Charmed & Deadly (12 page)

“Yes, he’s helping with the relief effort. He, Azir, and the prime minister have already found a place for the new camp.” Sam frowned. “Why?”

My dad had stepped out of the tent.

I reached across and wrapped my arms around Sam. He felt so good against me. I never wanted to let go. “No reason. I just can’t get a read on Zocando, and that always makes me cautious.”

“I missed you,” Sam whispered across my cheek. He still sounded congested and his lip was twice its normal size on one side.

Touching it, I sent a healing spell. “I’m still mad at you for coming out here. You could have been killed.” I kissed his neck to take the sting out of my words.

“You know I’m not a very good listener. Especially when my favorite witch is in trouble.”

I love it when he calls me “witch.” I don’t know why. When other people say it, it sounds like a dirty word. But when he says it, it makes me feel sexy.

“I don’t suppose we could…”

He laughed. “Bron, we have no privacy here. But as soon as we get home, we can do whatever you want. I promise.”

Before we left the camp, I had a chance to tell Tambana and the other children good-bye. She hugged me hard for such a little girl. Each of them is so precious, and it hurts my heart that they live such difficult lives.

I was feeling so melancholy that I even hugged my brother. “Don’t get captured again, idiot. This place is murder on my hair.”

He squeezed me back, and not the tepid hugs we usually dole out at the holidays. “For a runt, you pack a punch.” Stepping back, he stared at me. “I’m not so sure I could have made it out of this one on my own.” His voice caught. “Thanks.”

“Golly, Brett. Don’t go gettin’ all soft on me. I might have to like you or something.” I grinned. “You take care of these babies.” I pointed to the children. “Anytime you need anything, call me. And don’t be a stubborn butthead about it.”

He laughed.

When we made it back to Sweet, Sam was true to his word about letting me do whatever I wanted. I jumped him over and over again the night we finally made it home, and he never complained once.

We even tried out the new shower for two, which was mighty delightful.

Argh! Is that the time?

I need to get cleaned up. We’re meeting the coven tonight to discuss my Jason problem.

I checked with Cole and there’s still no word on Garnout. He’s just disappeared off planet Earth.

The trouble just never seems to end.

Sweet, Texas
11 a.m.
Saturday
Goddess-worshipping hunky docs: 1

I’
m one lucky witch. Sure, I have a nasty ex-boyfriend who is trying to assassinate me, but I’m equally lucky to have a perfectly lovely boyfriend now who loves and adores me.

Last night Sam devised a new game called “How Do I Worship Bronwyn.” I must say it’s a delightful game, where I am the prize. It’s my absolute favorite way to pass the time.

Usually Sam finishes at the office early on Fridays, but there was a problem with one of the patients at the nursing home and he was running late.

I’d been working with plants and potions all day, and I finally had my potion stock back up to where it needed to be. I was sticky from ingredients and sweating from working out in the September heat, so I decided to take a hot, soaking bath.

A few weeks before I’d left for London, I had a big new tub installed. It looks like a giant soup tureen and it has jets that come from every angle.

I lit a few candles, threw in my favorite vanilla and cinnamon oil, and turned on some old-school Joss Stone. The tension of the day melted away in a matter of seconds once the pulsating jets beat a calming rhythm into my neck and shoulders.

My mind wandered over the past few weeks and all the craziness, from Jason to Africa. I forced my mind to let go of of it all and I concentrated on finding peace, staring at the candle’s flame.

I must have dozed off, because at some point my dead Irish ancestor Darcy came to visit. She usually shows up in my dreams when she wants to chat. I’d helped to reunite her with her lost love a while back, and she’s been visiting me since.

“Good evening, young witch.” I opened my eyes to see Darcy standing there. She was dressed in a lacy white dress and her long blond curls were piled on top of her head.

I smiled. “How are you?” The first time I met her she’d possessed Sheik Azir, which was beyond weird. She usually shows up with sage advice when something big is about to happen. Sometimes I’m smart and follow it; other times, not so much.

She sighed, but it was a happy one. “Lovely, my dear. I’m perfectly lovely. I have a message for you from Garnout.”

That made me sit up, and I wrapped an arm around my chest. “What?”

“He’s fine, and he says not to worry, all will be well.”

A crushing thought entered my mind. “Is he dead?”

She laughed. “No, darling child, but he does want you to let go and concentrate on your troubles here.”

“Why did he just disappear like that? I’ve been worried sick. Did that sorceress Calinda kidnap him? Who is she? If you can talk to him, why can’t I?” My mind raced with questions.

Darcy smoothed an errant curl off her forehead. “Who can say?”

