“I’ll tell everyone the truth,” I sputtered.
“What truth? You have no proof. It would be your word against the mayor’s.” She gave me a pointed look. “An extremely popular mayor who’s been a selfless pillar of the community for many, many years. Is that truly a battle you think you can win, new witch? It doesn’t matter how much residents like you. You’re still an unknown entity, whereas I have a longstanding reputation here.”
She was right. In a popularity contest, Mayor Knightsbridge would win hands down.
I gulped. “And I don’t suppose I get my committee either.”
“I may still give it to you as a consolation prize.” She studied me for a moment. “You should consider yourself fortunate, dear, to have escaped Daniel’s clutches. He’s not worthy of you. He’s not worthy of my Elsa either, but if she wants him, I won’t stand in her way.”
“No, you’ll act as her accomplice,” I snapped.
Mayor Knightsbridge’s jaw tensed. “There’s no need for hostility, dear. We’re all friends here. When you live long enough, you’ll learn that you can’t always get what you want.”
Live long enough? I’d learned that hard truth when I lost my mother at three years old. And I’d learned it all over again when I was seven. I didn’t need some haughty fairy to teach me life lessons.
“Maybe if you had taught your daughter that valuable lesson early on, then we wouldn’t be in this mess now.”
The mayor’s mouth twitched. “See you at the wedding, dear. I’ll be sure to have extra tissues on hand for those so inclined to express regret.”
She brushed past me, her hounds hot on her heels.
I continued to stand there, my hopes and dreams crashing down around me. The invisibility spell had been for nothing. The evidence was gone. The mayor was no longer an ally. I felt like dissolving into the cobblestone. I’d blown my chance to bring Elsa down.
An image of Daniel flashed in my mind. His engaging smile. The look of surprise in his eyes when he’d kissed me at the high school dance. There was a real connection between us. I couldn’t give up on him.
Although Magpie would hate me for saying this, there was more than one way to skin a cat.
Chapter 10
I stretched out on my bed and stared at the ceiling. Life seemed so hopeless. I hadn’t felt this awful since my father died. I grabbed a pillow and stuffed it over my face to block out the world.
“I don’t think that’s the most effective way to kill yourself.” Gareth’s muffled voice penetrated the feather-stuffed barrier.
“I’m not trying to kill myself,” I replied.
“What’s that now? I can’t understand a word.”
I tossed the pillow aside. “I’m not trying to kill myself. I’m trying to block out the sounds of my abject failure.”
“Then let’s focus on something positive for a change,” Gareth said, hovering beside the bed. “Firstly, I have helpful information for you.”
I sat up quickly. “About Daniel?”
“No, sorry,” he said. “About the murder case. Walter Rivers.”
I squinted at him. “You have information about Walter?”
“Aye. I manifested in the library again and overheard someone gossiping about Walter’s neighbor. It seems that he and Walter were at odds over something. Not sure what.”
“Which neighbor?” I asked.
“I only heard the name Jeremiah.”
“Thanks, Gareth. That’s actually incredibly helpful.”
“Don’t sound so surprised,” he scoffed.
“What’s secondly?”
“Eh?”
“You said ‘firstly,’ which implies there’s a ’secondly.’”
His expression brightened. “Oh, yes. Secondly, I’d like to help you with the committee.”
“What committee?” I asked glumly.
“The committee you’ve been fighting for. The one to revise the sentencing guidelines,” he replied. “I’d be an invaluable resource for you.”
I pulled my knees to my chest. “I have no doubt that you would, but I don’t think the mayor plans to stick to her promise.” Since she already broke the most important promise of all.
“Why don’t you report her to the council?” Gareth urged. “What she’s done is reprehensible.”
“Who’s going to believe me?” I asked. “The mayor has a solid reputation. She isn’t like Sheriff Hugo.”
“True,” Gareth agreed. “But people like you too. They trust you.”
