“No, but I have access to Carl’s mind.” Clement tapped the side of his head. “He watched a lot of television. I’m now completely caught up on your time. I know about ray guns and alien invasions. I’m not thrilled about dealing with those aliens who hug your face and burst out of your chest, but I’m ready. I’m a fast study. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Oh, geez.” Cooper flicked his eyes to Hannah. “Do you really want to go into battle with a guy who believes Ellen Ripley is the real deal?”
Hannah hesitated and then shrugged. “Do we have a choice?”
“If you could find Ripley and get her here, that would be great,” Clement offered. “She’s not a witch, but she’s good in a fight. We’re going to need someone like that.”
“Yeah, Ripley isn’t real,” Hannah said. “As much as I like Sigourney Weaver, I doubt she’s going to want to be part of this. You need to forget everything you’ve learned from television and movies. They’re not documentaries.”
“So, there aren’t wild animals that are endangered?” Clement’s eyebrows drew together. “I wouldn’t mind hunting a rhino if that’s the case.”
Disgust rolled off Hannah. “Well, no, that’s true. Those are documentaries, though.”
“And how do you tell if something is a documentary?”
She moved her jaw. “It doesn’t matter for you. We’re going to take down Amelia today and then you’re going home. There will be no more television for you. I don’t care if it’s fiction or real life.”
“That’s a bummer. That’s the only thing I liked about this time. Just out of curiosity, though, what about those Kardashian people? Are they real or fake?”
Hannah looked to Cooper for help.
“Oh, no way.” He shook his head. “You brought the demon here to hang out with us. I’m still not sure how he managed to cross the boundaries — either time for that matter — given the wards, but I guess that’s something for us to figure out later.”
“I have ties to this land,” Clement reminded him. “This was my home for a very long time.”
“Yes, but you’re not in your old body,” Jackie pointed out. “Any blood ties you had died when your earthly vessel did.”
“There’s more to this world than blood ties,” Clement countered. “I have spiritual ties to this land. If you want me to give you a lesson on magic, you’re going to have to wait ... and give me something in trade.” His eyes gleamed as he looked her up and down. “You’re not as hot as the blonde, but something tells me she’s not going to be a good sport if I suggest some tension relief in the upstairs apartment.”
Cooper took an aggressive step toward him. “Don’t even think about it.”
Clement chuckled. “I see you’re not a good sport either. Don’t worry about it. I know better than suggesting we play games.”
“You’ll have to ignore my father,” Bettina said dryly as she drifted toward the bar, making sure to keep a safe distance from the man in question. “He’s always been more concerned with sex than being a good person.”
“That’s rich coming from you,” Clement shot back. “At least I have a soul. Yours is fragmented.”
“And yet I’ve done more good than you,” Bettina pointed out. “All you cared about is what this world could give to you. If you’d been more concerned about what you could give to the world, then you wouldn’t have ended up where you did.”
“Who says I’m unhappy with where I ended up?” Clement folded his arms over his chest. “I happen to think being a demon is all kinds of fun. Sure, the first hundred years sucked. There’s nothing worse than being a lower-level demon. I worked my way up, though.”
“Yes, you’re clearly now middle-management,” Cooper drawled, shaking his head. “I can’t believe you brought him here, Hannah. He could turn on us at any moment. We can’t trust him going into a fight. How can you not see that?”
“I told you this would happen,” Jackie said. “I told you she would lose sight of what’s right and wrong.”
Cooper glared at her. “She hasn’t lost sight of what’s right or wrong. She’s just so determined to get Angel back in her body she’s willing to risk everything to make it happen.”
Fury bubbled up and grabbed Hannah by the throat. “You don’t have to talk about me as if I’m not here. I’m still a person ... with feelings. If you can’t see that, then maybe I should just head off and do this alone.”
Cooper immediately raised his hands in contrition. “That is not what I want. I didn’t mean that the way it came out. I don’t want you going anywhere without me.”
