Third Time's a Charm (Halloween LaVeau) (8 page)

On the counter were small bottles of lavender oil, vanilla, and various other herbs. Annabelle shrugged. “I don’t know. It just seemed like the right thing to do.”

“These are exactly the items I am putting into the spell that I’m making for this cream.” My mother tapped one of the jars with her index finger.

I quirked a brow.
“Wow, that’s a coincidence.”

Annabelle
chuckled nervously. “That is strange.”

“Can you figure out the next spell I’m going to do?” my mother asked.

“Oh, I doubt I can do that. This was just a fluke,” Annabelle said nervously.

“Why don’t you give it a try?” my mother pushed.

“I couldn’t,” Annabelle said with a wave of her hand.

“Okay, if you don’t want to do it for me.” My mother looked down, giving her pretend sad face.

I shrugged. “She does that to me all the time. You may as well do what she wants.”

Annabelle
sighed, then said, “I guess I can give it a shot, but I know it won’t work.”

“Just see what happens.” My mother motioned toward Annabelle.

Annabelle cautiously moved around the room, hesitating in front of each item before finally picking it up. Once she’d gathered everything, she then brought it all back and placed it on the counter. My mother reached down and inspected each item.

My mother looked at me. “I can’t believe it, but she is almost exactly right.”

Annabelle shook her head. “That can’t be. You’re just playing games with me.”

“
Annabelle, how long have you known me?” my mother asked.

Annabelle
looked at me and then back at my mother. “For as long as I’ve known Hallie.”

“Then you know that I wouldn’t play games with you.” My mother placed her hands on her hips.

Annabelle nodded, but a look of uncertainty settled on her face.

“What does this mean?” I asked.

My mother shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe Annabelle has a natural knack for potions.”

Annabelle
scoffed. “That’s impossible. I don’t do magic. It’s like Hallie says, I don’t have a paranormal bone in my body.”

I nodded. “I do say that.”

My mother grabbed the items and began mixing the spell, then said, “I don’t know. Anything is possible.”

Annabelle looked out the window as if she was a million miles away, but didn’t respond. I sensed that she wanted to change the subject. It was odd that she’d picked out the ingredients for the spells. I didn’t have an explanation, but I knew Annabelle wanted no part of
spellcasting. Well, at least that was the way Annabelle had felt in the past, and I doubted she’d change her mind any time soon.

“Anyway, we have to contact the coven,” I said.

I wished I could have ignored my problem for longer, but something had to be done. It probably should have been me who called the coven, but my mother had more of a connection with them. They would give more information to her than to me.

“Right.
Just give me a minute.” My mother grabbed the phone and punched in the number for the coven. She walked to the back of the store in order to conceal the conversation.

I exchanged a look with Annabelle. “Can you believe her? What is she telling them? That she had nothing to do with the spell? I don’t care what the coven thinks anyway.”

Annabelle shrugged. “Old habits, you know? I’m sure it’s hard for your mother to go against the coven after all these years.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I guess that’s true.”

Annabelle was lost in her thoughts again. I touched Annabelle’s arm. “Are you okay?”

She snapped out of it and said, “Yeah, I’m good.”

After a couple minutes, my mother returned to the front of the store and pushed the phone toward me. “Misty Middleton wants to talk with you.”

“Oh
, great,” I said, taking the phone from her hand.

“She’ll hear you,” my mother whispered, motioning toward the phone.

Misty and I had attended the same high school. She was the head of the Enchantment Pointe Coven. Misty had always been better at spellcasting than me, but then again, everyone was better than me. That was why I’d been the outcast of the coven. Of course Misty had been a lot nicer since I’d become the leader, but still, like Annabelle said, it was hard to get rid of such deep-rooted issues.

My mother watched intently as I spoke with Misty on the phone. After a brief conversation, I agreed to meet Misty. Not because I
wanted to, but because I felt like it was necessary. Plus it would be a nice gesture on my part to keep her involved on the witchy happenings that involved Enchantment Pointe.

