A Demon's Witch

by Tena Stetler

  “Yes, wasn’t it a beautiful night?” Angie took a bite of cookie and chewed thoughtfully.

  “It was. Paul loved the Cherry Blossom Festival and fireworks. We never missed a year.” Her eyes glistening, she looked down at the floor, then squared her shoulders and glanced toward the back room. “Paul was a wonderful man and didn’t deserve what happened to him.”

  Unsure what to say, Angie nodded and said, “I am truly sorry for your loss.”

  Bruce stepped out of the back room. “Hello, Mrs. Staret, how nice to see you again.”

  “Good morning,” she said curtly and put her half-eaten cookie back on her napkin.

  Bruce cleared his throat. “Paul was a great man and an integral part of our team. I know you blame me for his death and feel you were kept in the dark about the circumstances. It wasn’t intentional. I’d like to explain what really happened. Would you consider having dinner with Angie and me next Thursday evening? We’ll pick you up around seven o’clock, or you can meet us at the restaurant of your choice. Later, we’ll meet in my office, where we can speak freely without being over heard.”

  “I’ll consider it, and let you know,” she said icily as she sat her mug down on the tray and stood.

  “Sure, just give me a call.” He took out his business card, circled his cell number, and handed her the card. “You can reach me any time at that number.”

  She took the card and hesitated as if trying to decide what to do with it. Finally, she dropped it in the side pocket of her purse.

  Bruce paused for a moment then said, “Or call Angie here at the shop.” He smiled warmly and offered his hand to her.

  She took his hand and shook it stiffly then backed away. “Good day to you both, I hope you enjoy your afternoon.” She strode across the floor and waited for Angie to unlock the door, walking out without a backward glance.

  “What was that all about?”

  “Being a part of my life can be tedious, this is just an example of the things you’ll encounter as my mate, food for thought before you make your final decision.”

  “Did you have something to do with Paul’s death?” Angie asked.

  “Not exactly, but he was following my instructions,” Bruce said tersely and ripped the order sheet from the clipboard handing it to Angie. “Let’s get going.”

  She’d seen his eyes grow cold and his body stiffen before and knew the conversation was over. “Ok, let me get this order e-mailed off. Where are you taking me?” She asked cheerfully, hoping to brighten his mood as she confirmed the email and set the alarm.

  “It’s a secret, but I guarantee you’ll enjoy yourself.” He opened the car door and waited for her to get in and settled, the seatbelt secured. Then he walked around the vehicle got in and headed for the secret destination.

  Bruce turned into the winding driveway of his estate and glanced over at her, surprised to see her anxiously picking at her finger nails. Remembering their morning conversation, he put a hand over the one she was picking at and smiled. “We are only going horseback riding for the afternoon. Jason already has Satan and Harbor saddled and waiting, probably not very patiently.”

  The look of delight spread over her face and sparkled in her eyes immediately. “Sorry I didn’t…”

  “I said there would be no pressure, as long as you don’t tease me. I’ll have you back home before dark.”

  He drove into the garage, cleared security, and descended into the underground corridor surfacing inside the stable compound.

  “This place is amazing,” she sighed. “Are there underground corridors to all the buildings on your property?”

  “Yes. Look, Harbor is tossing her head toward you. She’s impatient to be on her way.” Satan pawed the ground impatiently as well.

  They spent the afternoon riding the entire property, stopping only long enough to enjoy the snack Megan had packed for them. On the way back to the stable, Angie wasn’t sure she would ever be ready to leave. It was so peaceful here. No wonder he called it his sanctuary.

  “Do we have to go back tonight?” Angie asked batting her long eyelashes up at him. “Can’t we leave really early on Tuesday morning?”

  “Only if you promise to behave yourself and we sleep in separate rooms…all night.”

  “Agreed. Can we go riding again tomorrow?”

  “Of course. Satan and Harbor would be very disappointed if we didn’t.”

