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Rascal spun faster than Wynona was able to keep track of and had Zander by the throat. “Think carefully before you accuse anyone of that,” Rascal growled.
Despite Zander’s wheezing, he grinned. “A little touchy, huh? Wonder what the president would think of his daughter slumming with a furball?”
“Rascal.” Wynona stepped forward and tugged on his arm, which was starting to grow the very fur Zander had been poking fun at. “Let him go.” Rascal didn’t move, but he didn’t continue to get worse either. “Rascal,” she said more softly, turning his face toward hers. She smiled, though it trembled slightly. His eyes were glowing and wild, and she knew he’d gone into full protection mode. Zander would be no match for an extra large wolf if it came down to a fight. “I’m fine. You know who we are to each other. Let him go and let’s hear what everyone has to say.”
“He has no right to you,” Rascal said in a low tone.
“I know,” Wynona responded quickly. “None. Whatsoever. My heart is taken.”
Rascal closed his eyes and breathed deeply through his nose. The fur slowly receded and his grip on Zander’s neck lessened.
Zander stepped back, rubbing the red spot, his silvery blue magic quickly healed. “I think maybe I should file a complaint,” he whined.
“I think maybe you should learn to shut your trap,” his sister snapped.
Wynona turned, not having realized the woman had followed them into the pool room. Silvaria stood, holding a tabby cat in her arms and petting it slowly. Her blue eyes were glued to Rascal, looking a little too predatory for Wynona’s liking.
“I think there might be something to this wolfy thing.” Silvaria tilted her head and smirked. “Color me intrigued.”
Wynona had to fight down her own jealousy at the not-so-hidden flirting and turned back to Zander. “Why do you think Mr. Monroe killed your mother?”
Zander huffed and folded his arms over his chest. Now that she was looking more at him, she could still see the same spoiled boy he had been when they were younger. Wynona was older than him by several years, but whenever possible, she had watched her parents’ parties from the shadows. The Killoran children had been some of the loudest, most obnoxious guests ever allowed in the palace, and considering who the Le Doux’s associated with, that was saying something.
Magic, power and money seemed to be a combination that ruined people.
Which is why Granny tried to save you.
Wynona gave a slight nod of acknowledgement to Violet’s reminder. She really would have to forgive her grandmother at some point. But right now, she was busy. “Mr. Killoran?” she pressed.
Zander scowled. “Who else could it have been?” He waved his hand toward the merman, who was watching with a livid expression on his face, his nostrils and gills flaring. To his credit, however, he didn’t speak. “Flipper, here, is a gold digger. He’s been after my mother for years and when she finally relented, he killed her so he could access her money.”
Wynona looked at Mr. Monroe. “Not to put too fine a point on it, Mr. Monroe, but I would like to ask where you were the night of the murder?”
The merman’s face was red as his hands clenched and unclenched. “I thought it was innocent until proven guilty,” he snarled.
“I will be asking everyone the same question,” Wynona assured him. “You just happen to be the person we’re talking about at the moment.”
Marsh snorted, but nodded. “I was at home. I work on the pool in the mornings and the evenings. By six I’m back in my own pool for the night.”
Wynona felt heat hit her cheeks before she asked her next question, but she knew it needed to be done. “Have you ever spent the night in this pool?”
There was a pause and another tightening of fists, but finally Marsh nodded.
“Ha! See! I told you!” Zander shouted, his face sharp with anger.
“And you, Mr. Killoran?”
Zander turned. “What?”
“Where were you the night your mother was killed?”
Zander’s jaw dropped as his sister laughed. “You think I killed my mother?”
“I think anyone who knew her might have killed her,” Wynona said easily. She was grateful when Rascal stepped a little closer. Daemon had stayed by the door, watching but not interfering...yet. From the pitch black of his eyes, he was watching for magic to spill and at the tension in the room, Wynona had a feeling it might happen before too long.
Zander pushed long hair out of his face again. “I was here. Sleeping.” He made a face when she waited. “My room is on the other side of the mansion. I didn’t hear a thing.”
Wynona tucked that away. “And you, Ms. Killoran?”
Silvaria finally pulled her gaze away from Rascal, though it appeared to be difficult. “Ms. Killoran?” She tsked her tongue. “Surely, we know each other better than that, Wynona.”
