“Are you done?” Ronan grumbled, looking bored and impatient.
Steve started to say something then stopped when a thought occurred to him. “Shit!” He frowned turning back at Mira and Kira. “So does that mean anyone like you, you know, a—”
“Witch?” both Kira and Mira said at the same time.
“Yeah, witches.” Steve looked sheepish. “Sorry, it’s just I used to call one of my teachers a witch and well—”
“Jesus, Steve,” Ronan cursed, finally losing his patience.
“So can all witches, warlocks, and whatever else there is, see me if I become invisible?” Steve ignored Ronan because he really needed to know. It may come into play in the very near future. He didn’t want to just sashay his ass into a room full of witches thinking he was invisible only to get his ass killed. Yeah, the curse was in the back of his mind. Nothing wrong with being careful and informed.
“Each coven of witches has different powers, so it’s hard to say,” Mira replied, her brows dipping in concern. “While we can see you, it doesn’t mean someone else can.”
“I think maybe you best not assume you’re invisible to everyone,” Kira added, then gave him a sideways glance. “No need to speed the curse up.”
“My thoughts exactly.” Steve nodded. “Okay, we’ll be back. You’re safe here. Just stay inside.”
“Wait!” Mira called as she dug in her bag. Walking toward him, she slipped something into his hand. “Keep this with you. It will protect you from any magic while I’m not with you.”
Steve’s chest squeezed. It felt really good to have someone care about him. He could get really used to the feeling. Hell, what was he thinking? He already was. “Thanks.” He kissed her again before turning to walk out.
******
“Wasn’t that crazy how Kira changed her looks like that?” Steve had been talking nonstop, and Ronan was ready to plow his truck into the next telephone pole they passed just to shut him the hell up. “Not sure about the blonde look though. She is gorgeous, don’t you think?”
Ronan eyed the telephone pole just before it passed and it took every ounce of willpower he possessed not to turn the wheel sharply to the right. Instead of answering, he just made a noise in the back of his throat, hoping that was answer enough.
“I mean, how freaking crazy is it that you and me may be related by mates one day.” Steve slapped the dashboard with a laugh. “That would be so—”
Turning the wheel sharply, the truck hit a curb, missing a pole by inches on Steve’s side as they sped into the parking lot of Walmart. Skidding into a parking space, Ronan turned off the car, took the keys, and jumped out of the truck.
“Damn, dude.” Steve got out, glancing back at the pole they almost hit. “You almost ran right into that pole back there.”
“I know,” Ronan said as he stomped his way toward the entrance. He had never been in a Walmart before and couldn’t believe he was going in now. He ordered whatever he needed online.
They walked in through the sliding doors. The greeter was an old man who barely looked like he could stand. “Welcome to Walmart.”
Both Steve and Ronan nodded to the man. Ronan knew immediately they were getting looks from everyone they passed. “Oh, shit!” Steve stopped, turning around. “Hold on a minute. I forgot a cart. I don’t want to walk around carrying a bunch of maxi pads looking like a douche.”
Keeping his thoughts to himself, Ronan stood and waited. Yeah, he now knew why he didn’t come to places like this. People stared, and he felt contained to the point of claustrophobic.
“Can I help you find something?” A young girl smiled up at him. She had a blue vest with Walmart sewn on in an ugly yellowish thread.
“No,” Ronan replied a little too harshly. He then felt like an asshole when she frowned nervously.
“Oh, okay.” She nodded before walking away and whispering, “Asshole.”
He heard her barb toward him as she passed Steve, who was watching her. Steve glanced back at him laughing.
“Damn, man, you making friends or what?” Steve snorted as he passed by, pushing the cart with a wobbly wheel. When Ronan just looked around, Steve stopped the cart. “Don’t tell me you’ve never been in a Wally World.”
“What?” Ronan frowned over at him.
“Wally World.” Steve threw his hands around. “Walmart. Wally World. You’ve never been in a Walmart?”
“No.” Ronan glared at him, then headed further into the store, not really knowing where he was going. “Where’s the list?”
