“Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be tormenting the other dead Witches?” I asked her.
Again, she shook her finger. “That’s not how you talk to your mother. Most children would be happy to see their parent again.”
Feeling guilty, I nodded. “I am happy to see you. It’s just been a rough day already.”
“I know. That’s why I’m here. You did something bad, honey.”
“I know, I shouldn’t have slept with the suspect.” I dropped down to the bed and looked at my hands. “I don’t know what to do now. I always fuck things up.”
“First, don’t swear. It’s dirty. Second, having sex with the Vampire isn’t the problem. It was meant to be, honey. It’s in the stars. What you did wrong was letting him go. He didn’t kill those Witches, but someone else close to him did.”
I stood up, shocked by what she was telling me. “Who?”
“I don’t know.”
Giving her my best you can’t fool me expression, I said, “You can’t lie to me. You guys see everything!”
“Not this. They are hiding from us, as if they know we’re watching” My mother floated around the room, deep in thought. “We’ve tried all that we could to get the spell lifted, but the only thing we can figure out is that it’s another Witch.”
Shaking my head in disbelief, I opened up my laptop. “How the hell am I supposed to find another Witch? They can conceal themselves with so many different spells. They can even hide themselves from Witches. They could be off the grid!”
My mother shrugged. “It won’t be easy.” She tilted her head, as if listening to something. Then she came in for a hug. The best she could, anyway. “I will be back soon. Please stay out of trouble.”
With those motherly words, she disappeared from the room. I sat down at the desk and opened up the Witch database, hoping I could find some answers. Maybe I could check out the local Witches and start asking questions. Someone was bound to have information on a new Witch, or even a local one that has been dabbling into some other kind of magic. If a Witch was murdering, she or he was probably already in the deep end. They practiced so much black magic that they were slowly going insane. Only, this Witch had to be close to the end with the number of dead bodies he or she were leaving around. Whoever it was had to be put down.
Chapter Ten
Climbing out of the shower, I wrapped a towel around my hair and body. I yawned, not ready to be awake, but there was a long list of Witches I had to check out. That wasn’t including the medical examiner I still needed to visit. My day was going to be jam-packed with stuff to do. Hopefully it would be enough to help keep my mind off of Drake. All night I dreamed about him. I woke up wanting sex, only to be disappointed that I was alone in bed. Part of me was tempted to show up at his house and ask for forgiveness. But obviously, he was done with me. He didn’t even try to make contact after I walked out. Though, it was my choice, not his.
I stepped out into the main room, a chill creeping over my skin from the air conditioning. Someone knocked at the door, so I slowly opened it a crack. Drake was standing there in all his perfection. He wore his familiar black suit with a red tie. He looked absolutely delicious.
Hesitating, I forced a smile. Then, I opened the door completely, letting him in. He didn’t even act like he was happy to see me. In fact, he looked angry. I steeled myself for the shouting. There was something on his mind, but he was having trouble getting it out.
Finally, after a few long moments, he said, “Why didn’t you tell me that you’re part of the Witches’ Council?”
Shocked, I just stared at him, unsure of what to say. Did I deny it? Did I apologize? What was I supposed to say? I just gaped at him, words not forming, even though my mouth was moving.
“You were investigating me this whole time? Do you make it habit to sleep with your suspects?” he demanded.
It stung as much as a slap in the face. Angry, I placed my hands on my hips. “That was rude. And no, I don’t. You just happen to be hard to resist.”
He was fighting a smile, I could tell. Then his face became hard again. “I didn’t kill those women! You know I didn’t. You have to. Don’t you see that? If anything we did together mattered to you, then you should be able to tell that I’m innocent.”
“I know you are,” I said, earning a surprised look from him.
“But you lied to me this entire time. I don’t know if I can forgive that. You spied on me. Pretended to be someone you’re not.”
“I’m Sophie Dexter. That part is true. Merlin is my father.”
