Ritual Magic Rock: HOP-D Cases, #2

By P A Wilson

Magical folk are being taken. Can Fernlight and Bramble find the answer before magic is turned into a devastating weapon?

 

A new case and a new team get in the way of solving a friend's murder. Bramble and Fernlight are desperate to stop whoever is kidnapping magical folk but can't find a clue.

 

A mysterious woman is following the team as they investigate. Is she responsible or is she trying to stop them?

 

A horde of brownies find the first clue but are never there to help in a risky situation. A sidhe queen demands results. And magic is still forbidden in the investigation.

 

The humans are capable of so much, why do they always want to control what they don't understand?

 

Ritual Magic Rock is the second book in the thrilling HOP-D magic mystery series. If you like quirky characters capable of making you laugh and jump with shock, you'll love this new case.

 

Buy Ritual Magic Rock today and follow the team as they struggle through a maze of lies and distrust to get to the truth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Perry Wilson Books
• Release date: Jun 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9781927669662

P A Wilson

Perry Wilson is a Canadian author based in Vancouver, BC who has big ideas and an itch to tell stories. Having spent some time on university, a career, and life in general, she returned to writing in 2008 and hasn't looked back since (well, maybe a little, but only while parallel parking). She is a member of the Vancouver Independent Writers Group, The Royal City Literary Arts Society and The Federation of BC Writers. Perry has self-published several novels. She writes the Madeline Journeys, a fantasy series about a high-powered lawyer who finds herself trapped in a magical world, the Quinn Larson Quests, which follows the adventures of a wizard named Quinn who must contend with volatile fae in the heart of Vancouver, and the Charity Deacon Investigations, a mystery thriller series about a private eye who tends to fall into serious trouble with her cases, and The Riverton Romances, a series based in a small town in Oregon, one of her favorite states. Her stand-alone novels are Breaking the Bonds, Closing the Circle, and The Dragon at The Edge of The Map. Visit her website http://pawilson.ca/ and sign up for the newsletter subscription to get news on upcoming releases and book recommendations. Check her out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorPAWilson She tweets between writing and creating on-line courses. Follow her @perryawilson for odd comments and retweets.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Bramble marched across the grassy lawn in front of the druid museum, his wings flat against his back to keep them under control. It was uncomfortable, but better than suddenly floating away in surprise.

Someone, probably a human, had placed a marker commemorating the people who died in this same place five years ago. Kali had owned their world then. It was better now, not perfect, but that would be boring. At least Arianrhod was willing to mind her own business and not cause trouble.

A few days ago, right after they solved their first case, he’d agreed to help find new team members for their secret department in HOP-D. Fernlight kept saying they weren’t a secret, but that didn’t sound like as much fun. So now instead of just Fernlight and him, the team included Lionel, the wizard who’d helped save the world, and a human named Kim Price who wasn’t like other humans. She didn’t scare him or his children. She had red hair and the sidhe did too, so maybe she was a bit magical. He hoped she didn’t turn out to be as mean as the sidhe. So far, she was the only human on the team. Mamoru didn’t count because he thought he was the boss.

He didn’t understand why they needed to waste time looking for partners. They should be out finding Heath’s murderer; it had been at least three days — an age for a fairy. It did make him feel important and proud to be talking to a druid about investigating — and a bit scared.

Fernlight said they needed a druid on the team because they were very wise. Bramble was here to talk to one and convince him to join them. Although why anyone would say no was a mystery to him. It was important to do this work. And if he was successful, they could start hunting Heath’s killer. And he must remember they were making sure HOP-D stood for all people, not just humans. That’s why they named it Human Occult Protection Department. Of course, humans acted like they were as short-lived as fairies and didn’t take the time to say the whole name.

He sat in the middle of the grass and waited. Going into the museum felt a little daunting, and Rhodri had said he would meet Bramble outside. That was better, and a good sign. He knew enough about fairies to be considerate.

Bramble watched the big door open and a druid step out. Now that it was time, Bramble started to worry. Did Archdruid Trahaearn make sure all the vampires were in the prison of the Gur amulet? They’d possessed the druids for many lifetimes; could one of them have survived?

