14. Party Crashers

Chapter 14

Party Crashers

M ax tugged on the leash as she explored the new scenery of The Coven Club bar. The patrons gawked and murmured amongst themselves as they clutched their drinks and observed the golden retriever winding her way through the crowd. Alice tugged on the leash to redirect her impulsive nose. After some protesting, Max relinquished and followed Alice, Carol, and Oliver through the crowd.

The Coven Club was well decorated for the season. Green garland wrapped the gold hand rails encircling the center pit. Gold and silver Christmas bulbs hung from the light fixtures. The floating instruments on the stage played soft jazz versions of Christmas carols. The waitstaff wore festive red Santa hats.

"Your dog can't be in here," a bartender yelled.

The crowd turned their attention to the offending party.

"She's on the list," Alice retorted.

The party crashers made their way through the crowds, weaving in and out of the patrons holding conversations. Alice led the Raskins toward Esmerelda Honeydew at the front of the club. She stood next to a tall, lanky man.

"First, you bring the dog into the library, and now into the club. You do know we have a strict, no animal policy in the club," Ez said.

"This is an emergency," Alice said.

"What an exquisite animal," the man said with a high-class British accent.

Max hunched low. Her nose twitched, and the left corner of her lip snarled. She backed up and hid behind Alice's legs. She peeked her head around and gave a low growl, which grew into a bark.

"Max, what's gotten into you?" Alice said.

"Alice, this is Gavin Munteanu, Leader of the Vampiric Conclave," Ez said with a motion of her hand.

Gavin was dressed in a simple black suit with a gray overcoat and cape. His black hair was slicked back with a thin mustache. He carried himself with the presence of authority, his shoulders pulled back and head held high. He wore black gloves and held a cane in one hand. Fixed atop the cane was a ruby jewel. He didn't use the cane to keep his balance, instead, it was more of a fashion accessory. Gavin appeared to be a man out of time, belonging to a different age.

Gavin reached for Alice's free hand, raised it, and kissed the top. "Esmerelda's description of you is not as nearly as stunning as witnessing you in person."

Alice pulled her hand away and scowled at the man.

"You mean he's one of those vampires?" Carol asked.

Oliver strode up to the man, pulled his fist back, and with one motion, slugged him right on the jaw. Gavin reeled back, dropping his cane. He covered his mouth with his hands.

"Oliver!" Alice said.

The commotion stopped the music. All eyes focused on the party crashers.

"Alice! I can't have people assaulting my guests," Esmerelda yelled.

"It's okay. It's okay," Gavin said as he rubbed his jaw. He collected his cane and stood tall again. "I may have deserved a punch to the jaw."

"Damn right you do," Oliver said.

"Oliver, will you calm down?" Carol said.

"No, I won't. Those things killed our Hugo," he responded.

Ez turned her attention to the crowd, commanding them with ease. "Folks. Folks. This is all a misunderstanding. Please go about your business. Next round is on me. Bartenders, stack them up. Please enjoy your evening."

Ez snapped her fingers, and the instruments played their festive jazz music once more.

"Yes, I'm sorry for your loss. I truly am," Gavin said. "Esmerelda here told me all about what happened."

"Gavin and I were wrapping up a few loose ends with the Savinos," Ez said.

Gavin placed a hand on his chest. "It is I who should be thanking you. The Savinos were a thorn in our side for far too long. We should have dealt with them sooner. I'm glad, for the benefit of all vampires, witches, wizards . . . and humans, the Savinos are no longer among us. You have done the world a great service. I'm sorry it came at such a price. You have my condolences."

He turned his attention to Esmerelda. He bowed his head. "Ms. Honeydew, it was a pleasure as always."

"I'm sorry for the unpleasantries," Ez said.

"Water under the bridge," Gavin said as he left. He stopped and turned around. "Oh, one more thing. Since you're here, Ms. Primrose, I was hoping you would confirm something for me. Your dealings with the Savinos—was it truly a simple business dispute and nothing more?"

Alice glared at Gavin from under the brim of her hat. Her mind was burdened by the thought that he knew she had the spell. A bead of sweat rolled down her back. She gulped.

"They were trying to run us out of business," Oliver said. "They didn't like Alice making wine and wanted to extort us."

"They weren't seeking something else?" Gavin asked as his eyebrows narrowed. "They didn't find anything of importance, did they?"

Does he know about the spell?

Alice couldn't tell if he was being inquisitive or threatening. She took a gulp and pulled back her shoulders. "It was a business dispute over wine brands. Nothing more. They found nothing."

"Ah," Gavin said with a smile. He nodded. "Of course, a business dispute. They were very ambitious when it came to business. Enjoy your evening. Happy holidays." Gavin turned and left.

Alice let out a sigh of relief.

"You lot, follow me," Ez said. "Now!" She stormed off through the crowd.

The patrons easily parted as the woman with the green and red dress worked her way through the crowd toward the back.

