"Yes, I am. I've never felt like this with any man before. Just my luck, he happens to be a ghost."

Adele rested her clasped fingers on the table. "What do you think will happen after the seance tomorrow night...provided we are successful?"

"We must be! I can't let Caleb wonder this house, alone, century after century. I can't imagine anything crueler should we fail. He's a good man, an honorable man. Caroline had to know what he was like, and yet, she became so obsessed with him cheating on her. Why?"

Adele nodded. "I see. Naturally, you want to help him, but Caroline's motives aside, are you willing to give him up?"

Carolyn's heart stopped. "Give him up? Are you crazy?"

"Caleb Harrison died three hundred years ago and has been bound to this house ever since by Caroline's revenge. If we do free him from the curse Caroline put on him, he'll be able to pa.s.s on like nature intends. I don't believe he will have any choice, as much as he may want to stay with you. At least, that is what I believe will happen. The magic you're expecting is beyond my experience."

Horrified at what Adele said, Carolyn asked, "You mean, the only way I can keep him, is to not break the curse? Why don't I just curse him myself?"

"If you truly love Caleb and want what is best for him, then you must break Caroline's curse, no matter the cost to you. Carolyn, my dear, sweet sister, I didn't want you to get your hopes up only to suffer when they are dashed."

Too late. My hopes won't be what are dashed, only my heart. I don't think I can live without Caleb. I would rather die.

Adele covered Carolyn's hands with her own, and Carolyn could sense the love and concern pouring from Adele's heart. "Think about what I've told you and promise me you won't do anything rash. We'll talk again tomorrow before the seance."

Carolyn fought to control the rising flood in her eyes, swallowing the lump lodged in her throat, and said, "I promise."

Adele patted her hand. "I'll let myself out."

Carolyn barely noticed. What will I do without Caleb? I love him so much. Do I own the right to ask him to stay with me? No, I don't. I'd feel guilty the rest of my life if I did. He's suffered for three hundred years already. I won't add more for him to endure. d.a.m.n you, Aunt Caroline!

Her plans to decorate the house for All Hallows Eve forgotten, Carolyn wandered from room to room, searching her mind and soul for an answer, a way around this conundrum. As a child, her mother always taught her to do the right thing, no matter how hard the consequences. Except, she'd noticed, her mother hadn't always heeded her own advice. Carolyn often thought her mother a bit hypocritical and so far, had been able to resist the temptation herself. This will be the hardest decision she's ever faced, and yet, she knew she already made her choice. The only choice possible.

Near midnight, Carolyn climbed the stairs to turn in for the night, her last with Caleb. A hot bath laced with scented oils eased her tense muscles. Wanting to look her best for him, she applied her makeup with care then used her grandmother's silver combs to hold her long, black hair off her shoulders. Lastly, she donned black silk hose with garters and a slinky black dress, which left very little to the imagination, her one concession to Maggie's constant urging to spice up her wardrobe.

Tonight, she decided, they would make love in the bedroom and not by the fountain. Tonight would also be while awake, not while dreaming. She daubed Shalimar behind her ears, a trace down her throat and a drop between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Going into the bedroom, Carolyn lit every candle she had, turned off the lights, and switched on her CD player. Ready as she would ever be, Carolyn stood at the foot of the bed, leaned seductively against a bedpost, and called to him, "Caleb, my love."

Before she could blink, Caleb stood framed in the doorway. His easy smile took the breath from her lungs.

How can I possibly give you up, my darling? Is this what Caroline felt when she decided to poison him; that she did not want to live without him either?

Bolstering her resolve, Carolyn reached a hand out to Caleb. He stepped closer, placing a single, perfect, red rose in her hand, and as if reading her thoughts, he said, "Let us make love as if this is our last night together."

Carolyn's reply caught in her throat, unable to tear her eyes from his, she swallowed hard and said, "Will you dance with me?"

Caleb took a half step back and bowed formally to her, Carolyn curtsied in return. The CD player changed discs and Barry White began singing, Never, Never Going to Give You Up. The lyrics filled the room and tore her heart apart.

Wordlessly, Caleb took her right hand in his, putting his other arm around her waist as they began swaying to the tempo, their bodies pressed tightly together, and his firm hand gently stroking her bare back. Carolyn rested her head on his chest to prevent him from seeing the tears in her eyes.

"My darling, Carolyn, once I am freed from this curse we will celebrate many nights like this. We will dine, dance, and make tender love all night."

