Almost Charmed

by Rose Pressey

  We reached the muscular bouncer again.

  “IDs, please,” he said as if he hadn’t encountered us once already.

  As he looked at my driver’s license and then stared at my face, I hoped that he didn’t find an excuse on there not to let me in. He handed it back and gestured for me to go in. I wasn’t going in until I was sure he would let Thomas in too. He stared at the ID and then studied Thomas’ face. Again he peered down at the license, repeating this several times.

  “Oh, come on, you can’t be serious,” Thomas said.

  Finally he gestured for Thomas to go as well. Thank goodness. I’d been beginning to worry. Thomas glared at the guy as he took his ID back. I wouldn’t suggest Thomas push the guy too far. He looked awfully mean. I wasn’t liking the way this trip to the Bubbling Cauldron had started. Perhaps Paul should have someone a bit friendlier at the door. After all, the guy was the first person people encountered when they came to the club.

  Chapter 19

  I pulled on Thomas’ arm to get him away from the bodyguard before he decided not to allow us to enter or perhaps body-slammed Thomas. Thomas was physically fit but nowhere near the size of this guy.

  Thomas and I pushed through the swarm of bodies. At least we were in the club now. It was dark as usual with the music pounding. The bubbles from the cauldron drifted toward the ceiling, floating across the dance floor in an array of colors from yellow, green and blue to red.

  “At least that’s the same,” I said, pointing at the cauldron.

  “For now,” Thomas said with a raised eyebrow.

  I understood his apprehension. Nevertheless, I would give Paul the benefit of the doubt. Speaking of Paul, I still hadn’t spotted him anywhere. I figured since this was opening night he would be somewhere close by greeting everyone. Maybe that wasn’t his thing.

  “I need a drink,” Thomas said as he headed for the bar.

  I followed him, but I wasn’t drinking. I needed to keep my senses about me. And the fact that Thomas was drinking meant I would be driving. I supposed the stress was getting to him. If anyone should be drinking it would be me after being dumped. But I digressed.

  We stood at the edge of the dance floor watching everyone. Mostly I was scanning the crowd for Paul. If I didn’t catch him soon I would make my way back to the office. He had to be here somewhere.

  “You look so stressed,” I said. “You’re the one who really wanted to come here. Now you need to relax and have some fun.”

  “The guy at the door got me all out of sorts,” Thomas said.

  “Well, we’re in now so just forget about it.”

  “It’ll take me a bit before I can forget. I’ll definitely not forgive.” Thomas swigged another drink.

  I couldn’t believe that this place was so crowded. I thought for sure they had let in twenty people after us. Funny how that worked since the guy had made us stand in line for so long. Now he was letting people in right and left. What was going on with this place anyway? I studied the crowd, but it was tough to pick out anyone familiar to me.

  “Do you recognize any friends?” I asked.

  Thomas examined the few people around us. “No, I don’t recognize anyone. I’ve never seen any of these people before.”

  As I looked out over the mass of people again, recognition clicked in my mind. Paul stood across the darkened room. Obviously, he wasn’t alone, but the person he was talking was the last person I’d expected to see him with. Then again, maybe I shouldn’t be surprised at all. At this point, nothing should surprise me.

  Paul was talking to the woman I’d seen speaking with Nicolas. She’d been by the graveyard. This seemed awfully suspicious. She was the one who I’d thought was staying at the neighbor’s place. The one who was trying to get the Book of Mystics. And now she was speaking with the man who had just shown up at the manor. Yes, I needed to get to the bottom of this.

  I touched Thomas’ arm to grab his attention. “Look who’s talking to Paul.”

  He scrunched his eyes as if trying to get a good look from that far away. “A woman?”

  “I told you to get those glasses.”

  “I don’t need eyeglasses,” he said.

  “Look closer,” I said.

  His hand went to his mouth. “That’s the woman I saw at the neighbor’s house.”

