I accepted it, surprised by the wave of attraction I felt at his touch. Was Logan supernatural? Maybe he was a fairy or a cupid or some other type of creature known for laying on the charm.
Logan spun me into his chest, sliding one hand onto my waist and interlacing his other hand with mine. I rested my arm on his shoulder, hyper-aware that Logan had put a little less distance between us than was polite.
“Do you dance often?” he purred into my ear.
“No. What kind of question is that? Normal people don’t dance.”
“I only ask because you dance well,” he said, lifting his arm up so I could twirl under.
I gave him a measured look. What kind of creature was he? “You’re so full of it. Stop trying to flatter me.”
“I see you’re less trusting than your sister,” Logan said. “That’s good to be suspicious of people around here—especially given how inexperienced you and your sister are.”
“Inexperienced?”
“Your witchcraft, Wilhelmina.” Logan guided me through the other couples with smooth, confident steps.
“Witchcraft?” I tensed up, shocked he’d just come out and said it. I opted to play dumb. “I think maybe it’s time to lay off the bubbly.”
“I’m not drunk.” Logan chuckled. “Even if I was, that wouldn’t change the fact that you’re a witch, as is your sister.”
I stumbled, but his arms held me upright. “A witch? That’s not a very nice thing to call someone,” I scolded.
“I didn’t mean it as a derogatory term, but you already know that,” Logan said. “Why stand on ceremony? You’re a Craven. Therefore, you’re a witch, like your mother, and her mother, and everyone who came before her,” he said.
“You’re crazy.” I tried to let go of his hand, but he gripped tighter.
Slowly, Logan brought his lips to my ear. “If I’m crazy, then why did you flinch when I spoke the word ‘witch?’” His breath on my ear next sent a shiver through my body.
“Because that was a really bizarre thing to say.”
Logan shook his head. “It’s pointless to deny it—not to mention rather annoying. I know the Craven family coven are the keepers of the gateway.”
OK, that was it.
I couldn’t just go on dancing with this man while he toyed with me. I glued my feet to the ground. “Who are you?”
“Not ‘who,’ Wilhelmina, but ‘what.’” Logan halted along with me but still gripped my hand. “Can you really not tell?” He stepped back, getting a look at me. “I suppose it would take time for your powers to return. Your sister couldn’t pick up anything either.”
“Was it you?” I asked, rage filling my body, chasing away all the fear. “Did you kill my mother?”
“Keep dancing, Wilhelmina.” He lowered his voice. “Now is not the time to make a scene.” He pulled me in again and fell into step with the music.
I relented, but I wasn’t going to let him avoid my question. “Did you kill my mother?” I repeated.
“No. Must you speak of such things at a party?” he whispered, his eyes flickering with interest.
“You started it,” I said. “You brought up the ‘witch’ thing.”
His mouth twitched as he fought a smile. “You’re different from your sister.”
“Stop changing the subject,” I said.
“If you insist.” Logan sighed. “Personally, I find it troubling that it happened to someone as powerful as Rebecca. It leads me to believe that there are creatures in this town who I’ve either underestimated or who have managed to fly far under the radar.”
“What are you talking about?” I hissed.
Logan glanced around the dance floor as he pulled me in closer. “If I were you, I’d work on getting your magic back as fast as possible. This place is crawling with supernatural creatures who are not as well-mannered as myself.”
“Are you supernatural?” I asked.
“Very much so.”
“Are you a fairy?” I asked.
“Guess again.” He smiled, enjoying this game.
“A cupid?”
His eyebrows shot up. “A cupid? How provocative. Why would you think that, Wilhelmina? Do I make you feel something?”
“It was just a guess,” I said, my face heating up.
“No need to be embarrassed. I have that effect on a lot of women.”
“No offense, Logan. You’re not my type.” I wracked my brain, sifting through all the information I’d learned about monsters over the years. Logan had some kind of energy that drew people in. He was handsome, almost mesmerizing. His quick, precise movements were a little too perfect to be human. “Are you a vampire?”