Wynona didn’t respond. She was irked, but she also knew Silvaria was baiting her. Luckily, Celia had prepped Wynona for occasions just like this with lots of practice.
Silvaria shook her head. “Celia was right. Now that your magic is here, you think you’re better than everyone else.” Silvaria walked slowly forward, the cat still in her arms.
Wynona didn’t move. She wasn’t one to let bullies win.
The blonde witch leaned into Wynona’s bubble. “Spoiler alert...you’re not.”
Wynona smiled. “Thank you. Now if you wouldn’t mind telling me where you were?”
Zander snorted at Wynona’s persistence. “Give up, Sil. She’s not interested in being your friend.” The look in his eyes said the emphasis was on purpose.
Since they’re so interested in your magic, Violet muttered, I’ve half a mind to give them a little demonstration.
Wynona didn’t move. She was afraid if she did, Violet’s wish would come true. Her magic still responded to her emotions more times than not and Wynona had about had it with the spoiled adults in front of her. “Ms. Killoran, I’d like a straight answer please.”
Silvaria shook her head, causing her long, silky hair to billow behind her. “So formal...” She sniffed. “I was at a friend’s house. I’ve been staying with her ever since...Mother...forced me out.”
“And how long ago was that?”
Silvaria dropped her eyes to the cat. “Six months ago.” Her bitter tone said it all.
“Can your roommate corroborate your story?”
Silvaria’s head jerked up. “Oh, now I’m the suspect? Why not accuse my father next?” She held up the cat, who immediately began to wiggle. “Or Duo. Maybe he did it.”
Wynona held perfectly still. It was a wonder Ms. Roseburg had any children living with her at this point. Both of them were dramatic, spoiled and neither cared about their mother at all, except that she had the money. A sliver of pity ran down Wynona’s spine. This was exactly how her family would eventually be. When one of her parents died, no one would truly mourn them.
Kind of makes you glad Granny got you out, huh?
Since when did you become such a big cheerleader of hers? Wynona asked.
Violet scrubbed her face. I don’t know. But the longer I think about it, the more I realize she was right. Your family is rotten and I’m glad we’re not part of it.
Wynona sighed. “While I will be talking to your father, unless scratches or bite marks were found on the body, I don’t think I need to speak to Duo.”
Silvaria bared her teeth and dropped the cat to the ground, who immediately darted away.
A prickling on the back of Wynona’s neck had her on high alert. She recognized that sensation as one that told her there was a ghost in the area. I need my ghost vision, Wynona mentally sent the thought to Rascal, not wanting to advertise her skill.
He looked at her with a raised eyebrow, obviously having got the message. “Mr. and Ms. Killoran. I’d like you to please wait in another part of the house for now. When we have more questions, I’ll send Officer Skymaw to fetch you.”
“Fetch.” Zander snorted, but complied. “I thought that was your territory.”
Wynona could hear Rascal’s wolf growl in her head and she realized, once again, just how open their connection was. It seemed every time she turned around, she had something new to get used to.
This isn’t a magic thing, Violet said wryly. It’s a soulmate thing.
“Really?” Wynona asked, forgetting to keep it in her head.
The departing group stopped and Wynona shook her head. “Sorry. Just talking to myself.” She ignored Rascal’s smirk and turned to Mr. Monroe. “Can you explain to me what you’re doing?” She needed to know if she could get rid of him so she could use her sight. While the world might know her magic existed, Wynona wanted to keep her exact skills as much of a secret as possible. Her parents didn’t need that kind of leverage.
The merman grumbled and went back to scrubbing. “I’m still under contract for the next seven months. The Killorans want me to clean the pool so they don’t have to swim in the same germs their mother died in.” He looked over his shoulder, his face sour. “Really, it’s just a way of punishing me. You heard what they thought.”
Wynona nodded. “Is it alright if I look around a bit?”
Marsh shrugged. “Suit yourself. This isn’t my place.”
“Thank you.” Wynona walked away from the edge of the pool so he couldn’t see her and blinked a couple of times, until the world turned purple.
“What’s going on?” Daemon whispered from her left.
“I feel a spirit,” she whispered back. “But I didn’t want everyone else to see my eyes.”
Daemon nodded. “Right.” He glanced toward the door as if keeping an eye out for others. “See anything?”
