by Iris Abbott
He looked the three men up and down and gave them a conspiratorial wink. “My date and I were looking for a place to be alone. I’m sure the three of you can understand my motivation.”
Brittany huffed, and Logan tightened his hold on her waist. She was about to dispute what the pirate said when their three antagonists stepped closer crowding her and Logan toward the wall. “Look we don’t want any trouble. We’ll just join the rest of the party.”
“It’s too late for that I’m afraid. We had a very private discussion that has to remain between the pack members who are loyal to me and me. So, if there’s any chance either of you overheard anything we had to say, you can’t leave.”
“Um, pack? I don’t know what you’re talking about, and if you don’t let me pass right now, I’m going to scream this place down.” She inched away from Logan. It looked like she was going to need some room to maneuver. Brittany could see a spell-blocking charm on one of the men. Magic was out of the question. That meant that she and Logan were going to have to fight their way out of this situation. She sure hoped they taught some kind of defensive skills in the 23rd century.
She knew they would underestimate the pint-sized female, her adversaries always did. She threw out a taunt. “What are you waiting for? The three of you aren’t scared of little ole me are you?” One of the men lashed out with his fist, and it was on!
Brittany crossed her arms and moved them forward to block the blow. At the same time, she kicked with her boot sending the thick hard edge of her wedge heel into the man’s vulnerable shin. He let out a howl of pain and fell to the floor, grasping his leg between both hands.
****
Logan wanted to watch Brittany and admire her fighting technique, but he was too busy taking out the other two attackers. If they shifted into wolves, he and Brittany were done. A quick jab to one of the assailant’s face with the flat of his palm took care of bad guy number two.
Voices became louder as someone else moved down the hall. The third man was distracted, and Logan used that opportunity to grab Brittany. He all but dragged her down the hallway. She had trouble keeping up with his long strides, but safety was his top priority. He had to get her out of there. Whatever those wolf shifters thought he and Brittany overheard it had to be more than a challenge for power. That would hardly need to be kept a secret.
He breathed a little easier when they made it back to the throng of people hanging around the foyer. Brittany tried to pull away. He tightened his grip. Logan didn’t know how much she knew about the paranormal world. He couldn’t just abandon her and hope for the best. She might be skilled in self-defense, but she would be no match for a blood hungry wolf.
“In case you haven’t figured it out yet, we’re in real trouble. Stop struggling and don’t call attention to us.” He kept moving and didn’t stop until they were out the front door and halfway down the long drive. And he only stopped then because of Brittany.
She dug in the heels of her boots and stopped his forward progress. She yanked her arm out of his hold and sent him a look that could have frozen the Atlantic. He definitely felt the chill.
“In case you haven’t already figured it out. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself. Besides, there is safety in numbers.” She arched her brows. “So, what are we doing out here?”
Why did he have to get stuck with the most stubborn female ever born! “We’re out here because those aren’t average men.” No need to try and hide or sugarcoat anything now. “They’re wolf shifters, and in case you didn’t notice, they’re also a part of the security team. It’s prudent that we get as far away from this party as possible.” He gave her a meaningful look. “And this isn’t far enough.”
“All the rumors and whispers I heard while growing up are true.” The strangled whisper was barely loud enough for him to hear. Her body trembled. Logan fought back the urge to pull her into his arms. He needed to focus on keeping them alive.
“They’re immune to my magic,” she warned. “I saw at least one of them wearing a charm for that purpose.” She began to shake harder. “If they’re werewolves, how come they didn’t shift? They could have torn us apart in seconds.”
“They have something to hide. Taking us out in their wolf forms would have been messy, and this isn’t their house. It belongs to a vampire. He would have smelt the blood, and they would have had a lot of explaining to do.” He ran a hand through his overlong hair.
“Whatever they’re up to, they want to keep it under wraps. It’s too bad we didn’t actually hear anything. We might have a better idea of who our allies are.”
“Vampires! Wolves! Conspiracies!” She frantically paced around him.
“I can’t leave my friends back there. We have to go back and get them right now. Whatever is going on, they have nothing to do with it!” She started to march off. Logan wrapped his arms around her waist to keep her in place.
“We can’t go back. It’s too risky. You don’t want to draw attention to your friends and put them in danger, do you?”
Brittany delicately nibbled on her bottom lip. “Well, when you put it like that.” She stopped struggling against him. “No, I don’t want to endanger my friends.”
“I don’t suppose you have a vehicle here?”
“No. My friend Selena drove. I wouldn’t take the car and leave my friends stranded even if I had.” She snapped her fingers and smiled. “I’ve got an idea.”
She walked to the very back of the line of cars the valets parked. She crossed her fingers and began to chant a spell. Logan already guessed she was a witch, so must have decided there was no need to hide her magic from him.
“Hear me now, Earth, moon, and stars. Please send a car that will help us move far. We need to travel so we can unravel tonight’s ample trouble. Please do not stumble. Allow this spell to help us make it to a hotel before it dispels!” She blinked three times and held up her arms to embrace the powers of the universe.
Logan’s mouth dropped open, and he stared at the compact two-door car that appeared from out of nowhere. He knew she was a witch, but he hadn’t realized the extent of her power! He shook his head hard. They had transportation. It was time to move!
Brittany jumped in behind the wheel, and he didn’t argue. He’d driven a car before, but he didn’t know where they were going. He slid into the passenger seat. “We can’t go back to your place. We have to assume that since they are a part of security, it will only be a matter of time before they track down your identity. There weren’t too many red-headed witches floating around tonight, and you’re a local. Somebody somewhere is bound to know who you are.”