“Call if you need anything,” my mother said.

I knew she was praying that her phone wouldn’t ring—she’d never gotten used to the frantic calls from me. “I’ll try my best to stay out of trouble,” I said, waving over my shoulder as I headed out the door.

After
I said goodbye to my mother and promised that I wouldn’t get into any more trouble, Annabelle and I headed out to meet Misty. Sure, I’d promised my mother, but she knew and I knew that trouble found me—there was no way to control it. I glanced back at the shop’s window. My mother smiled and waved from the window.

Misty wanted us to meet her at the Bubbling Cauldron. I didn’t go to the local bar often. I’d
have preferred if she’d wanted to meet at the coffee shop or the bakery, although I wasn’t allowed in the bakery any more—it was a long story, but involved a tiny spellcasting mishap.

As we drove down the road headed to the bar, I spotted something that wasn’t quite right. After just a couple seconds it registered with me what I was looking at.

Annabelle must have had the same thought at the same time because she said, “Hey, it’s th
ose coven members you reanimated.”

Much to my chagrin, she was right. They’d taken my warning to heart, because we no longer wore matching outfit
s. They were strolling down the sidewalk wearing their long dresses, pointy shoes, and giant black witches’ hats. They looked like a picture for a Halloween costume catalog.

Now I felt guilty
. I shouldn’t have complained. I mean, their spellcasting hadn’t really caused any problems; I needed to let them have a little fun. After all, I wasn’t their mother. I shouldn’t tell them what to do. But then again, they were staying at my house. I was so torn.

“I can’t let them wander around town. They’ll for sure get into trouble,” I said.

“What are you going to do with them?” Annabelle asked.

“I don’t know…
I don’t know,” I said as I pulled over to the side of the road.

I parked the car and we jumped out, hurrying to catch up with the women. Luckily only a few people walked up and down the sidewalk and seemed to be too busy to notice the women. They had hot dogs and giant
-sized sodas in their hands. When we reached the women, I touched Rebecca on the back. She jumped and the hot dog and Big Gulp went flying from her hands.

She clutched her chest when she realized it was me. “What are you doing? You almost frightened me right out of my skirt.”

Annabelle chuckled.

“I’m sorry, Rebecca, but what are you doing here? I just left you at home not long ago. How did you get here?” I asked.

“You made me lose my hot dog and it had relish on it.” She frowned.

“Yeah, and it’s really good,” Kimberly said as she chewed.

Annabelle picked the hot dog up from the ground and then gathered the cup and lid.

“Well, I can’t eat it now,” Rebecca said with a pout.

“I’ll buy you another hot dog,” I said in frustration.

My offer made me wonder where they’d gotten the money for their purchases in the first place. But that was at the bottom of my list of things to worry about at the moment. At least I hoped it was at the bottom of my list.

“Will you buy me a hot dog too?” Kimberly asked.

I stared at her. “I think she may have a tapeworm,” Annabelle said.

“Okay, hot dogs for everyone, but you all have to go back to the manor. We won’t even discuss how you got here. You can tell me later. So right now just get in my car.” I motioned toward my car.

They followed me back to the car, but they’d done it so easily that now I was suspicious. I’d expected that they’d put up a bigger fight than that. When I stopped beside the car, I realized it was going to be a tight fit.

“You all will have to squeeze in the backseat. One of you will have to sit on the other’s lap.” I gestured toward the car.

“That can’t be legal,” Barbara said.

“How will I wear a seatbelt?” Rebecca asked.

How did they even know about seatbelts? Had they ever been in a car?

I released a heavy sigh. “We’re just going right down the street.”

Rebecca crossed her arms in front of her chest. People were beginning to stare.

“Okay, we’ll just walk. It’s not that far.” I pointed down the street.

“Do they sell hot dogs where we’re going?” Kimberly asked.

“Sure, they have hot dogs.” I threw my hands up in frustration.

