Moonbeam, Merlin and Murder

By Lisa Hendrickson

Moonbeam Shadowchaser is studying for midterms when she receives an urgent message from her grandmother, she finds that she has been chosen to Awaken Merlin's Old Soul, residing in a young actor in California. She arrives to find him shooting a movie. When his costar is found strangled in Merlin's trailer, Moonbeam finds herself investigating a murder.

With the net closing around Merlin, Moonbeam enlists the aid of her grandmother and Merlin's Granduncle to search for clues.
Will Moonbeam and her posse be able to keep Merlin out of prison and finish her training?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lisa Hendrickson
• Release date: Jul 5, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463035191

Lisa Hendrickson

I’m a self-published author with one title to my name so far. I have other works in various stages, a mystery that I will publish in August, and one I hope to have ready to publish this fall. I have no printed books as yet. I am middle-aged, fat with weird hair. I have accepted that I can’t do anything about the middle-aged part, but I am working on the fat and the weird hair. Like the majority of my writing, I am a work in progress.

Book preview

For Molly. Sometimes I think you believe you own me.

CONTENTS

DEDICATION

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

CHAPTER THIRTY

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

OTHER BOOKS BY LISA HENDRICKSON

CHAPTER ONE

The library was quiet and I stifled a yawn as I bent over my book. Mid-terms started next week and I hated studying. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind poring over the same things multiple times. My grades are excellent and I had no intention of letting them drop, which would let me stay in the University of Magick. The plan didn’t include failing even one key class in a semester much less the two which would force me to face a hearing which could lead to my leaving school with my memory of it wiped.

The text I studied now, Magickal Law is a vital course. Every potential Sorcerer or Familiar must take this course and pass the class. The problem is, the subject is very dull. How did Legal Magi, the lawyers of the magical realm, stand the dullness? A key course I must not fail.

My name is Moonbeam Shadowchaser and I am determined to be a sorceress. My professors are split on my chances. Most of them don’t think I can do it. My people are Familiars and I don’t mean to knock them. A Familiar is subservient and I want to lead. The subject of sorcery is my forte, so I will become a sorceress, see if I don’t. My goal is to become a generalist, or perhaps a Healer.

Which is very important to me, which is why I almost passed out when the green fire balls started dropping on my chosen desk, making me feel lucky I didn’t yowl aloud as I looked through the firestorm of falling fireballs.

No one else paid the slightest attention to them. The people around me gave no sign they were even aware of them as they were only visible to me and signaled a private call for me. Despite the fact at least one student had his head on his text book, snoring almost under his breath, I still took a quick look around indicated I didn’t want to risk the appearance of sleeping.

The lights rained down on me, my textbook and the table I sat at as I studied them and sighed. The fireballs were green meant an important call. So I shifted into a comfortable position, closed my eyes and concentrated. To anyone looking at me, I napped. OK so I forced myself to fall asleep, the best way Dream-Talk can work.

Moonbeam! My grandmother’s voice sounded stressed.

Whatever had happened was not apparent in her dream place. Was she all right? As far as I could tell, she didn’t look injured. Would she show herself as injured in Dream Talk.

Right here, Grandmother, I signaled my arrival. She stood in front of me in a book-lined room with a mahogany desk, a pure white cat with bright blue eyes. How I envied her those eyes, mine were a common yellow. What’s wrong?

Good, you are paying attention because I need you to come here now. The urgent tone of her voice alarmed me.

What’s the matter?

Don’t worry about using the traveling spell, Padarn will Summon you. Not much of an answer. Wait -- he would preform the Summoning Charm on me? Never having traveled that way before, I wondered what was going on.

What was that Grandmother? There was no response and I blinked awake, the strange room vanished leaving me back where I had started. The Grand Master of the Primary Coven would Summon me? Panicked, I shoved my books and materials into my dimensional space making them accessible anywhere I happened to be. Poor Grandmother must be quite ill. The next second my mind swirled and whirled and I found myself in a conference room.

Disoriented, I gazed around through watery eyes, unsure of my exact location. The walls were Oak paneled. An oval mahogany table dominated the room. A sideboard held a urn and a plate of donuts.

A tall thin white haired man stood by the pot, dispensing coffee into a foam cup. Because I was expecting a veterinarian office or animal hospital, arriving in a generic conference room generated confusion.

