Free Wicked Ways: Death at the DuMond (A Cozy Witch Mystery Book 1) by Ava Collins

Rolex?” He sat back in the chair. “With as money hungry as she is, I’d think she’d want that Rolex back as quickly as possible.”
    “I should just tell her I see ghosts while I’m at it,” I said, my voice thick with sarcasm. “I’m sure all of that would go over very well.” 
    “I’ve always found it best to appeal to one’s vanity when asking for favors,” Bancroft said.
    I thought about this for a moment, then lit up with excitement. Bancroft’s words sparked an idea. “Banksy, you’re a genius,” I said. 
     I dashed back to Charlotte’s apartment and knocked on the door. After a few moments she pulled the door open. Her eyes filled with annoyance when she saw me again.
    “I’m sorry to bother you,” I said. “And I’m almost a little bit embarrassed to admit this. But I’m kind of a fan.”
    Her judgmental eyes brightened.  “Oh, really?”
    I doted on her and acted shy. “They’re replaying one of your old matches on the sports history channel.”
    “Which one?”
    My heart jumped into my throat. I was completely making it up. And I really hadn’t followed her career. “The   match against Serena,” I stammered.
    Her body drooped, and sadness washed over her face. “If I wasn’t injured during that match, I think I could have pulled out a win.”
    “I think you are amazing. It was just a bad break,” I said. “Would it be too much to ask for an autograph?”
    Her face lit up for a moment. Then she tried to hide her excitement. “Well, I guess. I’d hate to disappoint a fan.” She paused and looked at me, concerned. “You’re not going to sell this on the Internet, are you?”
    “Oh, no. It’s something I’d cherish.” I almost gagged. 
    “Do you have something for me to sign?”
    “How about a tennis ball?” I asked.
    “Hang on, I think I have one around here.” She disappeared into the apartment. Then came back a few moments later with a fuzzy yellow ball, signed in black sharpie. 
    I took the ball from her and admired it with glee. The instant I touched it, I felt its energy. It was as though I was transported court side. I could hear the roar of the crowd. The ping of the ball, volleyed against the racquet. The sound of sneakers shuffling against the clay court. The ball was powerful. Almost magical.
      I thanked Charlotte profusely, then I met up with Bancroft. It was time to cast a spell. 

CHAPTER 13
    LOCATION SPELLS ARE tricky. At least, they always have been for me. Most witches use water as the conduit for the vision. I don’t like to use water. You try carrying a bowl of water around as you are looking for something. I prefer the use of a mirror. Though, it does take more energy to display a vision.
    I drew a triangle on the floor in chalk. Then I set a blue candle on each corner. It felt a little strange after not performing magic in so long. But it also felt good. Like I was getting back to my true calling.
    When it works, triangle magic is extremely powerful. It’s better suited toward offensive maneuvers. If you need protection, or need to contain something, by all means use a circle. The circle is a perfect form and virtually impenetrable. But triangles are great for focusing energy.
    I put the tennis ball in the center of the triangle, along with a hand mirror and a  gemstone. I sprinkled an herb about the triangle. I’m not going to say which herb, that’s my little secret. And I drizzled bits of the herb over each candle flame. It sizzled and cracked as it vaporized. Wafts of blue smoke rose into the air. The room filled with a spicy aroma.
    I wrote a spell on a piece of paper. The key to making a spell work is to clear your mind and focus your intention. Any stray thought in your mind could weaken the spell. Thinking about your to do list, homework, or bills that needed to be paid would definitely affect things negatively. 
    Too much distraction and unfocused thought, and you might end up in a worse situation. You might find