They quickly filled the cart. Steve led them toward an aisle and stopped. Both Ronan and Steve stared down the aisle filled with women’s personal stuff. Steve and Ronan glanced at each other then moved out of the way when two teenage girls walked past them giggling.
“Okay, I’m going in.” Steve, with list in hand, left the cart and headed down the aisle. Ronan watched as Steve scanned the list then the products, searching. He then glanced at him and shrugged before grabbing packages with two fingers—as if the things had teeth—to study them only to put them back.
“Come on!” Ronan hissed as quietly as he could. They were starting to get looks, and he felt like some fucking weirdo hanging out in the women’s pad aisle.
“Hey, you want to do it?” Steve tossed back at him. “There’s a ton of shit to pick from. Some with wings, some without, super absorbent…. What does that even mean? Super absorbent. Sure am glad I got a dick, man. I’ll tell you… the things women have to deal with.”
Rolling his eyes, Ronan caught sight of a man at the end of the aisle who appeared to be browsing. He didn’t have a good feeling about the guy, but then again, he was on edge so it might just be some guy dealing with the same shit they were at the moment.
“Holy shit!” Steve grabbed a package and held them out. “They really do have wings.”
Before Ronan could shout out a warning, the man moved and was wrapping something around Steve’s neck. He reached for his whip but lost his footing when something wrapped around his own.
Chapter 23
One minute Steve was showing Ronan some fucking pads with wings and the next something was wrapped around his neck, choking the shit out of him. He saw the look on Ronan’s face, but it had been too late. Taking the pads in his hand, he swung back, hitting whoever was behind him, but that didn’t faze whoever it was. Steve tried to pry his fingers between his neck and the thin wire, but it was too fucking tight.
“Where is she?” a man’s voice demanded from behind him. The wire tightened.
Knowing this fucker was asking about Mira had Steve’s eyes turning midnight black. With a roar, he reached behind him, managing to grab the man’s hair, and slammed his head into his own. The wire loosened enough for Steve to turn and headbutt him again. They struggled against the display racks, sending products all over the place. People had begun to scream. Finally getting a good grip on the guy, Steve tossed him into the display, knocking him into the next aisle. Walking over the scattered products, he headed toward the guy who was crab walking away from him.
Reaching down, Steve grabbed the man by the throat and picked him up. “Who sent you?” Steve tightened his hold, shaking the man. “Was it Orjyll?”
Watching the man closely, he noticed his eyes looked unfocused, almost empty. What the hell? He glanced down to see Ronan taking control of his situation, as well as Wally World shoppers, most with their cell phones out probably going live on social media. Fuck, Sloan would be madder than hell about that.
Loosening his grip, he turned his attention back to the man whose neck he grasped. While Steve was preoccupied making sure Ronan was good, the man was putting something in his mouth. Before Steve could stop him, he started to chew.
“What the fuck was that?” Steve let go and grabbed him by the back of the hair bending the man over. “Spit it out!” he ordered, but it was too late. The man started to convulse almost immediately. Foam and spittle poured out of his mouth. Steve let him go, and
the guy fell face-first into feminine products.
Realizing what was going on, Steve turned to yell out a warning to Ronan, but it was too late. The man who had attacked him was already on the floor convulsing while shoppers videoed every last tremor. What a fucked up world this was.
“Son of a bitch.” Steve grabbed the man up just to make sure, but his eyes were lifeless as they stared at him. Dropping him again, Steve then headed toward Ronan. “Did he say anything?”
Ronan glanced around at everyone with their phones out and frowned before focusing on Steve. In a low tone, he leaned close. “He asked where she was.”
“I’ll call Sloan.” Steve pulled out his phone and walked away. Once he talked to Sloan, he headed back toward Ronan who was talking to security and police. All the onlookers had since been removed, but Steve knew he and Ronan were going to be an Internet sensation if they weren’t already.
Sloan, Duncan, Wyrick, Sid, Slade, and Blaze walked into the now closed Walmart. Steve and Ronan were still at the scene waiting.
“What the fuck happened?” Sloan asked, taking in the two dead bodies as well as the mess.
