It Takes a Witch: A Wishcraft Mystery Read Online Free PDF

was that the Craft didn’t have high priestesses. We had a secret Elder, the most powerful person in the village, the only witch who knew all of the Craft’s laws, history, and secrets. The all-­knowing Elder was the judge, jury, and disciplinarian for all Crafters. No one wanted to be summoned to see the Elder for breaking a Craft law. No one.
    “Is it possible,” I asked, “that she could be a Crafter?”
    “Doubtful, though I don’t know for sure. As far as I know, she has no family, no roots, here in the village. If there had been a Shively in the Craft ancestry, it would be known. The Elder keeps meticulous records.”
    Perhaps, but would she share them? Was she obligated to?
    Ve turned and looked back at Sylar. “His wish about Alex going away forever worries me. He’s been acting strangely lately, and I can’t help but wonder if Alex is somehow connected to his troubles.”
    “Does he know her well?”
    She hesitated before answering. “He’s been quite vocal lately about how Alex’s claims of being a witch might reflect badly on the village.” She smiled. “He doesn’t believe in witches.”
    “And that’s okay with you?”
    “Keeps things lively in my life. He’s a sweet man. His thinking just needs a little adjustment. That, and his wish making as well.”
    His wish echoed in my head. “Maybe he meant nothing ominous by it. Maybe by ‘go away forever’ he simply meant that Alexandra moves away and never comes back.”
    I left out the other option. That it could mean
gone-gone
,as in dead gone. Which certainly wasn’t a wish that could be granted.
    As if she knew the direction my thoughts had taken, Ve smiled wryly. “Only one way to find out.” She cast the spell.
    I looked toward Alexandra—­she seemed unaffected, though Harper was glaring at me. I grabbed Ve’s arm—­I wasn’t heading over there alone—­and crossed the room.
    “Alex! Darling, how are you?” Ve said sweetly. Too sweetly to be sincere. “Girls, this is Alexandra Shively, proprietress of Lotions and Potions.”
    Alexandra peered at Harper. “I would be better if I could get a straight answer from your niece.”
    Harper’s arms were folded tightly over her small chest, and I could tell her patience was long gone. She stood at just over five feet, and with her short brown hair, delicate features, and big brown eyes, she looked—­and sometimes acted—­like a beautiful, impish woodland elf. I immediately went to her side. Power in numbers.
    “What is it you wish to know?” Ve asked, all innocence and feigned candor.
    “I simply asked your niece where she had been born and raised.” Alexandra’s eyebrows arched into sharp points. Her hair gave her an extra foot of height, what with the way the frizzy curls practically stood on end and all. She folded her arms over her chest, and I noticed the beautiful diamond watch she wore. If it was real, it had cost a small fortune. Alexandra said, “She refused to answer.”
    Harper’s lips pursed. “Because it’s none of your business.”
    “Very secretive,” Alex said, eyeing us both.
    A gavel banged down. Gayle stood at a podium set up in a spot normally reserved for the month’s newest releases. Vince stood at her side. He was tall and lanky with curly brown hair. Black-rimmed glasses framed intelligentblue eyes. There were two pens in the pocket of his plaid shirt. He was definitely Harper’s type—puppy-dog cute and smart.
    “If everyone could find a seat,” Gayle said loudly, “we’ll get started in a couple of minutes.”
    She had a soft, mellifluous voice. She looked to be about fifty, with friendly blue eyes and honey blond hair. She’d bought the shop last year with her husband, who’d since passed away unexpectedly last winter from a heart attack. To hear Vince tell it, he’d been the bookshop’s saving grace following the tragedy, keeping the shop afloat. He may be puppy-dog cute, but he had a Westminster ego.
    Ve said brightly, “Let’s