“Dad, our town is in trouble,” Luke said wryly.
John sighed and rubbed his eyes. “And it’s only going to get worse, buddy. Tomorrow the paper’s going to print suggestions for citizens to keep themselves safe during the festival.”
“Why? Have more things happened?” Nathalie asked curiously.
John Barrington hesitated before he answered. “The festival, the partying, the energy is attracting many types of people that do not always have…other people’s best interests at heart.”
“Why don’t you just shut it down?” Dean asked curiously.
“We thought about it, but we don’t have the authority anymore. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the fairgrounds have swollen to twice their size. There are booths in the forest selling God knows what. It’s a force unto itself now, and it has to run its course.”
Nathalie shuddered at his ominous words. She’d heard them before from Taline.
“Until Halloween,” Luke said.
“So we all have the same date,” John nodded.
“Can’t you get more police? From Limerick?” Dean asked.
“We tried. Sheriff Holt called the Limerick police, but the spell prevents outside intervention. The spell sent them home. They just drove right through—right by Sheriff Holt. We can call, and they’ll keep trying to come, but they’ll never arrive.”
“The spell’s a trap! How is it helping us?” Luke asked, worrying about Willow’s growing power and influence and what that meant for Sadie.
“The spell doesn’t trap us, it traps her, here. It had to be done to protect the other two counties. It was part of the deal Jacob made with Sean Kirkman, who was the Mayor of Limerick at the time when our cemetery was being moved, the windmill and barns were being built, and all the spells were being crafted. The information behind the “why” of the deal is sketchy at best, and Jacob does not have more information than what I’ve just told you. Apparently, Kirkman was secretive about why that spell was part of the deal, and he made it a condition to help us. We believe the purpose was to make sure she couldn’t get help of any kind elsewhere.”
Nathalie realized that Mr. Barrington didn’t know about the demon and was unaware of Danner’s part in all of this. Old secrets, Nathalie thought to herself, so she filled in the gaps.
“The deal was because of a demon Sean Kirkman was going to banish. Everyone involved believed that Willow Kellar would return during their lifetime. Elanah Von Vixen must have told Kirkman that if Willow returned after they banished Danner, her energy would seriously weaken the prison they were planning to put him in. He would then be strong enough to influence a weak mind to commit a mass murder in his name and walk free. So Elanah had Kirkman make a deal with Jacob Barrington to protect the future town of Superstition, and offered her services to work with Jacob and design the containment spell. Elanah was the witch in the group of five who banished Danner. Jacob didn’t write any of this down because he didn’t know. Eventually a Mr. Klaus Deitriche recorded everything in the demon’s tome.”
John Barrington was shocked into silence as he took it all in, but he looked at Nathalie with great respect. “That actually explains a lot. Thank you Nathalie.”
He turned to Luke. “Not activating the spell wouldn’t have helped Sadie, son. I’m sorry,” he said with empathy. “Her path has been set and waiting for her for hundreds of years. What we have to do now is prepare for Samhain. That’s when we’re going to destroy Willow and end this hex once and for all. If we can do that, everything will right itself.”
John got up and headed to the door. “May I?” he asked his son wryly. Luke blushed as his father unlocked the door and left the room. He returned with Jacob Barrington’s diary. “This is for you, Luke. I’ve studied the spells and the steps needed to finish this. You need to study this and know it inside out.”
He turned to Nathalie. “Nathalie, from what I understand from Jacob’s writing, you’re involved because Nettie blew the whistle on Willow. She ended up saving the life of the Croft child. You’re meant to suffer and watch as everyone around you dies. It’s her revenge for Nettie’s interference. You get to witness everything, every horror, all the suffering, and ‘write it down, lest we forget.’”
“My sister found Nettie’s journal in Superstition. How did it get there?”
“Donations by an heir, probably, or accidentally packed. Not everyone was conscientious about passing down family lore. The cursed families did for sure, but you must have had an unbeliever in your family tree at some point. It has been so long—hundreds of years. It’s really no wonder.”