“Do they?” I wasn’t so certain. “I think they’re starting to, but I’m still a newcomer. Most people are probably waiting to make up their minds.”
“I made up my mind the day we met,” Gareth said.
“You’re a special case,” I replied. “I’m the only one who can see you. You didn’t have a choice.”
“What about Markos?” Gareth asked. “He made up his mind by the end of the first date, I suspect.”
“It wasn’t a date,” I insisted.
“What about when Daniel marries Elsa?” Gareth queried. “Will you give the minotaur with the tight buns a chance then?”
“Firstly, it’s if the wedding takes place, not when.”
“Semantics,” Gareth said with a dismissive wave.
“Secondly…” I paused. “I can’t invest in that type of negative thinking.”
Gareth gestured to the pillow. “Methinks you already have.”
Argh. I had to pull myself together. Shoving a pillow over my face was not going to solve my problems. I had to be stronger than this.
“Daniel is not going to marry Elsa,” I said. “I won’t allow it.”
Gareth arched an eyebrow. “Won’t allow it, eh? Fighting words from the upstart witch.”
They were fighting words, and I meant every one. I had to find a way to stop Elsa from ruining Daniel’s life. With her, he could never be the angel he wanted to be. He’d never get his halo back. Elsa was too selfish to help him achieve his dream of redemption. She only wanted to control him. To own him like a pet. It sickened me. Maybe if I tapped into my sorceress powers…but I couldn’t. Not without revealing my true nature. Daniel deemed the risk too great. On the other hand, if the risk meant I could save him, then maybe it was worth it?
“Gareth…” I wanted so desperately to tell him. If anyone refused to judge me, it would be Gareth. As a gay dead undead Scottish vampire, he understood stereotypes and the downside of ignorance all too well.
“What is it?”
Daniel’s warning echoed in my head. That I would be feared and misunderstood. That I would be shunned. If the worst happened, I had nowhere to go. I was trapped in Spellbound just like everyone else.
“Nothing,” I mumbled. “Just feeling insecure is all.”
“From powerful to insecure in twenty seconds flat,” Gareth mused. “I suppose it’s a skill somewhere.”
I shrugged. “What can I say? I’m a complicated human being.”
“You forgot annoying,” Gareth said.
“Hey!” I elbowed him playfully and was pleased to bump against something vaguely solid. “Check that out.”
“I know,” he said proudly. “It takes a fair bit of concentration, but I can add dimension when I put forth the effort.”
“Did Lyra say it’s possible for you to be permanently corporeal again?” I asked.
“It won’t work like that,” he replied. “I’ll always be a ghost, but I’ll be able to interact more on this plane than I’ve been able to so far.”
This plane. “Is there anywhere else you can go? I mean, I know they wouldn’t admit you to the afterlife, but are there other planes of existence you can visit aside from this one?”
“Even my ghost is trapped in Spellbound, you know that.”
“I know, but the curse can’t extend beyond this plane of existence, can it?” If it could, then that was one almighty curse.
“I suppose not,” he admitted. “But I’m not aware of any other planes t
o visit. When I practice leaving the house, I focus on my next destination. I sort of blink and find myself there.”
“Well, it’s nice to see you gaining weight,” I joked.
Gareth pretended to suck in his stomach. “Aye. It truly is. And that’s the only time you’ll ever hear that from me.”
“If this committee ever gets off the ground,” I said, “how about I hold the meetings here, until you can appear in more places?”
“But no one will be able to see me or hear me except you,” Gareth complained. “And you’ll be too busy running the meetings to translate.”
I tapped my chin. “Then I’ll invite Kassandra to attend as well. She can act as your translator.” Kassandra was a psychic that could channel Gareth. Although her abilities weren’t as straightforward as mine, they were better than nothing.
Gareth’s expression softened. “Really? You’d do that for me?”
“Of course I would. You’re my vampire ghost roommate.”