  ****

  Tuesday morning he dropped Angie off at the store shortly before dawn, left the SUV in the usual place, and walked to The Wycked Hair. Owen and Tobi were already at the salon, the aroma of fresh brewed coffee filled the air, and Tobi handed him a cup as he approached the front desk.

  He smiled warmly. “Thank you Tobi. Glad you’re back. Owen, come upstairs when you get a minute, I need to bring you up to speed on a few things. Arrange to have the private jet checked out and fueled. I’ll need our pilot for Friday evening. It will be a late night so make sure he’s aware and paid accordingly. Thanks.”

  Taking the steps two at a time without spilling his coffee, Bruce entered his office, flipped on the light then turned on the computer to address the waiting e-mails. He had a plan now and felt optimistic even though he knew it wouldn’t be easy.

  “Well, he’s in a rare mood, guess I better see what went on while we were gone.” Owen arranged for the jet and the pilot before ascending the stairs to Bruce’s office.

  “Keep busy while I was gone?” Owen inquired with a smirk, eyes bright with amusement.

  “Nothing I couldn’t handle. Make no mistake, I’m happy to lay it all back in your lap. Business at the salon went crazy. I helped for a couple of hours. Used Tobi’s station, so if something is out of place, I’m to blame.”

  Owen’s brows shot up and his eyes rounded feigning shock. Shaking his head in amazement, he said in an awed voice, “You serviced customers, with your own two hands? Will wonders never cease? Now wait just a minute, I bet you stopped time for a bit, worked your magic and released the time, didn’t you?”

  Bruce narrowed his eyes then grinned. “You know me better than that.” The grin faded and his voice was matter of fact. “There were a couple of other issues that I took care of, but I need you to follow up. I’ll handle Tristian. You call Bobby and get an update.”

  “On what?”

  “A group of young changelings, demons, and a werewolf led by a rogue vampire, were apparently contracted to kill the front runner and independent candidate in an attempt to influence the outcome of the election. Rumors of intimidation at the polling places are also rampant.”

  “Do you know who put out the contract?” Owen asked as he walked around behind a chair, leaning his hands on the back and frowned. “Seems to be a lot of unaccounted activity recently.”

  “No I don’t know who was responsible for the contract.” Bruce paused. “Bobby would know more about that. The frontrunner was still in hiding last time I heard. The other one’s missing, dead I imagine. I wonder if all this activity has anything to do with the individual that was rumored to have escaped the underworld recently?”

  Shrugging his shoulders, Owen’s eyes darkened in concern. “That’s something we need to check on. Contacted the other Overlords yet? You sent Bobby and his team? Why not Tristian?”

  Bruce took a sip of his coffee and frowned, it was cool already. “I sent e-mails the day we talked about it, they’re working on it. Sending Tristian would have been a tangle, since I had to contact the Vampire Council. They decided to handle their own, so I sent Bobby for damage control and to get a handle on what was going on. He felt we needed to neutralize the whole group, so I sent Tristian in yesterday. I haven’t heard back yet. The Council’s assassin was in and out in a matter of hours leaving no trace. Tristian’s done the same, I’m sure.” Bruce sat his coffee mug down, picked up a pencil, and tapped it on the desk staring over Owen’s head and out into the room.

  “We’ll probably hear from Tristian today.”

  Bruce nodded
in agreement. “Need Bobby’s reports on my desk before I leave town on Friday evening.”

  “I’ll get right on it.” Owen looked at the mug. “Want me to get Tobi up here with a fresh mug of hot coffee while I’m at it?”

  Bruce shook his head and wrapped his hand around the mug. Steam immediately rose from the cup. He brought the mug to his lips, drinking the remainder, and then he continued. “Tristian has some personal business that needs his attention and he’s taking some time off after this last assignment. When I talk to him, I’ll see how he wants to handle confirmation and payment. The full written report can wait a couple of weeks, a verbal over the phone will do for now.” Bruce stretched his long legs under the desk and leaned back in the chair.

  “You don’t want him around here do you? It’s Angie isn’t it?”

  “That’s my business. If I need your help, I’ll let you know. Now that you’re up to speed, did you and Tobi enjoy your time off?”

