“They have mostly. But this isn’t a hot flash.” I turn around and scan the area, raising my hand inconspicuously to identify the source. But I can’t. The feeling dissipates. “An aura took over, but it’s gone.”
“We’ll be cleaning up soon, and I promised Elijah I would join him outside for a while. We should have plenty of time together after the open house.” He winks at me and heads out back.
The iced tea I drank has finally caught up with me, so I head to the bathroom. But on the way, I pick up on the trail of the magic. Putting my bladder aside, I meander through the foyer to the dining room and into the parlor, following the stream. I stop when I end up outside on the back porch. Seamus is leaning against the railing watching the children play with Elijah and Archie.
“You look spectacular in that witch’s costume,” he says, his eyes roaming down my torso until they arrive at my spike-heeled boots. “How ever do you manage those?”
I chuckle. “It’s a challenge. I bought them two years ago for Halloween. Actually, I was wearing them the night I discovered I was a witch.”
“Was that before or after you and Archie became…close?”
“After.” I swallow and lower my eyes. “But we split up for a while after the Winter Solstice Celebration. We got back together over the summer.” I shouldn’t have told him that. What was I thinking?
“May I ask what caused the split?” He leans forward on his cane.
I peer up at his haunting eyes but don’t reply. Since I’m about to pee myself, I cut the conversation short.
“Excuse me. The iced tea is calling.” I point toward the house. “Enjoy the remainder of Samhain.”
He smiles warmly. “And you as well, Gwynedd.”
I rush back inside to the bathroom just off the kitchen. As I approach the door, the aura returns. I jump when the door swings inward, revealing Courtney.
“I’m sorry, Gwyn. Have you been waiting long? My stomach was a bit nauseous.”
I stare at her as the wave of warmth fades. “No. But I do need to go badly.”
She exits the bathroom, smiling. “It’s yours now.”
I dart in and slam the door, barely getting my panties down in time. While I’m washing my hands, a sharp pain stabs me inside. I’ve got to stop using collagen in my tea. Suddenly, the sound of yelling and footsteps rumble in the distance. I dry my hand on the towel and scuttle up the hallway.
The guests have crowded together on the porch and in the street by the time I exit the house. Trinity is comforting a woman who has collapsed on the sidewalk, sobbing. I shift next to Ronnie. She’s clutching Derek’s arm.
“What the fuck happened?” I ask, catching my breath.
“She says someone snatched her two-year-old daughter when she turned around to pick up the candy she’d dropped. There were so many people clogging the sidewalk, no one noticed who took her.”
Sirens pierce my ears as the police cars pull up. This won’t help our image at all. A familiar thread of magic weaves through the crowd cramming the porch, spiraling toward the street. I grab my stomach as the pain pinches inside and observe the anxious townies. They hold their children close, worry contorting their faces—all except for Courtney. She expresses a different sort of angst, both fear and anger present in her eyes. Does she know something?
Chapter tenBad Impressions
Detective Jack Schmidt directs Officers O’Connor and Wilson to interview the remaining onlookers, mostly adults without children. The parents skedaddled home with their kids as soon as the police units parked. It’s futile. No one saw who absconded with the preschooler. Trinity climbs the steps to the front porch and gestures for the coven to huddle together on one end, away from the ears of Unremarkables.
“This is disconcerting,” our leader says. “There were townies standing shoulder to shoulder on the sidewalk. Yet no one saw who took the child.”
“I can’t listen to this.” Ronnie twists her crimson locks. “Derek, take me home.” She moves toward the porch steps.
“Goodnight, everyone. The kidnappings are stressing her out. Don’t take it personally.” He follows Ronnie down, clasping her hand.
“She’s right to be concerned,” Trinity says. “Gwyn shared she sensed strange magic residue at the last kidnapping. She believes a rogue witch may be helping the Baby Nabbers. The Bearsden Police Department hasn’t revealed any of its investigation, either. It’s a hunch, but keep your eyes and ears tuned. Let’s clean and lock up. This open house did NOT go as planned.”
After splitting up the leftovers, we put all the tables, chairs, and toys away in dead silence. The coven disbands, and everyone exits the Pumpkin House, somber expressions replacing the former joyous ones. Archie and I speak to Tyler and Zoe on the paver sidewalk out front before heading home.
“Goodnight, dear,” I say, hugging him. “We’ll chat sometime this week. OK?”
He frowns at me. “Sure. I’ll call you when I have time.”
Zoe smiles as she hugs me. “Goodnight, Gwyn.”
“Take care, you two,” I reply.
“Don’t be so glum,” Archie says, patting Tyler’s arm. “The kidnapping was not our fault. I’m sure the town doesn’t blame us. I’ll contact John Erickson this week and have a chat with him about it.”
Tyler averts his eyes from me. “Right. Let’s go, Zoe. I had a long day and want to get to sleep. Bye, Archie.”
“Be careful driving home,” he replies.
“Bye.” Zoe waves as they walk away.
I put on my black witch’s cape because the temperature has dropped a bit. Archie grasps my fingers, and we stroll onto the Green, sharing glances of affection and absorbing the night’s event, too, I suppose. We must look like an odd pair, the witch and the vampire. While we weave through the maze of paver walkways and grass, he kisses the back of my hand several times.
“Do you remember me kissing you like this on our stroll through the Green the first Samhain?”
A soft chuckle breaks free. “Of course I do. I’ll never forget. Ever.”
“You were so hot that night. But then, I always hunger for you, Gwyn.”
We turn into the alleyway, and about halfway through, he leads me to the side of Menzies Hall. After guiding me to the brick exterior, he kisses me and slides a hand between my legs. He rubs me through my panties, making me wet. But I won’t repeat the act in the alley again.
