I fled the church and returned to the academy classroom, slamming the door behind me to make my entrance obvious.
“Perfect timing,” Professor Holmes said. “We’ve just reconvened to talk about the results of our brief investigation.”
My elation was short-lived as the results were uneventful.
"Well, the good news is I unearthed a lot of great information today," I announced. And some devastating information, too.
Professor Holmes looked at the other girls. "Do you think she’s talking? Emma, do you remember that we can't hear you?"
Crap.
He slid over a quill and parchment. Time for another hand cramp. I wish there was a Google translator for invisible people. I wrote down the important details of my day, omitting the part about Daniel as well as Dante’s minor confessions.
The professor skimmed my note. “A missing grimoire from Josef’s house?” He gave his chin a thoughtful stroke. “Yes, of course.”
Millie read over his shoulder. “Did the coven know about Josef’s collection of books?” She glanced at the kindly professor. “I can’t imagine Lady Weatherby allowing it.”
Professor Holmes nodded. “Quite right, Millie. Josef was an old and accomplished wizard. He kept the books a secret from the coven. We had every intention of securing them once his estate was settled. There was apparently a delay with the paperwork. I don’t know the particulars.”
Millie brightened. “When we went to the registrar’s office, there was a deed and a will for Josef filed on the date the spell took hold.”
“The deed to the house and the will?” Professor Holmes queried. “That is odd.”
Not odd if Felix was the one who cast the spell.
“Do we know if Josef intended to leave his house to Felix?” Sophie asked. “We assumed so because he’s Josef’s only living relative, but what if he didn’t?”
They were on a roll. If Josef didn’t leave his house to Felix in the will, the one way to fix it after Josef’s death would be to go to the registrar’s office and try to swap out the existing documents.
“Emma was right,” Sophie said. “The spell probably wasn’t meant for the council. It was meant for Stan.”
“To distract him so that Felix could change the documents,” Begonia added.
“Are you listening, Emma?” Millie asked the empty air.
I wrote down that I was and that I’d check Felix’s house for the grimoire.
“That doesn’t seem wise,” Professor Holmes said. “Felix is likely the one who made you invisible. He must have known you were on his trail. That puts you in danger.”
“Let’s ask Astrid to see if she can head over to his place,” Begonia said.
“And bypass the sheriff entirely?” Professor Holmes asked. “I don’t know…”
“Have you met Sheriff Hugo?” Millie asked, her tongue acid.
The professor bowed his head. “Yes, I take your point. Let’s send Astrid over. She may need a search warrant if he refuses to cooperate. That could take time.”
“How much time do we have?” Sophie asked. “Didn’t you say…?” She trailed off and tossed a guilty glance in my general direction.
I knew there was something they hadn’t told me yet.
The professor sighed softly. “Emma, you should also know that I have been looking into various invisibility spells and, I have to tell you, it's not good news. I know we’re focused on reversing the youth spell, but if we don't reverse your spell soon as well, there is a risk that you will simply fade away."
I gaped at him. Fade away? I scribbled another note.
"It seems that the longer you are invisible, the more you risk losing your connection to the physical realm,” he explained. “We already cannot hear you or see you. Eventually, this isolation will drive a wedge between you and the physical world. A permanent wedge."
Spell’s bells. So I’d become an undead ghost?
Begonia gasped. "We have to get her back."
"If our theory about Felix is correct, it is likely both spells can be found in the missing grimoire,” Professor Holmes said. “The sooner we get ours hands on it, the sooner we can reverse them both.”
I nodded vigorously, not that anyone could see me.
"So what do we do?" Millie asked. “Wait for Astrid?“
“I’ll go and see her now,” Professor Holmes said. “Until she can speak with him and determine whether the grimoire is in his possession, I recommend we simply wait.”
Easy for him to say. He wasn’t on the verge of fading into oblivion.
I was terrible at waiting. I paced around my house like a caged werelion, driving Sedgwick out of his tiny bird brain.
If you don’t stop, I’m going to hide a mouse in your sheets tonight.
“You hide a mouse in my sheets and that will be the last mouse you ever see,” I shot back.
You’re feisty when you’re impatient.
Gareth swept into the room, surprised to see me. “What are you doing here?”
I stared blankly at him. “It’s my house. Why wouldn’t I be here?”
“Isn’t tonight the party hosted by Markos?” he asked.
I smacked my forehead, forgetting all about the minotaur’s invitation. Oh well. What did it matter now? I was hardly in a position to attend a party.
“I’m invisible, Gareth,” I pointed out. “Not much point in attending a party.” Not to mention I was downright miserable.
“Are you mad? You’re living my dream right now,” he said. “Do you know much I wish I could haunt a party? I don’t care if no one can see me. I can see them and enjoy the festive atmosphere.”
You should go, Sedgwick chimed in. You’re doing nothing here except annoying me.
What else is new?
“Look on the bright side,” Gareth said. “Now you can leave the house the way you normally do and I won’t criticize you for it.”
I rolled my eyes. “Fine, I’ll go.” If for no other reason than to enjoy the company of new people, even if they couldn’t enjoy mine.
