The Mayhem Sisters (18 page)

About twenty minutes later, Honora raced down the stairs and rushed to her side. Vivi tried to stand, but was hit with a wave of nausea, so she decided sitting was best.

“What happened? I’m sorry it took me so long. I got hung up with the Hexers blocking the stairwell. Finn finally let me through when I told him you were down here. He was talking to the Menders last time I saw him.” Honora brushed a strand of hair from Vivi’s face. “Who did this to you?”

The bracelet had been so draining that Vivi just listened to her sister and nodded. Her reactions and thoughts were slowed. “It was Miranda.” Her tongue felt thick in her mouth.

“Miranda! Are you kidding?” Honora asked, fury filled her face, but she breathed slowly. “What about the missing witch?”

“She isn’t here. Miranda tried to use the bracelet to steal my
persuasion
. I don’t think she knows about the tests. She thinks the stupid bracelet is harmless.”

“Can you stand? I’ll try and get you out of here,” Honora said. Vivi was beginning to feel a little better with every passing minute the bracelet was off, but she imagined that wearing the thing for an extended amount of time would be a nightmare. Her fear of finding the witch alive intensified.

Hexer Finn and the security team stormed the lab. A swarm of witches and wizards surrounded her, some wearing lab uniforms, some wearing the Hex Division black. A healer witch went to work on Vivi, checking her pulse and eyes, giving her a soothing potion and a restorative tonic. While the investigation proceeded around her, Vivi’s mind started to clear and her thoughts sharpened. Her wrist was sore, but there was only a small red mark as any evidence the bracelet ever existed. “Miranda took the siphon with her. The bracelet’s gone.” Her shoulders slumped.

“I need to get you home,” Honora said, her brow creased. Vivi could sense she wasn’t telling her something, so she nudged her sister.

“Spill it. I’m feeling much better. I’ll be fine.”

“Dax is furious with me.” She shrugged, but Vivi could tell her sister was disappointed. “We just can’t connect. But he’s always a gentleman and lent us his car and driver to get you back to Willow Realm. I made arrangements with him while you were being treated by the healer.”

“Tonight was a mess,” Vivi said. “I need to think this through. Something isn’t right.” Pain shot through her temples. “Ouch.” She pressed on the sides of her head with her fingertips.

“Don’t worry. We’ll figure it out,” Honora said. “I’ll go make sure the car is ready, and we can get out of here. Will you be okay until I get back?”

Vivi nodded and her sister headed off. She peered through her half-opened eyes as Finn walked her way. The illuma lights were bright little daggers. “What’ll happen to Miranda?”

“Nothing’s going to happen to her,” Hexer Finn said, striding over to her. “Are you feeling up to talking? I’ve got some questions that need answering.”

“What?”
Impossible.
Her head spun at the thought of the witch walking free. “Miranda tried to steal my magic. She used that thing, that torture device on me, and you’re not going to arrest her?” A pulse of anger flared deep inside her. “Finn, she’s involved. I’m a witness and can prove it. You have to do something.”

“We’re proceeding with caution. The investigation will continue, and if we have enough evidence, then actions will be taken.” Hexer Finn’s gaze swept over the lab. “The Menders suspect there was a breakin.”

“Are you saying that my word isn’t enough against hers?” Vivi asked. She couldn’t believe what was happening. She gritted her teeth to keep from screaming at him.

“Miranda claims she was never in the lab this evening, and she has a room full of guests who swear she was with them all night. No one saw her leave. She thinks you may have been drinking too much.” Finn cleared his throat. “I saw you down two drinks, and by the smell of you, I have to agree with Miranda.”

“It was Miranda who did this to me. She poured liquor out of a flask down my throat and dress.” Vivi slowly stood and stared right into Finn’s face. “You don’t believe me? There are security spells all over this place. They’ll show our magical signatures. They’ll prove I’m telling the truth.”

His expression was stoic, unbending. “We’ve already checked. There were no signs of Miranda on any of the security wards. They only show you. But that we already knew.”

“Unbelievable! She was here!” Vivi yelled. “You know I’m not lying.”

“Collect your things. You’re coming with me. The healer witch cleared you for travel.” The Hexer took Vivi by the arm. Two more officers closed in as backup. “I’m taking you in for questioning, and your
sister
isn’t invited.”

