The Murdered Mermaid (A Brimstone Witch Mystery Book 6) Read online

  Without waiting for my answer, Mortimer stood up, went over to his leafy disguise and threw it over himself. He shuffled away into the dense forest.

  Stanley and I watched him go. When he’d gone, Stanley said, “Shall I say it or are you going to say it?”

  “That he’s not telling us the whole truth? That he’s keeping something from us? Is that what you’re thinking?”

  Stanley nodded. “Shall we go after him and ask him some more questions?”

  “Not yet. I can see that he’s genuinely upset. Let’s leave him to grieve. We’ll come back later.” I stood up. “Let’s go back to the apartment. I wonder if Jeremy has found anything else out about the merpeople yet?”

  We headed straight back to the apartment. Jeremy wasn’t there, but someone else was waiting for us. And that someone had collapsed on the pavement next to the apartment door.

  Stanley hissed, “Is he dead?”

  I quickly swooped down to the still figure. “I don’t know.”

  Chapter 18

  It was a white-faced Conway who was lying in a crumpled heap outside the apartment door with his eyes closed. His chest was heaving and his breathing laboured as he gasped for air.

  We landed at his side and Stanley put his head on the merman’s chest. He said, “He’s struggling to breathe. I think he’s going to die.” He moved away and hopped from paw to paw in agitation. “Can you do something?”

  “I’ll try.” I knelt at Conway’s side and placed my hands inches above his chest. I kept my mind calm and pictured Conway breathing easily and looking normal again. The magical tingle came into my fingers and flowed into Conway’s chest. The sound of his breathing was making me feel anxious, but I pushed that feeling away. My magic worked better when I was calm. I intensified the image in my mind of a healthy Conway. The tingle in my fingers grew and it felt more like pins and needles now.

  Stanley put his head against Conway’s chest again. “His breathing is becoming more regular. His heartbeat has returned to normal.” He looked my way. “He’s going to be alright. You saved him.”

  I sat back on my heels and wiggled my fingers to get rid of the sharp pain that lingered there.

  Conway’s eyes opened and focused on me. “Cassia? Is that you?”

  I nodded.

  Stanley put his paw on Conway’s chin. “And it’s me, Stanley. You nearly died! Cassia saved you.”

  Conway’s eyes widened as he stared at me. “Did you? You saved my life?”

  My cheeks suddenly felt warm. I flapped a hand dismissively at him. “It was nothing. Anyone would have done the same. Conway, what are you doing here? You’re too far away from the sea. You must be in terrible pain.” I reached out and pulled him into a sitting position. “How are you feeling?”

  He winced. “Not good. I had to see you, Cassia. I had to see how far you’d got with the investigation. I – ” He took a sharp intake of breath and pressed his lips together.

  “You’re still in pain,” I said. “Let’s get you into the café. Gilda might have something to help you. She has everything in that café.” I held my hands out to help him up.

  Conway’s face twisted in pain. Through clenched teeth, he said, “I don’t think I can move. My legs are hurting too much.”

  I immediately sent more magic into my fingers and moved them over Conway’s legs. I concentrated on taking the pain away. There wasn’t a tingle in my fingers this time; I experienced an intense pain which was like a hundred sewing needles were being jabbed into my hands. I clenched my teeth together to stop myself from crying out in agony.

  Conway said, “It’s working. Whatever you’re doing is working. Thank you.”

  The stabbing feeling in my hands increased and I felt my eyes watering with pain. I couldn’t stop now. I had to take all the pain from Conway. I’d never taken pain from someone before and I had no idea it was going to be so painful. I continued to focus on the work I was doing and did my best not to show I was in agony.

  I felt a nudge at my side and saw Stanley’s concerned face looking at me. In a quiet voice, he said, “Enough, Cassia, that’s enough. You’re hurting yourself.”

  I dropped my hands and rested them on my knees. They felt as if they’d been too near to a fire and I desperately wanted to run them under a cold tap.

  Conway got to his feet and gingerly moved from side to side. “The pain has gone. All of it. Thank you, thank you so much.”

