by Sandra Cox
I shake my head. Then manage to push out, “No.”
For a moment, the muscles in his hand sag. “That’s a relief.”
I nod again.
The door opens and closes and I hear a sweeping sound then water swooshing. Footsteps echo before Joel calls out, “You can come out now.”
Easy for him to say. Tyler gives me a gentle tug. I don’t know if I can move. My joints are locked in place.
“Come on.” This time the pull on my arm is more persistent.
It doesn’t help. I’m frozen in place. Seeing that bat was like watching a horror movie come to life. I begin to shake.
“Come on, Piper. Come on, baby.” Tyler pulls me. My body moves an inch.
I hear a rustle and hands reach out behind me, one on my back, one on my butt, and shove. I slide across the floor taking dust bunnies with me. “That’s a girl,” Joel says bracingly.
Tyler pulls me up and into his arms. “It’s okay. The thing is dead. Joel skewered it like a potato.”
“Thanks for that lovely image.” I’m shaking again.
“Can you tell us what happened?” Joel’s face is averted. His hands tucked in his back pockets, he rocks on his heels and stares out the window into the now-velvety night.
“I-I-I.”
He throws me a quick look and grins. “That’s a good start.” He goes back to contemplating the night.
I swallow and try again. “I came in to change my shirt. The room was shadowy. I looked at the ceiling and there was a…” I swallow. “A b-b.” I try but I just can’t get the word out. Even in the lab, I never froze up like this. I’m being such a girl.
Tyler’s arms tighten. His heat seeps into me and my vocal chords loosen.
“Bat,” Joel says helpfully.
“Yes. Thank you. It was hanging from the ceiling. It had glowing crimson eyes.” I begin to shake all over again.
“Now, don’t you think your mind is just playing tricks and adding that part?”
“If her mind is playing tricks, mine is too.” Joel puts in, his voice dry.
I throw Joel a grateful look over Tyler’s shoulder, but once again, his attention is elsewhere.
“Oh, okay.” Tyler responds. “Go on.”
“The…” I hesitate again.
“Bat.” Once again, Joel helps me out.
“Yes. It stared right into my eyes, saliva dripping from its fangs.”
“Fangs?” Tyler asks.
“Fangs,” Joel and I respond in unison.
“And then,” Tyler prompts.
“It spread its wings and dive-bombed me, and I dropped and rolled under the bed.” I shudder at the memory.
Tyler runs his hands up and down my arms. “Are you sure you weren’t bitten?” He lets go and holds up one of my arms then the other before he squats down and runs his hands up and down my legs.
I remember that slight scrape against my foot. I’m sure no skin was broken. And if it was I’m afraid these two might try to stake me. “No.” I say firmly.
“Come on. I’ll make you some hot tea from an old family recipe,” Joel says, heading out the door.
We trail behind. “Old family recipe?”
“Yeah.” He turns and winks at me.
As we settle at the kitchen table, he boils water and steeps it. “You want a cup, Tyler?”
“No, I’m not much of a tea man.”
Joel adds some honey and lemon to the steeped tea and hands me a bright blue ceramic mug. “What you really need is something with some proofs to it, but I checked the cabinets and there’s no adult beverage to be found.”
“This will do just fine. Thank you. Thank you both.”
I sniff at the steam rising from the cup: chamomile. I taste it. Honey, cloves, and lemon. The hot liquid coats my throat and warms my stomach. Little by little, my muscles loosen. “Thanks, Joel. This is just what I needed.”
“You’re welcome.”
Tyler taps his fingers idly against the wood of the table. “At the risk of repeating myself, having scary creatures in the room two nights running seems a bit coincidental. What’s on tap for tomorrow night? Sn—”
I clap a hand over his mouth. “Don’t even say it,” I warn.
“Just joking.” He gives me a weak smile. “Okay, skip that piece of it. The question is what do we do about it?”
