The Lightning Prophecy (The Lightning Witch Trilogy Book 1) (4 page)

He cleared his throat. “You said you didn’t know who I was, so I’m telling you. My name is Reid. Reid Jamison. And you must be Delaney Hagen.”

I thought I might have stopped breathing. How the flying fuck did this guy know my name? Sweat dripped down my back, leaving an icy chill in its wake. I took a quick step back. He gave me a smile that could only be seen as predatory.

“The Coven sent me to investigate the death of Sierra…” he trailed off, obviously trying to think of her last name.

In a low, but very controlled voice, I said, “Pierce. Her last name is Pierce. Was, I guess it’s was now.” Tears threatened to blur my vision, but I would be damned if this man would see me cry. “And since when did the Coven give three shits about an unregistered witch?” I said in my iciest tone. I mean, really. The Coven couldn't care less about unregistered witches. In fact, they would have us jailed if they could. He had to be lying.

“Could we maybe step in and talk in private?” he asked, putting emphasis on the word
private
.

Is he kidding, or does he think I am a moron?
I honestly had to re-evaluate my thoughts on this hulk of a man. He wasn’t a witch. I knew that for sure. He didn’t have the telltale feel of a witch. Every witch had a power base that came from within them. To other witches, it felt like a dull thrum of power. It’s like feeling a second pulse in your core. From what Mil had told me, it’s the magic calling out to one of its own. This Reid guy didn't have that, but he wasn't human. I wasn't sure what he was, but I surely wanted to figure it out.

“What are you? You’re not a witch. I know that for sure. And I know the Coven would never hire a human. And you don't feel like a human. So, what are you?” I widened my stance and put my hands on my hips and looked up at him with my best impatient look. He raised an eyebrow at me and the corners of his perfectly formed mouth started to twitch in an upward motion. He seemed as if he was trying not to laugh at me.

Oh, you have got to be kidding me!
What a condescending asshole
. That was it. I was going to electrocute the shit out of him, both metaphorically and literally. I narrowed my eyes at him and said, “Look, buddy, until you provide me with some proof the Coven sent you, I’m not letting you in my anything.”

His eyes widened at my statement.

That’s when it hit me.
Oh my God, he thought … Oh sweet mother of God
. I could feel my face turn red and even a few sparks fell from my fingertips. I saw his eyes flick to my fingers and I quickly put them behind my back. I then met his eyes and my breath caught at the caramel-colored orbs that seemed to spark with green. He was the one who broke the silence.

“Ms. Hagen, I will show you my private investigator’s badge and I can answer your questions when we go into your apartment. For now, that’s all I am looking to get into.”

With that last comment, I surely thought I’d die or at least faint. Had he said “For now?” as in that might change later? I looked down at the badge and it seemed official, but what did I know? For all I knew it could have been an arcade prize. But then he pulled out a white business card with his name, “Reid Jamison, private investigator” on it and pressed into the card was the official seal of the Coven, a round Celtic knot surrounding an ornate tree of life.

I hated that damn symbol. It represented the four elements witches could control. I was an outcast even on the damn seal. Mil was well known with the Coven and they knew she had a great niece, but, to their knowledge, I had no power. If the Coven ever found out what I could do, they would use me. Of that I was sure.

I looked up at him and into those eyes, then stepped toward him. He didn’t so much as blink. In a slightly husky voice I said, “Well you're still in my way and my apartment is on the other side of you.” I place my hand on his chest and it was way too warm for a normal human. I thought he might burn me. Why did I touch him? I swallowed and continued, “So I’m going to need you to move the hell out of my way.” I let my hand drop from his chest, but not before I felt his heart rate speed up slightly. He slowly moved to the left of me, flattening himself against the wall. His eyes were flecked with green again, but I couldn’t think about how beautiful they were. I had to get this over with and start my own investigation.

We sat at my kitchen table. It was small and bought second hand. Most of my things were.

“Do you want coffee?” I asked. God, I just wanted him out of my house. Why did I ask him if he wanted coffee? I must be going insane.

“Sure, black is fine,” he said in a clipped tone.

I pulled out my French press, already-ground coffee, and stovetop kettle. As I put the water on the gas stove I heard a grumble from behind me.

“Don’t you have a coffee maker?” Reid asked from behind me.

