9
“We’re not going to get far on this,” Henry complained from the driver’s seat of Noel’s SUV. They were parked on the side of the road at a pull out on the main highway while Henry decided what he wanted to do next.
Noel hated the man with a passion. If thoughts could kill, he’d have been dead the minute he’d forced Clara to go in and steal all the money out of Noel’s safe. The money she’d worked so hard for when it had just been her and Daisy before Drew had walked back into her life. She’d known him growing up of course, but they’d both gone their own way until they’d found each other as adults. Then they’d built a beautiful family and life together.
Henry was the one trying to steal it all, and it was clear to Noel that Clara was just a pawn in his sick game. He planned to rob the inn and a number of the Keating Hollow businesses so that they could run off together on their sick Bonnie and Clyde adventure. Or he had until Noel had gotten Clara to mention that none of the businesses kept cash on hand anymore. There wasn’t anything to take since they dropped their deposits at the banks each night.
She was surprised he hadn’t realized that since he’d been running Woodlines, but she supposed a man who was from the early 1900s probably had his quirks.
“We need a place where we can steal products to sell,” Henry was musing.
Noel immediately thought of Enchanted Jewelers. It was just a few doors down from the sheriff’s station.
“The jewelry store,” Clara said. “I know where it is.”
“Excellent thinking, Clara darling. Diamonds are always a good plan.” He put the SUV into gear and headed that direction.
Noel mentally berated herself for thinking it. If she hadn’t, they wouldn’t be headed for a smash-and-grab before they fled town. Away from her kids. Away from Drew. Her soul ached as despair hit her hard.
Stop being so depressing, Clara said. It’ll be easier for you if you’ll just accept your fate. You might even enjoy yourself a little. If there’s one thing I can say about Henry, it’s that he’d never boring. I never have been either.
Is that what you keep telling yourself? Noel asked her. That being abused is exciting?
It’s better than being trapped on this earth, destined to walk alone, Clara said in her mind. Then she showed Noel an image of herself haunting that old farmhouse for an entire century before Henry came for her and promised her a life of adventure where she’d never be alone again.
It was easy to see why she thought this was better than her previous ghostly existence. But Noel knew that eventually she’d regret it. Henry had an evil streak that would destroy Clara sooner rather than later.
Even that’s better than what I’ve endured , Clara mentally told Noel.
I’m sorry to hear you think that , Noel answered. If you’d given me and my family a real chance, I think you’d have found that we could have helped you. You didn’t need to turn to this.
You don’t know what you’re talking about , Clara denied.
Maybe she didn’t, but Noel knew mediums and would have been happy to consult with them if asked.
Shut up , Clara ordered her.
I wasn’t even talking, Noel said. Sorry I can’t turn my brain off. You’ll just have to deal with it.
Clara let out an irritated huff and then ignored Noel for the rest of the drive to the jewelry store.
Henry didn’t even bother trying to park where the car wouldn’t be seen. Noel knew that security cameras would see it and as soon as Drew looked at it, he’d think she was a part of the heist. Pure rage made her see red, but then another thought occurred to her. If Drew saw it, he’d come for her. Maybe, just maybe, if she was able to see him, she could find a way to communicate what had happened.
Clara let out an amused snort. You wish.
Henry jumped out of the SUV and then waved for Clara to follow. It took Henry less than thirty seconds to magic his way into the store. Noel had to admit it; the man did have some powerful magic. That wasn’t good news for her. Once they were out of Keating Hollow, if he was serious about expelling her from her own body, she was starting to believe that he could probably do it. Her only hope was to make sure she didn’t leave town.
I’m taking this body out of this town , Clara said. Get used to it.
Noel didn’t answer her. Instead, she started issuing rapid-fire orders. Get the tennis bracelet. No, not that one. The emerald one. And the sapphires, too. You’ll want a wedding ring. One nicer than mine. Something with lots of carats. One for each finger.
On and on, Noel pointed out one jewelry piece after another, trying to keep them in the store as long as possible. Clara was loaded down with diamonds, and then suddenly something miraculous happened. Noel could feel her limbs. Her movement was coming back to her. She was partially in control, but not fully. Clara would try to move toward the cases of jewels, while Noel tried to run for the door. The net effect was them running into one of the display cases. Noel let out a grunt and then a cry when she was backhanded by Henry.
“I told you to stuff the pieces in a bag, not wear every damned thing in the place! Diamonds absorb magic, you fool. If you keep it up, you’re going to lose your control over her.”
Noel’s eyes widened. That was the reason she could feel her body again? She nodded once and then scrambled away, desperate to hit the panic button and get as many diamonds on her body as possible.
But Henry was keeping a close eye on her, ordering her to fill his messenger bag with item after item. Never letting her more than six inches from him.
He’s going to kill you if you try anything, Clara said, seemingly comfortable with her retreat into Noel’s mind as she let her deal with Henry.
He can try, but he won’t succeed , Noel shot back. Not now that she had her will and mobility back. She could feel her power returning as well, and now that she knew what to expect, she wasn’t letting them take her again.
“Pay attention!” Henry ordered and then shoved her from the back, sending her right into a display case.
Noel scrambled back to her feet and was just completely done with Henry. Her magic swirled to her fingertips and just as she was about to let it fly, Clara said, I wouldn’t.
Too late. Noel aimed for the large chandelier hanging just above them. The moment it hit, she scrambled to the side and barely missed being crushed.
Henry went down, cursing her the entire time.
Noel ran for the case nearest a register in the back. Henry was ordering her to come help him, but she ignored him. She was on a mission now, and there was no turning back. Just as she reached the counter and was sliding her fingers over the panic button, a blast of magic hit her square in the back, and she crumbled to her knees, barely able to breathe. Her heart was beating so fast she was certain it would pound right out of her chest.
“You think you’re clever, Noel?” Henry asked as he peered down at her, his pupils pure black. “You can’t win in a match up against me,” he snarled as blood trickled down his temple from where the chandelier had hit him. “Your air magic has nothing on my spirit powers.”
That explained why he could merge spirits with living people.
“Maybe,” she said calmly, “but I bet even spirit witches have problems healing from bullet wounds.”
Henry spun, magic swirling around him in brilliant red and orange light. But as soon as he lunged for the deputy behind him, Adrian Hunt pulled the trigger, and Henry crumpled to the ground.
Noel let out a cry of relief and felt her control over her body start to wane. Her feet were tingling, and she was having trouble focusing.
Henry used his magic to strip you of a lot of the diamonds, Clara said. You didn’t notice?
Noel hadn’t. She’d been too busy trying to survive.
Deputy Sheriff Adrian Hunt walked over to Noel and frowned down at her. “Noel? What’s going on?”
Noel used the last of her strength to lift her hands and said, “I tried to rob this store. Arrest me.”
“Why don’t we wait until Sheriff Baker gets here?” he suggested.
“No!” Noel ordered. “Handcuff me, or Clara might take over.” Noel held his gaze and said, “Do it. Now.”
The last thing Noel remembered was the cold steel of the metal cuffs chaffing against her wrists.