by Rose Pressey
Jennifer appeared at the door. She rushed around the witches and over to me.
“I was so worried about you,” I said.
Jennifer’s eyes widened. I started to shift back right before her eyes. She continued to stare as the hair faded from my body. She watched me take form back into my human body. I covered myself with my hands, but no one seemed to pay attention to my embarrassing moment. The witches were still focused on Sarah. Jennifer tossed my clothing to me.
“Thank goodness you brought them.”
“You know I’m looking out for you. I thought you might need them,” she said.
“Absolutely,” I said as I shimmied into my pants and then shoved the shirt over my head. It would’ve been awkward standing there without a stitch on my body.
The witches were still chanting, but the energy was easing up from the room. Did they have her under control now? Natalie stepped away from the door and Roger appeared. Was he there to help this time? Natalie handed him the hair that we’d collected from the other witches. We still needed a sample from Sarah. She remained on the floor, trying to figure out what had hit her.
I ran over to her and yanked a few strands from her head. She screamed out. I knew it hadn’t hurt that much. She was just being overly dramatic. I handed Roger the hair and right away he started a spell. Would it help? He did something with the hair, even though it was just a small amount. He was weaving it together. I probably didn’t even want to know what that meant. I wouldn’t understand what he was doing anyway. I just watched in awe as he held the hair and started chanting the words. The other witches pitched in and chanted too. Helping him could only make this even better.
Sarah scooted across the floor. She was trying to get away from their words, but they started moving forward, chasing her. She wouldn’t be able to get away. A woman appeared at the back door. It was the woman I’d seen with Sarah at the cemetery. She waved her arms attempting to cast a spell toward the other witches. Natalie pointed at the woman and she tumbled to the floor. So much for her attempt at stopping us. Sarah’s friends were no match for my friends.
Sarah tried to reach the door so that she could get outside. She wanted to flee, but I knew they wouldn’t allow that. She couldn’t get off that easily. Sarah managed to get up and they still walked toward her. The woman at the back door scrambled up from the floor. She moved over to Sarah and they hurried out the door. Was she really going to get away? The witches continued forward, although Natalie stayed behind in the room with us.
She looked at me and smiled. “It’s working.”
“Yes, thanks to all of you.”
They had helped me unlike anything I’d ever experienced. How would I ever thank them?
When Sarah and her friend had gotten out the door the other witches went after them. I looked out the window and watched as they walked into the distance. The other witches were forcing Sarah away. Would they make her leave the city? The state? How far would they go? I didn’t know, but as long as she stayed away and wasn’t able to do this any longer, I figured we were all safe.
“Where is Jack?” I asked.
“He’s outside. Dave managed to get him free from the spell and untied him. It was touch and go for a while,” Jennifer said.
Just then, I spotted Jack heading toward the house. My bodyguard was with him.
“Thank goodness everyone is okay,” I said.
“Well, it was definitely a group effort for the witches,” Natalie said.
“I couldn’t have done it without you all. Thank you so much.” I hugged her.
“Thank you for helping us get rid of her. That bitchy witch has been terrorizing so many people, but we never had the opportunity to come together and get rid of her. I guess we didn’t know that we could do it.” She handed me the book. “Here. This is yours now. It explains everything about the witches and the curse that was on you. You might want to hold onto that for future reference.”
“Well, I certainly hope we never need it again, but just in case, I will,” I said.
Jack appeared at the door. He ran over to me and we hugged. It felt as if it had been forever since I’d seen him. I was just happy to be back in his arms again.
“Are you all right?” I looked into his eyes.
“I’m much better now,” he said.
He kissed me. When I looked over, everyone was watching us. That was a bit awkward.
“We should have a big party to thank everyone for helping,” I said.
“I think that’s a good idea,” Natalie said.
“I’d better get an invitation,” Roger said.
I laughed. “Don’t worry. I will personally pick you up and bring you to the party.”
“Oh, and I’d like a gift,” he said as he was walking out the door. “And make it a good one.”
I shook my head. What was I going to get him this time?
“Don’t fall for that. Remember, he doesn’t need a gift,” Natalie said.
We left the house much happier than we had been when we arrived. Everyone was smiling. We were exhausted, but at least we were happy. And I didn’t have to worry about that crazy witch following me around anymore.
“Why didn’t you just tell me you had someone following me?” I asked.
“You would have scared him away,” Jack said.
I hugged him again. “That’s true.”
“Let’s get out of here,” Jack said.
“Hey, where’s Tim?” Panic raced through me when I realized I hadn’t seen him since the witch first brought him out of the room with Jack.
We looked around the room, but he was nowhere in sight.
“He has to be here somewhere,” I said. “Check the rooms.”
I raced over and opened the door to the room where the witch had originally held Jack and Tim. Jack, Natalie, and Jennifer headed for the other rooms. I’d hoped to find Tim when I opened the door. Unfortunately, he wasn’t there.
“I found him,” Jennifer yelled.
