Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 65042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
“That sounds a lot better than the alternative,” I said gratefully. “Madam Healer had a memory potion, but she made it sound like I’d be drinking the magical equivalent of Fireball if I took it.”
That got a laugh out of the whole table.
“Goody’s teas are always lovely,” Harmony assured me. “You should try it.”
“In fact, I have some with me. I was working on a new batch just this afternoon and I asked one of my brownies to bring it to me when I got Madam Healer’s message.”
Goody reached into her enormous purse and pulled out a glass vial with a cork stopper. The liquid inside shimmered faintly.
“Here. Steep this in boiling water and drink it under the light of the moon. Sip slowly and let the memories come in their own time.”
I took the vial carefully, holding it like it might break.
“Thank you.”
“We’re glad you’re here, Danni,” Goldie said warmly. “Especially now.”
“Why now?” I asked, surprised. Had they been waiting for me?
The women exchanged another look between them.
“We’re preparing for the All Hallows Eve ceremony,” Celia said. “It’s how we renew the magical bubble that protects Hidden Hollow.”
“It keeps out the bad things—the evil Creatures that can’t coexist with regular Creatures and magic users like us,” Sarah added.
“Creatures?” I raised my eyebrows in confusion.
“Monsters,” Sarah explained. “Like Orcs.” She smiled. “I’m mated to one of those.”
“I am too,” Harmony admitted, grinning. “I love my big, growly Orc. But Celia’s with a Demon and Willow’s Heartmate is a gargoyle. Well, he used to be a gargoyle. But it turns out he’s more of a Fallen Angel. Oh, and Goldie is mated to not one, not two, but three huge, hunky Werebears.”
“Only because I’m half-Succubus and I need more than one guy to keep me happy,” Goldie said, grinning.
“Wow…” I looked around the table. “So you’re all married to supernatural creatures?”
“All but me,” Goody Albright said, smiling sadly. “I had my love many years ago. Since my darling Ethan died, I’ve had no love to give to anyone. He was a Blood Lover in case you’re interested,” she added. “What I believe you younger girls call a ‘vampire.’”
“You were mated to a vampire?” Sarah’s eyes grew wide. “I didn’t know that!”
“Not many do since my beloved has been dead these many years. I always think of him this time of year, near All Hallows Eve.” Goody Albright sighed again. Then she straightened up and shook herself, as though brushing off old memories like cobwebs. “But now we must get down to business. The town’s bubble must be renewed, and we need a full coven to cast the renewal spell properly.”
“Unfortunately, we’re a witch short,” Celia said. She smiled. “Or we were until you turned up, Danni.”
“Wait…what? You think I’m supposed to join your coven?” My voice cracked slightly.
“We think Hidden Hollow brought you here for a reason,” Willow said, smiling. “Just like it brought all of us. The town calls magical people it needs to it… people who need to get away from the Human World.”
“You don’t have to decide anything now,” Goody Albright said, patting my hand comfortingly. “But just know, whatever you decide, you’re not alone. We’re glad to have you here, Danni.”
“How did you come here, if you don’t mind me asking?” Willow said, raising her eyebrows. “I was chased here by a Hell Hound,” she added, grinning.
“I got a magical invitation from my Great Aunt who had disappeared years before,” Celia added.
“A leprechaun brought me an invitation after my Mom died,” Sarah put in.
“And as I think I told you, I was just running to the ladies room at my work to cry and instead I ran through a door that led me here to Hidden Hollow,” Harmony added.
“I’ve always been here, right from the town’s founding after the Salem Witch Trials,” Goody Albright said, smiling. She winked at me. “I’m older than I look.”
“Wow…” I stared at all their expectant faces. “I’m afraid I don’t have a really exciting story to tell. I just got two keys in my late husband’s will that led me here. One helped me draw a door and the other one opened my Grandma’s cottage.”
“Oh, is that the new place I saw on the way here that just appeared on that empty lot at the end of Main Street?” Willow asked, looking interested.
“The very same,” Goody Albright said, answering for me. “Danni’s grandmother was a very powerful witch who left Hidden Hollow to marry a mortal man with no magic.” She shook her head and made a tsking sound. “Such a waste of a good witch!”
“So…was the house hiding itself until Danni appeared or what?” Sarah asked. She looked at me. “I inherited my grandmother’s house too. It was just waiting for me to come back here.”
“Exactly.” Goody Albright nodded. “I believe the cottage was waiting, dormant, until the rightful heir returned. Which is you, Danni. And if you’re anything like your grandmother, I do believe you will have formidable magic…when it comes to you.”