My Evil Valentine Elixir Read online

  “Hah!” Sera blurted. “As if you’re an old lady, Eve.”

  “Well now, that is true. Now, why are you actin’ so frisky, anyway?”

  “I just wanted to make sure you were in control. You know Cupid’s…”

  “The devil?”

  Sera furrowed her brow. “No.”

  “Oh, phew. I was a little worried for a moment. He does have a Jack Nicholson vibe about him, don’t you think? I never could resist old Jackie boy—especially in the Witches of Eastwick.”

  “Actually, he’s not far off. He has incubus-like qualities.”

  Eve quirked an eyebrow. “Meanin’?”

  “How does he smell to you?”

  “Like every other man—divorce, heartache and old sausage.”

  Sera laughed. “Well, I think we’re safe then.” Her eyes ran over the contours of the wrought iron scroll work that decorated the oversized arched door in front of them. “Let’s just get inside. I’m freezing.”

  “I know what you mean. It's cold enough to freeze the balls off a pool table out here.” Eve said, turning the knob and leading the way.

  “Hey, Sera!” Mallory’s mom Jillian Vianu was standing at the stove in the kitchen stirring what looked and smelled to like beef stew.

  Sera’s stomach growled.

  Jillian laughed and Sera blanched. “Sorry, it’s not ready yet, hon, but I can offer you a nice shot of brandy. That’ll warm you right up.”

  “I’m good.”

  “I wouldn’t say no to brandy!” Eve retorted and saddled up to the bar cart.

  “You’re helping Cupid, too?” Sera asked.

  Jillian glanced over to the corner of the room where Cupid sat. “Who, him? Oh, I don’t know. Eve just showed up with him and said he needed a place to stay and to keep it on the downlow. You know us. We always take in the strays. You look half-frozen. Why didn’t you come in through the manor’s entrance?”

  “There’s a way in from the manor?” Sera questioned.

  “Course. The tunnel from the secret bookshelf. How do you think they got here?”

  Sera scowled at Eve. “Well, I wish someone had told me that.”

  “Well, I wish someone would give me a million dollars but wishes ain’t stars now, are they?”

  “Anyway, Cupid. Why did you call me here?”

  Cupid straightened, pushing a spiral like blonde curl out of his eye. “Eve says you’ve solved other murders. I need you to find out who’s trying to pin this on me. I’m sure it’s someone out for revenge.”

  “Okay, say I’m buying into this. Who would want revenge on you?”

  Eve started laughing in the background. “More like who wouldn’t? That man talks with his tongue out of his shoe.”

  Cupid grimaced, his wax-like complexion reddening. “If you’re implying I lie, Ms. Banter. That’s simply untrue. I don’t lie.”

  “No, you don’t lie exactly but you’re slick as cat’s poop on linoleum, Cupid and I’m sure you wronged plenty of people with that silver tongue and leathery stench of yours.”

  Cupid shrugged. “That Canadian athlete, Prinns maybe? Or his girlfriend. I saw him stick a bottle of pills in my coat the night of the VIP party, right before Roe passed out.”

  “What kind of pills?”

  “I don’t know. I didn’t get a chance to look. I dumped them as soon as I realized he was up to something.”

  “You think he wanted you to take the fall for Aurora. Why? Why would Philip Prinns want revenge?”

  “Well, I sort of stole his girl and ruined his career.”

  Sera thought back to the conversation she’d overheard between Eve and him. “You were the one who told everybody about his supernatural speed.”

  “Yep.”

  “And you knew because he was in the first couple of episodes of the first show. Why would you hire him to be on this show then?”

  “I didn’t. I didn’t know about him even being on the show until he showed up on set and then Hazel wouldn’t let me fire him. She said I owed him after what I did to his career but I think it’s really ‘cause that assistant of hers is still sweet on him.”

  Sera shot Eve a look. “You mean Ariel? Is she the girlfriend you stole?”

  Cupid frowned. “It was just one time but I guess they broke up after that.”

  “What about that Javier guy? What did you do to him?”

  “Nothing. What are you talking about?”

