by Rose Pressey
I moved back a few steps and plastered a fake smile on my face. “Nice to meet you.”
Did he notice the distrust in my voice? By the glare Annabelle gave me, she’d picked up on it.
“The pleasure is all mine.” He stretched his hand out toward me.
Oh, that was too much. His mannerisms were oddly familiar. He had flashed that dangerously gorgeous smile of his at me too. No wonder Annabelle had invited him to the manor.
Annabelle gestured. “Arthur came into the shop while I was working and he just happened to mention that he needed a place to stay while in town.”
“How long will you need a room?” I asked.
“I’m not sure.” He still had my hand in his.
I pulled my hand away. Was that all he had to say? I turned and gathered the papers from the table behind me. After handing him a paper to fill out, I said, “If you don’t mind answering a few questions…”
“Certainly,” he said with a smile.
“Annabelle, do you mind speaking with me briefly? I need to ask you about that recipe you gave me.” I motioned toward the kitchen.
She frowned. “A recipe?” I glared at her and she finally caught the hint.
“Oh, right, the recipe,” Annabelle said.
“We’ll be right back, Mr. White,” I said.
“Take your time.” He stepped across the foyer and peered up at the staircase. “I’ll just enjoy the magnificent view.” He turned and looked at Annabelle again.
Annabelle followed me as I marched through the parlor and into the dining room. When I thought Arthur couldn’t hear, I asked, “What were you thinking?”
She tossed her blonde hair from her shoulder. “What do you mean?”
Pluto was beside my legs. He meowed and stared up at Annabelle too, as if demanding an answer.
I stared at her and she shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t get it.”
“It’s so obvious. He just happens to be in town.” I used air quotes.
“Well, Enchantment Pointe is a bit of a tourist town.” She studied her delicate pink-painted fingernails.
I pushed the hair out of my eyes. “Okay, so it is a little, but after everything that’s happened, I don’t trust anyone who just pops up and wants to stay here.”
“You know that’s what people do at a bed-and-breakfast, right?”
“I guess you have another point with that, but still…” I leaned over to see if Arthur was still in the foyer.
Annabelle touched my arm. “Listen, Hallie, I know you’re a bit paranoid, but everything is fine now.”
I released a deep breath. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. I should just be happy that I have a customer.”
I’d been living on the small inheritance that my great-aunt had left me. I had a salary as the leader of the Underworld, but it wasn’t much and having paying guests at the house would be a big help.
“I guess I should show him to a room, right?”
“Probably not a bad idea,” she said.
“At least now I can make a decent breakfast for my guests.”
“Speaking of food, you don’t happen to have any of those cupcakes?” She glanced over her shoulder toward the kitchen.
“Sorry. My mom took all the ones I made this morning.”
Annabelle batted her eyelashes.
I shook my head. “But I suppose I could make more.”
My offer caused a spring in Annabelle’s step. “Don’t forget I like the buttercream frosting,” she said over her shoulder as she walked across the room. “Maybe you should open a bakery.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said as we walked back to the foyer.
We had just stepped into the parlor when I stopped in my tracks. Annabelle bumped into my back with a groan.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
Arthur stood by the window with his back facing us, peering out over the manor’s grounds. How much of our conversation had he heard? Had he been listening on purpose? He must have sensed my staring at him. He turned around and a slow smile spread across his face. Sure, he was an attractive man, but something about him was slightly unnerving too.
“It’s a beautiful view.” Again he stared at Annabelle.
She would have to watch this guy.
“Yes, it is,” I said suspiciously.
Annabelle poked me in the back.
“I’ll show you to your room now if you’d like.” I pointed toward the staircase.
“Great. I’ll get my bag from the car,” Arthur said.
“I’ll go with you,” Annabelle bounced out the door after him.
I watched as Annabelle went with Arthur to grab the bags from the trunk of his car. Why did he seem so familiar? He pulled a couple bags from the back. They talked for a few seconds. Now I wished I’d gone with them. After a few seconds, Arthur and Annabelle returned. Without saying a word, Annabelle walked right past me and over to the staircase.
“You’ll love staying here, Arthur. The manor is gorgeous. Have you ever seen a staircase as intricate as this one?” Annabelle ran her hand along the mahogany banister. She would have never offered to go past the foyer before, now she was walking everywhere around the house.
Arthur followed directly behind me, and Annabelle trailed behind both of us as we ascended the stairs. We made it up the winding old staircase to the third floor. I’d gotten used to climbing the staircase now. At first it had been a little scary, but now I thought of it as good exercise. My room was on the second floor. I usually gave my guests the rooms on the third. Sunshine streamed in from the landing window. The light bathed the area in a hazy soft white glow.
When we reached the first door on the right, I stopped and said, “I think you’ll enjoy the view from this room. The bed is extremely comfortable too.”
I unlocked the door with the skeleton key, then pushed the door open. The old wood groaned in protest.
Arthur looked at me with his sexy blue eyes and said, “Thank you, Ms. LaVeau.”
