A Witch of Edgehill Mystery Box Set: Books 1-3: Witch of Edgehill Box Sets, #1

Contents

Pawsitively Poisonous

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

Epilogue

Pawsitively Cursed

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

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Epilogue

Pawsitively Secretive

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

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Epilogue

About the Author

Pawsitively Poisonous Copyright © 2019 Melissa Erin Jackson.

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-7324134-3-6

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-7324134-6-7

Pawsitively Cursed Copyright © 2019 Melissa Erin Jackson.

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-7324134-5-0

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-7324134-7-4

Pawsitively Secretive Copyright © 2019 Melissa Erin Jackson.

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-7324134-8-1

Paperback ISBN: 978-7324134-9-8

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Front cover designs by Maggie Hall.

Stock art via Designed by Freepik, iStockPhoto, Shutterstock.

Family tree designed by Drew Clark.

Interior design and ebook formatting by Michelle Raymond.

Published in 2020 by Ringtail Press.

www.melissajacksonbooks.com

To Sam

Chapter 1

The palm-sized black toy lay curled on the countertop. Amber stood on one side of the counter, the other swarmed by the wide-eyed, upturned faces of six little boys and girls, their parents forming a wall behind them. Some looked as delighted as their children. Others, especially the fathers, appeared nothing short of harassed—all folded arms and pursed lips.

Amber supposed she couldn’t blame them for being skeptical and a bit wary during her toy demonstrations. They watched with dubious concern, not trusting the toys and trinkets their children brought home from the Quirky Whisker. The toys that seemed to move on their own, that played with their children for hours without showing signs of slowing down. Toys that couldn’t be dismantled to replace the batteries when the toys inevitably stopped working in a year or so.

By way of explanation, she would say, Oh, they’ve got tiny computer chips inside that power them. And, I can’t explain how they work, exactly! The designs are perfected by an engineer who wishes to remain anonymous.

Besides, with their fickle, ever-changing focus, the children would lose interest in the toy in question soon enough, and her creation would languish in a box or under a bed or in the back of a closet, gathering dust. The spell would have worn off by the time the old toy was rediscovered; it would be immobile and unresponsive, as if its battery had finally been drained.

Then Amber would have a new toy on the market and the children of Edgehill would beg their parents to replace the ones they’d already abandoned.

Are you ready? Amber asked now, bent at the waist with her arms resting on the wooden countertop so she was eye level with the kids. Her dark brown hair hung over her shoulder in a loose braid, the ends gently tickling her arm.

She got a wave of nods in response.

Her attention shifted back to the black plastic toy, this one fashioned to look like the curled, sleeping form of a cat. Its tail was wrapped around its body, hiding its paws.

Wake up, little one, she said softly, placing a single finger on one of the cat’s pointed ears, before pressing down.

The tiny plastic ear gave a click and sank into the cat’s head before popping back into place. Amber folded her arms on the countertop again, giving the toy space. The cat’s head lifted then, blinking slowly, to the delight of the watching children. The toy cat’s back faced her, but she’d seen the cat perform its tricks dozens of times, perfecting the act before she’d invited the kids to see it.

The plastic cat blinked its round green eyes a few more times, then yawned, its tiny fangs visible as its pink tongue stretched out a few centimeters. The kids giggled.

Childlike wonder in the form of wide eyes and slightly agape mouths usually overtook the parents at this point. And, as expected, the expressions on all the parents’ faces, save for one, lit up at the sight.

Owen Brown never smiled during a demonstration. Amber wondered why he continued to show.

The cat rose to all fours, hoisting its butt in the air as it stretched, tail curled overhead like a miniature cane. Then it plopped down on its haunches, tail wrapped around its feet. The tip flicked periodically.

The children erupted into applause, turning quickly to their parents to tug on shirts and pockets and purse straps, pleading for another of Amber Blackwood’s unique toys. Amber straightened, smiling to herself.

Owen Brown’s young son turned back to Amber when his parents began a whispered conversation about whether or not they truly needed another one of these things. Miss Amber? What else does the kitty do? he asked, keeping his voice low.

Amber rested her arms on the countertop once more, the wood smooth and worn from years of use. Can I show you something special?

The little boy, if he stood on tiptoes, was just tall enough to get his nose to clear the surface. She saw more of his mass of curly blond hair than anything else. That mop of curls bounced as he nodded.

I programmed this one to obey a couple commands. It will only work for a very special owner, though, and won’t work for anyone else, she said.

Amber had started adding voice activation technology to the toys only recently—the spells involved had been particularly tricky to master.

His blue eyes widened. "Me?"

If you want, I think I can get Midnight here to listen to you.

The toy cat, now named Midnight, Amber supposed, had been sitting as still as a statue—save for the occasional flick of his tail—but turned his head at the sound of his new name and blinked a slow cat blink at the little boy.

The boy grinned, showing a missing front tooth. Hi, Midnight. I’m Sammy.

A tiny mew echoed from the plastic cat. The little boy giggled again, eyes bright.

Amber’s gaze shifted to the other children and their parents for a moment, but no one seemed to be paying them much mind.

Owen Brown’s attention flicked away from his wife and toward Amber then, a scowl drawing his brows together. Certainly, he hadn’t heard the meow from the cat, had he?

Two of the kids had grown bored and darted off toward the toy display on the other end of the store. The floorboards creaked under their tiny feet as they ran. When Amber’s attention shifted back to Owen, he was talking to his wife again.

Amber shook it off. But, just to be sure, she mentally uttered a spell of secrecy and gave a slight flick of her wrist. Neither the cat nor Sammy seemed to notice.

Now, Sammy, she said, looking at the little boy as he tightly gripped the edge of the counter, his focus squared on the cat. Midnight here is like a dog—he knows ‘sit,’ ‘come,’ and ‘roll over.’ All you have to do is say his name and give the command.

Sammy’s eyes somehow widened further. After a long pause, he said, Do I do it right now?

Mmhmm.

Sammy’s mouth bunched up on one side, and his brows pulled together. Utter concentration. He looked like a miniature version of his father. Midnight, come.

