***
I woke the next morning to my phone ringing. Without opening my eyes, I fumbled for the phone on the nightstand.
“Halloween, we have a serious problem.” My mother had never sounded so freaked out, even when I’d eliminated her eyebrows.
I opened my eyes and sat up. “What’s wrong?”
“The Coven wants to speak with you.” She rushed her words.
Uh-oh. “What do they want?” I asked innocently.
“I don’t know, why don’t you tell me?” she asked with resolve.
“I have no idea.” I tried to keep my voice casual.
“Halloween, your lying has never worked on me. Why don’t you tell me what’s been going on.” She had that tone I’d heard so many times when I was young. Why was I still hearing that tone as an adult?
I wasn’t ready to have this conversation right now. This was something I needed to tell her in person. I threw my legs over the side of the bed and slid my feet into my slippers. Had the Coven told her the truth? Did the Coven know that I’d improved my magic by leaps and bounds?
“I guess I’ve been messing up my spells more than usual,” I said.
“Oh, Halloween. What are we going to do? They may make you stop the magic this time.” Disappointment sounded in my mother’s voice.
I highly doubted that. I knew what they wanted to discuss, but how did they know that my magic had improved?
“Don’t be surprised if you get a visit from the Coven,” my mother said.
“What? You mean they’re coming here?” I sat up in bed.
What would I tell them when they saw Isabeau? I knew they’d see her because she couldn’t mind her own business.
“Do you need me to come over and talk with them when they arrive?” she asked.
I threw the covers off and jumped up. “No, no. I’ll come by the store later, okay?”
I didn’t want my mother to see Isabeau again either. The more she saw her, the more Isabeau would open her big mouth. For heaven’s sakes, this got crazier by the minute.
“Listen, I have to make breakfast for my guests. I’ll call you soon,” I said while pulling clothing from my closet.
“Please be careful, Halloween,” she said around a sigh.
What was that supposed to mean?
“I will,” I said and hurried off the phone.
I’d just gotten dressed and locked my bedroom when the doorbell rang. Yeah, I still didn’t trust my guests not to take the book. My heart told me that I was supposed to trust Nicolas, but my mind said no. I wouldn’t let my guard down.
The doorbell rang loudly through the house. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I made my way down the stairs. I never thought I’d say this, but I was hoping it was the ghosts at the door again and not a Coven member.
When I peeked out the hole in the door, I knew I hadn’t gotten that lucky. It wasn’t a ghost and I recognized the woman on the other side of the door right away. Misty Middleton and I had gone to high school together and now she was queen supreme in the Coven. I had no choice but to answer the door. I knew she wouldn’t go away.
The massive door squeaked as I opened it just a little. “Hi, Misty.”
“I guess you know why I’m here.”
“Would you like to come in?” I asked.
I spotted the ghosts over her shoulder and wanted to get her inside before they approached.
“Your spells have been going awfully smoothly lately.” She regarded me with a strange curiosity.
I shrugged, pretending that it was no big deal. “I guess a little.”
Misty had long, straight brown hair that was shiny like she’d finished it off with a clear coat. She wore a black skirt, a black blouse and black heels which made her tower over me. She was tall without them, but now she was the Empire State Building and I was a one-story cottage.
“Please come into the parlor.” I gestured.
“Thank you,” she said as she scoped out the foyer.
What was she looking for? Misty followed me into the living room. Her heels clicked against the hardwood floor.
“Can I get you something to drink?” I asked.
I had to be a good hostess. I might be nervous, but that was no reason to be impolite.
“No, I’m good. Thank you. This is such a beautiful home,” she said with a tight-lipped smile.
I knew by her tone that she wished the small talk was over.
“Thank you,” I said, wishing she’d get to the point of her visit.
“It must get lonely staying here all alone?”
I picked at the edge of the wingback chair. “Well, it’s okay. I don’t mind much.”
Footsteps echoed from upstairs. I stopped and met her gaze. I could tell her about my bed-and-breakfast guests, but I really hoped Isabeau stayed upstairs. She was trouble and I didn’t trust her not to run her mouth about what had happened.
Misty glanced up toward the ceiling, then looked at me for an answer.
“I guess you’re aware that I’m running the place as a bed-and-breakfast?” I asked pushing the conversation along.
“You have guests already?” she asked with shock.
I’d let that comment slip. “Yes, as a matter of fact I do. I was just getting ready to make breakfast. You are out awfully early this morning.”
She settled onto the deep red cushions of the chair and crossed her legs. “I do apologize for my timing, but I felt this was urgent.”
She couldn’t wait to let me know she was on to me. I needed her to get to the point and then leave.
“So what is so urgent that you needed to speak with me?” I wanted her to just cut to the chase.
Her mouth curved into a smile. Whether it was a friendly or pitying gesture I wasn’t sure. “What are you doing differently?”
“What do you mean?”
“Your spells don’t suck now,” she said frankly.
Well, I had wanted her to get to the point.
I shrugged, trying to act innocent. “I guess I’ve just been practicing and it’s finally paying off.”
She studied my face for a few seconds. “That’s it?”
“You know what they say, practice makes perfect.” I plastered the best fake smile on my face that I could muster. “Is that all that you wanted?”
She walked around the room, taking in every detail. Misty ran her finger along the edge of books on the shelves, but remained quiet.
Sweat beaded on my forehead and it wasn’t even hot in the room. Did she know about the spell books? She had to, right? That was something the Coven should definitely know about. But if she knew, then why didn’t she just come out and say so?
“Well, whatever you’re doing you should keep it up. Your magic before was absolutely horrendous.”
I stared at her. “Yes, I’m aware.”
She folded her hands together and placed them her on her lap. “Halloween, I’m going to stop the charade right now. We know about the book.”