“I thought you were never coming back to us,” choked Kala through her tears.
“You can’t get rid of me that easily,” she whispered, smiling weakly. “I’m like a cat. I have more lives than I probably deserve.”
“Are you kidding?” I cried, wiping the tears from my cheek. “If anyone deserves more than one life, it’s you, mom.”
She sighed. “I’m just glad that I’m able to share all of them with you.”
I kissed her cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. Both of you,” she replied, squeezing our hands.
“Welcome back,” said Rebecca, moving closer. She held out a glass of water. “Here, drink this.”
“Thank you, Becca,” she replied, taking it from her. Her eyes moved to Willow and she smiled. “Hello.”
Willow stared at her uneasily. “Uh, hi.”
Clarice walked further into the room. “She and Vivian are twins. I suppose we should have warned you, Willow. Hi, Adrianne. Good to have you back.”
Adrianne smiled. “Thank you. Thank all of you for bringing me back.”
“Thank Willow,” I said, nodding toward her. “It was her wand that did it.”
Willow blushed.
“I owe you my life,” replied Adrianne. “I don’t know how I could ever repay you. But I will certainly try.”
“Oh, don’t worry, mom. We’re going to repay Willow. She’s cursed too,” I said.
Adrianne’s eyebrows lifted. “What?”
“Yes, unfortunately,” said Willow, pulling her long dark hair over her shoulder. She curled a strand around her finger and smiled at Tyler in adoration. “Tyler seems to think that you can remove it.”
“Honey, why don’t you tell me about the curse,” said Adrianne, sitting up. She pushed her red hair behind her ears. “From the beginning.”
Willow went over her story and when she got to Vivian, Adrianne’s face lit up. “My sister’s alive?”
“Mom, you look far too happy about that news. I mean, she tried to kill you. She’s probably making plans to finish the job as we speak,” I said.
She sighed. “I know. I know. It’s just… I can’t help it, Kendra. She’s still my sister and I’ll always love the girl she was, back when we were growing up. I mean, she is your mother.”
“No,” said Kala sternly. “You are our mother.”
“You’re also a saint,” said Rebecca. “Vivian doesn’t deserve your love or compassion after everything she’s done.”
“Probably not. But, you can’t just flip a switch when it comes to love. I know it’s hard to understand, but we were close as children and she wasn’t always like this. What I do know is that something happened the night that our father murdered. Something that really changed her.” She looked at me and Kala and frowned. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t bring up such horrible things.”
“No, it’s okay,” I said. “We’re not children anymore, mom.”
She smiled. “No, you’re definitely not. You’re adults now, and I’m very proud of both of you.”
“You should be. The girls have been very brave,” said Clarice.
“All I’ve done is sat around,” said Kala. “Kendra’s been casting spells, chasing after wands, and saving lives. I’ve just been hanging out in the mountains and playing cards.”
“Nonsense. You’ve been watching over Adrianne. Someone had to do that and there is no one better qualified than one of her daughters,” said Clarice. “Don’t ever sell yourself short.”
“Exactly,” said Adrianne. “Without you watching over me, who knows what could have happened.”
“Well, Bailey helped, too,” replied Kala. Her face paled. “I just hope he’s okay.”
“The shape-shifter? What do you mean?” asked Adrianne. “What’s happened to Bailey?
Clarice explained how Trixie had transformed herself into a deer and that Vivian had taken her from Secrets.
“And Bailey somehow knew that she was in danger, and took off looking for her,” said Kala.
“Oh dear,” said Adrianne. “Looks like I’d better get out of bed.”
“Mom, you should probably rest. Don’t you think?” I asked. “We can handle looking for Vivian on our own.”
“I’ve had plenty of rest the last couple of days,” she said, standing up. “And there is no way that I’m letting you face her without me, now that I’m awake.”
“That wasn’t exactly resting,” said Rebecca.
