Donna Fletcher Short Story Collection (17 page)

“Then it makes sense that Ali and I go and
introduce ourselves to the new owner of McDevin Manor and—”

A cloud of fairy dust suddenly appeared and
out of it popped Beatrice, her one fairy wing crooked and her head
wreath sitting askew. “What’s that you say?”

“Sarina and I are going to McDevin
Manor—”

“No! You can’t go to the Devil’s Den,”
Beatrice protested.

“Not you too, Beatrice,” Dagon said. “It’s
time the rumor is put to rest.”

Beatrice gave a quick look around before she
whispered, “It’s no rumor. McDevin Manor is the gateway from Hades
to earth.”

~~~

“I was taught to believe in evil since good
could not truly exist without its counterpart,” Sarina said
cuddling close to her husband’s warmth in bed. “But I believed the
devil nothing more than myth, the epitome of what evil could be if
it took form.

Dagon tucked his wife closer glad she enjoyed
sleeping naked and cuddled against him. No matter when he woke, in
the middle of the night or early morning, she was always wrapped
around him and he loved it, loved the feel of her and loved her
beyond reason.

“Do you still believe that after what
Beatrice had to say?” he asked.

“Beatrice repeated what she has heard, but
she admits that she has seen no proof of McDevin Manor being a
gateway for the devil.”

“But the forest fairies know their home
better than anyone,” Dagon argued. “So wouldn’t they know if such a
gateway existed?”

“Perhaps,” she tapped his chest, “but you
have lived here a long time and nothing out of the ordinary has
ever occurred at McDevin Manor, right?”

“The place has been empty for years.”

“When it was occupied was there any
problems?”

“Not that I recall, though I can’t say I ever
truly got to know any of the owners. It seemed that the manor was
never a prime residence. It was a holiday home or brief retreat. I
don’t remember anyone residing there for any extended period of
time. Come to think of it, I didn’t give the place thought after
awhile. It was almost as if it didn’t exist.”

“I can see how easily that could happen,”
Sarina said. “The forest has gown around it until the manor has
become invisible. Perhaps the new owner will change things and
bring light and laughter to the Devil’s Den.”

Dagon grabbed his wife around her slim waist
and hoisted her up over him so that they were face to face. “And
you, of course, are going to see if you can help with that?”

“It’s only neighborly of me to go and welcome
our new neighbor with some of Margaret’s delicious cookies and also
see if we can be of any help.”

Dagon kissed her gently. “I won’t stop you
from going.”

Her brow went up and her body tensed.

“While your powers surpass mine don’t think I
couldn’t stop you from doing something that could possibly put you
in danger.” Sarina went to say something and he stopped her with a
kiss before saying, “And I know full well your exceptional talent
of seeing and sensing things before they happen, but I still worry
over you. I can’t help it; I love you so very much.”

She wondered if her stomach would ever stop
fluttering when he expressed his love, though she was quite sure
her passion for him would never fade. She simply melted at his
touch and when they finished this discussion she intended to melt
completely.

“Ali and I—”

“Now you’re really in danger.”

Sarina laughed. “Ali can manage to get into
some difficult situations.”

“It’s a given with her, so do be careful and
promise me that if you sense any threat or danger, even the
slightest that you’ll come home immediately and tell me,” he said
and then brought her close to nuzzle at her neck.

She sighed with pleasure. “Promise.”

“And—”

“No more talk,” she demanded in a whisper.
“There is only one thing I want from you now.”

Dagon grinned, slipped his arm around her
waist and with a gentle twist had her beneath him in a flash and
then he reached over and turned off the light.

~~~

“This place more resembles a castle than a
manor house,” Ali said securing her off-white wool wrap over her
shoulder, “and embraced by this horrid fog makes one think that its
nickname may be relevant.”

Sarina had to agree. The massive gray stone
loins that flanked the top steps along with the large loin knocker
on the weathered and scarred front door gave one pause before going
any further. The tall, narrow windows with their heavy drapes drawn
didn’t help either.

“I’m glad we transported here,”—Ali
shivered—“this way we can make a quick escape if necessary.”

