| |
Natalie Worth looked at the antique clock that rested on the mantle and sighed nervously. Glancing around the empty, but exquisitely furnished study, she felt guilty. Could there have been a better way to do what she wanted to do? Was she getting into something dangerous with this little favor she’d asked of her best friend?
Shaking her head, Natalie stood and began to pace in front of the fire. Things had to go right tonight. If they didn’t, and something dreadful happened, she would never forgive herself.
The doors to the study opened, interrupting her thoughts. She turned to find Krystina Havinstad, standing with her arms folded in the doorway. The dark crimson gown she wore fell in deep pools about her feet. Her raven-black hair blew faintly with a breeze from the foyer.
Krystina smiled. Her sweet, enticing lips were the only splashes of color on her pale, high-cheekboned face. “Well Nat, your guests will arrive soon. Ready?”
Natalie frowned. “I should ask you that. This may be my New Year’s Eve party but it’s your show. Everything set?”
Krystina nodded. “Yes. Don’t worry!”
“I’m not,” Natalie lied. “My dress look ok? Hair?”
Grinning, Krystina moved across the room to where Natalie stood by the fire. Her dress made it seem as though she were floating. She brushed a long, beige lock of Natalie’s hair away from her forehead and tucked it behind her ear, then smoothed the front of her friend’s slim, black dress. “You look fabulous. Too good for him, if you ask me. Then again, if you did, I might be tempted to tell you how I really feel.”
Natalie turned to face her. “You know how I feel about that, Krys.”
“I know,” Krystina said. “But you can’t blame me. You really are a knockout tonight.” Krystina’s hand disappeared into the folds of her gown and then reappeared with a crimson facemask. “Remember your mask, Nat… or the spell won’t work.”
Natalie went over to the sofa and picked up hers. It was made of black feathers and decorated with rhinestones. “Are these things necessary? I mean… they don’t really conceal an identity.”
“True,” Krystina admitted. “But they do serve as symbols for infidelity… And at the ‘unmasking’ later, the truth as to who has been faithful and who hasn’t will also be revealed.”
Natalie shrugged. “If you say so. You’re the witch.”
“Oh please.” Krystina rolled her eyes. “That word is so… common. Call me a truthbringer – or a homewrecker. Because after tonight it will be one or the other… maybe even both.”
“Whatever.” Natalie walked towards the doorway and Krystina followed. “Your aunt has great taste, Krys. How’d you get her to let us party here?”
Krystina smiled slyly. “I have my ways.”
“I’m sure.” Natalie said. “So is your aunt an antique collector or something? She pointed to a Ming vase on a small table in the hallway. “These pieces she has are gorgeous – and obviously very expensive.”
Krystina nodded. “They’re all she really has now, though. She married early in life, then her husband died in the war. She’s been bitter and elusive ever since. Luckily, I, uh, caught her here before she left for Paris on a shopping spree. She needed someone to house-sit and since I promised we wouldn’t destroy the place… well, here we are.”
“So it worked out for her too… I’m glad we’re not imposing or anything while she’s away. Still, it’s awfully nice of her.”
Krystina sighed. “Yes, good old Aunt Charlotte…”
***
Within an hour, the guests began to arrive. Shawn Sullivan, Natalie’s fair-haired actor boyfriend, as always, showed up first. He wore black slacks and a dark green turtleneck. Slightly underdressed, but Natalie wasn’t going to complain. He didn’t bring a mask, but Krystina had extras.
Next came Jack and Jade Preston, the executive super-couple, or so Krystina mockingly referred to them. Dressed as though they’d just came out of some business meeting, they reluctantly accepted masks and entered the sitting room. While Jade normally wouldn’t be caught dead at such a casual affair, she must have felt obliged to come, since Jack had been Shawn’s buddy since high school. Even so, the Prestons looked highly uncomfortable perched together on the loveseat, cell phones attached to their ears. Something was going on there, Krystina thought. Tonight would… benefit them, too.
Shawn sidled up to Natalie while she was pouring drinks and hugged her from behind. “Now, babe, with that mask… what’re you supposed to be? A black peacock? Some dominatrix type? …Heh, if that’s true, you need some leather…”
Natalie wriggled free from his arms. “Not now. I need to finish mixing these.”
He put an arm around her again, blue eyes pleading. “Come on, you haven’t said a word to me since I got here. Aren’t you in the least bit interested in my new play?”
“I am… really. I’m sorry. Just got a lot on my mind.” That was certainly the truth, Natalie thought. How could she snuggle up to a guy she suspected of cheating on her? How could she pretend that nothing was wrong?
