Magic & Maladies Read online

  Magic & Maladies

  Starry Hollow Witches, Book 10

  Annabel Chase

  Red Palm Press LLC

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Also by Annabel Chase

  Chapter One

  What’s so fascinating out there? Raoul asked. His claws clicked on the windowsill as he moved closer for a better view.

  “Alec agreed to walk the dog and it’s a standoff,” I said. “They’re just staring at each other like it’s High Noon and one of them has to shoot first.” It was anyone’s guess as to which one had better aim. The aging Yorkshire terrier might have trouble climbing onto the bed, but he could pinpoint the prettiest flower on the bush with deadly accuracy.

  Why is the vampire walking him?

  “I’d like them to bond,” I said. “I think the dog feels threatened by Alec and I’m hoping to change that with some quality time.”

  Pretty sure a lot of us feel threatened by him. The dude’s a scary bloodsucker. Raoul brightened. Hey, maybe he should take me out for pizza so we can bond, too.

  I looked down at him in amazement. “You really don’t have scruples, do you?”

  Not when it comes to free pizza. Raoul paused. His nickname shouldn’t be PP3. Heck, it isn’t even PP1. The dog’s dehydrated.

  “He’s not dehydrated. He’s just stubborn.” I could see that Alec’s patience was running out, so I left the cottage to relieve him of urinary duty.

  Alec gave me a helpless look, which was strikingly sexy on the usually confident vampire. “I’m afraid I may not be cut out for pet ownership.” He handed over the leash.

  “Prescott Peabody the third,” I admonished him. “You’ve already sniffed that blade of grass fifty times. Let’s pick up the pace.”

  The terrier didn’t spare me a glance. He continued his search for the ideal spot to urinate.

  “Even the one ring to rule them all only had to be thrown into the fires of Mount Doom,” I continued impatiently. “There wasn’t a particular spot. Just anywhere was A-Okay.”

  PP3 wandered over to an entirely new section of grass and started the search again.

  “Just keep him away from my garden,” Marley called from a nearby picnic blanket. She and Bonkers were strengthening their familiar bond by playing games that her teacher at the Black Cloak Academy had recommended.

  I rolled my eyes. “Yes, yes. The sacred herb garden shall be protected from PP3’s bodily fluids.”

  “While we’re on the topic of bodily fluids,” Alec began in a low voice.

  I silenced him with a look. “You know the answer to that.”

  PP3 finally chose a spot and I praised him loudly and gave his head a scratch. He didn’t have the best hearing anymore, so I wanted to make sure he got the message of approval.

  “I should go,” Alec said. “The dentist awaits.”

  I smiled. “I love that you have to go to the dentist.”

  He seemed mildly affronted. “I have dental needs, the same as anyone with teeth or fangs.”

  “Have you ever had a cavity in one of your fangs?” I asked. “Maybe too much sugar in the blood?”

  He didn’t bother to reply. He simply bent forward and brushed his lips against mine. “I look forward to tomorrow.”

  I was so distracted by the kiss that I blanked out everything else until PP3 began tugging me toward the house.

  “Bye, Alec.” Marley ran over and threw her arms around his waist.

  He gave her hair an affectionate ruffle and waved to Raoul. “Farewell, bandit friend.”

  Hey, he acknowledged me. That’s progress.

  I admired Alec’s long strides as he returned to his car and drove away. Sometimes I still wanted to pinch myself.

  “Um, Mom. What’s that?”

  I turned to look at her, still lost in inappropriate thoughts. “Huh? What?”

  Marley pointed to the right side of Rose Cottage where a tall post covered in tufty, lime-green carpet stood.

  “What the Elvis?” I looped the end of PP3’s leash onto a fence post. As I moved closer to investigate, Raoul intercepted me.

  Oh, right. I forgot to mention I came bearing gifts, Raoul said. I could use a little help moving this into the house.

  I laughed. “I’m sorry. What now?”

  The raccoon tapped the green monstrosity. I won this at the dump. You have no idea how hard I had to work for this one.

  “You won this?” I repeated. “You mean you weren’t the only one in the entire universe that wanted it?”

  It was me against Russo, that tuxedo cat I told you about. He shook his head. If he hadn’t been declawed, he totally could have schooled me.

  “Why did you think bringing it here was a good plan?”

  Raoul gestured to the picnic blanket. I thought Bonkers might like it. Marley always has her so busy with all that learning, I thought this would be nice for her to just chill on.

  “Raoul, that’s so…”

  Unlike me? I know. I hardly recognize myself anymore in that cracked mirror at the entrance to the dump.

  “I was going to say sweet, but whatever.” I called to Marley. “Raoul has something to show you and Bonkers.”

  Marley scurried over with the flying kitten hovering above her shoulder. Bonkers didn’t wait for an explanation. She landed on one of the platforms and immediately began digging her claws into the green carpet.

  “Thank you so much, Raoul,” Marley said. “This was really thoughtful.” She looked at me, her blue eyes hopeful. “Can I bring this in the house? It’ll get ruined if it stays outside.”

  “I think it passed ruined about two shades of green ago, but go ahead.”

