Read Online Midsummer Night's Mayhem by Lauren Quick - Free Book Online

explore his grounds and the maze garden. The labyrinth was an impressive hedge maze that also included trees, fountains, and a few bridges. The interior hedges were carved into decorative shapes with plants and flowers woven throughout, which would have been an accomplishment for any wizard, but Oliver had taken the maze further by including magical enchantments and illusions. Navigating the labyrinth turned into a game of tricks, clues, and mild dangers. From what Clover knew, only a handful of witches and wizards had ever made it all the way through and that was after attempting it many times. The maze was a local enigma, nearly impossible to crack.
    “Yes, I know the labyrinth well. I saw it every day as a child and continue to see it every time I look out the window,” Austin said. “That maze meant everything to him.” His brow furrowed.
    “It’s a tough memory.” Cookie patted his shoulder and the two witches retreated, levitating over to the rest of the group, dragging their long black skirts behind them.
    “Is Felicity here?” Clover asked and glanced around the room, not seeing the witch who was so concerned about Oliver the day before.
    “No. Why would she be?” Austin asked with an air of annoyance.
    “I figured since she worked for your father at one time, she’d want to pay her respects.” Clover set her fork down. Had she read Felicity wrong? The poor witch had seemed utterly shattered yesterday morning with the news of Oliver’s death.
    “Well, she isn’t here. She hasn’t worked for my family in years.” With a grimace, he set his plate on a side table, no longer interested in finishing his pie.
    If there was tension between the Yearlings and Felicity, then why was she so worried about him the morning of his death? Something was going on. Clover shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She excused herself and headed back to the kitchen where she dropped her plate off in the sink. She stepped out on the back stoop for a little fresh air.
    A witch wearing a sleek black pantsuit and dangerously high heels followed her outside. “You really put your foot in it back there, asking about Felicity.”
    “I guess I did.” Clover sighed, letting out her frustration. “I didn’t mean to upset him. I thought they were on good terms.”
    “Oh, honey, you don’t know the half of it. Felicity and Austin used to date back in the day. He was madly in love with her. They were going to be engaged, according to him. He’d even bought the ring and then she went and dumped him for another wizard.”
    “That explains it. I wouldn’t want to see her, either.”
    “Totally scandalous. I’m surprised you hadn’t heard.”
    Clover shrugged. “I’m terrible at keeping up with the local gossip. Do you know who it was she dumped him for?” Curiosity spurred her on. She was catching the gossip bug, or maybe just learning to sharpen her nose like a good investigator.
    “Nope. The trail went cold. Felicity never spoke about her mysterious wizard. No one actually thought she would end up with Austin anyway. She was Austin’s tutor. He was too immature for her.” The witch coiled her hair up under a black cap. “Gotta fly. Nice chatting with you.” She lifted off the ground and hovered for a few seconds before taking flight and clearing the treetops. No wonder she was able to wear those high heels. As a flyer she didn’t have to walk very far.
    Clover stared out over the grounds. The landscape was breathtaking—neatly cut grass, trimmed hedges, and elegantly designed pathways between large planters and sculptures. But the real beauty queen of this garden was the labyrinth that stood as the centerpiece of the yard. Clover strolled toward it as if pulled by an invisible thread. Over the years she’d woven her way through the enchanted maze, but never found her way out. The thick hedge was filled with tricks and illusions to lure a witch or wizard deep inside. That’s what made it so much fun, that and the