Me and My Ghoulfriends Read online

  Time moved at a snail's pace as I attempted to pass the hours before my meeting with Karyn. Every minute on the clock felt like an hour. I paced the aisles, fiddled with my nails (careful not to bite them), and then I'd return to my seat and squirm. Thankfully, Mindy stopped by to keep me company and take my mind off my worries. She was none too happy about my scheduled meeting with the high priestess of the local coven, though, and she made me very aware of her dissatisfaction.

  "What time are you supposed to meet her again?"

  I glared at my watch. “Oh, I need to get going. I'm supposed to meet Kayrn in thirty minutes."

  "I'm worried for you, Larue. What if she's just as bad as Brianna?"

  Mindy was thinking the same thing as I had, but I didn't want her to know I was slightly nervous. Okay, more than slightly nervous. Sharing my feelings would only make her feel worse.

  "I guess that's the chance I'll have to take. There's no way for me to know."

  "You're not meeting her in some dark alley are you? Oh, oh or not some forest somewhere?"

  "Like a magical forest?” I chuckled.

  "This is not something to laugh about,” Mindy warned as she wiggled her finger at me in a tsk-tsk gesture.

  "I'm tough, I'll be fine. I can handle myself."

  "Yeah, right, you're not as tough as you think you are. There could be like fifty witches there. They could turn you into a dog or maybe a donkey."

  "I always thought being a bird would be fun. Getting to fly anywhere I wanted.” I bit my lip to keep from laughing.

  "Laugh now,” Mindy warned, “but don't come running to me for help. Or, should I say, flying to me."

  "My gosh! What if they burn me at the stake in the magical forest? Or use me as a sacrifice?"

  "Stop it. Stop it right now."

  I laughed, holding my sides.

  Mindy stared, giving me a dirty look, shooting daggers my way.

  It seemed like I was the only one ever laughing at my jokes.

  "All right, I'll stop. But seriously, I will be fine. Apparently, you're not too worried about me. If you were, you wouldn't let me go alone. Alone, all by myself, to the magical forest.” I thrust my hand on my hip.

  "Hey, someone has to run your store while you're gone. And since I don't have any customers I might as well take care of yours."

  Poor Mindy. If I ever got my life drama straightened out, I was going to work on getting her to broaden her business horizons and attract more customers. One type of fitness class was just not enough. Especially when that one type was pole fitness in little Magnolia. I looped my purse over my shoulder, scooped up my keys and headed for the door.

  "I'll be back soon. Wish me luck.” I made my way to the door.

  "Do you have your cellphone? In case you need to dial 911?” She bellowed after me.

  "I got it.” I threw up my hand and gave a magnanimous wave. “I'll see you soon. Now sell a bunch of books while I'm gone."

  Mindy just gave a nervous smile and a measured stare as she peered at me over the top of her can of diet coke.

  I maneuvered through the streets until I finally spotted the sign for a large subdivision of luxury homes. Turning in, I drove a short distance, slowly counting down the streets until I found the right one. I made a left onto Bradford Street and, halfway down, spotted number 3549. I pulled my car up to the curb and threw it in park. I sat there, waiting for some time before, finally, a sleek black Mercedes slid up into the driveway of the house.

  That must be her. I wasn't sure, since the windows were tinted so darkly, I couldn't see who the driver was. Either it was Karyn, or the men in black had finally come after me. My skin was covered in chills, and my throat was tight. Suddenly, all the jokes I had teased Mindy with did not seem quite so funny when I was faced with the reality of the situation.

  Maybe something would happen, just like Mindy had warned me about, specifically the burned at the stake one. Burning at the stake didn't sound like much fun. I watched as long sleek legs unfolded out of the car, and then the tall woman appeared. Gracious and subtle like a cat. It was Karyn; I'd rather suspected it was, based on the black car.

  What other color car would she have, though? Didn't all witches drive black Mercedes? She was the high priestess? She was my age. I'd expected ... Well, I wasn't sure exactly what I'd expected at that point.

