by Chelsea Luna
“Fall is in full swing.” James closed the front door behind us.
Dry leaves rustled over the driveway. “It’s Tuesday,” I said. “Only five more days until Halloween.”
“We’re about to pick up the object you thought we’d never find.” Peter winked. “We have plenty of time. Don’t stress, Lex.”
“Easier said than done.”
I climbed into the passenger seat of Ethan’s Jeep Cherokee. Peter and James sat in the back. After a few moments, Ethan strolled out of the house with a huge grin. My parents were so in love with each other.
It was fascinating to watch. True love alive after a seventeen year hiatus. Just as strong as it was before. Emma and Ethan weren’t officially married yet. They had plans to do so after Halloween - when things were “less stressful.” Hopefully, I’d be alive to attend the ceremony.
Ethan slid into the driver seat and put on his baseball hat. He still wore it as a disguise around town. Pretty lame if you ask me. But Peter and James had both done the same when they had to go incognito. Maybe it was a guy thing.
We’d received several double takes around town, but no one questioned Ethan. Emma claimed Ethan was her new boyfriend, Mark, from Boston to the few that were brave enough to ask her. I’m sure the gossip mill had been churning since Ethan’s arrival, but so far, so good.
I wasn’t sure how much longer we could pull off this charade. Ethan stayed out of sight as much as possible, but if we beat Liam, then we’d have to make permanent roots. And we would have to explain Ethan.
Somehow.
“You’re deep in thought. Are you worried about the ruby?” Ethan backed out of the driveway.
“Just daydreaming.”
We quietly drove out of Hazel Cove and onto Highway 95 South toward Cambridge. Down the heavily shaded street lined with hundred-year-old sycamores. We passed the vacant eighteenth century houses that peeked out from the depths of overgrown grass. The road curved again and we rounded the corner. A quarter of a mile away, was the familiar Victorian farmhouse with the peeling white paint and the red shutters and roof.
“It looks abandoned,” Ethan said.
Peter rolled down his window. “No cars.”
Ethan pulled into the gravel driveway. He leaned against the wheel to get a better view from the front windshield. The house definitely looked abandoned. I was half expecting the new Gamma leader (whoever he was) to take up residence in the house.
On second thought, that wouldn’t make much sense. This wasn’t the Gamma house, per se. It was the Van Curen house, which meant -
I twirled around in my seat. “James, is…?”
“Welcome to my house.” He frowned.
“Your house?” Peter looked at him like he was crazy. “This nut house belongs to you?”
“When my Grandpa Jonah died, he left the house to my dad. When my dad died, he left it to Victor. Now that Victor’s dead, it goes to me. That makes four owners in a little over a year. Those aren’t great odds.”
“Do you have the key?” Ethan asked.
“Yeah, in an envelope back in Hazel Cove,” James said. “But we don’t need one. They keep a spare key over the doorframe.”
“The back lock is easy to pick.” Peter climbed out of the car. “I hate this house. Every time I come here, I say it’s the last time I’ll ever go inside. And here I am again.”
“At least we’re not breaking and entering,” I said.
“Way to look on the bright side, Lex. Cold hard proof that there’s a first time for everything,” Peter said.
We followed James up the stairs to the wraparound porch. He reached above the doorframe for the key.
“Some security.” Peter flipped open the mailbox and peeked inside.
“Home sweet home,” James muttered.
All of the curtains were drawn. I groped the wall until I found a switch. Artificial light flooded the room. All of the furniture and belongings were just as they’d always been. The sky blue living room looked exactly the same.
Frightening.
“What are you going to do with this place?” I asked James.
James shrugged. “Bulldoze it?”
“Wow.” Ethan walked to the life size mural of the Archangel Michael casting witches into Hell.
Peter smirked. “Great piece of art, eh?”
I ran my hand over the drywall. “Diane said it was behind the Michael painting. There must be a secret compartment somewhere. See that picture over there?” I pointed to the oil painting of the old man with the large nose and small eyes clutching the Bible to his chest.