Ugh
. How to answer that question? Well, Reid, I picked this apartment for its gas stove and water heater and I don't use electronic appliances because I’m a walking, talking electronic disaster area. Finally, I settled on saying, “No, the coffee is better this way,” which was very true.

A few minutes later and coffee in hand, I sat at the table. I said, “So, Mr.-”

He cut me off with, “Reid. Call me Reid.”

“Okay, Reid, what are you? Because I know what you're not. You’re not a witch and you're not human.”  

“No I’m not. And haven’t been for a while now.”

I just stared at him, blinking. I mean, what did you say to that? Okay, I’m not human, not technically, so who am I to judge?

“I can feel your power, but it’s not like a witch’s power. It’s not more or less; it’s just different - more feral? Maybe. So, what are you?”

He leaned across my small kitchen table and got within five inches of my face. He smelled like a pine forest, summer heat, and man. My heart began to race with his nearness. He parted his lips and gave me a very predatory smile. Don’t they say don't run from a predator? My head told me to run like hell. Apparently, there was a breakdown in communication because my feet didn’t move.
Am I prey?

“I, my dear, am a shape shifter, as we like to be called, but think of me as a werewolf. And the Coven hired myself and my partner to handle this matter as discreetly as possible.”

He didn’t back away. He just sat there, staring at me. He seemed to be waiting on something, a reaction of some kind. A shape shifter or werewolf. I was officially living in
Twilight
. Oh my God, this guy looked serious. I laughed in his face. I mean, what else could I do?

“Are you done yet?” he said, looking mighty annoyed.

“Yes, I think so. But really, what are you?” I asked, half snickering.

He leaned even closer and his eyes went green. Those beautiful caramel-colored eyes freakin’ turned green, as in traffic light green. I abruptly stood, knocking the chair over behind me and scrambling over it. My foot caught on the leg of the chair and I went down, but I would not be a victim to this, this
thing
.

On hands and knees I scrambled over to the pantry door, but before I could stand up I saw him move. He calmly walked over to me, moving the chair out of the way, and offered me a hand. Yeah, right. Was he nuts? I called the lightning to my hand and raised it to him in threat. I was going to barbeque his ass. Brick house or not, his ass was grass. I didn’t stop to even think about the Coven or what they would do if they found out about me.

Between shaking lips I said, “Get the fuck away from me or this ball of lightning is going to turn you into beef jerky!”

He raised an eyebrow at me and flicked his glance at my hand and took two small steps back. He put his hands on his hips and peered down at me.

“Now, Ms. Delaney, the question is, what are you?”

SHIT. WHAT WAS
I thinking? I slowly pulled the lightning back into my core and just sat there looking up at Reid.

“Look, I know it’s a shock, but I’m here for some information to help catch this murderer, not to hurt you. So, I’m going to walk over to you and help you up. I would also ask you to refrain from beef jerkying me.”

I tensed as he slowly walked over to me and reached his hand out again. I grabbed his hand and, as I did, I realized I forgot about the residual electricity on my skin.

He quickly jerked his hand back and wailed, “Whoa, ouch, holy hell, woman!”

“Oh damn, sorry, I forgot. Residual charge. Are you okay?”
I’m such a moron.
But, damn, he took that whole shock. A normal person would have been laid out on the floor pissing himself.

He looked back at me as he rubbed his hand and forearm. God, those eyes. And his mouth.
Get it together, Delaney!

“Uh, yeah, I’m good. But what the hell kind of witch are you? I mean, I know you guys can control water, fire, earth, and air, but lightning, that's new.” He looked about as dismayed as I felt.
Well, you know what, big guy? Good
. I just found out there really are things that go bump in the night.

I sighed. “Look, can we keep this between you and me? If so, then yes, I control lightning,”
or it controls me most days
, “And no. There are no others like me and no, I absolutely do not want the Coven to know about me.”

I looked up to see him studying me. His gaze seemed to pierce my soul. I shifted in my seat. “Well, so how did you become a werewolf? I mean, are you born or made or is it like
Twilight
? You don't look Native American,” I said, trying not to smile.

He rolled his eyes at me and smiled a real smile. It completely lit up his face. He had the kind of grin that made you want to return the gesture. I had to stop myself from grinning like a goof ball.

“I’m not Native American. Really, you’re comparing me to a tween? Insulting!” he said jokingly.