  The head witch, she was the woman in charge. The aura around her really was electrifying. Brianna certainly didn't possess that type of energy. If she had I was positive Brianna would've been substantially more malicious. Possibly she would be unstoppable.

  I hesitated a moment, contemplating whether I should start my car and zoom away before she even saw me. I was more intimidated by her than I'd thought I would be. She had a power about her, and it radiated. The aura around her flowed steadily off her with every step she took. I probably had come across a few witches around town and never even knew it.

  One thing was for sure, she didn't look like a witch, with her smooth long blonde hair. But that stereotype of witches was long outdated, I supposed, as was evidenced by Brianna. The tension was twisting my stomach into knots. No witch paraphernalia was in sight, but a shadow of fear was, without a doubt, wrapped around my shoulders like a heavy cloak.

  A ghost may be no match for me, but I had never dealt with witches until Brianna. And it had looked like she'd had the upper hand on me. I really didn't know what to expect from Karyn. However, I'd soon find out.

  I'd been waiting in front of Karyn's home for ten minutes when she'd pulled in. She'd said she would be a little late, and I'd told her I didn't mind waiting, I didn't have any other options for breaking the spell. As she approached my car and I stood there waiting for her, she took in my appearance, looking me up and down.

  I had dressed in my black slacks, cream-colored cashmere sweater and my favorite Dior boots. By the look on her face, I assumed she approved of my selection.

  "Larue. It's so nice to meet you.” She stretched out her graceful hand.

  I took it in mine, and said, “It's nice to meet you too."

  "I'm terribly sorry if I seemed a little awkward on the phone. It's just I was shocked—"

  She cut me off. “To hear that there was a coven in Magnolia?"

  "Yes,” I said bashfully.

  "This isn't Salem, right?” she teased.

  "Exactly.” I giggled.

  "Please come in, won't you?” She motioned toward her home.

  I was curious to hear what she had to say, but at the same time, I was tense. What was lying in wait for me behind her front door? I prayed it would not be Brianna.

  Hesitantly, I walked through the door with my eyes on full alert. I was waiting for someone or something to jump out at me at any moment and I'd have to go into defense mode. Mindy would have laughed at the thought of me in defense mode, but I could take care of myself if I had to.

  "Please have a seat.” Karyn gestured to the formal living room to my left.

  "Thank you,” I said.

  "Would you like some coffee?” she offered.

  "Yes, that would be great. Thanks."

  "Cream or sugar?"

  "Both, please."

  "Would you like a snack as well?

  "No, thank you. Coffee is fine."

  I watched her as she walked off down the hallway to retrieve the coffee.

  When she was out of sight, I took in my surroundings, grateful for the opportunity to look around without her noticing. The chocolate colored velvet sofa was positioned in front of the marble fireplace with two coordinating floral armchairs on either side of it. The walls were bathed in a warm taupe. The home was elegant, and it fit Karyn's appearance well. ‘Sophisticated’ was the word that came to my mind.

  Karyn sashayed back into the room and handed me the steaming mug of coffee. I was nervous about drinking it in her gorgeous room, and prayed I would not spill brown liquid all over her expensive looking rug. The thought had also crossed my mind that the mug contained some ma
gic potion. Wasn't that what witches did? Cook up magic potions? But Karyn seemed so nice I decided to trust her, momentarily. She settled herself onto the velvety cushions of her sofa and, ever so gently, positioned her mug on the coffee table in front of us.

  As she placed the mug down she said, “A love spell is not supposed to be dangerous or manipulative. The spell Brianna cast was both of those."

  I watched her carefully as I took a sip from my mug.

  "In order for the spell to work, you must believe it will work.” She picked up her mug of coffee and took a sip.

  I nodded in acknowledgment without saying a word.

  "You didn't believe, when you made an attempt to reverse that spell."

  "No, I suppose I didn't."

