All Spell Breaks Loose Read online

  Astrid shrugged. "Since when do I care about that? Uncovering the culprit is the priority, not whether I hurt some grown werewolf's feelings."

  "Hey, I agree with you," Britta said. "I just know you like to keep everyone happy, unlike Sheriff Hugo."

  Nobody missed Sheriff Hugo, except maybe the few paranormals he catered to. Astrid had already proven herself a much more effective sheriff.

  "I'll drop by Lady Weatherby’s office for the note and deliver it to Alex after I leave here," Astrid said. "There's enough time between now and the party tonight. Maybe I'll have news by then."

  Venla returned with a star-topped wand and waved it over Astrid's head. “This will keep the waves in place until at least midnight."

  "What happens at midnight?" I asked. "Will her head turn into a pumpkin?" I stifled a giggle.

  "Not a pumpkin," Venla said. “Just a full head of glow worm carcasses."

  Astrid's eyes popped. "What? Are you serious?”

  The sound of Venla’s laughter echoed throughout the salon. "No, silly. But, boy do I love a good fairy godmother joke."

  Chapter 2

  That evening, I stood in front of a familiar building. "Why are we stopping at the library? Isn't it closed now anyway?”

  Astrid gave me a knowing look. "What's the point of being sheriff if I can't pull a few strings now and then?"

  Beside her, Britta snickered. "This party is going to be epic."

  I gaped at the Valkyrie sisters. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “Nope,” Astrid replied. “I thought I’d combine two of your favorite things. Socializing and books. You’re the ultimate extroverted introvert.”

  I followed them up the steps and into the library. I stopped in my tracks when I realized what was happening. The tall atrium was filled with floating fey lanterns, illuminating the upper levels. Instead of a reception desk, in front of me stood a makeshift bar. I jerked my head toward Astrid.

  "We’re really having my bachelorette party at the library?" I couldn't believe it.

  "Check out the band,” Britta said, pointing to the second floor. I recognized Look Mom, No Wings.

  Karen Duckworth, the vampire librarian, rushed forward to greet me. "This is the most excitement the library has seen in years. I'm so glad Astrid had the idea."

  I gave her a quick hug. "Thank you for agreeing to this."

  Karen handed me a drink. "I can't take credit. Astrid actually had to get council approval. You know how tricky that can be.”

  I smirked. "Let me guess. There was one vote against it." Lorenzo Mancini, the head of the werewolf pack, was no fan of mine.

  “From what I heard, the decision was unanimous," Karen replied. "Of course, it's my understanding that one of the members may have been inadvertently left out of the emergency meeting."

  Astrid winked. "Yeah, I heard that, too. Apparently, Lorenzo was told about it at the last minute, but he was too hammered down at the Horned Owl to show up."

  Britta doubled over with laughter. “Oh, man. That was such a fun night. That wolf can really drink when he’s challenged. I didn’t think he had it in him.”

  I suppressed a smile. My friends always seemed to go above and beyond for me. It was one of the reasons I loved them so dearly.

  I sipped my drink. "Yum. What is this?"

  Karen sipped her own drink. "It's called a Filthy Witch. I'm not sure of all the ingredients, but I had one when I was out with a friend last week and I loved it."

  "It’s delicious," I agreed.

  Astrid took me by the arm. "Come on. Everyone else is waiting inside."

  We moved further into the main area of the library where shelves had been rearranged to create a dance floor.

  "I can't believe you did all this for me," I said. It must have been a lot of work to basically redesign the library.

  Begonia hurried off the dance floor with the other remedial witches in tow except Laurel.

  “Emma, you look so pretty," Begonia said, planting a kiss on my cheek.

  "Everyone here looks great," I said. It seemed that every female in Spellbound got decked out for the occasion.

  "We hope you don't mind, but Astrid let us invite guys,” Begonia said. “I know in the human world, it’s generally a ‘girls only’ night.”

  “They're not allowed to come for another hour, though," Sophie said. "That way, we get girl time first."

  "Good plan," I said. "I wouldn't want to deprive anyone of a good dance partner."

  "Especially not me," Beatrice said, appearing by my side. "When you’re dating the best dancer in Spellbound, you want to show him off as much as possible."

