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She composed herself. “No, it’s okay. I’m dealing with it. People say time heals all wounds, but it takes more than time. It takes work, which I’m doing.”
I didn’t pry by asking what kind of work she was doing, although I was curious. Pops had been dead for years, yet I still found myself grieving his loss, some days more than others. Living in London had been as much about hiding in plain sight as it had been about leaving my old life and its wounds behind me.
“Do you think some kind of sleep monster might’ve found its way to our realm through the crossroads?” she asked.
“I haven’t ruled it out, but again, there’s no evidence. Several members of the werewolf pack are affected. They would’ve scented an intruder.”
“What about a spirit? There are plenty that can move through physical space without leaving a trace.”
“That’s a good point.” I probably knew more about spirits than anyone in town. It was a rabbit hole tailor-made for me.
Phaedra offered a wry smile. “It seems like you might’ve bitten off more than you can chew.”
And I hadn’t even mentioned Magnarella and his elixir.
I feigned innocence. “Me? That’s so unusual. I hardly recognize myself.”
She laughed. “I’d be more than happy to research spells, if that would take some of the weight off your shoulders. If there’s a spell plaguing residents, I feel like I should know about it.”
“You’re not the only witch in town, Phaedra.”
“No, but I’m a Bridger. We’re the oldest witches, which comes with it a sense of responsibility for the people here.”
“One more question. Have you ever heard of an elixir that can bestow the power of a god?”
“There are loads of stories in that vein.”
“Not stories. I mean an actual elixir being developed right here in Fairhaven by a vampire called Vincenzo Magnarella.”
Phaedra winced. “My family always made a point to steer clear of Magnarella. He’s poison.”
If the formidable Penelope Bridger had avoided the vampire, that was saying something. “I need to drink this elixir sometime this week. If it’s going to destroy me from the inside out, I’d like to know sooner rather than later.”
“I wish I knew more about it. It sounds fascinating from a magical perspective.”
I offered a wry smile. “I don’t have the luxury of viewing it with such professional detachment.”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to sound insensitive. I would think most people would kill for that elixir.”
“I don’t actually want the power. I’m doing it to help someone in a bind.” I finished my tea and laughed when I noticed the text at the bottom of the empty cup.Kindly piss off. “Nice. Very classy.”
The witch offered a meek smile. “I’ve always had an irreverent streak. My family said it would get me into trouble someday, but I think it’s actually what ended up saving my life.” She picked up the cup to gaze at the inappropriate message. “That, and you.”
There was no mistaking the power that pumped through Wild Acres. Even if I weren’t supernatural, I’d sense something special about this forest. It was impossible not to. If I’d visited Fairhaven before deciding to move here, I would’ve known immediately that I didn’t want to stay. Stupid Internet. Nobody should be allowed to buy a house online, sight unseen. Where was a paternal system when you needed one?
I sniffed the air, trying to identify the various scents. I wasn’t as skilled as a shifter, but I recognized something rotten when I smelled it. Right now, I only smelled evergreen, damp air, and wet leaves. Nothing that suggested recent entry by a sleep monster or spirit.
I left the crossroads and wandered away from the waterfall in the direction of Monk’s.
The snap of a twig drew my attention to a nearby copse where a figure moved through the trees. My first thought was werewolf, but the movements were too… human. The figure finally emerged from the trees, revealing a head of reddish-blond hair that glistened in the sunlight. His skin was almost unnaturally pale. If I weren’t me, I might mistake him for a ghost—except for the black parka he wore, along with grey sweatpants with a pair of well-worn hiking boots. Ghosts didn’t need hiking boots.
He spotted me and offered a friendly wave. “I didn’t expect to see anybody out here,” he said on the approach.
“I could say the same to you.”
He extended a hand. “Leo Kilkenny. Great to meet you.”
“Leo as in Officer Leo?”
