by Ashlyn Chase
“The books are around here somewhere. I can feel it,” Wilhelm, the elder, said as they deplaned at Logan Airport.
“Here? In the airport itself?” his younger pupil, Franz, asked. “I sense nothing unusual.”
Wilhelm rolled his eyes. “Not here here. Somewhere in the area, which is more than I sensed in Brazil using a locator spell.”
Franz frowned at him. “We still have no idea how to narrow it down to a smaller area.”
“Actually, I do have an idea. I put a spell on us before we left. If anyone is using the power contained in those books, we’ll gravitate toward it.”
“Huh? You didn’t tell me that. So, your plan is to just wander around a city of more than six hundred thousand people, hoping to sense someone using the supernatural power in those books?”
“Do you have a better idea, Franz?”
He shook his sandy-blond head. “No.”
“Until you think of something helpful, keep your mouth shut and your eyes open.”
His young charge followed him to the baggage claim area.
After collecting their suitcases, Franz dared to speak again. “I wonder how the books got split up in the first place. I figured all the occult texts went to South America with the original elders. I thought using occult knowledge was how they evaded capture and trial as war criminals.”
“No one knows exactly what happened. Someone may have had a change of heart and sent them in different directions. At the end of the war, items were seized. Even someone on our side may have feared the power promised if all three books were used together. They could make us gods.”
“But the other two went in the same direction,” Franz insisted. “The locator spell only found one place.”
“Yes. One place. Someone may have stolen two of the three books, or one book may have been destroyed and there’s only one here.”
“So, we may not be able to find all three? Is that what you’re saying?” Franz nervously bit his lip. “Our mission is to recover both books and reunite all three.”
“No one knows the mission better than I,” Wilhelm said. “Your grandfather cautioned us not to come back without them. We could face death if we fail.”
Chapter 4
“Why did you say no?” Ruth whispered from her spot on the buttery-soft leather sofa.
“I didn’t say no. I said ‘not now.’ It’s not the same thing,” Kizzy explained. Their father would be returning any minute. She had to shut down this conversation.
“It is to a guy. When was the last time you dated?”
Kizzy elbowed her sister in the ribs as their father ambled into the living room, scanning the thick tome in his hands.
“I don’t know, girls. I don’t see anything in here about who could be looking for the other books or why. We don’t even know for sure that there are two more. The story that the three together create unlimited power could be just that. A story. You swear you’ve felt someone probing, Ruthie?”
“I swear, Dad. I don’t know who it is, but the energy feels malignant.”
“Holy pickled pig’s feet!” Kizzy said. “Malignant? Are you sure?”
“Why is everyone questioning my psychic sense? I wouldn’t have said anything if the energy was neutral, benevolent, or if I wasn’t sure.”
“I’m sorry, Sis. Even though Dad and I are less psychic than you are, I would have thought we’d pick up on something like that.”
“Well, I don’t know about Dad, but you’ve had something else on your mind.” Ruth winked at her. “Besides, you can develop your psychic power, if you’re willing to spend the time practicing.”
“Oh? You’re distracted?” Their father picked up on the one thing Kizzy didn’t want to talk about. “Doctors like us can’t afford to let that happen. Is everything all right, Kizz?” He set the book on the mahogany coffee table and sat in the adjacent chair.
“Everything’s fine, Dad. Nothing to worry about.”
“Really? Because you girls know if there’s ever anything you need to talk about, I’m here for you. I’ve been both father and mother for fifteen years, and with the help of a nanny, I think I did a pretty good job.”
“You did. And we know you’ll always be there for us,” Kizzy said. “Don’t worry so much. You raised us to be independent women, able to handle ourselves.”
“Oh, go on. Tell him,” Ruth said.
“Tell me what?” He sounded alarmed. Now, he’d never let it go until she offered an explanation. She gave her sister the stink eye.
“There’s nothing to tell. It’s okay, Dad. Really. I just met a guy. Nothing may come of it.”
“She met a tall, dark, and handsome firefighter. And he asked her out. I hope she’ll give him a chance. It’s been too long, Kizz.”
“A firefighter? Oh, honey. That’s not a good choice. The job is dangerous. You’ll always be worried about him. And talk about crazy hours… They’re on for at least twenty-four at a stretch. I don’t see how that’s even legal. No one can function after a rough double shift. We both know that firsthand.”
“She turned him down,” Ruth said.
“Thank goodness.”
“Now, wait a minute,” Kizzy said. “I only said no for now, because of what Ruth was telling me. It sounded like a bad time. I didn’t necessarily turn him down for a date sometime in the future.”
Aaron Samuels sat forward. “It is a bad time. And so is any time in the future, as long as he’s a firefighter. I imagine that won’t change. They tend to be adrenaline junkies.”
“Come on, that’s an unfair generalization.” Kizzy knew she sounded defensive, but she didn’t care. “Noah’s whole family is part of the fire service. Keeping the city safe is a noble profession, and he seems to love it. Plus, he’s careful, and he does things for charity. He’s a good guy, Dad.”
“Noah? That’s his name?”
“Yes.”
“And he works in Brookline?” her father asked.
