Charmed & Deadly (8 page)

Cole finally closed his cell.

Putting my hands on my hips, I faced Cole. “Can you please explain what the hell happened in there?”

“That, my friend, was Calinda, a sorceress who has been exiled for more than five hundred years. Now she’s back.” He sighed. “It’s a very bad thing that she’s here. She thrives on chaos, torture, and murder. Sphere was one of her minions. I’m sure she already has hundreds of them across the planet. It’s not good. Not good at all.”

Great
.

“So how do we catch her?”

Abelard chimed in. “Hmmph. You do not ‘catch’ a sorceress. She is as powerful as any wizard.”

I turned back to Cole. “So what’s the plan? I’d bet large sums of money that she’s the one who kidnapped Garnout. We have to find her fast.”

“I wouldn’t take that bet. I agree with you.” He shrugged. “The problem is, I don’t have a clue where to begin. The investigators are on it. They’ll trace her magic, and we’ll see what we come up with.”

Lovely. No friggin’ plan
.

“So, what, we just sit around and wait for her to murder a bunch more people? Maybe even the prime minister? She must be the one who sent Sphere to kill him. What if she kills Garnout?”

“We are on it, Bron,” Cole said the words through gritted teeth.

I rolled my eyes. “Whatever.” He could bring in all the investigators he wanted to. I was going to find the sorceress on my own, if necessary. I wondered if Kira had any books on the subject. In the middle of trying to figure out time zones to see if it was too early to call the librarian, my phone rang. I checked the number.
Geez
.

“Hey, Mom. I’m kind of busy right now. Can I call you back?”

Sniffles.

“Mom?”

“They’re both gone.” Her voice was scratchy and hollow.

I walked toward the river, away from Cole and the others.

“
Who’s
gone?” I turned my attention back to my hysterical mother.

“Your father and your brother. One of the other doctors at the camp called and said they woke up and your father was gone. No one has seen him since last night. I’ve tried. I’ve opened up my powers and tried to find him, but I can’t.” She sobbed again.

As I mentioned before, my mom turned away from the craft before I was even born. For her to use her powers to find my dad—well, it meant she was really worried. “It’s okay. Let me get where I can concentrate.” I was in the middle of Paris and had just been through hell. But it was my mom. I found a small bench and sat down.

I tried to locate my dad first. I could sense him, but not see him. “He’s alive, Mom, I can feel him. I can’t exactly tell where he is. I’ll look for Brett now.”

Once again, I closed my eyes and searched for my annoying sibling. He’d better be okay or I would kill him for making Mom worry like this.

He let his shields down and I zeroed in on him. “Brett! Where the hell are you?”

He must have been asleep. The grogginess clouded his mind. “Cave. Been drugged.”

Crap
. “Where are you?”

“Don’t know. Can’t see anything. Dark. Head hurts.”

No telling what kind of drugs they were using. I sent a healing spell to him.

“Is Dad there?”

That woke him up. “What?”

“Dad’s missing. He’s been searching for you. Someone kidnapped him during the night.”

“Hell.” I could feel Brett’s irritation.

“Listen, I’m on the way. Just don’t do anything stupid.”

“No!” His voice was so loud it made my head hurt. “It’s too dangerous. We’ll figure it out. Do not come here.”

“Okay, it’s a little too late for that, big brother. I’ll be there as soon as I can hop a flight.”

He sighed. “Be careful. I don’t know who these guys are, but they’re a nasty bunch.”

“You be careful, too. I’m putting a communication spell on you. If you need me, all you have to do is say my name three times.”

“Oh, I’m already beginning to feel like Dorothy from
The Wizard of Oz
. Do I need to click my heels? And here I forgot my red shoes.” He threw his hand against his forehead in a dramatic fashion.

My brother is against any kind of magic. He has some powers for healing, but only uses the ones that help with intuition for diagnostic purposes. “Just do what I asked, Bozo.”

I picked up the phone and told Mom everything.

“I’m coming with you.” She’d pulled herself together and was in her “I’m taking charge” mode.

“Better for you to stay there in case the rebels try to contact you. There may be some kind of ransom.” Lame, but it was the best I could do in the moment.

“I don’t know.” She hesitated.

