by Cahoon, Lynn
“I know they did. Derek’s finding talent mirrors my own skills, making us an unusually amazing team in the hunter world. A few years ago, The Council Gazette called us the most promising duo to come out of the New Orleans program in a lifetime, hell, maybe two.” Ty pushed food around on his plate. “Zander got lonely. I should have thought more about him, gave him more attention. I partially blame myself for his actions.”
“What happened?”
“Rowena came into my life a few years ago. She was everything I wanted, or believed I wanted. Fun, exciting, dangerous, she loved life. I thought she loved me. Unfortunately, so did Zander. She’d put a Leanan Sidhe spell on him.”
Parris leaned back in her chair, “A what?”
“A fairy sweetheart spell. She’d bound him to her even though he was my fairy guardian. I didn’t even see it. I thought it sweet the way the two of them got along. Zander became more and more attached. When I realized what Rowena had done, I tried to banish her or bring her up on charges before The Council. Zander defended her.” Ty pushed his plate away. “I’m done talking. I’ve got to check in on Robert.”
Parris watched him leave, wondering what Ty hadn’t said. Zander tried to kill him because of his girlfriend? No wonder he held her at arm’s length. The guy didn’t have good luck with women.
Girlfriend? The term felt right at times, especially over dinner, or while they looked for Robert and talked. She wanted to giggle, to call April to tell her, but something held her back. According to the magical folk in her life, someone wanted to kill her and she was acting like a teenage school girl with a crush? No, she wouldn’t be the too-stupid-to-live girl in horror movies.
Parris grabbed the plate with her slice of cheese cake, finished with her meal. Pouring a cup of coffee, she settled on the bed, and grabbed her cell phone. She dialed the bar’s number and waited.
When a man’s voice answered, she frowned. “Hey, Jake, I thought April worked tonight?”
“She wasn’t feeling great so I told her to go home. Aren’t you supposed to be on vacation?” Jake had worked at the bar long before Parris bought the establishment. His employment came with the contract.
“I am. Making sure everything’s alright.” Parris felt her cheeks flush, happy Ty wasn’t here giving her the ‘I told you so’ look.
“The bar’s hopping tonight. We’ve got a dart tournament going–bar’s matching the pot like a normal Friday night. Now you’re caught up. Anything else you want to know?” She heard Jake call to a customer.
“Sounds like you’re busy. I’ll see you when I get back.” Parris remembered how pale April’s skin looked Thursday. She shouldn’t have left town. Not with April sick.
“Stop worrying. We’re fine.” Jake hung up the phone.
Frowning, Parris dialed April’s home number. The phone rang several times. She probably has it on mute so she could get some sleep. Finally the voice mail picked up the call and Parris left her a message. “Hey, Jake told me you aren’t feeling well. Let me know if you need me to cover for you. We’ll be heading back tomorrow.”
Hanging up, Parris tossed the phone close enough to hear it ring, even if she fell asleep. Grabbing the remote, she turned on the television. Iron Chef filled the screen as she nestled on the comfortable bed with a fork in one hand, the plate with her cheesecake in the other. Thoughts of April ran through her mind.
Chapter 10
By now, you have learned enough from the old stories to realize your life ahead will not be easy or lacking danger. Make sure you know who your friends are, and especially, who are your foes. Enemies of The Council are real. Even if you never run into one, it’s a true-ism that it’s better to be safe than sorry. Watch out for Dragons. They bite. –The Academy of Witchcraft Manual, Volume 3, page 963.
“I should have answered.” April stared at the cell on the night stand. Alex had put her to bed when she’d started vomiting that morning.
He pressed a cold washcloth on her forehead. He’d never see anyone this bad and she was worried about some dumb call? “They’ll call back or they’ll deal with the issue. You’re too sick to be going anywhere anyway. What are you going to do, talk some drunk out of being a jerk over the phone?”
April huffed, then smiled. “You’re right. What did I do to deserve you?” As she reached to touch his cheek, he grabbed her hand and held it.
