by K E O'Connor
The ghost continued to swirl around me, laughing and growling. Despite the cold, sweat broke out on my brow. The energy exuding from this ghost was pure darkness. I’d only sensed that once before, and that was when Magda finally lost control.
I focused on the ghost’s movement. It was shifting in a figure-of-eight pattern, circling me in big, lazy waves.
I needed to time this right. I’d only get one shot with this tiger opal. This was a one trick spell. I positioned myself in the center of the room so nothing would get in my way.
As it grew colder and my teeth chattered, I thrust out my hand and opened it to reveal the tiger opal just as the ghost shot straight through it.
A roar filled the room. It was so loud I slapped one hand over my ear.
The light vanished from the room.
I held my breath, waiting to see what the ghost would do next. The temperature was returning to normal as a dark red glow began in one corner.
I hurried over and pulled out the small wooden box I’d brought with me. It was an ancient containment box Magda had stored in her cabinet. Despite it not being used for years, it held strong magic. I should be able to contain this ghost for a short time until I got it out of the apartment.
That was as far as my plan went. Get the ghost out of here and make it release Luna from his hold. After that, who knew?
I swept the box over the dull red smear. Had I damaged the ghost with the tiger opal? It had certainly stopped its mocking, and the smoke had almost vanished.
But if this was what was left of the ghost, no matter what I did, I couldn’t capture the smoky red color. And I needed to contain it, because it was expanding.
“Tell me who you are. Show me why you’re here and then leave. Spirit, leave this place and don’t come back.” I pulled out a bottle of salt spray and blasted it at the red smear. If I’d weakened the ghost, a banishment incantation could work. I could drive him out of this apartment and he would be homeless. Just like anybody, ghosts hated to have no home of their own. They’d drift around aimlessly with no anchor. It was easy to get blown off course and find yourself lost if you had nowhere to call home.
I tried the banishment again, continuing to move the containment box through the red smear, while squirting out the salt spray. Nothing took. If this was what was left of the ghost, then he didn’t want to go anywhere.
The back of my T-shirt was yanked, and I yelped as I was lifted off my feet and flung against the wall.
A large inky mass with glowing yellow eyes loomed over me, and smoky swirls that looked like claws raked through the air in front of my face. “You’ll never trap me, witch. I’m too powerful for you.”
“You’re only this powerful because you’ve been feeding off Luna and her fear. Once she’s free from your grip, you won’t be so cocky. I’ll get you then.” I flinched as the smoky claws raked across my skin, leaving behind an icy ache.
“Maybe you will, but I’m too strong for you now. And when you’re dead, you won’t be able to do a thing to stop me.”
I was flipped off my feet, the window flung open, and I was tossed outside.
My panicked brain had five seconds to process that I was about to hit bone crunchingly hard concrete. I plundered my terrified thoughts, trying to find a spell to save me. All I got was a blank wall of terror. I was in trouble.
When I’d said I didn’t have long to live, I didn’t realize the end was so near.
I was bracing for impact, when a dark-clad figure rushed forward and caught me in his arms.
Chapter 9
My speed and weight meant that even though my mystery savior caught me, we still slammed into the concrete hard enough to cause bruises and crunch bone.
A pained grunt came from beneath me as I lay stunned from my fall from the window.
I rolled off the guy who’d saved me and held out my hand. “Thanks for the catch. I wasn’t... oh, it’s you.”
Olympus Duke lay at my feet, his eyes unfocused. His gaze snapped to me and he frowned. “I see you’re finding trouble to get into, even though you’ve only been back here a short time.” He moved smoothly to his feet and brushed down his dark jacket.
“I was trying to help a friend.” I lowered my hand as my shoulders slumped. My visit had been an epic failure.
His gaze shifted to the apartment. “Who lives here?”
“Luna Brimstone.”
“I’ve heard that name in the village. Is that the witch who was attacked by a ghost?”
“Yes. She asked me to help her with her ghost problem.”
“Then you’ve wasted your time and risked your life. You’re aware of your limited magic situation. So unless you’re breaking the terms of your probation, there’s nothing you can do here. You haven’t been using magic items you shouldn’t, have you?”
I’d dropped the tiger opal and the box as I’d been flung out the window, so there was no evidence of my guilt. “Magic takes all kinds of interesting forms.”
“Is that a yes?”
I gave him my sweetest smile. “I’m always innocent.”
Olympus grunted. “Why get involved with something you have no control over?” His sharp gaze traveled over me.
“Because I felt guilty. And I keep telling people I’m no good to them, but they don’t listen. So, I came to take a look. That’s when the ghost threw me out the window.”
Olympus’ gaze flicked to the smashed window. “You could have been killed.”
“I’d have only broken a few bones. It wasn’t that big a drop. But it’s a good job I had such a soft landing.”
He grunted again and flexed his arm muscles.
I hid a grin. “You hate me. Why did you bother catching me?”
“I didn’t know it was you. I saw someone come out the window and acted on instinct.”
“You’re a real superhero.”
The corner of his mouth tilted up. “We’re not all so bad at the Magic Council.”
