The Contestant Flies Off the Handle

by Heather Horrocks

  Once they were all seated, a tall man came in, pushing a cauldron on a cart.

  Marigold said, “We specialize in healing soups here. We imagine that you are all a little anxious and nervous about the competition, so we’ve prepared a relaxing soup. It will keep you relaxed for a couple of days.”

  It was served along with fluffy rolls and a salad loaded with all sorts of fresh vegetables on top — avocado, tomatoes, radishes, asparagus, and green peppers, among others.

  It smelled scrumptious.

  As they ate, they chatted. The coven members told the contestants about the town, some of its history.

  After the meal was cleared away, a dessert appeared on the small plate before them — a cinnamon roll that looked as though it had been made in heaven.

  Sugar smiled. “I usually don’t use my magic, but today is a celebration of our magic, so I have.”

  The cinnamon roll was as good as it looked. Decadent, even.

  Marigold looked around the table. “I feel there is a story each of you need to share. Something that caused you great emotional distress. Antoinette of the Fontaine Coven, would you start?”

  Antoinette set aside her cinnamon roll and wiped frosting from her fingers with her napkin. “I was once captured by a competing coven and held hostage for three days while my coven searched for me. Luckily, I was not harmed physically, but they tried to drain my magic from me.” She shuddered. “I take precautions now.”

  “Thank you for sharing that with us.” Marigold nodded.

  Cara froze, trying to think of something to share other than the cruise. She couldn’t tell them that story. But it had been the greatest emotional distress she’d ever experienced.

  Marigold said, “Katherine of the Salem Deakin Coven, please share.”

  Katherine said, “It was during the trials, of course. I was thrown in jail, and held with the rest of my family. Another coven member helped me to escape, but my family was caught before they could.” She looked down at her plate. “They were killed.”

  After a moment of silence, Marigold said, quietly, “Thank you for sharing that with us.” She then said, “Augusta of the London Quigley Coven.”

  The petite blonde said, “When I was twelve, my parents died in a car accident. I never got over it. Fortunately, a warlock took me in and raised me.”

  Again, Marigold said, “Thank you for sharing.” Then she looked at Cara. “Cara of the Ireland O’Sullivan Coven.”

  Cara sighed. She could tell them about the runestones. “I come from a family of stone workers. We each had a runestone, cut specially for us, that increased our power. Three years ago, those runestones were lost to our family. It was devastating. We still search for them.”

  Marigold tipped her head. “Are they the stones in the pageant prize?”

  “I don't know,” Cara said honestly. “But that is why I entered the pageant, to win them if they are.”

  Marigold considered that, then said, “I feel you have another story to share, of another event that was more distressing to you.”

  Cara chuckled uncomfortably. “I don’t wish to share this story.”

  “But you need to,” Marigold said.

  Cara sighed. “Five years ago, when I was only nineteen, I went on a cruise with my family. I met a vampire.”

  “Ohhhh,” Dixie said. “I met a vampire, too, and it changed my life.”

  Cara continued. “He told me I was his lifemate and could feel the buzz, but I have since learned that the buzz is a lie. He told me I was the one for him forever — and yet at the end of the cruise he told me I was too much a party girl and we needed to grow up before we could have a romance.”

  “In those words?” Chicory asked, sounding shocked.

  “He said I needed time to party and we needed time apart.”

  The other witches nodded, and Cara added, “After the cruise, I spelled myself so he couldn’t find me, ever. And I have not seen him since.”

  “And you have not recovered?” Marigold asked.

  Cara paused, then said, “No.”

  Dixie took her hand. “I’m so sorry. That must have been terrible for you. I don’t know what I’d have done if my Michael had told me that.”

  On Cara’s other side, Chicory said, “The buzz is real.”

  Cara didn’t believe it.

  “You can meet my Michael tonight,” Dixie said. “And his brothers. The welcome party for all the contestants is at my in-law’s home. It’s beautiful there.” Dixie paused. “I ought to introduce you to my brother-in-law.”

  “Why, is he hideous?”