I’d be in trouble when they found out there were no hot dogs. Maybe they could eat the pretzels at the bar.

“Good, because they are tasty.” She licked her fingers.

“Annabelle, how about you drive the car down there and meet us?
That way we won’t have to walk so far when we come back out,” I said.

I’d have to figure out how to get them back to the manor after I got out of the Bubbling Cauldron.

“Where are we going?” Rebecca asked as we headed toward the bar.

“We’re going to a place to see another witch
,” I said over my shoulder.

When we reached the front door, they stopped and peered up at the sign. The large sign hung above the door with neon bubbles rising up out of the cauldron. I was reluctant about taking them into the bar, but with any luck they’d be on their best behavior.

“I’ve never been to a bar before,” Sarah said with wide eyes.

I imagine
d there were a lot of things they’d never done before. Annabelle parked the car and joined us. She was on her cell phone, but clicked off when she approached.

“Jon is picking me up so that you will have room to drive the ladies back and they can wear seatbelts.” Annabelle handed me the car keys.

“Well, isn’t that so sweet of you,” Barbara said.

The only problem was now I’d be alone in the car with them. That would make for an interesting ride. Nevertheless, I didn’t have any other options.

I opened the bar door and motioned for the women to follow. Why was Misty here in the middle of the day? This was the place that all the witches hung out in the evenings and on the weekends. I’d rarely ever gone. It was hard being an outsider. Annabelle, the witches, and I stepped inside the space. It took some time for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. The space was quiet, with faint music playing in the background, unlike in the evenings when the music pulsed and bounced off the walls. The quiet in the room was strange and almost eerie.

As soon as we stepped into the main section of the bar, the women moved toward the dance floor. That was where the giant cauldron sat in the middle of the floor. They seemed to be mesmerized by it. The witches stood around it and stared down, watching the bubbles float up toward the ceiling. As long as they didn’t start casting a spell, I’d be okay. Music played lightly in the background and the women started swaying back and forth to the melody. Their dresses moved in rhythm to the sound

Misty was at the bar with her back facing us. She hadn’t heard us enter, or if she had she didn’t turn around. She probably wasn’t looking forward to having to deal with another one of my messes now. But it wasn’t her problem now so what did she care?

A man walked up in front of her. He stood behind the bar and I recognized him right away. I didn’t know his name, but I’d seen him before.

“The guy who was talking with Jon is here. What is he doing here?” I whispered, pointing to the man. He made eye contact with me and I knew that he recognized me too.

We approached Misty, but she didn’t turn around until we were right up behind her. She jumped and clutched her chest. “Oh, I didn’t hear you all come in.”

How could she not have heard us? There was little noise in the place other than the faint music playing over the speakers, and I was pretty sure our shoes were loud against the floor, especially the witches’ boots. I noticed a glass with liquor in front of her. I looked at the bartender.

“I remember you,” I said, pointing at him.

He offered a small lopsided smile. “Yes, I was at your place. I’m sorry I drove off so quickly. I was in a terrible hurry.”

I looked him up and down. “Do you work here?”

He nodded. “Yes, I’m the new bartender.”

“What is your name?” If he wasn’t going to offer the information, then I’d just have to ask.

He looked at Misty, then said, “Kevin. My name is Kevin Wallace.”

Did he have to confirm his name with Misty?

“So you live in Enchantment Pointe?” I asked.

“I do now,” he said while exchanging a glance with Misty.

What was that all about? How did they know each other? I decided to continue my line of questioning.

“You’re new to Enchantment Pointe. What brings you to town?”

If it seemed like I was being nosy, I didn’t care. This guy had been suspicious and I wanted to know what the deal was.

“I have relatives in town and decided to move here.”

“Wow, I’ve never known anyone who moved to Enchantment Pointe on purpose. There’s not a lot of excitement here.” I grinned.

“It seems nice so far,” he said.

“Who are your relatives? Maybe I know them,” I said.

