My Evil Valentine Elixir Read online

  Cupid clapped his hands loudly. “So, now that we have all of our eligible bachelors—and bachelorettes, what do you say we start the next challenge? It’s the boys turn to play and the winner of the challenge will get to select his date of choice.”

  “Cut,” Hazel yelled.

  The cameramen took their units off their shoulders and left the bookstore, presumably heading to Cookies & Corsets Café for coffee or the Gothic Taproom for drinks and tapas.

  “Okay,” Hazel continued, “guys, go change, then meet outside for the snow challenge.”

  “Mr… Cupid?” Sera asked as she turned back to the host. “You can’t just put me on a show without asking me first.”

  Cupid linked his arm through hers. “What do you mean, Sera? You applied to be a contestant, did you not? Madeline! We have her paperwork, don’t we?”

  “Sure do,” Madeline replied, shaking a file full of forms.

  He raised his eyebrows at Sera and Sera caught Nelle, Nana and Eve standing with linked arms at the edge of the fringe—smiling.

  Sera glanced down at the papers and then back up at them and realized this was their doing. This had been what that whispering was all about. She sighed. There was no point in fighting them but before she could even nod in compliance, Eve appeared at her side and grabbed her elbow. “Sorry, Cupid. I just need a moment with our newest addition,” she said.

  Cupid smirked at Eve. “Take all the time you need, dear.”

  Madeline glanced at her watch. “Nope, not all the time. She has fifteen minutes, to be exact.”

  Eve rolled her eyes at them. “Come on. We’ll go find the others.”

  “Okay, spill it,” Sera said the moment they were outside and in front of all three guilty parties. “How did that happen?”

  Nana stood up straight, taking on an air of indignation. “I’m sure we don’t know what you’re talking about, honey.”

  “Did you poison that poor girl to get me on the show?”

  “Of course not,” Nana retorted indignantly.

  “But why waste an opportunity?” Nelle questioned.

  Sera pressed her lips together and glanced around. “This was a bad idea.”

  “Uh-huh. And why is that? You like Daemon and he likes you. We’re just giving you the nudge you need.”

  “Hah! I knew it. So, you are behind this?”

  Nelle shrugged helplessly. “I may have magicked up some documents and placed some false memories—all in a day’s work.”

  “Nelle! How could you?”

  She gave a snicker. “It was really quite easy.”

  Sera clenched her fists, and took a deep breath and simply said, “What if I say I’m not doing it.”

  Eve stared at her. “Not doing what?”

  “The show,” Sera said firmly.

  Nana waved her hand at them and laughed, “Pfft. Okay.”

  Nelle grabbed her arm. “Honey, I’m afraid you’re under contract. And even if you weren’t, I could rewrite some memories and have you totally agreeable within the hour.”

  Sera frowned. “That had better not be true!”

  Suddenly the walkie-talkie at Eve’s waist crackled. Hazel’s voice came over the line. “Winter Carnival time? Who’s ready to frolic in the snow?”

  Eve looked to Sera who rolled her eyes.

  Four

  Hot Chocolate stands, ice sculptures and food trucks dotted the carnival’s grounds looking festive and romantic. And in the middle of everything—ruining the ambiance—was the tv show’s crew, including the host. Cupid seemed to be hiding out behind a cluster of trees with another one of the female contestants. Have you no shame? Sera thought to herself.

  She turned away shivering and accepted a plaid blanket scarf from one of the crew members. She wrapped it around her shoulders. The outfits they’d been forced to wear were built more for show than warmth. She’d forgotten her mittens so another one of the techs was on his way back to get them for her.

  Eve appeared from between the hot chocolate stand and one of the food trucks, startling her. “Psst, Popescu.” She smiled brightly, like some sort of angelic red-headed Dolly Parton. “Have you already been prepped for the scene?”

  Sera looked at her friend curiously. “What’s to be prepped for? Aren’t we just visiting the winter carnival?”

  Eve smirked and chuckled at Sera like she was a new-born babe, “Look around ya, girlie. The whole thing is as fake as my chest. Who do you think’s running the snow cone machine? This girl!” She pointed a thumb inward at her inflated chest.