“Look, Mom. I’m going now. If I have to wait for you to get there that’s another twelve-hour delay. You know how this kind of stuff works. We have to move fast.”

She finally acquiesced.

Cole was standing on the other side of the street waiting for me. He looked as tired as I felt. It’d been a busy couple of days. I’d been mad at him earlier because he’s always the guy with the answers, but lately he hadn’t been coming through for me.

The whole thing with Jason was a big question mark, and now there was this sorceress. But there was something in Cole’s eyes that made me feel kind of sorry for him. He wasn’t happy about not having the answers, either—I could tell by the way he looked at me. None of this was his fault and I had to stop pointing the blame and fix the situation.

I rolled my shoulders to ease the tension, and walked toward him.

“So, who do you know in Africa?”

Africa
Tuesday (I think. The time zones are killing me.)
9 p.m.
Witches tired of red tape: 1

T
he problem with asking for help, especially from government officials, is the crap you have to go through to get anything done. The prime minister has flown with me to Tanzania, which really isn’t where I need to be. And I’ve been stuck here for more than a day, while my father and brother are missing.

Unless they’ve been here, most people have no idea how big Africa is. You could fit the United States, Argentina, China, Europe, New Zealand, and India into the continent and still have space left over. It’s huge. So the fact that I’m in East Africa when I really need to be in the center of the continent is kind of a big deal.

When he heard about my dad being kidnapped, the prime minister insisted we visit his friend Dr. Zocando, who is staying near the Lake Kamanrok reserve. It’s one of the valleys and is filled with animals, from crocodiles and elephants to birds I’ve never seen before. We arrived at the camp and met with the doctor immediately after.

“I am sorry to hear about your news.” Dr. Zocando nodded in my direction but did not shake my hand when we arrived. He’d done this before when we first met in New York a few months ago, so I should have known better than to stick my hand out. I’m beginning to think he’s a bit of a misogynist. “I will do everything I can to help you.”

“Thank you.” I smiled at him. There’s something about the man that doesn’t feel right, but I’ve never been able to get a read on him. Other than not shaking my hand, he’s always friendly, but something is definitely off.

“We appreciate your generosity, Doctor.” The prime minister looked from me to the other gentleman and nodded. “We’re sorry to have interrupted your holiday.”

Zocando waved him away. “It is nothing. I only took a few days to observe the wildlife. The beauty of my country reminds me why I continue to fight for her.” He was known for his AIDS initiatives throughout Africa. Traveling the world, he had raised millions for his cause.

He motioned us to a set of chairs out on the veranda. The private lodge was large, but fit perfectly into the landscape. It had a thatched roof, but the interior could have been any five-star hotel. Polished wood gleamed, and the furniture was bright and comfortable.

“Tell me where they last saw your father.” He poured water from a pitcher into three glasses and handed them to us.

“He was last seen by the doctors of the camp just outside Mambasa in the Congo. My brother’s been working with the doctors there to stop a typhoid fever outbreak, and to promote AIDS education. He was taken a few days ago, and when my father tried to find him…” I realized I was rambling. “Anyway, my dad was kidnapped from the camp by rebels demanding money and medicine.”

The doctor moved his hands to make a steeple with them, and then leaned back in his chair. “And you do not wish to pay the money?”

In the time it had taken to fly from Paris to London and then off to Africa, the doctors at the camp had received a ransom note.

“Of course, we’ll do whatever it takes,” the PM interjected. “Bronwyn fears that just giving them the money will not bring her father and brother home. And as you and I know, that might certainly be the case.”

Zocando nodded. “You do understand this area is under constant unrest, and there’s no way to know which rebels may have taken your father.”

I wanted to roll my eyes at his patronizing tone, but I didn’t. “Yes. If it would be possible to find me a guide, I believe I can track him.”

“You want to go into the jungle alone? But you are a woman.”

The PM shifted in his seat and leaned forward. I guessed it was to keep me from punching Dr. Zocando right in the smacker. “She’s quite capable of taking care of herself. I’ve offered to put a team together, but she has refused.” He turned a reproving eye on me.

