by Lily Webb
“That’s just a nasty rumor,” Jade said. “Delia was one of the most ambitious witches I’ve ever met, but she respected all her peers, and she of all people couldn’t be one to discriminate against a colleague by their age or condition.”
That was definitely true, but I wasn’t sure I could say the same for Jade.
“I understand. Professor Hallewell, don’t take this the wrong way — I only ask because I have to — but I’ve heard the same rumor about you,” I said. Jade paused and searched for words.
“From whom?” Jade asked.
“I might not be speaking to you as a reporter, but even so, a journalist never reveals her sources,” I said, smiling. Jade huffed and stood from the corner of the desk. Had I touched a nerve?
“According to some people I talked to, it was an open secret you were pursuing the Deputy Headmistress position too,” I said.
“Another nasty rumor,” Jade said with her back to me as she stared out the massive window that made up an entire wall of the room.
“But why would anyone make that up? And why would it have spread? You know what they say, all rumors have some basis in truth,” I said. Jade’s shoulders rose and fell like waves, swelling up and crashing down again in time with her breathing.
She glanced over her shoulder at me, looking more disheveled than she had when I first saw her.
“Fine. it’s true, I wanted the position,” Jade said. “I suppose I couldn’t hide that fact even if I wanted.”
“Then why call it a nasty rumor?”
“Because it’s not the whole truth. It’s far from it,” Jade said.
“What about it is untrue?”
Jade stepped back to her desk but didn’t sit. She crossed her arms and stared down at me, her frizzy hair falling back into her eyes.
“While I’ve dreamed of being in a leadership position at Veilside from the time I was a student at the Academy myself, I have never and would never harm anyone to get it — not Nolan and definitely not Delia,” Jade said.
Though I doubted it would work, while our eyes were locked, I concentrated and slipped into her thoughts.
And anyone who’d say otherwise is a treacherous liar who knows nothing about me. I worshipped Delia, I would never lay a finger on her, Jade thought. But when I find out who’s been spreading those lies about me — and I will — they’re going to regret it.
Well, okay then. I guess I couldn’t blame her for being upset.
“Who do you think would start a rumor like that?” I asked, making sure not to break my eye contact with Jade.
“Someone who had an ax to grind,” Jade said.
“Like Nolan Grimm?” I asked. Jade’s brow furrowed.
“No, like Seth Highmore,” Jade said. I almost fell out of my chair.
“What? Really? Why would he have any reason to spread rumors about you?”
“Because he was failing my class — and Delia’s too,” Jade said. “Besides that, he knew how friendly I was with Delia, which was always a crime in his eyes.”
“Professor Hallewell, let me be clear: are you saying you think Seth Highmore, the grandson of the Head Warlock, had something to do with the death of Delia Frost?” I asked.
“I’m almost sure of it,” Jade said. “Seth has always been, well, troubled. From the moment he started at the Academy, I knew he was going to be difficult, but I had no idea how right I was.”
Yeah, I’d noticed. Seth was never particularly kind in any of the interactions I’d seen him engage in, and after the eruption he’d had with Delia during her class, I wouldn’t have been surprised in the slightest to find he had a murderous bent. Learning Seth was failing both Delia and Jade’s classes only made him look worse.
So had Seth lied to me? And if he had, why? Jade’s account cast doubt on everything he’d told me, and though I wasn’t convinced she wasn’t hiding something herself, I highly doubted Jade killed Delia. It would’ve been far too risky, and I believed that they were good friends.
“Thank you very much for your time, Professor,” I said as I stood from the chair and smiled at her.
“Leaving so soon? I hope I haven’t scared you away,” Jade said.
“Not at all,” I said.
“Good. You can trust me, Zoe. If there’s anything I can do to help you figure all this out, please let me know. It’s my job now, but even if it wasn’t, I want justice for Delia,” Jade said.
“I will. Thank you again. Good luck with your new position,” I said.
