“Really, Richard. I thought you had more originality than this. How did you find me?”
“Tracking device on the bottom of your car. Never can be too careful. Don’t have to rely on magic when you’ve got technology.”
Shit. I forgot how much he loved his gadgets. I should have known better.
He stared Jeff up and down. “I see you’ve been busy.”
“Not as much as you. Cassandra and you will make a lovely couple.”
“Really, think I’d settle for a mortal after you?”
Oh. I wasn’t going to fall for flattery. Stand strong, girl. I kept a mental picture of blasting him against the wall. I started building a shield around Jeff and me. To my surprise, I felt a surge gather and guide my energy between us. It wasn’t Richard. He kept smiling at the two of us.
“Hello, Jeff.” Rich nodded to Jeff and his smiled broadened.
Jeff nodded back. “Richard.”
Okay, now I had to look at them both. “You two know each other?”
Richard eyed me a bit shockingly. “Most warlocks are familiar with each other. But Jeff and I go way back.”
I looked back at Jeff. I felt him grab the energy I was building and lock down a strong shield around us. I held onto some of my energy, holding it ready just in case. I now had two warlocks in front of me. “Wait. I’m running away from one warlock and run right into the arms of another?”
Richard laughed in answer. “Sure did, honey. Not only that, one of my best friends for several decades. I’d say we’re even now.”
“Shit.” I really did feel the redness of my face. I’m sure I was several shades of red. I would have blasted them both right then. But two against one is bad odds.
As soon as Richard saw my face, he cracked up. “You didn’t know, did you?” His laughter just made me more pissed off.
“If you don’t want a fireball up your ass, I’d advise leaving now.”
“I have to warn you, Jeff, when she’s mad, give her room.” Richard smiled as he barreled on, “You know, I was going to see if you wanted to give it another go. But I see you’ve definitely moved on.” He winked at Jeff. “Take care of her. I wish you a lot of luck. You’re going to need it.”
Richard went over to the counter, threw down a bill, and walked out the door of the coffee shop.
I slowly looked at Jeff. Lucky for him, he had a guilty look on his face. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I’m sorry, Cat. I could tell you were a witch, but you were so upset. I thought it was Rich when I heard him on the phone. But I wasn’t sure until just now. I’m surprised too.”
“Yeah. Sucks that you know him. But it’s worse that you didn’t tell me you’re a warlock.”
“You didn’t ask.”
I held back my tears. “That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t tell me.”
Jeff tried to hold my hand, but I didn’t return the pressure. He continued with a diatribe of excuses. “I’ve been traveling among mortals for a while. I haven’t met up with a witch for a while. It has been some time since I’ve been in the States. In fact, it was during a fierce battle that I last saw Rich. We were on the same side if that helps any.”
I was still fighting the floodgates. I was so near the edge. “I feel so betrayed. I wouldn’t have done anything had I known you were Rich’s friend. I wasn’t trying to get revenge. I’m just trying to sort myself out.”
“No, don’t cry, Cat.” He gripped my hand more to get me to focus. “I really have wanted to be with you the last few days. Maybe there is a reason we met when we did. It almost seems like fate.”
A sniff came out before I could stop it. “All right. I believe you.” Another sniff made it dab time. I let go of his hands to dab a napkin at the corner of my eye. “And somehow, I think we’ve avoided a pretty nasty spell battle.” I had to look at the positive. There wasn’t going to be any toasted Jeff.
“Well, if I know Rich, he’ll find some way to stab back. It will just be when we least expect it. I wouldn’t let my guard down yet.”
“Right.” I noted the fact that he’d said “we” and took a deep breath. I had to put my big girl panties on for this. Besides, I was free of Richard. This was an official move-on moment. I looked across the table at Jeff, with his blue eyes, blond hair, and incredible body. Could I fall in love with a warlock again?
I grabbed his hands, still clinging to the napkin holding my tears. “I’ll take a chance if you will?”
He returned the pressure. “Anything is possible if you take a chance.”
I smiled. “Sounds like we’re ready for Vegas.”
We headed out the door of the diner, ready for whatever might come. It was time to take that chance. He turned out to be another warlock, but somehow I felt lucky.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank many people for making my debut novella a reality. There were so many areas of support. One of the first was my writing board at Kboards.com in the Writers’ Café. The guidance that I found there was priceless. Hopefully, I’ll be able to give back as I continue down the writing journey that has started with this first novella.
Authors need daily contact to support our obsession with writing. So I’d like to thank my husband for his continued advice and for putting up with my OCD moodiness, and the huge number of Adam Ant and Adam Lambert videos that were played during the writing of this project. I want to thank my Inner Circle of friends and family that give me that boost to keep writing everyday. Just keep swimming.
The people involved in getting a project turned into a finished novella are key. I want to thank my editor Shelley Holloway who greeted the news that I was going to try romance novels as a new direction as a “You go, girl” moment. To Melody Simmons for designing a cover that matched the scene perfectly at the start of the story. It was uncanny and spectacular all in one instant. To Lisa Frogjourney and Trish McDonald for beta reading through earlier drafts. Your feedback was invaluable.
And most of all, I would like to thank you, the reader, for making all this possible. I will endeavor to keep my nose to the grindstone and churn out more adventures for Catherine and fellow warlocks and witches. There is a whole underground world of witches evolving in my mind, and it’s centered in Vegas, baby.
Book two in the Beware of Warlocks series, Never Fall For A Warlock, will reveal what kind of trouble she gets into there. Be sure to look for it. For the latest information about new releases, visit my website and blog at: http://marilynvix.com/
Never Marry a Warlock Page 4