His body trembled and he stood, curling his toes into the grass to keep from floating up. Don’t be stupid, he told himself.

Rhodri looked very much like a human, but Bramble saw the glow of magic around him from casting spells just before coming out. No one really cared about glowing anymore.

He felt the trembles start again. You must be brave, he whispered to himself. This is not the way a king behaves.

The druid took his time crossing the lawn. He lowered his hood so Bramble could see he was smiling, and he wasn’t angry. And no vampire spirit shone from his green eyes.

King Bramble, Rhodri said, giving a shallow bow. It is a pleasure to meet with you.

Yes, Bramble said. Will you join our team? That was too fast!

Perhaps. I have permission from Trahaearn to make my own choice. The grove is as healed as it can be from the vampire atrocity. He can spare one of us to help with a good cause.

Good. Relief calmed Bramble as he saw how easy it was to recruit people. Let’s go.

Rhodri didn’t move. Please, sit and talk to me about this opportunity. I have not yet decided. He lowered himself to the grass and patted the ground when Bramble didn’t join him.

Why would you say no? Bramble stepped forward. This is important work.

Sit with me. Rhodri patted the ground again.

Bramble plunked down on the grass. What do you want to talk about? He didn’t want to hang around talking to a druid. Heath’s murder needed investigating. Bramble was not going to let anyone do that without him.

I know nothing about the team. A human named Mamoru spoke to my archdruid about the possibility but gave us no details.

They should have told me that.

The stories bubbled up inside him, but Bramble had learned to control his enthusiasm. People had difficulty following him, and Fernlight said she was tired of pointing out that he was in the ‘only fairies can hear you’ range. He needed a little time to organize his thoughts. Why do you want to leave the museum?

That is a good question, Rhodri said. I was beginning to feel like you didn’t care.

Bramble stopped listening to his inner voice and paid attention to what the druid said. Of course we do.

That is good to hear. Rhodri picked at his robes as he continued. The grove is settled. I find myself in need of a challenge, and Trahaearn is not yet ready for us to seek out new knowledge. And I believe that the old ways are fading, and we need to be more flexible.

Then you will like what we do, Bramble said. He didn’t get too many chances to just talk. Maybe Fernlight was wrong about needing to filter his words. We recently solved the case of the Blue Man. That’s what I call it, anyway. Mamoru has a series of numbers and letters. A human tried to make a drug that would give him magic. When I say tried, I guess he did it. But it was deadly to him. We made sure it was destroyed. We haven’t gotten a new case yet... except we do have a case. You know that Heath was murdered. We are going to find the people who did it. He was working with mysterious humans and that’s where we’ll start. He took a breath and remembered Rhodri wanted to learn new things. And we search for things on the Internet. I find it extremely useful in teaching us how to speak to humans. They require a lot of reassurance for such large creatures.

Rhodri held up his hand. Thank you for that. Will all our cases be about magical folk?

Bramble blinked. Why did it seem like everyone had questions he never thought of? I don’t know. We are supposed to be helping HOP-D become more friendly to our kind. But that might not happen if we only do cases about magic problems. We can ask Mamoru together if you join us. Bramble pressed his lips together to stop more words from escaping.

I do not wish to work in the HOP-D offices, Rhodri said.

No one wants that! Bramble beamed. This was easy to deal with. It’s a big building and so far from the ground. We work out of our business offices. Fernlight and I are private detectives.

Rhodri stood. I think we should go there, he said.

You will be happy with your decision. Do you like children? Bramble walked toward the trees as he continued speaking. My children, Briar and Thistle, work with us. They are training to be part of our team.

Chapter 2

The fairy opened the door to a storefront that Rhodri saw was an open office. How do we work with people looking in? He pointed to the unshaded windows. Are the files not secret?

Don’t worry, Bramble said, breezily. We don’t work in the open. This is for our clients, not for our cases.