  Owen raised his eyebrow at the sudden change of subject. “Yes, we did. Enjoyed the Cherry Blossom Festival and fireworks, then we spent the rest of the time at our cabin. Thanks.”

  “You bet.” Bruce stood, his gaze met Owen’s, then he walked across the room to the water cooler that had hot water on tap. He reached for a clean mug, glanced at the water cooler again, then pushed the intercom on the wall. “Hey, Tobi.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Got any more fresh brewed Columbian?”

  “Sure do. What’s it worth to you?” Tobi said with a laugh.

  “Give you a little time off and you get all cocky on me.” Bruce snorted and looked down on the salon floor where Tobi stood hands on hips grinning up at him. She gave him a thumbs up, then picked up a mug and the coffee pot.

  He cut his gaze back to Owen. “I want you to start training someone to cover for you and Tobi on occasion. We need to hire a couple more stylists too. Things are changing and you two may be traveling with me more often for a while.”

  “She’s consented to be your mate,” Owen muttered more to himself than to Bruce. “Shit.”

  “Owen,” Bruce snarled, his amber eyes whirling orange. “You will keep your thoughts to yourself. Don’t even share them with Tobi. Is that clear?”

  “Crystal.” Owen turned on his heel and strode to the door. “Watch your step. You’re treading on dangerous ground that could get someone killed.”

  “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.” Bruce returned his attention to the laptop, pulled out the wireless keyboard, and replied to the emails that piled up in his inbox. He addressed the one from the Vampire Council first, noting a couple from other Overlords.

  ****

  Willow came bouncing in shortly after Angie, closed the door and let her wings out, stretching them. “You’re in early.” She hugged her friend. “Well, did you?”

  “If you don’t stop asking me that, I’m going to seal your mouth shut.” Angie’s eyes flashed a familiar display of impatience.

  “Oooh, testy this morning. I guess the answer’s no, or you’d be in a much better mood.”

  “Wings feeling cramped from being tucked in, so Caleb won’t know you’re a faery?” Angie retaliated.

  “I’m going to tell him and soon. Things are getting serious.” Willow paused and sighed. “Angie, he wants me to move in with him.”

  Angie stood and hugged her friend. “That’s great.” She hesitated and held Willow at arm’s length to get a good look at her. “Right?”

  Willow sighed again, averting her eyes from Angie’s direct stare. “Yes and no. I’ve got this nagging feeling he’s not telling me something…something important.”

  Angie raised a brow. “Gee, now there’s the pot calling the kettle black.”

  “Ok, you’re right, but he disappears and says he’s been at the gallery. Saturday evening the gallery called looking for him. He told me that was where he was going.”

  “Oh, that’s bad. He’s lying to you. Did you confront him?”

  “Yes, he said they must have called after he left.”

  “Is that possible?” Angie asked

  “Well, maybe.” Willow admitted.

  “Willow, time to be honest with him. Maybe he’ll tell you what’s going on, if anything. Usually, a guy doesn’t ask you to move in with him, if he’s hiding something. It doesn’t give him any wiggle room.”

  “Bruce said he was going to meet with Caleb. Do you know if he has?” Willow asked.

  “He didn’t mention it. I imagine he’ll be by here later this afternoon or evening. I’ll ask him, or you can.”

  “You’re a doll. Now spill, I want every little detail of your weekend.”

  ****

  Bruce stood up and rolled his shoulders, this whole business was wearing on him. I need a diversion. He pulled out his wallet and took a business card out of it. Turning it over and over, he finally reached for his cell phone. After a quick conversation, Bruce pulled on his leather jacket, walked downstairs and out into the parking lot.

  ****

  A few minutes later the door to the gallery opened, and Caleb was waiting for him. They shook hands, Bruce looked for tell-tail signs of nervousness, he found none. “Thanks for meeting me.”

  “No problem. Glad to do it.”

  “My tastes are eclectic and the salon needs some new art work, so let me see what you have.”