“That’s the same guy from the painting in the attic of the Witch Museum,” Peter said.
“That’s Jebediah Van Curen,” I said. “Minus the ruby ring necklace in this picture. Are his eyes pointed toward a specific spot?”
“No,” James said. “It looks like he’s following me wherever I go.” He paced in the small living room. “I hate that painting.”
Ethan ran his hand over the Archangel Michael. “I feel a seam.”
“Really?”
He ran his hand in a perfect three by three foot square covering the Archangel’s head, neck and torso. Ethan pushed the wall. “There’s definitely a seam, but I’m not sure how to open it.”
We pushed and picked at the seam. We all took turns, but nothing happened.
Peter walked to the middle of the room. He tilted his head and approached the Jebediah Van Curen oil painting. He pulled the artwork off the wall and revealed a small square door. Peter flipped it open.
It was a keypad.
“I bet this is the access key to that safe.” Peter pointed at the Archangel.
“Well, I’m impressed,” I said.
“How did you know that was there?” Ethan asked.
“Spy movies.” Peter pushed the couch out of the way so we could easily reach the keypad.
“That’s a pretty high-tech keypad for this old house,” James said. “I’m scared to think of what else they were hiding in that safe.”
I place my hands on my hips. “We don’t have the code.”
“Maybe Jonah’s birthday?” Ethan suggested.
“Or Jebediah’s birthday?” Peter said.
James shook his head. “Nope, but I’m willing to bet I know what the code is.” He pushed 1-2-0-6 and a tiny red light above the keypad turned green. A click sounded from the wall mural.
“What’s that number?” I asked.
“1206. The year Gamma was formed,” James said. “My dad used that code for everything. I had no idea what it meant until recently.”
My face scrunched in distaste. These Van Curen men were obsessed with Gamma. I walked over to the mural. The seam was now visible, but there wasn’t a handle. I ran my hand over the square and pushed the bottom right corner. The door swung open with a loud creak.
We collectively drew in our breaths.
Inside were stacks of hundred dollar bills. And sitting on top of one particularly large stack of Benjamin Franklins was the magnificent ruby ring.
I looked at James.
He nodded. “Go ahead.”
I reached inside and retrieved Lara Ross’ soul. The gem was a deep crimson and more beautiful than I’d remembered. When I held it up to the light, it sparkled in all of its glory. A tingling sensation vibrated through my arm like my hand had fallen asleep.
“Just as I remembered it,” James said. “See there’s a smaller stone inside the ruby. That’s what makes all of the crazy reflections.”
I looked closer at the ring.
Inside the giant ruby was what looked like a diamond. The diamond was the size of a quarter. The tingling sensation ran up my arm and all over my body. Dozens of little pins prickled my skin. Or better yet - pulled at my skin.
That was it. It was a pulling sensation. The same feeling that I had before.
“This is it,” I said quietly. “Lara’s soul is in this ruby.”
Ethan stared at the ring. “How do you kno
w?”
“I can feel her soul. It’s the same sensation I had when I conjured the spirit in Grandma Claudia’s mirror. It’s this pulling feeling. The spirit wants out. It’s pulling me closer, so it can escape.” I placed the gem into Ethan’s open hand.
“I feel it, too.”
“Can I see it?” Peter asked.
Ethan handed the ruby to him.
“I don’t feel anything.” Peter opened and closed his fist over the ruby.
“Let me try.” James wrapped his hand around the gem and closed his eyes. “Nothing.”
“Why can’t we feel it?” Peter asked.
“I’ve conjured,” I said. “And dad was close to death. That’s why we can sense the spirit inside.”
“I wonder…?” Ethan held the ruby up to the sunlight.
“What?” I asked.
“When you told me that you thought the Van Curen ruby was the receptacle, it bothered me. I mean, Liam has searched for this lost receptacle for two thousand years. If Jebediah Van Curen was brash enough to wear the ruby in public during the Salem Witch Trials - even going as far as posing for a portrait with it - Liam would’ve found out and easily retrieved the receptacle.”
