Charmed & Deadly (3 page)

Sweet, Texas
11 p.m.
Witches who gained three pounds at dinner: 1

E
ventually
we
made it to Lulu’s about a half hour past the time
we
’d told Caleb and Kira.

They waited for us in the back booth and I waved as I walked in. First I had to say hello to my favorite chefs.

“Well, I declare our girl’s finally come home, Johnnie!” Ms. Helen yelled as she pulled me into a big hug. “Now, let me look at you. Hmmm. Those are some pink cheeks you have there. Looks like you’ve been getting some exercise.” She winked at me.

Sam rolled his eyes and walked toward our friends.

“You could say that. How have you two been doing?” I hugged Ms. Johnnie when she came out of the kitchen.

Today the twins were wearing straight-leg Levis cuffed at the ankle with bright red Keds and men’s shirts. Ms. Helen’s was bright yellow; Ms. Johnnie’s lime green. These two wild women had lived full lives, and the evidence was in pictures lining the walls of the small diner. Every available space was covered with their history.

“Johnnie has her a new man. Could be husband number six.” Helen nodded.

Johnnie swatted the shoulder of her twin. “Don’t go jinxing it.” She looked at me. “Kira and Caleb told me you were on the way, so I’ve fixed you a feast. Chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes, black-eyed peas with jalapeños and three kinds of pie. Hope you’re hungry.”

That made me laugh and I realized I hadn’t done so since I left Sweet. It had been a very long month. “I’m hungry. Get the wheel-barrow out back ready to roll me out of here.”

The two older women giggled. “We’re going to put some meat back on those bones, girl. Don’t you worry,” Ms. Johnnie added.

I made my way to the back booth where Sam had joined Kira and Caleb. I hugged them and settled in.

Sam and Caleb were dressed exactly the same way, except Caleb’s shirt was white. They could be twins had it not been for Caleb’s sandy blond hair highlighted by the sun and the fact that they looked nothing alike.

I turned to Kira. “Give me the juice. Everything. I want to know it all.”

The men chuckled.

Kira was bursting with news. I could tell. We call her a “reformed” corporate lawyer. She quit her high-paying job in Atlanta to take over the Sweet library. She still wears the suits and stilettos, but she usually piles her long curly hair on top of her head and wears black-framed glasses she doesn’t really need. She still looks like she belongs in a courtroom, but no one’s going to tell her that. And she makes a darn fine librarian.

“Bronwyn, you know I don’t believe in gossip. I simply relay the facts as I see them.” She pretended to be offended. Then she raised an eyebrow. “I think Margie and Billy are getting married,” she whispered. Sweet’s a small town with very big ears.

I gasped and accidentally spit tea through my nose. That’s why they call me the graceful witch. Sam handed me a napkin and pretended like it wasn’t odd I’d just snorted tea through my nostrils.

Kira laughed. “I know, right?”

“Did Margie tell you?” I dabbed my nose.

“Um.” She looked uncomfortable.

“
They
told her,” Caleb interjected.

Kira, along with being a lawyer/librarian, is also psychic, something she discovered a few months ago when dead people began talking to her. She’s still not happy about the idea but accepts it more each day.

To his credit, Caleb doesn’t seem to mind at all. He thinks it’s far better to be a psychic than a witch. At least it’s safer.

“Are
they
a reliable source?” I buttered one of the soft rolls Ms. Helen had left on the table.

Kira nodded. “Oh, yes. It’s Mrs. Henry who used to own the five-and-dime. She knows everything about everyone. None of her family is alive for her to look after, so she’s pretty much in everyone’s business. Anyway, she saw Billy stuff a ring in his sock drawer.”

“I wonder what Margie will say?” Margie’s another friend of ours. She works at the nursing home where Sam’s on call a few days a week. She and Billy have been dating for a couple of months, but it seemed kind of soon for an engagement.

