Wizard Hall Chronicles Box Set

by Sheryl Steines

  “No. I’m good. I’m getting up.”

  *

  Hearing footsteps drag against the carpet, Annie flew awake.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.” Spencer rolled out a sleeping bag at the foot of the bed and sat on the floor.

  “You didn’t.” Annie glanced at the vampire slumped in the chair, his mouth open, drool rolling down his chin.

  “Damn. That was one strong jinx you applied. He’s sleeping like a demon baby,” Annie quipped. She strolled across the room, leaned against the small desk, glancing out the window to the parking lot across the narrow street. Annie concentrated on the shadows, searching for movement. She thought she saw a shadow move, but it was early in the morning in this sleepy village, and she suspected she was merely tired and needing rest.

  I’m seeing things, I think!

  They had fallen asleep with the window still open, and now the cool breeze fluttered the heavy drapery and whipped around Annie. She shuddered and coaxed the aged window closed.

  “You okay?” Spencer asked as he lay his pillow on the floor.

  With a heavy yawn, she sauntered past the unconscious vampire and sat on the bed, pulling the heavy gray covers around her. She summoned a pillow and lay on her stomach, staring down at Spencer.

  “Yeah. I’m just so tired.”

  The wind was strong high above the valley. It battered the old building, which groaned against the force.

  “What time is it now? We need to decide—”

  “Shhh.” Annie bolted upright. It wasn’t just the old building that cried out against the wind. It was footsteps that stopped in the hallway, just outside their door. A shadow was visible under the door.

  The manager? Listening to us?

  For several minutes, the shadow remained at the door, until the manager likely believed there was nothing of consequence happening inside. Annie held her breath until he finally scurried away. Footsteps clicked against the floor, growing softer. The stairs creaked with each step until Annie and Spencer could no longer hear the manager moving about.

  “Maybe I was wrong about him,” Spencer said.

  “I guess our separate late arrival was a bad idea,” Annie whispered.

  “Either that or he thought he might hear a little, you know…”

  “Ugh. That’s just gross.”

  “What, sex with me, or that he listens to the hotel guests?”

  Spencer unfurled a map of France across the bed and enlarged the paper. Annie tossed him the coffin lining from Amelie’s grave. “Where was she last time you scried for her?” Spencer asked. He balled the lining in his fist, wrapped his scrying crystal necklace around his hand and set the necklace to sway across the map.

  “She was out and about in this area here.” Annie pointed just west of town.

  The scrying necklace twirled and spun without dropping. Spencer stopped the swing, glanced at the map as if it could tell him something he didn’t already know, and set the necklace again, pulling it away from its starting point and letting it go. It swung rapidly, jerking across the map.

  “That’s a little weird,” he said as it continued to hop and jerk.

  Finally, the magic connected to magic, dropping a few short miles from their hotel.

  “Probably hunting earlier. Let’s wait twenty minutes and see if she moves on.” Spencer said and laid the crystal necklace on the map.

  “You want to get her now?” Annie asked as she examined the princess’s location. Her finger trailed the road from town to house.

  She’s out in the country.

  Annie glanced at the vampire. “Do you have the muffle bag in case he wakes?”

  Spencer smirked and summoned the thick black bag, holding it out for her. Returning his evil grin, she placed the magically enhanced bag over the vampire’s head, pulled tightly on the strap, securing it over his head.

  “Don’t forget to ‘turn off’ the anklet, just in case,” Spencer joked.

  “He better not do anything stupid while we’re gone,” Annie said as they reopened the window and teleported out to find the princess.

  *

  Annie focused her binoculars on the expansive mansion doors. There hadn’t been any activity since arriving thirty minutes prior.

  This is gonna take longer than a day.

  Cold and damp, Annie wrapped her coat tightly around her petite frame, warming herself from the northern wind that blew through the still-bare branches. It did nothing to warm her. The binoculars swung against her chest as she rubbed her hands together before sticking them in her pockets. She began to pace between the trees.