  Dixie laughed. “No, just pathetic. He can’t seem to get himself back into unlife anymore. We’re kind of worried about him. Maybe I’d better introduce you to the other brother, instead.”

  “I’m not really looking for a romance this trip,” Cara said. “But thank you.”

  VooDoo BBQ & Grill

  CARA LOVED THE UNICORNS!

  After an hour of getting ready and riding the pageant buses, women had poured out into the brilliant August sunlight. There were two large pavilions providing shade — one for the unicorns in the field and another for the spectators. A welcome cool mist floated down on them from the pavilion roof.

  As soon as the women arrived, the unicorns gathered along the fence, happy and kicking up their heels.

  Fern the Ghost floated along the rail fence and announced, “The unicorns love maidens, so all who are may approach.”

  “Maidens?” drawled Riley Garcia, the pretty vampire from Texas. Petite, with pretty long brunette hair and dressed in demure clothing. She didn’t look like a lethal killing machine — until you looked into her eyes. Cara wouldn’t want to mess with her in a dark alley.

  Miss Transylvania said, “Virgins.”

  “Ohhhh,” several women chorused, understanding.

  Fern the Ghost nodded, wisps of her disappearing in the motion. “Unicorns have a thing about virgins and protecting them.”

  “What happens if a non-maiden approaches?” Augusta Quigley asked in her British accent. Another dynamite-in-a-tiny-package lady, she was one of the few contestants with shorter hair, blonde in a messy pixie cut. It framed her delicate features and her hazel eyes.

  “Maybe nothing,” Fern said. “Or they may decide to end the visit.”

  It was interesting to see who went toward the fence after that — and who made excuses to do other things. And to catch sight of their resident Sleeping Beauty, Belinda Benson, sitting on a chair and nodding off.

  Cara caught the gaze of Liling Djackson, the genie from China. Liling smiled at her. “Shall we?” She motioned toward the fence, teasing. Her hair was an almost impossible shade of almost-maroon — and matching eyes. The effect was startling.

  Cara chuckled and nodded. She stepped closer to the colorful creatures cavorting in the late afternoon sun, rejoicing in their beauty and grace. Pastel blues and purples, pinks and greens, a rainbow of unicorns. Cara had never been happier than in that moment. Especially since all of the unicorns along the fence sent her mental pictures of welcome. She sent back greetings.

  Cara wondered if any of the animals could be expecting a baby. The thought made her smile, and she tugged off her necklace with the crystal set in gold at the end. It wasn’t her runestone, but she could still work it.

  Someone stepped next to her and she glanced up. It was Miss Transylvania. Mariana nodded at her and stared out at the animals. “They are beautiful, no?”

  “Indeed,” Cara agreed.

  Standing five-ten, the woman had large relaxed curls in her long brunette hair. With her high cheekbones, full lips, and piercing green eyes, Cara thought she had a good chance of winning this competition.

  Cara started chanting the spell under her breath, the words a mere murmur on the breeze. She held out her hand, the necklace and crystal dangling down. The crystal stayed immobile for a long moment, then began to swing gently. It was warming up.

  “What are you doing?” Marian
a asked.

  “I’m testing to see if any of them are pregnant.”

  “Oh.”

  There were five unicorns on the other side of the fence. The crystal began to move and then to spin — one of the unicorns was expecting! How exciting!

  The crystal spun and twirled and lifted, still spinning, more slowly now — and then pointed in a most unexpected direction.

  Miss Transylvania stared down at the crystal floating in the air and pointing directly at her belly. “That’s not funny.”

  But Mariana’s voice sounded worried.

  Oh. Dear. The contestants were supposed to be single and definitely not expecting.

  Mariana pushed the crystal down. “Make it stop,” she hissed.

  Cara stopped the spell and it fell to her side, captive to gravity once more.

  Mariana glanced around to see who’d witnessed it, then blew out a breath of relief. “Don’t do that again. I mean it. It’s not funny.”

  Cara caught Mariana’s gaze and lowered her voice. “’Twasn’t meant to be funny. That spell has never failed me before.” Implying that it hadn’t failed this time, either. “You could get kicked out, you know.”