“Then stop talking about me as if I’m a non-entity and don’t have a say in this.” Her eyes flashed dark as she focused on Jackie. “As for you, I know you think I’m a terrible person who has been seduced by the dark side. I’m not Darth Vader, though. I know what’s right and wrong. I won’t risk allowing evil to run free no matter what you think.”
Clement perked up. “Wait ... I think I saw Darth Vader on the television, too. Do you know him? We could use his help.”
The look Hannah shot him was withering. “You’re not funny. You need to stop trying to be comic relief and start trying to help us. Enough is enough.”
“She’s right,” Bettina intoned. “Why is it you’re here? You must have a reason.”
When Clement didn’t immediately respond, Hannah did it for him. “He says Amelia is going to try to open the nexus at dusk and bring forth more demons to fight us. He doesn’t want it to happen because he can’t return home until you guys are no longer a threat on this plane. Apparently Amelia thinks she called him to join in her fight, but he volunteered for the mission to drag you guys back because it reflects poorly on him if you’re up here.”
“Hmm.” Bettina looked pensive. “That is ... interesting.”
“Why is that interesting?” Cooper queried. “Do you think he’s going to double cross us?”
“That is his nature, but that’s not what I was talking about.” Bettina’s response was bland. “I simply find it interesting that he’s most comfortable with demons. It doesn’t surprise me.”
“What about the demons Amelia is planning on calling to her aid?” Hannah prodded. “Do you think he’s telling the truth about that?”
“Now who is talking about someone like he’s not present?” Clement grumbled.
“That seems to be her only move,” Bettina replied. “She might be able to take me out. However, she can’t take both Hannah and me out, and if you put the power of the coven behind us, then she has no chance.”
“She wants the demons to distract Hannah,” Clement explained. “She doesn’t want to kill her. She believes, once you’re gone, Bettina, she can turn Hannah to her side.”
“Maybe she can,” Jackie suggested.
“She can’t,” Cooper immediately responded. “Stop being a pain. Hannah is on our side.”
“I am,” Hannah agreed. “Also, I don’t want to take your place as head of the coven. I know that’s what you’re worried about, but I really don’t care about being in control.”
Jackie balked. “I never said that.”
“No, but it’s obvious you think it.” Hannah was sick of pussyfooting around. “Here’s the thing, I’m well aware that I don’t know much about magic. Everything I do is instinctive. I want to learn from you. We haven’t exactly had much time to embrace regular classes or anything, though.”
“You don’t make the time,” Jackie argued.
“When am I supposed to do that?” Hannah challenged. “I have work ... and weird witches coming back from the past ... and demons. I’m doing the best that I can.”
“She’s done amazingly well,” Cooper said. “In case you’ve forgotten, she’s the one who fought off the seven demon sins people, and she did it alone. Don’t give her grief.”
Jackie’s eyes widened. “Weren’t you the one complaining about her not twenty minutes ago?”
“I was complaining because she chased a dem
on without backup. I wasn’t complaining about her intentions ... or the fact that she’s the strongest fighter we have. Stop being a pain.”
Bettina made a throat-clearing sound. “I don’t know if I would say she’s the strongest fighter we have.”
“She is, though,” Clement said. “That’s why you’ve aligned yourself with her. That’s why Amelia wants her so badly. Now is not the time for ego.”
“That’s rich coming from you,” Cooper muttered.
“This is all fascinating but getting us nowhere,” Boone barked. “My daughter is upstairs. She’s innocent. I do not want her exposed to demons. That means we need to focus on the fight at the creek.
“If Clement is right, then we only have an hour to come up with a plan and get down there,” he continued. “That’s what we need to be focusing on.”
Because she knew he was right, Hannah sighed and nodded. “We can fight about the rest later. We have to focus on Amelia. If she pulls this off and releases those demons, we’re going to be in a world of hurt.”
