Hex Appeal (10 page)

“You're not going to park in one of those enclosed garages, are you?” Irma shifted uneasily as she stared at a multi-storied parking garage.

Jazz wasn't surprised that Irma didn't want to be left in a parking garage. After Clive Reeves had tainted Irma and the car in a mall's garage, the irascible ghost was apprehensive of parking structures.

“There's a parking lot with an attendant near the business. You know I've increased the wards on the car since then and you have your dog.”

“A dog that can't be seen by everyone.”

“You wanted a dog. You got one.” Jazz muttered a few words before she pulled into the parking lot entrance. As the attendant approached her she knew he saw the typical California blonde in a skimpy dress instead of a redhead in tailored black pants and teal sweater.

“Sweet car,” he said, keeping his eyes on what he thought was a
Playboy
-worthy bustline.

“Thank you,” Jazz used a breathy voice to keep the illusion. “I really worry about my baby. You'll keep a close eye on her, won't you?” She ignored Irma rolling her eyes.

“No prob. I can park her right over there.” He was so fixated on the fleshy mounds Jazz had to lean forward and pluck the ticket stub out of his hand.

“Thanks so much.” She gave him her flashiest smile.

“Will you go before he melts at your feet?” Irma shouted.

Jazz ignored her and headed up the street with the purr of the T-Bird sounding behind her. She had no doubt the young attendant would treat her car right and she was pleased to know she was correct.

After all the times she'd been in San Diego, she couldn't remember visiting the historic Gaslamp District before and now wished she had the time to explore the many shops and boutiques in the area. It took some time, but she finally came upon the small building that she knew was protected by magick and only seen by preternatural beings. “Historic Cars” was written in elegant script over the door.

The interior wasn't anything like Dweezil's barebones office that blared techno punk music and didn't have anything there to comfort anyone who wandered in. Here, harp music soothed a visitor's ears and all the pieces of furniture were elegant antiques.

“Welcome to Historic Cars. Is there something I can help you with?” a woman who could be Mindy's twin said from behind a waist-high counter. Her blond hair was pulled up into a loose knot displaying her pointed ears. Instead of Dresden blue eyes like Mindy's, her irises were deep lavender. Just like Mindy she looked as if a stain or wrinkle wouldn't dare assault her clothing.

“Yes, I'd like to see Mindy.”

She glanced at the flat screen monitor in front of her. “Do you have an appointment?”

“Tell her Jazz Tremaine is here. I'm sure she'll see me.” She walked over to a small table she gauged was from the Regency period and studied a gold-trimmed porcelain vase centered on it.

The young elf kept her gaze on Jazz as she pressed a button on a console and whispered into her headset.

“Come this way.” She disconnected her headset and led the way down a hallway until she reached the door at the end. She opened it and gestured for Jazz to enter.

Looking around Jazz saw touches of Mindy's heritage with artwork painted by elf artists and a freeform sculpture set on a credenza.

“Hello, Jazz.” Mindy stood near a delicate desk. She wore a pink dress that flowed about her knees. “This is a surprise.” She gestured to a nearby chair.

“You have a lovely office, Mindy.” Jazz sat down and accepted the cup of tea Mindy handed her. She preferred getting down to business, but manners dictated she do the polite thing first. Elves had their own ways of conducting business, so Jazz had to follow their rules instead of her own.

“After my time with Dweezil I knew I wanted something elegant.” She looked around her office with the pride of ownership.

Jazz sipped her tea and found the flowery taste a bit much for her, but she merely smiled and sipped again.

“Since I can't imagine you're here for a job or stopped by for a chat I imagine that Dweezil sent you.”

“D doesn't send me anywhere. He asked me to talk to you.”

Her blue eyes hardened to chips of ice. “He's a very nasty creature. I don't know why you care to deal with him. If you wanted to come work for me I'm sure we could come up with an arrangement beneficial for both of us.”

“I don't think so, Mindy. I still haven't gotten past the fact that you blew up my car.”

