The Ghoul Next Door - By Rose Pressey Page 0,84

acknowledge us. I stopped my pursuit and Mindy stopped a few steps further.

Mindy turned and looked at me. “That was really weird.”

I shook my head. “What do you expect from someone who sends letters like that? Come on. Let’s get back to the store. She’s clearly not going to talk to us.”

We’d made it half-way back to Book Nook when up ahead I spotted Jane walking toward us.

“Look who’s coming.” Mindy gestured.

I hoped she would walk right by us without saying a word, but the smirk on her face told me we wouldn’t be that lucky.

“Okay. I’m tired of playing this game with you now,” Jane said when she approached us.

“I’m sorry?” I said.

“I believe this is what you’re looking for?” She held up the necklace, letting it dangle from the chain in a back-and-forth movement.

I narrowed my eyes and glared at her. “You stole the necklace. Why would you do that? It’s not yours, so I suggest you give it back.” I stepped toward her, but she stepped backward.

“I’d suggest you stop right there.”

Mindy moved beside me.

Jane clutched the necklace in her palm. “I’m going to properly dispose of it and you’re going to help.”

“Like heck I am.” I frowned.

Mindy scoffed.

“You will do it!” Jane yelled.

“And just how do you think you’re going to make me?” I folded my arms in front of my chest.

“Yeah!” Mindy said while crossing her arms in the same manner.

“Things haven’t been that pleasant for you lately, have they? There’s more where that came from.” She waggled her finger.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked.

“I don’t want anyone performing magic.” She glared at me.

“That doesn’t even make any sense,” Mindy said.

“For someone who doesn’t like magic, you sure don’t mind using it. I knew you had something to do with this.”

“You did not. You thought that innocent woman Ginger was responsible.” Her eyes twinkled with satisfaction.

How did she even know that? Had she been spying on me? Or had someone spied on me? Why was I even trying to talk to her? There was no way to talk rationally with an insane person.

“I’ll use magic if I have to… a means to an end, that’s all.” She smirked. “Once I get rid of this necklace, Karyn will stop and that’s all I want. I want her as far away from all this as possible.”

I couldn’t believe the thought that Karyn was somehow involved had ever crossed my mind.

“You can’t be serious. You can’t be selective and just turn it on and off.” I glanced around for an escape.

“Sure you can. I was supposed to be the coven leader.” Bitterness dripped from her words.

So that was what all of this was about.

Jane’s face tightened and she glared at me. She clenched her fists and stomped her foot like a three-year-old throwing a temper tantrum. “It was my right to be the coven leader years ago. It was my birthright and Karyn took that from me.”

What was so special about being the coven leader, anyway? Why did everyone want that position? I didn’t want that position, but kept getting shoved into it.

Jane circled us. As she walked beside me, Elvis appeared. He walked beside Jane, but I wasn’t sure how long he could keep her at bay. A demonic force had powers beyond what he’d ever experienced. And it was obvious that Jane had that demonic force. An evil smile spread across her face. She knew she had me exactly where she wanted me.

“I told myself years ago that I couldn’t give up until I had what was rightfully mine. I won’t let you or anyone else stand in my way.” She glared at Mindy when she passed her.

I took in another sharp breath. This woman made Brianna and Becky seem polite. I never thought I’d say that.

“I don’t have anything to do with the coven leader position. I don’t decide who the leader is.”

She scoffed. “That’s where you’re wrong. You had the necklace. Therefore, no matter what you say, you are in charge. You are technically the coven leader.”

I wished Karyn had never given me that necklace. But she’d said everyone in the coven needed me. No pressure there. No pressure at all. I wasn’t sure how I would talk myself out of this situation. I could barely breathe. The dark feeling within me was bursting to get out. I needed to try to break the magic spell again.

“What can I do to get rid of her, Larue?” Elvis asked.

Unfortunately, there was nothing he could