CHARMEDIMSUREFINAL_edited_Eleanor

by rose@rosepressey. com

  I eased through the door and called out again. “Charlie, are you home? We have been looking for you. You didn’t come back to the manor. We’re worried about you and the board wants to find you.”

  Of course, there was no answer. There was a dining room table in the corner of the room by the hallway that led to the kitchen. There were a few stacks of papers and files so I moved over for a closer look. I glanced over my shoulder to make sure I wouldn’t get caught. No one was there but it still felt as if I was being watched.

  I picked up a couple of files from the table. It looked as if there were names and pictures of other witches. Some I recognized from Enchantment Pointe and the other names were from New Orleans. Was Charlie investigating these witches too? Did the board send her around to check up on different people? I flipped through the pages stuffed inside, but couldn’t find any info on why she might be investigating these men and women. What had they done that made the board come after them? Probably nothing, just like me. I placed a few of the files back and went through another stack.

  As I sorted through a few more files I spotted the edge of a white piece of paper sticking out from one of the files. It was what I recognized at the top that make me take it out from that file. It was a picture of the Book of Mystics. It told who had it and where to find it. Hallie LaVeau at LaVeau Manor.

  Why would she have this photo? She didn’t need to know anything about the Book of Mystics in order to investigate me. That made me nervous. I was a little on edge about the prospect of someone taking the book.

  I stared at the picture for a moment and then placed it back in the file. Just as I was placing the file back on the stack where I’d found it a hand wrapped around my shoulder.

  Unable to control my emotions, I screamed and threw my arms up in the air. I spun around ready to fight off my attacker. Whoever did this had better be ready for a fight. It didn’t matter that I was looking through things that weren’t mine and that I’d entered someone’s home without permission. I was just trying to defend myself now.

  Liam’s handsome face stared back at me. Not only did he have a smile on his face, it shone in his deep blue eyes too. Liam looked great in his jeans and green t-shirt. The color suited him. Then again, Liam looked great in everything.

  “What are you doing?” he asked.

  I released a deep breath. “I was looking for Charlie.”

  Liam surveyed the apartment. “Did you find her?”

  “No, but look what I did find.” I reached around and snatched the file that contained the picture of the Book of Mystics. “Sure, I shouldn’t be in here snooping, but we’re trying to find Charlie. I just couldn’t sit around and do nothing.”

  He nodded. “No, of course not.”

  I pulled out the picture and handed it to him. “I suppose it’s not completely weird that she would have a picture of the Book of Mystics. Maybe it has nothing to do with the investigation. I mean, if she was just interested I guess I can see that. Or maybe I’m just being too paranoid.”

  He gave me a half grin that let me know that was his opinion. I took the picture from him, placed it back in the file and then stuffed it back in the stack.

  “So what are you doing here?” I asked. “How did you get here?”

  “Your Uncle Fitzgerald is outside. He showed up at the plantation and said that you needed my help.”

  My mouth dropped and for a moment I was speechless.

  “Are you kidding?” I finally managed.

  “I’m afraid the answer to that is no, I am not kidding. Of course when he said you needed help I came over here right away. I’m glad to see that you are okay.” His mouth curved into a sexy grin.

  Liam’s expression eased my tension.

  “I don’t understand why he told you that or how he even got to the plantation, because I left him behind at LaVeau Manor. This is just like at the Bubbling Cauldron, but I hope he doesn’t get into any fights outside. What is he doing here? It’s time I got to the bottom of this,” I said, marching toward the door.

  Liam followed me to the door.

  “I guess you didn’t find Charlie?” he asked as I stepped out into the sunshine.

  I turned around to face him. “Well, I didn’t get past the dining area, but if she is there she never answered. Maybe you should go back inside and check. I don’t know why the door was open.” I paused for a second. “You never told me that Charlie was from New Orleans. Is she a part of the coven?”