  Sera looked around and realized Eve was right. The town’s vendors had all been swapped out with actors. And the Bohemian Lake Winter Carnival sign had been covered with a sign that read Cupid’s Carnival. “Well, what am I supposed to say then? No one’s given me any lines. And, wait a minute, did you just say you got implants? When?”

  Eve smirked, reached inside her coat and pulled a sock out of her sweater. “Kodiak wool, honey. Only the best money can buy.”

  Sera couldn’t resist laughing but did her best to rein it in when she heard Hazel shout, “Action!”

  The other contestants were clustered around the ice rink, which was all lit up, talking to each other. Some were in skates and others not. So, Sera headed down there to join them. She felt a mild nervousness when she saw Daemon talking to one of the other girls.

  The whoosh of a hard-stopping skater came from her left. Sera turned toward it. Philip stood at the edge of the ice rink.

  “Come on. Where are all the puck bunnies at? Let’s tear this ice up,” Philip yelled.

  It didn’t take much; within seconds several girls and a few of the guys had joined in doing laps around the rink. Some more recklessly than others.

  “Don’t crack your head or we’ll be down another contestant,” one of the guys shouted.

  Sera bristled at the comment on behalf of poor Aurora.

  She turned to see which of the guys had said it but before she could figure it out, someone gripped her around the waist and her feet were lifted off the packed snow. Sera maybe could have enjoyed the feeling of weightlessness if she’d known who was kidnapping her. She could see Hazel just out of the camera’s range watching her so she knew it was quite possibly part of the show but still… give a girl some warning.

  “Well, hello there.” Philip said at last as he glided along with her cradled in his arms.

  “How can you carry me and skate so well?” Sera had to admit, as much as she wasn’t a fan of Philip, he skated like a God.

  He just smiled, “It’s my gift, remember? Just try not to set me on fire and I won’t drop you.”

  She let him carry her for a lap, and then struggled to break his hold, but instead of setting her down, he planted a kiss on her lips.

  Sera pulled away as they came to a stop.

  He grinned. “What’s the matter, Popescu. You don’t want to be my ice princess? You have the right demeanor for it.”

  Sera disentangled herself from his arms and did her best not to slip on the ice, “No, and I don’t appreciate the uninvited molestation.” She headed for the side of the ice rink, catching Daemon’s eye. He was standing at the edge ready with a hot chocolate. “Thought you could use some hospitality. May I hand you this?”

  Sera laughed and accepted it, “You know, I thought all Canadians were supposed to be nice.”

  Daemon shook his head. “I think most are but there’ are always a few tough guys who hate the nice guy rep.”

  “Well, Philip’s doing a good job then, I guess. Trying to ruin their ‘nice’ reputation, one jerk move at a time.”

  Sera blew on her hands, looking around for her mittens. The hot chocolate just wasn’t cutting it.

  Daemon noticed. “Are you cold? Come on, let’s go sit by the fire.”

  “Cut,” Hazel yelled. She turned and started calling out places for the cast. Sera and Daemon’s names weren’t among them. Madeline, who was huddled with a cameraman, wiggled her eyebrows suggestivel
y, “You two lovebirds can go back inside if you want and defrost before the elixir re-shoot.”

  Daemon gave her an apologetic look but took her hand to lead her inside. “I’m sorry this isn’t an actual date. I’d love to spend more time with you,” he said as they walked.

  Sera laughed. “Me too.”

  “Why? Were you looking for a hot and steamy Valentine’s Day this year?”

  Sera smirked. “Were you?”

  “Actually, I was but,” Daemon lowered his voice, “listen, Sera. I need to tell you something.”

  Sera eyed him. “What’s up?”

  “I just want you to be careful.”

  “Is this about Aurora?”

  He nodded.

  “Did she die?”

  “No, but a little birdie told me she’s in a coma. They’re still investigating.”

  “You don’t think it was an accident, do you—her going into a coma after drinking the elixir?” Nerves overtook her stomach and Sera struggled to identify whether it was because Daemon was standing so close or because of what he was saying. “You think someone put her in a coma, but how?”