That point had been bothering me, too. But I refused to admit that it didn’t make sense. Now that I had the ruby in my hand, I was certain that the gem held Liam’s mother’s soul.
One hundred percent sure.
James looked at me. “What if it’s not the ruby? What if it’s -”
“The diamond inside,” I finished.
“Then it wouldn’t have been in plain sight,” Ethan said. “Liam’s been searching the world for a diamond, so Jonah Van Curen’s ruby wouldn’t have garnered Liam’s attention.”
“The perfect hiding place,” Peter said.
“Now, we only have to keep it hidden for the next five days.” I wrapped the ruby ring and the thick gold chain in a handkerchief and placed it in my bag.
“Want to get out of here?” Ethan said.
Peter nudged James and nodded toward the safe. “Dude, that’s your money now. Your house, your money.”
James shook his head. “I don’t want it.”
“You don’t want it?” Peter’s eyebrows went to his hairline.
“There’s no telling where it came from. It’s probably blood money.” James closed the safe. It clicked and the square seam disappeared.
“That was easy enough.” Ethan patted the top of my head. “See kiddo, things are looking up. Now we’ll have some time to kill before Halloween. Hey, Peter?”
“Sir?” Peter turned.
“Maybe you can show me how to play that Zbox thing.”
“Xbox,” I said, grinning.
We followed Ethan outside. James locked the door and we descended the steps. Just as I reached the grass, my grin disappeared. I had a terrible feeling that something wasn’t right.
A shadow moved in my peripheral vision and I glanced up.
A man strolled out from behind Ethan’s Jeep Cherokee. All of the air in my lungs deflated. I knew it wouldn’t be that easy. It never was. But I had no idea it was going to be this disastrous.
Liam threw me an electric smile. “Good afternoon, Alexandria.”
CHAPTER 11
I was absolutely speechless. My jaw muscles turned to Jell-o and my mouth slid open. No words formed. My brain worked, but the only thought I had was - This was all for nothing.
“Hello, Peter. James.” Liam nodded casually. “It’s been a few months since I’ve seen you boys. That was some fun down in the Louisiana swamps, wasn’t it?”
The boys were frozen. Statues had more movement than Peter and James.
Liam’s emerald eyes rested on my father. “By the resemblance, you must be Daddy Longfellow.”
“Liam,” Ethan said. He was the only one of us that had command of the English language. Maybe it was because he didn’t know Liam like we did. Ethan had never seen the wrath and rage of Liam Ross.
I suddenly became über-aware of the bag slung across my body. The gemstone vibrated against my hip as if the ruby was screaming out to Liam. Could he feel it? Could he sense his mother’s spirit? Why was Liam here? Did he know about the receptacle? If that were true, then my first thought was absolutely right - it was all for nothing.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Longfellow,” Liam said. “I must say, your daughter went through quite an ordeal to unspell you from the coma put on by the lovely Dr. Ross.”
“I’m eternally grateful,” Ethan said coolly.
Liam motioned to the farmhouse. “Fan of the country?”
I swallowed. “We’re visiting James’ new house.”
Liam inclined his head at James. “The house belongs to young Van Curen?”
“It does,” I said.
“I was under the impression that this old place belonged to your deplorable stepfather.”
“Victor’s dead.”
Liam’s smile turned into a chuckle. “Is he now? That’s news to me. I’ve been out of the loop; busy getting the necessary preparations ready for this weekend. The big day is fast approaching, my dear Alexandria.”
Peter’s body tensed. Ethan’s arm shot out in front of Peter to prevent him from charging at Liam.
Liam spared Peter a glance, but returned his focus to me. He ran his finger across the hood of the Jeep. “Did you kill Victor?”
“I did,” I lied. What if Liam needed Victor alive? I didn’t want Liam’s wrath to be directed at my father.
“I killed Victor,” Ethan said.
Liam’s eyes flickered from me to my father. “Impressive. I didn’t think Longfellows were that…tough. Murder is more of a Ross thing.”
“I don’t take kindly to people trying to harm my daughter,” Ethan said icily.