The plastic cat stood on all fours, then walked over to Sammy, got right up to his face, and sniffed his nose. Sammy squeaked and let go of the counter to clap his hands. Midnight, roll over!

The cat lowered itself to the counter, all four limbs bunched as if prepared to spring from the wood like a cricket, but then froze.

What … what happened? Sammy asked, grabbing hold of the counter again. Did I say it wrong, Miss Amber?

Just then, a hand landed on Sammy’s shoulder. How much is this one going to set us back, Miss Blackwood? his father asked.

She straightened. Well, since this one is the demo toy, it’s only five dollars.

Owen squinted at Amber. She could tell him it was a lovely day and he would still look at her as if she’d just admitted to some heinous crime. To say she felt like he didn’t entirely trust her would be an understatement.

Of the year.

Amber figured police chiefs were naturally distrustful, having seen the worst humanity had to offer over the course of their careers. Owen had spent most of said career in bigger cities, namely Portland. Moving to Edgehill three years ago had no doubt been an abrupt change of pace for him, but given the hard-edged stare he angled at her—oh, all the time—she knew his Spidey-police-senses hadn’t been left behind in Portland. Those senses clearly went into overdrive around her, even though he hadn’t a clue why.

Amber flicked a glance at his wife standing nearby, silent as usual. The woman had a hand on her very pregnant belly.

Without a word, Owen fished a five-dollar bill out of his pocket and dropped it on the counter. Shoving his wallet into the back pocket of his jeans, he ruffled his son’s hair. Let’s go, Sam. We’ve got to get your mother home and off her feet.

Owen and his wife, Jessica, headed for the door.

Abruptly, Midnight tipped to the side, rolled, and popped back onto his feet. Then he went back to his default sitting position. Sammy let out a squawk of joy.

Remember, Amber said, the commands will only work for you … no one else. No one else will ever be able to see his tricks. She scooped up Midnight and placed him in Sammy’s waiting, outstretched hands.

The boy tightly clutched the toy to his chest. But you saw him do it.

I’m his mom, so to speak, so I can see it, too, she said. Just you and me, kid.

Sammy grinned his gap-toothed grin. Thanks, Miss Amber! I’ll take real good care of him. I promise!

Amber watched as the boy went bounding out of her shop after his parents.

Twenty minutes later, the shop was empty again. Five other toy cats had been sold—at full price—along with Midnight, and Henrietta Bishop had purchased her weekly batch of sleepy tea.

Henrietta was a middle-aged divorcee who’d moved to Edgehill specifically to embrace the Crazy Cat Lady lifestyle. She was a lithe redhead with a mass of curls that hung to her mid-back. They never were truly contained, no matter what she did. Currently they were loose and out of control. She reminded Amber of the girl from the Disney movie Brave.

I really wish you’d tell me what you put in this stuff, Henrietta had said for the four hundredth time, affectionately patting the bag with the Quirky Whisker’s logo on it—a bespectacled and top-hat-wearing cat with a wealth of whiskers spreading out from his smirking face. Amber’s younger sister, Willow, had designed it.

A girl never tells her secrets, Amber had replied, as usual.

Works better than melatonin! I swear you need to sell this stuff online. You’d make a killing. Works like magic!

If only Henrietta knew.

Now it was just after ten in the morning and Amber was blissfully alone. With any luck, this would hold out until noon when she closed for an hour for lunch.

She busied herself with tidying up after the tornado of children that had torn through. The toy section had super-bouncy balls and plastic animals scattered on the ground, knocked off the kid-accessible lower shelves. One of her favorite plastic dragons lay on its back, red wings flush with the floor, tiny taloned feet pointing toward the ceiling. The dragon looked mildly embarrassed, lying on her back when she was meant for the air.

Picking the dragon up, Amber laid the creature in her palm, wings outstretched and talons resting on Amber’s skin. With a soft, Scarlet, fly, the dragon toy came to life and pushed off from Amber’s hand, soon wheeling around the dreamcatchers hung from the ceiling in the dream section of the store.

Amber knew she was getting more and more bold with the toys. Her first batch had only walked on their own. Then they had walked and sat and pretended to sleep. Then she’d added voice activation. And now some could perform actions as complicated as flight.

Customers like Owen Brown were suspicious. They couldn’t possibly know she was a witch, but they knew something was off in the Quirky Whisker. The more she created meowing plastic cats and flying dragons, the more likely it was that she’d be found out.

But her magic needed an outlet. Resisting the energy that thrummed beneath her skin was a surefire way to drive a witch to madness. Just a little release here and there wouldn’t hurt anyone. Plus, seeing that bright-eyed look of wonder on Sammy’s face had been worth it.

That was what magic was about. Wonder.

After an impressive series of loop-de-loops and corkscrew diving maneuvers, the dragon gave a tiny roar before wheeling around to head back to her. It knew as well as she did that the flight spell would only last a few minutes, and if it ran out before the dragon was somewhere safe, she’d crash to the ground.

Amber held out a finger and the dragon landed on it like a trained falcon. Amber had just returned her to her perch on top of the toy display—still as could be, once more—when the chime above her shop door tinkled, causing her to whirl around.

Immediately worried her new patron had seen her dragon’s trick, this one not bestowed with the same failsafe as Midnight, she mentally went through the simple memory erase spells she knew—the kind that wiped away a small memory, no more than a minute old.

Her friend Melanie Cole walked in. Well, more like shambled in. Melanie’s dark hair was plastered to her forehead, her tanned skin pale. She wore an oversized long sweater over sweatpants, and her feet were shoved into ratty fur-lined boots. In short, Melanie looked a hot mess. Melanie, who usually never looked a hot mess, had been battling a persistent illness for weeks.

All thoughts of spells flew out of Amber’s head.

Mel! Are you okay? Amber asked, even though the answer was clearly no, and hurried across the creaky floors to her friend’s side, wrapping an arm around her waist. I thought the remedy you bought last week finally cleared this up. You look terrible.

