A Charming Secret (Magical Cures Mystery Series Book 6) by Tonya Kappes

ungrateful for the visit?”
    “I’m sorry.” I brushed my hair behind my ear with the back of my hand. I took the gloves off and sat them on the counter. “I’m a little stressed in case you hadn’t heard the news.”
    “Oh I heard.” She stepped inside the shed, looking around at the scope of the damage. “Why else do you think I’d risk leaving our safe spiritual world to come here?”
    She was right. She never left the confines of the world in which we were safe. Our laws were different than the mortal world, our powers were lessoned when not in our world, and it was hard to blend in with the mortal world.
    It was easy for me only because I was raised in the mortal world, but not Aunt Helena. She definitely would stick out like a sore thumb.
    She picked up a piece of glass and threw it in the trashcan. “I know you had nothing to do with the burning shop.” Her eyes popped open. Her nails dug into my palm when she grabbed my hand. “Why didn’t you come to me?”
    I drew my hand back. Wincing from the scrap of her nails.
    “I. . .”I gulped. It had been a few months since I’d seen her.
    She was the dean at Hidden Halls, A Spiritualist University. The only way to see her was to go through the portal in the middle of the woods beyond Eloise Sandlewood’s tree house.
    “I know I should have come to see you.” As much as we bantered back and forth, I loved my aunt. She’d really been there for me since I found out about my gifts. In fact, I had studied under her when I moved to Whispering Falls; that seemed like a lifetime ago. Plus I did love the fact I had a blood relative on my side.
    “Colton and Mac didn’t give me much of a chance to gather my things before the lynching mob came after me.” I shrugged remembering seeing Petunia lead the group up the hill toward my cottage.
    “You have to go back.” Helena glared at me. “You have to save Whispering Falls from evil.”
    “You are crazy if you think I’m doing that,” I scoffed. There was no way on earth I would head back there.
    “I’m not kidding. It’s written in the stars.” Aunt Helena wasn’t taking no for an answer. “You’re still the chosen one.”
    “Why would I go back?” I put the gloves back on and began to pick up more trash. This place wasn’t going to clean itself and there was no secret potion to help me get it done. “I’m not the chosen one. Petunia is.”
    “You have to give up control as Village President or you will be banished if the Elders are called in.” Her words stung me. “After you give up your presidency, things will fall in line.”
    “You mean they can’t just hand over the gig to Petunia?” It seemed reasonable to me.
    “You are the chosen one,” she repeated.
    “Not if I give up the presidency.” I gulped.
    “The chosen one doesn’t mean you are president, June.” Her voiced boomed, giving the ground a little shake. My eyes popped open. I felt like I was being scolded. “I’m not comfortable talking out here.” She stepped back out of the shed, regaining her composure. “Do you have more coffee?”
    “Yeah.” The thought of going back to Whispering Falls while under suspicion that I killed someone didn’t sit well. I peeled off the gloves and threw them on the counter. “Let’s go in.”
    In silence, Aunt Helena followed Mr. Prince Charming and me in the back door.
    “Charming.” Aunt Helena glanced around. She leaned her broom up against the jamb of the door. “You know, Darla never invited me here once she moved you out of Whispering Falls.”
    “According to Eloise, it was for my protection.” I took out another mug and filled both of ours. “Besides, I had a great childhood.”
    It was true; there wasn’t anything I would change.
    “I guess I could’ve stayed in touch but it was almost too much to bear.” She lifted her hand to my face and gently rubbed down my cheek. “The thought of my brother’s child being fatherless was almost too much for me. That was