Casually Cursed (15 page)

AFTER I GOT
down from the wall, I searched for Kismet, calling her name in the darkness until Zach picked me up and carried me back to the hotel by force.

Poppy tried to argue in her cockney accent, which I learned is a kind of English hillbilly accent, that she’d caught us and that we’d have to come with her. She claimed she was in charge because she could cast the most dangerous spells. I was so mad about her giving Bryn the throat infection and hurting Kismet and being the cause of the rift between Kismet and me that I told her that if she tried to cast a spell, I’d sock her in the nose and then shoot her in the legs so she couldn’t chase us anymore.

She’d seen Lundqvist, so I suppose she knew I was serious. But I also suspected that it was Zach telling her he’d take offense if she tried to cast spells on us again that really kept her from getting aggressive.

Zach wrapped Lundqvist in a carpet, and we took him to the hospital. There were two dead wizards, one courtesy of the wolves, from the look of his torn flesh, and one who’d died of blood loss from a dagger slice through his left groin artery, which was probably Kismet’s work.

We found Kato in a coma with one of Kismet’s arrows next to him. He’d been shot through his spell-casting arm. It wouldn’t have been too bad a wound if the arrow had been removed properly, but he’d torn it out, leaving a lot of damage. Also, I guess he’d absorbed too much of the poison, since he ended up in that coma. We dropped him at the hospital, too.

Lundqvist played dirty by hollering that we’d attacked him. We got out fast, with Bryn casting a spell to short out the security cameras. I hoped it had worked. I sure didn’t want to be on any of Ireland’s most-wanted lists.

“That Lundqvist isn’t much of a spy, yelling like that. What’s he going to say? That we were trying to mug him? He’ll have to make a report. It’s kind of crazy to try to get us detained that way,” I said.

“We heard a rumor that you were planning to go underground,” Poppy said. She’d fully recovered and followed us out of the hospital, threatening us with another toxic spell if we didn’t give her a ride back to the hotel. Rather than have a scene in the parking lot when we were trying to leave quickly, we’d brought her along.

In the van, she rummaged around and started to unzip a suitcase, saying, “Do you have any biscuits? Spelling like that leaves me starving!”

“Biscuits? Those would be all crumbled and dried out by now,” I said.

“By biscuits she means cookies,” Bryn said.

“Why didn’t she say cookies then?” I asked. “There are no cookies. Get out of our bags,” I said, giving her a shove. I couldn’t believe the nerve of the woman.

She shrugged, completely oblivious. I was going to knock her over the head the first chance I got.

“Sun’s up. Now it’ll be easier to follow Kismet’s footprints to find her,” I said to Bryn.

Zach and Bryn exchanged looks, but didn’t say a word. Poppy found some Hershey’s minatures that had fallen out of my purse. She unwrapped them and swallowed a mouthful of chocolate. “Any wine to go with the chocolate?”

Wine at dawn?

“Nope,” I said. “Bryn, we have to look for Kismet. She might be waiting to see how long I search. And we need her, remember?”

“Need her for what? And who is this Kismet? A witch from America? We’ve not heard about her before. And what’s she doing shooting arrows? Some kind of Yank fad?” Poppy huffed a sigh at our silence. “Come on. You know I’m going to find out.”

“You want more chocolate?” I asked, to distract Poppy. I wouldn’t mention Kismet again in front of her. I was just so worried about Kis that I couldn’t stop thinking about finding her.

“No, but we could duck into a market for a bottle of dry merlot.”

“Um, you’re from England, right?”

“Right,” she said.

“So this is morning time where you live, right?”

She laughed, tossing her head back so her fuzzy ringlets danced. “Gar, do you really think I’d hold with convention after the night we’ve just had? I’m bloody Conclave! You’re American outlaws. And we all could’ve died last night. If we want chocolates and wine for breakfast, that’s what we’ll bloody well have. Come on; let’s just get pissed. It’ll give your friend a chance to cool off and come back. And if we have to fight, we can always do that later in the day. Let’s say noon or half past two.”

Even though I wanted to throttle Poppy, that almost made me smile. Despite the fact that we’d had a terrible fight the night before, she didn’t see us as enemies. She was just doing her job. “Um, how long have you been working for WAM?”

She grinned. “Not long enough for them to have cut off my bollocks, if I had them, which I don’t. Though he’s welcome to check me for them,” she said with a wink at Zach.

