"No," I interrupted. "He didn't bring us. We went ourselves."
"Uh, no…that would mean you were a…” Anise stopped talking and I could see something dark pass behind her eyes.
Uh-oh. The vampire, Cadence, had said I was a warlock and Anise didn't seem to think much of warlock-kind. If she was going to help me get Gemma back, I had to think fast.
"He, um, didn't, like, drive us there or anything. We followed in my sister's car, so he didn't, technically, bring us," I lied. Anise chewed her nails and nodded as if weighing the validity of my story. Finally, she sat up and walked towards the door.
"My grandma's setting up for lunch. We can talk about this more with her. I'll bring you some clothes to wear," Anise said. I was still rocking the flannel-grandma look. "And, Ascher, I wouldn't mention how you found the club to anyone, especially my Aunt and Cyd."
Did she know I was lying?
"You can't follow a vampire or warlock to The Crimson," Anise said. "The veil-spells won't let you. It's basic Magic 101 stuff. You're lies revealed the truth to me, even if you didn't. You're a warlock."
Chapter Eleven
Binding Spell
I opened my mouth to apologize and my jaw snapped shut, my teeth clicking together painfully.
"It's a binding spell. Even though you aren't practicing magic, you're still a warlock, which means I can't trust you. I just wanted to show you some of what I'll do to you if I think, even for a second, that you're working with them,” Anise said.
She left the room, her binding spell still suspending me in an invisible iron grip and returned a few minutes later with a stack of clothes.
"Come down after you've finished dressing.” She must've done something to end the spell because I was able to open my mouth, which closed again, only this time, I was the one who shut it. I had nothing to say to Anise; at least, nothing she'd like to hear. Anise shut the door with more force than necessary and I sank onto the bed.
If I'm supposed to be a magical warlock, then why can't I do anything, well, magical? I found myself wondering. Squeezing my eyes shut, I willed myself to change into a panther. I know I'd never been able to do it before, but neither had Gemma until a few weeks ago.
"I have to get to Gemma.”
She'd been hurt badly the last time I'd seen her, but if vampires really did sleep during the day, then maybe she'd have a chance to get away. I pulled on a pair of black corduroys that fit too tight and were the low-rise kind that always made me nervous when I wore them because I was always one slouch from flashing butt-cleavage like a plumber.
I grabbed a pair of red jogging pants with the word "Hottie" stitched onto the seat and a gray long-sleeve shirt. After dressing myself, I hauled it to the door, anxious to get more answers from the witch-bitch. I hurried into the hall.
The walls on either side of me were plain white and the slap of my feet on the hardwood floors sounded loud to my ears. The smell of onion, tomato, and garlic filled my nostrils and my stomach growled like an angry dog. A staircase led down to a family room, comfortably crowded with candles and pillows.
Strange knick-knacks filled the space of every flat surface. Two identical worn sofas faced each other, an oriental rug separating them. The hardwood floor was spotted with the shapes of three sleeping cats, all warming themselves next to the flickering flames of the fire.
Well, if they have cats they can't be all bad
A rocking chair placed to the right side of the fireplace hid a cat-tree, which held two more cats. One, a black long-hair swatted at the tail of a very moody tortoiseshell whose growling grumbles could be heard even over the gurgling of my stomach.
"The pissy one's Galway, my Nana's.” I jumped at the voice and looked behind me. Cyd Bergamot, Anise's cousin trailed me by a few feet. Galway's ears flattened at the insult. "I see Anise scored some of my sweats for you- they fit okay. You like spaghetti? Mom made it for lunch. Man, you're tall!” I tried to follow Cyd's unconnected attempt at conversation, but managed only a nod of the head.
Cyd skipped in front of me, in toe-socked feet. I followed her into a large kitchen, which looked equal parts Betty Crocker and Mr. Science. A large counter, taking up much of the space in the middle, was crammed with multiple spice racks and a bunch of strange scientific equipment. I thought this was a little strange, but, being that I was about to discuss my feline-shifting sister with a family of witches, my thoughts didn't linger on the kitchen's weirdness.