You really know how to talk to a lady.

Amber huffed, placing the back of her hand on Melanie’s forehead.

Oh, stop fussing, Melanie said, though there was no malice in her voice. She had enough strength to gently push Amber away. I’m all right. I have a slamming headache, though. What you got for me this time? Your stuff is better than anything at the drugstore.

Amber pursed her lips, staring at her friend as she held herself up by resting a hand on a free-standing pyramid-shaped bookshelf.

I’m all right, Amber, Melanie said again. Stop being a worried grandma and go get me the good stuff.

Amber harrumphed but hurried behind the counter where she kept her tinctures and teas.

Melanie made a slow shuffle toward the counter. No more tea, though. I’m so sick of it. If one more person brings me tea, so help me …

Okay, okay, no tea, Amber called over her shoulder, laughing softly. Where’s that boyfriend of yours? Shouldn’t he be feeding you chicken soup and giving you foot rubs?

The back wall had been designed to mimic an old apothecary shop—sturdy shelves holding various herbs and liquids in glass jars took up the top rows, while the bottom rows—from floor to waist height—were made up of drawers.

"I’m still not talking about him, Melanie said. Stop fishing. None of the fish are biting."

Am I going to have to wait until your wedding to know the guy’s name? Assuming I’m even invited …

Guilt won’t work either, poppet, Melanie said in a fake British accent. Things are going good, though. I’ll tell you that much. I think he’s finally ready to take this to the next level. But that’s all I’m going to say! I don’t want to jinx it.

Sighing, Amber gave up. She knew she could always magic the information out of her friend one way or another, but that never felt right. Amber hated to use her magic to manipulate others; she wasn’t the type to exploit her powers for personal gain. She was a Blackwood, not a Penhallow, after all.

White cards adorned with Willow’s crisp, clear handwriting had been slipped into slits on the face of each square drawer, labeling them with an ailment or focus.

Acne, bug bites, cardiac, dreams … she moved further down the alphabet. Gallbladder, hangovers—ah, headaches. Amber trundled the drawer open and pulled out one of the small glass vials, this recipe heavily featuring passionflower, which would help Melanie’s headache.

With her back turned to Melanie, Amber muttered a quick activation spell—causing the ingredients to work twice as fast—and waved her hand over the vial. Then Amber turned to face Melanie, who now had her arms folded on the counter, her head propped up on one hand. Her eyes were closed. Had she fallen asleep?

I think you need to see a doctor, Mel, Amber said softly.

Melanie gave a start and opened her bleary eyes, but righted herself quickly, placing her hands on the worn wood of the counter to help push herself to standing. Just need a little rest. Jutting her chin toward Amber, she said, That it?

Amber glanced down at the label-wrapped vial in her hand. The tiny bespectacled cat of her logo eyed her from the space between her fingers. The label read, For headache treatment, add this to your favorite beverage, or drink directly for more immediate relief, and stretched long-ways across the thin tube. Any other symptoms? Can I get you anything else?

Melanie shook her head, her brown hair hanging limply around her shoulders. These last few weeks, Amber’s friend looked worse than she’d ever seen her. Melanie had lived in Edgehill for just under two years, but she’d quickly wormed her way into everyone’s hearts with her charm and humor. Her looks hadn’t hurt either—better suited for runways and magazine covers than a small Oregonian town best known for its annual cat festival.

Amber handed the vial to Melanie and went over the instructions for their use, despite being printed clearly on the label. This one has a bit of valerian root in it. It’ll knock you out so you’ll sleep deeply—just don’t take it until you get home.

You’re a love, Melanie said, slipping the vial into the small purse slung over her shoulder, then starting to root around for something.

If you’re looking for money, just stop, said Amber. I’m not taking a penny from you. My payment is you getting better, okay?

Normally, Melanie would have put up a fight, but she gave in immediately. That was how Amber knew her friend was truly unwell.

Walking to the other side of the counter, Amber wrapped her arm around her friend and guided her to the door. Can I walk you home? Call you a cab?

Stop fussing, Melanie said. I’m going to chug whatever foul thing is in that magic vial, and I’ll be back to my old self by morning. It’s just a bug.

A very persistent bug that leaves and comes back. Repeatedly.

Disentangling herself from Amber, Melanie turned to face her and patted Amber’s warm cheek with her cool, dry hand. Don’t worry about me, okay? We’ll have lunch next week to talk more about the festival. I’ve been getting questions left and right about those toys of yours. Maybe we can double your profits from last year—we’ll discuss numbers.

Well, Melanie couldn’t be that sick if she was saying things like discuss numbers. Melanie lived for numbers.

The chime tinkled again as Amber pulled open the door. Melanie stepped out, huddling a little deeper into her oversized sweater as a gust of cool wind whipped by.

Don’t drink that before you get home, Amber reminded her. And don’t mix it with any other medications.

"Yes, Mom, Melanie said, some spark coming back to her tired brown eyes, her ashen lips turning up in a small smile. Thanks again, hon!" she said as she walked out into the cool January morning, waving a hand over her head as she slowly made her way up the sidewalk.

If only Amber had known then that those were the last words she’d ever hear her friend say.

Chapter 2

At noon, Amber locked the front door of her shop from the inside and pulled down the sign hanging against the glass. The sign’s back was made of a light-colored wood, the front modeled to look like a chalkboard. Next to the bespectacled cat logo etched in white chalk were the words, Open! Please come in! written in cheery cursive.

Placing the sign on her flattened palm, she flicked a furtive glance out onto Russian Blue Avenue. The street was always quiet around noon, as several of the more popular cafés, restaurants, and coffee shops were a block away. Sure no one was watching, Amber waved her free hand over the surface of the sign.

The bespectacled cat who, just moments before, had been tipping his hat in greeting, now held up his watch-wrapped wrist, the finger of his other paw pointing to the gleaming clock face. The letters changed their message to, We’ll be back at 1 p.m.!

Amber hung the sign, cat facing out, back onto the hook attached to the door. The wooden corners of the sign tapped gently against the glass as it settled itself on its burlap strap.

