by Amy Boyles
“It just opened,” Cordelia said. “How can you be dying to go someplace that’s as fresh as the panties on your tush?”
Amelia gave Cordelia a good long stare. “I’ve been watching the construction for weeks. It just looks so cool.” She clapped her hands and smiled brightly at me. “Can I go with y’all?”
“I don’t know,” I said hesitantly.
Amelia grabbed Cordelia’s arm. “She’ll come, too. It’ll be so fun.”
“It’s not that I don’t want y’all to go. It’s more that I’m worried it’s going to be dangerous. We’re trying to track down a vampire. I mean, the guy attacked one person that we know of. There’s no telling what else he’s capable of.”
“Maybe attacking another person?” Cordelia said, threading her fingers through her long blonde locks.
I shook my head at her sarcasm. “I don’t want it to be one of y’all.”
“I don’t even want to go.” She thumbed toward Amelia. “She’s the one dying to dance under strobe lights.”
“It’ll be so much fun,” Amelia cooed.
Princess fluttered up to me. “I don’t see why they can’t go. It would be fun and besides, what’s the worst that could happen?”
I grimaced. “I hate it when people say that because there’s always a worst that could happen and it usually does.”
Amelia linked her arm around mine. “But we’ll be together. That’s what’s important. The sweet tea witches at the Wicked Witch. Sounds like a party.”
“Sounds like something,” Cordelia said drily.
A knock sounded from the door. I opened it to find Betty holding a bowl of that porridge from this morning.
She smiled widely. “Got you all together, I see. Now, who’s ready to try on this miracle mask?”
I gulped. It looked like there was no way to get out of this now.
So thirty minutes and a facial later, I got ready for the night out at Wicked Witch. I wore a brown dress that was perfect for fall and favored my complexion, silver hoop earrings and boots. I threw on a pleather jacket, pulled back my hair and felt ready to go out on the town.
When I met up with Cordelia and Amelia downstairs, they looked as ready as I did.
Axel picked up his dates a little bit later. “I didn’t know I was lucky enough to have three ladies to escort tonight.”
I elbowed his ribs. “Don’t consider yourself too lucky.”
He wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Trust me. You’re the only one I want to be with.”
I tipped my head up at him and smiled. “You know why I like you so much?”
“Why’s that?” he said, opening the door.
“Because you always know exactly what to say.”
I slid inside the car. Axel leaned over. “Thanks. It’s a gift I’ve worked hard to perfect. It takes a lot of talent to say the right thing all the time.”
I rolled my eyes. He flashed me a cheeky grin before shutting the door.
Amelia’s eyes widened like saucers when we arrived at Wicked Witch. “This place is even more awesome than I thought.”
I had to admit she was right. Orbs of different colored light floated around the building while iridescent bubbles bobbed around the crowd. Every once in a while one would pop, releasing a sprinkle of magic that made the recipient smile so wide I thought surely their mouths must hurt.
But I didn’t see anyone complaining.
I tipped my mouth into Axel’s ear. “This place is packed.”
He shot me a seductive smile. “The better to catch a vampire. There’s so much blood pumping through the veins of this crowd, a vampire couldn’t stay away from this unless they were celibate.”
I blinked. “Celibate against drinking blood?”
His warm fingers threaded through mine. “That’s exactly right.”
“Is that even a thing?”
He winked at me. “It is now.”
He led me past the line all the way to the front door. Amelia chattered hard to Cordelia, who looked slightly more bored than she normally did, though that’s not saying too much.
“Evening, Dusty,” Axel said to the doorman.
“Hello, Mr. Reign,” Dusty said. “I’ve got your booth all ready.”
“Thank you.”
We followed Dusty. Music thumped from the speakers. The inside was dark, almost cave-like. More orbs of light floated around, and there were even more bubbles, too.
Dusty led us all the way to the back into a circular booth. We slid in, and I turned to Axel.
“How’d you get such good seats?”