Carol shot a discerning glance at Oliver before following Ez.

"What?" Oliver asked as he followed Carol. "It's not like you weren't thinking of doing the same thing."

"If it makes you feel any better, he beat me to it," Alice chimed in.

"Of course I was thinking it," Carol said. "He beat me to it as well."

The group followed Ez through the crowd and back behind the bar. They traveled down the same hallway as earlier, but made a sharp turn into Ez's office instead of going to the library. One by one, they filed in, with the curious golden retriever the last to enter.

Esmerelda Honeydew slammed the door shut, causing Alice to jolt. She had seen Ez angry before, but never at her. Ez turned around to face the four of them.

"You better start talking right now. How can I explain to my patrons the reason for non-magick users and a dog being allowed in my bar and attacking my customers?" Ez screamed.

Alice gulped. She scanned the room for any place to hide, but Ez kept a clean office. A spotless wood desk with drawers on either side to Alice's backside. A green couch along the wall and a dark wood bookshelf next to the door filled with her current reads. The force of the door slamming had knocked a few books off the shelf and onto the floor. Alice gave a thought to snapping her fingers and returning them, but she thought it best to leave any magick use out of the conversation for now.

"Well, you see—" Alice started.

"We've made contact with Hugo," Carol interrupted.

"What?" Ez asked. "You were able to contact him? Did he not want to come back?"

"The opposite, actually," Alice interjected. "He's trapped. He's trapped in a purgatory. Someone . . . or something . . . is keeping him there. I can't pull him out. They're doing things to him. They're torturing or turning him or I don't know what."

"You never mentioned torture," Carol said, turning to Alice.

Alice returned a halfhearted smile to comfort Carol. "It's a different torture. He mentioned Madeline Sinclair."

"The founder of our town?" Oliver asked.

"Yes. The founder of Newbury Grove. He said she's a banshee, and she's trying to turn him. It's in the book. It's called the wail of the banshee. A soul can be corrupted into a ghoulish figure bound to the banshee's commands."

"How is she doing this?"

"She's a witch too, but there's more. Hugo mentioned she had a book. A black book. She transformed the realm with it. I think she has a copy of The Book of the Dead. I think these two books are calling to each other. My copy has been pulsating like a beacon, signaling to something. Hugo said she's using her book to build up an army. Turning him was the key to her escaping."

Ez fixated on a rug placed in the center of her office. She rested her index finger on her chin as if she were deep in thought. "He said banshee?" she asked.

"Yes. And there's more."

Ez turned her attention to Alice. "What else is there?"

"There is another witch in Newbury Grove," Alice said.

"There are two witches ?" Oliver asked.

"Madame Sophia," Alice answered.

"The fortune teller from the festival?" Carol responded.

Alice glanced over to Carol. "Yes."

"How did I not know there was another witch there?" Ez asked.

Alice turned her attention back to Ez. "Madame Sophia is a member of the Coven of the Watch."

"The Coven of the Watch?" Ez said, taking a step backward as if to catch herself from falling over. "They're in Newbury Grove? She mentioned Coven of the Watch by name?"

Alice nodded.

"The Coven of the Watch was set up many years ago. They're the last line of defense against sinister forces piercing the veil and turning the mortal realm into a hellish nightmare."

"Is it a good thing or bad thing she's there?" Oliver asked.

"Depends on your definition of good," Ez replied. "If they make their presence known, then it must be dire."

"She's masquerading as a spiritual, metaphysical shop owner. She hid in plain sight," Alice answered. "She helped me make contact with someone."

"Hugo?" Ez asked.

"Elizabeth."

" Our Elizabeth ?" Oliver asked.

"She told me Hugo was in trouble, and we must help him. I tried to contact him again, but he didn't answer. However, he was able to communicate with my reflection in my mirror. I tried to pull him through, but something stopped him. I couldn't see much, but it was a cloaked figure with a fiery sword," Alice explained.

"Can you contact her again?" Carol asked.

"It was sort of a one-time thing," Alice explained.

The Raskin's faces fell with dejection and sadness as if they had experienced her dying all over again.

"She wants you to know she loves everyone and she'll see you again one day," Alice quickly added.

The Raskins smiled as they held hands and glanced at each other.

Ez rubbed her chin. Her drawn-on eyebrows pulled up in deep thought. "So, what do you plan on doing?"

"I'm going to go get him," Alice said. "But I need your help."

"Go get him?" Ez said as she snapped her eyes to Alice.

"It's the only way and why I need your help. I don't know how to get there. It would take us days, weeks, months . . . longer if I read through all your books. There's one man who can help us. I need you to open a doorway to him."

"You want me to open a doorway? To where? Who is it?" Ez asked as she stood straight.

"We need to go visit Nick. He's the only one who can help us," Alice answered.

"Nick?" Ez asked. "You want me to open a doorway to the North Pole?"

"Yes," Alice replied. "Let's go visit old St. Nick and ask him for an early Christmas gift."