Chapter 4

The store window had displays of vintage clothing, but that was not what was inside. We were standing in a fancy waiting room and a beautiful, buxom blonde greeted us with a smile. "Are you members?"

Aidon and I exchanged a glance before he let go of my hand and stepped forward. "Yes, we're here for a drink."

Stella sent me a questioning look. Shrugging, I looked around for clues about what told Aidon this was a bar. Aidon grabbed our hands when the blonde got up and headed for a side door. She placed her hand on the wall, and a panel slid open. My legs started shaking when I felt Aidon's tension. I called up my magic and got ready to unleash it. Stella shot me a panicked look before we stepped into a darkened room.

It took a second for my eyes to adjust, and when they did, I wished we had never asked the Fae anything. There was an otherworldly chill as we found ourselves face-to-face with a coven of vampires. There was no mistaking the gleam of their fangs as they lifted their heads from the necks of their prey.

Movement to my right made me throw a magical bomb without thinking. More dark silhouettes emerged from the shadows like specters hungry for mischief. And I understood Aidon's comment about being there for a drink. He must really believe in my instincts to take us inside this dump.

Stella narrowed her eyes and said, "Vampires. Lovely," a tone of sarcasm laced her words like a shield against the oncoming threat. I wanted to cast a spell around her. I bet she was terrified. And for good reasons. Vamps had almost killed her before.

Aidon"s chest expanded, and he grinned at those now coming in our direction. I wanted to tuck tail and run. Aidon scanned the approaching undead with a menacing gaze that would have made me think twice.

"Someone forgot to send the memo about the nocturnal party crashers," he said. His entire body was alert. He was a badass and likely knew where every creature in the bar was.

As the vampires encircle us, their eyes glinting with predatory hunger, I rolled my eyes. "I'm surprised your kind decided to join the magical fiesta. I hope y'all brought a bottle of enchanted sunscreen."

A vampire draped in shadows and arrogance sauntered to the middle of the room, putting himself between Aidon and the others. Aidon snarled at him and slowly moved to the left, but I don't think the vampires realized it. I had no idea why he was doing that but trusted him with my life.

"Your sarcasm is weak, witchling. And your mate is pathetic," the head vamp smirked at Aidon.

Stella rolled her shoulders and smiled. "We don"t want trouble. We"re just trying to figure out what happened to a missing woman named Olive, and the clues have led us here."

The vampires exchanged amused glances. The leader chuckled darkly. "Missing women are our specialty. I'm afraid we don't know an Olive. We were just enjoying a little midnight snack. Care to join us?" The lead vampire"s tone dripped with a sinister charm.

Aidon stopped moving and spread his legs shoulder-width apart. "Sorry, but our magical mystery tour doesn"t include pit stops for vampire snacks. We'll be going now." The tension thickened, making me hold my breath.

"Can"t you find a blood bank like normal creatures of the night?" I taunted before I could stop myself. A sense of unease punctuated my jest as the vampires inched closer, revealing more of their predatory intent.

Between one blink and the next, they attacked. I tossed magical bombs, and Aidon used his daggers to slice and dice the assholes coming at us. I didn't want to use my witch fire inside the building. It could hurt one of my friends in the process.

We exchanged a flurry of spells and supernatural agility. "Stella, any bright ideas on dealing with our fanged friends?" I called out, needing her advice to kick-start my pregnant brain. I sidestepped a particularly ambitious vampire and shoved a magical bomb at him hard enough that it made him fall into another bloodsucker. Both exploded in a shower of viscera.

Stella wove her enchantments with calm and grace as she replied. "Let's do a sunlight spell. That always fries these assholes."

The ambient glow built in her palm, and I quickly cast the same. Our glow intensified as we created an artificial dawn that forced hissing protests from the vampire ranks. Aidon channeled his Underworld energy and added a touch of divine brilliance to the mix. "Let"s see how they like a taste of infernal light."

The undead recoiled, momentarily blinded by our onslaught. Those closest to us were burnt to ash, while the others remained back in the shadows. They threw weapons our way. A martini glass hit the side of my head, making me lose control of my spell. Aidon and Stella did, too. I resumed throwing bombs. They were my go-to offensive when I couldn't think straight.

The magical battle reached its zenith, and the vampires retreated into the shadows, battered and bewildered. Aidon turned to us with a triumphant grin. "Well, that was unexpected. I"m not sure why we were sent here," he said as he pushed a door open behind us. That was why he had us move around the room. He wanted to be close to the exit.

I shot him a wry smile as I moved outside. "Nothing like a surprise vampire party to spice up our magical escapade."

Stella"s melodic laughter echoed through the nocturnal stillness and followed us as we resumed our investigation. "I'm pretty sure the Fae set us up. There was nothing helpful about that encounter."

I shrugged one shoulder. "Oh, I don't know. It gave us a trap we are going to need to dismantle. Those whispers are what the vamps use to lure their prey to them."

Aidon grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it. "We can do that after we continue with the lead the witch at that hidden enclave gave us. We also need to find Glimmerford."

