“Hello?”
“Kansas?” Eisley’s voice came through the other side of the phone, desperate and small.
“Hey, are you okay?”
“No. I need you to come home.”
“Home?” I let out an involuntary chuckle. “What are you talking about?”
“I— I just need you here.” The frantic tone in her voice was sobering. I looked at the basket on my arm.
“All right, I’ve got a few things to do, and then I’ll figure out a way back. It’s a long drive. I won’t get there until late.”
She was crying softly into the phone.
I grabbed a candle off the shelf and placed it in my basket. “Eisley, what’s going on? Are you safe?”
“Yeah, I mean, I think so. I’m at home, and I've been watching the cameras. Kansas, I’m scared.”
“Of what?” I picked empty jars and a packet of charcoal. “Wait, is one of your Johns harassing you?”
“No, Spencer and Soleil. They’re dead. They just found her body this morning.”
“Fuck.” I sighed and rubbed my mouth. “All right, I’ll leave as soon as I can.” I hung up and went to the counter, buying everything in my cart.
“What kind of Magick are you doing?” the cute clerk asked.
I flashed her a smile. “Little of this, little of that. Mostly stocking up on stuff I use pretty regularly.”
“Just as long as you’re not doing any love spells.” She wagged her finger playfully at me as she took my card.
“I think I’m managing fine without them,” I flirted back. “I’m actually heading to see my girl now.”
“Well, she’s lucky, I’m sure. Enjoy!” She handed me a brown paper bag and I left, promptly heading to the hotel, just outside of Shelley Vale. I looked at my phone. I’d have to wait hours before I could head over to her house, but I was glad she called.
Now, I had a reason to be here.I knocked on her door a little after midnight. She opened the door and threw her arms around me.
“Oh, thank god, you’re here.”I held her in my arms, inhaling the sweet smell of her shampoo. She was so beautiful.
“I told you I’d always come for you. Now, what exactly is going on?” I feigned ignorance. She took me inside and instantly went to brew tea.I looked around the kitchen. Dozens of jars were scattered all over the counters filled with various herbs and seasonings.
“What was going on here?” I picked up one jar that looked like pink sand.
She sighed, stepping away from the kettle she’d put on the stove. “I had to keep my mind busy, so I was refilling my witchy stuff. Powders, herbs, stuff for spells.”
“Did you do any spells today?” I eyed candles off in the corner of the counter.
“Not today, but I think I might tomorrow. I’m kind of tired now. It’s been an exhausting day.”
I nodded, setting the pink sand down. “Spencer and Soleil.” I turned to face her.Eisley’s chin quivered and her eyes grew shiny in an instant. I opened my arms and she drifted to them, resting her head on my chest.
“Spencer first, then Soleil last night.”
“Oh. Two separate incidents?”
“Yeah, but they were both stabbed. Just like those teens. Kansas, the police think Shelley Vale has a serial killer on their hands.”
“Another one?” I smirked. “Man, they really fucking suck at investigating.”