We walked through a small opening, leading from the kitchen to a large dining room. Anise, who I'd newly nicknamed witch-bitch, and Nana Bruer sat at the heads of the table. Cyd joined a pinched-face woman in her fifties on the side of the table closest to the entryway.
One empty chair was placed in front of a big, beautiful bay window framed in stained glass. The clear glass provided the view of a heavily wooded area. This meant their house was secluded, which didn't do much to calm my fears. Feeling much like a guilty student in the principal's office, I slunk over to the chair and sat.
The pinched-face woman, also known as Cyd's mother, Jacinth insisted on eating lunch first and "talking shop" afterwards. When we were through eating, Jacinth turned her attention to me, her lips pursed.
"Well, my mother tells me she's been nursing you back to health after your battle with the vampires. Why don't you tell me what happened last night that forced Cadence to bring you to us?” Jacinth said
"I, um. I'm not sure exactly why all this happened. See, my sister Gemma and I just wanted to go dancing…” I recounted the previous night's events for my hosts. When I'd finished, Jacinth sucked her teeth and frowned.
"I find it odd that Savian Radbourne would react in such a violent manner,” Jacinth said.
"Uh, he is a vampire, mother,” Cyd said. I smiled at her smart remark.
"Yes, but why would he attack in a public place? You'd think the Master Vampire of Chicago would be more discreet,” Jacinth said.
"Master Vampire?” I asked.
"He's, sort of, the Merlin of…”
"She's human, mother. How is she supposed to know who Merlin is?” Cyd said.
"I know who he is. He, uh, pulled a sword out of a stone.” I wished I'd paid closer attention in my mythology course.
"Savian Radbourne is, like, the Godfather of vamps in Chicago,” Cyd said.
That I understood.
"He attacked in public because The Crimson is an asylum for vampires, it's like Equinox.”
"What's Equinox?” I asked.
"It's a club owned by the Valerian family- they’re warlocks. A safe-haven for those who use dark-magic. They can practice magic freely there without worrying about the human authorities,” Anise said.
"So, vampires can hunt without fear of being caught at The Crimson,” Cyd said.
"That's why his vampires attacked you and your sister, because they knew no one would try and stop them,” Jacinth said.
"Did Cadence say anything to you; give you any reason as to why Savian behaved as he did? Did she say why she was helping you?” Nana Bruer asked.
"She said that Savian knew that my sister was…" I remembered Anise's warning to keep mum about the warlock stuff and swallowed. "…that we were witches. And when she argued with the vampire, she said something about a treaty of covens.”
"The Treatise of Coventry,” Nana Bruer said. "It's an agreement we witches signed with the warlocks long ago. I haven't heard of anyone using the Treatise to protect prisoners of war for over two-hundred years."
"Prisoners of war?”
"Yes. There have been centuries of feuding within the magical community. This ended with both witches and warlocks being taken captive by the other side,” Nana Bruer said. "Your sister, Gemma is the most recent victim, but the Treatise allows for an exchange to be made to ensure the safety of the captive."
"Well, alright. I'll give them whatever they want,” I said. "We just need to find them, I'll…”
"We already have their proposal,” Jacinth said.
I wondered how they'd communicated with the vampires, but my thoughts were focused on Gemma's rescue.
"And?” I asked.
"And they'll return Gemma if we agree to turn you over,” Jacinth said.
"I still think it's weird that Radbourne's so gung-ho about the two of you. I mean, no offense, but I haven't seen you use any powers and your aura looks like a regular human's,” Cyd said. I felt insulted and I wasn't even sure why.
Who cares what she thinks- my sister can shift into a panther!
Nana Bruer suddenly rose from the table, knocking over her glass of water.
"One at the threshold. Four on the grounds,” she said. Cyd and Anise stood and began to move their hands and fingers in what oddly resembled sign language. Jacinth ran from the room and I could hear the clatter of metal and an expletive being muttered.
Nana Bruer motioned for me to come to her, but I couldn't move. It didn't feel like another binding spell- it felt strange, calming. Jacinth ran back into the room, her arms full of small jars and vials. She dropped them onto the table and handed me a tiny bottle filled with lapis blue liquid.
