Enchanted Objects: Witches of Bayport, #2

By Kristen Middleton

The clock ticks once again...

 

Kendra goes in search of a legendary wand in Salem. Meanwhile, her long,lost cousin, Willow, tries to stop another family curse, by enlisting the help of a dark witch. A woman on her own agenda...

 

Books in order:

Enchanted Secrets

Enchanted Objects

Enchanted Spells

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dark Shadows Publishing
• Release date: May 5, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524217167

Kristen Middleton

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Middleton (K.L Middleton) has written and published over thirty-nine stories. She also writes gritty romance novels under the name, Cassie Alexandra.

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Chapter one

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I stared in horror at the only mother I’d ever known, feeling utterly helpless. She was holding a bonding wand and her hand was glowing, just like Vivian’s had right before she died.

With a sob, Adrianne tried releasing the wand, but it was somehow stuck to her fingertips.

Mom! I gasped, taking a step toward her.

Don’t come near me! she cried, trying to fling the wand away. Please, stay away!

Heathen, growled Clarice, glaring at Mark. She pointed her wand at him. You will pay for this.

With a triumphant smirk, Mark disappeared into thin air, along with the rest of his coven.

Chloe! Help her! I begged, pointing my wand at Adrianne.

Cease, Penelope! ordered my wand, Chloe. "It is not justified!"

The wand in mother’s hand spoke, its voice smooth and cultured. Chloe? 

Yes, it’s me. Halt the curse.

You say it’s not justified, said Penelope, sounding uncertain. But, sister, I cannot bond with this witch. She is not worthy of my power.

Worthy? I shouted, tears spilling down my cheeks. "She is a good woman and worthy to live! In fact, you were forced upon her. She didn’t even try to bond with you!"

Who is this petulant girl, sister? replied Penelope curtly. "The one that is holding you?"

"My worthy owner. The woman’s niece, answered Chloe. But, she is correct. Adrianne did not try to claim you. You were forced upon her by a warlock."

"Hmm... then perhaps it is not justified, said Penelope, her tone more thoughtful. I imagine that I must take that in consideration."

You imagine correctly, replied Chloe.

Please, don’t kill her, wept Kala, taking a step closer to Adrianne, who was bone-white. She doesn’t deserve any of this.

Maybe not, but what is done is done. There is already a venom running through her veins that is weakening her heart, said Penelope.

As if on cue, Adrianne’s eyes closed and she crumpled to the floor.

Kala screamed. Mom!

No! I choked, moving toward her.

Stay back, girls, warned Clarice, grabbing my arm. You’ll get hurt.

Adrianne, wept Rebecca, moving next to her. She got down on her knees. Fight it, honey. You can do it.

Be careful, mother, warned Tyler, stepping next to her. Don’t touch her skin.

Yes, I know, Tyler, she said, wiping her cheek with the back of her hand. But I need to reach her, somehow. Adrianne. She raised her voice. Don’t give up! Stay with us!

Is she going to die? I asked, trembling.

Not necessarily, answered Chloe. "Isn’t that correct, Penelope? You can heal her?"

The wand sighed.  On the contrary. I’m sorry, it’s pretty much out of my hands. This spell was never made to be stopped, you know. The damage that’s been done, is done.

But, something has happened already, I replied, noticing that the glowing pink light on her arms had stopped spreading. It looks like the curse has stopped. Has it?

It’s been suppressed, replied Penelope. For now.

Is it too late? asked Tyler, moving closer to me. Our fingertips touched and he grabbed my hand.

Oh, she will most certainly die, stated Penelope. "There is nothing that I can do to stop what has already been started. However..." 

"However, what?" I asked.

Isadora and Lisbeth’s older sister, Fedora... said Penelope.

That’s was my mother, interrupted Clarice, smiling proudly.

Penelope went on. Crafted another wand, one that could counteract any spell or curse, Chloe or I manifested. The wand was given to Margaritte.

Oh, of course, said Chloe, sounding excited. I’d forgotten all about Juniper.

