Page 2 of Knotty Bargain (Monster Holidays #3)
CHAPTER 2
CORDELIA
Q uaint shopfronts beckon with names like “The Cackling Cauldron” and “Broomstick Boutique,” their windows brimming with witchy decor. Massive pumpkins every twenty feet. Fairy lights wrapped around poles. The scent of cinnamon and cloves wafts from down the street.
And the street is crowded . People shopping, taking selfies, sipping from steaming paper cups.
“Are we in the right place?” I ask, doing a double take. Hex & Co. has always been called Hex & Co., but the other shops? The grocery store is still a grocery store but with a new display and name. The same happens with every other shop on this block.
“They’re really leaning into the spooky aesthetic, huh?” Sylvia raises an eyebrow as she meets my eyes. “Mom said they had been shaking things up, but she didn’t mention... all this.”
I chuckle. “The whole town got a mystical makeover.”
Sylvia grins as she hooks her arm through mine.“Come on, let’s see what Mom’s been up to.” She tugs me toward the door, freshly painted lilac.
The bell tinkles as we step inside, echoing through the maze of shelves and cabinets. The scent of jasmine greets us. Crystals glimmer from every surface, casting tiny rainbows across the polished wood. A plume of fragrant smoke rises from an incense burner, curling around jars of herbs and mysterious tinctures. I get a glance at a plush chair behind a bookshelf—I used to spend hours sitting there when I was younger.
“Girls!” a melodic voice rings out and Miranda emerges from behind a beaded curtain, her silver hair swaying like moonlight. She throws her arms up and squeals. Sylvia mimics her, throwing her arms up and squealing at the same tone. I guess it runs in the family.
Miranda slams into us. She envelops us in a lavender-scented hug, her bangles jangling. Tears prick at my eyes as I melt into her embrace, my lips curling into a wide smile. After Mom passed when I was sixteen, Miranda and Sylvia became my home, my anchor in a world turned upside down. Even now, wrapped in Miranda’s arms, I feel that same sense of belonging, of family found.
Miranda lets us go, then kisses both of us in the face. “You two look so pretty!”
Sylvia definitely looks great—she’s skinny and tanned like her mother, with the same big brown eyes. Neither had a problem dating whomever they wanted.
Syl and I spent our lives glued at the hip, but we couldn’t look more different. I’m pale where she’s tanned. My eyes are blue. While her dark hair falls in a straight curtain down her back, my blond waves are indomitable. Her skin is flawless, while I struggle with concealer every day to hide my freckles. She’s a size two to my size sixteen.
Even though Syl never said a thing, every guy we met always treated me as the ugly friend.
Sylvia juts a thumb over her shoulder.“Mom. What is happening to this place? Are you giving away food or something?” Sylvia laughs at her own joke. “What’s with all the new witchy shops?”
Miranda’s eyes sparkle. “Didn’t I tell you? Do you remember New Obernzell?”
“Of course I remember, Mom,” Sylvia says, shaking her head. “It’s literally two towns over.”
Miranda makes a show of shrugging. “You city girls, I don’t know how much you remember from home. You haven’t been here in ages.”
I smile, hooking my arm through Miranda’s. “What happened to New Obernzell?”
Miranda starts back toward the counter, taking Sylvia’s hand in hers. “Well, things happened in New Obernzell. It’s become quite a paranormal hub, with ghost hunters and whatnot. There’s even a podcast. So, folks around here have been embracing our... shall we say, occult heritage.” She lowers her voice, leaning closer to me. “We’re taking advantage of our local history, you know? It’s good for business.”
“I’m sure it does.” I glance behind me at the display windows, where I can see the tourists ambling down the street.
“I always told you our ancestors might’ve been more than just simple village healers.” Miranda smirks at Sylvia. “They whisper that real magic once flowed through Shadow Glen’s veins.”
“Mom,” Sylvia says, laughing. “Our ancestors came to America in the Second World War.”
“So? They could have been witches before . Maybe they moved here because of the magic in the place.”
I laugh, then press a kiss to Miranda’s cheek. She walks with me toward the counter, listing all the stores that changed names and all the new stores that opened as tourists began showing up more often.