  “Just as I suspected,” I said. “Now I’m going to find out what’s going on.”

  “I knew we should come here tonight,” Thomas said.

  “Come on, let’s go find out what’s going on.”

  “Do you think this will end up in a fight?” Thomas asked.

  “I hope that’s not the case,” I said.

  Thomas followed me as we weaved through the crowd. I ended up dancing with a couple people, not wanting to be involved in any twerking. Thomas pulled me away from the dancers. Now I was stuck behind a couple who were really bad dancers. But at least they were giving it their best. Unfortunately, I’d lost track of Paul and the woman now.

  “Where did they go?” I asked.

  “I don’t know, but if we don’t get off this dance floor I’m going to get squished,” Thomas said.

  “Let’s keep going to the spot where I saw them.” I motioned.

  Finally, Thomas and I made our way off the dance floor. It had been touch and go there for a bit. Now we were standing in a dark corner of the room, but Paul was nowhere in sight and the woman had gone too.

  “Maybe they knew we were looking at them,” Thomas said.

  “I bet that’s what happened,” I said.

  “Did he leave his things at the manor?” Thomas asked.

  “I’m not sure. But if he did then he’ll have to come back and when he does, I want answers,” I said.

  “I don’t think we can wait that long,” Thomas said.

  “Oh, I’m definitely going to try to find him before that. But worst-case I’ll get him when he comes back to the manor.”

  “If he doesn’t know you saw him then he’ll probably show up again. Then we’ll really let him have it,” Thomas said.

  “That’s the plan,” I said as I surveyed the room again. “Let’s go back to the office and see if they’re there.”

  Thomas and I plowed through the crowd again. At least we were closer to our destination this time. After what felt like being slung around in a tornado, Thomas and I reached the office. I pounded on the door. No sounds came from the other side of the door.

  “Maybe they’re not in there,” I said.

  Just as I was ready to give up the door swung open. Paul stood in front of us. I narrowed my eyes glaring at him.

  “Just the person I wanted to see,” he said flashing a gorgeous smile.

  Did he think I was falling for that? I supposed he realized that I was unhappy with him.

  “Is everything all right, Halloween?” he asked.

  I looked over his shoulder. “Where is she?”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Who?”

  “Don’t play dumb with us,” Thomas said.

  “I’m afraid I’m not playing. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”.

  “The woman you were just talking to. I saw you out in the crowd. Why were you talking to her?”

  "She was asking about you.”

  “Is that so? I’m shocked,” I said sarcastically.

  “I’m missing out on something. I feel like you are angry,” he said.

  “Well, at least you got that much right,” Thomas said.

  “Do you know that woman is trying to get the book and you’re helping her?” I said.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Halloween. I promise I’ve done nothing wrong,” he said, holding his hand up. “I was standing out there and the woman approached me. She said she’d seen me at the manor and wanted to know if I knew you.”

  “What did you tell her?” I asked.

  “I told her that I was just a guest there.”

  Thomas and I crossed our arms in front of ourselves and gla
red at him.

  “I’m listening,” I said. “What else did you tell her?”

  “She said she would love to have a tour of the manor and I told her that I would ask you.”

  “You can’t be serious,” Thomas said.

  “You don’t want her there?” Paul asked.

  “No, she’s trying to get the book.”

  “Book?” Paul asked.

  “The book that allows me to be the leader of the Underworld.”

  “Oh, right,” Paul said.

  I wasn’t sure if he was just acting or if he really was that clueless.

  “If I see her again I’ll tell her no way,” Paul said.

  “I would appreciate that. But right now, what I want to know is where she went.”

  “She didn’t tell me that,” Paul said.

  “What’s her name?” I asked.

  “She didn’t tell me that either.”

  “So she didn’t tell you much of anything other than she wanted to come to the manor?”

  “That’s all she said.”

  “She has to still be around here somewhere,” I said. “She’s probably looking for me.”