“I have Nettie’s ‘Book of Record’. I’m going to get some help reading it from someone who specializes in old language,” Nathalie said dryly. “Maybe something will jump out at me that will help.”
“So what do we do now?” Dean asked quietly. Of them all, he was the only one without an apparent part to play, even though his family was marked for some strange reason.
John looked at Dean with worry. “To be honest, I was surprised to see the Crofts on the marked list. I don’t know what it means, but we’re researching.” He looked at the other kids. “For now we prepare for the worst. Nathalie, keep watch. Luke, study. Dean, keep an eye on the young kids. Don’t expect much help, keep your eyes open and be aware at all times of your surroundings.”
The news was bleak, but they weren’t alone anymore. Mr. Barrington was watching.
“I know you’ve all spoken to Doc, so you know what we’re up against on top of everything else. I’m proud of you all. I would never have thought to have that drink analyzed.”
They all smiled, pleased.
“How is Sadie, son?”
Luke’s friends looked at him with sympathy.
“So far, she’s okay. But that may not be true for long,” Luke said, worry lacing his voice.
His father tried to reassure him. “Willow Kellar was tough and ruthless. Sadie is cut from the same cloth, but this time, she’s on our side, thanks to you. Don’t worry too much about her. She comes from a line of steel.”
Dean got up. “I need some air.” He reached over and extended a hand to Nathalie. “My lady,” he said with a toothy grin. “Would you care to accompany me to the fair to see the wonders therein?”
Nathalie laughed and grabbed his hand. “I think that’s a great idea. I need a bit of fun, and to see Nettie. Luke, you coming?”
“Nah, I think I’ll stay here and read about my heritage,” Luke said, rubbing his hands over Jacob’s diary.
“Just keep your eyes open, kids. The atmosphere is fun loving, but things can turn ugly, fast.”
The Fairgrounds
The fairgrounds were packed.
“Where are all these people coming from?” Dean asked in wonder as he took in the mass of humanity before him.
Nathalie inclined her head in the direction of the gas station. “There must be twenty buses parked at the gas station, never mind the shuttles coming from Limerick and Superstition every half hour.”
“Yeah, and apparently the attractions are doing really well. The Witch-Hunt Excursion is always packed, and I heard they tripled the price for Halloween night.”
They held hands and walked through slowly. Night was falling and the twinkle lights around the fair were starting to show.
“It really is pretty,” Nathalie said with a sigh. “The booths look mysterious; the things for sale are unusual. Look at that lantern shop. Have you ever seen anything like it?” The lanterns were all shapes, sizes, colours and made from all different types of papers and materials. “I’m going to get a set. I have to admit, the stuff for sale at the fair this year is really amazing. It’s turning out to be a great festival.”
“Yeah, where you can also get drugged beverages, buy wishing eyelashes that may give you a third eye you can’t get rid of, and meet strange and unusual people who may kill you,” Dean added in an undertone.
“True…” Nathalie said as she laughed. Right now,
the fair just seemed fun, and without menace. After they paid for Nathalie’s heart-shaped paper lanterns, they walked by Clara Innes and she flagged them down.
“Nathalie, me darlin’! Come over here a wee second!”
Nathalie and Dean weaved their way through the crowd to Clara’s stall.
“Ye led me on a merry chase, lassie,” she said disapprovingly.
“I did? I’m sorry…”
“You asked about your friend who was supposedly staying in my apartment.”
“Oh, you said no so I didn’t worry about it. I figured I got it all wrong.”
“And ye did. I hadn’t been at the place for a while, so I went to check. Can’t be too careful about squatters, don’t you know, especially during festival.”
“Absolutely,” Dean said with a charming smile.
Clara laughed. “Enough of that you shameless flirt.”
“So, what did you find?” Nathalie asked curiously.
“Well, nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“Nothing. The place was as bare as I left it.”
“Well, that’s a relief,” Nathalie said, a bit mystified.
