Page 44 of Bewitched By the Headless Horseman
After squeezing a bead of red into the vial, she approached Maxine. The plant snapped at her hand, her rows of sharp teeth on display.
“Calm down,” Stevie soothed when Maxine snapped at her again. “I know you’re hurting, but this will help you feel better.” As she squeezed one more droplet into the flower’s mouth, the doorbell rang.
“Always right after I put the gloves on,” Lucia said, peeling the latex from her hands, pieces of hair falling against her face from her messy bun. “I’ll be right back.”
The flower hissed, and Stevie stroked the plant’s blue and white polka-dotted head. “Just another second.” Maxine leaned into her touch, a teeny purr escaping her sharp-toothed mouth.The leaves at Maxine’s side perked up, the deep green returning to the spots that were browning.
Lucia bounded back down the steps, a cheek-to-cheek smile on her face. “Important news finally showed up on my doorstep!” She waved a golden envelope in the air like she was waving Willy Wonka’s golden ticket, which in this case, it sort of was. “Adelia replied in her vague manner in case her letter was intercepted. She’ll be here as soon as she can but definitely before the new moon. She’s taking care of a rabid vampire problem in Maine first. Adelia said that suspicions and no proof isn’t a reason for her not to finish her current task. But this is good news!” She tapped a finger against her chin. “I don’t know if she’ll receive the letter I sent yesterday before she leaves. But if she does, I know she’ll come sooner since the sky darkening earlier has to be some sort of proof. The priests are blessing the land and witches are putting extra protection spells down. Maybe I’ll do another one at the bonfire.”
“Probably two.”
“Before I forget,” Lucia said, “when you meet with Adelia, you’re going to have to dress up. And by dress up, I don’t mean a fancier dress, but afancierdress.”
Stevie arched a brow. “You mean like the last time you went and saw her?” She recalled Lucia’s tight bodice, the poofy lacy skirt of the dress reaching her ankles, the white wig, the fan, the pearls. Lucia had been Marie Antoinette reincarnate.
“That was a witch coronation, but close. Just think old Sleepy Hollow times. Like Kit.” She beamed. “But don’t worry since I’ll be dressed up and going with you and the Headless Horseman. Only us three are allowed to attend.”
Stevie snickered. “Gideon’s going to throw a fit.”
“We’ll probably have to pick him up a suit just to wear for when I come home.” Lucia chuckled.
Stevie wrinkled her nose because she knew what that meant. Sexy roleplay.
“Looks like we’ll go shopping today so we’re prepared for when Adelia arrives,” Lucia said as she corked her potions and handed Stevie the Crowned Witch’s letter to read over.
Stevie stared at the sapphire gown in the mirror. When she’d thought she would just pick up something cheap at a thrift store, Lucia had waved off that idea and taken them to one of the best costume shops Sleepy Hollow had to offer. The strip center wasn’t as busy since the tourists weren’t flocking toward the stores. They normally visited the costume shops and put on historical suits and dresses to take black and white pictures that would make them look as if they were from that time period.
Studying the bodice of the gown, Stevie ran her palms against the silky material. Black lacy buttons lined the front, and a square neckline accentuated her décolleté. It was the first dress that had caught her eye when she’d entered the store, but Lucia had made them try on dress after dress, needing to make sure Adelia knew they weren’t cutting corners while in her presence.
“That’s the gown!” Lucia screeched when Stevie stepped out of the dressing room.
Stevie rolled her eyes. “This is the original one I picked out.”
“We needed to confirm it was the best.” Lucia swished her red skirt, then brushed a finger across the sweetheart neckline. “Do you think this dress is the one?”
“That’s the winner!” Stevie looked down at the price tag on her sleeve and her eyes widened. “Actually, how about we go to the thrift shop instead? Or can’t you just spell one of my old dresses?”
Lucia’s grin grew wide. “I could, but Adelia can tell. Besides, that’s the purchase price. We’re only renting these. So as long as you don’t ruin the dress, you’ll be fine.Orhave sex with a certain ghost who’s staying with you while wearing it.” She waggled her brows.
Stevie pursed her lips. “It was thevenom.”
“Sureit was.” She laughed softly and whirled around. “Can you unbutton me? I think I need to retry two on. Just to make sure.”
“That dress is literally perfect on you.” Stevie unfastened the buttons lining the back of the velvet dress. But really, all the gowns looked good on Lucia, except for maybe a puke green one that wouldn’t have worked for anyone.
Stevie returned to the dressing room and hung her gown on the hook. As she slipped her skirt back on, her phone rang and she scurried to answer it.
“Hi, Mom,” Stevie grunted while shoving on her boots.
“So, I hear you have a secret meeting coming up.”
“Did Gideon call you cry-babying that he couldn’t attend?” Before Stevie left with Lucia, her sister-in-law had asked Gideon to deliver the package to her mom since there were pressing matters to attend to. And of course he was going suit shopping after like Lucia had guessed.
“You know Gideon,” her mom said. “But don’t worry. He’s keeping it hush-hush with everyone else. So did you find a dress?”
“I did. It’s something straight from centuries past. I’ll be a good little girl and have my ankles covered.”
“I’ve never met Adelia, but I hear she’s a headstrong woman.” She paused. “And don’t forget to send me pictures. You chose to attend an antique auction over going to prom, so I want to see you in something lavish.”
