Midnight in belle fleur, p.19
Midnight In Belle Fleur, page 19
After an awkward silence, Migdalia said, “It is rather warm.”
Juliette didn’t know if they would get out of there alive. She had to think fast. Juliette looked at the ceiling, pursing her lips, as if she was focused on the chandelier. “Now those are lots of candles.”
Migdalia stood by her side. “Relax. It’s going to be fine. You’re not acting like yourself tonight.”
Juliette shrugged Migdalia’s hold off. “Don’t touch me,” she spit out. Juliette couldn’t let Migdalia be part of this. She had to protect her, so she ripped her scarf off and said, “I came here just to make you look like a fool.”
Victor seemed to understand what Juliette was trying to do. “We came to ruin this meeting. We’re not afraid of you.”
“What?” Migdalia said, stepping back, her arms wide. “What’s going on?”
“All you Destroyer Witches are the same. You’re gullible and think the New Council is the way to go,” Juliette said.
Soran’s mouth dropped, and he leaned forward. “Who are you two?”
Victor ran to Juliette’s side as she leaned her head back, fighting a ripple of change from cascading over her face. “We’re going to stop you.” He stood shoulder to shoulder with Juliette.
Victor and Juliette cornered themselves near a huge potted plant.
“We got to get my mom out of here,” Victor whispered to Juliette.
“I know. I’ve got an idea,” she whispered, “But, I don’t want to blow her cover.”
Several flowers elongated several feet and sliced the air near Juliette and Victor, only inches from their faces. They jumped back, their backs to the wall.
Juliette’s face tingled. Her features shifted and returned to their normal state.
“Look at her!” Soran yelled, pointing at Juliette. “I can almost see her natural face!”
Juliette kept her eyes glued on Victor. Luckily, he didn’t shift yet.
“Get them!” Soran shouted.
The witches raced toward Juliette and Victor, some chanting spells, other with their eyes glowing.
Juliette reached into her pocket and pulled out a vial of Duratus sand and blew the magical dirt over the witches and they froze.
“We gotta hurry,” Victor said, as his face shifted back to its normal state. “Mom, come!”
Migdalia raced between frozen witches and toppled chairs.
“Migdalia, hurry!”
Once Migdalia reached the two, Juliette twirled her hand, creating a portal. The three held hands as they portaled away to safety.
Chapter 16
“Nope, nope. I’m not doing this—I’m staying out of this—I can’t do this magic stuff. Besides, Klariza is looking for some sexy Destroyer witch dude. I just want to be me.” He wrung out his towel and the soapy suds filled the bucket. He picked up the garden hose and sprayed his car. “I’m here in the sun washing my car. This has zero to do with magic and I like it like this. I’m back on the herbs to keep my magic dormant. Life is good.”
“But we need you, Alec,” Juliette said. “You can ignore Klariza if you want. Have you met her yet?” she asked.
“No, and I’m not sure I want to. I don’t know what’s worse, that she’s your ex or a witch,” he said, looking at Victor.
Victor was silent, glaring at Alec. “Klariza is actually a nice person.”
“I’m busy. And my aunt is on bed rest. Her baby might come any day now.”
“My aunt and grandmother have their bags packed ready to go whenever she calls them,” Juliette said.
“That’s nice of them,” Alec said.
“Look, I know you’re trying to make your dad happy, but your dad could be in danger, too.”
“What?” he dropped the hose onto the ground. “What do you mean, in danger?”
“We were at a secret Destroyer witch meeting last night—” Victor said.
“Great date night, Victor, wow,” Alec said.
“Just listen, they said that the next target for the New Council is attacking the FBI office in Belle Fleur where your dad works.”
“How did they know it even exists?” Alec asked, shaking his head.
“Have you seen your father lately? He looks like a walking FBI poster. Anyway, we’re going to go there and warn them. But you having your magic back only makes sense now that things are heating up,” Victor said.
“Of course, it’s up to you, Alec,” Juliette said.
