All Spell Breaks Loose
Spellbound Paranormal Cozy Mystery, Book 10
Annabel Chase
Red Palm Press LLC
All Spell Breaks Loose
Spellbound Paranormal Cozy Mystery, Book 10
By Annabel Chase
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Copyright © 2018 Red Palm Press LLC
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Cover Design by Alchemy
Created with Vellum
Fear of change is a sure sign that, deep down, you know you should take action now. So let’s hold hands and leap together into that great unknown.
Contents
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
Thank You For Reading
Chapter 1
I gazed at the row of colorful flowers on the table in front of us.
“Now, to change the color,” Professor Holmes said, “try something simple like purple is nice and easily seen/but I would prefer to change mine to green.”
Laurel raised her hand.
“Yes, Laurel?” the kindly wizard asked. He wore his usual midnight blue pointy hat and matching cloak. He’d recently decided to grow facial hair, which gave me immense satisfaction as I always felt like he was one white beard away from going full Dumbledore.
“Why do we need to limit ourselves to a simple spell?” she asked. “I feel like we keep proving ourselves, yet we’re still being taught basic skills.”
His sage expression remained intact. “These basic spells are the building blocks of your magical education. Only when you master the simple spells can you hope to…”
He didn’t get to finish his sentence. In one swift incantation, Laurel had changed all the flowers to the color green.
“I see,” he said. “Sophie, would you like to demonstrate your prowess?”
Ooh. A canny move by Professor Holmes. If anyone was likely to screw up a basic spell, it was Sophie.
Sophie pointed her wand at the flowers and said, “I’m not one to grouse and gripe/give these petals a yellow stripe.”
Yellow stripes appeared on the flower petals. Professor Holmes couldn’t disguise his pleased expression.
“You’ve been holding secret lessons,” he teased, wagging a finger at us. “What else have you not been telling me?”
A wave of nausea rolled over me as guilt reared its ugly head. There was plenty I hadn’t told Professor Holmes—or anyone in the coven, for that matter. I was waiting for the right time to reveal that my mother was responsible for cursing the town. That she was the reason everyone was trapped here. The knowledge was proving to be a heavy burden to bear, but I couldn’t quite think of the right words to say. I needed more time.
“Emma, if you hadn’t already ordered your wedding flowers from the Enchanted Garden, we could’ve conjured whatever you wanted,” Millie said.
“You bridesmaids have enough to do,” I said. “I’m not putting you in charge of flowers, too.”
“Hey, look,” Begonia said. “Those flower petals are opening.”
It was the flower directly in front of me. The petals slowly opened, revealing a folded note inside.
“Stars and stones,” I breathed. “What’s that?” I glanced up at Professor Holmes, but he seemed equally baffled.
“Another trick from one of our talented witches?” he asked, scanning the five faces in front of him. No one ‘fessed up.
I plucked the note from the flower and unfolded it. “It’s addressed to me.” I couldn’t hide the surprise in my voice.
Sophie clapped her hands. “Maybe it’s a love letter. That would be so romantic.”
My stomach plummeted. It was definitely not a love letter. “It’s a threat.”
“Not to marry Daniel?” Millie queried. “Is it from Elsa Knightsbridge?”
“Nothing to do with the wedding. It’s warning me not to break the curse,” I said. My attention was riveted to the note. “Someone says I need to back off or face the consequences.”
“But you’re not breaking the curse all by yourself,” Laurel said. “The coven is working on it together.”
“May I see it?” Professor Holmes asked, retrieving the note from my trembling fingers. His brow furrowed. “This is most unfortunate.”
“Should we give it to Sheriff Astrid?” Sophie asked. “Emma’s getting married soon. We don’t want anything bad to happen.”
“No, of course not,” Professor Holmes agreed. He tucked the note into his cloak pocket. “I’ll bring it to Lady Weatherby’s attention. This is one of the reasons she wanted to keep the curse-breaking efforts as secret as possible.”
“Why would someone want to prevent us from breaking the curse?” Begonia asked.
“Some have a deep fear of change,” Professor Holmes said. “Even when they are discontented, there is comfort and safety in what is known.”
“But why blame Emma?” Laurel asked.
The wizard gave me a faint smile. “Emma may not be the sole spellcaster, but no one can argue that she has been the catalyst for change.”
I clenched my hands into fists. “Should I be worried?” I already had wards around my property. Did I need to beef up security and, if so, how?
“I imagine it’s only an idle threat and not to worry,” Professor Holmes said.
“But whoever sent it managed to use magic,” Begonia pointed out. “They slipped in the note right in the middle of our lesson.”
“A fair point,” Professor Holmes admitted. “Although the magic used is not overly complicated. A basic manifestation spell.” His eyes twinkled. “Much easier when the item to manifest is in the same time and place.”