  He ran his hand through his hair. “I never knew she was living here. It was the first I’d heard of her. As far as I can understand she just moved to town.”

  I nodded. “I guess that makes sense. She had a lot of files in there of witches from around the area. I guess she’s investigating them too.”

  Liam stared ahead for a moment and then said, “I figured they would have informed me of any investigations, but I guess I was wrong. I definitely need to talk with this board.”

  “They can’t just do whatever they want when they want without informing someone.” Not even realizing it, I held my hands at my sides in tight fists.

  Especially without informing the leader. Why was I the leader if they were never going to ask me anything?

  “I’ll just go check real quick while you discuss this with your uncle,” Liam said.

  That was exactly what I intended to do. I marched over to Uncle Fitz who was still sitting in Liam’s car. He was staring straight ahead pretending that he didn’t notice me. I knew that he saw me though. I tapped on the window. He didn’t look over at me, so I tapped again.

  Finally, he turned his attention to me and brought the car window down. “Oh, Hallie, I didn’t see you standing there.”

  Yeah, right. I didn’t even know where to start with him.

  I studied his face, expecting a full explanation. “Uncle Fitz, what are you doing here? I left you back at the manor. How did you find your way to the plantation?”

  “I just caught a ride.”

  “How did I know that was the answer you would give? I am not buying that explanation.” I placed my hands on my hips.

  Uncle Fitz wiggled his eyebrows. “It’s the truth.”

  Apparently he thought the cute act would get him out of trouble.

  Just then Liam stepped out from Charlie’s apartment. “She’s not there,” he said.

  “Thanks for looking, and more importantly, thanks for taking care of Uncle Fitz.” I motioned toward the car with a tilt of my head.

  He flashed a little crooked smile. “It was no problem. Hey, if you have the time why don’t you come back to the plantation?”

  I pushed the hair behind my ear. “Yeah, I guess we could do that for a bit.”

  I really needed to get back to the manor, but how could I say no to a face like that?

  Liam smiled and said, “Okay, so just follow me, okay?”

  “Uncle Fitz, why don’t you ride with me?” I waved my hand, motioning for him to get out of the car.

  “He can ride back with me,” Liam said.

  “I really need to talk with him.”

  Liam smiled, but Uncle Fitz acted as if he wasn’t going to budge from the seat.

  I opened the car door. “Come on, out you go.” I motioned for Uncle Fitz to get out of the car.

  Finally he unfolded his legs from the front seat and shuffled back to my car. Uncle Fitz was silent as we pulled away from the curb.

  “I really don’t know what you are up to, Uncle Fitz.”

  “I just want to make sure you are okay. You really should have asked me to come with you.”

  “It really is none of your concern,” I said as I followed Liam’s car. “I don’t believe you about catching a ride here.”

  He shrugged. “Well, it’s not magic. I haven’t been able to do that since I arrived at your place.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  I pulled down the driveway toward the plantation. Moss-covered oak trees lined the drive on each side. Every time I came here I w
as on the lookout for gators from the nearby swamp.

  The mansion waited for us at the end of the drive. Two large porches wrapped around the bottom and top floors of the plantation with massive columns on the front façade. It felt only slightly less creepy knowing that there weren’t evil people lurking around the place. At least I hoped they weren’t around this time.

  “You know that man is crazy about you,” Uncle Fitz said as we pulled up behind Liam’s car.

  I cut the engine. “I like him too.”

  “No, I mean he really likes you as more than a friend,” Uncle Fitz said in a singsong voice.

  I took the key from the ignition and opened the door. “I don’t want to talk about that right now. Right now we have to find out why your magic isn’t working.”

  He got out from the car and I met him on his side. “I hope you can figure it out. It’s most upsetting.”

  I could imagine it was upsetting. But I had been in his shoes before so I knew how it felt.

  When Liam walked over to us, I said, “We have a problem. Uncle Fitz says he hasn’t been able to do magic since he arrived at LaVeau Manor.” There was no way to hide the edge of anxiety in my voice.

