Charmed Spirits

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  Jordan groaned and walked toward their pile of clothes. He watched her very bitable ass as she bent to pick up her jeans. He could just make out her pussy when she leaned down far enough. Fuck, apparently he had one more go in him. Who knew?

  “Stop staring at my ass, Matt Cooper.” She threw his clothes at him and growled playfully.

  “But it’s a fine ass.”

  “I work hard to keep it that way, but I can’t take another orgasm.”

  “I could change your mind.” Even as he said it, he stood and slid on his jeans and boxers.

  “I know you can; hence the reason I’m getting dressed.”

  “You look like you had a good night.”

  She groaned again and put her hair up in a ponytail. “Great. Now the whole town will know what I was doing last night. I parked my car in the front so you know someone saw it this morning. And even though your car isn’t here, I still look all mussed up.”

  Matt shrugged. “So?”

  “You don’t care that people will wonder why we got freaky in the haunted house? Wait, no, don’t answer that. You’d love for everyone to know we got freaky. It’s like some macho guy bull crap. As for the haunted house part, they already think I’m a freak, so they’ll just think it’s part of my mojo.”

  He frowned and pulled her into his arms. She sighed but wrapped her arms around his waist. “You’re not a freak. And I’m sorry the town sucks ass, but you can’t let them get to you.”

  “Easy for you to say. You keep your special talents a secret. But I understand why you do it.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “I’m sorry, baby.”

  “It’s okay. I’ll get over it. Get your shoes on. I’ll take you to breakfast and show the town I don’t give a crap. Then we can do some research.”

  “Research?”

  “I want to figure out what happened to make you a ghost. If I do, I can try and fix it.”

  He nodded while he put on his shoes but didn’t say anything. Would she be able to fix something she’d done? He winced inwardly. Okay, so he didn’t know she’d actually done it, and the more time he spent with her, the more he thought she couldn’t have done it. Maybe it was just a coincidence. But, if that were the case, what would he do? He’d spent eleven years blaming her while still loving her. He didn’t know if he could change that.

  Glass shattered in the living room, and Jordan screamed. He ran to her as another window broke, the sound of glass skittering against the floor making his skin crawl.

  “Jordan? Are you hurt?”

  He looked her over and almost tripped. She had cuts down her arms and a large cut on her forehead. Blood seeped from the wounds, and she shook, her magic sparking around her but contained. The little balls of light circled him then settled onto his skin as if they accepted him. Warmth seeped through him in acceptance, as if her magic was a part of him as well.

  “What happened? Did your magic do that?”

  She looked like she’d been struck and pulled back from him. “What? How could you say that? Someone threw a fucking rock and now I’m bleeding.”

  Guilt washed over him, and he winced. “I know you wouldn’t have done that, Jor. I spoke before I thought. I wasn’t thinking.”

  “I’ll say you weren’t.” She turned away but not before he saw the tears in her eyes.

  Fuck. Couldn’t he do anything right?

  He tried to go to her to wipe off some of the blood and see how bad it was, but she shrugged away. He felt like a total heel.

  “I’m okay; it’s just a couple of scratches.”

  “The one on your forehead looks pretty bad. Let me take a look.”

  “I said I’m fine,” she snapped, then closed her eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound like a bitch.”

  He shook his head. “You’re cut and bleeding. It’s your prerogative.”

  She bent down and picked up a jagged rock. “Who do you think threw this?” She clenched the rock in her hand and walked toward the front door.

  He grabbed her arm and stopped her. “Hey, we’ll go out together. What if they’re still out there? I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  She kissed his jaw, and he took a deep breath. Everything would be okay. It had to.

  “It’s probably just kids picking on the haunted house as a dare or because they’re bored.”

  “Still doesn’t give them the right.”

  “Oh, I know. Remember what they did to my house?” Her eyes narrowed, and he kissed her nose while looking at the cut on her forehead. It didn’t look deep so it probably didn’t need stiches, but once they were done looking for whoever did this, he wanted to clean it. The last thing they needed was for it to be infected.

