by Rose Pressey
The only thing in Liam’s bag was boxers and socks. I guessed that answered my question of boxers or briefs. If Liam caught me looking at his underwear, well, I’d never get over the embarrassment. There was no way to explain that one away. I’d be forced to tell him the truth. Even then, I doubted he’d believe me.
Just then I remembered that there was a letter opener in the desk drawer. I hurried over and yanked the drawer open. Thank goodness it was still there. I grabbed it and hurried back to the loose board. I poked the letter opener beside the board and pried it up. Most of my body was now in the closet. I reached my hand in. Again it was dark, even darker in that closet than in the attic. Seeing a thing was almost impossible, but I felt something right away this time. It was metal and quite large. It had a handle too, so it was easy to lift it out of the space.
I pulled it out into the light. It was a box and right there on the front was a hole for a key. Bingo. I pulled the key from my pocket and slipped in right into the hole. I should have taken the box to my room, but I just had to know what was in it first. My heart rate increased as I turned the key. When it clicked, I let out a deep breath. I lifted the lid on the box, not knowing what to expect. Inside the velvet-lined box was another book. Another spell book? What would this one do if the other reanimated the dead?
My hands wrapped around the book and I pulled it out. It looked just like the spell book that I’d found in the attic. Apprehension coursed through me as I studied the intricate cover and the leather binding. I was almost afraid to open the cover. What would I find this time? I inhaled and blew the air out of my lungs slowly, then flipped the leather cover. Staring back at me were words that I understood. This time the pages were filled with English and I knew every word.
I scanned the first page. I hadn’t been prepared for what I read though. According to this book, the witch who unlocked the power of the Book of Mystic Magic would be the leader of the Underworld. It was just as Liam had said. The witch was destined to oversee the laws and rules set forth. My head was spinning. Was I the witch who had unlocked the powers of the book? No, it couldn’t be.
I flipped through more pages. The text went on to list my duties as the leader. Basically, I would be the one everyone turned to for answers. That was a joke. They surely didn’t want my advice. Movement sounded from downstairs so I shoved the book back into the box, grabbed the key and bolted from the room.
I hurried down the flight of stairs toward my bedroom before I was caught so that I could to hide this book with the other one. I wasn’t sure if the footsteps coming up the stairs belonged to Liam or Nicolas, but either way I didn’t want them to see the book.
Forget making fantastic cupcakes. I just wanted things back the way they were. I enjoyed my substandard spells. I’d always wanted to be better at magic, now I was regretting that wish. Be careful what you wish for… or was it be careful what you witch for?
Chapter Twenty-Six
I rushed into my room and closed the door, locking it behind me. There was one curious thing mentioned in the book. It claimed that I could change my appearance. Of course that caused an idea to cross my mind—but it could be a very risky endeavor. That was if in fact it actually worked. The book said I had all these special powers now, but would I perform the magic any better than my lackluster attempts in the past? I had spell books that my mother had given me in the hopes that I’d someday need them, but they didn’t have spells like the ones listed in the Book of Mystic Magic.
The spells I really needed would be in the mysterious spell book hidden in my closet. Or the Book of Mystics Spell Book as it was apparently called. I retrieved the heavy tome from its hiding place, then sat on the bed with the book on my lap. When I flipped open the cover, I couldn’t believe my eyes.
The book was now all in English. I understood the spells and ingredients. There was even a table of contents. I scanned the list with my index finger stopped when I found the spell I needed. Could I really pull this off? Could I change my appearance and trick Liam into giving me the information that I knew he was withholding?
Aunt Maddy hadn’t led the Underworld, so why had she had the book? The book might have said that my magical powers were now needed in the Underworld, but I didn’t want that much power. I just wanted life to go back to the way it was before I cleaned out that darn attic.
But I couldn’t dismiss the fact that the book seemed to have had an effect on my magic skills. My witchcraft had improved beyond my wildest dreams. Baking delicious cupcakes was no longer a problem—would they come out perfect every time? My mother would be so proud. I could reanimate the dead, for heaven’s sake.
