by Rose Pressey
Nicolas wanted me to give him the book to destroy, but I wanted more answers. There had to be another way. How did he know all of this anyway? Why was he getting involved in the first place? Why was he being so secretive? I still couldn’t trust him completely, no matter how much I wanted to.
Chapter Forty-One
I forced my legs to move slowly, but it was impossible not to walk straight toward Nicolas. My gaze was locked with his and my heart pounded. I wanted to feel his lips pressed against mine; I couldn’t stop the feeling.
When I reached the door, he pulled me into him and wrapped his arms around me. He kissed me passionately, urgently, his lips moving over mine with swiftness.
When he lifted his lips from mine, he looked me in the eyes and said, “I just want to help you, Halloween. I don’t know what the right answer is for this problem, but I want to try what I think is best for you.”
“I don’t know…” I whispered.
“What Liam says is true. Isabeau intends to give your power to Mara. It’ll complete her plan to take over the Underworld. Her only goal is to be the leader.”
“She sounds like a lovely person,” I said drily.
“She’ll stop at nothing to get what she wants. I’ve seen it before,” he said.
“There is something that you haven’t answered for me.” I whirled the words in my head, trying to think of just the right way to ask.
He looked at me. “What is it?”
“I know why Liam is here. He said he’s a detective sent to find the book before Mara gets it. But why are you here? Are you a detective too?” I pushed.
He paused, then shook his head. “No, I am not a detective.”
“Then why are you here?” I asked.
“I’m here for the same reason as Liam.” He gestured with a tilt of his head toward the staircase.
“That’s not what I want to hear. I need answers from you. Before I can go any further with whatever this is we have”—I motioned between us—“I have to have answers from you. I want honest answers, not vague hints.”
“I don’t know what else you want me to tell you,” he said.
“The truth,” I said.
“Hallie, I haven’t lied to you about anything.” He ran his hand through his dark hair.
Well, he had me there. As far as I knew he hadn’t lied about anything. The door remained open and I thought back to the fateful night when Nicolas had appeared at my front door. What would have happened if I hadn’t answered the door?
“But you aren’t telling me what you’re doing here. How did you just happen to show up one night? It wasn’t a coincidence, we both know that.”
He hesitated, then said, “I came for the book.”
I threw my hands up. “This is hopeless.”
He was just talking in circles and it was doing nothing but making me angry and sad at the same time.
“I think you need to give me the book so that I can get rid of it.” The sentence slipped from his tongue as casually as if he’d asked about the weather.
I glared at him. “So that’s what this is all about? You wanted to fool me into thinking you’re here to help me, but really all you want is to get rid of the book,” I said.
He looked down, then back up at me with a hurt look in his eyes. I no longer knew what was real or fake. My life had been turned upside down and I didn’t know who to trust.
Movement caught my attention and I looked over my shoulder. The ghosts had returned and paced back and forth. They were on the edge of the property, just waiting for their chance to come closer. Didn’t they know that I could no longer bring them back to the living? Did they fail to get the memo in the afterlife? They made me nervous.
“What could you getting rid of the book do?” I asked.
“If the book is gone then you are no longer obligated to be the leader of the Underworld. I don’t know if you know what you’re taking on by agreeing to take that position.” Something dark and unfathomable flashed in his eyes.
I waved my hands. “Whoa. I never agreed to take it on yet. No one has even asked me to do that. All I have is Liam and you telling me what will happen and my Coven being excited that I have the book. I’ve not heard of this so-called law that you all talk about. And I’ve been a witch for years—why have I not heard of this until now?”
He shrugged. “I guess there was no reason for you to know.”
“Meaning that my witchcraft sucked so I didn’t need to be included in something like that.” I glanced over my shoulder again.
The ghosts had moved to the other side. Hostility encircled them and snaked its way to where I stood.
“That’s not it at all. The more I thought about it the more I realized that I don’t want you to have to deal with all that. You’re so happy here at the manor. It would be adding too much chaos to your life.” Nicolas stood in front of me and I became acutely aware of his tall, athletic physique.
“I guess I should be the judge of that, right?” I said, placing my hands on my hips.
“Yes, I suppose that is your decision.” He looked up at the sky. “Mara will be here soon.”
“What? Does she fly on a broom?” I snickered.
He shook his head with a slight smile. “No, I can sense it. She’s on her way.”
My heart rate increased. “Well, I’m ready for her. Whatever happens, happens.”
I started to walk past him. I wanted inside before the ghosts caught up to me. They would be angry if I had to tell them I couldn’t do the magic anymore. There was no telling what they would do. Drag me away to the afterlife maybe.
Nicolas grabbed my arm. “Hallie, I will help you any way I can.”
My knees went weak every time he touched me. Why did he have that effect on me?
“I appreciate that, Nicolas. Thank you for trying, but I won’t get rid of the book.” I pulled away from him.
He shook his head. “I know you think that is the wrong decision and I’m sorry.”
