by Nora Lee
The whisper of the breeze in the long grass of the cemetery almost sounded like voices.
Their lips were within a hairs-breadth of touching when Enid sensed something.
They weren’t alone.
Hephaestus pulled back to look around.
Shadowy figures appeared at the edges of the little graveyard. The spirits of the departed who’d been lurking the streets of Secret Hallow without paying any attention to the living seemed to have now become interested.
The spirits glided closer, circling the couple, all pointing accusing fingers at Enid.
“What do you want?” Hephaestus stepped in front of her. “Why are you here?”
They continued to move closer.
“Time to go inside, I think.” Hephaestus took her hand and led her to the nearest doorway into the castle at a quick pace that wasn’t quite a run.
She kept pace with no problem as the spirits followed. Enid looked over her shoulder, wondering about the silent message. Could they be warning her to stay away from Hephaestus? Maybe this was the Spirit World’s way of telling her they could never be a couple. Yet she got the sense they were trying to tell her something else.
Hephaestus and Enid ran into the castle to find the assembled and dancing again. The lull Enid left behind seemed to have ended as the hands of the clock ticked on toward the witching hour and now everyone looked ready to welcome the dawn when the veil between worlds would close.
The spirits followed the couple inside and the ghouls once again rampaged through the great hall. All the otherworldly beings in the castle seemed to have only one thing on their minds.
To get Enid.
She saw Gemma and Fox slow-dancing near one of the fireplaces where the crackling flames were now down ashy embers. Gemma’s head rested on Fox’s shoulder and both had their arms entwined around each other. At the other end of the room, the newlyweds sat at the table on the dais, along with their respective offspring. The little families looked happy and relaxed after the excitement and upheaval of the ceremony. Maddock and Kimberly Leif occupied one of the lower tables with little Keene between them, the trio enjoying a monstrous concoction they seemed to have created with every item left on the dessert table.
Enid looked up at Hephaestus and made another spur-of-the-moment decision. If he couldn’t stay with her, she’d go with him.
Taking her hand from his, she turned and ran straight into the waiting arms of the spirits.
19
Her actions caused her to be pulled back through the veil in the familiar whirl of glowing blue magic. The great hall faded from view as she reached the other side, finding herself once again among the bulk of the spirits who’d remained behind. She saw few ghouls here since most of them seemed to be rampaging around the Living World.
Enid caught sight of commotion back on the other side and realized everyone she’d left seemed to have witnessed her passage through the veil. The guests were all gathering in the center of the room in a large circle so they could cast a spell to get her back before the portal closed at sunrise.
She hoped they wouldn’t be successful.
Why have you come? You should not be here.
The spirits milling around the building seemed more alive than the ones she’d come across last time she’d been here. They were all moving toward her, pointing accusatory fingers like the ones on the other side, and she could hear their voices in her mind.
You were to remain with our Hephaestus. He needs you.
“I came back to be with him.”
Hephaestus appeared and took her into his arms. “What do you think are you doing?”
“I can’t stand the thought of spending the rest of my life without you. Please understand.”
He frowned down at her, stroking the back of her head. “You do not belong here. You are a vibrant living woman with a full life ahead. Do not throw that away for me.”
Go back to the other side. He needs you.
“Isn’t that what I just said? I came over here to be with him.”
“Stop trying to control everything, Miss Enid. Listen to someone else for a change. Do as they ask. Do as I ask.” He tilted her chin up and looked into her eyes. “Do you love and respect me?”
“Of course I do.” Enid felt tears gathering in her eyes again. She couldn’t believe she could still cry. “I love you so much. Please let me stay with you. I belong with you, Hephaestus.”
Return to your world. You don’t belong here.
Through the veil, she saw the assembled witches casting a spell which increased the size of the opening between worlds. She felt a tug around her midsection, as though the members of the coven were reaching through with their combined powers to pull her back.
Enid flicked her hand, causing the blue magic around the edges of the opening to spark. The feeling of being pulled through stopped.