He broke into a smile, showing his fangs. “Or perhaps simply ‘my roommate’ would suffice.”
“You’re my roommate and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I said, and gave him the best hug possible. At least my arms didn’t completely slide through him.
Magpie appeared out of nowhere and thrust himself between us like a child in need of attention.
“I think someone else would prefer to have it another way,” Gareth remarked wryly.
“Sorry, Magpie,” I said. “But I have it on good authority that we can’t always get what we want.”
Magpie looked up at me and hissed.
With the wedding creeping up on the calendar, I developed a renewed sense of urgency. Even without the vial, I was determined to try and create an Anti-Obsession potion that cured Daniel.
“How can we mix an Anti-Obsession potion if we don’t know exactly which Obsession potion Elsa is using?” Laurel asked.
“Mom said we have to experiment,” Sophie said. “Keep trying different permutations until we find the right mixture that counteracts Elsa’s.”
“But how will we get Daniel to keep drinking potions?” Millie asked. “He’s going to be suspicious if we’re pouring strange liquids down his gullet.”
I sighed. “And Elsa will be watching him like a hawk now that she realizes I know the truth.”
Begonia’s eyes brightened. “There’ll be a bachelor party, right? What if we prepared all the possible combinations in advance and made sure to slip each one into one of his drinks during the party?”
“That’s a great idea,” I said.
“Except we wouldn’t be invited to his bachelor party,” Millie said, ever the sourpuss.
“Who needs an invitation?” I queried. “Desperate times call for desperate measures.”
“We need to find out when and where it will be held,” Laurel said.
“Plus we’ve got to get all the possible potions ready,” Sophie added. “That will take time.”
“And research,” Laurel said, her eyes shining with excitement. Maybe the rest of us didn’t know what our specialties would be, but I was pretty sure I could guess Laurel’s.
“I still can’t believe the mayor stabbed you in the back like that,” Begonia said. “If the truth ever comes out, she’s going to be on Swan Lake without a paddle.”
“She said if it’s her word against mine that she’ll win,” I said, flopping onto the sofa. “And I’m sure she’s right. We can’t rely on her. We need to find another way to stop the wedding.”
“Talk about unconditional love,” Millie grumbled. “The mayor has a pristine reputation. Now she’s going to destroy it because she raised a selfish brat.”
“I don’t understand her long-term plan,” Laurel said. “Is she going to allow Elsa to stay married to Daniel under false pretenses for the rest of their lives?”
“Apparently,” I said. “She thinks having Daniel for a son-in-law is preferable to having a disgraced daughter.”
Begonia made a face. “I’m so disappointed in the mayor. I really looked up to her until this.”
I groaned. “The whole thing is awful. Let’s find out the details on the bachelor party. Who’s the best person to ask?” The best person wasn’t Daniel. I didn’t want him to tip off Elsa.
“We should go to the Horned Owl and ask around,” Sophie said. “The bartenders know all the gossip.”
“And you can flirt with the bartender,” Begonia said, lightly punching Sophie’s arm.
“One of the perks of helping a friend,” Sophie said with a smile.
“We should go now before the post-work crowd swarms the place,” Millie said.
“And you can get a stool right at the bar,” Begonia said to Sophie. “An unobstructed view of your favorite satyr.”
Sophie turned scarlet. “Please don’t tease me in front of him. I’ll be mortified.”
“I should probably head home,” Laurel said. “I won’t be allowed to drink anyway.” She gathered her belongings together. “I can focus on Anti-Obsession potions tonight if you don’t mind me working on them alone.”
I was touched. “Laurel, you’re thirteen years old. You should be doing something fun. Go home and play a game with your siblings.”
“My siblings are irritating,” Laurel said. “Besides, I want to help. I feel like I’m the weak link in the remedial witch chain.”
“Laurel, that’s ridiculous,” I said. “You’re so smart, not to mention a crucial member of the team.”