Annabelle stood by the door as I stepped into the room with Arthur. “I think you’ll find everything you need. There are towels in the bathroom.” I rushed my words. He probably sensed that I wanted to hurry up and get away from him. “Let me know if you need anything,” I said.
“I’ll let you know.” He smiled again.
Something about his voice and the way he looked at me was familiar. It was like déjà vu.
Chapter 3
Annabelle and I left my new guest and headed back downstairs. She was ahead of me on the staircase. I paused and looked up toward the third floor. For a second, I thought I heard footsteps.
LaVeau had intricate details in every room, like tall ceilings, beautiful moldings, massive fireplaces, and stunning hardwood floors. The manor had been built by my great-great-great-grandfather, who, unbeknownst to me, had been a famed alchemist within the Underworld. I’d grown up hearing stories that he’d disappeared one day and was really in a trunk in the attic. I could report that I’d found no trunk of bones anywhere in the house… yet. Maybe someday I’d get around to unraveling the mystery of what had really happened to him.
When we reached the foyer, Annabelle crossed her arms in front of her waist. “Now aren’t you glad that I brought him here?”
“That remains to be seen,” I said with a click of my tongue.
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t be so negative.”
I sighed. “You’re right. I shouldn’t be negative. I’ll do better, I promise.”
“That’s more like it. Well, I have to go to work, so I’m outta here.” She tossed her hand up in a wave.
“What about the cupcakes?” I asked.
She looked at her watch. “I guess I’ll have to come back. Don’t forget to make them.”
“I won’t forget.” I forced a smile.
Annabelle marched out the door and down the front steps. I watched as she drove away and realized now I was all alone with the stranger. This was what I had signed up for though. It was
part of the job. When I’d first started the bed-and-breakfast and strangers had showed up, it had turned into chaos. Although I must admit that it had worked out well.
Nicolas Marcos and Liam Rankin were half-brothers who had showed up one rainy night looking for the Book of Mystics. I was now the owner of that gigantic tome, which made me the leader of the Underworld.
There were a lot of people who wanted that title, but honestly, I had no idea why. The job was stressful and it really didn’t pay all that well. The benefits were seriously lacking.
My cell phone was ringing, which snapped my attention back to reality. I crossed the foyer, strolled into the parlor, and then into the library. I’d made my office in this room. My huge mahogany desk sat in front of the large windows. Red velvet-upholstered chairs were in front of the enormous ornate fireplace on the other wall. The walls were covered with wood moldings and the floor-to-ceiling bookcases contained my great-aunt’s old hardbacks. When the sunshine came through the windows, a large crystal chandelier hanging in the middle of the room dazzled with a kaleidoscope of colors.
I grabbed the phone from the desk. My day had started with coven paperwork, but that had been interrupted when my mother had arrived. I hoped she wasn’t calling again to request more cupcakes. Maybe I could look into making calorie-free ones. Was there a spell for that? I was good at spellcasting now, but I wasn’t sure if anyone was that good.
When I saw the screen, I realized it was Liam’s number. I had to admit that my stomach did a little dance every time I talked to him. But that was a secret I hadn’t told anyone, not even Annabelle, although she probably suspected. It was a secret that I would keep to myself, no one needed to know.
I had appointed Liam to be the leader of the New Orleans Coven. The position had become available when the last leader had been less than forthcoming with his intentions. That was putting it mildly.
“Good morning,” I said when I answered the phone.
“Good morning, Hallie. I just wanted to check and see if we were still on for that meeting for tomorrow.”
“Yes, of course we are meeting. I wouldn’t miss it.”
Liam and Nicolas were half-brothers. They shared the same father. The brothers were not only witches, but vampires too. They’d been turned in the 1800s. They had always had a bit of a rivalry. It was better now, but I knew they would always be a little competitive with each other.
Liam paused.
“Is there something else?” I pressed.
“Is everything all right with you?” he asked.
“Yes, why do you ask?”
He seemed as if something was wrong all of a sudden. “I don’t know. I’m just picking up a strange vibe.”
“Everything is fine here,” I said. Of course now he was making me nervous.
He sighed and said, “All right then, you’ll call me if you need anything?”
“You know I will,” I said. The doorbell rang again. “I have to go. Someone’s at the door.”
“Hallie, please call me if you need anything.” Worry filled his voice.
I chuckled. “Liam, I’m okay. I’ll call you.”
Why was he acting so strange? Why was I getting so many visitors this morning? I hurried to the front door and peeked out again. My stomach did a little dance when I saw that it was Nicolas.
I opened the door. “I wasn’t expecting to see you this morning.”
Nicolas grabbed me in his arms and planted a passionate kiss on my lips. His luscious lips wandered over mine, sucking, licking and teasing me. When he broke free, I stood in a daze for a couple of seconds.
“That was certainly a good way to start the day,” I said.
He flashed his gorgeous smile at me, then instantly his demeanor changed. His muscular body tensed and a scowl formed on his face.
“What’s wrong?” I frowned.
He looked around the room. “Something’s different.”
He was acting just as weird as his brother. I glanced around. “Nothing’s different.”
He attempted a smile again. “Okay, if you say so.”
