Almost Charmed

by Rose Pressey

  “You should just tell her the truth because she’ll find out,” Monica said.

  I stared Monica up and down. “Do you know Nikki?”

  When she didn’t answer I knew that meant yes. I knew all along she was involved.

  “Did you reanimate Jean-Claude Dupont?” Nikki asked.

  “You tricked me!” Rage bubbled inside me.

  “They forced me. I didn’t mean to do it,” Monica said. “Louise said if I didn’t go along with it she would hurt me and my family.”

  A terrible thought hit me. The ghost had been in the manor when I reanimated him. If he was in the manor then he could get the Book of Mystics. He could come outside and hand over the book to the women. What a devious plan.

  “It’s a little too late to be sorry now,” I said. “I’ve already cast the spell.”

  “Sorry,” Monica said.

  “Where is this Jean-Claude and why did you want to reanimate him?” I asked.

  “I don’t know,” she said.

  “I can tell you,” the female voice answered.

  When I turned, thinking that Nikki had been the one speaking, I saw that Nikki was gone. Louise had returned.

  “I don’t want the book, if that’s what you’re thinking,” Louise said.

  “What do you mean? Isn’t that the purpose of this whole thing? Nikki told me you wanted the book.”

  “Nikki doesn’t know what she’s talking about. I don’t even know her.”

  “Who is Jean-Claude?” I asked.

  “Just some ghost I met in Paris,” she said with a flick of her wrist.

  “You went to Paris?”

  I’d always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower.

  “I had a little too much wine the night I met Jean-Claude. I told him how you reanimated me.”

  “I what?” My voice echoed across the air.

  “Did I not mention that?” Louise laughed. “You reanimated me a long time ago. I was having a great time. I never said anything to you. Why should I? I didn’t want anything to reverse it.”

  “This is crazy,” I said.

  I wished I could reverse the reanimation right there and then. It was never that easy though. The ghosts always fought it.

  “It is crazy that you were so bad at witchcraft that you brought me back.”

  “Where did you come from?”

  “I lived in Enchantment Pointe years and years ago. The 1700s. I had a place right next door.” She gestured over her shoulder.

  That explained why she liked to hang out at the neighbor’s house.

  “You can talk to spirits too?” I asked.

  “Apparently,” Louise said. “That’s how I met Monica. We attended a class on speaking with spirits.”

  “Interesting. So what’s the deal with Jean-Claude?” My patience was slipping away quickly.

  “Jean-Claude wants the book. He wants to be the leader of the Underworld and when he found out you could reanimate him he devised this plan. I want you to relinquish the leadership role so that you can come back with me. He gets what he wants, and I get what I want.”

  “I’m confused,” I said.

  “No need to be confused,” Louise said with a smile.

  “I need a bit more of an explanation than that,” I said.

  “I want to take you with me to the Netherworld. The world between here and the afterlife.”

  “Why do you want me there?” I asked.

  “So you can reanimate everyone,” she said.

  “I’m sorry, I can’t do that.”

  “People are there waiting. They don’t want to move on to the afterlife. They want to come back and I was elected to come here and find you.”

  “Why are you in the Netherworld and why were you elected?” I asked.

  “Because I know you, duh.”

  “What’s in it for you?” I asked. “Why do you want to reanimate the people?”

  “I have friends there and I want to bring them back. I’m just being nice. Plus, it was the thrill of getting it done. And I think I did a great job.”

  I wasn’t sure what to do now. I needed Liam and Thomas back. I could agree to go with her if it meant releasing them. But I knew I couldn’t do what she wanted me to do.

  “Where are Liam and Thomas? I want them back immediately,” I said.

  “They’re at the neighbor’s house.”

  “I’m assuming she’s a friend of yours.”

  “Oh, yes, Eloise Harper, you reanimated her.”

  “She’s not my neighbor,” I said. “The woman who answered the door. What have you done with the woman who owns the house?”

  “I have no idea what she did with her. You’ll have to ask.”

  That didn’t sound good.

  “If you release Thomas and Liam then I’ll go with you.”

  Louise chuckled. “As if you had a choice. But thanks for the favor.”

  She was beyond rude.

  “It’s no favor, trust me,” I said. “Whatever. I’m done with your attitude. I want Thomas and Liam back right now.”

  “You’ll get them back when I get what I want,” she said.

  “You don’t think that I’m going to actually go with you and then trust that you’re going to release them after? You can’t be serious.”

  “I’m dead serious.” Louise chuckled. “Dead. Get it?”

  “I have the upper hand because you can’t get over this property line. I don’t have to come with you.”

  “You seem to forget that I have Thomas and Liam. Plus, Jean-Claude as well. I don’t know where he is. He could be getting hold of the book as we speak.” An evil smile spread across her face.

  She had me there. He in fact probably was inside the manor getting the book. How long would it be before I was no longer the leader and how would I know when it happened? What was I saying? I couldn’t give up that easily. I had to get into the house, get rid of the ghost, and send him back to the Netherworld. He wouldn’t get his grubby ghost paws on my book. It was mine and staying that way for quite some time in the future.