Rhodri looked around the space. Two desks with monitors and keyboards sat side by side. One was obviously Bramble’s. The chair was set high and the desk low. He would have no problems using the keyboard. The other desk must belong to Fernlight. As a sprite, she required a slightly more sturdy setup. There was no one in the room.

Are you not afraid someone will steal your computers? He waved his hand to encompass the area. Should someone not be in here at all times?

Bramble smiled up at him and Rhodri couldn’t quite stifle his reaction. Fairies had pointed teeth, and what looked like twice as many as they needed. Their smile looked more like a threat even if you knew it was friendly. A good thing they didn’t smile much.

There are wards. He whistled and flicked his fingers. The windows darkened and a glow of magic lined the walls. Now no one can see us. If someone tries to come in, we will know. Don’t worry. Druids are not the only folk who understand secrets.

Rhodri was impressed by the strength of the spells. The magic shimmered a little and a rainbow of colors flickered in a dance around the office. You have more than one magic involved.

Yes. But you can investigate that another time. Are you surprised we are so interesting? He walked to the back wall and tapped. A door appeared. Come on. You have people to meet.

Inside the concealed room was an office bustling with energy. There were seven desks set up with computers, but only five of them were in use.

Fernlight sat at one, staring at the monitor. Lionel was reading a well-used book and making notes. A human woman looked up as the door closed behind them. She must be the one Bramble mentioned because her hair was deep red, unlike the sidhe whose locks were pale shades. Her blue eyes seemed to appraise him and find him acceptable.

We want to invite other people to join us, Bramble said. But now we must concentrate on Heath’s murder. This is my desk. He pointed at the messiest one. I share it with Briar and Thistle. Two young fairies zoomed from behind a stack of boxes. They were clearly speaking to their father, but not at a level anyone but perhaps a dog could hear.

Bramble calmed them down with a wave of his hand and a stern look. You know Lionel the hero, and this is my partner Fernlight. And this is our human, Kim.

I’m not your pet, Bramble. Kim winked at Rhodri as she spoke.

Oh, sorry, I forgot. Kim is our human team member. I don’t understand why that’s important. If we had a Kobold on the team, I would just say our Kobold. But I told you humans seem to need a lot of assurance.

Bramble, you forget I can hear you, Kim said, her face scowling but her eyes sparkling.

She stood and held out her hand. You must be Rhodri.

He took her hand and shook it. I assure you that Bramble speaks highly of you.

She chuckled. I know. He doesn’t mean to be offensive. I’m more worried about him doing it to someone without good sense. I try to nudge him out of it.

Don’t be too concerned. He’s fast, Rhodri said. Fairies have dodged humans for generations. Like most magical folk, they had to make sure you couldn’t feel them or see them.

Kim will bring you up to speed, Fernlight said. She’d left her desk to welcome him. Lionel simply looked up and nodded. Is that the right expression? she asked Kim.

It is. You’ll be speaking idioms in no time. Kim returned to her desk. Pull up a seat and I’ll give you the rundown on how we are supposed to work.

He joined her, thankful not to be thrown into the investigation without help. Does that mean you don’t follow rules?

As much as we can, she said. Mamoru tries, but his rules don’t always work with magical people. God, listen to me; I’ve been here two days, not ten years. She laughed. All I really know is some of the research assigned to me doesn’t exactly fit the picture of clean evidence. Who knows what will happen when we get out of here.

Why did you join this team? Rhodri hoped she wasn’t a spy. Not that it didn’t make sense for HOP-D to have one, and she was the only human in the room, but he was starting to understand why Bramble liked her. She seemed to realize practical matters couldn’t always remain within boundaries.

I kind of got volunteered, she said. I’m a cop. I guess they got tired of me arguing about all the stupid things they needed me to do.

She could still be a spy. Rhodri wondered if Lionel or Fernlight had thought of that possibility. He was sure Bramble wouldn’t have.

So, you bring investigative experience?

I guess. She opened a drawer. I also have the only gun in the office.

Rhodri laughed. We have no need of guns. A few herbs can be turned into a spell to bind.

