by A and E Kirk
Kiara stood in the back, leaning against the roll bar, feet planted and arms raised as her face lifted to the blazing sun, a grin splitting wide. She tied her long hair in a knot, but wisps still stung her cheeks.
“This place is absolutely buzzing. It’s vibrating my skin!” She reveled in the sense of freedom, openness. And ignored Leontes’ request. Again.
“Maybe she was a dog in another life,” Jaeger offered from the passenger seat. When Kiara howled with abandon, he dropped his sunglasses down his nose and looked at Leontes over the rims. “Or a wolf.”
Leontes stomped on the accelerator and ignored the werewolf prince.
“How did she know where to find it?” Jaeger asked.
After another resigned look back at the uncooperative Kiara, Leontes shook his head. “I told you. I do not know.”
“Then how did you know she was right?”
Leontes’ mouth slid into a cheerless smile. “Because when it comes to those things, she is always right.”
“I couldn’t see the island until we landed. Correction, I couldn’t see it until she gave me a heart attack by dragging me out to freefall without a parachute a mile above the water and instead of splattering into pieces, we landed safely on the tarmac.” He pushed his sunglasses back up on his nose. “Then everything, the airport, the island, it all just burst into existence. Could she see it before she jumped?”
Kiara snorted at their ignorance. “Of course, I could. Sort of.”
“I could not either,” Leontes admitted. “I believe once she hit the tarmac, she broke the entire spell.”
Jaeger eyed the dense jungle. “An island off the California coast shouldn’t look this tropical. It’s like we’re in the South Pacific. How far did we fly?”
“The witches wanted a secure location not far from the Los Angeles base,” Leontes said. “This exotic terrain is more appealing for the spa guests, so they used a fair amount of magic.”
“And guests are only human?”
Leontes nodded. “It is promoted as a rejuvenating spa retreat. Exclusive clientele. Rich. Powerful. The witches work their charms to give people what they desire. Most of the time it is losing weight, improved appearance, renewed love, but they manipulate people for their own purposes. It is a gold mine in more ways than one.”
“Why are they taking our uninvited visit so well?” Jaeger asked. “I mean, they know we’re here. Especially after you crash-landed at the airport. Then they gave us a jeep and directions to the retreat. Why haven’t they tried to kill us yet?”
“That remains to be seen.”
“Maybe they’re setting a trap. Or…” Jaeger glanced back at Kiara, who was humming a classical tune and swaying her arms. “They’re scared of our entourage.”
“Possible,” Leontes admitted. “Since neither scenario is optimal, let me do the talking. And do not start any trouble.”
Jaeger’s blond hair tousled in the wind as he offered a mischievous smile. “Who, me?”
Leontes turned into a long drive lined with lush, colorful vegetation, and pulled up in a covered circular entry supported by thick white columns. A soothing waterfall splashed in the center.
The building squatted low and spread out. What few walls it had were dark, polished wood. A jungle of hanging plants dripped with exotic blooms and filled the air with heady scents. The screech of tropical birds could be heard over falling water. Paths wound in different directions. The main entry looked down a long hall of muted pastels that ended in a view of expansive, crystal-blue ocean, lazy waves lapping the sandy shore.
Kiara leapt from the vehicle before Leontes came to a stop. Attendants in crisp white uniforms, already jumping to attention at their arrival, paused to stare at the petite girl somersaulting onto the drive in a fluttering knee-length dress of mint blue, black combat boots on her feet. She shook her dark hair free of the knot, luscious waves imitating the rolling surf.
Jaeger wore a white, button-down shirt and jeans while Leontes remained in his usual black designer suit, with loafers and long jacket, tails flapping against his legs as the breeze caught them when he exited the car.
Kiara walked over to talk to a couple who were in their swimsuits. Leontes tossed the keys to the attendant and strode to her side.
“And why is it important to cover the nipples?” Kiara was asking the woman who wore a bikini made of little more than three postage stamp-sized pieces of fabric and some dental floss.
The woman laughed and the man smiled, saying, “You got me. You’re from Europe, aren’t you? I was hoping they had a topless beach here, but no such luck.”
