Curse of the Witch

by K E O'Connor

  “Will there be a masseuse on board?” Lila asked.

  “Of course. You can hire one for your exclusive use. Some gorgeous guy can be on hand to give you a brisk rub down whenever you fancy.”

  “We should go on a year-long cruise.” Auntie Queenie’s eyes sparkled.

  “I don’t think Uncle Kenny can spare you for a whole year,” I said.

  She pursed her lips. “I would miss him if I was away for a whole year. We can start with three months. He’ll enjoy a break from me. He always says I snore too loudly. He can catch up on his beauty sleep while we have an adventure at sea.”

  The women gathered together and continued talking about how they’d spend their windfall.

  I shook my head and smiled as I listened to them. Something good had come out of this. The killer had been found, people I cared about who’d been mistreated by the Magic Council would get some comfort, and we knew what had happened to Caprice and Bastille.

  My work was done. I’d have to look into having my own holiday. I needed it after this adventure.

  Chapter 22

  Three days had passed since Esmeralda’s arrest for the murder of Caprice and Bastille. Willow Tree Falls felt back to normal.

  I stood in the family cemetery with everyone. Lila and Samantha were also there, dressed in black, a red and white rose in each hand.

  Two ornately carved, white marble plaques were on the ground in front of us. They commemorated the deaths of Caprice Gray and Bastille Drew.

  Auntie Queenie wiped a tear from her cheek. “They were great girls.”

  “The best in the gang,” Samantha said.

  “Caprice always let me borrow her designer boots,” Lila said. “She didn’t even mind when I broke the heel on the last pair. She was so generous.”

  Mom patted Auntie Queenie’s arm. “You girls had a great time together. Remember the good times. Remember sharing fun and laughter and all the adventures you had.”

  “We did have amazing times,” Auntie Queenie said. “I remember when Caprice stole a bike from a rival gang. She rode it around the village dressed in shiny red hot pants and a bikini top while they chased her. She kept throwing fireballs over her shoulder, not really caring what she hit. She rode through the barrier and out of Willow Tree Falls. She didn’t come back for eight days. When she did, the bike had done over ten thousand miles. She said she’d just rode for hours, only stopping to refuel and hang out with cute guys.”

  “What about the time Bastille stole the gargoyle from outside the mayor’s house?” Samantha said.

  “Bastille did that?” My eyes widened. “She always seemed so sensible.”

  Auntie Queenie grinned. “Still waters run deep. She had a naughty side.”

  “That thing was heavy,” Samantha said. “The gargoyle weighed more than I do. Someone challenged her that she’d never get the gargoyle without being seen.”

  “Bastille never said anything, didn’t even confirm she’d accepted the challenge,” Lila said. “But she had this sly smile, and you knew something devious was going on inside her head.”

  “I remember,” Auntie Queenie said with a chuckle. “A week later, the gargoyle was gone and had been replaced by that hideous stuffed cat the mayor kept in his front window. The one with a missing eye and mangy fur.”

  Lila laughed. “The mayor was furious that someone broke into his house and stole his beloved stuffed cat. He didn’t care about the gargoyle. All he wanted to know was who stole Fluffy.”

  “And where did the gargoyle magically reappear?” Auntie Queenie asked.

  “In the mayor’s toilet,” Lila and Samantha said at the same time before laughing.

  I smiled as I watched Auntie Queenie and her friends reminisce. They had lovely memories of their old friends. Bastille and Caprice would never be forgotten.

  “Come on. I’ve got the food set up in the crypt,” Mom said. “We can toast a farewell to Bastille and Caprice.”

  Auntie Queenie, Samantha, and Lila remained by the plaques as they placed their flowers and said their goodbyes, while the rest of us gave them privacy.

  I wandered along next to Granny Dottie and Grandpa Lucius, looking forward to the feast Mom had prepared.

  “I heard a rumor,” Granny Dottie said, “about our mysterious assassin.”

  I slowed and looked at her. It was no secret that the angels had taken both Daisy and Esmeralda into custody when they’d arrived at the stone circle. “Do you know who she is?”