  I smiled at the brunette witch. She and Markos were now officially an item, and my recent interactions with Beatrice had shown her to be a good-hearted paranormal, so I was pleased for the minotaur. His heart was as big as his horns and he deserved to find happiness.

  “And whose idea was it to have the incubi brothers bartend tonight?" I asked. "That was a good call." The brothers owned the Horned Owl and the Spotted Owl, but they rarely did the actual bartending.

  "Eye candy for the ladies," Astrid said.

  Millie smoothed her brown hair. “I’d hoped to get my hair done, but Glow was so booked that I had to let my mother do it.”

  I chuckled. "I think I was partly to blame for that. Your hair looks nice, though. Your mom did a good job.”

  "Let's get our groove on while the night is still young," Begonia said, grabbing me by the hand and pulling me to the dance floor.

  I spent the next hour dancing, drinking, and chatting with some of my closest friends. Every time my glass became close to empty, another one magically appeared in my hand. When I began to develop a thirst for water, I decided to take a break from dancing. Millie intercepted me on my way to the bar.

  "I've had seven Arrogant Pitchers," she said loudly. Her eyes were wild and her hair was askew.

  “Do you mean seven Arrogant Bitches?” I only knew the name because my vampire therapist liked to serve that particular drink.

  “Thas whas I said,” Millie slurred.

  I patted her on the shoulder. "Well done, Millie. You always put in that extra effort."

  Millie burped. "I know. I soooo do. And you’re the only one who seems to appreciate it." She placed her head on my shoulder. "Thas why I love you."

  I tucked loose strands of hair behind her ear. "I love you, too, and that's why I’m going to suggest you take a break from drinking. Why don't you come with me and have a glass of water?"

  Millie dutifully followed me to the bar. I tapped my fingers on the counter. "Two waters please. Straight up."

  The bartender grinned. "Is someone overindulging already?"

  I glanced at Millie, who was now face down on the counter. "What on earth would make you say that?"

  We laughed and he handed over two glasses of water.

  "I think it's smart to take a break," he said. "The evening has only begun."

  "How many hours did Astrid book you for?" I asked.

  He wiggled his eyebrows. "It's called an endless night. We stay until everyone else decides to go. That’s the arrangement."

  Wow. Astrid wasn't kidding about this being a night to remember. I wasn't sure I had the stamina required to keep the party going. I'd give it my best, though. That was what friends were for.

  I dribbled water down Millie's throat and escorted her to a settee outside Karen’s office for a brief rest.

  "Shouldn't you be in the spotlight? Isn't that the role of the bride-to-be? Not that I would know.” Phoebe Minor stood in front of me, her arms folded.

  "When did you get here?" I asked.

  "All the harpies just flew in,” she replied. “Except my mother, of course. She whines about never being invited to anything, but bails at the first opportunity. The quintessential martyr.”

  “That’s a mother’s role,” Millie murmured.

  Phoebe gave Millie a curious look. “We intended to come earlier, but t
here was a squabble over dresses, as usual. Can’t seem to leave the house without at least one argument.”

  I admired Phoebe's sparkling copper dress. "You seem to have gotten a good deal," I said.

  Phoebe glanced down at her dress and smiled. "You bet I did. I won't tell you how I managed to extract it from my sister's hands. Suffice it to say that talons and beaks were involved.”

  I shuddered. I'd always wanted a sister, but Phoebe and Marisol reminded me that not all sibling relationships were written in the stars.

  “Back to the party, Hart," Phoebe urged. "You don't belong out here. Let someone else babysit your lame friend.”

  I cast a sidelong glance at Millie. "I can't leave her like this. She's practically asleep."

  "I shall take care of Millie," a dour voice said.

  My gaze shifted to Lady Weatherby, who stood in front of us in a dark, sweeping cloak and her twisted antler headdress.

  Phoebe must have read my mind. “Do you sleep in that garb, too?” she asked.

  I muffled a giggle.

  "I wear it to participate in coven events and celebrations," Lady Weatherby replied. "As this is a bachelorette party for Miss Hart, I consider it to be a coven celebration, hence the garb."