“Your destruction of the curse blew up your car,” she corrected.

“Semantics. But it was a curse you set up.” Jazz waved her off. “I'm just curious how a business so far south ended up servicing so many of Dweezil's prime accounts.”

“I should have known.” Mindy's lips widened in a smug smile. “It really hurt Dweezil, didn't it? He never thought that someone might find a way to cut into his business and offer the clients more.”

“More, such as?”

“Such as private company business that is none of your concern, Ms. Tremaine.” A tall man entered the office.

“My father. Eilemar,” Mindy murmured, looking up to smile at her sire.

Whoa!
Jazz realized she was looking at a tall man who could give Orlando Bloom's Legolas a run for his money. She kept her composure long enough to incline her head and issue a greeting.

“We do not steal clients from anyone. Our clients prefer a car service that offers them all the amenities they deserve,” Eilemar told her.

Jazz had a pretty good idea what amenities he meant and not something any of Dweezil's clients would have gotten from her.

“As far as I'm concerned, you're welcome to them.” She pushed herself out of her chair. “I came here as a courtesy to Dweezil. After all, it's whatever the clients want, isn't it? And business is business. But he is also upset because some of his workers have chosen to leave his employ and come to you. I was asked to speak to you about it and I've done just that.”

“Tell Dweezil the next time he wants answers, he is to come himself and not send one of his witches.” The elf's nostrils flared, the disdain in his voice making the word sound more like a curse.

For a second thunder rumbled overhead, which had nothing to do with the threatening rain and everything to do with Jazz's rising temper.

“And tell your daughter if she ever tries to destroy something of mine again I will turn her into a literal Barbie doll complete with Dream House,” she said with a bright smile.

He straightened up. Eyes as blue as his daughter's turned hard as marbles. “Are you threatening us, witch?”

“I never threaten. And Mindy knows that.” She glanced at the young elf before sweeping out of the office. “Good day.”

As she walked out of the building, Jazz gave in to temptation and wiggled her fingers at the sign over the door. By the time she reached the corner, the script read Public Restrooms.

Not what she would have liked to have written on the sign, but she figured it wouldn't get her into trouble with the Witches' High Council. It really was for the greater good.

She pulled her cell phone out of her bag as she walked down the sidewalk and punched her speed dial.

“Whaddya want?” Dweezil's ground glass voice grated in her ear.

“My, aren't we chipper today? Honestly, D, would it hurt you to greet someone in a pleasant manner or is that beyond you?” She dutifully waited for his usual tirade to wind down. “I saw Mindy. Her father even sat in on the meeting.”

“And?”

“And it's just as I expected. They're going to continue doing business as usual. My advice to you is to do what you do best. Beat them at their own game.”

“What the fuck does that mean?” he screamed in her ear.

She winced and held the phone as far from her ear as possible. “It means part with some of that money you have stashed away, upgrade some of your vehicles, and offer some incentives to the clients you have left. Don't water down the alcohol. In fact, buy some of the pricy booze. Offer perks to your clients if they refer someone. Come on, Dweezil. You're good at putting someone out of business. You've done it in the past. You can do it again. If you want Mindy gone, work at it. But if I were you, I'd suggest a compromise. She can handle the business in the San Diego area and you keep to L.A.”

“Why should I do that?”

“Because it can work for both of you if you do it right. Plus her father has a message for you. Next time do your own dirty work. And you know what? I may totally hate that sanctimonious elf, but I agree with him. I've done my part. The rest is up to you.” She disconnected during Dweezil's rant.

“Shopping. Time for lots of shopping.” She set off for her car and Horton Plaza with the words
charge it!
running through her mind.

“Why did I promise to go?” Jazz studied the contents of her closet. Incomprehensible chatter sounded at her feet. She looked down. “No way you're leaving that cage to go with me.” She continued to shake her head as Fluff and Puff babbled away. “Why? Maybe it has something to do with you two accused of eating a carnie and then there's the time you destroyed Thea's favorite
Hermes
bag. If she'd had her way, you two would have been turned into a couple of powder puffs.”