“You are in my experience, but thanks for the save.” Even though I was certain Olympus wouldn’t have helped if he’d known it was me. If I was dead, that was a big problem gone for the Magic Council.
“I’m glad I caught you,” he said.
“Quite literally.”
This time, a smile lit his face, making him look much less severe. “Indeed. But you misunderstand me. You need to come with me.”
“Um... no. I don’t need to go anywhere with you.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“You have no choice. The Magic Council will require an explanation for what’s gone on here. If you’re interacting with dangerous spirits—”
“I’m not! Not deliberately. I didn’t go to Luna’s apartment to find a badly behaving friend to mess around with. I was doing her a favor.”
“You know the rules of your rehabilitation. No involvement with dark magic. That involves casting spells, administering curses or hexes, or associating with those who dabble in the dark arts.”
“I had no clue this ghost was a dark arts dabbler. And he may not be. It may be that he’s a huge jerk who’s messing with my friend to amuse himself. I didn’t visit the apartment to find trouble.”
“You should have known you’d get in trouble. It follows you everywhere. Come with me. This won’t take more than a few hours.”
“I’m going nowhere with you.” I stepped back as Olympus reached for me.
“Limpy! I didn’t know you were still in Witch Haven.” Odessa hurried over, a smile on her face.
He slid a glance her way, his cheeks flushing red. “I wish you wouldn’t call me that.”
Odessa chuckled. “It’s cute. Olympus makes you sound so scary. Limpy is much nicer.”
I snorted a laugh, which earned me a scathing glance from Limpy.
“How did you get on in Luna’s apartment?” Odessa passed me a large takeout mug of coffee.
I pointed at the broken window. “Not so great. He’s not Casper the friendly spook.”
Her eyes widen
ed. “You came out that way?”
“Yep. And Limpy caught me. He saved me from a few broken bones.”
“Don’t call me that,” he grumbled.
“I could shorten your name to Pus. How’s that work for you?” I said.
Olympus growled. “I don’t need my name shortened to anything.”
“Why didn’t you use a spell to soften the impact of your fall?” Odessa said.
I pointed a thumb at Olympus. “He can tell you the answer to that question.”
He narrowed his eyes at me. “It’s in the best interest of the village that Indigo has no opportunity to cause trouble while she’s here.”
Odessa wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “She’s here to help us. You shouldn’t stop her from using magic to keep herself safe.”
“It’s more a case of keeping others safe,” he muttered.
Odessa shook her head. “You are a grumpy bear. I’m glad Indigo’s opening up her stepmom’s house and bringing it back to life. It’ll be good to see the place occupied again. It made me so sad to see it empty.”
“That’s not... I haven’t decided what I’m doing with the house. Don’t get your hopes up about me coming in and doing a makeover.” Although I had no plans to stay, I didn’t want Olympus blabbing about what was going on any more than he already had. He was dying to get his hands on Magda’s property, and couldn’t wait to see me out of the village.
“We’ll have a big welcome home party when you’re ready,” Odessa said. “I’ll bring my special pumpkin spiced muffins. I’ll even get some of the friendlier scarecrows to do a dance. Some of them have been practicing for months. They’re almost coordinated.”
“No parties,” Olympus said. “The new owners may not want that.”
“New owners?” Odessa’s expression fell. “That house has to stay in the Ash witch family. Ash witches have lived there for hundreds of years. The house won’t like it if it changes hands.”
“The house won’t get a say,” Olympus said.
“It will! It knows something is going on,” Odessa said. “I need to see how it’s feeling. It could be unsettled with all this change.”
“We’ll talk about this later,” I said. “Haven’t you got somewhere you need to be, Olympus?”
He arched an eyebrow. “You should come with me.”
“I’m busy. And unless you have a warrant for my arrest—”
“That can be arranged.”
“Until you do, I’m staying here.”
He pointed at the broken window. “I’ll be drawing this matter to the attention of other members of the Magic Council. They won’t be happy to hear you’re associating with this ghost.”
“Oh, Indigo’s done nothing wrong,” Odessa said. “This is a misunderstanding. Limpy, you must let me know if you or any of the Magic Council members need my special pumpkins this year. I’m already getting orders, and I’d hate for you to miss out.”
His gaze remained on me. “Sure. I’ll let them know.” He glared at me for a few more seconds, before turning and walking away.
“What are you doing, offering the Magic Council special pumpkins? Have you got a bribery system set up so they leave you alone?”
Odessa winced. “Bribery is such a bad word. My pumpkins keep them happy, and that seems to keep them out of my way. I find a little gentle enticement works wonders on them.”
I shook my head. If only that was the solution to my problem with the Magic Council. I had a bad feeling Olympus wouldn’t leave Witch Haven until I did, and I hated him watching me.
“So, no luck with the ghost?” Odessa said.
“No. I thought I had him for a moment, but he was playing with me. I used one of my stepmom’s tiger opals to weaken him. It seemed to work, but I couldn’t capture what was left of the ghost. Then he doubled in strength and tossed me out the window. It’s weird though. His power felt familiar, and he knew me.” I stared up at the broken window. “It felt like I’d faced that magic before, but I can’t remember where.”
“I’m sure you have. Magic moves in circles. It comes around on itself and you bump into your past.”
