Spells Trouble, Kristin Cast [books to read in a lifetime .TXT] 📗

fire. Dear Abigail got the girls to safety, but it caught her and killed her.”

Everyone turned to face Xena.

“Hello,” said the human cat. “Emily and Jax, it is lovely to formally meet you.” She looked down her nose briefly at Kirk. “I am the twins’ Aunt Xena.”

Kirk peered up at Xena, his brow furrowed. “You mean like their cat?”

“Yes. Exactly like their lovely feline.”

“Abigail has a sister?” asked Jax.

Hunter slid off his lap and moved to the thick arm of the chair, keeping his hand in hers. “No, Xena is Mom’s cousin. We’ve mentioned her before.”

“Sorry, I didn’t remember.” Jax nodded at Xena. “It’s nice to meet you, Ms.…”

“Call me Auntie or simply Xena.”

“Oh, wait. Are you who Abigail used to visit on her trips back to Salem?” Emily asked.

“Yes,” the three women lied together.

“I will be staying here—in Goodeville—with our girls,” said Xena. She finished the truffle and then began delicately licking her fingers clean.

“So, that means you won’t have to leave?” Kirk asked, as Emily wiped a tear from her cheek.

“We’re not going anywhere,” said Hunter. “Mom would never have wanted that.”

Xena nodded, causing her mane of hair to bob around her shoulders. “Goode women belong here.” She stood, put the half-empty mug of tea on the end table, and then stretched languidly, arching her back and lifting her hands high over her head like she was in yoga class saluting the sun. Then she shook herself, smoothed her hair with the back of her hands, and finally faced the staring group. “Now, kittens, you must leave. You may return later—perhaps tonight. The girls will use the phone devices to tell you when it is a more appropriate time to visit.”

Jax, Emily, and Kirk looked from Xena to the twins, who shrugged and nodded.

“Uh, okay. We understand,” said Kirk.

Emily spoke slowly. “But Dad told me to tell you that he would help you take care of, you know, things for Abigail.” She paused and had to press one of her hands to her chest and blink rapidly. Her other hand squeezed Mercy’s like a vise grip.

“Thanks, Em,” said Mercy. “Hunter and I will come over. Later. Tell your dad that, ’kay?”

“Text us when he’s ready,” Hunter said.

Emily nodded, biting her bottom lip. “Yeah, of course.” Then she wrapped her arms around Mercy and whispered, “I just don’t know what else to do.”

“I know, Em. Me, too. Me, too,” she murmured.

Emily stood, wiping her face again with her sleeve. “I painted a special sumi-e to honor your mom.” She reached into the Kate Spade glitter clutch slung over her shoulder on its long, metal-linked strap and pulled out an original watercolor the size of a postcard. It was a beautiful silver-gray owl in flight with the full moon over its wing. “I know how much Abigail loved owls.”

Mercy took the painting and through tears looked up at her friend, who was a talented young artist. “Abigail would appreciate that. She loves—um, I mean loved your work.” Mercy paused, her voice hitching on a sob. “It’s so hard to talk about her in the past tense. I just—” Her words stopped then, dammed again by unimaginable grief. With a shaking hand she put the owl on the coffee table, propping it up against one of Abigail’s many statuettes of Athena so that it seemed to soar.

“Oh, babe. Come here.” Kirk slid his arm around her and pulled her against him.

Jax stood, still holding Hunter’s hand. “My parents wanted me to tell you that they’re here for you. Mom’s already cooking you one of her famous casseroles—but vegetarian because I reminded her you don’t eat meat. She said, ‘Abigail’s daughters are not going to have to worry about food,’ and then got on the phone and started calling the other moms from church.”

“I will be here and will accept the offerings for the girls so that they may grieve,” said Xena as she gestured at the door.

“Thanks, Jax.” Hunter spoke softly, like it hurt to talk.

“And now you must go,” said Xena.

Kirk stood and helped Mercy to her feet. With his arm wrapped around her, they followed Jax and Hunter and Emily to the door.

“Em, we’ll see you a little later,” said Mercy. She stepped out of Kirk’s arm to embrace her friend again.

Emily sniffed and nodded. “’Kay. See ya. Text if you need me before then. I’ll be here super fast.” She hugged Hunter quickly and then went out the door.

Jax squeezed Hunter’s hand. “Same with me. I’m here. So are my parents. Whatever you need. Whenever.”

Hunter nodded and wiped at her face as he joined Emily who was walking slowly, dejectedly, down the sidewalk to where they’d parked their cars.

“Are you sure you want me to leave?” Kirk asked, pulling her close to him again.

“Yes,” said Xena.

Mercy nodded against his chest. “I’ll text you later.”

He kissed her softly before turning to Hunter. “Anything you need—either of you. Just tell me. Promise?”

Hunter nodded. “Thanks, Kirk. We appreciate it.”

Kirk went out the door, but paused and turned back, opening his mouth to say something. Xena slickly stepped in front of Mercy, lifted one arched eyebrow, and hissed.

Kirk took a few steps back. “Oh, um, shit! Sorry.”

“As you should be, boy. It is only polite that when one is asked to depart—one goes.” Xena closed the door firmly. “Now.” She turned to the girls, smoothing her hair with the back of her hand. “Which tree will you visit first?” But before they could respond a moth fluttered from the door, up the stairs, and past Xena who, with catlike reflexes stalked after it.

Mercy met Hunter’s gaze. “It’s weird.”

For a moment it looked like Hunter might almost smile. “Sadly, I think Aunt Xena is one of the least weird things we’re going to have to deal with.”

Mercy felt her shoulders slump. “So, the trees?”

Hunter nodded. “The trees. Didn’t the sheriff say he found old man Thompson’s body not too far from the olive tree?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

“Then we might as well start there,”