He frowned. “What aren’t I going to like?”
“Do you remember what tonight is?”
Steven stared at her mouth. “Wednesday night?”
“Uh huh, keep going you’ll get it.”
He frowned. “The day before Thursday?” He kissed her neck. “Angel, just hurry up and tell me so I can carry you upstairs.”
“Wednesday night meeting setting off any bells?” She smirked at him.
“No.” She nodded, grinning at him. “We have time...” She shook her head. He sighed and let her slide to stand on the floor then flung his arms out. “How--just how, damn it-have I offended the gods so wrongly that they keep punishing me?”
“I dunno, bro, but it’s funny as hell.”
Steven jumped to see Dade leaning in the kitchen doorway. He pointed a finger at Rachel. “Later, when we’re alone you sexy witch we’re going to discuss a few things.”
Rachel laughed as she walked from the room. “I doubt discussing will be what we’re doing, Steven.”
He threw up his hands and walked into the kitchen. He glared at Dade. “Why are we meeting right before gathering?”
Dade handed him a beer. “To discuss.”
Steven leaned against the counter and took a drink as he waved his hand around. “Remind me.”
Dade laughed. “How many hours have you been working?”
Steven growled. “Too fucking many! I’m lucky if I see Rachel long enough to drool at her feet.” He grinned. “Don’t plan on seeing either one of us at Mabon.”
Dade snorted. “Just as soon as we catch a killer, you’ll have our blessing to go make out in the bushes.”
“Don’t need permission. Try to stop me.”
Dade sat down. “Before everyone else gets here and finds out the smartest one among us has no brains at all, we need to discuss a few things to be prepared for all situations, we can’t have someone getting in your way or Chris’s.”
“There’s only one thing I want to do right now...”
Chris walked in. “I’m willing to bet there’s a reference to sex in there somewhere.”
Steven raised his bottle up in a salute. “Damn right.”
Chris leaned against the wall. “Dade has explained we’re not holding back tonight?”
He looked from one to the other. “Holding back?”
Chris nodded. “Kasey’s idea. She thinks we need to know who knows what exactly and she’s right each of us have been hiding to some extent what we can do.” He took the beer Dade offered. “It’s called team work I believe and in order to work as a team you have to know how your team mates play.”
“What are we playing?” Owen grinned at them walking through the door.
“Not what I want,” Steven muttered.
Owen laughed. “Having a hard time catching up to the little woman are we?”
Steven grinned. “You could say that. So, Owen, what position do you have on this team?”
Owen shrugged as he pulled a beer out of the fridge. “Was told I’m the insta-medic, in case things go wrong.”
Steven nodded. “Good position.”
Cora walked in and looked at them. “Why are you in here drinking?” She walked to Dade and pulled the bottle he was just raising to his mouth out of his hand. “We’ll need you all sober.” She poured it in the sink.
Dade reached a hand out to the sink. “Aw, Honey, one beer wasn’t gonna hurt.”
She turned and put her hands on her hips and looked at him. “Well? We’re waiting downstairs.”
Dropping his hand Dade shook his head and walked out the door.
Steven laughed and then looked at Cora and set the bottle on the counter. Clearing his throat he looked at Chris. “Shall we?”
Chris smirked. “I think we better.”
*
Steven sprawled on the floor and looked around at everyone. “So what’s the plan here?” He held up his hand. “And is anyone going to get hurt doing it? The doctor is off duty for four glorious days.”
Rachel walked over and sat on him.
He gripped her waist. “Now we’re talking.”
She patted his chest and leaned over his face. “We’ll start with you, Doctor. What did you mean when you said you could wrap him in a wind funnel?”
Leena sat crossed legged and nodded. “Yes. Can you do that? I can work the wind but not like that.”
Steven sighed and dropped his hands from her waist to flop out beside him. “First, you need to get off me, Angel. I can’t even catch my breath with you sitting on me like this, never mind the wind.” She slid off and kneeled beside him. He propped himself up on his elbows. “Okay, most of what I can do involves emotion. The stronger the emotion the stronger the force.” He bobbed his head for a second. “I can do like Lee and work with this in a pleasant, easy way, but if my emotions are hot, then there isn’t a great deal I can’t do.”
