Charmed & Deadly (16 page)

I laughed. “Well, a big macho man like you can handle it.”

“Thank you.” He put the charms in his pocket. He started to walk down the path and then he stopped, still facing away from me. “I miss talking to you.” Then he continued on his way.

I missed talking to him, too, but I didn’t have a chance to tell him. He was halfway down the beach before I found my tongue.

I don’t really have much time to think about what it all might mean. I need to find who it was with all that black magic.

Fiji
Wednesday
10 a.m.
Slightly tanned witches: 1 (Okay, so it’s not a real tan. It’s pink, but it counts.)
Spells: 7
Charms: 2

L
ucky for me, no one around here seems to be in a hurry to do business. Some guy from Greece and another from Moscow aren’t here yet, so the meetings have been postponed until tomorrow.

That’s all good with me because I was up all night trying to figure out who my magical visitor was. After several spells and a trek around the compound, I came up with absolutely nothing.

I’ve put wards on the prime minister’s quarters and insisted he carry a charm with him at all times.

The PM and I had breakfast this morning out on his veranda. We’d been planning our strategy and I’d discovered there were several people he wanted me to read, including Dr. Zocando. This surprised me since I thought they were the best of friends.

I’d just swallowed some juice when he mentioned the African diplomat, and I almost choked. “I thought you two were close.”

The PM has a distinct tell when he has to discuss something unpleasant. He always looks down at his fingers and then away. “We are friends, but I witnessed some things in Africa that made me uncomfortable. I don’t know if he had anything to do with it, but I can’t be sure. I just want you to check him out.”

I’d met the doctor a few months ago and tried to read him with no luck. And I tried again at his camp in Africa. Then it dawned on me: he might be my black magic dude. Of course, I had no proof, so it wouldn’t do any good to mention that to the prime minister. But at least I had a target.

“Could you at least give me some idea of what kinds of things made you suspicious?”

The PM looked down at his files. “I thought I saw the plans for a diamond mine. The one where your family was taken, but I can’t be certain. He gathered the papers too quickly for me to see.”

Of all the ignorant…Okay, the PM’s not ignorant. Quite the opposite, and he’s never been one to jump to conclusions. “Sir, don’t you think it might have been a good idea to share your thoughts while we were still in Africa?”

He cocked an eyebrow. “You’d already left when I saw the papers, and as I said, it was brief.” His tone was biting. “Had I any
real
proof, I would have contacted you.”

“I apologize, sir. But if he did have anything to do with my brother and father being kidnapped, I’m going to have to kill him.”

The PM studied me for a moment. “Hence the reason I waited to tell you. Please don’t do anything rash until we are certain.”

I nodded in agreement.

We were finishing up our chat and preparing to leave for the meeting when Miles came in.

He was dressed in a ridiculous pinstriped suit and tie that was absurd on the island. Even the PM had gone without his requisite tie. Miles was mopping tiny beads of sweat on his brow as he came out onto the porch. It was hard for me to believe that he’d almost died a few weeks ago.

“They’ve delayed the meetings until tomorrow morning.” He sneered when he saw me.

I smiled sweetly.

“Several of the guests were caught in bad weather. The earliest they can be here is eleven tomorrow.” He said the words a tad bit snarkily and his head sort of bobbled like it was too big for his neck.

I’m not sure I’ve ever met a more annoying man, and I keep saving his life. I have to stop doing that.

“Make certain the rest of our guests are comfortable. Check with Dr. Zocando, perhaps we could take a boat out and do some diving.” The prime minister turned to me. “Would you like to join us?”

I didn’t answer his question, but the answer was hell, no! I don’t know why the idea of plummeting to the bottom of the ocean with a tiny mask and tank scares the hell out of me, but it does. “You said that you need to check with Dr. Zocando. Why?”

“Did you read the bloody files?” Miles was thumbing through the papers in his hand. “This is Dr. Zocando’s property. He was kind enough to let us use it for the conference.”

I did read the file several times last night but didn’t see anything about that. I thought it belonged to one of the doctor’s friends.

