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The day seemed to pass at a snail’s pace as Wynona waited for night to arrive. She read through Granny’s grimoire, marked the spells she wanted to try and took notes on the techniques Granny mentioned. She also cleaned her house, played referee between Rascal and Celia and generally watched the minutes tick by.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” Rascal murmured, giving her a sweet kiss. With a wink, he disappeared into the dark.
Wynona waited at the door for his massive truck to roar down the driveway. She sighed and leaned her head against the doorframe. I love you.
Love you too. Tomorrow we’ll catch a killer together.
Wynona huffed a soft laugh. Perfect. She shook her head and closed the door. She had no idea how she had managed to get him off without Rascal knowing she was keeping a secret, but Wynona wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. “Now to figure out how to slip out without Celia knowing.”
“Without my knowing what?”
Wynona mentally cursed. She didn’t use naughty words very often, but this seemed like the right time for it. “I was contemplating how to keep the two of you from fighting like cats and dogs.” She closed her eyes as soon as the words were out. The unintended pun was a little too on the nose.
Celia snickered. “Nice one. Has he heard it yet? I might have to steal it.”
Wynona sighed. “What’s your problem with him, Celia? Rascal is the best thing that ever happened to me and I’m tired of being a go-between with you two.”
Celia studied her nails.
Wynona shook her head. “Whatever. But you’ll have to get used to him. Rascal is it for me.”
Celia rolled her eyes. “Why would I care?”
Wynona closed her eyes for a moment. “If you don’t care, then why do you go so far out of your way to make things difficult?”
Celia smirked. “I’m your sister. Isn’t it my job?”
Wynona smirked back. “You know something? If you’d calm down around him, you and Rascal would probably get along just fine. He’s always saying that as my boyfriend it’s his job to drive me crazy.”
Celia tapped her bottom lip. “Hmm...maybe he’s more worthy than I thought.” She tilted her head and narrowed her gaze. “I do have a question, though...”
Wynona stiffened. Celia’s tone was a bit ominous.
“Your relationship seems...closer than a normal couple.” Celia dropped her hand and clasped them behind her, taking a step forward. “In fact, I could swear there are times when you seem to be talking to each other in your minds.”
Wynona’s heart was pounding so hard she was sure it was visible from outside her chest. Her family didn’t know that Rascal was her soulmate. Only a select few knew that and Wynona wasn’t quite sure how much of that she was willing to share. It worried her that it was something that could be used against her, especially by her parents. “What are you implying?” Wynona asked, her voice tighter than she would have wished.
Celia paused in her approach. “I’m not sure, but something seems a little off.”
Wynona forced a shrug. “That’s fine. You don’t have to understand us.”
Celia leaned forward a little. “You’re keeping something from me, Wynona. And I realize we’ve never been close, but something about this feels big and I plan to figure it out.”
“Good luck,” Wynona said with a curt nod. She was done with this conversation. They could definitely start their relationship over–Wynona was all too happy to allow Celia the opportunity to try again–but that didn’t mean Wynona would simply forget all the times her sister had betrayed her trust. The ability to share secrets would have to be earned, and it definitely hadn’t happened yet.
She headed to the hallway. “I’m bushed. I’ll see you in the morning.” Pausing at the hallway’s entrance, she looked over her shoulder. “I’ll be working on the case again tomorrow, so if you sleep in, I might already be gone.”
Celia spun on her heel. “Have fun.”
Wynona headed to her bedroom. The closer she got, the more her elevated heart rate had nothing to do with Celia’s nosiness. In just a few short hours, she would be sneaking out to meet an unknown person in order to gain an alibi for Thallia.
When you put it like that, it sounds even more stupid.
Wynona looked to Violet, who was settled on her pillow in the corner of the bedroom. “You don’t have to come.”
Someone needs to keep you from getting yourself killed.
“I have my magic now,” Wynona argued. “I can protect myself.”
You also hardly rely on your magic. You’re still too used to going without.
Wynona plopped on a chair. “I know,” she said softly. “But what if the person runs when I bring Rascal along? What if they refuse to help?”
