Kisses and Curses

by Michelle M. Pillow

  Cora took a deep breath. “Is there a pizza place in town that will deliver? Rory ate all of the chicken and I’m starving.”

  “I have a better idea. The weather is lightening up. Let’s go into town.” Euann barely got the suggestion out before his brothers were on their feet.

  “I’ll call Jane and have her meet us,” Iain said.

  “There is a new bar and grill that just opened within the last week, and surprisingly it’s not one of ours,” Erik said.

  “Yeah, it’s called The Red Room or something,” Rory said. “The owner is some kind of former mob boss in witness protection.”

  “Crimson Tavern,” Iain answered. “And where the hell did ya hear that nonsense?”

  “Internet.” Rory shrugged.

  “Right,” Erik drawled, “because witness protection often posts about their witnesses online.”

  “Fair point.” Rory took a glass of white wine and finished it with a few gulps. “But I saw him when he was moving into the apartment above the bar. He’s not been here but a few weeks.”

  “Are ya sure? Who opens a restaurant in a week?” Iain asked.

  “Something is not right about him,” Rory insisted. “Call it a vibe.”

  “Do you think it’s strange he showed up right before Jewel and I did?” Cora wondered. Then realizing she was thinking more like a book plot and less like real life, she tried to clarify her reasoning, “Kenneth seems sure they’re being hunted.”

  “Perfect, it’s settled. Now we have to go drinking,” Rory said. “Ya know, for the good of the family.”

  “We’ll sneak out of the house and grab Lydia and Jane on the way. No reason to go downstairs right now.” Erik peeked out of the door before hurrying from the room.

  Rory slid the chicken platter off his lap and hopped to his feet. Iain reached out and tripped him on his way to the door before he too stood. Rory stumbled, and it was just enough of a delay for Iain to maneuver past him. Cora suppressed a chuckle. They were like watching a group of ornery little boys who happened to be men.

  Cora placed her hand on Euann’s arm to keep him from leaving. “I’m not dressed for going out.” She hoped his sister might have something else she could borrow. They appeared to wear the same size.

  “One moment. I can take care of that.” Euann waved his hand over his body. His jeans faded to be replaced by athletic pants with dark stripes down the side. He grinned. “Now we’re both underdressed.”

  Not exactly what she’d meant.

  She wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to this magick stuff. Being in the MacGregor home left her feeling a little like Alice stepping through the looking glass. It looked like her world, felt like her world, even smelled like her world, but for all that it was the same, there were also gremains and phoenixes, magickally appearing food and pants, fires that lit without any noticeable effort, and Euann. She had never met anyone who made her tremble with excitement and nervousness like he did.

  Okay, so the MacGregor house was a very grown-up, naughtier version of the looking glass world. The thoughts she was having were not PG-13, and definitely not fit to print anywhere other than a steamy romance novel…with a super-hot, rich, powerful hero who happened to be wearing workout pants. The last part caused a small laugh to escape her.

  “Ready?” He gestured to let her go first. “Oh, wait.” He motioned to her feet and shoes appeared. “Now, ready?”

  Cora walked into the hall and glanced around. The others had not waited for them. “Um…?”

  “This way.” Euann walked slightly ahead of her. Seeing how the athletic pants molded against his ass gave her a new appreciation for dressing down.

  Everything about the mansion made her feel like she’d sneaked her way onto the club level in some fancy hotel she couldn’t afford. Closed doors lined the hall on both sides of the stairs. At any moment, she expected to find a champagne bar hiding in a nook or a wine fountain.

  The family had seen to each detail of the house. The dark wood banister gleamed, unnicked by time. The pristine floor looked as if no one ever walked on it. The walls were freshly painted, and each piece of furniture appeared to be set up for a photo shoot.

  “Have I mentioned you have a lovely home?” Cora paused, looking down over the railing toward the front hall below. A giant chandelier hung over the empty marble floor. Its tiny crystals fragmented light to cause faint dots over the ceiling.