Sarina again had to agree, though she didn’t
sense the presence of any malevolent force. “When or if I feel any
danger I’ll let you know immediately.”

Ali smiled. “Bless your fantastic clairvoyant
abilities.”

The two women climbed the few steps slowing
as they past the stone loins.

“The eyes look so real,” Ali said with a
shiver.

Sarina nodded. “It looks like the sculptor
used black marble for the eyes.”

When they reached the door, Ali gave her hair
a pat and adjusted her wrap. Sarina didn’t know how the woman
managed to always look so stunning. Her long blond hair fell in
gorgeous waves down her back and the off-white knit dress she wore
clung to every perfect curve of her slim body. Off-white ankle
boots and silver jewelry finished her outfit off to perfection and
had Sarina glancing with judgmental eyes over her own ensemble.

Long gray knit skirt, white cashmere sweater
and black sweater jacket with a bare hint of silver jewelry and
long dark hair she left to its own devises didn’t exactly scream
sexy.

“Don’t worry,” Ali said. “Dagon loves you
just the way you are.” She grinned. “Besides I’m one of those rare
women who look good no matter what she wears.”

Sarina laughed softly and shook her head as
she reached for the lion door knocker.

The door swung open before her hand touched
the metal circle. She and Ali jumped back startled.

“May I help you?”

Sarina and Ali stared at the staunch older
woman, her wide shoulders drawn back, her aged bosoms confined in a
black dress that more resembled a servant’s outfit from the 1800s.
And her gray hair was severely drawn up in a tight bun at the top
of her head.

Sarina rarely used her title, Dagon having
forgone it years ago but she somehow thought that now it could work
to her advantage. “I am Lady Sarina Rasmus here to welcome and pay
respects to my new neighbor and new lord of McDevin Castle.”

It worked. The woman gave a courteous bow of
her head and stepped to the side as she opened the door for them to
enter. She took them to a front parlor that contained dated
furniture and threadbare rugs, though there was a welcoming fire in
the mahogany and marble insert fireplace.

“Lord McDevin will be with you in a moment,”
the woman said and with another gracious bow left the room sliding
the pocket doors closed behind her.

Sarina placed the tray of cookies on the
mahogany table that sat between two dark green velvet settees.

Ali went to the fireplace and held her hands
out to warm them. “I keep forgetting how damp and chilly the
Highlands can be. I’m relieved that at least we’re offered the
warmth of this room, though the furnishings leave a lot to be
desired.”

“Many of the older castles have fallen on
difficult times,” Sarina said. “It’s costly to maintain them.”

Ali cast a curious glance around the room.
“You’re right, of course, but look... portraits as usual and of
course staunch expressions on every one of their faces. Didn’t any
ancestor ever smile? And I don’t see even a hint of a personal
touch.” She turned wide eyes and a smile on Sarina. “You don’t
sense that we should be concerned, do you? If not, perhaps we
should explore a little before lord McDevin joins us.

“There’s no time,” Sarina said and with a
start turned toward the door.

The two women stared open-mouthed at the man
who entered.

He was not just handsome, he was... gorgeous.
His features captured the eye so much that it was impossible to
look away. There was something mesmerizing about him and not just
his face. His stature alone spoke volumes. That he was an
aristocrat was obvious. He held himself with such distinction that
you would think he had stepped out of one of the portraits, out of
history and into the present. But his black wool trousers, black
knit sweater, stylish haircut and charming smile clearly defined
him as a modern man.

“How delightful,” he said stepping into the
room and reaching for Ali’s hand to kiss and then turning to
Sarina, though he hesitated slightly when he reached for her hand
and held it longer than he had Ali’s, “to have two beautiful women
in my front parlor.”

His hand was warm and pleasant and Sarina
smiled at his charming nature. “It wouldn’t do for me to not greet
our new neighbor.”

“You are Lady Sarina of Rasmus Castle?” he
asked.

“Yes, and this is an old friend of my husband
and now a dear friend of mine... Ali Wainwright from America.”

“Of Wainwright Security?” he asked.