He turned, but I grabbed his arm, trying to stop him from leaving. When he turned around, his fangs were out and his eyes were wild with anger. “I trusted you! I thought you’d be different. No, instead you do this!” He started stalking toward me and I backed up at the same time, not sure what he was going to do. Angry Drake was one of the scariest things I’d ever seen. I’d been in plenty of situations where I was screaming for my life, but this had me almost paralyzed with fear.
When he had me backed up against the wall, out of nowhere he started kissing me. Angry and urgent. His tongue dove into my mouth and my body responded instantly. I pressed myself up against him, weaving my fingers through his hair. Seconds ago he was the scariest man alive, but now he wanted me. I wanted him. I needed him.
Both of us started stripping, him throwing off his clothes and me my towel. Needing to feel him against me, I put my hands on his shoulders, rolling my body into his. He groaned, kissing me all over my face. Pushing me against the wall again, he lifted me up, diving into me with such force I cried out, throwing my head back from intermingled pain and pleasure.
I dug my nails into his back as he moved, fast and hard. He was still angry, but equally needy. He wanted me just as bad as I did him. “Drake,” I moaned, my eyes rolling back from the intense pleasure. The more he rubbed against me as he moved the higher my orgasm began to build.
“Oh, my gods!” I cried out, when I crashed over. I rode him hard, trying to make it last. Drake went over seconds later, grunting as he spilled his seed into me. Then it was finished. He pulled away from me, cold as ever. Snatching up his clothes, he got dressed, not even looking at me.
Feeling vulnerable, I grabbed for my towel. “I’m sorry, Drake.”
Drake shook his head, buttoning up his shirt. “It doesn’t matter anymore.” He went to the door, hesitating with his hand on the handle. “I was falling for you, Sophie.” With those words, he left me alone in my room.
*
Trying to concentrate on my list of local Witches, I paced the room. All I could think about was Drake and how hurt he was that I betrayed him. It wasn’t like I’d planned on sleeping with him. Why couldn’t he understand that? I was trying to do my job, and things just got out of control.
Frustrated, I ran my hands through my hair. I needed alcohol. That would make me numb to my feelings. Hopefully. Deciding I would go to a bar several blocks away from the hotel, I looked through my bag for something nice to wear. I came up with a black shirt and a pair of jeans that made my ass look great. Not that I was looking for anyone. I just wanted someone to tell me I was beautiful. After the rejection from Drake, I felt like shit. Maybe a little attention would help. My goal was just to let loose for one night.
Putting on some makeup, I gave myself smoky eyes. Next I brushed out my hair, deciding to keep it down. I looked good. Really good. Smiling, I headed out of the room to put on my sexy boots. Going out wasn’t part of the plan, but I needed the break. My choices weren’t looking great right now. I could go home and probably get kicked off the Council. Or stay in Riverdale, figure out the root of the murders, and maybe be rewarded when I got back to my town. Despite the dread I was feeling, I knew what I needed to do. I also needed help. Kevin’s offer was looking more and more tempting now that everything was falling apart for me.
Grabbing my purse, I left the room to head out of the hotel. There was a taxi waiting for me. The van was still at the agency.
I’d have to go get it eventually, but I decided it could wait until tomorrow. Hopefully they hadn’t towed it by then.
It was only a few minutes later that the taxi dropped me off in front of the bar. It was busier than I thought it would be, considering it was a weekday. I sighed, wishing that Drake was going somewhere with me instead. But that obviously wasn’t going to happen. I needed to remind myself that Riverdale was temporary. Only, I was having a hard time accepting that Drake and I were no more. Was it normal to have such thoughts? It was just a day ago that he was a murder suspect. His innocence changed everything. But it was too late for us. Drake made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with me.
A dark shadow came over me as I went through the door. I spun around, startled. “What are you doing here?” I asked, pulling my purse close to my chest.