Have I mentioned that my ancestor isn’t always straight with the answers?

I didn’t understand how he could get a message to Darcy but not to me. It didn’t make sense.

“I see your mind is turning fast. He didn’t want to cause you worry. He’s conserving energy and it was easier for him to contact me than you. I’m not someone
she
can harm.”

I wondered if the “she” was the sorceress. “He’s really okay?” It dawned on me that I was sitting naked in the water, but it didn’t seem to bother Darcy. After all, she was family.

“Yes. Now, on to the real business of my visit.” Darcy pointed at me. “You must find a way to defeat the past, and the only way to do that is to grasp on tight to the future.”

Geez, I hate when she talks in riddles like this
. “Darcy, if you have something to say, just do it.” I rolled my eyes.

She gave me a smart look. “I did, young witch. You know we must be careful when discussing future events. Keep your wits about you and strengthen your powers.”

She looked at the door. “Ah, that is lovely. I must go now.”

A few seconds later I woke up when Sam slid a finger between my breasts. Then he reached down and kissed me hard.

I wanted to pull him into the water with me, tie, shirt, shoes, and all, but he backed away.

“You look like a goddess.” He stood and grabbed a fluffy towel from the rack. Then he reached down and pushed the button to turn off the jets and pulled the lever to drain the tub.

“Really?”

“Yes.” He pulled me to a standing position. The cool air on my wet skin made my body tingle and my nipples turn into tight peaks.

Beginning with one breast and then the other, he moved the towel in slow, sensual circles, drying me off inch by inch. Moving to my arms, he slid the towel down to my hands then took my fingers and kissed each one.

I couldn’t breathe, and my body warmed under his touch as he moved the towel under my breasts and down my belly.

“Lift your leg.” That sexy voice of his made me want to pounce, but I enjoyed the game and wanted it to continue. I raised my foot to the edge as he asked, and he slid the towel from my thigh to my ankle.

“The other one,” he demanded.

I shifted and put the other leg up this time and when he reached my ankle, he went back up and slid his fingers inside me. I almost collapsed and knocked him to the floor. He dropped the towel and pulled me to him as his fingers slid in and out.

Holding me close, he picked me up out of the tub, and moved me to the bathroom counter. When he found the tiny nub between my legs and rubbed it, my body exploded.

“Sam.”

“Yes, my goddess.”

“I want you.” The words were difficult to say because I was in the middle of another orgasm. “Please.”

“As you wish.” I heard his zipper, then his pants fell. I leaned back on my hands, giving him full access. When he pushed himself inside me, I wrapped my legs around him tight. At first, his thrusts were slow and agonizing.

“Sam.” I growled.

He shifted and pulled me toward him, shoving his tongue into my mouth as he pounded me harder and harder. I moved my hands into his hair and then slid them down to his back. I know I had to have left marks as I came again and again. My mind was a blur and I thought of nothing but him and our bodies being together.

When he finally came, something happened with our auras, a flash of gold and then tiny shimmers of silver. I’d never seen anything like it, but in that moment my heart was so filled with love for the man, I can’t explain it. Not because he’d just played my body to perfection, but because he’d opened my heart and I think I finally, really, let him in.

He must have realized it, too. He stayed inside of me, but pulled back a little to look at my face. Taking my chin in his hand, he kissed me softly.

“I love you, Bron.”

I kissed him back. “I love you, too.”

For a moment we stared at each other, and then we smiled.

“Kind of cool.” I was a little embarrassed and I didn’t know what to say. I knew I loved the guy, but this was something more.

He chuckled. “Very cool.” Reaching over he grabbed another towel and wrapped it around me. Then he hugged me, and suddenly I felt filled with love. I know it sounds so damn corny when I try to explain it, but I’ve just never had such an intense feeling. We stayed like that for a few minutes.

“I have another surprise for you.” He pulled away and wrapped a towel from the rack around his waist.

I laughed. “Whew. I’m not sure I can handle another surprise right away.” Well, I could have, but I was curious about what he had in store.

“I stopped at Lulu’s on the way home.”

That made me perk up. “And?”

“There’s chicken-fried steak, fried okra, and mashed potatoes downstairs on the table.”

I gently shoved him to the side, and tucked the towel more firmly around me. “Why the hell didn’t you say so? My god, man. What were you thinking?”

He faked a hurt look. “I was thinking it might not be such a bad idea to get a little exercise before we clogged our arteries.”

I giggled. “True. You are forgiven. But now the goddess really needs to eat.” I took off in a run downstairs with him close on my heels.

In that moment I felt such complete joy, and I savored it along with the food.