“Just by being you.” He kissed the palm of her hand. “I’m going to the kitchen for some club soda. You want anything else?”
“Besides a new stomach?” April groaned. “I hate being sick.”
“I’ll bring you up some more Tylenol. I’m sure it’s been long enough.” He closed the door, flipping open his cell as he walked downstairs to the kitchen.
When he heard her voice on the other end, he started talking. “Mom? I think I’m in trouble.” He pulled a club soda from the fridge and sat at the table, listening.
“You weren’t supposed to sleep with the cow, just use her to get close to Parris.”
“I know, but, I think–”
“There’s no excuse. Learn to keep it in your pants. I pulled strings to get you this assignment and now you’ve messed it all up by sleeping with the girl.”
Alex tuned out. He’d listened to this lecture before. She’d tell him what a disappointment he was to the family, then berate him for his latest screw-up. Finally, she took a breath. He jumped into the pause, “I need to go.”
Being a Cabot wasn’t an easy life, even as a kid. Everyone expected so much of him, especially his parents. Apparently his dad had felt the same way when he’d started out serving the coven. Alex believed in the covenant. He believed in his mission. Somehow, he would bring The Council to their knees, forcing them to acknowledge the coven and let them shine in the world. This staying locked up, hidden from human existence had to stop. Witchcraft was a glorious thing and those who practiced the art should be worshiped like gods by the human race.
He glanced up like he could see through floorboards into the bedroom above. Cocky humans, like April, thought their race the only intelligent life living on earth. April’s name rolled off his tongue. If only she had a speck of witch heritage, he could turn her to the coven and she could be his. As it stood, she was only a gateway to gain information about and access to his cousin, Parris.
He grabbed the club soda and the mystery novel she’d been reading earlier and jogged up the stairs, stopping right outside her doorway. The girl was only a distraction, a gateway. He cracked the door open a sliver and watched her sleep, her red lips pursed and her ivory skin even paler than normal. He didn’t love her. He was almost sure of the fact.
He stayed paused at the door for several minutes watching the girl in the bed. He didn’t love her.
Yet.
Chapter 11
Loving inter-species is a real fairy tale. You need to choose mates in your own species in order to make a relationship work, in any world. Please do not bring petitions to The Council for permission to marry outside your species. There are never allowable exceptions granted. Never. Marriage outside your assigned classification will result in banishment or more appropriate punishment, including extreme termination. –The Academy of Witchcraft, Volume 3, page 1053.
Ty kept waiting for Robert to start with Parris, but the car remained quiet most of the drive home. Parris seemed surprised when she’d found him sleeping, not in the bed next to her, but on the two wing chairs he’d pushed together. After his discussion with Robert, he’d felt putting some distance between himself and Parris wasn’t a bad idea. He knew she felt hurt. He’d left the room without explanation, staying away until he knew she’d fallen asleep. Actions of a coward, he knew, his fingers itched even now to reach to take her hand, or caress her face while she read. The less time they spent alone together until they found Coven X, the better.
Then he’d approach The Council. They owed him this. He’d never asked for anything.
“I need to pee.” Robert’s voice came from the
back seat. Parris had offered the man the prize shotgun seat, but he’d refused. “And my right leg is asleep. Can’t you afford a full size car being a big shot lawyer and all?”
“We’ll pull over at the next exit and get some breakfast. This is a full size car.” Ty glanced up in the rearview mirror catching Robert’s gaze. The man’s eyes twinkled. “Can’t you sleep or something until we reach St. Louis?”
“Ty.” Parris’ gasp made him laugh.
“He is kind of a whiner.” Ty flipped the blinker and took the exit, barely slowing as he merged the car into the traffic on the road to the truck stop. “Aren’t you, old man?”
“I wonder if you’d rather be a toad or a snake?” Robert’s voice sounded cool and calm.