  "It's understandable, though. I know you are not accustomed to witchcraft. You can't just one day wake up and decide to become a witch. Did you have anyone else with you when you performed the spell?"

  Ghosts. I didn't think I should tell her that.

  "My best friend was with me,” I offered.

  "If someone in the circle doesn't believe, then it will not work. So it may not be just your fault."

  Good, I could blame it on Mindy.

  "You know, a love spell is not meant to work the way you described, and I was shocked to learn Brianna had done such a thing. You cast a love spell to bring love to you. As opposed to casting a spell to specify whom you want to love you. It's not your choice. Your true love has already been selected for you. You're just asking for the person to find you faster. That's what is supposed to happen. That's what love really is."

  "That makes sense.” I eyed her over the top of my mug.

  "To go against another's free will means you will be subjected to the Rule of Three."

  "What's the rule of three?” I eyed her curiously.

  "The Rule of Three means you will attract something back to you three times as bad. Witchcraft is never about manipulation. Brianna should know that."

  That didn't sound good.

  "It's about working with the energies of the universe to bring you what you desire. Like a beautiful, romantic and sustainable love from someone who loves, respects and excites you. As opposed to using it to specify that someone acts a certain way according to your will. This is not tolerated by the magical world. And Brianna will be dealt with accordingly for what she's done."

  Well, if I could in fact trust Karyn, it sounded as if Brianna was in some serious trouble.

  "If you need my help, then I can give it, but in order to break the spell, the magic must come from someone who truly cares for the person affected."

  I wasn't sure what she was getting at.

  "Which means?” I asked.

  "It means you will have to meet with the coven and perform the spell while we help you."

  I swallowed nervously. She couldn't be serious.

  "I don't think that would be such a good idea. You said yourself I couldn't become a witch overnight, and frankly, I have no desire to become a witch."

  "All right. Well, I'm sorry I couldn't help you, then.” She stood.

  "Wait, so that is it? That's the only way you can help?"

  "Yes, that is the only way,” she said, looking at me as I still sat on her sofa. I wasn't ready to leave just yet.

  I hesitated. Well I had already performed it once. Of course, that was in the safe surrounds of my bookstore. But I guess she knew what she was talking about, or I hoped she did.

  "Where would we meet to perform said spell?"

  "It's a secret location. I'm afraid I can't tell you, unless I know you are completely serious about helping your friend.” Gosh, I halfway expected her to say she'd have to kill me if she told me. A secret location made me even more edgy. Let the nail biting begin.

  Callahan's kisses flashed through my mind and I could almost feel the tingle on my lips. I saw his amazing smile, and I knew I had to take my chances with the coven. If they had it out for me, then I would just have to fight. I was fighting for Callahan and what I believed was the right thing.

  "All right, I'll do it."

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  Chapter 27

  Meeting with the leader of the local coven had been a strange experience, to say the least. I'd been suddenly thrust into a world I knew nothing about, and to say I was confused was putting it lightly. Some people might find it bizarre, but I had lived my life in the little cocoon of seeing dead people and chasing ghosts, and I had never once thought about witches, witchcraft and all that it implied. Sure Bigfoot, UFOs and other unexplained events were on my mind sometimes, but never the witchcraft aspect of it.

  Why had I put my blinders on at other paranormal events going on around me? I guess I'd never really thought of witchcraft as paranormal. I'd never thought of witchcraft at all. Apparently, my little hometown of Magnolia, Kentucky was a center of activity for the mystical and had its share of supernatural connections that I'd never taken the time to realize.

  It was the following evening, and the time of my meeting with the coven had arrived. Agreeing to meet them in the middle of the isolated woods, just like Mindy had warned me not to do, might have been a bad idea. What was I thinking? I didn't even know the people. I was just going on my impression of them.

  That may not be enough. What if my opinion was drastically wrong? Sure, they seemed honest and normal, but how did I know for certain? The answer to my question was I didn't, and that was a sizeable problem in my book. The situation was a huge predicament; it loomed over my head, and weighed on my conscience.