"What's happening?!” I asked.
"Warlocks. Smash the bottle against any who come at you,” Jacinth said. Nana Bruer scuffled over in her house slippers and put a small arm around my waist as if protecting me.
"They're going to make their move,” Cyd said. Anise stopped moving her hands and crouched to the floor, followed by Cyd and her mother. Cyd and Anise were both panting as though they'd just been in a race. Nana Bruer tightened her arm around me and I waited, unable to breath, for the attack.
Chapter Twelve
An' It Harm None, Do What Thou Wilt
The doorbell rang and we all jumped. When no one moved to answer the door, the chiming doorbell sounded two more times and was followed by a loud knock.
"Why won't they attack? What are they waiting for?” Cyd asked.
"It's a trick. They want us to come to the door. They've set up an ambush or a trap of some kind,” Jacinth said. Anise drew several circles in the air with her left hand.
"I don't think so, Aunt Jacinth. There is only one at the door. The others are at least fifty feet away,” Anise said.
"You're sensing spells are still weak, Anise,” Jacinth said.
"The child is right, Jacinth. There is only one at the door. Perhaps they haven't come to fight,” Nana Bruer said. She made a brushing away gesture with her hands and I could swear I saw a fine purple shimmer pass through the air and settle around Anise. Anise locked eyes with me and I saw that their color had changed from light violet to a bright purple. She moved towards the front door.
"Aww! I never get the power-boost. When will I get to have one?” Cyd whined. She all but skipped over to me, tugging on my hand. "It's awesome. If the warlock tries to hurt Anise, she can crush him like a fly!”
Nana Bruer cleared her throat before sinking into her chair at the head of the table. She looked ghostly pale like something fragile spun of glass. Cyd opened her mouth to say more.
"Neesey, kick his…"
"Chalcedony Bergamot!” Jacinth said. Cyd flinched and turned a sheepish gaze towards her mother.
"I know, I know. ‘An' it harm none. Do what thou wilt,’” Cyd said. She rolled her eyes at me and I felt my lip lift in a smirk. Jacinth crossed the room to kneel in front of her mother and began dabbing an amber colored powder around her mother's forehead and temples. Cyd, or Chalcedony as I guess she was called, tugged at my arm like an impatient child. I followed her into the kitchen where a number of vials had been left in broken pieces on the floor.
"Mom sort of freaks when anyone but witches or humans are around. She gets clumsy. C'mon, Ascher. You've got to see this!"
We ran into a long hall where I glimpsed a small living room to my left. I couldn't see much else because Cyd was propelling us forward in her hurry to reach her cousin. Anise stood close to the front door. She drew a squiggly-shape in the air and the door's edges glowed for a moment before Anise twisted the manual knocks out of place.
"Keep her close, Cyd,” Anise said. I felt almost warm at Anise's concern for me when she opened her mouth again. "She might try to run.” I frowned and Cyd elbowed me making a scrunched-up face.
Anise eased the door open. Her slender form blocked our view of the warlock, but I could just make out what was being said.
"Anise! You're looking well,” a male voice said.
"Save it, Whimbrel. I know why you're here and you can forget it. You can't talk to her,” Anise said. A shadow swept over the patio and the face of a college-age boy with spiky-blonde hair appeared over Anise's right shoulder. He smiled broadly.
"Maybe, but I can see her and your pretty little cousin. Chalcie, we miss you at Equinox. When are you going to party again?” Rigel asked. I felt Cyd stiffen beside me and her cheeks grew bright pink.
"Like any member of my family would slum it at that over-spelled warlock refuge.”
"Let's not argue, Miss Curry. I'm here on official business. It seems a warlock named Ascher Rafferty was taken into custody under the Treatise of Coventry. We've come to retrieve her.”
"She's a witch, not a warlock,” Cyd said. Anise whispered something to Rigel who nodded, and shut the front door. Anise stared at Cyd and something passed between them in the silence. Apparently, they shared their grandmother's telepathic gift. Cyd shook her head. "No, no! I don't care what you say she is. She hasn't done anything bad!” Anise continued to stare at her cousin. "Fine, I will tell Nana!” Cyd squeezed my hand and ran from the hallway.