Wynona turned in a slow circle. The feeling was persisting, but she saw nothing. “That’s odd.” She turned another circle. “I can’t see them. Last time I had this feeling, I could find kind of a purple...blob...for lack of a better word, when I turned this skill on. Now I don’t see a thing, but the feeling is still there.”
Daemon scratched under his chin. “I don’t feel any magic except yours, so...”
Wynona blinked the vision away. “I’m not sure what to make of that.” She looked up at the black hole. “Maybe I just don’t know how to use it very well yet?”
“It’s possible, but you said it worked last time, right?”
Wynona nodded. “Several times, in fact.”
“Then I don’t think you’re the problem.”
Rascal stormed back in. “Can we just find a reason to arrest those two and be done with it?”
A snort from the pool reminded all three of them that they weren’t alone.
Wynona walked over and sat down on the edge. “Mr. Monroe, may I ask you a few more questions?”
“Not like I can avoid it,” he said testily.
Oooh. Eye candy during the interrogation. We should do this more often.
Wynona glared down at Violet, while Rascal choked.
“I don’t want to know,” Daemon said, sauntering away. “I’ll look for anything residual that I missed before.” His eyes went black as his magic came to the surface again.
Wynona turned back to the merman, who was grinning at her. She frowned, until he winked.
“I’m part fish,” he clarified. “I don’t understand your familiar word for word, but us animals can usually get a grasp of things.” His grin widened. “And your soulmate’s wolf can stand down. I’m not as stupid as Zander thinks I am. I prefer my women a little more...experienced.”
Wynona’s cheeks heated to the point where she was sure she could have burned down the Grove of Secrets. A short growl from Rascal grew softer as he walked away, apparently taking the merman at his word. “Tell me about your relationship with Ms. Roseburg.”
The smirk fell from the pool boy’s face. “She was nothing like what the paper’s portrayed.” His brows furrowed. “And her children didn’t deserve her.”
“Were you with her because of her money?”
He shrugged. “Gifts and trinkets are nice. I’m a simple man.” He waved his arms around. “Cleaning pools isn’t exactly lucrative and when your only magic is creating fins when wet, I’m not high on the power food chain either.”
“So...that’s a yes.”
“It’s a bonus.” His lips turned down. “I really did like her. We weren’t headed toward marriage, but I was having a good time.”
Wynona nodded. That might not have been her choice of relationship, but Wynona tried not to judge creatures too harshly. “Did you ever talk about her will?”
Marsh frowned. “Why?”
“Were you hoping she would change her will to leave her wealth to you?”
“I see. You’re trying to find a motive.” It wasn’t a question.
Wynona tilted her head. “I’ll be searching for motives until we find the right one, Mr. Monroe, whether I’m speaking to you or one of the children, or Mr. Killoran.”
“And what does your father have to say about this hobby of yours?”
Wynona blinked. “Why should he have anything to say?”
Blue eyebrows shot up. “Celia’s been telling everyone that you were going to be joining the family again soon. Your father confirmed it in a press conference just yesterday. Said you had mended your ways and would be welcomed back to the palace very soon.”
The blood drained from Wynona’s head and she swayed slightly, Violet squeaking in surprise.
Strong legs appeared next to her and Wynona wrapped her arms around Rascal, his hand landing on her head. “Wynona is her own person,” the shifter said tightly. “Her father has no say in it.”
Marsh studied them, then finally nodded. “It’s not like I have room to talk. Most men my age aren’t spending time with divorced witches old enough to be their mothers.” He turned around and went back to scrubbing while Wynona climbed to her feet.
Rascal wrapped an arm around her waist. “Do you want to go?” he asked.
“How did we miss this?”
He shook his head. “I’m not sure. I’m usually pretty up to date on the news, especially when it concerns the president.” He grabbed his cell. “Let me have someone find it and we can review it later, but I’ll ask again. Do you want to leave?”
Wynona thought about it, but shook her head. “No. That’s just letting them control me. I have another hour until I need to be at the tea house. I should look around.”
Rascal nodded and let go of her slowly, making sure she was steady before putting distance between them.
“Incoming.”
Daemon’s words had Wynona watching the door and she groaned internally when she saw who was approaching.
“Hello, dear sister,” Celia said through a smile that was anything but sincere. Silvaria was standing behind Celia with a triumphant look on her face. “Miss me?”