  I spun around and headed for the manor.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Louise yelled out.

  “None of your business,” I said.

  I sure hoped she didn’t do something to Thomas and Liam. I had to trust that she would keep them around in order to get me to do what she wanted. I wasn’t sure how long that would work but I thought I had a bit of time.

  Monica ran behind me. “What are you doing?”

  “I suggest you get away from me.”

  “It really isn’t how it seems,” she said.

  “I’ve heard enough of from you. Now get lost,” I said. “Before I turn you into a toad.”

  “You can do that?” she asked.

  “Do you want to find out?” I asked.

  “Why don’t you just turn them into toads?”

  “Because they have magic. And they would fight it.”

  Monica held her hands up. “All right, I don’t want to be a toad. Or a donkey or a dog or anything else other than myself.”

  Chapter 31

  As soon as I set foot on the porch I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. Nikki stood just a few feet away from me.

  “What are you doing here?” I said. “I didn’t think you could get across the property line.”

  Had my spell already faded?

  “I’m not bad. Your mother told me you cast a spell to keep out evil. That’s adorable.”

  I frowned. “My mother?”

  Nikki’s eyes widened. “What?”

  She was acting highly suspicious.

  “Where is Louise? I want Liam and Thomas.”

  “They’re not with me. I think Louise took them to the Netherworld.”

  “How can I get them back?” I asked.

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. You’re the leader of the Underworld, aren’t you supposed to have access to that place?”

  “I’m the leader of the Underworld, not the N
etherworld. They are two different things. I don’t know anything about that place.”

  “Oh,” she said through pursed lips.

  “Exactly who are you?” I asked.

  “Nikki,” she said.

  “I know your name is Nikki, but why are you here? I know it’s not just because you want to help me.”

  She sighed. “All right. She told me not to tell you.”

  “Who told you not to tell me? And what did this person want to keep from me?”

  “Your mother,” Nikki said.

  “That explains why you disappeared into my mother’s shop. How sneaky. I should’ve known she was involved somehow. What has she done?” I asked, peering around the porch for my mother. “Did she come here with you?”

  “She’s not here. Your mother summoned me so that I can help you.”

  “Well, I’m sorry to say you haven’t been much help. No offense.”

  “None taken,” she said. “I tried to tell her I’m not very good at this stuff.”

  “And exactly what is it that you do? What are your professional services?”

  “I’m your fairy godmother. I’m a fairy.” Colored wings in pastel shades of yellow, pink, purple, and blue appeared on her back.

  I stared at her in shock for a moment. “That explains how you got away so quickly.”

  She wiggled her eyebrows. “What can I say? I’m fast.”

  “Okay, so it makes sense that you’re a fairy. But not the part about being a fairy godmother. You’re not very good at that, bless your heart.”

  “Well, I try. It’s the thought that counts.”

  “Yes, but sometimes less is more,” I said. “I’ll have a talk with my mother about this at another time… that is if there is another time. If I make it out of this alive.”

  “I’ll help you any way I can,” she said.

  Turning to face the door, I stared at it, thinking about which spell I could use to get in. I was running out of magical energy. I was drained and tired. Anytime that happened and I cast spells, there was an opportunity for something to go extremely wrong. And that was the last thing I needed.

  I called to the elements of the north, south, east, and west. Earth, fire, water and air. “Take me where I belong.”

  I focused all my concentration on the words. But nothing was happening. Why wasn’t I standing in the manor right now? This was exactly what I’d been afraid of. My spell wasn’t working, and I had no idea what to do next. Should I try it again? It was unlikely that would help.

  A massive wind blew around the manor. The tree branches swayed violently. Monica ran up the steps for shelter. Seconds later it was as if someone had swept me up from the ground. I slipped backward like being sucked into a tornado.

  Everything moved so quickly that it was hard to see my surroundings, especially since it was dark. I had no idea where I was headed, but it definitely wasn’t into the manor. I kept going and going, the wind carrying me down the driveway. Kicking my legs and swinging my arms, I fought to get out of the suction that had a hold of me. Down the driveway, down the road, and now I thought for sure I was headed up the neighbor’s drive.

  Then through the door and inside the house. The door had opened as if someone had been waiting for me. I tumbled onto the foyer floor as if dropped out of a cloud. My shoulder and leg hurt where I’d landed on my side. I groaned and tried to sit up. The house was quiet and no one was around. I managed to get to my feet.

  The bright light captured my attention. Someone stood in the middle of the light, but all I could make out was the silhouette of what I thought was a woman. With my hand, I shielded my eyes, trying to make out who was standing in the center. I felt compelled to walk toward the intense light. I had a feeling that Thomas and Liam were there inside the light. If only I could just step through there maybe I could find them.

  The light was so bright now that I was almost blinded. I knew I was close to stepping into the light. I had to go in. As soon as I stepped in, bright light disappeared and immediately I was surrounded by darkness.

  Chapter 32

  Since I couldn’t see where I was going or any of my surroundings I stopped and pulled out my phone. There was no service, but I turned on the flashlight. At least it still worked. A long darkened hallway stretched out in front of me. Many doors were on each side. There were no people.

