by Mary Swift
He went into the library, Lucy followed him. “You have to promise you won’t tell anyone else this, especially your mother and Logan.”
Her face lit up. “Oh, it’s a secret!”
“I’m serious Lucy, you can’t tell anyone.”
“I won’t.”
“Maeve is an enchanter.”
Lucy’s mouth dropped open. “How do you know that?”
Killian took his notebook out of his pocket. “I’ve known for years.”
“How?”
“I don’t know, I just do.”
“But I don’t understand, she lives among the mortals, and wasn’t she married to a mortal?”
“Yes, but there’s no telling why some enchanters do what they do. I don’t want you going into that place without me.”
“I won’t. What about Mrs. Gavrashelli? Do you think she’s an enchanter?”
“No, but there’s something unusual about her. I think she’s been enchanted.”
“To do what?”
“I’m not sure, but she has some magic in her.”
“You always figure these things out, you’re so smart.”
“No I’m not.” The old feelings of inadequacy were always surfacing.
“Yes you are.” Lucy grinned saucily. “I heard some women talking about you the other day.”
Killian sighed. “It’s the hair.”
“They like your hair.”
“How can they? It’s red.”
“It’s just hair.”
“You would feel different if it was you.”
Lucy shrugged. “Go ahead and make my hair purple, I wouldn’t care. Maybe then I wouldn’t have to get married.”
Killian felt a knot in his stomach.
“All you have to do is write something and it won’t happen. Please Daddy.”
“I’m supposed to use the pen to protect us and the mortals. I already use it too much for my own good.” he said, thinking of Henry’s extended dental appointment. “Your mother and grandfather would be furious, I wouldn’t want them taking it out on you.”
Lucy flopped into a chair. “Who cares? I don’t want to marry some dimwitted boy. The mortal girls my age are still in school. Why can’t I go to high school? Please do something Daddy.”
A movement outside the window caught his attention. Talia was storming across the circle. “Your mother is coming.” he said. Talia began banging on the front door. “You’d better let her in.”
Lucy groaned and went into the hallway.
“Where’s the redhead?” Talia shouted.
Killian opened his notebook. There would be consequences for what he was about to do. But the alternative was that Lucy would be stuck with someone she didn’t love, he didn’t want her to end up like him.
He took the pen from his pocket. His hand tingled as he wrote. Lucy Cramer of Wildbush, daughter of Killian Cramer, cannot marry any man she does not love. As he put the pen away he could feel a change in the air. Life would never be the same.
Chapter 20
Finnegan read the telegram again.
Dear Mr. Murphy, I arrived in Wildbush this afternoon. Please forward all of my mail, I expect I’ll stay here for several weeks. Regards, Nora.
He tossed the paper into the trash. Of all the towns in Maine Nora had to visit it was the one where his brother lived, or used to live. For all Finnegan knew Killian had moved away long ago.
He tapped his fingers on the desk. The telegram had put him in a bad humor. What if Nora bumped into Killian on the street? There was no way she could ever connect the two of them. Or could she? He and Killian had two things in common that he knew of, their mother’s green eyes and being left handed. But that was hardly enough to put them together as brothers. Or was it? Nora was so damn nosy, and unfortunately she was smart too. She had a knack for figuring things out.
He sighed. “You’re getting paranoid Finnegan.”
There was a knock on the door. His secretary opened it and smiled at him. “Your next client is here.”
“Thank you. Send them in.”
The client walked into his office. He stood up and shook their hand. Finnegan put Killian and Nora out of his mind.
Chapter 21
“Killian.” Talia was standing in the doorway of the library. “What are you doing?” Lucy was next to her mother.
He didn’t answer.
“I said, what are you doing?” she demanded.
“I’m not your husband anymore. I don’t have to answer to you.”
She looked at the books on the shelves. “What kind of things are you exposing my daughter to?”
“What do you want Talia?”
“I want to talk to you.” She turned to Lucy. “Leave us alone.”
“But-” Lucy started.
“I said to leave us.” Talia said coldly. Lucy hurried away. Talia closed the door. “Lucy was supposed to spend the day with me.”
Killian glanced at the clock on the mantle. “It’s not even ten, there’s still plenty of time.”
“That’s not the point Killian.” She crossed her arms. “You’re keeping her from me.”
“You know that’s not true. You can see her anytime you want. It’s you that has chosen to ignore her. How many nights has she spent at your house? Two, maybe three?”
“That is your fault.”
“No it’s not.”
She glared at him. “You divorced me. It’s always your fault.”
He took a deep breath. She knew exactly how to provoke him. “Why don’t you take Lucy and go?”
“It’s too late now. I had a whole day planned. My father has selected her husband.”
“Do you think that’s what Lucy wants?”
Talia shrugged. “What does it matter? It is tradition, she knows that.”
“Who is this boy?”
“You’ll meet him eventually.”
“She won’t like him, whoever he is.”
