A Charmed Cauldron

by Rose Pressey

  Chapter 18

  The wind had picked up a little and clouds moved in. A storm would be here soon. The gust stirred the trees as I walked around the side of the house. So far I saw no sign of the dark shadow I’d spotted. Of course, the mystery man was on my mind. After what had happened it could just have been my imagination. That eerie feeling was surrounding me though and I didn’t like the way it felt. I peered over at the wooded area and figured the werewolves were there watching me. Every time I stepped outside now I felt as if they were scrutinizing my every move.

  I needed to focus my attention on what I’d spotted, not the werewolves who might or might not be in the woods. I’d reached the back of the manor now. I paused and scanned the area. This was ridiculous. Why was I out here looking around? Clearly there was no one here. It couldn’t have been the man I’d seen. There was no way he could have gotten here so quickly. Plus, how would he know where I lived? I should turn around and head inside. There were things I needed to do instead of wasting my time out here.

  Again something caught my attention. When I looked to the left I spotted him. It was the mystery man. Fear gripped me tightly. How had he gotten here? How had he found where I lived? He wasn’t looking at me. Just as he had ignored me before. This was so bizarre. I wasn’t sure what to think. He was near the graveyard. I wasn’t sure if I should go over and confront him. I certainly couldn’t confront him if I wasn’t prepared for a spell.

  He could be extremely dangerous. He had to be crazy for following me all the way home. I had a spell prepared in my mind. I stepped forward a bit and then paused. He hadn’t turned around to look at me. But I got the impression that he knew I was watching me. That was the point. He wanted me to know he was here. I took a couple more steps, but then it happened again. He disappeared right in front of my eyes. I scanned the area to see where he’d gone. He was nowhere in sight. For all I knew he could pop up right behind me. That was the worst feeling.

  Not wanting to stand in one spot for too long, I walked over to the graveyard. I stopped at the black iron gate. The only sound came from the swaying branches of the surrounding trees. It was peaceful, but I didn’t feel as if I was alone. Another sound broke through. Was that someone coughing? I knew I wasn’t alone out here.

  “Who’s here?” I called out.

  No one answered.

  I opened the gate and stepped inside. “I know you’re around here somewhere. Why don’t you come out and stop hiding?”

  Movement caught my attention again. Someone was in the graveyard with me. He moved behind one of the trees. This time I didn’t think it was the mystery man in black. I’d only seen the back of him though.

  “Hey, you, I’m not playing this game. Come out from behind there right now.” I headed in that direction.

  When I stepped behind the tree there was no one there. Was this a ghost? It wouldn’t be the first time I’d seen a ghost in this graveyard. I wouldn’t chase this person much longer. I was losing my patience. I stepped out from behind the tree. I figured the person might be waiting right there for me, but I was still all alone. Now I was fairly certain that I’d seen a ghost.

  “Okay, I’m leaving now. This is your last chance to say something. And don’t even think about coming into the manor to find me. You have to call and book a room if you want to stay there.”

  Still there was nothing. The only sound was the swaying branches. The sky was darker now and I didn’t want to be out here when the rain started.

  Since no one was answering and I’d seen no sign of the mystery man I decided to go inside. It was spooky out here and the rain would start soon. I walked across the graveyard weaving around the headstones. When I reached the gate, I opened it to step out and then I heard a noise again. It sounded as if someone was trying to get my attention.

  “Psst. Psst.”

  I spun around to see who was messing with me. Again there was no one in there with me. This was incredibly frustrating.

  “Stop playing games,” I yelled. “This is not funny.”

  Though whoever was doing this probably thought it was hilarious. I scanned the area for any sign. Then I looked up. Could the person be in the tree?

  No one was there either. This was so crazy. I was not playing this game anymore. I stepped out of the gate and away from the graveyard. A raindrop hit my arm. With the gray clouds rolling in and the sighting of the mystery man I was feeling as lonely as ever out here. I’d only taken a couple more step when the same noise sounded.

  “Psst. Psst.”

  I spun around one more time because it sounded as if it came from right behind me. The cat was sitting right there by the gate. He hadn’t been there a second ago. I knew who the cat was.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked.

  Thomas meowed at me.

  “Don’t sass me,” I said. “I’m mad at you.”

  He meowed again and then started licking his paws nonchalantly.

  “Hello? It’s raining and I’m not going to stand out here and watch you groom yourself.” I stared at him. “At least come inside with me. You shouldn’t be out here in the rain either.”

  Pluto wouldn’t be happy about this. He didn’t like this cat. I couldn’t say that I blamed him. Thomas wasn’t exactly my favorite either. I turned and headed for the manor. When I glanced over my shoulder, I saw that he was following me. Thank goodness. I didn’t want to beg him to come inside with me. He had a lot of nerve showing up here again after taking off like he had.

  I held the back door open for Thomas. He sashayed through the opening as if he had all the time in the world.

  “Getting wet out here.”

  That did nothing to hurry him up. I hurried into the kitchen and grabbed a towel to dry off. Thomas jumped onto the nearby stool.

  “Do you plan on staying that way long?” I asked.