Turning away from Miles, I faced the prime minister. “I wasn’t going to say anything, but I sensed dark magic last night when I was out on the beach. I searched for hours but couldn’t find who it was. I don’t think it would be a good idea for you to be out in the middle of the ocean with a bunch of people you don’t know.”

There were a few seconds of silence. He frowned. “You felt it here?”

“Yes, but only for a few seconds. Whoever it was spotted me and quickly masked their magic.”

He handed some files to Miles. “Perhaps our guests would enjoy some snorkeling. Does that meet with your approval, Bronwyn?”

I walked toward the doorway where Miles stood. “Yes, but don’t go out too far and keep your charm with you at all times.”

I took another charm out of my pocket. “You, too.” I handed it to Miles. “And get out of that ridiculous suit. You look like a moron.”

When I left the PM’s room, I went in search of Dr. Zocando. I wasn’t exactly sure what I’d do when I found him. It didn’t matter. His assistant said he’d be out for the rest of the afternoon. I went back to my room and sent my mind out for the doctor magically, but I couldn’t get a sense of him. It doesn’t happen often. I mean, most times I can pinpoint an ordinary person across the world and shove my way into their brain, but occasionally I get stumped.

The few times I’d been around him, I never sensed any magic. Very strange.

I’ve been skulking around the island trying to see if I can find a secret hideout or something, but no luck. I did get some color on my pasty skin, so it wasn’t all bad. I’m calling Cole to see if he can do a little digging on Dr. Zocando for me.

I wonder if he ever made it off that mountain.

4 p.m
.

I fell asleep. Right in the big middle of trying to find Zocando, I zonked out on the bed. Probably has something to do with the fact that I hadn’t slept since I arrived. Anyway, I feel loads better.

I left a message for Cole, but I haven’t heard back from him. My cell service is a little iffy here, but I also left a message for Sam, to let him know all is well.

When I woke up from my nap I had this sudden urge to talk to him, to make certain that everything was right between the two of us. I’d had the most luscious dream about him giving me a massage. He’d made me strip and lay on the bed. Then he rubbed hot jasmine-scented oil on my shoulders. Pure heaven. His hands were sliding down my back when something woke me up.

I was very disappointed.

This part of the beach is pretty isolated, but some of the guests were outside snorkeling around the reef.

I sent a quick mental nudge out to see if I could find Dr. Zocando, but I didn’t see anything. I’d just about decided to go out and get some sun when my cell rang.

“Bron, it’s Kira.”

“Hey. Is everything okay?” I was searching through my things for something to wear.

“Oh, yeah. Well, um, Margie and Billy eloped.”

I dropped the pair of shorts I had in my hand. “Whoa. That’s so cool. When?”

“Last night. She called me from Vegas. They hopped on a plane and did it. We didn’t have time for details. They were going to eat lobster, but she wanted me to call you. She said, ‘Tell Bron that love always finds a way.’ Which, if you ask me, is a little corny, but it’s sweet. She sounded so happy.” Kira’s tone was wistful. She might be a barracuda of a lawyer and a stern librarian, but she was a romantic all the way.

“Oh, I’m so happy for her.” I really was. I’d been worried that our little argument at the picnic had done a lot of harm. “I guess she finally convinced him to give her the ring.”

Kira giggled. “Yep. I had a feeling when I saw them at Lulu’s the other night. He’d walked her out to the car and you couldn’t fit a penny between them while he was kissing her good-bye.”

I smiled. “When they come back we should throw them a party.” I picked up the shorts I’d dropped and threw them back in the drawer. Thirsty, I grabbed a bottle of water and twisted off the top.

“I’m already on it. They both took off for a few days but will be back on Saturday. Margie said sooner, if their money didn’t hold out.”

That wasn’t likely to happen. While Billy acted the good old boy routine with his beat-up pickup truck and cowboy hat, he owned one of the larger ranches in Sweet. He had an enormous house all to himself. It would be a big change for Margie, who, up until a year ago, had shared a double-wide trailer with her sister. When her sister married, Margie had moved into a small apartment in town, right on the square.

We might have had our differences in the past few weeks, but I had a lot of respect for the woman. She’d put herself through nursing school and had carved out a life for herself that she was proud of. Her friendship meant a lot to me.