  “I don’t know,” Daemon said.

  Sera’s breath caught in her throat as she thought about the Sleeping Beauty spell, she’d seen Nelle looking at.

  Daemon looked concerned. He reached out and stroked her cheek. “Sera? What’s wrong?”

  Sera shrugged nervously. She didn’t want to implicate Nelle or Nana or even Eve until she’d had the chance to speak with them. Those meddling old witches might just be in over their heads for once. “Nothing. All good. Anyway, let’s get inside and get ready for that final scene.”

  Five

  When Daemon and Sera climbed the front steps hand in hand and entered the bookshop, Sera heard Ella Fitzgerald’s voice crooning “My Funny Valentine” through the speakers. “I love this song,” she whispered, humming along.

  Candles glowed from every corner—battery powered, of course, because real candles in a shop full of books was asking for a nightmare. A long table had been set up in the middle of the room and covered in red cloth and rose petals to create the ultimate romantic illusion.

  “Wow, they’ve really gone all out for tonight’s show, haven’t they?” Daemon lifted Sera’s hand to his mouth. “What do you say we have that real date right now?”

  Sera smiled. “Now? I’m not sure we have that much time.”

  “Well, maybe just a dance then.” He held out a hand.

  Sera glanced around the room and allowed Daemon to help her remove her scarf and coat.

  Once they were both ready, he clutched her hand in his and the other went to her back. It felt good. Too good. The music played as he pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her waist.

  Sera wasn’t sure if it was the song, the candles, or the smell of Daemon’s aftershave, but she was almost able to ignore the crew members as they taped cords to the floor and adjusted lighting.

  She even managed, somehow, to forget about the poor girl in the hospital who’d given her the spot on the show, as they swayed in rhythm to the jazz.

  The whole world just faded away as he placed his hands on both her cheeks and bent his face toward hers. She sucked in air. This was it. He was going to kiss her.

  Her heart pounded. She wondered if he could feel it beating against him.

  Just as he inched his face closer to hers, a loud crash echoed throughout the room. He dropped his hands from her face and they both swung toward the sound.

  A vase of roses had fallen at Cupid Zalure’s feet. “Oops, clumsy me. Ariel!” he shouted, snapping his fingers at one of the members of the production team. “Since you’re not doing anything productive, as usual, clean this up.”

  “You’re ridiculous,” Javier said, stepping forward. The man was like a ghost. She hadn’t even seen him there. She suddenly wondered if that was his power—blending in.

  “Excuse me,” Cupid responded.

  Both men squared off against each other, glaring. Sera looked from one to the other and prepared to step in between them.

  Daemon put a hand on Sera’s shoulder. “It’s okay,” he whispered.

  Cupid turned back to Sera and Daemon who were now standing beside each other feeling like awkward teenagers busted by the teacher. “Anyway, Sera,” Cupid said. “I’m glad you’re here first. I needed to see you. Come over here.”

  Sera took a reluctant step forward, looking back longingly at Daemon. She noticed Ariel glaring at the host from her position on the floor. The poor girl. Ariel really didn’t like him and it was easy to see why.

  “Well come on, then, Ms. Popescu. I’m not going to bite.” Sera shook away the nerves. She wasn’t sure what it was about this guy. He was an instant buzz kill for her. “So, for tonight’s elixir ceremony, we’ve decided to cut Philip Prinns. He’s going to guess that you’re his love match.”

  “Does Philip know?”

  Cupid shook his head. “Not yet. I’m looking forward to delivering the news myself, shortly.”

  Sera furrowed her brow. “You’re looking forward to it. I take it you don’t like him?” Sera didn’t really like Philip, either, but Cupid’s comment seemed unprofessional in her opinion.

  “No, I don’t. Now, read over this script so you know your lines.”

  Wow. Eve had been right. “This show is scripted? But—”

  He held up a hand to quiet her. “Just do it. We don’t have much time.” The look he gave indicated it would be pointless to argue.

