by Traci Wilton
She smiled at his enthusiasm. “Sounds nice.”
“Och, are those yer friends?”
Turning on her stool, she almost gasped. There stood Elisabeta with Celeste and Asher. All three were dressed head to toe in black. Pale makeup, black liner. Velvet cloaks. Very gothic and theatric, like they’d just walked off a stage.
“Halloween’s over, mates,” Callum joked.
Asher studiously ignored him and ushered Celeste into a booth, then Elisabeta.
She slid off her barrel and grabbed the menus, dropping a five on the bar counter. “Thanks,” she said, turning to greet the wannabe vampires. Was this the beginning of a new coven—Asher, Elisabeta, and Celeste?
Charlene scooted in next to Celeste, who was glaring at her as if Charlene had pulled a fast one.
“Hi,” Elisabeta said coldly from across the table, where she and Asher sat shoulder to shoulder. “What in the hell are you up to, lady?”
“Drinks. This is on me.”
“I can afford my own drinks,” Elisabeta declared. She whirled a large diamond around her pointer finger.
“It would be my pleasure . . . that was all I meant.” Charlene glanced at Celeste, next to her. “What would you like?”
“A rum and Coke.” Celeste flicked a gaze to Asher as if to make sure it was all right. Asher nodded.
“Me too. A double. For Elisabeta as well.”
Callum came over and Charlene placed the drink order. He said, “It’ll be right up.”
“He’s kind of cute,” Elisabeta whispered. “I’d like to bite his neck.” She purred and caressed Asher’s forearm.
Celeste squirmed uncomfortably. If Charlene had to guess, they’d already had the conversation about sharing. Were Asher and Elisabeta a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde?
“Thanks for coming.” Charlene passed out the menus. “Elisabeta, I’m really glad you joined us. I’ve been wondering how you are.”
“Since you broke into my house?” Her thin lips were pinched. The lines in her face were more pronounced—even in the dim lighting.
“I did not!” Charlene lifted her head high. “You opened the door.”
“And your witch friend pushed it in. Where is she?” The woman scanned the bar. “I’d love to see her again. Especially in a dark alley. Alone.”
Charlene swallowed hard. “Home. Anyway, I wanted to discuss our mutual friend, Serenity. I have an idea that might be beneficial for you.”
Silence weighted the table as the three wannabes looked at each other.
“So why did you invite these two,” Elisabeta huffed, “if it was really me you wanted to see?”
“You said you wanted to welcome me to Salem!” Celeste pouted.
“I told you that was a lie,” Asher said. “This was a setup.”
Charlene refused to rise to the bait. This was about saving Serenity and keeping an open door for Celeste. “I do, Celeste, and Asher. Elisabeta, I would have come to see you tomorrow, but this is better.”
“About Serenity?” Elisabeta laughed and caressed the red marks on her neck. “The baby witch misses us. Truth is, Alaric got to her before he was killed.” She leaned into Asher and chuckled low as she stared at Charlene in amusement. “She wants the blood.”
Charlene hid her reaction and countered, “I don’t think so. She’s stronger than all of you.”
Elisabeta crooned, “You send her to me, the baby witch, and we can discuss a new plan for eternal life.”
How about confessing the old plan?
Callum dropped off their drinks and left. Charlene raised her bottle of beer to the others at the table. “Cheers.”
“So what is it that you want, Charlene?” Elisabeta sipped her rum and Coke. “I don’t trust you or that she-witch, and asking us here tonight . . . well, it got me thinking. You must want to turn your fancy B and B into a luxury coven for us.”
Asher laughed. Celeste blushed and lowered her eyes.
“That’s not it.” Over her dead body.
“Then what is it? I hardly think you’d offer Serenity on a platter. Let me guess—you really believe that I killed Alaric.”
Charlene’s cheeks heated but she didn’t look away. “Did you?”
“Ballsy of you to come straight to the point.” Elisabeta tsked. “No. I didn’t kill him, although I wanted to at times. I wonder what you’d do if I said yes?” She started to laugh as she studied Charlene’s sweater and jacket. “Are you wearing a wire?” More loud laughter erupted from Morticia.
