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    Witch Rose: Old Sarum Witch Cozy Mystery Series, #2
    Witch Rose: Old Sarum Witch Cozy Mystery Series, #2
    Witch Rose: Old Sarum Witch Cozy Mystery Series, #2
    Ebook231 pages3 hours

    Witch Rose: Old Sarum Witch Cozy Mystery Series, #2

    By K.E. O'Connor

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    About this ebook

    Magical poison. Old rivalries, and a fallen angel with a giant crush.

    Bryony and Ivy Thornheart are in a race against time when a deadly magical poison starts killing residents in Old Sarum.

    When Gabriel Galbraith is poisoned, Bryony is determined to keep her favorite angel alive and goes on the hunt with Ivy to stop the poisoner.

    They recruit the dubious assistance of Kristoff Dash, dark demon and smooth talking business owner, who demands a hefty price for his help.

    Witch Rose is the second book in the Old Sarum Witch series and is another fun-filled magical cozy mystery. Follow the talented witches and see if they can figure out who the Old Sarum poisoner is and survive to welcome in the solstice.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherK.E. O'Connor
    Release dateJan 31, 2017
    ISBN9781386531968
    Witch Rose: Old Sarum Witch Cozy Mystery Series, #2
    Author

    K.E. O'Connor

    Be the first to find out about new releases, book promotions and exclusive reader competitions by checking out my Facebook page or website - just click below Visit my Facebook page  www.keoconnor.com

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      Book preview

      Witch Rose - K.E. O'Connor

      Chapter 1

      Have you just taken the last pancake? Ivy Thornheart narrowed her dark eyes at her sister, Bryony, who sat across from her at the kitchen table in the family home.

      If you wanted it, you should have taken it. Bryony sliced off a large chunk of chocolate chip pancake and placed it delicately into her pink painted mouth.

      You’ve already had three, said Ivy.

      Girls, there’s no need to argue over pancakes, said their mother, Adeline, as she swept up empty plates from the kitchen table. There’s plenty of batter. I’ll make some more.

      You wouldn’t have to if she wasn’t such a greedy pig. Ivy jabbed a pale finger at her sister.

      Speaking of pigs, said Aunt Isadore, who sat next to Bryony, her plate full of scrambled eggs and toast, I hear someone enchanted a whole herd of the Mayhew’s prize sows.

      Who would want to do such a thing? Adeline adjusted the bright red head scarf she wore whenever she was cooking.

      Apparently, there was a dispute over ownership. The next day, the pigs changed color and were bright green. Aunt Isadore gave a surprisingly girlish giggle. Can you imagine, green pigs?

      I’ll turn Bryony green if she doesn’t give me that pancake, said Ivy.

      You wouldn’t dare. Bryony took another bite of her pancake.

      Don’t tempt me. Ivy raised her fingers and sparks of magic flew from the tips, dancing across the wooden table top in bright purple and yellow flames.

      Aunt Lilith leaned over Ivy's chair and slapped her hand on the magic that danced towards Bryony. She was dressed head to toe in black, her hair currently matching the shade of her clothing. That spell is for children. You should try something stronger if you really want to get the pancake from your sister.

      What do you suggest? Ivy tilted her head to one side.

      You could use an immobilizing spell, said Aunt Lilith. Prevent Bryony from eating more pancakes.

      Aunt Lilith, that’s a terrible thing to suggest, said Bryony. Ivy knows chocolate chip pancakes are my favorite. She always lets me have the last one.

      Or there’s a spell of silence. Aunt Lilith cast a warning glance at Bryony.

      Ivy wouldn’t do that, said Bryony. She’s my big sister and supposed to share with me.

      I might give that last spell a try, muttered Ivy.

      It will take five minutes to cook a new batch of pancakes and have them in front of you, Ivy, said Adeline. Would you like me to make you some fresh ones?

      More pancakes would be good, said Ivy.