Later in the night, when we made love again, I felt the same thing as before. It made me wonder if this is what Darcy had been talking about—if Sam was my future that I needed to hold on to in order to defeat my past.

One thing is for sure, I’m not letting go of this guy anytime soon.

Sunday
Noon

We’re headed to the Methodist Men’s social at the church this afternoon. The guys cook hamburgers, tell really bad jokes, and the men’s choir sings. It’s hokey fun, and I love that kind of stuff. It’s one of the best things about living in a small town.

Kira, Caleb, Margie, and Billy will be there, and it should be interesting. Billy still hasn’t asked Margie to marry him, even though Kira and I both know he has the ring.

Awkward? Perhaps.

Interesting? Absolutely. It’s like having our own little soap opera right here in Sweet.

The only person I’m not looking forward to seeing is the head of the coven, Peggy. She still isn’t happy about the extra protection they’ve had to put on the town because of Jason. So far no one has tried to get in.

I would have thought this would be the first place he’d show up. In a way he’s already working magic against me because he’s made me paranoid in my own home—I keep waiting for something to happen. It’s sort of like what happens with terrorism, part of the way terrorists get to you is mentally.

After I looked out the window for the thirtieth time, I made myself stop. There was no way that puny warlock could get past my wards, and if he
did
show up the coven would be aware immediately.

The last time Blackstock, the badass warlock who tried to kill me a few months ago showed up, the coven knew before I did. Again, that’s another great thing about living in a town that’s flush with cool witches and warlocks.

Unfortunately, I think there’s trouble brewing in Sweet. When I met with the coven the other night, something didn’t feel right. I’m not sure, but I think Sheriff Mike, Peggy’s son, may have had enough of his mom holding the town’s every move in her tight fist. Much like my own mother, she tends to only be happy when things are going the way she wants.

When I walked into the meeting at the community center Peggy and Mike were arguing in the corner. No one said anything, but it all felt very uncomfortable.

She was whispering something through gritted teeth, but I couldn’t tell what she was saying. Whatever it was, it made him angry and he stomped out.

She conducted the meeting and was as polite and cordial as ever, but I could tell she was still angry. She asked me to lead some protection spells that were strengthened by all of us working together.

After it was over she thanked me and then said she had to run.

Nosy me wanted to ask if maybe I could do something to help, but I’ve got enough going on right now between trying to find Garnout and keeping on top of Jason’s whereabouts.

If Peggy needs me, she knows where to find me. Which isn’t always a good thing.

Sunday
Midnight
Funky-feeling witches: 1

I
never did get to find out about the drama between Peggy and her son. They didn’t show up at the picnic. But that’s okay because I seem to be able to create my own little dramas out of complete nothingness.

There must be some kind of karma ruler in the cosmos that keeps people from being too happy. Or maybe I should learn to keep my mouth shut.

Like that’s going to happen.

The Methodist Men’s social was fun. The guys set everything up picnic-style under a huge tent to save us from the hot West Texas sun. The burgers were delicious, and I’d just discovered a vat of banana pudding that I was certain would make my day, when the trouble started.

Billy and Margie were ahead of me, arguing over some of Ms. Johnnie’s chocolate icebox pie.

“You two sound like an old married couple.” I joked, and smiled knowingly at Billy.

“As if I’d ever marry him.” Margie frowned. “The man would choose banana pudding over chocolate pie. That’s just crazy.”

It was the stricken look on Billy’s face that almost made me drop my plate. “Margie, don’t be an idiot.” The instant I said the words I knew I’d screwed up. They’d come out much harsher than I’d planned. Actually, there was no planning involved, which was part of my problem. “I mean, it’s just, um, dessert. I like them all.” I smiled.

“Idiot?” Margie shoved her plate at Billy, her voice rising. “What would make you say something like that, Bronwyn, and take his side? I thought you were
my
friend!” Suddenly, the music stopped as well as the conversations.

If only I had the power to stop time and reverse it. “Margie, please. I didn’t mean it like that. Really.”

Her chin jutted out and her hands went to her hips. “Well, miss high-and-mighty
witch
—oh, I’m sorry, did I offend you?”

Okay, so I have a bad temper. It pisses me off when people do that. Make “witch” sound like “bitch.” Margie’s my friend, but I didn’t care for her tone.

That’s when my mouth went into overdrive. “I meant that if you start hen-pecking the guy now over something as stupid as dessert, he’ll never ask you to marry him.” See, it’s my mouth. It never stops.

It was about this time that Kira walked up and grabbed my arm. “Margie, I think Bron’s had some kind of sun stroke or something. She hasn’t been herself since she came home from Africa. Maybe it’s malaria.”

Margie crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Huh. That would explain a lot.”