“Miss Enid…please listen. You must return to your family. Let them take you home.”
She wrapped her arms tighter around him. “You’re my family now.”
Be with him. The spirits circled the couple, chanting. Be with him.
“I want to be with him!” Enid felt her last shred of patience disappear. “Why don’t you understand what I’m saying? Listen to me!”
Hephaestus once again turned her face to his. “Listen to them, Miss Enid. Just listen.”
“I am. They’re telling me to be with you so I need to stay here.”
The tugging started up again. This time, she felt herself pulled toward the opening, and held tighter to Hephaestus.
“Let them help you.” Hephaestus looked saddened by her refusal to listen. “Please. This is not what I want for you.”
Enid stopped fighting and allowed the coven to pull her and Hephaestus through.
“Goblins, Sister. What do you think you’re doing?” Gemma rushed took Enid into her arms. “The veil is about to close again.”
“I want to stay in the Spirit World with Hephaestus.”
Gemma turned to the spirit. “Do you want my sister to join you on the other side? Are you that selfish?”
“Miss Enid needs to live a full life.” He wrapped her in a loving embrace. “Even if that means I am separated from her. She does not belong in the Spirit World and I cannot remain here. Yet I do not regret the time we have spent together. She brought light back to me.”
Hugging him tight, Enid buried her face in his chest. “But I want…”
“I know what you want, love.”
She looked up in surprise at Hephaestus’ use of the endearment.
“I want what is best for you. My love for you is stronger than my desire to be with you.”
“Please let me join you.”
A commotion arose as members of the coven turned toward the open doorway out into the courtyard where they could see the tell-tale sliver of light heralding the approaching dawn. The ghouls and spirits also saw the light of day coming as they were pulled toward the opening in the veil. The ghouls disappeared first, one by one. As the sky grew brighter, the spirits also vanished.
Hephaestus continued to embrace Enid, stroking the back of her head in a comforting way. “I have no regrets, Miss Enid. Please believe that. And we can still communicate once I return to my work at The Penny Spindle. You might even consider helping me out around the shop from time to time.”
Enid gave a mingled hiccup and laugh. “I’d like that. Could I stock shelves?”
“Whatever you like, my love. I only want to make you happy.” He hugged her tight as a golden glow lit the horizon. “Look outside. You have made my life feel like that dawn. After so many years of night, I now feel light again, alive again, and all because of you my darling Miss Enid.”
The sky above the horizon turned pale blue and a fresh cool breeze came up to blow away the darkness. Golden rays of light exploded outward in all directions. The details of the world came into focus once more as the first day of November dawned. All Hallow Eve had ended.
G
houls and spirits disappeared through the opening between worlds at a faster pace.
The top edge of the sun broke over the horizon.
Enid and Hephaestus looked deep into each other’s eyes and hugged tighter.
The coven circled them, watching, as the opening in the veil began to shut.
With an angry squeal, the last of the ghouls vanished through the opening.
Closing her eyes, Enid inhaled a deep breath of the bay rum Hephaestus wore.
The veil popped shut.
Yet she still felt as though she were standing in the arms of her one true love. Opening one eye, then the other, she saw him watching her with a look of surprise that mirrored her own.
They both laughed as a great cheer went up from the coven.
The ghouls and spirits were once again back where they belonged.
Hephaestus lifted Enid off her feet and whirled her in a circle. They spun faster and faster until she felt as dizzy as though she’d spent the night drinking up all Adora’s mead. Laughter, clapping, and music filled the room as the party started up again in earnest. They no longer need fear the chaos of the ghouls interrupting the proceedings.
Everyone also rejoiced in the fact that Hephaestus Hallow had remained among the living.
20
Gemma picked a box off the tailgate of Nana’s pickup and carried it into the great hall.
“Put that down anywhere you like.” Enid waved around the space. “This looks more like the storeroom at the moment, but I’ll figure out where I want to put everything later. We have plenty of time.” She smiled over at Hephaestus as he worked to clean the ashes out of the hearth.
He looked back with a face covered with soot.
