The Case of the Hexed Heart: Witchy magical mystery with cats by K.E. O'Connor

Author:K.E. O'Connor [O'Connor, K.E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: K.E. O'Connor
Published: 2025-09-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

“Iona loved reporting people for infractions,” Sage said. “First Delphine, then Lavender, and now Hester.”

“She didn’t do it because she enjoyed causing trouble,” Minnie protested. “Iona expected things to be done by the book, and she knew powerful magic shouldn’t be messed with.”

“From Hester’s interview with Angel Force, it sounds as if Iona considered Hester’s abilities parlor tricks rather than important magic,” I said.

“Iona was scared of birds,” Minnie said. “She’d make me run outside and chase them away if any landed in the yard.”

“That’s no reason to belittle Hester’s abilities,” Sage said. “Controlling another creature takes skill.”

“Most of us have an unreasonable fear about something or other,” Minnie said. “And in Iona’s case, it was anything with feathers.”

I smirked. “How unfortunate for Angel Force.”

“I don’t think Iona disliked the angels,” Minnie said. “And they usually keep their wings tucked away unless someone misbehaves.”

“Before we get cold paws, let’s visit Hester,” I said. “We can check Lavender’s alibi with the ravens and find out if Hester is keeping a secret she shouldn’t.”

Minnie hemmed and hawed for a few seconds. “Just be ready to run if the ravens turn feisty. You can never predict their mood. I blame Hester. When she’s snappy, the birds are snappy, and that makes it unpleasant for all of us.”

“You should take snacks for them,” Sage said. “Snacks always make me feel better.”

“They feast on roadside kill,” Minnie said. “Anything from the size of a mouse up to the size of a small dog.”

“I hope they don’t look at us as if we’re roadside kill,” I said. “Let’s head out. It looks like it’s about to rain, and I want to avoid it if we can.”

After Sage warned us to be careful several times, we left the library and headed into the gloomy day.

“When we get to Hester’s, focus on Lavender as our reason for being there,” I said. “We’ll tell Hester we consider Lavender a suspect in this case and see if she has anything to tell us.”

“And if she’s involved, she’ll try to pin Iona’s murder on Lavender?” Minnie said.

“Exactly. Do you think Hester could have done it?” I asked.

“I don’t remember seeing any ravens that night, but then I don’t remember much,” Minnie said. “Wherever Hester goes, there are always birds. They’re her protectors and her eyes in the sky. She wants to make sure she’s never caught doing things she shouldn’t.”

“Or she used them to make sure no one saw her killing Iona,” I said. “We’ll get her to open up by talking about Lavender and see if she lets anything slip.”

It took twenty minutes to walk to the other side of the village, and as we grew closer to Hester’s home, the path became uneven, and prickly brambles blocked our way.

“Hester is making it clear she doesn’t want visitors.” I hopped over a sharp pile of brambles.

“She says she’s happy with her birds. Other people make her feel uncomfortable,” Minnie said. “Some villagers used to get her involved in social

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