“I know.” Sadie moves closer to Louie. “But Sanctuary’s history didn’t start the moment the curse was placed on them that night in Frog Hollow. There is more to its story than that.”
“Okay.” Reid straightens his shoulders, apparently convinced that Louie has all the answers in his books. “Let’s hear it.”
Louie runs his hands across the front cover. “Most of his writings simply talk about the everyday happenings on the farm and the birth of his children and their health. But there are a couple passages that stick out.”
Julien is on the edge of his seat. “What does it say?”
“I think it better to simply read it.” Louie flips through the book in search of the passage he wants. “Ah…here it is.”
March 1802
It happened again last night. The New Moon has brought terror to our tiny town once again. This time it was Gary Hamby, the butcher on the west end of town. Harlan Connery reported that Gary started acting off as soon as the sun set last night. His demeanor, which is usually bright and comical, turned dark. People watched as Gary paced up and down the street with a scowl on his face, carrying one of his knives from the shop. He attacked Roy Baylor that night.
Rumor has it that Gary’s wife has been cheating on him with Roy, and Gary finally snapped. It’s more than that, though. Every time the light of the sun and the moon vanishes from the sky…evil takes this town. I fear it is only the beginning.
Philip
Julien is the first to speak up. “So, there was evil in Sanctuary before the Haunted.”
“Appears so,” Louie says, turning the pages. “There is entry after entry proclaiming that something horrible happens to a Sanctuary patron every time there is a New Moon.”
Sadie leans forward, touching Louie’s hand, her silent request to speak. “Philip makes it clear that it only happens when both the light of the sun and the moon are gone. Sound familiar?”
My hand absently touches the moon pendant at my neck. “The power that allows us to fight this evil comes from those two things.”
“Right.” Sadie nudges Louie. “Read them the other entry.”
Louie smiles at her. “Of course.”
October 1802
This evil will not leave us. I am certain it will take us all before the end. The Cote family has started calling it Mechente Reine or as I would say, Wicked Queen.
She is wicked indeed.
I hear her voice. It’s inside my head, following me wherever I go. She tempts me. It was simple things at first. I planted a couple rows of corn across the border of my property, and then I didn’t return Asher Prescott’s lost calf. She’s growing bolder. Her voice is stronger inside my head. I’m afraid I will be her choice this New Moon. She will take me like all the others.
Forgive me for what I might do. I do not wish to fall to her spells.
Philip
“The Mechente Reine? You think that’s who is talking to Willa now?” Reid stands and looks down at me. He looks like he might grab me and run. Though I doubt it will do any good. Obviously, this Wicked Queen can follow me anywhere.
“Yes, Reid. I think this Mechente Reine has been trapped inside the Haunted for all these years, and now, she’s free to begin her reign of terror again.”
“Why Wilhelmina?”
“Good question.” Louie motions for Reid to come to him. Reid goes over and sits beside him. Louie hands Reid the book. “You remember I said the original Haunted would have been teenagers. Well, there is another name Philip mentions that you might also recognize. And I think it is the answer to all our questions.”
Reid holds the book up and starts to read the last passage.
December 1802
The worst has happened. Abram Daniels is dead. His lifeless body lay in the middle of main street after the New Moon. The orphan girl who works down at the Inn lay across his body, inconsolable in her grief. She lay like that, protecting his body for an entire day. They had to pry her away. She says the Mechente Reine took him. The witch wanted her, but Abram sacrificed himself to save her on top of Red Crane Mountain.
They say the girl wears Abram’s family ring. She had a note on her person handwritten from Abram that claims she and Abram have married, leaving her the sole heir to Frog Hollow.
Such a tragedy. Born an orphan, and now destined to be a widow…
Philip
My hands cover my mouth. “The orphan girl is the widow of Frog Hollow. The one who adopted Contessa and Elizabeth to keep the land out of the hands of the other founding families.”
Reid’s gaze connects with mine. “She’s also the only person the Mechente Reine wanted that she didn’t get.”
“That’s right,” Sadie adds. “Abram Daniels sacrificed himself to save her from the witch.”
“You’re a Daniels,” Julien says, breathless. “She wants you.”
Reid snaps the book shut. “It’s the New Moon, isn’t it?”
Louie peers out the window at the black night. “Yes, but only for a couple more hours.”
“You need to stay awake, Wilhelmina. We need to stay awake with you. Then when the sun rises, we have to go back to Sanctuary and figure out how we can get rid of this Mechente Reine.”
“Where do we even start?”
“At the source,” Leo says, staring down at the ground. “It’s time you talk to Contessa and Elizabeth in the circle. I promised them you would come to them once I found my blade.”
I can’t keep my eyes away from the window. The sunrise can’t come soon enough.
Chapter 20
THE TRUTH HURTS
I have never been so happy to see the sunrise. A gush of relief washes through me at the first sight of light brimming over the eastern mountains. Last night was simply a test. This witch, the Mechente Reine, tested her powers. I fear on the next New Moon, she won’t be so civil.
I take a quick shower and put on fresh clothes for the trip home. I throw my bag over my shoulder and open the door, only to find Julien standing on the other side. I’m startled by the sight of him, but I recover quickly. “Good morning.”