  Liam furrowed his brow and looked at Uncle Fitz. “Is that right? Why didn’t you say something? You acted as if it was working.”

  Uncle Fitz waved his hand. “I didn’t want to worry anyone. I am sure it will come back soon.”

  I didn’t know why it had gone away but I wanted to get to the bottom of it.

  Uncle Fitz and I went inside the plantation with Liam. The place was massive even compared to LaVeau Manor. An ornate staircase greeted us when we entered the foyer. Hardwood floors gleamed under our feet. On the left was the parlor and on the right was the library full of book-lined shelves.

  The three of us gathered in the parlor, stepping to the middle of the room in front of the matching sofas. A massive crystal chandelier hung in the middle of the room. An ornately carved fireplace was in the middle of the far wall with floor-to-ceiling windows flanking each side. A pretty shade of robin’s egg blue bathed the walls. Being in the room brought back memories of when I’d met the New Orleans coven members here. The last coven leader had definitely been a pain in my butt. Thank goodness that was all behind us now.

  “I think I should cast a spell to try to help my uncle. There’s just one catch, I’ll need your help,” I said.

  What I really needed was for all of us to cast a spell, but I didn’t want to look as if I didn’t have things under control.

  Liam nodded. “Of course. We can do it right here in front of the fireplace. Uncle Fitz, you should join us.”

  Liam held my hand and my skin tingled under his touch. Uncle Fitz smiled, but I tried to ignore him. Liam recited the chant with me. I called to the elements of earth, air, fire, and water. The wind whipped around the room in a frenzy. Nothing moved expect for my hair. It would look like I’d driven with my head out the window at a hundred miles an hour by the time we finished the magic. I had no idea if this would work, but it was all I had.

  When the wind died down, Liam released my hand. It felt strange to let go.

  “Why don’t you try a spell now, Uncle Fitz?” I asked.

  “What should I do?”

  “How about you start a fire in the fireplace?” Liam motioned.

  He closed his eyes, pointed toward the fireplace and recited the spell. A tiny spark flickered in the fireplace, but then disappeared.

  Uncle Fitz frowned. “Well, I guess that was better than nothing.”

  I nodded. “It’s a step in the right direction. We should go back to the manor so I can look in the Book of Mystics for something to help.”

  “The Book of Mystics? You have the Book of Mystics?” Uncle Fitz asked.

  I didn’t answer him.

  “Call me if you need anything.” Liam looked as if he didn’t want us to leave, but I needed to get back. Nicolas would be worried. Liam walked us back out to the car. He waved as we drove away.

  “You didn’t tell me you had the book,” Uncle Fitz said as we pulled down the driveway.

  I looked back in the rearview mirror and saw Liam watching us drive away. He looked lonely standing there all by himself.

  “Uncle Fitz, why did you think I was the leader of the Underworld?”

  “I guess I didn’t know. I thought I heard someone say that but I brushed it off. I had no idea.”

  Was he really that clueless? Maybe he was.

  Uncle Fitz dozed off during the ride home. I turned up the radio and tried to drown out his loud snoring. Nicolas was standing on the porch when I pulled into the driveway and up to the manor.

  “Where have you been? I was worried.” Nicolas touched my arm when I stepped up onto the porch.

  “I was in New Orleans. I went to Charlie’s place to look for her.”

  I wasn’t sure if it was wrong that I didn’t tell him I’d stopped by the plantation. Uncle Fitz joined me on the porch. If he told Nicolas where we’d been I wouldn’t let him have cookies for a week.

  Worry covered Nicolas’ face. “I’m afraid I have bad news.”

  My stomach dropped. I didn’t want or need bad news.

  “Were there reports of witches casting spells against the vampires?”

  “No, there wasn’t, but this is something other than that.” He guided me toward the door.

  “What is it?” I asked, afraid to hear.