Juniper? Who or what is a Juniper? I don’t understand, I asked. What are you trying to say?

Juniper is a wand, dear. You see, Margaritte was a precarious little girl who loved to play with us, said Chloe. Which was obviously very dangerous.

You mean she could touch either of you, without dying? asked Kala. How can that be?

Margaritte wasn’t like the other sisters, replied Chloe. She was different and could bond with either of us.

Yes, but how? I asked.

Actually, I’m not really sure, replied Chloe, sounding slightly irritated.

Clarice spoke up. Hold on a second. I did read something about this in my mother’s diary. I guess it just slipped my mind.

What did it say? I asked.

It was believed that Margaritte was schizophrenic and also had split-personalities, she replied.

What exactly does that mean? asked Kala.

She had emotional problems and couldn’t always distinguish between what was real and what wasn’t, said Clarice, pushing a strand of white hair behind her ear.    

"Wow, because of that, she could use either wand without dying?" asked Kala.

Clarice nodded. Exactly. It’s like having separate people living inside your head. With Margaritte, some of them were good and kind. While others...

Were worthy of my power, interrupted Penelope haughtily. Unlike this woman here.

I rolled my eyes.

So, Fedora created another wand, because she knew that little sister, Margaritte, could cause a lot of havoc using either of her sister’s. To protect her, as well as them, if she got her hands on the wands, stated Tyler.

Yes, said Clarice. It appears that way.

Tyler’s emerald eyes lit up.  Okay, so all we have to do is find the third wand. The one that might just free Adrianne from this bonding wand curse?

Yes, replied Penelope. If that’s what you want to do.

Of course it is! I snapped. I looked at Tyler and shook my head in disgust.

He smirked.

Sighing, I bent down over Adrianne. She will be okay, won’t she? I asked, fighting the urge to touch her.  

Yes, she will, said Rebecca, looking determined. But we do need to start searching for Juniper. Now.

Yes, search for Juniper, replied Penelope, as she rolled out of Adrianne’s limp hand. I wouldn’t dawdle if I were you. You haven’t much time.

What a surprise, I answered dryly. So, where do we find this other wand?

Margaritte was the last to have it, said Penelope.

Okay, well, where is she? I asked, turning to Clarice. Do you know?

Unfortunately, no, said Clarice, smiling grimly. Nobody has seen or heard from her in many years.

Chapter Two

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That’s just wonderful, I mumbled, closing my eyes. I rubbed my forehead. I guess that means we’re screwed.

Not necessarily, replied Rebecca, standing up. Clarice, do you know where your mother and her sisters grew up?

Salem, Oregon, she replied. In a very old cabin in the woods. Mother didn’t like to talk about her childhood very much.

That narrows it down, replied Tyler wryly. Is there anything else you know?

Clarice shook her head. No, not really.

It’s the Devil’s Playground, stated Penelope. "That’s where you’ll find the cabin, if it’s still standing."

Clarice’s eyes widened. That’s not too far from where I grew up.

Where in Salem is this ‘Devil’s Playground’? I asked, the hair standing up on the back of my neck. It sounded so ominous already.

That, you’ll need to find out for yourself, replied Penelope. I’ve already given you more than enough information to save Adrianne.

Clarice nodded. Okay, fine. I’m from around that area and I guess it shouldn’t be too difficult. Is there anything else that we need to know?

Penelope didn’t respond.

Penelope? said Tyler.

I’ve given you enough already. Now, leave me be, she repeated curtly.  

Told you before, they can be real surly, whispered Clarice.

I guess. Speaking of which, what do we do with Penelope? I asked, staring down at the wand. I mean, we can’t just leave her lying there.

Hold on a second, replied Clarice as she reached into her purse and pulled out a small black velvet bag.

What’s that? asked Kala.

It’s called a ‘Safe Pouch’, she replied. You can store magical items inside without having to worry about them causing mischief or hurting others.

Ah... I replied. Do they come in warlock size?

I wish, said Rebecca, looking at Tyler. It would have come in handy when he was younger.

Ha, ha, he replied.