She changed up the sign display every few weeks, mostly for her own amusement. Customers must have thought she either was particularly skilled with chalk or had a box of ready-made signs at her disposal.

Amber headed for the door at the opposite end of the shop, marked Employees Only. A narrow set of stairs, arching toward the right, led to her tiny studio apartment above the store. As she walked, she pulled the tie from the end of her hair and unwound her braid, shaking her hair loose and letting it fall past her shoulders in dark brown waves.

She was halfway up the creaking staircase when the agitated, low yowl of her cat, Tom, sounded from above. The orange-and-white tabby sat at the top of the steps, eyes squinted in mild annoyance, the tip of his striped tail swishing. He’d been her inspiration for Midnight the toy cat.

I’m right on time, you glutton, she told the gorgeous, svelte feline. You won’t starve in the time it takes me to get up there and fill your bowl.

Tom Cat yowled and swished his tail again, clearly not believing her anymore now than he ever had in the past.

Once she was one step from the top, Tom bounded away on silent feet to the other end of her tiny studio apartment, where she’d set up a little cat nook for Tom and Alley. Every day at noon, he ran to his bowl as if he needed to guide her there, lest she forget where the object of his life’s passion resided.

Alley, a black-and-white cat with a splash of black covering half of her face, lay curled at the foot of the bed. She only stood and stretched once she heard the clink, clink, clink of her kibble hitting her bowl beside Tom’s. Tom had already scarfed down half his food before Alley delicately jumped to the ground.

Having quieted Tom, Amber fixed herself a turkey sandwich, which she then took to her window bench—her favorite spot in her apartment. The door to her shop was just below her. Beyond that was the stretch of Russian Blue Avenue. Then Birman Drive, Bengal Way, and there, off in the distance, was Ocicat Lane. The street she’d grown up on.

The house—what was left of it—still stood there. Renovations had begun a few months after the fire that had killed her parents. Aunt Gretchen had come in from Portland to help take care of the legal matters. Gretchen was her father’s sister—a woman Amber and Willow had only seen on major holidays. But shortly after the fire, when Amber had been sixteen and Willow fourteen, Aunt Gretchen had swooped in, instantly becoming a life raft in their sea of grief. Amber didn’t know what they would have done had it not been for Gretchen. The sisters had no other family—at least no one who hadn’t shunned the small family of Blackwoods. All Amber knew was that, years ago, some offense had resulted in the almost total alienation of her small family of four. Drama didn’t escape witch families any more than it did human ones.

Gretchen had rented out her place in Portland and moved to Edgehill so the girls could finish high school. They’d lived in an apartment building spitting distance from the hulking, charred remains of Amber’s childhood home. She’d had to walk past it every day on her way home from school and could see it from her bedroom window as she drifted off to sleep at night.

Now, fourteen years after her parents’ death, she could still see the unfinished house from her window and was reminded every day that if she and Willow hadn’t stayed at a friend’s house that night, maybe the sisters’ magic could have saved their parents.

"Or perhaps you would have died in that fire, too, Gretchen had often told Amber, usually after Amber had woken from a nightmare, screaming and thrashing and beating away flames. Maybe you were spared."

Amber ate her lunch in silence, staring at the house out on the far horizon. The house Gretchen had sunk thousands of her savings into in hopes they could restore the building to its former glory. But one day, shortly after Willow’s eighteenth birthday, Gretchen had suddenly called off the workers. She’d begged Amber and Willow to just forget about Edgehill, with its heartbreaking memories, and to come back with her to Portland where they could start anew.

Amber had always wondered where the abrupt change in her aunt had come from.

She suspected it had something to do with the fact that Willow had received an acceptance letter to her art school of choice just days before. Amber knew her sister wanted out of Edgehill just as much as Gretchen did.

But Edgehill was the only home Amber had ever known. The place that held all her memories, good and bad. She couldn’t imagine ever leaving it. She couldn’t as a twenty-year-old, and she couldn’t now, a decade later.

Tom hopped onto the window bench, pulling Amber’s attention away from the view out her window. Tom began licking Amber’s discarded plate, lapping up any crumbs he could find. She grabbed him, settling him in her lap. He relaxed against her with little protest and tucked his paws under his chest, purring contentedly. They sat like that for a while, Amber’s mind blissfully blank as she stared out at the clear, cloudless sky.

Movement down on Russian Blue Avenue caught her eye and she saw Betty Harris opening her bakery—Purrfectly Scrumptious—across the way from her own shop. Betty flipped her sign over, unlocked the door, and propped it open with a rock. It was chilly in Edgehill in January, but the scents wafting out of Purrfectly Scrumptious were more than enough to bring people in. Betty’s shop cat, Savannah, a fluffy gray-and-white Maine coon, sauntered out and then promptly flopped over onto her side. Savannah pulled in just as many customers as Betty’s delicious cakes and cookies.

The sight of Savannah meant Amber’s lunch break was nearly over.

Standing while still clutching the purring Tom to her chest, she deposited the cat onto her bed beside the already-dozing Alley. Tom turned in a couple of circles, much like a dog, and curled up next to his sister.

Amber had just reached the top of the stairs when her house phone rang. It was such an ancient relic, but the people of Edgehill were big on their landlines. Which was just as well, as Amber was terrible at remembering where she’d last left her cell phone. Nothing a quick locator spell couldn’t fix, but still.

Plucking the phone out of its receiver, she said, Amber speaking.

Answering a call without the input of caller ID was truly living life on the wild side; anyone could be on the other line.

Oh my God, Amber, hi.

It took a moment for Amber to place the voice of the frantic-sounding woman. Kimberly Jones. She and Amber had gone to high school together, though they hadn’t traveled in the same circles. Nothing as cliché as Amber being the weird loner and Kimberly the popular cheerleader.