Vivi felt her legs buckle, but she held her ground. Her night was far from over.

V
ivi half expected Finn to blindfold and drag her off to some secret Hexer interrogation cell and was a little shocked when they arrived at the Willow Realm Police Station, which was the last place she thought he’d take her. Once inside the building, Vivi immediately noticed a change—the energy in the room was electric as chatter rose and fell. The usually sedentary receptionist, Honey, hurried around distributing flyers from a stack of parchments clutched to her chest. A group of enthusiastic witches and wizards huddled in a tight circle, listening attentively to the sheriff’s directions. Lance’s uniform was wrinkled, his sleeves rolled at the elbow. A coffee stain marred his usual pristine white shirt. It looked like it had been a long night for everyone.

Juniper stood in front of a large map of the town, dividing up sections and piercing the surface with pushpins. Wiping her sweaty bangs with the back of her hand, she turned and made eye contact. Her face was drawn and tired, but brightened when she saw Vivi. She mouthed the words, “You were right.”

What?
Vivi’s stomach lurched. She grabbed Finn’s arm as he led her down a hall. “What’s going on?” Her voiced filled with urgency.

“One step at a time. This way.” He opened a door and motioned her inside.

Vivi had no idea how he could be so calm, especially with something big obviously going on.
He must be part cold-blooded reptile,
she thought. She slapped her purse on the table and spun to face off with the Hexer. “Start talking, Finn. Something’s happened. Tell me.”

Hexer Finn pulled out a chair and slowly sat. He set a packet of parchment on the table’s smooth surface and flipped it open. She wanted to strangle him. He was going to take his sweet time. “Is this about tonight at the party? You already made it clear you weren’t charging Miranda. Not enough evidence. Did the twins put you up to this? Do they say ‘jump’ and everyone flies into action?” Vivi collapsed down into a chair. Her upper arms and chest ached from the restraints worn earlier that night. Her head spun. That bracelet had really done a number on her.

“Are you done?”

“No.” Vivi had to speak her mind. She recalled what she and her sisters had seen the other night through the scrying mirror when Hexer Finn was meeting with the Darklander and wondered if she had gotten a little
too
involved in his business. “Are you angry at me because of what I saw through the mirror?” Vivi asked. “Let’s stop pretending. I saw you with the Darklander, and when the spell collapsed, you saw me and my sisters.”

He shook his head. “The scrying mirror you and your sisters were using has been banned. Using it will get you into trouble.” He narrowed his gaze, but he didn’t seem angry.

“The mirror’s a family heirloom, and it’s registered, so technically it isn’t illegal,” she countered. “That doesn’t explain what I saw.”

The Hexer was a hard wizard to read. His gaze was intense. “You have no idea what you saw the other night.” His jaw clenched. “You could have ruined my investigation with your meddling. You and your sisters should change your names from Mayhem to the Meddling Sisters.”

Vivi gave a small bark of laughter before she realized he wasn’t joking and that he
was
working on a serious case. Clover had been right. Hex was investigating the dark wizard, and they’d almost screwed it up. “I wasn’t going to say anything about what I saw between you and the Darklander.” Truly, she wasn’t entirely sure what was going on with him and the Darklander, besides the exchange of elemental spheres.

“This isn’t a game. Lives are at stake, and this isn’t my
only
case.” He stopped and stared at her, pinning her to the wall with his eyes. “Do you want to know why you’re here or not?”

Vivi nodded.

Finn flipped through his papers and pushed a photograph across the table. It was a young witch with a dimpled smile and long strawberry-blonde hair. Vivi grabbed the photo with a surge of energy. “It’s her! It’s the witch from my vision!” Her heart was racing. She had been right. About…
her vision?

“She was reported missing earlier today by her parents.” Finn’s expression remained neutral.

Finally, Hex Division acknowledged the witch. Her vision wasn’t a fluke. Everything made sense—the frantic activity in the police station was a search for the kidnapped witch. They were looking for her. But a feeling of relief mixed with fear and panic flooded through her when she realized the ramifications. “How long has she been missing?” Vivi asked, focusing her thoughts.

“We don’t have an exact timeline, but we’ve narrowed the window to about five days ago.” He drummed his fingers on the table.

“That’s only a few days before I had my vision.” Her timing had been close.

