Mr. Conjure

By S.A. Hunter

“I’ve never heard of Mr. Conjure,” Mary said.

“He creeps through the shadows wearing a raggedy top hat and a long black coat. His claws are stained a bright red from all the blood he’s spilled. If he gets you, there’s no escape.”

“Why’s he called Mr. Conjure?” Mary asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Why isn’t he called Top Hat or Mr. Red Hands?”

Eddie frowned. “Because he’s called Mr. Conjure.”

“But what does he conjure?” Mary asked.

“He doesn’t. You conjure him.”

“But why would anyone want to?”

“Because people are sometimes stupid,” Rachel said.

Jenny is a little stupid, at least that’s what Mary thinks. Why else would the teen go to an abandoned house by herself and play a game to summon a monster called Mr. Conjure? Mary doesn’t believe he exists, but Jenny insists that he’s out to get her. She’s so afraid of him that she attempts suicide.

Rachel wants to help Jenny and needs Mary to do it. Mary thinks Jenny needs a shrink, not her. She’s sure Mr. Conjure isn’t real. But something is lurking in the dark, and if it can’t get Jenny, it’ll take Mary instead.

• Language: English
• Publisher: S.A. Hunter
• Release date: Sep 14, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370745623

S.A. Hunter

S.A. Hunter lives in Virginia and works in a library. She is the author of the YA series Scary Mary as well as other fantasy novels. Visit her online at www.sahunter.net or email her [e-mail]

Book preview

Mr. Conjure

S.A. Hunter

Book 6 in The Scary Mary Series

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I’ve never heard of Mr. Conjure, Mary said.

He creeps through the shadows wearing a raggedy top hat and a long black coat. His claws are stained a bright red from all the blood he’s spilled. If he gets you, there’s no escape.

Why’s he called Mr. Conjure? Mary asked.

What do you mean?

Why isn’t he called Top Hat or Mr. Red Hands?

Eddie frowned. Because he’s called Mr. Conjure. 

But what does he conjure? Mary asked.

He doesn’t. You conjure him.

But why would anyone want to?

Because people are sometimes stupid, Rachel said.

Jenny is a little stupid, at least that’s what Mary thinks. Why else would the teen go to an abandoned house by herself and play a game to summon a monster called Mr. Conjure? Mary doesn’t believe he exists, but Jenny insists that he’s out to get her. She’s so afraid of him that she attempts suicide.

Rachel wants to help Jenny and needs Mary to do it. Mary thinks Jenny needs a shrink, not her. She’s sure Mr. Conjure isn’t real. But something is lurking in the dark, and if it can’t get Jenny, it’ll take Mary instead.

Other Books by S.A. Hunter

The Scary Mary Series

Scary Mary

Stalking Shadows

Broken Spirits

Strange Girl

Scamming Death

Mr. Conjure

Noble Academy

My Demon vols. 1-3

The Girlfriend Shield

(coming Jan. 2018)

The Unicorn Bait Series

Unicorn Bait

Dragon Prey

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License Notes:

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people unless permitted by purchase agreement. If you would like to give this book to another person, please download an additional copy for each person.

This is a work of fiction. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Cover design by Karri Klawiter

https://artbykarri.com/

CHAPTER ONE

Playing Make Believe

Mary ate her cereal while Gran marked things off on her packing list. Bea’s seventy-fifth birthday was tomorrow, and Gran was driving to Alabama to surprise her. Mary thought it was a little weird that Gran was going since the sisters still didn’t seem to get along, but Gran had told her that just because they might not get along didn’t mean she didn’t love her. Mary was staying home because Gran didn’t want to pull her out of school. Mary was glad not to be going. Beatrice still freaked her out, and she didn’t trust her great aunt not to use her mojo on her. She could compel someone to do whatever she said. They were lucky that Bea seemed to have a strict moral code about using her ability, but she had used it on Mary once, and she never wanted to experience that again. Mary’s only regret was missing the chance to see Jake. She’d been keeping in touch with her third cousin through email, but seeing him in person would’ve been nice.