  “Shhh,” Spencer said as he concentrated on the front of the abandoned mansion. There had been no movement at any of the windows or doors.

  “She probably went on an early kill and is down for the night. How long do you want to stay?” Annie asked. She glanced at the once-grand house; the stucco not as white as it once was, still shone brightly in the full moon light.

  Spencer summoned a heavy blanket, holding it open for Annie to join him inside.

  “It’s close to dawn. We should come back when she’s truly down for the day. Surprise her then.” Spencer stifled a yawn.

  Footsteps crackled against the gravel drive, diverting their attention. Both peered out from behind the tree unable to see more than an outline of a body strolling up the lane.

  “Vampire?” Spencer asked.

  Annie peered through the branches. “Doesn’t look like one.”

  Spencer adjusted the binoculars and stopped, freezing when the lens clicked loudly. Annie kept her attention on the young man as he continued toward the mansion. He didn’t react.

  A vampire would have reacted to that sound.

  The blanket hanging from Spencer’s shoulders slipped to the frozen earth when he turned for a better look.

  “So who is he?” Annie whispered.

  The man hopped up the steps to the mansion door seemingly happy with his light, bouncy steps; until the door opened. A young woman exited onto the portico; the man shrunk back from her as she spoke.

  Annie examined the face of the girl with dark black hair. The light at first was too dim to see the features, to see the eyes that haunted Annie every day. She turned into the moon light where Annie could finally see that face, those lips, the eyes.

  Princess Amelie!

  Holding her breath in anticipation, Annie could barely speak. “It’s her,” she whispered. Anxiety ripped through her gut at the realization of how extensive her mistake had been. Knowing she searched for vampire tracks couldn’t ease the anxiety and guilt she felt. Her hands dropped to her side, and she watched in horror as Amelie kissed the man who reluctantly wrapped his arms around her.

  He’s shuddering, but it’s not from the cold outside.

  “How does he not know she’s a vampire?” Spencer queried without benefit of the binoculars.

  “He knows,” Annie remarked. She passed him the binoculars.

  “So she uses him for things, victims. What does he get for the trouble?” Spencer asked.

  “Sex and immortality. Think of all the near victims we’ve interviewed. Some of those people confessed to seeking out the vampires, to live forever and leave a young, beautiful corpse,” Annie said almost dreamily.

  “They romanticize life as a demon. That’s pathetic and stupid,” Spencer mumbled, sounding much like Gibbs in that moment. Annie chuckled as Amelie continued sucking air from the man. When he could no longer breathe, he pulled away and visibly shook as he stepped back.

  “I think he’s afraid of her,” Annie commented.

  “That might be useful,” Spencer said. “So why is he hanging with her?”

  “Sex,” Annie murmured. Amelie spoke again to the man, as if they were discussing business. The man, turned and pointed back toward the road as if explaining an important point. When he finished, he entered the house, though watched from the doorway as the vampire headed down the lane, toward town.

  “Essen
tially necrophilia. Gross. So why is he with her?”

  Cautiously and deliberately, the vampire walked past their hiding spot. Annie held her breath as Amelie sniffed the air. Her eyes roamed the landscape, peering through the trees on either side of the lane.

  She’s a smart vampire!

  Still careful, yet less unnerved, Amelie picked up her pace to the main road. Annie and Spencer both released stale air, relieved that Amelie didn’t care or notice them hiding in the trees.

  “He must scout for her,” Annie suggested.

  “And again, why? It would help if we knew how long he’s been doing her bidding. I can only think she’s either blackmailing him to get him to do this or he knew her prior to being turned and he’s helping an old friend.” Spencer summoned the blanket and hid it away in his field pack. After peering through the trees and glancing at the front door of the mansion, he said, “I think we’re safe.”

  They hiked through the sparse branches in the densely packed woods, easily able to watch the princess turn on to the main road heading into town. Following at a fair distance, they climbed into the ditch, hoping Amelie wouldn’t catch a whiff of their scents of sweat and soap or the musty wet in their clothing from trekking in the wet grass.