Roark smiled, gesturing to the bar. He looked more laid back than when I saw him at the restaurant. Maybe he did better when he wasn’t around Stella or Drake. This Roark was in a pair of jeans and a plain gray shirt. He didn’t even look like the snob that I met just a few days ago.
“It’s a bar. I occasionally come out to one,” he said it as if I’d asked a ridiculous question. “We can sit together. Talk about whatever you want.”
I hesitated. It was a little weird and uncomfortable. Reluctantly, I agreed, heading into the bar. Looking around, I chose a booth that was in the far right side of the bar. A waitress smiled at me, and then said she would be over in a few seconds to get our order. Taking a seat across from Roark as he sat down, I forced a smile.
“So, are you guys actually brothers?” I asked, curious.
He nodded. “We were both turned into Vampires at the same time. We went in separate directions for many years, but came together again about a hundred years ago.”
The way he explained it made it sound like they reunited just a year ago. A hundred years ago! How long had they been separated? I didn’t know how long Merlin had been alive, but it was certainly longer than Drake and his brother. Still, it made me wonder about the lives they led. What kind of experiences they had. Granted, I had a little under my belt, having been born fifty-two years ago, but it was nothing compared to them.
“Drake had a harder life than I did. He was always trying to do right by people, and often, with the history of this nation, he always ended up in deep shit.” His Irish accent was coming out thicker tonight. The brothers seemed to have lost most of it, but when they got emotional, there it was.
“I can only imagine what either one of you must have been through. History shows a lot of rough times for your people, and to be right in the middle of it had to be a terrible experience.”
“You see, he wanted to be in the middle of it. He was so sure he could make a difference. Helping with the Underground Railroad, being an assassin for the President himself, and even trying to help the Natives of this land before the Europeans came over. It was amazing, but ridiculous. He should have just led a peaceful life, like I did.” Roark turned to give his order to the waitress, and then I did the same.
“Drake seems like the helping type. He wanted to help me with my problems from the moment I showed up at Jacobi Enterprises.” I chuckled, amused by how much he truly wanted to help.
Roark grinned. “But all that was a lie, wasn’t it?”
My heart started beating faster as I realized that our meeting was not an accident. He knew who I really was. When I just sat there, not saying another word, he said, “Drake told me about the Witches’ Council. I want to know what you’ve learned so far in your investigation.”
Relaxing a little, I waited for the waitress to put our drinks down before answering him. “Not much. I became too focused on Drake. All I know is that it’s not him.” I wasn’t about to go into detail about how I knew it was a Witch who was responsible.
He sighed, not pleased with my answer. “I was hoping you had more information. I already figured he didn’t do it.” Glancing at his watch, he threw his shot back, sucking in a breath from the burning of the alcohol. “I have to go home. Stella wants to have a talk. I can only imagine what it will be about.”
“She seems like a fun time.” I tried to keep the sarcasm out of my voice, but it was hard to do.
Laughing, he signed for the waitress to bring him another round. “She’s not, believe me. The woman has been difficult since the first day I met her. I don’t know why I even tolerate her, to be honest.”
“Then why are you with her?” I asked, confused as to why someone would be with another person who they didn’t really care for.
He shrugged. “At the time, I felt bad. Thought maybe our love could grow for each other.” His eyes lighting up with amusement, he grinned. “She’s in love with Drake.”
My mouth fell open in surprise. Was he joking? “I don’t get it.”
“Stella has been in love with my brother for years. She’s a Witch, you know? Probably for about two hundred years now. He doesn’t care for her, and actually despises her personality. The woman is a Witch, literally and figuratively.”
His phone began to ring, and when he glanced at it, a frown appeared on his face. “She’s intent on this conversation. I’m sorry, Sophie, I must leave. It was nice talking to you, however short.”
“Sure, nice talking to you,” I said awkwardly. It wasn’t like we really talked much and the whole thing was weird. Though, I did learn more about Drake and Stella. I didn’t even know she was a Witch. She hadn’t been in the database. She seemed like the type that could murder a few Witches that she felt threatened by, though.
