by Esme Addison
Bryn was on her knees, clawing at her throat.
Minka nodded to Alex. “Hold tight. The police should be here any minute.”
Stephanie was watching them, awestruck. Alex gave a nod in her direction. “Minka? What do we do about you-know-who?”
Kamila charged into the room, weapon drawn. “What’s going on?”
“It’s Bryn Wesley,” Minka said. “She killed Randy and Edwin and she was about to kill Stephanie.”
“You can stop your magic,” Kamila said, removing handcuffs from her belt. “No funny business, Bryn, got it? I haven’t forgotten how to cast a spell.” Kamila pulled Bryn’s hands behind her back and snapped the cuffs into place. Bryn moaned in pain when her newly healed arm was moved but didn’t resist.
“Stephanie saw us,” Alex said, gesturing to the woman cowering in the corner. “She may need medical attention.” And her mind erased, she telepathed to Minka.
“You first,” Minka said.
Alex winced as Minka gazed at her shoulder. She placed a hand on it, and Alex screamed into the palm of her hand as the bone crunched back into place. The healing seared her nerves until half of her body felt on fire. Finally, mercifully, it was finished. Alex, damp with perspiration, sat for several minutes to gather her breath.
In the meantime, Minka approached Stephanie with a gentle smile. “You’re safe now, Mrs. Bennett. Can we talk for a few minutes?”
More police officers barged into the office.
“It’s all clear,” Kamila said over her shoulder. “But you’ll want to bag that gun on the floor, and we have a woman here who needs a doctor.”
Jack entered the room as one of the officers called for an ambulance. “Alex Daniels,” he said with a slight smile. “It’s gotten to the point where I’m surprised when I don’t see you at a crime scene.” He crouched to meet her eyes. “Are you all right?”
He reached out to touch the shoulder that had just healed, but Alex instinctively stopped him. She gripped his hand, and he helped her to her feet. “I’m all right,” she replied. “A little shaken. That’s the woman who killed Randy Bennett and Edwin Kenley, and she was about to kill Stephanie, too. If you check that bag, you’ll find a purchase-and-sale agreement she forced Stephanie to sign at gunpoint. I saw the whole thing.”
Jack looked over at Stephanie. Minka was no doubt murmuring the spell that would make her forget all the magic she’d just witnessed. She winked when she caught Alex’s gaze.
Jack set his hands on his waist. “Well. I think I may owe you an apology or three.”
She smiled, heat rising to her cheeks. But she was proud of herself. Darn proud. “You made a mistake. You’re human.” A Mundane, she thought with a measure of affection.
He laughed at that and then nodded to Minka. “You two okay? Did she hurt you?”
“No, thankfully we’re fine,” Minka said. “And Detective, I want my mom to be released—”
Jack held up a hand to stop her. “That’s priority number one, Ms. Sobieski. I’ve already initiated the paperwork.”
Minka sighed happily and wrapped her arms around Alex. “I didn’t know if it would ever happen, but … wow. You did it.”
“We did it.” Alex hugged her back.
She smiled. It felt good to win again.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Alex was grateful for quiet. The day after Bryn was arrested, she slept late and lingered over breakfast. If it had been up to her, she would’ve planted herself in front of the television all day. But Athena found her leash and dropped it at Alex’s feet while she was scrolling on her cell, and Alex could’ve sworn she heard the dog think, Run?
“I’m too tired to run, Athena,” she said as she clipped the leash onto her collar. “But how does a walk sound?” The German shepherd jumped to her feet and barked. Alex followed her to the door with a chuckle.
As much as she longed to relax, a walk would do her good. The matter with Bryn was scheduled to be raised at the Council the next night, and Alex would have to testify. As Minka explained, they were going to debate whether to place a shackle spell on Bryn as punishment for her role in the murders.
“If they do,” Minka said, “she won’t be practicing magic anymore.”
But losing her powers was the least of Bryn’s problems. Jack had said she would be charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder, plus whatever else they could throw at her.