“No wire. Detective Holden would be horrified if he knew I was here.” Charlene had to bluff her way out of this uncomfortable situation, but how?
“We should go,” Asher said, his eyes narrowed at Charlene.
“Let’s finish our drinks,” Celeste said. “I’m a bartender and this is an excellent brand of rum. Can I get my nugget of gold?”
“You’re a fool, Charlene Morris, thinking to ride in on a white horse and save Serenity from jail when it’s obvious she killed my mate.” Elisabeta’s eyes hardened. “I know she had something to do with his death, and I will find out. When I do, she is a dead witch.”
“Serenity did not kill Alaric. She loved him.” Charlene’s stomach churned and she couldn’t even pretend to drink her Corona. “Do you believe in her power?”
“I saw it for myself,” Elisabeta admitted. “I’m not big on telepathy or anything, but I have the occasional premonition. I can see auras sometimes.” Her tone was defensive and dared Charlene to argue.
Charlene ran her fingers up and down the chilled bottle, praying for inspiration. “Did Alaric choose you for your powers? Serenity’s are far greater and she’s descended from centuries of witches. That could make a woman jealous.”
Elisabeta raised her hand. “Alaric chose me because he loved me. Unlike all the other cows in the herd, he loved me. You tell the witch that—she had nothing on me. If she only knew . . .”
“So what?” Asher demanded, cutting off Elisabeta from spilling her guts. “You’re just going to go around and ask everyone until someone confesses?”
The three of them laughed, even Celeste, and Charlene knew she was losing the crowd.
Better to concede than get crushed. Especially if it got her closer to the truth. “I guess so.” She stayed seated rather than run and hide her head. “Asher, I know you were involved with Alaric and Orpheus. Was that why Orpheus was in town? He believed you were going to be immortal, but not himself? He hinted at a secret Alaric held that could ruin him.”
“When was this?” Elisabeta asked. “I haven’t heard from Orpheus since he went back to New Orleans.”
Charlene lowered her eyes so she didn’t give the man’s death away. Elisabeta didn’t know he was dead, which meant she didn’t kill him. She peered at Asher from beneath her bangs.
“I spoke with him the night of the ball, when he was dancing with Brandy.” Implying that was the only time, without saying so.
“The mama witch.” Elisabeta touched her cheek with a hard gaze. “I owe her for that.”
Tension so thick it could be sliced with a knife eddied around them. “What do you know of the underground tunnels?”
Asher and Elisabeta both eyed her in feigned surprise. “Tunnels?”
“Legend, myth. Hearsay. Can’t get into them.” Asher didn’t crack a smile. He drained his drink and thumped the empty glass to the table.
Charlene knew they were lying and that they wanted her to know they were lying. She played along, hoping for a clue.
“I just read a fascinating book on the subject by a local author. Evergreen Bookstore still has some copies.”
Celeste wriggled on the booth seat beside her. “I saw the book. You had it at your bed-and-breakfast. It’s true, guys. Tommy was really interested in it.”
“Forget Tommy. Forget the book.” Asher scooted to the end of the bench in the booth, stood, and reached for Elisabeta. “It’s time to leave.”
Elisabeta stayed seated and twisted a skele
ton ring on her middle finger that had a large emerald in the center. They all had gemstones. Gold. Platinum. Money wasn’t a worry. How did they earn it? “Just leave us alone, Charlene. We won’t bother you; you don’t bother us. Everybody will be fine.”
“What about Serenity?” Charlene touched Elisabeta’s hand—warm and full of life despite its pale color.
She yanked it away. “That I can’t promise.”
“Neither can I, then.” Charlene had two seconds before they bolted. “Were you happy with Alaric? Orpheus implied that all was not rosy between you.”
Elisabeta’s pale face went chalk-white. “Damn him—he gets drunk and can’t shut his mouth. He promised not to make a big freaking deal out of it.”
“What?” Asher slouched against the table.
“Alaric discovered I’d slept with Orpheus one night when he was out prowling.” She glanced at Asher. “Just the two of us. After the—er . . . disagreement.”
