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chapter Twenty-one

Michaela

P arking my car in the parking lot of the shopping center, I climb out of the vehicle. Right after leaving that kitchen with Elizabeth, I made my way to Jonesville. I didn’t have to worry if Moira would be here or not.

The moment you mention the ancient beings' name, she was going to show up somewhere. Some people thought Moira was a part of the fey. That somehow, when the fey queen sealed the entire fey race behind the veil, Moira somehow got locked out. Some people say she’s even older than the fey. They say she is a goddess that was punished for her sin and locked out of the heavens. I don’t know what she is or why she does what she does. All I know is I’ve tried to avoid the woman as best I can.

I walk along the sidewalk looking for the store. It could be anywhere. Turning the corner near the shoe store, I spot the shop.

The . The moving store. There are many tales of the store appearing in one location one day and then another location clear across the world the next. Every single object in the Emporium is magical. Some objects hold the curses of ancient beings; some can transport you through time, and others can even transform you into a different species. You never know what you’ll get when you walk into this shop.

I make my way over to the emporium. It looks like any other glass front store. Over the door are the words "" written in an old English font. Objects pile so high in the two front windows you can't see inside. Old lantern style light fixtures adorn the entrance way.

The front door is the most unique. It has a vintage style to it, making it look as if it belongs on the front door of a 16 th century castle and not a modern store. The faded red paint looks as if it has seen centuries of customers. Along the top and bottom are crafted black iron work made to look like branches from a tree. The arched stained-glass window above the door shows a woman with large white wings sobbing over a man with broken black wings.

I stop in front of the building, trying to determine if I’m really ready to do this. Getting aid from Moira could bring just as much trouble as the shit I’m already in. But I guess, any help is better than no help. And with Markis’ powers growing stronger every day, I need assistance.

Letting out a deep breath, I grab the iron handle of the door and open it. As I step into the store, the bell over my head chimes. The moment I’m in the building, my head spins. I knew this would be an issue. There are way too many powerful objects inside this building.

“Hello, Huntress.”

The swimming feeling in my head cut off as if a light switch flicked the pain away. I open my eyes and come face to face with a little girl. Her skin is coppery brown. Even though her face is round and youthful, her eyes tell a different story. Her doe shaped eyes are so dark they look black. And it’s not even the color that catches you off guard, it’s the depths of those dark eyes. In her gaze, I see centuries of knowledge, loss, sadness, and pain. She has the eyes of someone who has lived entirely too long. I should know. The same eyes look back at me in the mirror every day.

Placing my hands on my hips, I glare down at the enchantress. “A child? Really, Moira?”

The enchantress changes her looks depending on the person who is seeking help. Moira shrugs.

“I thought this would appeal to you more, considering I’m a chaotic, insane, meddlesome enchantress.”

I’m not even shocked she knows what I said.

“I may have spoken out of turn,” I say, my arms down at my sides. “Sorry.”

Moira doesn’t respond. Instead, we both turn to face the door when the bell chimes letting us know someone walked in. An older, light brown skin woman with a young teenage girl stands at the entrance. The young girl looks down at the ground, her long braids hanging like curtains over her face.

Moira smiles at them. “Welcome to the Emporium. Look around, see if anything speaks to you.”

The older woman nods, before she and the girl move through the aisles.

I turn back to Moira, wanting this over as soon as possible.

“I need help,” I admit.

“Yes, I know. You’re stuck in a soul tie with a man that plans to take over the world. And the key ingredient to his master plan is in your head.”

She summed it up nicely. “Can you help me?”

She grins. “Look around, see if anything speaks to you.”

Rolling my eyes, I place my hands on my hips. “Can you just tell me how to break this bond?”

“That’s not how this works, and you know it. You want answers, walk the store.”

Tossing my hands up with an exacerbated breath, I say, “Fine. But if I pick up a figurine and get turned into a fucking frog, I’m burning this damn store down.”

Without an ounce of fear or worry, Moira stares back at me. “By all means, give it a try.”

Her reply catches me by surprise. It’s almost as if she wants to get rid of the store herself. Shaking off the interest in Moira, I prepare myself to walk the emporium.

“This is going to be difficult for me.” I turn and head to the first row of shelves.

“It won’t. Or have you not noticed the change?”

It’s true, my head isn’t spinning the way it was when I walked in. Turning to look at Moira, I wonder how she did it? How did she turn off that switch in my brain? However, I don’t ask. I’m not sure I even want to know her secrets.

Moira and I walk side by side up the first row of items. There is no rhyme or reason to the items on the shelves. An old typewriter sits beside a silver pocket watch. A mosaic Handel lamp sits on top of a brush nickel jewelry box.

The floor to ceiling shelves are made of wood and simply designed. Two large pillars make up the ends of the shelves, with one middle pillar to balance it out. The objects sit on worn-down old wood slabs that are about two feet across.

I walk up the first aisle, and nothing happens. Turning the corner, I go down the second aisle. My gaze bounces around all the objects. Though a lot of them are pretty and interesting, nothing gets my attention. By the time Moira and I make it down the fifth aisle, I start to think this isn’t going to work.

“Moira, I really think you should just tell me what I’m…” my words die as I come to a complete stop.