The deeper colored flecks in Joel’s eyes flicker like tiny bolts of lightning. I can see the anger in them. “Me? I plan to pay Jon-Jo a visit.”
Chapter 15
Joel
Clink. Piper’s cup slams in the saucer. Tea spills over the side. She shakes her hand as the steamy liquid lands on her fingers. If she’s even aware of it, she doesn’t let on. “You can’t.”
“Can’t I?” My ears are buzzing and there’s a metallic taste in the back of my throat. I’m so angry it’s all I can do not to put my fist through the wall. I am going to have a little come-to-Jesus meeting with that freaky bastard.
Piper’s eyes are wide and frightened. She holds out a hand. “Please, don’t. You remember what happened the last time he saw you. He has power, real power.”
I take deep breaths and count to ten. I’m on twelve before I stop grinding my teeth. “I won’t make the mistake of looking in his eyes again. And I have protection.” I hold up the gris-gris bag that dangles under my shirt.
“Didn’t seem to help Piper much,” Tyler adds helpfully.
“She didn’t get bit, did she?”
Tyler shrugs.
“Joel, please.”
“I’ll protect myself, I promise. But if you think for one moment I will let that smug bastard get away with this, you’ve got another thing coming.” The grip on my self-control slips. Once again, I’m gnashing my teeth and clenching my fists.
Tyler stands. “I’ll go with you.”
Damn. Just for once, can’t he act like a wimp instead of someone you’d want to have your back? I put a hand on his shoulder. When he looks at my hand, I remove it. “I appreciate that, but I’d feel a lot better if you stayed with Piper and Angel.”
He hesitates before giving a reluctant nod.
Piper’s eyes dilate, her expression frantic. “Jon-Jo is the size of a tree and he has that snake that could squeeze you to death then eat you for dinner.”
“Why thank you, Piper, for that lovely visual,” I say dryly.
“If that’s what it takes to keep you here, I hope I scare you silly.” Her face is flushed and she’s shaking. “He could really hurt you.”
“While I appreciate the concern, if you think for one moment I will stand still while he threatens my—” I bite back family. “Anyone in this house, you’re mistaken.”
“Joel, please,” she pleads, unshed tears glistening in her eyes.
“It’s going to be fine. I promise you.” I take her hand and kiss it then quickly leave the house.
I head down the beach where a bonfire crackles, and orange and blue flames jump into the night. Angel comes running toward me. I hold out my arms and she hurtles into them, burying her head in my shoulder.
“You know.”
“Yes. I was getting simultaneous images from you and Momma. So I know she’s okay, but she’s right, Daddy. That houngan is scary. You shouldn’t go.”
“Angel…”
“I know you’re going anyway.”
“Have you told the others?”
“No, I was getting ready to then you started this way. Would you at least talk to Molita first?”
“That’s a great idea.” I swing her up into the air, but her countenance remains glum. I set her on the ground and we walk hand in hand toward the bonfire. As we get closer, I can hear the laughter.
“I didn’t realize Dylan was going to be here.” And the hits just keep on coming. He’s bedazzled by Amy. As far as I’m concerned, he’s way too old for my little sister.
“He’s nice, and he makes Amy feel special.”
“
Well that’s important isn’t it? As long as he doesn’t get any ideas.”
Angel grins. “You get ideas about Momma all the time.”
Heat springs under my skin and scalds my cheeks. “Angel. Angel. Angel. You’re going to have to figure out a way to shut out people’s thoughts. It’s an invasion of privacy.”
Her face falls. “You’re right. I’ll work on that.”
I chuck her under the chin. “Though, sometimes it does come in handy.”
She perks up and smiles.
Molita, Amy, and Dylan are digging for clams. They straighten as I approach. Dylan wipes his hand on his pants then holds it out. “Hope you don’t mind me crashing the party.”
“That depends.”
“Joel?” Amy looks at me in surprise.
I swallow a sigh and take the proffered hand.
