Fatal Charm (25 page)

I’ll never forget the stunned look on Dad’s face when he came into the sheriff’s station and saw Jade and I together. But he quickly recovered and slipped into lawyer mode. He sorted through facts and accusations, insisting we be truthful. Jade agreed. Then, before I could tell my side of the story, she announced that Mick Hatha was a murderer and that she’d witnessed him killing Darlene. I was grateful to be off the hook. Only a few people would ever know who the real witness was.

When the sheriff checked Mick’s car (parked by Manzanita Stables where he’d left it after he’d stolen a horse), they found bloody evidence, which eventually led to a confession and the location of Darlene’s body.

It was early Sunday morning by the time Dad dropped off his two eldest daughters at Nona’s. “Let’s not tell your mother about this,” he said as I stepped out of his car.

But I shook my head. “No more secrets,” I insisted.

“Sabine, be reasonable.”

“If you don’t tell Mom, I will. Jade is my sister and I’m not going to hide it.”

Jade came over, her expression close to tears, and hugged me like a sister.

Dad wasn’t quite so appreciative, but he didn’t argue as he drove away alone. While I watched his car lights fade down the driveway, I knew things would be okay. This was part prediction and part knowing my mother wouldn’t throw away her home and family so easily. It would be rough for a few months, but my parents would work things out.

On Sunday I slept in until noon—luxuriating in my own bed without any wayward astral trips. Jade, who was staying a few more days with us, was still asleep.

After making me my favorite hot breakfast of powdered-sugar French toast, fresh fruit, and orange juice, Nona invited me to tell her about my weekend. That took a while.

When I finished, she wrapped her arms around me. “You did good, honey,” she said.

“You think? I made a lot of dumb moves.”

“Not telling anyone about the killer wasn’t smart, but I understand your reasons. You were very brave and I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks. And you’re looking really good. What’s with the new hairstyle?”

She patted her head. “I had my hair cut and colored. I need to look good for client meetings. Business has picked up so much now that I’m better, I may promote Penny-Love to Executive Love Assistant.”

I laughed. “She’ll love that.”

“Now I think it’s time to attend to that other matter.”

“What?”

“Giving Jade her séance. It’s the least I can do for her saving your life.”

Then Nona hustled off to call Velvet.

* * *

It was another moonlit night and a small group was gathered in Dominic’s loft over the barn: Nona, Jade, Dominic, Velvet, and myself. Candles flickered around the darkened room and a scent of sandalwood incense swirled in the air. It was a small séance, but Velvet assured us there was enough energy with two psychics in the room to easily open the door to the other side.

We sat quietly in a circle reverently while Velvet said a prayer and called forth a protective white light. I was keenly aware of Dominic sitting beside me and tried to shut out my feelings for him and concentrate on the séance. There was a peaceful calm in the room, a receptive energy as if the spirits were eager for us.

Then Velvet called out for Douglas.

And just like that, with no flashes or drama, he was there.

Jade cried out joyfully as he sent her messages through Velvet. I watched in awe, so happy for Jade. I was a little surprised when another spirit arrived, and instead of talking to Velvet, the woman appeared to me. I’d seen her once before—Dominic’s mother. So I relayed her message to Dominic, calling him “Nicky” and urging him to continue taking classes and studying hard.

I was so absorbed in these wonderful reunions, I didn’t notice any change in the aura. I didn’t hear the footsteps that climbed up the steps. I didn’t notice a shift in the air as the door opened. And I had no clue someone stood beside the door, spying on us.

Until he stomped into the room.

“Josh!” I gasped.

“What the hell is this?” He stared at the candles, incense, and crystals. His eyes widened,then narrowed. “A séance? Sabine, how could you?”

“What … What are you doing here?” My heart thudded with dread as I faced him,

“I asked Grey to stop here so I could give you this card.” He held up a pink envelope. “I missed you and couldn’t wait to see you. Ha! What a jerk I was.”

“I’m sorry. I meant to tell you—”

“Liar! You’ve been lying to me since we met.”

“Don’t shout at her.” Dominic came beside me protectively.

“I’ll shout if I want because I’m furious. You’re all sick! Deluding yourself and everyone who believes you. This is exactly what’s wrong with the world.” He pointed around the room. “Charlatans!”

“Josh, calm down.” I had no idea what he was ranting about and saw he was upsetting my grandmother. I reached for his arm to lead him outside, but he shook me off.

“I suspected things were shaky with us, but I always trusted you. I admired so many things about you. Only you lied to me. You’re into the occult, the work of the devil. You practice the very things I detest. And I can never forgive that.”

Then he ripped the pink card to shreds and stormed out of the room.

Stunned, I stood there until Dominic pushed me forward. “Go. Talk to him.”

So I ran down the stairs and grabbed Josh’s arm just before he reached the blue Mustang convertible where a gray-haired man waited.

“You have to listen to me,” I told Josh. “I know it’s over with me but I want you to understand. We weren’t doing anything wrong.”

“Give it up, Sabine,” he practically spat out. “Just leave me alone!”

“Need some help, Josh?” The guy in the car stood and turned toward us. To my surprise, his face and voice were a teenager’s, even though his close-cropped hair was prematurely silver.

“No, Grey, I can handle this,” Josh was saying but I hardly heard him.

I was too busy staring at Grey. Ohmygod! I’d seen him before, only he’d been wearing a long jacket and fleeing the scene of a crime.

“Hang on, Grey,” Josh called out. “I won’t be long.”

“Your friend!” I whispered to Josh. “He’s the one who vandalized Trick or Treats!”

“What? No way! He’d never go to that wicked shop.”

“He trashed the shop. I saw him.”

“You’re only accusing him because he’s my friend.” Josh’s eyes widened, as if seeing an ugly truth that had been right in front of him all along. “You’ve always been jealous of Evan, and now you want to turn me against Grey. I guess I owe Evan an apology for taking your word against his. You’re nothing but a possessive manipulator!”

“That’s not it … ” My words trailed off. What was the use? It was my word against Grey’s, and Josh would never believe me. I couldn’t change his mind any more than he could change mine. We’d grown apart and there was no going back. The best I could do was end it all with dignity. “Josh, I’m sorry. It was wrong to hide my real self from you.”

His expression changed, the anger fading in an instant to regret. “You can change, Sabine. I’ll forgive you if you stay away from séances and voodoo magic.”

“Goodbye, Josh,” I said quietly.

“Come on, Sabine! Be logical. It’s all wrong; you have to see that. You can’t honestly believe psychics are real.”

“Yes, I can,” I said simply. “Because I am one.”

When he walked away, this time I didn’t stop him.

Watching the car blur down the driveway, it hit me that it was really over with Josh. Instead of being sad, I felt uplifted and free. I had a vision of Josh with a dark-haired girl wearing a sparkly magician’s assistant outfit and knew he’d be fine.

As for me? I was already fine.

I had a new sister, a great family, a healthy grandmother, good friends, and a special guy who understood me and loved me just the way I was. What more could a girl ask for?

I turned around, my heart soaring as I hurried back to the loft.

To Dominic.

Linda Joy Singleton lives in northern California. She has two grown children and a wonderfully supportive husband who loves to travel with her in search of unusual stories.

Lin
da Joy Singleton is the author of more than twenty-five books, including the series Regeneration
, My Sister the Ghost, Cheer Squad,
and, also from Llewellyn,
Strange Encounters.