“What is that?” I asked, my heart racing at the sudden attack.
“A magical protective barrier. After someone lit Cupid’s Confections on fire, I figured this place could use a few more protections,” Lizzy said.
“What are vampires doing here?” Jane asked. “And in the open?”
“And why does one look just like Wickham?” Lydia said.
Something skeptical twisted inside me. Their scent was all wrong. Vampires had the distinct smell of death. These most certainly didn’t give off that aroma. Plus, their movements were too slow.
They bared their teeth and hissed.
In fact, they looked and acted almost comically like vampires.
“You think this little barrier spell will keep us out?” This so-called “vampire” was obviously also fae. He let his magic flow into it.
“Sisters?” Lizzy stuck out her hands, and Jane and Lydia both took them. Together they chanted, a white light flowing into the barrier.
The other two ‘vampires’ had risen, and they also sent their magic into the barrier. It began to weaken.
I focused my power and put it into the barrier as well.
But three fae were more powerful than one fae and three half-witches. The barrier weakened. I tried to put more power into it, but I was already drained from earlier with Lydia.
The Wickham copy of me eased around the counter and reached for Lydia. “Come here, little witch.”
I moved forward, faster than a thought, putting myself between Lydia and her attacker. “Don’ttouchmy wife.”
I blasted him back into the wall with my powers.
Kitty came out of the kitchen, her eyes wide. “What’s going on here?”
“Kitty, help us,” Lydia said, reaching out her hand. Kitty took Lydia’s hand and joined in the chant. I refocused on my powers.
The barrier strengthened.
The three fae backed off, disengaging. I hated how they all looked at Lydia, and I knew they’d come here for her. With one more threatening look, they turned to go.
Once they were gone, the four sisters dropped their protective spell.
“What was that? Why were vampires attacking us?” Jane asked.
“They weren’t vampires,” I said. “They were fae pretending to be vampires, using a glamour so nobody could identify them. No real vampire would expose themselves like this.”
Lizzy turned on me. “And why did one look exactly like you?”
“I don’t know…” I paused, putting the pieces together. “My Jeep wasn’t working this morning.”
“What does that have to do with anything?” Lydia asked.
“I borrowed Mr. Rothschild’s car. I think whoever is trying to frame me must have made it so my Jeep wouldn’t work, thinking it would keep me at home while they mounted their attack. Instead, I drove here in a different vehicle. They didn’t realize I was inside.”
“So they pretended to be you… to attack your own wife?” Kitty said. “But why?”
Lizzy’s jaw clenched. “You need to leave.”
Lydia frowned. “No he doesn’t, Lizzy.”
“Yes he does. They were here for Lydia, but they came because of something to do with Wickham.” Lizzy motionedtoward me. “Besides, now that they’re gone, we’ll extend the barrier on Cupid’s Confections at night to during the day. Nobody, not even those fae, will be able to get in.”