“I’m going to need it,” Jade sighed, and walked me to the door.
She wasn’t the only one.
Chapter Twelve
When I walked into Flora’s house later that evening, she sat on the couch with Luna in her lap in total darkness save for the glow of the Paravision set.
“Watching more soap operas?” I asked.
“Shh, not now, we’re just about to find out who the baby daddy is,” Luna said, holding a paw up to her mouth.
Yup, definitely a soap opera. I sat on the couch trying to make sense of what they were watching until it was over — a witch had evidently been with two warlocks at the same time — and both Luna and Flora were speechless as the credits rolled.
“I hate cliffhangers!” Luna said.
“Don’t we all?” Flora asked, and I laughed at them. It was amazing to me how much they’d bonded in the short amount of time we’d all been living together.
“How was your day, Zoe?” Flora asked as she waved her hand to turn all the lights on.
“Crazy, as usual,” I laughed.
“How so?”
“Well, I found out about a secret society of warlocks at Veilside and that at least one warlock has lied to me for starters,” I said.
“Sounds about right,” Luna said, and Flora chuckled.
“So, no real leads then?” Flora asked.
“Yes and no. I need to get to the bottom of all this, and I’m pretty sure this warlocks’ group has something to do with it, but I’m sort of at a dead end,” I said.
“Maybe you need a break from it all,” Flora suggested. “You don’t want to burn yourself out. I mean, you have already solved two murders since you got here.”
“Fair enough, but I can’t stop thinking about it. I didn’t really even know Delia, but I feel responsible,” I said.
“Why?”
“If things hadn’t gone the way they had with Valentine, if I hadn’t helped stir up all this animosity between witches and vampires, I don’t think Delia would be dead right now,” I said.
“You can’t know that, Zoe. Tensions between the witches and vampires have always been a fact of life in Moon Grove, and while they might be a little worse than normal right now, you can’t blame yourself for that,” Flora said.
“I guess you’re right, but even knowing that doesn’t make me feel much better,” I said.
“I understand, but don’t worry, the police are working on the case too. We’ll get to the truth eventually,” Flora said. “I think you really could use a break.”
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you had something in mind,” I said, and Flora blushed.
“Well, maybe,” she said, shrugging.
“What are you up to now?”
“Well, since Delia’s murder, I’ve been in pretty much constant contact with the police department, so Ewan and I have been talking a lot more, and things are moving in the right direction,” Flora said, unable to look me in the eyes.
“What? Really? That’s great!” I said. Deputy Ewan Barrett and Flora used to date before I moved to Moon Grove and I’d inadvertently brought them back together — maybe things weren’t so bad after all.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me this sooner.”
“Well, to be fair, you’ve been pretty busy,” Flora said.
“Yeah, sorry,” I sighed.
“It’s not a problem. Anyway, I’m supposed to have dinner with Ewan tonight, and I was wondering if maybe you and Beau woul
d like to join us?” Flora asked.
“Are you talking about a double date?” I asked.
“More or less, yeah,” Flora said, blushing again.
“Wouldn’t you rather be alone with him? I’m sure you two have a lot of ground to cover since the breakup,” I said.
“No, honestly, I’d rather not be alone with him. Not yet, anyway. Things are still sort of awkward between us,” Flora said.
I could imagine. Until I’d dragged Flora with me to the police station a when I was still fresh in Moon Grove, she and Ewan hadn’t talked for more than a year.
“So, what do you say? You’d be doing me a huge favor,” Flora said.
“Are you kidding? After all you’ve done for me, it’d be a crime for me to say no,” I said, and Flora beamed. “What time?”
Flora glanced at the clock hanging above the kitchen and grimaced.
“In about an hour,” she said.
“Oh boy,” I sighed.
“It’s short notice, I know,” Flora said.
“I’m sure Beau won’t mind. Let me call him,” I said, already digging in my bag for my phone — careful not to cut myself on the shard of bloody glass I’d stolen from Nolan’s property the last time Beau and I got together. By comparison, a double date with Ewan and Flora would probably seem downright reasonable to Beau.