“Do you think I liked you? Do you think I wanted to get stuck with a boy that no one wanted? A stupid boy who couldn’t do anything right. But I went through with it because it was what was expected of me. And if it wasn’t for your poison pen I would still be doing what was expected of me, whether I liked it or not.”
He looked at the notebook and the words he had just written. He closed the book and put it and the pen in his coat pocket. “The world is different now. I think Lucy should wait to marry until she is older and finds someone she loves.”
“You’ve done something haven’t you?”
“I did what my daughter asked me to, and I happen to agree with her. Lucy can only marry a man she loves.” He braced himself, it was likely that Talia was about to do something violent.
“Damn you!” She picked up a decorative glass orb from the desk and hit his temple with it. He was knocked off balance and fell to the floor. “I hate you!” she screamed as she hit him again.
“Stop it!” Lucy shouted. As Killian struggled into a chair Lucy grabbed her mother by the arm. “Get out.”
Talia disappeared somewhere. Killian’s head was pounding. He put his fingers to his temple and saw that he was bleeding.
“I wish for once you would go ahead and sock her.” Lucy said.
“I’ve taken worse than this.” The room was spinning.
“I know you have.” She took his hand. “Forget about what I said earlier; don’t write anything, I’ll get married. I know it’s what I’m supposed to do.”
“I’m afraid it’s too late.”
Chapter 22
Lucy bandaged Killian’s head so he could attend the council meeting; it was already underway when he arrived. Colonel Fitzwilliam was walking on the meeting table, when he saw Killian he raised his tail and meowed.
“Did you hurt yourself?” Talia asked.
Killian had a massive headache. “My head came into contact with something pitiful and bitter.”
Talia glared at him. “I told them about your latest crime.”
&n
bsp; Henry pointed a stubby finger at him. “You bastard. I spent two years negotiating that marriage. Two years of work ruined because of you. Why is it that everything wrong in this circle is because of you? I should never have allowed you to stay here; you’ve been nothing but a nuisance.”
“You didn’t feel that way when you married me off to your daughter so you could control my spell.”
“That was a mistake.” Henry conceded. “I never imagined you would turn out to be such a villain. I’m dismissing you from the council.”
“I can’t be dismissed. It’s in the council rules.”
“We want you off the council and out of the circle.” Henry said.
Killian took the pen from his pocket. “I could dissolve the entire council with one sentence.”
“Wicked man!” Henry cried.
“The pen is the only power I have in this place. All I’m asking is that my daughter isn’t saddled with a boy she doesn’t love. I know what it’s like to have a miserable marriage.” Killian looked at Logan. “I bet you do too.”
Talia climbed onto the table and slapped Killian across the face. “Why do you make me do this to you?” Logan stood up and pulled her off the table. Talia struggled to get free. “Let me at him!” She jabbed Logan in the ribs with her elbow and then bit his hand. He winced but held onto her.
Henry shoved his walking stick into Killian’s chest. “You broke my daughter’s heart. You humiliated her.”
“Look at what kind of woman your daughter is.” Killian pointed to Talia who was scratching Logan’s arm with her fingernails.
“I want you gone Cramer.” Henry told him.
Killian grabbed the stick and tossed it on the floor. “Fine, I resign from the council.”
“You can’t do that.” Granny said. “We need you.”
“Go live with the mortals.” Talia said. “No one wants you here.”
“I’m taking Lucy with me.”
“Who cares?” Talia shouted. She had stopped fighting Logan. He was stroking her hair gently. “You’ve ruined our daughter. You’ve turned her against everything we are. You have made her hate me.”
Killian was unmoved. “I’m taking my house too.”
“Good riddance.” Henry said. “That thing is a monstrosity.”
“I don’t think the mortals should know about this.” Logan said. “Killian should create spells so that they aren’t aware of his resignation. We don’t want them to know of any dissension in the circle. They could try and use it to get rid of us.”
“They always find out what we’re doing.” Talia said.
“Logan is right.” Henry said. “The mortals could take advantage of this.” He picked up his walking stick and pointed it at Killian. “For once in your life do something for your fellow enchanters.”
“I’m not permanently changing the mortals’ memories.” Killian said.
“Maybe that is going too far.” Logan said. “What if it’s just for a couple of weeks? Then after that they can start to remember, slowly. By then there will be other things to gossip about.”
“All right, three weeks and no more.” Killian started to leave and then turned back. “You do realize that I’m not helping you after this. If there’s a problem don’t coming running to me.”
“If something arises we’ll handle it.” Henry said.
“With that walking stick of yours?” Killian asked. “How did you manage to cast a killing spell on it? You’re not a strong enough enchanter.”
Henry shifted nervously. “This is an old man’s cane, nothing more.”
“No it’s not.”
“Insolent boy.” Henry snorted. “One more reason you need to go. We are more than capable of taking care of our own here, and you’re not one of us.”
Granny shook her head. “You don’t know what’s coming Henry.”
“Do you know something Granny?” Killian asked.
She looked at him with her watery blue eyes. “There’s a dark change coming, Colonel Fitzwilliam told me.”