“Just checking on my patient,” Dylan says easily.
“Just remember your patient is underage.”
The blaze from the fire lights his face and turns it red. “I’m not likely to forget.”
“Joel!” Amy looks ready to sink.
“Your brother is just looking out for you. It’s in the job description,” Dylan says.
“Sometimes he takes the big brother thing a little too seriously.”
“Hey, I’m standing right here, no need to talk as if I’m invisible.”
She grins at me and I know I’m forgiven. “Where’re Piper and Tyler?”
“They’ll be along.” I shift toward Molita. “I need to chat with you.”
Amy clutches my arm. “Has something happened?”
“Yes, but everyone is all right.”
Mr. Dunn and Mina have been watching the proceedings from lawn chairs. Mr. Dunn rises. He unfolds from his chair in sections like a carpenter’s ruler. “Has something happened to Piper?” His voice is calm, only the stiff shoulders and tendons standing out in his neck give a clue to his concern.
“She’s fine,” I repeat. “There was an incident.”
“Incident?” He takes a step closer.
Since I don’t want to get his weak ticker revved up, I quickly explain. “There was a rabid bat in the girls’ bedroom. We killed it. Piper wasn’t bitten.”
“Thank God.” His shoulders relaxed. “How do you know it was rabid?”
“It was dripping saliva. Piper said it dive-bombed her.” Just remembering the thing has me repressing a shudder.
Molita puts down her clam bucket and steps next to me. “Is Tyler all right?”
I catch myself before asking why he wouldn’t be. “He’s fine.” She’s obviously interested in him. More power to her. But if I were laying bets, getting him away from Piper would be long odds.
“Where will I find Jon-Jo?” Impatience makes me abrupt.
Conversation stops. The only sounds—the rustle of palm trees in the soft breeze, the lap of the ocean, and the crackle from the fire.
“Why do you want to know?” Molita’s eyes narrow, full of speculation.
“Why do you think?”
“Jon-Jo is a formidable opponent. You saw what he did yesterday afternoon and that was with no effort.”
“I won’t look into his eyes.” I’m getting tired of hearing what a badass the houngan is.
“What’s your plan?” She pushes back the hair the wind is blowing in her face.
“Beat the crap out of him.” Which will go a long way towards easing the anger seething in my gut.
“Is that a joke?”
“Do you have a better idea?” The lack of confidence that I can take this dude, stings. Doesn’t anyone remember David and Goliath?
“Maybe I do.” She flicks sand off the colorful, form-fitting sarong she wears.
“I’m listening.”
“We make a voodoo doll.”
Chapter 16
Joel
My stomach jumps. “What?”
“We make—”
“Never mind. I heard you,” I interrupt.
“Then why did you say...” She bats the thought away with her hand.
“I thought you only believe in good vodou. A voodoo doll for Jon-Jo doesn’t sound like calling the good spirits to me.”
“Oh, I intend to call them all right and ask their blessings for whatever needs to be done.”
“Well that’s all well and good, but while you’re making your doll, I intend to pay the houngan a little visit. Where does he live?”
“No. No visit until I get the doll made and then we’ll go together.”
“And when will that be?”
“I’ll start now. The problem is I need something of Jon-Jo’s. That may take some time.”
“What about a piece of that spider? Or I could pull the bat out of the trash.” Bile rises at the thought.
“That will help, but what I need is a fingernail clipping and a piece of his hair.”
“How about if I get that right after I beat the crap out of him?” I suggest.
She looks at me almost admiringly. “You are single-minded aren’t you?”
“I can be. How long will making this doll take?”
“A day or two.”
“It only took a couple of hours to make Amy’s.”
“It’s not making the doll but getting the pieces for it from Jon-Jo, and he’s not going to just stroll up and hand them to me.”
“I’m not waiting a couple of days. I’m going after him tonight.” My muscles twitch and tighten. Suddenly, she smiles. “Just let me change. I’ll show you where he lives. Besides, you need to change into dark clothing.”