  Phoebe shot me an amused look. “Is she always so serious? I’d need a few drinks to get through class if she were my instructor."

  "Phoebe, you need a few drinks to get through breakfast," Lady Weatherby said in her dry tone. “Rejoin your party, Miss Hart. As I said, Millie will be in good hands.”

  “Thank you," I said.

  “Another drink before we hit the dance floor,” Phoebe said. “With all these harpies in one room, alcohol is a requirement."

  "I'll let you choose for me," I said.

  Phoebe barked a short laugh. "Living on the edge, are we? I think I'll go with a Twisted Sister. Seems appropriate."

  I had no idea what that was, but it sounded right up Phoebe's alley.

  Five minutes later, I was back on the dance floor with a drink in my hand. The males of Spellbound had begun to filter in. I saw Begonia dancing with Demetrius and it was impossible to miss Markos. With seven feet of solid muscle and elongated horns, he took up more real estate on the dance floor than anyone.

  "I wonder if Astrid invited Daniel," I mused aloud. Astrid clearly didn’t feel obliged to follow human etiquette, nor should she.

  “There's the lady of the hour,” Lucy said, fluttering over to me.

  I hugged her. "Now I know I'm important if the mayor opted to attend."

  “Hardy har," Lucy said. “You know I'd be anywhere for you. Besides, I've been hearing rumors about this event for weeks. How could I miss the party of the decade?"

  "Is that really what residents are calling it?" It seemed so funny to me. The girl who never had birthday parties because her grandmother didn’t want a house full of adolescent girls was now having the social event of the season.

  Lucy smiled. "I'm surprised you didn't overhear chatter in Brew-Ha-Ha or Glow. Anywhere I go, I hear talk about the wedding and all the festivities leading up to it."

  "Emma knows how to bring paranormals together," Althea said. My Gorgon assistant looked stunning in a floor-length kaftan. Her usual headscarf was replaced by a shining silver scarf. I couldn't even hear the hiss of her snakes over the music.

  "Althea, I'm so glad you're here," I said.

  "I wouldn't have missed it for the world," she said. "Here, I brought you a drink. Kind of my specialty, right?”

  I handed off the empty glass to someone and sipped the new cocktail. "Except this isn't a latte." The taste was slightly sweet for a non-fruity cocktail. "I haven't had this one yet."

  "I wish I could tell you what it was," Althea said. "Someone handed it to me on the way in. The cup had your name on it."

  I moved my hand to examine the outside of the glass, but my hand must have wiped away the writing. "Whatever it is, it's good. It tastes like apples." Maybe it was some kind of apple-tini.

  "Good. Maybe I’ll have one of those after I finish this one," Althea said, holding up her own glass. "I don't know who was in charge of the food, but everything looks tempting."

  "Astrid and Britta planned the party together," I said. "I don't know whether they delegated any of the tasks."

  “Some paranormals are more disposed to delegate than others,” a smooth voice said.

  “Lord Gilder.” He looked dapper in a dress shirt and trousers. More casual than usual for the elder vampire but still elegant. “Where’s Dr. Hall?”

  “She’s berating the bartender for inaccurately measuring the ingredients of her drink,” he replied with a trace of amusement. “You know how she is.”

  “I know how she is when it comes to alcohol,” I said. My knees buckled and I nearly dropped to the floor. Lord Gilder grabbed my arm and jerked me upright.

  “Emma, are you feeling unwell?” the vampire asked.

  I waved him off. “My weird muscles will give out for no reason. Ask your girlfriend. Sometimes I jump off her couch with a cramp in my foot. She loves when that happens.”

  “I detect sarcasm,” Lord Gilder replied.

  “You’re catching on.” I craned my neck toward the bar. “I’m going to check on the bartender and make sure she hasn’t drained his blood.”

  “Send her my way, won’t you?” he said. “I pledge to keep her occupied for the remainder of the evening.”

  I gave him a thumbs-up and finished my drink on the way to the bar. I didn’t see Dr. Hall and the bartender appeared to be in one piece. A win-win.

  As I set the empty glass down on the bar, my head began to feel woozy. The library swayed and my knees buckled again. I felt a steadying hand on my arm.

