Hidden Mortality by Maggie Mundy

him. It all seemed a bit bizarre now. She wasn’t sure she really believed he could see auras. Shona was right, Cara thought. She had probably seen the symbol in some old book. With the operation and her own abdomen being opened up, it had probably caused the dreams. Now some random person was killing people and leaving the mark on them because they had seen it in a book too. Shona had made sense of it all. It was what she needed, Cara decided.
    “I drew a picture of the knife from my dreams.” Cara got the picture and placed it down on the coffee table.
    Shona leant forward to get a better look, picking up the drawing. As Shona worked in an antique shop she had probably seen something like it before. Boscombe, her boss, loved old weapons so it was likely.
    “I’m surprised you could find anything in that bedroom of yours.”
    “It was in the study. Even I need some order amongst the chaos.” Cara peered at Shona to try and gauge what she thought of the picture.
    “It looks old. I’m sure I’ve seen something like it. I’ll ask Boscombe to have a look. He specializes in daggers and swords. Can I keep it?”
    Cara hesitated. “Sure, I’ve got a copy.”
    “I’m so glad you’ve found this Matcher guy. I won’t feel so bad about not helping out anymore.” Shona folded the picture and stuffed it in her purse.
    “I know you’ve never been that keen on waitressing.”
    “You’re right. I wanted to help out with your business when you were getting started, and the extra cash is good. It’s been so hectic recently at the shop. Every other week we’re off to some antique fair. I love the job, but it’s exhausting. So what do you think of your mother’s message?”
    “It’s just a dinner party. There will be some eligible man there with a decent background. They don’t get it. It’s my choice who I want to be with, or without, as the case may be.” Cara took a large gulp of wine.
    “You could always introduce your young emo as your new boyfriend.” Shona laughed.
    “You know it might be worth it just to see the look on her face.” They both cracked up. “Thanks for being here tonight. It’s been good having someone to talk to.” Cara reached out and grabbed Shona’s hand.
    “Well we’ve sorted out all the other stuff so what about the witch stuff? Do you mean to tell me you did spells with Nanna since you were a kid and didn’t tell me?”
    “Yes and I’ve done a few recently, just to help me understand what was going on. They could just be my imagination playing tricks on me though.”
    “Do one for me now.” Shona sat forward with a wicked grin on her face.
    “Nanna used to say magic should never be taken lightly. Anyway I thought we were trying to prove this was all make-believe.” Maybe doing magic drunk was against the rules.
    “Just a little spell. We’ll know for sure it’s all rubbish if nothing happens and you really are imagining it all.”
    “I have to create a protective circle around us and call on the power of the Earth.” Cara didn’t know why she was explaining but Shona looked keen to see something. Cara pulled up her sleeve to show the big purple bruise on her forearm where she had dropped a heavy casserole dish. “On my arm is a bruise from yesterday. Use the power of the earth and make it go away.”
    Shona screwed up her face, totally unimpressed. “Is that it? All you have to do is make up a rhyme and things happen?”
    “I know you wanted a Lotto ticket but I’ll start small.” They watched as the purple bruise changed color to blue, then pink and was gone. She couldn’t believe she had shown someone this, even Shona. This really was her and she had to accept it.
    “Oh my god you really did that. Why aren’t you doing more? I need to pee. Tell me more when I get back.”
    “I’ll take Merlin out for a wee too. Then I’ll make the bed settee up,” Cara called after the wobbling Shona. She would wait for Merlin outside. Since the attack, she wanted