by Sonia Parin
“Did you just snap at me?”
Silence.
“Sorry. I feel helpless being so far away.”
“Okay. I’ll let it slide. We’re all under pressure here.”
The tunes of a happy jig filled the house. Someone was playing the piano. Before she could be drawn into the joyful atmosphere she could sense coming from one of the sitting rooms, Lexie rushed up the stairs.
“They’re having fun.”
“Keep walking. Don’t look back,” Mirabelle urged her.
“I’m going to have to try all the rooms.”
“Focus, Lexie. Hold an image of Evangeline in your mind.”
“She wore the most beautiful gown. I meant to tell you. She’s already quite tall but the dress made her look even taller. I’ve never seen that shade of copper and the satin fabric gave it an extra sheen. She looked statuesque.” Lexie strode past one door and felt the urge to continue walking. “I think it’s working. My senses are telling me to keep going.”
“Good. Trust your inner feeling.”
“Yes, Obi-Wan.”
“Who?”
“Character from Star Wars. Feel the force… I’m guessing you’re not a big movie fan.”
“Lexie, this isn’t the time.”
“You’re going to have to get up to speed with popular culture.”
“Or else?”
“Well, if we’re going to interact, we’re going to have to find some sort of middle ground. Otherwise, I’ll come across as the weird Mackenzie.”
“We’re Mackenzies. How much more in common do you need to have?”
“Here we are. I’m sure this is her room.” She gave a light rap on the door. “I think I heard someone moving inside.” She tried again and this time she pressed her ear to the door. Lexie stifled a giggle.
“What?”
“I think Evangeline is standing on the other side with her ear pressed against the door.” She tapped on the door again. “Evangeline. It’s me, Lexie,” she whispered. What else could she say? I come in peace? “I need to talk to you.” Open up, I know you’re the rightful heiress. No, she couldn’t say that. What if she spooked her?
“What do you want?” Evangeline demanded.
“Why haven’t you come down?”
“In case you hadn’t heard, Henry’s dead.”
“Yes, I know. I’m sorry for your loss.”
“I’ve tried to leave but…”
“What?”
“I can’t. Every time I make it to the front door, I’m tugged back.”
Lexie puzzled over this. Why hadn’t she tried to walk out? The thought never occurred to her… because this is such a happy, joyful house to live in. “What exactly do you feel?”
“It’s something reaching out to me, pulling me back.”
“Can you let me in?”
“Why?”
“You know why. I’m a Mackenzie. Henry asked me… us to look into this… thing.”
“I heard rumors about you.”
“Didn’t Henry tell you about us?”
“No. He never spoke to me directly. He was always relaying messages through Reginald.”
Lexie remembered what Mirabelle had said about the guardian of the house training the heir to take over. Why hadn’t Henry done that with Evangeline?
“I know you’re the heiress, Evangeline.”
“How? No one else knows.”
“Why’s that?”
“That’s the way Henry wanted it. He said it would be safer if no one knew.”
He must have known about the impending danger.
“Is anyone else with you?” Evangeline asked.
“No. I’m alone.”
“Are you sure? You’re not just saying that? I thought I heard you talking with someone.”
“You have the word of a Mackenzie,” whatever that meant.
The door opened a crack. “Come in. Quickly.”
Lexi’s heart gave a hard thump.
Evangeline’s fear must have transferred to you.
Focus, Lexie. Give her strength.
Evangeline gestured toward a couple of chairs by the window.
“Do you mind if I open the window? I find it helps.”
Evangeline nodded.
Sighing with relief, Lexie drew the chair closer to the window and sat down. Evangeline had worry lines creasing her eyes. “Have you slept?”
“Not much. This was all so unexpected.”
Strange. Everyone else had been able to put aside the unpleasantness and get on with their… happy… joyful day.
Ask if she knows where the book is. That’s the only way we’ll know if it’s really her.
Before Lexie could ask, Evangeline said, “I know where the book is.”
“Where?”
“I’m not going to tell you. What if you’re in league with whatever is out there?”
“It’s not on the shelves,” Lexie volunteered. “You have to trust me, otherwise, we’ll never get anywhere.”
“Have you seen it?”
“Yes.”
Evangeline lifted her chin a notch. “So what’s inside it?”
“The names of the heirs and that’s how I know it’s not Reginald. Your name is at the top of the list. But I’m not going to tell you where the book is just in case you’re not you.”
Evangeline surged to her feet. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’m as much a guardian as Henry was.”
“Okay. I know it’s behind a painting. Over the fireplace.”
“Good. Now we’re getting somewhere.” Lexie stood up and strode around the room.
What now? she mentally asked Mirabelle.
We have to keep her away from danger. Don’t let her go to the book. Keep her away from the library.
“Who said that?”
Lexie swung to face Evangeline. “You heard that?”
“Yes.”
As the head of the house, she has access to us, but only when we allow it.
“Does that mean we can have a three way conversation?”
“Yes,” Mirabelle said coming through loud and clear. “Hello, Evangeline.”