“Promises, promises. Have you even done a transmutation in the last ten years?” Ty pulled the car into a parking spot and turned off the engine. “I think I’m getting pancakes.”
Parris climbed out of the car and met him on the sidewalk waiting for Robert. When he got out, he shuddered, glancing around the sky–frowning.
“What?” The look on his mentor’s face dashed all Ty’s good humor.
Robert joined them on the sidewalk, all three staring at the nearly deserted parking lot. “I thought I felt a watcher. I would have sworn…”
Ty put his hand on Robert’s shoulder and guided him into the restaurant. “I’ll check the wards before we leave. I’m pretty sure no one knew where we went.”
“The boy does.” Robert held the door for Parris. “Ready for breakfast?”
Parris glanced at Ty, worry crinkling her forehead. He thought he might be forgiven for his disappearing act last night. She stood close waiting for a hostess, then whispered, “The boy?”
“Someone looking for Robert at the university. I’ll catch you up in a few minutes.” The trio waited to talk until they’d been seated and coffee placed in front of them. After ordering food, Robert excused himself to use the restroom.
As he walked away, Parris nudged Ty’s arm. “Well?”
Ty explained the conversation with the history professor included feeling someone searching for Robert. “The problem is I’m not quite sure what they thought he’d know. We talked for hours last night and still didn’t come up with anything solid. He’s thinking it’s something he knew on your parents. Or Coven X. Hell, it could be anything.”
Parris took a sip of her coffee. He could tell she watched him, weighing her words. Finally she sat the cup down and took a deep breath. “Look, I know we took things way too fast and too far. I feel like there could be something with us. I mean once this whole Coven X reveal and my training is done.” She paused again. “I mean, I’d like us to be a possibility.”
He took her hand and gently squeezed. “Me, too.”
Robert reappeared and plopped on the bench seat next to Ty. “Young love.” He took five sugar packs and ripped them open, pouring the contents into his coffee. “You two bop like bunnies last night?”
Plates arrived in front of them, delivered by their waitress.
“Saved by the food.” Parris grinned while pouring maple syrup over her French toast.
“None of your business.” Ty nudged Robert in the side with an elbow, cutting into his omelet and took a large bite.
Robert looked at his companions and smiled. “Don’t humor an old man, then.” He dug into the stack of pancakes in front of him.
Ty looked up and saw Parris smiling at him. There might be a chance at happiness here. A chance for a real relationship, a picket fence, and maybe even a little girl who loved to play baseball or boy who wanted to fish with his dad. A future.
If they didn’t get killed in the meantime.
He ate quickly. When he finished, he excused himself to go check the wards on the car. Everything felt fine, no breaks, no niggles warning him of someone trying to find them. Robert wouldn’t mistake a feeling. Maybe Robert’s feeling had nothing to do with Parris. Or the Coven X. And maybe pigs would fly and the sky would turn purple on a sunny day. He felt a chill that shouldn’t be there. He headed back to the restaurant to get Robert and Parris.
They needed to leave. Something had found them and was coming.
Parris watched Ty drive as she pretended to read. He was spooked, edgy. Robert, too. She’d listened to Ty’s casual words when he got back to the table, a bright, ‘time to go,’ yet she’d seen the look passing between the two men. For the first time since she’d met him, fear poured off Ty like rain from a Seattle storm. For the last ten miles, no one said a word, yet she’d felt the anxiety rolling through the interior of the car. She closed the book, turning to see both men, she asked, “What’s going on?”
Ty glanced in the rearview mirror at Robert, then, after seeing a short nod, sighed. “There’s something after Robert. We think it’s tracking us.”
“Something? What?”
“Maybe nothing, maybe this other coven, or maybe something he got messed up with outside The Council.” Parris watched Ty glance quickly over his shoulder at the man in the back seat.
“You know I don’t participate anymore,” Robert grumbled. “Haven’t since ’86. Or maybe ’96. Either way, it’s been a while.”