Chris looked up from Kasey lying on his legs. “Like the door, you were pissed.”
Steven sighed. “Slightly.”
Dade leaned over his drum. “So, now that you’re all happy in love and whatnot, can you still do it when needed?”
Steven grinned. “Whatnot? You’re so romantic, Jones. But yes, I’ll be able to. If Cora and Dade can single him out I’ll have more than enough rage to lend a hand.”
“Good.” Chris leaned back and looked at Rachel. “And you Ms. Sparks flying, what was that? I thought you were going to burn down my house.”
Rachel grinned and flicked her hand at him. Sparks flew against him making him jump. “A neat thing I discovered one day.”
“Neat indeed.” Chris mumbled brushing at his shirt. “Any other intense talents we should know about?”
She flicked her tongue ring a few times against her teeth. “I do stuff much like Kasey, only she has mastered so many more things I’ve just kind of concentrated on a few things other than the sparks.”
Steven sat up and grinned. “Like?”
Rachel smirked and looked around the room. “Small things, mind you, I can’t lift trees like Lee or anything, yet.” She spotted the extension cord in the corner and lifted her hand towards it. “I keep trying to do it without using my hands, but it doesn’t work very well.” The cord moved over to hover beside Steven.
As is started wrapping around him she smiled. “And I’ve only really managed to perfect it with some objects.” Dropping her hand, she smiled. “Like that.” She looked at him wrapped in the long cord and unable to move. “But I can’t do fast or instant. At least I don’t think I can.” She shrugged. “I can channel my power enough to do things like calm Mister Thunder here too.”
Steven grinned and looked at the cord. “Oh, have I got ideas for this talent.”
She reached over and started pulling it off him. “I’m not going to tie myself up for you.”
He sighed. “Well, there goes my fun.” When his hands were free he caressed her leg. “Still, a pretty useful skill.”
Owen grinned at her. “I’m so jealous. I want to do that!”
Dade held up a hand. “Let’s keep focused. I can’t be thinking about the wrong things right now.”
Kasey sat up and nodded. “He’s right. Leena, you next.”
Leena sat there for a minute. “I don’t think I have anything you’re not all aware of--of course I have more of a slow steady control as opposed to Steven’s intensity.”
Owen looked at Steven. “It is safe for her to be doing things right?”
Steven nodded. “I don’t see why not and with the chances of the baby having some or all of Lee’s abilities it won’t be harmed.”
Owen sighed. “Wow didn’t think of that, I’m going to be outnumbered.”
Leena smiled. “Relax the baby won’t come out whipping things around, it takes years to surface and then more to develop.”
“Oh good.”
“My turn!” Kasey bounced. “Let’s see, hmm I think you all know what I can do don’t you?”
Dade sm
iled. “You scare me is what you do.”
Kasey laughed. “Big, manly Dade afraid of little old me.” She nodded. “I like that.” Then she sobered. “If I’m upset or excited it’s stronger, so that might be of help with all of this.”
“As long as you...” Chris looked around at all the women. “...All of you stay well out of harm’s way it will be very useful.”
Cora leaned forward and looked at Chris. “How are we going to locate him if we’re in the background?” She shrugged. “As good as Steven looked dancing I don’t think you men have what he’s focusing on.”
Rachel nodded. “She’s right.” She smiled at Steven. “You looked sooo good but this sicko is into women.”
Dade frowned. “You ladies, all of you will keep all of your damn clothes on this time! We’ll find another way to get his attention.”
Owen shrugged. “I don’t think we’ll need to do much to call him out, he’s already focused on Cora. I think he’ll be watching without the erotic show.” He wiggled his eyebrows at Leena. “You can save that for private if you like.”
Leena smiled and shook her head. “Right. In another few months and that will be so erotic Owen with a belly sticking out.” He nodded excitedly.
“A pregnant woman is more sensual and attractive if you ask me,” Steven stated quietly.
Rachel smiled at him. “That is so sweet, Steven.”
“Who’s next?” Dade said abruptly.