  “Please don’t say anything to anyone. It’s just a stupid crystal anyway.” Mariana pleaded, and brushed her hands down her top, across her flat stomach.

  Cara put her hand on Mariana’s arm. “Let’s talk later, when we won’t be overheard.”

  Mariana didn’t look happy about that, but finally she nodded her head.

  The cameraman walked toward them and raised his high-tech camera.

  Mariana turned her back so she wasn’t looking at him. Cara whispered, “I’ve got this. Go inside so you'll not interrupt my spell again.”

  Gratitude in her eyes, Mariana nodded. “Thanks.” She walked away.

  Cara smiled at the cameraman. “Hi, I’m Cara O’Sullivan.”

  “Victor Mendenhall. What are you doing out here?”

  Cara lifted her crystal on the necklace. “Testing for pregnant unicorns.”

  “Really? Found any?’

  “Not yet. I’m just getting started.” She began the spell again, and the crystal lifted again, as if seeking Mariana. Not finding her, the crystal spun but didn’t stop. Cara began to walk along the fence.

  Some other ladies began to gather, following her and asking questions.

  She’d walked about forty feet down the fence when the crystal pointed at a beautiful pink-maned unicorn. Cara smiled. “This one is expecting.”

  Cara’s magic moved out to touch the animal’s mind, and she asked if the unicorn was doing well with the pregnancy. The animal sent back a mental picture, showing herself happy with a foal by her side. Do you need anything? Cara asked. And she received a picture of a stack of unicorn treats — apples, peppermints, bananas, carrots, hay cubes, and unicorn cookies. Cara smiled. “I’ll do what I can,” she promised the pretty mam-to-be.

  When she asked if it was all right if the other ladies approached, the unicorn sent a picture of the women petting her face and loving on her — and then she realized the women in the animal’s picture were shining white. Did she mean pure? Cara smiled again and turned to the ten or so ladies. “She says you are allowed to pet her face. But only the maidens may approach.”

  After a few more minutes of taping, Victor lowered his camera. “That will make a great clip for the broadcast. Thanks.”

  “Any time,” Cara said and started back toward the building.

  She needed to find out what was going on with Miss Transylvania — and make a decision. She could turn the other woman in and Mariana would be headed back to Romania — or she could keep the other woman’s secret. It really was none of Cara’s business — but if it was discovered she knew and hadn’t said anything, it would become so. Plus her own hopes of staying in the competition might be ended along with the other woman’s.

  She couldn’t forget the desperate look in Mariana’s eyes, though. Or the fear.

  This wouldn’t be an easy decision.

  Dixie hadn’t been exaggerating — the Murphy estate was beautiful.

  For the welcome party, the front doors were open to all the contestants and supporters and support staff. Inside the house, tables were set up, and French doors opened onto the back patio and pool. The grounds were huge, and people were milling about.

  Tables held food of all sorts, bottles of Merl-O and Faux Dough for the newest vampires who couldn’t eat solid food yet, still-bleeding barely cooked prime rib, probably for the werewolves, plus steaks and burgers and marinated chicken and salads for everybody. The meat smelled divine as it grilled on the huge BBQ that had been set up by a catering company called A Bite to Eat Catering, according to the van parked outside.

  Drinks lined another table, more bottles of Merl-O and Faux Dough, wine, grape juice, and water with lemon wedges and strawberries floating inside the glass pitchers.

  Another food truck read Elvis Sightings, and the offering from that were all peanut butter related, apparently providing some of Elvis’s favorites. And it looked as if Elvis himself was manning the grill!

  As the contestants spilled onto the patio, a couple who appeared to be in their mid-thirties greeted them. The man was tall, muscular, and handsome, and the woman was slender, tall, and graceful.

  The man said, “Welcome to our home. I’m Jack Murphy and this is my wife Beth. Come on out and enjoy yourself.”

  “Thank you,” Cara said.

  “This is our daughter, Julia,” Beth said.

  A pretty woman waved a hand. Cara recognized her as one of the contestants.

  Riley waved back. “Hi, y’all. It’s so good to be here.”

