by Sonia Parin
Do not chirp your response. “Thank you,” she chirped.
Taffy bowed and retreated out of the room leaving her to enjoy her state of utter bliss.
Lexie spread her arms out and twirled around. Inside, she felt like a giddy teenager let loose in a department store to pick and choose anything she wanted.
She shucked out of her leather jacket and tore off her Hard Rock t-shirt. Half an hour gave her enough time to try on two… maybe three outfits.
Standing in front of a tall mirror, she swayed from side to side, her admiration for the designer dress she’d slipped into shining in her eyes.
“Lexie.”
Her attention dropped to her Louboutin heels.
“Alexandra.”
She waved her hand in dismissal. “Not now.”
“Alexandra Elizabeth Mackenzie. Whatever you’re doing, stop it and pay attention.”
“Doing? I’m not doing anything. I’m experiencing a sublime moment. It is so perfect, so real, it even has a name. Dorispiky.”
“Dorispiky. What on earth is that?”
“Round-toe leather pumps in hot pink with spike heels in contrasting black and fire engine red. A.k.a. the most beautiful pair of Christian Louboutin shoes I’ve ever seen.” Also, she thought, the first pair she’d ever seen having never set foot inside the type of store selling these exquisitely beautiful shoes. To think she’d been missing out on all this…
“Did I hear you mention Louboutin shoes?” Mirabelle asked.
A moment of silence followed. Lexie took the opportunity to try on a pair of Jimmy Choo stilettos.
“I’m back,” Catherine said, “Lexie, listen up.”
“Where did Mirabelle go?”
“We can’t both be here at once. Remember, we told you that.”
“Oh, okay,” Lexie said dreamily. “Whatever you have to say, say it quickly and put Mirabelle back on. I want her to see these shoes. They’re magnificent.”
“Lexie. I don’t know what’s going on. Clearly you’re not yourself.”
“Of course I am. Who else would I be?”
“We had trouble connecting with you. You kept dropping out.”
“Maybe it’s the seal blocking you.”
“No, the seal only stops three of us from entering at once. It shouldn’t affect us individually.”
“Maybe they reinforced it…” Lexie stepped back from the mirror and set to work on her hair.
“What can you report? Did you see or hear anything?”
“I’m in the most sumptuous bedchamber imaginable. I think Queen Anne stayed here at some point. It’s named after her. We’re about to have lunch, so I only have a few minutes to spare.”
“Lexie, whatever you do, do not put those clothes on. There’s something odd going on in that house. Try to steer clear of anything that you wouldn’t normally do such as wearing designer clothes.”
“Okay. Anything else?”
Silence.
Lexie peered over her shoulder. “Catherine?” she whispered. When she didn’t hear a response, she shrugged and decided to go with the Louboutin pumps.
A grand staircase made for a grand entrance, Lexie thought as she glided down with the grace of a finishing school star. Reginald St James stood at the foot of the stairs. As she reached him, he stretched his hand out to her.
“Welcome, Alexandra. It has been a long time since House St James played host to a Mackenzie.”
“Thank you. It’s a pleasure to be here.”
What the hell? Her lips stretched into a brilliant smile, her voice took on a dreamy tone…
In the midst of her confusion, Lexie caught a whiff of malevolence.
“Ah, here are the others.”
She turned at the same time Reginald tugged on her hand. Wobbling slightly, she lost her balance and fell into his arms.
“Lucky catch,” he murmured.
Lexie straightened. A second before she’d been struck by a sensation. What had it been? She shook her head and smiled.
“We’ll lead them in, and then I’ll introduce you.”
Her smile brightened. She could really get used to this. And to think she hadn’t wanted to come…
Chapter Five
“Lexie, wake up!”
“Poke me again and I’ll have you thrown into the dungeon.” Lexie peeled an eye open. A sliver of light shone through the slightly parted curtains.
She drew in a deep breath and tried to remember how she’d come to be in her bedchamber still wearing her beautiful Prada gown.
