Witchdependence Day: A Wicked Witches of the Midwest Short (Wicked Witches of the Midwest Shorts Book 8) by Amanda M. Lee

crossed the barrier at least four different times. The wards held, so they didn’t find what they were looking for. They couldn’t see what was right in front of them.”
    I followed her finger with my eyes. “Why would someone come on the property from that direction?” I asked. “There’s nothing in that direction for miles.”
    “I know. That’s what worries me.”
    “Are you sure it wasn’t an animal?” I asked. “People claim wolves have been sighted in this area, although I’ve yet to see one. A wolf might be big enough to trip the wards.”
    “The wards don’t work on animals,” Aunt Tillie said, shaking her head. “The trespasser has to be human.”
    “So … what do you think is going on?”
    “Well, I’ve given it some thought and I figured that we’re either dealing with Bigfoot or zombies,” Aunt Tillie said.
    “I knew zombies would play into this,” I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck. “What are your other options?”
    “Teenagers out to steal pot – or something more nefarious.”
    “Like what?”
    Aunt Tillie shrugged. “That’s why I called you here,” she said. “I can’t figure out everything on my own. I need help occasionally.”
    “How am I supposed to figure out who is trying to cross your wards?” I asked, confused.
    “I figured you could camp out here tonight and catch whoever is doing it,” Aunt Tillie replied. “I would do it myself but … I don’t want to.”
    Yeah, Thistle would just love that. “How do you know they will come back?”
    “I have a feeling.”
    “Kind of like the feeling you had that led you to believe someone tried to cross the wards last night?”
    Aunt Tillie shook her head. “It’s a different feeling. I can’t explain it.”
    That’s part of the problem with her. She always tells me she has “feelings” and then expects me to blindly follow her orders. I wasn’t in the mood to play games today. “Can’t we come up with a different solution?”
    “Like what?”
    “I don’t know,” I hedged. “Maybe you should have Landon stake this place out. He would love to catch someone doing something. In fact, I think that’s about the only thing that’s going to relax him right now.”
    “Yeah, he’s wound a little tight this weekend, isn’t he?” Aunt Tillie wrinkled her nose. “I don’t want to involve the Fed. He’ll start asking questions and threatening to arrest me if I don’t burn the field. He’s a real killjoy sometimes.”
    “I thought you liked him,” I countered. “You even said it yourself.”
    “I like him just fine,” Aunt Tillie said. “That doesn’t mean I want to take him into my confidence. You’re special. You get special treatment. Landon isn’t ready for the treatment.”
    How did I get so lucky? “I can’t stake out the pot field tonight,” I said. “I have plans with Thistle and a bunch of stuff to do for the festival. Can’t you set a different spell to track the person trying to cross over?”
    “That’s an interesting idea, but I don’t want to do that.”
    “Why not?”
    “It’s too much work,” Aunt Tillie answered. “I’m an old woman and my energy only lasts for short bursts. You’re young. You should jump at the chance to catch evil-doers.”
    “I … can’t,” I said, making a face. “I promised Thistle I would hang out with her.”
    “Okay,” Aunt Tillie said, her tone cool. “If something terrible happens, it’s on you. I won’t take the blame for it.”
    I forced a smile. “I think I’ll take the risk.”
    “May the Goddess have mercy on all of our souls,” Aunt Tillie intoned, resting her hand against her heart. She looked so serious I considered giving in. She got distracted before I acquiesced. “I’m starving. Let’s get up to the inn before Landon eats all of the bacon. That boy is a glutton.”
    “Sure,” I said, resigned. “Let’s eat breakfast.”
    “And then we’ll talk about you staking this place out,” Aunt Tillie said.