Alec was silent. His eyes danced around his yard as he weighed his options. “I don’t want to hurt anyone.”
“Neither do we. Believe me, the last thing I want is to give my Destroyer side any more fuel, but we have to stop the New Council.”
“Okay.”
“Cool, drink this fast,” Victor said, handing Alec a clear liquid.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a special potion that wipes away any trace of quelling herbs immediately. I made it this morning,” Juliette said.
“Here we go again.” Alec drank the potion. He winced as the bitter liquid trailed down his throat. He coughed and then lifted his head. His eyes glowed turquoise.
“What’s wrong with his eyes?” Victor asked in a low voice.
“Uh—I can hear you,” he said. He looked around. He raised his hands and looked at them, as if for the first time. “I can see things in the craziest detail.” He looked at both of them. “I can see your energy fields.”
“You can see my aura?” Juliette asked, raising her eyebrows. “What color is it? This is part of your magic.”
He waved his hands around Juliette’s body. “It’s pink tinged with green at the edges.”
“Victor’s energy field is changing colors. You must be getting angry or something.”
“Ok. This was fun,” Victor said. “Let get out of here and leave her aura out of this.”
“I’ll let my dad know we’re on our way.”
“Great. This way we can portal into his building and save time,” Juliette said.
Within a few minutes, they portaled to Hensley’s office building.
***
It was quiet—too quiet.
“Shh,” Juliette said.
They tiptoed through the hallway until they reached a room and saw Alec’s father.
Hensley was tied to a chair. His partner was lying on the floor unconscious, but breathing.
They raced to Diaz, but an invisible force field stopped them from getting closer.
“Why do you do exactly the opposite of what I tell you? How can this be a good idea? Look what they did to Diaz. Luckily, they didn’t kill him,” Hensley said.
“Dad, I wasn’t going to sit by and let this happen,” Alec said. “I had to come.”
“Uh, actually, you were,” Victor said.
“Shut up, Victor.”
“Well, you being here will just make it harder for me to get answers from them,” Hensley threw his head back and let out a long sigh. “If anything happens to you, I don’t know what I’d do.”
“We’ve got this. We’ll distract them.” Juliette walked to the closed door, listening. She stepped behind the door, waiting for them to enter the room.
“I guess I have no choice,” Hensley said. “Be careful, son. They’re coming.”
The door flung open and Fabienne walked in.
“Oh, hello. Perfect that you all saved me a trip to find you,” she said, sauntering over toward them.
Fabienne cocked her head to the side. “Too bad we’re missing Juliette, but this will do.” She nodded and two witches trailed into the room behind her.
Juliette stood behind the door, quietly.
“We are not letting you leave here alive,” Fabienne said, opening her hands. Fire flamed from her palms. She sent a flame toward Alec and raised her eyebrows when he quickly flicked his wrist, shooting a blast back at her, knocking her to her back.
Victor cupped his hands and created a ball of light, then pushed his hand forward, sending the two guards to their backs.
Juliette sped toward Hensley and untied him, releasing him.
“I’m staying,” he said.
“You should go. We have magic and you don’t,” Alec said.
“Well, with this, I do, too,” Hensley said, opening up a cabinet and putting a metal bracelet on his hand. He held his hand up and a blast of energy shot from his hand, knocking a chair down.
“Don’t let that leave this office,” Juliette said, wondering what the world would be like if the average person had access to it.
“Oh, no. This was confiscated and is the only one made. We call it the magic maker.” He held his arm up, opening up his palm, and a blast of energy shot out toward the floor.
“Glad it’s the only one. I’d hate to think what would happen if that thing got out into the world,” Victor said, frowning.
“Whoa! Dad, be careful with that,” Alec said.
“Yeah, that’s why we keep this under lock and key,” Hensley said, holding the key up, dangling it.
“Did you forget me?” Fabienne stood back up and charged forward, flames whipping out like torrents of fire. Her two guards raced for Hensley.