I opened my mouth, but Kira’s hand flew up and covered it. “Bron, just leave it alone.” Then she proceeded to drag me out of the tent.

“What the hell was that about?” She continued pushing me toward the parking lot.

“I don’t know, and stop shoving me. Did you see Billy’s face when she said she wouldn’t marry him? He looked like his dog had just died, and he really loves his dog.” My head hurt, probably from the tension.

“You called her an idiot. You know how sensitive Margie is about that kind of thing. She’s brought herself up from difficult circumstances and made a good life for herself. She even put herself through nursing school. What you said was cruel.”

I rubbed my head with my hand. The pain was searing. “Geez. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.” That’s when I started sliding down the side of the big red truck we’d been leaning against.

“Bron?” Kira’s annoyed tone turned to worry.

I tried to open my eyes, but I couldn’t. Someone had left a burning match in my brain. “Kira, get Sam.” The words came out garbled, but she understood.

She screamed for him. I have no idea where he was during all the commotion, but he came running.

By the time he put a hand on my head the pain had lessened, but my vision was blurry and my stomach felt like someone had taken a sledgehammer to it.

“Bron, honey, can you hear me?” He snapped his fingers. I wanted to answer but I couldn’t get my mouth to work. Then I blacked out.

I woke up in the hospital, one of the places I hate most. I felt fine, except for a wicked case of cramps. I told everyone who would listen that I could go home, but Sam insisted I stay overnight for observation. He can be so bossy sometimes.

They CAT-scanned my brain and ran all kinds of tests while I was out. So far, nothing has shown up.

Margie stopped by a few minutes ago. She peeked her head in the doorway. “So I hear they found a brain in that head of yours. Surprise, surprise.” Her southern twang made me smile. She wasn’t dressed in her nursing gear, so I knew she was here to see me.

“Have you forgiven me for being a jerk?” I motioned her to come in the room. My arm was still hooked to the IV, and I pushed the button on the bed so I could sit up. “I’m so sorry. Obviously I was having some kind of brain hemorrhage.”

She paused for a moment and stared at me thoughtfully. When she walked into the room, she smiled. “Hey, don’t joke about that. Sam was worried you really had picked up something in the jungle. You had us all scared.” She sat down on the edge of the bed. “And of course I’ve forgiven you.”

I reached my arm out and she grabbed my hand. “You know I’d never do anything to hurt you, Margie.” I still felt the need to explain myself, and I prayed I didn’t offend her this time. “Whatever happened to my head made me stupid. Well, more stupid than usual. I think Billy’s really serious about you, and he looked so hurt when you said you wouldn’t marry him.”

She squeezed my hand. “You don’t have to talk around it. Kira told me everything. I know about the ring.” She shrugged. “I’d sort of given up on the whole idea of marriage. Figured maybe it wasn’t in the cards for me. I love Billy so much. I hope I haven’t screwed it all to hell.”

Smiling, I patted her hand. “Nah. Billy won’t give up. He’s a tough guy, and he’ll only see this as a setback. I bet you guys will be married by the end of the year. That is, if that’s what you want. Margie, you are an amazing chick and any man would be blessed to have you.” I chewed on my bottom lip.

She let go of my hand and stood up. “Have you ever wanted something so much that you were afraid to think about it for fear of jinxing it?”

I chuckled. “Absolutely.” There had been many times in my life when I’d felt that way, most recently with Sam. I’d never thought about the future with him because it seemed like too much to wish for, and I worried that I’d mess it up.

“That’s the way I feel about Billy. I hope you’re right about him not giving up. I have some serious making-up to do with him.” She moved toward the head of the bed and straightened my pillows.

“Well, why don’t you stop by and see him on the way home?” I pulled the blanket up under my arms.

“I may just do that.” She smiled. “I wonder if I can find some banana pudding this late at night.”

As she left, I asked her to find Sam for me, but he still hasn’t shown up. I’ve backtracked through my day trying to see if maybe I did something to bring this all on. I don’t know. Before Margie arrived I did a quick once-over of myself trying to see if maybe someone had spelled me, but I didn’t find anything.

Sam knows how much I hate hospitals and that I heal better at home.

So where the hell is he?

Monday 11 a.m.
New York
Bad witches who are in trouble: 1

My cell phone started ringing about one this morning. I must have dozed off waiting for Sam. I was sound asleep and dreamed my ears were ringing. That’s when it dawned on me that it was my phone. I pulled open the bedside table and dug my hand into my purse.

I was groggy when I flipped open the phone and didn’t bother to check the caller ID. “Yes?”

“Bron?”

