“The second-in-command didn’t give up trying for peace. But then, around a hundred fifty years ago, he was ordered to kill people who had fallen in love. Instead of the truth, the second-in-command was told they had made an attack on Alexander’s life. When he went to kill the pair, he discovered their only sin was falling in love. The killing was in retaliation for the man’s refusal to follow Alexander’s order to kill all Claritase mistresses, including the woman he loved. The second-in-command also discovered a male infant that the couple was fiercely protecting. Instead of killing them, he warned the couple of Alexander’s orders and went into exile, knowing Alexander would send hunters after him for his rebellion. But a hunter didn’t find the second-in-command when he went into hiding, it was the elders who had escaped when Alexander attacked Grand Mistress Helena that found him. They wanted peace and knew Alexander wouldn’t give up the power to achieve it. Do you know what they told him?”
Zoey shook her head. She was too nervous to say anything. She was scared she’d already put them all at risk by even hinting that she knew about the Claritase and Tenebris.
“They told him of a prophecy Grand Mistress Helena proclaimed as she lay dying while the battle raged around them—a prophecy that involved a powerful Tenebris master leaving the community to lead a rebellion against their Grand Master. The master would be powerful, cunning, and deadly. He would wander the earth dispensing justice for those who took from the Goddess’s creation until one day he would meet his equal in a Claritase mistress. An equal in his intelligence and cunning, but who would be more powerful than he. And only together could they defeat the Grand Master.”
Zoey’s breathing picked up as the necklace sent soothing warmth through her in a calming manner. She knew he spoke the truth. She heard it in his voice. The way it rang with truth throughout her entire body. But something still bugged her. “Could you explain something for me?”
“Of course,” Slade said seemingly relieved.
“You’ll have to excuse my lack of knowledge on witches. I learned from watching TV shows and movies. But how did a prophecy suddenly appear and aren’t there supposed to be high priests or warlocks or . . . I don’t know, covens? I don’t fully understand how this all works.”
“A prophecy from the Goddess is passed down to a Grand Master or Grand Mistress upon their death. That’s where this prophecy came from—Grand Mistress Helena’s death. Terminology has changed over the eons. It’s just like any other part of history. Stories become legends. Legends become myths. Small variations in each generation’s tale change little details, but the overall theme remains the same. Some people might have a distant witch in their heritage and some just like the idea of it and practice some kind of witchcraft. It doesn’t make their beliefs wrong, it just makes them different. We’re not in a position to correct them on the origins and as long as they are practicing for the good of people. And yes, the Goddess created us—both the Tenebris and the Claritase—to do good. We heal and protect. We are not meant to kill. Sadly, killing has become normal for me over the years.”
“I shouldn’t be surprised you’ve killed people, but I think I want to go now.” Zoey moved to get up, but Slade held her hand preventing her from leaving the table.
“I’ve only killed bad people, Zoey. I think you can guess I was the second-in-command to Alexander. I left and have been working in exile with a secret group of elders to protect as many witches as possible. They’ve taken the young Tenebris who were children at the time of the war and hidden them, along with the original library of the Tenebris. That library that holds the prophecy of Grand Mistress Helena’s final words. They’ve raised the young with the old values, and they’ve sent me to protect the Claritase. I hunt the hunters.” Slade swore with such sincerity and truth Zoey sat down without realizing it.
“Why are you in Moonshine?” Zoey asked as she held her breath, waiting for his answer as she ignored his probing of how she obtained her powers.
“I don’t know. I felt something shift a week before I arrived here. It drew me here just like it drew me to that necklace. The necklace has a stone of our people. It represents the Goddess. As soon as I touched it, I had a vision of you wearing it. And as soon as I arrived, I knew there were mistresses here. I could feel their power. I could also feel their fear. So I have been waiting and watching for a hunter to appear, because appear he will.”
“You okay, hun?”
Zoey shook her head as if coming out of a daze as the waitress set down food she hadn’t realized she’d ordered. “Um, yeah. Just hungry.”