I didn’t say that out loud, though. Kira and Caleb’s relationship had been moving at a pretty fast pace, too. Who was I to judge? Sam and I had been through so many bumps and potholes on the road of love, some days I couldn’t believe we were still together.

Ms. Johnnie wasn’t lying about the feast, and of course I felt like I had to eat everything because I didn’t want to disappoint her. By the time we made it out to Sam’s SUV, I could barely breathe.

Lulu’s is on the town square, which is populated by Gothic-styled buildings. And it’s one more reason I like this place so much. It looks like a small European town, but it’s set in the middle of the West Texas plains.

“Hey, Bron. Can I talk to you for a minute?” Caleb followed me out. Kira was still in the ladies’ room, and Sam was having boxes of leftovers wrapped for us.

“Sure. What’s up?”

“Have you talked to your friend Garnout lately?”

The question kind of threw me off guard. Caleb knew Garnout, but they didn’t run in the same circles. “Yes, this morning. Why?”

“There’s some heavy-duty corporate action taking place; looks like maybe some insider trading, you know, that sort of thing. There have also been rumors of magic being involved.”

While we don’t keep our magic a secret from the regular folks, we don’t like any kind of press. I wondered if this might be the problem Garnout faced. Perhaps the warring covens had taken things too far.

“He didn’t say anything about it to me.” I shrugged. That was the truth.

“Well, I wondered if maybe you thought it’d be okay if I talked to him. I’m covering the story for the magazine, and flying up tomorrow.”

“I don’t know. He doesn’t like talking to the press any more than I do.”

“Oh, it’s nothing like that. I’ve been doing some research and I think I have a couple of different leads. I don’t want a quote from him, I just want to run a few things past him.” The investigative part of Caleb’s brain seldom slept. If there were a story there, I wouldn’t keep him from it.

“I don’t see the harm in asking him, but don’t expect much.” I wrote down the address of the shop and Garnout’s phone number. I looked up at him. “Be careful, Caleb. Whenever there’s money and magic involved, things can go bad fast.”

I watched as Sam and Kira walked out. She would never forgive me if anything happened to Caleb. As he moved toward his truck I threw a protection spell at him. I’d do my best to keep him safe.

Wednesday
10 a.m.
Witches wanting to murder a sexy sheik: 1

I’m going to kill Sheik Azir. I mean it. The next time I see him, he has a big, fiery ball with his name on it. Stupid man.

I swear, he must have my schedule somewhere and is purposefully trying to keep Sam and me apart. Arrogant jerk. Azir, not Sam.

Last night we were
practicing
some more and it was all very lovely until Sam’s cell phone rang. It played some high-pitched song that sounded like something you’d hear on the streets of New Delhi.

We’d just come back from a rather arousing shower together, when Sam reached for the phone.

“You are not going to answer that!” I tried to sound stern, but it’s difficult when your body is humming from incredible lovemaking.

“Sorry, Bron. It’s important.” He pushed the button.

“Hello? Yes.” He picked up his watch and grimaced. “What time will it be here?…No, I’ll be ready.”

He hung up and couldn’t hide the guilt from his face.

“I’ve got to go.” He took my hands in his. “I promise I wouldn’t leave if it weren’t absolutely necessary, but this is something that can’t wait.”

“That was Azir, wasn’t it?” The sudden urgency meant only one thing: the sheik needed help—again.

“Yes.” He sighed.

“He needs you on one of his saving-the-world trips, right?”

“Yes.”

I could have pitched a fit, whined, and done any number of unattractive things, but I didn’t. Azir was known for going into third-world countries and saving women and children from horrible atrocities. It was one of the ways he used his incredible wealth to make the world a better place, but I selfishly wished it didn’t involve my boyfriend.

Azir was a client of mine and I still checked on him now and then. There was a time when I wasn’t sure if maybe I might be in love with him, and he’d told me once that he loved me. One day I just decided Sam was the dude for me and I sent Azir on his way. It wasn’t as easy as I make it sound and I still wonder sometimes if I’m over the sheik.