His expression is deadly serious. He has his shoulders thrown back as if prepared for a fight. “Are you going to tell Reid?”
“What?” I try to push past him out the door, but he blocks my exit.
Julien drops his voice a little lower. “I just need to know if you’re planning on telling Reid about the K.I.S.S.”
“Oh.” I glance around awkwardly. I planned on telling him, but when, I hadn’t exactly thought about yet.
“Oh?” Julien bends down to try to catch my meaning in my expression.
I sigh and try again. “Yes, I’m going to tell him. I wouldn’t worry about it, though. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Except lie about it.”
I pause, considering his words. “I guess that’s right. Why did you lie about it?”
His shoulders fall as he grips both sides of the doorframe. “I don’t know. I panicked. After I figured out there was something wrong with you, I had to fight you to get you up to his room. And then when they all got in there and started asking questions…I just lied.”
I try not to grin at him, and he frowns. “You were dressed like a high-priced hooker, and you came to my room. I had enough to explain without adding your little stunt.”
I roll my eyes. “My stunt? If I recall the events correctly, you kissed me back.”
“It was an instinct. A reflex.”
I lean in closer. “Was it a reflex to run your hand up my dress?”
He grits his teeth, his big blue eyes pleading desperately. “Please, don’t tell him.”
“Julien…”
“He won’t understand, Wilhelmina. You were right before—he has magic now. He’ll do much worse than punch me in the face. I’m sure he’s just been waiting for an excuse to make me into a slug or give me forever chicken pox.”
“He can’t turn you into a slug,” I say between giggles. “I think you’re
overreacting.”
“I don’t think I am, Willa. When he figures out the wicked queen’s intentions…”
“What do you mean?”
Julien moves closer, glancing over his shoulder to check the hallway. “You heard the stories. You know what she does.” I stare at him, confused, and he finally continues. “Don’t be afraid to take what you truly want? Those are her words. She tempts you to do the things you want that you know are wrong.”
I take a step back. “You think I wanted to do that last night? That I wanted to come to your room and seduce you?”
He doesn’t say anything. His silence is his confirmation.
I shove him out of my way. “I can’t believe you.”
He calls after me down the hallway. “It’s what she does, Wilhelmina.”
I stomp outside to find Reid loading up the truck. I throw my bag in the back seat and climb inside. I slam the door out of frustration.
Reid climbs in the driver’s seat and stares over at me. “What’s wrong?”
“Cote.”
He lets out a chuckle. “Well, I kind of figured that. What did he do this time?”
I could tell him about the kiss. Reid would be angry, but so would I, and that means there will be no one left to keep us sane and rational. It will be better for everyone to wait. “Nothing. I’m just ready to go home.”
I don’t speak to Julien on the ride home. Dealing with him is exhausting. Everything about my life is exhausting right now, but that boy takes it to an entirely new level. I can barely wait to get to the circle to talk to Contessa and Elizabeth and get my mind off the urge to twist around in my seat and strangle him by the neck.
I was foolish to think Julien staying in Sanctuary could work. It’s complicated. That’s my fault. I’m the one who kissed him in the chapel that night. That one kiss changed the dynamic of our relationship forever. No matter how hard I try to shove it in a new direction, it keeps doing an about-face right back where it doesn’t belong.
Somehow the drive back to Sanctuary takes twice as long. I’m so eager to get out of the truck that I open my door before Reid can even put it into park. Abby rushes down the steps toward me, grabbing me into a hug. “I’m so happy you’re safe.”
The hug is extra long because I can’t seem to let go of her. “Can I speak to you and Sadie alone before I go to the circle? Or better yet, go with me.”
I say it as a whisper into her hair and she responds the same way. “Of course.”
“Good. I’ll meet you out back in twenty minutes.” I let go of her to go in the house to see Seraphina. I hug her too. Her comfort is like the last light of day before a seven-year winter. I have to check on all of them, touch them, make sure this Mechante Reine hasn’t somehow used her darkness to taint them. They all seem okay. Everyone except me.
I can’t seem to get her laughter out of my head. I hear it every time I close my eyes. I know it’s only a memory, but it causes a shudder inside of me.
Reid catches me on my way out the door. “Do you want me to go with you?”
“Abby and Sadie are going.”
“I heard, but I thought—”
I squeeze his hand. “I want to talk to them alone.”
“Is it about last night?” His gaze darts to Julien, but I don’t think he meant to give his thoughts away that easily.
I can’t keep what I know from him, despite Julien’s fears. “More happened last night than we originally thought. When the Mechante Reine woke me up the second time she replayed the events back to me. She apparently got some kind of sick enjoyment out of watching me act like an idiot.”
“You kissed him.”
It isn’t a question. “How did you know?”
“Besides the all-out guilt-ridden look Julien had plastered on his face when he knocked on my door? He flinches every time I look his direction.”
The boy does appear guilt-ridden. And scared. “He’s afraid you’ll be upset.”
“Of course, I’m upset. An evil witch is making my girlfriend fulfill my worst nightmares. It isn’t Julien’s fault. He shouldn’t feel guilty.”