No, Kimberly was just … excitable. Someone who always sounded breathless, like she was imparting the most important news the world had ever known. It was only tolerable in small doses. Once, in high school, Kimberly had come rushing over to Amber in between classes, all heavy breathing and darting glances down either end of the hallway. The girl had put a hand to her chest, large green eyes wide as saucers as they’d scanned Amber’s face. Amber’s heart rate had spiked, sure Kimberly was going to tell her she’d just caught Amber’s boyfriend making out with a teacher … or something as equally traumatic.

Oh my God, Amber, hi, she’d said then too. I … oh my God. Do … is there any way … I’m so sorry about this … but can I borrow a pencil? I can’t find mine and I have a math test next period.

Amber had almost fainted with relief.

A week later, however, Amber’s boyfriend had been caught making out with someone else, so perhaps Kimberly’s presence had been a harbinger of bad news.

Hi, Kim, Amber said now. What’s up? I don’t have that basket ready for the raffle yet. I’m putting the finishing touches on one of the toys. Melanie and I are—

Oh! said Kimberly. Oh, sweetie, that’s … that’s just it … Melanie is …

It sounded like the other woman was fighting off tears.

Amber’s brow creased. "Kim? Kimberly. What’s wrong? What about Melanie?"

Oh my God, Amber, Kimberly said again. Melanie’s dead.

It felt as if someone had just punched Amber in the gut, the breath leaving her in a whoosh. What? How … she was just here a couple hours ago.

I know, Kimberly said, definitely crying now, the words coming out like a choking gasp. It took her a few moments to compose herself. I went over to her house to check on her because she’s been so under the weather lately, you know? She was supposed to meet me around now to discuss the raffle, and she usually calls to confirm, but I haven’t heard from her since last night. She didn’t answer her phone when I called her earlier.

And Melanie always picks up.

Right! said Kimberly. Her door was unlocked when I got there and I let myself in and … oh God, Amber. She was lying in the middle of her living room, not moving. I thought maybe she’d just collapsed, but when I shook her … she just felt wrong. Her eyes were glassy and staring at nothing and …

Kimberly completely broke down then.

Amber, tears in her own eyes, gave the woman several more moments to get herself under control. The word dead kept echoing in Amber’s mind. It was so final. Amber could hardly process what it meant. Did you call the police? she finally asked.

Yes, she said, sniffing. That’s partly why I called you.

Brow creased, Amber said, What do you mean?

"Well, when I found Melanie, one of the vials from your shop … it was in her hand."

Well, yeah. I gave her something to help her sleep, Amber said, realizing too late that a hint of defensiveness had crept into her voice.

Oh, I’m not blaming you for anything! Kimberly said, sounding a touch hysterical. "It’s just that Owen Brown showed up and seemed very, very interested in the fact that something from the Quirky Whisker was found on her … on her body. He said something like, ‘Well, color me surprised,’ but said it like he wasn’t surprised at all."

Amber reeled again, as if physically struck by this news too. He … what? He thinks my tincture is what caused … Amber could scarcely complete the thought, let alone say it out loud.

Kimberly loudly blew her nose. Let’s just say I heard him say he wanted the vial bagged for evidence and he planned to interview you himself.

Amber groaned.

I just thought you’d want to know, Kimberly said. I imagine getting news that your friend died is bad enough, but to have Owen Brown, of all people, come swaggering in to not only break the news, but to accuse you of …

It seemed Kimberly couldn’t voice the thought out loud either.

Thank you, Amber said.

A loud pounding sounded below.

Oh crap. I think he’s already here, Amber said. We’ll … we’ll talk soon, okay? I can’t process this right now and I wasn’t even the one who found her. Amber softened her tone. I’m so sorry, Kim.

The other woman began crying in earnest now.

Another booming set of knocks reverberated downstairs. Amber flinched. She didn’t need this right now. Her friend was dead and she needed to think.

Take care of yourself, hon, said Amber, before hanging up with Kimberly, who was still so emotional she couldn’t reply. Amber knew her own tears were coming; she could feel them at the back of her throat.

Dead.

How could she be dead?

Taking the stairs at a jog, Amber opened the door at the bottom of the landing and let herself into the shop.

Sure enough, Chief Owen Brown, in full uniform, stood across the way outside her door, hands on his hips, stance wide. He peered at her through the glass, his expression some combination of smugness and anger. There was no way this conversation would go well. Amber could whisper a quick spell and send him away, making him forget why he’d been here in the first place. The spell never lasted longer than an hour, especially without being in physical contact with him while the spell was cast, but it would give her time to breathe. To think. To process the fact that the once-bright, vibrant Melanie Cole who had walked through Amber’s door hours before would never be able to do so again.

Amber stopped halfway to the door, hand to her stomach. Her friend was dead.

How could she be dead?

Owen Brown pounded on the door again, the sign tapping against the glass with the force of it. The jerk couldn’t give her a moment’s peace? Now it was her turn to be angry. No matter how strange Owen thought her wares were, how odd he thought she was, he couldn’t possibly think she was capable of this. Of hurting Melanie on purpose.

Her anger that he could even consider such a thing dried her threatening tears and strengthened her resolve. She stood tall and marched to the door, unlocked it, and pulled it open.

Hello again, Chief Brown, she said. Something wrong with Sammy’s toy cat?

Owen stalked past her and into the store, gaze swiveling this way and that as if he’d never been inside it before. It was nearly a full minute before he finally turned to her and said, Your friend Melanie Cole was found dead in her home an hour ago.

The words hit her like blows to her chest. She fought back an involuntary choking sound—a noise that reverberated from some place deep inside her. Her eyes welled with tears, but she clenched her jaw, willing them not to spill down her face. How dare he come here to throw something like that at her with no tact, with no regard for her feelings? She wouldn’t let this man see her cry. Besides, no matter how she reacted, she knew he would find a way to deem it suspicious.

But you already knew that, didn’t you? he asked.

Yes. Kimberly Jones called me just before you got here.

A vein in his temple twitched. Ha. He’d been hoping to catch her off guard with the news and was clearly upset Kimberly had beaten him to the punch.