I knew if he called Sam, it meant the people they had to save had an obvious medical crisis.

“Okay.” I sighed again. “Do I have time to put a couple of protection charms together for you?”

He smiled. “I love you.”

I rolled my eyes. “I love you, too. Just come back in one piece.” Then I hugged him. He’s said those same words to me more times than I can count.

I put together the charms while Sam gathered his things.

“Sorry about the rush, but I need to run home and pack. He said this one might be awhile.”

I bit my lip. I swear, I will
kill
Azir next time I see him. There are hundreds of doctors he could call. Why did he have to call Sam? I knew the answer. Sam was discreet and talented. There wasn’t anyone more qualified for the job, and Azir always wanted the best.

We kissed good-bye and I handed him the charms. “I’m not terribly happy with him right now, but give the extra one to Azir.”

Sam kissed me again, and I drank in as much of him as I could, from his patchouli scent to the warmth of his strong arms.

1 p.m
.

I called Peggy, who is the head of the local coven. The coven is what keeps Sweet the special place that it is. No evil is allowed in, and they can spot it fast if it does drop by for a visit. They’ve helped me out so many times over the past few months it isn’t funny. They don’t seem to mind that evil is attracted to me, but they do like a warning now and then if possible.

We went through all the niceties. Then I had to give it to her straight.

“Here’s the deal.” I cleared my throat. “There’s a warlock who is involved in some dark magic.”

She clucked her tongue. “Let me guess, he’s been trying to kill you?”

I was glad she couldn’t see my eyes roll.

“Yes. He’s someone from my past and he’s nasty. We haven’t been able to trace the magic back to its source, but we are fairly certain it’s him.”

“Hmmm. I guess we’d better prepare for the worst.” She didn’t sound angry. It was all very matter-of-fact.

“That’s probably not a bad idea. If you see anything at all suspicious, you definitely want to check it out.”

“We always do, dear. I suppose the coven will be glad to have something to do. It’s been rather quiet while you’ve been out of town.”

There was the tiny dagger in my side. I’d wondered when she’d get in a dig. The funny thing is, she’s also one of my mom’s best friends from college and they are so much alike in that way. It must have something to do with being a mother.

“We’re meeting next week, and would love for you to join us.” That was a nice way of saying, “Young lady, the least you could do is come help us strengthen our protection spell.”

“If I’m still in town, consider me there.” I turned the oven timer so it would go off. It buzzed on cue. “Oh, there goes the buzzer. Have to run, but thank you. I’ll see you soon.”

After we hung up, I headed to the laundry room off the kitchen and sorted out the dry cleaning from the stuff that could be washed. I loaded the first washer full of clothes, then headed for the work-room.

Talking to Peggy made me think. It wasn’t just my life at stake if Jason found me here. The whole town could be in danger. I’d pulled out my Book of Shadows when the phone rang.

Darn, doubling up on the protection would have to wait a few more minutes.

Sweet, Texas
Wednesday
9 p.m.
Witches with crazy mothers: 1
Dead guys: 0, but the night is young

T
here are days when you shouldn’t answer the phone. Really.

“We haven’t heard from Brett in more than three weeks.” Mom was at O’Hare. She and Dad had been at a medical conference in Chicago. A surgical specialist, Dad had given the keynote speech at the dinner the night before. Mom’s a really powerful witch who turned from the ’craft to teach literature. She prefers the magic of prose to throwing fireballs.

I headed out to the garden. It’s usually better for me to be pounding dirt around my herbs when I’m talking to my mom. I mean, we get along great, but she’s my mother. She drives me crazy. Everything was green, which meant Sam and Caleb had been looking after my place. They are such good guys.

“Bronwyn?”