“Looks like it.”

Part of Vivi wanted to jump up on the table and scream
“I told you so”
at the top of her lungs, but it was hard to gloat when she was right about the terrible fate of another witch. After getting the bracelet slapped on her for a few minutes, she knew exactly what the witch was going through. Finding her was more crucial than ever.

“Who is she? Do you have a name?”

“It’s Sabine Monroe. Early twenties. She works as a teller at Golden Bears Bank. Lives in Willow Realm,” he read down his list of notes.

Vivi’s heart ached.
Sabine,
she thought. Finally, the witch had a name, but she was so much younger than Clarissa and Maynard. Someone would have missed her. “Why wasn’t she reported missing sooner?”

“Her parents were away on vacation. It took them a few days after they returned to realize something was wrong when they couldn’t get hold of her. Plus, they live on the other side of Everland. That’s why it wasn’t reported until now.”

“Have you been to her house? I should go and see where she lives. I might be able to get a read on her.”

Finn swept up the pages with an air of finality. “I’m not giving you the address. We have a team there now. The whole station is searching for her. You’ve done enough.”

Vivi ignored his stern expression and continued with her thought, “You said she works at a bank?” Something wasn’t sitting right.

“Yep.”

“That doesn’t make sense. The other witches were taken because of their powerful
persuasions
, so what exactly does she do at the bank?”

“She’s a teller. Mostly does customer service.”

“But I doubt that’s why she was kidnapped. What’s her
persuasion
?” Vivi asked.

“It took a while for her parents to finally tell us. She was keeping her magic a secret to everyone but her family and closest friends.” He paused.

“Well? Are you going to tell me or not?” Vivi asked.

He glanced up from his papers. “Levitation.” The word brought an appreciative smile to his face.

“No way! That’s a great
persuasion
. I’m assuming she can do it totally wand-free.” Admiration for the witch bloomed inside her. Levitation was not only rare, but it was seriously cool. Most witches learned a couple of basic levitation spells at the academy, but it wasn’t as easy as it looked and almost always required both a wand and spell. Unfortunately, the allure of her
persuasion
was what had gotten her kidnapped.

“From what her parents say, she doesn’t need a wand or spellwork. She does it on will alone. It’s her gift.”

“Power. That’s the one thing they all have in common—power and proximity. What else do you have linking the cases to give us more information?”

“You mean besides you? You’re the only other link I have.”

“Me? Come on, I can’t still be a suspect.” She rolled her eyes. He had to be kidding.

“You are until you’re not, and right now you’re still a witch of interest.” He was serious. What was it going to take to convince him she was on his side?

Vivi leaned back and closed her eyes. “You can’t be serious. That bracelet, which everyone at the party saw, is the latest Mender invention. Question them. They have the most to gain by stealing
persuasions
.”

“We did, and Miranda says she knows nothing of anyone being hurt by her device. In fact, she seems to think that you are trying to implicate her in the crimes.”

“And you believe that?”

“We’re searching the lab. Miranda gave us full access.” He shrugged.

“Sounds like the Menders have you jumping through hoops.”

“You think you have Hex Division all figured out.” He snorted.

“I think Hex Division won’t risk upsetting one of the most powerful business owners and investors in the world and that’s dangerous.”

“Did you ever consider the ramifications of your actions if you’re wrong? The damage a false accusation would cause? The Menders, who up to this day have lived exemplary lives, have dedicated themselves to healing witches and wizards—you want to storm their labs and find evidence lying around so you can point your finger, save the witch, and be a hero.” The speech had been a good one. He was right. She hadn’t considered the fallout from her actions because she had been so sure of herself and focused on finding the witch at whatever cost.

“You have a point.” Vivi bit back her emotions. “But I’m the one who got burned tonight.” She held up her wrist.

“I’ll check into that personally. After all that’s happened I don’t think you’re directly involved in the case.” His shoulders relaxed. “But I have to be sure.”

Vivi had an idea. If she couldn’t beat him then she would propose a working relationship. “As much as you hate to admit it, you need me. So, as I see it, we can either work against each other, or we can help each other and work together. We want the same thing—to find the witch.”

Finn glanced at her for a few seconds, as if trying to make up his mind about her, before finally giving in. “Tell me everything you know about her and the visions you’ve had.”

