Witch Bane and The Croaking Game: Bigfoot Bay Witches, #3

By Cat Larson

Residents are croaking… and it's not the frog.

 

Someone is poisoning the townspeople of Bigfoot Bay, turning the heat on Fernando and me.

 

Between the frog-framing, the demon ex-fiancée, and the mysterious plant who "doesn't feel like talking," it's enough to make a witch run screaming for the hills.

 

And that's only the beginning of the baneful surprises…

 

** Witch Bane and The Croaking Game is the third book in the Bigfoot Bay Witches cozy mystery series. More secrets will be revealed. More magic will be uncloaked. **

 

The Bigfoot Bay Witches cozy mystery series:

Witch on Ice – Book 1

Bewitched Brew – Book 2

Witch Bane and The Croaking Game – Book 3

Witch Haunt – Book 4

The Witch is Back - Book 5

The Big Day Brew-HaHa - Book 6

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cat Larson
• Release date: Jul 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201531379

Book preview

Chapter One

T ag, you’re it.

Hey, that reminded me—

Thwack.

Ouch. I rubbed my throbbing, frozen shoulder. Not fair.

Griffin rushed over, laughing. I’m sorry, but you weren’t even paying attention.

Exactly. I flashed him a dirty look. I wasn’t paying attention and you hit me anyway. You’re lucky that didn’t whack me in the face or you could’ve been looking at one less tooth right now.

He laughed harder, brushing the chunks of snow off my jacket. Again, my apologies. But the last I checked we were having a snowball fight. What made you zone out just now?

You reminded me of a wacky phone call.

Me, personally or—

Ow! Ow! Ow! I clamped my shoulder harder, attempting to lift my arm. I… I think something is really wrong. I just felt an intense stab of pain all of a sudden.

His smile wilted. Oh, Sammi. I never meant—

I darted down and scooped up a gloveful of icy slush and smeared it all over his face. "Ha! Now, you’re it."

His eyes narrowed. Uh-oh. He shook his dripping-wet head, and I took that opportunity to hightail my jokester self down the slick, deserted street.

You’re dead, Sammi Pajami. You are so paying for that little maneuver.

I coasted around a corner, sneaking glances behind me as falling snow peppered my vision. As long as a plow didn’t get in my way, I’d be good. Otherwise, Griffin’s threat would probably end up literal.

Shoot… Another peek showed how much quicker he was than me. Either that or he had better boots. My—or rather, Violet’s—treads were nearly worn down to my socks. It was like being strapped to a pair of processed cheese-slice wrappers.

I pushed myself to pick up the pace. In his grip was a giant menacing-looking snowball. He definitely had bigger gloves. What I’d be able to gather in my hand would resemble an ice cube next to that boulder.

Eek! I squealed when he grasped the edge of my coat.

You’re mine now.

I was able to shake him loose only to end up wiping out into a bank piled up on the side of the road. I screamed as I nosedived, getting a frosty mouthful.

Mrs. Bantam’s light switched on above the pottery shop. I gazed up, blowing dirty snow off my tongue. Blech. Griffin loomed large in front of me like I was a wounded antelope. He smiled devilishly, flashing pointed eye teeth. Yep, I was the prey and he was the lion.

I waved my arm back and forth. I surrender. I wiped my lips then my numb cheeks. As you can see, I saved you the trouble and face-washed myself.

He grinned harder. Uh-oh, again. I rolled to the end of the drift. Besides, I said, nodding toward the light. Think of Mrs. Bantam. We wouldn’t want to wake her up.

Appears to me she’s already up.

Oops, guess you’re right. I tossed up a bunch of flakes, creating a distraction while I dodged past his legs. I tried my best to keep my voice down, but the giggles took over. I had to admit I was having a blast. I needed the diversion, this hour out of my life to do nothing but act like a carefree kid again. I’d resisted at first, but I was so glad Griffin had dragged me out anyway.

I swiveled my head around with a smug expression. Bested you again, Griff… Wait, where’d he go?

Whoosh. I almost went down when he came at me from an unexpected angle, cutting me off. I shrieked yet again then reeled it in. I really did have to be more careful not to cause a ruckus. The last thing I needed was someone to call Damon over a disturbance—oof!

I fell smack on my backside, and Griffin skidded to a stop—right on top of me. He quickly bounced off, and I readjusted my hat back above my eyes.

Ah… Hello there, Officer.

I closed my eyes. Let’s try this again. The last thing I need is an all-expenses-paid honeymoon to Bora Bora with a two-legged husband. I raised my lids. Darn.

