Charmed & Deadly Page 4

  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.

  Five

  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 he
ll 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.

  “He stood there staring for a minute in disbelief. In that moment I saw him for the evil he really was, and it made me angry that I hadn’t noticed it before.

  “The flames grew and triggered the fire alarms. At first I hadn’t realized where we were, but then it dawned on me: we were below the gym near the lockers in a storeroom. He rolled around on the ground trying to put out the flames, and I remember thinking I wished he would scream louder. He wasn’t hurting enough.

  “The police and firefighters showed up in minutes. That was one of the great things about having them on campus. They took off the chains and wrapped me in blankets. Then the spook squad showed up and rolled Jason up in some bag. He was still alive but had burns over a good part of his body.

  “I never had to see him again. I had forgotten about him until I felt his dark magic on that gunman’s clothes in Amsterdam.” I shook my head.

  Kira and Margie both took one of my hands. “Tell us what we can do to help.” Kira squeezed my hand.

  Margie’s hair swung as she nodded. “You know, Bronwyn, there’s not a woman in the world who hasn’t had to deal with a jerk or two in her life, but you sure do get more than your share. Hell, girl, you’ve got a homing device for assholes.”

  That made me laugh.

&
nbsp; “You know, you’re right, Margie. That’s why it’s good to have girlfriends like you. I think it’s time to leave this morbid subject behind and eat some enchiladas.”

  We even broke out the tequila. I didn’t drink any. The sangria had been enough for me. The night wasn’t a total loss. Margie had finally had enough tequila to tell us she and Billy had been talking about marriage.

  “So far he doesn’t seem real keen on the idea, but I don’t care.” Margie frowned, and pushed her straight auburn hair behind her ears. It was a new color, and I really liked it on her. “Well, I do care, but I’m trying so hard to act like I don’t.” She slapped a hand against her mouth as if she’d said too much.

  Kira and I looked at each other over Margie’s head and smiled.

  “You don’t worry about it.” Kira patted her arm. “These things usually work out the way they are supposed to.”

  She was right. After Jason, I never thought I could care about another warlock, but I was wrong. Sam was the love of my life. A year ago I wouldn’t have ever believed that possible. Love’s funny like that. You never know when it’s going to slap you upside the head and invite itself in.

  Six

  Sweet, Texas

  Friday

  Noon

  Prozac-worthy witches: 1

  I really, really don’t like it when I feel this way. I woke up in a bit of a panic, but I don’t know why. Nervous, antsy, that skin-crawling, mind-niggling feeling that something wasn’t right washed over me. Dread. That’s the word I’m trying to think of and I hate it when that happens.

  Immediately I sent my mind out to all the usual suspects: Sam, Kira, Caleb, the PM, all of them. Nothing. Everyone was fine.

  Then my favorite demon-slaying best friend, Simone, called.

  “What’s wrong?” I didn’t even give her a chance to say hello.

  “Geez, Bron, take a Xanax.” Simone is never one to mince words.

  “Sorry. I’ve got one of my icky feelings.” I apologized. “That always makes me a little crazy.”