  With a twitch of his tail the cat turned. Thomas sat on the stool in his human form.

  “Hey, doll,” he said with a wink.

  “Why are you playing games with me?” I glared at him.

  He stood from the chair and went straight to the pantry. “I’m starving. You got anything good to eat?”

  “Didn’t you eat before you got here? You’ve had plenty of time.”

  He turned to face me with a bag of tortilla chips in his hand. “Clearly this is a sore spot for you.”

  “‘Oh, I’m here for you, Halloween. I’m your familiar now and it’s my job to make sure you’re okay,’” I said in a mocking voice.

  “If that’s supposed to be my voice you’re imitating, then you’re doing a lousy job.” He opened the refrigerator. “You got any salsa?”

  “On the shelf to your right.” I pointed.

  He pulled out the jar, gathered the bag of chips, and the headed back to the island to have a seat.

  “I have been looking for you,” I said.

  “I had an important meeting.”

  “Don’t you think you should have told me about this?” I asked.

  “I didn’t realize I had to tell you everything,” he said as he dipped a chip into the salsa.

  I picked up a napkin and handed it to him. “Here, take this before you make a mess.”

  Salsa dribbled down his chin. “Thanks.”

  “Tell me about this meeting.” I picked up a chip and dipped it in the salsa. He was making me hungry.

  “I suppose it was more like a convention.”

  I finished chewing. “A convention for familiars?”

  He wiped his hands on the table. “Yes, that’s what it was.”

  Something seemed off about this excuse. “Why didn’t I know about this convention?” I asked with a quirked eyebrow.

  “You’re the leader of the Underworld, but that doesn’t mean you have to keep up with every tiny detail. I mean, that would be maddening.”

  “Yes. I suppose you have a point.”

  He winked. “Of course I do. See, I am taking care of you.”

  Thomas was trouble
waiting to happen.

  He shook the rain from his clothing. “Uh, don’t do that. You’ll make a mess on the floor,” I said.

  Chapter 19

  “Well, while you were away I had a little issue here,” I said.

  “And what was that issue?” he asked, dipping another chip into the salsa.

  “Werewolves.” I just let the word linger in the air.

  “That is a problem.” His eyes widened.

  “No kidding.”

  “Right here? The werewolves were here?” He gestured with his finger.

  “Yes, right here in the house, as a matter of fact.”

  “They came in?” His voice rose.

  “Yes, they came in the house, and now they’re all around the manor.”

  “I don’t like them… they chase me.”

  “Oh, they do not chase you. You’re just making that up,” I said.

  “When I’m a cat, sometimes they chase me. They like to mess with me.” Thomas stared at me with his big green eyes.

  “Well, only the bad ones, I’m sure. Some of them don’t do that now.”

  “You’re right, not all of them, only the ones who just like harassing me.”

  Hmm. I wasn’t sure what to say about that. “Anyway, like I said, while you were away at the convention”—I used air quotes for the last word—“I was here dealing with the werewolves.”

  “And you’re never going to let me live that down, right?” he asked.

  “I don’t know.” I crossed my arms in front of me. “It depends on what you do next.”

  “Oh, we’ll see about that. I’ll show you. I’ll handle these werewolves with no problem at all.” He pumped his fist.

  He was so full of it. If I couldn’t handle the werewolves as the leader of the Underworld, then what in the world did he think he was going to do? Regardless, I let him believe that. He could just talk because that was what he liked to do. It was actually a tad entertaining.

  “Are you going to clean your mess?” I asked, pointing to the crumbs all over the table and the drips of salsa.

  “I’ll clean that right up,” he said, jumping up. He ran over and grabbed a towel, wet it, and then went back to wipe down the table and clean up the crumbs. “I’m actually quite neat,” he said.

  “Yes, I can see that.”

  “Oh, you’re saying that sarcastically.”

  I held my hands up. “Me? Never.”

  He went over to the trashcan, dumped in his crumbs and he wiped his hands. “See? Nice and tidy.”

  I tapped my bottom lip with my index finger. “I wonder if there’s a way to request a new familiar.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Now you’re just being mean.”

  “Why? I was just thinking out loud.”

  “The fact that you were thinking it makes me very upset.” He pushed his shoulders back and attempted an offended look.

  “I don’t know if you’re serious,” I said

  “I have feelings. I’m human too—sometimes—and I have feelings. Even when I’m a cat I have feelings.”

  “Yes, I suppose you do. I apologize. I’m just upset that you weren’t here.”

  “I promise I’ll never leave again without telling you first,” he said.

  “That would be lovely. Thank you so much.”

  Pluto sashayed around the corner but stopped in his tracks when he saw Thomas standing there. Pluto hissed and the hair on the back of his neck stood up.

  “You really need to control your cat,” Thomas said.

  “Why should I control him? I can’t make him like you.”

  “He doesn’t like me for no reason. I’ve done nothing wrong.”

  “He’s just territorial. This is his place and he thinks you’re invading it.”

  “Well, there’s room enough for two,” Thomas said, looking right at Pluto.

  Pluto hissed again and then ran out of the room.