Hey, Bro. Griffin went through the motions of dusting himself off, which was akin to cleaning the chimney flue while stoking a fire.

You two having fun? Damon asked.

Yep, I responded, causing his jaw to tick.

Care to tell me what you’re both doing acting like a couple of five-year-olds?

Oh, come on now. How many five-year-olds do you know who are running free on a school night in a twenty-degree blizzard?

Samm. He eyed me and Griffin. What are you doing out on a night like this?

Isn’t it obvious? I said. We’re taking advantage of the last big snowfall of the season.

You don’t know that. It’s snowed in May before, Officer Killjoy said. And that’s hardly an excuse for disturbing the peace. People are trying to sleep.

It’s 9:00. Geesh. We’re hardly juvenile delinquents on a destructive rampage, I wanted to shoot back.

Right. It’s 9:00.

I rolled my eyes. Not that Damon was the funnest (yeah, that’s a word to me) guy in town, but his Debbie Downerness was only amplified because he didn’t like me. Or like me near his younger brother. Whatever.

We’ll keep it down, Griffin said, flicking me a look. So, what’s up?

If you kids are done here, I need to speak to you about something. Damon glanced at me then back at his brother. In private.

Of course. I hugged myself tightly, my chompers banging against each other. Now that we were standing still, the chill cut through my bones like a tiny pickax. I felt like a living, breathing ice sculpture.

Griffin gestured toward Violet’s Soap & Tea Emporium, my sister’s shop where I was currently staying. Samm’s shivering. Let’s get inside and then I’m all ears.

Samm’s free to go, but let me give you a ride home. We’ll talk on the way.

Nah, I’d like to dry off a bit first before getting in your car.

Griffin headed to the shop, and I caught up with him. I highly doubted Damon felt the same, as evidenced by his sigh, but he followed anyway. If it were up to him, he’d choose waterlogged seats.

I looked back. Don’t worry. I have things to do in the bedroom. You’ll have your privacy.

That was where my fiancé-turned-frog, Fernando, was safely squirreled away, surrounded by plastic hawks and a sprinkling of clove oil. Couldn’t be too careful when a demonic snake was on the loose.

We’re not done talking either, Samm, Damon said.

I know. Believe me, I know.

It’d been two and a half weeks since I’d been called back—literally—to my hometown of Bigfoot Bay. Two and a half weeks since I’d last spoken to Violet on my now-cursed cellphone. Two and a half weeks since my fiancé had uttered words instead of croaks. I’d rushed here from Chicago to protect him from my devil-may-care, human-male-hating sister after hearing their argument broadcasted over the phone line, and where did that leave me now? Protecting him, all right—from getting squashed under someone’s boot.

My younger sister was still MIA, and since she was the only one who could reverse the spell, making Fernando a man again, you could say I had a vested interest in finding her ASAP.

Damon had just as strong of an urge but for different reasons. Imagine being a human male head over heels in love with said devil-may-care, human-male-hating witch. Nothing about that scenario could end well. Even though he annoyed the bejeebers out of me, I wasn’t so emotionless as to not feel sorry for the poor guy.

I unzipped my inner jacket pocket and dug out the key. When I opened the door, a rush of heavenly heat blasted over me, and my nerve endings slowly tingled back to life.

With a wave, I beelined directly to the bedroom, not wasting any time. The sooner they finished their little chat, the sooner they’d leave. I enjoyed Griffin’s company, but all I wanted to do was take a hot shower and go to bed with Fernando snuggled up against me.

I shut the door and peered under the bed. If Damon thought there’d be a change of plans just because Griffin chose to come inside, he’d be disappointed. We were not going to talk after they were done. I was not going to answer any more questions when I’d already told him everything.

Everything I could tell him without getting myself committed, that is.

This past week, Damon had seriously started to look into Violet’s disappearance. I could never fault him for that. It was what anyone would do in his situation. The problem was he wouldn’t be able to find her by normal investigative means if she didn’t want to be found.

I’d semi-convinced myself that she’d transformed herself into a hibernating bear and was hiding out in a cave until everything blew over. Lying low until I got to the point where I was so worried about her that when she did show her face again, I’d be so happy to see her that I’d forget why I was ever furious to begin with.

Ha! Fat chance, Violet. Your evil plan isn’t going to work.

Much…

I pushed the craziness from my mind and focused instead on Fernando perched atop his usual spot on the locked wooden box. I still hadn’t a clue what it contained. It was the only thing in the store I hadn’t gone over with a fine-toothed comb because I hadn’t been able to crack the code. I’d considered busting it open, but then I’d only be destroying his favorite hangout.

