Forever Charmed (The Halloween LaVeau Series, Book 1) (34 page)

Gathering the recipe spell book and setting it on the counter in front of me,
I recited the words for the spell. The wind whipped and whirled as the ingredients performed their magic. But soon, the wind diminished to nothing more than a whisper. The food hadn’t finished its preparations.

What was wrong? Why was this happening? My heart rate increased and I began to panic. What would I do now? Had I done something wrong? Sure, that had to be it. I was just
tired from the day before. I’d try the spell again and everything would be fine. I recited the words again and everything exploded. Food was everywhere in the kitchen. This was worse than ever. My heart thumped wildly and sweat broke out on my forehead.
Don’t
panic
.

What had happened to my fantastic new powers? I should have known this was too good to be true. What would I do now?
Isabeau would probably return and pulverize me for banishing her. Mara would show up and take the books. She’d be the new leader and it would all be my fault. Footsteps sounded from behind me and I whirled around.

“Oh, dear, what happened in here?” Annabelle asked with wide eyes.

I fought back the tears as I said, “My magic is gone. The mojo left.”

“Oh, honey. I’m so sorry. Let me help you clean it up.” Annabelle rushed to my side.

What would I do without her?

“What do you think happened?” Annabelle asked as she wiped pancake batter from the wall.

I shook my head as I mopped fruit compôte from the floor. “I have no idea.”

Annabelle helped
clean up the rest of the mess and then we hurried together what resembled a breakfast. I’d just set it out on the dining table when Nicolas entered the room. Annabelle was in the kitchen, so it was just the two of us. This was the first time I’d been alone with Nicolas since we’d shared the kiss. His eyes held a dark hunger as he stared at me.

Nicolas
didn’t say a word as he closed the distance between us. Once in front of me, he looked down at my face. The butterflies danced in my stomach. My gaze was fixed on his lips as he placed his lips against mine. His kisses felt so right and so wrong at the same time. I didn’t know enough about him. How could I have these feelings for someone I didn’t completely trust? I was lost in Nicolas’ kiss when someone cleared their throat, forcing us out of our own little world.

Liam glared at us from the other side of the room. My heart sank a little. Why did I have such conflicting emotions?

“I’m sorry if I’ve disturbed you, but there’s something I need to discuss with Ms. LaVeau.” His tone was very businesslike. “It’s very important,” he added.

“Can’t it wait?” Nicolas glared at Liam.

I stepped away from Nicolas. “Is something wrong?” I managed to ask softly.

“
Have you noticed anything different this morning?” he asked.

I
exchanged glances with Liam to Nicolas. It was hard to wrap my mind around the fact that as soon as Isabeau had left my powers had dissipated, but it wasn’t a coincidence, right? Did Isabeau’s leaving have anything to do with it? How had he known my magic sucked now? I had hoped it was just a fluke, but this was serious; I knew by his expression. He was upset about the kiss, but there was more to his demeanor than that.

“
I think I lost my special powers,” I said quietly with my head lowered.

Liam nodded.
“Just as I suspected. I did some research—”

Nicolas cut off Liam’s words. “Don’t put ideas into her head.”

I glared at Nicolas.

Liam cleared his throat and said, “
I discovered that there was more to Isabeau’s visit than we suspected. Isabeau had been slowly drawing out your powers while she stayed here in the manor and now she’s taken them with her. Once the powers are drained, it takes a special spell to get them back.”

“
Wait. So there’s no way to get them back?” I asked.

“
There is a way but we just have to find the spell.” He crossed his arms in front of his chest.

“
Is it in the book?” I asked as I exchanged a look with both men.

“
Only you can tell me that. I don’t have the book, remember?” He gave a forced smile.

“
Yeah, well, you wanted to destroy the book, remember?” I asked.

“
I’ve changed my mind,” he said firmly.

I stared at him.
“Why would you do that?”

“
I have my reasons. Please let me know if you need any help with the spell.” He turned around to leave.

“
Liam, wait.” I ran after him, but he didn’t stop.

Nicolas had followed after me across the room. H
e grabbed my arm. “Hallie, please. Why don’t you give me the book?” His voice was barely above a whisper. “I don’t want you involved in this anymore.”

My head was spinning.
“Why do you both insist on playing these games with me? First you didn’t want to destroy the book and Liam did. Now you want to destroy it and he doesn’t. I don’t understand.”