“Better yet, why the fuck are you at Walmart?” Sid examined the area. “And in the women’s personal hygiene aisle.”
“We were picking….” Seeing Ronan’s glare, Steve quickly corrected himself. “I was picking up some stuff for Mira.”
“Why were you here?” Sid cocked his eyebrow at Ronan.
“Fuck if I know,” Ronan sniped, obviously not in the best of moods.
“They’ve been poisoned.” Slade came over after checking both bodies out, a large frown on his face.
“I was in the aisle and turned to show Ronan a package of pads—don’t ask—when the next thing I knew something was wrapped around my neck. He asked me where she was, which I figured he meant Mira. I then went a little berserk.” Steve glanced at the mess in aisle twelve, thirteen, and half of fourteen. “Once I got the better of him, he put something in his mouth. I tried to get him to spit it out, but it was too late. He started getting all funky and foaming at the mouth.”
“Same thing with that guy.” Ronan nodded toward the second dead body.
“What in the hell is going on?” Sloan searched the area as if the answer would be there.
“I can tell you magic was involved,” Wyrick said, walking away from the body lying among Walmart products. “I’d say Orjyll is behind it, which I’m sure you know, and he’s making sure no one talks if they are caught.”
“Coroner is on the way. Just let them know what information you want, Slade, when they get here,” Duncan informed them.
“So magic can’t kill them?” Slade asked Wyrick.
“Yes, magic could kill them, but any magic Orjyll may have isn’t strong enough.” Wyrick rubbed his chin as if in thought. “He’s a sick guy. He likes to do stuff that’s unexpected and shocking. Fear is one way he can control. So having people under a spell who will kill themselves before capture is pretty much his style.”
“You scared?” Sid asked Blaze, who had remained quiet but was listening intently.
“No,” Blaze replied point-blank.
“How about you guys?” Sid grinned, looking at the rest of them. They all replied with the same definite no, a “fuck no” thrown in by Steve.
Sid turned to Wyrick. “He picked the wrong ones to mess with.”
“Seems he has.” Wyrick smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Duncan, you and Slade wait for the coroner. The rest of you can head out.” Sloan glanced back at the scene behind him, then at the cameras on the ceiling. “Those work?” Sloan pointed up as he looked at the wide-eyed manager.
“Yes, sir,” the woman answered, her voice shaky.
“I need to see the footage.” Sloan walked toward her. “Come on.”
“Guess we aren’t dismissed.” Steve frowned at his cart. Seeing the girl who called Ronan an asshole, he grabbed his cart and headed her way and then stopped, turned, and went toward the scattered packages of pads lying on the floor. Kicking a few out of his way, he searched and finally picked one up. Heading back to the cart, he noticed everyone looking at him. “What? Hey, I came here for a reason and these two dead fucks ain’t stopping me from getting my stuff.”
Sid chuckled while the rest shook their heads. Sloan actually cursed a long sentence that Steve tried to ignore. “You sure they’re your size?” Sid asked when he passed.
“Shut it, Sid,” Steve shot back, then held them up to the girl. “Are these pretty good?”
The girl’s face turned beet red as she nodded.
“Cool.” Steve tossed them in the cart then reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. “Can you please take this and ring everything up then set it to the side until I get finished?” He counted out some cash and handed it to her.
Before she took the cash, she glanced at her manager who nodded. “Sure.”
“Awesome, thank you.” Steve turned to see everyone staring at him.
“Are you finished with your shopping?” Sloan’s eyes were narrowed in his normal pissed off glare.
Steve held up his finger, pulled the crumpled-up list out of his pocket and looked at it. “Yep, all good.”
“Well thank fuck for that,” Sloan hissed as he motioned for the manager to lead the way. “You hiring? I may have some dumbasses out of a job soon.”
“Jesus, Steve.” Sid laughed as he passed him. “You either just don’t give a fuck, or you’re one of the funniest sons of bitches I’ve ever met.”
