by Deanna Chase
Stella responding by licking my face… repeatedly.
I laughed. “Okay, then. Outside we go.” Snuggling the puppy to my chest with one hand and still carrying the mocha with the other, I used my hip to open the screen door that led to the inn’s backyard. The space was a maze of pathways lined with greenery and colorful blooms. I followed the path to the right and settled on a wrought iron bench under a cypress tree. Stella curled up in my lap while I called Jade.
“Good morning, sunshine!” Jade said, entirely too chipper. “Why are you up so early?”
I glanced at my watch. “I’d hardly say ten after ten is early.” Especially since I was usually up by five every day to open my café.
“It is when you’re on vacation with that sexy biker of yours.”
I chuckled. “What are you saying? That we’re supposed to spend every moment in bed? We’re not the ones vying for a medal in the baby-making Olympics.” Jade and Kane had recently decided it was time to start a family. And since she was getting some every ten minutes, she’d decided everyone else should too.
“Maybe not, but I sure hope you’re taking time to get some practice in, because that’s what vacation is for.”
“Apparently not this vacation,” I said on a sigh.
There was a pause at the other end of the line, then her tone of voice changed and she was all business. “What happened?”
I started at the beginning with our experience with the Swamp Witch, meeting the ghost of Sterling Charles, trying to look for the key, and ended with our run-in with Emerson Charles.
When I was finished, she let out a low whistle. “You two really know how to vacation.”
“Stop,” I said, smiling into the phone. “We didn’t ask for this.”
“I know. But it appears Kane and I aren’t the only ones who are magnets for trouble.”
She had a point. With Jade being a white witch and Kane being a demon hunter, they couldn’t seem to go more than a month without some disaster striking. Since Julius had come into my life, we’d ended up in the middle of two murder investigations and I’d been kidnapped twice. Trouble was an understatement. “We learned from the best.”
She chuckled. “Touché. All right, let me tie up some loose ends and make sure the café is staffed. Kane and I should be there by tomorrow morning at the latest.”
“Thanks,” I said, petting the cuddly dog in my lap.
“No thanks necessary. Stay out of trouble long enough for us to at least get into the same zip code.”
“No promises,” I said, my tone suddenly serious.
She sighed. “I was afraid of that.”
After I gave her the details of the inn, we hung up and I sat there on the quiet bench with Stella, enjoying the spring morning. Birds chirped, squirrels scampered up and down the trees, a hummingbird drank his fill at a nearby feeder, and a slight breeze rustled the leaves. It was a completely peaceful moment with nature, something I rarely experienced back on Bourbon Street where I lived and worked. It would have been perfect if it hadn’t been for the faint sounds of weeping that came out of nowhere.
I stood, glancing around. There was nothing to see but greenery and red and orange hibiscus blooms.
A muffled sob followed by the snapping of a twig echoed through the otherwise silent morning.
“Hello?” I called, pressing my hand to my chest.
“Oh God,” I heard a woman say on a sob.
Stella lifted her head and stared off to the right on full alert. Her left ear twitched as she sniffed the air, then she took off through the bushes, her high-pitched barks making it easy for me track her.
I jogged down the path and rounded the corner just in time to see Moxie dart back into the house and slam the door on Stella. The little dog growled and scratched at the door, clearly upset to be left outside.
What the heck? “Here, girl,” I said and squatted to once again pick up the dog. I lifted her into the crook of my arm and asked, “What was that about, do you think?”
Stella glanced from me to the door and back again.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought too.” Moxie had run from me. But why? Had she overheard my conversation with Jade? If so, why would she be crying? She’d have just learned her friend might still be alive.
Taking a deep breath, I opened the door and strode into the house. It wasn’t hard to figure out where she’d gone. There were dirty footprints leading from the back door, through the living room, and disappearing behind the closed door of Hale’s office. I knocked once.
“Yes?” Moxie said, her voice surprisingly clear.