He was making a reference to my mother’s letters. I hoped no one asked for an update on their contents.
“Now that you mention manifestation spells…” Millie began.
Crap-tastic.
“Did you find anything important in your mother’s letters, Emma?” Millie finished.
Everyone looked at me expectantly.
“Only important to me,” I lied. “Some information about my biological parents. I’m still reading.”
“That’s wonderful,” Professor Holmes said. “It must be very exciting for you. You’ll have to share when you feel ready.”
Which would be never. “Absolutely,” I lied again. How could I tell them my mother had been some kind of paranormal FBI agent, tasked with tracking down criminals, and that she’d cursed the town back when she was a trainee? The information raised too many questions. Who did she track here? Was the mark so dangerous that she had to curse an entire town just to keep the criminal from escaping? And, if so, was the criminal living among us now?
My throat went dry and my palms began to sweat. I needed an extra swi
g of my anti-anxiety potion, pronto.
“Are you okay, Emma?” Begonia whispered. “You look like you’re about to be ill.”
Millie wisely inched away from me, familiar with my penchant for puking.
“I just feel stressed,” I said, which was true.
“Pre-wedding jitters,” Professor Holmes said. “It’s to be expected. After all, when you make a commitment as a paranormal, you’re committing to more than the usual human timeframe. An angel and a sorceress are an entirely different cauldron of fish.”
Okay, I hadn’t been thinking along those lines at all, but now I was. “Do you think Daniel will get tired of me after a few decades?”
“No,” the witches’ joint reply thundered in my ears.
“Let’s focus on the positive,” Begonia said. “The bachelorette party is tonight. With Sheriff Astrid and Britta in charge, that’s guaranteed to be heaps of fun.”
“I’m meeting them at Glow beforehand,” I said. “They asked to beautify me for the party as part of my present.”
“I wish I could go,” Laurel said. “My parents said it’s not appropriate for me.”
“I’m sorry, Laurel,” I said. “On the plus side, you won’t be thirteen forever.”
“Unless someone turns you into a vampire,” Millie said, rather unhelpfully.
Begonia winked. “I might know a guy.”
“Very well then, witches,” Professor Holmes said. “Let’s return our attention to the lesson at hand, shall we?”
Millie raised her chin. “You mean the lesson we’ve already mastered, Professor?”
His pale cheeks colored. “Yes, Millie. That lesson.”
She flashed a smug smile. “Just checking.”
"I think we should do something special for your hair for tonight," Venla said. The fairy scrutinized my frizzy head.
I sat in a chair in Glow, flanked by Astrid and Britta. Astrid’s hair was covered in rollers. Well, technically they weren't rollers. They were magical glowworms that threaded their way through the hair and created a wave that allegedly couldn't be replicated by any other means. I thought it was gross, but, then again, there were people in the human world that let fish nibble on their feet as part of a pedicure. Equally gross.
"That's why I'm here," I said. "I'd like something special." I was going to attend my blowout bachelorette party in style. It wasn't often that I let someone tame my tangled mess of a hairdo. Although Gareth begged to come along and offer pointers, I politely declined. This was meant to be a relaxing afternoon and Gareth was sure to stress me out with his need for perfection.
"Are you looking for an updo or maybe a partial updo?" Venla asked, pulling a strand of my hair.
"Whatever you think looks best," I said. “I’m planning to wear it up for my wedding, so maybe a partial would be fun."
Venla clapped her hands giddily. "Partials are my favorite.”
“When did you start doing hair anyway?” I asked. “I thought you were a facialist.”
“An opening came up, so I decided to do the extra training,” Venla said. She fluttered closer to my ear and whispered, “One day, I’d like to open my own salon.”
“It’s nice to have goals,” I said.
Venla moved in front of me to look me over. “Now, what color is your dress for tonight?"
"What does that have to do with anything?" I asked.
"I need to know which color sparkles to use in your hair," Venla replied, as though the reason was perfectly obvious.
"She's not a fairy, Venla,” Britta said from her place on the other side of her sister. "She doesn't need sparkles."
"To be fair, no one needs sparkles," I said. “Although I'm not against a few splashes of color. It's meant to be a fun night, and my hair should reflect that."
Venla shot Britta a triumphant look. "My sentiments exactly. How about streaks instead of sparkles? I could do a rainbow mane.”
"Um…that sounds too My Little Pony,” I said.
Britta laughed. “Miss Granny Underpants over there isn't going to want anything too crazy.”
"Hey, you saw all the new stuff she got at her bridal shower," Astrid said. "Those virginal whites can easily be relegated to the back of the drawer now."