“Deal.”
Molita heads back to their cottage. I turn to her aunt. “Are you concerned about Molita going with me? I have no problem going by myself.” The warm wind caresses my arms and the smell of burning driftwood teases my nose. The night is too beautiful for ugliness. But beneath the beauty hides malice waiting to pounce like a wild beast.
She smiles. “No. Molita is young but she can take care of herself. Jon-Jo is overconfident. She is, at the very least, his equal, but more to my mind, his better. Now you’d better go change your clothes.”
“Right.” I kiss Angel then jog back toward our rental.
When I enter, Piper looks up from the table and asks hopefully, “Did you change your mind?”
“No.”
“Joel, please don’t go.” She puts her hand on my arm.
I pat it. “Molita’s going with me.”
Tyler comes up behind her. “You’re taking a girl?”
“I’m taking a mambo. We’re going to be fine. Pip, you’d better get down to the party and reassure everyone you’re all right. Your granddad is worried.”
That distracts her. “Right. Be careful.” She gnaws on her lip and hesitates.
“We’ll be fine. Go.”
Tyler puts his arm around her and nudges her out the door.
I throw on dark clothes then leave the cottage. As I near the back gate, a figure steps out of the shadows. My heart gives a jump before I realize it’s Molita. She’s dressed in black jeans and a black tee. The only things visible are her arms and face.
“Shall we take your boat?”
“Works for me.” I open the gate and we head for the beach.
“Now tell me where he lives.” I trot through the sand, Molita beside me.
“When we’re in the water.”
I fight back impatience that has my nerves jumping and my muscles bunching. “Afraid I’ll leave you?”
“You might view it as chivalry instead of stupidity.”
She surprises a laugh out of me. “So I might.”
Once we’re in the boat and motoring from the island, I ask, “Which direction do I go?”
“Head for Grand Turk.”
“Okay.” I throttle down.
“Don’t even think of going back.”
“Molita—”
“I can take care of us bette
r than you can. I’m familiar with the islands and I’m familiar with Jon-Jo.”
I heave a sigh. “You win.”
“Of course.”
She stands at the stern and stares into the water, her features calm.
I laugh. “You’re something else.”
“Is that a compliment?”
“Most definitely.”
“I intend to have Tyler, you know.”
“Good luck with that.”
“She doesn’t love him.”
The wheel of the boat is smooth beneath my hands. I tighten my grip on it and say nothing.
“Why don’t you fight for her?”
Why don’t you mind your own business? I push the words down and pull up the ones buried deep inside. “He saved both Piper and Angel from a bad situation. I owe him.”
“And you reward him by letting him stay with a woman who doesn’t love him.”
“She does love him.” The stars and moon dim as a dark cloud rolls across the sky, reflecting my mood.
“Yes, perhaps she does.”
That certainly doesn’t lift my spirits. My heart grows heavy, too much for my rib cage to support.
“But I’m not sure she loves him enough.”
I don’t respond.
“And what happens if she walks away?”
“She won’t. Once Piper commits, her bond is unbreakable.”
We motor the rest of the way in silence, each lost in our own thoughts. Molita points ahead. To my surprise, we’ve reached the dock. I idle in. Music and laughter surrounds us. I’d forgotten it’s Friday night.
“I don’t look for him to be home this early. He’s probably out with his disciples, picking out his partner for the evening.”
A thought hits me and brings me up short. “You don’t suppose he’s still on the island?”
“No. As soon as he let the bat in, he would have melted away.”
“He’s a big man. Why didn’t we see him?”
“He’s a big man with power. He cloaks himself in it, just as we’re going to do.”
“I thought you’d protected the island. How did he get on?”
“My protection doesn’t keep him off, but it does keep those on it safe. Piper wasn’t bitten.”
I don’t point out the obvious, that I kept Piper safe—not the spell.
