The Halloween Love Spell: The Kitchen Witch, #8

By Morgana Best

When Marina Mercer comes to claim her yearly spell, Amelia's protests fall on deaf years. The last Halloween spell nearly got Amelia killed; the house is distracted, and Amelia accidentally cooks up something she shouldn't.
Who is responsible for the murder of Amelia's obnoxious bank loan manager? As there are so many variables, the police lose interest and are keen to withdraw from the case. And will Amelia's investigations be of no account, or will they be given credit?
One thing is for certain: mayhem and burned cupcakes will ensue, as Amelia and foxy Private Detective Alder Vervain try to cast out the spirit while finding time for romance.
You can bank on that! 

Book 8 in this funny paranormal cozy mystery series from USA Today Bestselling author, Morgana Best. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Best Cosy Books
• Release date: Feb 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781925674613

Morgana Best

After surviving a childhood of deadly spiders and venomous snakes in the Australian outback, bestselling author Morgana Best writes cozy mysteries and enjoys thinking of delightful new ways to murder her victims.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

It was an otherwise pleasant evening. I was sitting next to Alder on my sofa, and my best friends were there. Ruprecht was quoting Socrates; Mint was rolling her eyes at him, and Thyme was texting Dawson. Their relationship had escalated, and it seemed they could scarcely bear to be apart. The only blight on the pleasant evening was Camino. She was wearing her usual Halloween attire, an all-black onesie emblazoned on which was a glow-in-the-dark skeleton. Camino had recently updated the onesie with batteries, giving her the option to switch it on, thus making the already glowing skeleton light up in a hideous luminescent green.

We were planning our Beltane celebration for Halloween. Of course, our sisters and brothers in the northern hemisphere celebrated Samhain, but we were the opposite Down Under. While they were celebrating the time that the veil was the thinnest between the living and the dead, we were celebrating spring and fertility.

I don’t like it! Alder said so vehemently that my two cats, Willow and Hawthorn, ran out of the room.

Ruprecht stopped quoting Socrates and looked at Alder with a start. You don’t like what? The music? You don’t like that song? The house was watching The Voice Australia, and had become obsessed with one of the judges, Boy George, and had been playing Karma Chameleon over and over again.

Alder grimaced. I did the first five thousand times I heard it. No, I don’t like the fact that Marina Mercer is going to turn up here any day and ask Amelia to do a spell for her.

I had already been over this with Alder, but there was just no convincing him. I didn’t like it either, but I felt duty-bound to fulfil my responsibilities. I hoped Ruprecht would be able to sway him. Ruprecht tapped his chin. I’m afraid it’s an obligation, Alder. It’s a contract, if you will. Amelia has no option but to do the spell, if Marina requests it.

But the last Halloween spell nearly got Amelia killed, Alder protested.

Ruprecht shrugged one shoulder. I’m sure Amelia was safe. Alder made to protest again, but Ruprecht held up one finger. The contract was made between Amelia’s grandmother, Thelma, and Marina’s grandmother, Nama, who did a spell to enable Thelma and her husband, Wolff, to be together in the afterlife.

I averted my eyes from the onesie skeleton that was now flashing a ghastly shade of green, and added, A witch by the name of Jasmine Walters paid a powerful sorcerer to cast a spell so that Thelma’s spirit would be stuck in this house, and her husband’s spirit would be stuck in the garden forever. She wanted to keep them apart for eternity.

Camino turned off her onesie batteries and leant forward. That’s right. Nama fixed it so that Thelma could go into the garden to be with her husband whenever she wanted. In return, Thelma promised to do a spell every Halloween for any of Nama’s descendants who would ask for it. Now that Amelia’s Aunt Angelica has passed on, that duty is now left to Amelia.

Alder scowled. If he had been standing and wearing a cape, I’m sure he would have tossed the cape behind him. Instead, he folded his arms over his chest and shot Ruprecht a dark look. I don’t have a good feeling about this.

Ruprecht looked entirely unconcerned. This has been going on for decades, and apart from the little mishap last year, everything has progressed smoothly. And don’t forget, last year it was Marina’s former employer, Selena Simpson, who caused all the trouble.

Thyme stopped texting and looked up. Yes, Selena knew that Marina wasn’t coming that year, so she pretended to be her sister. Don’t worry, Alder, I’m sure this spell will go smoothly.

The house shuddered.

CHAPTER 2

When the doorbell rang at precisely seven the next morning, I already knew who it was. I was tired—I had arrived home from Alder’s at only six that morning. Thankfully, I had already fed the cats their breakfast. They were sitting there, peacefully grooming themselves.

Marina was standing on my doorstep. Come in, I said, slightly annoyed that my grandmother made a contract that involved me, even though it was years before I was born. On reflection, I supposed that was the point.

It’s lovely to see you again, Amelia.

I forced a smile. She followed me into the living room and sat opposite me. I’m sure this is difficult, Amelia, given it’s the first time you’ve had to do the Halloween spell for me. It must be a bit awkward for you.

Not at all, I lied. Anyway, I thought I was doing the spell last year for you, in a manner of speaking.

Marina nodded, and looked down at her handbag. Well, I’ll just give you the details, and then I’ll get back to my motel.

I nodded, and picked up the notepad and pen I had in readiness. What sort of a spell is it? Money? Protection? Health?

Marina shook her head. No, it’s a love spell.