“You’re another Mackenzie?”
“Yes, I’m Mirabelle Louisa Mackenzie, High Chair of the British Isles and all Circumferential Domains Pertaining to the Mackenzie Coven.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
“Likewise,” Mirabelle said.
Evangeline gazed at Lexie.
“Um… I don’t have a title. I’m just Lexie…”
“Give her your full name,” Mirabelle said. “This is a formal occasion. A momentous one. You are addressing the head of House St James.”
“Should I bow?”
“Don’t be disrespectful.”
Lexie nodded. “I’m Alexandra Elizabeth Mackenzie.”
Mirabelle cleared her throat. “Alexandra is the incoming High Chair of the American Continent and all Circumferential Domains Pertaining to the Mackenzie Coven.”
“Really? Whoop. Whoop.”
“Focus, Lexie. As long as this inky black fog remains at large, we would advice you to refrain from formally ascending to your position as head of House St James as doing so will most likely put your life at risk. As it is, no one knows you are the rightful heir.”
“Does that mean Reginald is a target?” Evangeline asked. “I wouldn’t want anything to happen to him.”
“Lexie will make sure no harm comes to him.”
She would? How?
“So what exactly is the plan?” Evangeline asked.
“We must identify the source of the inky black fog. Someone is behind it.”
Because inky black fogs didn’t function of their own accord? Lexie wondered.
“Can you think of anyone who might benefit by Reginald ascending to the guardianship of the house instead of you?”
“His fiancée, Henrietta Smithson-Wight. But she already assumes Reginald will inherit.”
“That’s rig
ht. Now we have to wonder how much she stands to gain by getting rid of Henry and securing a swift transition,” Mirabelle mused.
“I don’t think Henrietta is capable of murder,” Lexie offered.
“No, but she might have the means to engage an inky black fog to do the bidding for her.”
“You might be onto something. When Ellsworth told me about her background, the first thought that came to mind was alchemist. They tend to dabble in mysteries and concoctions.”
“Worth looking into,” Mirabelle said. “I’ll put Catherine onto it straightaway. Now, back to the inky black fog—”
“Can we come up with another name for the inky black fog? It’s a mouthful. How about the menace, no capitals. That works for me.”
“All right. If we must,” Mirabelle agreed.
“I wonder if anyone knows Evangeline is actually the rightful heiress?”
“No,” Mirabelle said. “As far as everyone knows, Evangeline forfeited her right to the guardianship when she married.”
Lexie went to stand by the window.
“Are you all right, Lexie?” Mirabelle asked.
“I’m thinking.”
“Think out loud.”
“When I encountered the menace in the library before, I had the feeling it was searching for the book. Did I tell you it sniffed me?”
Silence.
“Mirabelle?”
“Just a moment, I’m checking something. I think we might be able to cast a protection spell over Evangeline.”
“Um… Mirabelle. That sounds like a very good idea. But we need to—”
“Give me a minute.”
“I’m afraid we don’t have a minute.” Lexie grabbed hold of Evangeline. “Stand behind me.”
“Why? What’s happened?”
She signaled toward the door. The inky black fog, a.k.a. the menace, was coming through the keyhole.
“Mirabelle. We need you now.”
Chapter Ten
Lexie sent her gaze on a frenzied search around the room looking for something to use as a weapon. Maybe something to block the keyhole. “Stand behind me,” she told Evangeline.
Instinctively, she stretched her arms and held her hands palms out. “Come to me… Something. Anything.”
“That’s all you got?” Evangeline asked, her eyebrows drawn down with worry, “Aren’t you supposed to be some sort of powerful High Chair of the American Continent and all Circumferential Domains Pertaining to the Mackenzie Coven witch?”
“Incoming… In training.”
“What’s going on?” Mirabelle asked.
“The menace has found us. It’s coming through the keyhole.”
“Quick, do something.”
“Um, that’s my line. You do something, oh mighty fully fledged High Chair of the British Isles and all Circumferential Domains Pertaining to the Mackenzie Coven witch.”
“I’m working on it. Is the window open?”
“Yes.”
“Good. We should be able to circumvent the seal. I’m enlisting Catherine’s assistance. She’ll be able to work from the outside much the way we did when we opened your bedroom window.”
“What is she talking about?” Evangeline asked.
“Don’t worry about her. She tends to ramble.” Lexie’s gaze fell on the breakfast tray. “Does Taffy know you’re here?”
“Of course he does. He’s been personally seeing to my comfort since I arrived. In fact, he suggested I remain in my room.”
How very helpful of him. “And you trust him?”
“He’s a faithful family retainer. He’s been with House St James since his infancy. In fact, he was born right here as was his father before him and his father and so on, right back to the time when the foundations were laid.”
“Mirabelle? What do you know about Taffy?”
“He’s a gentleman. The times I’ve visited House St James he showed me the utmost respect and always anticipated all my needs and desires.”
“He is very good at that. I’m thinking he wields a great deal more power than he lets on.” Lexie scanned the room again. “Mirabelle. Is there something I can do with salt?” Lexie asked as she grabbed hold of the saltshaker.