“Well, I hope this is good. Your date ordered it for you. That’s so romantic.”
Zoey narrowed her eyes at Slade as the waitress hurried off to another table. “You ordered for me?”
“Out of respect. It’s an old custom my mother taught me. It was common to bring food as a gift to the woman you like. I thought you might like it since you are who you are now,” Slade said with confidence.
“Oh,” she said as the heat left her voice. Okay, that was really sweet.
Zoey turned and glanced at Agnes and Vilma who were openly staring with wonder as Slade brought her hand up to his lips. While the two women stared, Matthew sighed and fell back against his chair with a sound of utter boredom.
Zoey looked back to Slade as his warm lips brushed her skin. His eyes never left hers. Zoey didn’t know what to do as Slade released her hand. She looked down at the whiskey BBQ pork chop, salad, and cornbread as Slade began to eat his dinner.
“Why don’t you tell me about the boy sitting with Agnes and Vilma? Unless you want to tell me what happened to you?” Slade asked hopefully.
Zoey’s hand shook as she cut into her dinner. She decided to ignore the question about how she became what she was and instead talked about Matthew. “Hypothetically, if I saw a boy, his name would be Matthew Cohen. I found his body in the creek, and hypothetically, he wants me to take him to his parents.”
“You can see him and hear him . . . hypothetically?” Slade asked curiously.
“Yes, but you can too, right?”
Slade nodded as he took a bite of his food and studied her. “I’ll go with you to the parents’ house.”
10
Zoey almost dropped her fork. “Why go with me?”
“He mentioned smelling me. I just want to talk to him. He could have run across a hunter. And I like kids. I miss being around them.”
Zoey laughed and tried to hide it behind a cough. “You like kids?” She eyed the massive, muscled man who favored pleather for the ease of washing off blood.
“Yes. Is that so hard to believe? It’s one of the reasons I do what I do. So we can fill our schools again with new little masters and mistresses.”
Slade went back to eating and asking her questions ranging from her puppy to where she grew up. She knew he was angling for information, but right now he seemed to know way more about the status of things than she did. Was that the reason Grand Mistress Lauren was so adamant about her training? Did she know about this prophecy and think Zoey was the woman in it?
* * *
Slade placed money on the table, but before he could stand, Agnes and Vilma were at the table, smiling innocently at them.
“How was your date?” Agnes asked.
Matthew was wandering around the diner. Zoey and Slade watched him as he walked up to the waitress and poked her. His finger disappeared into her back and Matthew giggled as the waitress scratched her back where his finger was.
“Shouldn’t you stop him from doing that?” Slade asked as Agnes and Vilma shot looks at each other.
“Stop who from doing what?” Vilma asked.
“Stop Matthew from poking people,” Slade said as he laughed as Matthew poked Sheriff Weller in his potbelly.
Agnes and Vilma suddenly looked around, but they didn’t have the ability to see Matthew. They caught themselves and turned back to find Slade watching them intently.
“Interesting. Neither of you c
an see him, but Zoey can. That means she’s as powerful, or possibly stronger, than both of you.”
Agnes and Vilma dropped all innocent pretense and stood straight up. Agnes grabbed for Zoey and yanked her from the booth with surprising strength. “We won’t let you take her. You’ll have to go through both of us.”
“That didn’t work out so well for the last hunter that tried,” Vilma said with a massive power behind her voice.
“There was a hunter here?” Slade asked suddenly. “When? Who was it? What happened?”
“He’s gone and the same will happen to you if you try to steal our powers or hurt our Zoey,” Agnes threatened.
“He’s not here to take our powers. He’s here to protect us. He hunts the hunters,” Zoey said with a lowered voice. They were starting to draw attention. “Matthew! Stop that,” she hissed as Matthew tried to stick his head into a woman’s blouse.
Matthew rolled his eyes and wandered over to them. “Can we go see my parents now?”
“Yes,” Slade answered as he held out his hand. Matthew placed his hand in his and smiled up at Slade. “We need to have a nice chat.”