  Close to the fields of lavender, deep in the ditch, they followed the princess, a trip that by car would have taken all of ten minutes.

  It took forty.

  They watched Amelie head into town, and by the time they entered village limits, they were drenched in sweat. The extra moisture frizzed Annie’s curly hair above and around her head. Spencer wiped his brow; his normally pristine locks of hair were now a wet, disheveled mess.

  “We’re gonna stand out,” Spencer bemoaned.

  “Hush, love. You’ll scare away the vampire,” Annie chided as they passed their hotel and headed toward the only open establishment in Dinan.

  Chapter 8

  The village streets were old, narrow, and quiet in the early morning hours; very few people lingered in the streets, let alone at the bar at the end of the cobblestone walkway. A dim, dusty light emanated from the front window, and soft conversation wafted through the open door as Amelie stepped inside and took her place at the bar.

  Stopping across the street, Spencer and Annie watched as Amelie struck up a conversation with the bartender with some familiarity.

  She’s been here before.

  “Would you rather stay out here and wait for her to leave with whichever victim she chooses, or would you like a ringside seat?” Spencer took a seat on a nearby bench to watch the bar intently.

  “Ringside seat, my love,” Annie said as she playfully tugged at his arm.

  “Fine.” He sighed. His normally laidback style made work easy and enjoyable, but the longer they were in France, away from home, the more he grew languid and a little grumpy.

  “Sorry. I’m not myself,” he said, pulling himself up. Re-focused, they strolled through the front door, arm in arm, passing another young couple on the way out. A very petite woman was holding up a very large, very unsteady man.

  He’s gonna topple her!

  Annie eyed the princess as they took their seat at the table near the door. Watching her target, she held her breath when Amelie, the life of the party, stopped and whiffed the air. She glanced around the small bar, her eyes finding Annie and Spencer. Annie pulled out a small menu, hiding behind it.

  “She caught our scent at the mansion,” Spencer whispered.

  “I saw that. We need to be careful with her,” Annie replied.

  After the friendly, helpful waitress took a drink order that neither intended on partaking in, they turned their attention to each other, as if they could hide from the vampire.

  Making small talk for Annie and Spencer had been easy. They had known each other for many years and worked more than one undercover case, always following a well-written script. She reached for his hand and rubbed the inside of his palm, hanging on his words, smiling as their drinks were placed in front of them.

  Amelie laughed loudly and touched the hand of the man beside her. He pulled away as she whispered in his ear, but she grabbed his wrist and wouldn’t let go.

  “I know you’d rather be at home. I would too, but you’re a little lifeless. I need you. I can’t do this alone,” Annie said.

  “Sorry. Melinda. The pregnancy, it’s been rough.”

  Melinda Ray, Spencer’s wife of nine years was pregnant, something they had both wanted for years. Though they had two boys, Melinda wanted a girl and experienced much difficulty getting pregnant for the third time. Annie sympathized with his reluctance in leaving his family.

  I should’ve taken anyone else.

  “Why didn’t you say something? Gibbs would’ve come,” Annie chided.

  “Because I abandoned you on the last case. You’re hurt and here. I can’t just not do my job. Let’s just get this vampire,” Spencer argued.

  “You didn’t abandon me. You went to your kid’s birthday when I caught a case. It happens. Just get your head back here. Please,” Annie groused. She took a sip of the wine and observed the intended victim glance nervously as Amelie’s hand traveled up his thigh.

  He knows something’s wrong with her.

  “And what should we do tomorrow, sweetie?” Spencer asked more loudly, taking a sip of his beer.

  “Go home, I hope,” Annie smirked. “He knows there’s something weird with her,” Annie whispered into her wine glass as she pretended to take a sip.

  Amelie tapped the bar twice, and the attentive bartender quickly refilled two shots. The vampire, no longer affected by the alcohol, downed both quickly, her hand still holding the victim’s. He couldn’t release it no matter how he tried. He shuddered at her touch; as she whispered another sweet nothing in his ear, he began to shake.