Oops. I hadn’t been paying attention. “Sorry, Mom. The connection’s weak out here in the conservatory.” Big lie, but she was so concerned with my butthead brother that she didn’t notice. “Communication in the jungle is tough, you know that. You and Dad were just there a little over a year ago working with Brett. Sometimes he goes weeks without a shower. I wouldn’t worry that he hasn’t sent an e-mail.”

Hmmm. Time to re-pot the rosemary
.

“You don’t understand. I’m his mother and I feel like something isn’t right.” She sounded very unlike
my
mother, a little hysterical. She’s usually so Zen, with a side order of bossy. Some people call it passive-aggressive, but she’s never hysterical.

“What do you want me to do, Mom?” That sounded mean. “I don’t mean that the way it sounds. I’m just trying to figure out what it is you need from me.”

“Search for him, Bronwyn. You are one of the most talented witches on the planet. Open up that brilliant mind of yours and look for him.” The hysterics were gone. The
Bronwyn-clean-your-room-now!
Mom was on the other end of the line.

“I can try, but he’s good with the shields. He always has been. He never lets me in. But I’ll try.”

Taking a deep breath, I shut my eyes. It took a few seconds, but I saw him in the jungle arguing with a man. It’d been years since I’d seen him in anything but khakis and a T-shirt, and he didn’t disappoint. There was something different about him. He seemed thinner than I’d ever seen him. He looked to the sky as if he could see me and shook his head. Then his shields slammed down and I lost him.

“He’s fine, Mom. Still playing king doctor of the jungle.” I left out the part about him looking like crap. I didn’t want her to worry any more than she already had. Maybe I should send him a care package of Ho Hos and Zingers, or a freezer full of steaks.

“That’s a relief. Something came over me here in the airport. Anxiety about him. I can’t explain it, except it was the same kind of thing I feel every time someone tries to kill you.”

I didn’t want to go down that path. My mom understands why I have to be a high witch. It’s the way I’m made. But she doesn’t like the “daughter in peril” game I play on a daily basis. What sane mother would?

“So, how was Dad’s speech?”

“Don’t try to change the subject, dear, but it went well. Oh, by the way—Peggy e-mailed and said you had dinner with Kira and Caleb last night, how are they?” Remember what I said about the big ears? The coven may keep the positive energy flowing in Sweet, but unfortunately for my sake, they also help the gossip flow freely.

“They’re fine.”

“Good, good. Oh, they’re calling our flight.”

Thank you, Goddess of the phone. Okay, so there’s no
real
Goddess of the phone, but I was grateful just the same.

“Be safe. I love you guys and tell Dad I said hello.”

“I will, darling.”

I gently banged the phone against my head several times. I had to learn to check the caller ID before I picked up. Minutes later I was lost in my herbs. It had been a long, hot summer, but we’d all made it through just fine. Not just the plants; Sam and I had survived, too.

A little over a month ago we had both died and been brought back to life. The incident would have torn most couples apart, especially since I was the one who had to kill him, but it hadn’t. He and I were closer than ever and had reached a certain comfort level with our relationship. We no longer freaked when the other one was gone, which was a very good thing. Of course, that didn’t keep me from missing him. He’d only been gone a day and I already ached for him.

To get my mind off him, I called Kira and asked if she had dinner plans.

“Darn. I have to play piano for the ice cream party at the nursing home. I promised Margie. You could come and hang out with us. The old folks are so much fun.”

Kira’s idea of fun and mine were a little different. “Well, that does sound interesting, but I think I need to make myself work on some potions here at home.” I was very low on everything so it wasn’t a real lie.

“Oh, Bron. I’m sorry. Is it still too soon?”

For what? Ohhhh
. “No, please don’t feel bad. I wasn’t even thinking of Mr. G., honest. I just realized I have a lot of work to do tonight. How about we have an enchilada celebration tomorrow?” I knew that would change the subject fast, and it did.

