The Wiccan's Curse

by Gemma Jace

  THERE IT WAS—THE COASTAL City train station right in front of them. The train stopped in the heart of the huge hustle-and-bustle city. Luna had never seen anything so grand. The many buildings rose into the sky, higher than any oak tree back home. People walked up and down broad sidewalks, women dressed in beautiful, elegant dresses and men in black derby hats with sleek black suits. They gathered their things and exited the train. Luna pulled the hat down on her forehead as low as it would go, making sure she tucked away her pale locks.

  They ventured up the sidewalk a few blocks, crossing the street, dodging grand black carriages with well-dressed drivers holding the rains of beautiful black and white horses with colored feathers atop their heads, clip clopping up and down the cobblestone streets.

  They scurried to the entrance of the five-story hotel River’s uncle secured for him just in case he arrived earlier than their departure day. A doorman dressed in a blue uniform with brass buttons and a blue hat opened the cherry wood double doors by its brass handles, nodding to them as they entered. The lobby was plush with marble tile floors and dark green leather couches in a sitting area by a brick fireplace. The sconces on the flowered wallpaper were the same shiny brass as the front door handle. One big brass and crystal chandelier hung from the vaulted ceiling, casting prisms of light all around. Above the fireplace was a painting of a handsome dark skin man with long curly black hair dressed in black, sitting on a white horse with an autumn woods background. Luna found him incredibly handsome and wondered who he was. Probably some guy who lived hundreds of years ago.

  She sat down and waited while Rusty and River checked in at the front desk. The crackle of the fire was soothing to Luna, allowing her to relax. She had been on edge ever since they boarded the train after her major mishap with the potion. It was exhausting. She closed her eyes and nestled back into the comfortable cushions.

  “Incredible,” a deep voice said from above her.

  Luna opened her eyes and sat straight up to find a man hovering over her, pawing at a curl that slipped from under her hat. She snatched the hair from his hand and tucked it back into the hat.

  “Forgive me, I didn’t mean to startle you. I’ve just never seen such gorgeous hair before.”

  Luna adjusted the hat and pulled up the collar on her shirt. She eyed the man, trying to make out what his deal was. He was tall, dark, and very handsome. He wore a black suit with a purple bow tie and a black derby hat with a purple ribbon tied around it. His hazel eyes danced with a delight that somehow made Luna uneasy. He took a seat beside her, causing her to scoot over to the far corner of the couch. She noticed there was something familiar about him, as if she had seen him before. She looked up at the painting, then back to him again. That was it. He looked just like the man in the painting. Was that him?

  “Let me introduce myself. My name is Cleo Hickman.” He reached out his hand that showed off a sparkling gold and diamond ring. His manicured nails shined against his butter-smooth skin. He took her hand and kissed it, all the while staring at it as if it were something good to eat.

  “How do you do? I’m Luna.” She looked at the painting again. “Is that you in the painting?”

  Cleo laughed. “No, though many people think it is. That’s my great grandfather, Theodore Hickman, the man who founded this hotel.”

  “Wow, you look exactly like him.”

  “So I’ve been told.” He crossed his legs and leaned back, putting his arm on the back of the couch. “So, Miss Luna, where are you from?”

  “I’m from a town called Green Brook.”

  “Yes, I’ve heard of Green Brook. We employ a couple of young ladies from there.”

  “Here at the hotel?” She had already figured that he now owned the hotel. He looked to be around twenty-five, so she was sure his great grandfather had passed away by now.

  “No, at my home I share with my brother Theo.”

  “Theo Hickman?”

  “Yes, that’s him.”

  “I’m here looking for him and his wife, Miss Mary.”

  Cleo sat up and uncrossed his legs. “Well, how fortunate you met me today. I can introduce you to them both.”

  “Really? That would be great.” Luna’s heart leaped. She couldn’t believe that she ran into Miss Mary’s brother-in-law within the first hour of her being in town. Maybe her luck is turning back to good.