Logan’s eyebrows lifted, surprised. “Have you met many vampires?”
“A few.”
Logan nodded. “Interesting.” Then, without warning, the man slid his hand behind my back and whipped me down in a dip. He brought his face inches from mine. “And what did you do when you came across these vampires?”
I gasped, startled by the movement. “It depends.” I squirmed in his arms, but his grip was vice-like.
His eyes glittered. “Did you kill them?”
“Only one, and only because I had to.” I glanced around for Sam but couldn’t find her among the party guests. I was starting to feel very uncomfortable about dancing with Logan. His tone had shifted into something less cordial, and I didn’t know what he was capable of. If Logan was a vampire, I was vulnerable—even with the assorted weapons I’d tucked strategically in my dress.
Vampires were dangerous creatures. If you didn’t have the element of surprise, you were as good as dead if that was what they wanted.
“Now how would a girl without any powers kill such a dangerous monster?” Logan’s eyes slowly trailed down my body. He lifted me back up. “Were you wearing this silly little dress when you did it?”
“Logan, are you a vampire?” I asked, feeling light-headed now.
“I’m a businessman.” Logan brought his lips to my ear. “And I am your ally—for now.”
“You know what I am,” I said. “It’s only fair I know what you are.”
“All you need to know is that I can kill you in the blink of an eye,” Logan said matter-of-factly. “So don’t mistake my charm for weakness.”
Suddenly a scream cut through the noise of the party.
I whirled around in the direction of the noise and saw Misty Sullivan pushing open the bathroom door, staggering as she used her arm to help another woman out into the room. Her eyes were panicked, but her voice was calm as she addressed the party guests. “We need a doctor right now.”
Logan was at her side instantly, and I had no idea how he got to her so fast. With strong, steady hands, he helped Misty lower the woman onto the floor.
The woman coughed, water sputtering from her mouth, dripping down over the neckline of her black cocktail dress.
That was woman Rosie Mitchell.
18
We trudged up the icy steps leading to our cabin. The nighttime air was chilly, but not nearly as frosty as the cold shoulder I’d been getting from Willa ever since Logan had called in a doctor and Connor showed up to shut down the party.
I heard Willa’s phone vibrating in her fist. “Are you going to check that?”
Willa glared at me before pausing on the steps and swiping through the lock screen on her phone. Her blue eyes moved across the screen as she read a text. Then, without a word, she pushed in front of me to continue climbing the stairs.
I wasn’t sure if I felt more irritated or confused by her behavior. “Who texted you? Connor? Was it an update on Rosie?” I asked, gripping the rail for balance.
Without looking back, Willa said, “Yes, it was Connor. He says Rosie’s OK, but she’s staying at the clinic in Healy overnight for observation.” She shook her head. “Do you believe her? She had the nerve to get mad at me for asking questions.”
“Willa, she was injured tonight. We don’t even know what exactly happe
ned. What if she’s a victim just like Mom was?”
The shiny black beads on the hem of Willa’s dress glittered in the moonlight. “You know what, Sam? It doesn’t even matter who the murderer is. This is all your fault.”
“What? Why would you say something like that?” Of all the things to come out of Willa’s mouth, that was the last thing I expected.
Willa whirled around on the steps to face me. “Who’s side are you on, anyway? Are you trying to sabotage everything this family has worked for?”
I searched my sister’s face for a hint that she was kidding and found none. “Of course not. I’m here. I’ve been taking care of the bakery and the oven.”
Willa jabbed her finger at me. “No, you’ve been pretending to take care of things, all the while running your mouth about our private matters to that scumbag across the street.”
“Willa, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Her nostrils flared, her gold nose ring catching the light. “You’re just going to lie to my face? Me—your sister.” She shook her head and trotted the rest of the way up the steps. “You told Logan Graves everything—that we’re witches, that we’re in charge of the oven.” Her voice cracked and she paused at the top of the steps as her shoulders shook. “I bet you told him about the knot spell, too, and about what I did to Connor.”