Axel’s gaze followed the crowd. “Dusty’s an old friend. I’ve had this booth reserved for weeks.”
I cocked a brow. “As a surprise?”
He brushed a strand of hair from my eyes. “Is it a nice one?”
I smiled. “It sure is. Too bad we have to work it.”
He nodded toward my purse. “Speaking of, let’s put her where she can see, but folks won’t necessarily realize what she is.”
I scooped Princess from my purse and attached her to the wall behind us.
“Can you see okay, Princess?”
“I can see everything. Look at the people dancing. What I wouldn’t give for a pair of legs.”
I patted her head. “Soon. You’ll be back to your normal self soon enough.”
Amelia drummed her fingers on the table. “Well, I’m gonna go dance. Cordelia, you coming with me?”
“If I have to.”
Amelia yanked our cousin from the booth. “You have to.”
They bounded off to the dance floor, and I turned to Axel, who slid a hand over my shoulders. I settled back into the curve of his chest and felt the rise and fall of his breathing.
I scanned the crowd. “So. Who’re you looking at?”
He whispered in my ear. Well, he didn’t exactly whisper because the music volume was turned up to louder-than-heck, which meant when he spoke to me, Axel’s volume was almost the same.
“That couple to the left of the front door.”
They were impossible to miss. She was about five-ten with long black hair to the waist. He was six-five easy with blond hair and a dark, pointy beard—the kind the cool kids grow. He also reminded me of the description that Princess had given of Arnold from her dream.
I turned to her. “Does that look like Arnold?”
The bat turned toward the figure. “Not quite but you know a bat’s eyesight isn’t all that great.”
“Hmm,” I said to Axel. “Those two look like they’ve known each other awhile,” I said.
“Vampires have a way of making a person think they’ve been together their entire lives.”
I batted my lashes at him. “You mean kinda like how you feel about me?”
I didn’t know why I said it. Maybe I was feeling daring. Maybe I was being a glutton for punishment. I mean, I figured Axel would throw up his hands and run screaming in the opposite direction from me.
But he didn’t. He stroked my hair. “How’d you know?”
I laughed nervously. “Really, I was kidding.”
His breath tickled my ear. “I’m not.”
I swallowed a knot the size of Arkansas. I could keep lying to myself by believing that I was the only one who thought the connection between us was magical. Clearly there was something super special tying the two of us together because Axel felt it, too.
He grabbed my hand. “Want to get a closer look at our new friends?”
I smiled brightly. “I thought you’d never ask.”
I grabbed Princess and placed her in my purse. Then I followed Axel across the dance floor, entwining my body with his, letting him pull me to him and spin me away. My dress fluttered around my knees, sending cool air flowing over my legs.
“Hey,” Axel said to the man when we were close, “you look exactly like an old friend of mine named Briggs.”
The man shook his head. “I don’t know him. We’re in town for the club opening. A friend of m
ine is co-owner.”
Axel chatted with the guy, and I turned my body toward him, trying to help Princess get a good look. She shuffled around. I glanced down and saw her little head poking out.
After a few minutes we drifted back to the booth. I settled Princess on the seat beside us.
“Well?” Axel said.
She shook her head. “I don’t think that’s him.” She sighed. “Y’all, would I even know Arnold if I saw him? I mean if he was a snake and bit me on the tail, I still might not realize that it’s him.”
I stroked her head. “I know you can do it. You’ve got to have confidence.”
“My confidence evaporated when I let that bloodsucker take a bite out of me.”
I patted her head. “It’s okay.”
For a moment the thrum of the music was the only sound filling our booth.
“Fancy seeing the two of you here.”
I glanced up to see Johnny Utah and Eva standing in front of us. Johnny peered over the seat. “Is that Princess?”
“It’s her,” I said.
Johnny scooted into the booth. Eva followed. He tenderly scooped Princess into his hand. “Oh Princess, you don’t know how happy I am to see you.”