"What about the days?"

"The days too, my love," Caleb replied, kissing the hair on her head.

Carolyn turned to gaze into his eyes. "Yes, my darling, we will love each other all the days and nights. We will never be apart again."

Caleb's mouth covered hers in a searing kiss. His tongue prodded her lips until she parted them, allowing his tongue to enter her mouth and find hers. Caleb pulled her closer to him, crus.h.i.+ng her in his pa.s.sion, and Carolyn thrust her hips into his, his hard erection pressed against her belly, igniting a fire inside.

Caleb removed the combs holding Carolyn's hair, allowing her silken waves to fall gracefully about her shoulders as she unb.u.t.toned his s.h.i.+rt and ran her hands along his muscled chest. Her fingers brushed his nipples, making them hard and erect, and Caleb intertwined his fingers in her hair, tilting her head back.

"Your love has given me life," he breathed.

"You are my life," Carolyn said in return.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, Carolyn pulled him down to her to kiss him, unleas.h.i.+ng all stored emotions. Caleb responded in kind, hands fumbling with the dress' zipper. With a smile, Carolyn stepped away from Caleb, unzipped the dress for him, and allowed the slinky garment to drift gracefully to the floor, forming an inky pool at her feet.

Carolyn blushed as she reminded herself this was not a dream, and except for her stockings, she stood naked, an arm's length away from the man she loved. Making love under a blanket or in total darkness was one thing, but standing completely naked in front of a new lover for the first time is never easy. What if he thinks I'm fat or ugly with my clothes off? Will he be turned on or off by my b.u.t.terfly tattoo? Will he still love me?

Her embarra.s.sment quickly dissipated when Caleb removed his s.h.i.+rt and pants, his swollen c.o.c.k revealed his intentions. Getting down on her knees, Carolyn ran her hands up Caleb's rock solid thighs while swirling her tongue around the head of his ever-growing c.o.c.k then taking his length into her mouth. The salty taste of his pre-c.u.m only made her want more.

Gliding her hands up to his washboard stomach, she felt his muscles tighten in response to her ministrations. Her head bobbed up and down while her lips and tongue slid along his throbbing shaft. Moving one hand to cup his full ball sack, she heard Caleb moan in tense delight, his breath now ragged gasps.

Not wanting him to release just yet, Carolyn began kissing up his stomach and chest, pausing to kiss and lick each nipple before continuing to his waiting lips. His hands cupped her a.s.s and he lifted her.

Holding her tight, Caleb spun her round and round before flopping her onto the bed, her legs dangling off the side. He got down on his knees, lifted one of her legs, and removed her stocking. Taking her other leg, he slowly rolled the stocking down, his fingertips leaving a trail of fire along her flesh. With her stockings off, Caleb kissed and nibbled on her toes. His kisses soon traveled to her calf and behind her knee. Placing both legs on his broad shoulders, Caleb alternately kissed and ran his tongue along her inner thighs.

Carolyn clenched the blanket in her fists as bolts of lightning shot through her body. Beads of sweat dotted her face as she eagerly awaited his arrival at her prize. His tongue licked the sides of her mound as his hand covered her hot p.u.s.s.y, then he continued to kiss back up to her waiting b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

Carolyn's heart pounded like a steam locomotive on steroids, her fingers clawing at his broad back. A deep, guttural moan escaped her throat as his fingers spread open her wet folds and stroked her v.a.g.i.n.al opening. Caleb moved back to tenderly kiss those opened lips, a finger slowly drawing a circle on her swollen c.l.i.t, engorging the bud even further.

His other hand repeatedly grazed her skin from her thigh to a breast and back down again. The circle his finger made on her c.l.i.t became faster and firmer while Carolyn's breathing grew hotter and faster.

More moans escaped her lips as Caleb put two fingers inside her. He curled those fingers and made a come-hither motion along her velvety walls, driving her to even greater heights of ecstasy. Her c.l.i.t pressed between his lips, his tongue ma.s.saging slow circles was nothing short of pure heaven. Carolyn closed her eyes, arched her back, and squirted her release.

Caleb lifted his face, his lips and chin drenched with her juice. A slow lick of his tongue across his full lips made him grin broadly. "I love the taste of your sweet nectar," he said, climbing back to her face and lips. "I love every inch of you."

