Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

G wen didn’t know what to think when she woke up on the edge of the bed covered with the spare blanket. If it wasn’t for the damp cloth Tristan left on the side table, she’d convince herself it’d been another strange dream. Maybe this was it. She’d finally gone over the edge like her Great-Aunt Bernice.

Aunt Bernice, her grandmother’s sister, had spent the last years of her life in a mental institution, convinced the ghost of a Civil War general followed her around like a puppy. Her aunt would insist people acknowledge the general, to the point of becoming angry if one looked in the wrong direction when talking to him.

Gwen wondered if they’d been unfair to Aunt Bernice. After the past few days, she could sincerely relate.

Would she come to the same belief as Edith? That Tristan McRainey was a real man, not a ghost, a man trapped in an enchantment. An enchantment, which could only be broken by her.

Reaching for her cell phone, she called her sisters. Faced with the tremendous situation, she needed their help.

She also needed for them to pull out their most precious item when faced with situations like this. It was a book of spells their mother had used when training them.

The “Magic book,” as they’d come to call it, contained recipes for potions, the aged pages filled with scribbles and notes from generations past. There were spells, letters, and all kinds of annotations referring to certain experiences. Everything was covered, from simple elixirs for aches, to dealing with the paranormal.

Gwen and her sisters currently shared a spacious condo in the Buckhead area of Atlanta. Originally, Gwen had purchased it. Her sister Sabrina, a photographer, had moved in a year later, upon accepting a photo shoot that would last months.

Although Sabrina considered Atlanta her residence, the successful photographer spent most of her time traveling all over the world for shoots.

The youngest, Tamara, had recently moved into the condo after a breakup. The consummate free spirit and fun company to have, Gwen doubted Tamara would remain long.

When Tamara’s voice chirped a hello , Gwen couldn’t help but smile, picturing the pixie sitting cross-legged on the bed, probably in pink shorts and t-shirt, her blonde hair in a messy ponytail.

“Hey, Sis,” Tammie exclaimed. “I’m so glad you called. Sabrina and I were wondering how it’s been going.” She continued without giving Gwen a chance to answer—typical. “How beautiful is that place? It looks amazing from the pictures you sent.”

Sabrina must have taken the phone from Tammie. “Hey, Sis. Please tell me there is a handsome laird who lives in that castle. I am tempted to rush there just to take pictures.”

“There is one man who will inherit the castle. His name is Derrick and yes, he is handsome,” Gwen said, wanting to tell them about Tristan and how she found him much more alluring.

She had to move the phone away from her ear at Tammie’s excited scream. “I am googling him right now.”

Ignoring her sister, Gwen continued. “I am faced with something a bit different than I expected. The woman who hired me insists the apparition is not a ghost, but someone trapped in an enchantment of some sort. I am definitely going to need to refer to the Magic Book.”

Sabrina’s husky voice sounded serious. “You need the book? Really? How are we going to get it to you? We can’t very well mail it.”

Gwen fidgeted a little. She hadn’t thought about that. “Video call?”

“Or, how about you give me more specifics and we research it for you. Tammie and I can work on the spell from here?” Sabrina said.

“Okay.” Gwen blew out a breath. “I am not sure how to begin, but the gist is that four men, they called themselves knights, are trapped in an enchantment by a wizard. Each has a different set of circumstances, and each needs a specific person with special powers to free them.”

She went on to tell them about the interactions with Tristan, while referring to her notes. “He touched me, and his fingers were warm,” Gwen told them.

“Whoa,” Sabrina said, after a beat of silence. “Sounds like a complicated job. We’ve never dealt with something like this. If it’s even real.”

Tamara soundless breathless with excitement. “Do you think the woman who hired you made all of it up? I mean, I do believe you about the ghost, but the rest seems far-fetched.”

“Maybe I’m in over my head,” Gwen admitted. “I may not be equipped for this. Perhaps I should leave before making things worse.”

Sabrina huffed. “Of course you’re not… don’t be silly. You of all people are more than well-suited to figure this out.” Gwen could hear paper rustling, and Sabrina’s breathing for a few moments.

“Are you looking in the book now?”

“Yes. Wait, I’m looking, enchantments, knights, wizard…”

After a few minutes of spouting words that didn’t connect, Sabrina finally spoke to her again. “Okay, nothing. We won’t be able to do much until you get us more info.”

Gwen slumped. “What more should I find out?”

“You need to find out the circumstances leading up the enchantment. You said they were on their way to meet with a group of knights. Was it their plan to pledge their swords to their cause? Why did the wizard take offense at whatever they did or were planning to do? If you can give me that reason, the root of the conflict between the knights and this wizard, it will be easier for us to figure out which spell and wards will help break the enchantment.”

It didn’t feel like the odds were in their favor.

“I will call you once I speak to him again. Hopefully I can get all the information we need. He disappears quickly at times.”

After they disconnected, Gwen grabbed her journal and began to write down all the information she needed to gather from Tristan.

Now all she had to do was wait for him to reappear.