      We need to open the store, said Bryony. There will already be people queuing to get in. Bryony and Ivy jointly owned the Love Cauldron, a popular store that sold spells and potions for the resident magic users of Old Sarum. They inherited the store from their mother and aunts several years ago, after they decided to retire from the life of store owners to spend their time cultivating magical herbs in the large family garden.

      There's time to eat some pancakes, said Ivy, staring pointedly at Bryony's plate.

      With solstice coming up this is our busiest time of year. Bryony broke off a piece of pancake and fed it to the enormous hawk sitting on the back of her chair. Wherever Bryony was, her pet hawk, and familiar, Sweetie, was never far behind, keeping a beady eye on things.

      That’s because you make the best spells in Old Sarum. Aunt Odessa walked in from the back garden with an armful of herbs, her long multi-colored skirt billowing out behind her and a black cat close to her heels.

      Thanks, Auntie, said Bryony. Do you want some pancakes? Mom’s making a fresh batch.

      Not for me, said Aunt Odessa. I’m fasting so my magic is as pure as possible for when the solstice arrives. I don’t eat anything until the sun goes down.

      What nonsense, said Aunt Lilith. Your magic is just as potent whether you’re stuffing your face with cakes or not.

      A good cleanse now and again makes the magic easier. Aunt Odessa set the herbs on the worktop and began separating them into bundles. Have we finalized plans for what we’re doing on solstice eve?

      The usual naked dancing and magical debauchery, said Aunt Isadore with a smile.

      No naked dancing, said Ivy. My eyes haven’t recovered from last year.

      Your eyes are just fine. Adeline swatted Ivy over the head with a dish cloth. And it's good that we worship in our natural form, free from clothing and makeup.

      Do you remember Artemus Peck? said Aunt Odessa. The poor hobgoblin only came around to drop off a delivery, and he found us in all our glory. He still blushes every time our path’s cross.

      It must be love, said Adeline. She turned her attention to Ivy and Bryony. You would be welcome to bring someone to our solstice celebrations. Perhaps Gabriel is free? She looked at Bryony.

      Oh, no, I’m sure he’ll be working, said Bryony. His job at the Charm Police keeps him busy.

      Besides, we don’t want men at our solstice celebrations, said Ivy. They only cause trouble.

      Yes, much better when there aren’t men in the mix, said Aunt Lilith. We can reveal our true powers then, without the men cowering before us like frightened toads.

      Well, if either of you wants to bring someone, they’ll be welcome, said Adeline.

      The only man I’ll bring to the celebrations is one I want to sacrifice, said Ivy. And actually, there are quite a few of those around here. Old Sarum was full of magic users, many of whom had crossed paths with Ivy and lived to tell a sorry tale.

      Thanks for the offer. Bryony exchanged a glance with Ivy. But we’ll be man free. Best all round if we stay that way.

      Adeline shook her head. Very well. I thought we could have a bonfire in the center of the village and invite everybody. I’ll make a soup and a few rice dishes. Can somebody else do the desserts? She looked around the kitchen for willing volunteers.

      I can whip up something with meringue and cream, said Aunt Isadore.

      I can do some fairy cakes, said Aunt Odessa.

      Just ones without any fairy essence, said Adeline. The last batch you made had me floating around the kitchen for an hour.

      I’ll bring the alcohol, said Aunt Lilith.

      Excellent, so it’s all arranged, said Adeline. Bryony, perhaps you could make some of your brownies?

      Aunt Isadore makes better brownies than I do, said Bryony.

      Your brownies are as good as mine, said Aunt Isadore. After all, I gave you the recipe.

      They taste better when you make them. Bryony grinned at her aunt.

      Okay, I’ll make some brownies as well. Aunt Isadore smiled affectionately at Bryony. But you have to at least try making a batch of white chocolate and macadamia nut brownies. They are my favorite.

      I hope you’re not expecting me to bake, said Ivy. I always burn things.

      That’s because you need to keep a better check on your fire magic, said Aunt Lilith. Your fingertips are smoldering.