  “I’ll tell you what. We’re having a masquerade ball this evening at our house.” He reached in his jacket pocket and pulled out a gold-trimmed card. “This is an invitation. Take it and show it to the shop owner at the Regal Boutique just two buildings down and tell Jenny that I sent you and she will help get you ready. I’ll send a carriage for you at seven o’clock sharp. How does that sound?”

  “It sounds great, but I can’t go without my friends. We were told by our parents to always go places together while traveling... never separate.” Luna figured if she made it sound like there was no way for them to be apart, Mr. Cleo would invite River and Rusty too.

  “The two boys at the desk are your friends?” He glanced over at River and Rusty.

  “Yes.”

  “They look like nice enough boys.” He reached in his pocket again and took out two more invitations. “Here you go. Give these to them to take to Jenny.” He stood. “I have to go now. Duties await me. I will see you and your friends this evening. Until then, I bid you adieu, sweet Luna.” He turned to walk away but stopped short and turned back. “Oh, make sure you wear your hair out. You should never hide something so beautiful.”

  “But I can’t. People will think I’m a freak.”

  “Did I think you were a freak?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Well then, that’s all that matters in this town. If anyone gives you any trouble at all, tell them you’re Mr. Cleo’s guest.” And with that, he left the building.

  Luna watched him as he left. Everyone he passed tipped their hats to him or spoke with jovial tones. Once he was out the door, Luna looked at the clock on the mantle. It was four o’clock. They only had three hours to get themselves together for the ball. She had never been to a ball before. It was exciting and terrifying all at once. It would take all her strength to show up there with her pale-yellow hair in full view for everyone to see. But she had to do it. That might be the only way she could meet Miss Mary and ask for her help.

  River and Rusty finished the check in and came over to the sitting area to get her.

  “Who was the fancy guy you were talking with?” River asked.

  “He was Cleo Hickman, Theo Hickman’s brother. I told him I was looking for his brother and his wife, Mary, and he invited us to a masquerade ball at their home this evening so we can meet them.” She showed them the invitations Cleo had given her.

  “Wow, that’s real good luck, Luna,” River said smiling.

  “I believe he’s smitten with you,” Rusty said in a strange tone, crossing his arms.

  “So what if he was? As long as we get what we need before tomorrow,” River shrugged.

  “I don’t like it.”

  “Let’s just go, try to have a good time, and beg Miss Mary to help me,” Luna said.

  Rusty nodded, begrudgingly.

  “We have to hurry. We need to get cleaned up and go to the shop down the street to get our outfits and get dressed before the carriage arrives for us at seven o’clock, sharp.”

  “What?” River said, tilting his head.

  “I’ll explain more in the room. Let’s go.” She stood up and took River by the shirt and Rusty by his satchel strap and pulled them along.

  THEY LEFT THE HOTEL and walked down to The Regale Boutique. In the window was a pink and white beaded off the shoulder dress on a body form stand alongside another body form stand that was donned with a dapper` navy blue jacket with slate blue suede flowers sewn all around it and a top hat that matched. Rusty opened the door and allowed Luna and River to go in ahead of him. The shop was filled with all manner of dresses, hats, and suit
s hanging from wooden poles inside of open cherry wood wardrobe closets.

  “Welcome, my dears,” A petite golden-colored woman wearing a white dress with a white feather pill hat atop golden brown curls greeted them. “Sir Hickman informed me you were coming. Please, come in and make yourselves at home.” Her pronounced accent was one Luna had never heard before, but it was lovely, almost as if when she spoke, she was singing a song. “You must be Luna.”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “I am Miss Jenny.” She kissed Luna on both cheeks.

  “Which one is River, and which one is Rusty?” she asked.

  “He’s River.”

  “And he’s Rusty.”

  Miss Jenny gave them a kiss on both cheeks before snapping her fingers and waving three young ladies, dressed in white, over to them. The girls rushed over with a smile on their faces and measured them with a measuring tape, afterward taking them to two different rooms in the back, one for Luna and one for River and Rusty. The room Luna was in was painted pink with white armchairs in either corner and a large oval standing mirror painted silver. There were three silver-framed pictures on the wall of beautiful women posing in gorgeous sparkling purple, pink, and white gowns. There was a small white table against the wall with a bottle of wine and two long stem wine glasses on top of an ornate silver tray with handles. The girl poured a glass and gave it to Luna.