“No, I was not born this way. Werewolves are made. And before you ask, no, you cannot be turned, only humans can be. And it’s not as simple as a bite. We can only be turned on or near a full moon. Although, this isn't one hundred percent, let’s call it ninety-eight percent correct. The person has to die.”

“Wait, they have to die? What, do they rise in the morning? You don't drink blood, do you?” I quipped. I could not seem to stop myself from being a complete ass with this guy.

“Really? I’m not sure I should respond to that, but no. Stop interrupting me and I’ll tell you.”

According to Reid, not only did the person who is being changed have to die and not wake up until the next new moon, but only fifteen percent of people wake; most tend to stay dead. No one really knows how werewolves came about, but there are theories. Reid’s theory was that, much like witches, it was a rare genetic mutation. But, like the theory with the witches, it didn’t feel right. My power felt like it knew his power. Hard to explain, but I felt like there was a bigger truth to be had.

Hollywood apparently did get a few things correct, such as the length added to their lives and that they were weakened by silver, but the only way to kill them was, as Reid said, “We can be killed if our heads depart from our shoulders. There’s really not much coming back from that.”

My head was reeling and I must have had a complete look of incredulity on my face because Reid furrowed his brows at me and sat back in his chair.

Finally, I seemed to find a few words. “So, you turn into a wolf, okay. Prove it. I mean, your eyes do some freaky change to green thing, but I mean, changing into a wolf? It’s kind of farfetched. Oh and how old are you?”

“You sure do ask a lot of questions. You sure you’re not the P.I.? Okay, I’m eighty-three; I was turned when I was twenty-eight.” In a low, controlled voice he said, “No, I will not tell you how I was changed, nor will I change for you. It’s painful on both accounts.” There was a warning in that tone.

He looked pained as he said it. “Oh, okay, um, look, I’m sorry…” I mean, what else could I say?

“Look, I’m sorry I’ve been such an ass and that I almost fried you. It’s just been an awful few days and you just told me the things in my nightmares were real. I need to adjust.” I got up from the kitchen chair and walked over to the battered, green-plaid couch and sat down. God, was I really ready to talk about Sierra?  Ready or not, here I come. That’s how the song goes, right?

“What do you want to know about Sierra?”

Reid got up from his chair and paced over slowly, then sat down next to me. When he moved like that he looked like he was stalking his prey. Sexy as hell. Or scary as hell, depending on my sanity level, and currently I wasn’t feeling very sane. My heart sped up with just his nearness.
Traitor of a body
. His hand brushed mine and there was a small static spark.

“Oh man, that’s going to take some getting used to,” he said with a quick smile.

“It doesn't happen all the time. Like here. See, nothing,” I said, putting my hand on his and giving him a shy smile. His skin was so damn hot. “Why are you so hot?” As soon as the words fell out of my mouth I wanted to shove them right back in.

With a knowing smile, Reid said, “Ha. Well I do try.”

“You know what I mean!” Ugh, open mouth, insert foot.
Ugh
.

“It’s part of what I am. My temperature runs about three degrees higher than a human’s. Delaney, I need to ask you about Sierra.”

The smile on my face utterly died.

“Okay, what do you want to know?”

“I need to know about her last few weeks. Was she seeing anyone? Did you meet any new friends? Was she acting scared?”

“God, no. She was always happy. She was like sunshine to my storm clouds. I talked to her maybe four days ago? And she was super happy. She said she met this new guy and she was trying to get him to ask her out. I left her a message just the other day because she was supposed to pick me up from work, but I got off early and...” I trailed off. I just couldn’t do this. I would not cry. Deep breath, take a deep breath.

“Do you know this guy?”

“No, but Sierra wasn't stupid. She was a pharmacy tech, for God’s sake. She worked in that CVS right off Derenne and Abercorn. This guy came in asking about something and they got to talking. She just told me he was smoking hot. And that she gave him her number. That was the last I heard. I don’t know if she ever went out with him or not.”

“Is there anything you can tell me about the guy?”

I just stared at him. I still had this nagging question. Swallowing hard, I dared to ask the question again. “Look, I want to find the ass munch who did this, but why did the Coven hire you? As far as I knew the Coven couldn’t care less about unregistered witches. And the Coven doesn't like to go to outsiders for anything, much less help. So, why?”

As he began to answer, I noticed my hand still lay atop his.