“You didn’t!” Judgement stamped Asher’s face.
Charlene’s beer soured at the back of her throat.
“Yeah.” Elisabeta jammed the short straw into her drink and sucked it dry. “Things went south real fast—that was the final blow. We moved here—to find Asher’s witch.”
Woman scorned. Even a vampire in love could feel jealousy, and payback was only one step away. “Alaric’s, you mean?”
Elisabeta blinked into the present. “Alaric was a weak man. Mortal. He wanted to be immortal so badly that he pushed us aside. Not the makings of a good leader. Or a mate.”
An admission from the heart that Alaric was blood and bone. And had his faults.
“Charlene’s right to question you,” Asher said harshly. “You were jealous of Serenity—I felt bad for you. You failed to mention you cheated first.”
“Asher!” Celeste leaned across Charlene with red cheeks. “Don’t yell at her. You and Alaric also argued about Serenity.”
“Shut it!” Asher straightened from his slouch.
“The night of the ball?” Elisabeta asked. “You didn’t tell me you argued. Over what?”
Asher clasped his mouth tight, shooting visual daggers at Celeste.
“He shoved Alaric, mad that he chose Serenity over both of you. Alaric told him to be patient and stick with the plan.” Celeste’s eyes glittered and she touched a red mark on her neck. “You’d all be together soon. In rebirth.”
Charlene gave Celeste a sideways glance. Pieces of the night dropped into place. Celeste and Asher talking heatedly by the door before Asher teased her into dancing, when there was no music. He’d stuck to Celeste like glue after that. To make sure she kept quiet?
“Before you go,” Callum said, ushering Asher back into the booth. The tension rocketed but Asher sat, scooting Elisabeta close to the wall. “Would ye like tae share an appetizer?” He tapped the menus. “We have some interesting dishes that ye willnae find anywhere else. Scrumptious.” He put two fingers to his mouth, smacking his lips. “I highly recommend the haggis.”
“No haggis for me,” Celeste said, nose crinkled.
The door slammed open.
“An ill wind,” Elisabeta murmured.
Two officers in Salem blue burst in and to her horror they handcuffed Callum. “You have the right to remain silent.” Charlene remembered being given her Miranda rights. Wasn’t funny then. Wasn’t funny now.
“Callum?” Charlene searched his handsome face—but it wasn’t so handsome anymore. He had a wild look in his eyes.
“Lemme go!” He tossed his head back and spit on the police.
“What did he do?” Charlene asked. Elisabeta, Asher, and Celeste all remained quiet as they watched Callum get arrested.
“We’re bringing him to the station to answer some questions on the missing owner of the bar. Have any of you seen Kendrick George?”
“Don’t know who that is.” Charlene rested her elbow on the table.
The police bundled the cursing man out of the bar.
“What just happened?” Celeste murmured.
“Dunno. But we’re splitting.” Asher stood and held out his hand for Elisabeta and Celeste. Charlene got up to let the girl join them.
They didn’t tell her good night as they dashed out the door.
Charlene followed. Some of the other patrons looted the alcohol behind the bar. A harried policeman jostled her at the threshold as he went inside and flickered the interior lights.
“Everyone out!” he shouted.
Eager to get away from this place and the people, Charlene ran to her car.
She knew she wasn’t supposed to call Sam anymore, but this was ridiculous. Starting the engine and locking the doors, she dialed his cell.
“Charlene?” Sam asked in concern.
“Hi! I know we agreed to do things by the book, but I was just having a drink by the harbor . . .” She didn’t say with who so as not to completely compromise their deal. “And the cops arrested the owner!”
“It wasn’t Pirate’s Cove by chance?”
“Yes, it was. How did you know?”
“We’ve had a team on surveillance for the last few days. People reported that the owner wasn’t around; some new guy claiming to be his cousin was running the place. An offensive smell came from the oven each night.”
Her stomach churned. “Oh no, Sam.”
“What?”
“He told us about some amazing appetizers he had that no other restaurant did. Said the haggis was delicious. That was when the police arrived.”