I enjoyed the lingering sense of victory as we navigated Salem"s mystical labyrinth. Leaving behind confused and slightly embarrassed vampires was icing on the cake. We hadn't gone very far when Aidon went on alert and shot me a look. "We're being followed," he whispered.

I nodded and looked around without being too obvious. "I bet it's the vamps. They're stupid creatures that don't know when to quit," I said in a low voice.

Moonlight played upon the cobblestone streets, casting eerie shadows that danced with the anticipation of an impending supernatural clash. Stella and I exchanged glances, our eyes reflecting the determination coursing through our veins. It was time to take these bloodsuckers down a peg.

Stella"s fingers traced invisible patterns in the air, igniting an ethereal glow that wrapped around us like a protective cloak. "Better safe than sorry this time. We can't make those babies work overtime. Let"s make these vampires wish they hadn't come across us."

I chuckled, the sound echoing through the tense night air. "Oh, absolutely. Salem might be known for its history, but I don"t think they"re ready for the beatdown we"re about to unleash. Shall we give them a taste of our witchy justice?"

As the vampires drew near, Aidon conjured his black sword. His voice carried an undertone of vengeance. "Prepare yourselves. Their hunger for our blood is palpable, but it's more. They want your magic, too. I can feel their yearning."

"Maybe they are behind Olive's disappearance," I said.

The first vampire lunged, teeth bared, only to be met with a funnel of wind conjured by my outstretched hand. "Lesson number one, vamps: respect the witches who control the elements. It"s just common courtesy."

Stella"s laughter echoed as she conjured a barrier of swirling witch flames. "And here"s lesson number two: never play with fire unless you"re ready to get burned."

The clash of elements painted the night with a vivid display of arcane brilliance. Lightning danced across the sky, weaving a celestial tapestry that mirrored our defiance against the encroaching darkness. I glanced at Stella and saw her eyes gleaming with a mixture of mischief and determination. She smirked, and the magical fire reflected in her eyes. "Shall I turn it up a notch?"

Aidon had more room outside, moving through the vampire ranks like a shark through water. It made the vampires react in kind. Stella and I remained in place, standing back-to-back so we weren't in the way. Aidon was making quick work of them.

I added my witch fire to Stella's and continued battering them with all I had. Sweat was pouring down my face with my efforts. I didn't use other spells for fear they would hit Aidon. I couldn't control them like I could my flames.

"Duck!" Stella shouted. I reacted first and tilted my head to see what she was warning me about. "Head," she explained and pointed in front of me.

I gagged when I saw the sightless eyes and bloody spinal column. Looking away, I focused on the vampires trying to get to us. It was a few minutes later, and Aidon stopped in front of me. He picked up the severed head and tossed it into the inferno that Stella and I hadn't stopped fueling.

I shared a triumphant grin with him. "I"ve never been turned on and sick before. Never do that again."

Aidon pressed a kiss to my mouth and grinned at me. "I make no promises. Let me clean this up, and we can head to the whispering forest."

The vampire encounter left a distinct flavor of tension in the air, like the metallic tang of blood mingling with the earthy scent of witch fire. Aidon tossed bodies and body parts into the fire and stood by me as Stella and I upped the ante. Within seconds, we had nothing but a pile of ash that would be blown or washed away.

Aidon"s gaze pierced through the shadows as if expecting more supernatural surprises. "What"s next on this mystery tour? A secret society of zombie poets?"

Stella chuckled. Her laughter was a melodic contrast to the eerie ambiance. "Zombie poets would be a welcome change. I imagine they"d have a penchant for melancholic verses and perhaps a craving for literary brains."

I shot her a wry smile. "Let"s not give Fate any ideas. We"ve got enough on our plate with this case."

Stella"s eyes gleamed with an idea. "Do you think Olive's disappearance is acting like a magical beacon and attracting all sorts of supernatural beings?"

I looked both ways before stepping into the street. "Hmmm. That would make sense. We know my transition to a witch attracted all sorts of creatures. I bet she didn"t sign up for this when she joined that secret witch club. How do you think they lured her in? "Free cauldron with every membership!""

"Maybe the misdirection isn't intentional at all," Aidon said. "There"s a connection, a nexus of magical energies converging around Olive's disappearance and the clues we are finding. We need to unravel this mystery. And fast. I don't want you five in danger a second longer."

"I'm in full agreement on that one," Stella smirked, her fingers playing with the ends of her jacket. "Where's our well-dressed dragon when you need him? He could incinerate those woods, and we could go to the Air BNB."

I laughed, the sound echoing through the quiet street. "Tseki's done his duty for today. He went shopping for maternity clothes for me earlier. Besides, we can't destroy the natural gem."

Stella clapped her hands together. "Oh, fun! I can't wait to see what he found."

We discussed my idea of comfy clothes. Apparently, my favorite jammies didn't qualify. There would be a point in this pregnancy when Tseki and Stella both would need to come to terms with me remaining in my muumuus.