Realizing the conversation was going to get me nowhere, I stood. “I can move faster on my own. Doctor, I do appreciate your help in finding the guide. The prime minister will continue to negotiate with the rebels, and I have given him permission to act on my behalf to do whatever is necessary in the way of funds and medical supplies. My father’s hospital has already shipped the items listed on the ransom note.”

I stepped away from them. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to freshen up before dinner.”

I’ve been waiting twenty-four hours for my guide to show up, so we can fly to the middle of nowhere and find my stinky brother and my dad. I’m not sure, but it feels like Dr. Zocando is stalling. I mean, he’s a powerful dude. Why the hell is it taking so long to find one guide who can take me where I need to go?

Wednesday
Mambasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
5 a.m.
Witches with powerful friends: 1

I snuck out of Dr. Zocando’s camp last night and I’m now in Mambasa. I left the PM a note to tell him what I was doing, and asked him to avoid the doctor until I was out of the city.

I’d grown tired of waiting. After dinner back at the camp, I called Sheik Azir on his cell phone. I knew he was in Dubai, because Sam had called to tell me he was back in Sweet. They’d been on another trip to the Philippines to take care of orphans.

When I told Sam what had happened, he wanted to come and search with me, but I told him no. I had to move fast, and by the time he could get here I wanted to have already found my dad and brother.

It was around seven my time when Sam called me.

A few minutes into our conversation, I blurted the words. “I’m calling Azir, and I wanted you to know.”

He took a moment to answer. “I would do the same, Bron, he has friends everywhere. He’ll be able to help. I feel like I should be there with you. It’s rough country where you’re going. We were there a couple of months ago, and even though it’s now a free government, the rebels don’t seem to have received the message.” Sam coughed. It was croupy and kind of gross.

“Are you sick?”

“Nah. Just a head cold, nothing serious.” He sniffled.

“I know you want to come here, but don’t. Please. Stay in Sweet and get well. This will be over soon and then I can come home. I miss you so much.”

He put up a good fight for another few minutes, but finally said he’d do what I asked.

My call to Azir went about the same way. He wanted to meet me in Mambasa. “Look, I just had this conversation with Sam. Please just let me do this my way. If you want to help, get me the hell out of here tonight and find me a guide.”

He made a clicking sound with his tongue and I knew he was thinking. “I will do as you ask. Hold on for a moment.” I heard him typing on a computer keyboard. “Call this number in an hour. He’ll pick you up and have a plane available to get you into Mambasa. I’ll arrange for a guide to meet you there.” He gave me the number and then the lecture.

“I know you can handle any situation, Bronwyn, but this place is as dangerous as it is beautiful. You cannot underestimate anyone. Kazandon is someone I would trust with my life and I trust him with yours. Do not trust anyone else.”

Ah, look at Azir with all the warm fuzzies. “I promise not to do anything too stupid. Hey, do you know if they have wild animals there?”

He laughed. “It’s the African jungle. You will probably run into some wildlife.”

See, I know it’s kind of stupid, but I hadn’t really planned for that. Animal brains work on a different wavelength than humans’ and I can’t communicate with them the same way. I’ve traveled the world a couple of times, but I’ve never actually had to go through a jungle.

I know lots of people track gorillas in the mountains of Rwanda, which is nearby, but I’m not really what you would call an outdoor enthusiast. That probably seems strange, since I draw most of my power from nature. But creepy crawly things like snakes and critters just aren’t my bag. I don’t mind watching them on the Discovery Channel, but sleeping in a jungle with them, well that’s different.

Azir’s friend Kazandon met me about a mile outside of camp. Dr. Zocando’s security force is impressive and it had taken several cloaking spells to get through the maze of soldiers with high-powered rifles.

I continued to cloak us until we reached the aircraft. Kazandon, who is close to six-four, would be enormously handsome if it weren’t for the web of scars covering the right side of his face. I’d seen the signs of torture before and it was more than evident he’d been through hell.

When I offered to take control of the plane so he could rest, he smiled for the first time on the trip.

“Azir did not tell me you were a pilot.” He had a Nigerian accent. He flipped a switch and handed me control of the jet.

“Thank you for doing this.” We had just made it to about twenty-one thousand feet and were leveling off. The jet was small, but much nicer than I’d expected. Honestly, I wouldn’t have cared if we’d been in a biplane. I just needed to get to my brother and dad.