  Thomas sat down on the stool. “Tell me everything about the werewolves. What happened?”

  “I think they’re possibly trying to get the Book of Mystics. There’s also a new guy. Daniel. He’s staying at the neighbor’s house. He seems okay though… I don’t know. Maybe if you meet him you can tell me. Oh, and there’s the werewolves out in the woods. One of them came in the house.”

  “He came in the house? How did he get in the house?” Thomas asked.

  I sighed. “I don’t know.”

  “He had to have some kind of magical help if you had this place locked up.”

  “Not only did I have it locked up, but I had a magic spell around the place,” I said.

  “See, there’s just something wrong with that. But we’ll get to the bottom of it, don’t you worry,” he said with a click of his tongue.

  That was when I thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye. It came from the backyard. It was the black shadow again and I knew it had to be the mystery man. I dashed over to the door to look out the window.

  “What do you see?” Thomas asked as he rushed over behind me.

  “There’s a man. I’ve seen him at the Bubbling Cauldron in the parking lot twice now, and then at my mother’s shop. I think he’s following me. He came here to the manor. That’s why I was outside in the graveyard looking for him. Did you see him?” I asked.

  Thomas shook his head. “I haven’t seen him.”

  Thomas had a strange expression on his face. Something was wrong. I didn’t like the way he was looking at me.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “Maybe I’m wrong about this, but this is what I’ve heard.” He paused. “A mystery man has followed all the past leaders of the Underworld. He’s someone bad and evil who comes to try to stop…” He trailed off without finishing the sentence.

  “Tries to stop what?” I asked.

  Thomas shook his head as if he didn’t want to answer.

  “Tries to get rid of the leaders?” I asked.

  Thomas looked away and I knew the answer was yes. I wondered if the mystery man had appeared to Nicholas’ mother. She had come back as a ghost once to talk to me. I wished I could talk to her again. I wondered if I could get her to come back again.

  “Why didn’t anyone tell me this before?” I asked.

  He shrugged. “I guess I thought you knew.”

  “Well, no one told me and I’ve read the Book of Mystics from cover to cover and there is no mention of this.”

  The book’s writings changed quite often and new rules were added all the time. How was I expected to keep up with that? Why did it keep changing the rules on me? I’d never understand the Underworld.

  “So now I have to find out about this mystery man and why he visited the leaders.”

  “It seems that way,” Thomas said with a sigh.

  Did Nicolas or Liam know about this? Because if they did and hadn’t warned me I would be extremely angry with them.

  “Do you have any idea what I should do to get rid of him?” I asked.

  “What, like setting a mouse trap to catch a mouse?”

  “Something like that, sure,” I said.

  Thomas put the chips back into the pantry and then the salsa in the refrigerator. I was shocked he was cleaning up after himself again. I supposed he knew he’d be in big trouble if he didn’t.

  “I don’t know what to say. The only thing I can tell you is that you need to cast a spell to keep him away,” Thomas said.

  “Seems like all I’m ever doing is casting spells to keep people away.”

  “Such is the life of the leader of the Underworld.” Thomas winked.

  “You’re right though. That’s the only thing I can do right now until I know more about this mystery man. But I’m not going outside and doing a spell out there. No, this one’s going to be in the good old cauldron.”

  Thomas turned on the stool and stared at me.

  “What?” I asked.

  He held his hands up. “Nothing. I think it’s a good idea.”

  I’d never figure
him out.

  After starting the fire under the cauldron, the water started bubbling and I added the ingredients, all the spices that I needed. After tossing in the last bit of sage, I stood next to the cauldron. I held my hands up toward the ceiling and recited the words. The water started to bubble, just as I hoped it would.

  “Hold onto your hat, Halloween’s doing a spell,” Thomas said.

  I glanced over my shoulder and glared at him.

  “Sorry,” he whispered.

  The wind picked up, swirling around the room like a mini-hurricane. After a few minutes, I stopped and watched the water. It finally simmered down and was no longer bubbling. Now my spell was complete.

  I moved over to the back door and peered out the window, looking to the left and the right to see if I spotted the man anywhere in sight. He was nowhere, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t pop up again soon.

  “So how are your mother and Annabelle handling being half-vampires?” Thomas asked, breaking my thoughts from the mystery man.

  “I suppose as well as could be expected.”

  “That’s good to hear. I was worried about them.”

  “Then why didn’t you call and check on them?” I asked.

  “Again, I told you I had a thing to go to.”

  “Never mind that.” I went over and got Pluto’s food from the cabinet and filled up a dish. “Would you like some?”

  Thomas quirked an eyebrow. “Not while in human form, thank you very much.”

  “Just checking,” I said.

  My cell rang and I rushed around the room looking for it. “Where did I set it down?”

  “Looking for this?” Thomas asked as he held up the phone.

  I pulled it from his grip. “Hello,” I said breathlessly. I hoped I hadn’t missed the call.

  “Halloween LaVeau?” the woman asked.

  “Speaking,” I said.

  “This is the leader of the vampires. We have a bit of a problem here at the café.”

  I didn’t like hearing that word ‘problem.’ I had heard it a lot lately too.