Even though I wanted to stay with him, I pulled my arm away. Without looking back, I rushed upstairs and slammed my bedroom door. The sound of footsteps moving downstairs let me know that Nicolas was pacing. No matter, I couldn’t talk to him about this anymore. My room was the only safe place I had. I collapsed onto the bed and before I knew it, I’d drifted off to sleep.
When I woke three hours later, my cell phone was ringing loudly in my ear. Confusion filled my thoughts. What day was this? What time was it? Soon enough the memories came flooding back. The conversation that I’d just had with Nicolas popped back into my mind. Where was he now? I couldn’t believe I’d fallen asleep. I fumbled for the phone and answered in a groggy voice.
“Where have you been?” my mother asked with a panicked voice.
“I fell asleep,” I said.
“I’ve been trying to call you for the past two hours,” she screeched.
I felt as if I’d been drugged. “I never heard the phone,” I said. “What’s wrong?”
“I need you to come to the shop right away.” Her words were a command and not a request.
“You’re scaring me. What happened?” My voice shook.
“I have something to show you. Just get here as soon as you can. And be careful,” she added.
I didn’t know what all of this was about, but obviously she wasn’t going to tell me over the phone. I hoped she didn’t want me to use my new magic skills. Knowing her, she just wanted to talk about preparations for the party and thought that decoration selection was urgent.
When I went downstairs, the house was empty. That hadn’t happened since that night when Nicolas first showed up. Just thinking about his gorgeous face at my front door in the rain made my stomach twist. Why did it have to be this way? Why couldn’t I find a normal man to date?
Nicolas’ car wasn’t there. But the ghosts still stared at me from just behind the trees. Ignoring the ghosts, I hopped into my car and hurried out of there. Had what Nicolas said about Mara been true? Would
she be here soon? And if so, what would I do? What would I say to her? I could tell her one thing, there was no way in hell she was getting the books.
I tried Annabelle’s number on my way, but she didn’t answer. I really needed to talk with her about Nicolas and Liam. Maybe she could help me figure out who was being truthful. Okay, I wasn’t sure how she would do that, but it would help to get everything off my chest.
I pulled up to the shop and hopped out. The wind had picked up and the dark clouds rolled in from the west. A storm would be beating down on us soon. I wasn’t sure what my mother wanted, but I knew it was time I confided in her. I had to have help with this, and even though she’d pushed me to improve my magic, I knew she only wanted the best for me.
When I walked through the door, I was surprised to see Annabelle was there. My mother stood beside her. Was this a magical intervention?
My mother threw her hands up and said, “Oh, thank goodness you are finally here.”
“What are you doing here?” I asked Annabelle.
She looked at me sheepishly.
My mother placed her hands on her hips. “Now don’t get mad at her. She’s only trying to help and she was worried about you.”
I frowned as I looked between Annabelle and my mother.
“What have you done?” I asked.
“I’m sorry, Hallie. I just didn’t know what else to do. I felt like my hands were tied.” She exchanged a glance with my mother.
I motioned for her to get on with it. “And? What did you do?”
“Well…” She looked down at her shoes. “I told your mother about everything. How you lost the powers and how the guys are being weird and you can’t find a spell to get rid of Isabeau and Mara.”
I looked at my mother.
“I wish you’d told me this right away,” my mother said.
I let out a sigh. “I didn’t want to worry you. There was nothing you could do.”
She pointed her finger. “That’s where you are wrong.”
“What do you mean?” I stood next to the counter.
My mother pulled a book from under the counter. It was a large brown leather book with gold-embossed letters and details. It took both arms for her to hoist it onto the counter.
Chapter Forty-Two
“What’s that?” I asked.
“This book…” She tapped it with her brightly polished fingernail. “This book has the spell that you need to fight off this Isabeau demon and that bitch of a witch, Mara.”
My eyes widened. “Are you serious? How did you find it?”
She wiggled her eyebrows. “I’m good. Never underestimate your mother.”
“Well, let me see it,” I said, spinning the book around and flipping the cover open.
At least this one was in English.
“I wish there was something more I could do.” Annabelle said. “I feel like a bum since I can’t do any magic to help you.”
I patted her hand. “You did enough by telling my mother.”
“You’re not mad at me?” she asked.
I frowned for a second, then released a smile. “Well, normally I would be furious, but since it all worked out, I’m not mad.”
She shook her head. “Whatever. That works for me.”
A ton of spells stared back at me from the pages—everything from love, gardening and cooking to getting rid of demons.
“Where in the heck did you find this book?” I asked my mother.
She offered a sly smile. “I have my ways, but I can’t divulge my secrets.”
I shook my head. “Okay, whatever you say.”
I’d eventually get the info from her.
My mother grabbed the book and turned it around. “Here’s the spell you need.” She tapped the page.
I looked at it and flipped to the page. “Where is the other page?”
My mother’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
“The page that has the rest of the spell is missing.” I tapped my finger against the book.
