Jinx & Tonic (The Magic & Mixology Mystery Series Book 3)

by Gina LaManna

  CHAPTER 44

  The deep, melodic sound of his voice sent butterflies through my stomach. I turned to face X, my face warming as I scanned his solid, unscathed body from head to toe. I wanted to leap into his arms and kiss his cheeks, but I couldn’t. He wasn’t alone.

  X stood before us, a woman on his arm wearing a dress the shade of lilacs and a mask that matched. Though it covered most of her face, her lips parted in a shy smile lined with age.

  “Hello, Bristan,” she said, her voice paper thin, her lips quivering.

  Dillan’s father stood still for a long moment, and when he turned to face the woman with X, he dropped his plate on the ground. A perfectly good piece of apple pie hit the floor, splattering everywhere.

  Bristan Dartmouth took a step forward, his hand extending to pull the mask up and over his wife’s face. She peered back at him, unsure and cautious, as they viewed each other for the first time in too long. He let out a cry that burned the line between pain and happiness, pulling her to his chest.

  I slipped my hand into Ranger X’s and dragged him to the side. The moment felt too personal to intrude on, so I turned my back on the reunion to give them some privacy.

  “You’re here,” I whispered once we were standing close enough to touch. “You came back!”

  “Of course. Did someone tell you I wouldn’t?” His forehead creased in concern. “I’m sorry I couldn’t communicate with you—I thought Poppy would’ve told you we put a freeze on all transmissions while we were in Faction territory.”

  “She did.” I stubbed my toe against the ground. “I still worried.”

  He held me at arm’s length. “You are the most remarkable woman I’ve ever met. And the most beautiful. How could you think I wouldn’t come back?”

  “It sounded like you stayed behind when the rest of the Candidates returned.”

  “Because my business wasn’t finished. Theirs was.” He pulled me close to kiss my forehead. “There is no force in this world strong enough to keep me away from you.”

  My heart skipped a beat or two, and I leaned my head against his chest. He smelled like home, and I inhaled deeply. “Where was she?”

  “A little town tucked into the mountains of Colorado. As it turned out, that town was communication headquarters for The Faction.”

  “They made her work for them?”

  “She was crucial to their communication system. Now that we have her back, The Faction will be hurting. The town is completely disbanded.”

  “You sent the Candidates home after you took over the town,” I said. “Why did you stay?”

  “I wanted to find Mrs. Dartmouth by myself.”

  I brushed my lips against his neck. “I’m proud of you, I hope you know.”

  “I’m sorry I worried you.”

  “Well, I suppose now we’re even.”

  He leaned in and kissed me, wrapping one hand behind my head and holding my face in his palm. The fairy lights faded to the background, the music a dull murmur against the night.

  Eventually, X stepped back. “I want to continue where this is going, but I have to get to the stage. We’re announcing the new Rangers.”

  “About that,” I said. “Zin told me—”

  “Sorry, I have to get going.” He gave me an apologetic look. “I can’t discuss this now.”

  “But Zin—”

  “Find a seat, Lily. Sit with your family.” He frowned. “My decisions are final.”

  CHAPTER 45

  “We started this journey with ten Candidates,” Ranger X said, pausing as the audience shifted in their seats, plates of appetizers spread before them. “To qualify as a Candidate is already an accomplishment. A great feat of physical, mental, and emotional strength.”

  I pushed food around my plate. Dinner would be served as soon as the Rangers were announced, but I could hardly stomach a bite of appetizer. Poppy sat on one side of me, Hettie on the other. Trinket and her children sat at the table next to us with their faces all turned toward X. Beside him sat the remaining Candidates.

  “We now have seven left. Seven Candidates accompanied me on a mission deep into Faction territory over these past two weeks—a mission I am quite pleased to announce was successful.”

  He paused as the audience cheered and clapped. Hettie whistled loud enough to break my eardrums.

  “However, we are left with only two Candidates who will receive positions within the Ranger program.”

  I counted the seven Candidates on stage. Dillan obviously wasn’t there, and neither was Raymon. After everything that’d happened in the Trials, Trent had also dropped out of the running.