Vivi told Finn everything about her visions and her notes on the Mender twins, Dr. Fowler, Dax, Miranda, and the bracelet. As the words poured out of her, it felt like a huge weight was lifted off her shoulders, but he seemed less impressed.

“Why were you snooping around the lab tonight?” he asked, not reacting to anything she’d just told him. “I was right there. You could have told me the truth.”

“Ha! Hardly. You never would have believed me. You needed hard proof, like the parents of the missing witch coming forward, in order to trust me.”

He leaned back in his chair. “That’s fair, I guess, but it doesn’t answer my question as to why you were there.”

“I was following a tip I got from an employee of Mender Corp, and I wasn’t sure it was valid.”

“A tip?” His brow rose. He tapped his pen on a page of notes. “Tell me about this employee.”

“A young wizard who does freelance for the lab suspected Dr. Fowler of being involved.”

“We have a team at the lab now. We’re checking the whole facility, and I can send a team to check out Fowler’s residence to see if your tip pans out.”

“We have to hurry. She doesn’t have much time.” Vivi swallowed.

“You have to trust us. We’ve done this before. It’s our job. The sheriff and his staff have been searching and will continue to do so until we find her. This isn’t over.”

Vivi was overwhelmed. She choked up and took a deep breath. Hot tears streamed down her face—finally, they believed her. She had been waiting to hear those words, to get this kind of action. “All I wanted was your help.”

“I know. You were right—there, I said it.” He gave her a smile. “Now, you need to go home and get some rest. You’ve had a rough night. Plus, you’re a little overdressed.” He eyed her up and down. “Go on.”

Vivi was still wearing her sister Clover’s beautiful dress, which looked a lot less glamorous in the police station, and was now stained with expensive booze. Hopefully, she knew some cleaning spells. But no matter what condition her clothes were in there was no way she was going home now that they finally believed her. “I’m staying.”

“Not happening. Leave this to the professionals.”

“But I can help. I know this case better than anyone. Let me at least try.”

“No, you’re too close. Plus, you need some sleep. Come back tomorrow and check with the sheriff. I’m sure he’ll have some volunteer opportunities for additional searches.” He pushed back his chair and stood.

Vivi was too exhausted to go another round with him. She needed to get some sleep and a change of clothes.

He turned away from her and rapped his knuckles against the door, which swung open. “Hannah will show you out. Go home. Get some sleep. Are we clear?”

“I get it.” Vivi fished her shoes out from under the bench and rammed her feet inside. The strappy heels had lost their sparkly charm. Finn disappeared down the hall, and one of his Hexer sidekicks ducked her head in the door. It was the pretty girl with the cropped blonde hair and terrible scar that ran down the side of her face.

“Are you ready?” Hannah asked, and even gave her a small smile.

“To get out of here? No, but I have no choice,” Vivi said. She’d seen her with Finn on that first day they met in the Willow Realm Sheriff’s Department, except today she wasn’t wearing a long coat. Her arms were bare, exposing a crisscross of healed pink scars that covered her pale skin.

Following the Hexer out, Vivi wondered what had happened to her. Had she been wounded in some terrible accident or magical battle? The Hexer wasn’t trying to hide her wounds, and Vivi admired her for it. She could have used a spell, potion, or charm to try and disguise the ugly jagged scars, but she didn’t.

“He’s not so bad,” Hannah said.

“Finn?” Vivi snorted. “He’s starting to grow on me, though I still think he’s a little stubborn.”

Hannah’s smile widened. “I guess you’re right. He’s opinionated, and he always thinks he’s right. But he’s a good guy. It might surprise you to know he’s a great Hexer. One of the best.”

“Now
that
doesn’t surprise me. He seems the type to do anything for his job.” Vivi sighed. “I don’t know if I fully trust him. And I can’t figure him out.”

“Hex Division’s a tight group. We have our orders. It can be hard to understand unless you can see the whole picture.” They had reached the front door. “Goodbye. And be careful out there. Whoever took the witch is still on the loose.”

“Finn’s lucky to have such a loyal partner.”

“He’s been there for me my whole life. But I guess that’s what brothers are for.”

Brother.
Now
that
was interesting. Vivi repressed an urge to ask Hannah a million questions about Finn, but it wasn’t the time or place. The young Hexer waved to Vivi as she exited the station.