Ali beamed with pride. “My husband’s company,
and you are?”

Leave it to Ali to remind him that he hadn’t
introduced himself, though Sarina was pleased that she had. She
sensed that he was attempting to distract them, but why?

“Adam Lottimer of McDevin Manor at your
service my ladies,” he said with a gracious bow that few nowadays
knew how to execute properly.

“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Ali said in a
voice that dripped with sweetness. She then proceeded to slip her
arm around his. “And can I be so bold as to tempt you to show us at
least the first floor of this old manor. I so love touring old
castles and manor houses.”

Sarina caught his hesitation though it was
brief and the slight slip of his smile, but he remained the
gentleman.”

“I would be delighted, though I’m afraid the
rooms that are being worked on are off limits.”

“Show us what you can,” Ali encouraged and
walked to the door leaving him no choice.”

Adam had certainly been busy restoring the
manor... the dining room being the most impressive. And one that he
seemed to take great pride in.

“The Jacobean-style ceiling is believed to be
the oldest surviving ceiling in the manor, circa 1580 or possibly
earlier than that. The chairs date to the eve of Waterloo and as
you can see the claret-colored walls serve as a stunning backdrop
to the gold-framed family portraits.”

A twinge of apprehension hit Sarina. Had it
something to do with the portraits?

“It’s stunning,” Ali gushed. “But I must ask
you why you gave the dining room so much attention first?” She
smiled. “Are you planning a party?”

“You are most perceptive, Ali. I am having a
small intimate dinner party for
close
friends.”

It wasn’t lost on Sarina or Ali how he
empathized close. It was clear that he had no intentions of
inviting them.”

“And do tell,” Ali said boldly stepping
closer to him as if she wanted to hear a secret. “Will you be
hosting it on All Hallows Eve?”

The pain stabbed Sarina like a knife sending
her to her knees as she grabbed her stomach.

Ali went to her side going down on her knees
beside her.

“Get me home to Dagon,” Sarina whispered.

Adam hunched down beside them. “She’s
obviously in great pain. Let’s get her to a bedroom where she can
rest while you go get her husband.”

Ali turned a generous smile on him. “Not
necessary. It’s that nasty time of the month.”

Adam was taken aback by Ali’s bluntness,
which had been intentional.

“I told you that we should have waited a few
days before welcoming the new neighbor,” Ali admonished as she
forced Sarina to her feet. “You’re much too stubborn for your own
good.”

Sarina could barely get her breath, the pain
was so great.

Ali practically dragged her to the front
door, Adam protesting all the way. And when he opened the door and
saw that no car waited for them he moved in front blocking their
exit.

“Where is your ride?” he demanded.

“In the fog,” Ali said and gave him a nudge
with her shoulder.

“I’ll help you get her to the car,” Adam
offered.

Ali shook her head. “Not necessary. We’ll be
fine.” And she hurried forward.

Sarina looked to the fog; never had she
welcomed it more. Once in it Ali could transport them back to
Rasmus Castle, back to Dagon.

Sarina turned to take one last look at
McDevin Castle, hoping she’d get a hint as to what was causing her
pain. What she saw stole her breath.

Adam was hurrying down the steps toward them
and on the top step in front of the open door stood... a fiery red
demon.

~~~

Dagon and Sebastian sat in the front parlor
talking after just having put Alexander in the cradle for a nap.
They were discussing the possibility of Sebastian opening a
division of his company in Scotland and possibly buying a home
nearby.

“It would be nice for Alexander and Jade to
grow up together as Ali and I did,” Dagon said.

“I could probably use the help,” Sebastian
said with a grin, “since I’ve yet to get the swing of my newly
acquired powers, which I have you to thank for.”

Dagon laughed. “I thought it would be a nice
surprise learning that once you sealed Ali’s spell you would be
granted a witch’s powers.”

“It would have been nice if it had come with
an instruction booklet.” Sebastian raised his hand and waved a
finger around. “I still haven’t got the knack of it.”

“You look to be doing fine,” Dagon nodded and
Sebastian glanced over to see Alexander’s blue baby blanket
floating in the air toward the cradle.