Page 66 of Curses and Cauldrons

“I mean, do you have company?” I turn on my wipers to clear off the snow, but it’s coming down so hard it doesn’t make a difference. My headlights shine out into a flurry of white.

“Sadly, no. I’m a lonely bachelor tonight.”

“Not for long. Call the others. Have Odie bring Penelope with her. We’re all meeting at your house.” Josephine watches me, but I keep my eyes on the road.

“Oh good, a party. I’ll get some snacks out.”

“Just make the call.”

I hang up and turn to Josephine. She’s gnawing on her thumbnail again. “Can you call your friends? I have a feeling we’re going to need strength in numbers for whatever happens next.”

Josephine straightens her shoulders. “I was trying to keep them out of this mess.”

“I know, but I think this might be bigger than your family.”

Josephine sighs wearily. “Me too.” She picks up her phone and begins making calls. I keep my eyes on the increasingly treacherous roads.

Ambrose lives in a sprawling mansion on the edge of town. The dark house is built in the Tudor revival style, nestled into acres of natural wood. We dubbed it the chateau when we were kids and the name stuck. Ambrose’s parents live out of the country half the time, and when they are back in Mystic Hollows, they often stay at a more modern home they built about ten years ago. So the chateau is officially his. The winding driveway, already covered in a layer of snow, circles a statue of the original Roth ancestor that helped found Mystic Hollows.

Ambrose is waiting at the front door when I pull up in the circular driveway as close to the front door as possible. I grab the book out of Josephine’s suitcase and the two of us sprint to get inside and out of the snow.

“Remind me again, why do we live this far north?” Ambrose drawls as he shuts the door against a fierce gust of wind.

Josephine looks around the chateau with wide eyes. The house definitely has a strong aesthetic. There is dark woodeverywhere. The beams in the ceiling, the banister on the stairway, and even the walls in the hall have wood panels.

I guide Josephine into the living room, which is massive enough to host a lavish party. Ambrose has certainly taken advantage of that in the past. The fireplace mantle is taller than me. Rows of windows are spaced out on the far wall, reaching up to the nearly fourteen-foot ceiling.

Odie and Penelope are already sitting on one of the couches. Odie waves as we walk in.

“Did everything go okay? What did you find out?” Penelope squirms in her seat.

“As soon as everyone is here, we’ll tell you,” Josephine says.

The sound of the front door slamming alerts us to another arrival. Ambrose returns with Ava, Stellan, and Piper.

“Do the Salvatore brothers live here?” Ava gapes at the tapestries on the wall and the enormous Serapi carpets beneath our feet, covering the dark wood floors.

Bram walks in behind Josephine’s friends, removing his coat and shaking off the snow.

“Who?” My brother’s giving Ava a once-over. She’s wearing a pair of sweats that are too big and a puffy jacket that’s fit for an Antarctic exploration.

“Oh yes, Damon and Stephen are my nephews.” Ambrose throws an arm around Ava’s shoulder, and Bram glares at him.

Ava chuckles and rolls her eyes. She crosses the room and sits down next to Penelope, giving her a high five.

Ambrose claps his hands and then rubs them together. I flick my finger to start a fire in the fireplace. This giant room is hard to keep warm on a good day. During a blizzard, it’s nearly impossible.

“Looks like the whole gang is here, including junior detectives.” Ambrose gives Penelope a small bow and then turnsto me. “The only thing missing is the reason we’ve been gathered together. Not that I don’t enjoy a little mystery.”

Josephine plucks the book from my hands and holds it up, gaining everyone’s attention. She only shrinks a little before going on to explain what we found out from Morty and the fact that her mother was waiting at her apartment.

Penelope cracks her knuckles. “I’m not going back to their house.”

Josephine smiles at her sister, her fingers flexing. I may not be able to feel anyone’s touch, but at least I’m able to offer physical comfort to someone. It’s clear how much it pains Josephine not to reach out and console her sister.

“I know. We’ll figure it out, okay. I promise.” Josephine licks her lips, and I can practically read her thoughts. We have no plan and have no idea how to keep that promise.

“What’s in this book?” Bram stares at the leather-bound book in Josephine’s hands.

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