  “Twenty-five years, boy,” an accented male voice yelled from below. “Do ya know what ya have done to your ma? Being chased by mountain witches is no excuse not to call home. Even Niall takes a break from clearing vampire dens to say hello to your ma on her birthday.”

  She could only guess it was Euann’s father, Angus. Euann had mentioned his parents during their walk.

  “What were ya doing in the mountains?” And that voice had to be Margareta’s. “I questioned the mountain witches. They swore they had not seen ya. If they have been chasing ya all this time, there will be a war. I’ll raise their mountain out of the ground and show—”

  “Ma, stop,” Kenneth said, sounding completely calm and reasonable. “You’re not starting a war with the mountain witches and ya know it.”

  Euann’s parents responded to the comment with a chorus of yelling in a language Cora could not understand.

  “We should go.” Euann tugged lightly on her arm. “As much as I want to spend time with Kenneth, now is not the occasion to do so. My ma is on a roll, and she’ll be yelling for a good two hours, at least.”

  A strange expression crossed his features. It was one of pain and worry. Cora understood something right then. All this playful banter was merely a distraction as was the trip to town. The MacGregors needed to occupy their minds with something they could control. Kenneth had obviously left home without leaving word. She couldn’t imagine losing someone for so long, not knowing what happened, only to learn they were fine and that they just hadn’t bothered to call.

  The bedroom Euann led her to looked like it belonged to Erik—judging by the giant painting of the man in full Scottish garb standing regally in the countryside. Like the other bedroom, this one had fresh paint, dark wood, and a fireplace. Not like the other room, this one had a full-length antique mirror affixed to the wall close to the floor. It seemed a little out of place.

  “Don’t be frightened.” Euann went to the mirror and pushed his hand into the glass. It disappeared into the reflection. “It’s a portal to—ah!”

  Euann’s body jerked, and he was pulled through his own reflection.

  Cora stared at the mirror in shock. She inched closer slowly, reaching out a finger to test the glass. Logically she could assume Euann’s brothers were on the other side, but that didn’t stop the shaking in her hands. Could they see her? Was this two-way glass?

  “Euann,” she whispered, waving her hand.

  Euann’s head appeared through the portal. She jumped in surprise. His hand followed. “My brothers are assholes. I’m sorry.”

  “It really is the looking glass world,” she whispered.

  “What?”

  “Never mind.” Cora shook her head in dismissal. She took his hand in hers, holding tight. Euann gently pulled as he brought her into the mirror. The glass was warmer than she thought it would be. Euann’s head disappeared. She stepped over the frame and into her reflection. When it came time for her face, she turned her head to the side, closed her eyes tight, and held her breath. Her foot bumped the wood frame. Warmth surrounded her head.

  Please let me come out the other side.

  Chapter Ten

  “You can open your eyes,” Lydia said. “I promise, my home is safe.”

  Cora still felt the warmth on her skin but slowly opened an eye. She stood in a small bedroom that looked nothing like the MacGregor house. The wallpaper was something a grandmother would choose as was the worn antique furniture.

  Lydia stood with her back pressed to the bedroom door. A light knock sounded behind her. “No, I warn
ed you, if you can’t behave you’ll have to go wait downstairs.”

  Euann still held her hand. “Ya might want to bring that foot with ya.”

  Cora realized her foot was still on the other side of the glass and jerked it through. The warmth dissipated. Lydia tried to lead them from the room, but Erik almost fell into her as if he’d been leaning against the door waiting for his wife.

  “Erik MacGregor, what are you doing?” Lydia scolded.

  “I missed ya, a stóirín,” he said.

  The love Erik felt for his wife was evident in the way he looked at her. The love Lydia felt for him showed in the arched brow and fake look of annoyance. He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand, and her expression changed as she chuckled. “Let’s go. You promised me nachos.”

  “I said if the secret mob boss had nachos,” Erik corrected as he slung his arm over Lydia’s shoulders and steered her from the room.

  “What self-respecting bar doesn’t have nachos?”

  Whatever Erik whispered in his wife’s ear to answer the question made Lydia giggle, and she slugged him lightly on the arm.