She remembered lunch flowing into dinner and a night filled with lively, engaging conversation and the most delicious food and drink she’d ever had.
If she could live out her days enjoying such splendor she’d die a happy girl.
“Snap out of it and report.”
Her thoughts wavered between what she wanted to remember and what she had to remember.
“Evangeline Hemsworth…”
“Yes, what about her?” Catherine asked.
“She has the most divine sense of humor, I could listen to her all night.” Lexie plumped up her pillows. “Where’s Mirabelle? I want to tell her about Evangeline’s gown.”
“Will you listen to yourself? What’s come over you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m perfectly fine. Now put Mirabelle on.”
“She’s busy following a lead about the seal and I’m struggling to stay awake. Remember, I’m in a different time zone.”
“Have some coffee. That should perk you right up. Speaking of which…” She pressed the button next to her bed. “You should have seen Evangeline’s gown. It was a column of sheer satin elegance in a mesmerizing shade of copper.”
“What about the others? Did you pick up any vibes?”
“They’re all lovely people. Mirabelle was right. They’re top notch and so entertaining. I could barely keep a thought in my head—” She looked up at the ceiling. “What did I just say?”
“They’ve done something to you.”
Catherine’s voice faded.
“Cat? Oh, do you mind if I call you Cat? I think it rather suits you. Cat? Are you there?”
Her bedroom door clicked open. Taffy strode in and made a beeline for the window to draw the curtains. “Good morning, Miss Alexandra. I hope you slept well.”
“Yes, thank you, Taffy.”
A servant appeared carrying a large tray, which she set on her bed.
“If there’s anything else you require…”
“No, thank you, Taffy. This is perfect.” She sipped her coffee and sighed with contentment. Taffy and the servant withdrew leaving her to enjoy the most delectable breakfast selection she’d ever been served.
“Lexie.”
“Oh, you’re back.” She nibbled on a piece of toast. When she tried to take another bite, her hold loosened, the toast slipped from her fingers and fell onto the plate. “Oh, how clumsy of me.” She reached for it, but her fingers couldn’t quite take hold of it.
“Lexie!”
“Just a sec.” She tried again, and again she failed to pick it up. “You know what? I think you’re right. There is something dreadful going on here.” She reached for a piece of bacon but her fingers met with air. “It’s you. You’re doing this.”
“Yes, I am. And I’ll continue to do it until you snap out of it and pay attention.”
Lexie glowered at her tray. “I’m listening.”
“Mirabelle is hard at work trying to find a way to breach the seal.”
“If it hasn’t been found in five hundred years, what makes her think she’ll find it now.”
“She has incentive,” Catherine said. “If we don’t get you out of there, well… we’re concerned. I knew something would happen and I’m always the optimist.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Everything is perfectly fine.”
“That’s precisely it. You’re meant to be spitting the dummy. Hating every moment you’re there. W
here’s your snarky attitude?”
Lexie shrugged. “People change. I’ve evolved into a better version of myself.”
“You’ve been beguiled.”
“Beguiled?”
“As in charmed. A spell’s been cast on you and it’s taken a hold in such a way, you find everything stunningly gorgeous. It’s some sort of rose tinted glasses spell.”
“Nonsense. We’re the only witches here.”
“The spell could have been concocted by anyone dabbling with the power of words. We have to work fast. Now, report.”
Lexie pressed the tips of her fingers against her head and ordered herself to focus. The sensation of pushing against a hard obstruction had her breathing hard. Giving a hard push, she collapsed against her pillows. “I sensed something… Malevolent—”
“Yes?”
Lexie tilted her head. “What was I saying?”
“You picked up a scent. Where did it come from?”
Lexie sat up. “Now that I think about it… Give me a sec.” She actually had to think about it. “The others were coming down the stairs, that’s when I tuned into it, so I turned and then I fell. And yes, I’m all right. Reginald caught me.” She eyed the bacon and willed herself to pick it up but her fingers wouldn’t respond. “Do you mind? I’m getting quite hungry here.”