  “Well, I caught him glaring at you and Aurora the night of the VIP Party and then he lashed out at you the night you yelled at Ariel to clean up the broken flower vase you dropped. Seems to me, there’s some animosity there.”

  “Well, it’s one-sided. I barely noticed the starving artist.”

  Sera closed her eyes and counted to three. Why was she even here? This guy didn’t deserve help.

  “You’re mad at me,” he said.

  “I’m just wondering if you see what sort of walking ethical violation you are.”

  He shrugged. “I can’t help it if they’re attracted to me.”

  “Oh, I think you can. And I can see why Philip might have wanted revenge. You’re kind of a lousy person.”

  “I know.” Cupid got to his feet and started to pace. “Just please help me.”

  “And what about that dead girl, Jezebel—the ghost who accused you of murder?”

  “That wasn’t true. I mean, yes, I was seeing her and yes, she committed suicide and blamed me in her note and I made everyone cover it up but I did not kill her. I swear. Just ask Hazel. She knows all about it. She was one of the ones I forced to lie after the fact.”

  “Yeah and about Hazel. Why are you threatening her?”

  “Threatening her. What are you talking about? Hazel and I are friends. I would never—”

  “Don’t play dumb with me. She showed me her phone. I saw that you sent her that text. And you threatened Brittney, too, and guess what…”

  “What?” Eve interjected.

  “Brittney’s dead now, too, or do you already know that?”

  “Brittney’s dead?” Cupid dropped back down into the chair. His face went so white that Sera worried he might vomit. If he was acting then he deserved an award.

  “You’re telling me you didn’t kill her?”

  “Of course not. I didn’t text anyone either. I haven’t had my phone since I took off during the taping. It was in my jacket pocket.”

  Sera nodded, thinking it had been strange that the text said Aurora when Cupid always called her Roe. “That’s why you used Eve’s cell to contact me.”

  Cupid nodded. “Oh my god, what if Hazel’s next? Someone really is trying to frame me.”

  Sera shook her head. Are you seriously more concerned about being framed than you are about Hazel’s life being in danger?”

  “Oh, don’t give me that attitude! Of course, I’m worried about Hazel. You need to find that Philip. Come to think of it, he’s been hanging off her all week. I just know it’s him. He’s the only one who hates me enough.”

  “Fine. I’ll look into a few things, but I’m gonna need some help.” Sera looked up at Jillian as she hatched a plan.

  “Sure, honey. What do you need?”

  “How about one of your family’s signature murder mystery games? You think you can get Nana and Mallory on board by tomorrow?”

  Nine

  Caravan Manor’s dining hall smelled of sharp coffee beans; bacon; and warm, sugary dough. The trifecta of deliciousness. Sera pulled out a mug and filled it with coffee and a splash of sugar-free caramel syrup as she listened to the whispered gasps of the cast and crew around her. There was an undercurrent of morbid curiosity mixed with fear and uncertainty that rippled throughout breakfast this morning. The news of Brittney’s murder had broken and, while there were tears shed, Sera got the feeling that most were only concerned with the cancellation of the reality show. A fact that her empathic friend, Mallory Vianu, confirmed with a tsk and a shake of her head. All except for Javier. He had see
med genuinely upset. Sera’d just overheard whispers that he’d even quit the show and was now camped out at Aurora’s side in the hospital. Thankfully the hospital wasn’t far because the BLPD had asked everyone to remain in the town. With the way the weather was going, there wasn’t much choice anyhow.

  “Morning, Sera,” Ariel said, coming to refill her coffee.

  “Ariel! Hey! I’m glad to see you. I’ve been meaning to talk to you about the other day at my house. I didn’t want to call you out in front of your boss but I could tell you were lying about being a normie.”

  “Huh?” Confusion crossed Ariel’s brow.

  Sera glanced across the room, looking for Mallory, who was a human lie detector. She saw her and nudged her head to the side in a come-hither motion. Mallory moved closer but didn’t interrupt.

  “Sera?”

  Sera looked back up at Ariel. “Oh, sorry. I got distracted. So, you’re telling me you really are a normie?”

  Ariel nodded.

  “And your boss, Hazel. Is she a normie too?”

  Ariel nodded again. “Why are you asking me this?”

