I needed to get away from the LARPing kids with lightning bolts on their foreheads. I wished that bad guys looked like that dark lord. He’d be easier to root out.
I met the gypsy sisters next door at the sandwich and soup place. The dreary weather demanded soup. Viv and Belle were waiting. We ordered and took over the back booth.
“So, your stuff is back. That’s great,” Viv said.
“Yep. No clue who took it, but it was back.” I rubbed my forehead.
“There’s something else,” Belle said.
I looked around. “The police showed up asking about Trela—one of the new witches. She was found dead in her car,” I said quietly.
“Dead? Murdered?” Viv asked.
I nodded. A staff member brought our food, and I was relieved the owner wasn’t around. He was a flirt and would never let me and the girls chat without trying to join in.
“It was made to look like a suicide, but why move and then kill yourself? It makes no sense. She had to be running from something or someone. She was looking for a location for a shop. Other than that, she was working from home. Who could she have upset?” I asked.
The sisters exchanged a look.
“What?” I asked.
“Trela. We heard about her,” Viv began.
“What about her?” I asked.
“She was reading Tarot at that shop she wanted to set up,” Belle said.
“Oh. Don’t tell me she crossed the gypsies,” I said.
“She never set up a shop, but she was looking in the wrong areas. But they would’ve sent her a warning first. They don’t just go to murder. That’s not our way.” Viv blew on her soup to cool it down.
“Good,” I replied “It’s probably an ex-boyfriend or something. I’d be happy if I knew who stole my books. I feel like I’m still vulnerable.”
“Rumor is that it was someone from your fancy ball. While you were there, they wanted to prove you weren’t as powerful as you thought you were,” Belle piped up.
“Nice. Just a smug lesson. Could be anyone.” I had the feeling it was either Bran’s Aunt Trezel or Brenda. Someone who wanted to put me in my place.
“Yeah, I’d forget it, unless you want to create some sort of rivalry or piss off someone. Probably a member of Bran’s family just trying to test you out,” Viv said.
“And I asked that aunt for a favor. She probably thinks I’m clueless and helpless.” I focused on my soup.
“Don’t get down. The new witches all rubbed the people at the ball wrong. Brenda was full of herself and hid her powers like she was better than them. The other two seemed antisocial. Anti-establishment. I couldn’t find much on Amelia, but we researched Trela,” Belle said.
“Why?” I asked.
“She was going to open a shop. The gypsies who run the local shops were doing it, anyway. We just acted interested,” Viv said.
“Well, I know Brenda moved from NYC and thought she was a big shot in her old coven. We’re small potatoes. I’m stronger than she is. She’s threatened by me. Trela wasn’t very strong, so I don’t know why she’d care,” This whole scenario was getting more confusing by the minute.
“She cares because you are accepted by the big magical people and by the witches without powers. Everyone likes you. But she had bigger problems. Debt from her last shop. An ex-boyfriend who dumped her. Apparently, there was a business partner she owed money to on top of the credit card debt. Her karma probably caught up with her,” Belle said.
“Or the people she owed money to. Was she really gifted or is she faking her readings?” I asked.
“They couldn’t figure that out. So, she probably has some sensitivity. But a disgruntled Tarot customer is another possibility,” Viv mused.
“Would you really track your old fortune teller across two states because they got it wrong? Would you kill them?” I asked.
The sisters shared a look.
“What?” I demanded.
“Some people ask things that are highly personal. Life or death stuff. Where to invest money. What treatment to pursue for a family member’s illness. Maybe someone died because of a decision based on that advice. That’s why the gypsies are careful who they put in those shops, and there is always muscle in the back.” Belle nodded.
“Oh, we did find that Trela belonged to an online coven that catered to solo practitioners and those who move around. She already had a group that followed her and advertised her. We just checked her affiliations and stuff, so if she didn’t join your coven, it wasn’t like she was really out there on her own.” Viv shook her head.
“That’s good, I guess. Can you see who she was friends with in that coven? Search its members or post a message?” I asked.
“Sure. I joined to have the info. I’ll post and see who knew her. Let people know she died,” Viv said.
“No, don’t let them know she’s gone. Just say she’s new around here and want to know what she’s like from her friends. Then, look up and see if Brenda or Amelia is part of that online coven.”
Viv made a note in her phone. “Will do. Why would it matter if they’re all in it?”
“I don’t know.” I shook my head. “I just feel like it was odd to have three new witches come in right at the time of the party, and none are interested in my coven. If we get one new witch every few months, that’s average, and they always seem to be glad to find out we’re here. These three felt odd.”
“You’re not going to try and solve this, are you?” Belle asked.
“No, I just want to be sure my coven is safe. It’s probably someone from her past life, and that’s why she moved.” I shrugged.
The door chimed as I added crackers to my soup.
“Claudia, your little event is going to make me a fortune in extensions and manicures.” Derrick headed for our booth. “But that place is crazy. Hi, ladies.”
The sisters smiled and greeted him in return.
“Sorry about the setup last night. I’m glad you’re making money at least. This event was a test,” I said.
“She got her books back,” Viv said.
“That’s great. And don’t worry about the boy. Nerdy guys who are into vampires are not my game. But how about that dead witch?” he asked.
“The police were at my place this morning. Where did you hear about it?” I asked.
“Ellen texted me. There are no secrets in your café.” Derrick smiled. “You’re okay, right?”
“Fine. She wasn’t in the coven or interested in joining. I’m sure it’s someone from her past. The cops are just doing their jobs,” I replied.
“But it could be bad publicity for your coven. Member or not, a dead witch is not going to help. Are people targeting witches? Have you checked on the other two newbies?” Derrick asked.
“No, they weren’t interested in joining us either. I could try to check on Amelia.” I hated being the leader, sometimes.
“You don’t like Brenda,” Viv stated more than asked.
“No one did. She made a terrible impression on the coven. Derrick’s mom was there,” I said.
“Mom hated her. Snobby racist witch,” he said.
“Let her bug another coven or go solo. We don’t need that,” I said.
“You should take care of your coven,” Belle suggested. “Hold a special meeting to make sure people are aware of what’s happened.”
“That’s true.” I texted Esme to send and invite all the members to a meeting. Then, I texted Bran the info and that his family was welcome, as well.
“So, can I crash and work on the LARPing kids, again, tonight?” Derrick asked.
“I half-expected to find you there today, still. Sure, as long as I get my cut.” I smiled.
“Salon slow?” Viv asked.
“No. But you have to take opportunity where you find it. I should do home parties for extensions. Some white girls want to pretend they don’t want them, need them, or use them.” He smiled.
“I don’t want them. I’m okay with my thin hair. When it gets thinner—if it does as I age—then you can glue in extra hair.” I shuddered. “I don’t like fake nails either. Just paint the ones I have.”
“Your nails are strong and shape nicely.” He nodded. “Okay, I’m going to get my stuff and set up at a table in the back of the café. See you later.”
“Bye,” I said.
“If you want a gypsy fortune teller, we can get you one,” Viv offered.
“No, thanks. He’s enough. I don’t need more people running around there, now. Especially if weird stuff is happening,” I said.
“Weird is good. Your books are back. The other stuff has nothing to do with you,” Belle said with a reassuring smile.
“I hope so, but you’re right. I need to inform the coven, just so they’re aware and careful. Just in case.” I pushed my lunch away. “I really don’t want to go back with the LARPers.”
“Go to Bran’s,” Belle suggested.
“I might,” I admitted.