Are you sure you don’t want to stay with Rachel while I’m gone?

Gran, I’m sixteen. I can take care of myself.

I don’t like leaving you here alone. What if something happens?

Nothing’s going to happen. It’s only for five days, and Monday’s a teacher work day so you don’t even need to worry about if I’ll get up to go to school.

What about tomorrow? she asked.

I’ll get up.

Gran’s eyes narrowed. And…?

Mary rolled her eyes though she was only teasing her. And I guess go to school.

By the first bell?

Gran, I’m not going to skip. I promise.

She still looked conflicted. Five days is a long time.

It’ll be fine. Mary insisted.

Gran stared at her like she was re-deciding if she should go to Alabama or not.

I promise I won’t do anything stupid.

No parties. No spell casting. No boys, Gran said.

Gran, come on, that’s easy. I don’t know enough people to have a party and I know better than to do any sort of spell casting. But why can’t Kyle come over?

I’d just prefer if he didn’t while I’m gone.

But—

I know you’d be good, but just for my peace of mind, no.

Fine. I won’t let Kyle in the house. Go give Bea hell.

Don’t worry, Helena. She won’t be completely alone. I’ll keep an eye on her.

Yeah, Harvey’s here. He’ll have my back.

I would feel better if an adult were in charge.

I’m an adult, Mary insisted.

Last week you tried to use liquid dish soap in the dishwasher.

We were out of dish detergent. And it’s not like I’ll do that again. And she definitely wouldn’t. She hadn’t known the liquid dish soap would turn so sudsy that it would leak out of the dishwasher and flood the floor with a blanket of bubbles.

Gran’s face turned solemn. I’m leaving Harvey in charge.

What?! You’re joking.

He’s old, and he knows stuff. You will listen to him.

He can’t be in charge; he’s dead.

I’d feel better if someone more mature was in charge.

I won’t disappoint you, Helena.

This is ridiculous. I can look after myself.

This isn’t up for discussion. Harvey’s in charge.

I could just stick him in the shed.

Hey now.

Gran turned back to her. Promise me you’ll listen to him.

I can look after myself, she repeated flatly.

You don’t have to. Harvey can do that for you.

But—but—

Promise me, Mary, or I’m not going.

She stared at Gran in frustration. She had no compelling argument for why Harvey couldn’t be in charge. But if she did promise, she would have a babysitter. It was galling to consider, and she couldn’t stick him in the shed like she’d threatened because she would have promised Gran.

Gran was waiting for her answer. Though Mary was happy to not be going, Gran had been looking forward to this trip. She said it would be nice to get a chance to catch up with her sister in a relaxed setting. They hadn’t had much of a chance last time. If Mary didn’t promise, she’d be taking that away from her.

Mary wondered if Gran had another motive for putting Harvey in charge. He’d been insisting on being more and more involved with the day-to-day activities of the house. He’d started doing laundry and washing dishes. Mary knew Gran was conflicted about letting the ghost help out, but he wanted to help so badly. He’d told Mary that he hated being useless. Maybe this was Gran’s way of letting him feel useful. But why did it have to be at the expense of her autonomy? Mary just hoped he didn’t let the assumed power go to his head. Or promise or no promise—Shed.

Fine. I promise that I’ll listen to Harvey, but this is ridiculous.

And promise not to put me in the shed, Harvey said.

And I won’t put him in the shed, Mary muttered, though she crossed her fingers in her lap.

Gran’s face softened. Just be good and everything will be fine. I’ll call tomorrow to see how you’re doing. Bea’s number is on the fridge.

Mary nodded, though the thought of Harvey being in charge still rankled her. Have fun. Don’t let Bea tell you what to do.

Oh, don’t worry about me. I packed ear plugs. She looked at her list again to make sure she hadn’t missed anything.

You got everything.

But it doesn’t feel right leaving you here alone.

"We just went over this. I got Harvey, and I can always call the Pillars or the Ashers if I need help with something.

