Chapter 4

Gwyneth applied her best perfume, brushed her hair, and tip-toed downstairs to Sly’s apartment, carrying her lit candelabra. She knew Sly wasn’t using electricity in order to save money, and he might be able to see in the dark, but she couldn’t. Besides, everyone looked good in candlelight. She wore a short, black skirt—a departure from her long, black, broomstick skirt. She hoped her black velour top which clung to her curves made her look as alluring as she felt.

Sly opened the door shortly after her first knock.

“Howdy, Sly.”

“Hi Gwyneth, what a surprise.”

“I hope you think it’s a good surprise, and I didn’t catch you with your pants down.” She giggled and felt herself blush. “Well hush my mouth, I didn’t mean that quite how it sounded.” Or did I?

Sly grinned and stepped aside. “Come in.”

She sashayed in. “I know y’all Vampire folk have to be invited into someone’s home, but is it the same the other way around?”

He shook his head, but kept his smile and said, “Not that I’ve ever heard. Seems a little unfair, but…Please, have a seat.”

Oh good. It looks like my Southern charm, as Chad calls it, is workin’.

She settled herself on his comfortable leather sofa and hoped he’d sit next to her. No such luck. He took the rocking chair beside it. She set the candelabra on the table between them.

“Looks like you got a new chair. I don’t remember it from the house warmin’ party.”

“Merry said I could borrow it until the baby comes.”

“Well, ain’t that nice. Bless her heart.”

“Yes, she’s a special girl.”

“She ain’t such a girl anymore. She’s a little older than I am, and I consider myself a grown woman.” She arched her back just slightly, hoping her small chest would look larger.

“I guess you’re right. So, what brings you down here?”

“Well, two things. I need to give you a shopping list and directions to make the mash.”

He took the piece of paper and skimmed the recipe. “Kill me Quick?”

“That’s what it’s called. It’s fast to make; it doesn’t really kill ya.”

He chuckled. “Well, since I’m already dead I don’t suppose I need to worry about that.”

“Oh, speakin’ of parties, I was figurin’ on askin’ you to attend a Halloween party with me.”

He cocked his head. “I thought Wiccans had a different name for Halloween and considered it a solemn holiday.”

Shoot. He knows about our traditions. Now what? “That’s absolutely right, but Halloween looks like so much fun I thought maybe I’d participate this year. We could dress up in costumes.”

“Hmmm…that’s interesting. Who will be attending this party?”

She squirmed in her seat. “Well, I don’t know yet. I thought I’d start with you and see how many folks could make it.”

“Well, we know Nathan won’t come. I doubt the Super will. How does Morgaine feel about abandoning her traditions in favor of a non-pagan holiday?”

“I’m not sure. I haven’t mentioned it to her yet.”

“Hey Gwyneth,” Chad interrupted, “What the hell are you up to? You know Morgaine won’t go to a costume party on Samhain.”

Gwyneth stuck a hand on her hip and looked toward the ceiling. “Chad, I don’t recollect invitin’ you to this conversation.”

Sly looked at the ceiling too. “Chad’s up there?”

“He’s somewhere around. I can’t see him. I can only hear him.” She raised her voice, slightly. “You aren’t welcome at the moment, Chad. Now, git. I’ll talk to you later when I’m back in our apartment.”

“Make me.”

Gwyneth’s posture deflated like a day-old balloon. “I guess we’re stuck with him. He refuses to leave.”

Sly shrugged. “I don’t mind if he hangs out here for a little while. He must get awfully lonely, and you witches are the only ones he can talk to.”

“Yeah,” she mumbled absently. “He’s powerful lonely. I just wish he’d go bother Morgaine for a while.”

“She’s asleep.”

Gwyneth sighed. “Well, if he’s stickin’ around, I’ll have to cut this short. So, what do you say to my invitation?”

“I—uh, I don’t know yet. Let me think about it and get back to you.” He stood.

“Oh.” She rose slowly, giving him a chance to reconsider. Disappointment washed over her. Why was Sly less than enthusiastic about the “party?”

Maybe she should have been honest. He didn’t know it would only be the two of them. She knew Nathan would have nothing to do with it and could count on Morgaine not cheapening the most sacred Wiccan holiday there is. She’d just “forget” to invite Jules or say she forgot accidentally on purpose because he’s the Super and doesn’t like parties in the building. Since Sly doubted he’d go anyway she could say she didn’t want to put him in the awkward position of refusing.

“So, Samhain—I mean, Halloween is only a couple of days away. You won’t forget to tell me soon, right?”

He smiled. “No, I won’t forget.”

As soon as he closed the door after her, she stuck out her lower lip. “Chad,” she whispered, “I swear you ruin everything.”

His voice followed her up the stairs. “I didn’t ruin anything, but you were about to.”

“What are you jabberin’ about?”

“Your relationship with Morgaine. You know how competitive you two can be.”

“I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about.”

“Yes, you do. I remember a couple of world class fights between you two only a few months ago. It’s a good thing Konrad was here to lift you off Morgaine and suspend you in midair by your macramé belt.”