  “Have a seat, Miss Luna. My name is Kay, and I will be your stylist this afternoon. Excuse me while I go get a dress for you to try on.”

  “Thank you.” Luna took the glass of wine and sat down while the girl shuffled out of the room. Luna sipped the wine. It was sweet and citric, kind of like the wine her dad used to make with the grapes from old man Joe’s farm and the oranges from their citrus grove. He used to let her drink a glass or two every time he would make it, unbeknownst to her mother.

  Kay came back into the room carrying a gold-beaded dress with a white frilly petticoat, gold gloves, and sparkly gold slippers. She laid the petticoat and dress across the other chair and sat an amethyst necklace and earrings on the table.

  “Miss Jenny picked out the perfect dress for the ball. When you finish your wine, we’ll begin getting you ready.”

  Luna finished her glass of wine and Kay helped her off with her clothes and on with the undergarment and gown. She put on the teardrop amethyst gold necklace and the clip- on earrings to match. Kay put the top of her hair in a bun with gold flower pins, leaving the curls in the back to hang freely. She then put sparkling gold makeup on her eyelids and pink rouge on her lips and cheeks.

  “All done. Stand up and look in the mirror.” Kay took her hand.

  Luna walked to the mirror and couldn’t recognize the girl staring back at her. The gown hung all the way down, covering her shoes, puffed out by the fluffy undergarment she wore. It looked just like the pink dress in the window, only this one was gold satin under gold beading, glimmering in the light like stars. Her face was white, but beautiful with the makeup Kay put on her.

  “You are a vision of perfection, Miss Luna. Sir Cleo will be delighted.” Kay sprayed Luna with a peach perfume before putting the long gold gloves on her. “Now you’re all done. Shall we go show Miss Jenny?”

  Luna nodded and followed Kay out of the room into the main store area. River and Rusty were already there talking with Miss Jenny. They looked dashing. River wore the same blue jacket and top hat they had seen in the store window with a slate blue ascot around his neck, tucked into the front of his jacket, slate blue pants, and navy blue leather shoes. Rusty wore an outfit identical to Rivers, only his was emerald green with forest green suede flowers with the top hat to match and forest green ascot, pants, and shoes. They stood gawking at her as she did them.

  “Oh my goodness,” Miss Jenny exclaimed. “You are the most beautiful angel I have ever laid eyes on.” She clasped her hands together and put them to her lips before shuffling over to Luna and hugging her. “You will be the bell of the ball, my dear. Enjoy every second.”

  Before they left the boutique, Miss Jenny gave them a mask to wear. Luna’s was sparkling gold in the shape of a butterfly. River’s eye mask was blue and Rusty’s was green. She sent them on their way, telling them it was almost seven o’clock and the carriage would be at the hotel soon.

  “Don’t worry about your things, I will have them sent to your room later. Now hurry, my dears, go and be fabulous.”

  Kay opened the door for them to leave. She gave a wink to Luna as she passed by her. Walking back to the hotel, some people they passed looked at her with disgust and some looked at her with admiration, and some even ventured to cross the street rather than walk past her; but no one said anything to her, which was a relief.

  As soon as they were in front of the hotel, a plum-colored carriage pulled by two white horses with purple-feathered hats stopped in front of the hotel. The driver stepped down from his seat and tipped his top hat to them.

  “Miss Luna, Mr. River, Mr. Rusty, please allow me to escort you to the ball.” He opened the door and helped Luna in. She picked up her dress and stepped into the purple silk that lined the entire inside. River and Rusty bounded in with no help needed. The driver shut the door behind them and they were on their way.

  THE ENORMOUS STONE mansion came into view as they rounded a wooded area of red and orange leaved trees. Carriages were circling the roundabout in front to drop off colorful dressed guests with colored masks on. Lighted candles were in every window of the four-story house like little lanterns beckoning the people to find it, and they had.

