Hotel Hex by Linda Wisdom Page A

of earshot, for all she knew he could be missing an ear by now, she made sure to keep a safe distance. “What is going on here?”
    “Give me a little kiss and fondle and I’ll tell all,” the prankster cooed, wiggling his behind.
    “Tell all and I won’t have to zap you back to the Dark Ages,” she cooed back shaking her forefinger at him. Sparks of power lit up the digit.
    The fiend sighed. “You witches haven’t been fun for centuries. Fine, what do you want to know?” He perched on the side of the inkwell. Regrettably, he sat with his legs splayed to accommodate his masculine overabundance.
    “Euwww!” Fluff and Puff howled, struggling to escape Jazz’s feet, but she wasn’t allowing it.
    Jazz wished for bleach for her eyeballs. “Is the house cursed?”
    “You, of all witches, should know better. What kind of curse eliminator are you?” he snorted.
    “An excellent one,” she retorted. “Is there some kind of hex on the building stones? An old magick? Dark, perhaps?” she lowered her voice since she hated to even think about baneful magick. She’d fought it several times over the centuries and even won, but that didn’t mean she didn’t treat it with proper caution.
    “Many things are old,” he swung his legs in a way that made other parts of his body swung back and forth. “Powers and such that even such a comely witch as you isn’t familiar with.” He grinned lasciviously. “Much I could teach you if you’re interested. My kind has powers you could only dream of.” He leaned back, managing to show off his mighty erection.
    “ Little man, there is a vampire who would love nothing more than to rap that thing off,” she told him in a low voice. “Do us both a favor and tell me what’s going on in this house.”
    “Open the front door.”
    She glanced over her shoulder at the storm still raging outside. “I’ve already done that.”
    “Do it now,” he purred.
    Jazz rolled her eyes and walked to the door, grasping the polished knob. Except this time it wouldn’t turn and pulling on the door only resulted in her almost losing her balance. She ignored the puck’s gleeful chuckles and tried some magick on the doorknob. It still refused to open. She swung around.
    The little rogue grinned. “Magick won’t let it open.”
    “What does?” She really didn’t want to think what his answer might be.
    “It will open once everyone in here is dead.”
     
    “We have to leave.” Jazz burst into the library. While she was upset, she still made sure Nick was alone before she made her demand. She snatched up his coffee cup and drank deeply. “Ick! What is that?” She grabbed a napkin and swabbed her tongue.
    “It’s a special blend for vampires.” He was unapologetic. “That will teach you to not ask first.”
    “I’m not saying a word until I’ve had some real coffee. I’ll be right back.” She tried the parlor in hopes a coffee pot would be there. Finding none she peeked into the dining room then headed for the kitchen.
    “Smells really really bad,” Fluff warned as she pushed the swinging door.
    She conquered her gag reflex and pushed the door all the way open. Jazz skidded to a stop as she faced what looked more like a slaughterhouse than a food preparation area.
    A long butcher block table was covered with blood and gore. She had no idea what the body lying across it was originally or whether it had been male or female. For now, it was sliced open from gullet to groin, its grayish intestines covered with fat white wiggling maggots. The head consisted of a misshapen mass of bone and brain. Huge blowflies buzzed overhead.
    She was vaguely aware of the bunny slippers vomiting as she covered her mouth with her hands to keep herself from doing the same.
    “We have to leave,” Puff insisted, his ears twisting around so much they almost sent him skyward.
    “ Now .” Fluff added his two cents.
    Jazz tore her gaze from the sick sight to the glass door that led to the rear yard.