* * *
Agnes and Vilma flanked Zoey as they exited the diner. Zoey focused on how Slade moved into the entrance of the alley that ran along one side of the diner and bent down to Matthew’s level. He held both of Matthew’s hands in his and smiled kindly at the boy.
“What’s he doing?” Agnes whispered.
“He’s talking to Matthew. Come on,” Zoey said, rushing ahead of the women and stopping on the sidewalk so she could participate in the conversation.
Matthew was telling all he remembered about dying to Slade as they formed a wall to block Slade from passersby. “Zoey smelled him, and then she blacked out when she found me . . . um, my body.”
Slade looked worriedly at Zoey and then back to Matthew before placing his hand along Matthew’s cheek. “Close your eyes, Matthew. You can feel me right here, can’t you?”
Matthew nodded.
“Good. Know I’m here and you are safe. Now take a deep breath and pretend you’re above Moonshine Hollow, flying like an angel. Can you see us?”
Matthew smiled as he nodded. “I can see everything.”
“Fly to the creek. Fly to where you were playing. What were you doing?”
“I was on the rope swing. I knew I shouldn’t be there. I’m not supposed to go alone, but I did anyways.”
“Where you laughing? Can you see yourself swinging?” Slade asked calmly.
“Yes,” Matthew smiled again, but then his smile fell. “I stopped swinging, and I was looking for crawfish. I heard voices.”
“What were they saying?” Slade asked as Agnes’s and Vilma’s grip on Zoey’s hands tightened as Zoey whispered the conversation to them.
“I think there was one guy who worked for the other guy. The worker told the boss that he knew The One was here. Then the boss ordered him to kill The One. The boss man said . . . said, ‘Kill them all.’” Matthew started shaking from head to toe.
Slade’s hand tightened on Matthew’s. “You’re safe. I’m here. They can’t touch you again. What happened next?”
Matthew began to cry softly, and Slade wiped a tear from his little cheek. “I got scared and stumbled back. I remember a hand reaching down for me, and then I was pulled up. I couldn’t see their faces. They were wearing black hoodie jackets or something. The scariest one waved his hand at me, and I remember flying through the air. I don’t remember anything else until I woke up standing in the creek. I saw a bright light, and I followed it to Miss Mathers’s house and asked for help.”
Slade whipped his head toward Zoey and stared at her in wonder. “What did the men smell like?”
“Rotten eggs and boiled cabbage. They smelled like death,” Matthew whispered. “Can I see my parents now?”
“You did great, Matthew. Do you remember your parents?”
Matthew shook his head. “I know I have them, but so many things are fading . . . hard to remember. I just know I have to see them. They have to know I’m sorry.”
“What’s going on?”
Zoey turned her head to see Luke standing behind them, looking over her shoulder at Slade bent down in the ally.
“Just tying my shoe,” Slade muttered as he stood up.
“Um, okay?”
“But I’m glad we ran into you,” Slade said as he stepped forward enough to stand directly behind Zoey.
“You are?” everyone asked at once.
Slade smirked and Luke narrowed his eyes. “I think I know who hurt that boy. I’m sure you saw the papers I filed with your secretary, showing I’m a licensed bounty hunter and private investigator?” Luke gave a curt nod in reply. “I’m after a very bad man who has hurt several women in multiple states. I think it could have been him. He’s why I’m in Moonshine.”
Luke put his hands on his hips as he looked questioningly at Slade. “What’s his name?”
“I don’t know, but he’s five feet nine inches, black hair, dark brown almost black eyes. That’s all I have to go on. I’ve been following crimes that fit his MO.”
“How did you link him to Moonshine? We haven’t had any attacks on women here.” Luke was clearly not buying it.
Zoey’s mind raced as she tried to come up with an answer, but it was Agnes who cleared her throat and talked first. “That’s actually not true.”
Luke looked anxiously at her and Vilma. “You were attacked? Are you hurt? When did this happen? Why didn’t you call me?”