  Sera smiled. “No reason. Anyway, so good they found Philip. Where did he say he was again?”

  Ariel’s face reddened with anger. “He was back at the manor in one of the bachelorette’s rooms.”

  “Really?” Sera questioned. “Well, that is a pretty good alibi. Which bachelorette?”

  “The pink-haired one, I think. Annette.” Ariel spit the words out like they were made of nails. “Anyway, I should be going. My eggs are getting cold.”

  Sera nodded and watched her walk away. Once Ariel was out of sight, Sera looked to the spot where she’d last seen Mallory, but her friend had disappeared.

  “Oh, Medieval,” Sera whispered when she spotted her black cat circling her ankles. “What are you doing here?” She asked as she bent to scoop her up in one hand. Medieval’s tail twitched as she walked her down the hall to the entryway where the glow of the Victorian lamps reflected off the dark wood of the front desk. She continued past the windows and out to the wing-backed chairs closest to the lobby bar’s fireplace. It wasn’t even noon, but the snowstorm had darkened the sky.

  “We’re going to start soon. Do you have something to tell me or are you just looking for scraps?” Sera rubbed between the cat’s ears as she asked and was rewarded with a familiar jingle.

  “That cat is special,” Nana said as she passed.

  Sera looked up and gave Nana a conspiratorial smile. She knew what Nana was getting at. Medieval was her familiar. She took a quick peek at her collar and saw she did in fact have something to tell her: You are the light in even the darkest situations. You are hellfire.

  Sera felt her brows furrow. “Could you be more subtle?” She whispered as she set the cat down. She turned and searched the room to see if she could find Daemon. It had been a whirlwind since they decided on a plan to catch the killer and she hadn’t had a moment alone with him. The front lounge was full of people but there were only a handful of guys and none of them seemed to be him. Then she felt the tingle of electricity spark in her belly and she spotted him. Near the open pocket doors to the dining room, perusing the Vianu’s occult cabinet. He looked fascinated by the wide array of paranormal antiques.

  “He feels the same way, you know.”

  Sera turned to see Mallory at her side, her long dark hair pulled back with a headscarf. She was watching Daemon too. Sera felt a tinge of guilt. Mallory was her new friend and here Sera was trying to date her ex-boyfriend.

  Mallory smirked, “Oh, come on, Sera. Give me a little more credit, would you? I would never hold your feelings against you.”

  Sera blushed, unsure of what to say. Mallory didn’t really require words to pick up what most people were thinking, which was why Sera had wanted her help in catching the Valentine’s Day Killer.

  She turned her attention back to the broad-shouldered babe across the room. “Are you sure you’re okay with it?”

  Mallory nodded and her large gold hoop earrings swayed. She then tugged Sera over to the fireplace where flames blazed in the hearth. She glanced to see if anyone was watching them.

  “Sera. I didn’t want to scare you before and I don’t want to meddle. Lord knows, I try not to be like Nana and Eve.”

  Sera smirked. “Don’t let them hear you say that.”

  “I know. Anyway, as I was saying. You’re the reason I broke up with Daemon.”

  “Me? What? But why. I wasn’t even living in Bohemian Lake yet. I thought you broke up because of Kaden.”

  Mallory smiled. “Well, yes. I mean, I had a connection with Kaden. But from the moment Daemon and I started dating I knew I wasn’t the one for him. I kept picking you up in his future. I mean, I didn’t know it was you at the time but now I can put the pieces together. You two are fated. It’s rare and it’s unique and you’d be a fool to ignore it, though I appreciate that you value our friendship.”

  “Well, thank you. I appreciate that.”

  “Oh, and what was it about that girl you wanted to know.”

  “You mean Ariel. I was asking her if she had any magical talents. Did you notice anything in her aura to indicate she was lying to me?”

  “No, quite the opposite. She was telling the truth. I did get a lot of anger though near the end.”

  Sera smiled knowingly. “That was about Philip—”

  “Sera?” came a deep voice. She spun to her left, nearly knocking a coffee cup from the man’s hand.

  “Philip. Hey,” Sera said.

  “What’s going on? Some of the cast members are saying we’re shooting a scene today.”