Gwyneth chuckled. “We was just scrappin’. Nobody got hurt.”

“Well, he’s not here now, and I can’t very well keep you two from killing each other if you go at it again. Of course, if one of you murdered the other one, I’d have some company, wouldn’t I?”

“Probably not, since witches believe in reincarnation, but you don’t have to worry, Chad. Nothin’s gonna happen.”

“Famous last words.”

Morgaine had some appointments for readings the following day. This woman wanted a palm reading. Not the best for loads of information so she didn’t do it often, but it was good to keep her skills sharp. She traced the heart line of her female client. “Now this is a good, strong line. There are a couple of partial lines dropping down from it, which means you’ve had a couple of heartaches, but in general your love life is—”

A rap on her door interrupted her thoughts. The energy is familiar—oh, it’s Sly! Now, how to get rid of this client so she could spend some quality time with him?

The woman leaned forward. “My love life is…”

“Oh,” Morgaine patted the woman’s hand. “It’s just fine. You’ll meet the man of your dreams soon, have two children, a house in the suburbs and a minivan.” She craned her neck to face the door and yelled, “Be right there.”

The woman got the hint and pulled out her wallet. “How much do I owe you?”

“Fifty.”

Her eyebrows raised. “Fifty bucks for a ten-minute palm reading?”

Morgaine sighed. “Okay, twenty. But you’re only getting the discount because I hurried the end.”

The woman seemed appeased, paid her bill, and opened the door just as Sly looked like he was about to leave.

Morgaine hurried over. “Sly, come on in.”

“If you’re busy it can wait.”

“No, it’s fine.”

The woman turned to Sly and whispered in his ear, “She’s good, but her appointments are booked too close together. If she rushes you at the end, ask for a break in the price.”

“Uh, thanks,” Sly said. He watched her go.

“What was that about?” Morgaine asked.

Sly strolled into her apartment and waited for her to close the door. “Apparently you give discounts if you kick someone out before they’re finished.”

She felt her cheeks heat. “Uh, well. There was really nothing…”

He laughed. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure you had your reasons. I just hope it wasn’t because I was outside your door.”

She waved away his comment as if it was ridiculous. “No. I told her everything I had to say. Have a seat. Can I make you some tea?”

“No, I can’t stay. The incense smell in here is kind of overwhelming.”

“Oh! Sorry. It’s all part of the atmosphere. I can run a fan and open—”

“No need. I just wanted to ask you one question and tell you something else.”

Disappointed that he wasn’t planning to stay long, she sank down on her sofa. “Okay. What did you want to ask and tell me?”

“First, I’ll tell you what I overheard. The Super, Jules, is concerned with the increase in foot traffic. He knows you do readings from the apartment and seems concerned about the amount of strangers coming and going.”

“How did you hear that?”

“I think he was talking to Merry on the phone. I couldn’t see him since I was downstairs in my apartment, and he was upstairs in his.”

“Yikes. You’re vampiric hearing can pick up conversations right through the ceiling?”

“When it’s relatively quiet elsewhere.”

“I’m glad we have two floors between us. Especially when we’re on the phone sex line.”

Sly laughed. “That’s when I’d give my right arm to live next door.”

She had to giggle. Morgaine wished her psychic powers could tell her what Sly thought of her. He seemed to like her. Maybe he was interested, but he was too much of a gentleman to come right out and say so.

“There’s something else I need to talk to you about.”

“Sure,” she said hopefully. “What is it?”

He seemed uncomfortable and hesitated a moment. “I’m not positive, and I’m going to be very embarrassed if I’m wrong, but it seems as if Gwyneth is trying to seduce me. She came down to my apartment, smelling like expensive perfume and invited me to a Halloween party.”

Morgaine’s eyebrows shot up. “Halloween? Are you sure she said that?”

“Yes. I asked if she meant the solemn holiday I know Wiccans celebrate this time of year, but…”

Sly was still talking, but Morgaine was too angry to make out his words. Gwyneth, her scheming, coquettish cousin, who could have any man she wanted, wanted the only person Morgaine thought she might already be in love with.

Steam must have been pouring out her ears, because Sly had stopped talking and was watching her intently with his mouth slightly open.

“Are you all right, Morgaine?”

“I’ll talk to her,” she said.

“Maybe I should have done it myself, but I didn’t want to insult her. And I didn’t want her to get the wrong idea by coming up to her apartment. The truth is, I just don’t think of her that way.”

Did that mean he didn’t think of either of them ‘that way?’ Her heart crumpled, but she forced herself to calm down. “It’s okay. I understand. I’m sure she wouldn’t want to lose your friendship or make a fool of herself. I’ll let her know you won’t be coming to her Halloween party.”

“Oh boy, this is gonna be bad,” Chad muttered.

Morgaine leaned against her door, opening and closing her fists. Before she left her apartment, she turned the radio up loud. “Chad, don’t you dare say one word to Gwyneth. This is our business and I’m asking you nicely to stay out of it.”