Grasping Tim’s arms, Jack and Jennifer helped guide him out of the room. The dazed look on his face had diminished, although not completely gone.
“Are you all right?” I asked.
He shook his head. “I think so.”
“She hit us with a spell. Pretty powerful stuff,” Jack said.
“I couldn’t think straight, but I think it’s fading now. Thanks for coming after me,” Tim said.
It was the least I could do since I’d gotten him into this mess in the first place.
“I think some fresh air would do him good,” Jack said.
“Where’s that evil witch?” Tim asked.
“She’s gone for good,” I said as we stepped out into the fresh air.
Everyone chatted and smiled as we walked away from the building, so I wasn’t sure why I still had a strange feeling. I should have been happy now. This was all over, except for it didn’t feel as if it was all over. The sinking feeling was still in my stomach and I couldn’t quite shake it. Maybe it was because we were still there at the house. Once I was home I would feel much better.
A short distance further I thought I heard footsteps behind us. When I glanced back I saw nothing unusual, but the feeling that someone was there grew stronger. I couldn’t shake it no matter how hard I tried.
“Are you all right?” Jack asked.
“Did you hear that noise?” I asked.
“Just the sound of the tree branches,” he said.
This sound was much different than that. It was more like a swish and a clank noise. The air felt thick, making it difficult to breathe. Jack and Dave were standing beside his motorcycle talking. Natalie and Jennifer were over by the car chatting as well while I stood there in somewhat of a daze, trying to figure out why I still felt this way. I couldn’t shake the feeling and I tried to write it off as just being exhausted from what had happened.
When I looked over my shoulder and saw that the witch had returned, I realized the sensation had been real. Before I even kne
w what hit me Sarah had wrapped her arms around me. She pulled me backwards. Her grip was so tight that I couldn’t speak. It was as if some sort of invisible vice grip was wrapped around me. No one was paying attention as I was being dragged away. I tried to kick and scream, but it didn’t work.
I knew where she was taking me. Into the wooded area behind the house. This was playing out exactly like the dream that I’d had. It was all coming true. She dragged my body across the ground. Dirt kicked up and hit me in the face. Branches poked at me and leaves were sticking in my hair as I tried to move and get away. Once she got me into the woods what would she do then?
It was like she had placed some kind of spell on me where I couldn’t even turn into a werewolf now. Where were the other witches when I needed them? How had she gotten away from them? We were completely in the wooded area now. The towering trees served as a shield to hide her hideous behavior. She cackled as she jumped on top of me. Was she going to eat me? She wrapped her hands around my throat and started squeezing as tightly as possible. I gasped for air, but none found its way into my lungs.
As I kicked I grasped my her arms, trying to push her away, but she had the strength of ten witches. I had the strength of maybe half of a werewolf. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could continue the fight. I couldn’t let her win this battle. I had to find the strength somewhere within me.
Then I remembered the words to the spell that had given me power against her.
I started chanting the spell as I pushed with all of my might. Suddenly something popped and she screamed, falling backwards onto the ground. Had I broken her arm? Now who had the strength? Take that, witch. I jumped on top of her so that she wouldn’t be able to get me again. But now what? I couldn’t stay like this forever. For all I knew she could be pretending to be hurt, just waiting to attack me again.
I heard voices calling out my name. It was about time they realized I was missing. The voices grew louder and I knew they were getting closer. I called out to them for help and spotted Jack running toward me. Jennifer and Natalie were right behind him, along with Dave. Then I saw the witches racing behind them. Apparently they’d tracked down Sarah… again.
“Are you all right?” Jack yelled as he approached.
As soon as he was near I got off of Sarah and he grabbed a hold of her. She managed to get to her feet.
“My arm is broken. She broke my arm,” she cried out.
“Don’t fight with a tough werewolf and that won’t happen,” Jack said. “Let’s get you back over to the car and we’ll call an ambulance.”
Once she had gone to the hospital I wanted to make sure that police arrested her. There was no way I was leaving it up to the witches again.
“Are you okay?” Jennifer asked.
I pushed the hair out of my eyes and picked a leaf from my hair. “I’m all right now, but it was touch and go there for a bit.”
“I guess we can’t let you out of our sight for two seconds,” Natalie said. “You’re a magnet for trouble.”
“You don’t know the half of it,” Jennifer said.
“Well, you can’t leave me when there’s a crazy witch running around, that’s for sure,” I said.
“We’re so sorry that she got away,” one of the witches said.
“Oh, that’s okay now that it worked out in my favor. I only almost died, that’s all.”
We walked across the way toward the car and soon the ambulance had somehow found us. Luckily the police had arrived. It would be hard to explain exactly what had happened. The assault on me would be enough. Attempted murder could be added to that charge. Plus, the kidnapping of Tim. Although a little frazzled, Tim looked fine and had escaped any serious injury. He was still speaking with me too, and I was shocked by that. It was my fault he had been kidnapped. They loaded Sarah up in the back of the ambulance and I hoped that she didn’t escape again, but it looked as if she had given up on the battle. She looked defeated.