He reached into his pocket and held out a plastic zipped bag with a vial in it. One of her vials; the bespectacled cat logo on the label looked at her from the corner of one eye, appearing just as concerned about his current predicament as Amber was. Can you tell me what this is?

It’s one of mine, she said. If it’s the one you found in Melanie’s hand—Kimberly told me about that, too—it’s the headache tonic I gave her this morning.

And what’s in this so-called … headache tonic?

He said the last two words as if they were synonymous with poisonous snake venom.

The ingredients are on the label, she said. Would you like me to read them to you?

That vein in his temple twitched again. I’d like to hear it from you directly, Miss Blackwood.

With a sigh, she said, Passionflower and valerian root are the main ingredients. There are some trace amounts of vanilla for flavor.

And when did she purchase this from you?

I gave it to her this morning when she came in complaining of a headache, Amber said.

"Gave it to her, he said. So there’s no record of a transaction taking place?"

No, said Amber. Her payment to me was to get— Throat suddenly tight, Amber willed the tears back. Willed her anger to return so she could get through this conversation and get this man out of her shop so she could grieve in peace for her friend. Her payment was to get better.

I see … he said, tucking the bag back into his pocket. Were there any other customers in the shop at the time who can back up your story?

Amber sighed. No, it was just us.

I see, he repeated. I’ll be sending the vial to Portland to be analyzed so we can find out just what Miss Cole ingested.

Good, Amber said. And when you learn what’s in it, you’ll see that every ingredient is natural.

Just like those toys my son keeps bringing home.

Amber pursed her lips, a thought niggling in the back of her mind. "Why are you here? Is there something suspicious about her death? You seem to have immediately jumped to the theory that something was done to her, not that this was an unfortunate incident. She’d been sick on and off for weeks."

That’s not something I can discuss with you at this time, Miss Blackwood. This is an ongoing investigation.

Yeah, an investigation that had begun all of an hour ago. Was Chief Brown frothing at the mouth over Melanie’s death because he was desperate to find something concretely wrong he could connect Amber to, or was he missing the fast-paced life he’d had in Portland where potentially mysterious deaths had surely happened on a daily basis?

An idea struck her.

Knowing said idea was a terrible one, she closed the distance between herself and Owen in five quick steps and placed a hand on his arm. She felt the heat of his skin through his long-sleeved shirt. Was Melanie’s death not an accident?

Though she’d need skin-to-skin contact to be able to hear a person’s last thought replay in her head, she mentally uttered the incantation all the same. A flash of images popped into Amber’s mind and she staggered back a step, flinching.

Owen snatched his arm toward his body, holding his elbow as if she’d singed him. No one could feel the effects of a thought-spell, so she knew Owen was reacting to her flinch, not anything she’d done directly to him.

Lip curling slightly, he said, Like I said, it’s an ongoing investigation. I cannot discuss details of the case with you. He straightened, tugging the sleeves down on either arm so the cuffs rested comfortably at his wrists. I’ll be in touch again soon, Miss Blackwood.

With that, he sauntered out of her shop without another word.

When Amber was sure he was gone, she doubled over, tears flowing freely. She held onto the counter to keep herself upright, but her wracking sobs soon took her to her knees. She rested her head on the floor, body heaving.

Not only had her friend died, but that flash of images unknowingly supplied by Owen—like a short series of crisp crime scene photos—had been of blue-tinged lips and nails.

Amber had known in that moment what had happened.

Melanie had been poisoned.

Chapter 3

Amber sat with her back against the counter, legs folded beneath her. With her eyes closed, she took slow, calming breaths. When she heard the tinkle of the bell above her shop door, she let out a soft, involuntary groan. The winter months were slow in Edgehill. It wasn’t until the trees grew their leaves, the flowers bloomed, and the temperature shifted from cold to chilly to warm that tourists started to venture to the feline haven that was Edgehill.

After the scheduled toy demonstration that morning, Amber hadn’t anticipated any more customers today. She didn’t want to fake niceties on the day her friend very possibly had been murdered.

Something hard thumped lightly against her knee. Giving a start, she opened her eyes to meet the steady gaze of a Maine coon. Savannah bumped against Amber’s knee once more, gave a soft chirp, and flopped over onto her back in front of Amber’s crossed legs.

Savannah’s front paws flopped on top of her chest, her expression clearly saying, Go on. You know you want to.

Amber sniffed and gave a watery laugh before burying her fingers in the long, soft fur on Savannah’s stomach. Savannah squinted her eyes closed and turned her purr on full force.

A few moments later, Amber heard, How you holding up, hon?

Continuing to rub Savannah’s belly, Amber looked up to find Betty Harris standing nearby, one arm propped on a pyramid-shaped bookshelf stocked with guides on herbs, gardening, and crafts. Betty was an African-American woman in her mid-sixties, her hair cropped short. Her eyes were as bright blue as Savannah’s.

Amber managed a half-hearted shrug, then refocused on the purring Maine coon.

I saw that grouchy old Owen Brown over here earlier, Betty said. Was he giving you trouble?

Knowing Betty likely knew as much as she did at this point—Edgehill might have been behind the times in some ways, but the rumor mill ran faster than the Wi-Fi down at the Purrcolate coffee shop—Amber told Betty about her run-in with the chief, and the fact that the man seemed to have a very short suspect list, with Amber herself at the top.

What hogwash, Betty said, clucking her tongue. I’ve known you since you and Willow were babies. I knew your parents quite well—God rest their souls—and you’re one of the last people I’d ever think capable of such a thing. I don’t know why that man has always turned his nose up at you.

Amber sighed. Thanks, Betty.

After a moment, Amber still massaging the purring Savannah, Betty said, You need anything, baby? I know you and Mel were close.

All I want to know is who did this to her, Amber said. Melanie never hurt anyone.

Betty made another clucking sound, softer this time, and Amber’s fingers stilled in Savannah’s fur. The cat gave a light trill of protest.

When Amber cocked an eyebrow at Betty, the woman shook her head. No. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s not my business.

Betty hadn’t actually said anything, but that clucking tongue of hers was sometimes more informative than words could ever be.