She immediately started bawling. “I’m so sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you, Uncle. I’m so sorry. You’ve got to forgive me.”
Johnny stroked her head carefully. “You didn’t cause me no trouble. I never should’ve looked for a vampire bat to begin with. That was stupid of me. We’re gonna get this solved, though. We’ll get you turned back into yourself in no time, right?” he said, staring at Axel.
“We’re working on it,” Axel said. “That’s why we’re here. We’re hoping Princess recognizes the vampire.”
Eva leaned over. “Have y’all seen one?”
I shook my head. “Not yet. But how’re you doing?”
She rubbed her neck. “About as well as I can. Our men have been out looking for the creep who attacked me, but they haven’t found him.”
I squeezed her hand. “I hope they do soon. Something’s bound to turn up.”
Johnny nodded. “Yeah, ’cause right now I feel like dragging every Tom, Dick and Harry in town into my hotel room and giving them what for.”
A tight smile formed on Axel’s lips. “If it comes down to that, we’ll do it. But watching the crowd here is the best option we’ve got right now.” He scanned the building. “Vamps love blood, and there’s a wealth of it inside this room.”
I turned to Johnny, who was staring lovingly at Princess. “Where have your men searched?”
Eva spoke. “Where I was attacked. They’ve been all over the area and haven’t seen a thing.”
“There were a lot of bushes,” I said.
Johnny’s cheek twitched. “They didn’t mention nothing about no bushes.”
Eva smiled at him. “They probably forgot to mention it. It’s not like they’re from here.”
Johnny grabbed a handkerchief and dabbed his neck. “Tell me about it. The humidity here is something else.”
I laughed. “And we’re going into fall. It’s not nearly as rough as it was a month ago.”
Suddenly the house lamps flared to life, killing the orbs of light and popping the bubbles, sending colorful rays of magic spraying across the room. I squinted at the harsh glare that reflected off the shiny dance floor.
“What the heck?” I said.
Garrick Young strode into the middle of the room. He held his police badge high and said in a cold, crisp voice, “Nobody move. This is a raid.”
TWENTY
Garrick had all of us line up outside with our ID’s in hand. “Well, there goes a great opening for Wicked Witch,” I said.
“This definitely dampens tonight’s party,” Axel said.
Amelia clicked her tongue. “Think he’s looking for you-know-who?”
Axel’s gaze hardened. “He’s running checks on everyone who’s here.”
Cordelia folded her arms. “If Garrick knew about the vamp and someone gets killed, the town will have Garrick’s rear end in a sling.”
I rubbed her arm. “You don’t need that.”
She raked a loose strand of hair from her face. “He’s capable. I’m not worried.”
I smiled. “You’re a stronger person than me.”
She studied me. “Have you looked in the mirror? You’ve done some pretty brave things since you’ve been in Magnolia Cove.”
I felt heat creep up my neck. “It’s no big deal. I’m not brave; I just have convictions and seriously strong motivation.”
“Whatever you say,” Cordelia said.
Garrick waved Axel over. He gave my hand a quick squeeze. “Be right back.”
Johnny Utah stood nearby. He ran a thumb down his chest. “You think they’re going to get this cleared up?”
“I hope so.”
He glanced down at my purse. “You still got Princess?”
The bat peeked out. “I’m in here, Uncle.”
“I tell you what,” Johnny said, “why don’t you come with us? Eva says she’s worried about you. She wants to make sure you’re safe and sound. We can take care of you. I got my bodyguards, after all.”
Princess hesitated. “I don’t know. I messed up so bad.”
Johnny rolled his shoulders back. “Princess, let me get something through that little head of yours. You didn’t mess up at all. All this was the fault of that stupid bat. I never should’ve bought it for you to begin with. Now if you want to come with me, you’re welcome to. Once they find the bloodsucker, we can get the curse broken. How does that sound?”
She nodded. “It sounds good.”
