by Sonia Parin
“You wait until now to tell me?”
“You never asked.”
“What is she telling you?” Gerard’s voice exploded with exasperation.
Lexie ignored him and turned to Luna. “Is there something else you wish to tell me? Because if there is, please feel free to share.” They were coming up to the gateway. It seemed to grow dark but then a bolt of lightning exploded. Not exactly welcoming, Lexie thought. “Well? Miss Bright Ideas. What do you suggest I do with all this so-called power which is at my disposal?”
Luna gave a small shake of her head. “It’s obvious. You need to conjure a horse-drawn buggy.”
How was she supposed to do that without instructions? “So help me, if we come through this unscathed, I will write a Mackenzie Coven Induction Manual. Octavia will love that.” She wrung her hands. When she traveled, she only had to fix her mind on a destination... and before she knew it, she... well, she usually ended up landing in a closet. Okay. She always landed in a closet but it was always a closet located at her destination. So, in theory, she only really needed to think about a horse and a buggy...
“Don’t think about the how. Focus on the what,” Luna explained, “I have full confidence in your abilities. Here’s a hint. The less you know, the more effective you’ll be.”
“Well?” Gerard demanded.
It’s now or never... “Hold on to your hats and don’t lose sight of the gateway.”
“What are you going to do? Turn your cat into a horse and my car into a buggy?”
Luna glared up at her. “Don’t you dare.”
Lexie emptied her mind until only one thought remained. To her surprise and utter amazement, the hum of the car engine turned into the clip-clop of a horse’s hooves and they all sat in a black Amish buggy. “Giddy up, detective, before the gateway closes.”
“What did you do?” the detective asked even as his hands released a steering wheel that was no longer there and grabbed hold of the reins.
In an instant, the sound of hooves on hard asphalt softened as they went through the gateway and emerged onto a dirt road.
Gerard turned to her. “You got us here, you better know how to get us back.”
“One life changing task at a time, please.” And where was here?
“Where?” Luna asked, “I’d be more interested in knowing when.”
“The road’s gone, so we have to assume we’ve traveled back in time.”
“Like in the movie,” Luna piped in, “This could be interesting. Do you think we might bump into ourselves? If I knew then what I know now... well, let’s just say I would have put more thought into my decisions. Maybe it’s not too late to make a few changes...”
“I think we’ve traveled further back than a couple of years.” The landscape appeared to be the same, minus the modern buildings, which had clearly been built over what had once been... or rather, what was now an orchard. “We appear to be in the same place... more or less.” When she spotted Gainsborough Mansion in the distance, she set her mind to work on the possible reasons for Zoe and Zach and the Reids’ trip here. They were back in time, but Lexie had no idea how far back they’d gone. She could only assume they’d ridden into great granny Hensley’s time period.
Both couples were racing toward something, or someone...
“Maybe they’ve cast a spell and need a lock of hair to complete it,” Luna suggested.
“Huh?”
“I think your suspicions are about to be confirmed. Marcela’s great granny bottled up her powers and we’re here either before this happened or right after it happened. My bet is on us arriving just as the magic is being sealed, right in time to see where it will be hidden. I doubt they’ll try to remove it now, but will, instead, return to our time and then retrieve it.”
“Yes, but which one of them killed Lauren and Lance?”
“Maybe they all did. Remember, Zoe was prepared to form alliances. Then again, they might all be in cahoots with Marcela and this could all be a ruse to get you out of the mansion so that Marcela can get her hands on enough power to seal the gateway and keep you here until the end of days.”
“You have a twisted mind.”
“I wouldn’t mock my theory. The fact I could come up with it means that it exists as a possibility.”
“Now you’re scaring me. I’m sure they don’t have pizza in this time period.”
“Or Game Indulgence.” Luna appeared to swallow hard. “I hope you know how to get us back.”
As they neared the Mansion, Lexie noticed a line of carriages passing through the gates. “There’s some sort of festivity going on.”
“By the way, congratulations on conjuring the buggy,” Luna said, “You appear to perform extremely well under pressure. I’m impressed. If you are ever put on trial, I will be more than happy to appear as your character witness.”
“On trial?”
“Considering your stalwart determination to remain true to yourself, you are bound to get on the wrong side of the disciplinary board and they have the power to wreak havoc in your life and bring you to heel.”
Shaking her head, she turned to Gerard. “What time period do you think this is?”
“Going by the top hat on that gentleman,” he said as he slowed down, “I’d say we’re in the nineteen hundreds, or thereabouts. You might want to do something about our clothes.”
Lexie shook her head. “We’ll just say we’re from New York... or the West Coast.”
Both Luna and Gerard gave her puzzled looks.
“Don’t worry. We’ll wing it.” Lexie took a moment to close her eyes and think about what she’d managed to do. Effortlessly. Did this mean she had to now start thinking about a life trajectory? Eventually, her mother would step down as High Chair of the American Continent and all Circumferential Domains Pertaining to the Mackenzie Coven and she’d take over. What would she be called on to do? And how would she adapt to her new power? There was bound to be more...