Is she crying? How much did she drink at that party? I hadn’t even seen her with a glass in her hand all night.
I caught up to her and laid a hand on her shoulder. “I didn’t tell him any of that.”
Her eyes turned steely. “Then how did he know?”
“I didn’t tell him,” I assured her, not sure what else I could say. It hurt to see how quickly she had turned on me. This wasn’t her.
I sucked in a breath. Willa had suspected someone was planning on putting the knot spell on her. She’d mentioned someone taking her shoelace or something yesterday.
Was Willa under the knot spell? Was she not in control anymore?
Willa snatched my clutch out of my hand and plucked the cabin keys out. Then she forced the key into the lock. “Sam, you’ve been nothing but dead weight since you’ve gotten here. You haven’t practiced your magic. There’s someone out there going after our friends, and you’re too busy running the bakery to help. Who gives a crap about the bakery?”
“Willa, be quiet. Wes will hear you,” I warned.
Willa ignored me, her voice getting even louder. “You’re useless, you know that? You can’t even tell that Logan’s supernatural. You’re so out of touch with your magic. Why even bother coming up here at all if you’re just going to sit by and let this monster pick off people one at a time?” She heaved the cabin door open, leaving the keys swinging from the lock.
I grabbed for her arm. “Willa, are you under the knot spell? Can you tell? I know you wouldn’t say things like this.”
“You don’t know me.” Willa sneered. “Just like I don’t know you. This family is broken. Mom only had us to be her good little soldiers—to carry on her work after she died. She didn’t care about us, and I say good riddance.”
“I know you better than you think, and this isn’t you.” I lunged for Willa, clamping my hand over her mouth. “Don’t say anything else. When you get your mind back, you’ll regret everything you’ve said.”
Inside the cabin, I heard footsteps traveling along the creaky floorboards. Wes appeared in the doorway, black hair mussed, sheet marks on his face, wearing a pair of gray sweatpants and a fitted white tank top. He squinted, still looking half-asleep. “Samantha? Willa? I heard yelling. Everything OK out here?” he asked.
“Go back to your room, Wes,” I snapped.
Wes blinked, his eyes becoming more alert. “Go back to my room?” He snorted. “I don’t think so.”
“Get out of the way, Wes.” Willa shoved him hard in the chest, attempting to push past him.
Wes pursed his lips, a look of sympathy replacing his confusion. He caught Willa by the wrists. “I see what’s going on here. She’s wasted.”
I shook my head. “Wes, I don’t think that’s it.”
Willa recoiled from Wes’ grip. “Don’t touch me. You stand there all smug. You have no idea the damage I could do to you.”
Wes' lips turned up in a patronizing smile. “All one hundred and ten pounds of you, huh?” He stepped aside, allowing her in. “How about a drink of water, sunshine? Maybe some coffee?”
“I’m not drunk,” Willa muttered.
Then I gasped as the strangest thing happened.
Instead of walking into the cabin, Willa appeared to smack into an invisible wall. She stumbled back, holding her arms out to keep her balance.
Wes’ face turned pale. “What just happened?” He grabbed her waist, hauling her upright. “Are you OK?” he asked her.
Willa’s hand flew to her face as she rubbed a red lump rising on her forehead.
Understanding landed on me as I stared at my belligerent sister.
The wards.
Before Wes helped Willa back into the cabin a second time, I flung my arms out to block the entryway. “She can’t come in.”
Wes gave me an incredulous look. “What do you mean she can’t come in? Samantha, your sister’s clearly a mess. She’s yelling. She can barely walk. She needs to be put to bed. Whatever you two are fighting about, you can pick it back up tomorrow. This is crazy.”
I shook my head, a sinking feeling in my stomach. “It’s not that.” I licked my lips, frantically thinking of some way to make Wes understand without telling him the truth. This wasn’t about some childish grudge.