I still figured he didn’t believe me, but I didn’t know what to tell him. Everything was fine.
“How about breakfast?” I asked. Normally, I never would have attempted that offer, but now that my skills were so great, I wanted to cook for everyone.
“Breakfast sounds great.” He patted his toned stomach.
Nicolas followed me back to the kitchen.
“How about pancakes?” I asked.
“Perfect,” he said. “Can I help with anything?”
“You can get the plates,” I said with a smile.
Now he knew they wouldn’t be burnt. Bless his heart, Nicolas had put on a brave face and pretended to enjoy my meals. At least now he didn’t have to act anymore. He sat at the kitchen island while I prepared the food.
“I thought you had a meeting this morning,” I said as I flipped one of the pancakes in the pan.
“It was canceled. They couldn’t make it,” he said.
“So you decided to come by and see me?” I said.
“Well, that seems like the best thing possible. Plus, I really wanted to ask if you can go out this evening.”
Sometimes I got sick of being in this big old house, so I was ready for a night out.
“I’d love to go. Where are we going?” I asked.
“Well, it’s a bit of a surprise. Would you like to meet me downtown?”
He was acting a bit mysterious. What could this surprise possibly be?
Chapter 4
Nicolas got up and went over to the refrigerator. He pulled out the orange juice.
As he got a glass from the cabinet, he paused again and then turned to me. “Are you sure there’s not something that you’re not telling me?”
“Why does everyone keep asking me that this morning?” I placed the pancake onto the plate.
“What do you mean? Someone else asked you that?” He poured juice into the glass.
“Liam called to confirm our monthly coven meeting. Anyway, he was acting just like you.” I handed Nicolas the plate. “He thinks something strange is going on around here.”
Nicolas sat down at the island again. “And what did you tell him?”
“I told him the same thing I told you. There’s nothing going on. I don’t know why you all are acting this way.” I waved the spatula through the air.
“Just a vibe I picked up on, I guess.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward him. “The pancakes look delicious.”
I motioned. “Well, take a bite and let me know what you think.”
Yes, I was proud of my work. Maybe I was relying too much on magic though. I never used to do so many spells, but now I found myself using magic for almost everything. I wasn’t even putting on makeup myself anymore. I just did a little spell, and poof, it was on my face. I wondered if there was such a thing as using too much magic. No one had ever mentioned not to do it so often. Surely someone would’ve told me—like my mother, the woman who prided herself on knowing every coven rule.
When Nicolas sank his fork into the food and took a bite of the pancakes, he closed his eyes and released a low moan. This made me happy.
After finishing the bite, he said, “This is the best pancake I’ve ever had.”
The same thing that my mother had said about the cupcakes. I really had improved. This was fantastic. No more Hallie LaVeau, worst witch ever.
As he continued eating the pancakes, I said, “I forgot to tell you Annabelle brought a new guest.”
He stopped with his fork mid-air and looked at me. “Who is it?”
“Actually, I’m not sure. She met him at the shop and he mentioned he needed a place to stay for a few days. Well… he didn’t say how long he was going to stay.”
Nicolas set his fork down and said, “What business does he have in town?”
I placed my hands on my hips. “I didn’t ask. It’s none of my business, right?”
He quirk
ed an eyebrow.
“Okay, I haven’t had a chance to ask.” I would ask as soon as I had a chance. I didn’t like to think of it as being nosy, I just liked to make conversation with my guests.
“Where is he and what’s his name?” Nicolas started to stand, as if going to find him.
I stopped him by placing my hand on his arm. “You sound like you’re ready to have him arrested, Nicolas.”
He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Well, after everything that’s happened, I think you can understand why I’m a little apprehensive.”
I sat on the stool across from him and held his hand in mine. “Yes, I understand and I felt the same way at first, but everything seems fine… nothing has happened.”
“Maybe it’s been a while since anything has happened… but just be on the lookout for anything strange.” He searched my eyes.
“Of course, I’m on high alert all the time,” I said.
With my job as leader I had to be.
“You still didn’t tell me his name.” He took a drink of juice.
“Arthur White,” I said.
Nicolas shrugged. “Never heard of him, but that doesn’t mean that he’s not bad news.”
I shook my head. Nicolas was just as suspicious as I was. I guessed we were a lot alike after all.
Nicolas pushed to his feet and moved over to me. “So I’ll see you tonight?”
I nodded. “Tonight.”
“I’ll call you later.”
Nicolas leaned down and gave me another passionate kiss that made me want to hold onto him and tell him not to go. We both had work to do though, so I released my arms from around his waist. He took my hand in his and I walked with him through the house to the door. He kissed me again and said goodbye. I waved as he drove down the driveway.
A floor creaked somewhere behind me. It wasn’t unusual to hear those types of noises in the house—after all, there were a couple of ghosts. Unfortunately, this wasn’t a ghost. My new guest was behind me on the stairs. I wasn’t sure how long he’d been standing there. He’d probably seen our kiss, but then again, Nicolas hadn’t mentioned seeing him. If Nicolas had known he was down here, he would have wanted to interrogate the guy.