“No checking necessary, darlin’,” Zach said. “You’re about as female as they come.”

Her smile widened. “Certainly got a nice pair, haven’t I?” she asked, thrusting up her giant boobs.

Good grief.

I glanced at Bryn, who rolled his eyes.

When we got back to the hotel, Zach said, “You guys check out back for our girl who’s gone missing. I’ll come down and help you look in a little while. I’m gonna take a shower to wash my cuts. You need to do the same,” Zach told Poppy.

“I do,” she agreed. “Though I’m not sure I can reach the one on my back.”

Zach smiled. “If you need a hand, all you have to do is ask.”

She beamed and wiggled her way down the hall.

Bryn turned and led me toward the stairs. “If he’s planning to cuff her to something, he’d better be ready with more than his charming-country-boy routine. She fell for that once. No Conclave operative would fall for it twice,” Bryn said.

“If he’s planning to handcuff her to something, I don’t suppose he’ll give her a choice about it. He’ll just outmuscle her.”

“She packs quite a punch with her magic.”

“His amulet didn’t seem to have too much trouble deflecting it.”

“Let’s hope he’s smart enough to keep it on.”

I scowled. There was no way Zach was going to strip down and fall into bed with a foreign witch, no matter how big her boobs were.

At least, he’d better not.

*   *   *

THE DAY BLOSSOMED
clear and cold. The soggy ground didn’t show many tracks; it just hardened and crunched beneath our feet. We explored the grounds and a little part of the woods, but there was no sign of Kismet. I made sure to scan the tops of the trees in case she was up in one of them waiting for me to find her. No such luck.

In the woods where the ground had been protected by the tree canopy, we came across wolf tracks leading away from the hotel and followed them for a while, but for all we knew they’d lead all the way back to Scotland, so we eventually stopped and doubled back.

Zach waited for us. He rubbed his left arm and I raised my brows.

“You okay?”

“Right as rain. Any sign of Kismet?”

“Nope.”

“So now what?” Zach asked.

“Let’s go to the Gap,” Bryn said. “There’s supposed to be a faery gate within it. Either she’ll be waiting for us there or she won’t, but no matter what, we’re going in, right?” Bryn asked me.

I sighed and nodded. “I really want to find her, though. Not just so she can come with us, but also because I want to prove that I haven’t given up looking. She thinks I don’t care.”

“She was too quick to jump to that conclusion,” Zach said. “I’m not sure you’re the one who should have something to prove. Seems to me she owes you an apology, not the other way around.”

“Agreed,” Bryn said.

I held out my hands to ward off any more advice. “It’s sure nice of you both to side with me. But I’m not the person who needs people on her side right now.”

“Tamara—” Bryn said, shaking his head. “You may not be able to fix what’s broken with her.”

“She’s not broken. She’s just lonely. And that I can fix.”

Zach took a deep breath and gave Bryn a look that said,
I’m glad Tammy Jo’s your problem now. Good luck with that.

Bryn put an arm around my shoulders and gave me a squeeze. “Let’s go into the park. Maybe she’s waiting for you there.”

FINDING A FAERY
path is tricky, even for me, who’s part faery. I had Bryn draw off some of my witch magic to make me more fae. That was always a dicey proposition, though, because when I’m more fae, I don’t have as many feelings. I thought about what Kismet had said the night before. She’d said when I was drained of magic, she’d sent me part of herself. Was that why I lacked feelings? Because she had gotten so numb to them? Now that she wasn’t trying to connect with me, would I just be myself when drained? Or a shell of myself?

As we walked toward the entry to Killarney National Park’s Gap of Dunloe, I held tight to Bryn’s hand. He gave me the kiss I asked for and drew my magic into him.

I lost my breath for a second, but then eased against him. He was well again and tasted delicious: warm toffee with a hint of salted caramel.

Zach walked ahead and stopped next to a four-seat open carriage with a horse attached. When Bryn and I reached it, he’d made the arrangements for our passage.

The horse was initially skittish about Mercutio joining us, but settled down when Merc, who was pretty sleepy, ignored him.

A horse-drawn cart that takes people through the Gap is called a jarvey. I liked that name and it seemed to fit, being a jaunty little vehicle. Because it was cold, the driver, a deeply suntanned lady with a cute accent, put a smelly horse blanket over our legs.

I noticed Zach was still rubbing his arm. “What did Poppy do to you?” I whispered.