“With great power comes much responsibility,” Luna mused.
“Like making sure your supply of Game Indulgence doesn’t run out?”
“Precisely.” Luna purred. “So... how do you feel?”
Lexie decided she would rather not think too much about it.
“That’s the key,” Luna murmured. “If you’d given it too much thought, the horse could have ended up with a kangaroo tail.”
Gerard nudged her with his elbow. “Whatever conversation you two are having needs to stop now. We’re coming up to the gate. Any suggestions?”
“Umm... park the buggy? Also, I’ve watched enough movies about traveling back in time to know we shouldn’t meddle or change anything. Let’s just focus on following our suspects.” Zoe and Zach had already disappeared inside the house along with the Reid couple.
As they descended the buggy, a few heads turned but the glances were too fleeting to be of any concern.
Lexie pressed the toe of her boot on the ground to test it. It felt solid and real... “I’d like to know how they knew to come here.”
“That’s the sort of information they’ll divulge under heavy handed interrogation,” Luna remarked, “You could team up with the detective and play good cop, bad cop.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re having a laugh at my expense? Oh, right... because you are.” The foyer looked much the same as its modern counterpart. The only significant differences Lexie noticed were the flower arrangements. Large vases of beautiful blooms sat on all available surfaces, filling the air with a light, delicate fragrance. “I think we’ve arrived on the day before the wedding.” She peered toward the sitting room and saw a couple of women dressed in long gowns and frilly necklines. “Okay, we’ll have to split up. Luna can take the hallway on the right and report on what she sees and we’ll go to the left.” Not waiting for their reply, she raced up the stairs. “I bet we’ll find great granny Hensley in her suite, probably fretting over her big decision.”
“I don’t think it will be
a good idea to confront them now,” Gerard offered as Lexie pressed her ear to one of the doors, “We don’t want to draw attention to ourselves. Unless they do something drastic like try to kill someone, I suggest we only observe.”
I found the others.
“Where?” Lexie asked.
“Where what?” Gerard asked.
“Luna just told me she found the others. Luna, make sure they don’t see you.”
I shall make myself invisible. They are standing outside a suite and Zoe is pressing her ear to the door. I suspect she is trying to eavesdrop on a conversation.
“Hang tight, we’ll be there in a minute.”
If you come, they’ll see you. You should stay where you are.
“Okay. Can you get inside the suite?”
“What is she doing now?” Gerard pressed her.
“She’s thinking. This could take some time.”
Yes, I can get in. At least, in theory I know I can. I’ve only ever seen it done once and the feline companion lost part of her tail. This is a perilous task but I am prepared to risk it all...
“Lost a tail? What? How?”
In her invisible form, she was able to go through a door. I’m not sure I’m prepared to risk it just yet. Give me a minute to work on my courage and put myself in the right frame of mind. I shall have to mentally see my entire form moving through a solid door. This will require me to become one with the door. To be, and yet... not to be.
Lexie turned to Gerard and thought out loud, “Should I try to talk her out of it or wave my pom-poms and encourage her? If I do and she loses part of her tail, I’ll never hear the end of it... Now a stream of worse case scenarios is traipsing through my mind. Luna coming out the other end back to front... or her beautiful little face all twisted, her eyes askew...”
Despite your lack of faith in me, I have made my decision. But first...
Lexie shook her head. “I don’t like the sound of this. I think Luna is about to state her terms and barter with me.”
Consider it part of my list of demands. I was thinking I wouldn’t mind having a broomstick of my own. I know many witches who get around in them. Of course, you don’t need one because you’re an incoming High Chair but I have been relying on you to get me around. It would be splendid to have some independence and I’d be the envy of all feline companions. Not even my sister, Venus, has one. I promise to look after it.
“Whatever she’s asking for, just say yes.”
“I can’t,” Lexie mouthed. Luna on a broomstick? Was she even old enough to ride one? “Yes. Fine. I’ll get you one.”
When?
“We’ll go shopping for it when we get home. Is it a deal?”
Are you offering an unconditional assurance that we’ll go shopping as soon as we return or is this one of those open ended, appease the feline companion now and deal with her later promises? I don’t deal well with false promises.
“You have my word as an incoming High Chair.”
While I have your undivided attention, I should remind you of the Amish quilt you promised to get me. Oh, and the assurance that my supply of Game Indulge will never be interrupted.
“Fine. Now get in there and remember your tail.”
“What’s happening now?” Gerard demanded.
“Luna is going to attempt to go through the door. I’m guessing it’s as easy as pie for her, but she made it sound difficult in order to negotiate a favorable deal for herself.”
You make me sound like a ruthless mercenary... Okay. I made it through. Oh... this is interesting. I never would have imagined finding her here. Although... Yes, of course. It makes perfect sense.
Lexie looked heavenwards. “Whenever you’re ready, tell us what you see. And why aren’t you coming through loud and clear?”
“Oh, my apologies. Is that better?”
“Yes, thank you. Now, who’s there?”