“Um, I guess so.”
“Did you use a ghost trap?”
“I used one of Magda’s containment boxes. It had enough energy to contain the essence of a ghost, but it didn’t work.”
“I’ve got several. They’re amazing. You can use one of mine if you like the next time. The power is fresher.”
“There’s going to be a next time? I said I’d take a look. I have and can’t see how to catch this ghost.”
“That was just a first try. Now you know what you’re dealing with, it’ll be simple.”
“Says the woman who didn’t come in to help.”
Odessa glanced over her shoulder at the tree. “I was right about that bug. He was lost. So I was helping, just not you.”
I shook my head. “What do you use ghost traps for?”
“Trapping scarecrows.”
“You’ve lost me.”
“Some of them can be mean. They get possessed with the wrong energy, and even something stuffed with straw and a pumpkin for a head can be dangerous. And as autumn creeps closer, they get more powerful. I’m thinking I need to hire an assistant.”
“An assistant scarecrow wrangler. That would be an interesting job description to put together.”
“It would be a fun job for anyone brave enough to take it on. I’ll give it some thought. It takes a special someone to deal with the scarecrows.” She caught hold of my arm. “How about we go get something to eat?”
“I could eat.”
“We’ll go to Fandango’s. We can tell Albert the good news.” Odessa tugged me along the sidewalk.
“There’s good news in all this mess?”
“There is. You’re going to get Luna better.”
“I make no guarantees. And my first attempt at dealing with that ghost was a failure.”
“It was a learning experience. You’ve got an idea of what you’re dealing with now, so when you go back with my ghost traps, you can catch him easily.”
“Nothing about this job will be easy. That ghost was full of hate. He called Luna a plaything.”
“He’s mean. Almost as mean as some of my scarecrows.”
We walked along in silence for a moment as we headed toward the center of the village.
My stomach tightened, and I lowered my head. I hadn’t meant to come into the village. I’d planned to stay at Magda’s house, get it emptied, and then leave. Instead, I’d gotten myself tangled in a ghost mystery that had nothing to do with me.
I glanced around at the people walking by, but they didn’t pay me any attention. Maybe we could sneak in, grab some food, and get out again before I drew any trouble to me.
I glanced around, taking in my old stomping ground. There were several new stores I hadn’t noticed when I’d first arrived. There was a pet store, a bookstore, and an expensive-looking dress store.
I hurried us along, keen to keep away from any curious gazes. The second people recognized me, there’d be problems.
We headed into the bakery, and I closed my eyes for a second and inhaled the memories of the hours I’d spent eating cherry buns, lemon slices, and sugar sponge cakes as I did my homework with Luna.
The place hadn’t changed a bit. There was still a huge glass-fronted cabinet containing all the delicious treats. There were half a dozen wooden tables at the back of the small store, and the tempting smell of sugar and warm chocolate filled the air.
“We should get sandwiches and cake,” Odessa said. “Ghost hunting is hungry work.”
“You haven’t been ghost hunting. You disappeared to talk to some bug.”
“I’m hungry from watching you work.” She grinned. “What will it be?”
“You order for us. I’ve just spotted Albert at the back. I want to talk to him.”
She patted my arm. “Good idea. Put his mind at rest. Everything will soon be sorted.”
I wished I had half her confidence. I walked past the tables toward Luna’s uncle. He was hunched over, scrubbing a spot on the floor with a mop.
“Albert. I’m glad I bumped into you.”
He turned, and his eyes narrowed. “Get out. You’re not welcome here.”
“I’m not surprised to hear that, but I wanted you to know I’m going to help Luna if I can.”
He stared at me, his hands tight around the broom handle. “You are? Don’t expect to get paid.”
“I’m not doing it for the money. I’m doing it because Luna and I were once friends. I only turned her away because I didn’t think I could help. I didn’t think she’d get hurt. I’m sorry for that.”
He let out a sigh, and his shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have shown up and yelled at you. I panicked when I learned what had happened to Luna. I’m so scared she won’t make it through this.” His jaw wobbled and tears filled his eyes.
“I’ve already been to her apartment. I’ve met the ghost who hurt her. He’s powerful, but I’m trying to figure out how to deal with him.”
“You can destroy it? You have the dark power to do that?”
I didn’t want to burst the tiny bubble of hope that bloomed around Albert. “I still have some power. I’ll use it for good.”
He cleared his throat several times before patting his chest. “I appreciate that. I didn’t mean all those things I said to you.”
“You were right to say them. What happened all those years ago was wrong. I regret it. I wish it had never happened.”
“We all wish that.” His gaze flicked over me. “I really liked Magda. I wish you hadn’t both gone bad.”
“Same here.” I looked away, staring at the chalkboard full of descriptions of delicious cakes. Being back in Witch Haven, I was remembering the good times. Those last few unstable weeks had blotted out all the great memories. I’d loved living here, and I’d never wanted to leave. And there was still that small blank in my memory that refused to budge. Why had we done it? Why had we let loose that dark magic on the village and destroyed so many lives? It was a question I’d been asked, and asked myself, hundreds of times, without coming to a resolution.