“We thought it was just someone trying to come into the house. We weren’t hurt or anything, but we’re on this old lady group on the Internet and posted about it. Mr. Slade here replied and asked us what the man looked like and a couple days later showed up to see if it was the same man he’s pursuing,” Agnes explained.
“And since we haven’t had any issues since, we didn’t think to report it,” Vilma added.
“I don’t like this. I’ll drive by a couple times before I go to bed to make sure all is well. I really wish you all would have called me,” Luke said, sounding a little hurt.
“It was during the murder investigation, and we didn’t want to divert your attention from that,” Vilma said sweetly, patting Luke’s hand.
Luke let out a sigh, “And now it may be the same man who killed Matthew. If you find anything, Slade, you need to call me immediately.”
“I will,” Slade promised even though Zoey knew he’d do no such thing.
“Can I talk to you a moment?” Luke asked her.
“Of course,” Zoey smiled kindly as Luke stepped back to allow Zoey to lead them away from the others.
Zoey walked down the sidewalk until they were out of earshot of the others and turned to face Luke. He looked nervous and slightly uncomfortable as he stood with his hands on his hips before shoving them in the pockets of his jeans.
“I need to be honest with you. I know everyone in town is trying to set us up, but I think it’s worked out the way it was supposed to.”
Zoey’s eyes shot up in surprise. She wasn’t expecting a relationship talk right now. “What do you mean?”
“There’s this woman I like. We’re not an official couple, but I’d like us to be. And as much as Slade makes my warning bells go off, it’s clear you two have strong chemistry. I really hope we can stay friends because I really like you. Is that okay?” Luke asked, and Zoey could tell he was worried he’d hurt her feelings, but all she felt was relief.
“Is this woman named Ava?” Zoey asked, and Luke looked embarrassed. She’d heard some stories from Agnes and Vilma about Ava. Good ones too.
“Yeah. I met her a little before you arrived. She was here helping search for her friends when their plane crashed up on the mountain. We’ve been in contact ever since. I’ve been her date for a couple of weddings in Keeneston, Kentucky, and I’m hoping to be more than just a wedding date. I hope that’s okay?”
“That’s more than okay. You already are
a good friend to me, Luke. And I know Slade is a little scary looking, but I think his heart is good.”
“I know. I’ve met evil before. From the look in Slade’s eyes, he’s seen it too. He’s a quiet man, but I don’t think he’s a bad one. I wouldn’t have backed away if I thought you were in danger . . . as a friend, that is. And, as your friend, I’ll hurt him if he does anything to you.”
Zoey laughed and wrapped her arms around Luke for a hug. “Thank you. You’re a good man, Luke Tanner. I hope this Ava woman knows how lucky she is.”
“Me too. I’m visiting her when I go up to Kentucky for law enforcement training.” Zoey saw the soft smile on Luke’s face and felt such happiness for him. He deserved a woman who would give him her whole heart, and Zoey wasn’t that woman. She looked to where Slade was holding hands with Matthew, but his eyes never left her. She smiled at him, and Matthew waved and Slade’s lips tilted up to return the smile.
“I can’t wait to hear more about her. Stay safe, Luke,” Zoey said, squeezing his arm. If Slade was right and it was a hunter who had killed Matthew . . . Zoey took a deep breath. It was up to her to stop him. She would keep Luke, the entire town of Moonshine, and all her Claritase sisters safe.
11
“Mr. and Mrs. Cohen, I’m deeply sorry for your loss,” Slade said with sincerity as Matthew held on to his right hand and Zoey’s left hand while they stood at the door to his house.
“Thank you,” Mr. Cohen said stiffly.
“Daddy, Mama,” Matthew cried out as he broke from Slade and Zoey’s grasp to hug his parents. His little arms went through them, but Hailey Cohen stiffened as fresh tears started. Her hand lowered to where Matthew’s head was.
“It’s as if I can still feel him,” Hailey sniffed as her husband wrapped his arm around his wife.
“I’m so sorry, Mama. I shouldn’t have gone to the creek. It’s all my fault,” Matthew sobbed. Zoey turned her head to try to compose herself.
Moonshine & Malice Page 5