“It’s Pyper. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“I’m fine,” she said her, voice rising on the word fine as if she was trying to keep herself from crying.
“Come on, Moxie, you don’t really seem fine. Would you open the door please?”
The door swung open and Moxie stood there, her jeans splattered with dirt and a sunflower in her hand. Her eyes were red and puffy, but her cheeks were dry. Stella lifted her head from my chest and barked once at her owner.
“Stop barking at me, Stella,” Moxie said, sounding exasperated. Then she tilted her head, studying me. “How did you do that?”
“Do what?” I asked as Stella pressed her little face into my shoulder.
“Pick her up. It took me a week before she’d let me touch her after the rescue dropped her off. Most persnickety foster dog ever.”
“She’s been letting me pick her up ever since she busted into our room,” I said and added, “You’re fostering her? I thought she was yours.”
She shook her head. “Nope. She needs a house with no other dogs apparently. I took her in three months ago, and still no one wants her. Or I should say she doesn’t want them. But you… Looks like she just adopted you.”
“What?” I lifted the dog away from me, holding her out at arm’s length. She just looked at me and yawned. “I can’t have a puppy. I work. I…” But my protests were hollow to my own ears as I pulled her back in, enjoying the warmth of her body against my chest. Of course I could have a dog. I lived upstairs from my coffee shop. Running up to take care of her wasn’t an issue. And it wasn’t like Kane, the owner of the building, was going to say no.
“I don’t think you have a choice,” Moxie said as Stella reached out one paw and pressed it to my face.
My heart melted right there, and I knew I was a goner. I smiled at Moxie. “I think you’re right.”
“I’ll let the rescue know. I’m sure they’ll have some paperwork for you.” She gave me a sad smile and started to close the door.
“Wait!” I held up a hand. “I came to find you because you seem upset. Is there anything I can do besides take Stella off your hands?”
She didn’t say anything for a minute, then blurted, “Yeah. Next time you see that two-timing bastard Hale, kick him in the balls and tell him I’m tired of his crap. I did anything that man asked me to, and this is how he repays me. Well, eff that. If he wants someone to play Buffy to his Spike, he can just ask Emerson Charles to dress up like a slayer. I’m done!”
The door slammed so hard Stella nearly jumped right out of my arms.
“Whoa, girl,” I said soothingly, calming her down.
“Buffy to his Spike?” Julius asked from behind me. “Who are Buffy and Spike?”
I turned and couldn’t help the amused smile playing on my lips. “Only the best TV couple of all time. Clearly we need to carve out some time to get you caught up on pop culture.”
“The best? Didn’t you just say the same thing about Damon and Elena last week?”
I snorted. The Vampire Dairies was one of my guilty pleasures, and I didn’t hesitate to make Julius watch it with me. “I can’t believe you were paying attention.”
His eyes softened, and everything inside me turned to mush. “I’m always paying attention.”
My heart swelled and I leaned in to kiss him softly.
His arms went around me, and if
it hadn’t been for the squirming puppy between us, I was fairly certain we’d have ended up in a make-out session right there in the inn’s living room. Instead, he gave me a slow, lingering kiss, then let me go as he eyed Stella. “Don’t be getting ideas, little girl. You already goosed me once.”
Laughter bubbled up as I held Stella out to him. “Get used to her, Julius. It appears we have a new roommate. When we leave, she’s coming home with us.”
“When did this happen?”
I explained her foster-care status and then shrugged. “It appears she’s adopted me.”
He stared at both of us for a moment, then shrugged. “Can’t blame her. After all, I was a stray who just showed up too.” He winked, took Stella from me, and stared her in the eye. “Just one stipulation, you hear? No more ass biting. It’s not cool.”
11
“Jade’s going to have to take Stella home with her,” I said as I climbed off the back of Julius’s bike. “A dog can’t ride on this thing.”
“Why not?” Julius grabbed my hand and led me down to the docks. We were back at Mayhem Gator Tours to meet with Bo for our private ride through the bayou. “You can just get one of those doggie backpacks. I bet she’d love it.”