“Yeah.” For a few seconds I couldn’t place the voice then I realized it was Cole. “What’s up?”

“We have a trace on some magic in Budapest. It’s the same as what we found in Amsterdam.” Cole sounded tired.

The news made me sit up. “Is it Jason?”

“Possibly. We found two witches who had been tortured. Their powers were stripped just before they were murdered. The magic belonged to your ex. We’ve been able to pinpoint it exactly, thanks to the help of his family. So it’s definitely him.”

My stomach made a funky noise and bile rose in my throat. I knew I’d been right about him in the first place.

“Are you in Budapest?” I moved my legs to the side of the bed and carefully pulled the IV out of my arm. Sam had insisted on hydrating me intravenously. I found gauze in the drawer and held it against my arm to stop the bleeding. Moving fast made me dizzy and it took a few seconds for me to find my feet.

Cole sighed. “I’m in London right now, but I’m headed that way.” I could hear his shoes clicking on the floor.

“Are you with the PM?”

“No. I’ve been here on personal business.” He said it in a way that suggested he had no plans to tell me the nature of that business.

“Okay. I’ll meet you in Budapest tomorrow.”

“That’s not necessary, Bron. We can handle this.”

I slipped the pair of jeans that Kira and Caleb had brought by earlier over my hips. “Cole, if it’s Jason—and I know it is—I need to be there.”

“It’s a police matter.” Even as he said the words he had to know they didn’t mean crap to me.

I snorted. “And I’ll give you my full cooperation. I’ll be more than happy to tell you where I’ve left the pile of ashes when I’m done.”

Cole laughed. “Okay. Call me when you get there and we’ll get to work immediately.”

There was no way I could fly myself, just in case my brain really was self-destructing. I punched some numbers on my cell and called Caleb. He and Kira had been at the hospital until about eleven, when I made them go home. She was worried she had caused my headache, and it took forever to convince her not to feel guilty.

He picked up on the second ring. “Bron, what’s wrong?”

I cleared my throat. “Nothing. I need you to come pick me up.”

“Did they release you?”

Caleb always knows when I’m lying so I didn’t bother. “Not exactly.”

I heard him sigh. “Where’s Sam?”

“I don’t know, but I’ve got a job and I really need to leave. Now.”

“I’m not getting my ass kicked by your boyfriend because I broke you out of the hospital. Besides, what if your head explodes? Then what will you do?”

“If my head explodes it won’t be my problem, it’ll be someone else’s. Come on. I need you to come get me and then fly me to Dallas.”

He coughed. “Are you serious?”

“I know it’s late, but just in case my brain
does
decide to do something crazy I don’t want to be the one flying the plane. I need to get to Dallas so I can get the first flight to Hungary in the morning. It’s important, Caleb. Trust me, I’m not being dramatic when I tell you lives are at stake.” That wasn’t a lie. Jason was stripping the powers of these witches to build his own power, and he wouldn’t stop—at least, not on his own.

I searched for my shoes while I talked to Caleb. I figured I had another ten minutes or so before one of the nurses came in to check on me. They were pretty regular about that sort of thing.

“Meet me on the side of the building close to the nursing home.”

“I’m not coming to get you, Bronwyn. You blacked out this afternoon, and if Sam thought you were better, he would have released you.”

I slid on my Keds that had been tucked away in the closet and pulled the orange T-shirt I’d been wearing earlier over my shoulders, moving the phone as necessary. “Caleb, if you don’t do it, I’ll just ask someone else. Please. I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t important.” I had to go, and I really would do whatever it took.

I heard him whisper something to Kira. “If you tell her, she’ll call Sam.”

“She already knows it’s you. Okay. We’ll be there in five minutes.”

Sweet’s hospital is small, and it shares the building with the nursing home. My only big problem was getting past the front desk. I was just about to leave my room but I stopped to write Sam a quick note.

I snuck out of the hospital, and I knew Sam was going to kill me when he saw me.

It was awful to leave without telling him good-bye, but I didn’t have time for the drama. I still had to go home, pack, and put my bag o’ magic supplies together. And grab a suitcase full of tampons, pads, and anticramp herbs to deal with the worst period of my life. In fact, I was certain that’s why I had passed out today and been so grumpy.

Kira and Caleb lectured me the entire time I packed,
and
during our flight to Dallas.

I had to turn my phone off. Sam started calling about twenty minutes after we left the hospital. I’m not sure, but just as we were taking off I think I saw his truck pull into the hangar.

I have a feeling he’s really, really pissed and hurt. That’s the worst part for me. I can’t stand the idea that I’ve disappointed him. I haven’t had the courage to listen to the seven voicemails he left.

Maybe later.