What if they don’t know he’s there, Violet shot back. You really think a wolf can’t stay hidden if he wants to?
Wynona scrubbed her hands over her face. “I’m afraid to risk it. Thallia’s innocent. What if this is the evidence we need to get her off the suspect list once and for all?
And what if this has nothing to do with Thallia, but is an opportunity for your parents to grab you? Or even kill you? I hate to break it to you, but you’ve probably earned a few enemies along the way this last year.
Wynona nodded. “I know,” she whispered. “I’ve thought of that.”
Then why are you going?
“Because I have to take the chance.”
Violet snorted and curled back up. Wake me before we go.
Wynona leaned back. Violet might be able to sleep, but Wynona knew she never could. She was nervous about tonight, she was anxious about getting out of the house undetected and she was terrified of finding herself in a trap. “Thallia needs you,” Wynona whispered to herself. “She’s innocent.” Nodding firmly, Wynona grabbed a book and settled back in her chair. She would do her best to keep her mind off the meeting until it was time to leave.
The seconds ticked by steadily, but not fast enough for Wynona’s anxiety. A few minutes before she planned to leave, she dressed herself in all black, hoping to blend into the night as much as possible.
Violet wrapped her tail around Wynona’s neck. How are you going to avoid Celia?
Wynona put her ear to the door. “Is she awake?”
Hang on. Violet skittered down and ran under the door.
Wynona could hear the mouse scurrying down the hallway, but the noise disappeared the farther she went. Taking deep breaths, Wynona forced herself to wait. It would be so much easier if Celia was in bed, and so Violet’s information would be very helpful.
She’s eating the last of the cookies, Violet said in disgust as she arrived back in the room.
Wynona nodded, her lips pursed. “I thought they were disappearing a little too quickly.”
If there are no crumbs left, I’m staging a revolt.
“We’ll make more.” Wynona spun once Violet was in position and eyed her window.
I hate to say it, but that might be the best way.
Wynona nodded and walked over. The screeching sound from lifting the pane was enough to wake the dead and Wynona had to pause to make sure Celia wasn’t coming down the hall to see what creature was tearing down the house. She didn’t hear anything and Wynona nearly collapsed in relief.
“Geez,” she grumbled as she lifted one leg extra high to get out. “I need to up the yoga practice.” Wynona quickly blocked her inner hearing when Violet tried to offer her own snarky retort. She didn’t need that kind of negativity in her life.
It took several moments of careful maneuvering, but eventually Wynona fell to the grass just outside her house.
She stood, rubbing her sore knee and looking around for anything out of place. Celia was either completely deaf or she simply didn’t care that Wynona was making weird noises.
Probably the latter.
Wynona nodded, then walked to the back of the house where she was sure no one would see her.
Where are you going? The garage is the other way.
Wynona shook her head, still watching the area around her. The Grove of Secrets wasn’t that far and Wynona felt as if there were eyes watching her. “Do you feel that?” she whispered to Violet.
I think it’s time to grab the Vespa and run. Violet shivered and tightened her hold on Wynona’s neck.
“They can’t hurt us as long as we don’t cross the boundaries,” Wynona murmured, doing her best to keep her own shiver in check.
So you say. Violet sniffed. Again...where are you going?
“I’m going to port us to the shop,” Wynona whispered. She winced and blocked out Violet’s diatribe. Wynona had known from the start that taking the Vespa wasn’t an option. There was no way someone wouldn’t notice her. But porting? That could be done silently and with no one the wise.
Why did we bother to come outside if you were just porting?
“Because I didn’t want to ruin my room if something goes wrong,” Wynona explained.
Violet grumbled but left it at that.
“I ported my whole family home after the encounter with the cats,” Wynona continued. “Surely I can do one person.”
We can only hope. And don’t forget to take a mouse along.
“Right.” Wynona rubbed her sweaty palms on her jeans. She could still feel the eerie vibes from the forest, but she did her best to ignore them. Closing her eyes, Wynona allowed her magic to soar to the tips of her fingers, consuming her whole body. “The tea shop,” she chanted over and over again.