“I am happy to assist,” Kaz (as he asked me to call him) said. “When Azir needs Kaz, I am always there.”

I assumed Azir must have saved the man’s life or his family. Saving someone’s life, well, that’s something most folks don’t forget. His respect for the sheik was evident.

We flew in silence for two hours. I worked with my mind to search for my brother and father, hoping that as we drew closer I could sense them.

We were over mountains, then suddenly, just as the sun rose, we made our way over a canopy of green trees so tightly woven it looked like you might bounce from one treetop to the other. That’s when I heard it, soft as a whisper.

Bronwyn, Bronwyn, Bronwyn
. Brett used the communication spell to reach out to me.

I closed my eyes and followed the silver tendril of the spell. It seemed to point east and then slightly north. We were close.

“I sense my brother is near.” I kept my eyes closed and tried to focus. “Is there somewhere we can land, in about a fifty-mile radius?

I heard Kaz pull out some maps. “There’s an air strip outside Mambasa we are near. I will land there.”

That had been our original destination, but I hadn’t realized we were so close. The silver thread suddenly vanished like chalk on the underside of an eraser.

Magic. Someone knew Brett had contacted me. I didn’t know if he could hear me, but I whispered, “I’ll find you.” And when I did, I’d have some fun with those kidnappers.

Friday
Midnight
About five miles from Mambasa
Possibly stupid witches: 1

Azir didn’t lie. This place is amazing and scary as hell at the same time. I can’t believe my brother chooses to work here. He’s crazier than I ever imagined.

Once we landed, Kaz introduced me to Ezeoha, a man about my height, making him “vertically challenged.” He’s also paper-thin. I keep trying to get him to eat protein bars.

From what Azir said, I thought Kaz would leave me with Ezeoha, but he decided to come with us.

“There is danger where you are going, and Azir has asked that I protect you.” Kaz was regal and his voice powerful.

“I appreciate that, but I’m good at protecting myself. I know you must have other work to do.” In the short time we’d spent together I’d grown to like him. The words had been few between us, but it was a feeling more than anything. I understood why Azir trusted him.

“You are precious cargo to Azir, and I will assist with what is necessary.”

Cargo?
I snorted. “Well, okay.” I turned to Ezeoha. “What supplies will we need?” I was wearing jeans and a T-shirt, and I had a feeling I might need something a little more lightweight, and some food.

Ezeoha pointed to what looked like a general store. We were actually outside of Mambasa in a small village. The store was old and dusty looking. “We need three days of food and water.” His English was accented with French. “You need zee boots.”

I laughed. Ezeoha had a point. I didn’t think my flip-flops would cut it in the jungle. I’d been in such a hurry when running away from Dr. Zocando’s camp that I’d left my Pumas behind. But even those wouldn’t keep a snake’s fangs from penetrating.

Kaz had scared the hell out of me the last few minutes of our flight with stories about the dangers of creatures in the jungle. If you didn’t get your throat slit by a nasty rebel or eaten by a tiger, there was a good chance the snakes would make a meal of you. I didn’t plan to be anyone’s meal.

A quick trip to the general store and we had full packs, a change of clothes, food, water, several cans of bug spray, (people who live here don’t believe in it, but I do—bugs love to chew on me) and I sported some new khakis. Before heading into the jungle, the two men pulled out a map and lay it across Ezeoha’s Jeep.

“We drive to here.” Ezeoha pointed to a speck on the map. “Den we walk.”

Kaz shook his head. “She believes them to be somewhere here.” He pointed to a spot dead-center in the jungle.

Ezeoha frowned. “It is three days’ walk and very dangerous. The river or the roads would be easier, but the rebels…” He pulled his finger across his neck in the universal sign for slitting throats.

Lovely
. He and Kaz should be the spokespeople for avoiding the jungle. I’m sure I could have taken care of whatever rebels we encountered, but I didn’t want to give whoever was holding my family a heads-up. If sneaking through the jungle gave us the element of surprise, that’s what we would do.

“Okay. Well, I choose trekking through the jungle. I like my neck just the way it is. I don’t need a bloody necklace.”

So here we go into the wild green jungle.