  “Shall we?” Euann held his arm for her to take as if she were some fine lady being escorted by a gentleman.

  “We shall,” she answered, touching his arm with the tips of her fingers.

  Though much smaller than the mansion, Erik and Lydia’s home had charm. They passed by another bedroom and a bathroom. The doors were open, unlike the MacGregor’s upstairs hall. Though clean, there was a lived-in feel to the place. Lydia didn’t seem to be trying for the cover of a magazine like the mansion.

  They had to part at the stairs, and he stepped back to let her go first. What would have been the living room had been converted into a storefront. Displays held bottles of lotions and soaps. They were lined up in neat order, like rows of a marching band in perfect formation. The couch was new, and the coffee table looked like an antique. The picture window behind the sofa showed that the rain had stopped. It also showed that they were no longer high on a hill.

  Cora went to a display to read the labels. “Love Potions.” She glanced at a couple of the fragrance combinations—lavender vanilla, pumpkin coffee, apple tart.

  “My wife is quite the successful entrepreneur,” Erik bragged. “She sold over three-hundred-thousand units last—”

  “Erik, stop,” Lydia interrupted.

  “What?” Erik asked. “I’m proud of ya.”

  “Congratulations,” Cora said for lack of anything better to say. “It looks like an amazing brand.”

  To the left was a kitchen where Iain sat with his wife at a table. Upon seeing them, Iain stood. “Let’s go!”

  “Are we walking, or do we have Euann summon a driver on his phone with that app thing?” Erik asked.

  “I’m fine walking,” Cora said when Euann glanced at her. “I’d like to see more of the town. I was a little preoccupied driving in, but from what I recall it is beautiful.”

  “It is,” Iain agreed. They used the screen door in the kitchen. One car was parked in the drive, but it wouldn’t hold all of them. “Downtown reminds me of the burghs when we were children.”

  “You’re remembering wrong. The downtown buildings are red,” Rory said, “the burghs were gray.”

  “The place is not far,” Euann said, “just the rest of the way down the hill and then a couple of blocks.”

  Cora glanced up at Lydia’s Victorian house nestled along the side of a hill. The mansion was nowhere in sight. “How far did we travel?”

  “The main house is up there.” Lydia pointed. “We share the hill.”

  “This house was built back in the day by some displaced English lord for his mother-in-law,” Jane added. “I guess the mansion wasn’t big enough to let the woman stay there.”

  “Hey,” Iain said.

  “Not saying anything about mothers-in-law in general, just the English lord’s.” Jane batted her lashes at her husband.

  “Hmm,” Iain answered, unconvinced.

  “My grandfather bought this house for my gramma Annabelle.” Lydia smiled as she looked up at it. “She spent her life casting protection spells over it. Gramma believed in the old ways, in those who could harness the magick of the earth and sky. She used to tell me stories about those who lived forever hidden amongst normal folk. I used to think she was crazy—heck, everyone in town still thinks she was crazy—but I know better now. I met my immortal warlock here.” She smiled softly. “I could never live anywhere else. I like to think the real magick of this house began with my grandparents’ love.”

  “That’s because it did,” a new voice said. The feminine sound was airy and light.

  Cora tensed and started to turn around. The smell of flowers became strong, and a small chill ran up her spine.

  Lydia grabbed hold of her arm, stopping her from turning. “Before you look, know that nothing is going to hurt you. How do you feel about ghosts?”

  “Ah,” a small squeak left her, “I…”

  “Gramma is friendly. I promise.” Lydia let her go.

  Despite the assurances, Cora slowly turned her head to peek over her shoulder.

  The transparent figure of an older woman in a sparkly green ballgown stood next to Rory. She wiggled her fingers. “Hello, dear. Can I assume you are with one of these two? I must say I’m surprised. I wagered that they wouldn’t know how to meet a woman if she sat on their laps.”

  Iain and Erik laughed.

  “Gramma, behave,” Lydia scolded.

  “You’re…ah…” Cora pointed at Annabelle.