The book listed all my newly acquired powers now that I’d unlocked the magic of the book. It said that I could change an object’s appearance or even my own appearance if I wanted. That was a scary thought. Using magic for vanity would never work out in the end. At least that was my philosophy.
I hadn’t believed it, but the spell to change my appearance was actually listed on page fifty-two. Did I really have the nerve to try it? What if I was stuck that way forever? Try explaining to Nicolas why I had changed my appearance to look like him and then couldn’t switch back. I’d have to slip down to the kitchen to collect the ingredients for the spell. I hoped Isabeau wasn’t still down there stuffing her face with cupcakes.
There was no sign of Liam when I slipped out the door. The fact that he wanted the book made me nervous. I wouldn’t put it past him to be lurking outside my door at any given moment. Isabeau’s door was closed, so I tiptoed over and pressed my ear against the wood. I’d broken every code in the bed-and-breakfast proprietor rule book. I’d looked at one of my guests’ underwear, for heaven’s sake. Not on purpose, but I doubted that would be any excuse.
Noise sounded from the other side of the door. Thank goodness she was in her room. I rushed down the stairs, trying to keep from slipping and killing myself. I doubted Isabeau would use magic to bring me back if I died.
Once I reached the kitchen, I hurried and gathered my items—cinnamon, basil, cloves, and frankincense. I dumped the ingredients into the cauldron that was already in the big stone fireplace. It was about time that I tried using Aunt Maddy’s things. Someone once told me that anything could be performed easily with the right tools. Maybe I’d always assumed my magic was atrocious, but if I’d used the right tools, my magic wouldn’t have been half bad.
After adding water to the cauldron, I swiped a long match against the stone then lit the fire underneath. While I waited for the water to boil, I eased back to the kitchen door and peeked around the corner. No one was there. I hoped Nicolas didn’t catch me doing this. I hadn’t prepared an excuse in my mind if he did. There wouldn’t be one. If he caught me, I’d just tell him the truth.
Once the water came to a boil, I recited the words.
“For a brief time, make my appearance not mine. Alter my look to that of Nicolas Marcos and no one’s beliefs will falter.”
Nothing felt different. No wind whirled or brilliant light show appeared like with the spells I’d worked earlier. Maybe I’d been over-confident in my new found skills. After all, I’d only cleaned a kitchen and made cupcakes. What made me think I could change my entire appearance to look like someone else? Furthermore, what was I even going to say to Liam if it had worked? What made me think that he would fall for it in the first place?
As the thoughts whirled in my head, the wind began to stir in the kitchen. Pots and pans and dishes clanked. Blue and red and white lights pulsed and flickered around the room. The water bubbled like a sea churning in a hurricane. When the concoction finally settled down, the wind stopped and the lights settled down, I glanced down at my body. Everything looked the same to me. My hands looked the same, my body was the same. Nothing had happened.
I’d messed up the magic once again. There was no telling what this spell had actually done. I just prayed that it hadn’t reanimated more ghosts. I was running out of rooms. I hurried and cleaned up my mess,
then grabbed the book and headed back upstairs.
I’d hide the book once again, but I was finished with this Underworld business. It was all a ruse. Probably some weird story made up by some wackos. Unfortunately, the wackos were the good-looking men staying in my home. Good-looking or not, they had to go. Why did they have to be crazy? Why couldn’t I just for once meet a sane guy? Of course if I did meet a sane guy, I always managed to do something to chase him away.
Once I made it back upstairs, I locked the door behind me and hid the book again. This was becoming my new normal and I hated it. I couldn’t deny that I was a little disappointed that the spell hadn’t worked. Not that I wanted to be the leader, because I didn’t, but I wanted to try to get answers from Liam. That would have been majorly deceitful though, so it was probably best that it hadn’t worked. Anyway, I was going to confront him right now about this fake Underworld business. If he wanted to continue to stay at LaVeau Manor, then he’d have to stop with that nonsense.