There is a feeling in my stomach, as if a cord is wrapped around my body and is pulling me. I take a step back and turn to my left. Whatever is calling me is on my left. My eyes scan the shelves until they stop at a small perfume bottle.

I instinctively took the bottle from the shelf. The textured glass bottle is shaped like a sphere with a flat bottom. The top has one of those old spray nozzles that you had to squeeze the ball to get the perfume to spray.

“Now that’s an interesting choice.”

I turn to face Moira. “What is this?”

“Well, it’s perfume, silly.”

Pinching my brow at her, I glare back. “You and I both know this isn’t just perfume.” I say, waving the bottle in her face.

She shrugs. “It’s the answer to your problems. To find out how, you must use it.”

I go to spray the perfume on me, but she holds up a hand to stop me.

“Not here. Tonight. Before your celebration, spray this perfume. The moon will help guide you to clarity for your problems.”

I look down at the bottle skeptically. I wasn’t sure how this bottle of perfume was going to help me, but I was willing to give it a try.

“Fine,” I say, placing the bottle in my pocket. “How much?”

She smiles, looking me up and down. “This one is on the house, Huntress.”

“Sweetheart,” the older woman that walked in with the girl calls out to Moira. “How much for this fancy journal?” The woman holds up a notebook. The cover looks like the scales of a dragon and in the center of the book is an eyeball. However, it isn’t a normal eye. It’s the reptilian eye of some type of lizard.

Moira looks at the girl, whose head is down. She then goes back to the woman.

“For you, five dollars.”

“Very well,” the lady turns to the girl. “Since you want it, you can purchase it.”

I notice the bite to the woman’s tone as she holds out the notebook toward the girl. The young girl takes the book and walks toward Moira. It is then I notice the old bruise under her eye. She catches my gaze and quickly looks away.

“Right this way,” Moira says, escorting the girl to the counter.

I’m not sure what that notebook does, but whatever it is, I know the young girl will never be the same.

Later that night, I stand in front of the bathroom mirror. The black long sleeve A-line dress flows down my body. A deep v cut down the center of my chest, showing off my Royal vampire markings. The slit in the front of my skirt gives just enough peek of my long legs to make the dress sexy.

“You know,” Marley says, suddenly standing at my bathroom door. “I’m starting to think you’re color blind. Do you own any color other than black?”

I smile and shake my head at my sister. Her curly hair is in a high puff on the top of her head. The pale pink flower babydoll dress she’s wearing stops at her thighs.

“I have plenty of gray clothing,” I reply to her question. “But the bigger issue is, where is the rest of your dress?”

She looks down at her long legs, then back at me. “Are you serious? This dress is not too short.”

“It is if you’re thinking about flaunting it in front of a certain werewolf.” Although she hasn’t mentioned Torak to me, I can sense her attraction to him and his attraction to her. I sense his because of our connection.

“I’m not thinking about Torak.” She waves me off.

She’s lying, but I won’t call her out on it. I’m assuming this is still a touchy subject for her.

“Good,” I say. “You have all the time in the world to grow up and date. Enjoy your youth.”

She rolls her eyes playfully. “Yes, Mom.”

I chuckle as I stick my tongue out at her.

She joins in my laughter. “I’m heading to the festival with Anya. Is that okay?”

“Yes. I’ll be there shortly.”

Marley walks into the bathroom and wraps her arms around me from behind. Her chin rest on my shoulder.

“What’s this for?” I ask, placing my hands over hers.

“Just because you’re the best sister ever. And I love you.”

I have to take a deep breath at her words. Although they warm my heart and make me feel ten times taller than I am, I know they are undeserving. Instead of telling my sister this, I turn and place a kiss on the side of her head.

“Go on,” I say. “Anya is outside.”

She lets go of me and steps back. “You know, I just noticed. This is the first time I’ve seen you in a dress.”

I tug at the sleeves of my dress, making sure they cover the cuffs. “I was born in the 1500s. I’ve worn enough dresses to last me a lifetime.”

She laughs before slipping out of my room. Once I know that she’s left the house, I pull the bottle of perfume out the drawer I stuffed it in earlier and place it down on the counter.

“Are you really going to do this?” I ask my reflection in the mirror.

I could just leave. Maybe, now that everyone is accepting Marley, I could leave her here with Liz. It keeps her out of the way, and I could stay on the run. As long as I don’t stay in one place too long, I can avoid Markis.

“But for how long?” my thoughts question. “ And what happens when you don’t run fast enough, and he does find you?”

It’s those two questions that have me picking up the glass bottle. There doesn’t look like there is any perfume in this bottle. However, I know there is something there even if I can’t see it.

“Here goes nothing,” I say as I squeeze the rubber ball. Perfume miraculously sprays out. I place a few squirts on my cleavage area. When I go to spray more, nothing comes out.

“I guess that was all that’s in the bottle.”

I wait for a scent to hit me. Maybe that will let me know what this is. However, there is no scent. There is nothing.

I look at the bottle once again, confusion dotting my brow. “What the hell did you give me, Moira?” I ask out loud.

Placing the perfume back in the drawer, I go to walk, and the entire room spins. My head becomes cloudy, and I have only one thought before my mind goes blank.

“That fucking enchantress.”