Clarice knelt down next to Penelope, and then glanced back at my wand. Chloe, dear, please ask your sister to get into the bag.

Penelope huffed. Don’t bother, she replied. Obviously, I prefer the pouch more than this dreadful rug, which, I’d like to point out, should be cleaned more often. It’s horrendous.

Rebecca’s cheeks turned crimson. Err, well, I just haven’t had time to clean it.

Obviously not, said Penelope, rising up into the air. You know what they say....

Cleanliness is next to godliness? said Tyler.

He who is busy is tempted by one devil. He who is idle is tempted by a legion, replied the wand.

My mother is definitely not idle, said Tyler, looking slightly annoyed.

Amen to that, replied Clarice. She helped me clean out my attic just the other day. I don’t know what I’d have done without Rebecca’s assistance.

You should be thanking her wand, said Penelope smugly.

We haven’t been using them, said Rebecca. Well, not until today, at least.

Another mistake, apparently, said Penelope. A wand is your only true protection against magic, you know.

I don’t agree with that, said Tyler.

You’re an Enchanter, replied the wand in a condescending tone. "Of course you don’t."

Tyler’s jaw set. What is that supposed to mean?

Time for a little rest, announced Clarice, holding the velvet pouch open. And peace, she mouthed and then winked at me.

I smiled.

Thankfully, Penelope shot inside without another snide comment.

We don’t have a lot of time, said Clarice, cinching the pouch. So, let’s not waste any. Now, someone needs to stay with Adrianne while the rest of us head to Salem and search for the wand.

I will, replied Kala. I really don’t want to leave her. Plus, I don’t have a wand for protection.

Speaking of which, I will also stay behind, said Bailey. For protection. Just in case.

Kala beamed up at him like he’d just asked her to the prom. Thank you.

He grinned. Of course.

What would you like me to do? asked Trixie.

Clarice’s forehead wrinkled. Hmm... I’m almost thinking that you should keep an eye on Secrets for us. Something tells me that the other coven will be returning.

Isn’t that too dangerous? I asked. Trixie looked so delicate and fragile. The thought of leaving her at the mercy of Mark and his group gave me the chills.

Trixie smiled. Not if they don’t see me. Then, we all watched as she transformed herself into a small, wooden deer figurine.

Very good, said Clarice, picking up the statue. I know just the spot for her.

We followed her to the front counter, where she gently placed Trixie on a shelf, next to a large amethyst rock.

How long can she stay like that? I asked, staring in awe at Trixie, who winked at me with one of her doe eyes. 

As long as she wants, replied Bailey, smiling at his sister.

And you’re sure that they won’t know she’s hiding there? asked Kala.

Only if they were to check for enchanted objects with their wands, replied Rebecca. But –

Wouldn’t they try locating Penelope? interrupted Kala. She’s an enchanted object, right?

That’s correct, said Rebecca. And –

Kala began to panic. "Then Trixie will be in danger. They’ll kidnap her again. Maybe even kill her! We can’t allow her to be a sitting duck!"

Rebecca touched her shoulder. Calm down, honey. What I’ve been trying to say is that I’m going to place a blocking spell on Trixie. It will make her undetectable to their magic for up to twenty-four hours.

So, she’ll be safe, I stated. As long as we are back within twenty-four hours?

Rebecca nodded. Yes.

Thank goodness, said Kala, looking relieved. I don’t want anyone else getting hurt by those horrible people. 

Now we’ll send you kids back to Vail, with Adrianne. I only wish we would have traveled there directly from Vivian’s home, said Rebecca, staring down at Adrianne with sadness. She sighed. My friend wouldn’t be in this situation. God, I just feel like I’ve completely failed her.

You did no such thing, I said. In fact, Kala and I might not be alive if it wasn’t for you contacting us like you did.

Exactly, said Clarice. Rebecca, there’s no time for regrets. And for Heaven’s sake, don’t go blaming yourself for not knowing what the future holds.

Tyler stepped over to his mother and hugged her, which I thought was incredibly sweet. Exactly. We shouldn’t blame anyone but Mark. Don’t beat yourself up, mom.