  I smiled up at Conway and attempted to get to my feet without using my sore hands. Stanley, bless him, put his paw out and tried to help me. I pressed my lips tightly together in effort as I slowly got to my feet.

  After placing a bright smile on my face, I indicated my head towards the café door. and said, “Let’s go inside.”

  Conway thankfully opened the door for us and stood to one side to let me through. My throbbing hands dangled uselessly at my side and I tried not to bump them into anything. Stanley came after me and walked closely by my side.

  Gilda came over to us the second Conway closed the door behind him. Her eyes were wide with shock as she looked at Conway. “Conway! What are you doing here? You can’t be this far from the sea!”

  Conway smiled. “It’s okay. Cassia has taken my pain away. She’s marvellous.”

  Gilda’s attention went to my hands and her eyes widened even more. “Cassia, you come with me immediately.” She looked back at Conway. “You take a seat and I’ll bring you some of Gia’s bottled sea water. I keep some here for emergencies. Stanley, will you take Conway over to that corner table? Thank you.”

  “This way,” Stanley said to Conway and he trotted over to the corner table.

  Gilda put her hands on my shoulders and said, “Your hands! They look as if they’ve been burnt. Didn’t you use a protective spell on yourself before taking Conway’s pain away? That’s what Blythe and your gran do.”

  I shrugged. “I panicked. I wasn’t thinking straight.” I looked down at my red hands. “I’ll use magic on them. I’ll heal myself.”

  “You can’t heal yourself if your hands are damaged. Come with me.”

  Gilda took me to the back of the café and through the door that led to the kitchen. She guided me over to the sink and told me to hold my hands out over it. I did so and watched as she took a jug of clear liquid from the fridge. She waved one hand over it and muttered something. Was she casting a spell?

  Gilda came to my side, lifted the jug and trickled the water gently over my injured hands.

  The water was cold; icy cold. It felt wonderful as it dribbled over my hands and into the sink. Each drop of water alleviated the burning pain and I felt myself sighing with relief. Gilda continued pouring the water and I noticed the redness in my hands disappearing. By the time the jug was empty, my hands were back to their normal colour.

  I lifted my hands and wiggled my fingers. “The pain has gone. All of it.” I gave her a sideways look. “How did you do that? Are you a witch of some sort?”

  Gilda smiled. “I have my secrets.” Her smiled faded. “Cassia, don’t ever perform that spell again without protecting yourself first. You could have damaged your hands forever. Okay?”

  “Okay.” I gave her a firm nod.

  Gilda looked towards the door that led to the café. “What is that merman doing here anyway?”

  “That’s what I’m going to find out.” I gave Gilda a grateful smile. “Thank you for helping me.”

  “I’m always here to help you. Go through to the café and I’ll bring you something to eat and drink.”

  I said thank you again before leaving the kitchen. As soon as I walked into the café, I saw that Stanley and Conway had a visitor at their table. It was Luca. His face was red with anger and he was jabbing a finger in Conway’s direction.

  I quickly strode over to the table.

  Luca turned his angry face my way and snapped, “What’s this merman doing here? Is this your idea? Did you tell him to come here? Stanley said he’d collapsed outside your door. Don
’t you know what happens to merman when they’re away from the sea? This is totally irresponsible of you.”

  Stanley said, “I tried to explain what happened to Conway and how you helped him, but Luca won’t listen.”

  Conway added, “And I tried to tell him it was my idea to come here, and that you saved my life. But, like Stanley said, he won’t listen.”

  “Of course I won’t listen to your lies!” Luca exploded. “You’re covering up for Cassia. She doesn’t know what she’s doing with this investigation.” He turned on me. “That’s the truth, isn’t it? You don’t know what you’re doing. Explain yourself.”

  I looked into Luca’s deep, blue eyes and remembered the friends we were. I knew he wasn’t himself at the moment and getting into an argument with him wouldn’t help matters at all.