“Glad you didn’t order the appetizers.” She heard a faint chuckle. “I have a pretty good idea what ingredients were used to make it so special.”
“Me too. I think I might puke.”
“Poor thing. Go home and let Minnie feed you amazing food that will have the proper ingredients. Who were you with?”
“Well . . . Celeste, Asher, and Elisabeta.” Charlene rushed ahead to give him information before he shouted at her. “She said the reason that they all moved from New Orleans was that she had an affair with Orpheus, and Alaric found out. Can you believe it?”
“What I can’t believe is that Elisabeta and you were in this bar at the same time. Please tell me how that happened.”
“I invited Celeste and Asher. They’re all living in the rental house together. Sam, why don’t they know about Orpheus being dead yet? I didn’t say anything but I’m very curious.”
“You’re curious? Imagine that. Charlene, you have one chance to tell me the truth.”
“That is the truth! Elisabeta thinks Serenity had something to do with Alaric’s death and threatened her life if she were to find proof of it. I mean, Elisabeta might not have committed the murder—but maybe her and Asher did it together? She’s more involved than we think.”
“We?”
“Uh, I meant you, of course.”
“You and I will have a lot to discuss when I see you in the morning. At the station. Nine sharp.”
She clenched her teeth. “Sam, I can’t leave the bed-and-breakfast tomorrow. Minnie is off and Avery wasn’t on the schedule. I mean, I can ask her, but that would be three at the earliest.”
“Make it happen or I will send a squad car.” Then there was silence and she only had her thoughts for company during the drive home.
CHAPTER 18
Charlene hurried home, her mind reeling with new information. Elisabeta had appeared interested when Charlene mentioned Serenity—but then she’d concluded wrongly that Serenity had been “turned” by Alaric.
It had to be a lie that Alaric had seduced Serenity into drinking blood. Telling tales was only one way of many that he’d used to create his vampire persona. It was laughable compared to Serenity’s actual bloodline, which ran true without fear of death, or what came after.
Charlene parked in the drive next to Minnie’s Volvo. The snow had stopped but it was still chilly. She burst through the door.
“Hi, Minnie! Hi, Avery.” She drew a quick breath. “It’s been quite a
day. You ready to stick your bike in the back?”
“Yeah,” Avery said. She tossed on her jacket—black, which matched her black-and-white coveralls. “How was Celeste? I liked her.”
“I hope she’s all right with Asher. Not sure about that man.” Minnie tied her squirrel hat beneath her chin. Avery straightened the tail, managing to keep a straight face.
“She seems infatuated. We’ll keep an eye on her in case she decides to go back to Jersey City and Tommy or if she needs our help. Asher is quite a few years older.” And wants to be a vampire.
Jack appeared in the foyer. “Hurry back, Charlene. I want to hear what happened. Glad you made it home before eight or the lights would have flickered like a short!”
She lifted her hand to her impatient ghost.
“I’m ready,” Avery said, zipping her coat. “I didn’t like Asher. I thought he was creepy. Trying too hard, while acting like he wasn’t.”
“Good observation.” The three of them stepped outside and Minnie drove off with a beep as Charlene helped Avery with the bike.
They each got in the front and Charlene started the short drive to Avery’s. “How was class today?”
“Good. Aced my English test.”
“Congratulations! You’re doing so well. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks.” The teen adjusted the heater.
“Do you mind filling in tomorrow after school? I need to go to the police station.”
“Sure. Everything okay?”
“It is.” Not okay exactly, but there was nothing she wished to share.
Avery chattered nonstop the whole way—when there was a pause in the monologue, Charlene asked. “Avery, you’ve lived here all your life. Have you heard about the underground tunnels?”
“Sure. Pirate treasure is buried in the floor but there are booby traps, like in The Goonies.”
Charlene laughed. “You’re kidding?”
Avery cracked up. “In freshman year we went in one as a dare. By the old cemetery? It was so spooky and disgusting. It’s supposed to be haunted and there’s all these keep out signs.”
“That only served to entice teenagers?” Charlene teased.