      Ivy peered down at her fingers. Blame Bryony for that. She shouldn’t have stolen the last pancake.

      Girls! Like I said, you can have fresh pancakes, said Adeline with an exasperated sigh.

      No, we should go. Ivy looked across at Bryony. So long as you’ve finished filling your face.

      All done, said Bryony with a bright smile. What time do you want us for the solstice celebrations?

      Get here by five, said Adeline. It will be dark by then and you can light the bonfire. It will be a magical night for all, so we want to make the most of it.

      We don’t shut the store until six, said Ivy.

      But we can make an exception for one night, said Bryony.

      You always say we shouldn’t close early in case we miss any last minute customers, said Ivy.

      Everyone will be coming to our celebration or having their own that evening, said Aunt Isadore. If they’ve left it that late to get their supplies, then that’s their problem. Come and spend some time with your family. We barely see you these days. Ever since you became independent women with your own store and apartment. I’ve forgotten what you look like.

      We are here three times a week for dinner, said Ivy. And as you can see, we’re here for breakfast.

      Still, it’s not the same, said Aunt Isadore. I miss you girls being around.

      We can come more often, said Bryony.

      No we can’t, said Ivy. Time to go. We have a store to open. She patted her leg and Spike, her enormous red eyed, immortal demon dog, emerged from under the kitchen table. He looked around the room, growling at each person he saw.

      Bryony stood up, kissed her mother and aunts on the cheeks, and hurried after Ivy who was already striding towards the front door.

      Sweetie took flight behind Bryony and swept from the kitchen, causing the four house cat familiars, Herbie, Vixen, Fluffy, and Lucifer, to hiss and spit in fury at her feathered presence.

      You don’t have to walk so fast, called Bryony, hurrying to catch up with her sister, her breath pluming out as her boots crunched across the frost covered ground.

      I thought you’d appreciate some power walking. Ivy tightened the thick black scarf around her neck. You need it to burn off all of those pancakes you scoffed.

      I didn’t eat that many, said Bryony.

      You ate mine, said Ivy.

      If it’s any consolation, you can have first pick of the brownies I made yesterday, said Bryony. They’re waiting for us in the store.

      Ivy grumbled under her breath. They’re not the same as mom’s pancakes.

      No, I admit, they are the best. How about you have the first two brownies?

      That would be okay, I suppose, said Ivy.

      They turned the corner, dashing past Bubbling Brews with its crooked window frames and thatched roof, and along the main street that ran through Old Sarum. It had been Ivy and Bryony’s home their whole lives, and they rarely left.

      Old Sarum was located in one of the most magical places in the country, sited next to the popular tourist destination of Stonehenge in Wiltshire. Little did the tourists know that true magic lingered behind a magical border a few feet from the ancient standing stones admired by so many.

      Let’s get a move on, said Bryony. I can see there are already people waiting to get into the store. She skipped ahead of Ivy, Sweetie swooping over her head, beating her large wings inches from Bryony’s face.

      Ivy looked down at Spike, who grumbled almost continuously with every heavy footed step he made. We’re going to have that whole tin of brownies to ourselves.

      Spike looked up at her and growled in agreement.

      We’ll be open in a minute, said Bryony to the waiting customers as she unlocked the store door.

      Stand back all of you, snapped Ivy. Or you’ll get a taste of magic you weren’t expecting.

      Be nice to the customers, whispered Bryony.

      That is me being nice, said Ivy. Spike growled at the dozen people waiting to get into the store and they all stepped back a healthy distance.

      Good boy. Ivy patted him on the head and then walked into the store.

      The inside of the Love Cauldron was a healthy jumble of bookshelves, vials of ready mixed spell concoctions, a large comfortable sofa and chairs for people to sit and browse through the stacks of books, a serving counter, and jar upon jar of potions and magical lotions for people to purchase. It wasn’t a large store, but the girls had arranged it to fit in everything they needed. They also reared and sold familiars, but kept them in a back room away from the prodding fingers of customers, to avoid stressing out the magical creatures.