If the wards were blocking Willa, it meant she was planning on harming herself or me. This had to be the work of the knot spell. Whoever killed my mom, stole the notebook, and attacked Rosie had managed to use my spell on my sister.
But who was it?
I closed my eyes as fear filled my lungs and throat, nearly paralyzing me. I’d have to figure out a way to take down this murderer by myself. Otherwise, Willa would stay under the spell’s influence for years, just like Connor.
“Hey, Samantha, stay with me here.” Wes snapped his fingers in my face, pulling me out of my thoughts. “I’m taking Willa inside, OK?”
Willa was thrashing around, trying in vain to get out of Wes’ grip. “Get your hands off me right now, or you’ll be sorry.”
Wes rolled his eyes. “You two better give me a raise after this.”
“I warned you.” Willa closed her eyes and held up her palms.
“Wes, step away from her. I’m serious.” I grabbed Willa around the hips, pulling her away from Wes and the door.
I could see what she was about to do. She was seconds away from conjuring witch fire—right in front of our new employee.
Blue flames flickered to life on Willa’s palms. It started to spread up her arms.
Wes jerked his hands away. His eyes nearly popped out of his head as my sister’s hands lit up with blue witch fire.
I had to stop this. I couldn’t rely on my big sister to handle this. She belonged to the murderer now.
“Willa, stop!” I yelled, stepping in front of Wes.
“Sammie, get out of the way,” she growled.
“No.”
Just then, I noticed a shadow coming up being Willa.
I heard a click.
All at once, the blue flames went out completely.
I shielded my eyes as a white light waved around the cabin porch—a flashlight.
As my eyes adjusted, I saw what had happened.
Connor was here.
He held Willa face down on the ground, a flashlight clamped under his arm. He’d already latched one handcuff around her wrist and was pulling the other one behind her back. They were a very strange-looking pair of handcuffs—black and glittery, definitely not metal. I could feel the magic pulsing from them. They were enchanted, and I wondered if those handcuffs were what cut off Willa’s witch fire.
The sheriff regarded Wes and
me with weary eyes. “I heard shouting from down the hill. What’s wrong with her?”
19
Connor held Willa down, and I pressed my hand to her forehand. I murmured a spell my mom had used on me after one of my many nightmares.
“Drift away and
close your eyes,
Wake not until
The sun should rise.”
Willa’s body went limp, and I breathed a sigh of relief. “I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to pull that off.”
Connor swallowed, his eyes full of concern. “Is she sleeping?”
I nodded. “We can probably get her past the wards now. It didn’t work before. She’s under a spell and I think it’s making her want to hurt me, or maybe herself. Hopefully, she can’t have any ill-intentions while she’s unconscious.”
Connor carefully gathered her up in his arms. “She’s not in any pain?”
“She shouldn’t be.” I stood up, brushing off my dress. I smiled at Wes, doing my best to keep him calm. Soon, all of this would be nothing more to him than a dream.
Wes' eyes were on Willa. “You guys saw that too, right? All that fire that came out of her hands? What was that?”
“You know all of that stuff I couldn’t tell you before?” I patted him on the back. “That was it. Come on. Let’s go inside.”
Wes didn’t budge. “How did you make her fall asleep like that? Is she OK?”
“I’m going to need you to move,” Connor said to Wes as lifted Willa’s limp body. He paused to tug the hem of Willa’s dress down, noticing how exposed her upper thighs were.
Wes shook his head, still looking like he was in shock. “Am I dreaming? This can’t be real. Fire came out of her hands.”
Connor carried Willa to the door, but the invisible barrier blocked Willa’s body from getting inside. Connor frowned, giving it another try, going slower this time.
It was the strangest thing to watch.
Connor’s body could make it past the threshold of the cabin, his shoulder, part of his arm, but just before any part of Willa’s body passed through, the wards activated.
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