I purse my lips and Reid’s eyes narrow. “What?”
I pull Reid to the side so the others can’t hear our conversation. They all seem fairly distracted by their own conversation in the living room, but I understand them all well enough to know that is a ploy to disguise their eavesdropping. “I think his guilt has more to do with his response rate in stopping the kiss.”
Reid rolls his eyes. “What response rate? You and I both know he wouldn’t have stopped the kiss at all if he hadn’t realized you were under the influence of the witch. All is fair in love and war. It was the approach I took when I kissed you that first time in front of him. I wouldn’t expect any less of him in return.”
“But you two made an agreement.”
“And I told you he would never be able to keep it.” His hands are firm around my waist. “I’m not angry with him, per se, but rather the situation. This witch has meddled in our lives long enough. I’m ready to be done with her.”
“And we will be soon.” I reach up on my toes and kiss him. “I’ll be back in a little bit.”
Abby and Sadie wait for me outside, but before I can run down the steps toward them, I spot Leo. He sits on the steps of my back porch, his suit coat tucked around him, his nose stuck in the same little black book his brother Louie gave to him yesterday. He hops up when he sees me. “Are you ready?”
I glance around, unsure whether he’s speaking to me. “Sorry?”
He tucks the book in his bag and throws it over his shoulder. “The girls said you were going up the mountain to the circle.”
“Yes, we,” I point to Abby, Sadie and myself, “are going up to the circle.”
Leo shoots me a lazy grin. “I’m going with you.”
“No—”
Leo takes a giant step toward me, his gray eyes steeled. “I am going with you, Wilhelmina. In fact, I will be tracing your steps until the Mechante Reine has met her demise.”
Exasperation oozes out of me. “Leo, please. I know you have your oath to keep—”
“Exactly. And keep it, I will. That means for the foreseeable future, you can consider me your new bodyguard.”
“I hardly think that is necessary.”
Leo stands straight like a knight honoring his queen. “It’s my oath. I’ll decide what is necessary.”
I glance at the girls to find them tiptoeing around the side of the house to give us some privacy. They’re both sniggering, but they are at least attempting to be polite. I turn my glare back on Leo. “Did you read something in the little black book of yours? Is there more you haven’t told me? Because I’ve about reached my limit with you and your secrets.”
“I understand if you’re upset with me because I lied about the spell. Trust me, Wilhelmina. It was necessary to keep the details of the spell a secret.”
I don’t necessarily want to have this conversation with him right now, but since he brought it up—I do have a bone to pick with him. “You could have told me it would be my choice to decide if Julien lived or died.”
“I told you I didn’t know it would be your choice until you were chosen in the tower. Then I knew it was absolutely necessary to keep it a secret.”
“Why?”
Leo laughs. “Are you kidding? I knew ending the curse on the Haunted set whatever evil thing existed inside of them free. Do you believe Julien Cote would have let you save him if it meant releasing her to come after you?”
I deflate. “Well—”
“No. He would have died for you, Wilhelmina.”
I stick my chin out. “Why did you let me go through with it?”
Leo eases closer to me, his fingers reaching for my face, but he stops himself short and jerks his hand back. “I didn’t want to let you. Louie insisted. Our oath is to keep secret. We aren’t meant to interfere. When the curse ends, thine own light will be tested. True strength and courage will guide thy
path to righteousness.” He’s repeating something he has read. I can tell by the cadence of his words, but then he stops, and it is apparent he’s leaving off the end.
I wait for him to continue, but he merely straightens the straps on his shoulders again. “Let’s get going. We don’t want to risk being out after dark.”
I let it go for now, only because he’s right. I don’t want to be out in the open at nightfall. Leo trudges along behind us up the mountain. It’s still cold, but the midday sun has melted most of the snow.
Abby grabs my hand as we go up the mountain. “What’s wrong?”
I try to shake off the events of the last twenty-four hours, but they cling to me. “Everything.”
“Sadie told me about your night.”
“It was awful.” The snow is thicker in the valley, and it makes a screeching crunch with each step. It sounds like the Mechente Reine’s cackle. “I don’t understand how the Haunted survived all this time with that evil thing inside of them.”
Abby pulls me closer to her. “I have a question about last night.”
I side-eye her for a moment. “What?”
“How did your red dress make it to the castle? I mean, according to their timetable, you didn’t have time to go home and get it. It had to already be there.”
I jerk away from her. “What are you saying? That I somehow subconsciously took it without realizing?”
“No, not necessarily. That detail just stuck out when Sadie told me the story. It doesn’t fit. I checked your closet, and your red dress is gone. The one you wore at the castle is the same one. But how did it get there?”
How did it get there?
We top the mountain, and the fire around the circle ignites immediately. It catches Leo off guard, and he throws himself in front of me. I shove him off. “It’s only the circle. You should really rest, Leo. You’re getting jumpy.”
He runs a tired hand down his face. “I’m fine. I’m just going to sit here by this tree and rest while you three do your thing.”
Shadow Bend (Witches of Sanctuary Book 3) Page 16