Savannah scrambled to her feet then, quickly padded across the shop, presumably to the spot where Amber always kept a small bowl of water and a couple of treats out, should one of the town’s cats drop in for a visit. While most people in Edgehill had pet cats, there was a large population of strays who lived in town. For some reason, the stray cats of Edgehill had always been friendly. No one knew why the cats congregated here. But instead of shooing them away, Edgehill’s founders had built a town around them.

Betty … Amber said, standing and taking a couple of steps forward. Do you know something?

Betty pursed her lips and crossed her arms. "It’s not my place. And it’s just a rumor, really. Not right to spread rumors about the poor girl on a day like today. Even if it is true. She held up her hands, placating. And I’m not saying it is."

Amber sniffed, rubbing the heel of a hand against one of her eyes. She was sure they had to be a puffy mess by now. Please tell me. If it’ll help figure out who might have hurt her …

Betty huffed out a breath. This is all speculation, mind you. I can only go by what little I’ve heard.

Amber managed a small smile. Betty, c’mon. We both know you hear more gossip than a hairstylist. You lure them in with Savannah’s baby blues and then get them so hopped up on your sinful cupcakes, they’ll tell you anything.

Betty never backed down from a compliment. I do have the best cupcakes in town.

"Try in the state."

After a moment, Betty asked, What do you know about that man Melanie was seeing?

Not much, Amber said, surprised she hadn’t thought of the mystery man again until now. I just know they met on a dating site and were apparently getting serious. He lives over in Marbleglen.

Betty clucked her tongue at the name of Edgehill’s rival town. Most Edgehill residents felt … strongly about Marbleglen. It was mostly civil, like fans of rival sports teams. But the smallest slight could set off the wrong person in seconds.

Amber had once seen a bar brawl break out between an Edgehill citizen who had casually said the Here and Meow Cat Festival was exceedingly superior to Marbleglen’s Floral Frenzy Flower Festival, held every year around the same time. The next thing anyone had known, the two men had been rolling around on the ground, throwing blows and colorful insults, after one of them had splashed an entire pitcher of beer in the other’s face.

Well, that’s the thing … said Betty now, pulling Amber back into the conversation. Most people thought that … that he was some guy from the next town over. But I’ve heard from at least two reliable sources that she was seeing … oh, I don’t know if I should say this …

Betty …

It was Derrick Sadler. Betty winced.

It took a second for that information to organize itself in Amber’s head. But he’s married!

Betty knowingly raised her eyebrows. Hearsay.

Amber folded her arms, thinking. Derrick’s wife, Whitney, had been on the Here and Meow Committee with Melanie. Melanie had been voted in as the festival director for this year. Whitney had continued on as the finance chair for the fourth year in a row. Amber herself was on the committee as head of the festival’s design, but really, she was just the mouthpiece for Willow, who worked on everything from afar, emailing Amber with mockups for flyers, posters, and the like. Willow worked in Portland as a graphic designer at a small advertising firm.

When the festival was a couple of weeks out, Willow would join Amber in Edgehill to help in a more hands-on way. Hands-on meant that Amber and Willow would magic their way through several tasks that would take a normal human twice as long to complete.

Amber tried to think of the countless interactions she’d seen between Melanie Cole and Whitney Sadler and not one struck her as even remotely suspicious.

Amber, dear?

Snapping out of her thoughts, she glanced up at Betty, who now had Savannah rubbing against one of her pantlegs. Sorry, Amber said. "It’s just … it’s hard to believe Melanie would be—had been—keeping a secret like that."

Betty nodded. Just a rumor.

Savannah chirped.

With a smile aimed down at her cat, Betty said, You hungry?

I’m guessing she already cleaned me out of treats, Amber said.

Savannah sauntered toward the door.

Betty laughed. I guess that’s a yes. After pulling Amber into a quick, tight hug, Betty held her out at arm’s length. She smelled like sugar. I’m just across the way if you need anything, okay? Even if it’s just to talk. I’ll whip you up some of those coconut cream cupcakes you like so much.

Amber nodded slightly. That sounds great.

All right, hon, Betty said. I’ll come check on you soon.

Amber watched as Betty and Savannah left the shop, the chime tinkling as the door clanked shut behind them.

Had Melanie truly been having an affair with Derrick Sadler? Derrick and Whitney had always seemed happy, but Amber wasn’t naïve enough to believe that all outwardly happy couples were happy in private, too. Who knew what the realities were inside the Sadler household. Or what lies—or truths—Derrick had told Melanie about the state of his marriage.

A committee meeting was scheduled for three days from now. Amber had never talked to Whitney much beyond things directly related to the Here and Meow.

On Friday, Amber planned to get to know Whitney Sadler a little better.

In a move both self-serving and rooted in sympathy, Amber called Kimberly Jones on Friday morning to ask if she wanted to ride with her to Purrcolate for the bi-weekly festival meeting. She knew Kimberly had to be out of her mind with anxiety after last night’s town hall.

Oh my God, Amber, thank you for calling, Kimberly answered breathlessly when Amber offered to drive. I have most of Melanie’s notes and access to her spreadsheets—she sent me copies of everything—but there’s so much to do!

I figured, said Amber. Maybe you need an assistant now, too.

Kimberly laughed semi-hysterically. Are you volunteering? Because I accept!

Oh, I’d be a terrible assistant, Amber said. But maybe one of the other ladies who’ve been doing this for a while will be able to help you. I wouldn’t hesitate to ask for help; everyone will understand.

Okay, yeah, you’re right, she said. I just need to center my chi.

After a long pause, filled mostly with Kimberly’s breaths, Amber said, So should I come pick you up at six?

Oh my God, Amber, yes please, she said. You’re an absolute doll.

Amber wasn’t, though. Amber was a sneaky, sneaky witch who had been obsessing over the possibility that Melanie had been having an affair with a married man. Under normal circumstances, Amber might have turned her nose up a little at the fact that her friend had been partaking in infidelity, but in these circumstances, Amber kept wondering if Melanie’s secret affair had anything to do with her death.