“I’ll be back.” She said. “Let me just give these to Jack and Jade.” She lifted up the two Martini glasses.
Shawn put on his dark blue mask. “All right, but I’ll be waiting… On second thought, hand over the drinks,” he said. “That’ll give me… something to do.” Natalie relinquished the two glasses, and Shawn ambled his way toward the Prestons.
“So Nat – still want to do go ahead with this?” Krystina whispered in her ear.
“Not really…” Natalie began. “But I need to know for sure.” She leaned against the bar, watching Shawn’s pathetic attempts to get Jade to smile. “But what about the others? I mean… the Prestons have problems… it’s obvious. But Pete and Sam aren’t here yet…”
“Oooh damn… look at him.” Krystina pointed, as if Natalie weren’t already looking. “He’s flirting with her in front of Jack and in front of you. How cruel… or blatantly stupid!”
Natalie frowned. “How long before the spell takes effect?”
“Midnight… only a few more hours.” Krystina said. “Can you wait that long?”
“I’ll try.” Natalie skulked to the stereo and turned up the volume.
Krystina watched Shawn as he cavorted with Jade Preston. Jack didn’t seem to notice his sultry Japanese wife being lured away from her business call. It’s possible he’s just being friendly, she thought. But that’s not what Natalie would think. And, she reminded herself, what Natalie thinks tonight is important… very important.
The doorbell rang. That would be Pete and Sam. Krystina went off to greet them while Natalie continued to spy on Shawn from the cover of the stereo’s blaring speakers.
***
Entering the foyer, Krystina made her way to the door. She glanced through the side window and froze. It wasn’t Pete and Sam. Clutching her chest, breathing deeply to calm herself, she adjusted her mask and fixed her hair. Feeling that everything was more or less in place, she braced herself and opened the door.
***
“So Jack – is it just me, or does your wife have the most beautiful eyes in the world?” Shawn asked.
“What? Oh… yes.” Jack answered, still half-listening to whoever was on the other end of the line. Noticing that, Shawn continued trying to get a rise out of him. He lifted Jade’s hand and kissed it.
Jade shook her head. “What’s your plan tonight, anyway? You trying to get yourself in trouble, Shawn Sullivan?”
Shawn winked at her and mouthed the words “trust me.” Then he leaned over and planted a huge kiss on her husband’s cheek.
Jack nearly dropped the phone. “Wh-what the…? What the fuck are you doing, man?”
“Trying to get your attention, dude. Your phone wasn’t invited to the party, am I right, Jade?” He glanced back at Jade, who was already onto another call. Shawn sighed, “You people are pathetic. What happened to you Jack? Don’t you remember Friday nights in the park? Getting loaded with the girls…?”
Realizing that he wasn’t getting anywhere with the Prestons, Shawn stood up and walked over to Natalie. He grinned sheepishly.
Natalie glared at him. “Having fun?”
“No,” he admitted. “Look, Nat, let’s go get some Chinese and go back to my place.”
Before Natalie could answer, Krystina walked into the room. Natalie waved her over. “Who was at the door?”
“The door? Oh, no one…” Krystina stumbled. “I-I mean… it was… someone who, you know, had the wrong address.”
“You should’ve invited them in,” Shawn said. “They might have livened things up.” He turned to Natalie again. “Tell me why we’re here again?”
Natalie looked away. “I just wanted to do something different. We’re always going to other people’s parties. We never have our own. And I hardly get to see you, Shawn. I mean, you’re always busy with your acting.”
Shawn put his mask down and took Natalie’s hands. “I know, sweetie. Just a few more weeks and then you’ll have me around so much you’ll get sick of me.”
“Yeah, I’m getting sick of you already.” Krystina cut in.
“Hush, witch girl,” Shawn snapped and turned back to Natalie. “Don’t listen to her. I mean it. Let’s get out of here now – come on.”
Krystina said something under her breath.
Shawn turned to her. “Hey, you got a problem?”
“Stop it,” Natalie snapped. “We’re here to party, so let’s party. Come on, Shawn. I’ll put on our song and we can dance.” As she did, Krystina slipped out of the room.
***
Krystina hurried to the closet in the foyer. She had just pulled something out of it when the front door opened. It was Petra Varelle. “Hi Krys,” She said. “Sorry about just coming in like this, but I tried the bell. It didn’t work… and the door was open so – ”
Krystina launched across the foyer onto Petra. “Dammit, Pete.” She whispered forcefully as she covered Petra’s mouth with one of her hands. “Where’s your manners? Don’t you know it’s not polite to just barge in?” Petra was shaking horribly as tears began to well up in the corners of her eyes.