  His fear must have turned her on. She sat on his lap and fed his drink to him.

  “She gets them drunk,” Annie surmised.

  “She’s still young,” Spencer quipped.

  “Let’s keep her that way.” Annie took another small sip.

  The man, whether he was drunk or just ignoring his gut feeling about the beautiful, flirty, sexed up woman, asked Amelie to dance. The music, a slow instrumental, was barely audible and sounded like it belonged in an elevator, not a bar. Nonetheless, the man stumbled to an open patch of floor between two tables and took the princess in his arms.

  Amelie kept a healthy distance away from him, trying to keep him from the chill of her skin, the tautness of her muscles that no longer felt human. She didn’t look him in the eye, rather at his forehead or his chin. There was something in those black eyes—soulless, cold, inhuman.

  She knows how to hide in plain sight.

  Amelie swayed her hips awkwardly to the music; she shimmied and rolled her ass, ignoring the incredulous stares of those around her.

  They don’t know what to make of her.

  Annie chuckled as she played with the top of her wine glass, the contents barely going down.

  She watched the vampire dance, engrossing the few patrons still in the bar. Annie wasn’t easily impressed, but she was surprised by Amelie’s knowledge of the kill as she had only died eight months ago, and they weren’t really sure when she was freed from the coffin. It hadn’t been much time for Amelie to learn and refine her technique.

  She’s playing with them.

  “Uh-oh. The companion just walked in,” Spencer whispered and swigged his beer. Annie’s gaze followed the short, rotund man take a seat on the other side of the door. He glared at the princess as if jealous, but he couldn’t take his eyes from her as she played with her next meal.

  Amelie turned at the sound of the door opening and closing, caught his eye, blew a kiss, and returned to the man beside her. The vampire had been feeding him several shots of an amber liquid; he no longer appeared frightened or turned off by the unnerving creature.

  Amelie reveled in the act, gyrating closer to the man and grazing her fingers against his thi
gh, higher and higher. Amelie’s companion glared at the production; his faced burned red.

  “She’s learned quickly,” Spencer noted. This seduction dance was so carefully crafted; by the time the victims knew they were in danger, it was too late for them to save themselves.

  Having successfully whipped up her prey, Amelie whispered in his ear. It could have been with promises of love or sex or even money; whatever it was, he was completely rendered helpless. While he stumbled after her, unknowingly being led to his death, Amelie tugged after him, irritated by the helpless creature she had to drag with her.

  “She made that look easy,” Spencer groused.

  “Get them soused, they’re yours.”

  Annie diverted her eyes from Amelie as the vampire still gripped her victim tightly. Her eyes found Spencer’s, and even in his disheveled appearance, he was handsome bordering on sexy hot. The princess smiled coyly, licked her lips, and pulled the victim out the door.

  “You’re next,” Annie quipped and threw a large tip on the table.

  “Lucky me.” He smiled and held her hand as they strode out the door.

  Hushed whispers followed Annie and Spencer from the bar.

  They felt the strangeness in Amelie too.

  Behind them, the door slammed shut; it reverberated against the hard stone of the door jamb, plummeting them into silence.

  “It’s getting really close to dawn. She’s playing a dangerous game,” Annie remarked.

  “Let’s get this over with,” Spencer said as he peered eastward to the lightening sky. The air was the coldest it had been since they arrived; their lightweight jackets did little to keep out the wind that whipped around them. Annie shuddered and wiped her watery eyes as tears from the cold ran down her cheeks.

  Both scrutinized the shadows and dark corners in their surroundings.

  Where is she?

  “Where…” Spencer began, but Annie held her finger against her lips.

  “Up there?” Annie pointed. A lumpy shadow moved slowly up the street, avoiding the dim street lamps that lined the narrow roadway through town.

  “Come on.” Spencer held tightly to Annie’s arm as if to protect her. She didn’t object and let him guide her down the street.