“You’re terrible,” his companion said with a playful slap on his shoulder, and then she spoke to Kiara. “Are you staying long? Perhaps we could get together.”
“Unfortunately, we cannot. Our visit is strictly business.” Leontes quickly steered Kiara away.
“Bye!” she said, twirling out of Leontes’ reach. “I love it here. It’s beautiful. And it makes me feel all tingly. The scents are yummy!” She breathed deep then rounded on Leontes and pointed to the woman’s barely-there bikini. “Can I get one of those?”
Leontes choked for a moment, and then managed, “Absolutely not.”
Jaeger joined them and grinned at the vampire’s flustered response. “It would look much better on you,” he told Kiara with a conspiratorial wink. An arm across her shoulders, he led her down the thick carpet of the grand hallway. “And you wearing that bikini would make me feel all tingly. Let’s find that gift shop, and I’ll get you hooked up with one.”
Leontes shouldered his way between them and led Kiara ahead at a brisk pace. “No time, no time.”
Jaeger followed in their wake and muttered, “Killjoy.”
Leontes’ eyes scanned the surroundings. “You two need to take this seriously. We do not want to accuse them outright. Witches can be…”
“Difficult?” Kiara said.
“Dangerous,” Leontes whispered.
Jaeger smiled. “More than Kiara?”
Leontes sighed. “Let us not test it.”
“Could be fun to see a showdown.” Jaeger picked a flower from a vine crawling around a pillar. He handed it to Kiara as he put his mouth against her ear and said, “I’d put my money, and anything else of mine, on you.”
Kiara giggled as his hot breath gently tickled her skin. Goosebumps erupted. She hugged herself. “I feel so sparkly.”
At her giddy schoolgirl reaction, Leontes gripped Kiara’s arm and guided her faster, his eyes wary, teeth gritted. A lot had happened and if she was starting to crack, the timing could not be much worse.
“We are in foreign territory with no backup,” Leontes said. “And surrounded by potential enemies. Throwing gasoline on this fire is not my idea of a good time.”
Jaeger chuckled. “And that’s where we differ, gramps. You like to keep things boring and cold. I, on the other hand,” the werewolf prince put a hand on the small of Kiara’s back, “take pleasure in heating things up.”
CHAPTER 55
Kiara rode a delicious edge of emotions. Excitement and endless possibilities shimmered at the rim of her peripherals. She could not wait to see where this day led. The magic at the island made the atmosphere hum, lifting the hairs on her arms as they headed down the long walkway toward the beautiful view of the beach.
An elegant woman approached. Her flawless, dark skin showed no discomfort in the wet heat. She looked to be in her mid-twenties, but Kiara knew you could never tell with witches. So many youth preservation spells to choose from. Witches lived very long lives, but every time they used magic it aged them, a flaw that the Midnight Poison would eliminate, giving witches freedom to use magic as often as they wanted without the concern of shortening their lifespan.
The woman’s flowing gown of earth tones swirling in a bold African print brushed against her body to reveal ample, provocative curves. Bare feet with toenails painted bright orange peeked out with each stride. She did not look happy, b
ut then she hesitated and her lovely face flashed recognition. The former near-hostile expression quickly transformed into a broad smile.
“Leontes.” She sighed his name like she was about to devour her favorite dessert.
“Adele.” Leontes gave a courtly nod.
Adele’s presence brought with it a wave of exotic perfume. Her long fingers wrapped around Leontes’ wrist and pulled his hand off Kiara and into both of hers. “What a pleasure to see you again. I’ve missed you terribly,” she said, her words smooth as rustling silk, her dark eyes wide and inviting. “I remember the last time we were together when—”
“It has been a long while,” Leontes cut in. Bowing slightly, he raised Adele’s hand to kiss it softly.
Kiara’s lip curled. Watching Leontes bent over the witch’s hand, a nest of ugly emotions burst in her gut. It felt as if a mass of arachnids scuttled within her belly, stabbing her with poisonous barbs. She put a hand to her stomach in an effort to quell the sudden nausea.
Kiara could not recall Leontes ever kissing any female’s hand at the Institute. Not even Frankie. This seemed a personal gesture. Hardly necessary. Sudden heat flushed Kiara’s cheeks.