  Ilinia had freely admitted her role in controlling Camden, Trent, and Zin with blood magic. While Trent had chosen to remove himself from the running, Camden had elected to continue his quest, just like Zin.

  “The first Candidate who has been chosen for the Ranger program is someone who, in the face of horrible circumstances, showed true bravery.” Ranger X tilted his chin upward as he surveyed the crowd. “As a Ranger, sometimes things happen beyond our control. Horrible things. The ability to put the past behind himself, or herself,” he quickly corrected, “is essential.”

  Zin sat on the edge of her chair. Her face was a sheet of white and, despite her claims that she had come to terms with everything, she was clearly upset.

  “Camden Lyons.” Ranger X turned to face the handsome Candidate. “Please approach center stage to accept your offer.”

  Camden’s face drained of color. He didn’t move. It wasn’t until the Candidate in the next chair gave him an elbow to the ribs that he struggled to his feet. Women in the crowd cheered everywhere, their golden boy taking his place in the elite Ranger program.

  X extended his hand and shook the newly minted Ranger’s outstretched fingers. Somehow, Camden managed a firm handshake. Then he accepted a long, furled scroll that detailed every aspect of the Ranger program.

  Finally, the news seemed to reach Camden’s brain. He turned to face the crowd and raised the scroll to the sky. The audience erupted, cheering wildly. The only silent one in the room was Zin, her gaze fixed on the floor.

  “The next Candidate is someone who—” X’s speech was interrupted by a loud, screeching noise that ground any remaining applause to a halt.

  “What’s happening?” I mumbled to Hettie. “That noise is horrible.”

  Her lips tightened into a line, her head giving the smallest shake.

  In the sky over Ranger X’s head, a face appeared projected onto blackness. I’d never seen the man before, but judging by the scream from Mrs. Dartmouth, she knew him. And he wasn’t a friend.

  “That’s Ellis, Dillan’s uncle,” Hettie whispered to me. “He doesn’t run The Faction, but he was one of the founding fathers. You could say he’s influential in their world.”

  Dillan’s uncle stared down at us, a bored, almost uninterested look in his gray eyes. “Somebody misplaced my invitation for the party this evening. Shame, isn’t it?”

  The crowd stilled.

  “No matter, I forgive you all,” he said, turning up the charisma and appearing almost jolly. He pulled a party hat from off screen and placed it on his head, snapping the rubber band below his chin with a resounding thwak. “I’ll have my own party. You see, I don’t mind the celebrations, but I do mind the way you’ve treated several of my friends.” He laughed, an almost gleeful sound. “And we all know what that calls for, don’t we? Revenge!”

  “He’s crazy,” I muttered as the man on screen sipped from a crystal glass.

  Hettie nodded. “Whatever the Rangers did these last two weeks, it was big. The Faction has never been so forward with their messaging.”

  “I won’t keep you lovely people from the festivities now, as I am just here to say a quick toast.” The man raised his glass, smiling as if congratulating a pair of newlyweds. “Celebrate now, and savor the memories. Because your precious island will pay, and the day is coming. It’s coming soon, soon, soon!” Ano
ther high-pitched giggle followed. “Cheers!”

  The projected image exploded into pieces, thin material raining down over the dance floor. One or two screams erupted from the tables, but they were quickly shushed. Ranger X stepped forward and demanded calmness.

  It took a while, but eventually the crowd settled down again. When Ranger X spoke again, his voice was like ice. “We have two options now.” He took his time scanning the eyes of everyone in the crowd. “We can dissolve this meeting and go home. We can run from this and hide in our basements.”

  The silence throughout the room was absolute. Not a single utensil clanked against a plate.

  “Or I can announce the next Candidate to become a Ranger.” He gestured vaguely all around him. “The Isle is safe. We have guards everywhere—this image was nothing more than an attempt to scare us. If anyone is worried that’s not true, you may leave now.”

  Nobody moved, though one or two folks in the back shifted.