Bettina was silent a beat longer and then held up her hands. “We don’t need a plan. We just need to go down there. We’ll surprise Amelia on neutral turf and end her.”
“And then you’ll relinquish Angel’s body and leave, right?” Hannah pressed. She knew it wasn’t the thing she should focus on, but she couldn’t help herself. “Angel deserves her life.”
“I have no interest in staying here,” Bettina said. “I want this over as much as you. I find existing amongst the living exhausting. My time is in the past.”
“You should try television,” Clement suggested. “It’s a nice distraction.”
“You’re going back, too,” Hannah insisted to him. “You don’t belong here either.”
“I have no problem going back. As I said, I’m only here because those on the other side worried Amelia and Bettina would tip the balance of power on this plane. Once they’re handled, I will willingly go.”
“Then we need to map it out.” Hannah blew out a sigh and shot Cooper a grateful smile when he slipped his arm around her waist to bolster her. “We’re only going to have one chance at this. We can’t fail.”
That was the one thing they could all agree upon.
18
Eighteen
In the end, it was decided that Boone and Tyler would stay back with Lindsey. Someone had to watch the town in case some of the workers were straggling about. On top of that, Lindsey could be nowhere near the battleground. That was an unspoken agreement, although Boone didn’t look keen about being left behind.
“Come here.” He tugged Hannah to the side and zipped the coat she’d decided to throw on as an afterthought. “How are you feeling?” His gaze was serious as he regarded her.
“I’m okay,” Hannah reassured him quickly. “You don’t have to worry about me.”
Boone didn’t look convinced. “You’re part of the family. Of course I’m going to worry about you.”
Hannah searched his face for a beat. “Are you worried that I’m going to somehow turn on our group like Jackie believes?”
“I’m not.” He was calm as he smoothed the shoulders of her coat. “I know you’re a good girl. Don’t worry about Jackie. What you said about her is exactly right.”
Hannah already knew that and yet she remained concerned about the damage her big mouth had potentially done. “I like Jackie. I don’t think I should’ve said what I said. She’s probably never going to forgive me.”
Boone made a face. “Don’t worry about her. She’ll do the right thing, just like you’ll do the right thing.”
“I will do the right thing.” Hannah forced herself to maintain eye contact. “Don’t worry about them. I’ll ... figure it out. I don’t know what ‘it’ is, but somehow I’ll get us through to the other side.”
Sympathy rolled over Boone’s features as he regarded her. “Of course you will.” His tone was gruffer than he intended and he adjusted quickly. “Honey, everybody here knows that you’re a hero. That includes Jackie. She’s just ... off her game. She’s not used to being the one begging for information.
“You know, when Abigail was still alive, she ran off on adventures by herself all the time,” he continued. “It drove Jackie nuts. She called Abigail reckless and said that she was a detriment to the cause. Abigail was never a detriment to the cause, though.
“Jackie has an orderly mind and likes to do things by the book. She wants a to-do list before a battle, and that’s never possible. You’re the type of person who acts on instinct, and you’re better for it. Don’t change now. Let your instincts be your guide. That’s how we’re all going to get out of this.”
Hannah’s lower lip trembled as she registered the naked emotion in the depths of his eyes. “Thank you.”
“Oh, don’t.” Boone pulled her in for a hug, smoothing her hair. “You’re going to be fine. I’ll take care of Lindsey and Tyler. You take care of Cooper. He’s going to be a ball of nerves going out there with you.”
Hannah risked a glance at the man in question and found him watching the scene with impassive resolve. “I would feel better if he stayed here.”
“That’s not going to happen and you know it.”
“I know but ... I’m so afraid for him. They know what he means to me. They could use him as a weapon against me. Then what am I going to do? I’ll trade anything to keep him safe. What happens if I lose Angel in the process because of that?”