  “Not quite. We do have something planned,” she said, forcing a grin. “Have you met Mallory?”

  “Mallory Vianu. I think I’ve seen you around. You’re one of the owners, right?”

  “I am. And you are,” she paused as if divining the answer, “Philip, the cocky Canuck. Yes?”

  He smiled and nodded. “I see my reputation precedes me. Either that or you’re psychic.”

  Mallory smiled. “A little bit of both. But it’s how Eve refers to you.”

  “Yes, Eve. She’s quite the spitfire. I haven’t seen her around today.”

  “Oh, I’m sure she’s lingering somewhere nearby,” Mallory replied.

  “I thought I overheard someone say we were going to play a murder mystery game.”

  Sera felt her neck muscles tense. Who was saying that?

  “No.” Mallory cleared her throat. “That is what we do here. We host themed events but today is something else entirely, I’m afraid.”

  Before Sera could add to that, the thin, pink-haired bachelorette approached. She toyed with the black velvet choker she wore and wrapped an arm through Philip’s.

  Philip coughed awkwardly and Sera introduced Annette to Mallory as one of the bachelorettes.

  Mallory reached out her hand and introduced herself.

  Others had spilled out of the dining room and were now following her over.

  “Maybe we should get started,” Sera suggested.

  “I agree. Before more rumors start,” Mallory said, her hand lifting to signal someone at the front desk. Next thing Sera knew a loud bell had chimed.

  One of the manor’s employees, dressed as some sort of medieval warlock in a crushed velvet hooded robe, threw out his arms and addressed the group. “Cast and crew, may I have your attention? We will be moving into the parlor shortly, but first I’d like to introduce you to a few of your hosts.”

  Sera had to shudder as she was reminded of W.H.O. The Witch Hunters’ Organization she’d come up against earlier that year. They donned a similar robe for their ceremonies.

  A heavy mist appeared at the other end of the room for theatrics, and as it cleared, Sera could make out her co-conspirators.

  “What’s going on?” Hazel asked.

  “Yeah, where’s Cupid?” Ariel complained. “Has he been arrested for Brittney’s murder?”

  �
�Please come in and take a seat,” Sera said, after everyone had stopped shouting. “Those are some excellent questions and we’re going to try to answer them for you.”

  “Please follow Nelle into the dining room.” Mallory directed. “And have a seat. Your names are on place cards.”

  Philip’s eyes darted suspiciously from person to person as he sat down in his chair beside Hazel and Ariel. “Who are these people?” Philip pointed to Mallory’s family, “and why are we all here?”

  “This is my coven, Philip,” Nelle replied. Technically, they weren’t but Philip didn’t need to know that.

  “Coven?” Hazel questioned.

  The manor’s doorbell buzzed interrupting the conversation. There was a bit of a commotion then the desk girl called for Mallory. Mallory left the dining room, but she didn’t have to go far. From where she sat, Sera could see that the newcomers were Javier and Mallory’s boyfriend, Detective Kaden Bones. Kaden spoke to Mallory in a low voice but it carried. There were certain buzzwords that just stood out like hospital and coma.

  “Why so sad?” Nana asked when Mallory returned to the dining room with Javier.

  Mallory took a moment and then said, “I’m sorry to tell you all that another cast member is dead. Ms. Aurora Holloway didn’t make it. She passed away an hour ago.”

  Sera studied the guests as they stared wide-eyed at the news.

  “Well, I’m afraid I’m too late then. I was hoping we could pull Ms. Holloway from her slumber. I asked my coven to help us reverse the spell. Javier, please come in and have a seat.” Nelle motioned to one of the open chairs.

  “Spell?” Ariel questioned.

  “Yes, I suspect someone used my sleeping spell on Aurora,” Nelle answered. “I first noticed someone had been perusing my book during the VIP party. When I cast a spell to check which pages had been opened, the book flipped to the sleeping spell. I believe this is why Aurora appeared to be in a coma. Since only the person who cast the spell could reverse it, I was hoping if we did it here as a group today, we could revive her without forcing anyone to come forward.”

  “So, someone spelled Aurora… and it killed her.” Philip folded his hands; his knuckles white. “And they’re just going to get away with it?”