The bat flapped out of my purse and landed on Johnny’s shoulder. “Y’all know where to find me if you run into Arnold.”
“You’re the first person I’ll call. Even though I don’t know what he looks like,” I muttered.
Garrick stepped forward. The murmuring crowd quieted. “Y’all are free to go or return to enjoying the club.”
“Fat chance of that,” Amelia said. “All the fun’s gone now.”
I glanced over my shoulder at my cousins. “So do y’all want to go home?”
Cordelia yawned. “I think so.”
Axel broke through the crowd. He punched his hands in his pockets. “Garrick’s asked me to stay and help him check some things out. I know this kind of kills our date.”
I laughed. “I think the raid killed it before that.” A thought hit me. “Does he have someone?”
Axel stepped forward and whispered in my ear. “You know I can’t tell you that.”
“But I really think you should.”
He cocked his head back toward Garrick, who stood talking to Rock Ford.
My eyes flared. “Him? I thought there was something suspicious about him.”
“It seems Mr. Ford was found with a stash of cobalt on him.”
“What’s it look like?”
Axel pulled something from his pocket. “Like this.”
It was a beautiful blue stone. Breathtaking, really.
“Pretty,” Amelia said.
“How’d you get that?” I said.
"Garrick asked me to hold it.” Axel closed his palm. “We also have reason to suspect Rock to be a vampire.”
I clicked my tongue. “He does come from vampire blood. Though apparently not all children born to vampires become vampires.”
“They choose,” Axel said. “That’s how it goes. So we’re going to run some tests, ask a few questions, see who or what he really is.”
“And that’s why Garrick needs you,” I said.
He nodded. “That’s why. My magic will help. So will my werewolf senses.”
“Don’t work too hard,” I said.
He fished the keys from his pocket and dropped them in my palm. “You want to take the car?”
I shook my head. “Nah. We can walk.”
Concern flashed in his blue eyes. “You sure?”
I n
odded. “I’m sure. Well, maybe I should ask my cousins.” I glanced over my shoulder at them. “Is that okay with y’all?”
They both nodded. “It’s fine,” Cordelia said. “The exercise’ll be good.”
“Be careful,” Axel said, squeezing my hand.
I tipped my chin toward him and found my gaze tangled in the ocean that was his eyes. “We’ll be careful. You too.”
He brushed his lips over my forehead, leaving a trail of heat across my skin. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
I nodded and the three of us headed out. Johnny, Eva and Princess left as well, pointed in the opposite direction.
It was late. The crescent moon shone high in the sky, casting a halo of light over the quiet town.
“It’s almost creepy walking home alone,” Amelia said.
“We’ve walked around dozens of times,” Cordelia said. “You’ve never complained before.”
I took her arm. “Maybe that’s because you think a vampire might be lurking around somewhere.”
Amelia scuffed her boots on the sidewalk. “Maybe.”
But even as she said it, I couldn’t help but think that there was something wrong with Rock Ford being picked up for murder. I didn’t think he was a vampire. Don’t ask me why, but there was a sense I had about him. Sure, he was rough and tough, but I didn’t think he was a bloodsucking killer.
Not that I was always the best judge of character.
I noticed we were at an intersection that led by the park where we’d gotten hold of Princess.
“Why don’t we cut through there?” I said, pointing to the meadow where witches worked magic and practiced spells.
“Because it’s dark and creepy,” Amelia said.
“It’s lit up like a Christmas tree,” Cordelia said. “Besides, it’s quicker to go that way than it is to walk the long way around by keeping to the streets.”
“Okay, but if the boogeyman jumps out and attacks you, don’t say I didn’t tell you so,” Amelia said in a voice so superior I thought she’d borrowed it from Cordelia.
We crossed the street. My gaze drifted to the patch of trees that Eva had fallen out of. There was something so strange about that whole thing.
“So when Eva appeared out of that mess of kudzu and pines, where had she come from?”