My hometown is obsessed with Halloween and I didn’t even know.
I glance over my shoulder to search for Sylvia. Shehas wandered over to a display of marble statues. Or icons. They’re rather... phallic. Syl pokes at one of the largest icons. It wobbles precariously, and she yanks her hand back with a yelp.I press my lips together to keep the laughter at bay.
“Cordelia? Is that you?” A familiar voice cuts through the shop. My stomach plummets.
Oh no. It’s too soon. I was ready to meet her, but not in the first hour!
I turn to see my cousin Vivian emerge from behind a bookshelf, her green eyes wide. She must have been in the plush chair. I completely missed her.
My cousin is as different from me as Sylvia. Vivian Dallimore powerwalks toward me, herauburn curls bouncing. She’s always been athletic, but she’s on the thin side now. Perhaps nerves because of the wedding.
She rushes over to hug me. “I thought I heard your voice! So glad you could make it back for the wedding.”
I return her hug, searching for Sylvia. My best friend approaches, her shoulders already tightening with tension. Sylvia would never be rude in front of her mother, but she doesn’t hide her feelings. Her face twists as if she had smelled something rotten.
“Hi, Vivian,” I greet back, letting go. “Sure I wouldn’t miss your wedding.” I truly wouldn’t—if she wasn’t getting married to my ex, who cheated on me with her. If she hadn’t told me a dozen times that I should understand that she was such a better match for Marcus...
Vivian eyes my sweater with a barely concealed smirk. “You’re always so soft to hug. I like how you never dress up, you know? You never try too hard.” She sighs. “You’re such an inspiration. To not depend on other people’s opinions.”
Heat floods my cheeks and I tug at the soft wool self-consciously. Leave it to Vivian to make a thinly veiled insult the first minute we meet. Sylvia rolls her eyes so far back she looks possessed.
Vivian doesn’t miss it. She plasters a smile onto her face. “Hi, Sylvia. Long time, no see.”
Sylvia crosses her arms and doesn’t reply. Miranda pokes her waist, but it’s no use. Sylvia doesn’t hide her feelings.
Vivian doesn’t seem fazed. “So, you bringing a plus one to the wedding?” She continues, twirling a glossy curl around her finger. “Someone who’s not Sylvia, of course.” She giggles. “Marcus’s parents have invited Miranda, so I’m guessing Sylvia is her plus one.”
Sylvia bristles. “You know, a woman doesn’t need a man to feel complete,” my best friend cuts in, coming to stand beside me. “And who says Lia would bring a guy, anyway? Maybe she has a lovely lady waiting in the wings. Would you have a problem with that?”
Vivian laughs, but there’s no warmth in it. "Oh, Sylvia, always the raging feminist. I’m not judging! It’s just, well... Cordelia’s never been much for romance, has she?”
Shame slinks up the back of my neck and I silently will the floorboards swallow me whole. It’s one thing to be chronically single and I don’t hate it... but it’s another to have your cousin gleefully point it out.
Vivian has always been like this. She ‘s the one who betrayed me. Who ended our friendship by choosing a man over the trust we had. And yet, she’s never satisfied. For some reason, she needs to put me down to feel good.
And I’m getting tired of that.
“Actually,” the words tumble out before I can stop them, “my boyfriend is coming to the wedding. He’s just arriving later.”
Miranda squeals, smiling at the piece of news. Sylvia freezes. Her eyes grow wide as saucers. But when I see the disappointment on Vivian’s face, I can’t help but plow ahead, heart hammering against my ribs.
“Yep, got a date. He’s very tall and handsome... and totally into me.” What am I saying? I grab onto my hips to stop my hands from shaking. I paste on what I hope is a relaxed, genuine smile. “You’ll meet him at the wedding, don’t worry.”
Vivian blinks, clearly taken aback, but recovers quickly. “Well, I can’t wait to meet this mystery man.” She smiles, sickly sweet. “He must be… quite the catch.”
I swallow hard, the lie settling like a stone in my stomach. What have I done? I’m dateless, hopelessly single...
And I’ve just promised to conjure up Prince Charming in a matter of days. My shoulders droop as Vivian walks out. I’m in desperate need of a miracle.