His left arm was still extended across Peter’s chest. Peter’s hands balled into tight fists. James stood rigidly to my other side; his dark eyes darted back and forth between Liam and me. The situation was a powder keg. Clearly someone was about to light a match.
“Why are you here, Liam?” I asked as calmly as I could.
Inside, I was a mess. My arms hung loose by my side. It took every fiber of my being not to clutch the purse strung across my chest. I couldn’t bring any attention to the bag. The ruby vibrated against my side.
Defending everyone from Liam was impossible, but with Ethan’s help I could hopefully distract Liam long enough to give the others an opportunity to escape. It was a slim chance, but the half-witch hunter Gabriel Vega managed to escape from Liam during a moment of complete chaos. Perhaps Peter, James and Ethan could be that lucky, too.
Liam clasped his hands behind his back. “I’ve only just returned to Hazel Cove, but I must say, I am quite curious as to your recent behavior.”
“How so?”
“I’ve been informed that you’ve been snooping around Salem and Boston and now you’re at a known Gamma location. It looks like you’re on a regular Alexandria-Quest. We all know how successful you’ve been in your adventures. Accordingly, you have piqued my interest. What are you up to? You’ve managed to locate and cure your father from his magical ailment. That chapter has concluded. So the question becomes - what are you looking for now?”
“Nothing,” I lied.
Liam ran his hand through his hair.
It was such a casual move, but I was completely fascinated by it.
“I think you’re lying to me, Alexandria. That is disappointing, because I thought we had a wonderful relationship.”
“You want to murder her.” Peter’s chest heaved. “Are you that demented that you honestly think you have any type of relationship with her?”
Liam ignored him. “What’s going on, Alexandria?”
“I’ve already told you,” I said. “Nothing. Salem holds a special place in my heart because that’s where my Grandma Claudia lived. I went to Boston because James grew up there. We are here, at this house, because James is the new owner. That’s it. With all due r
espect, Liam, you are acting awfully paranoid.”
Liam chuckled.
I felt empowered, because I was right. Liam was paranoid. I straightened my shoulders. “I’m a measly pure blooded witch who hasn’t even received her full powers yet. What are you so worried about?”
“You’re not going to tell me what you’re hiding, are you?”
“There’s nothing to tell.”
“So be it. Maybe you need a little motivation.” Liam smiled at the boys.
In that instant, Ethan, Peter and James violently shook. Their bodies trembled liked they were being electrocuted. They fell to the ground in spasms and flopped on the grass like fish out of water.
“Leave them alone!” I shouted.
“Tell me what you’re doing.”
Ethan groaned. He raised his hand at Liam, but nothing happened. His magic was rendered useless.
“I’m warning you,” I said. “Leave them alone or you’ll be sorry.”
Drool slid out of Peter’s mouth. His body quivered on the grass.
“You’ve made the fatal mistake of confusing my kindness for weakness.” Liam’s face was calm, but there was no longer any trace of humor. “Now your loved ones will pay.”
“Actually, you’ve made the mistake of underestimating me.”
Liam didn’t know about the receptacle. I was sure of it. He was acting too paranoid to know the truth. If Liam knew we had it, he would’ve already taken it by force. Instead, he stood here, threatening us. I had to use his momentary weakness to my advantage.
Liam smiled. “Oh, I’ve underestimated you?”
I reached into my bag.
Ethan’s eyes flickered to me. His body convulsed. The veins in his throat bulged against his skin. He shook his head, but I dropped his gaze.
My finger brushed against a smooth object inside my bag. James’ Swiss Army Knife. He gave it to me on our way home from Louisiana last spring. I flicked my wrist and, for once, instead of producing magic, I simply produced a sharp blade.
I held the knife in the air.
“You’ve brought a butter knife to a grenade fight.” Liam chuckled. “And you think I’ve underestimated you?”
“You’ve made the mistake of assuming that I give a shit about my own life.” I brought the steel blade to my neck. Right on top of the carotid artery - the vulnerable spot where you can feel your heartbeat pounding in your throat. I pressed the tip of the sharp blade into my skin.