Krystina quickly used her other hand to lock the front door, then she gripped the girl around her neck. She forced her captive up off the marble floor and into the large closet. Shutting the door behind her and flipping on the light, she smiled coldly. “Now, if you want me to be really nice… you have to give me your word that won’t scream when I take my hand away. You promise…? Petra!?!”
Petra struggled, trying to break free of Krystina’s almost superhuman grasp. Krystina kneed her in the ribs and she doubled over, stifling a cry. “Now, do you?” Krystina asked.
Petra nodded and fell to her knees sobbing. “Why…? Why are you doing this to me?”
“Quiet,” Krystina hissed. “I’m going to ask the questions. Is Sam here?”
Petra shook her head, her red curls dangling messily in her eyes. “He said he’d be late so I came by myself. One of his friends is going to drop him off in a bit. Now please tell me why you’re doing this?”
“Can’t tell you everything,” Krystina said. “All you need to know is that you saw something you weren’t meant to see. After tonight, I’ll let you go and everything will be… fine.” She tied Petra up and put a gag on her mouth. With Petra immobile, Krystina fished in her prisoner’s pockets for car keys. She would have to move her car around back so no one would get suspicious.
Krystina left the closet and locked it. As she walked to the front door, she silently chided herself for disabling the bell. But she didn’t want any other disturbances tonight after the last one. Despite both incidents, Krystina was still convinced that nothing would ruin her plans.
“Hey Krys,” Natalie called. “Come here a sec?”
Cursing, Krystina stuffed the keys in the folds of her dress and stalked back to the party. Moving the car would have to wait.
As she passed by the mirror, she took care to straighten her hair. Looking at Krystina always made her feel better. “Hello… Krystina.” She smiled.
***
Natalie was waiting in the doorway. “What took you so long? I thought you might have skipped out of here with that person from before.”
“There really was someone there,” Krystina said. “Don’t you believe me? Now, what did you call for?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Natalie shrugged. “I was just thinking maybe we should serve these people some food before they start leaving out of pure unadulterated boredom? Now, where did you put those bags I brought?”
“B-bags?” Krystina blanked.
“Yeah, you know… the two you brought inside from my car?” Natalie said. “Where’d you put them?” Krystina remained silent.
Natalie sighed. “In the kitchen or the pantry? This house is huge… so I figured I would ask you first before I spent the rest of the night looking around.”
“Probably the… kitchen,” Krystina managed.
Natalie grinned halfheartedly. “Thank you very much, dear Krys. Whatever would I do without you?” She gave Krystina a pat on the shoulder. “Now be a good best friend and entertain while I get the food.” Natalie headed down the hallway toward the kitchen.
Catching her breath, for her heart was beating rapidly, Krystina watched as Natalie walked away. Why is everything getting so complicated? Just one simple little spell and now she had to make sure that certain people were kept in the dark about… certain things.
“Uh… Krys?” Shawn called and motioned her to come over with his hand. “I want to change CDs and I’ve never been that great with these stereos that hold 100 discs… So could you help me out here?”
Krystina saw her moment and grabbed it. “But this is a… wonderful song, Shawn. Come on, handsome – let’s dance.” She grabbed Shawn’s hand and pulled him into the center of the room.
Awkward at first, he quickly fell into step with her. They danced around in circles, and, all the while, Krystina inched herself closer. She leaned over and said something into his ear. His eyes closed.
Jade Preston, who had finally turned her phone off for the evening, saw the two of them dancing. She drained her martini and turned to her husband. “Do you think he actually dances better with his eyes closed, Jack? …Jack?”
“What…? Hold on, hon,” Jack said, covering the mouthpiece on his phone. “I’m almost finished.”
Jade grabbed a long strand of her dark Asian hair and began to twirl it with her fingers. “I want to dance. Jack – we never do that anymore.” He held up a hand for her to wait and continued chatting away.
Jade stood up from the sofa and took her glass over to the bar for a refill.
***
Petra Varelle shifted her weight so she could sit up, which was difficult to do with her hands and feet tied. It wasn’t normal rope, or anything so convenient. Instead, it was a bunch of straps taken off a few old trenchcoats and that made it even harder to twist around. Plus, the gag that Krystina had stuffed into her mouth wasn’t helping at all.
As her eyes became adjusted to the darkness, Petra could see a large form in front of her, like a duffel bag or a golf bag… but it was too big to be either. The more she looked at it, the more it seemed like it was something else… and then it opened.