“No. Downtown Boston.”
“Oh, cra—I mean, crumb bunny.”
“What does that mean?” Ruth asked and giggled.
“It means that’s a crummy place to work. He probably sees the worst of humanity there. If he were working here or in Chestnut Hill or somewhere in the suburbs, it might not be so bad.”
“For crying out loud, Dad. It’s the financial district! Not Dorchester or Roxbury. Maybe he’ll get a hot stock tip from a grateful broker. Why do you always assume the worst?”
“Dad, Kizzy, we need to focus on the book.” Ruth sent her an apologetic look. Clearly, she hadn’t expected the conversation to take such a pessimistic turn.
“Yes, you’re right, dear,” the elder Dr. Samuels said. “I wish I had your psychic powers, but I don’t. Male witches in our family have other gifts, but divination isn’t one of them. I have to rely on the two of you to keep me informed. Please put your love lives on hold until we figure out what this threat is. Please? Humor an old man, okay?”
Kizzy frowned. “I already did that, remember? I said ‘not now,’ and Ruth thinks I might have discouraged him altogether—even though I didn’t mean to.”
“And I’m engaged but without a date set, so I’m all yours for the time being. I’d rather not move back home though. Then I’d have to explain why to Gordon, and I don’t think he’d understand.”
“Look, I know you’re adults, but I’m still concerned for your safety. You’ll just have to put up with me being a little overprotective.”
“Don’t you think it’s time to tell Gordon the truth?” Kizzy asked.
“I’m not convinced it’s necessary yet,” their father said. “Until a date is set. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not pushing you to get married. Neither one of you. I’d rather you be one hundred percent sure of the man’s love, devotion, and trust.”
Kizzy sigh
ed. “I know, Dad. And believe me, I’m grateful I don’t have to put up with some of the pressure my friends do. They tell me about parental conversations that include phrases like ‘I won’t be around forever’ and ‘you need to get married before the dreaded 3–0.’”
“You have plenty of time, Kizz. I like your sister’s idea of developing your psychic powers. Maybe between both of you, the other books can be located.
“We don’t know what’s coming for us,” he continued. “If it’s as malicious as you say, we may be facing something truly evil. I never told you this, but on her deathbed, your great-grandmother begged us not to let ‘the entity’ get all three books.”
“The entity? That’s what she called…it? Or them?”
“I wish I knew more. We tried to get her to elaborate, but she died moments later.” He scratched his head. “You tried the locator spell before, but that was as a lark. We didn’t need the other books then. Perhaps now that we do, the spell would carry more weight. Can you repeat the ritual? Sometimes the universe waits until you really mean the words you say.”
“Yes. It’s in the book, so I’m sure we can recreate it.”
“Good. Let me know what happens.”
Kizzy began flipping through the book. It was loosely organized and handwritten centuries ago. Monks were said to have penned and illustrated the pages. No one was given all parts of a spell or the book as a whole—until it was finished. Family lore said that some ancient ruler had commissioned the work, and supposedly, Nostradamus had added to it.
The girls pored over the pages. At last, Ruth leaned back and groaned. “You’re so much better at languages than I am, Kizz. Can you find it, please?”
Kizzy watched as her sister rubbed her temples and yawned.
“Are you okay, Ruth?”
“Yeah. Fine. Why?”
“You seem tired. More so than usual.”
“Really? Are you sure you’re okay, Ruthie?” their father asked.
She let her head rest on the sofa back. “Promise you won’t get mad?”
Kizzy’s eyes widened. “You’re pregnant!”
Ruth rolled her head toward her sister. “Is that your psychic detection or your guess, Kizz?”
“Both.”
Ruth sighed. “No use denying it then.”
The elder Dr. Samuels appeared frozen, as if stunned into silence. Finally, he found his voice. “Have you told Gordon yet?”
“Not yet. Please keep it to yourselves until I tell you it’s a safe topic. Okay?”
“Absolutely,” her dad said. “But tell him soon.”
“He won’t hear it from me,” Kizzy said.
Dr. Samuels cleared his throat. “I’m not an expert on supernatural females, but I believe you’re even more psychic when pregnant. Is that true?”
“I don’t know,” Ruth said. “Mom and Grandma didn’t tell us much about our reproductive systems before they died.”
Aaron Samuels shook his gray head. “I wish they were here to help you, Ruthie.”
The three of them reflected on the day their grandmother had fallen and broken her ankle just as the train was coming. Their mother had ordered Kizzy to hold onto Ruth’s hand and stay on the sidewalk. Then they watched as the oncoming train hit both of the most important women in their lives.
Kizzy pushed the memory to the back of her mind for the billionth time. “The extra psychic power would make sense though—all those hormones will make any woman overly sensitive.”
Ruth chuckled. “One of my patients told me that when she was pregnant, she couldn’t get almond milk in a restaurant and burst into tears.”
Kizzy and her dad laughed.
“Oh, and there’s so much more to look forward to!” Ruth added. “Like morning sickness, which can last all darn day; cankles that engulf your entire leg; learning how to waddle like a penguin…and I can’t wait to be punched in the stomach from the inside.”