Boone hesitated. “I hadn’t really considered that.” He pinned Cooper with a serious stare. “If I thought I could talk him into staying, I would give it a shot. He will not be away from you, though. You realize that, right?”
“I know. I’m just ... afraid.”
“And so is he. This is a big deal.” In a fatherly move that Boone worried would come across as condescending, he smoothed Hannah’s hair. “We can’t make Cooper do what he’s not going to do. You just need to focus on what you need to do. That’s the way it is.”
“Right.” Hannah wrapped her hands around his wrist and squeezed. “It’s going to be okay. I’ve got this.”
“You do. Have faith in yourself, kid. You’re not the sort to fail. This is no different.”
Grateful, Hannah leaned forward and gave him an impulsive hug. “I’ll see you soon.”
“You bet your sweet bippy you will.”
Hannah had no idea what the saying was supposed to mean, but she laughed all the same. “It won’t take us long. We’ll fix this tonight.”
“I’ll be rooting for you.”
COOPER FELL INTO STEP WITH HANNAH as they made the walk toward the creek. He’d been largely silent since the decision had been made on who would accompany them into battle. Now, he was riddled with anxiety and overcome by love.
“Don’t sacrifice yourself for us,” he warned in a low voice. Bettina and Clement had taken the lead, and although they clearly didn’t trust one another, they appeared to be carrying on a rather intense conversation. “If it comes down to it, you have to be willing to let Angel’s body go.”
Hannah shook her head. “That’s not an option.”
“It might have to become an option.” Cooper was deadly serious. “I just need you to be careful.”
“I’m always careful.”
“Yeah, you’re going to need to be way more careful than that.” He stared at the horizon, at the setting sun. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” She slipped her hand into his. “I’m sorry I chased a demon before thinking better of it.”
The statement was so surreal on the surface of it that Cooper could do nothing but laugh. “That’s something I never thought I would hear the woman who stole my heart say.”
“I didn’t think. When I saw him, I just reacted.”
“It obviously worked out okay.”
“For now.” Hannah frowned as she watched Clement and Bettina interact with one another. “Do you think they’ll willingly cross back over like they say they will?”
/>
Cooper hesitated and then shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. Clement says the right things — as does Bettina — but they’re wild cards for us. They both read as sociopaths, if you want to know the truth.”
“Clement keeps saying that Bettina doesn’t have a soul. We know that she shared a soul with Amelia all that time. Maybe getting shifted from consciousness to consciousness degraded it somehow.”
“That doesn’t do us a lot of good right now.”
“No, but it explains some of what happened. I mean ... those girls grew up in a time when they were essentially expected to act as slaves for their husbands while popping out heirs. They weren’t real people to the men of the time, including their father. Maybe that’s how they think they’re supposed to treat people.”
“I think you’re making excuses for them,” Cooper countered. “It doesn’t matter, though. We’re going to focus on us. What happens with them is ... on them.”
“Unless, when we’re finished, Bettina decides she’s walking off with Angel’s body.”
“I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
“Why?” Hannah was honestly curious. “Why would she want to go back into the void if her sister is gone and the threat is overcome?”
“Because she finds no joy in life.”
The answer was so simple it momentarily stumped Hannah.
“I’m being serious,” he pressed. “She never smiles. She never shows wonder in the new technology of the time. She never cuts loose and dances ... or laughs ... or even cries. This world holds no appeal to her.”
“That’s a very good point.”
“I’m full of them.” Cooper squeezed her hand tightly. “This is going to work out. I have faith. Just ... don’t go crazy. If you sacrifice yourself, I’m going to be really mad.”
His vehemence made Hannah laugh. “I won’t sacrifice myself. You have my word.”
“Then I’m looking forward to this being over.” He tugged her close and gave her a kiss. “Don’t worry about me either. I’ll take care of myself. Just ... focus on what needs to be done. The rest will fall into place.”
All the Pretty Witches (A Hannah Hickok Witchy Mystery Book 6) Page 18