Gran made herself relax. You’re right. I’m being a worry wort. She held out her arms. Mary got up and accepted the hug. Gran pulled her in tight and squeezed her. She held Mary for a long time. She let her. Gran finally sighed, kissed her head and let her go.

Okay. I’m ready.

Mary grabbed Gran’s suitcase and put it in the station wagon. She waved as Gran pulled out onto the street and watched until the car was out of view. She was really gone. Mary was on her own. She’d never been home for days without Gran before. She already felt a little lonely. But she could handle this. She was an adult. She could take care of herself. She went back into the house determined to show Gran that she was a grown-up.

All right, kiddo. Let’s get you off to school. What would you like in your lunch?

Harvey’s words hit her like a bucket of ice water. She wasn’t exactly alone. And she wasn’t in charge. Trying to salvage a little of her maturity, she said, I can pack my own lunch.

Nonsense! I can do it.

Harvey, I gotta go.

See! You need me to pack your lunch. You still gotta get dressed.

Mary looked down at herself. She was wearing a pair of ripped jeans and a black T-shirt. I am dressed.

You’re going to school like that?

Mary decided it was safer to not respond. She grabbed a microwave meal out of the freezer.

Come on, let me make you a nice Panini. It’ll be better than that microwave thing.

Mary held up the microwave meal. The microwave thing is a Panini.

Harvey harrumphed.

A truck horn sounded outside.

That’s Kyle. Bye. You can fix dinner tonight.

Well, have a good day at school. I expect you to come straight home afterward.

Mary again thought it safer to not reply and left.

Kyle was waiting in his truck. He pushed open the passenger door for her. Hey, Gran off to see Bea?

Mary climbed in. Yep, and I’m being babysat by a ghost.

Kyle didn’t look like he knew how to respond like he wasn’t sure if he should laugh or commiserate. Mary had to admit that it could go either way.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

They all gathered at lunch in the art room: Mary, Kyle, Rachel, Taryn, and Eddie. The freshman had been sitting with them almost every day, but he still seemed nervous whenever he took a seat at their table like he expected them to tell him to go away each time. Mary worried that he had no friends in his grade. Without friends to help him, he could be picked on and bullied. But then again, she had friends, and she still got picked on. She hoped he didn’t have it as bad as her. She could take the insults and barbs, but Eddie was squishy. He needed protecting. She’d do anything she could for the freshman, but when he was out of her sight, she worried wolves in letterman jackets would get him.

Gran left you with a babysitter? Rachel asked.

Her question surprised Mary. She elbowed Kyle and gave him a dirty look.

What? I wasn’t supposed to tell?

A dead babysitter. It’s different.

"You mean Harvey, and not some Weekend at Bernie’s scenario, right?" Taryn asked.

Mary nodded.

Is he still trying to date your grandmother?

Mary wasn’t sure how to answer that. Thinking about it still made her feel guilty for helping the ghost surprise Gran with a romantic dinner because the whole thing had upset Gran. As she’d so succinctly put it to Mary, she had no future with Harvey. He was dead. His time had passed. She thought part of Gran’s unease with Harvey helping around the house was due to the worry that he might be trying to still woo her. Hopefully, he isn’t.

Maybe you could find him a nice lady ghost? Do you know any?

Mary did know one though Gladys wasn’t really available. She was the late wife of a client. Gran had been working with the ghost and her widower husband. What Gran mainly did was act as a relationship counselor for the couple. From what Mary could gather, Neil and Gladys had been happily married for forty years. Gladys had passed away from breast cancer. Neil had mourned her greatly, but Gladys wasn’t gone. At least not completely. She haunted her husband, though not in a malevolent manner, mainly she just picked out his clothes. The whole Until death do us part thing was a bit hazy with them. Neil was dating Nina, a friend of theirs with Gladys’s support, but it was still a weird situation, especially since Nina was haunted by her late husband Marvin, who wasn’t too keen on the relationship, though he begrudgingly allowed it. Maybe setting the ghosts up with someone new would help them move on. Mary would have to talk to Gran about the