Charmed & Deadly Read online

  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…

  Twenty-seven

  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 p
late 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.

  Twenty-eight

  Sweet, Texas

  Friday

  9 p.m.

  Dead guys: 3 (But I only killed one)

  Spells: 4

  T rust your instincts. I keep telling myself that over and over so it will finally sink in. I knew the first time I met Dr. Zocando there was something wrong with the guy.

  I wasn’t mistaken.

  My last stroll on the sand was a bit more exciting than I’d planned.

  A full moon hung above the dark water and the stars seemed even closer than they do in Sweet on a clear summer night. I’d walked halfway down the beach when I saw Azir standing behind a tree staring out onto the water. I almost turned to walk the other way, but he looked so sad and intense.

  “There’s a corny saying about a penny for your thoughts. How much would yours be worth?” It seemed funny to offer pennies to one of the wealthiest guys in the world. Smiling, I moved beside him and turned toward the ocean.

  He didn’t say anything at first. Leaning back against the palm tree, he stuck his hands in his pockets. “I’m afraid my thoughts aren’t worth much.” There was a strange look in his eyes, almost like he was angry.

  I laughed, trying to lighten the mood. “I seriously doubt that, Azir. What has you, of all people, looking wistful tonight? Are you worried about the meetings tomorrow? Everyone here is on your side. It’s more about who will pony up the big bucks to help set up these programs.”

  He grunted.

  “What? Is there something you and the PM haven’t told me?” I cocked my head and stared at him.

  “It’s nothing to do with work.” He turned to walk away.

  I grabbed his arm and sparks sizzled in my hand. He tried to shake it off, but I held tight. I didn’t understand why he was acting this way. We’d had such a wonderful day.

  “Azir, you know you can tell me anything.”

  Using his other hand he pried my fingers from his arm. “No, Bronwyn. Not this time. I need to go.”

  I knew something was really wrong, but I couldn’t figure out what had happened between dinner and now. The three of us—the PM, Azir, and myself—had talked and set up a plan to investigate Dr. Z. In hushed tones we discussed strategies about what we could do. Everything had ended on a positive note.

  Now this.

  Azir took a few steps away and turned. He shook his head in an exasperated way and waved his arm. “I don’t know what’s wrong.”

  There was a long pause. I’d taken a step back at the gruffness in his voice.

  “In my country…men don’t discuss feelings or troubles. We do what must be done, and we move on.”

  “That’s the way men are in every country, Azir. What feelings are you talking about? Did I say something to make you or the prime minister angry?”

  He frowned. “No, it has nothing to do with you.”

  I knew whatever it was weighed heavy on him. For once I kept my mouth shut and didn’t push.

  “My mother—” he began the sentence, but stopped. “With my father’s death, my mother is now free to do as she pleases.”

  “Is she okay?” I adored his mother and sister. They were head-strong, wonderful women.

  He shrugged. “She is fine. She wishes to take a lover, or so my sister tells me.” He shook the cell phone in his hand. “Why do they insist on informing me of these things? I do not need to know.”

  Suddenly it all clicked. Sherah must have just called him with the news. Azir had been incredibly loyal to his father, even when he thought the man might be trying to kill him. Turned out his dad was a really good guy.

  But I could just imagine how Azir might see his mother wanting a new boyfriend as a bad thing. I wanted to point out that before he died, Azir’s father had been seeing another woman while still married to Azir’s mother, but this didn’t seem like the right time.

  “Is there some kind of mourning period or something she has to go through before she can date?” I had no idea what kind of traditions he had in his religion. Back home, I have friends who started dating long before their divorces were final. And if there was a death, all bets were off. Mr. Mackey started dating Ms. Johnnie two weeks after his wife died, and no one said a word.

  “She and my father were estranged, but she observed iddah, the four months and ten day mourning period that is our tradition.”

  This time it was me who shrugged. “I’m sorry, but I don’t understand why this upsets you. I mean, I do in general, but she’s a big girl and she should be able to move on with her life.”

  “In my head I know what you say is true.” Azir pointed to his forehead. “But here”—he put a hand to his heart—“it is difficult for me to imagine my mother with someone new. Would it not bother you, if your mother began dating a new man?”

  That made me think. “I see what you mean. Yes, it would bug me big-time.” I made a funny face. “Yuck, I totally get it.” The idea of my mom with someone else was downright repulsive.

  He smiled. “You see, I can say nothing, but I don’t have to like it.”

  Azir turned away for a second, as if he heard something in the dense jungle behind us.

  There was a tiny whistling sound, and then he grabbed his neck and fell onto his side. As I was reaching down to check on him, I heard the sound again. Something stung my neck. I touched the point of entry. Poison darts? Who knew? I passed out.

  When I woke up I was strapped to a hospital bed. Freaking out shot to the top of my list when I wiggled and discovered my legs had also been tied.

  I like some pretty crazy stuff, but being strapped to a hospital bed is not on my fantasy list. The room was dark, and I couldn’t see anything. There was the smell of antiseptic.

  Using my magic I concentrated on the straps. Nothing happened. Thinking maybe I was tired, I did it again. Zippo.

  Great. Where the hell am I? My powers had been bound by powerful magic. I tried to see the knots of a spell, but I couldn’t quite make it all out.

  Crying was a valid option in that particular moment, but I made myself pull it together. I couldn’t be a baby, at least not then. I can have a total nervous breakdown later.

  My brain hurt, but I pushed myself to remember what had happened
. I’d been on the beach with Azir. We had had been talking about his troubles with his mother.

  Azir had gone down and when I reached for him…The dart in my neck—they’d poisoned us both! I prayed he was still alive.

  “Azir?” My throat was tight and I needed a drink of water.

  Silence.

  I tried again. “Azir?”

  There was a groan to my left. No way to tell if it was male or female. I sent my mind out again to see if I could detect anything but all I saw was darkness.

  I heard something creak and a light shone through the crack of the door, making me blink. Two figures came in and the room flooded with light.

  I squeezed my eyes shut, then opened them slowly. I was in a small, hospital-like room, only the walls were rock. I wasn’t sure but it looked like a cave, much like the rooms I’d seen in Africa when I’d found Sam and the children.

  “I see the witch is awake. Good. We may proceed.” My eyes still wouldn’t focus, probably because of the drug on the dart, but I knew the voice.

  Dr. Zocando.

  A woman walked closer; she seemed familiar. It took me a minute, but I realized she looked exactly like the nurse I’d seen taking the blood from the children. I’d killed her. I’d been certain of it, and if I hadn’t, the blast from the explosion would have.

  From the dour look on her face, she didn’t seem at all happy to see me. She held something in her right hand and rolled it toward the bed. Just as I realized it was an IV pole, she jammed a needle in my arm.

  “Hey! What the hell?”

  She sneered and put tape on my arm to hold the needle in place.

  “You’ve met Melini. She wasn’t at all happy when you killed her sister.” Dr. Zocando came into view. “To answer your question: I am saving my country.”

  The nurse pushed a button, and I looked down to see my blood shushing through the plastic tubing.

  “I gave at the office.” I tried to keep my voice light. I didn’t want him to know I was scared crapless.