Which was why Amber sat idling outside of Kimberly’s house at 6 p.m. on the dot, with two steaming cups of hot chocolate—Kimberly’s favorite. Amber fired off a quick text to let Kim know she was out front.

Amber’s mind drifted to last night, when Mayor Deidrick had called for a meeting specifically about the festival, wanting to gauge the town’s reaction to keeping the Here and Meow running as usual despite Melanie’s tragic end. Though it had only been two days since Melanie had been found dead, the rumor that her death had been the result of foul play had already made the rounds.

Business at the Quirky Whisker was slow during the winter months anyway, but Amber couldn’t tell if it was the brisk weather that had kept many customers from gracing her shop’s doorstep over the last couple of days, or Owen Brown’s suspicions about her.

During the town hall, some called for the Here and Meow to be postponed until the killer was apprehended, while others felt the festival should continue full steam ahead because that’s what Melanie would have wanted. Even the small contingent of Dog Lovers United had chimed in, making their yearly plea to turn the festival into a joint canine and feline event but, as usual, they’d been shut down. Many thought it was in poor taste to suggest a drastic change to the festival Melanie had already put so much work into.

Eventually, it was decided to keep things running as planned, and that Kimberly should take Melanie’s place, since she’d been Melanie’s assistant. Kimberly had joined the mayor at the front of the room to a series of cheers and applause, but she’d been so pale, Amber had wondered if she was going to pass out.

The front door to Kim’s house opened now and Amber watched her hurry across the driveway, loaded down with a laptop bag and what looked like two purses. She pulled the passenger-side door open and practically flung herself inside, bags piled in her lap. Slamming the car door shut, Kim threw her head back against the headrest and let out a long, gusty sigh as if she’d just run a marathon.

Amber eyed the out-of-breath brunette and hid a smile. Kimberly really hadn’t changed an iota since high school. Amber held the cup wrapped in a protective cardboard sleeve out to Kimberly.

Kim perked up at the smell of chocolate and turned toward Amber. "Oh my God, Amber, you really are a doll. Is this … is this your hot chocolate?"

You better believe it.

Kimberly squealed excitedly. Disentangling herself from the various straps draped over her thin frame, Kimberly let the bags fall between her feet on the floor and grabbed the cup, placing her nose by the little spout and inhaling deeply. Oh! You even sprinkled it with cayenne pepper!

Of course. I never forget an order.

Amber’s hot chocolate was often a top seller during Halloween events.

Kimberly took a swig of the drink and let out a dreamy sigh, melting against her seat. This is perfect. Thank you.

Amber took a sip of her own hot chocolate before placing it in the cupholder and pulling out onto the road. Though they were meeting at a coffee shop, Amber had known Kimberly wouldn’t be able to resist her hot chocolate.

Which meant Amber could guarantee that the tonic she slipped into Kimberly’s drink would be ingested without a problem. Amber felt guilty, but if anyone knew about Melanie’s potential affair, it was Kim. Amber hadn’t wanted to berate the woman with questions on the drive, running the risk that Kim would think Amber had offered her a ride solely to pump her for information—which would have been the truth. Instead, the tonic would make sure Kim believed she’d willingly told Amber everything she wanted to hear.

Sneaky, sneaky witch.

Assuming the tonic had been mixed properly, that is. It wasn’t as easy to test out a gossip tonic as it was to work out the kinks in an animated toy. For tonics, one needed guinea pigs. And Amber’s best guinea pig had moved to Portland to work in advertising.

Kimberly took another sip of her hot chocolate. Oh, this is so good, Amber. I know it’s a seasonal drink and no one wants to drink hot chocolate in, say, summer, but this stuff is absolutely to die—

When Kim abruptly stopped talking, Amber shot a quick glance at her to see her bottom lip shaking.

Knowing Kim was now mentally chastising herself for her choice of words, Amber said, Melanie had such a sick sense of humor—I bet she would have thought that was funny. Slipping into an impression of Melanie, she said, "Oh, that’s real classy, Kim!"

Kimberly sputtered a laugh. But she sobered quickly. I really miss her.

Amber nodded, chest tight. Me too.

A charged silence filled the car.

To get to the Purrcolate coffee shop, one only had to take a straight shot down Ragdoll Way from Kimberly’s house. Amber had roughly ten minutes before they reached the place and before the tonic wore off. Lampposts slowly started to click on as it grew darker.

They passed two small churches, a bank, and a drug store before Amber spoke again.

Taking a deep breath, she said, You two must have really gotten to know each other well once you became her assistant.

Oh yes! We talked nearly every day—sometimes more than that.

I see. I wonder if … no. I … Amber made a show of hemming and hawing over her next statement. She attempted a Betty Harris tongue cluck, knowing she didn’t have the older woman’s skill. But it was enough to get Kimberly’s attention.

What?

I just … did she ever tell you about that guy she was seeing? Amber asked, hoping she sounded more like a playful gossip than an interrogating busybody.

But Amber needn’t have worried; the gossip tonic had kicked in.

Oh my God, Amber, I’m so glad someone finally asked! I’ve been dying—oh my God, I did it again! She let out another semi-hysterical laugh. Amber made a mental note to put a little less kava in her next batch. But … okay, you didn’t hear this from me, but she was seeing Derrick Sadler!

Amber offered a gasp that she hoped wasn’t too over the top.

A soft rain started to fall and Amber turned her windshield wipers onto the slowest setting. The lights of Edgehill—rectangles of warm yellow spilling onto lawns and sidewalks from people’s living rooms, the bright neon blue and white of gas stations and convenience stores, the red of stop lights—grew blurry as the rain fell, then were swept back to clarity with the swipe of her wipers.

I know, right? Kimberly said, taking another long swig of her drink. "Our sweet Melanie, getting all tangled up with a married man. She totally didn’t want me to know—for anyone to know—but one night we’d been working late on festival stuff. After I left, I had to double back twenty minutes later because I forgot my phone charger.

"I went up to the front door to knock and glanced