Unsuspecting Trouble (The Inscrutable Paris Beaufont Book 3)

by Sarah Noffke

Hemingway knew that if someone exposed his past, it would lead to questions. The result would be obvious. If his secrets came out, he’d risk losing the only thing he’d ever had in his life—Happily Ever After College.

  Worse, Paris would know that he was a coward.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “Faraday,” Paris whispered, searching all around for the mischievous squirrel. Oddly enough, she didn’t spy any animals, but she figured that most would be sleeping then. Hopefully, whatever the potential monster was, it was hibernating.

  Paris didn’t expect to see birds in the trees, but she thought she’d hear crickets chirping or some bugs making their presence known. Instead, Paris made the only sounds in the Bewilder Forest as twigs crunched under her boots and she called for Faraday.

  She had no idea how large the Bewilder Forest was or how long it would take to search it. The helpful little flowers illuminating the path seemed to go on for miles, but it was hard to tell since the thick woods obstructed much of her view ahead.

  After a long while of not finding anything, Paris turned and gulped. She could no longer see Happily Ever After College in the distance. She was deep into the Bewilder Forest. Even scarier was she didn’t know if she could find her way back—not easily, that was certain.

  The padded trails through the Bewilder Forest had snaked around the live oak trees and split several times. With no indication of which direction to choose, Paris had randomly chosen which way to go when the path forked.

  “Faraday,” Paris said again in a hushed voice, wondering how she could find him when she already felt lost herself.

  Then the thought occurred to her that she should think like the crafty little squirrel. He’d be trying to find the reason the Bewilder Forest was off-limits at night. He’d probably be using some scientific theory to guide his observations. None of that helped her to figure out where he could be. However, there was something she knew with confidence about her friend. He’d be hungry.

  Holding out her hand, Paris summoned the cheese sandwich she’d left in her room for Faraday that evening. Its appearance confirmed that the squirrel hadn’t gone back to Paris’ room and therefore hadn’t gotten her note. The sandwich rested in her palm on the floral napkin she’d wrapped it in. Thankfully, that evening’s sandwich was smoked gouda on a toasted croissant—Faraday’s favorite.

  Paris didn’t care that this was the squirrel’s favorite. She was going to toss it over her shoulder once she found Faraday, grab him by the tail, and haul him out of the Bewilder Forest. However, thankfully Faraday’s favorite cheese and bread also happened to be very aromatic. As soon as she unwrapped it from the napkin, the smell of smoked gouda and the buttery croissant hit her nose. Waving her hand, Paris encouraged the scent to waft through the air. It hopefully wouldn’t be long until she baited the hungry squirrel.

  After several more minutes, Paris started to worry that the sandwich idea wasn’t going to work. She considered using a tracking spell or maybe a locator one, but she hadn’t practiced those and didn’t know if it would help her to find Faraday or whatever the danger was. Paris was starting to get the impression that nothing lived in the Bewilder Forest—or at least the animals who did knew not to come out at night.

  “Wish a certain squirrel knew that,” Paris said aloud, conscious she was muttering to herself. She often did when she was nervous or stressed or alone—which had all been often.

  “Knew what?” a squeaky voice said from up high.

  Paris nearly bit her tongue, the sudden response startling her although she recognized the voice. She let out a breath, finally feeling her first victory since entering the forest.

  She squinted up to find none other than her reason for entering the Bewilder Forest staring down at her.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “Oh, good, there you are.” Relief flooded Paris.

  “You were looking for me?” Faraday flicked his tail behind him.

  “No, I always stroll through the Bewilder Forest carrying a cheese sandwich,” she muttered.

  “I didn’t know that about you,” he said quite seriously.

  Paris sighed. “No, dimwit. I came in here to fetch you. Then once we’re out of the Bewilder Forest, I’m going to kill you.”

  “That seems counterintuitive.” He didn’t at all look threatened. “It might be more cost-effective to kill me here. Or maybe you’ll consider not killing me at all.”