We settled on a time, and Kira and Margie are coming over to party. We’ll drink too much tequila, eat too much food, and have too much fun. I love my chicks. They, along with Sam, have made Sweet the best place I’ve ever lived. There are people who don’t understand my connection to this West Texas town, but it doesn’t matter. I know why I’m here.

I wanted to concentrate on my Book of Shadows, but I couldn’t focus. I did make potions and I thought about Mr. Gunther. He’s an old guy I met in the nursing home. I helped solve his short-term memory problems long enough for him to log his life story in a bunch of leather journals.

I learned so much from him about life, love, and just doing what makes you happy. He’s the one who gave me the courage to go after Sam. He left the journals to me, but I haven’t been able to read them yet. Someday.

Whew! Look at me being all melancholy. Maybe I should grab a glass of Jack Daniel’s and throw on some Patsy Cline. Hey, that’s not a bad idea.

Thursday, 9 a.m.
Witches with sexy boyfriends who leave great text messages: 1

Sam can be so clever when he wants to be. It took him four tries, but this is what he sent this morning on my cell phone:

Crazy. Busy. Be home to prctic (I’m thinking he meant practice.) Wed. Need whp crm. Lots.

Isn’t he just the most adorable thing ever? He doesn’t like Azir listening to his phone calls when he’s talking to me, so he started text messaging. I suck at it, but I try. I sent him back one word—
Yum
. When I go to the Piggly Wiggly for the Spanish rice this afternoon, I’m
so
picking up a couple of large tubs of Cool Whip.

I’ve decided to make this a day of doing all of those little things that drive me crazy. I’ve made a list and I’m sticking to it. I’m going to update my Book of Shadows, since I didn’t do it yesterday, dust and vacuum the house, call the contractor to finish my master bath (I’ve decided we need to expand the shower and put two nozzles in there for double the fun), and go to the grocery store to stock up. Sam’s been doing the shopping lately and there’s not a single Snowball cupcake in the house.

There’s a lot to do before the girls get here at seven.

Thursday
6:30 p.m
.

What the hell is wrong with me? I spent all day on the couch watching television. I swear that thing sucks me in and I lose track of time. It’s all Regis and Kelly’s fault. They were talking to my friend Zane. He’s using his concert tour to raise money for the starving children in Africa. He’s one of my favorite people in the world, but a stranger guy you’ll never meet.

Then he was on
The View
, so I had to watch. You know, to show my support. Then Oprah was doing her book-club thing and I realized I hadn’t read anything besides magic books in months. So I grabbed my laptop and ordered buckets of books online. Argh.

By the time I was done, I barely had time to run to the store to get what we need for tonight. I stopped at Lulu’s for a light snack of fried chicken and blueberry pie, then I had to vacuum and dust, so my friends wouldn’t discover what I slob I am, and find something cute to wear. I’ve decided on white shorts and this cute red top I found in London a couple of weeks ago. Oh, which reminds me—the prime minister called to tell me that Miles was already back at work, and he wondered if we’d had any luck tracking down the warlock behind the shootings.

I’m the world’s biggest dork. Seriously. With everything else, I sort of pushed that whole thing with Jason out of my head. I didn’t really
forget
, more like procrastinated. Since I landed back in Sweet I’ve been concentrating on growing my power. It sort of happens naturally here, but I’ve been saving it up.

I did another quick search with my mind on the off chance he might have his shields down. Then I could sizzle his brain from the comfort of my own living room, but I couldn’t find him.

While I was picking up the house, I made some calls and checked in with Cole.

“Bron, looks like your ex hexed his way out of the institute, but he didn’t act alone,” Cole informed me. “The magic he used was powerful stuff.”

My stomach felt queasy. “Did his family help him?” I’d heard rumors they’d put hits out on me for ruining their son. Some people just didn’t get it.

“Not as far as we can tell. When I say powerful, I’m talking wizard or sorceress strong,” Cole said.

“What? That’s impossible. There aren’t that many around, and the ones who are wouldn’t help a scumbag like Jason. They’d see right through him.” I plopped down on the couch feeling weaker by the minute.