“Come on, Sis…the miracle of growing an entirely new human being? That’s huge!”
“Speaking of huge, I can’t wait to look like I swallowed a basketball, or to find out how Dolly Parton must feel.”
The elder Dr. Samuels had wisely stayed out of it, until now. He laughed. “Your mother and I had to plan every trip around knowing where a clean restroom could be found.”
“Oh, thanks, Dad. I forgot about having to pee every fifteen minutes.”
“But come on,” Kizzy insisted. “Deeply loving someone you haven’t even met yet…”
The others smiled wistfully.
“Yeah, there’s that,” Ruth said at last.
Kizzy embraced her sister and held on longer than usual. “I’m going to be this kid’s favorite auntie.”
“Gordon has no siblings. You’re going to be this kid’s only auntie.”
* * *
“So, guys, what am I doing wrong?” Noah asked his fellow firefighters as they ate lunch.
His buddy Mike O’Rourke shrugged. “Damned if I know. I’ve been married for ten years. Dating etiquette has changed.”
“Should I have just asked for her phone number and then called to ask her out? Maybe a private message on social media was too impersonal? A telephone call seemed like an unnecessary step.”
The other Mike, Mike Diamond, almost choked on his garlic bread. “Dude. That was probably the most impersonal way you could ask. Besides, girls like to think they’re worth an extra step or two.”
“Shit.” Noah frowned. “Have I blown it?”
Mike D chuckled. “If she likes you enough, she’ll give you another chance. Do you have her phone number?”
“Yeah. That’s why I was surprised when she said no. Maybe she wanted me to text her.”
“Jesus, Fierro. She wants to hear your voice,” his captain said. “You can’t really convey that you’d be excited to see her again with an emoji.”
“No? Not even the eggplant emoji?” O’Rourke asked, grinning.
All the guys laughed. “Especially not the eggplant emoji. You’re supposed to be interested but not desperate,” Captain Merrick said.
“I am interested but not desperate.” The guys gave him sidelong glances. “Okay, I’m a little desperate.”
The whole group burst out laughing. Noah didn’t mind having a good laugh at his own expense, but it was time to shut this down before it got out of hand.
“You schmucks don’t know what it’s like. You’ve never met a gorgeous doctor and felt like you’re reaching way above your station in life.”
“I asked out an actress once,” O’Rourke said. Everyone quieted down.
“What happened with that?” Noah asked.
“She said she was flattered, but Hollywood and Massachusetts were just too far apart. I said I’d move, but then she cc’d her agent on her next ‘thanks, but no thanks’ email. I guess she thought she was letting me down easy, in case I was a stalker.”
Everyone laughed again, and Noah cringed. That was why he almost hadn’t brought it up. He didn’t want to be the butt of their jokes. “Forget it, guys. I shouldn’t have asked.”
The captain stopped on his way to the sink with his empty plate and clamped a hand on Noah’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Fierro. We’d help if we could, but who knows what women want? We certainly don’t.”
“You could ask a female friend—if you have any,” O’Rourke said.
Noah took a big bite of spaghetti and chewed on both the food and his predicament. That might not be a terrible idea. He’d be seeing most of his sisters-in-law on Sunday. His mother was too old to understand the social media stuff, but the next generation down should be able to help him figure out what dating etiquette was acceptable these days. Who can I ask?
Sandra and Miguel had been together since high school, so they’d never had to deal with it. Two of the others were freakin
’ dragons. Who knew what dating had been like for them? He needed to ask a normal girl.
Maybe Misty would be able to help him out. She was only twenty-four. Even though she was with their older brother Gabe now, she was single and dating before that—he assumed. And she was a nice girl who would want to be treated with respect, like Kizzy.
“Yeah. I might do that,” he said after he finally swallowed.
Just then the tones rang out, and he didn’t have time to do much more than toss the leftovers in the trash. Noah was on tower ladder 3. The dispatcher announced the address of the fire in one of the taller but older buildings nearby—probably built in the seventies. Noah secretly hoped it was a false alarm.
A firefighter’s worst nightmare was a high-rise fire. His older brother Ryan had been in one before and lost his life. Well, temporarily. Anyone other than a phoenix or dragon caught in a backdraft explosion wouldn’t have seen their next birthday. And since it was such a public “death,” Ryan had to relocate to Ireland after he reincarnated. His picture had been in the papers and on the news for days afterward.
They all donned their turnout gear in seconds. As the trucks rolled out onto the street, he found himself thinking of Kizzy again. Get your head in the game, Fierro. Even a small distraction could put him or his fellow firefighters in peril.
The Federal Street location was mostly offices on the lower floors, then residential condos from there skyward. The fire was reported to have started on a low floor of a twenty-eight-story building. People were still spilling out onto the sidewalk as the trucks arrived. Noah hopped down from his seat behind Captain Merrick.
“I don’t know why you guys are here,” cried a portly man wearing a white apron. “It was just a small grease fire, and I put it out with a fire extinguisher. I don’t even know who called you.”
“And you are?” the captain asked.
“Head chef, Roberto Carelli. That’s my restaurant.” He pointed to the ground floor of the concrete-and-glass corner building.