  Eve sauntered back through the bookshop’s main door. “All set?” she asked, then a strange expression crossed her face. “Tonight’s going to be quite the show.”

  Sera eyed her suspiciously. There was no point in pressing Eve. She’d never tell her what they were up to. She took her script and walked to the table, sitting down to read it over. Half an hour later, the rest of the cast had wandered back inside, half frozen. They’d huddled in front of the fire to warm up and, one at a time, Madeline had given them magical make-overs. Sera couldn’t help but be impressed. She had no idea how Madeline did that without a spell book. Mind you, she was holding something in her hand. Perhaps it worked like some sort of wand. Sera was definitely going to ask Daemon about his sister’s gift later.

  Once everyone was ready and seated at the table. Hazel called, “Action.”

  Cupid proceeded to talk about the carnival’s games and recapped scores. Philip was interviewed and expressed regret at having lost the For the Love of Games challenge. And then Cupid called for the Love Doctor, Nana Vianu.

  What should have taken a few minutes to film seemed to take forever. Hazel kept interrupting and readjusting the camera angles. Then she’d instruct one or two of them to look lovingly at each other, or sometimes they were supposed to look jealous and distressed. Sera couldn’t believe how fake this was all turning out to be.

  Then the lights were dimmed, leaving the room once again in a soft, shadowy glow. Nana Vianu swept in, her every movement punctuated by the jangle of heavy jewelry.

  “Hello again....” Nana began, “We’re here tonight to find out if one of you has found your supernatural equal.”

  Nana lit a match and touched it to the wick of one of the candles as she hummed out loud. An eerie glow from the candlelight danced on her creamy face.

  “Now, open your hearts,” she continued, “relax your shoulders away from your ears, and join hands. First, we will affirm our personal spirits; each other's spirits; and finally, the Greater Spirit. We acknowledge that the Greater Spirit is opening and managing our connection.” Candlelight flickered on the table as everyone followed Nana’s orders. “Philip, I understand tonight is your night to divine, love. Is there anything you’d like to ask the spirits before making your choice?”

  Philip cleared his throat. “Yes, I’d like to speak to someone from beyond. I want to know—”

  Philip was suddenly cut off when one of the bachelorettes, Brittney, banged on the table. “I’m here,
Philip, and I have something to say.”

  Sera tried not to look perplexed, but it seemed she wasn’t the only one. There was a small shifting and murmured gasps amongst the other contestants at the table. None of this had been in the script. Perhaps everyone was given a different script to make it more interesting. It would be just like television to do something like that.

  “Cupid!” Brittney called. “Please, come over here.”

  Cupid, who had been off camera looked just as surprised as the rest of them. He placed a hand on his chest but stepped forward as the cameras panned to catch his reaction.

  “It’s me, Jezebel.” Brittney whispered. “You remember me?”

  Cupid cleared his throat and looked around. “Is this a joke?” He threw a look at Hazel who shrugged. “Turn these cameras off!”

  Hazel shook her head. Even Nana looked half-frozen. It seemed nobody knew what was going on. Then again Nana was a good actress. Sera searched the room for Nelle and Eve. Just what were the old witches up to now.

  “I was one of the bachelorettes from the first season,” the girl Brittney exclaimed. “Do you remember me, Cupid?”

  Cupid jerked his hands back. He turned to Nana. “What are you doing? You’ve summoned someone?”

  Nana shook loose of the contestants on either side of her and placed her hands over her chest. “No! I swear—”

  Cupid pulled Brittney to her feet, knocking back her chair in the process. He yelled in her face as he gripped her shoulders. “Stop this at once!”

  Brittney clucked her tongue and wagged her finger.

  “Cupid....” she spoke again, and Sera realized Brittney’s voice had changed a little. “Cupid.... I will not be silenced any longer. Tell them how evil you are. Tell them what you did to me.”

  Nana gasped and looked at Cupid.

  “What did you do to her?”

  Hazel shook her head and Sera heard the woman whisper. “She committed suicide.”

  Cupid shook the poor girl by her shoulders once again. “Leave me—”