“It was for me. Say, Clarice,” she said, turning toward her. “You wouldn’t happen to have one of those green smoothies that you used to bring to the house, do you? The kind with the energy boost?”
My eyes widened. “Clarice used to visit you at our house? When?”
“During the day when I was running the daycare,” said Adrianne. “And you were in school.”
“Those kids used to run her ragged,” said Clarice, opening up her purse. She reached inside and pulled out a large glass filled with icy green liquid.
“Whoa,” said Kala. “What all do you have in there?”
“You have no idea the things in that purse,” said Willow, smiling.
“Everything but the kitchen sink?” I asked, smiling myself.
“Oh, I may have one of those inside, too,” said Clarice, a twinkle in her eye. “One can never carry too many things. Here, dear.”
“You’re a savior,” said Adrianne, grabbing the glass. She took a drink. “That’s so good. Even with the water, my throat was so dry that it felt like sandpaper.”
“Anyone else?” asked Clarice, pulling out another glass.
“I could sure use one,” said Tyler.
She handed it to him and he took a drink. “Tastes like strawberries and kiwi,” he said, smiling. He took another sip. “This is like the nectar of the gods. How come I never knew about this smoothie before? What’s in it? Let me guess – grasshopper wings and eye of newt?”
I grimaced.
“Close. A smidgeon of lemongrass, ginger, and kale,” replied Clarice, pulling out another glass. “Not to mention a few secret ingredients that I’ve added, which will make you feel like you could run a marathon.”
“Secret, as in magical?” asked Kala, her eyes twinkling.
Clarice winked. “I’m a witch, dear. What do you think?”
She rubbed her hands together. “Okay, I’m game for that. If you have more, I’d love one.”
“Oh, I have plenty more,” she replied.
“May I also have one?” I asked, suddenly feeling exhausted. The idea of a pick-me-up sounded almost as desirable as a trip to Disney World at the moment.
“I think we all should have one, actually,” said Clarice, pulling yet another full glass out of her purse.
“Yes. Something tells me that we’re going to need all the energy we can muster if we have to face Vivian,” said Rebecca.
“Exactly.” I raised the glass to my lips. “Bottoms up,” I said, and began chugging.
Chapter Thirteen
“I know where Willow is,” said Vivian.
Meredith studied her face. “Is that right?”
She smiled. “Yes, and I believe she has something of yours.”
They were in Meredith’s living room, next to the fireplace.
“You mean my necklace?” asked Meredith, who was sitting in a wooden rocking chair, petting a fat tabby-cat named Bella.
“Yes, the one with the lovely charm. She’s wearing it now as we speak,” replied Vivian, brushing a few strands of cat hair from her black slacks. “And if you’d like, I’ll take you to her myself.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Tell me, Vivian, why are you here? And even more so – how is it that you are still alive? I heard that you were no longer among the living.”
“Lies,” replied Vivian. “Whoever told you that I was dead was obviously lying. As you can see,” she spread her arms out. “I’m very much alive and healthy.”
“Apparently. So, why are you so interested in helping me w
ith Willow?”
Vivian’s eyes widened. “What do you mean? I heard that she stole something from you… something that meant a lot.”
Meredith’s eyes glittered. “And you went out of your way to locate her? To help me?”
Vivian walked over to the fireplace mantle and picked up an old picture of Meredith with her daughter Anna, who had committed suicide over twenty years ago. The girl had long dark hair and large brown eyes that seemed to stare directly into her soul. Even though it was just a photograph, it made her uneasy. Frowning, she put the picture down and turned back to her. “We go way back. Is it a crime to want to help an old friend?”
Meredith laughed. “Friend? I don’t recall us having been close chums, Vivian.”
She sighed. “I’m talking about Anna. We were very close once.”
“I’m sorry. I guess that she never mentioned that you two were even friends. Of course, she hid a lot of things from me.”
“We were actually very good friends, although I’m really not sure why she killed herself. I had my own problems during that time. I always wondered why she did what she did, though. I hate to bring up the past, but, do you have any idea why she took her life?”