Yeah, but a gun can kill in less time than it takes to create the spell. And a human criminal knows what a gun can do. Can you guarantee they’ll react the right way to a handful of herbs? She closed the drawer. Don’t look at me like that. I’m not going around killing people. But if we have to, it might be safer to use weapons we humans understand.

Let us hope it does not come to that. Now what is it I need to learn?

Kim pulled out a sheet of paper. Mamoru and I came up with a simple list. Or we thought it was simple until Briar and Thistle started asking about every scenario they could come up with. I thought Mamoru’s head was going to explode.

Fairies don’t trust humans, Rhodri said. Knowing the rules helps them feel safe. Not that they stick to them.

Yeah, but how probable is it we’ll need to know the rules about dealing with a hurricane that comes from nowhere?

Depends on who is on the team, or who we are facing, Rhodri said, trying to keep from laughing. There are spells to do just that. What did you tell them?

They should fly away, Kim said. Then I told them they could only ask one question like that per day. I know what kids are like, fairy or otherwise.

I would not have thought of such a limitation. So, tell me what I need to learn.

There are only five. No using magic to force someone to do something bad. No talking about cases with outsiders — that one got amended to include Beacon and Bramble’s wife as insiders.

It is unlikely either Fernlight or Bramble would have obeyed otherwise. Rhodri wondered if Beacon, the head of the sprites, would really exercise his power to demand Fernlight come back to the park if he thought she was keeping secrets.

Lionel wanted to add Dionne and Quinn to the list. Mamoru said if they wished to hear what was happening, they should be on the team.

Who else is being invited? Rhodri hoped there would be more people to help soon.

Dionne is considering it. They want a sidhe, another druid, and another human, I don’t know what else.

Fairies and sidhe don’t work together.

Bramble has been very clear on that. He has a list of rules four pages long and growing for the sidhe to agree to. I’m sure it will be a while before Queen Maeve appoints someone acceptable.

Times will become more interesting then, Rhodri pointed to the list. The last three rules?

No going off on your own investigations. Arrests must be approved by Mamoru no matter how long it takes. No breaking and entering.

I can see how the children thought they needed more clarity. The gaps between the rules and reality were dizzying.

It’s basically set to make sure whatever we do, any evidence will not be thrown out on a technicality. If it happens, the case is usually lost. We’re not here to create new rules of evidence. I guess that’s for the lawyers to argue about.

I assume that was Mamoru, Rhodri said.

Yep. I’m guessing most or all of these rules will get broken at some point, Kim said. I hope everyone is good at making up stories to explain how they accomplished something when everyone will suspect magic.

The ideal of humans and magical folk working together is admirable, but I think only achievable in small steps.

We don’t have a lot of time to get this right, Kim said. Sometimes shocking people into change is the best course.

Chapter 3

Bramble kept one of his eyes on Fernlight as she watched Kim and Rhodri. His partner was supposed to be the leader, but she didn’t seem to like the new people. The group was getting bigger and he knew they had to work together. He couldn’t imagine keeping everyone focused. And Mamoru expected them to add even more! No more humans would need to come. At least he hoped one was enough. He was getting better with Kim, but he didn’t hold much confidence he could manage three or four. And how would Briar and Thistle deal with it?

Fernlight had talked to him when they were alone about solving Heath’s murder. They would do it before they spoke to the sidhe about adding one of them to the team. When he agreed to be on her side, it was because he thought they would find Heath’s killer. But what if they couldn’t solve the case? Mamoru was too smart. He wouldn’t be fooled for long.

It’s time to work on our case, Fernlight said. When everyone including Briar and Thistle quieted, she sat.

Bramble remembered Kim telling them that reviewing a case was important. That the whole group needed to be clear on what leads they had and what to do. It had been much easier when it was just Fernlight and Bramble. They worked together and needed no updates. But Heath had been killed when there were no other people on the team. And humans had done it, Bramble didn’t doubt it for a minute.

Everything we do must be to find who murdered Heath and capture them. She paused.

Bramble waited to learn what leads she’d found. Maybe, while he visited with his family yesterday, Fernlight