  “My sons are around here somewhere. If you find them, send them back into the party. They’re probably playing some game somewhere.”

  The coven members were lounging by the pool, and Cara headed over toward them. “Hi, ladies.”

  Dixie stood and hugged Cara. “I’m so glad to see you again.”

  Chicory patted the chair beside her and said, “Come have a seat. There’s some singing that will start soon. I’ve heard Elvis and Charlie, his wife, might even be singing.”

  “So that is the real Elvis?” Cara asked.

  Marigold nodded. “His wife started a new business called the Siren Song, a karaoke bar for paranormal creatures. Her singing can harm humans, so it’s sound-proofed. But this estate is out far enough from humans that they might risk it. We’re adding a containment spell to keep it in, though.”

  The other three witches joined them with plates of refreshments and drinks in hand.

  Antoinette said, “This smells almost as good as the food at my favorite place in New Orleans, the VooDoo BBQ & Grill.”

  A band struck up and they turned. Three musicians tuned up a violin, trumpet, and flute.

  “Hope they can do jazz,” Antoinette said. “I love me some jazz.”

  “Oh, here he is.” Dixie rose again and motioned behind Cara. “I’d like to introduce you to my husband, Michael Murphy. He’s the handsomest of the three brothers.”

  Cara stood and turned — and froze.

  He looked so much like Isaac that her heart stopped. The same dark hair, the same strong jaw, the same intense eyes. But he wasn’t Isaac. Of course he wasn’t. She’d just run into his doppelgänger. Everyone was supposed to have several in the world.

  He extended his hand, and she forced herself to take it.

  He said, “I’m glad to meet you, Ms. O’Sullivan. My wife told me how impressed the coven is with you.”

  “Thank you,” Cara managed to mumble, her mouth suddenly dry as a bone.

  Dixie smiled. “And now his brothers are coming up. Try not to show how pathetic they are, okay?”

  Michael snorted. “That’s pretty harsh, babe.”

  Dixie patted his arm as two men joined them. “She knows I’m joking.”

  Cara looked up and saw another man who looked like Isaac, and then she turned to the th
ird man.

  He was Isaac!

  Isaac’s eyes widened. “Cara?”

  Forty-Nine Women More Beautiful Than Cara

  SHOCK ROCKED THROUGH CARA. Isaac was Dixie’s brother-in-law? Was he the pathetic one?

  And then — so his last name was Murphy.

  All of Cara’s hurt and heartache came roaring back, leaving her aching.

  Here was the man she’d fallen in love with — and who’d claimed she was his lifemate, the liar! — and hadn’t seen in five years.

  And, making it so much worse, Cara found she was still attracted to the bum!

  A million thoughts rocketed through her brain.

  Isaac had broken her heart during that cruise because she was too much of a party girl. That had been what he said. She was quirky, and she figured he wanted someone more elegant than her.

  Too bad.

  He hadn’t liked her when he thought she was a party girl? Hello! She’d had half a decade of growing up. She’d only been nineteen when they met.

  She hadn’t ever been much of a party girl — but tonight she was going to pretend to be one. She was going to be the quintessential party girl.

  And she was going to show Mr. Isaac Murphy that she hadn’t missed him at all.

  She smiled at him sweetly. “I don't believe we’ve met.”

  Isaac was stunned.

  He’d searched for Cara for five years and found no trace of her. He hadn’t even known her last name. When he’d seen her, his heart had leapt in his chest — and that was even with having taken the potion today.

  He was thrilled to find her — and she didn’t even recognize him? He’d fallen so deeply in love with her — she was his lifemate — and she didn’t even know who he was?

  Dixie stepped forward. “Cara, let me introduce you.” She touched his arm. “This is my brother-in-law, Isaac Murphy. I think you two will get along famously.”

  Cara’s eyes widened. “Isaac? Why does that name sound familiar?”

  He caught a hint of something in her eyes. Was she toying with him? Or did she really not remember that week when they’d fallen in love? Something he had to take a potion to forget, and she’d just forgotten? He had difficulty believing it.