A love spell? I shrieked. But that’s unethical! Selena Simpson wanted me to do a love spell for her last year, and look how that turned out! You can’t make someone fall in love with you against their will—it’s just not right.

Marina held up one hand in protest. No, Amelia, it’s nothing like that. It’s more a road opening spell or a blockbusting spell—you know, something to remove the difficulties out of the way of love.

I remained unconvinced. Marina pressed on. Alex Waring and I have been dating for some time. I met him when I was in Bayberry Creek the year before last, and then we started dating. He’s been to stay with me in Melbourne many a time, and he was getting a transfer there so we could get married. He’s a bank teller, by the way. Or should I say, was. She wrung her hands.

Just then, the television blared. Marina started. What was that?

I sighed long and hard. "The house is obsessed with The Voice. Grandmother, could you please turn that off until Marina finishes telling me about her spell request?"

Thankfully, the house did as I asked. I looked at Marina expectantly, and she pressed on. Alex was fired from his job.

What happened? I was interested, in spite of myself.

He was promoted over this other guy at the bank, and the other guy’s had it in for him ever since. Alex is convinced that this guy set him up, but there’s no way to prove it. Alex was accused of stealing money from the bank.

I was shocked. You’re kidding!

Marina shook her head. Alex would never do anything like that. He’s really upset now, as you can imagine. The bank said they wouldn’t charge him, because it wasn’t good publicity, so he doesn’t even have the option to clear his name in court. He’s staying in Bayberry Creek until he can prove it wasn’t him, but I don’t think he has a hope of clearing his name.

I wasn’t following, and I said so. So why do you want a love spell, rather than a spell for the truth to come out?

Marina bit her lip and looked a little embarrassed. Please don’t take offence, Amelia, but truth spells can be very difficult, whereas love spells are easy. You told me last year that you’re new to this whole witchcraft thing, and although I have no doubt you’re a powerful witch, I thought it would be easier for you to do a love spell.

Her words did not enlighten me at all. I can’t see how a love spell is going to help you.

It’s the outcome, you see, she said, waving one hand at me. As you know, witches always cast a spell for the outcome, and the worst thing a witch can do is to figure out how that outcome will happen. A love spell will ensure that Alex moves to Melbourne to be with me, and he can only do that if his name is cleared. Are you following me?

I think so, I said hesitantly.

Marina’s forehead creased deeply. Here’s an example. Let’s say you had a three hundred dollar electricity bill and didn’t have the money to pay for it. You would cast a spell to get that three hundred dollars, wouldn’t you?

I nodded.

And when you did that spell, you wouldn’t wonder how that money would come to you, such as, you wouldn’t wonder whether someone would give it to you as a gift, or whether the electricity company would find that they had previously overcharged and so gave you that amount as a credit, or anything like that. You would only cast for the outcome. It’s always important to focus on the outcome, and a witch must never focus on how the outcome will come about.

I tapped my chin. Okay, I get it now. If the love spell works, that will somehow cause your boyfriend’s name to be cleared.

Marina smiled broadly. Exactly!

Are you sure you don’t want me to do a spell to clear his name?

Thanks, Amelia! Marina said loudly. That was so lovely of you to offer to do two spells. The main thing is the love spell, though. I have confidence in your ability to do a love spell.

I hunched over. That wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. I wasn’t too confident doing a love spell, so I hoped she would agree to me doing a truth spell instead. Now she wanted me to do both. I sighed and said, Which bank was it, by the way?

The brick one down on the corner.

Actually, I have to go there today, I said. I’ll see if I can collect some bank dirt to help in the spell, or even something from the bank that would help with the spell. I know they give out free pens with the bank logo on them. And do you have a personal item of Alex’s?

She nodded, and handed me a hair clipping in a plastic bag. Do you need the name of the man Alex is convinced set him up?

I picked up my pen. Sure.

It’s Myles Woods.

I looked up. You’re kidding! I have an appointment with him today.

Marina frowned. Isn’t he a loans officer?

I yawned and stretched. Yes, he is. I own this house and my cupcake shop building outright, no mortgages at all, but Ruprecht recently advised me to get a yearly pest inspection, considering it’s an old building. The termite inspector found severe old termite damage in the shop roof. He advised me to call in a structural engineer, and the structural engineer found there’s considerable work to do in the roof.

You have termites in your shop roof? Marina asked me.

No, no, no. It’s old termite damage, but some of the beams have to be replaced, and soon. I don’t have that amount of cash, so I’m going to the bank for a loan. That’s good for you, though, because I should be able to get something personal from this Myles Woods while I’m there.

Marina smiled. I’m sure Alder doesn’t like this.

For a moment I had forgotten that Marina already knew Alder. She had employed him in his capacity as a private detective some years ago, and they had kept in touch. I have to admit he’s not happy about it, after what happened last year.

Marina shrugged. This is an entirely different situation. After all, I’m not a murderer like Selena was. This is just a simple love spell. Nothing can go wrong.

The house played Karma Chameleon by way of response.

CHAPTER 3

After Marina left, I headed to the shop early. I thought I would cast the love spell for her without the distractions of the house watching The Voice . The house had also taken to singing along with some of the songs. That was disconcerting, to say the least, given that I’d never heard the house speak.

I was tired and out of sorts, but when I got to my shop, I felt a little better. I would have some peace and