  Marley dragged the post around the corner toward the front door with Bonkers flying beside her.

  I spun around to confront my raccoon familiar. “Okay, buddy. Spill it. What’s your actual motivation?”

  Raoul flashed me an innocent look. Kindness. Selflessness. What other motivation is there?

  I folded my arms and fixed him with a hard stare. “Greed. Selfishness. Diversion.”

  Raoul’s body sagged. I’ve never been so insulted.

  “Now I know for a fact that isn’t true.”

  Raoul scampered toward the house. I swear on my favorite uncle’s grave that my motives are pure. I thought Bonkers would enjoy it.

  I suddenly felt embarrassed for assuming the worst about Raoul. I knew he was capable of selfless behavior because I’d been the recipient of it on more than one occasion.

  “I’m sorry I doubted you,” I said.

  I crossed the front yard to reclaim PP3 from the fence. The dog was rolling on his back across a row of Marley’s carefully planted herbs.

  “PP3, no,” I said firmly. He usually only rolled on snakeskin or worms. My fingers were crossed for worms. I unhooked him from the post and started to walk him into the house.

  Raoul glanced skyward. I think that bird is trying to get your attention.

  “Nice try, Raoul.” A white dove swooped down and dropped an envelope at my feet. I screamed and jumped back, landing smack on a section of the herb garden.

  Told you so.

  The dove flew away and I stepped out of the garden. Hopefully Marley was too busy with the new scratching post to witnes
s my infraction. She was taking this garden very seriously, which was good for her, but nerve-racking for me. I was destined to destroy it the way I destroyed all living things.

  Raoul swiped the envelope and tore it open.

  I held my hand out, palm open. “Excuse me. Is that addressed to you?”

  How should I know? I’m a raccoon. I can’t read.

  I snatched the envelope from his hand. “It’s a reminder about Bentley and Meadow’s wedding.” Only Bentley would be so uptight as to send a reminder for his wedding. If the elf could have gotten RSVPs in blood, he probably would have.

  Ooh, I love weddings. When is it?

  “Tomorrow and you’re not invited. Humans only.”

  What kind of lame party is that? he huffed.

  “No kids either, actually,” I said.

  Good. Then Marley, Bonkers, and I will order a pizza and watch Wall-E, Raoul said.

  One screening of Wall-E and the raccoon was hooked. He even had a recurring dream where his alien overlords arrived and delivered him to a planet covered in garbage.

  “I don’t know about leaving the three of you in charge of the house that long,” I said.

  Hey, I don’t know about leaving you in charge, yet it still seems to happen all the time.

  “You make a solid argument.” I tucked the reminder into my pocket and steered PP3 back to the cottage.

  That night, I walked alone through a hazel and willow tunnel. Tendrils of ivy curled around the base of the tunnel, threatening to make their way to the top.

  “Marley?” I called.

  No one answered. I peered ahead and saw only darkness. I turned to look over my shoulder from the place I came. More shadows. It seemed as though I existed between two black holes.

  “Raoul?”

  My familiar didn’t respond.

  “Alec, are you here?”

  The vampire was nowhere to be seen.

  I felt so completely alone. It was a terrifying feeling, as though everyone in my life had abandoned me.

  I ran through the tunnel as my heart thundered in my chest, but the more distance I covered, the farther away the end appeared. The tunnel seemed to elongate with every step. There was no point in going backward. It seemed much too far away now. I shot a fist to the side and tried to punch my way through the tunnel. The hazel and willow held firm. When I withdrew my fist, I saw that my knuckles were bloody.

  “Somebody help me!” My words echoed in the void. In that moment, I wanted to raze the picturesque tunnel—burn it to the ground. The feeling was primal, probably because I felt like a caged animal.

  I began to kick and tear at the sides of the tunnel, screaming and grunting with every move. It was horrible to feel so…contained. So restrained. It was unnatural.

  Another swift kick and a bone in my foot cracked. I cried out in pain and staggered to my knees.

  “Help,” I said, but the word was strangled by my sobs. I buried my face in my hands and wept.

  As the first tear hit the ground, the earth opened its mouth and swallowed me whole. My body plunged into a cave filled with gleaming treasures. Gemstones twinkled and gold glittered. When I glanced upward, there was no evidence of the hole I’d fallen through. I looked around helplessly. There were mounds of valuables, but no sign of life.

  I climbed over a hill of jewels to see the remains of a body on the other side. The skeleton was perfectly preserved, its back against the cave wall in a seated position. Bony arms were wrapped around bonier knees. It seemed eerily calm, as though the living creature had simply sat down and waited for death until it mercifully arrived.

  At the sight of the composed skeleton, I did the only thing I could think of.

  I let out a bloodcurdling scream.

  “Mom?”

  I blinked the sleep from my eyes to see Marley’s silhouette framed in the doorway. “Marley?”

  “Are you okay?”

  “What time is it?”

  “I don’t know,” she said. “The middle of the night.”

  I pulled myself to a seated position. “What are you doing here?” I mumbled. “Did you have a nightmare?”

