlife. An aura reader can sometimes see that power.”

  “But mine is—” Daisy made a face and grunted. “I mean I saw – damnit. Sorry, Bridge. Guess I can’t talk about it in front of you.” She looked as frustrated as Bridgette felt about this new limited communication between them, and her cousin’s thoughts reflecting those feelings. “Okay, Scarlet. I’d be happy to see this aura reader. Can we go today?”

  “I’d have to call. If he’s not busy, he might see us today.” Something in her tone suggested more to that statement, but Bridgette couldn’t receive any thoughts from the medium just now. When Scarlet tugged at her sleeves, Bridgette remembered the old scars on the medium’s wrists.

  As long as I’ve known her, she’s worn long sleeves to hide those scars. I sure hope Daisy’s strong enough to handle these new powers.

  “You’re a powerful medium, Daisy.” Scarlet’s voice brought Bridgette from her thoughts. “But you’re very green. I think that combination, plus the fact that the hitchhiker followed you from the afterlife, is why it’s so attracted to you. Normally, they avoid us, so I really didn’t think you’d be in danger. I’m sorry I was wrong.”