Good Hunting to you, Moonbeam. A fluffy white Angora appeared from beneath the table.

To you, also, Grandmother. With my nose to hers, I gave the formal response to her greeting. Are you all right? Now, in person, I detected no apparent problems with her health. No injuries, no indications of illness, she was fine, fighting fit as my father would say.

Snowball, Padarn’s deep soft voice held reproach. Your summons frightened her. The white cat’s face turned upward. No one can show disdain the way she did, I never figured out how she does it. Snowball is healthy, Moonbeam. We brought you here because the Primary Coven has a mission for you.

What? To cover my confusion, I bathed the cinnamon colored spot on my foot.

Moonbeam! My grandmother’s sharp voice had me jumping, and I realized I had wandered away in my head. One did not wool gather in her presence. There is a time and a place for bathing. This mission, whatever it turned out to be, must be vital.

A mission? The repetition bought me time to recall my wandering wits.

The spell selected you. Padarn told me. What spell?

How? Why? My questions caused him to study me.

The others of the Primary Coven and I asked Erecura to tell us who would be the best person to do this and she responded with your name. He cuddled me close as he rubbed my ears. Only your name, she did not explain.

The earth goddess picked me out of all the magickal beings in the world for an important mission. The thought made me sit up straighter.

This doesn’t make sense, I’m just a student. Stunned, I began to wash my foreleg. Not a terrific student if some of my professors are to be believed. My words made Padarn chuckle.

That may be, he sat down in one of the chairs at the table. Nevertheless, you were the one Erecura said should be the one to rouse Merlin.

Awaken Merlin! Great rolls of thunder! Crazy! A first year student of magick had no business awakening a sorcerer of Merlin’s standing!

Mid terms are next week, I don’t know why I said that first. The lectures are ones I can’t miss if I want to graduate.

That can’t be helped, I believe I mentioned my grandmother’s skill in showing scorn. This is a distinguishing mark, Moonbeam. A graceful leap took her to the table top where she sat down, wrapping her tail around her feet. Now she looked down on me in actuality as well as in the figurative sense.

Why me? The look on Padarn’s face changed to one of puzzlement.

To be truthful, we don’t know. The admission came with reluctance. We anticipated one of the our members would be chosen. Every one of us wanted to do it, but Erecura’s answer, very clear, indicating you should do it.

The Coven of the most strongest witches of the world expected me to Awaken Merlin’s old soul. Ridiculous. Nothing, I was nothing, not a familiar, not a sorceress -- yet -- only a student. Some people would say I did not have what it took to be even a proper Familiar.

A student like me rousing the greatest sorcerer who had ever lived from his long sleep was a laughable idea. Padarn spoke before I formulated a response.

Now, I will be sending you to Merlin Elderwood, aka Cody Elderwood. Merlin sleeps within him. Are you ready?

No, I attempted to be honest. What did they want or expect me to do? Should I go, how would I go about waking Merlin? My grand-dam glowered at me. Let me be clear, I didn’t want to be disrespectful. In any case, her partner in Magick nodded.

Of course, the Awakening Incantation is advanced magick. He paced the floor of the conference room. Fourth Year, I believe and you are First Year, are you not? No doubt about it, I had no clue what the spell entailed, much less how to cast it.

So, I struggled to make sense of what they were asking me to do. The Prime Coven tells me I’m supposed to Awaken the strongest sorcerer who ever existed. Plus, I’m supposed to do so, using magical knowledge beyond my level of training, so far. Am I right?

My Grandmother’s glare turned glacial. So maybe I was a bit too flippant to suit her, but, if I were honest, I didn’t think myself able to do this. Padarn only laughed, his laughter likely incensed Grandmother too.

Yes, he sat forward in the chair. Everyone agrees, it comes across as impossible. He ran a hand through his white hair as he sobered. Believe me, I understand you likely feel inadequate but Erecura indicated you, by name. While I can’t say why she did, I have faith in you. The Goddess indicated for the awakening to be successful, you must perform the Awaken Incantation on Merlin. Like I said, I don’t doubt you can Awaken Merlin, I am not so sure anyone else can. Erecura named you and only you. No one knows why.

Nervous, I paced under the large table and as I came back out, Padarn scooped me up and set me on the conference table next to Grandmother, who didn’t appear pleased.

So I have no choice? Padarn shook his head as my grandmother’s face registered pure rage. This I would hear about later, assuming we had time for her to chastise me for my arguments.