As I walked toward the door to have a confrontation with Liam, I caught my reflection in the dresser mirror. Only the problem was that it wasn’t my reflection at all. Staring back at me from the mirror was Nicolas’ face. I glanced down at my hands. They were still my hands. I looked down at my body and it was still the same. But when I looked in the mirror again, Nicolas’ reflection looked back at me.
Incredible. The spell had actually worked. I stared at Nicolas’ reflection. He really was gorgeous with his strong jaw and chiseled features. His long lashes rimmed his sexy cobalt blue eyes.
No matter how gorgeous he was, what I had just done was freaking me out. I reached up to touch my cheek. It still felt like my cheek, but in the mirror I was touching Nicolas. As I stared into the mirror, my heart pounded and I shivered at the realization of what I’d done. I had to talk with Liam and get rid of this spell before Nicolas came back. What if the counter spell didn’t work? It was too late for what-ifs though. The deed had already been done.
Would I be able to convince Liam that I was Nicolas? How did Nicolas walk? I watched in the mirror as I walked forward. I had way too much swing in my hips. Nicolas didn’t walk like that. I spread my feet apart a little and attempted my best guy walk. It looked more like I was approaching someone to kill them than to have a normal conversation. This being a guy stuff was a lot harder than it looked. What did guys do? Should I scratch my genitals? Burp? No, Nicolas was way too suave for that, right? Oh, who was I kidding? All guys did that stuff sooner or later.
Okay, my guy walk would have to do for now. But what about talking? Did I have Nicolas’ voice?
“Hello, I’m Nicolas Marcos,” I said out loud.
I gasped. It actually sounded exactly like Nicolas’ voice.
Well, it was now or never. I’d get to the bottom of this Underworld nonsense and find out if this whole story was real or not. Attempting to master my manly swagger, I marched out my bedroom door and down the hall, but before I could make it to the head up the third flight of stairs, Isabeau approached me with a come-hither look on her face. Oh dear, I hadn’t thought about this scenario. Would I be able to fool her?
“Where have you been hiding, gorgeous?” she purred.
Isabeau stepped closer and ran her hand down my chest.
I stepped back. “Hey, you’re invading my personal space,” I said.
The words came out in Nicolas’ voice.
Isabeau scowled. “Don’t you like me?” she asked, then stuck her bottom lip down in a giant pout.
“I’m sure you’re a very nice person. I’m just very funny about people invading my personal space.” I stepped back, pushing my arms out to fend her off.
“I bet I could change your mind.” Isabeau lunged toward me with her arms stretched out to grab me.
I jumped to my side, avoiding her embrace. She fell to the ground with a thud. Oops.
“What is wrong with you?” she snapped.
If she only knew. She looked up at me expectantly. I sighed. Apparently, I was supposed to be a gentleman and help her up.
After a couple seconds, I stuck my hand out and said, “Let me help you up.”
The words came out way less enthusiastically than I’d hoped. She scowled, but reached up and took my hand. As I pulled her to her feet, she pressed her lips together in anger. Did she know my secret? My stomach turned. What if the spell had worn off? No, if it had she would have said something by now. She probably sensed something though.
Isabeau continued to look at me. “There’s something different about you,” she said.
“Nope. Nothing different. Now if you’ll please excuse me. I need to speak with Mr. Rankin.”
I hurried toward the landing and started up the stairs. When I glanced down at Isabeau, she still stood in the second floor hallway with her hands on her hips, glaring at me. She was suspicious and if given enough time she might figure me out. But it didn’t matter. If I could talk to Liam and reverse the spell quickly, she’d never know the truth.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
My heart pounded in my chest as I knocked on Liam’s door. Every nerve in my body pulsated with anxiety. If I pulled this off, it would be a miracle.
Liam opened the door and glared. “What do you want?”
He’d knocked me off guard by answering the door shirtless, only wearing jeans. It was like staring at a hypnosis wheel. My eyes were fixed on his hard chest.