  “I remember, baby. Come on, let’s go find those punks.”

  “Punks?” Jordan shook her head and winced. “You’ve been watching too many cop shows.”

  Matt shrugged, unrepentant. “I happen to like them.”

  “Only you.”

  “You think it’s sexy.”

  “So not the time, Mr. Cooper.”

  “It’s always the time.”

  She smiled, and he relaxed a bit. He’d only joked around to release the tension in her shoulders, but he was on edge, thinking about whoever was out there. For all he knew, it wasn’t some punk kids but something much more dangerous. What, he didn’t know, but he didn’t want to take chances. He went to the window beside the door and looked through. He saw a kid around fifteen in a red ball cap run around a bush, and Matt groaned.

  “Fucking kids.”

  “See? It’s just kids. We can go out, yell, and they’ll leave.” Jordan gave a wry smile, and Matt shook his head.

  “I hope it’s that easy.”

  “They’re just kids, Matt. Stupid kids, but they didn’t know anyone would be in here.”

  “Yeah, but we were and your car was parked outside, Jor. It was obvious someone was inside. And you got hurt in the process.” Rage built up in him, and he cursed. They’d hurt her, damn it, and he was supposed to go out there and act like a nice guy to get them to leave? Well, too damn bad. If only he were still in his ghost form. He’d scare the shit out of those kids. He smiled. Yeah, that would be nice.

  “Uh, Matt, why are you smiling like the Joker from Batman right now?”

  “Just thinking about how it would be nice to haunt them.”

  She punched him in the shoulder and scowled. “You’re bad.”

  “True. Okay, come on, let’s get this over with.”

  Matt opened the door and walked out, Jordan hot on his heels. He looked around the barren yard, full of weeds and dead grass, for the culprits but didn’t see them. Maybe they’d moved on. Maybe it had been just that one kid.

  “You see anyone?” Jordan asked as she looked around his body since he blocked the door.

  “Not so far. Maybe they’re gone.”

  “Hopefully. I’m getting hungry.”

  “I’ll feed you, baby. Don’t worry.”

  “Aww, I like it when you go all caveman sometimes. Just don’t make it a habit. I’m an independent woman.”

  He turned around and kissed her. “Wouldn’t dream of it because I know you are.”

  He felt Jordan stiffen, and magic swarmed around them, this time, not as warm as before, almost protecting, before he heard glass break again. A rock slid past them and he waited for the glass to come inside…but it didn’t. He opened his eyes, and she stood in his arms, her eyes focused on something else, something eerie.

  He looked behind her, and his jaw dropped. The glass windows on either side of the door had shattered into thousands of little pieces of sparking crystal. They floated in the air in frozen animation in the foyer. He looked closer and rethought that. No, they weren’t frozen still. They moved in a pulsating wave with each breath Jordan took.

  She’d saved them. By using her magic, she had assured they wouldn’t be cut or worse…

  “Jordan…” He didn’t want to distract her, but he neede
d to make sure she was okay. He’d never seen anything like this before. Yeah, when they’d been kids, she’d shown him a few things, but those seemed like parlor tricks compared to this.

  “Can’t…talk…concentrating…”

  He needed to touch her, to help her, so he reached out and held her hips, her body stiffening, and then relaxing in his hold. She smiled and sighed, sending the glass past them, away from the house where it had been thrown after the rock had shattered it, and into the field as it crumbled to dust.

  “Holy shit! Did you see that? It was the fucking witch!”

  Matt turned and saw the kid with the red hat looking wide-eyed as three of his friends came around a tree, rocks limp in their hands.

  Anger poured through him, and he clenched his fists. “What the hell do you think you were doing? You could have killed her!”

  “Matt…” Jordan held his wrist, holding him back.

  “We didn’t do it!” A kid called out.

  “We know you threw it,” Matt yelled.

  “Uh,” the little kid blushed and shifted from foot to foot.

  The kids blinked, silent, then turned and ran down the street.

  “Fuck! I can’t believe they threw that shit knowing we were standing out here. What if you hadn’t been able to control it, Jor? They could have killed you.”