I stroked his head then shook out a handful of organic greenhouse-grown blueberries and placed them near the box. It was probably just filled with boring things like tax records and financial documents anyway. Yet another thing I couldn’t dwell upon lest I turn batty.

Two seconds later, my ear was plastered to the door.

This couldn’t wait until morning?

Sorry for interrupting your little snowball fight, Griffin. I swear it’s like I’m dealing with a kid brother all over again.

Geez, Officer Stuffy would not let up. How they were raised in the same family yet turned out like coffee and tea, I’d never know.

Lighten up, Damon. I threw my fist in the air. You tell him, Griffin. It’s called letting loose and having fun. You should try it sometime. Just because you—

Clunk. What was that? It sounded like something had knocked over.

We’re not here to discuss my social life.

Then what are we here to discuss?

Penelope Green.

Who? My face scrunched up.

Penelope? What about her?

A family member just reported her missing.

Really sorry to hear that, but what has this got to do with me?

Yeah. Great question, Griff.

Do I need to remind you Penelope and Regina are close friends?

Regina? This was about Griffin’s ex-fiancée, Wicked Queen of the Midwest? I pressed my ear harder.

"They were close friends. How would I know if they still are? I’ve barely said two words to Penelope in over a year, not since…"

Griffin’s voice grew softer, and all I could discern was the loud munching of blueberries. I shot a look behind me and gestured for Fernando to quiet down.

You have no clue to her whereabouts?

Of course not, Griffin replied.

What I mean is, do you have any insight into where she might have gone? It’d clear things up a lot faster if we discovered she’d just taken off somewhere for a while of her own volition. I seem to recall her being a little… Well, not the type to settle down. She’s always had plenty of romantic interests. Do you know of anyone she could’ve run off with?

Did Regina have the same interests? Is that why she and Griffin split up?

I’m sorry, but I really can’t offer any help. Even when Regina and I were together, I never got to know Penelope too well. They were always off doing their own thing, and I usually wasn’t a part of it. But if the two are still friends, maybe Penelope went to visit her. Wherever Regina is now.

And you have no idea where that is?

It was like I had X-ray vision and could see Griffin throw up his hands. No, I don’t. You of all people should know that I haven’t spoken or seen her since she left town.

He sounded frustrated, with good reason. But was that because Damon brought that out in people or because Griffin couldn’t bear to be reminded of the end of his engagement? Ugh. Wait—why was it so quiet out there now?

Throb throb. My ear already probably looked like I’d stuck it in a beehive. It certainly felt like it. How much more could I smash it against the door?

Hushed voices. That was all I could make out. Dang it.

Don’t start, Damon.

Okay, good. I heard that loud and clear. Keep it coming, boys.

Samm?

The hard rap on the other side of the door launched me back, and I yelped. Fernando scurried under the bed.

Um… yes?

You okay? Damon asked.

Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?

Your phone’s ringing.

No, it’s not. I didn’t hear anything.

Yes, it is.

The cell?

Yes.

I moved closer but still couldn’t detect any noise. It must’ve changed its ringtone to where only dogs and meddling officers could hear it.

Just ignore it.

Samm? Another knock, this one gentler. Or maybe it just seemed that way since my head was no longer fused to the wood.

Yes, Griffin?

Can I come in?

Uh… why?

I glanced around, feeling like a babbling idiot. Not to mention I’d also look like one if anyone saw my fake hawks standing sentinel.

You sure you’re okay?

I chuckled. Of course.

I opened the door a crack and peered out. Then I squeezed through. I was done playing secret agent. If they wanted to continue talking, they could do it in front of me or leave. It was my place, after all… er, Violet’s. But she wasn’t around right now, was she?

Why is your ear so red?

My haunted cell rang again, this time leaving no question. It was blaring like a fire alarm. I peeked at the screen: Unknown caller.

Just ignore—

The speaker kicked on. Tag, you’re it.

Chapter Two

C an you believe this weather? Sage came into the shop, fanning her face with a stack of envelopes. She plunked them down on the corner table. I brought in the mail.

Thanks. I’ll add ’em to the pile.

I grabbed them, doing just that. Violet’s bills were mounting up, and I hadn’t a clue how much she owed or how behind she was in paying them. How much longer could she go until creditors came pounding on the door? Unfortunately, I was in the same predicament.

And this. My best friend and plant extraordinaire handed me a bag. She was Fernando’s blueberry supplier.

My savior, I said, and I meant it wholeheartedly. I might starve but Fernando never would, thanks to her.

I peeked inside. I didn’t know how she did it, but I’d never seen a berry grow so large and taste so good. Oh wait. I did