  “Trying to find a way to get into the manor,” Thomas said.

  Without saying a word to Paul Thomas and I took off down the hallway and back out into the club.

  “Do you want to split up?” Thomas asked.

  I had a bit of apprehension about doing that, but it was the best way to cover the entire area.

  “All right, we’ll meet back here in thirty minutes,” I said.

  “Right.” Thomas saluted. “Thirty minutes.”

  “I’ll go to the left and you go to the right,” I said.

  “Got it.” Thomas took off to the right and I went to the left.

  This wouldn’t be the fastest search of the place since it was still crowded, but it was all we could do right now.

  After just a few steps I spotted the petite woman. She wasn’t with the taller woman now. But at least finding her was a step in the right direction. Now I just had to get to the petite woman. I had taken a couple more steps in that direction when someone grabbed me from behind. With all my might I swung my arm around and punched the person in the face.

  I wasn’t sure what came over me. Maybe it was the apprehension and all the stress bottled up after my failed wedding with Nicholas. But I soon realized that I had smacked Paul in the face. I had assumed it was the woman grabbing me. He held his jaw. Obviously, I had landed a good punch to his face.

  “Are you all right?” I asked.

  “Wow, I knew you were tough, but I definitely underestimated your strength.” He rubbed his face again. “That’s my reminder never to mess with you.”

  Chapter 20

  “Sorry about that,” I said. “I thought you were the woman I’m looking for.”

  “It’s all right. I’ll be fine,” he said.

  “Why are you grabbing me?”

  “I just felt bad about what happened and wanted to apologize. I don’t want you to think that I’m trying to harm you or do anything bad.”

  “It’s fine,” I said.

  I knew my voice still sounded angry, but it would take me a while to decide whether I would trust him or not. Regardless of what he’d said, I was still suspicious. I had to get to the bottom of it and find out all the facts before I just believed anything he said.

  “I can talk to you soon, but right now I need to talk with someone else,” I said.

  “Did you find her?” he asked.

  “No, but I think I found her friend.” I spun around and looked in that direction, but she was gone. “Oh, no, she’s gone again.”

  “The woman who I was talking to?” Paul asked.

  “It’s the other one.”

  “There are two?” he asked.

  “Yeah, I think they’re working together,” I said.

  Why had the petite woman found me to tell me someone was trying to get the book though if they were working together? That didn’t make sense. I hoped to get to the bottom of this soon before something bad happened.

  “Can I help you find her?” he asked.

  I blew the hair out of my eyes. “I don’t know what to do next. I suppose if you’d like to help that would be great. Thomas is searching that side of the club and I was looking on this side.”

  “Well, come on, let’s go find her,” he said.

  Paul stepped in front of me and motioned for me to follow. I supposed he was better at clearing the way through the crowd since he was six foot five and I was only five foot two. Even with my heels I didn’t stand that much taller. I followed Paul as we made our way through the crowd, keeping my eye out for any sign of either woman. Maybe Thomas had found her.

  Soon Paul and I had made it around the side of the club and back to the front. I found Thomas there as well. When I checked the time on my phone I saw that it had been thirty minutes exactly. Thank goodness Thomas had listened to me. I was grateful for that. He looked suspicious when he saw Paul with me.

  “What’s going on here?” Thomas asked.

  “Paul is helping me look for the woman,” I said.

  “Yeah, right,” Thomas said sarcastically. “That’s what he claims.”

  Paul smiled at Thomas’ comment, trying to remain polite.

  “And you don’t know this woman’s name?” Paul asked.

  “If we had her name it might be a bit easier to find her, don’t you think?” Thomas asked.

  “Maybe the guy at the door saw her ID when he let her in,” Paul said.

  “Well, he stares at IDs long enough, I would say he should memorize everyone’s names,’ Thomas said.

  “Come with me and we’ll ask him.” Paul stepped forward, motioning for us to follow him.

