by Nora Lee
One moment close, the next far away, right side up, upside-down, and inside-out. She paused to gain her bearings and realized the front door looked miles away. She took a step and stopped dead when she almost smashed her face into the glass. Reaching out, she pushed, falling through what had looked like a solid object.
She lay on the cobblestone walk with her skirts tangled around her legs. The Book of Shadows rested right next to her outstretched hand. Realizing how ridiculous she must look, she started laughing. Her mind struggled to figure out how she could fall through the door and land on top of the ground.
All around her, spirits glided past, none of them paying her any attention.
Hephaestus seemed to have been right behind her, but she couldn’t see him anywhere now. She knew he’d show up before too long so she struggled to her feet. Her legs wobbled like a child just learning to walk. The world warped again.
Get a grip.
One step.
You can do this.
A second. Then a third.
Once she’d passed beyond the safety of the wards protecting The Penny Spindle, what looked like cherubs appeared, dancing circles around her feet. Their tiny hands reached up to stroke at her skirts. Smiles lit their chubby faces and their blue eyes sparkled.
“Aw, what little cuties. You’re adorable.”
“Do not let them touch you, Enid.” Hephaestus sounded far away. “They are not what they seem.”
A strong feeling of malaise washed over her as the ghouls closed in.
She began to back away and fell over. The creatures swarmed, covering her in a tangled mass of arms and legs, through which she caught a glimpse of Hephaestus. A brilliant flash lit the scene.
“Be gone, vile creatures.”
The fell back with their eyes covered.
Hephaestus pulled her up. “We must get away.”
“I don’t feel well.” Enid realized she’d just understated her current state. She felt as though she’d just gotten over the worst flu ever. Head throbbing, she struggled to keep up as Hephaestus dragged her along behind him. Her arms trembled with the weight of The Book of Shadows.
Hephaestus kept her moving.
She couldn’t give up. Not with him working so hard to protect her.
“If only you had allowed me to explain, we could have avoided this trouble. The ghouls are the reason I have been tethered to The Penny Spindle. The wards protect my essence from the little monsters. They survive on the life-force of others.”
“I see that now.” Enid panted. “Sorry.”
“You may think I came here after a natural death. Quite the opposite, I assure you. Those ghouls trapped me on this side. So you may trust me when I say that if they take your essence, you will remain here, doomed to an eternity separated from everything and everyone you love.”
Enid realized she wouldn’t mind an eternity here with Hephaestus.
They rounded the last corner before Nana’s cottage. They’d be safe once they arrived there.
If they arrived…
5
She heaved a sigh of relief as they passed through the gate what seemed an eternity later. Though they’d almost reached their destination, the few feet between them and safety seemed much too far. Enid glanced over her shoulder at the drooling horde hard on their heels. Or they might still be a long distance back. She couldn’t be sure in this place.
“Come along.” Hephaestus zapped a monster trying to bite at his heel. “Not too much further.”
Enid continued to hold The Book of Shadows tight. She might not how she’d gotten to the Spirit World, but she felt sure they’d need to book in order to fix the problem.
The door to the cottage burst open and Nana appeared on the threshold. “What’s going on?”
Hephaestus and Enid reached the bottom step.
Rowan, Orianna, Gemma, and Fox followed Nana out. They were followed by Kimberly Leif, Adora Glenn, Iris Westerly, and a large number of Ash cousins. Enid realized the group must have been making plans without her and felt a brief flash of annoyance. She’d been entrusted with the wedding preparations so she should be included in any and all discussions. Of course, she also couldn’t be everywhere at once. She couldn’t fault the others for taking advantage of any time they had available.
A ghoul grabbed onto Enid’s ankle.
Hephaestus lobbed another curse over his shoulder.
Blinded, Enid tripped, falling face-first through the wooden porch onto soft ground below. She flipped onto her back and looked up at what now seemed an impenetrable ceiling with dismay. As a new crossover into the Spirit realm, she couldn’t wrap her head around the thought that she could pass through solid objects like the porch and the door of The Penny Spindle, while remaining on top of the ground beneath her. Metaphysics boggled her logical mind.