  “No, she remains a mystery, and she’ll continue to do so. I was getting coffee before coming here with your grandpa, and Brogan told me the assassin has vanished.”

  I grabbed her arm. “The angels let her go?” It would be just like them to make some blunder and release a paid assassin onto the streets.

  “Oh no, they didn’t let her go. She vanished. She was in a locked cell, and the next morning, there was no sign of her. The door was locked, and there was no window to get out of.”

  “The Magic Council,” I hissed. “Daisy was so smug when she said there’d be no record of her.”

  Granny Dottie patted my hand. “It sounds like she was only interested in fulfilling her agreement with the Magic Council. Esmeralda’s locked up and out of the way, so she’s no longer considered a problem. And from what Brogan overheard from the angels, Esmeralda is raging about the Council trying to kill her. They think she’s attempting to fake insanity, so she gets a lighter sentence. No one believes her.”

  I felt a slither of sympathy for Esmeralda. She was dying and had lost sight of what was important. She’d put her own temporary happiness in front of her friends. But she’d gotten what she deserved and would never get out of prison.

  Granny Dottie glanced over my shoulder and winked at me. “I’ll see you inside the crypt.” She hurried away with Grandpa Lucius.

  I turned and saw Rhett heading toward me, a smile on his face.

  He placed a lingering kiss on my cheek. “I heard you were having a party.”

  “It’s a sort of party. Auntie Queenie and her friends are remembering those they’ve lost. I have a feeling it’s about to get rowdy now that the sad part is over. Caprice and Bastille did love a good knees-up, so it’s only right we send them off in style. You’re welcome to join us.”

  Rhett wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Lead the way. They may have been in a rival gang, but we always honor the fallen.”

  For a shady, fallen angel, Rhett was pretty decent. I snuggled against him. It felt good not to fight my attraction for him. We were official, and I was proud to call him my guy.

  As we walked into the crypt, Auntie Queenie, Lila, and Samantha followed us in.

  Auntie Queenie made for the full champagne flutes and passed two glasses to me and Rhett. “Here you go, you two lovebirds. Drink up. We’ve got lots to get through. We’ve already started spending our money.”

  “You haven’t had your payout yet,” I said as I accepted a glass. “What if the Magic Council changes their mind?”

  Auntie Queenie’s eyes twinkled. “As if they’d dare. I’ll set you on them if they do.” She grinned at Rhett and patted his cheek. “Such a handsome young man.” She hurried to the food-laden table where Wiggles was lurking.

  “What’s this about money?” Rhett asked.

  “It’s a long story,” I said. “I’ll tell you about it later.”

  He smiled down at me. “I look forward to it.”

  “Sorry I’m late.” Aurora hurried through the door of the crypt. “I got caught up arranging... something.”

  I wasn’t sure how to behave around Aurora. We’d not spoken since she’d thrown me and Wiggles out of her store.

  Aurora grinned before beckoning at the door. Toby Matlock stepped through, dressed in a long dark purple velvet overcoat, a smile on his face.

  “Whatever’s this?” Auntie Queenie walked over. Her expression was one of suspicion as she peered at Toby. “What brings you here?”

  “Queenie, always a
pleasure.” Toby bowed.

  “Stop all that groveling nonsense. What are you doing with Aurora? This is a family party. A private celebration to remember fallen friends.”

  Toby’s gaze cut to Rhett. “Aurora invited me.”

  “Aurora! I didn’t realize you were friends with Toby.” From the tone of Auntie Queenie’s voice, she wasn’t happy to see him. I couldn’t say I was all that thrilled either, and the worrying way Aurora bounced on her toes made me realize she had something big planned.

  “I wanted to bring you happy news,” Aurora said. “I know everyone is sad about what happened to Caprice and Bastille.”

  “What happy news have you got to tell us?” Auntie Queenie continued to glare at Toby.

  “What is it, Aurora?” Mom hurried over, followed by everyone else.

  Aurora grabbed Toby’s hand and smiled up at him. “I wanted you all to know that we’re getting married.”

  The crypt erupted into chaos. Everyone talked at once, flapping around Aurora and Toby and asking dozens of questions.