Rebecca smiled grimly. Easier said than done. Listen, Tyler, I want you to stay in Vail, too. Keep an eye on things.

His eyes widened. Are you kidding me? No way. I’m coming with you. There’s too much ground to cover and you may need an Enchanter to obtain information.

She shook her head. No, it’s too dangerous. You know, there is a reason why they call it the Devil’s Playground.

I’m sure there is, but that doesn’t matter. He stood up straighter. If you haven’t noticed, I’m a man now. I’m needed in those woods more than I’m needed hiding in the mountains of Vail. No offense, Bailey.

Bailey, who stood a head taller than Tyler and looked like a gladiator, chuckled. None taken. I think you can handle Salem.

Exactly, he replied. See, even Bailey thinks I should accompany you.

I bit back a smile.

Rebecca chewed on her lower lip and then nodded slowly. Fine, but Clarice and I are in charge. You do what we say. No off-the-wall heroics, you hear?

Only when needed, he replied, smiling.

I guess that’s the best answer I’ll get from such a headstrong son. She turned toward my mother’s unconscious form. Let’s get Adrianne to safety and begin our search.

So, um, are you sure that Mark can’t find us in Vail? asked Kala.

Not with all of the spells I’ve cast on that place, replied Rebecca. I can pretty much guarantee that you’ll be safe there, but if anything does happen, she turned to Bailey. You know what to do?

He nodded. Of course. 

Rebecca sighed. Good. I guess we should all expect the unexpected and not leave our guards down.

"Pardon me for asking but... what is Bailey supposed to do if the unexpected does happen?" asked Kala.

Bailey winked. Whatever it takes.

She frowned.

Don’t worry, Kala, said Rebecca. You’ll be safe there. I can tell you this – anyone practicing Black Magic will become violently sick if they step foot into that place.

As in – diarrhea and vomiting, said Tyler, chuckling. I almost wish we could lure Mark there. It would serve him right.

Kala laughed. I agree, although I think he already has diarrhea of the mouth.

His breath is pretty bad, joked Tyler.

We all laughed.

Take care of mom, I said as we prepared to leave.

Kala smiled weakly. I’ll try. Good luck finding the other wand.

We’ll find it, I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

You bet we will, stated Tyler firmly. If we have to check every inch of those woods, we’ll find Margaritte and Juniper.

His confidence made me feel all warm inside. I smiled and grabbed his hand. Thanks.

Yeah, thanks, said Kala. For everything you’ve done to help us. All of you.

You’re very welcome, child, said Clarice. And like Tyler said, we’re going to do everything in our power to save her.

She smiled humbly. I believe you.

Time to get you to Vail, said Rebecca. Remember, leave her in the guestroom and make yourselves at home. Whatever you do – don’t touch her. It might be fatal. We’ll return there as soon as we find the wand.

Sounds good, said Bailey.

Rebecca waved her wand, and in a flash of bright light, Adrianne, Kala, and Bailey had vanished.

I’ll never get used to that, I replied, turning back to Rebecca.

You will, she replied. Now, if everyone is ready, let’s head out to Oregon. Specifically, the Devil’s Playground. Clarice will lead the way.

Are we flying this time? she asked, looking hopeful.

Rebecca frowned. That’s right, your knees.

Clarice bent down and touched her right knee. Truth be told, they are a little sore, but if you think we should teleport instead, I’ll just have to suck it up.

Nonsense, said Rebecca, patting her gently on the back. We can fly. Tyler?

Yeah?

We’re all going to use brooms this time. So that we don’t split up.

Okay, he replied. I guess I’d better change into something warmer then.

Good idea. In fact, let me take care of that, she replied, pointing her wand at him. Seconds later, he wore a black wool sweater, a fresh pair of blue jeans, and mountain boots. She then turned her wand on herself, and was now wearing a similar outfit, but with a black leather jacket.

My goodness, it is chilly up there, especially at this time of the morning. I guess I’d better change, too, said Clarice. In a flash, she was dressed