Carolyn licked his lips then kissed him. Caleb, my love. How can I live without you? I need you. G.o.ddesses, please help me find a way.

Caleb rubbed his length along Carolyn's aching mound, making her forget everything else. She spread her legs further apart, inviting him in, but his c.o.c.k continued teasing her, and his hot breath on her neck further excited Carolyn to the point she couldn't wait a second longer for him to be inside her.

Twisting around, Carolyn rose to her hands and knees and wiggled her a.s.s in his face. "You want some? Come and take me, big boy," she teased.

"I like the way you think in this century," Caleb said, answering her challenge. Climbing to his knees, he placed the tip of his c.o.c.k at the entrance to her wet p.u.s.s.y. Placing his hands on her hips, he yanked her to him, his stiff c.o.c.k painfully ramming all the way into her.

Carolyn gasped as his iron hard p.e.n.i.s impaled her, his thrusts coming hard and fast, intensifying the smoldering fire inside her to inferno levels within seconds. He reached one hand around to her inflamed c.l.i.t, rubbing with an intensity that quickly drove her back to the edge. His other hand slid to a breast, twisting and pulling on her nipple. When he released her nipple and stung her b.u.t.t with a sharp slap, Carolyn's core erupted like a volcano; lava hot juices flowed swifter than the Colorado River in spring. Caleb continued pumping until his c.o.c.k erupted in wave after wave of pulsating euphoria.

Falling onto her side with Caleb still inside her, his arms wrapped lovingly around her, Carolyn never felt safer or more loved. She wanted this night to never end, to share her bed with Caleb for the rest of her life. A single tear fell to her pillow as she knew her dream would not come to pa.s.s. There would be no fairy tale ending for them.

All Hallows Eve dawned with long peals of thunder rattling Carolyn's windows. Last night's wispy black clouds were now thicker than thieves were and promised to let loose with a deluge not seen since Noah. Carolyn didn't need to roll over to know Caleb had left her side, gone forever.

Chester jumped on the bed, sat down, and stared intently at her. Carolyn patted the bed alongside her to coax him closer, and when he settled next to her, Carolyn stroked his sleek hair, saying, "You're always here for me when I need you the most, aren't you, my dear Chester? It was right after Mom died when I found you sitting by my front door, and you're still here for me when I'm losing Caleb."

Chester watched Carolyn intently, almost as if he understood every word she said. His tail curled and uncurled, his soft purring helping to soothe her shattered heart, giving her strength for what she had to do today. Carolyn lay there for a few minutes, absorbing Chester's love before getting up to take a much needed shower.

At the store, she went straight to her workshop and buried herself in seeding rosemary starter pots. She had been looking forward to freeing Caleb, and now, she dreaded going to the seance, for what she would do to the man she loved. Telling herself that she was doing this for Caleb didn't make her pain any easier to bear.

After what seemed like only an hour, Maggie came to say she had locked the store and was ready to go. The eager look on Maggie's face caused her heart to plummet. Reluctantly, Carolyn put away her potting tools and the two drove to her house for dinner. Carolyn threw a chicken in the oven to broil, rice on to boil, and then prepared a three-bean salad. She tried to show an interest in Maggie's story about the infamous costume party she attended the previous night, nodding occasionally and laughing when Maggie laughed. Her mind however, was hours from then.

Adele and Sarah showed at ten as the storm outside started to let loose its fury. Once Carolyn introduced Maggie, Sarah took Maggie into the library to test her potential as a witch while Adele and Carolyn talked in the kitchen. "I sense you're still troubled."

Carolyn stood and began pacing. "I keep trying to find a way around this. I don't want to lose Caleb, but I can't doom him forever like Caroline did. There must be a way around this. Don't you have any ideas?" she asked, pleaded, and begged, hoping for a last minute reprieve.

"I'm sorry, Carolyn, I don't. Magic has its boundaries, and I'm afraid what you're asking for is beyond its limit."

Carolyn sat next to Adele, resigned to her fate, "Then I guess I'm left without a choice. I'll let Caleb go if that is the price I must pay. I only hope I can summon the strength to go through with the seance now."

Adele remained silent, for which Carolyn silently thanked her. She knew Adele and her other sisters in the coven would support her no matter what decision she made, but she thought she would scream if she heard any worn out cliches or plat.i.tudes, no matter how well intentioned.

Sarah and a grinning Maggie emerged from the library. "Carolyn, I'm pleased to tell you your cousin shows a definite potential for the craft. In time, with the proper training, she may become a very proper witch."