It didn't take long to reach the woodland again. A few hours later, the place looked entirely different. I was awed and afraid at the same time. The noise started the second I stepped into the clearing. The ancient trees with twisted branches whispered secrets to one another. Shafts of moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting a silvery glow on the moss-covered ground. It hated that the vampires had tainted this blend of nature"s wonders,

"There are darker energies dancing beneath the surface," Aidon announced into the silence.

Stella nodded. "How do we find out how to dismantle their enchantment? Do vampires have magic?"

"They use glamour to attract their prey," Aidon explained. "But I couldn't tell you how to break it. They shouldn't be able to attach it to inanimate objects."

I placed a hand on one of the tree trunks and met Stella's gaze. "Maybe we should try talking to the trees. They"re like the ancient keepers of gossip. Maybe they can tell us what they see."

Stella snorted out a laugh. "Right. "Excuse me, Mr. Oak, have you seen any vampires placing a trap for victims?"" Her voice rose in pitch, and she batted her eyes as she talked.

Aidon smirked as he kept vigil. "As amusing as that sounds, let"s rely on more conventional methods. I'm picking up a concentration of energy that way." He pointed in front of him.

"Okie dokie," I agreed, and we ventured deeper.

The second Aidon's foot stepped into the tree line opposite us, the air became charged with electricity. Shadows wove intricate patterns on the forest floor, and I couldn"t shake the feeling that someone followed our every move. Aidon led us to a larger clearing where an ancient stone altar stood surrounded by twisted vines.

"We"ve reached the heart of it," Aidon declared, his aura intensifying. "This is where magic converges."

I glanced around, noting the intricate carvings on the altar and the eerie glow emanating from the surrounding foliage. "It's Dark magic. A lot of it."

Stella sighed and said, "Lovely. Just what we needed. Dark magic and a magical altar in the middle of nowhere. I hope this one comes with a guidebook."

As we approached the altar, the atmosphere became charged with ancient energy. We"d stumbled upon a mystical crossroads. And it was definitely connected to Olive's disappearance. But it didn't seem to only be about the missing witch. There was more going on here, but we didn't have enough for me to say what that was with any level of certainty.

Aidon gestured towards the altar, his eyes narrowing in concentration. "This stone has been home to powerful rituals. The markings suggest an intricate web of spells, woven with purpose."

Stella gently traced the carvings and murmured, "These may as well be in Chinese or Italian. They mean nothing to me. I can't tell what it says."

"Join the club," I told her. "Let's focus on locking onto the whispers carried on the breeze. We can enchant a magical virus that will wipe out the allure, making Salem safer for the innocent.

Stella nodded, and her gaze got distant. I did the same, trying to tune into the energy around us. The whispers of the forest beckoned. They promised answers and challenges that would test the limits of our newfound alliance.

The gnarled branches of ancient trees entwined overhead, creating a natural canopy that filtered the ethereal moonlight into a dance of shadows on the forest floor. Embedded with luminescent fungi, moss-covered stones created an eerie glow, casting an otherworldly atmosphere on our surroundings. It was as if the very essence of magic was woven into the fabric of this enchanted woodland, each step resonating with an almost sentient response.

I glanced at Stella, her features etched with a mixture of wonder and trepidation. "I didn't expect them to make this so difficult to break," I said after trying for a few seconds.

Stella smirked, her eyes reflecting the moon"s glow. "If we make it out alive, we need to leave a glowing Yelp review. Five stars for ambiance, minus one for the malevolent aura trying to devour our souls."

Aidon looked lost as he sat down in one of the chairs. "The heart of the malevolence is close. I can sense the ancient energy here. It's one that predates even the oldest witches in Salem."

I feigned a gasp, clutching my heart dramatically. "I was hoping for something more modern, like a WiFi hotspot or at least a Starbucks. We're going to have to deploy this virus the old-fashioned way without any caffeine."

Stella and I clasped hands and cast the infection enchantment. I kept my focus on sending worms that would eat away at the spell luring innocents to their deaths at the hands of the vampires. Our power seeped out of us in a gentle wave and coated the entire area.

A rustle in the foliage startled us, and we instinctively drew closer. We lost control of the spell as the malevolence in the air thickened. "Alright, woodland creatures, if you"re going to jump out and scare us, make it quick. We have evil to hunt down," I quipped, attempting to mask my underlying nervousness.

Aidon raised an eyebrow. "Don't worry, you've dismantled the vampire lure."

I nodded and opened my senses. "There's something nearby that I couldn't pick up earlier."

Aidon pushed through the underbrush, and I shared a look with Stella. We didn't move until the moonlight dimmed and an unnatural stillness settled over the forest. The trees seemed to lean in as we raced after him.

A distant howl echoed. It wasn't wolves but a mystical resonance that sent shivers down our spines. Aidon looked back at us. "This won't surprise you, but we"re not alone."

I chuckled nervously. "At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if Godzilla came barreling through the trees."

As we stepped into a clearing, I frowned when I realized it was the same clearing we'd been in. Stella frowned and spun in a circle. "Is this the same altar we just left?"

I nodded and watched the symbols pulsate with a life of their own. The sight made my stomach twist. What in the hell were we dealing with here?