  Their carriage pulled up to the door, and the driver opened the carriage door for them to exit. Luna gathered her gown and took the man’s hand as she stepped down into the gravel, hoping the heels on her slippers wouldn’t get stuck, causing her to go sliding into the rocks, face first. A young man, noticing her unsteadiness, took her by the elbow and escorted her into the house. Another young man requested that River and Rusty follow him to the ballroom.

  Purple and gold silk streamers decorated the ballroom. The black and white checkered floor was polished to perfection. The orchestra was playing a lively tune up on the balcony. Couples were already dancing a waltz, spinning around the floor, gleaming like jewels. It was a spectacular sight, one that Luna had never seen before.

  All eyes were on Luna as she entered the room. She was the only one wearing gold that night, which made her feel even more self-conscious than she already was. It was going to be a long night.

  Against the wall, beside a long gold table of food and wine, stood two cursed girls pouring wine and preparing plates for hungry guests along with several other girls dressed in black. She could feel someone touch the back of her hair as she walked by them, which made her want to slap their hand for being so rude, but she thought better than to react angrily. Instead, she smiled, nodded her head, and kept walking.

  Rusty stopped and put a small gold flower pin that must have fallen out of Luna’s hair into his satchel and took out his glasses, putting them on over his mask. A young girl dressed in pink with a white mask took the opportunity to introduce herself to him, and soon they were dancing.

  “The red hair must really be a hit,” she heard River say from behind. No sooner than the words finished leaving his mouth, a girl dressed in purple with a shiny purple mask scurried in front of him and introduced herself.

  “Hi, my name is Shayna; you’re River, right? Would you like to dance?”

  Luna stopped to observe what River was going to do. He would rather wrestle a hog than dance with a girl, but Luna wasn’t going to let him get out of it. Before he had a chance to say no, Luna spoke on his behalf.

  “He would love to dance with you, Shayna. That’s all he’s been talking about all night.”

  River glared at Luna in a way he rarely did. He stuttered. The girl squealed and grabbed River by the hand, pulling him to the middle of the floor. Luna laughed and clapped her hands, for it delighted her to see her best friend squirm for a change. She
watched as they began the waltz and was utterly surprised to see River doing so well. He must have been practicing behind her back. Well, Grandma Tilly was a great dancer, no doubt she had him dancing with her around their cottage at night.

  “Princess Luna,” Cleo’s deep voice called from behind her. She turned around to see him standing there, looking very elegant in his rich deep blue velvet suit and top hat and mask to match. “You look like a golden goddess.”

  Luna could feel her cheeks flush and was glad she was already wearing rouge on them. “Thank you.”

  “May I have this dance?” He bowed and reached his hand out for hers. Luna put her hand in his. He twirled her around under his arm before taking her by the waist and waltzing her through the crowd to where the other dancers were.

  Luna danced three more dances with Cleo before leaving the floor to have a seat at a large round table decorated with gold plates and silverware with a bouquet of yellow roses in a glass vase. Cleo pulled the chair out for her to sit before taking his seat beside her. He motioned to the servant girls who quickly came over with trays of food, wine, and water. The girls loaded their golden plates with cheese, fruits, meats, bread, and cake. Luna had never tasted such delectable foods before. The wine was even sweeter than the wine at Miss Jenny’s shop, and she drank every drop.

  “Here comes my brother now.”

  A man wearing an orange velvet suit and top hat with no mask on approached the table. He looked exactly like Cleo and the man in the picture in the hotel. He took a seat across from them and set his hat down.

  “Luna, meet my twin brother Theo. Theo, this is Luna.”

  “So very nice to meet you. My brother hasn’t stopped talking about you all day.” He reached out and shook Luna’s hand. Although Theo looked identical to Cleo, he was noticeably different. His voice was softer and more gentle, his mannerisms were delicate and caring, and his eyes were wide and kind.

  “Well, I wouldn’t say all day.” He winked at Luna.

  “It’s nice to meet you too, Mr. Theo.”