Juliette and Victor pushed back with a force field that Juliette created. She walked forward, shortening Fabienne’s flame.
Alec jumped over a table and intercepted the two Destroyer Witches before they could reach Hensley. Alec turned toward the two witches and waved his hand, catapulting them into the next room.
“Let’s get out of here!” Fabienne yelled as she created a portal and jumped in with her witches.
Once Fabienne was gone, they all rushed to Diaz, kneeling around him.
Diaz was lying on his side, covered in a magical dust that had knocked him out for a few minutes.
“Do you think he’s going to be okay, Dad?” Alec asked.
Diaz’s eyelids fluttered, and he smiled. “Man, don’t tell me I missed an epic witch fight?” Diaz said, trying to sit up.
“You did, partner, sorry to tell you,” Hensley said, kneeling beside him. “You’re still a little woozy, so take it slow getting up.
Diaz’s shoulders slumped. “That’s the one thing left on my bucket list.” He laughed and then his eyes fell on Alec. His smile disappeared. “Does Alec know the results yet?” His eyes darted to Alec and then to Hensley.
“What? Did the results come back?” Alec asked.
“Wow, Diaz. For an agent, you really know how to keep a secret. Everything is fine, son. We’ll talk about it later today.”
“Sorry, must have been the magic dust she showered me with,” he shook his head, and a poof of purple appeared.
“It’s slumber dust, it’s harmless,” Victor said.
Juliette kept her eyes on Alec as everyone else talked. “Hey, it’s okay, no matter the results.”
“Yeah, man, you’re our friend and that will never change,” Victor said.
Everyone was silent.
“I’ve got to go.” Alec stormed out of the room.
Juliette decided to ask an important question and take the focus off of Diaz’s mistake. “So, now that New Council knows you guys are here, what next?”
“We stop them,” Hensley said.
“I like the sound of that,” Juliette replied.
Chapter 17
The limousine stopped. “That’s one big house,” Skylar said. “That’s a straight up Coconut Grove mansion on Biscayne Bay.”
Tonight there was a party that one of the network executives threw for their birthday. Juliette tried to back out of the event but was told her attendance was mandatory.
Juliette wasn’t used to being in a chauffeured limousine, but the studio insisted she arrive on time and in style and paid for the limousine to take her. “Yeah. That’s big,” she said. Juliette usually loved parties but wished she could focus on the threat of the New Council. “So, what are you going to do while I’m in there?” Juliette asked, wishing she could hang out with her friend instead.
“I’ve got books, snacks, and the seat reclines pretty low, so I’ll nap,” Skylar said, shrugging her shoulder.
Juliette looked out her window. She didn’t invite Victor because she had received the invitation when they were still under the Madiroma spell and Victor was in the magical realm. She glanced at Skylar and had an idea. “I know your mom wants you to focus on being responsible, right?”
“Yeah. No more parties for a while, not for this party girl,” Skylar said with a sigh. She looked back at Juliette in the rearview mirror. “But are you ready for the big spotlight? It kinda seems like you’re deciding whether to go in.”
“I’m ready.” She wasn’t. Juliette wanted to take off her yellow dress and throw on a t-shirt and jeans. She wanted to sit on the couch on a regular non-must-defend-my-town-from-evil-witches-night and watch a show with Victor. She wanted to hold his hand and look into his eyes.
Skylar jumped out and jogged to Juliette’s door. “Okay, I see that face. You’re thinking about Victor again. Go, and have a great time tonight,” she said, holding the door open. She wore black leggings, black flats, and an oversized white button-down shirt. Her makeup was flawless, as always.
Juliette smiled at Skylar. “And you’re bored, so how about we go together? I’m inviting you and you’re just coming in to support a friend. It’s not really a party night.”
Skylar’s face lit up, then her shoulders slumped. “Is Alec going to be there?”
“Hmm, are you interested?”
“Maybe. But I’m not even dressed for a party.”
