A Witch Before Dying: A Wishcraft Mystery Read Online Free PDF Page A

about the Craft (and by doing so, lost her magical abilities), by Craft law they both became Halfcrafters. Half mortal, half Crafter. A Halfcrafter had no powers, but was privy to all Craft history, laws, and bylaws in order to help parent any Craft children, because kids born to a Crafter and a mortal would have full Craft powers.
    However, it’s up to the child’s parents whether to share the Craft secret with their kids. In my case, my mother and father had kept my and Harper’s abilities a secret, and it wasn’t until after my father died and Aunt Ve paid us a visit that we learned of our heritage. In Mimi’s case, Nick and Melina had told her of the Craft, but she hadn’t truly learned the extent of her gift until a few months ago.
    “I can do both.”
    “Good.” My gaze lingered on his strong hands, and I resisted the urge to reach out and hold one.
    A beat passed. Two. Finally, I said, “What are you doing here, anyway?” Patrice Keaton lived on a cul-de-sac, so I knew he wasn’t just passing by on patrol.
    His brown eyes crinkled at the corners and the breeze ruffled his dark hair. “There was a report of suspicious activity at this address. I should have known you’d be involved. Ever since you moved here, where you go, trouble follows.”
    “Hardly,” I protested. Though he had a point. I’d only lived in the Enchanted Village for a few months and had already been involved in a murder case and several break-ins, and identified a pickpocket. It had been fairly quietin my world the last few weeks, however, and I wanted nothing more than to keep it that way.
    He asked, “So what are you doing here? Besides acting suspiciously?”
    I watched as Missy toddled over to a tall arborvitae and started sniffing for all she was worth. I wasn’t worried about her wandering off. With Nick near, she wouldn’t go far. “As You Wish was hired by Elodie Keaton to clean up her mom’s house.” I glanced over my shoulder at the house, then checked my watch. “I was supposed to meet Elodie here more than fifteen minutes ago, but it looks as though I may have been stood up.”
    His eyes glinted in the sun as he said, “I can’t imagine anyone would stand you up.”
    My heartbeat kicked up a notch. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”
    My flirting skills were seriously rusty. Luckily, I was saved from another of his flirtatious comments when a car pulled up in front of the house. I’d seen the man who came toward us around the village but hadn’t met him and didn’t know who he was.
    He held out a hand to Nick and said, “Good to see you, Nick.” He then glanced at me and said, “You must be Darcy. Elodie was caught up at the shop and sent me over. I’m Connor Merrick. Elodie’s fiancé.” He glanced at the Bumblebeemobile. “Is there a problem?”
    Nick folded his arms across his chest. “Someone called in suspicious activity.”
    Connor rolled his eyes. He was a big, beefy, teddy bear kind of guy. The type that probably played linebacker on the football team but really longed to do theater instead. Light curly brown hair, wide smile, long-lashed MoonPie eyes. “My mom?”
    Nick smiled. “Might have been.”
    Missy came and sat at my feet. “Your mom was the one who called?”
    Connor’s chubby cheeks reddened as he pointed at a charming two-story house across the street. “She lives right there and always has an eye on what’s happening in the neighborhood. I bet she’s around here somewhere—she’s never one to watch what’s going on from afar. Mom, come out wherever you are!” he singsonged.
    Not just theater but
musical
theater. He had a nice, soothing voice, baritone bordering on tenor. The village theater needed to sign him up.
    Glancing around, I felt as though I was six years old, playing hide-and-seek. I held in the urge to shout, “Olly olly oxen free,” and bit my lip instead.
    A woman stepped out from behind the arborvitae, brushing her hands over her arms as if dusting them