Alex and Athena walked to Coffee O’Clock. Through the large storefront windows, Alex saw Celeste working. Now she was so glad she hadn’t confronted her and accused her of being a murderer. But she still had questions. Like, why hadn’t she told Alex she was a Magical, for starters. She attached her dog’s leash to a bike rack before entering the shop, and waited in a short line for her turn to order.
Celeste’s jaw dropped when she saw her. “Alex! Are you all right? I leave town for a romantic getaway in Asheville and the world goes topsy-turvy. What happened? Ever since I returned, everyone’s been talking about what happened with Bryn.”
Alex glanced around the shop, suddenly self-conscious. Sure enough, customers were watching her and whispering. She leaned closer to Celeste. “What are they saying? What do they know?”
She shook her head. “Everyone thinks Bryn just went berserk. There’s a story about her floating around saying she was overworked, obsessed with her job, and she had a breakdown or something, and—”
“And killed two people?” Alex laughed. “Who’s buying that?”
Celeste shrugged. “Not many, but it’s the Wesleys, and they have their ways, you know? I heard through the grapevine that her family’s trying to get her sent to a mental health facility instead of prison.”
Alex groaned. So that’s how the Wesleys were going to work this—like Bryn was temporarily insane. And after a long stay at a cushy facility, she’d be back and more vicious than ever. Just great.
“Let me make something special for you. It’s on the house.” Alex nodded, and Celeste reached for a large ceramic mug and set it on the counter. “There should be some perks for doing battle with Bryn.” Celeste gave Alex a knowing look. “She’s strong. But I’m guessing you’re stronger.” She turned her back to Alex and opened a cabinet, searching for ingredients.
Alex wasn’t sure how to take that comment. She stared at the back of Celeste’s head, watching her high ponytail swing back and forth as she selected a glass bottle of syrup and a jar of spice. Was she saying she was stronger in an emotional sense? Physically stronger? Or stronger in her magical powers?
I mean it in all ways, came the response.
Startled, Alex gasped.
Celeste had just sent her thoughts to her. She turned around with a grin before setting the items down. “How about we go a little crazy? I feel like you deserve something extra this morning.” When Alex didn’t answer, Celeste went to the refrigerator and returned with a container of freshly made whipped cream.
Eyes wide, Alex leaned over the counter and lowered her voice. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because,” she said patiently as she poured a light-golden brew into the cup and then sprinkled cinnamon into it. “Before you came to town, Minka told me they’d decided as a family not to share the family history with you.” She stirred the spice around the coffee for a moment and then squirted a clear syrup tinged with purple into the mug. “At least not yet. If you decided to stick around, then they’d reconsider. How was I to know they changed their mind? Of course, when I heard through the Magical grapevine that you’d squared off with Bryn in a battle of wits and powers”—she laughed—“I figured you knew.” She finished the beverage off with a heaping spoonful of local honey.
Alex stared at her as she spooned whipped cream into the drink. “Why would my family agree not to tell me about my heritage? It’s a huge secret to keep.”
Celeste pushed the drink toward her. “I think they were trying to honor your mother’s request.” She lowered her voice to a w
hisper. “Minka said she wanted you to live as a Mundane.” She cleared her throat. “So that’s how I treated you, just like I treat everyone. Coffee with a smile.”
Alex blushed as she thought about her idea that Celeste had been working with Dylan. “So, I guess you really want a job at Wesley, Inc., huh?”
Celeste frowned. “Of course. Why would you—”
“It’s nothing. Forget it. But I am dying to know something … who are you dating?”
Celeste’s eyes widened in surprise. “You want to know who my boyfriend is? Why?”
“When all of this stuff was going on, I kept running into men who had mistresses, and I worried that—”
Celeste burst into laughter. She covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes watering with tears. “You thought I’d—that I would …” She stifled another giggle. “I would never be so stupid. I know my worth, and that’s why I was so bothered about keeping Jasper’s secret.”
“Jasper,” Alex repeated.
Celeste placed a hand on her hip. “My mom didn’t put you up to this, did she?”