  I put my hand under Luca’s elbow and pushed him towards the exit door. With my other hand, I opened the door wide. I was so glad my hands were feeling better or this dramatic gesture of mine wouldn’t have been so effective.

  In a firm voice, I said to Luca, “I know exactly what I’m doing and I don’t need to explain myself to you. Get out.”

  Luca tried to wriggle free but my grip was vice-like. He spat, “You can’t tell me what to do.”

  He looked like an angry toddler and I couldn’t help but smile at him. Keeping a commanding tone in my voice, I continued, “Yes, I can tell you what to do. Get out. Now.” I pushed him through the open door and onto the street. I gave him a friendly wave before shutting the door on his outraged face.

  I returned to the table to see Conway and Stanley staring at me with admiration on their faces.

  I took a seat and said, “Right, Conway, sorry about that. Tell me why you put your life in danger by coming to see me.”

  Chapter 19

  Gilda came over at that point and put some plates and cups on the table. She handed a large cup to Conway and said, “Drink this water. It’ll help you feel better. Cassia’s spell and this water won’t last long. You’ll have to return to the sea soon.”

  “I will do,” Conway took the cup. “Thank you.”

  Gilda gave me a concerned look before moving away. I looked at the plate she’d put in front of me. It contained a large slice of lemon drizzle cake. Yum. There was a cup of something green at the side which I picked up and sniffed. It was green tea with a hint of lemon. Knowing Gilda, the lemon in the cake and tea would make me feel better emotionally and physically in no time.

  I lowered a section of the table in front of Stanley so that he could reach the bowl Gilda had put there for him. He smacked his lips together and said, “I think it’s cream. Gilda has the best cream here. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. It’s like a hug in a bowl.” He gave his full attention to the bowl and smiled lovingly at it.

  Conway drained his cup and placed it on the table. “Cassia, I’m sorry for putting you to so much trouble. I wasn’t thinking straight when I set off this morning. I did get a flying unicorn taxi for most of the way here and thought I’d be fine. But I’ve been waiting outside your door for a while and that’s when the pain kicked in. I’m terribly sorry. I’m such a nuisance.”

  “You’re not a nuisance at all. Tell me why you wanted to see me.” I scooped some of the cake into my mouth. It was soft and zingy. A cool feeling travelled down my body and settled in my hands. It was like getting into a refreshingly cold shower at the end of a warm and sticky day.

  Conway continued, “It’s Father. He’s in a terrible state. He hasn’t slept since Nerita died. He’s convinced that someone in another community killed her. He thinks she gathered the sirens to form a secret army, and one of the other leaders found out about it and decided to stop her before she went to war.”

  I frowned. “That doesn’t make sense. Would she really go to war with another community without telling your father or you? And would she form a secret army?”

  “I don’t know. Nerita liked to be in control, and she liked to keep problems to herself. She could have received threats from the other leaders and decided to sort matters out herself. Father is convinced we are going to be attacked any day as a result of Nerita forming an army.”

  “Has anyone heard from the sirens yet?” I asked.

  “No. I believe Rex is still looking for them.”

  I raised my cake fork at him. “Ah. Speaking of Rex, did you know he was in a relationship with your sister?”

  “Rex and Nerita? Are you sure about that?”

  I nodded. “Isla told me.”

  Conway smiled down at the table. “If Isla told you, then it must be true. Isla finds out everything.” He looked back at me. “She’s going to make a wonderful leader one day. I know people think she’s bossy, but she gets things done.”

  I considered whether or not I should mention Isla’s previous engagements. But I was dealing with a murder investigation and despite her fiancé sitting in front of me, Isla was a suspect.

  I said to Conway, “Do you know about Isla’s previous engagements to other mermen?”

  Conway nodded. “Oh yes, we are very truthful with each other. She told me about the prince she was engaged to before she met me. She had to break it off with him because he was too clingy.”

  Stanley looked up from his bowl. “One prince? She was engaged to just one prince?”

  Conway gave him a wary look. “Yes, that’s what she told me. Do you know something different?”

  I shifted in my seat. “Well, yes. We were told Isla’s been engaged more than once.”