  “No, but it sounds like you did.” She came to sit on the edge of my bed. “You yelled so loud that you woke me up.”

  “I did?”

  “You even scared PP3.” She reached toward the foot of the bed and gave him a reassuring scratch behind the ears.

  “He looks unruffled to me.” In fact, the aging dog looked like he was still asleep. “What did I yell?”

  “Help is what I heard,” Marley said. “Someone help me.” She bit her lip. “Do you think it’s the wedding?”

  “Why would a wedding give me nightmares?” I asked.

  “Maybe you’re anxious about going to a wedding with Alec.” I covered her hand with mine and she pulled away to wipe her hand on the covers. “Your palms are sweaty.”

  “Sweaty palms aside, weddings don’t give me anxiety,” I said. “Weddings are fun. Open bar and music on the beach? That’s my kind of party.”

  “Yes, but will Granger be there?” she asked quietly.

  “No, he’s not invited,” I replied. “You don’t have to worry about him, honey. He’s a grown man and he can take care of himself.”

  “I’m not worried about him,” Marley said. “I just wondered if you are.”

  I tried to remember my dream—or nightmare, but I couldn’t conjure any details. “He’s a handsome werewolf with a heart of gold. I bet he’ll be dating someone new in no time.”

  “Maybe it was an anxiety dream about the spell you’re supposed to perform at the wedding.”

  Crap-on-a-stick. I’d forgotten about the spell. I mean, I’d practiced it, but probably not as often as I should have.

  “That’s probably it.” I patted her hand. “You go back to sleep, okay?”

  “Should I sleep in here with you in case you have another nightmare?” Marley didn’t wait for a response. She scrambled across my legs and peeled back the covers on the other side of the bed.

  “I guess I wouldn’t mind the company,” I said weakly. There was no point in arguing. I had years of experience co-sleeping with Marley and, for the most part, she now slept all night in her own bed.

  Marley fluffed the pillow and made herself comfortable as she curled up beside me. “Just like old times, right, Mom?”

  “I feel safer already with a powerful witch beside me,” I said, and closed my eyes to go back to sleep.

  Chapter Two

  Alec’s driver dropped us off at the entrance to Balefire Beach and we made our way toward the makeshift wedding venue. Dozens of white chairs with white ribbons were set up on the beach facing the water. A white gazebo was positioned between the chairs and the shoreline. I sure hoped someone had taken high tide into account when planning this ceremony or we’d be watching the exchange of vows surrounded by a pod of dolphins.

  We reached the area of the beach where a small crowd was gathered, waiting to be seated.

  “Don’t you look dapper?” I said, admiring Alec’s perfect physique. I didn’t need my guy to be fancy, but when he looked that good in a tux, it was almost a crime not to wear one.

  The vampire leaned down to whisper in my ear. “And you’re as beautiful as Venus emerging from the sea.”

  “She was stark naked,” I said.

  He gave me devilish grin. “Perhaps wishful thinking on my part.”

  “Save your dirty thoughts for later,” I said. “This wedding is all about wholesome fun.” No couple was more wholesome than Bentley and Meadow. The pair had met on the MagicMirror dating site and now here they were—ready to walk down the sandy aisle. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the bride wore white flip-flips.

  The groom hurried over when he spotted us. “Thank the gods. You’re here.”

  “Of course we are,” I said. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  “And you’re sure you’re able to perform the spell?” Bentley asked. His chee
ks and pointy ears were apple red and sweat bubbled on his forehead.

  I clapped his narrow shoulder. “Chill out, Bentley. You just get yourself married and leave the magic to me.”

  He swallowed hard. “If you’re certain…”

  Alec shook his hand in an effort to relax the stressed elf. “Congratulations, Bentley. I have no doubt the ceremony will go off without a hitch.”

  “And even if it doesn’t, that won’t necessarily mean your marriage is doomed,” a woman interjected. “Although I can’t imagine meeting my spouse online. Seems like a recipe for disaster.” She shuddered. “I’ll never understand these younger generations with their questionable judgment.”

  “This is Shayna,” Bentley said, clearly wishing Shayna was elsewhere right now. “She dates Meadow’s uncle, Franco.”

  “We met the old-fashioned way,” Shayna said. “He came into my shop and it was love at first sight.”

  “Which shop is that?” I asked.

  “A resale shop over by Shining Stars and Charmed, I’m Sure,” she said. “It’s called Be-switched.”

  “Oh, I’ve seen that place,” I said. “My daughter and I came in once because you had a softball glove in the window. It’s not every day we see human world sports items here.”

  “Yes, I remember that one. Sold it to a collector for a tidy sum.”

  “Someone collects sports equipment from the human world?”

  “You’d be surprised what buyers are interested in,” Shayna said. “Just goes to show that money doesn’t necessarily buy taste.”

  Soft music began to play. “That’s my cue,” Bentley said. He adjusted his bowtie. “How do I look?”

  “Nervous. Try to breathe,” I urged.

  He made a few feeble attempts to breathe normally before he rushed to the gazebo.

  “I guess you’d want pretentious music played at your wedding,” I said.