  “The word you’re looking for is ghost,” Annabelle said. “Or spirit, apparition, ethereal being—that last one has a very glamorous ring to it don’t you think?”

  “Okay.” Cora nodded weakly.

  Euann touched her elbow, and she instantly felt a little less nervous.

  “You chose that one.” Annabelle nodded. “Well done, Euann, don’t fuck it up.”

  Hearing the otherwise sweet-looking old woman curse, a short burst of surprised laughter escaped Cora.

  “Ah, so you’re not yet committed to him.” Annabelle smiled in approval. “Good girl. Keep them on their toes and wanting more.”

  “Hi, Gramma.” Jane leaned forward to give the spirit an air kiss by her cheek. “We’re going to a bar to drink more beer than we should and get Lydia nachos. I’m sure you approve.”

  “Indeed I do. Have fun.” Annabelle’s form began to fade. She pointed at Cora. “You come back and see me very soon.”

  Annabelle disappeared.

  “She can’t come with us?” Cora asked.

  “No, she’s tethered to the house,” Lydia explained.

  That bit of news caused Cora to walk down the hill a little faster than usual. “What else is on this side of the looking glass?”

  “What do you mean?” Lydia asked.

  Jane laughed. “You’ll get used to it, Alice, I promise.”

  “Alice?” Rory asked.

  “You should read more books,” Jane answered.

  “Oh, yeah, I saw that one on television,” Rory said.

  Vehicles drove over the wet streets, splashing in puddles. The burr of engines and the sound of tires rolling over the red-brick streets passed in regular intervals. Cora noticed many of the townsfolk stared at them from their car windows. Lydia waved at every one of them. Jane ignored them as she held a side conversation with her husband about plant orders. It didn’t take long to realize Jane owned a greenhouse.

  “Hello, Sheriff Johnson,” Lydia called as a squad car passed. The man lifted his hand in response.

  To Cora, Jane said, “I swear that man drives around in circles. I always see him downtown.”

  “That’s why I take the side streets when I want to speed,” said Erik.

  Cora fell into step beside Euann. The back of their hands bumped together, and she felt a tingle shoot through her. She thought about their kiss.

  Downtown, the historic brick buildings stood close
together. Streetlights, benches, and potted flowers lined the street. The town clearly cared about the upkeep.

  Laughter and music came out of a bar.

  “Hey!” a group shouted when Rory passed by the open door. He lifted his hand and answered in kind.

  As they turned a corner and made their way down the block, the sound of laughter and music faded. The streetlights were dimmer than on Main Street and there was less traffic. A wooden sign with Old English lettering hung over the sidewalk, much like she’d expect to see in late medieval England. It read, “Crimson Tavern.”

  “It doesn’t seem to be that busy,” Jane observed. “I hope that doesn’t mean it’s poor quality.”

  “I hope that doesn’t mean they’re out of nachos,” Lydia said.

  “What is it with ya and nachos?” Erik asked.

  Lydia shrugged. “Who doesn’t like nachos?”

  “Maybe it’s only a front and they don’t need business,” said Rory.

  “I hope they’re not out of beer.” Iain pulled his wife next to him and kissed the tip of her nose.

  “Is that…?” Rory lifted his hand to motion toward a parked blue sedan.

  In unison, Euann and Iain finished in an annoyed tone, “Mrs. Callister.”

  “Who’s Mrs. Callister?” Cora wondered what kind of paranormal creature this would be. They seemed to be lurking around every corner.

  “Local busybody,” Lydia grumbled, “and all-around nuisance.”

  “She thinks she’s a journalist because she figured out how to make a free blog online. She follows us around taking notes and then posts her musings online along with our pictures.” Euann’s lip curled a little in disgust. “She’s a pest.”

  Rory lifted a finger in realization. “That’s where I heard about the mob boss.”

  “Why do ya read that drivel?” Erik asked.

  Rory shrugged. “I don’t know. It makes me laugh.”

  Cora almost felt disappointed that this Mrs. Callister was a simple human.

  “She really likes Euann,” Rory teased.

  “What was it she wrote?” Erik touched his chin in thought.