“Heathen!” Father MacGunne waved as he walked by.
“Father!” Clara yelled back. “Do your cards for ya?”
He barked a laugh and disappeared into the crowd.
“Begone with ya then,” Clara said with a shooing motion.
“Bye Clara,” they said and left. They waved at Taline as they walked by. Her stall was teaming with people attracted by her glowing gems. Nettie was busy feeding the hoards, but stopped to give them a quick wave.
“Nettie, do you have time for me tomorrow after school? I want you to help me read an old journal…by a Dame Nettie Parquhar,” she asked nonchalantly.
Nettie’s eyes twinkled. “To be sure, lassie! Come around four. Things are slow then as people don’t want to ruin their dinner!”
“Hmmmph,” Nathalie said, eyeing Nettie’s smiling face.
They waved to Wayman as they cut through the barn towards the woods to see the expanded fairgrounds. “Stay on the lighted paths,” Wayman warned as they left.
The new booths were wedged between the trees, and in some cases, built around them. The paths were lit from above by large, balloon-like lanterns, and on the forest floor, pathways were marked with mini-lanterns that looked like—
“Mushrooms! My God, Dean, they’re little mushrooms lighting the way! That’s adorable!” Nathalie was enchanted. The place was beautiful in its glowing busyness. The expression “hawking their wares” was never truer as it was here.
“Hot nuts, all types! Hot, meat filled pastries! Come and try! Free samples!”
“Try my nectar! It’s sweet and refreshing. Reduces aging! Guaranteed!”
“Potions! All types! Wishes in a vial! Need love? Need to lose weight? Want revenge? I can help you!”
“Miss, try this perfume! It’s guaranteed to attract and snare your lover! You will be irresistible!”
“She doesn’t need that,” Dean said smugly. “I’m already here.” The seller just laughed.
They tried everything, the food, the nectar, and even the perfume. They skipped the potions table.
“Ella tried those wish vials. She’s pretty brave,” Nathalie commented.
“Or pretty stupid. Anything could have happened. One wish worked, her hair’s still long. The other one still hasn’t.”
“Did she ever tell you what her second wish was?”
“Nah, she won’t give, but she sure was disappointed.”
Nathalie suspected what it was, but she didn’t say anything.
The place was beautiful, and spread out as far as they could see. It was thronging with people laughing and shopping in the twilight. At a turn in the lighted forest path they snuggled in the darkness between two trees and kissed softly in the magical atmosphere. They stood there for a few minutes. Dean’s warm mouth on hers was heaven. They hadn’t had much time alone together with school starting and parents being stricter about bedtimes and visiting hours.
“I miss the freedom of summer,” Nathalie said as she ran her hands through Dean’s dark wavy locks. She was panting after a short kiss. She was keyed up and wanted more.
“I don’t want to talk,” Dean said, licking her neck, “Dean wants to kiss Nathalie—all over. And that perfume does smell awesome.”
Nathalie laughed and speared an eyelash that was stuck to Dean’s cheek. “You should have been a girl, with eyelashes this long.”
“Make a wish,” Dean said interestedly. “It’s a superstition, so it may work. Wish to be alone!” he said rather desperately. “With a blanket and a flashlight!”
“Ever the woodsman…” Nathalie looked at the eyelash. “Oh, why not. I wish that Dean and I were alone by Crystal Falls with a soft blanket and a flashlight.” She blew on the eyelash.
It was disorienting and immediate, and seemingly impossible, but they were no longer at the fair. They could hear the falls roaring behind them.
“It worked!” Nathalie screamed with surprise, looking around. “I don’t believe it!”
Dean was already busy laying out the blanket he found on the ground beside them. “You have no idea how happy I am,” he said, pulling Nathalie into his arms.
“But it’s still light out…” she protested.