I looked from one Valkyrie to the other. "Can we please stop discussing my undergarments in public? And in private, too, for that matter."
“Does that mean we can talk about your mustache?” Britta asked. “Or should we keep pretending we don’t notice it?”
My fingers flew to my upper lip. “What mustache?”
Britta rocked with laughter. “She’s too easy, Astrid.”
“Do I need to remind you we’re here for her bachelorette party?” Astrid asked. “Play nice.”
Venla began flicking her fairy wand at my head. “I heard in the human world, people go on something called a honeymoon," she said.
“That’s right,” I replied. “It’s an opportunity following the wedding for the new husband and wife to connect with each other, like a special vacation.”
“Sounds relaxing,” Astrid said. “If you could go anywhere with Daniel for your honeymoon, where would it be?"
It was a good question, one I had been asking myself recently, just for fun. I’d never been one of those girls to dream of her wedding day, so I didn’t have years of ideas to pull from.
“There are so many options,” I said. “I’d find it difficult to choose. I didn’t travel much in the human world either. In a way, I was trapped in my own human world bubble.”
“Why?” Britta asked. “I can’t imagine staying put when you have the chance to roam.”
“Traveling takes money and time away from your job,” I explained. “I didn’t have much of either.”
“In some ways, you’re better off here,” Venla said.
“In a lot of ways,” I agreed. “I’ve always wanted to see Greece, and I think Daniel would love it, too.”
"Because of the history?" Astrid asked.
"The history, the beauty, the weather, the food." There seemed to be an endless list of reasons to choose Greece. "To be honest, though, I'd be happy in a tent in my backyard, as long as Daniel was with me. Nothing else really matters."
"I'd go to Norway," Britta interjected. "I read that you can see the northern lights from there certain times of year."
I glanced at the Valkyrie with interest. "I didn't know you were interested in the northern lights."
“I only learned about them recently," Britta admitted. "Paisley was telling me about them. There are other places you can go, apparently, but I figure the land of my ancestors would be the coolest."
"Is it true that you’re very close to breaking the curse?” Venla asked, as she fluttered around my head with her wand.
I looked at her reflection in the mirror. "The coven wants to keep that confidential. Sorry."
Venla pouted but continued to work.
"I want to know who wrote you that threatening note," Britta blurted.
I’d told the Valkyrie sisters about the note in the flower when we’d first arrived.
“Hopefully, Lady Weatherby and Professor Holmes can glean information from studying the note,” I said.
"They clearly don't know who they're messing with." Britta punched a fist into her open palm. "We should see if one of the werewolves can pick up the scent from the parchment."
That actually wasn't a bad idea. "We probably shouldn't talk about the note here," I said.
Venla stared at me in the mirror. "Someone is threatening you? Right before your wedding?"
"Not to worry, Venla,” Astrid said. "We're not sure if it's only a prank."
I knew she was putting Venla at ease. Nobody thought the note was a prank. Not even me, and I desperately wanted to believe it.
"Is it true that you invited the whole town to the wedding?" the fairy asked. "I saw the posters around town, but I wasn't sure whether to believe them."
"Absolutely," I replied. "We thought the poster
s would be more cost-effective than sending an owl or Elf Express to every home in Spellbound." It hadn't occurred to me that residents might not take it seriously. "Please be sure to tell your friends and family that it's true."
Venla broke into a wide smile. "I can hardly wait. I love a good wedding. I do a lot of prep for them, but I don't get to attend too many."
"This will be one for the history books," Astrid said. "I can't wait to see so many paranormals in one space. I might actually get to arrest someone." She paused. "Not that I want that. Obviously, I hope the wedding goes off without a hitch."
"Not me," Britta said. "I think a wedding brawl would be awesome. I want to see Phoebe Minor take down some drunken troll or goblin. Let the talons come out." She spread her fingers, as though sharp claws would appear.
"I think Daniel and I are hoping for the best day of our lives," I said. "That probably doesn’t include anyone showcasing their talons."
Britta shook her head solemnly. "No, that should definitely happen on the honeymoon."
Astrid snorted. "I think these worms might be done." She touched the top of her head. "They seem to have stopped moving."
Venla glanced over. "Time to apply the setting dust. Let me grab another wand from the back." She fluttered toward a different section of the salon.
"I actually like Britta's idea about putting a werewolf on the scent," Astrid said. "I didn't want to say anything in front of Venla.”
"I bet Alex would do it," I said. Alex was a rising star in the pack and I considered him to be a friend.
"Mancini will want you to go through him," Britta said.
"Fat chance," Astrid said. "That misogynist wolf would be useless. Emma's right. We should ask Alex."
Britta whistled. "That's a surefire way to piss off the head of the pack."
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