  She traced a finger down his jaw. “It’s okay. We’re safe. Let’s get out of here.”

  He closed his eyes and rested his forehead on hers. That had been too close. He just got her back. He didn’t want to lose her.

  “Oh, I wouldn’t be too hasty with that,” Prescott said as he meandered his way up the drive, leaving his silver Mercedes running.

  They’d been so focused on the kids, they hadn’t even noticed Prescott pull up.

  “Excuse me?” Matt asked, then clenched his jaw. “What are you doing here?”

  Prescott dusted a piece of lint off his tie then raised a brow. “I could ask you the same question. You are trespassing on town property after all.”

  Matt barely resisted the urge to growl. “That means you are doing the same.”

  “Oh, I don’t think so, Mr. Cooper.” He sneered the last word, and Matt wanted to punch the man’s shiny nose. Ass. “I’m here on official business. As you know, I’m trying to get this monstrosity torn down, and I can’t do that if I don’t thoroughly inspect the place. And look what you’ve done. You’ve broken windows, and who knows what else? I can only blame the mutant behind you for that.”

  Jordan sucked in a breath, and Matt wanted to carry her home so she didn’t have to hear Prescott’s vile remarks. But before that, he wanted to cut off the guy’s nuts.

  “Watch what you say about her, Prescott. Just because you’re mayor doesn’t give you the right to spout shit.”

  “Oh, it gives me the perfect right.” He quickly dialed his phone and smiled. “Ah, yes, Sheriff? We have a disturbance over at the old Marlow place. I believe some children may be hurt.” He smiled and nodded. “Good, I will wait here for you.” He pressed end and grinned.

  “What the fuck are you talking about? The kids weren’t hurt. They were the ones who hurt Jordan.”

  “Oh, really? I don’t know. I didn’t see that. I came up, and Jordan was using her freak powers to scare poor little children and throw glass at them.”

  Matt growled and stepped forward.

  “Matt, stop. It’s not worth it.”

  “I’m going to kill him.”

  “Oh, and now I can get you arrested for threatening a public official. Oh, today is turning out to be a good day.”

  “There they are!” the kid in the red hat said as he pulled his irate parents behind him. “That’s the lady that almost killed us with glass.”

  “Mayor, I’m glad you’re here to take care of this problem.” The dad, in his too-hot suit leered at Jordan before snarling.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it. She won’t be a problem much longer. Ah, here comes the sheriff.”

  Tyler parked the car and got out, a frown on his face. “What’s the problem, Prescott? I don’t see any kids hurt. Just Jordan.”

  Prescott raised his chin and narrowed his eyes. “I want Jordan Cross arrested for endangering children. She almost killed them with glass.”

  “What the fuck?” Matt yelled. “She didn’t touch them. Those kids threw rocks and busted up the windows. Arrest them for vandalism if you’re going to arrest anyone.”

  “I didn’t do anything wrong,” Jordan whispered, and Matt held her hand, trying to give them both the strength to get through this.

  Tyler held up his hands. “Hey now, one thing at a time. Matt, tell me what happened.”

  Matt opened his mouth to speak, but Prescott cut him off. “I’m the mayor in this town, and you know the laws of Holiday. My word is law. I ordered you to arrest the witch; now do it.”

  The parents nodded their head in agreement, and Tyler’s shoulders fell.

  “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Matt snarled.

  Tyler walked toward them and sighed. “You know the law, Matt. It’s Holiday, not a big city. I’m just a peon in the grand scheme of things. Prescott appointed me because he likes to see the Coopers under his control. I accepted the job so I could help at least somewhat.”

  “Things need to change,” Matt growled.

  Tyler glared at him, his color rising. “Then do something about it. Because, as sheriff, I can’t. I can only do my best.”

  “Enough squabbling!” Prescott yelled. “Arrest the witch! Arrest the witch!” The crowd had increased as people came out of their homes, some even joining in with Prescott’s chant.

  Matt wanted to kill someone. Preferably the mayor from hell. How had he let this happen?