  “Fine. Then we will continue. Anna, let’s get dinner served while I make my announcements.” He nodded toward the caterer from Sea Salt. “This last announcement won’t take long because the Candidate’s actions speak for themselves.”

  Zin hardly moved, her hands intertwined with one another, her eyes focused on a world different than ours.

  “This Candidate is honest. Fierce in morals and fiercer in loyalty.” Ranger X took several deep breaths. “Someone who will follow the rules implicitly, but even more importantly, someone who will break those rules when they need to be broken. I’ve never met a Candidate more deserving of the title of Ranger.”

  A lump appeared in my throat.

  “These past two weeks were difficult, trying weeks. The only reason we succeeded and escaped alive—all of us—is because of her.” Ranger X looked up, his gaze locked on Zin. “As the head of the Ranger program, I am honored to extend an offer to Zinnia Dixie.”

  Tears ran down my cheeks as Camden hurried to her side. He reached out, helping Zin stand. She leaned against him as the two moved toward the center of the stage, a thin smile on Zin’s lips.

  “If I’m correct,” Ranger X said, “We have a shiftling in our midst.”

  The audience stilled as everyone listened closer, myself included.

  “What is a shiftling?” He looked toward Zin. “It is a shifter whose final form is fluid. A rare breed, an incredibly rare treasure. A Uniqueness of the highest order. With this offer, I hope she’ll join our team.”

  Ranger X extended a second scroll to Zin. She accepted it with shaking fingers, and then the two new Rangers faced the crowd. Hettie leaned over, pulling me into a hug so intense I could feel the beat of her heart. As she rested her head against mine, I felt the tears staining her cheeks, too.

  “Let dinner be served,” X said. “And let us welcome these new Rangers to our team. To those who were not selected, we thank you for your dedication to the island. Your work has not gone unnoticed, and you will be invited back to the next Trials.”

  The night was silent. Nobody moved, all of us waiting to hear X’s final words.

  “We are stronger than ever before.” He paused for a long moment, surveying the crowd with pride on his face as he raised a glass of blood red wine. “If The Faction comes to us, we will be ready. This is our island!”

  EPILOGUE

  Something pulled me from the bungalow toward the grave, the way it had every day since Ranger X and the Candidates had returned to the island. In my hands I carried a fresh bundle of flowers—roses, tulips, lilies of the valley. The most colorful, sweetest smelling flowers I could find.

  My feet led the way, one step in front of the other. It was early, barely sunrise, and Gus hadn’t yet arrived at the bungalow. For some reason, I kept my visits a secret. It felt private, personal, and somehow more meaningful.

  The grounds were quiet this morning, as it always was at sunrise. Set just inside the edges of The Forest, not far from Ranger X’s house, it was a private cemetery reserved only for Rangers. Only now there was one exception: Raymon.

  I removed the flowers I’d brought the previous day and replaced the bouquet with a fresh one. The initial burst of wreaths and plants that’d followed Raymon’s funeral had withered away, and now it felt too bare and desolate. I told myself that was why I continued my visits.

  Kneeling down, I cleared away the extra growth around the headstone. I sat back on my heels in silence, not quite knowing what to do or what to say. If I should say anything at all. I couldn’t explain why I’d been drawn here in the first place, or why I kept coming back.

  “It takes time.”

  I leapt back, startled by the familiar voice. “X,” I said, resting a hand over my racing heart. “You scared me.”

  “The dead don’t talk, Lily. No matter how many times you sit. No matter how long you wait. No matter how hard you cry.”

  “I know,” I whispered, surprised at the tremor in my voice. “I don’t know why I come here, to be honest. The stupid flowers keep dying, and Raymon shouldn’t have dead flowers at his gravesite. Maybe that’s why. He shouldn’t have died, X—”

  Ranger X grasped my fingers in his with a touch as faint as a breeze. He guided me to a nearby bench and sat first, pulling me onto his lap. I rested my head against his, my body melding to his chest as he wrapped strong arms around my back.

  “I just need to sit here a minute,” I said. “Please stay.”

  “I’ll always stay.”