“Nice place you’ve got here,” said Fox. “Can I visit sometimes?”
Enid threw one arm over Fox’s shoulder and the other over Gemma’s. “You both better come visit me all the time. I’ll miss you.” She gave her sister a squeeze. “We also need to figure out a schedule for Bronson. I’d like to have him here with me sometimes, if you don’t mind. Don’t want the poor fellow to waste away.”
“Of course I don’t mind. He’s as much yours as mine.” Gemma looked over at Hephaestus and lowered her voice. “One thing I don’t quite understand, though.”
Enid shot her a questioning look. “What’s that?”
“Why’s he still here?” Gemma backed away with her hands up. “Not that I mind. Just curious.”
Fox gave Enid a hug and then she, too, stepped away. “I might have an answer to that.”
The Ash sisters both gave her questioning looks.
She laughed. “Boy, can I tell you’re sisters right now.” When Gemma placed her hands on her hips, Fox raised her own. “Okay, okay. From what I read, since Hephaestus didn’t die a natural death, he wasn’t tethered to the Spirit World in the same way as the others who passed on. When our Enid returned his will to live, what he called his light, she brought him back to the Living World where he belongs. He should now live out the natural life the ghouls took from him so long ago.”
A chill traced up Enid’s spine. Looking over her shoulder, she saw a couple spirits in the corner, watching her with smiles of approval. They seemed to have accepted her as a member of their household.
Hephaestus looked over at Enid, who nodded at the spirits. He, too, smiled.
So what if they had a few extra guests in the house? They had plenty of room.
Both wrought iron candelabras fell over at once.
“What the…?” Gemma looked around the room. “How did that happen?”
Enid shrugged. “A few ghouls still seem to be playing tricks on us.” She smiled over at Hephaestus, who’d crossed to right the candelabras, while frowning at the little creatures who’d managed to cause the trouble. “My hero there has them under control. They won’t be rampaging around Secret Hallow again anytime soon.”
“I hope not,” said Gemma. “We’re still trying to clean up the mess they left at the Academy.”
“Why don’t we unload the rest of the truck now? Then I can go help you over there for a little while. Hephaestus won’t mind.”
Fox smiled. “That’s a good deal. I’d appreciate you helping your sister since she’s done nothing but complain about that darned school for the last two weeks.”
Gemma shot Fox a dirty look and stepped outside to grab another box.
“I hope you don’t feel I’ve chased you out of your own house.”
Hearing the concern in Fox’s voice, Enid gave the other woman a warm and reassuring smile. She couldn’t be happier for anyone and everyone in love. “Not at all. I’m happy to be able to spend as much time as possible with Hephaestus. If anything, I’m comfortable moving out because I know Gemma won’t be lonely.” She winked. “You just have to be sure you visit her a lot, okay?”
“I think I can manage that.”
Hephaestus moved to stand next to Enid as Fox went outside. “You two are getting on well. Do you foresee Miss Fox and Miss Gemma living together as a full-time couple?”
“Who knows?” Enid shrugged.
He put an arm around her waist and pulled her close. “I am glad to have you here with me. The castle is much too large for one person and a few spirits and ghouls. You help make these cold stone walls a homier place.”
“Too large for the two of us as well, if you ask me.”
With a wink, Hephaestus said, “We might be to change that situation.”
A warm flush washed over Enid’s cheeks as she realized what he meant. Ducking her face into his chest, she gave him a hug, thinking of all the possibilities.
After all, they had an entire life spread out before them. Who knew what might happen?
NEXT IN SECRET HALLOW
Secret Hallow has a ghoul problem and they need outside help getting it under control!
Caedmon and Rowan have strong magic in their veins, so they think they can handle the ghouls alone.
Grumpy old Iris Westerly disagrees.
Iris calls an old friend from another magical village - one of the fabled and dangerous Dragon Witches. But unleashing dragons on Secret Hallow might not be an improvement to the mischief of ghouls…
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Table of Contents
Title Page
About the Book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Next in Secret Hallow