She imagined the scent of the rich soil upon which she lay, the cool feeling of the enclosed space that hadn’t yet been heated by the cheerful late morning sunbeams falling on the gnarled boards. The sensation of worms and other creatures of the soil milling about gave her the creeps and she felt thankful they couldn’t touch her through the veil. She’d never been fond of bugs.
Her gallant companion’s hand appeared.
She grabbed hold and allowed him to pull her up, flinching as she passed through the porch floor to his side.
The coven women circled the yard casting protective wards. Glistening blue magic thickened into what looked like a thick wall of power running along the fence line to block the ghouls and spirits from the cottage. The ugly little creatures backed away as a few random spirits wandered by without paying attention to the confrontation.
“Hurry and get her inside, man.” The veil seemed to be muting Nana’s voice. “The ghouls don’t have a long attention span. Out of sight, out of mind, you know.”
Hephaestus bowed his head and motioned for Enid to precede him into the house.
She gave a small smile, but he looked away.
So much for trying to be nice.
Enid looked around the small living room. On the coffee table lay several magazines open to pictures of wedding gowns. Another stack of publications teetered on the edge of a nearby chair, fabric swatches draped over the back of the seat. Half-empty cups of what looked like herbal tea and plates of crumbs filled any empty spaces on the table and nearby floor.
“Here, let me get those.” Fox cleared the chair and motioned.
Gemma gave Enid a sorrowful look as she sat down.
Fox settled onto the chair arm and hugged Gemma to her side.
The two brides sat down on the sofa with Iris Westerly. Adora Glen leaned against the doorframe leading to the back of the house. Kimberly sat on the floor at Gemma’s feet.
Nana came in and shut the door behind her before closing the curtains over the large front window. She then lowered herself into the antique rocking chair next to the stone fireplace. Once settled, she quirked a brow at Enid. “How on earth did you end up over there? You don’t look as though you’ve died.”
Enid winced at Gemma’s shocked expression. She’d never intended to hurt her sister.
“What about the cousins?”
“They’re making sure the ghouls don’t break through.” Nana’s chair creaked in time with her rocking. “Don’t change the subject.”
“She did not heed my advice.” Hephaestus ran a hand through his tousled hair before straightening the apron he still wore. Despite the harrowing experience they’d just been through, he didn’t seem the least bit ruffled. “I tried to warn her against touching the volume.”
Enid held The Book of Shadows tight. She’d always thought she maintained good physical conditioning, but now wondered whether she hadn’t misjudged her fitness level, considering how she couldn’t seem to catch her breath. Her chest muscles tightened and twisted until she thought they’d squeeze the life out of her. With a morbid flash of humor, she thought about how that would save her from the ghouls.
“I only wa
nted to move Hephaestus to the castle to perform the wedding.” Her heart thundered against her breastbone as she squinted through the veil. The feeling of separation from her loved ones unnerved her more than she’d imagined. “This wasn’t what I expected.”
“That is what happens when you do not listen.” Hephaestus sent her a disgusted look.
Since he seemed the most real person to her at the moment, Enid felt a keen sense of loss when he stepped away from her. “You all understand, don’t you?” She gave each of the others a pleading look in turn. “Rowan and Orianna deserve a spectacular wedding. I meant no harm.”
“What you meant isn’t the issue.” Nana gave Enid a stern look as she rested her hands on the gnarled head of her cane. “You tampered with something you didn’t understand.” With a shake of her head, she made a slight sound of disapproval. “I thought better of you.”
“Why, Sis? Whatever possessed you to something so dangerous?” Gemma’s eyes glistened.