Jaeger’s hand slid to her waist, pulling her against him. Kiara did not realize she had started toward the witch, a low snarl humming deep in her throat.
“Easy,” he whispered through a forced smile.
“And who are your friends?” Adele asked, finally wrenching her fawning gaze away from Leontes.
“Colleagues,” Leontes said, before either Jaeger or Kiara could respond.
Still holding Leontes’ hand, Adele returned her gaze to him and batted her lashes. “Well, you and your colleagues have been very naughty. Arriving unannounced. You’re lucky we didn’t have you killed.” Adele tittered a playful chuckle and planted a possessive palm on Leontes’ chest.
Kiara snorted. “You could’ve tried.”
Leontes shot her a warning look.
“Just saying.” Teeth grinding, Kiara tried to shrug off the sudden, unexpected fury.
Jaeger tightened his hold.
Ignoring Kiara, Adele pressed her body close to Leontes and continued. “And wouldn’t that have been a terrible shame, killing such a handsome gentleman.” Adele touched the tip of her forefinger to Leontes’ chin. “We’re all very curious to know how you found us. Our cloaking spells—”
“Suck.” Kiara jerked against Jaeger’s grip.
A message of understanding passed between Leontes and the werewolf.
Adele gave Kiara a sharp, appraising look. “And just who are you?”
She moved toward Kiara with an expression of rising irritation. Her dark hair floated in a warm breeze of heightened magic that was meant to be a warning to Kiara. Like a dog raising its hackles, ready for a fight.
Kiara’s nostrils flared. “Bring it on, bitch.”
“Whoa.” Jaeger pushed Kiara behind him.
She tried to shove him out of the way, but he held her back as Leontes stepped in front of Adele.
Kiara’s lips thinned into a dangerous smile and she purred over Jaeger’s shoulder, “Go ahead. Try killing me. Right here. Right now. I dare you.”
Adele sneered. “Easy words when you have two protectors between us, you insolent child.”
“It is not her that the gentlemen are protecting,” a quiet commanding voice interjected.
The delicate Asian woman in white, loose-fitting slacks and a tank top seemed to glide over the floor. Long, colorful chopsticks of bright enamel stuck out of her tight bun of smooth, jet black hair.
Adele’s defiance deflated into contrition when she saw the icy anger in the Asian woman’s dark eyes. “I’m sorry, mistress.”
“Not as sorry as you would have been if that insolent child had gotten a hold of you,” the woman told her. “I’m so very surprised that you, of all people, have not realized your near-fatal error. Now speak your apologies and remove yourself from our sight before there’s nothing I can do to protect you.”
Kiara’s predatory gaze never left Adele. “That time has already passed.”
The woman bowed her head in acknowledgement. “If it ever existed. I am Mai. I apologize for Adele’s behavior and request your restraint. As I have restrained from hostile behavior toward your…somewhat irregular arrival?”
Kiara was not sure why she had such a fierce hatred for Adele, but the consuming desire filled her. The witch carried herself with a sophisticated air. Beautiful. Elegant. A woman. Compared to her, Kiara felt like the insolent child Adele had accused her of being.
“Goodbye. For now,” Adele murmured, then rose up on tiptoe and kissed Leontes’ cheek.
Kiara’s vision blurred. She looked at Adele’s face and wondered just how old the woman happened to be. If she really was that beautiful, or how much of her appearance was the product of the witch’s spell. Kiara’s sight blinked in and out like the end of an old movie reel. Black, then blinding white. The deafening roar in her head built to a shattering crescendo as her skin seemed to lift from her body and release a hot wrath.
The screaming brought her out of it. Someone was shaking her. Hard.
Jaeger faced her, hands squeezing her shoulders, fear shining in his amber eyes. His lips moved, but she heard Leontes’ voice. He pushed Jaeger aside and bracketed her face in his hands. The worry lines on his forehead deepened to caverns. His touch brought her into focus.
“Kiara,” he whispered, voice tight with tension. “You must stop. Now.”