"That's great, Mags. I'm happy for you."

"Thanks, Cuz. Hey! We can go to witch school together. You know? Spells 101 or whatever they call it."

"Just as long as you don't turn me into a frog," Carolyn quipped, trying hard not to let her sadness show.

Adele stood, smoothed the wrinkles from her dress, and said, "I'm happy for you too, Maggie. Ladies, midnight is almost upon us, shall we prepare for the seance?"

Carolyn got up, opened a cupboard, and pulled out a small box filled with candles and incense. "I gathered everything Sarah said we would need."

Adele took four small candles from the box and said, "I think we'll use the kitchen, easier for us to hold hands. Why don't you and Maggie place the candles and the incense around the room? After you light them, turn out the lights, please."

Adele placed the candles at the north, east, south, and west positions on the table. Sarah took a clump of sage gra.s.s and wiped the table to cleanse the bad spirits away. Sarah then walked around the table saying, "Let it be known the circle is being cast." After a complete circuit, she moved closer to the table and lit the east candle saying, "Guardian of the East, I call upon you to protect the rights of the Wexford House Coven. Watch over all who enter this circle in perfect love and trust."

Moving clockwise, Sarah repeated the chant at all four corners, calling on each Guardian to protect them from harm. "The circle is cast," she said. Then, pointing to Adele, she asked, "How do you enter the circle?"

Adele answered, "In perfect love and trust." Adele took her chair and sat.

Sarah repeated the question to Carolyn and Maggie who answered the same as Adele. Before taking her seat, Sarah said, "I, Sarah Burns, High Priestess of Wexford House Coven, enter in complete love and trust." She sat and extended a hand to Adele and another to Maggie.

Carolyn hesitated before sitting. There's no going back now. Wiping her sweaty palms on her jeans, she took Adele's and Maggie's hands in hers. G.o.ddesses? This is your last chance to help me. I hope you're listening.

Sarah closed hers eyes and began humming softly. Soon, her eyes started rolling rapidly back and forth under her closed eyelids, and in a loud voice, she said, "Caroline Wexford Harrison, we respectfully call upon you to join us in this circle. It is very important we talk with you." The third time Sarah called to Caroline; a stiff, chilling breeze sprang to life in the room. Candles flickered violently in the wake and a bright, s.h.i.+mmering form of a woman appeared, floating serenely above the table.

"Thank you for coming, Caroline. We are forever grateful. We called you here to rectify a great wrong. Caleb Harrison, your husband, is innocent. He never cheated on you and did not deserve your wrath. We intend to prove his innocence."

Suddenly, Maggie slumped to the table. Slowly, she lifted her head and said in a shrill hiss, "I do not believe you. I saw Caleb and that b.i.t.c.h, Ellie, with my own eyes. Naked they were. Fornicators they are. Cheater he is."

Carolyn couldn't believe what she heard. Maggie's voice didn't sound anything like her; the timbre was higher, almost screeching. The reality of what they were attempting hit her like a charging bull elephant. It's really happening! Caroline is speaking through Maggie!

Sarah spoke again, "Caroline, Ellie discovered the secret pa.s.sage leading from the upstairs to the library. Ellie drugged Caleb with his nightly tea in order to set the scene for you to discover in the morning. She wanted you to catch them so you would leave Caleb. She wanted him for herself."

The wind picked up again, and Carolyn heard the storm outside the house matching the one inside. Huge raindrops pelted the windowpanes, threatening to break the thin gla.s.s.

The intense anger on Caroline's ghostly face matched her words. "You lie!" she screamed. "Caleb cheated on me and nothing you say will change my mind. He will remain cursed for the rest of time."

Carolyn had enough. Giving Caleb up was hard enough, but to stomach listening to her dead aunt call her a liar was beyond her limits. "Aunt Caroline, I do not lie. Caleb has always been true to you."

All of the doubts and questions nagging her suddenly fell into place as Carolyn realized the whole story about what really happened on that long ago night. "Caleb wasn't the one who had the affair. You did," Carolyn accused her. "You hired Ellie and her husband so your lover would be close to you. Your guilt made you accuse Caleb of what only you were doing. Don't deny it."

Caroline's ghostly form turned into a small tornado, whirling frantically above the table. Maggie's eyes rolled up in their sockets. "How dare you accuse me!"