“I’m so sorry.” Enid hung her head. She’d been so caught up in what she wanted, so wrapped up in her own feelings, that she hadn’t considered how her actions would affect others. The coven had every right to be angry with her. Especially Gemma. Her shoulders sagged as the weight of her actions rested upon them. “You’re right, Nana. I’ve made a huge mess of things. Can any of you ever forgive me?”
“You don’t need forgiveness, granddaughter. What you need right now is to be saved from your ill-advised actions. Otherwise, you may end up stuck in the Spirit World forever.” Nana turned to the others. “Any ideas?”
Gemma spoke up. “Maybe we can find something in The Book of Shadows.”
Nana thumped the end of her cane on the floor. “We’ve already seen what The Book can do.” She looked beyond Gemma. “Among us, I’m sure we can come up with a solution.”
“While I agree using The Book is dangerous,” said Hephaestus from the corner. “The coven cannot solve this.” He looked at Enid. “We must not worsen the situation, though. Young Miss Ash must be returned to the Living World.”
Enid set The Book on the coffee table.
Adora Glenn took up the volume and disappeared into the kitchen.
After a moment, the others followed.
Seated at the table, Adora opened the heavy front cover. The spine creaked.
Almost everyone else gathered behind her chair to look over her shoulder. Enid stayed back for fear of causing more trouble. Nana watched Hephaestus roam the kitchen like a caged animal. A smile playing over her lips as she moved to stand next to Enid so she couldn’t be overheard. “Never seen the old boy show so much spirit.”
Enid couldn’t help but grin at Nana’s pun.
“The way he zapped those ghouls.” Nana’s eyes sparkled with humor. “What a sight to behold! While this isn’t a great situation for you, the experience seems to have done my old friend some good.”
“This is something.” Fox leaned over Adora to point out a particular passage in The Book.
Moving closer, Enid squinted. The Book had been written many years before, when people took more care with their handwriting, so the text could be difficult to read. She couldn’t understand the flowing cursive they used back in those days.
Adora seemed to have no such trouble. “The veil between the Spirit and Living worlds fluctuates throughout the year. This is most true during the autumn season as the growing chill and shortening days causes all life to ease into dormancy.” She looked up. “Of course, we already know the veil is thinnest during Samhain. That’s the main reason we celebrate All Hallow’s Eve when we do. Performing an appropriate ritual then should bring Enid back to the Living World.”
Hephaestus stopped pacing. “One mistake could allow others to pass through, as well.”
“I’m well aware of that.”
Others nodded in agreement with Adora’s statement.
“My predicament is mine to handle.” Enid’s voice quavered. “I don’t want to cause more problems or interfere with the wedding. We’ll need to figure out another way.”
“I’m more than willing to postpone the ceremony.” Rowan looked to Orianna. “Are you?”
Orianna nodded. “Of course. This is much more important.”
“We can’t have that.” Enid put all her mental faculties to work on the problem. She’d caused all this trouble to ensure Rowan and Orianna a memorable wedding day. They couldn’t change the date because she’d made a mistake! She wouldn’t allow her carelessness to affect the others that way. “Maybe we could hold the ceremony right after I return to the Living World. Wouldn’t sunrise be a lovely time to celebrate?” She turned to Hephaestus. “Now that you’ve left The Penny Spindle you could officiate.”
The others looked at her with varying expressions of doubt.
Enid’s hopes began to fade. If the women didn’t agree, she knew Hephaestus wouldn’t.
As though he could read her thoughts, Hephaestus spoke up. “Young Miss Ash pass through on Samhain, but that is no reason the wedding cannot proceed as well. The preparations are well underway. Not much more time and effort are necessary to ensure the success of both endeavors.” He bowed to the brides-to-be. “And I will be honored to marry you, if that is your wish.”
His emphasis on the word caused Enid to wince.
“What an honor. Thank you,” said Orianna.
Rowan nodded. “That would be amazing, Mr. Hallow.”
Hephaestus smiled. “No need to be so formal, young Miss Middlebrook. You may call me by my given name.”