***
With some searching, Natalie was able to find what she was looking for stuffed into the refrigerator. She sliced a few pieces of cheese and put them on a platter with crackers and herring. She glanced at her watch. It was almost 11:30 and still Pete and Sam had not arrived. She thought it odd that neither had called, but decided not to worry about it.
On her way back to the sitting room, Natalie heard someone knocking. She figured that, with the music going, no one had heard the bell. Placing the tray down on the little cherrywood table that held a priceless candelabrum, she hurried into the foyer.
Glancing out the side window, Natalie saw that it was Sam, her brother. She opened the door and jumped on top of him. “You finally made it!”
Sam Worth stumbled a bit and steadied himself on the door. “Hey Nat… sorry I took so long. Pete must be worried sick!”
Natalie stepped back. “Pete? You mean she isn’t with you?”
“No,” Sam said. “She’s not here? Her car is parked right out front.”
Natalie leaned out and saw Pete’s red Dodge Neon parked along the cul-de-sac. “I swear she’s not in here. But maybe Krys or somebody else let her in. I was back in the kitchen all this time.”
“Yeah, that has to be it,” Sam said. He took off his coat and Natalie carried it over to the closet.
She tried the door. “Hmm… that’s odd. It’s locked.”
Sam shrugged. “You know these old houses… it’s probably stuck…. Or a ghost locked it?”
“Maybe,” Natalie said. “Come on, we’ll just put your coat in the study. No one is using it now. And I’ll ask Krys if she has a set of keys to open that door.”
“Ghosts,” Natalie laughed. “No ghosts here, just a witch.”
“You mean she’s still into all of that stuff?” Sam asked. “Why won’t she grow up?”
“Hey, I’m not about to judge. And you shouldn’t either, Mr. Ouija Board.” Natalie poked her brother in the shoulder and ruffled his dark brown hair.
“Oh please,” Sam said. “Haven’t done that in years. You know that.”
“True. But still… it’s one of Krystina’s hobbies. And she cast a spell tonight for us. I’ll tell you more about it later. Oh, and you’ll need a mask.”
“A… mask?” Sam said.
“Yeah,” Natalie said. “Didn’t I tell you this is a masquerade?” Natalie picked up the tray of snacks she had left and they joined the other partygoers in the sitting room.
Krystina froze in mid-dance when she saw Sam. And Shawn, who had been practically leaning on her by then, fell to the floor when she stopped moving.
“Krystina! What are you two doing?” Natalie yelled playfully, for she knew there could be nothing going on between Krystina and Shawn because he wasn’t her type.
Krystina rushed over to Sam. “When did you get here?”
“Few minutes ago,” Sam said. “You happen to see Pete or let her in? Her car’s parked out front and I thought –”
“Damn,” Krystina cursed. She was about to run out of the room, when Petra and another Krystina appeared. “Damn it all to hell!” she screamed.
“It’s over,” The other Krystina said.
“Not likely, little miss.” Krystina said and snapped her fingers.
The room went silent, the CDs caught in mid-change. Petra rushed to Sam’s side. Jade Preston knocked off the last of her drink and clutched onto the side of the bar awaiting what would happen next. Jack Preston actually put down his phone.
Again, Krystina snapped her fingers. Nothing. She shot the other Krystina an icy glare. “What did you do to me?”
The other Krystina shook her head. “Poor old Auntie Charlotte. Thought you could just take my place like that? Well, what you seem to have forgotten is that while you wear my mask you literally become me. And I don’t have the extent of your powers, now do I?”
Charlotte stamped her feet. “I was desperate! Thought this would be the last chance I’d have to get a man… but the truth is out now.”
Sam held up a hand. “Wait a second, can we replay the last few minutes with a bit of explanation? I just got here.”
“And you think being here would have helped?” Jack asked. “I’m just as fuckin’ clueless as you are.”
“Hah,” Jade said. “I wonder why.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jack said.
Jade steadied herself. “You know very well, sweetheart. Sitting there with that phone attached to your face practically every hour of the damn day. Think I don’t notice how you retreat to it when we’re alone, too? Jesus Christ, Jack… I mean, the only way we connect lately is if I call you… and even still, I get stuck leaving voice mail.”
“That’s not true,” Jack said.
“Oh… it isn’t?” Jade poured herself some gin. “I asked you to dance before and you didn’t even care. You were too busy. The job. The job. The job. That’s all I hear. I tried to be like you, Jack, but it doesn’t work. It never does. I sit there and pretend I’m happy. I’m not.”