  “I’ll consider it,” she mumbled, looking around the forest for the potential danger. “It depends on if we get out of here unscathed.”

  “So if we do, you won’t kill me? But if we don’t, then you’ll kill me. Not sure I understand the reasoning, but I’m in favor of not being killed.”

  “Well, let’s get out of here.” Paris waved the squirrel to come down the tree.

  “I haven’t discovered why the Bewilder Forest is off-limits at night,” Faraday argued, flicking his tail again, this time seeming annoyed.

  “Well, Mother Nature told me I needed to retrieve you before you were in so much trouble no one could save you,” Paris said in a terse whisper. “So I say that we heed her warning and get out of here.”

  “The real Mother Nature?” Faraday was suddenly in awe. “Oh, wow. I’d have so many questions for her.”

  “Yes, and she’s not what you think,” Paris commented. “But I’m certain she’s the real deal. Then Mae Ling reiterated that there’s a danger here in the forest and you’d need my help.”

  “Well, as you can see, I’m totally fine,” Faraday argued, holding out his front paws.

  “You do seem fine and are acting more normal than ever before hanging out in a tree.”

  He glanced down and grimaced. “I only climbed up here to get a view.”

  “Well, climb down and let’s get out of here,” Paris ordered. “If I don’t have to die today, I’d prefer not to.”

  “Strangely enough, I have the same thoughts, but my death is still on the table.” Faraday pointed at the sandwich in her hands. “Did you bring that for me?”

  “I brought it to bait you but have zero intention of giving it to you.”

  To this, Faraday gave her an annoyed expression, his nose wiggling.

  “Fine, you can have it when we leave the Bewilder Forest,” Paris acquiesced.

  “Again, I haven’t found the reason why the fairy godmothers have deemed this place off-limits at night,” he argued. “As far as I can tell, it’s a very peaceful place.”

  “Well, according to sources I trust more than you, it’s dangerous. Mae Ling said to be wary of the Lady of the Lake.”

  Faraday’s ears perked up. “Lady of the Lake, you say?”

  “Yep, mystery solved,” Paris answered. “Let’s get out of here, and I’ll think about introducing you to Mother Nature.”

  “You’re a master at negotiations,” Faraday chirped. “You have yourself a deal.” Very nimbly, he climbed down the large trunk of the tree, front feet first.

  “Wise choice.” Paris glanced over her shoulder, back the way they’d come, swearing that she heard something in the distance. “Let’s get out of here before our luck runs out.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Hemingway let out a breath of relief, having heard that Faraday and Paris were leaving the Bewilder Forest. Maybe he’d avoided all the drama. The Lady of the Lake wasn’t going to come out, and they wouldn’t see her, which meant he wouldn’t have to step in and there wouldn’t be more questions. Somehow he’d avoided his worst-case scenario.

  He watched from behind the tree where he’d stationed himself as Paris and the squirrel strode back the way she’d come. Hemingway decided that since they were leaving, there was no reason to intervene and escort them to safety. He hoped that Paris found her way out of the forest, but he’d stay close by just in case. There was a good reason that it was called the Bewilder Forest. One of those was that it was easy for anyone to get lost within the woods. Well, not Hemingway but he’d grown up running through thes
e trees.

  The area was also named Bewilder Forest because too much time in the woods led to confusion and disorientation. Again, this didn’t affect Hemingway because he’d built up his tolerance. Still, anyone was susceptible to the forest’s magical powers, especially those new to it, so he stayed close, moving between trees as Paris and Faraday progressed down the path.

  Many times, Paris glanced back in his direction. She knew something was there, following her. Thankfully, each time she spun he’d managed to slide out of view behind a large oak tree. Now he hoped that Paris and her talking friend picked the right path out of the woods. The sooner, the better.

  He glanced over his shoulder at the sound of the haunting howling. The Lady of the Lake was close.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Paris whipped around as a whistling sound ripped through the forest, bringing with it a gust of wind. She’d never felt anything like that at Happily Ever After College since the weather was always the same with a gentle breeze. The strong wind reminded her of the Deathly Shadow when it had come after her, and she reflexively grabbed for her protective charm, ensuring it was still around her neck.