Despite his cold skin, Leontes’ touch warmed her. A band of dark cobalt rimmed his irises, shimmering the clear blue of a tropical lagoon. The reckless lock of hair that fell across his forehead gave him a boyish look, despite the tense concern. Her hand cupped his cheek, the five-o’clock shadow rough against her fingertips. His spicy fragrance mingled with the exotic scents of the surrounding foliage.
Jaeger’s voice was muffled, as though it traveled through a heavy fog. “What’s wrong with her eyes?”
“I do not know. Keep the witches back. Kiara?” Leontes shook her.
She brushed away the dark hair that fell on his forehead and flicked against his thick lashes. He looked so worried. The screaming became more high-pitched and pulled Kiara’s gaze over Leontes’ shoulder.
Adele.
Several other screaming and wailing women supported her, because Adele could no longer support herself. The voluptuous body was now that of a decrepit old woman. The lustrous skin paled to aging grey parchment and appeared bloodless as she shriveled to a mummified mass, bones protruding. Kiara’s lips twitched in a small, satisfied smile.
“Leontes!” Mai shouted. “She’s killing her.”
“I know! But she will not come out of it. I will have to— No, stop!” Leontes said as Mai raised a hand that sizzled with a swirling blue mist of a spell aimed at Kiara.
Without taking her eyes off Adele, Kiara shot out a hand toward Mai. The coven mistress flew back like a grenade had exploded into her chest.
Jaeger shoved Leontes aside. He took Kiara in his arms and brought his mouth down onto hers. He kissed her hard. Kiara froze. Then shock broke the haze. She pushed Jaeger away and stumbled back, fingers touching her lips, eyes wide and wild.
“There,” Jaeger said, breathless. “Knew that would get your attention. You need to calm down. Hear me? You need to—”
“You bastard!” Leontes’ fist crashed against Jaeger’s jaw. The werewolf staggered from the blow, the back of his hand wiping at his bloodied lip.
As he reeled his fist back for another strike, Mai’s voice paused him.
“Leontes, it stopped.” Mai lay on her side, a hand to her ribs, and nodded toward Kiara. “She stopped.”
Adele made whimpering noises and looked to be on the downhill side of dead, but she was no longer fading. Kiara cocked her head, not sure if she was relieved or disappointed.
CHAPTER 56
“That’s absurd,” Mai said after Leontes explained the reason for th
eir visit. “But I suppose you wouldn’t accuse my kind of these killings or the kidnapping if you weren’t certain of a connection.”
Leontes bowed his head. “Your faith is much appreciated, Mistress Mai.”
Mai pulled the sticks from the bun, mussed from Kiara’s blast, and let her glossy black hair drop down her back. “I understand your desperation to find the child. And if Nicolette is involved, I want to know.”
“Do you have any idea why she might be framing Kiara?”
“No,” Mai said. “Although she has become great friends with the woman who is our researcher on Kiara.”
“A what on me?”
“Every faction has at least one,” Mai told her. “Once we heard you had resurfaced, we began gathering as much information as possible about you. Unsure whether you would be friend or foe, we felt it best to be prepared for the worst.”
Jaeger said, “Fauxleander knows things from Kiara’s past. There could be a connection with this researcher. We need to talk to her.”
Mai gave him a dead-eye stare. “That could prove difficult since she’s currently fighting for her life, thanks to you.”
Leontes groaned.
“Adele?” Kiara said. “She didn’t even know who I was. Some researcher. Told you she sucked.”
“We have no photographs of you or visuals of any kind. Just a few written accounts of your appearance.” Mai’s gaze traveled down Kiara’s body. “Your present look does not correspond with those descriptions. For now, Leontes, you and I will question Ambassador Weaver. Jaeger and Kiara may search the grounds for the shifter princess, with a chaperone.” She put a hand to her chest and winced. “Or several.”
“Split up?” Kiara clenched and unclenched her fists. Her skin prickled as if doused with itching powder. “I don’t like it.”
Leontes pulled her and Jaeger aside, and took Kiara’s hands in his. “All will be fine.” He lifted her hands to his lips and gave each a soft kiss. “Are you all right?”
Jaeger snorted. “Is she all right? Did you see the witch shriveling into dust? What the hell did Kiara do?”
