Alexis Abner is all set to celebrate her 18th birthday. Like every other high-schooler, she too throws a party at the local club. But, the night takes an unexpected turn when she meets a mysterious stranger. Ethan Campbell introduces her to a world...
"This, is the place?" I scan the pink neon lights that read 'Havelocks Coven'. The name stands out in the dark evening sky. The dingy alley is filled with smokers and goth looking people; Men, women, teenage girls too. Why are they here? This is not okay.
Apparently, the entrance to the pub is from the back door. Various eyes dart at us as we wait for the door to open.
We set out for Crescent City in the evening, seemingly, this is the only time the witch is available. We had to book a slot for an appointment in advance. The ancient witch appears to be a woman of high profile.
The metal door opens from the inside. A hunk guy, dressed in all black steps out.
"She will see you now." He gestures for Ethan, Halitus and me to enter. Marty and Nick are already in the pub. We sent them through the main entrance to check-out for the Tridents or any other suss activities.
The narrow passage broadens as we follow the man. The pub looked silent from the outside, but is further uncanny on the inside. It looks more like a bar and less like a pub. The music is low and almost indistinct. It isn't deserted for once, but the people seated in the booths give us solemn looks as we pass by. The air is filled with the smell of cigarettes and musty odor.
I spot Nick and Marty sitting in one of the booths. They instantly get up and join us.
"Did you read the sign?" Marty almost squeals next to me.
"Keep your voice down!" We are hushed by Nick, who is as solemn as the rest of the lot. We turn into a narrow dim-lit hallway. The walls are painted a deep shade of crimson. The rusty metalware gives the place an eerie impression. I stay behind Ethan and Halitus as we approach the closed door at the end of the hallway.
"What sign?" I mumble to Marty.
"Havelock Coven." He waits for me to react. When I don't respond he continues, "Havelock! As in Rowena Havelock!" His voice almost drops to nil. "Ethan's Ex."
"What!" At first, confusion overcomes me as I try to comprehend the new information. What does he mean by Ethan's Ex?
"What are you talking about?" I whisper, as we reach the doorstep.
"Rowena is Ethan's Ex. She and Ethan were together; not exactly together, she was more like his hook-up. It was a business deal in a way, which ended gruesomely; if you may." He tops nonchalantly.
"But, Rowena is a 100-year-old witch, isn't she?" My question-tag stifles in the air, when a young woman answers it, along with the door.
She has the most perfect face shape a woman could ever have, her features fit perfectly in her oval-shaped face. She holds the Kim Kardashian pout. Her silky golden hair fell down to her stern shoulders. The lush green dress enhances her emerald eyes as well as her curvy figure.
Wow! Ancient witch you say. No wonder, Ethan seemed a bit jittery on the way. Did he still like her? I mean they look perfect together; they both have the proper height proposition; both seem to be of the same age. She is a blonde, which according to Marty, matches Ethan's preferences.
A slight pang of jealousy kindles in me. Ethan's expressions have changed, it's as if the very sight of her, took his breath away.
"I see a large crowd. Do come in." Notwithstanding, her envy appearance, she sounds rather polite.
We quietly walk-in her small room. The walls are stacked with piles of books and other dubious-looking items. I breathe in the aromatic peppermint fragrance; as it calms my nerves. The furniture is minimal; only a desk, chair and a simple metal-twin bed.
The stillness in the room continues for a while as everyone gathers in silence. Ethan's eyes were still on her, or should I say her curves. What the hell! We are in the middle of a serious mission and he is here eyeing her rack!
My fist clench at the thought of Rowena and Ethan in bed. Marty said, Rowena was only his hook-up, but is it more than that? Did they share any affection for each-other in the past?
I shake my head off the meaningless thoughts and take a deep breath.
"Ethan Campbell and the gang. How can I help you?" She crosses her arms across her chest and leans against the desk.
"We already told you, we need the Trancition potion." Ethan answers her in a calm tone. Unlike his usual scornful voice.
"Yeah, I know that. But why do you want it?"
"That's none of your business!" Nick counteracts. All heads snap at him angrily.
"As a matter of fact, it is." She doesn't appear offended by his comment. "I happen to be the only person on earth to have the potion. Moreover, its quantity worries me. Hence, I don't want any nutjobs to waste one of the most precious things on the planet."
"We need it to perform the Trancition spell." Halitus briefs her.
"Yeah. No shit! I know how the potion works. My question is, who is going to do it? Last I checked, only a powerful altruist can withstand its energy." Her gaze travels through every face in the room before landing on me. Our eyes meet and she smirks.
"So, the rumors were true after all." She walks around the room. "You guys intercepted the Sephilim and are now hunting for the Red Beryl."
"Who told you that?" Nick snaps at her. Why is he so impulsive today?
"Well, as the saying goes 'keep your friends close enemies blah blah...' Besides, I have my sources. I always keep an eye on my past failures." She sizes up Ethan intimately. "Anyway, have you got the item?"
"Yes!" Halitus holds up a black briefcase, that we carried on our way here. "70-year-old cursed Rabbit's foot; a good luck charm." She recites.
"Good." She takes the briefcase. "Now, let's get this over with, shall we?"
...
"What are you talking about?" Halitus snaps at Rowena. "This was never the part of the deal."
"Surprise! I lied." She laughs slyly. "Instead of performing the spell somewhere else, you perform it here."
"Why do you care? You have your lucky charm; the potion is ours now." Marty is fuming. For some purpose, Rowena wants us to perform the Trancition right now, before her very eyes. It didn't make much of a difference for us, either way the crystal will be found. What bugs me, is that I am still not prepared for it. My mind isn't exactly calm.
"I don't see the potion in your hands, Honey." She mocks Marty.
"Ethan, say something!" I mutter angrily at him, who has done nothing but stood quietly for the past 15 minutes.
He looks at me and then back at her.
"If this spell goes sideways, your entire place will be in shambles. Are you willing to gamble on that?" He asks her.
"I always appreciate a little adventure, you know that." She bats her lashes at him.
"Okay. We'll do it here."
I'm going to murder him if I die!
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