  "I think it might be time to cut you off," the bartender said.

  I blinked at him. "How many drinks have I had?"

  "I haven't been counting," he said. "But you've got that glazed look in your eye that suggests one too many. Believe me, I recognize the expression."

  I glanced around the room in confusion. Why did a library look like a bar? Where was I?

  "I think I need to go home," I murmured.

  "What did you say, Emma?" a female voice asked.

  I turned toward the voice. “Home?” Nothing seemed familiar and I felt out of sorts.

  The girl smiled back at me. “Judging from the look in your eye, I think you're right. Come on. Demetrius and I will drive you. I’m sure Gareth is waiting to hear all the juicy gossip.”

  “What makes you think he isn’t here?” Demetrius asked. “The library is one of the first places he learned to appear.”

  “Who’s Gareth?” I asked.

  They roared with laughter.

  “Yes, sometimes I’m sure you’d like to forget him,” Demetrius said. “He can be difficult and I don’t have to live with him.”

  I lived with a man called Gareth? “You’re Demetrius,” I said, pointing to the man with the pointy teeth. “Who are you?”

  The girl’s blue eyes widened. “Spell’s bells. She’s really drunk. Let’s get you home, Emma.”

  Emma. Yes, that was me.

  “Daniel won’t be happy with us if he thinks Begonia and I let you get too far gone,” Demetrius said.

  Gareth and Daniel?

  “Will Daniel be at the house when we drop you off?” Begonia asked. “I don’t want to leave you alone in case Gareth isn’t there.”

  “I don’t know,” I mumbled.

  Begonia linked her arm through mine. “No worries. We’ll help you.”

  I was glad to hear it because I had a gut feeling that help was exactly what I needed.

  Chapter 3

  I woke up with a pounding headache. I climbed out of bed and stumbled into the bathroom. My brain felt like Swiss cheese. I slapped water on my face and tried to string together a few coherent thoughts.

  “Do you feel as terrible as you look?” a voice asked. I heard a hint of a Scottish accent.

  I whirled arou
nd to see a…floating vampire? What on earth? A piercing scream escaped me.

  The apparition held up his hands in an effort to calm me. “Good grief, you’ve made your point about boundaries. No more bathroom visits.”

  The ghostly vampire disappeared. I slid to the floor, one hand on the sink. A Scottish vampire ghost just left my bathroom. Get it together, Emma, I scolded myself. Stay calm.

  Last night, my friends mentioned that I lived with someone called Gareth and that sounded like a Scottish name. What they failed to mention was his lack of a heartbeat…or a soul, for that matter.

  I pulled my knees to my chest and continued to sit on the floor. My heart thumped rapidly. Somehow, I knew this was the house I lived in, yet the environment still felt strange to me. I recognized my surroundings. Why didn’t I recognize names or faces?

  I finished in the bathroom and returned to the bedroom. I was torn between climbing under the covers and hiding for the rest of my life or finding the vampire ghost in my house and demanding answers.

  Why wasn’t I more freaked out by a vampire ghost in my house? I mean, I screamed and I was confused, but another part of me felt remarkably calm.

  I opted to get dressed and go in search of answers. As I whipped through the closet, I was struck by how pretty the clothes were. I didn’t recall being so fashionable. My wardrobe generally consisted of dark pantsuits and socks that didn’t match because one was inevitably eaten by the hungry sock monster in the tumble dryer.

  “Why don’t you let me choose?” Gareth asked. “You know you’re rubbish at it.”

  I tried to remain perfectly still. “Excuse me, but I’m in my underwear.”

  “And thank the devil it’s one of your good sets. I hate the ones with polka dots.” The vampire ghost shuddered.

  I yanked a tunic top off the hanger and slipped it over my head. At least it covered the relevant portion of my body. Exposed legs were acceptable.

  “So…Gareth.” The name rolled off my tongue like I’d said it a thousand times.

  He joined me at the closet and I attempted to subtly back away. Apparently, my movement wasn’t subtle enough.

  “I’d ask you if I smell, but I know that’s impossible,” he said. He removed a pair of black leggings from a hanger and tossed them to me.