Meredith paled. “I really don’t want to talk about it, Vivian.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked, but it’s always bothered me. I sometimes wonder if I could have talked her out of it, had I even known that she was thinking about it.”
“I feel the same way, although, I don’t think you could have kept her from doing it,” she replied. “I don’t think either of us could really have done much to help my baby.”
Vivian bit back her smile.
She was clearly falling for it.
The truth was that she and Anna had barely spoken. “Still, I used to have a lot of restless nights. Wondering about it.”
Meredith blinked quickly and looked away. “Someone broke her heart and she never got over it. It drove her over the edge.”
Vivian sat down across from her and leaned forward. “Broke her heart? Who? Did she happen to say?”
She scowled. “David Andrews. I thought everyone knew about that?”
Her eyes widened. “No. Like I said, I had my own problems at that time. So, the old mayor’s son?”
“Yes,” she replied, her nose wrinkling. “He used her and then moved on to the next girl. He was a horrible, horrible man.”
“Who did he move on to next? Do you know?”
“I’m not really sure,” she replied, grabbing a tissue from her pocket.
Vivian could tell that Meredith was lying. Her eyes narrowed. “If I recall, he died shortly after Anna did. I believe he had a heart attack. Goodness, and he was only in his twenties.”
Meredith didn’t say anything.
Vivian laughed wickedly. “Meredith… I didn’t know that you even had it in you.”
“I had nothing to do with that,” she replied quickly.
Vivian smirked. “Right.”
Her lips tightened. “Oh, for heaven’s sake, believe what you want. I really don’t care one way or the other.”
“Is that right?”
“Really. I had nothing to do with David’s death, although, admittedly, I wasn’t exactly saddened by the news at the time.”
“A young man dies of heart failure after breaking your daughter’s heart. She kills herself and you are left grieving for your only daughter. Hmm…”
“I still grieve for her,” murmured Meredith.
“I’m sure. Well, the time of his death was pretty convenient. I have a hard time believing that there wasn’t something magical involved.”
Meredith scowled. “Vivian, I am not a murderer,” she said, clenching her jaw. “And I don’t appreciate you pointing fingers. You, of all people.”
“I’m just saying…” she replied, still smiling.
“I didn’t murder him, and if you don’t mind, I’m not going to continue this conversation.”
“You know… sometimes murder is justified.”
Meredith didn’t answer. She only stared down at her cat, who was purring loudly, and continued petting her.
“So, what about Willow’s mother… and Willow herself?”
Meredith raised her face. “What do you mean?”
“The curse.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. What curse?”
“Willow believes that you cursed her mother and that she died because of it. She also believes that there is a curse on her, and that she’ll die if she loses her bonding wand.”
Meredith frowned. “That’s ridiculous. Why would I put a curse on either of them?”
“I don’t know. You tell me?”
“The girl obviously has issues. I wouldn’t believe anything that came out of her crazy little mouth.”
Vivian chuckled. “Oh, I don’t know… she sounded pretty convincing to me.”
“I’m sure. Willow’s mother, Opal, was a very outspoken young woman herself. Always had something to say, but honestly, none of it made much sense.”
“Whether it’s true or not, the girl believes that losing her wand will kill her. She also wants me to help her end this so-called, curse.”
“End someone else’s curse. How could you? Even if the girl was cursed, the only way it could be removed…”
“Is by killing the person who cursed her or finding a spell that can reverse it. I believe there might be one in Isadora’s old spell book.” Vivian grinned. “Which is in my possession.”
“You actually have Isadora Jenkins’ spell book?”
“I do indeed.” Vivian’s eyes bore into hers. “Are you quite sure that you didn’t place a curse on Opal?”
“As far as I know, Opal died during childbirth, of natural causes. Now, Willow is clearly delusional if she thinks that I’ve cursed her or anyone else in her family. But, you know, it’s not surprising, coming from Margaritte’s granddaughter. She probably fed her that garbage before she died. The woman belonged in the looney bin. No offense, Vivian,” she said, sniffing. “I know that she was family.”
