by Tara Weeks
Chapter Nine
Addie
A
ddie staggered, trying to keep on her feet as she lurched out of the portal. Turning around, she watched it shrink behind her before vanishing completely. She felt a strange pang in her chest as she thought of Jove on the other side. It was crazy, but from the moment Addie had looked into his eyes, she felt like she’d known him forever.
I really hope I see you again. Soon.
Looking around, she saw the urn and sighed with relief. She couldn’t wait to get back to the manor and tell Cassie and Selene what had happened. Despite the danger she’d been in, Addie couldn’t wipe the smile from her face as she navigated her way back to the bridge. Without a moment's hesitation, Addie traipsed across it, her mind still buzzing with her adventure.
Who was the guy trying to kill me?
How did he know my name?
As she reached the other end of the bridge, Addie’s excitement grew. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d felt so alive.
Sore from head to toe, but alive.
Weaving her way through the trees, she thought she could hear music drifting towards her. She frowned to herself, wondering where it could be coming from. There was the distinct sound of a clarinet, drums, and a trombone, and Addie realized it was live music—and that it had to be coming from the manor—there was no other property around them for miles.
What is going on? Is there a party? But we don’t even know anyone. Weren’t they worried about me at all?
Addie reached the last line of trees before the manor gardens and she froze as she saw the garden full of people, drinking and mingling. Stranger still, they were all dressed in old-fashioned clothing. The men wore pinstriped suits with fedora hats or tuxedos, and the women were dressed in an array of sparkling dresses, loaded with sequins and gemstones, some short, some long—all of them with fancy hats or headpieces. Addie stared at them, her mouth agape as she wondered who they were, and where they’d all come from. She scanned the crowd, trying to find Selene or Cassie, but she couldn’t see them anywhere.
Surely they wouldn’t have left without me?
The tinkling of a spoon against a crystal glass interrupted her thoughts and the music ceased as everyone turned and looked up at the manor’s balcony. Standing there was one of the most beautiful women Addie had ever seen, her hair as red as her own, pinned back elegantly. Atop her head was a black, sparkling headband, a brilliant emerald to the side, and plumes of black and green feathers sticking upwards to match her emerald green cocktail dress.
“Can I have your attention, please?” the woman asked, and the murmurings of her guests quickly quieted.
“I wanted to thank you all for coming. It’s been an important year for us here, in Auberon, and I couldn’t think of a better way to see in the new year, than with all of you. Here’s to an afternoon, and evening of wonderful food, marvelous company and even better booze. And here’s to a new year to rival the last! Here’s to 1920!”
“To 1920!” the crowd cheered, their glasses raised.
What the hell…
Thank You!
Thank you for reading this
PARANORMAL WOMEN’S FICTION BOOK
THE AUBERON WITCHES – BOOK 2:
DESTINY UNLOCKED
By Tara Weeks
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THE AUBERON WITCHES – BOOK 3
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About the Author
Bestselling author Tara Weeks is a natural-born storyteller who loves all things magic. She was hooked on Dracula early in her life and spread her wings from there. Tara resides in the beautiful foothills of Oregon with her husband and two children.