Once I arrived at the party, I felt a rise of excitement. As inconvenient as invisibility was, I admit I took a little pleasure in the freedom. Gareth was right, it didn’t matter how I looked. Mismatched socks, frizzy hair—I had no one to impress when invisible. In fact, I changed into pajamas before I left the house so that I could get straight into bed when I got home. Bonus.
Despite our focus on Felix, I planned to watch people interact when they didn’t know anyone was looking and listen for clues. A relaxed social situation like this one was the perfect opportunity to find out if anyone had information about the spells or even just the missing grimoire. It was also an opportunity to observe Markos and decide for myself if I had any interest. With Daniel doing who-knows-what with Elsa, I had to force myself to consider other options, however difficult it was to digest.
I maneuvered through the guests, picking up bits and pieces of conversation. The music was great—Markos had hired Look Mom, No Wings. I’d heard them play at Moonshine with Demetrius and they were very good. I recognized a number of faces, including Ginger and a few other witches. I was surprised to see Calliope and Freya Minor there. Although people seemed to enjoy their company, the two youngest harpies were rarely seen in mixed social situations. I prayed that they didn’t learn their dance moves from their Aunt Phoebe. The older harpy’s dance moves bordered on obscene.
I noticed that the guests skewed heavily toward estrogen. Attractive estrogen. I wondered if Markos was determined to keep competition at a minimum. As I watched him mingle with the crowd, he seemed like a good host, chatting with one group for a reasonable time and then moving on to dance with another group. His moves were impressive. He was naturally sexy—a friendly guy having a good time.
The tempo picked up and more guests began to dance. I started tapping my foot to the music and pretty soon I was in full-blown dance mode. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d really let loose and danced. I was liter
ally dancing like no one was watching—because no one was. I tossed my hair around, threw my arms in the air, and wiggled my bottom like I was a backup dancer for Beyoncé. It was liberating.
Then my heart stopped, along with my twerk.
Daniel strolled into the room with Elsa on his arm. The thing that struck me wasn’t his presence—although that was unexpected—it was the smile on his face as he greeted people. He was in the thick of the crowd, talking and shaking hands. He appeared at ease and…content. As much as it pained me to see him with someone else, I dearly loved seeing that thousand-watt smile.
“No sign of the new witch, huh?” I heard someone say. I turned around to see a troll talking to Markos.
“Sadly, no,” Markos replied. “I was really hoping to get to know her tonight. Do you think I should have delivered the invitation in person?” He looked thoughtful. “I sent the owl because I didn’t want her to feel obligated to say yes.”
“You made the right call,” the troll said. “Maybe it has something to do with the town council. I heard she’s been busy following up leads.”
“I suppose it’s possible,” Markos said, his disappointment evident.
“Well, you look fabulous,” the troll said, straightening the minotaur’s bow tie. It was an impressive feat that Markos managed to make a bow tie look sexy.
“Thanks, Trent.” He surveyed the room. “At least everyone seems to be having a good time. It’s a nice distraction from the mayhem in town right now.”
“I saw Daniel Starr. Did you invite him?” Trent asked. “That doesn’t seem like you.”
Markos chuckled. “No, I invited Elsa and Jasper, but it seems there’s been a regime change.”
“Good for you, though, right?” Trent asked. “Weren’t people speculating about Daniel and the witch?”
“Emma,” Markos corrected him. “Her name is Emma, not ‘the witch.’”
“Right, sorry.” The troll turned pink. “I meant no disrespect.”
Markos clapped him on the shoulder. “I know. Do me a favor and let me know if you see her.”
“There are so many people here,” Trent said. “You could easily miss her.”
“No,” Markos said, his gaze sweeping the room one more time. “I couldn’t miss her. She has a presence, you know what I mean?”
“I haven’t met her, so I’ll take your word for it.” He peered around the minotaur to where two pixies were dancing, their bodies pressed close together. “Have fun. I’m going to make myself a pixie sandwich.”
I continued to watch Markos for another minute as he observed his guests. There was something appealing about him, although I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about his true minotaur form. The horns and the fur might be a real turnoff for me.
Markos moved toward the bar and I was left alone in the middle of the crowd. My earlier euphoria was replaced by what could only be described as melancholy. I watched the guests dancing, drinking, and otherwise enjoying themselves. They were all part of this moment and I was with them, yet painfully apart from them. No one could see me or hear me. I hadn’t felt this alone since my grandmother’s death. After she died, I remembered going through the motions of life—going to work, food shopping, doing laundry in the basement—but I didn’t feel connected to anything or anyone around me.
My gaze fell upon Daniel. Elsa’s head rested against his chest as they swayed to the music. In my moment of despair and isolation, I understood him more than I ever had before. The way I felt right now—this must be the reason he’d made the decision to reunite with Elsa. He’d been trying to earn his redemption to ease his suffering, but good deeds by themselves wouldn’t be enough to quell the hole in his heart. He needed to feel that connection to another living being. It was the whole package he wanted. Not just life but a reason to live.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. Even though I understood his decision to seek a romantic connection, why couldn’t he have chosen me? After all, we had a deep connection—or so I believed. Then again, he and Elsa had a history that I knew very little about. She’d loved him once, which already made her the safer bet. Maybe I was simply a risk he wasn’t willing to take.