  Aurora smiled and blushed and gazed up at Toby.

  I backed away a few steps. I wasn’t happy about the news, but I wasn’t surprised. Toby had been trying to convince Aurora to move in with him, and it looked like he’d taken the next step by putting a ring on her finger.

  I glanced at her engagement ring finger, and my jaw dropped. She wore an enormous diamond set on a platinum band. It must have cost my annual salary and then some.

  “Did you know about this?” Rhett whispered in my ear.

  “I knew they were seeing each other.” I tugged him away from the chaotic babble. “I had no idea about this marriage proposal.”

  “Toby Matlock is sly,” Rhett said. “I know you think I’m shady, but that guy has some dubious history. How do they know each other?”

  “That’s another long story.” I looked around at my family. Everyone was talking over each other, and Aurora’s cheeks were bright pink, while Toby stood beside her, one arm clamped around her shoulders and his teeth gritted in a smile.

  It looked like they’d be grilled for hours over this surprise announcement.

  I beckoned Wiggles away from the food table and backed out of the crypt, taking Rhett with me. I couldn’t deal with this today. I wasn’t going to stick around and watch Aurora be quizzed about her inappropriate fiancé and how happy he made her. Their relationship didn’t make me happy, but I’d already put my foot in it with Aurora and wasn’t sure how to fix things.

  Once we were safely away from the crypt, I looked up at Rhett. “How about that date we keep postponing? Just you and me.”

  “And me,” Wiggles said. “I’m not hanging out with that smug, velvet covered lothario, even though the food is amazing.”

  Rhett grinned at Wiggles. “That’s fine by me.”

  Wiggles nodded. “I like you. You don’t have ridiculous facial hair.”

  “You don’t want to see me grow a beard?”

  “No beard!” I said. “I don’t want my chin sandpapered every time I do this.” I kissed his lips.

  “No problem. The beard will never happen.” His grip tightened around my shoulders. “What have you got in mind for our date?”

  I glanced back at the crypt and winced as someone squealed. “Something quiet. Something where we can hear ourselves think.”

  “And somewhere that serves great food,” Wiggles said.

  Rhett kissed my cheek and pulled me close. “That sounds perfect. And you can tell me about your adventures in the stone circle with an assassin and why your sister is marrying Toby Matlock.”

  I shook my head. “That’s a puzzle I’ve yet to solve.” I would, but it was a puzzle to mull over another day.

  Willow Tree Falls was safe. Esmeralda couldn’t harm anyone else, and Auntie Queenie and her gang would have plenty of fun spending their money.

  I took Rhett’s arm as we headed out of the cemetery gates.

  Right now, it was time to hang out with my two favorite guys and have some fun of our own.

  Investigate more cozy mysteries by K.E. O’Connor:

  Crypt Witch cozy paranormal mystery series – continue your magical adventure in the world of Willow Tree Falls. There’s usually a murder or two, plenty of magic, and a greedy hellhound to keep you entertained.

  Luck of the Witch

  Hell of a Witch

  Revenge of the Witch

  Lorna Shadow - cozy ghost mysteries, with cute pets, lots of treats, and a great puzzle to solve

  Ghostly Manners

  Ghostly Secrets

  Ghostly Games

  Ghostly Affairs

  Ghostly Business

  Ghostly Rules

  Ghostly Waves

  Ghostly Play

  Ghostly Proposal

  Ghostly Vows

  Ghostly Fright

  Old Sarum - cozy witch mysteries set in the magical place of Old Sarum. Meet the feisty Thornheart sisters as they battle magic and try to break a curse that stops them from finding true love.

  Witch Kissed

  Witch Rose

  Witch Guy

  Zee Town - cozy paranormal mysteries in a beautiful seaside setting. Meet Cassie March and Stool the dog. Zee Town is not what it seems, and with mysteries and murders taking place, Cassie has a tough job on her hands. Zombies do feature in these books, but they’re nothing like you’ve met before (you might even want your own pet zombie after reading these!)

  Zombie Tails

  Zombie Daze

  Hearts & Zombies

  Zombie Fling

  Candyfloss & Zombies