“Thanks for asking nicely, but I don’t plan to warn her. What would I say? ‘Look out? Witch on the warpath?’ Heck, no. I don’t want to spoil the surprise.”

Morgaine inhaled deeply and said, “Okay, Sly’s inside his apartment with the door closed now.” She threw open her door and marched across the hall.

Chad watched as Morgaine pounded on Gwyneth’s door. The decorated broom hanging on it jumped with each blow. “Hey, see if you can knock that thing off. I hate it and it’s still my apartment. I just let Gwyneth crash here so you two wouldn’t kill each other last summer. Obviously, that didn’t help.”

“Gwyneth! Open the door.”

Chad stuck his head through the oak door and saw a blasé Gwyneth putting a chilled bottle of white wine back into the refrigerator.

A few moments later, she sauntered to the front door of her apartment and opened it a few inches. “Why, Morgaine, what’s got y’all madder than a bottle full of bees?”

“You know damn well.”

“No, I’m afraid I don’t. You are the powerful psychic. I’m just a student, green as a gourd, standing in the shadow of your greatness.”

Uh-oh. “Gwyneth, I wouldn’t shake that jar of bees, if I were you.”

“Stay out of it, Chad,” They both said at once.

“Fine. Go ahead. Turn each other into toads. See if I care.”

Gwyneth said, “Using magic to harm another is considered black magic and boomerangs on the sender. I can’t turn her into a toad unless I want warts on my face.”

Morgaine pushed on the door. “Aren’t you going to let me in?”

Gwyneth wasn’t prepared for the hard shove and the door flew open, revealing two wine glasses and several lit candles around the apartment. Soft music was playing in the background.

“This might not be as bad as it looks, Morgaine. Don’t jump to conclusions.”

Morgaine crossed her arms. “Are you expecting someone?”

Gwyneth turned her nose up in the air. “That’s none of your beeswax.”

“If you’re trying to seduce Sly, I have a news flash for you.”

Gwyneth shrugged one shoulder, casually. “Oh?”

“Yeah, he’s onto you…not into you, and he doesn’t appreciate your machinations.”

“I don’t see him up here tellin’ me to stop. And there’s nothin’ wrong with a little imagination. I just see a jealous older woman about to have a stinkin’ fit.”

Morgaine said, “I know I can’t use magic to make my point, but…” she flew at her cousin and knocked her over. Gwyneth yelped, then grabbed Morgaine’s hair and gave it a hard tug.

Oh, man. I saw this coming, and I’m not even psychic.

Morgaine threw a couple of punches. Chad didn’t know she had in her.

“Come on, girls. Stop this. As Gwyneth would say, y’all are like two cats in a sack right now. Wait until you cool off.”

Gwyneth tried to connect with Morgaine’s face and missed. She tried again and missed again. It was as if her fist slid off an invisible barrier. Morgaine laughed and got up.

“I see you didn’t bother putting the protection spell I showed you in place.”

Gwyneth scrambled to her feet. “I’ll show you how worthwhile your protection spell is…” She grabbed a lamp and heaved it toward her cousin. Morgaine leaned back and it missed her—barely. “You only protected yourself from people, not inanimate objects.”

Morgaine’s eyes and lips thinned, and she trembled as if she were about to erupt. She grabbed the base of the lamp that hadn’t shattered, and just as she was winding up for the pitch, Gwyneth’s image slowly faded into invisibility.

Morgaine’s mouth dropped open.

A door downstairs opened. Jules, the Super, called up through the stairwell, “What’s going on up there?”

“Oh! Uh, it’s nothing, Mr. Vernon,” Morgaine called back.

“Just a little spat is all,” Gwyneth added—from somewhere.

“Well, take it outside. I don’t want to have to replace the wallpaper or light fixtures.”

“Sorry, Mr. Vernon. I think it’s over now.” Morgaine glanced around the empty hallway.

“We’ll be quiet,” Gwyneth answered.

“Good,” Jules said, and slammed his door shut.

Morgaine crossed her arms and stared at Gwyneth’s open door. It didn’t move. Eventually, she whispered, “Where are you, Gwyneth?”

Gwyneth faded in. When she was fully formed, she stood there blowing on her fingernails with a smug look on her face.

“Where did…How the…” Morgaine, never at a loss for words before, just stared at her student cousin.

“Didn’t think I was as powerful as you, didja?” Gwyneth touched the red spot on her cheek where she’d been hit and winced.

“I, uh…I always knew you had it in you. We’re both hereditary witches from the same grandparents, I just didn’t think you were spending as much time studying as I was.”

“Well, guess what? I was.” She swept a hand over her cheek and the red spot disappeared. She smiled, looking quite satisfied with herself.

“You didn’t seem that interested.”

“And you didn’t seem to give me credit for all the hard work I did to catch up.”

“Okay, witchy chicks. This seems to have ended in a stalemate, so why don’t you shake hands and try to cool it, for a while.”

“For once, Chad’s right,” Morgaine said.

“I agree.”

They shook hands and went back to their respective apartments.

“For once? What does that mean?”