“
Sometimes things change, Hallie.” There was an underlying sensitivity in his voice.

I stared at him.
“Sometimes they shouldn’t change, Nicolas. I need to check the book for whatever spell this is that Liam is talking about.”

Annabelle entered the room and eased the
plates of food onto the table. She shrugged and mouthed, “What’s going on?”

“
I don’t think anyone will be eating breakfast this morning.” I grabbed Annabelle’s hand. “Come on, Annabelle. Why don’t you help me look for something?”

“
Does it require going upstairs? Because I still can’t do that.” She waved her hand.

Oh yeah. I’d forgotten about her fear.

“Halloween, please.” Nicolas pleaded with his eyes.

“
Why don’t you two sit down and eat. Hallie, surely whatever you have to do can wait, right?” Annabelle pulled a chair out and pointed for me to sit.

I hesitated.
“I guess it can wait a few more minutes.”

I’d already wasted the morning. What
was a few more minutes?

“
I’d love to stay,” Nicolas said. “But I really need to check on something.”

Was he being honest? Or was he just upset because I wouldn’t allow him to have the book to destroy it? Nicolas paused at the door. He stared at me for a second,
then walked out of the room.

“
What was that all about?” Annabelle asked.

I shook my head.
“I’m so confused. Apparently, I’ve lost the improved magic because of something Isabeau did.”

“
Well, that’s not so surprising because she was bad.”

“
I need to check the spell book to find the spell to stop her. Now Nicolas has flopped and wants to get rid of the book and Liam doesn’t care either way, I guess.”

“
Why do you say that?”

“
He caught me kissing Nicolas.”

She sat up straighter.
“Oh, is he a good kisser?”

I nibbled on a piece of toast.
“The best.” I stood. “I really need to check that book. If there’s a spell, then I need to do it right away.”

Annabelle stared at me.
“And if there’s not a spell?”

“
I don’t even want to think about that. I’ll be back in a few.”

“
I hate being down here alone.” She shivered.

“
You’re fine now. The ghost is gone now, remember?”

She nodded.
“I guess. I’ll just take these dishes into the kitchen.”

“
Thank you, Annabelle. You’re the best,” I said.

She smiled.
“Now go find that spell.” She shooed me away.

My thoughts ran wildly as
I hurried up the stairs. I wished I could talk with Liam and Nicolas and get everything sorted out. But that was hopeless. I didn’t even know what my feelings were, so how could I possibly get the men sorted out?

I closed my bedroom door and pulled the books from their hiding spot. I carried them over to my bed and went through the table of contents. There was nothing that dealt with losing the p
ower. How could it not be there? This was something that had to have come up in the past. What would I do now? I had to show the books to Liam. I hoped that I could trust him not to destroy them now. He’d be able to tell me if the spell I needed was really there. Maybe I’d just overlooked it.

I grabbed the books and headed up the next flight of stairs.
A male voice floated down the hallway. I recognized Nicolas’ voice right away. Who was he talking to? I stepped over to his shut door, and pressed my ear against the wood. I couldn’t make out much, but I heard enough. He was talking about me, telling someone that I wouldn’t give up the book. Who was he talking to? Since I didn’t hear another voice, I knew he was speaking with the phone.

When his voice stopped, I hurried away. I knocked on Liam’s door and he answered right away.

“You said if I needed help to ask you.” I half-heartedly grinned.

H
e looked down at the book. His eyes widened and he looked back up at me. I guess he was surprised that I’d brought the books.

“
I can’t find any mention of a spell to bring back the power.” I gestured toward the books in my arms.

His expression darkened—not what I’d wanted to see. This couldn’t be good news.

“I hope that I’ve just overlooked it,” I said.

“W
ould you like to come in?” he asked with a tilt of his head.

I glanced over toward Nicolas
’ door. No noise came from the hallway, so I stepped into Liam’s room. I stepped into his room and looked around. Everything was neat and his suitcases were by the door. The bed had been made.

“
Are you checking out?” I asked.

“
Now that Isabeau is gone…” His words trailed off.

“I can’t believe you. Y
ou claim that my powers are gone, Mara still wants my head on a stick and you’re going to bail on me? Why did you even offer to help me?” I poked him in the chest. It was way harder than I’d expected.