“Well, let me know what you need and be sure to pull Ms. Johnnie and Ms. Helen in for the food. If we don’t let them do the catering, they’ll ground us both.”

“You aren’t lying. Listen, I’ve been doing a lot of research on the sorceress thing. Like you, they draw their power from different elements. But there’s no way of knowing what provides Calinda’s main source. Once you find that out, then you have to get her away from it, and then about six high witches, like you, need to gather and spell her to death. See? Easy.”

I snorted. “Well, since there are only about seven high witches on the planet, and there’s not a chance in hell we’re all going to be together in the same place at the same time, I think we need a new plan.”

We, all of the high witches, are aware of one another, but seldom meet. It’s too dangerous for us and for anyone around us. As constant targets for warlocks who want more power, to kill two high witches at once…well, it wouldn’t be pretty.

I have a tentative friendship with one of the witches, Callie, but she stays in Australia most of the time. She did help me with the PM a few months ago, when I’d gone down for the count.

Kira sighed. “I know we need a new plan. A wizard would be good, but then look at what she did to Garnout. I mean, he’s okay now, but if she was that tricky once, she could be again. I’ve been e-mailing back and forth with a librarian in Budapest. He’s been really helpful. Maybe he’ll come across something.”

“Cole and his crew are on it, too.” I chewed on my lip. “Do you mind if I give him your number? I’m kind of busy trying to deal with something here, but I don’t want you guys to stop looking for a way to defeat her if she comes back.”

“We won’t. And sure, give him my number. Is everything okay there?” She sounded worried.

“It’s all good. Nothing I can’t handle.”

I meant what I said. I can handle whatever comes my way. There hasn’t been any trouble so far on the island, but I’m ready for some action. My body must be getting back on track because I feel better than I have in weeks.

Someone’s knocking on the door. Hmmm…

Fiji
8 p.m.
Bad witches with sexy thoughts: 1

I
s it cheating if you think about doing the nasty with another man? I hope not. I wouldn’t do it in a million and two years. I’m totally devoted to Sam, but
whoa
—that Azir is some powerful stuff.

While I’d been talking to Kira I’d put on my new one-piece bathing suit with tiny red and white flowers all over it. I was still really bloated, but I didn’t care. It was hot and I wanted some time in the ocean.

When I heard the knock, I just wrapped a towel around me and went to the door.

There stood Azir, in board shorts and nothing else. His body was as ripped as they get. The sight of him was enough to turn a good witch bad. Then he smiled and my knees went hooblie-booblie. I had to lean against the door for support. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a solid, one-man woman these days, and Sam’s my man. But it’s hard not to appreciate a hottie like Azir.

I smiled back. There was something about seeing one of the wealthiest and most powerful men in the world in a pair of blue and white surfer-dude board shorts.

“Out for a swim?” Lame, but it was the only thing I could think of to say. In my mind I was running my hand up and down his washboard abs.

He held up two masks. “I thought you might like to do some snorkeling. Some of the other guests say this side of the reef is teeming with fish.”

“I can’t. I’m working.” The words came out in a rush. There was no way I could tell him that hanging out with him half naked wasn’t good for my sanity.

He looked down at my body wrapped in the towel and one of his eyebrows rose.

“Well…I was going to work.” The last thing I needed to do was swim next to a guy who’d just give me cardiac arrest with his smile.

Crossing his arms against his chest, he leaned on the door.

“Fine. I’ll go snorkeling with you.” I smiled to take the bite out of my words.

I
should
say I had a terrible time, but it was a blast. He didn’t lie about the reef; there was an amazing array of fish. The water was really shallow on the side where we were and it was as if the entire ocean had come to sunbathe. We saw stingrays, puffer fish, and a zillion others I couldn’t possibly name.

We swam next to each other and would point whenever we saw something amazing, which was often. I wasn’t sure how long we’d been out, but my backside was feeling warm. I motioned to Azir that I was going to the shore and he followed me in.

There were two large chaises just outside the door of my little house and we plopped down.