“And we are completely alone. And in a few minutes, I guarantee, you are not going to care, my sweet beauty,” Dean said as they shared a hot, wet kiss and he pulled down her skirt and panties. She unzipped his pants and stroked him as he groaned and wiggled out of them. He was ready. She laughed as he tripped her and caught her on the way down, laying her on the blanket and falling on top of her. She moaned as he entered her and held him tight as his hips rocked back and forth and his tongue slid in and out of her mouth. Nathalie moaned with pleasure moments later, panting at the incredible sensations coursing through her. Seconds later Dean followed with another groan, pinning her hips and just pushing.
It had been a while.
They kissed slowly and deeply after that and Nathalie lost track of time when they switched positions. It was fully dark when they reluctantly made the decision to head home. Dean was resting on her, kissing her breasts and sucking on her nipples, one at a time. “They’re so beautiful,” he said worshipfully. He didn’t want to leave. Every time Nathalie made motions to get up he grabbed her and kissed her until she was moaning again. This time it didn’t work and she pushed him off her.
“Dean, we’ve been at it for hours,” she said, giggling. “We have to go!”
“I know,” he said getting up. He found her underwear and skirt, and she found his pants, but couldn’t find his underwear.
“I went commando today,” he informed her. “Didn’t you notice?”
They laughed as they dressed each other. He fumbled with her bra, but Nathalie knew he was just taking liberties. She finally had to put her bra on herself. They packed up the blanket and were about to turn on the flashlight in the pitch dark when they heard shouts and horses. Dean stiffened.
“What is that?” she whispered.
“Hunters,” Dean replied, pulling Nathalie to the falls. “I’ll bet they’re the hunters the newspaper has been writing about…the ones that killed Mr. Green. If that’s true, then we’re in danger. Quick, hide in the rocks on the waterfall side,” he said in a rush. They scrambled across the shallow part of the pool and hid behind a large rock in the center. The water was knee-deep.
They were just in time, and they watched as the party rode through. In the lead were two large leather clad men with long tangled dark hair riding huge, snorting black horses, the likes of which they had never seen in a stable before. The men’s eyes glowed in the night. The other five were just regular guys on regular horses, very drunk and trying to keep up with the rest of the party. They were holding burning torches. One of the large men looked in their direction with burning red-eyes, but kept moving. The rest of the party plunged
forward, following. The horses’ hooves pounded on the ground as they raced by. It only took seconds, but it was a terrifying few as they wondered if they would get caught, and what would happen then.
After about five minutes, Nathalie deemed it safe to come out when the sound of thundering hooves faded. The walk to the fairgrounds was a good twenty-minute hike on a fairly even trail. If they ran, they’d make it back in half that time. They heard horses again and splashed back to their hiding place.
“Nathalie!” a deep voice called. “Dean!”
“That’s Wayman,” Dean said, splashing to shore. “Wayman!” Dean yelled. “We’re at the falls!”
Wayman appeared seconds later. He turned to them and his eyes were glowing a bright green. He had two horses with him.
“Get on and get going before they come back.”
“What’s wrong?” Dean asked with both nervousness and exhilaration as he helped Nathalie onto her horse before vaulting on his. Pain. The horse snorted at Dean and gave him a baleful stare, but didn’t try to buck him off. “Is it the Wild Hunt?” Dean asked with excitement. He had been doing research on faerie folklore. It was fascinating.
“Not exactly. Something similar, but a smaller and more human version.” He looked behind him. “But, it’s still dangerous. Very dangerous. Let’s get you both out of here,” Wayman said, turning his horse and heading to the path.
“We hid in the water,” Dean said, feeling his soaked runners and jeans slap against the horse, who didn’t appreciate it one bit.
“You were lucky this time,” Wayman yelled over the galloping horses. “They were just riding through. Once they start the hunt, they would have found you and hurt you.”
When they arrived back at the stable, Wayman was quiet as Dean and Nathalie helped him with the horses. Nathalie approached Wayman and looked at him carefully. He grinned and Nathalie felt the same attraction and buzzing she always felt every time he turned on the charm. “So you’re not human, but faerie. I’ve never seen anyone with green glowing eyes before.”
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