“Nonsense.” Henry got to his feet. “I think we can call this meeting adjourned.” He looked at Killian. “You can go Cramer; we have no further need for you.”
“I’ll need a few days to write the spells properly regarding the house and me, and especially the mortals’ memories. I don’t want to cause any permanent damage to them.”
“Three days, no more.”
Chapter 23
Nora yawned and sat up in bed. Downstairs she heard the clinking of china and utensils in the cafe. She stood up and opened the curtains. The sun shone brightly into her bedroom. Nora squinted and then opened her eyes wide. There was a house across the street that hadn’t been there the day before.
It was three stories; its brick exterior was covered in climbing ivy. The doors and windows were arched with panes of stained glass at the top. On the front step was a pot of pink geraniums. On the street below people passed by the house without giving it a second glance.
Nora hurried out of her room and knocked loudly on Allison’s door. The door opened. Allison was in a nightgown that came just below her knees. “What is it? You’ll wake up Maeve.”
“There’s a house across the street that wasn’t there last night.” Nora said as she pushed Allison back into her bedroom. “Look.”
Allison looked out of her window and frowned. “What am I looking for?”
“That house.” Nora pointed. “It wasn’t there last night.”
“That house has always been there.”
“No it hasn’t. Is this what the enchanters do? Do they move the houses around? You never told me that.”
Allison laughed. “The houses don’t move. You’ve only been here for a few days, you probably just don’t remember it.”
“I would remember a big house like that. It wasn’t there yesterday.”
“I’m sorry Nora but you’re wrong. That house has always been there. Are you feeling all right?”
“Of course I’m feeling all right.” Nora snapped. “I know-” The door of the house opened and Lucy Cramer stepped outside. She was carrying a book. Killian stood in the doorway and waved goodbye to her.
“See, that’s the Cramers’ house. That’s where they live.” Allison explained.
“That house wasn’t there yesterday.”
Allison touched Nora’s forehead. “I think you’re coming down with something.”
“There’s nothing wrong with me.”
Allison sighed. “I’m not saying there is, but that house has always been there.”
Nora took a deep breath. “All right. I’m sorry if I woke you up.”
“It’s all right.” Allison smiled sincerely. “You’ve been through a lot.”
Nora went back to her room and took out her journal. She looked at the sketch she had made the day she arrived. In place of the brick house had been a one story cottage with a picket fence and a hydrangea bush out front. She went downstairs and into the cafe, it was full of customers.
Nora hurried outside and across the street. A black wrought iron fence surrounded the front yard of the house, a weather worn sign hung from the gate with the name Cramer painted on it.
“What are you doing Nora?”
She spun around and found Maeve standing behind her. “This house wasn’t here yesterday.” Nora told her.
Maeve blinked. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Go ahead and tell me I’m wrong.”
“You’re not wrong.”
“I know.”
“You’re enchanted aren’t you?”
“What? Of course not. I just- I know it wasn’t here. I remember.”
“I think we need to go somewhere and talk.” Maeve dug her fingernails into Nora’s arm. She dragged her down the street and into a narrow passageway between two buildings. Maeve pushed her against the wall and held her there. “I want you to keep your mouth shut about this.”
“Why?”
“Because I said so.” Maeve pulled a brooch off
of her dress and stuck the pin into Nora’s side. Nora cried out in agony. Maeve twisted the pin as she pushed it in further. “Keep your mouth shut. Do as I say.”
Nora was unable to speak. She nodded to show she understood.
“Do as I say.” Maeve repeated. She pushed the pin even further into Nora’s side before pulling it back out. “You breathe a word to anyone about this and you’ll be sorry.”
Nora slumped to the ground and put her hands to her side, she felt a warm trickle of blood on her fingers. She watched Maeve walk away. She struggled to her feet and stumbled into the street. Two men were coming towards her. “Please help me.”
They stopped and stared at her. “What’s the matter? Are you in pain?” one of them asked.
“I’ve been stabbed.” Nora held up her bloody hands.
“Are you sure?” the other man asked.
“Yes!” she said waving her hands in his face.
“Where do you live? We’ll help you get home.”
“I’ve been stabbed! I need a doctor.” She fell to her knees as a wave of nausea came over her.
“She’s bloody mad.” she heard one of them say.
“Please help me.” she begged. A crowd began to gather around her. Why was nobody helping her? Couldn’t they see what had happened?
“I’ll take care of her.” she heard a voice say. Killian pushed his way through the onlookers and knelt next to her.
“I’ve been stabbed.” she told him.
He picked her up. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he carried her up his front steps. Killian kicked open his door and brought her into a parlor. He laid her gently on a sofa.
“Can you really see that I’m hurt?” she asked.
He took a small pen knife from his pocket and cut into her dress. “Yes.” She felt him pull the material apart, his face changed. “Who did this to you?”
“Maeve Baker.”
Killian reached inside his jacket and pulled out a notebook and pen. He wrote something and then set the pen and notebook aside. “Why did she do this to you? I have to know.”
Nora’s wound began to throb. “Because I know your house wasn’t here yesterday.”