Wizards are the most powerful magical beings alive, and the work they do is for the good of the universe. The same with sorceresses except they have a tendency to turn to the dark side.

“That’s what I would have thought a few hours ago, but I’m looking at the magic now. I’ve already called Garnout to get his opinion. He should be here in a few seconds. But you need to be more cautious than ever.” Cole sounded nervous.

There was honking out in my driveway and I jumped up to look out the window. Margie and Kira had arrived. I told Cole to call if there was any more news.

My lovely night with the girls was ruined. I put my party face on. No need to make everyone else miserable.

Midnight

It was totally useless to try and hide my worries.

About fifteen minutes after Kira and Margie walked in with covered dishes they cornered me in the kitchen.

“We hear there’s another bad guy after you.” Kira pointed at me accusingly.

“There are always warlocks trying to kill me. Nothing new.” I’d curse her ghostly gossip line but it wouldn’t do any good.

“I’m told this one is particularly nasty and that you used to date him. So spill.” She and Margie stared at me.

“Fine, but can I at least have a glass of sangria before I tell you my life story?”

“Of course. I’ll even pour.” Margie pulled the pitcher out of the fridge and grabbed the glasses down from the cabinet. A few sips later I was in heaven. I love sangria. The mix of wine and fruit tastes reminds me of berry pie as it slides down.

“Short version of the story is, I dated this guy Jason my senior year in college. Drop-dead gorgeous with blond curls and a swimmer’s body that wouldn’t stop. I met him in my History of Magic class, and we bonded. We were the only two real magical people in the class. Of course no one except our professor knew that. We started as study partners and then, well, things progressed.”

Kira’s eyebrow shot up. She knows what can happen when a warlock and a witch sleep together. Sam’s a warlock, but he blocks his power. He’s one of many warlocks who turn away from the craft.

Jason didn’t.

“So, the first time we sleep together, it’s pretty amazing. Our auras mix and I have the first real orgasm of my life. I fell for him big-time after that.” I’d finished off the first glass of sangria and could feel my shoulders ease.

Margie poured me another glass.

I needed it for the next part of the story. It was embarrassing to tell my friends how stupid I was back then. “The next day he ignored me in class. For days after, every time I approached him, he’d say he was busy. I was crushed. Then two weeks later, he called. Told me he was sorry, that our lovemaking had sort of freaked him out. He’d never experienced anything like it.

“He offered to take me out for a real meal. You know how it is in school, anything better than Taco Bell and you’ll go out with the Hunchback of Notre Dame if you have to.”

They both laughed and nodded in agreement.

“He went all-out. We ate sirloin at this nice restaurant in town, had wine and crème brulee. I felt so grown-up, and by the end of the meal, all was forgiven. I was happy and exhausted at the same time. I mean, I was actually embarrassed because I had trouble keeping my eyes open.”

“The bastard
drugged
you.” Margie bit out the word.

I paused. I hadn’t thought about this in so long, but the hurt felt like it happened yesterday. It nestled low in my belly. A swirling mass of pain.

“Yes. He took me to his place because it was closer. I was tired and he said I could rest. No strings. He was so sweet. I remember—”

Kira stood up and put her arms around me. “I’m sorry, Bron. I had no idea it was so bad. You don’t have to tell us any more. Really.” There were tears in her eyes and that was my undoing.

I let out a small sob and then pulled myself together. I swore long ago, that I’d never let that asshole hurt me again.

I shook my head. “I’m okay. I want to finish it.”

Kira moved back to her chair, worry in her beautiful blue eyes.

“When I woke up I was chained to a wall, naked. He’d drawn symbols all over my body. His plan was to drain me of my powers, but something had gone wrong. Whatever he was doing was making me stronger, not weaker. That was the first time I tossed a fireball. It was small, but it flew from my fingertips and set his jeans on fire.