“Depends. Is it sea salt?”
“How should I know? It’s in an expensive looking crystal salt shaker.”
“Salt has purifying qualities and is often used in creating protective circles. It’s worth a try. Sprinkle some across the doorway.”
Lexie rushed to the door and set to work spreading the salt on the floor.
“Well?”
To her surprise, the menace receded. But only tentatively.
Lexie shook some salt against the keyhole and the menace shrunk back.
“It sort of worked but I suspect it might only be temporary. Do you have a better idea?”
“Without the full power of three present, we are limited.”
“We’re all sort of here. Cat?” Lexie stuck her head out the window. “Cat, are you there?”
Yes.
“We could try a shield of protective light,” Mirabelle suggested.
“How does that work?” Lexie asked.
“It’ll be tricky. It emanates from within us. Normally, it works as a self-protection shield…”
“Thanks for telling me before when I could have used it.”
“Sorry, it only just occurred. Anyway, we have to somehow merge the light and surround Evangeline with it.”
“That sounds like a plan,” Evangeline said, “What do I do?”
“You stand behind Lexie, and Lexie, stand as close as you can to the window so Catherine can try to connect with you. Find the spark of light within you. Focus on it. Call it to you. Feel it expanding within you. Use whatever means you can to picture it reaching out from your inner self.”
Light.
Bud light?
She shook her head.
Sparkly light.
Glowing light.
Happy light.
A warm sensation surged through her. Lexie spread her arms out. Her skin tingled. The others were clearly more adept at doing this. “I think I can feel your light reaching out.”
Concentrate.
She closed her eyes and wobbled slightly. Steadying herself, she focused on picturing an orb floating up to her. A spark appeared then fizzled out. She gritted her teeth.
I can do this. Yes, I can.
The spark reappeared. It looked like a distant star and it was followed by other sparks. Then they all converged and merged to form an orb. Lexie emptied her mind of all distractions. The orb expanded and grew.
“It’s working,” she heard Mirabelle exclaim.
“Yes, I can feel it,” Evangeline murmured.
Lexie didn’t dare open her eyes but she could feel the malevolent presence lurking outside the door.
Remembering what Cat had said about not letting any negative thoughts interfere, she blocked it all out. After a few minutes, she smiled. The sensation of light rose from within, pulsing, vibrating, filling her, reaching out for something...
One with the light, Lexie thought and hummed.
As the words echoed in her mind, the light diminished to a pinpoint, hovered and then expanded, bursting in a rupture to encompass everything around her.
“Whoa. That was thrilling. Are you all there?”
“Yes,” Mirabelle replied. “How are you feeling, Evangeline?”
“Protected. Shielded.”
“Good. Hold on to the thought. It helps keep the shield in place. Lexie, any sign of our intruder?”
Lexie’s lips quirked up. Contentment filled her. “I thought I felt it lurking outside, but then I blocked it out of my mind.”
“We’ll have to figure out a way of containing it, in case the shield fails.”
“Shouldn’t we focus on finding out who’s behind it?” Lexie asked. “I’d like to be able to put my hands on someone rather than battle with an inky black fog with no corporeal form.”
&nb
sp; “You’re right. Any ideas?” Mirabelle asked.
“Assuming everyone thinks Evangeline is out of the running because she relinquished her rights when she married, I’d be inclined to think of the next person in line. That’s Reginald St James. After him comes Ellsworth James. He’s the one who told me I’d make a nice addition, or some such thing. What can you tell us about him, Evangeline?”
“He’s a freeloader. Then again, we all are. But I don’t think it’s him. He enjoys his freedom. The head of House St James has too many responsibilities. Not something he’d want to take onboard.”
“What if that’s what he wants everyone to believe?”
“Then they’re all playing that game,” Evangeline said. “You’ll never get anyone to admit to wanting the top job. They all excel at play and relaxation.”
“I’m going to have to go back out there again and mingle. One of them is bound to say something to give themselves away.” She strode to the door.
“What about me?” Evangeline asked.
“You’ll be fine now. Just stay in your room.”
Lexie made her way down to the music room where she found everyone clustered in small groups. Champagne flowed. Conversation came in waves broken up by laughter.
Bertie St James stood up. “Is anyone up for a game of charades?”
Excitement burst from all of them.
“Right, I’ll go first.”
Lexie strode over to Henrietta Smithson-Wight who sat with her group and didn’t appear to be the slightest bit interested in playing charades.
“I hope this business hasn’t put a dampener on your engagement announcement.”
“Reginald is determined everything will go ahead as planned.” Henrietta gave a small shrug and took a sip of her drink.
“Everyone appears to be happy to make the best of this unfortunate situation.”
“Not everyone,” Henrietta murmured. “I noticed Evangeline hasn’t made an appearance yet.”
“She’s taken the loss of her uncle badly.”
Henrietta gave an unladylike snort. “I can’t imagine why.”
“What makes you say that?” Did Henrietta know about Evangeline being the rightful heiress?