“Even if he says no, I’ll still go with you if you want,” I said as I dialed Beau’s number from my favorites screen. Flora smiled and nodded.
“Good evening,” Beau answered, and I heard the smile in his voice.
“Hey, Beau. Are you free tonight?” I asked.
“Whose house are we trespassing on now?” he asked, and I snorted.
“Actually, I was thinking we’re overdue for a more traditional date,” I said.
“Is there really ever anything traditional when we spend time together?”
“Good point. To be honest, this isn’t much different. Flora, my roommate, is going on a date with her ex, Ewan Barrett, and she was wondering if you and I wanted to join them,” I said.
“You mean like a double date?”
“Exactly,” I said.
“You’re right, this is more traditional,” Beau laughed.
“Hey, I try,” I said.
“When?”
“In about an hour,” I said.
“Where?”
“Good question, I don’t actually know yet,” I said and held a hand over the receiver to ask Flora.
“It’s a fairy-owned place called The Root,” Flora whispered.
“She says they’re going to The Root. Do you know it?” I asked.
“I think so. Isn’t that a vegetarian place?” Beau asked.
“Let me ask,” I said, but Flora must’ve overheard because she was already nodding.
“Sure is,” I said.
“Sounds good. It’s been a while since I’ve had vegetarian cuisine,” Beau said. “Should I meet you there?”
“Yeah, that’s fine. Thanks, Beau, I’ll see you in a bit,” I said.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Beau said, and I hung up.
“We’re on,” I told Flora, and she bounced on the couch, making Luna grumble and hop down.
“This is cheesier than an episode of The Young and the Wandless,” Luna said.
“You’re just jealous,” I said. “Maybe you need to find yourself a little kitty boyfriend so you can join us on the next date.”
“As if. No cat deserves all this,” Luna said as she groomed herself with a paw.
“So dramatic,” I laughed. “Clearly the soap operas are rubbing off on you. Anyway, I guess we’d better get ready, we don’t have a lot of time.”
“I was thinking the same thing. I just got too wrapped up our stories,” Flora said.
“Well, let’s not keep the boys waiting,” I said, and walked to my room to wash up and change. When my face and hair were clean, I slipped into a blue sequined cocktail dress my Grandma Elle had given me that once belonged to my mother. I’d never worn it until now because I’d never had a reason.
“If only Elle could see you now,” Luna said as I admired myself in the mirror, making me jump. I hadn’t heard her sneak inside.
“You know, you really need to announce yourself,” I said.
“A diva needs no introduction,” Luna said, and I rolled my eyes.
“Anyway, do you think it looks alright?” I asked.
“Are you kidding? You look like a sapphire made from the purest ocean water,” Luna said.
“Look who’s a poet all of a sudden,” I said.
“What can I say? Soap operas bring out the sentimentality in me,” Luna said. “But seriously, you look great.”
“Thanks,” I said, smiling and wishing Grandma Elle could see me, so I snapped a picture of myself in the mirror with my phone and sent it to her email. She wasn’t the greatest with technology, but I hoped she’d be able to figure out how to view it.
“Are you ready?” Flora called from the living room, pulling me out of my head.
“Yup, be right there,” I said as I put on a matching pair of heels and dragged a tube of neutral lipstick over my lips. Back in the living room, Flora stood waiting in a beautiful white dress dotted with purple orchid petals. Her hair was pulled into a crown of braids around her head, and an orchid bloom sat on top of one of her ears.
“Wow, you look amazing,” I breathed.
“Likewise,” Flora said, looking me up and down.
“Yeah, yeah, you’re both regular Disney princesses, now get moving before you’re late,” Luna said, and we both laughed.
“We can always count on you to keep us grounded, can’t we?” I asked.