“You’re kidding right?” I tried to picture Stella strapped to my back and immediately shook my head. “It’s not safe.”
“We can get her doggie goggles.” Julius grinned.
“And a helmet? Nope.” I shook my head. “As adorable as that sounds, I’m not letting my baby on the back of a bike.” My baby? Jeez. I’d known the pup for two, three days, had just decided to welcome her into my home, and I was already acting the overbearing doggie mama. Poor thing. She was going to be smothered.
“You sound like you’re talking about your teenage daughter,” Julius said.
I shrugged. “Her too. If I had one.” I grinned at him. “You bikers are trouble.”
“When it comes to scoring with the hot chicks, it pays to be the bad boy.” He slipped his arm around me and pulled me close until our bodies melded together. Then he bent his head and nipped playfully at my lower lip. “The bike is just an added bonus.”
I smiled up at him, ready to lift my lips to his, but stopped short when we heard the squeal of tires in the gravel parking lot.
“Get in the car. Now!” an unfamiliar voice shouted.
Julius and I both took off down the path with me a few feet in front of him. More unintelligible shouting filled the air, and when I rounded the corner of the building, I spotted Bo towering over a stocky man who wore a Twin Forks motorcycle jacket. Both were red faced and yelling over each other. A mud-splattered black SUV sat idling a few feet away. The stocky guy swung, but Bo jumped back, easily avoiding the blow.
“Hey!” I cried out. “Leave the kid alone!”
Bo twisted, meeting my eyes. “Back off, Pyper.”
But when he did, Stocky grabbed his arm, twisted it behind his back, and then shoved Bo in the vehicle. The car was already rolling when Stocky climbed in after him. Stocky leaned out the window and said, “Better find yourself a new guide; looks like Keybo has other plans today.”
The tires spun and gravel sprayed across the lot as the SUV roared out of the parking lot.
I turned to Julius with my mouth open. “Did you hear that?”
Julius nodded. “Sounds like Bo’s given name is Keybo.”
“Son of a… We were never looking for a key. We were looking for Bo.” I grabbed Julius’s arm, clinging to him desperately. “We need to follow that SUV. Now.”
“Let’s go.” Julius shook my hold loose, but instead of running to the bike, he sprinted over to where Bo and Stocky had been arguing and bent to retrieve something.
A ball cap.
I recognized it as one Bo had been wearing the day before. I let out a small sigh of relief. With something that belonged to Bo, Julius could cast a finding spell. Though without the help of the coven or a circle, it would be a weak one at best.
“Pyper!” Julius called, already standing by the bike.
I mentally cursed myself and ran over to him. Standing around wasn’t going to do us any favors if we wanted to help Bo.
“Hold this,” Julius said, handing me the camouflage-print ball cap.
I took it, holding it by the bill, waiting for Julius to do his thing.
He held out a hand, a pale sheen of light covering his fingertips. Then he closed his eyes, touched the top of the hat, and said, “Woven threads, make the connection, be the link to whom we seek.” The magic brightened and then shot from each fingertip in a sudden burst of energy, skittering over the hat until the entire thing was covered in magical light. The bill heated between my fingertips as if the thing would suddenly burst into flames.
Then I felt the zap of a small shock just before the magic winked out, leaving only one small dot of light hovering in the air between us.
“Come on.” Julius climbed on the bike, already adjusting his helmet as I jumped onto the seat behind him. Seconds later, Julius said, “Find Keybo.”
The light glowed brighter and shot ahead, turning right, the same way the SUV had gone. We shot down the two-lane highway, following the orb. It zigzagged in front of us as if continually searching for the correct path and suddenly took a left turn just as we were rolling through an intersection. Julius hit the brakes, causing the bike to skid slightly. He righted the beast and followed the orb.
The trees and vegetation were thick overhead, blocking out the afternoon sun. Driveways and dirt roads were blocked off with weatherworn gates and signs that said: No Trespassing, Keep Out, and Beware of Alligators.