“It’s been a while since you what?” Now Parris turned her focus to Robert. The guy looked like her neighbor’s grandfather who visited the condo weekly and mowed her tiny patch of grass after finishing his granddaughter’s lawn.
“Tell her.” Ty’s voice was ice cold, demanding.
“I supplied product to what could be called a white slave business.”
Parris choked on the sip of soda she’d taken, spitting some of it onto Ty’s leather seats. He handed her a napkin and she wiped her mouth, then, because he still stared at her, wiped the seat as an afterthought. “How do you kind of be in something like that?”
“It was a relocation program for runaway kids, mostly. The kids had full knowledge when they signed up of their commitment, and it was better than being on the street.” Robert leaned back into the seat wearily. “The first time someone got hurt, I quit.”
“The first time you found out about someone getting hurt.” Parris seethed with fury. This was the kind of paternalistic crap that drove April to work with street kids and keep them safe from predators, like Robert.
“I screened every home these kids went to. And the contract. They worked four years paying off their debt. After that, the family paid for college, and the kids would have their own lives again. They were Au Pairs for magical families around the world.”
“They became babysitters?” Some of the fire died inside Parris. She’d thought, well, she’d jumped to the idea of these kids being sex toys. Now he told her he set up live-in child care?
“Some light housework but, yeah, mostly, nanny duties. Raising a witch comes with a lot of special problems, ones you can’t explain away at the day care down the street. What happens when your angel turns her playmate into a toad, just for fun?” Robert shook his head. “The kids got off the street and a college education out of the deal. Kind of like joining the army, without the guns.”
“So why would someone be coming after you?” Parris was confused. Sure, using homeless kids to provide a family with a live-in nanny may not be the best situation, but she didn’t see why someone would be following them.
“When I stopped, I kind of took the laptop with the names and bank account information for the families. I wanted to make sure the kids I placed got out. The only way I could assure their safe exit from the program was to control the information.” Robert shrugged. “So sue me.”
“He shut down a major income stream for many of The Council elite.” Ty slowed the car back under eighty. “I got offered off-the book jobs several times to find you or your damn computer.”
“Won’t he be in trouble when we bring him back?” Parris’ eyes widened. She didn’t want Robert to be hurt, especially if it meant The Council would put him in the care of the woman who’d tested her when she’d been kidnapped. Even t
hough The Council called her a doctor, there was no way the woman had taken any modern oath of do no harm. The man didn’t look like he’d make it through half the tests she’d gone through. Hell, Parris almost didn’t survive some of the testing and she was at least twenty years younger than Robert Nelson.
If not more. She shrugged the thought away.
“Derek’s working on a way to protect him, or at least keep The Council from forcing us to turn him over.” Ty glanced over at her. “Don’t worry, we’ll figure something out.”
Robert reached across the car and patted her arm. “We’ll get through this together. Derek’s a smart boy, he’ll fix this.”
Parris looked at the two men sitting and staring at her. They tried to put up a good front for her, but she knew they were concerned about Robert’s return. They knew what The Council could do. She’d only had a taste of The Council’s cruelty. Especially when stuck on the idea of protecting their own.
The rest of the ride home the three stayed quiet. Parris pretended to read her book. Ty focused on the road, and Robert stared out the window, humming an old Johnny Cash tune.
Chapter 12
The bond of friendship is one of love. It transcends time and space. Keep your friends close, don’t let them slip away. There’s a reason a hero in the old stories always has a side kick. We need someone who always has our back, even when we’re dead wrong. – The Academy of Witchcraft Manual, Volume 3, Page 1102.
Ty glanced at Parris. She’d been asleep for the last twenty minutes. They’d reached the outskirts of St. Louis and now they were driving to Matilda’s. “I think you’ll be safer there, than anywhere else. Parris’ grandmother is wicked good at warding.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine. If The Council comes for me, I’m not going to fight. I’ll go in front of a tribunal. The Council won’t like my testimony when they get me there,” Robert promised.