“I can’t wait to tell Zoë that I saw Nemo.” I used the towel to dry off my arms and legs. “She’s going to be very jealous.” Zoë had a fascination with all things Disney. Her rooms at Zane’s various homes were filled with stuffed animals and she carried a small pack of DVDs and her own little player, so she could watch them whenever she wanted.

He laughed. “I haven’t seen the film, is that the small clown fish?” Azir didn’t bother drying off; he just leaned back and let the sun do its business.

“Yep. He gets lost and his dad has to go find him. It’s one of those movies made for kids and adults. It’s old, but Zoë loves it.”

“How is Zane? Any more trouble?” Azir stretched out the length of the chair.

“As far as I know, things have been quiet for him. They did a short tour after the concert in Los Angeles, and now he’s back home for a bit. Zoë wants to attend a regular school. She is already tired of the tutor, and she misses having other kids around.”

We sat in silence for a few minutes. At first I wasn’t sure what I was hearing; then I realized it was Azir’s light snoring. I didn’t know if I should be offended that he was so bored with me, or delighted because he felt so comfortable hanging out that he could fall asleep. I chose to believe the latter.

While he rested, I decided to change. I felt antsy and wanted to see if I could get my laptop to work. Much like my cell phone service, the satellite link on my computer is hit-and-miss here.

After throwing on some shorts and a tank, I grabbed my laptop and took it outside. Azir continued to sleep. I still didn’t have a signal, but I studied the notes I’d gathered before I left.

Yikes!
Magic, I feel it covering the island. Someone is up to something. I’d better check it out.

11 p.m
.

Well, that was interesting. By the time I made it to the door, the magic had disappeared. My body still tingled with it, so I knew it hadn’t been my imagination. I sent my mind out several times through the evening, but didn’t find a damn thing.

I don’t know who it is playing games. At dinner, Azir and the prime minister went through the entire list of attendees at this minisummit. No one on this island is supposed to have any kind of magical security, except me, which means someone really is up to no good.

Dr. Zocando returned to the island during our meal, but “retired to his room.” At least that’s what his assistant told us. I don’t believe him.

Speaking of assistants, are there sharks in Fiji? I’m seriously considering turning Miles into fishbait. The idiot is driving me and everyone here insane.

Throughout the meal tonight he kept coming in with phone calls for the prime minister, to the point where the PM told him to hold them all, he’d return them later.

“My god, man. Unless the Queen has died, I’d prefer not to be interrupted again.” The PM is the poster boy for patience and it takes a lot to get to him.

Miles had this hurt look on his face, like the PM had slapped him. I know it’s awful, but I had to bite the inside of my lip and look down at my plate to keep from laughing.

The way I see it, this is Miles’s first trip back since the shooting and he’s trying to make up for lost time. Miles is so in love with the PM it’s ridiculous, but the feeling isn’t mutual. The PM appreciates Miles’s organizational skills, but that’s about it.

Miles was a nasty little mosquito looking for blood tonight and he had to be swatted down. I should say I didn’t enjoy the dressing down of the snitty Brit, but I totally dug it.

I digress.

What I’d really like to know right now is how Zocando is able to block me. I couldn’t get a fix on him all day, and now he’s back and I still can’t get a lock. The weird thing is, I don’t detect any magic protecting him.

I pretended to get lost a little earlier in the evening. I’d excused myself to the ladies’ room and snuck up the stairs to the long hallway where I’d seen the doctor’s assistant the day before.

There was an armed guard stationed outside his door. I thought about cloaking and slipping past, but he was right in front of it. There was no way to open the door without him seeing me, and I wanted to be a little more prepared. I’ll wait a few hours, and then see what I can do.

First I’m going to take one last stroll on the beach. After our meetings tomorrow morning we’re headed home.

I’m missing Sam big-time. I hope all the weirdness between us will be gone when I get home. I should have asked him to come to Fiji with me, but since Azir’s here that probably wouldn’t have been the brightest of ideas.

For some reason I’m feeling wistful. I thought my body was back on track, but maybe I’m not as together as I’d like to think.

Perhaps a stroll will help me clear my head. I need to devise some solid plans on what to do about the black magic on this island.