Forever Charmed

by Rose Pressey

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  When I returned to the manor that evening for my date with Liam, Isabeau had Nicolas cornered in the library. She was running her hands through his hair. Why didn’t Nicolas just tell her to get lost? I was all for manners and Southern hospitality, but I had to draw the line somewhere. Isabeau had to go. My movement must have caught Isabeau’s attention because she turned around and glared at me. Nicolas’ fangs reached over the bottom of his mouth and his eyes had a glazed-over look. I wouldn’t even bother to ask what was going on.

  Isabeau smirked and laughed. “Good evening, Halloween.” She said my name with disgust. “Are you all ready for your evening with Liam?”

  She touched Nicolas’ face as he stared at me. I couldn’t read his expression, but it looked like there was hurt in his eyes. I hadn’t told him of my plans with Liam. I hadn’t planned on it either. There was nothing to my date with Liam, right? I’d wanted to get more information from him. That was all. He seemed more forthcoming about the whole situation with me anyway.

  Nicolas shouldn’t be jealous when he was flirting with Isabeau. I didn’t hang around and give Isabeau another chance to mock me. There was no telling what she had said to Nicolas. I had to get rid of her right away. No more feeling sorry for her and no more Ms. Nice Girl.

  I turned around and ran out the front door. Now more than ever I needed fresh air and to get away from everyone. All I wanted was to be alone with my thoughts.

  Nicolas called out to me, “Halloween, please, I want to talk with you.”

  I glanced over my shoulder as I ran. Nicolas moved with lightning speed after me. I knew I wouldn’t be able to outrun him. What did he want? There was nothing to talk about. Up ahead, the ghosts waited for me. They didn’t even try to hide this time. They were becoming bolder and obviously losing their patience waiting for me to perform magic. If they were anything like Isabeau there was no way I would ever turn them.

  My side hurt and my legs couldn’t move any faster. My speed was slowing. When I reached the line of trees, Nicolas grabbed my arm from behind. He spun me around and pulled me toward his chest. His eyes were clear and focused on my face. His gaze slid down to my lips and he pressed his mouth against mine. I sucked in a sharp breath. My heart raced as his tongue met with mine. I couldn’t stop myself. His lips were warm and delicious and I relished every moment of it. His tongue traced a sensuous path down my neck and I sucked in a sharp breath. The tips of his fangs eased against my warm flesh.

  Finally, I let my mind break free from this moment. I pulled away and stared at him.

  “Halloween, don’t go out with Liam tonight,” he said.

  “Is that what all of this is about? You just don’t want me to go out with him?”

  “No, that’s not what all of this is about.” He stepped closer to me and I moved back a few steps.

  I stared at his fangs and then back at him. “This is just all some weird macho game you all have going on, isn’t it? You don’t care about me at all.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. I do care about you.” His gaze fell to my neck..

  “Then why shouldn’t I go out with him tonight?” I stared at him waiting for an answer.

  “Because I want you to go out with me. I want to be with you.”

  The ghosts had found us. I looked around and they had me surrounded. It was like they were planning their attack. Nicolas didn’t seem to notice or, if he did, he didn’t care.

  “What is going on with Isabeau? You looked awfully cozy together.” I tried not to sound accusing.

  He shook his head. “There is something going on with her and I’m not sure what.”

  I looked around at the ghosts and they stepped closer. I would have to get out of there soon or I wasn’t sure what they would do next.

  “What do you mean?” I asked, glancing over my shoulder again.

  “There is a bad vibe about her,” Nicolas said.

  “You can say that again.”

  “Where did she come from?” he asked.

  “I don’t know. She was here when I got the house. I don’t know how long she’s been here or what she wants. I don’t know why she is here.”

  “Have you asked her to leave?” He looked at me intently.

  I glanced over my shoulder again. “Not exactly. It isn’t that easy. She has nowhere to go. I didn’t want to kick her out with nothing. I have tried to find out about her. I looked for a death certificate, but I can’t find anything. She says she was from Enchantment Pointe, but I can’t find any proof of that.”

  Nicolas reached for my hand again. Maybe it was my imagination, but I thought he was staring at my neck with a hunger in his eyes. Did he want my blood? It would make sense that he did. After all, he was a vampire.

  I peeked over my shoulder again. The ghosts had moved closer. There was no more time left. I had to get out of there.

  I pulled away from Nicolas. “I have to go.”

  He touched my arm. “Halloween, don’t go. It’s not safe.”

  Yeah, he was telling me. It wasn’t safe anywhere I went. My life wasn’t safe anymore. I felt like the walls were closing in on me and I was running out of places to go.

  I ran toward the house and didn’t look back. If Nicolas followed me, I didn’t know. It didn’t matter. I burst through the door and toward the stairs.

  Isabeau was standing in the foyer. “You look like hell.”

  I didn’t hurl the insult at her that I wanted to. I bit my tongue and continued upstairs. Maybe I was just jealous of Isabeau’s flirting with Nicolas, but it was my home and I could toss anyone I wanted out on their butt.

  I’d take a shower and get ready for my evening with Liam. Maybe he could help me figure out what was going on. I could trust him, right? After all, he was a witch like me. Witches had to stick together. He wouldn’t lie to another witch. He’d done nothing but offer to help me since he arrived at the manor.

  I slipped under the water and tried to erase the crazy thoughts from my mind. It was no use though. I was more confused than ever. My thoughts were consumed with Nicolas’ lips pressed against mine—the heat from his body and the tips of his fangs touching my mouth.

  I climbed out of the shower and into a blue dress and heels. I wasn’t sure where Liam was taking me, but I hoped it was away from this place for the evening. If I had some distance, maybe I could stop thinking about it for a while.

  But the reason for my date was to find out more about what was going on and nothing more. I’d push romance away. Discovering Nicolas and Liam’s true agenda was my main concern.

  When I stepped out of the door, I heard movement coming from Isabeau’s room. I walked over and pressed my ear against the door again. She was reciting another spell. What was she up to? I needed to ask the Coven about her. Surely someone knew of a witch who had died and was possibly haunting the manor. Perhaps if I tried to find out more history about the manor it would give me clues about Isabeau. There had to be more information about the manor other than the rumors I’d heard over the years.