Alex laughed, raising her hands in mock surrender. “No. I promise.”
“All right.” Celeste glanced around the shop and leaned an elbow on the counter. “He’s a professor at the college. I never took one of his classes, so that wasn’t the conflict, but we did meet on campus at an art showing … and we hit it off. We tried to ignore how we felt. I mean, I didn’t want to get him in trouble, and of course, he didn’t want to lose his job. But he’s really into me, and I so dig him.”
She looked like she was about to swoon, and Alex couldn’t help but laugh.
“My mother has met him.” She paused. “And she doesn’t hate him.” She laughed. “But she doesn’t like him either. She thinks he’s too old for me, but I’ve always been mature for my age, and it’s only a ten-year difference.” She shrugged. “We didn’t start dating until this spring, but we need to keep it quiet until he puts in his notice. That’s what he’s been working on for the last semester—a proposal to curate a new exhibit at the history museum in town.”
So that was the deal that had frustrated her, the one she had wished she could fix with magic. Alex nodded, relieved.
“And he just got word this week that not only do they accept his proposal, but they want him to become director of the museum—apparently there’s a vacancy. In a few weeks we can stop sneaking around like we have something to be ashamed of.”
“That’s great. Even though he probably is too old for you,” Alex said with raised eyebrows. “I’m happy for you both.” She picked up her cup and sipped her drink. “Oh my God, this is delicious. What are those flavors …” She took another taste and then sniffed the aroma lifting from the beverage. “French lavender? Honey?”
Celeste nodded. “And cinnamon. It’s good, right? It’s my favorite coffee drink for the spring. It’s even better served cold.”
“Let’s make this my new daily order, okay?”
“You got it. Just ask for”—she waved her hand with a flourish—“Spring in Paris.”
Alex stuffed a few bills into the tips cup. “I better go. Athena’s waiting for me. Have a great day, Celeste.”
“You too.”
Alex went outside and released Athena from her stay. As they continued their walk, Alex inhaled the sweet, light spring air. Forget spring in Paris; spring in Bellamy Bay is amazing. She hadn’t felt this unburdened in a long time.
She was deep in thought when a sleek black limousine pulled up beside her. The tinted window rolled down, revealing a familiar face. Dylan Wesley.
He smiled. “Alex. Do you have a minute?”
Her body stiffened. “Leave me alone, Dylan.” She gestured to Athena. “I have a dog to walk.”
“She can come in, too.”
Alex cocked her head. “You realize your sister tried to kill me? She broke my shoulder in two places.”
“And you shot her,” Dylan said calmly. “And now she’s sitting in a jail cell. She can’t hurt you.”
“That’s not my point. Your family has tried to send my car into the water and drown me. Can you blame me for keeping a distance?”
“It’s important that we speak.”
“Why should I listen?” Alex glared at him. “Since when do the Wesleys care about telling the truth?” But when she looked at his dark eyes, she believed his sincerity.
“Please. It will only be a minute.”
“Fine. You have exactly one minute.”
He rolled up the window, but not before Alex heard someone inside snap, “Dylan, you know dogs are not allowed in the limo.” When Dylan opened the door, she was surprised to see Tegan. Athena paused at the entrance and growled at Tegan, before Dylan gestured for them to enter.
“It’s fine,” he assured them.
Alex and Athena entered and took a seat by the door. Alex stared at Tegan, perfectly poised with her hair in an elegant chignon. Her pantsuit was clearly couture.
Dylan looked appealing as ever in a soft yellow short-sleeved polo and stone-colored chinos. There was a stretch of silence as the three eyed each other, waiting for someone to speak.
Finally Tegan cleared her throat. “I understand that my daughter has been a source of some … trouble of late.”
“Trouble?” Alex snorted. “She murdered two people, if that’s what you mean. And yeah, I’d say that’s a problem.”
“Alex, on behalf of our family, I want to extend a sincere apology,” Dylan said, ever the diplomat. “What happened with Bryn was inexcusable. And I’m ashamed that she would carry out such atrocities in our name. We understand there’s a Council meeting tomorrow to deal with that, and we know you will be called to testify. We hope we can count on your cooperation.”