Carolyn's entire body blazed with a blinding aura, sparks flying from her fingertips. A new wind picked up, creating a rainstorm inside the house, matching the tempest outside. Carolyn stood with such force her chair flew against the wall, shattering into a hundred pieces.

Pointing her finger at her aunt, Carolyn screamed, "I dare because I know the truth. You grew up in this house. Only you would know about the pa.s.sageways. You encouraged Ellie to go after Caleb, showing her the pa.s.sages. You wanted both Ellie and Caleb out of the way, so you could marry Ellie's husband. You didn't love Caleb. Your father forced you to marry him. You wanted Ellie's husband. Why else would you hire an incompetent gardener like him? Tell me I'm wrong," Carolyn shouted above the raging storms.

The anger on Caroline's face faded. "You are right," she confessed, cowering from Carolyn's fierce glare. "I loved Derrick, and I did whatever was necessary to hold on to him."

As I will do anything to keep Caleb.

"Even to the point I falsely accused my own husband of what only I was guilty. For his sake, I did try to drive him away, and when he refused to leave, I grew more and more desperate. Caleb did not love me; he loved his garden more than he loved me. Nor did I love him. My father forced me to wed a man I had no attraction for to benefit our families' social standing. At long last, an answer to my prayers, I discovered Ellie's secret attraction for Caleb. She was such a simple girl, easy to manipulate into my unwitting accomplice in my plan to discredit Caleb.

"Yes, I showed her how to get into the study and gave her the leaves for his tea to put him into a deep sleep. Then, when all was finished, I could not live with what I had done. Now you know why I drank my tea." Caroline drifted over to stare at Carolyn. "I know you love Caleb and he loves you. You are blessed with what I had been too blind to see. I envy you, Niece."

Maggie went limp, saying nothing more. Carolyn would not stop at Caroline's admission. She had come too far, and her aura blazed brighter. "So what's it going to be, Aunt Caroline? Will you set Caleb free or not?" she demanded.

Caroline's spectral form stretched thin above the table, her arms wavering in the air, as if casting a spell. Caleb's ghostly form joined her. "Caleb, I am sorry for what I did to you. I was wrong in what I did and I set you free." Caroline said nothing more as she faded to wisps of nothing.

Caleb called to her vanis.h.i.+ng spirit, "I forgive you, Caroline." Then he looked down at Carolyn and said to her, "Thank you, my love." Then, he screamed, "No!" as he too vanished in a violent, twisting whirlpool of black smoke.

The storm inside the house abruptly stopped, and Adele jumped up to catch a falling Carolyn, helping her into a chair. Maggie, previously slumped to the table, raised her head again, her eyes looking normal, as was her voice. Maggie shook her head and asked, "What happened? And why am I so wet?"

Carolyn, her aura now a faint glow, answered in a choked voice. "We succeeded. Caroline released Caleb."

"We were? Fantastic! Where is he? I want to meet him."

Carolyn buried her face in her hands in an attempt to dam the flood of tears. Adele explained to Maggie how with the curse broken, nothing bound him to this Earth, and Caleb moved on. Adele then checked on a limp Sarah, obviously drained from the experience. Handing Maggie a small pouch, she asked her to make tea for them with the special leaves inside the pouch. Adele went to a listless Carolyn, guided her upstairs, and put her to bed.

Adele sat on the bed next to a semi-conscious Carolyn, and said, "You are even more powerful than Sarah thinks you are. I've never heard of anyone with the ability to call upon all the G.o.ddesses and tap into their powers as you did. You, my dear Sister, are a witch beyond any to come before. I only hope this won't also be your curse."

Chapter Eight.

Carolyn felt numb and hollow inside, existing in a perpetual fog. For weeks at a stretch she'd arrive at work, not remember leaving the house, or the drive there, and vice versa. Her skin lost all color and turned pale as death itself. Her life became a meaningless blur. Nights were even lonelier for her as insomnia once again ruled her. Not even able to rest, Carolyn wandered the empty house at night, calling his name. She refused all attempts Sarah and Adele made to train her in the art of witchcraft. The price she paid so far cost her everything; she had nothing left.

Winter came and pa.s.sed with her barely noticing. The last snow finally melted, the birds returned with their cheery songs, and small buds on the trees and flowers poked their heads out to sniff the warm air, yet Carolyn didn't care. Her world died when Caleb vanished, and she continually prayed to join him, to take her from this empty life.