Chris grinned. “Me.” He got serious for a second. “I can do all manner of things but I think the thing I have to throw on the table here would be countering.” He looked around. “There’s a lot of power sitting here and when things are chaotic I think my main focus will be to make sure it all goes where’s it’s intended or counter anything that goes astray.”
Kasey nodded. “That will make me feel better. Chris has only not been able to counter a charm twice that I know of.” She looked around at the women. “And it took all four of us to accomplish that.”
Chris smiled. “Which reminds me, Doctor, you still owe me a door.”
Steven held up his hands. “I asked if you were attached to it, didn’t I?”
“I guess that leaves me.” Cora said quietly. “And you all know I can sense and see or seek.” She smiled hesitantly. “But since I’ve met Rhonda I’ve been getting better at something else too.”
Dade turned to her. “Oh?”
Cora focused on Rachel for a moment before closing her eyes.
Rachel gave her a shocked look. “Did we really look like that?” She turned to Steven and blushed. “When you proposed, well after, she just sent me the instant replay.”
Steven grinned. “Yeah, how was that?”
Rachel fanned her face. “Good.”
Cora smiled and held up her hands. “I can’t always do it the way I want exactly, but pretty close.”
Dade pursed his lips. “You can do that?”
She nodded.
“That’s just cool! Send me one,” he said quickly.
Cora looked at him and hesitated for a second before she took a deep breath and closed her eyes once more. When she opened them Dade started shaking his head.
“Aw, Coralee, she was drunk. It was her. I had nothing to do with it.”
Kasey grinned. “Wow, I wanna be like Cora.”
Cora grinned over at her. “Could be quite useful don’t you think? Rhonda can do it in a flash. It’s quite amazing what she can project.”
Chris rubbed his jaw. “Well I feel better knowing only one of you can do that.”
Steven put his arm around Rachel and hugged her. “Exactly my thoughts.” He looked at Dade. “That leaves you. What’s your skill in all this?”
Dade rubbed his hands over his drum. “I’ve been practicing. Seeing what works and what doesn’t.” He shrugged. “Objects don’t, no matter how hard I focus on them, people do.” He grinned. “I got that little monster down the street to not shove another kid off the swing a few days ago.” He looked down at his drum. “But I have to have a rhythm to do it. I’m not sure exactly if it’s the instrument or me or the combination but without one in my hand I’m just a normal guy.”
Cora snorted. “If you say so.” She motioned to the drum. “And you have that here now why?”
Dade shrugged. “Security blanket. Walking in here with all of you that can toss stuff and smash things and make shit fly...”
Cora leaned over and grabbed his hand. “I’ll protect you Dade from all these scary witches.”
He laughed and raised her hand to his mouth, kissing it lingeringly.
She pulled her hand away and cleared her throat. “I guess that about covers it.”
Steven looked around at everyone waiting for comment. “Great, see you all Friday. Get out. Go home. Bye, bye.” He was standing and picking Rachel up as he spoke. He flipped her up over his shoulder and started walking to the stairs.
Rachel slapped his back. “Steven, put me down! You Neanderthal, you’re being so rude.”
He flipped her back down to her feet at the bottom of the stairs and looked down at her. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a ring box and held it in front of her. Raising an eyebrow at her as he ran his hand gently into her hair then grasped it and pulled her mouth roughly to his.
When he released her she looked up at him then turned to the six people still sitting on the floor. “Go home, now,” she whispered breathlessly.
*
Kasey hugged Chris as he closed the door to the basement. “Do you think they’ll make it up the stairs?”
Chris smiled. “I doubt they’re going to move from that spot, Sweetheart.”
She sighed. “It’s wonderful. I can’t wait to see what Mabon brings.”
The End About the Author
Jacqueline Paige is a world class multi-tasker being a mother to five adventurous and unpredictable children, a cafe manager and having a colossal imagination that allows her to step outside of reality into a world of paranormal romance —with just a touch of suspense.
Jacqueline lives in Ontario, Canada and avoids the ever changing weather of the region she lives in by creating other worlds to fall into in her stories of all things paranormal.
Her first book was published in 2009 and since then has published more than ten. She is always writing and currently has more than a dozen stories in one stage or another of the writing process.
Visit her webpage at: www.jacqpaige.webs.com
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