A pixie flew into me, nearly knocking me to the ground.
The pixie looked at her friend. “Who put that wall there?” She laughed loudly, spilling her drink all over the floor.
I began to push my way through the crowd. My face felt hot and I was desperate for air. Professor Holmes was right. Invisibility was not good in the long run. I needed to break the spell and soon.
I barged out of the house and tumbled into the quiet darkness. Dozens of stars winked at me from above, refusing to share their secrets.
One fateful day I was on my way to meet a client in the Poconos and now I was escaping a minotaur’s party—a party apparently designed to make my acquaintance. How did I end up in Spellbound? How was I—Emma Hart from Lemon Grove, Pennsylvania—a wicked sorceress parading around a paranormal town as a witch? It all seemed like an insane dream.
You look ready to go home, Sedgwick said.
I glanced upward. “What are you doing here?”
Just passing by and saw you.
“Liar.”
Don’t leave your glass slipper behind. I don’t need anyone knocking on the door at ungodly hours.
The only thing glass is me, I replied. I was, it seemed, transparent and entirely breakable.
Did you learn anything useful? he asked.
“Yes and no.” I didn’t have the heart to elaborate. I glanced skyward again and noticed his silhouette directly above me. “To the right, please.”
He sighed loudly. If nothing else, you’re consistent.
Chapter 17
Astrid dropped by the house the next day to report that Felix’s house had provided no clues.
“I’m sorry, Emma,” she said. “I’ve been hoping to solve this case, but it’s been one roadblock after another.”
We stood in what used to be Gareth’s old home office, where I wrote my responses to Astrid on his parchment.
“If it’s any consolation, I think you’re right about Felix,” she said. “His reaction to my presence was shady, to say the least. He went out as soon as I left, so I tailed him to the town square. Looked like he was headed to Broomstix. I’m going to speak with the sheriff now about bringing him in for questioning.”
That was good news. If anyone could break him in an interrogation, it was the tough Valkyrie.
I scribbled a note of thanks, and waited for her to leave before heading out the door.
“Where do you think you’re going, missy?” Gareth asked.
I knew there was one more place to look for the grimoire.
“Into town,” I said, adopting my breeziest tone. “Do you need anything?”
“A little flesh and bone would be nice,” he said. “See if you can pick some up at the Wish Market.”
“You’re hilarious,” I said.
Gareth observed me. “You have a glint in your eye that spells trouble. What are you planning to do?”
“Nothing,” I replied, and hurried out the door before he could stop me.
I found his car easily, parked in front of Broomstix. It didn’t surprise me to discover it was unlocked. Spellbound residents weren’t overly concerned with crime. I waited until no one was watching and popped open the side door. Just because I was invisible didn’t mean no one would notice a door opening on its own.
I started with the glove compartment and found nothing except a pile of crumpled napkins and a few coffee-stained cup stoppers. Felix was a bit of a slob, apparently. How unlike his meticulous father.
I climbed into the backseat and checked behind and under the driver and passenger seats. Nothing there. There was no real trunk space to speak of given that the jalopies here were closer to Ford Model-T’s than modern cars. My 1988 green Volvo was an exception because it had come from the human world and been magically enhanced by Quinty, a handy elf.
As I
was about to leave, the driver’s door opened and Felix got behind the wheel. I cringed. Now what? There was no time to escape. He pulled away from the curb and I sat in the seat behind him, praying I didn’t suddenly become visible again. That would be just my luck.
Sedgwick, I cried as loudly as I could in my head. Great balls of a minotaur, I need help! Sedgwick, follow Felix’s car. I really needed to figure out the extent of our telepathic range. Was it better than a Verizon signal?
To my surprise, Felix didn’t drive in the direction of his house. After a few minutes, I recognized the passing landscape. We were going to Josef’s—to his father’s house. Was he simply going to pack up the contents of the house? Or was he going to return the grimoire, knowing that Astrid was looking for it? There was only one way to know for sure.
I gathered my courage and waited patiently for Felix to park the car and go inside. I noticed that he entered the house empty-handed. No book.
He’s inside the house, Sedgwick’s voice thundered, and I nearly hit my head on the ceiling of the car.
I’m invisible, not blind, I said. But I’m so glad you’re here. I wasn’t sure if you could hear me.
You scared the mouse right out of my mouth, but I’ll try not to hold it against you in light of the kidnapping.
Technically, it’s not kidnapping since I got in the car voluntarily and he doesn’t know I’m here.
Sedgwick groaned. Always with the technicalities. You’d think you were a lawyer.
I opened the car door as slowly as possible and crept to the front door. I don’t suppose you can see where he is in the house.
I have night vision, not X-ray vision, he said. Get a move on. If the book is in there, you need to strike while the sword is sharp.
Stay here in case I need help, I said, although I wasn’t entirely sure how Sedgwick could fend off a wizard.
Lucky Charm (Spellbound Paranormal Cozy Mystery Book 4) Page 14