She finally settled on a pair of dark bronze pants and matching jacket paired with a lacy tank top in a paler shade. She took her hair out of its tight braid and finger combed the spiral curls. Her moonstone pendant shone with a milky blue light against her breasts as she fastened the chain around her neck. The ring on her finger echoed the soft glow. Fluff and Puff hissed displeasure from their cage as she brought Croc and Delilah out of the closet and slipped them on her feet. The grayish shoes immediately darkened to a rich caramel shade to coordinate with her pants. Delilah winked at Jazz and blew her a kiss.

As she started down the stairs the doorbell rang and a moment later she heard Krebs greeting Nick.

“You've got a great collection here,” she heard Nick say.

“I'm just glad that more of my favorites are finally showing up on DVD,” Krebs said.

“
Attack of the Puppet People
was fantastic.” Nick slid the DVD case back into its slot.

“Oh no, don't tell me.” Jazz walked into the large family room that housed every electronic toy a grown man would love. “You love all those old sci-fi movies too?”

“And horror films.” Krebs grinned, turning to Nick. “Jazz groans anytime it's my turn to choose a movie for our movie night.”

“The last time was a double-feature.
The Monolith Monsters
and
The Mole People.
But that's okay. Next time it's my turn and he's going to have an evening of soppy chick flicks.” She laughingly bared her teeth at Krebs.

“I thought that after the game Nick might want to watch my latest find.” Krebs sorted through his DVDs and pulled out a slim case. “We're talking a real classic here.” His eyes danced with laughter.

Jazz gasped in horror when she saw the title. “Give that to me!” She snapped her fingers. Except her command fizzled the moment her power hit the case that refused to move from Krebs's hands. She muttered a second more powerful command, but it also failed.

“
Her Past Indiscretions
starring Jasmine Taylor
.
” Nick grinned, reading the case. “A young factory girl is seduced by the owner's son and becomes the talk of the town because she has his baby. 1929. Oh yes, I remember this one.”

“Did you honestly think after I spent cold hard cash to get this baby that I wouldn't find a way to protect it?” Krebs smirked at Jazz. “Blair set up an awesome protection spell for the DVD
and
the case. She said there's nothing you can do to this gem.”

Jazz glared at Nick who was collapsed on the brick red sectional laughing so hard he sounded as if he was wheezing, except she knew there was no way he could wheeze.

“You need to look for another silent classic titled
The Gilded Cage,
” Nick suggested. “Jazz played a kind-hearted prostitute in a New Orleans bordello who falls in love with a wealthy playboy client who kills her because he doesn't want his socialite fiancée to find out about her. She wore a lot of black lace in that movie.”

Jazz opened her mouth but all that came out was a squeak. “I would have starred against Valentino if he hadn't died,” she finally managed to say.

“Wow, Rudolph Valentino? So tell me, Jazz, just how old does that make you?” Krebs asked.

“Do not tell him!” she ordered Nick, horror coloring her voice. “I swear, Nick, if you say one word you will literally end sunny-side up.”

“Let's just say she looks incredible for her age,” Nick replied.

Jazz shot one last glare at the DVD before checking the contents of her purse. “Do not think this is over. I'll find a way to get that DVD. I've got to get to Thea's book signing. She'll be impossible to deal with if I'm late. Enjoy your football game, boys.”

“Hey! No way they can be down here!” Krebs yelled. “I thought you said they were locked up.”

Jazz followed his gaze to the coffee table where a bowl of chili cheese dip resided with taco chips and a couple of beer bottles along with hungry looking Fluff and Puff poised over the bowl.

“Bad bunnies,” she scolded, rounding on them. “How did you get out of the cage?” She pointed at them. “Bunnies been bad. Bunnies are sad. Do what I say without fail and return to your jail. Because I say so, damn it!” A tiny squeak erupted from one slipper's mouth before they disappeared in a puff of smoke. “That cage was reinforced by a powerful wizard. They shouldn't have been able to get out of it,” she groaned.

