Read Forever Charmed (The Halloween LaVeau Series, Book 1) for Free Online

doozy of an impact on Liam Rankin.
More footsteps echoed through the parlor. When I looked toward the kitchen entrance, Nicolas stood at the threshold, staring down at the black disk that had once been a pancake.
“I’m sorry. Let me whip up a fresh batch.” My face must have been blood red.
Nicolas didn’t seem interested in breakfast food though. He was glaring at Liam with an expression of extreme agitation. The men stared at each other for a moment, then Nicolas focused his attention my way.
“You really don’t have to go to any trouble on my account,” he said.
He was taking pity on me. I didn’t want my first bed-and-breakfast attempt to be a complete failure.
“It’s no trouble at all. I’m making more for me and Annabelle too.” I pointed at Annabelle as I scraped the pancake from the floor and dumped it into the trash.
Annabelle’s mouth was still wide open. I never thought I’d see the day that I’d officially left her speechless.
She finally came out of her trance and nodded. “Yes, Hallie’s pancakes are delicious.”
I could always count on my best friend to lie when necessary. Her eyes remained wide as she studied Nicolas, then Liam again.
The smoke had begun to dissipate from the charbroiled pancake, but something else in the air had replaced the smoke. A strange electrifying tension pulled at the air around us.
“I’ll serve breakfast in the dining room if you’d like to have a seat. It’ll just take a second. It’s the first room on the left through that hall.” I pointed down in the general direction, giving them a pleading look. “Liam, you’ll eat too. You must be tired and hungry.”
Liam gestured for Nicolas to go first. I could have sworn Nicolas snarled at him.
Annabelle’s jaw had apparently stopped working. “Shut your mouth before it stays that way permanently,” I whispered.
She peered down the hallway. When the men were out of sight, she said, “Hallie, what the hell is going on? There’s enough electrical tension in this room to light up the house for a year.”
I waved the whisk through the air. “Do you feel that too? I thought I was imagining things.”
If Annabelle felt it, then I knew something weird was definitely going on. She was one of the most non-magical people I knew. She never picked up on vibes or anything.
“Help me finish breakfast so I can get in there and figure out what is going on.” I draped the apron over my head and tied it around my waist.
“Here, why don’t you let me do the pancakes and you get some bacon out of the fridge.” She eased the whisk from my hand.
I didn’t resist.
After hurrying with the food, Annabelle and I rushed down the hallway to the dining room. We stopped short just outside the closed door. The men were talking, but in hushed tones. They clearly didn’t want to be overheard.
“What are they saying?” Annabelle whispered.
“I can’t make it out.” I motioned for her to be quiet as I leaned closer to the door. I picked up one of the OJ glasses off the tray, and placed it to the wood, then put my ear against it.
“You’re not fooling anyone, Marcos, least of all me. I know exactly why you’re here and if you think I plan on letting you find it before I do, you’re sorely mistaken.”
That was Liam.
Another voice, I assumed Nicolas, responded in lower tones. I couldn’t make out anything besides “Underworld” and “Mara.” He sounded furious.
My heart rate increased. Okay, I didn’t want to alarm Annabelle, but we were about to walk in on something serious. What were they looking for? Who was Mara? Had I heard him correctly?
I kept my ear pressed against the glass, but nothing. They’d stopped talking, as if they knew we were right outside the door listening.
I’d tell Annabelle what I’d overheard later. Maybe. I motioned with a tilt of my head for her to go in.
She shook her head. “You first,” she mouthed.
I let out a deep breath. “Fine,” I whispered.
“Breakfast is served,” I said in