Alex balked. “My cooperation?”
“Yes,” Dylan continued. “Bryn will be punished for her actions, and rightfully so. But there’s no need to bring anyone else into the picture. Do you understand?”
“Not really.”
Dylan glanced sidelong at his mother, who rolled her eyes. “We’re telling you that there’s no need to mention that anyone else might have known what Bryn was doing.”
“Meaning you?” Alex said.
“Let’s not name names,” Tegan replied. “Bryn acted alone. She’s always been a willful child. Brilliant but willful. Let her take the blame.”
“Bryn will be punished before the Council and in the Mundane courts,” Dylan said. “We just need your … discretion.”
“What is there to be discrete about?”
“This is so tedious.” Tegan sighed. “He’s talking about the truce, Alex. Our ancestors signed one decades ago. We don’t want your family to think this is grounds for a brand-new witchy war. Got it?”
Dylan turned to Alex. “Can we count on you?”
Stiffly, she nodded. “Sure. Whatever.” She wasn’t interested in creating more drama between the families. She only wanted Bryn to pay for her crimes. “But you’re both to leave my family alone. If you don’t, I’m going straight to the Council. Got it?”
Dylan and Tegan exchanged a glance before he said, “Yes, ma’am.”
“Super.” Alex opened the limo door. “Come on, Athena.”
“Wait.” Dylan followed her and Athena onto the sidewalk and closed the limo door behind them. “Alex, I owe you a personal apology.” Pain crossed his face. “Bryn sent the tidal wave, but the car … I’m responsible.”
It took Alex a moment before the realization struck. “You’re the one who blew up the car tires? You could have killed me!”
She took a step back. When Dylan reached out to stop her, Athena darted between them, her hair raised and a low growl in her throat. He lowered his hand. “You never would have gone into the water. I know how to direct my powers for strategic results. But yes, I wanted to scare you. Scare you off this investigative kick you were on. I was protecting my family, but I was also protecting you.”
“How in the world were you p
rotecting me?”
He glanced over his shoulder at the limo and sighed. “My family has a zero tolerance for … anyone who gets in their way. I didn’t want you to end up as collateral damage.”
“So you admit it, you knew what your sister was up to.”
“No,” he said, his voice firm. “I knew my sister was up to something, but I didn’t know what. She and I don’t see eye to eye on how we manage the family business, and if there’s anything to do with magic, I’m always the last to find out.”
“But you just said you knew I was in danger.”
“I knew you were causing Bryn problems, and I knew if you didn’t stop, she’d figure out a way to neutralize you. I didn’t want that to happen.” He lowered his voice. “I care about you. I always have.”
Alex’s legs trembled as she took a step back. “I thought I could trust you,” she whispered. “I thought you didn’t practice magic.”
“Sometimes I can’t help myself.” He winced and looked away. “Sometimes magic is the best and fastest way to address challenges.”
“So, you’re no different from Bryn. Maybe you draw the line at murder, I don’t know. But you’re willing to do whatever it takes to get whatever you want. Right?”
He stared at her, the lines of his face hardening. “I don’t know what the right thing to say is here.”
“That’s because there is no right thing to say. No words to fix this.” Alex touched a hand to her head. She felt dizzy. Her family was right. She was better off staying far away from the Wesleys.
She had fond memories of them as children playing in the garden together. Despite the animosity between their families, deep down Alex had hoped she’d found an ally in Dylan. The realization that he had betrayed her in such a terrible way brought tears to her eyes. “I should go.”
He took her hand in his, and once again she felt a surge of energy arc between them. “I protected you from Bryn,” he said. “I pulled you from the water and I fixed the car. I’m trying to make up for my mistakes.” His touch—his mere presence—was intoxicating. “I feel something whenever you’re around, Aleksandra. I always have … And I know you feel it, too. I promise, I’m trying to be a good guy.”