My heart sank. What would I do now? I had had so much hope and now it was burst.
“I have no idea,” my mother said.
Annabelle sank back onto her stool. “I’m sorry, Hallie.”
“I guess I got so excited that I didn’t pay attention to that detail.” My mother blushed.
“So where is it?” I asked.
“I don’t know. The book has been on the shelf at my home since your Aunt Maddy gave it to me.”
Why was I not surprised that it had come from Aunt Maddy? I wished I’d never gotten LaVeau Manor now. It had caused nothing but problems with my life. And I included Nicolas and Liam as part of those problems.
My mother grabbed the book again. “Well, maybe I can figure out what the rest of the spell is.”
She flipped through the pages, studying each one intensely. This was not going to end well, I just felt it. Annabelle and I stared at her.
After several minutes of her flipping the pages, she closed the cover. “Well, I just need a little more time to find something. I’ll figure it out though.” She didn’t sound confident.
“You know I appreciate your help,” I said.
My mother patted my hand. “I know, dear. Now in the meantime, maybe you need to try a few spells to warm up before you try this big one.”
My mother knew I was going to screw this up. But what could she do? I had to be the one to do it. She couldn’t do it for me. Believe me, if she could, she would have. She’d bypass me altogether.
“What kind of spells?” I asked.
“Oh, I don’t know, something simple.” My mother waved her bangle-covered arm through the air.
I stared at her.
“Oh, well, okay, I know the spells aren’t simple, per se.”
What she meant to say was that no spell was simple for me. She was just feeling sorry for me and protecting my hurt feelings. The truth hurt sometimes, but sometimes it was necessary to go through that pain.
“How about you just do a spell to make these flowers fresh again?” She pointed at the vase of roses she had on the counter. She opened the book and pointed at the page. “I even have a super-easy spell here that you can use.”
It was like she was teaching magic to a five-year-old witch trying a spell for the first time. I pulled the book closer and looked at the page. “Yeah, I guess I can use this spell.”
I knew she wouldn’t stop asking until I tried the spell. I lifted the vase and set it in front of me. With a wave of my hand, I said, “Life is new and fresh, make no distress. Bring the flowers back many hours. So mote it be.” The flowers drooped even further. They almost touched the counter they’d fallen over so far.
“Oh dear,” my mother said as she held her chest.
She could be overly dramatic sometimes.
“Okay, that didn’t work so well.” I released a heavy sigh.
Annabelle gave me a pitying look.
“Maybe you should try something else,” my mother said. “Those flowers were almost dead anyway.”
How many attempts would my mother insist I make before she accepted the fact that my magic wasn’t going to work? I wasn’t meant to be a witch and I certainly wasn’t meant to be the leader of the Underworld. The sooner she accepted that the better off we’d be.
“What do you want me to do now?” I asked with deflation in my voice.
We were trying spells that first-graders could do easily.
“Can you turn this pencil into a pen?” she asked.
This was just silly now. I stared at her. “Honestly?” I asked.
She pushed the pencil toward me. “Come on. At least give it a try.”
I let out a deep breath and took the pencil from her outstretched hand. After I repeated the words and the pencil was still a pencil, my mother gave up. She looked like she wanted to cry. And she wasn’t the only one. I wanted to hide away and cry my eyes out.
So I’d tried multiple spells, but none of them had worked. What else could I do
? The magic was gone. The spells had done nothing but fizzle out. I didn’t think it was possible, but my powers were even worse than when all of this had started.
“Can you watch the store?” my mother asked, after she’d finally given up on my magic. “There’s somewhere I need to go.”
“Yeah, sure,” I said dejectedly. What else did I have to do?
Rain pounded against the windows and the wind blew with a fury.
“Just be careful out there. The weather is wicked.”
“I’ll stay with you,” Annabelle offered.
The store wasn’t busy because of the bad weather, so Annabelle and I spent our time smelling the candles and testing out the sample lotions. That bad vibe still pulsed around me though. I knew it was only a matter of time until I discovered what this strange feeling was all about.
Chapter Forty-Three
After a couple hours, my mother burst through the door with a look of determination in her eyes.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Okay. I couldn’t find out what the rest of the spell calls for, but that is no excuse. You should at least give it a try.”
I climbed off the stool and stepped out from the counter. “Okay. What do you need me to do?”
There was no point in arguing with her. I might as well do the spell like she wanted and get on with it. It was getting dark and I needed to get home. A strange feeling enveloped me and I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. It was different than anything I’d felt before. LaVeau Manor needed my protection… but protection from what? Mara?
My mother pulled the ingredients from the shelves and placed them in a bowl in the middle of the room. She pulled the book over and placed it in the middle of the floor.
Once she’d locked the door and flipped the sign to say Closed, she motioned for me to start. “Give it your best shot, dear.”
I wanted to laugh, but that would have just been mean. My mother grabbed my hand and motioned for Annabelle to join us.
“We’ll make a circle around the bowl in the middle of the room,” my mother said.