Steve smirked. “You think I’m funny?” He started to follow them, but slowed, glancing back at the dead bodies and the police standing guard until the coroner got there. A bad feeling seeped through his body.
They all crammed into a small room as the manager worked the video on the computer monitor. “I think this is where you want it.” She stood to move out of the way. “Just hit that arrow there and it should start.”
Sloan did, and they all watched as Steve and Ronan stopped at the end of the aisle. Finally Steve headed on down. Steve watched intently, leaning in closer as the man down the aisle from him was studying something while slowly inching his way toward Steve. As Steve turned to show Ronan a package, the man acted quickly. The scene played out until Wyrick cursed.
“That’s him.” Wyrick pointed at the screen. “There, right fucking there. That son of a bitch was here.”
“Who?” the Warriors asked, Steve included.
“Orjyll!” Wyrick cursed again, then looked over at the manager. “Can you back this up and stop it when I tell you?”
“Sure. I can even enlarge if you need me to.” She walked over and sat back down.
“We need you to,” Sloan responded.
“So that’s Orajel?” Sid growled, leaning in for a closer look.
Steve scrutinized the person Wyrick pointed out. He stood tall, with white hair cut short, his eyes an almost translucent green. Steve imprinted that picture in his brain as his eyes scanned the rest of the screen. “Who’s that?” Steve pointed to the woman who stood almost in the shadows a few feet behind Orjyll. The manager reduced the picture slightly and started backing up frame per frame, bringing the woman more into view before neither could be seen. She then started frame by frame bringing it back up.
“Stop!” Steve said when the footage landed on the woman glancing up as if knowing she was being looked at. Staring directly at him was Mira.
“It’s not her,” Wyrick said as he leaned away from the computer screen. “Most witches can change their appearance. It’s obvious Orjyll was going to use this witch to draw you in, but it seems his plans didn’t go the way he wanted them to.”
“Yeah, well fuck that.” Steve stepped back with a serious frown. “Are they shifters?”
“No, they can only change their looks and for a short period of time before it wears off. Their voice doesn’t change like shifters,” Wyrick informed them.
“It’s just like what
Kira did.” Steve glanced at Ronan.
Steve focused once again on the screen, his stomach churning. Shit was going to go down and soon, he could feel it, and suddenly, he wanted nothing more than to get back to Mira and Drew.
“Are we finished here?” Steve finally looked away from the screen to Sloan.
Sloan’s gaze remained on the screen, but he nodded. “Yeah, get out of here,” Sloan replied, then did something that Steve never thought would ever happen. He clapped Steve on the shoulder. “We’ll get him.”
“Damn straight we will,” Steve finally replied after a minute of waiting to see if Sloan was going to take his hand off his shoulder and strangle him. But he didn’t. Steve decided not to push it. He then headed out of the room to get his cart and get back to Mira. He had never been more determined about anything in his life.
Chapter 24
Steve headed toward Mira’s room hoping she was still awake. Setting the bags down outside in the hallway, he sent her a quick text. He would hate to wake her and definitely didn’t want to wake Drew. Within seconds, the door creaked open as she peeked out.
“Come on in.” She smiled down at the bags. “You are awesome.”
“Nah, just like Wally World and needed a reason to go,” he teased as he quickly grabbed the bags and headed inside. “I hope I got everything you needed.”
“I’m sure you did.” Mira took a few of the bags from him. “I wasn’t sure you were going to come back tonight.”
Steve had decided against telling Mira about what happened. She didn’t need anything else to worry about. Her main concern should be her daughter. He would take care of the rest. He glanced over to see Drew in the crib, her innocent little face so peaceful in sleep.
“I guess I should let you get some sleep since Drew is sleeping.” Damn, that was hard to get out. He didn’t want to leave but knew he probably should.
“Don’t go.” Mira’s words were music to his ears.
“Are you sure?” Steve glanced again at Drew. “I’ve heard that a new mom should always sleep when the baby sleeps.”
“You don’t have to if you don’t want.” Mira frowned, looking shyly away. She then turned and opened one of the bags.
Invisible Warrior (The Protectors Series) Book #11 Page 15