Smiling to myself after Roark left, I spun my glass around on the table as I was deep in thought. It looked like I had someone else to investigate now. Stella Jacobi just moved to the top of my suspect list.
Chapter Eleven
Parking the van, I climbed out, dropping to my feet. It was getting hot outside and I hated getting sweaty. When I became sweaty, I grew irritable and ready to hurt someone. Wiping my forehead with the back of my hand, I headed back to the hotel. I had a few hours before I was going to see the medical examiner.
My phone rang, so I dug it out of my back pocket. Glancing down, I smiled seeing Jenna’s name. “Hello?”
“So, I found out some information,” Jenna whispered.
“Why are you whispering?” I asked, finding the entire thing weird.
“I’m spying. Shut up so I can talk. Anyway, I found out that Daphne wants this necklace, which used to be the Lady of the Lake’s. It has to be powerful. Especially since she’s willing to go to great lengths to get it.”
Interesting. I walked toward my hotel room’s door, checking to make sure my wards were still up. When I reached out mentally to them, I felt they were completely intact. “What does it do? I mean, the Lady of the Lake was seriously powerful in Avalon. Apparently, Mom is one of her daughters. And that necklace is the one she gave me, with some long-ass story to go with it.”
“For real?” Jenna was too loud when she said that. Swearing, she mumbled something about needing to go and hung up with me.
Hoping my friend escaped with little trouble, I entered my room, welcoming the darkness that came with leaving the curtains closed. I really just wanted a nap after staying out too late drinking. I didn’t get bothered or noticed by anyone else. Sadly, I wasn’t sure if that was pathetic or not. Not even one man hit on me. I found it rather odd, considering usually there was more than one trying to get me to come home with them. My need to be noticed last night was unmet, so the trip home was a sad one.
Kicking off my shoes, I laid on the bed, yawning loudly. I had a couple of hours before I was supposed to meet the medical examiner. After that, I was going back to Drake’s club to see if I could spot anyone following him. There had to be something more to go on. The killer being a Witch wasn’t enough. If I saw Stella there, then it would solidify the idea that she was responsible. Though, I’d need more proof first.
“Napping during the day?”
Jerking
up in the bed, I looked around madly, only to finally stop at a ghostly form standing above me. “Mom!”
“You should go to bed at a decent time and not be staying up late at a bar.” She shook her finger at me with a disappointed expression on her pale face.
“I needed to clear my head.” I covered my face with a pillow. Maybe if I ignored her long enough, she would leave. The woman always bugged me when she was alive, too. Only then it was a lot worse. It seemed being a ghost kept her busier than being the High Mistress. If only it took up more of her time.
“Did you hear me? You need to be motivated and taking care of yourself. Witches may be able to live long lives and heal from many injuries, but our bodies can still become unhealthy in so many ways. Witches can have addictions, too! I don’t want you to become an alcoholic.”
“Mom! Why are you here?” I threw the pillow across the room, hitting the wall.
“Don’t you raise your voice, Sophie. You have a poor attitude, and you get it from your father.”
“Why are you here?” I asked again.
She sighed, hovering a few feet up in the air. I would be lying if I said that didn’t bother me every time she did it. Part of me still had issues with her being gone, and it had been nearly five years since her passing. When she kept showing up as a ghost, it only made it worse for me. Whenever I thought I was getting over it, she had to reappear. Maybe I just had to accept that she would be haunting me for the rest of my immortal life.
“You need to get that necklace before Daphne finds a way into your safety deposit box. Once she finds out where you’re keeping it, I promise you, the bitch will snatch it.”
My mother didn’t swear much, but when she did, my mouth would fall open in surprise. She was such a gentle person, it was hard to believe her mouth could spout off such language. “I’ll go pick it up tomorrow,” I said, closing my eyes.
Spell Hell: An Undercover Witch (Witch's Brew Book 1) Page 7