“But if they got out of there once, they can again,” Krebs said. “And they love chili cheese dip.”

“If they happen to get out, and you allow them to eat that dip, their cage is going in your room tonight,” she said, pausing long enough to drop a kiss on Krebs's cheek.

“Who allows?”

“Enjoy doing the guy thing,” she whispered in Nick's ear after kissing him with a great deal more warmth than the kiss she'd given Krebs. The stilettos sighed loudly and flashed Nick their sexiest smiles. “Down girls,” she commanded, but the shoes ignored her.

“Enjoy listening to Thea go on and on about her glamorous life.”

She wrinkled her nose at his teasing. “I'll drink lots of wine at dinner.” She waggled her fingers at the men as she left the house.

Krebs picked up his beer. “Uh, Nick, I wasn't sure if you could drink beer and I wasn't sure where to buy the other that you...”

“Other liquids are no problem for me.”

“It's nice you could come over. I guess you didn't want to go with Jazz.”

“Getting hit with one of Jazz's fireballs would be preferable to spending a few hours with Thea.” Nick accepted the bottle of beer Krebs held out and watched the man drop into an easy chair.

“That bad, huh?”

“I can take only so much of Thea. Preferably at a great distance.” Nick sipped the yeasty brew.

“I met her once and I admit that was enough for me.” Krebs winced.

“She's been known to eat unsuspecting men for breakfast.” Nick leaned back into the couch, resting his ankle on the opposite knee. “And I don't mean that in a good way either.”

“Literally, I'm sure. I've also met Stasi and Blair and they're nothing like Thea.”

“Or Jazz,” Nick pointed out.

“You must have met some of the others. What are they like?”

“I haven't met them all but the ones I have are all unique,” Nick said. “Each has her own special talent.”

“The ones I've met sure aren't what I pictured witches to look like. Of course, neither is Jazz.”

Nick grinned. “You were thinking black dresses and pointed hats, warts on the chin and nose? Maybe a hint of green skin?”

“Not that far. The witches on
Charmed
are sexy looking too, but Jazz is still in a...”

“Cauldron all her own?”

Krebs almost snorted his beer. “Yeah, that works. Just like you.” He eyed Nick's black boots, well-worn jeans, and gray T-shirt announcing that he was a night person.

“What? You thought we all wear capes and tuxedos and spoke with a Hungarian accent? I was born in Old Russia, Krebs. There are still some ancient vampires who believe in always wearing black and displaying a lot of affectations, but most of us prefer to blend in the best we can. Since my work with the Protectorate meant I also had to spend time among mortals, it was best I retain more human-like qualities.”

“You were with that group for a long time, weren't you?”

Nick nodded. “Centuries. We have always believed in policing our own, because we knew the mortals couldn't do it.”

Krebs rubbed his chin in thought. “I didn't really believe in any of this until I met Jazz and learned what she was and what was around me. I knew it was going on. It's like an unspoken secret, but I guess it's only when you face it that you realize the truth. And hope you don't end up as someone's midnight snack. No offense.”

“None taken.” Nick cradled his beer bottle between his hands. “You shouldn't have to worry about that. You are under Jazz's and my protection. Plus, if anyone did hurt you I'd say that Jazz would happily tear that creature apart. She's very loyal to her friends,” he murmured.

He watched Krebs fiddle with the television controls. The feeling that more was going on than appeared grew stronger. “So tell me, Krebs, why exactly did you invite me over? It can't be just because you want company to watch a football game.”

“No hidden agenda. I thought since you're involved with Jazz, we could take some time to know each other better.” Krebs sat back with his legs stretched out in front of him.

Nick smiled, deliberately displaying his fangs. He was impressed that Krebs didn't look away or wince.