  Paris reminded herself that she was at fairy godmother college and safe from the Deathly Shadow. Whatever had caused the howling wind wasn’t the soulless monster, but the mystery of it was what bothered Paris the most. She didn’t see anything behind her, but that didn’t make her feel much better.

  Turning, she ushered Faraday down the path. “Let’s get out of here. I think we’re close to wearing out our welcome.”

  “The Lady of the Lake doesn’t sound so bad,” Faraday mused from the ground, scurrying beside her. “That’s who’s supposed to reside inside the Bewilder Forest.”

  “I guess.” Paris hurried forward but constantly checked over her shoulder. “Mae Ling specifically told me to be wary of the Lady of the Lake, not that she wasn’t so bad or I should ask her to friend me on Facebook or ask for swimming lessons.”

  “Well, I know a few myths that involve someone called the Lady of the Lake, if that helps,” Faraday offered as they paused where the path split.

  Paris wasn’t sure if she’d come from the one to the right or the left. “Do tell. I can’t wait to hear…”

  “I sense that you can wait,” Faraday said, thinking rather than studying the path options like Paris. “Anyway, the oldest legend involves a fairy who in British literature helped King Arthur, raised Lancelot, and got rid of Merlin.”

  “Fascinating,” Paris muttered, deciding to take the path to the right.

  “It really is,” the squirrel said excitedly, not picking up on the fact that Paris didn’t at all find it fascinating. “Interestingly enough, in many of those tales, the Lady of the Lake is seen as a fairy godmother-type figure. Lancelot is often called Prince Charming. Oh! And often in stories of the Lady of the Lake, we see Guinevere, which is your name. Isn’t that intriguing?”

  “Simply captivating,” Paris said dryly.

  “Well, I think it is.” Faraday crossed his tiny arms over his chest and didn’t follow Paris.

  She paused, turned to the squirrel, and snapped, “Keep up, troublemaker. I’m trying to keep you alive.”

  “From discovery?” he questioned. “I might want to meet this Lady of the Lake.”

  Right on cue, a screeching scream filled the air, followed by an icy wind that blew back Paris’ hair and made her eyes instantly water. “Really?” She looked down at the squirrel. “You want to meet whoever made that screaming noise?”

  “Well, maybe more like study them from a safe distance.” He scurried after her, finally looking as though he had the motivation to move faster.

  Paris picked up the pace, not pausing the next time she came to a split in the path.

  “There’s another story that involves a Lady of the Lake,” Faraday continued as he ran to keep up with her. “The story involves a couple who were at White Rock Lake in Dallas, Texas.”

  “Thanks for all the details,” Paris muttered. “Will this be on the test?”

  He shook his head. “There won’t be a test.”

  Paris ran faster as the screaming grew louder.

  “Anyway, the couple spied a young woman who came out of the lake wearing a white dress and dripping wet.” Faraday talked fast as he sped after Paris, who was zig-zagging down the path and looking over her shoulder often. “The woman told them that she fell out of her boat and needed a ride home.”

  “Not weird at all,” Paris said.

  “So the couple agreed, and she got into the back seat after giving them her address,” he continued.

  “You’re not supposed to pick up hitchhikers,” Paris mumbled, pausing when the screaming stopped, replaced by what sounded like chanting. She craned her head to the side, trying to make out the words, but Faraday was intent on telling his story instead.

  “The car was about to arrive at the woman’s home when the driver turned to ask her a question and discovered that no one was in the backseat, only a puddle of water.”

  “How very inconsiderate,” Paris stated, the chanting faint and drowned out by a rustling sound.

  “Well, the couple decided to continue to the address that the wet woman gave them,” Faraday went on. “They found a man at the house and told him about the lady from the lake. He was stunned and said that they were the third couple that week to come there with the same story of a woman who disappeared from their backseat after leaving a puddle.”