  Caleb smiled and motioned to the area left of the lobby. “Follow me. My work is mostly landscapes, wildlife, or a combination. I’ve done some caricatures, but they don’t seem very popular. I have a few at my place, if you’re interested.”

  Bruce perused the exhibit and made a couple of purchases. “If you want to display any of these at the salon, some of the customers may be interested.” He pointed to a couple others he found interesting. “I’ll put them up in the reception area, with the filtration system they’ll be safe from the chemicals and fumes common in a salon. Or I’d be happy to display flyers or business cards at the front desk.”

  “I would appreciate that. Do you want to take them with you or have the gallery deliver them?”

  “Have the gallery deliver them. I’ll tell Owen to expect the art. He will know where to put them.” With business concluded, Bruce looked at the young man. “May I ask you a personal question?”

  “I guess—no guarantee I’ll answer it.”

  “Does Willow know?” He raised his brow and stared directly at Caleb.

  “Know what?”

  “That you are a satyr masquerading as a mortal,” Bruce said flatly.

  Taken by surprise, Caleb was speechless for a moment then stuttered, “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

  “Ok, it’s probably none of my business. But she is Angie’s best friend and I wouldn’t want to see Willow hurt. So if you don’t tell her, I will.” Bruce turned to leave then paused looking back over his shoulder at Caleb. “Son, believe me she won’t care what you are, for some reason you’ve captured her heart. Do the right thing or risk losing her. The paintings will be delivered tomorrow morning?”

  “Yes, I’ll deliver them myself.”

  Bruce mentally ticked that uncomfortable task off his list. Now he’d stop by The Krystal Unicorn, and see if Mrs. Staret had called. He didn’t expect her to, nor to accept his invitation this time, but she’d think about it and talk it over with her daughter when she returned. He hated loose ends, and Paul’s wife was a loose end that he should have dealt with long ago. She deserved better and Paul would have expected better of him. It was a difficult situation at the time, but leaving her out of the loop seemed the best way to protect her and the daughter.

  Chimes sounded as Bruce strolled through the door of Angie’s shop. She was with a customer and Willow was ringing up one at the register, so he looked over the crystals in the glass case closest to the door and then leafed through a book on enchantments he found interesting.

  Angie finished up with her customer then sidled up to Bruce whispering, “Is there something I can help you wi
th?” She stood on tiptoes expectantly, face turned up toward him.

  He slid an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. “Yes, but you can’t do it here.” His amber eyes sparkled with mischief as he kept his voice quiet. “I promise to make it up to you tomorrow night, when we’re alone.” Bruce waggled his eyebrows.

  “Talk about teasing, you forbid me, and look at you,” she murmured, and turned out of his grasp to put a respectable distance between them as new customers came through the door. Raising her voice, she said, “Follow me, the latest book in that series is still in a box in the back. It just arrived.”

  He returned the book to the shelf and followed her, holding the crystal beaded curtain open. “I just wanted to know if you’d heard from Mrs. Staret,” he said in a low voice.

  “I figured. She called to say she wanted to talk to her daughter first, so she declined the invitation this time, but would like to reschedule in a couple of weeks if that’s OK. She said she’d be in touch.”

  “That’s about what I expected. We’ll reschedule in a couple of weeks when you’re available. So it’ll be just us tomorrow night, if you’re still open for dinner.”

  “I am and looking forward to it.” She batted her long blonde lashes and winked at him.

  He turned her around so his back was facing the curtain and she was facing him and brushed his lips slowly over hers tracing her lips with his tongue. “Until tomorrow night.”

  “Wait, I need to ask you something, well really it’s Willow’s question, but she’s busy. Have you had a chance to talk with Caleb?”

  “As matter of fact I just left him at the gallery. I purchased a couple of his paintings for the salon and took a couple on assignment. Why?”

  “Willow thinks he’s hiding something and she’s worried. He’s asked her to move in with him, so things are moving fast and getting serious.”

  “He is hiding something, but he’ll be talking with her real soon. Let’s give them a chance to work it out.”

  “You’re not going to tell me, are you?”