“Uh,” Krebs hesitated then forged on. He looked down at the beer bottle in his hand as if it held all the secrets of the world. “You can't tell Jazz what I'm about to tell you. At least, please don't say anything to her at this time. Because she'd probably find a way to lock me up in that cage with the slippers, if not worse.”

“Is this something that involves her?”

“No.” He took a deep breath. “Well, yeah, sort of. Come to think of it, just maybe.”

Nick usually felt comfortable around mortals, but the ones he felt most comfortable with were cop mortals. Krebs was proof that everyday mortals were a whole different species.

“Which is it?” He already feared the worst.

“All of the above,” he admitted. “I don't know if Jazz told you I design Web sites for...” he searched for just the right word.

“Members of the supernatural community,” Nick provided.

“Yeah.” Krebs picked up his beer and swallowed half the contents. “One of my clients is Leticia who runs a vampire dating service.”

“I know of her and her service. It's very popular among our kind.” It didn't take much for every light to blaze to life inside Nick's brain. He really didn't like what he was thinking either. The look on Krebs' face confirmed his suspicions. “Are you saying you've met her outside of e-mail or the telephone?”

“We've met for coffee a couple of times,” Krebs explained, heading into the kitchen and returning with two more beer bottles.

Nick groaned at the ramifications of such a meeting. “I thought you had promised Jazz you would keep your interactions to e-mail and the phone only when you dealt with vampire clients? In fact, any preternatural client.”

“E-mails went to IMs and she asked if I was willing to meet her for wine or coffee and we'd talk about a new business she was thinking of starting. All very innocent.”

“Innocent, yet you never said a word to Jazz.” Nick sensed Krebs was talking about way more than a couple of hours at Starbucks.

“Hell, no, I didn't tell Jazz! I like my body parts exactly where they are.” He looked down and grimaced to find Fluff and Puff nibbling in the dip again. He shooed them away and one of them snarled and almost took his fingers off but moved aside. Nick's snarl was more effective as each snatched a taco chip and instantly disappeared again. Krebs guessed they returned to their cage before Nick followed up on his silent threat. “You know what would happen. I tell her about meeting up with Leticia and I could find my dick in place of my nose and vice versa.”

Nick winced as the word picture popped into his mind. “She is inventive with her curses and Blair is even more creative. But you must know humans and vampires aren't exactly friend material.”

“Why not? I mean, other than pretty much going out only at night and the drinking blood thing, your kind isn't all that different from us.”

“We're very different than you. We're predators by nature, Krebs,” Nick said softly, realizing that even after all the time Krebs spent with Jazz the mortal was still pretty clueless about supernatural beings. “I'm not trying to make you feel uncomfortable, and I'm aware of Leticia who has always, well, behaved herself. But she is still not someone you could turn your back on. She's walked this earth a long time, done things you couldn't even imagine.”

“Hey, no one's perfect!” He held up his hands. “Maybe a massive understatement, but we sat there and talked for hours. And not once during that time did I see her as a vampire. I only saw her as an intelligent and beautiful woman.”

Nick's mind reeled at what could have happened that night. Along with what would happen when Jazz found out and he knew that she would. He wondered if this wouldn't be a good time to take a vacation far far away. And Jazz would have every right to throw a fit when she found out.

“When Jazz finds out, rearranged body parts will be the least of your worries. I'm sure she explained to you why she felt it was best you restrict communication to non-face-to-face.”

“And that's why I was hoping you could help me out.” Krebs worked steadily on his second bottle of beer. Nick worried if the mortal continued in this manner he'd be totally wasted by the time the game started. He also worried about the glint in Krebs' eyes and the way his voice softened when he spoke Leticia's name. It was apparent that the mortal was well and truly hooked and Nick doubted she had to use one speck of her power to mesmerize him.

Oh yeah, he could see that Krebs was heading for major trouble. From a vampire he was clearly falling for and from a witch who was going to be furious with him for falling for said vampire. The idea of space travel was looking better all the time.