“Your great aunt Tillie. The one who left you her fortune. She’s clearly great granny Hensley’s contemporary and friend. They are conversing amicably. You should see how beautifully dressed they are. Tillie has an arrangement of feathers and pearls on her head. And the suite is beautifully decorated in pretty shades of pink and masses of flowers. Marcela’s great granny looks distraught but she’s just given a firm nod. It seems she has made her decision. Hang on... She’s bracing herself, almost as if she’s about to change her mind. Now she’s squared her shoulders. And now Tillie has removed a small bottle from her purse. It is encrusted with gems. Very pretty.”
Lexie tried to ignore the detective’s raised eyebrow but then he made a few demanding hand gestures. “Luna is leaving nothing out.” And now she was curious about her great aunt Tillie. She’d been a workaholic her entire life. Lexie had only met her a couple of times, but had only seen her from a distance at a family function and couldn’t remember ever having any personal contact with her.
“Wait. Wait. Oh... this is interesting.”
Lexie put her hand on the detective’s arm.
“Tillie is explaining something in hushed whispers. She is raising a finger and now she is raising another finger. I think she is giving great granny Hensley two options. There’s some lip biting happening as she ponders the consequences. This is history in the making. Her entire future hangs in the balance. Will she make the right choice? I am tempted to say, stay tuned...”
“Can you get closer to them?”
“I’m trying to but I suspect Tillie has picked up my scent. She is looking around her. I’m afraid she might have heard me. I shall have to whisper.”
Seeing the detective about to ask for an update, Lexie pressed her finger to her lips. “Can you whisper louder, please? I barely caught that.” She strained to hear Luna.
“Oh...”
“What?”
“I’m not sure I should tell you. This news might have a negative impact on your outlook.”
“Let me be the judge of how I’ll feel. Spit it out, Luna.”
“Your great aunt Tillie managed to convince her friend to relinquish her powers to her for safekeeping. Do you realize what this means?”
She hated to admit it, but she didn’t, which meant she’d have to ask Luna to explain. Lexie bit her lip and growled softly under her breath. “Wait. Yes. I see now.”
Gerard frowned.
“And you’re right. This changes everything. It certainly changes the way I feel... or might have felt about Tillie if I’d given it any thought. I know she established her cosmetic empire at this time. Acquiring magical organizational skills would have been essential to her venture.”
Luna purred in agreement. “I don’t wish to cast aspersions on someone who left you her fortune and, in a roundabout way, is responsible for my supply of Game Indulgence, but it looks to me as if she owes part of her success to her friend. Are you sure you didn’t kill Lauren and Lance as a way to keep all this hush-hush? If I found the source of your fortune, then others will too and who knows what they will make of it. They might suspect Tillie of coercing her friend for her own benefit... Another reason for you to want to kill anyone intent on divulging this information.”
“If you’re quite finished, the detective has already confirmed my alibi,” Lexie said through gritted teeth. “Besides, I’m sure my great aunt would have succeeded with or without the extra powers... Why would I want to hide it? And... What are you talking about? I was downstairs. Stop trying to involve me. There’s no way I could have done it.”
“Isn’t there? You’re becoming a powerful witch. You could easily have cloned yourself, leaving one version of you to stand by the staircase, while the other committed the crime. Just saying.”
“What?” the detective asked.
She shook her head. “You don’t want to know.”
“I think I have seen enough. I am now about to go through the door again. If anything goes wrong, I hope you’ll organize an appropriate service for me.”
“I’ll hire violin players. Hey, on your way back, make
sure to check out what the others are up to. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to Tillie, and neither would you, I’m sure.” She turned to the detective. “Well, at least we now know what happened to the Hensley power.”
“You might know because you’ve been holding a lengthy conversation with your cat, but I’m still in the dark.”
“Oh, right... Sorry. Here’s the condensed version...” She proceeded to fill him in. When she finished, she frowned. “I don’t understand what the others hoped to gain by this trip other than to find out what we just did and I doubt they were able to listen through the door. So they’re still in the dark.” She didn’t think they would try to change the course of events. What would be the point? “But,” she said, thinking out loud, “They might have wanted to somehow steal the powers for themselves. I wish Lauren and Lance had left some sort of clue.”
“My team did a thorough search of the suite and went through all the videos and found nothing. I specifically asked them to track any unusual activities.”
She turned in time to see Luna scurrying toward them.
“Hurry. Hurry. Hide. The others are coming.”
“Can you please tell me what’s going on?” Gerard demanded as Lexie shoved him into the nearest suite.
“We’re hiding. Just until our suspects make their getaway. Sorry, I just heard myself. But you know what I mean.”
“I’m afraid to say that I do.”
Luna leaped up into her arms and pressed her nose against hers. “Tell me you will keep your word about my Amish quilt and my endless supply of Game Indulgence and, most importantly... although, in reality, not as important as gourmet food, my very own broomstick. If it was nothing but an empty promise, I shall... I shall never speak to you again.”
Oh, she was so tempted... “I see you still have your tail.”