  Conway’s face fell. “Has she? I didn’t know that. Perhaps I should have a word with Isla when I return home.”

  I pushed my empty cake plate to one side. “I hope I haven’t caused you any trouble by telling you that.”

  “Of course not. I’m glad you told me.” Conway placed his hands on the table and said, “How far have you got with your investigation? Do you know who killed my sister yet? I’d like to give Father some positive news.”

  “I’m still making enquiries. Do you know you have an Uncle Mortimer?”

  Conway blanched. “Yes, I do know about him. I remember him from a long time ago. Father never talks about him, but I know what Mortimer did when he was king. Why are you asking about him? Has he got something to do with Nerita’s death?”

  “I’m not sure yet. We spoke to him a short while ago. Nerita had been visiting him for the past few years.”

  Conway shook his head rapidly. “This isn’t good news at all. Mortimer must be up to something. He must have been making plans to take the crown from Father. From what I’ve heard about him, he’s a nasty creature and only cares for himself.” He continued shaking his head. “This isn’t good news at all! I have to tell Father immediately.” He became still and gave me an intense look. “Do you think Mortimer killed Nerita? If he wanted to take the crown from Father, he might have wanted her out of the way first.”

  “I don’t know. I’m sorry.” I felt helpless and realised I should have asked Mortimer more questions while I had the chance. “I’ll speak to him again very soon.”

  Conway nodded. “Thank you.” He glanced out of the window. “I think it’s time I went home. I’ll order a unicorn taxi.” He flinched and his nostrils flared.

  “Are you in pain again?” I asked.

  He gave me a tight smile. “The pain is coming back a little.”

  I stood up. “I’ll take you back to the beach on my broomstick. It’ll be a bit of squeeze on there with all of us, but it’ll be quicker.” I held my hand up. “I don’t want any arguments. Come on.”

  We left the café and got on my broomstick. Conway sat behind me and held onto my waist too tightly. There was a tremor in his voice as he said, “This broomstick is quite narrow, isn’t it? Have you ever fallen off?”

  “Not yet,” I replied. “Hold on tight!”

  We rose into the sky and I cast a silent spell on the broomstick to make it fly faster. It worked immediately and we shot forwards at a speed which too
k my breath away. My adrenalin junkie of a cat loved it and whooped with delight as we raced through the air.

  We covered the ten miles to the beach in less than five minutes. The lemon drizzle cake in my stomach was not happy about that and threatened to make a reappearance. As soon as we landed, I put a hand on my whirling stomach and sent a quick shot of healing to it.

  Conway collapsed to the sand in front of me and put a hand on his sweaty forehead. He mumbled, “So fast. We went so fast.” He moved his hand and said to me, “Thank you for getting me here so quickly. I didn’t know you could go so fast. You are an amazing witch, Cassia Winter.”

  Stanley was dancing about on the sand and yelling, “Awesome! That was awesome! Let’s do it again! Yeah!”

  I shook my head at him and then helped Conway to his feet. He grimaced and said, “Can you help me into the sea, please?”

  I put my arms around him and guided him towards the water. He leant heavily on me and I tried not to collapse under his weight. Stanley declared he would stay on the sand and watch us.

  Conway’s face was scrunched up with effort as we continued along the sand.

  “Just a few more steps,” I told him.

  I was huffing and puffing as I helped him walk towards the sea. He was still leaning on me for support and I was sure I was going to collapse at any second. We reached the water and waded in. I felt Conway taking some of his weight off me.

  When we were in deep enough, Conway ducked into the water and swam out a little. His legs were immediately replaced by a tail and he flapped it happily in the water. He turned onto his back, looked at me and gave me a big smile. “We made it! Thank you! Thank you so much!”

  He suddenly stopped smiling and looked over his shoulder to the sea behind him. He turned back to me and yelled, “Cassia! There’s a siren behind me! She’s in distress. Come here quickly!”

  Chapter 20

  I looked back at Stanley and made a gesture to show him I was going into the sea. He gave me a nod but stayed where he was.