“It’s a dirty, thankless job, but someone’s gotta do it,” Luna said as she trotted to the door and stood on her hind legs to paw at the doorknob. Flora helped her open it, and we stepped out into the chilly night air.
“This way,” Flora said and led me east on Swiftsage deeper into what was known as the Fairy Quarter of Moon Grove.
“Is Ewan meeting us there too?” I asked, and Flora nodded. We walked through the quiet and passed gardens the likes of which I’d never seen, each of them with magical flowers shining in the moonlight like lights guiding us on our way. It felt like we’d walked into a fairy tale, which I assumed wasn’t on accident.
We turned left onto an unmarked street and the Fairy Quarter roared to life. Small huts lined each side of the road, each of them with grass roofs sprouting with flowers and lit by oil lamps and the glow of fireflies.
“This is gorgeous,” I gasped. Moon Grove never ceased to amaze me. Flora laughed as she continued on down the street. Three blocks in, we came to a stop outside of a building that looked like the rest save for a wooden sign planted in the soil out front that read “The Root Vegetarian Cuisine,” spelled out in twisted ivy.
Flora stood on her tiptoes to peek through the open windows, presumably looking for Ewan.
“They’re already here, at the back,” Flora whispered. She turned to me and gulped.
“Are you nervous?”
“A little,” Flora said, her cheeks burning bright pink in the light from the restaurant.
“Don’t be. You look stunning, and Ewan’s lucky to be on a date with you,” I said.
“Thank you, Zoe,” Flora said, smiling and reaching for my hands.
“That’s what friends are for, right?” I asked. Flora beamed and nodded.
“The same goes for you with Beau,” she said.
“Oh, please,” I said, waving a hand at her.
She giggled and headed inside, fiddling with her dress to make sure it looked perfect as we entered. Ewan and Beau spotted us right away and flagged us over to their table where two empty wooden chairs waited for us.
“You look amazing,” Beau said as I sat down beside him.
“So do you,” I said, admiring his navy blue blazer and the pale yellow shirt he wore underneath it. “I wasn’t trying to match.”
> “Call it a lucky coincidence,” Beau said, smiling.
“Have you two met before?” I asked Ewan.
“Not formally, but I’ve seen him on PV for years, obviously,” Ewan said as he fidgeted with the buttons on his light pink shirt, which made his blue eyes pop. He seemed just as nervous as Flora — if not more — the poor guy.
“Yeah, I generally try to avoid run-ins with the police,” Beau said.
“You’re clearly better at it than I am,” I said, and everyone laughed.
“Have you ordered anything yet?” Flora asked.
“Now what kind of gentlemen would we be if we did that?” Ewan asked.
“He’s right,” Beau said.
As if on cue, a male fairy with hair so white I could barely see it in the light drifted over to our table on glittering wings, a pad of paper in hand.
“Good evening, and welcome to The Root. My name is Sage, and I’ll be your server. May I get you all something to drink?” the fairy asked, smiling as he pushed a strand of hair behind one of his long ears.
I opened my mouth to order water but was interrupted when a wailing sound carried through the open windows into the restaurant. With his brows crinkled, Sage turned, and I caught sight of flashing red lights as witches and warlocks in white robes whipped past on broomsticks, their details a blur.
“What’s going on?” Flora asked.
“I don’t know, but if the Magical Medics are involved, it can’t be good. Excuse me,” I said as I stood and stepped around Sage to run to the window. The medics disappeared over the tops of the buildings — and my heart lodged in my throat when I realized they were heading in the direction of Veilside.
“Oh no, not again,” I groaned.
“What is it?” Flora whispered in my ear. She’d joined without me realizing it.
“I’m not sure, but I think someone at Veilside is in trouble,” I said.
“What? But the Academy’s closed,” Flora said.
“Not fully,” I said as I kicked off my heels.
“Where are you going?” Flora asked.
“To the school. I can’t sit here like nothing’s happening,” I said.
“Zoe, you’re on a date! Are you really just going to run over there barefoot?”