  “Matt, it’s okay. I’ll go with Tyler,” Jordan whispered, defeat in her tone. “I don’t want to cause any more of a scene.”

  He turned his back to the crowd and the town he’d called his own. No more. He was done with them. They were cruel to people they didn’t understand, and the woman in his arms was more important than anything else in his life.

  “Jordan…”

  She held her hand up to his lips, silencing him.

  “It’s not worth it, Matt. Don’t get in trouble just by being with me.”

  “I’m not going to let you go.”

  “You have to, Matt.”

  “Guys, I need to take Jordan now,” Tyler whispered, his jaw clenched. “I know you didn’t do what they say you did, Jor. You’re tougher than that.”

  She looked up at his brother and blinked. “You believe me? But what about…”

  “What about what?” Tyler shook his head. “I talked with Abby, I know you’re learning control.”

  “But you still need to arrest her.”

  Tyler sighed. “Yes, because our town is fucked up, and you can do whatever the fuck you want,” he grumbled to Prescott.

  Jordan put her hand on Matt’s chest and kissed his jaw. “I’ll be all right. Go home, Matt.”

  “I’m going with you.”

  She shook her head. “No, you’re going to go home and work on what we talked about.”

  “What are you two talking about?” Tyler asked.

  “Nothing.” Matt scowled. “Fine, but come to me when you’re out.”

  She nodded, her shoulders straight.

  “I’ll take care of her, brother.”

  “You better,” he growled.

  “What’s taking so long?” Prescott whined. “Cuff her.”

  Tyler shook his head. “No, she’s coming willingly. I don’t need to cuff her.”

  Prescott’s face grew red. “She’s a danger to society. I said cuff her.”

  “No, I won’t do that. It’s in my rights as sheriff to at least decide whether or not to cuff someone.”

  Prescott huffed. “Well, we’ll just see about that.”

  Tyler put Jordan in the back of the cruiser and closed the door softly. He got in the front, and Matt w
atched as his brother drove the love of his life to jail.

  Fuck this shit. There needed to be some changes in this town. The days of Prescott’s reign of terror were numbered.

  “Remember whose side you’re on, Cooper,” Prescott taunted. “Because when the shit hits the fan, you don’t want to cross me.”

  Matt narrowed his eyes. “Oh, I’ll remember which side I’m on.” He pushed past the crowd, using a little more force than necessary, and walked to his home.

  He had a lot to think about, but first, he needed to breathe because he was about to kill someone and he didn’t need to be arrested by his brother. There had been enough of that already.

  Chapter 10

  The hammer caught the edge of his thumb, and Matt cursed. Well, that seemed about right for the kind of day he was having. He paused, no, not the whole day. The early morning when he’d been buried in Jordan had been fucking spectacular. It had just happened to go downhill after that.

  After he got home, he’d showered, ate a quick bite, and then he drove over to Jackson’s to use his garage. He wasn’t in the mood to work today and had called in. Sally had been surprised, but she didn’t ask any questions. Even though he’d moved out ages ago, he still liked to work with his hands and create things in the place where he’d worked as a kid. Even though he’d tried to tire himself, so he wouldn’t think about his problems, they still bugged him.

  He hated this town. He’d never thought he’d have to say that, but he did. He’d grown up here and never thought he’d want to leave. But the way the citizens had treated Jordan today…

  He put the hammer aside and picked up a piece of sandpaper. With each stroke, his anger built. They’d rallied against her. Not all of them, but enough that he wanted to vomit. He didn’t know how he was going to do it, but he was going to change the minds of Holiday. They weren’t some backwoods, inbred town. No, they were a nice group of people who didn’t know about magic so they acted out of fear.

  Something they would have to pay for.

  They also were being led by a sadistic bastard who had it out for Jordan. Prescott St. James needed to be put out of Matt’s misery. The rules set in place by their ancestors were outdated and just plain wrong. That Prescott could have whomever he wanted arrested was a farce and mockery of the law. No wonder Tyler hated his job.