“Come on, just park the limo, and we’ll walk up. No big deal,” Juliette said.
“If you say so. But I’m not going in there looking like this.”
“Trust me,” Juliette said. She slid out of the limo and said, “Give me your shirt.”
Skylar removed her shirt and stood with her tank top on, shaking her head. “What are you doing?”
“I learned this from the costume designer at work. He’s amazing.” Juliette took Skylar’s shirt and put it on her friend backward, with the tag at the front of Skylar’s neck.
“Okay, this is weird.”
“I’m not done.” Juliette scrunched it up and slid it over Skylar’s head.
“Still not making any sense,” Skylar said, shaking her head.
“Skylar, just wait,” Juliette said with a smile. “You’re going to look better than most of those ladies in there. Trust me.”
Juliette smoothed out the extra fabric into two wide collars, smiling at Skylar.
“Oh, I see what you’re doing,” Skylar said.
“And check out this last part.” Juliette buttoned it closed and then went behind Skylar’s back, tucking the shirt’s original collar up, hiding it in the fold. “Now button up the last few buttons, and there you go.”
“Wow,” Skylar said as she finished her shirt transformation.
“And the last touch is sliding this lovely oversized collar below your shoulders for an off-the-shoulder evening look. Voilà.” Juliette stepped back, admiring her work.
“I guess we have a party to go to,” Skylar said.
A few photographers camped out by the line of cars, waiting to capture the fashion and beauty of the night.
Juliette held the hem of her dress as she walked up the stairs with Skylar by her side.
The driveway was an intricate design of stone, which led up to the stairs. And the party was a lavish display of artistry and opulence.
Inside the folds of Juliette’s gown were ribbons of gold that swayed. Her legs peeked out of the skirt with each step. She felt so exposed, even though she wore yards of fabric. She glanced at her neckline and was glad it wasn’t as deep as the other necklines she looked at earlier today.
The two friends walked up and were escorted into a grand ballroom. The scent of the room was a blend of expensive perfume and ocean water.
Juliette turned when she heard her name shouted from several feet away.
“Juliette! Well, you clean up nicely. Wow!” Dara said. She was dressed in pink and her baby bump was accentuated by an enormous bow that sat at her waistline. Dara pointed to her belly and said, “I look fabulous, don’t I? Everyone’s been saying how my skin is more beautiful than ever.” She air-kissed Juliette and Skylar.
“You are beautiful and your skin is glowing,” Juliette had to admit. She was glad for Dara and missed her.
“So, what is this? I heard you brought in Fabienne, and she’s stealing the heart of the director, producer, and basically, everyone. Are you trying to sabotage your career?”
“What do you mean?”
“You are obviously unaware. Ok. Let me fill you in. She recently got one of the actor’s sons into the best school in Coral Gables. And she stops by and visits Oleta’s mother in the elderly care facility because it’s on her way home. No one’s that nice.”
Juliette frowned. “Yeah, I have much bigger issues with Fabienne. But from what I hear, she’s on her way out soon.”
“Good. Don’t frown. It’s going to leave lines,” Dara said.
“I’m going to grab an appetizer,” Skylar said.
“Okay. I’ll find you soon,” Juliette said.
“I hope you’re taking me seriously, Juliette,” Dara said.
Leona, Dara’s partner, came by Dara’s side, wrapping an arm around her. “Isn’t Dara beautiful?” She kissed Dara on the cheek and then walked back into the crowd.
“You’re right about everything, Dara,” Juliette said.
“Look, you’re not my favorite person, but I’d much prefer to work with you when I reclaim my throne soon than work with Fabienne. By the way, I spotted her earlier.”
“Fabienne is here?”
“Yes, and she will somehow bring attention to her and be the center of attention. I know, because that would be my move if I didn’t have this enormous belly.” Dara smoothed her hand over her silk-covered belly. “Wake up and smell the gasoline. She’s going to light your career on fire and leave you with nothing.” She waved to Leona and nodded to Juliette before waddling away.