No. He overrode my grand-dam. There are always options. Choices are everywhere. Some are easy, while others are not. This would not be an simple selection to make, I gathered from his tone.

You will not be able to complete your schooling if you refuse this errand, interjected Grandmother and I stared at her.

What do you mean? Would I be punished for not taking on this task?

Snowball, Padarn spoke in a sharp tone.

This stubborn kitten needs to understand the ramifications of refusing, Grandmother was still incensed. OK, I guess knowing the consequences would be helpful.

What are they? I’m nothing if not cautious. OK, prudence is not my middle name, still I exhibit a little caution once in while.

All magick has consequences. The announcement came from Padarn. Yes, I studied those in the Magickal Law course, my worst subject -- dull, dull, dull -- I believe I said so before.

What are the dangers? Why didn’t they want to tell me what would happen if I refused to do what they asked? The thought made me become more nervous by the minute.

After you Awaken Merlin, there is a possibility the whole world might change, Padarn’s words were terrifying. Otherwise Evil forces will overwhelm this planet. Damned if I did and if I didn’t. Those alternatives were not to my liking and I said so.

This is not up to you. My grand-dam scowled. Well then, who was it up to?

Yes, it is, Padarn overrode her. This mission is up to Moonbeam and only Moonbeam. He turned a solemn gaze on me. We realize there isn’t anything Merlin can do to stop the rise of malevolence, we hope he can advise us on how to combat it and restore balance to the world. Some burden to lay on a poor little half trained cat. OK so I’m not half trained yet, this is still unfair.

Padarn lifted me up and held me with my face to his face so we viewed each other as equals. You can do this. He sought to reassure me. The goddess would not choose you, if you couldn’t do it. In fact, she intimated you were the only one who could. What were my alternative paths?

Would I receive extra credit for doing this? With nothing to lose, I went to the heart of the matter, well for me anyhow.

Enough, Moonbeam! Grandmother quivered with rage. Well, there had to be something for me from this, didn’t there?

Yes, Padarn overrode her. That can be arranged. Lips twisted, he shot a reprimanding glare at Grandmother, Snowball, she will be giving up an entire semester of studies to do this. Your grand-kitten should be rewarded.

The glory will be reward enough, Grandmother was at her most imperious.

Under any other circumstances, I would agree, Grandmother. My words got me a look of surprise from her. You need to be aware Headmistress Griswald is not in my corner and believes her protege, Carmella is the best candidate for First-Familiar of my year. Grandmother’s expression turned disdainful again, so I didn’t say I thought so too. Even my adviser, Ms. Wychette, would consider Bella Ratcatcher over me. In my opinion, Bella would make mice feet of this mission, but I didn’t say so.

Do not worry about Miss Griswold, she gritted. The honor attached to this action will benefit you in your future career. Erecura didn’t select Carmela. She spoke the name as though it were written in dung, or name her in this matter. A University Headmistress should know better than to play favorites. Well, no one would accuse my grand-dam of doing such a thing as she never said a good word for me or any of my siblings. Now, I had nothing against Carmela, who was a very smart, capable owl who deserved to be First-Familiar of the year. For one thing, she had the grades and for another, she was personable.

Well, she thinks I put on airs and doesn’t believe I have a Secret Name, I griped, returning to Ms. Wychette and her opinion of me.

Now, Moonbeam, Grandmother’s voice turned gentle. Now, you know the tone, the someone doesn’t want to upset you but they think you are crazy kind of tone. A Familiar only gets a Secret Name when bonded to a wizard or witch. So she didn’t believe me either. Be sure to call me in Dream-Talk to tell me you arrived and cast the spell.

Here, Moonbeam, Padarn set a piece of paper on the conference table in front of me. Just read this when you contact Merlin in California. Put it in your locker. After, I did so, he intoned, Here ye be, there need ye be -- go! My stomach lurched and my vision blurred.

CHAPTER TWO

Yuck! Soaked, I lifted a muck covered fore paw. Then I scanned my surroundings. Didn’t it figure? The traveling spell put me right in the center of the only mud puddle around for yards. Good thing, he wasn’t in front of me because my claws were still sharp and I would use them. Padarn! This is disgusting!

What’s that noise? A man’s voice said. Oh look! A kitten! Hands snatched me up.

A filthy one. The other voice didn’t have to state the obvious.

"A bath