“All right, but focus.”
“On what?”
“You sensed malevolence.”
“It’s one of them. Or maybe all of them, but I don’t really want to think badly of them. They’re all so nice.”
“One of them must be dabbling.”
“That’s what I thought. Literally. When Taffy, that’s the butler, showed me to my room. Oh, I remembered. See, they can’t possibly have cast a spell on me. You shouldn’t cast aspersions on such lovely people.”
“Alexandra. Focus. Your powers are raw and fresh. You can overcome anything they throw at you.”
“I hope so, we’re playing lawn tennis today and I found the cutest outfit to wear.”
Catherine sighed. “If anything, I’m going to have fun reminding you of this. Now… Did you speak with Henry St James?”
“Yes. Grumpy old fellow. He’s short tempered and likes to bark out orders. He told someone…” Lexie tapped her chin.
“Yes?”
“I can’t remember exactly what he said but I had the feeling he was being pushed into something.”
“Blackmailed?”
“That could be it. Anyway, there’s a house party happening this weekend. I’m so looking forward to it. And… have you noticed my accent has changed? I’m sounding…” Lexie shrugged, “Refined.” She sat up. “Yes, that’s it. By the way, you fizzled out before so you might have missed me saying I’ve decided to call you Cat, if it’s all right with you.”
“Yes. Yes, but find out who’ll be attending that house party.”
“You don’t have to be so short tempered with me. A little pleasantry goes a long way.” Lexie took a sip of her coffee. “Two days… Oh, I just remembered. Henry St James wants this wrapped up before everyone arrives. And… inky black fog. Yes, that’s right. He feels something wrapping around his neck. When I first set foot inside the house, I… You should see these mini croissants. I think they have some sort of crème patisserie inside.”
“What?”
“Yummy custard.”
“Lexie, you mentioned inky black fog. What about it?”
“I’m not sure what I was going to say about that. Hang on… Yes, yes. He mentioned an inky black fog, maybe I felt it too but then whatever I felt when I entered the house all went away when Henry said everyone at the house was at my disposal.” Lexie slumped back against the pillows feeling exhausted. “Remembering all that took some doing. Cat? Are you there?”
“Yes. Yes. I’m trying to sort through what you’ve said. There’s power in spoken words. We know that. But it’s only really effective with clear intention. I think we underestimated Henry’s hold over the house and his role as caretaker.”
“He’s the head, isn’t he? It makes sense for him to lord it over everyone.”
“That sort of power is worth more than money itself. From the start we suspected someone might be after the inheritance but there’s obviously more to it than that.”
“And would that someone happen to be Reginald?” Lexie asked.
“It stands to reason. He’s next in line. Maybe he’s in a hurry to take up his role and reap the rewards,” Catherine suggested.
“What if Henry knows more about the seal than he’s letting on?” It suddenly occurred to ask.
“There’s a thought. Those with power rarely offer to relinquish it. It always struck me as odd that something as potent as a seal would be forgotten. Whoever put it in place would have taken measures to ensure the generations after him knew how to guard it. After all, it is the head of the house’s job to act as guardian.”
Lexie inspected her nails. “I thought the St James people were mere mortals.”
“They are but with knowledge comes power. Somewhere along the line, they acquired the power of words and put it to use. How else do you think they built their fortune and still hold it to this day when other houses are crumbling around them?”
“Okay, so on the one hand, we have Henry who’s probably trying to hold onto the status quo and his position as head of the family and on the other hand, someone is trying to speed up the process and gain control of the estate.”
“And the obvious person is Reginald. Keep an eye on him.”
“Here’s a thought.” She’d never had a manicure. Lexie wondered if someone in the house could give her one.
“What?” Catherine asked.
“Mmm?”
“Something occurred to you.”
“Oh, yes… Reginald is next in line. Who’s after him?”
