“Wait, you got all that and solved a nearly forty-year old cold case from one visit?”
“Two, technically. And I had help.”
Devon motions to a chair in front of his desk. “I want to hear about this.”
“You said the Grand Coven wouldn’t let anyone get involved because the girls were nons?” I sit down, feeling like maybe my theory is wrong.
“Right. It’s petty, if you ask me.”
“Huh.” I look at Hunter, biting my lower lip as I think.
“I know that look.” Devon scoots his chair close to his desk and rests his elbows on the surface. “And the last time I saw it, we were opening a portal.”
“Hah. Not doing that today. It’s just…what I picked up was that the girls—Marissa and Allison—were killed because they were witches. Using magic is how I drew out the spirit of the murderer. I bet he haunted that place to try and keep his secret hidden.”
Devon considers my words. “The famous witches during the Salem Witch Trials weren’t real witches.”
“Right.”
“So they could have been Wiccan or even a practicing pagan but lacked actual skill.” He shakes his head. “That sounds harsh.”
“No, I get it, and it makes sense. I was able to sense that they were both into what would be considerednew age stuffby today’s standards. Would the fact that this guy targeted witches in that way change things in the Grand Coven’s eyes?”
“Probably not at the moment. There was a, uh, shakeup inside the Grand Coven not that long ago where, uh, one of them snapped and killed members of this coven. A few students died.”
“Oh my god.”
Devon looks down. “It was a year ago but the GC has lost a lot of credibility and I personally wouldn’t trust them until the whole board has been replaced.”
“Yeah, homicidal rage isn’t a quality I look for in a leader.”
“Right? Look…solving a cold case is pretty damn cool, if you ask me. I’m a true crime junkie and it kills me when some of those unsolved murders were so obviously supernatural. Just be careful, Anora.”
“I will. If anything, I’ll stay out of it and let my friend “discover” the evidence during the renovation.”
“That’s a good idea. And thanks. Next time I see you, hopefully it doesn’t involve wannabe witch hunter spirits or portals.”
Devon laughs. “A few of us from the coven are meeting for drinks atMaria’snext Friday. You should come.”
My face lights up. “That would be fun!”
“Bring Nik. Something tells me he’ll enjoy the attention he’ll get. We don’t come across fae that often anymore.”
“Hah. He would eat that up.” And then try to sleep with half the witches and warlocks who paid him any attention, but I don’t say that out loud.
“But, uh, not your boyfriend,” Devon adds awkwardly. “Being an Order member and all—”
“Former,” I interject, getting automatically defensive of Ethan. “He quit and I know I told you that.”
“Right. He’s a cool guy, but the coven isn’t a fan of the Order.”
“Yeah. That whole thing.”
“Something else that’s petty.” Devon laughs nervously and I get to my feet.
“Well, uh, thanks again.” I force another smile. “Good luck with the papers. Maybe you should just give everyone As.”
“Hah. If only.”