151 Witches Dine

After my mother and I meet at the hotel, we head straight to the large restaurant being used for the gathering. As we walk over arm in arm, I lean over and say "Whatever happens, don't take off the charm I gave you." 

My mother gives me a knowing smile as she says "I tied it around my ankle so no one can see it but I really don't think it's necessary. I really think they just want to make connections with you. They know just how powerful you are now so they will probably want to create an alliance."

I give her a strained smile as I whisper "Let's hope you're right..." The man at the door politely opens the door for us as we walk into the dimly lit restaurant. As soon as we step inside, the chatter instantly dies down as they all turn to look at us. 

It wasn't just one coven... it seems like every coven in New Orleans was here tonight. As my mother and I come to a stop, a beautiful woman with a long bloodred dress and long black hair steps forward and says "Greetings, fellow witches. We're glad you both have agreed to come tonight as tonight will be a night of new beginnings."

I raise my eyebrows and slightly smile as I nod and say "Thank you for having us..." The Witch beams at me as she reaches out to my arm and says "Let me show you to your table. You are one of the guests of honor tonight so you two will sit here next to the front." 

For the second time in the last minute she's spoken, she's said things that have bothered me. New beginnings? ONE of the guests of honor? My gut was telling me something else was happening here tonight and all I wanted to do was leave.

If it was just me, I wouldn't be so worried but having my mother here... it was making me twitchy. Ambient music plays, instantly setting the whole dining hall into a mystical night with dark intentions. Everything was done in shades of black and red, a recurring color for the supernatural around here it seems... The woman gives us a polite smile before saying "If you need anything, just lift your hand and a waiter will come and see to you." 

She gives us a small wave before walking off and joining the others as my mother and I take a seat at the table marked "Hallows" My mother keeps a pleasant smile on her face as she says "Don't make your discomfort so obvious my dear. Smile and act like the idiot they all want us to be."

Her comment earns a genuine smile from me as I lift my hand. A man in a black mask walks up and asks "What do you desire, mistress?" The words on my tongue become stuck as his words bounce around in my head. 

Mistress? Desire?? I feel myself shiver and say "Drinks... Just drinks." He bows and walks away as my mother bites her lower lip to keep from laughing. They're really playing up on the whole thing tonight, aren't they? 

"Ambrose? What's wrong?" I say answering the phone and taking a small sip from the dark alcohol. Ambrose growls through the phone and says "What's wrong? Have you forgotten my back room at the club!?"

I glance at the sweet alcohol with surprise as I say "I haven't forgotten Ambrose. Did something else happen?" Ambrose sighs as he says "Tell me you thought of something or found something that explains what the hell is happening. The cracks are becoming larger! What if this thing opens?" 

I frown and say "I haven't found anything but, to be honest, I haven't really had the chance to do research yet." I can practically hear him grind his teeth as he says "Why my dear? What is sooo important it's preventing you from giving this possible danger and end of the world your full attention??"

I sigh and say "I'm sure you have an idea but right now I'm pretending to get along with all the witches. Did you know that they've gathered all the covens here in New Orleans for a night of new beginnings?" I take another sip of the alcohol as Ambrose grows quiet. 

After a few moments, he says "No, but I do now... great timing. Do you think this has anything to do with my wall? The witches and I have never really gotten along so this would be the perfect 'Fuck you'." I chuckle a little and say "Not that I can tell but if something like that comes up, you'll be the first person I tell." 

Ambrose sighs and hangs up the phone as the music suddenly changes. I put my phone away as the dim lights grow even darker. Suddenly, long black strips of cloth come fluttering down as a woman with a mask comes tumbling down. 

She wraps her body around and pulls with her arms as her body glides through the air like an elegant dancer. The witches clap in delight as the woman continues to contort herself in ways that would leave me in pain for a few weeks. 

I watch everything as I slowly take a sip of my drink but I can't help but feel like something's off. My mother softly claps next to me as my eyes scan the crowd but when I can't see anything, I use my magic to feel out the crowd. 

If someone was trying something, I would feel their magic but to my surprise... no one seems to be trying anything. The woman drops like she's falling but she stops at the last moment causing the crowd to clap with enjoyment but as the woman crawls back up, she lets go into a spinning descent that has others sucking in.

Right before she hits the ground, I feel a strange but powerful magic wash over the entire room like a large powerful wave. Instantly, the woman disappears, and in her spot stands five men in black suits. Of course...