Zach smiled. “She got a couple good licks in. Managed to nearly twist the amulet off my neck. When that didn’t work, she blocked it with a pillow, and then she hit me with a spell hot enough to burn my skin,” he whispered back.

“Gotta be careful of strange witches.”

“Careful doesn’t always do much good. She’s a real firecracker,” he said with a smile that made me frown. Zach might not be mine anymore, but our breakup wasn’t ancient history either.

We moved along at a slow pace, which was helpful. It meant I could look for Kismet and also try to catch a glimpse of the entry to the Never.

“Where are your cameras?” the driver asked.

“Um, we’re just going to use our phones,” I said, giving Bryn’s foot a subtle kick.

“I’ve got a lot of pictures of the Gap from prior trips,” he told the lady, letting his accent come out strong. “I told her to just enjoy the view.”

The lady launched into a lot of questions for Bryn about where he was from, how long he’d lived in America, and what it was like. She was so friendly she would’ve fit right in in Duvall. I told her so, which made her laugh.

When we wound around a particular bend in the road, I spotted a shimmer and caught the scent of something familiar . . . honey, dandelions, and apples.

The tip of my nose was half-frozen from cold, so I was impressed I could still sniff out anything useful.

I leaned close to Bryn. “I think I found it. We should get out of the carriage here.”

Bryn paid the driver. We’d told her earlier that we would pay the full fare, but would be traveling only partway in the cart. We said we wanted to do some walking and hiking. We had backpacks with us, so we looked the part.

I wondered if she thought we were crazy. Both Zach and I were shivering almost uncontrollably. It was probably obvious that we would’ve preferred to stay huddled together under the moldy blanket.

Even though Bryn had lived for years in Texas, he was oblivious to the cold, and hopped down as if he’d just had a refreshing mojito.

We waved to the driver, who was all smiles after her big tip. She headed back toward the front of the park, where she’d probably have time to get another group of travelers and double her money for the day.

We waited until we were alone on the road and then I waved stiff fingers for the guys to follow me. The terrain was rocky, but covered with vegetation. I jumped over a stream that was burbling past. The weight of my pack nearly toppled me over, but Bryn’s hand steadied me.

Mercutio explored the nooks around the rocks, but stopped when I said, “Here.”

A small circular patch of grass tucked between a pair of big sharp slate-colored rocks shone a little brighter in the sunlight than the grass around it.

I slid down between the rocks and rested my boots on the center of the spot. Though it felt vaguely familiar, it didn’t open a path to anywhere.

I leaned against a rock so I could lift one leg to get to my foot. I hated to do it in the cold, but I pulled off my boot and my sock. I lowered my foot to the grass, which felt as soft as moss. A tingle started against the sole of my foot and spread up my leg.

“Yeah,” I said, exhaling an excited breath. I quickly pulled off my other boot and sock and stood in the circle. The smell of heather and honey wafted toward me. I crouched down and knelt like a runner about to spring from the blocks. I rested my palms on the grass, and the green ripened to a summer color. Soft light streamed like water, curving around rocks and over fallen trees.

Home
, I thought. That’s the way it felt to be on the path.

Mercutio yowled, backing away, but Zach scooped him up. Merc twisted, snagging Zach’s jacket, but Zach held fast to him.

“C’mon, wildcat. You’re not gonna let her go alone, are ya?” Zach demanded.

Mercutio settled, but remained stiff, like a coiled spring. Zach swung his legs over and landed in the hollow between the rocks. He looked around.

“Feel the difference?” I asked.

“No.”

“This way.”

“You forgot your boots,” Zach said, grabbing them from their place next to one of the rocks.

“I don’t need them.”

“You damn well might. It’s colder than hell out here.”

For the first time all morning, I’d forgotten about the cold. The goose bumps on my arms were from exhilaration, not the winter’s bite.

“See?” Zach demanded as snow began to fall on either side of the path.

“Yeah, but do you see how it doesn’t blow onto the path?” I said, moving forward, weaving around the rocks and over bumpy ground.

“What are you talking about?” Zach asked, his breath still fogging the air when I looked over my shoulder.

Bryn stood behind him in the circle.

“Bryn, do you feel the difference?”

“I think so,” Bryn said, looking around. “It’s a little brighter and a little warmer in this spot.”

I nodded, smiling. “Exactly.”

Zach reached down and brought his hand up. His open palm was dusted with snow until it melted. “How is this spot warmer?” he demanded. “It’s snowy.”