"What is it?” I asked. Anise swallowed. "I've got to let them take you, Ascher."
"Take me- where? Why?”
"I don't think you're in danger. At least, not from Rigel. He's a magical-lackey for Dunlin Valerian and nobody would even dare hurting you if you're under the Valerian's protection. Anyway, you're a warlock so we're not exactly going to fight to keep you here. Warlock blood runs wicked whether you know it or not. You need to leave.”
`Before I could reply, Anise pulled me towards her and began herding me towards the door. I felt a small shock hit my hand and let out a startled cry as the green ring Elliot had given me slipped off my finger and levitated into the air. Anise closed her fist around it and waved her fingers at the door, which banged open.
She flicked her fingers at me, sending me flying backwards and into Rigel. The door slammed shut in my face. Reaching for words to describe exactly how I felt at that moment, I said the only thing that came to mind.
"That bitch!"
PART THREE
SPELLED
Chapter Thirteen
Linda Blair Impersonation
Rigel laughed, the rumbling sound of his voice vibrating against my right side, which he held against his chest.
"Already, I like you,” he said. I pushed away from him, which seemed to please him because his laughed again. His eyes scanned over my body, lingering on my backside. I folded my arms over my chest and turned so I was facing him.
"Hottie?” Rigel said. My face flushed before I remembered the word stitched on the back of my borrowed pants. He turned and waved a hand at a limousine that parked far from the house. Its lights flashed and then it started rolling towards us.
I noticed the small blue vial Jacinth had given me lying on the front porch, just behind Rigel. That had its possibilities.
"Looks like you need a pair,” Rigel said. I balked and lunged forward, snatching up the vial. I uncorked it and readied my aim when Rigel put his hands out in surrender. Again, he laughed. "Of shoes,” Rigel said. "I meant you need shoes."
He snapped his fingers and a pair of Velcro running sandals covered my feet. I let out a shriek and jumped back, but the shoes remained. Rigel was now holding his sides as though in pain from laughing.
"I'm…I'm sorry I scared you,” he gasped, between fits of laughter. "I couldn't resist. Come on, the car is waiting.” Rigel cupped his hand around my right elbow, which I swung backwards
and into his chest, spilling the liquid in the vial over his chest.
"I'm not just going to leave with you. I don't know anything about you. And, I may be new at this, this supernatural stuff, but I'm not some clueless little girl you can order around!” I said. "Why aren't you, screaming or melting or something?” I asked.
"Two reasons. One, I'm not the Wicked Witch of the West or a witch at all, for that matter. And two, you doused me with witch-potion. It's harmless unless used to defend yourself. And, in case you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly attacking.”
My face grew hot and my temples began to throb. The stress from the past day all seemed to crash into me like a tidal wave so that even the air around me felt heavy. I couldn't breathe. Rigel was saying something, but his words muffled. My vision went dark and a heady, sick feeling swirled around me.
No, not again. I will not faint. I won't.
My ears popped like they do after I've been swimming all day. I blinked several times and my vision returned to normal.
A limousine pulled to a stop a few feet from us and a girl my age stepped out, followed by a little girl and a man with several pink scars running across his face.
"Everything cool?” The older girl asked. Rigel patted me on the back.
"Yeah. She just had a power-crash. She can't control it, yet,” Rigel said. The older girl regarded me with curiosity and went back inside the limo. The scarred man lumbered towards us, his eyes covered with Matrix-style sunglasses.
"It's the coolest in there!” I looked down at the tiny blonde girl who'd just spoken. She looked like she couldn't be older than five. Was she a warlock, too? Rigel took his jacket-off and draped it over my shoulders.
"You'll learn to control your powers, it just takes practice,” Rigel said. Nodding as if he were talking about something as mundane as algebra, I wrapped my arms around myself and let my fingertips slide over the buttery material of his leather coat. "We're planning on rescuing Gemma tonight,” Rigel said. That caught my attention.
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