Another turn followed by at least a half dozen more eventually led us down a dirt road. Dust billowed in a cloud behind us as the orb slowed and eventually stopped at a dead end. Julius cut the motor, and we glanced around at the unruly vines overtaking the trees. There weren’t any new roads or driveways.
We both climbed off the bike.
I studied the tire tracks in the dirt. “It looks like someone has been down here recently.”
“They didn’t stay long,” Julius said, indicating the tracks that formed a U-turn. He turned to the still hovering orb. “Find Keybo.”
The orb rose in the air, moved in a wide circle, reversed course, and then flew directly at me, hitting me squarely in the chest. A small jolt of static electricity shot through me, making me catch my breath as I stumbled back.
“Whoa.” I rubbed at my chest, more out of surprise than any sort of physical pain. “What the heck happened there?”
Julius frowned. “That was… not supposed to happen.”
“Obviously.” I let out a sigh. “Sometimes I hate magic.”
That got a tiny smile out of him. “Would you rather it didn’t exist?”
I stared at him, meeting his dark eyes, and shook my head. Without magic, Julius wouldn’t be in my life. And that thought was unacceptable.
His smile widened a touch and he pulled me to him, wrapping his strong arms around me. “Are you all right?”
I pressed my head to his chest and nodded. “Yes. Just worried. I don’t like whatever mess Bo is caught up in. And now that I know Sterling Charles most likely sent us to look for him, I don’t know what to make of anything. Why would Sterling send us to Bo? Surely if he knew anything about Mia’s disappearance, he’d have said something about it, right?”
“Not necessarily. It’s possible he has information he shouldn’t and is too afraid to say anything.”
“I guess so,” I said as foreboding took up residence in my gut. The idea that Bo knew anything about Mia’s disappearance was gut-wrenching. That meant when she disappeared, he couldn’t have been any older than twelve or thirteen. Something like that could screw a kid up for the rest of his life. “If someone in the motorcycle club is responsible for Mia’s disappearance, they might all be covering and coercing Bo to do the same. Or if Emerson has anything to do with her disappearance, that would be a huge problem for Bo as well.
”
We were silent for a long moment, then I pulled back. “We’re not going to solve anything by just standing here.”
“No. We’re not.” Julius pressed his lips together in a thin line and rubbed at the scruff on his jawline. Then he peered at me. “You should not have been able to absorb that orb.”
“It’s not like I was trying.” I placed my hands on my hips and tapped my foot. “Now we have no way to find Bo.”
“I know you weren’t. I’m just concerned that the spell attached itself to you. That’s not normal.”
I pulled Bo’s cap out of my back pocket. “Maybe it’s because I still have this.”
“Maybe,” he said but didn’t sound convinced. “That would be pretty unusual.” He took the ball cap from me, studied it, and then tucked it into one of the saddlebags on the bike. “When Jade gets here, we’ll use this to try another finding spell. Until then, I think it’s best we head on back to town.”
Clouds had formed out of nowhere, and the bayou suddenly became dark with shadows. A chill ran up my spine, and it had nothing to do with the temperature. “Yeah. Let’s get out of here.”
We took off back down the dirt road and made a left, then a right, then a left, but when we came to a four-way stop, Julius planted his feet and turned to look at me. “Does this look familiar?”
I shook my head. Trees lined one side of the road while open water lapped at the other. “I don’t remember that body of water.”
“Me neither. Dammit.” Julius turned around on the deserted road, and after two more turns he stopped again, this time in front of a gated driveway. “We’re going to need to map our way out of here.”
I nodded and pulled my phone out but then grimaced. “No service.”
Julius dug around until he found his phone, then shook his head. “Same.”
“Just drive until we find a gas station or store or something. We’ll find our way out eventually,” I said, hearing the echo of Otis’s voice in my mind. Don’t ever head into unknown territory out there. You’re likely to run into the live end of a shotgun.