Uh-oh.
“I don’t know if we’re going to be able to get you inside. Maybe you’re not on the path,” I said.

“I’m standing right here,” Zach argued.

“Um, maybe so. Maybe not.”

He scowled.

“Let’s get going, Tamara. We don’t want to be seen,” Bryn said.

“Why not?” Zach asked.

“Because we don’t want hikers to think this is a path they should explore. What if they followed us? Or what if Poppy or some other Association witches are tracking us? The fae won’t appreciate our leading others to their gate. The paths are kept hidden for a reason.”

I turned and hurried onward. I crossed a stream, climbed over a rock, and dropped to the grass, feeling the path dip sharply. A warm breeze rose up to greet me, smelling of honeysuckle and baking bread. I raced down the slope. At the bottom there were wildflowers as tall as me.

They swayed and parted.

“We’re almost there!” I called, then burst into laughter. I tripped and rolled through a patch of dandelions and daisies. Sprawled in front of a trellis of twisted vines, I stared up at an archway of roses.

I inched my foot into the opening. Petals rained down, shimmering pink, purple, and red. I rose and stepped inside. The scent of a thousand roses surrounded me, more petals falling like snow. Warm wind and beams of sunshine came through the lattice of the vines.

I skipped forward to the end, and there was a wall of trees as far as I could see in either direction. Their crossed branches blocked the center of the path, and there was a gold lock hanging from a branch.

“I’ll be damned,” Zach said.

I looked over my shoulder to find my three companions standing just behind me.

“Did you see the rose petals?” I asked.

“Kind of hard to miss them. It was like a rose storm. Couldn’t even see where I was going.” Zach rubbed his wrist, coming away with blood.

“What happened?” I asked.

“Got sliced by the business end of some long stems.”

“Thorns?” I said, surprised.

“All those swinging flowers. Not like we could avoid it.”

The flowers, of course, had not even swayed across my path. They knew me for fae, I thought with a ripple of pleasure.

“Easier to pass if you’re part fae, I guess,” Zach said. He looked past me at the trees. “How are we going to get through?”

“I have to open the lock.”

“What lock?” Zach asked.

The sun shone brightly as it reflected off the lock, making my eyes sting. How was it possible that he couldn’t see it? The longer I stood there, the harder it was to look at anything else.

The trees whispered, “Sing with me and find the key.”

“What do I sing?” I asked.

“What?” Zach asked.

“Don’t talk,” Bryn said.

“She asked a question.”

“She’s not talking to us. Be quiet so she can listen to the trees.”

“The trees,” Zach muttered, but then he closed his mouth.

“Sing with me. Find the key,” they said.

“Sing anything?” I asked. “Even a country song? From America?”

They didn’t answer.

“It’ll have to be that, I guess. Those are the songs I know.” I cleared my throat, closing my eyes before the light practically blinded me. “I’m not the best singer. Just so you know. But if you really want me to sing, okay.” I hummed an old song I hadn’t heard in years—“Wide Open Spaces” by the Dixie Chicks.

The trees hummed, too.

“Hey! How do Irish trees know the Dixie Chicks’ music?” I asked, and laughed. I started at the beginning, my voice rising as I sang, “She needs wide open spaces! Room to make a big mistake!” I twirled in circles, fresh air rushing around me.

When I finished the last chorus, I fell over laughing from so much spinning.

Music echoed in my ears, and when I opened my eyes at last, a pinkish-gold key dangled above my face. I plucked it from the branch that held it out to me.

“Thank you very much,” I said, touching my finger to the tip of the branch. “And thanks for the backup music.” I rolled onto my side and got up, clutching the key to me. I wobbled on unsteady legs to the lock. I squinted, humming “Cowboy Take Me Away.” I held the lock and pushed the key into it.

I sang softly as I turned the key. With a loud creak the branches swung up. Sunshine spilled out, drenching us in light and warmth.

“How ’bout that? It’s summertime!” I hopped forward like a rabbit. Then I threw my arms wide and spun in a circle. “Hello, faery world! Welcome home, Tammy Jo!” I sang some more, then fell over, giggling so hard my eyes watered.

“Hell,” Zach said, then laughed. “Haven’t seen her this drunk since she polished off most of a bottle of champagne the first New Year’s Eve we were married.”

“Kismet,” someone said. I barely heard the voice over the music ringing in my ears. “Kismet, what are you doing here?”