Page 95 of The Neighborhood Witch

Chapter 24

Witch-Finder Neighbor

Johanna sipped her tea as she leaned back in the chair. She held the white porcelain cup with both hands. She breathed in the steam rising from the hot liquid. The hints of lavender and honey filled her with calmness. She almost let herself feel peace. She took another sip. The sweetness of the honey excited her taste buds. Her daily ritual was nearly completed.

Johanna watched the activity of Ravenhill Drive through her window. The street silent—the way she liked it. The evening sky grew darker. Splashes of oranges, yellows, purples, and reds filled the air as it drew closer to sunset. She took another sip. Johanna took her role as self-appointed neighborhood watch very seriously. She expected peace and quiet on her street. She would not tolerate shenanigans. She would not tolerate the abomination of a purple house across the street.

Her eyes focused on the purple wood siding of the Folk Victorian home. The gray porch. The black door. Johanna wanted nothing more than to take Alice down. She wanted her gone from the neighborhood. She wanted her gone from Hugo’s life. She wanted things the way they were before.

There was movement at the door. Johanna sat up in the chair. Her eyes focused on what was about to transpire. Hugo Dodds emerged from the house. She glared at him. The thought that he could betray Elizabeth with not just anyone, buther, permeated through Johanna’s mind. Hugo marched off toward his silver car parked in front of his house.

She emerged from the black door. Alice Primrose—the bane of Ravenhill Drive—the one who disrupted everything. Johanna’s eyes focused on her every movement. Johanna could tell they were arguing. Their arms flailed about. Furious expressions on their faces. She only wished she could hear what was being said.

Hugo continued his march to his car. He entered, started the engine, and took off. Alice followed him. She raised both hands and snapped her fingers. An explosion of purple arcane magick erupted from under the hood of the car.

The tea sloshed back and forth as Johanna’s hands shook. Her nostrils flared. She set the cup down on the table next to her. The porcelain clanking against the saucer dish was the only noise in the room besides the tick of the clock. Johanna knew. She always knew. She could never prove it, but this was all the proof she needed. Her neighbor, her nemesis, was a witch.

Johanna rose from her chair. She strode with purpose over to her display table. She turned the key, releasing the drawers. She pulled out the wood box and set it on the table top. She opened the box to reveal the amulet of witch’s fire. She withdrew the black, twisting anti-magick wand from the other drawer. She examined both items. Malice manifested in her thoughts. This was the day she had waited for. The day she prepared for. The day she knew would come for centuries. This was the day she would get her vengeance.

Alice closedthe front door and leaned against it. Her hair covered her face, and she buried her head in her hands, sobbing. She hadn’twanted to upset Hugo. She only wanted to help him. She wiped away a tear with her index finger and sniffled twice. Her eyes were bloodshot red. Galahad knocked furiously on the door upstairs.

“It’s okay, Gally,” Alice yelled up. “It’s okay.” The knocking stopped.

Alice removed her hat and tailcoat, placing them back on the coat rack. She went into her living room. In a room full of oddities and macabre curiosities, she felt empty. She trudged over to a bookshelf. She removed a book with purple leather binding and opened the cover. The book was not a book at all. It was hollow; a secret compartment inside held a special item.

She removed the black onyx ring and examined it. It felt cold to the touch, smooth, yet well-worn with age. This one little item held so much power over Hugo. It handcuffed him to a life he couldn’t let go of. It was Alice who finally removed it and freed him… or so Alice thought. She put the book back and headed to the couch.

Before she could sit down, there was a knock at the door.Hugo!

She pocketed the ring and moved to answer the door. She turned the diamond shaped knob and flung it open. She was surprised, not by Hugo, but a new visitor. A visitor who had only stopped over once before.

“Johanna,” Alice said. “I’m not in the mood for any more insults.” She shut the door, but Johanna braced it with her foot.

“I’m not here for any insults,” Johanna said. “I saw your argument, and I thought maybe you could use some girl talk. You know.”

Alice glared at her, curious as to why she came over now. “Why?”

“Look, I know we’ve had our issues in the past. I also know how lonely it can be without someone to talk to. I thought maybe you needed an ear to listen.”

Alice held the door. She blinked a few times, trying to clear any remaining tears.

“You can tell me to leave at any time,” Johanna offered.

Alice opened the door to let her in.

“Thank you,” Johanna said as she entered.

Alice shut the door behind her. She noticed Johanna scrutinizing her home or at least the items visible in the entryway. Johanna leaned over to examine her console table. The purple and white crystals scattered across them. The black candelabras holding melted candles. Johanna recoiled at the sight, drawing her hands and arms closer to her as if to not touch anything by accident.

Johanna peeked into the living room. Alice watched her check out the red, velvet couch. The black high-back chair. The gold trimmed red drapes. The various plants and other oddities visible from the hallway. Johanna kept her arms and hands close to her chest, but Alice could tell she wanted to explore.

Knocking came from upstairs. They both snapped to view the stairs, shocked at the sounds from above.

“What’s upstairs?” Johanna asked.

Alice wanted to yell up to Gally to knock it off, but that would draw too many questions from Johanna. She struggled to think of something. Anything. Then she remembered. Galahad was not alone.

“Max,” Alice said. “Hugo put her up in her cage. She must be excited and knocking against the cage.”

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