“Because, Delaney, the Coven wanted the best to find out who or what has been murdering witches along the east coast. And remember I am not human, so they came to me, as I tend to have a very good nose.”

I’m sorry, did he just say witches as in
plural
?

“What do you mean by witches?”

He flipped his hand so he could hold mine in his. My hand looked like a child’s hand next to his. Why wasn’t I pulling my hand from his? I hardly knew this guy. Yet, here I was letting him closer than I had let most anyone.

“The Coven has been hiding it, but there have been no less than ten witches found dead along the east coast. Their bodies were all ravaged just like Sierra’s. None of the witches were currently registered. But they were at some point.”

“Black hair and beautiful eyes, that’s what she said,” I blurted, because I didn’t even know what to think. “So you’re telling me there’s a serial killer who’s targeting witches?”

“Wait, what do you mean black hair and beautiful eyes?” he said, letting go of my hand to emphasize the point.

“That was all Sierra said about the guy she met.”

“That’s it? You’re sure?”

“Yes.” My life is a bad mystery novel, I swear to God. Reid’s mouth firmed into a straight white line. I narrowed my eyes at him and asked, “What is it you’re not telling me?”

He paused to look at me. He seemed to be deciding on whether or not he could confide in me. Well, he better get his shit together, because no was not an option.

Finally, he spoke. And he did so with deliberation, “The other reason the Coven hired us is that they are convinced the one hunting and killing these witches is a werewolf.”

And there it was. The thought I hadn't wanted to admit the whole time he was here. The image of Sierra’s ravaged body was seared in my head. Every time I closed my eyes, it was her body lying out on that table I saw. Her body looked as if some kind of animal had been gnawing on it.

God, what have I gotten myself into? Every cell in my body was screaming to my brain. They wanted to send the directive to my feet to run for safety. Hell, run to Mil, tell her how right she was and to go back to living that bullshit of a half-life.
What about Sierra? What about the life that was stolen? Shit, make that lives.

“Well, what do we do next?”

Reid looked at me as if I had four heads that were questioning him about what tampon I should be using.

“Look, Reid, if you think for one damn second you're going to be leaving me behind in this investigation, you're in for a rude awakening. I am doing this with or without you,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. If he thought for one second I’d be cowed by him, he clearly didn’t know me.

He furrowed his brow and stared at me.

I wasn't giving up on this. “I guess I’ll go looking for the big bad wolf myself. Now, where did I put my little red hood?”

“Oh for fuck’s sake, woman!” He threw his hands in the air in resignation. “You won’t give up, will you?”

“Nope, she was my best friend. And I flat-out refuse to let that friendship die just because she’s gone. That’s not what friendship is. I will fight because I’m the only one left to do it.” Damn, where was my soapbox?

“Look, there was a lot going on with this case, so I asked a friend to help me out. He’s an alpha from Atlanta. He is in DC right now looking over a few things there with another murder in this case. So, until he gets here, you can tag along. I don’t want you out there trying to get yourself killed … or worse.”

“What’s worse than death?” I said with a confused look. I mean, death is pretty damned final. There’s really no coming back from it.

There was a pained expression on his face. “Not dying can be substantially worse than dying.”

God, I wished I hadn't even said anything now. Just as fast as the pain came to his face it seemed to leave.

He gave me a slight smile and said, “Look, I’m meeting with the investigator tomorrow and I can meet you afterward and go over what I have found out. Because Sierra has been found to be a witch the police have turned over the investigation to the Coven and that’s me.”

“Well, it’s better than nothing.” I wrote my number on what seemed to be the only thing I had lying around, an old Walmart receipt. “What time are you meeting with the investigator? That way I know when to meet you after?” I gave him my most honest smile.

“Ten A.M. So, I’ll meet you at noon. How about I buy you lunch?”

“Great, sounds like a date.” The words just fell out … He raised one of those beautiful tawny eyebrows at me. Belatedly, I tried to correct myself. “Oh, I mean not a date as in a date, but, oh never mind.” This man seemed to scramble my brain and erase my brain-to-mouth filter.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Delaney,” he said as I closed the door behind him.

There was no way I was letting him meet that investigator without me. I wasn't sure what I looked forward to more, the look of shock on his face when he saw me there tomorrow or just seeing his face. I really needed to find a way to tame my inner slut, because this bitch was going to get me into some serious trouble. Reid Jamison was off limits. No matter what that slut thought.