The others in the room were stunned into silence at this display of emotion. Shawn was the first to speak. “I-if anybody cares? It’s like thirty seconds ‘til midnight.”
The real Krystina nodded. “Quick, everyone put on your masks.”
Natalie gave Krystina a look that spoke volumes. After all that happened? But it was a truth spell… and it seemed that this evening was missing the truth all along. Despite her initial misgivings, she slipped on her mask and watched in astonishment as everyone else did the same, even the Prestons. Everyone, that was, except for Sam and Pete, and Charlotte who was, for all intents and purposes, already in costume.
At the stroke of twelve, there was a bright burst of rainbow light, as though it were the flash from a camera. Spots and sparkles blurred Natalie’s vision. When the ethereal light faded, the masks were gone and Charlotte had reverted to her true, aged form.
And then, it happened.
Unnaturally compelled, Charlotte fell to her knees. “I-I’m so sorry to all of you, especially you Petra… but you saw what you shouldn’t have. I’m not normally this evil. I’m just lonely and the world revolves around people who are in love. At this age, I’m quickly running out of options.
“But, when I heard what Krystina and Natalie were going to attempt here tonight, the opportunity to snatch Shawn was too good to resist. So, I hid in the garage while they were getting ready. Then, when the coast was clear, I rang the bell, pretending to be a guest.”
Krystina nodded. “Yes, and that’s when she knocked me out and hid me in the closet. Then I untied Petra and we broke down the closet door. I think she thought I was dead because she threw me in a bag, too. We definitely need to discuss that later, Auntie. Not nice.”
“Anyway, I also have this urge – no, this need – to come clean.” Krystina turned to Natalie. “Aunt Charlotte knew that Shawn would be a free man after tonight because I told her I had planned to steal you away from him… despite whether he was cheating or not.” She looked away and headed over to the fireplace.
Shawn turned to Natalie. “Nat, baby. That’s not true, is it? You thought I was cheating on you? How could I be cheating on you? I’ve been too busy with the play to do that.” He fished in his pockets and brought out a small box. “I-I was going to propose to you tonight…”
Natalie blinked back tears. “Oh Shawn. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I just felt like you were taking me for granted, leaving me alone all the time… and I-I missed you…”
“Yeah,” Jade sniffed. “I know how that feels.”
Jack Preston shook his head and walked over to his wife. “Man, everyone’s apologizing tonight… but I can’t lie, hon. I’ve been cheating on you for a while now. Just been taking me a while to get up the courage to tell you that.”
Jade stood for a few moments in silence, and then threw the rest of her drink into Jack’s face. She ran over to the sofa and started to cry and Krystina went over to comfort her. Charlotte hastened over to the bar to clean Jack off.
Sam grinned at Pete. “Well baby, I’ve been totally honest with you and I can say that without a spell.”
“I know … same here,” Pete said. She hugged him tight. They said goodnight and quietly slipped away.
Natalie sat down next to the bar and Shawn knelt beside her. He tried to wipe away her tears but she brushed his hand away. “How can you – after I thought…”
Shawn held out the box in front of her, and then put it back in his pocket. “I still love you, Nat…. Probably always will. But if you can’t trust me…”
Natalie stared into his blue eyes. “I just wanted to know the truth.”
Shawn nodded then took her hands in his. “All right then, New Year’s resolution… no secrets or lies between us. We’ll start fresh from here… see how that goes. Ok?”
“You’re too forgiving, you know that?” Natalie said. “But I won’t complain.”
Shawn helped Natalie to her feet, and then looked around at the others who remained. Jade and Krystina were speaking softly on the sofa. Charlotte and Jack were doing likewise on the other side of the room.
He shivered inwardly as he thought about how things could have ended… himself with Charlotte in Krystina’s body. How long would she have waited before she let him see her true self? Probably not until way after the honeymoon.
He shook his head. Despite the lack of trust Natalie had for him, he was happy that things worked out the way they did. The truth was out in the open and they could rebuild from there. The future was still an unknown, but they would take each moment as it happened.
Natalie took one final glance as they were leaving. Her eyes fell on Krystina. She felt something inside and wasn’t sure what it was at first. Then she freaked as she remembered the truth spell. It must have worn off… it had to. Did it?
|
Help Us Stop Plagiarism -
Nearly all works at PnP are original. However a few people choose to plagiarize.
To check, choose a phrase from the work, then either drag and drop to the search box or copy and paste.
click on search and works at Google will be shown which match. Just to be sure, please do this before
you recommend or rate the work highly...
|
 |
|
|
|
Select a Random Work
from Stories
|
|
Welcome !
