Chapter 11. Simon’s frightened cries aroused Angelica, and she sat up

S imon’s frightened cries aroused Angelica, and she sat up. She blinked once, twice, and smiled at him, her emerald eyes shining.

“Simon—where am I? What is happening?” she asked groggily.

“I—I found you on the floor, Angelica!” Simon replied, greatly relieved. “I thought you were—”

“The spirits,” Angelica whispered, sitting up. “The spirits called me, Simon. I must have swooned, fallen into a trance.”

“I was frightened,” Simon said, taking Angelica’s slender white hands and pulling his wife to her feet.

Angelica squeezed his hand affectionately. “I slip in and out of my trances and cannot control them as I used to.”

She lowered herself to the edge of the bed, straightening her black hair with both hands. She looked tired. In the sunlight from the window he could see that her once smooth face was lined, the skin tight and dry. Only her eyes retained their youthful glow.

“Angelica, perhaps it is time to put away the magic, to retire your dark arts,” he said softly, standing over her.

She gazed up at him in surprise. “Simon, my powers have served us well,” she said. She gestured around the luxurious bedroom. “We have become even more wealthy, the wealthiest people in Shadyside. We have five wonderful children. We have succeeded because of our powers, yours and mine. I cannot give up now.”

“But to enter your room and find you lying unconscious on the floor—” Simon started.

Angelica raised a hand to silence him. “When the spirits call, I must follow.” She muttered a chant.

“Angelica—”

“Simon, hush. The spirits will hear you. I will have to cast a cleansing spell to rid the house of your negative words.”

He sighed and paced the carpet in front of her. “Let us change the subject,” he said finally. “Let us discuss the dinner party tonight. I have spoken to Hannah and Julia and—”

“I cannot attend the party. I am sorry, Simon,” Angelica told him abruptly, climbing to her feet.

He turned, startled. His face reddened. “What?”

“I read the cards this morning,” Angelica told him with a shrug. “They advised against any kind of celebration.”

“Angelica, I beg of you,” Simon said heatedly. “I need you this evening. As you know, this dinner party is most important.”

“I am sorry,” she replied, taking his arm. “I cannot go against the cards. I cannot take that risk. I cannot tempt the vengeance of the spirits. I must always obey. Ask one of the girls to act as hostess, Simon. I will stay in my room tonight. The cards have instructed me.”

Simon sighed. He knew there was no point in arguing with his wife. He gazed at her with concern. Her dark powers had taken over her life, he realized. Her chants, her spells, her cards—they kept Angelica in her room for days at a time.

The children worried about her and missed her. And now Simon realized that he, too, was worried.

“Give the cards another reading, Angelica,” he urged, handing the deck of strange, colorful cards to her. “Perhaps they will advise you differently this time.”

“Very well,” she replied softly, “but I know what they will tell me.” Smiling, she gave Simon a gentle shove toward the door. “Go now, husband. Go ask Hannah to serve as your hostess. She will charm your guests even better than I.”

Reluctantly Simon bid her farewell and made his way from her room. He could hear her murmuring over the cards as he walked along the long hall to the front stairs.

Simon was halfway down the stairs when he heard a loud, shattering crash from the parlor.

Дата добавления: 2015-07-20