Vivian smiled coldly. “Yes, and I think you know how close my family is to my heart.”
“Everyone does.”
“I’m sure they do,” she replied, her face darkening. “So, you can imagine the things that I’m capable of.”
“Indeed.” She sighed. “Why are you really here? What do you want from me?”
Vivian paused. “Meredith, the truth is that I need your help in getting the other two bonding wands. I want them.”
“The one that Willow has and the other girl… Kendra? The one she uses?”
She nodded. “Yes, that’s the one, Meredith. Obviously I can’t touch Kendra’s wand and Willow has the other one.”
“Why do you want those wands? I see you have yours back, by the way.”
“Yes, I do.” Vivian replied, holding it up. “Mark let it slip into the wrong hands and now… well, it’s back in my possession.”
“Really? I heard that Clarice had your wand earlier. Tell me, is she alive and well, too? Or,” her eyes hardened, “has something happened to my dear old friend?”
Vivian’s eyebrows arched. “You and Clarice were old friends? I had no idea.”
“Indeed we are. We go way back. Where is she?”
Vivian shrugged. “I don’t know. Probably meddling in something else that she has no business meddling in. She has a bad habit of doing that.”
Scowling, Meredith brushed the cat off of her lap and stood up. “I swear, if you’ve hurt Clarice…”
Vivian chortled in amusement. “You’ll do what?”
“Don’t test me.”
“Relax, old woman. I haven’t touched your good friend, Clarice.”
She eyed her suspiciously.
Vivian raised two fingers. “Scout’s honor.”
“This is no joke. I won’t stand for anyone hurting Clarice. I mean it.”
Vivian lowered her hand. “Oh, for God’
s sake, I didn’t touch Clarice, Meredith.”
“Why should I trust you?”
“Why wouldn’t you?” she countered. “We’ve never had any real reason to feud.”
Meredith relaxed. “No, we haven’t and I hope it stays that way. Although, I have heard that some of your coven has been causing problems in town.”
“I will have a talk with my girls. Now, tell me – are you going to help me, or not?”
Meredith’s eyes widened. “Why in the world should I help you steal those wands?”
“Because you want the necklace and I know where it is. You do want it back, don’t you?”
She let out a long sigh and then nodded. “Yes. It was Anna’s. The necklace was given to her by my own mother, and it means a great deal to me. The fact that Willow has it now makes me ill.”
“Then I think we should work together and get it back for you. Under my conditions, of course.”
She bit her lower lip. “Look, I’ll help you get Willow’s wand, but I’m not going to touch Kendra’s.”
Vivian smirked. “Why is that, Meredith? Afraid of the consequences?”
Her eyes hardened. “No. I think the wand is in the right hands as it is. She’s obviously the right fit for it. My question is – why do you want the wand?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“The only thing obvious is that the wand is as powerful as yours and that makes you feel too vulnerable.”
She burst out laughing. “Is that what you believe? Look, I’m only vulnerable to a witch who knows how to use it. Kendra doesn’t have the training or knowledge to understand the kind of power her wand holds.”
“But her mother does,” she replied.
“Yes,” she replied. “But I assure you –
Adrianne is no longer a threat.”
Meredith’s face was grim. “Why do you hate your sister so much?”
Vivian stared at her hard for a minute and then answered. “Let’s just say that Anna wasn’t the only one betrayed by someone. Only, I chose to seek revenge instead of wallowing in self-pity.”
“You blame your sister for having your heart broken by Michael.”
Her lips tightened. “She had a part in it, yes, but it goes even deeper than that. She was my twin. My sister. The one person who I thought I could trust, but she turned against me. Took what was mine and never looked back. Blame her?” Her eyes burned with hate. “I despise her for it.”
Enchanted Objects: (Witches Of Bayport) Page 8