She hugged her backpack to her chest. “Even so, I’d feel better if I made a solid contribution to the cause for once.”
Begonia clapped her on the shoulder. “Have at it, Laurel. Let us know how you make out.”
Laurel glanced at Sophie. “And be sure to let me know if you make out.”
Sophie covered her ears. “I am not hearing this from a thirteen-year-old. Your mother would turn me into a toad if I led you astray.”
“I’m in the mood to be led astray,” Begonia said brightly. “Let’s go now before the feeling wears off.”
We left the secret lair and headed to the Horned Owl…purely for investigative purposes, of course.
Chapter 11
The next morning I drove Sigmund over to the Rivers’ neighborhood and knocked on the door of the small cottage with the rounded thatched roof. I bit back a smile as I observed the arched front door. The whole thing reminded me of the Smurfs’ mushroom-shaped houses.
The front door squeaked open and a face peered out at me from the darkness of the interior. "Yes?"
"Hi there. My name is Emma Hart and I’m here to ask a couple of questions about your neighbor, Walter."
"Walter? You mean that thief of a neighbor of mine?"
"I take it you haven't heard the news then," I said.
The voice in the darkness hesitated. "What news?"
"Walter is dead, I'm afraid."
The door opened further until the figure was bathed in sunlight. His beady eyes focused on me.
"Dead, did you say?"
"Yes, he was found by Larkspur Bridge. I’m surprised you haven’t heard.”
“I tend to keep to myself,” he replied. He seemed momentarily stunned. "Come on in. What did you say your name was again?"
I stepped over the threshold. The interior of the cottage was warm and comfortable, awash in earthy tones.
"Emma Hart," I repeated. "I'm helping Sheriff Astrid with the case."
“I’m Jeremiah Brown," he said.
I could tell he was a shifter, but I couldn't pinpoint which type.
"When was the last time you saw Walter?" I asked.
“Earlier this week," Jeremiah replied. "I went over to his house to get something that belonged to me."
“I see. And did he give it to you?"
Jeremiah’s lips formed a thin line. "No. He said he couldn't yet."
"Do you mind if I ask what it was?"
“I suppose we should make ourselves comfortable.” Jeremiah ambled
over to a nearby chair and sat. He gestured for me to do the same.
"Do you always keep your house so dark?" I asked. Not even the vampires in town chose to live in a constant state of darkness.
“I’m a weremole," he explained. "Short of living underground, this is the next best thing."
"Why don't you live underground?" I asked. "There’s no rule about that, is there?" Not that I would put it past the town to have such a rule in place.
Jeremiah chuckled. "I suppose I could now. I'm used to living here, though. It was my wife who needed to live above the ground. She was a pixie. She would’ve suffocated underground.”
Even if he hadn't used the past tense to talk about her, I could tell by the expression on his face that his wife was deceased.
"I'm sorry, Jeremiah. I didn't realize."
He waved me off. "It's been four years now," he said. "I'm sure I could move out of the cottage, but it’s where we spent our married life together. I couldn't bear to leave it. Too many good memories.” He sniffed the air. “Her scent even lingers, you know?”
"I understand completely," I said. I remembered very distinctly not wanting to leave my house after my father died. There was no choice, though. My grandparents weren't going to move into the house when they already had a house of their own. So I moved.
"May I ask what happened?"
Jeremiah drew a deep breath. "It was an accident. Not sure if you know this, but pixie wings move real fast. Much faster than fairy wings. She was flying with a slower friend and turned around to call say something. Flew smack into the side of a building.” He shook his head. “A pointless way to die."
"That's awful," I said. "I'm so sorry, Jeremiah."
He wiped a straight tear from his cheek. "I apologize. I still find it difficult to talk about."
"Don't apologize to me," I said. “Of course it's difficult. She was your wife and you loved her."
He sniffed and nodded. "That's why I was so angry with Walter. He knew how important those items were to me. I just wanted them back."
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