Thefineimperceptiblehairson Honey Hadwin’s arms prickled. It was something that happened from time to time. Most likely caused by a familiar. As the head of familiar training and assignment at FACTS & FIBS, Honey was more in tune with familiars than she was with her own kind, most of the time. She, of course, had her best witch friends, Dottie, Uma and Gloria. And she had her parents, Rhoda and Edgar. And there was her more than friends friendship with Shifter Chief Inspector Roam O’Reilly. Together, they made up her inner circle. But inside that inner circle were her familiars. As a witch, Honey Hadwin could be assigned one familiar to help her on her life’s journey. One familiar who would gain her witch file and know everything about her. If one existed. To her knowledge, it didn’t.
Regardless, she was the adopted daughter of Rhoda and Edgar, the famous familiar hunters. They didn’t possess a familiar for themselves, thus Honey didn’t either. Instead of a cuddly cat, fluffy puppy, or even a baby soft pink pig watching after Honey, giving her advice, keeping her on track, and providing a wise sounding board for her every problem, Honey was tasked with the opposite—taking care of a bunch of cats, dogs, a pig, and a parrot, and any other familiar who lost their witch or got ripped from their assignment by her parents, Rhoda and Edgar. Thus, Honey’s inner, inner circle was full of fur and feathers, and that is what prickled the tiny hairs on her arms and the back of her neck. One of them was in distress.
She looked around the room, which was crawling with animals, literally. The floor of the large parlor in the giant green Victorian mansion was full of lounging cats, a few sleepy dogs, and one very large snoring pig. An emerald parrot sat above the chaos, perched on the armrest of a wingback chair, staring out of the window. It was their home, for now. Until they found a witch or warlock to protect. Some of them would move on. But some would remain in the old Victorian forever. It was Honey’s home, since she was a tiny tot, and probably would be forever, too. She was like a lost familiar herself. Which is probably why she felt so close to them.
The dogs scrambled to their feet, each one began to howl and chatter as they trotted toward the window. The brood of cats following with chatty meows. Each pushing and shoving to get a view of what could have possibly drawn the dogs to the window.
“Let me see.” And “what’s happening?” came from the loudest of the bunch.
“What’s the ruckus, sweetheart?” Martin, the parrot, crooned. He spoke with the coolness of a tuxedo-clad nightclub charmer, without any squawks or screeches. Martin was an old familiar, but still young at heart, suave to a fault, and smooth in his delivery, even of bad news.
Honey’s skin flashed hot, yet another chill sent the hairs on her arms and the back of her neck straight out. “Alright, everyone. Calm down. I feel it, too.”
The dogs whimpered and sat, and the cats went silent, still milling around the room.
“It’s the Irish. I’d know his baying anywhere.” Martin flapped his wings and hopped to the top of the chair. “His cry is so melancholy. So, sad for such a happy-go-lightly pooch.”
Honey patted Martin on the top of his yellow-green head. “Keep an eye on things, will ya?”
“My pleasure, doll.” Martin winked.
Honey didn’t waste time walking. She allowed her magical pink flames to rise from her skin and turn her whole body into a flash of bright pink glitter, then disappeared with a snap of her fingers. Her transport dropped her directly on the edge of town, where the crossing over Grumble Bridge led to Lily McBride’s orchard. She let out a sigh and dusted herself off. Hesitating, before she crossed the bridge, she brought two fingers to each corner of her mouth, and formed the perfect instrument for the loudest whistle she could muster. She let it fly. It was her signal to Roam. Ever since their murderous adventure last summer, this was her call sign for help. Roam had insisted, if she was going to put herself in unsafe places and help him solve the crimes of Cauldron Falls, and Honey had a penchant for sleuthing, she’d at least give him a heads up. So, whistling was his heads up.
She didn’t wait for him to show up. She marched across the bridge, waving to Grumble the troll on her way directly to Lily McBride’s front door. Cona’s howl rung out again. He was so close, she could feel the vibration of his call.
“It’s coming from ‘round back.” Roam’s slightly southern drawl was unmistakable.
“Glad you made it, Chief Inspector.” Honey jumped off the porch. “I would have gone ‘round back without you.”
“Yep, don’t I know it? Always better to have a witness, though.” The pair fell in step together as they rounded the corner of the house and gazed up at the heart wrenching scene.
Cona didn’t move away from Lily. He stood his ground, protecting her. Honey nor Roam asked him to either. They understood his need to stay close to her, even though she was no longer with her body. The beautiful Lily McBride lay perfectly still, frozen where she fell. Her crystal blue eyes open, staring at the equally blue sky.
“Cona, what has happened?” Honey ran to his side and patted his grey and white fur.
“She’s dead. My Lily is gone.” Cona sniffed.
“Oh, Cona. I’m so sorry. What in the world happened?” Honey looked at Roam.
“Sorry, Cona.” Roam knelt beside Lily and patted the big dog’s shoulder. “Just from the looks of it, doesn’t seem natural. But I’d say it was quick.”
Cona whimpered.
Roam pulled out his cell phone, typed a quick message, and hit send. He looked up at Honey, “I’m gonna need to do some official stuff.” She nodded and ran her hand over Cona’s head.
“Come on, boy. Come with me. Let’s have a chat on the porch.” Honey led the familiar away. She lowered herself into a white rocker, and Cona sat next to her. Even sitting, he was taller than Honey. The pair watched Roam work. A team of Shifters clad in light blue jumpsuits, complete with booties, masks, and hairnets joined him. They swarmed the scene quietly, combing over every inch of the yard, the old oak tree, and the swing.
“Cona, what do you think happened?” Honey asked.
The giant dog kept still, and never took his eyes off what was now an official crime scene. “I was out on my rounds. I should have been done, but I was enjoying the morning run. Cauldron Falls is so beautiful in the fall.”
“It’s not your fault, Cona. You know that, right?” Honey stopped rocking.
“I felt it.” His head bobbed, and his long snout hung low, nearly touching his chest.
“Felt what?”
“Her struggling for life. Or something like it. My mouth went dry, and images of her flooded my mind. It was hard to breathe. My heart. Well, it was already thumping pretty hard, because of my pace, but it beat differently. Like it was hers.” Cona stopped and looked back out toward the investigators, gathering up small pieces of evidence. Scrutinizing Lily’s body, like they were cleaning an ancient statue. He thought she rather looked like one. One of those white marble Greek goddesses, Venus or Aphrodite, complete with her arms and legs, and fully clothed, of course. Lily was as close to a goddess as the earth would ever know, in Cona’s opinion.