  He held me for a long while. Closer and closer until I couldn’t hardly gasp for air, until every breath of mine inhaled the scent of him and together, we were one. The hurt, the despair, the destruction, all of it was no longer mine to bear alone. And neither was the joy, the hope, the love. It was ours, together.

  He raised a thumb and pressed it lightly to my cheek, separating our faces until he could look into my eyes. “We all have a shadow side. A dark side, a piece of ourselves we don’t want anyone else to see. You have to accept that. You are not her. You never will be.”

  My chest felt hollow as I inhaled a rattling breath. “But—”

  “You’re not alone,” he said. “I, too, wonder how anyone could possibly love me after they’ve seen the edge of darkness inside my heart. But you do, Lily. You love me.”

  “Yes,” I whispered. “More than anything.”

  “You’ve seen all of me, and I’ve seen all of you. I’ve seen the good, the better, the beautiful, and everything that is Lily. Don’t walk alone. Trust me.”

  I swallowed and managed a nod. “I love all of you.”

  He smiled, a tinge of sadness glinting in his dangerous eyes. “I know.”

  “I think I’m done here.” I hesitated, glancing at the grave. “For now.”

  He nodded, sliding me off of his lap and onto the seat. “I’ll give you a few minutes alone. Join me at the cabin when you’re ready, and I’ll cook you something to eat.”

  “Wait.” I sat on the bench under his looming height. “Kiss me.”

  A glint in his dark eyes lasted for all but a second before he bent over, clasping my face between his palms. He tasted like mint and smelled like danger, and when his lips softened and his hands came around my back, the world, the good, the bad, all of it disappeared like magic.

  When he pulled away and the blackness subsided, he brought me to my feet. We stood a foot apart from each other and watched, breathless.

  “I’ll be waiting for you,” he said. “Don’t be long.”

  I nodded, watching him go before I returned to the edge of Raymon’s grave. Kneeling, I whispered a few last, private words before brushing my hand over his name. I blinked, but the tears didn’t fall. Finally, I sighed and dragged myself to my feet.

  As I turned to go, a blade of grass caught my eye. Big and lanky, it drooped over Raymon’s name. I bent to pull the stray strand I’d missed when, before my eyes, it grew. Bigger and bigger until I realized it wasn’t a piece of grass, but the stem of a flower.

  I stumbled back
, watching as the stem grew taller and taller, until eventually it bloomed. The flower was a lily.

  “It wasn’t me, you know.” Trinket spoke from behind me, sending my pulse racing. “It wasn’t me who delivered the flowers to you.”

  I turned to find my aunt standing there. She was dressed in all black, a single pearl hanging from a silver chain around her neck. “How did you know I was here?”

  “Your mother fell in love with a man,” she said. “He wasn’t from here; he was exotic and dangerous and handsome and intelligent.” Trinket’s hands shook as she fiddled with her necklace. “He came to this island for one summer, his last summer before he started at Cretan in the fall.”

  “Are you talking about my father? I thought nobody knew his identity. Hettie said—”

  “I know what Hettie said.” She cleared her throat. “Their romance was secret. Nobody knew—not even me, not until it was too late.”

  “Why are you telling me this?”

  Trinket ignored my question. “Autumn rolled around after that summer, and your father went off to school. He was scheduled to start his studies at Cretan. Naturally, your mother remained here. Her future was on the island with her family. She told me later that Lucian had promised to return when he graduated.”

  I blinked, still trying to catch up. “He never came back.”

  “No.” She gave a faint smile. “None of us West Isle Witches have much luck with men.”

  I shook my head, a hot streak of anger flooding to my lips. “Do you know his last name?”

  “We thought he died, Lily. In his dorm, the night before he was scheduled to start school.”

  Too many thoughts competed for my attention. “I don’t understand. What do you mean you thought he died?”

  “Your mother found out she was pregnant the day after your father left. She packed up all of her belongings and prepared to follow him to Cretan.” Trinket blinked a few times, struggling to keep a level voice. “She arrived there, only to find out that there’d been a fire in his dorm room the night before and your father hadn’t escaped.”