  “The board is inside. They want to speak with you.”

  I didn’t know what to do. It looked as if I had no other choice but to talk with them.

  I nodded. “Okay, I’ll speak with them.”

  After all, this was my job now. I was the leader and had to take care of my responsibilities. I stepped inside the manor.

  Nicolas motioned toward the parlor. “They are in there waiting for you.”

  I straightened my shoulders, puffed out my chest and marched into the room. Nicolas and Uncle Fitz followed me. It would be nice to have them around for moral support.

  Three men and two women waited for me in the parlor. The men all wore dark suits. Two had dark hair and one had blondish-gray. They appeared to be from a range of age from forty to fifty. The two women wore dark pants and blue shirts, as if they’d planned to color-coordinate their outfits. They stood when I entered the room.

  “Good afternoon. You must be Halloween LaVeau,” the woman with short dark hair said. She moved closer and stuck out her hand. I had to admit I hadn’t planned on them being so cordial, but perhaps that would change soon.

  In spite of how nice they seemed, something didn’t seem right. Maybe it was the heavy feeling in the air or maybe it was just my nerves. Nevertheless, I wanted to get them out of the manor as soon as possible.

  “Thank you for seeing us. My name is Emily Holbrook. These are the other board members Aimee Hamlin, Gregg Todd, Michael Brenan and Dave McCoy. I’m sure you can understand that we just want to know what is going on with the book and our new leader. We’re here to make sure everything is pleasant for you.”

  Yeah, I wasn’t buying that story.

  “Everything is peachy, thanks for asking,” I said through gritted teeth.

  It didn’t take a hammer over the head to pick up on my hostility.

  “Ms. LaVeau, I’m the board leader. I realize our visit is an intrusion, but we need to find Charlie. We sent her here to make sure you were okay and now she is gone. I guess you can understand how that is very concerning,” the blond man said.

  If I remembered correctly his name was Dave McCoy.

  “I can understand that, but I assure you everything is under control.” That was hard for me to say with a straight face. “I will find Charlie and have her contact you as soon as possible.”

  They frowned and then the dark haired man said, “See to it that you do.”

  They marched toward the door.

  Dave stopped and turned to me. “By the way, if you don’t find Charlie, we will be forced to st
art proceedings to have the Book of Mystics taken away from you. Have a nice day.” Dave’s smile was anything but friendly.

  The group flashed smug looks my way as they filed toward the door. I figured they wouldn’t be as nice on their exit as when I’d first arrived. They walked out of the manor and climbed into the car. I closed the door and didn’t even watch them drive away. I’d seen enough. How would I find Charlie?

  I looked at my watch. “We’re going to be late for the festival.”

  The charity festival was held every year and my mother would never forgive me if I missed it.

  Nicolas nodded. “I hoped you hadn’t forgotten.”

  I’d seen that I’d missed a couple calls from my mother. She was probably freaking out thinking that I had forgotten about it.

  “I’d better call my mother before she shows up here,” I said.

  “I’ll change for the festival,” Uncle Fitz said as he walked toward the stairs.

  “What’s going on with him?” Nicolas asked.

  “It’s a long story. I’ll explain in the car on the way there,” I said as I dialed he phone.

  My mother answered on the first ring.

  “You have thirty minutes to get to the festival. People will expect you to be there. If you want the local coven to like the new leader of the Underworld then you need to be there.”

  “Take a deep breath, Mama, before you pass out from lack of oxygen.”

  “Don’t get sassy with me. Where are you? I tried calling, but you didn’t answer.”

  “I was in New Orleans looking for Charlie.”

  My mother paused. “Oh, well, did you find her?”

  “No, as a matter of fact, I didn’t find her. The board was waiting here for me when I returned.”

  “That’s not good. What did they say?”

  “They said the same thing as before. They want to take the book away if I can’t find Charlie. How is that even my responsibility? I think Charlie doesn’t want to be found.” I released a deep sigh.