“Oh, they just moved her
e not long ago, so you probably don’t know them either.” He wiped the bar with a towel and avoided my stare.

“How do you know Jon Santos?” I asked.

“We just met actually. He said he knew where I could get a deal on a motorcycle. I’ve wanted one for a long time.”

I eyed him suspiciously again. If he was lying to me, I wouldn’t stop until I got to the truth.

When the song stopped, the witches hurried over and joined us at the bar. “What are you drinking?” Barbara asked Misty.

Of course Misty was still a little freaked out that I’d reanimated the witches, so she stared for a long pause before answering.

“It’s vodka and orange juice,” she offered, twirling the stirring stick around her glass.

“Can we have a drink?” Sarah asked.

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” I said.

The bartender pulled out glasses and placed them on the counter. “Oh, let the ladies have a drink. What’s the worst that could happen?” he said as he poured the liquid into the glasses.

He couldn’t be serious. I could think of about ten things right off the top of my head that could go wrong. The women quickly grabbed their drinks and downed them in record time.

“They’re not shots!” I said. “You’re supposed to take your time.”

The women placed the empty glasses on the counter.

“How about another?”
Rebecca asked.

I shook my head.
“No way. One is enough.”

Misty cut off the conversation. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to the coven members?” She looked the women up and down.

By the expression on the witches’ faces, I knew they didn’t appreciate the look Misty was giving them. The witches gathered around Misty. She had a look of shock on her face.

“Are you going to eat those pretzels?” Kimberly asked.

“Um, no, go ahead,” Misty said, pushing the bowl of snacks toward Kimberly.

“Who are you?” Rebecca looked Misty up and down.

“What are you doing here?” Barbara crossed her arms in front of her chest.

“Are you friends with Halloween?” Sarah asked quietly.

“Do you have any other snacks?” Kimberly waved the empty bowl that had contained pretzels through the air.

They were bombarding Misty with questions and it looked as if she might run away at any second. I’d make her squirm for a few more moments,
then rescue her.

“Do you mind if we copy your outfit?” Rebecca pointed.

“I want her hair.” Barbara reached out and touched a strand of Misty’s hair.

At that moment it looked as if Misty might cry, so I decided to break it up.

“Ladies, please don’t overwhelm Misty with questions. I need to speak with her. You all can talk to her later. Maybe she’d like to invite you over for dinner,” I said.

“Oh, I would love that,” Kimberly said with glee.

Misty gave me a panicked look and I just smiled in return. She could thank me later.

With my comment, Misty said, “So I hear that you have a little problem?”

Misty seemed like she was happy about that, probably because she truly was happy about my dilemma. I knew she liked that I was a screwup. But I was the leader now and that was all that mattered. But for how long would I be the leader? This problem with Giovanni was probably exactly what she wanted. She was secretly happy that I was about to lose the title.

“As you know, this coven is from the 1700s.” I gestured toward the women.

I looked at the bartender. His eyes widened, but he pretended that he was working on something.

I had to get the ladies away so that I could ask Misty more questions privately. “Annabelle, could you show the ladies the pictures on the wall over there? There are a lot of witches from over the years
.” I pointed with a wink.

Annabelle nodded. “Let’s go, ladies, you’re going to love this.”

The witches marched off with Annabelle. Actually, they kind of danced away instead of marched with their weird interpretation of modern dance moves.

“Now that they’re gone, what can you tell me about the history on this coven? I have to know why they’ve shown up now.
There has to be a meaning,” I said.

Misty shrugged. “Well, if you want to know more about them I think there is a book that can tell you about the coven.”

“Where do I find this book?” I asked eagerly.

The witches seemed to be growing bored with Annabelle’s tour of the bar. I was running out of time.

“It’s at the library, but it’s in a special section. The magical section,” she said in a lowered tone as if someone would hear us.

I stared at her. “There’s a magical section at the library?”

“Yeah, didn’t you know that?” She stared at me for a moment, then took another sip of her drink.