“Wow, you must work out a lot?” I blurted out.
Heat rose to my cheeks. I didn’t just say that, right? What a stupid comment.
Liam’s eyebrows drew together in a scowl. Was he wondering why Nicolas was ogling his chest?
Finally, I snapped out of the trance and said, “I need to talk to you.”
“There’s nothing to talk about,” he responded sharply, not budging from in front of the door.
Liam wasn’t about to let Nicolas into his room.
“Can I come in?” I asked.
He frowned and stared at me a second. Was he on to me? What made me think I could pull this off? Just when I thought I couldn’t stand it any longer, he stepped to the side and opened the door further. I did my best Nicolas walk and entered the room. Lucky for my act, he grabbed a T-shirt and slipped it over his head. I leaned against the dresser and propped my arm against the top. That was the way a guy stood, right?
“So what do you want?” Liam asked in an icy tone.
I wondered why there was such animosity between them. That would be hard to find out though since Nicolas should already know the answer.
“I want to talk about the book.” I stood with my feet apart in my best attempt at a guy stance.
“There’s nothing left to say about the book.” Liam plopped down in the chair. “If I can get rid of it, then maybe Halloween will be safe.”
“Do you really think getting rid of it will help?” I shoved my hands in my pocket.
“You know damn well it will. Why are you fighting me on this?” A shadow of annoyance crossed his face.
“How do I know you don’t want the book for yourself?” I held my breath waiting for the answer.
Liam scoffed. “I expected that from you. What happened was a long time ago. Why don’t you let it go?”
Hmm. Let what go? What had Liam done? There really was something to the hostility between them.
“Halloween as the leader of the Underworld? Don’t you think that’s a bit drastic?” I added sarcasm to my tone.
“Hey, it’s not my decision. I don’t make the rules.” He gave me an unfriendly stare.
“No, that’s why you should leave Hallie alone,” I said in the most commanding voice I could find.
Ha! I thought that sounded good. That was something Nicolas would say, right?
“It’s only a matter of time before Mara arrives.” Liam ran his hand through his hair.
“Right, Mara,” I said.
Liam looked at me. I avoided his stare.
“When was the last time you spoke with Mara
?” he asked.
There was too much hesitation. He’d be on to me. But what should I say? Had Nicolas really talked with Mara? Was this a trick question? I pondered the question for a moment, but Liam’s stare was fixed on me. There was no way out of answering his question.
“I haven’t talked with Mara,” I answered.
I sounded less than confident though. I even heard it in my own voice.
“Right, you didn’t talk to her.” Liam stood, shoving his hands into his pockets. “So you don’t agree with what she said the last time you spoke with her?”
Whoa, I didn’t have the answer for that one. It was time to abort this situation. I wished I’d never even tried this stupid scheme. What had I been thinking? It had seemed like such a great idea at the time. How many bad ideas started out that way though? He waited for my answer. I might as well confess my guilt right now. I stood up straighter. This was my one last try to convince him I was really Nicolas.
“No, I don’t agree with her.”
Liam narrowed his eyes and nodded. I couldn’t read his expression. Had my answer been right or wrong? Tension hung in the air. I needed to say something, but I had no idea what to say. I’d already made a mess of the situation. Did I really want to make matters worse by opening my mouth again?
Finally, when I didn’t think I could stand the silence any longer, Liam said, “Nice try, Halloween.” He flashed a sly smile.
“What do you mean?” I asked, avoiding his unrelenting stare.
“I know what you’ve done,” he said with amusement in his tone.
Should I continue with the charade or admit to what I’d done?
“Your powers are much better than you ever let on.”
This whole situation was so disturbing.
“What powers?” I asked. My voice even faltered.
He chuckled. “Wait until Nicolas sees another version of himself.”
My stomach dropped. He really did know it was me. Had it been the walk? Yeah, that had to be it. Maybe I had missed some kind of guy movements. I should have had more of a swagger or something.