***
The charity event costume party had been organized by the vampires. I’d agreed to attend because Jack was in charge of coordinating and it was for a good cause. Besides, it wasn’t like I could tell Jack no just because I didn’t want to wear a costume. I’d managed to recruit Jennifer to come along as well, even though she was still traumatized by the recent events. Now that the curse was over, I could finally concentrate on finding a costume. Unfortunately, I had only a day to pick out something. After searching all day, I’d decided to go as a witch. Yes, the decision was symbolic for me.
Of course my costume looked nothing like how the witches I knew really dressed. I wore a long black dress with black and white striped stockings topped with a big, black pointy hat. If anyone asked, I would tell them that I was Sarah the bad witch.
Jennifer was dressed as a bunny rabbit with a pink dress, giant ears, and a fluffy white tail. I’d asked her why a bunny and she’d replied that she liked bunnies. No secret meaning behind her costume. That was okay, I thought bunnies were cute too. My uncle Ernie liked to chase them when he was in werewolf form, but he liked to do a lot of bad things.
Did I mention that Lily was coming too? Yes, Lily. Apparently Lily and I were friends now. Well, as much as Lily could be friends with anyone. After she’d saved me several times, I had to invite her to the party. At first she was going to dress as a kitty cat. I reminded Lily that cats ran when she was near. To which she replied, “Shut up, Rylie.” Yes, it was going to be a long night.
Ultimately, she dressed in a… dress. She said her costume was a sexy werewolf, which meant she was going as herself. Her words, not mine. Her emerald-green dress hugged her curves and captured everyone’s attention. Lily promised to be on her best behavior and not fight with anyone. I was just happy that Phil had decided he didn’t want to come. Lily said the last time she took him to a formal affair he’d sat at the table and cleaned his fingernails with a pocket knife. I hoped to avoid witnessing that display of personal grooming.
The party was being held at the historic French Quarter Hotel. Jack, Jennifer and I had just stepped into the building. A massive crystal chandelier dazzled and sparkled above the dance floor. Strings of twinkling lights decorated the rest of the ceiling, making me feel as if I was under the stars. Tables draped with elegant white linens took up the rest of the space. As far as I knew, Lily and I were the only werewolves in the room.
We had a table toward the back of the room by the exit door. It was better to keep Lily next to an exit door in case we had to make a fast escape. Jack moved around the room talking to people and making sure things ran smoothly. My stomach danced every time I looked at him in his tuxedo. Jennifer, Lily, and I sat at the table, sipping champagne and watching the crowd.
“This is boring.” Lily released a heavy sigh.
When Lily was bored she had a tendency to act out, like a small child with no toys to play with. Then again, Lily always acted out, so it was really just her usual self.
“We need to do something to liven it up,” Lily said.
“Please don’t fight with anyone,” I said.
Lily tapped her fingers against the table. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“I’ll keep an eye on her.” Jennifer glared at Lily.
Lily leaned forward and looked Jennifer in the eyes. “I will chew you up and spit you out.”
“No fighting here,” I warned Lily with a wave of my finger.
Loud voices caught my attention. Even over the dance music I heard the couple talking. So Lily wasn’t the first one to argue. That was a shocker. A woman shook her fists at the man in front of her. He pointed his finger in her face. It was a bit hard to make out the words, but I heard him tell her that she wasn’t welcome here.
I couldn’t take my eyes off the man and woman. A few more words were exchanged and another tall man approached the couple. I had assumed that they were together and having a lovers’ quarrel, but when the men took her by the arms and escorted her toward the door I realized that she must have been here
alone.
“What is that all about?” Jennifer asked.
“I don’t know.” I watched the woman shove and kick as they dragged her out the door.
Someone placed their hand on my shoulder. I jumped and spun around in my chair.
“Sorry, did I startle you?” Jack flashed a smile.
I released a deep breath. “Sorry, I was entranced by the scene at the door. Why did they take the woman out?”
“She didn’t have an invitation. A few mermaids have been spotted lately. They came here by the river. Rumor has it they’re looking for a vampire. I don’t know why.”
“Mermaids? They’re real?” Jennifer asked.
“As real as werewolves, vampires, and witches,” Jack said.
Now I was intrigued and had to know why the mermaids were looking for the vampire. Jack wouldn’t want to me inquire about this. He’d say it would only get me into trouble. He was probably right, but I wouldn’t let that stop me. Someone called out to Jack.
“I’ll be right back,” he said, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek.
When he stepped away Jennifer said, “I know what you’re thinking.”
I took a sip of champagne. “Aren’t you curious?”
“Not enough to get in trouble.”
“I bet I can find out,” Lily said with a sly smile.
The end
About the Author
Rose Pressey is a USA Today bestselling author. She enjoys writing quirky and fun novels with a paranormal twist. The paranormal has always captured her interest. The thought of finding answers to the unexplained fascinates her.