  As I turned my car onto to the gravel path, my headlights were all I had to show me the next curve. A cloud of dust twirled around my car as I continued to my meeting with the unknown. My radio was faintly playing and I flipped it off out of nervousness. My headlights flashed across the area in front of me, and my heart raced when I saw the others were already there. Sprinkled along the side of the dirt road were various vehicles belonging to the coven members. SUVs, trucks, cars and even vans that looked like they belonged to soccer moms were the modes of transportation—no broomsticks in sight.

  The stars were making their presence known, peeking out from behind the few clouds scattered in a sky that had just turned to darkness. If I'd thought wishing upon one of those bright twinkling stars would have gotten me out of the mess I was in, I'd have tried. Alas, I knew it wouldn't help.

  Standing beside her car, Karyn was studying the dirt path; I knew she'd been watching and waiting for me. Leaning slightly against her shiny sedan, she looked more like she was ready for a night out with girlfriends, instead of magic rituals, in her jeans and black sweater. Draped over her arm was a large black cloth, I didn't know what it was, but I prayed it wasn't the bag they were going to use to dispose of my body in.

  I threw my car into park. Karyn twisted the corners of her mouth into a mysterious smile when she saw me staring in her direction. Pausing for a moment and inhaling deeply, I turned off the ignition, grabbed the car door, slid out and then approached her. If I could have walked slower, I would have.

  "Hi,” I said with a shaky voice.

  "Are you ready?"

  "As ready as I'll ever be.” The tension was evident in my voice.

  Karyn waved her hand and motioned for me to come with her. We hiked a short distance in the open surroundings until we came to the line of trees about twenty-five feet ahead.

  "So we're really going into the woods, huh?” This was it. There was no turning back for me.

  "Yes, we're really going.” She turned to give me a brief smile.

  It was all so surreal. Carefully, we traveled down the path with the tall trees hovering above us, whispering in the stir of the wind. The branches of the oaks and pines were draping over us as if they were scrutinizing our every move from high above. Under our feet, leaves and branches crackled, and in the distance I could hear the faint howl of animals. I had no idea what kind they were. I prayed they were dogs and not packs of wolves just waiting to
sink their teeth into us.

  The situation I found myself in was different from those with ghosts and the occasional demons I'd dealt with before. It can't be any worse than my confrontations with evil spirits. I tried to comfort myself as I continued down the path. As we moved along, Karyn whispered, “We're counting on you to break the spell. You are the only one that can truly end the hex Callahan has placed on him. He had feelings for you before Brianna forced him to be with her. So you'll have to really concentrate on performing the magic."

  Great, no pressure there. The man's life depended on me.

  I gave her a wide-eyed stare. “I'm not going to lie. I'm nervous because, as you know, I tried it before and it didn't work."

  "As I told you, it takes true belief in the magic. I can help you, but you must do most of it on your own. Just remember, I will be with you the entire time. Right beside you. You have to believe in yourself."

  Her words didn't do much to comfort me. I winced and continued down the path. Twigs and branches pulled at my feet with each step I took. An unexpected thorn snagged my arm, and I jumped and screeched. Karyn placed a reassuring hand on me and nudged me forward.

  The path seemed to stretch on indefinitely. Suddenly, a trickle of terror sprouted in my stomach, and before long was consuming me. The fear of being led into their black magic trap washed over me. I felt like an insect being carried to a spider web, to be trapped and then devoured alive.

  As the silver moon glowed through a patchy cover of clouds, the sound that disturbed me the most was the murmuring of the people gathered around, waiting for me to appear. I knew we were nearing our destination as the voices became more distinguishable. I had no idea so many people would attend, watching me and judging every move I made.

  As we came to the end of the path, there was an opening. I could see a break in the trees and I stepped forward, and that's when I saw everyone. All of the coven members whose voices I'd heard were now staring at me. I froze to the spot, there in the wilderness, and then Karyn grabbed my hand, pulling me closer to the audience.