Chapter Fifteen
“I still can’t believe you are going in that crazy costume, you have a cute butt under that lab coat and should be showing it off.” Penny lectured Sarah for the tenth time since they dressed for the party.
“I know we don’t know Seraphine well but something tells me you don’t go against her wishes. And like I said before, I need the extra yards of material to let me hide behind if I get nervous.” Sarah stuck her tongue out at her best friend and left her hotel room to go meet Asald at the car.
It was her first time laying eyes on him in costume and she was in awe. He stood leaning against the car, giant wings were folded up against his back, his skin was grey and mottled looking. “You look awesome! Your wings look so real.” Sarah reached forward to touch them as Asald stepped back and climbed into the car, she was impressed how easily he got in with them on.
Penny came bouncing out of the hotel in her skimpy fairy costume. Her wings were nice but nowhere near as good quality as Asald’s were.
They drove the short distance to the mansion on the edge of town. The gates were huge, ornate, wrought iron, two massive gargoyle statues stood sentry on either side. Asald pulled up to the gate, a call box was nowhere to be seen. After a few seconds, the gargoyle on the left started to stretch and turn its head towards the car.
“Get the fuck out, I give up, we have to move here.” Penny was leaning in front of Asald watching the statue move.
“Good evening, may I help you?” All three were taken aback when the Gargoyle spoke to them.
Asald cleared his throat, “Um, we’re here for the party.” Sarah was very glad she was in the backseat, she would have been mortified talking to the stone creature.
“What’s the password?” Penny jumped and threw herself against Asald, the gargoyle on her side of the car had leaned close to her window and spoken too.
“Did the guys give you a password?” Penny looked at Asald who shook his head no.
“We don’t know the password but we were invited by Pascal and Toussaint. We met Seraphine yesterday, she would remember us and tell you we’re allowed in.” Asald hoped name dropping would help.
“I don’t know Abenor what do you think, do we believe him?”
“He is dressed like one of us Larott, how could we turn him away?”
“Mistress doesn't like us letting people in who weren’t invited. If they don’t know the password, how do we know they’re supposed to be here?”
‘You know he’s allowed, he’s one of us. If he wants to bring along friends I say we let him in.”
All three people in the car volleyed their heads back and forth watching the strange stone creatures arguing over the car at each other.
“Fine, I’ll let you in but you have to do the password.” Larott leaned close to Asald’s face, laughter on his face.
“You do a password? I thought you said a password?” Penny looked perplexed.
“You must sing us a song to enter, it’s Abenor’s turn to choose.”
Abenor’s beady eyes squinted for a second while he thought, “Okay, this should be fun, I want you to sing I’m a little teapot and it doesn’t count if you don’t do the dance with it.”
Sarah was nearly out of breath trying to keep her laughter silent. No way was she going to risk gaining their attention. Penny elbowed Asald and gestured for him to perform.
“This is ridiculous, fine, I’m a little teapot, short and stout,” Asald growled the words out.
“Stop, stop, that is a fun song you are butchering and you definitely aren’t dancing.” Asald glared at Abenor then let out a huff of irritation before starting again.
Sarah was impressed, his second try was much better, she still wouldn’t let him sing it to a classroom full of kids but watching him tipping himself over, his arm shaped like a spout was too much fun to not laugh at.
“Larott, Abenor, how many times have you been told?” Both gargoyles snapped to attention, looking straight ahead rather than at the tiny woman who was standing on the other side of the gate.
Seraphine had appeared without anyone noticing, “I’m sorry for these two, they let the power get to their heads sometimes. While you do make an excellent teapot, I do suggest you come up to the house and join the party.” She didn’t wait for an answer she spun on her heel, took a few steps and was swallowed by the darkness.
The statues didn’t say another word, the gates slid open silently. The winding drive ahead of them was ethereal. Like the rest of the town, the trees were barren yet beautiful. The light fog creeping across the ground, its whisps licking at the tires threatening to engulf their car.
Sarah was surprised Seraphine hadn’t stayed on the road, she had vanished. “Every time I think I’ve gotten used to this town something like that happens. Can you imagine what those things must have cost? They were incredible, technology these days never ceases to amaze me.”
A mile down the road the imposing mansion came into view. Judging by the looks on everyone’s faces Sarah wasn’t sure who was more impressed at the sight. “I want to thank you guys now for dragging me along, this is the coolest thing I’ve ever done.”
Penny turned back and smiled at Sarah, I would say all in all this weekend has been awesome for all of us. Now, we need to go find your man so no stalling, let’s go.”
Penny calling Adam her man sent tingles through her belly, she realized how true she wanted those words to be. Penny was right, it was time to find him and see if this morning was a fluke or if he really did want to blow her off.