“Indoor tennis? I thought I heard someone mention lawn tennis.”
Bertie St James tapped the fake turf with his racket. “It looks like grass, it’s green and soft and doesn’t require mowing.”
Lexie’s fingers itched. She’d been looking forward to stepping outside into nature to soak in some sunshine and feel the light breeze. Since arriving she hadn’t had the opportunity. All their activities had been indoors.
“How are you enjoying your stay at House St James?” Ellsworth James asked.
Lexie’s gaze bounced between the two distant cousins and tried to determine what set them apart. They were both tall with lanky frames and sandy blond locks that curled at the edges. Their eyes were pale blue. They both had easy smiles, their lips on the thin side. Even their gestures were similar, both tending to hold their hands out when they had a point to put across.
“It’s very relaxing here,” she said.
“The house has that effect. I come here as often as I can to recharge.” Ellsworth tossed the ball up in the air and practiced his serve. “I think you’ll like it here.”
Lexie smiled. She would like it. The feeling of belonging seeped through her, it gave her step an extra bounce. Everything she could possibly want would be at her fingertips, everything including those beautiful designer clothes.
Looking up, she smiled. Eloise St James approached the group. She wore a similar tennis outfit to Lexie’s. Her burnished gold hair was tied back into a ponytail, which swung from side to side as she strode toward them.
“Well, another bright and beautiful day at House St James. Don’t you just love it here, Lexie?”
She was about to nod in agreement when she noticed a spark in Eloise’s eyes and something else…
Something forced. Being nice didn’t come naturally to her. Eloise appeared to be trying to be amiable but the mask slipped off her. In less than the blink of an eye, Lexie saw her smile waver and fade, and something entirely wicked taking over.
“Eloise!” Ellsworth called out. They exchanged a brief look after which Eloise gave a firm nod and bounced over to the other side of the court.
What had that
been about? Lexie wondered and twirled the racket in her hand. She paired up with Ellsworth. A couple of shots later she could only wonder why she hadn’t taken up tennis before…
An hour later with several games under their belt, they took a break for some refreshments. As Lexie accepted a glass of champagne she tried to remember when she’d learned to play tennis. She’d never been the sporty type, yet she’d somehow managed to hit every shot that had come her way.
She curled her fingers around the glass and tried to hold onto the thought, but her efforts were interrupted when a roar that seemed to erupt from the bowels of the house swept around them.
The noise appeared to take shape and become solid.
Everyone fell silent.
A heavy weight settled inside her and then lifted and disappeared.
“Right… well. I think I might have a rest now before lunch.” Ellsworth rose to his feet and giving a slight bow, he strode off swinging his racket from side to side.
“That sounds like an excellent idea.” Both Eloise and Bertie followed him leaving Lexie to ponder what had happened.
She set her glass down on the marble-topped table. No one had mentioned the roar that had nearly rattled the windows. Frowning, she looked around her.
“Cat?” She nibbled the edge of her lip. Cat, she mentally called out. She dug deep inside her mind. Catherine. That sounded familiar. Catherine, her cousin. She sprung to her feet. “Can you hear me?”
Taffy appeared at the door. “Did you call, Miss Alexandra?”
“No, I didn’t. I’m… I’m going upstairs for a rest before lunch.”
“That sounds like a splendid idea.” He stood aside until she strode past. “Remember, anything you need, you only need to ask.”
“Thank you, Taffy.” She strode up the stairs, her smile making her dizzy. She couldn’t remember ever having smiled so much. What had Cat said about a spell?
Lost in her thoughts, she missed the door to her bedroom and continued walking along the wide hallway. Lined with paintings on one side and tall windows on the other, she knew these type of hallways had been used for the purpose of exercise during the colder months when the weather turned and made it uncomfortable to be outdoors. She gazed at the generations of St James people, both men and women, dressed in their appropriate period costumes. They all seemed to be replicas of the current family members.