  “So the Lady of the Lake peed in their car?” Paris narrowed her eyes as shadows moved on the trail from where they’d come.

  Faraday shook his head. “No, the man then said that the woman’s description matched that of his daughter who had drowned after falling out of a boat at White Rock Lake.”

  “Wow, what are the odds,” Paris murmured, wondering if they should run and possibly get more lost or face whatever approached behind them.

  The squirrel didn’t appear amused by her lack of interest and dry responses. “The Lady of the Lake was a ghost, Paris. Don’t you get it?”

  Paris shook her head. “No, will you draw me a picture? Now seems like the perfect opportunity as I try and get us to safety after you trespassed into the Bewilder Forest at night when we were specifically told not to.”

  He stuck his paws on his hips defiantly. “Coming from you, that’s ironic since you never do as told.”

  “Mama Jamba and Mae Ling told me to rescue your ass, and I did that!” Paris exclaimed, throwing her arms wide. “That story is stupid. Ghosts aren’t real, and I’d think that someone as logical and scientific as you would know that.”

  “There’s no proof that ghosts are real,” he replied. “That doesn’t mean they aren’t.”

  “Oh, you’re ridiculous.” Paris spun and strode for what she hoped was the way out of the Bewilder Forest. “You should stay here and make a home. Then you can make friends with the Lady of the Lake, and I can have my sock drawer back.”

  The howling wind had thankfully died down. The screaming too. And the rustling. The Bewilder Forest was silent. Also suddenly freezing, as if they’d found a spot where the temperature had dropped sharply. But it was always the same temperature all over the grounds, no matter what…

  “P-P-Paris,” Faraday said from a good distance behind her. He hadn’t followed as she sped off.

  “Catch up, squirrel.” Paris held up the sandwich still clutched in her hand. “If you want your dinner, don’t hold me up.”

  “A-A-About ghosts…”

  Paris, having had enough of Faraday’s stories, whipped around then froze. The air that escaped her mouth in gasps was visible in the sudden freezing temperatures as she stared face-to-face with a ghost.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  The image in front of Paris was chilling—and the temperature around them was painfully cold as though they’d suddenly stepped into a walk-in freezer.

  Hovering over the path was a woman who, as in the story, was dripping wet as if sh
e’d just walked out of Mirror Lake. However, the droplets of water that fell off her didn’t puddle on the dirt below her. Instead, they disappeared. Also like the story, the woman wore a white gown. In addition, like a ghost, she was all white and see-through.

  Her dark hair blew in a wind that Paris didn’t feel. All she noticed was the freezing temperature that made her teeth chatter. However, she wasn’t sure if she shivered from the cold or the fear as she looked at the woman who had black sockets for eyes and hollow cheeks. She was a ghost…

  “Paris…” Faraday’s voice vibrated.

  “Yeah?” She stood frozen and stared at the hovering ghost who didn’t give her a welcoming feeling.

  “I think we should get out of here,” Faraday said from the corner of his mouth.

  Paris considered swiftly kicking the squirrel at the ghost and making a run for it, but she would never do that even if she were angry at him for getting her into this situation.

  “I agree,” she said through her chattering teeth. “On the count of three, I’m going to pick you up and run like hell.”

  “Sounds good,” he agreed.

  “One…two…”

  The Lady of the Lake opened her mouth wide, and a scream that felt as though it could shatter glass hit the pair straight on, carrying a sharp wind with it. The gust pushed Paris back and made Faraday tumble onto his back.

  Snapping down to the forest floor, Paris picked up the squirrel who was shaking with fear. She was going to make a run for it, but the ghost shot forward, barreling down on them.

  An invisible force sent Paris to the ground, Faraday in her arms. The ghost was inches from her face with a wicked look on her face.

  “You did this!” the ghost said in a chilly voice that sounded both hoarse and sharp at the same time. “You stole him away, and you’re going to pay.”

  “M-M-Me?” Paris stuttered. “I think you have me confused with someone else.”