She’d never ported on purpose before, so Wynona wasn’t quite sure how to initiate such a spell, but she figured it had to start with knowing where she was going.
Try picturing the dining room, Violet suggested.
Wynona wiggled her fingers and let her mind’s eyes create the tables, chairs, couches and antique teacup display she kept in the back. The tingling of magic began to prick her skin from head to toe. It was almost painful, but Wyonna held firm. “The tea shop, the tea shop,” she said, her voice getting tighter as her body began to feel like it was being pulled in all directions.
You better know what you’re doing! Violet screeched, her tail nearly choking Wynona’s airway.
Wynona ignored the panic rising in her throat like bile and Violet’s question. Her skin was being flayed from her body, Wynona was sure of it. She cracked one eye open and nearly fainted when she saw that her house was gone and she was in some kind of multicolored tunnel. The colors were so bright she could barely keep an eye open and she felt as if every direction was tugging on her to follow. What was she supposed to do now? Was this how it worked? Had she sent herself to another dimension and would now be lost forever?
You have to keep going, Violet ordered. The tea shop!
Wynona squeezed her eyes again. “The tea shop, the tea shop,” she said more firmly. With one last wave of pain, which caused Wynona to cry out and drop to her knees, the rush and pressure finally ended. Hard flooring dug into Wynona’s knees and when she leaned forward to catch her breath, she breathed easier when she recognized the hardwood under her palms. “Oh my gosh,” she panted. “We did it.”
There was no answer.
“Violet?”
The space was still dark and too quiet.
Wynona forced herself onto shaky legs. VIOLET! she screamed internally.
I’m here! A scuttling noise cut into the dark and Wynona finally blew out her breath when she felt the familiar tugging on her pants, climbing all the way up to her neck.
Wynona reached up and lifted Violet from her shoulder, cuddling her close. “What happened?”
I ended up in the office, Violet grumbled. She was shaking, which undermined her snarky tone. Apparently you need to work on that before I join you again.
Wynona kissed the soft head and put her familiar back on her shoulder. “I promise we’ll get it figured out.”
So...is your informant still here? Violet asked. You shouted loud enough to bring those ghost cats back from the beyond.
Wynona huffed. “Sorry for being worried about you.”
Violet chittered.
“I guess we’ll find out, huh?” Wynona said, coming back to Violet’s original question. She was also worried about it, but Wynona had timed her arrival to be early enough she hoped she would beat her informant. According to her cell phone, it was still fifteen minutes to midnight.
Feeling her way to a wall, Wynona was proud of herself for only stumbling over chairs twice before reaching a light switch. She blinked rapidly when the light came on. “Gosh, that’s bright.”
Tell me about it. Violet rubbed her eyes and sighed. Now what?
Wynona shook her head. “Now we wait, I guess.”
Well, I want a cookie.
“I don’t think I have any,” Wynona admitted. “But last I knew, there were a couple of Danishes. Will that do?”
I suppose, Violet said on a sigh.
Wynona smiled despite the fear churning in her belly. She wished she knew what to expect this evening. Was the informant going to knock on the door? Would they get into the shop somehow? Were they someone who could also port?
Not knowing what else to do in the meantime, Wynona began to walk across the dining room toward the kitchen, only to come to a screeching halt.
You’ve got to be kidding me, Violet snapped. Again?
Wynona’s heart fell to her stomach. “I thought we were early, but I’m guessing we were too late.”
Really? Whatever gave you that idea?
Wynona closed her eyes and tried to hold back tears. This was not how tonight was supposed to go. Rascal?
Yeah?
I need you and the team at the tea shop.
Open the door.
Instead of being surprised, Wynona simply walked stiff-legged to the front entrance. She unlocked it and pulled it open.
“We can discuss you keeping this from me later,” Rascal growled, stepping inside. “What’s going on?”
Wynona waved toward the dining room. “The body is that way.”
Rascal pinched the bridge of his nose. “Unbelievable.” He grabbed his phone and began to walk farther inside. “Chief? We’ve got an emergency at the tea shop.”