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She fell to the floor, weak and heaving.
“What happened?” I asked as I helped her back onto her feet.
Greta’s eyes appeared vacant as she explained, “She used the hat to call up the murder scene just like you did, but as a more experienced witch she knows how to manipulate the memories so they don’t pose a threat to her.”
“She saw the murderer,” I said with a sharp inhale.
Greta nodded meekly. “Yes. And she’s on her way to kill him to assume the town magic.”
I’d done this. I’d found the hat and then I’d guided Melony straight to it. I still didn’t know who’d killed Mrs. Haberdash, but it would be my fault when that person met their untimely end. And it would be my fault when the crazed teenager was filled with some of the strongest magic in the region, which I doubted she’d use to make things better for its residents.
Gulp.
16
Two choices. That’s what I had at this point.
I could buckle down to help Greta, Parker, Fluffikins, and crew find—and save—the murderer. But once we saved him or her, did they want me to do the killing for them?
I was still so confused about what was expected of me here. Magic was weird, and yet the rules that governed it were weirder still. It also seemed like they shifted according to who I was talking to at the moment. If Greta wanted me to stay on permanently, what did Fluffikins think? Or Parker? Did they expect me to kill for them? If I remained steadfast in my refusal, would they force me to comply?
This brought me to option number two. I could get the heck out of here and pretend this whole thing had never happened.
“Okay, so good luck with everything!” I shouted to Greta before I sprinted down the stairs just as fast as my feet would carry me.
What? I hadn’t survived thirty-five years on this earth by having no sense of self-preservation. All the other players here had magic. Real magic!
Yeah, they’d given me a temporary dose, but I definitely didn’t know enough to protect myself. Besides, Melony was already on her way to off the killer and assume her aunt’s stolen magic. They didn’t need me as a temp anymore, and they definitely didn’t need me as a contract killer. Way too much could go wrong there, and I refused to jeopardize my entire life and future.
Now if I didn’t help them, which I wasn’t going to, my life would still be pretty up in the air. No matter what happened, I’d be living in the backyard of a murderer—Melony.
That would be bad. Hmmm.
I ran through my options a couple more times while racing back to the guest cottage I called home. Despite everything, at least my running shoes were finally living up to their name.
By the time I reached the front door, I’d made up my mind all over again. It was time to check the real estate listings online and move myself as far from this crazy place as I could. Honestly, the sooner the better. I’d just fire up my laptop and…
And nothing, at least not yet.
It seemed I had a guest.
“I heard trouble is brewing,” Mr. Fluffikins announced from his perch on the back of my sofa, one paw crossed daintily over the other.
I eyed him suspiciously. “Yeah, it just started like five minutes ago. How did you get here so fast? Did you teleport or something?”
He hung his head and laughed. “Of course not. I flew.”
“Oh, yes, because that makes more sense.”
The black cat remained seated, watching me closely.
I sighed, knowing if I didn’t say something soon, he’d start making all sorts of demands. I still didn’t want this stupid temp job, and I wasn’t exactly up to playing the kindly hostess, either.
“Why are you here?” I said with a scowl. “You don’t need me anymore.”
Fluffikins stood and stretched, arching his back high like a cat on Halloween or a seriously talented yogi, or both. “Actually, we need you more than ever. Come with me.”
“I’m sorry, this is all a little much for me. I’d really rather not die today. Or any day, really. But especially not today. Thanks.”
