3 Chapter 3

Smiling, Mac placed his hand on the top of stack of pink whoopee cushions next to the yellow rubber chickens. "I can see why," he chuckled. Then he turned back to Afton. "I notice you carry Leonard Volkes' books, his latest The Witches of West Hollywood. Have you read it?"

"I just started it but so far I'm not very impressed."

"Well, he has a significant following," Mac admitted, "even though I hear he's somewhat of a nutcase. Still, I wouldn't mind having him under contract."

"Oh? You publish books?"

"Yes, I have a small business, Editions Publishing over in Cambridge. Actually, I co-own it with my partner, Rob Edelstein. Have you heard of it?"

Afton raised her brows in appreciation. "Why yes. You publish some of the paranormal literature I carry. In fact, I have your Ghost Stalker series on the shelves."

"Yes, we dabble in a little of everything, whatever sells at the moment." As he spoke, Mac glanced at his sterling silver watch and then donned a small frown. "Oh, look at the time! I should be on my way." He returned his blue gaze to Afton. "It's been a pleasure, Ms. Tremaine."

"Afton, please," she stressed.

"All right, Afton, and I'm simply Mac as I said. My phone call was to a friend of mine. I invited her out this evening for dinner and drinks, although I have no idea what's opened tonight."

"Oh, then why don't you join us?" Winnie quickly chimed in. "We're going to the Empyrean for drinks and music. That's a night club. Afton's brother, Devlin, plays in the house band, the Blues in the Night. That's their name."

Mac stroked his firm, smooth jaw. "Oh, I see."

Afton nodded. "Yes, Devlin's a drummer."

"And the band plays a wide variety of music," Winnie added. "Pop, rock, classical, jazz and hip hop, but mainly they prefer mystic vibrations in accordance with the moon and stars."

"Mystic vibrations?"

"Yes... well, you'd have to come and listen for yourself. Plus, I think you'll enjoy the décor, very astrological."

"Hum, I never heard of the Empyrean Club but it sounds very intriguing. If you give me the address I might suggest it to my friend."

"Oh, I think you'll both get a kick out of it," Winnie opined and then recited the address near the corner of Delaware Avenue and Newberry Street.

With a nod, Mac began to ease towards the door. "Well, thanks again for the use of the phone and the invite. It's been a pleasure, ladies, Ms. Graylock, Ms. Tre... Afton." He stroked his chin again as he savored her name along his tongue. "Afton. Quite an unusual name, but I like it."

"Thank you," she answered. "It's an English name meaning confidence."

"My name-or should I say names-are English, too; although, my last name is a shortened version of a Norwegian family name. But there's nothing unusual about any of them."

"Well, Afton is quite the unusual girl," Winnie added before their guest departed. "She loves to dance barefoot and sometimes au naturale. And she cooks, too, particularly food used as aphrodisiacs. She does the kinkiest things with oysters! Yes, my niece is quite the liberal and accommodating lady. So, please keep us in mind for this evening, Mac!"

With an amused smile, he paused before turning the door knob. "I certainly will at that."

For courtesy's sake, Afton held back her irritation, but as soon as Mac disappeared up the stairs she turned on Winnie with a curt, chilling tone. "Auntie! You have no business telling a stranger about me! It's very embarrassing if not mortifying!"

Winnie shrugged. "Mac didn't seem embarrassed. In fact, he looked quite interested when I mentioned your assets. If you don't want to sell yourself, then you can't blame me for wanting to do it for you! I'm your blood kin after all, and I want to see you happy. So, if I nudge things along in the romance department, it's because I think Mac Barrett is just the man for you, a very eligible catch."

Afton crossed her arms. "If I want an eligible catch, I'll go to the fish market, otherwise stay out of my love life, auntie. It's for your own good as well as mine. Kinky things with oysters, indeed!"

"Well!" Winnie demurred. "Excuse me for wanting to do something nice for my niece! I hate to just sit by and watch your love life go down the drain. You know, I could place a spell on Mr. Barrett and he'll be down here panting over you so fast that he won't know what hit him."

"Don't you dare, Winifred Graylock! If I told you once, I told you a thousand times, that we should never use our powers for selfish reasons, for monetary gains or for causing pain to others. The potential for harm is too great! Plus, you risk exposure not only for yourself, but for the rest of us."

Afton leaned close. "You've got to promise me, auntie, that you will not touch Mr. Barrett. In fact, I want you to promise that you'll stop snooping and casting spells on any of our neighbors. Plus-" She tried to engage Winnie's attention, but the older woman's gaze, with quick, crafty eyes, strayed everywhere but in front of her. Finally, Afton placed her hand under Winnie's double chin and made her look up. "And now, if you've done something to Mr. Barrett's phone, please undo it!"

"Oh, all right," the older woman agreed with a huff of resignation, "I promise. But you're no fun, Afton, darling." Pulling away from her niece, she swayed and then twined her arms towards the ceiling. It took her less than a minute to break the spell and restore Mac Barrett's telephone to working order again.

"Thank you, auntie," Afton offered with a sigh of relief. "I'm sure Mr. Barrett thanks you, too. Now, I've changed my mind and decided to go with you to the club after all." Although not particularly in the mood for a celebration tonight, she would nevertheless feel better if she could keep an eye on her aunt, especially if Mac Barrett decided to stop by the club.

Winnie's round face suddenly brightened. "Excellent! And if Mr. Barrett should happen to show up with or without his friend, it might prove an interesting evening for you, my dear. Of course, there will be no spells or potions involved... I promise!" To prove her sincerity, she made the secret coven sign of avowal across her ample breasts.

"Good! I don't need magic to catch a man. If there's to be an attraction between us it will happen naturally, with no trickery or spell casting." Afton flicked her gaze towards her apartment in the back of the shop. "So, I'll see you down here at eight o'clock, auntie. Now lock the door behind you when you leave."

"All right, dearie, I'll see you then." Before she left, Winnie added a parting shot: "And don't forget, Afton, to dress provocatively!"

Ugh!