Nana rapped her cane on the floor. “This has been quite a day. I never thought our Hephaestus here would agree.”
He wants me out of his hair as soon as possible. Ignoring the sharp stab of disappointment at the thought, Enid forced as genuine a smile as possible. “We can still make this an event to remember. I promise you my current predicament won’t interfere with our plans. And I won’t do anything else to jeopardize the wedding.”
“There is much to be done to prepare.” Hephaestus looked toward Nana. “Would you mind?”
“Not at all.” Nana held her hand out. “We should get going.”
Adora passed The Book of Shadows to Nana. A look passed between the two women.
“What’s going on?”
Nana nodded at Hephaestus as she headed for the back door. “Come along, Enid.”
“Where are we going? I have a right to know.”
“You’ll see soon enough.” Nana stepped out into the kitchen garden. “On the way, we can discuss what needs to be done. Samhain is five days away.”
Enid cast nervous glances all around as she hurried after the duo. Leaving the safety of the Winterblossom cottage to go out amongst the ghouls didn’t seem like a great idea. She just hoped they’d reach their destination before the little creatures came back.
6
Enid turned circles while walking so she could keep an eye out for the dreaded little monstrosities. She need not have worried about being since they were accompanied by a group of witches who continued to cast a portable protective bubble as they made their way up the hill. Any ghoul who came upon them would be hard pressed to break through. Her friends kept her as safe as possible throughout the journey.
The looming shadows of Castle Hallow served as a backdrop for spirits dressed according to the era in which they’d lived. Every once in a while, one of the figures would pass through the stones as though the walls didn’t exist. None of the figures looked as familiar to her as the ones back in the village. How that could be when she seemed to be related to everyone in Secret Hallow baffled her.
She looked up to find the turrets at either end of the structure crumbling away, the native stone walls leaning at precarious angles, the roof above missing tiles. Hundreds of eyes seemed to watch her from long, narrow, windows in the circular walls. Shards of stained glass hung from the rotting frames on either side of the massive front door.
“Welcome home, Hephaestus,” said Nana.
; Hephaestus looked up with an expression so unreadable Enid couldn’t tell if he were happy or sad. He reached out to open the door, then drew back as though he realized he wouldn’t have the strength to move such a massive object. She felt a surge of guilt when she recalled he’d drained his energy protecting her. Enid didn’t deserve such heroic measures after what she’d done.
“Allow me.” Nana swung the door open and stepped back so Hephaestus could pass through.
The group filed into a towering great room two stories high. From Enid’s perspective, rotting beams crisscrossed the cracked wooden ceiling poorly lit by the tarnished light fixtures of a long-ago era. Tarnished suits of armor guarded a missing half the balustrades out of the banister. Chunks of stone skittered to the ground as some creature ran along the second floor walkway. Tattered and faded tapestries fluttered in the breeze coming in through chinks in the wall. In the distant recesses of the structure, a door slammed shut, creaked open, and slammed shut again; the sound reverberated through the vacant building.
“This is lovely. I’ve never been inside before.” Rowan looked around with wide eyes.
Orianna spun a slow circle as she stared upward. “What a great idea.”
Enid couldn’t see the home as they did and hoped they weren’t lying to protect her feelings.
Fox tugged Gemma toward the staircase. “Let’s go explore. I want to see every room.” The couple soon disappeared through a doorway on the second level, their echoing footsteps the only evidence of their progress, until that sounded faded into the distance as well.
Nana set The Book of Shadows on a pedestal at the base of the staircase. “We’ll reinforce the wards. Once we’re done, I recommend you two stay put. You don’t want any more run-ins with ghouls.”
Orianna and Iris disappeared through a ground-floor doorway with Rowan close behind.
Adora Glenn stepped into the massive fireplace and pushed against the back wall. A moment later, she passed through a secret doorway.
Kimberly and all the Ash cousins seemed to have stayed outside.
This left Nana, Hephaestus, and Enid alone.