      Are you ready? Bryony looked over at Ivy, the closed sign poised in her hands.

      They won’t go away until we’ve served them, so we may as well let them in, said Ivy.

      That’s the spirit, said Bryony with a grin. She flipped the sign and opened the door. Come in, everybody. Sorry for the wait. Got distracted by breakfast pancakes this morning.

      Mrs. Myrtle and Mavis Banbury were the first in, local Old Sarum witches who specialized in healing magic.

      We’re hoping you’ve got plenty of rosehip and slugwort, said Mrs. Myrtle, her button nose wrinkling as she noticed Spike lingering by the counter and growling at anyone who got too close.

      We’re holding a special event for people with eye problems, said Mavis, her brilliant white hair knotted on top of her head in a pineapple shaped bun, the frizzy ends sticking out in all directions.

      That sounds interesting, said Bryony. You will find everything you need at the back of the store on the right-hand side. If we don’t have enough on the shelves, we have more in the back room. Just ask and I’ll bring you extra.

      That’s excellent. Thank you, dear. Mavis bustled across the store with Mrs. Myrtle beside her.

      Josie Spicer was next through the door, pushing past several other customers in her haste to get inside. I need to speak to you. Her violet colored eyes were etched with tired lines and her long dark hair looked unbrushed.

      What can I help you with? Bryony was surprised to see Josie in the store so early. She worked at the Demon’s Den as a hostess and was rarely seen out of her house before lunchtime.

      I have a problem. Josie glanced over her shoulder, glaring at another customer who lingered at the shelf next to her.

      Let’s take a seat on the sofa. Bryony led Josie to the comfortable dark red sofa by the bookshelves. What’s the problem?

      It’s this. Josie held up her right hand and extended her index finger. The flesh on half of the finger was black and mottled with stripes of dark purple.

      That doesn’t look healthy, said Bryony. Have you shut your finger in something?

      No, it’s not injured. Josie dropped her hand into her lap. I noticed the blackness on the fingertip a couple of days ago. To begin with, I thought it was ink. But no amount of scrubbing would get it off. Over the last couple of days, the blackness has spread. And it's speeding up.

      What have you got there? Ivy peered over Josie’s shoulder. Have your spells been backfiring again?

      Josie glared at Ivy. I knew you’d have some useful insight into what’s going on with my finger. Of course my spells haven’t been backfiring. I’m an excellent witch.

      You can’t be that good if you turned your own finger black, said Ivy with a wicked grin.

      May I? Bryony extended her hand towards Josie. I’d like to have a closer look.

      Make sure it’s not catching, said Ivy. It could be a type of leprosy. That’s the sort of thing Josie would catch.

      Ivy, there are some customers at the counter who need helping. Bryony pointed across the store. Can you assist them?

      They can look after themselves, said Ivy. I want to learn more about this rotten finger.

      It’s not rotten. Josie turned her snub nose up at Ivy. My finger is fine.

      Whatever it is, it looks like it’s spreading. Ivy scraped a nail across a thin tendril of black that laced to the base of Josie’s finger.

      Bryony lifted Josie’s hand and studied the blackness. Ivy’s right. It does appear to be moving. What does it feel like?

      Mainly numb, said Josie. It doesn’t hurt. I tried some healing magic on it, but it didn’t have any effect. What could it be?

      Bryony cupped Josie’s hand between her own and closed her eyes for a few seconds. It does feel magical. And not a positive magic.

      You don’t need to be a genius to work that out, said Josie with a sigh. Good magic wouldn’t do this.

      It might do if it was a particularly vile person the magic was cast upon, said Ivy.

      Ivy, I really think you need to serve those other customers. Bryony cast a pleading look at her sister.

      Ivy sighed. Fine, I get the hint. Let me know what’s attached itself to Josie. I hope it’s something bad. She stalked away towards the waiting customers at the counter.

      "I see your sister still hasn’t

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