  “What are you doing?” the female voice asked from behind me.

  I spun around, shining a flashlight on Nikki’s face. “What are you doing in here?”

  “I told you, I’m supposed to help you. I’m your fairy godmother,” she said.

  “I already have a familiar and he obviously isn’t much help to me, because now I’m coming to find his butt. So I don’t need to have to take care of you too. Now get out of here.” I gestured.

  “You hurt my feelings,” she said with a frown.

  “Really? I hurt your feelings? I’m terribly sorry. How rude of me,” I said sarcastically. “Follow me if you want but I’m not responsible for anything that happens.”

  “Duly noted,” she said. “I can take care of myself.”

  I turned back around, staring down the long hallway. Shining the flashlight down the hallway, I slowly started walking. “Where are Thomas and Liam?”

  “My guess is they’re likely in one of the rooms,” Nikki said.

  “How will I know which room they’re in? That’s assuming they’re in a room,” I said.

  “We should just start opening doors,” Nikki said.

  “Okay, I guess I’ll give it a shot.” After slowly wrapping my hand around the doorknob, I opened the door.

  A large group of people rushed toward me. Men and women filled the room, dressed in clothing from different eras. Their eyes glowed red.

  “Oh, my gosh. Close the door,” Nikki yelled.

  I slammed the door shut. “No Thomas or Liam in there.”

  I moved to the next door.

  “Maybe you shouldn’t open more doors,” Nikki said.

  “I have to find Thomas and Liam.”

  When I opened the next door, the same thing happened.

  “Oh, boy. Not going in there either.” I slammed the door.

  “I told you not to open that door,” Nikki said.

  “All right, this isn’t going to work. I have to cast a spell right now.”

  “Good idea.”

  I called to the elements and said the words. “Lead me to whom I’m looking for.”

  After all, the spell I’d cast before had worked. When I said I needed to go where I belonged it had led me here. And this was obviously where I belonged right now. I just hoped it was because I was finding Thomas and Liam. I hoped that I wasn’t here for good.

  The door at the end of the hallway opened. No people ran out. Nikki and I exchanged a look.

  “I should really go down there and check it.”

  “What if it’s a trap?” Nikki asked.

  I had to trust that my spell worked. I walked down the long hallway. It seemed to take forever to reach the end. Just as I reached the door, I paused, taking a deep breath and releasing it. I tried to steady myself for what I might find. Would I be attacked when I entered?

  As soon as I turned and looked into the room, I spotted Liam and Thomas. They were tied up to chairs.

  “Oh, my gosh.” I ran into the room.

  Nikki ran after me, helping me untie Thomas and Liam.

  “Not so fast,” Louise said.

  I spun around and saw Louise standing in the doorway. Rage consumed me.

  “I am not playing this game with you.” I ran over to Louise and shoved her as hard as I could, smacking her to the ground.

  Louise stared at me in shock.

  “Help me with a spell, guys,” I said, motioning for Thomas and Liam.

  We held hands while standing in the middle room. Louise was still confused by the hard shove I’d given her. Thomas and Liam chanted with me as I cast the spell. It would prevent Louise from doing anythi
ng harmful to us. She sat there on the floor just staring at me. I marched toward the door.

  “Now we are leaving,” I said.

  We stepped over Louise and walked down the hallway.

  “I can’t believe you got us,” Thomas said.

  “Well, I was just doing my job as the leader,” I said.

  “That’s why you should always be the leader,” Liam said.

  The light at the end of the hallway was illuminated now. Thank goodness it was our exit. I would have to find out what to do with the people in the Netherworld. I’d look into that later. When we stepped through the light we ended up back in the neighbor’s foyer. The woman who had answered the door stood in front of us.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” she asked.

  I waved my hand in a flippant motion, quickly casting another spell.

  “I banish you back to wherever you came from,” I said with a wave of my hand.

  In a blink of an eye she was gone.

  “That was awesome. You’re really getting good at this,” Thomas said.

  “Thank you,” I said as I marched out the front door. “Now one more thing. We have to hurry. I have to get into the manor and make sure that the man isn’t getting the book.”

  “What man?” Thomas asked.

  “The man I reanimated.”

  “Oh, no. Not again,” Liam said.

  “In my defense I was tricked into it by Monica. She was working with Louise. She said she was forced, but whatever.”

  We raced out the door. Now we had no choice but to go through the wooded area again. I really needed to find a spell that would help me get over there quicker. Like the spell I’d cast to get to the neighbor’s. But I didn’t want to use all my energy on that spell when I might need it to get rid of the ghost man who was trying to take the book.

  “We have to go through the wooded area,” I said.

  “Not again,” Thomas said. “What about the werewolf?”

  “Oh, yeah. Who is that anyway?”

  “Some guy named Henri. He’s Louise’s boyfriend,” Liam said.

  “It’s the chance we’ll have to take.” I moved toward the tree line. “Oh, wait. I need the key to the manor from the car.”