  “I don’t trust this guy,” Thomas said in my ear.

  “We’ll see how this plays out,” I said. “Give it some time.”

  “I won’t give it long,” Thomas said.

  We reached the front door and Paul spoke with the man at the door. He looked just as grumpy talking to Paul as he had when he let us in. After a few seconds Paul came back over.

  “He didn’t remember anything about her,” Paul said. “He never let anyone in who fit that description.”

  “What does that even mean?” I asked. “Half the people in here fit her description.”

  “Sorry I couldn’t help more,” Paul said.

  “Furthermore, that guy wouldn’t let us in,” Thomas said.

  “What do you mean?” Paul asked with a frown.

  “Well, I don’t think he knew that you had invited us,” I said.

  “I’m really sorry about that,” Paul said.

  “It’s no problem,” I said with a wave of my hand.

  Thomas rolled his eyes.

  “I think I’ve seen enough of a club tonight,” I said.

  I was ready to go home and make sure my book was safe.

  “Why don’t you come with me and I’ll get you a drink?” Paul motioned.

  “I think we really should go,” I said.

  “You can’t go yet. I just saw you. Stay and enjoy a drink for a while.”

  Thomas stared at Paul with his arms crossed in front of him. Thomas had wanted to come in the first place and now he couldn’t wait to get away.

  “I suppose we could have one drink,” Thomas said.

  That traitor. He was willing to stay.

  I sighed. “All right, I guess one drink. I’ll have a Diet Coke, I’m driving. Thomas’ already been drinking.”

  “What about you, Thomas? What are you having? Bourbon and Coke? You just look like a bourbon kind of guy.”

  “Bourbon and Coke is fine,” Thomas said. “Thanks.”

  “I knew it was either that or a straight-up bourbon.”

  “Well, I figured I’d have something different tonight so bourbon is good,” Thomas said.

  Different this time? He always had bourbon and Coke. What was he talking about? He just didn’t
want Paul to think that he’d guessed it right. I was surprised Thomas didn’t say something completely opposite just to annoy Paul.

  As Paul talked to the bartender I leaned closer to Thomas, and said, “Why did you change your mind? I thought you wanted to leave? You don’t even like Paul.”

  “Hey, it’s a free drink. Why not?” Thomas said.

  “I guess, but one drink and then we’ll get out of here.”

  “No problem, gotcha,” he said.

  Paul came back over with the drinks. “Here you are.”

  “Thank you,” I said.

  “So what do you think of the club?” Paul asked as he gestured.

  “I’ll let you know,” Thomas said as he walked away.

  “Don’t go far,” I yelled out.

  Now what would I do? I was alone with Paul. What would we talk about? I was still preoccupied with the women trying to take the book. And I still didn’t know if they’d left or were in the club. For all I knew they were trying to get into the manor. Paul stared at me, obviously waiting for me to answer his question on my opinion of the club.

  “Well, you certainly have a lot of people here tonight,” I said. “Did you advertise?”

  “I guess it was just word of mouth letting people know that a new guy was here.” He smiled.

  “Yeah, I guess that’s it. I think you’re doing a great job. Don’t change a thing,” I said.

  I meant that in every way possible. I really didn’t want him to change a thing. I took a sip from my Diet Coke and watched the crowd. I was still on high alert for the women.

  “Sorry about what happened again,” Paul said.

  “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure things will work out fine.”

  “You’re still on the lookout for them, aren’t you?” he asked.

  “Yes, just in case, you know,” I said.

  “Would you like to dance?” he asked, gesturing over his shoulder.

  I wasn’t sure about that. I hadn’t planned on actually having fun tonight. I wasn’t sure I would have fun ever again.

  “Come on. Just one dance.”

  “I’m not sure,” I said.

  “I’ll probably be too busy to get a chance to dance for a long time. It’ll be too busy with working. But with opening night I can let this be an excuse to steal one dance.”