He held out his left hand. “Give me your phone.”
“What! Why?” she screeched. “You’re a stranger. I can’t be stranded with you without my phone. It’s my lifeline.” She waved her hands in the air, and he had to lean back to keep from getting smacked.
“I don’t know those wolves personally, but I do know they work for Mitch Gannon who is the best security expert in the state and possibly the country. If they find out your identity, they can track us through your phone.”
Brittany opened her mouth like she was going to argue, but she snapped it closed. He took that as consent. He removed the battery and threw the body of the phone into the thick foliage surrounding the drive.
“We’ll come back for it when we’re not running for our lives. And if it doesn’t work anymore, I’ll buy you a new one.” After all, it was easy for time traveling pirates to accumulate wealth. If nothing else, the solid gold coins he took off the Queen Anne’s Revenge were probably priceless.
Brittany started the car and drove away from the castle. “I’m going one town over. If you’re right about the beings chasing us, hiding in Enigma might not be good enough.” She frowned. “Why aren’t you worried about them tracking you down?”
He arched a brow at her even though he knew she wouldn’t be able to see it in the dark confines of the car. “I’m from the future remember? I
know the vampire that’s hosting the party, and I know one of the guardians who attended as well. I don’t know anyone else in Enigma, and the vampire and guardian won’t be saying anything. I trust them with my life.”
“Well, not me. I don’t trust anyone with my life, except for Selena and Julie. Especially a bunch of paranormal beings I never knew existed and have never even met!”
Logan blew out a deep breath. He’d forgotten that witches could be independent to a fault. And it looked like the red-headed temptress was the most stubborn and independent of all! “Well, you’re going to have to trust me. We’re in this together. We need to lay low for at least 48 hours. Then I’ll make an attempt to contact Phillip Saint John. He’s a cat shifter and guardian. It’s his job to protect all paranormal beings, including witches.”
Brittany narrowed her eyes. “Really? Where was this so-called guardian when my parents and my grandmother died?” Her voice broke, and she sniffed.
Logan had a terrible suspicion that she was crying. He hated a woman’s tears. They made him feel deficient.
Luckily, she didn’t have an emotional breakdown and kept driving. Neither of them spoke another word until she pulled up to a less than stellar looking roadside motel. She parked in the back out of sight from the road and turned to face him. “Now what?”
TWO
The hotel was far from booked. Brittany was happy to see that their room had two double beds. It was also surprisingly clean.
“It looks like we’re going to be stuck here for several hours at least. I think you know more about what is going on than you’re saying.” She put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “I want the truth. I also want to know who you are, and how you know about vampires, witches, and shifters.”
Logan breathed deep and sat on the edge of the bed furthest from Brittany. He looked like he was getting comfortable, and Brittany wondered how long he was going to talk. “First things first,” he informed her. “I’ve been hanging around the 18th century on a pirate ship for a few weeks. I could really use a hot shower.” He pulled off his boots and started walking toward the bathroom.
Brittany let out a huff of annoyance. “I want you to answer my questions.”
Logan stopped and gave her a seductive smile from over his shoulder. “You’re more than welcome to join me in the shower if you want. I don’t think we’d get much talking done though.”
Brittany frowned and sat down on the edge of the bed furthest from the bathroom. “As tempting as your invitation is,” she managed to get out with a straight face. “I think I’ll wait until you’re done. And don’t use all the hot water either. This place isn’t exactly the Ritz!” And she was going to need the comforting warmth of a nice steamy shower to improve her mood.
Brittany’s body was feeling much better after a warm and soothing shower. She couldn’t say the same for her state of mind. She was having a difficult time comprehending everything Logan explained to her. She rubbed her face and suppressed a sigh of disbelief.
“My grandmother Brianna was in charge of the Enigma coven for many years. She was very powerful and had many friends. I practically grew up by her side as my parents died when I was young. I heard all the whispers of vampires, wolf shifters, and guardians, so I don’t find that part of your story hard to follow. What I’ve never heard anything about are wizards who have perfected the ability to travel through time. I would definitely remember something like that!”
“A group of male wizards came together in the 23rd century and used the technological and medical advances of the time to create a magical neural implant. The implant allows the wearer to concentrate his magic. This fierce blast of power permits the wizard to manipulate the surrounding atomic structure of the universe. In the process, he is able to slip through holes in the fabric of time thus seamlessly moving from one time to another.”
“That would be very powerful magic. I wonder what else you’re capable of?”
Logan grimaced, “unfortunately not much else. It takes so much energy for the time travel, and there is nothing left for anything else afterward. That’s why the guardians consider us to be time travelers and not wizards.”
“Do you think we can seek help from a guardian?”
“I hope so. I want to lay low for a couple of days. Then I’ll try to contact Phillip Saint John. He lives in Enigma, and he is also a member of the council. I saw him at the party eyeing a blond witch, so I know he’s in town. And from the look of things, I don’t think he was planning to leave town anytime soon.”
“That was probably my friend Selena.” She arched a brow. “Umm, didn’t you tell me those guardians are cat shifters?” She covered her mouth with her one of her hands when a giggle escaped. “It seems Selena has been getting lots of attention from cats lately. Syn is going to be jealous of Selena’s admirer!”
“I’ve worked with Saint John before to bring down out of control paranormal rogues. He’s a great man. If your friend is with him, then she’ll be safe if the wolf shifters try to use her to track us down.”
“I hope so. I’ve taught both Julie and Selena how to defend themselves, but they don’t practice nearly as much as I do. Their self-defense skills might be a bit on the rusty side. But I’m not worried.” She gave him a narrow-eyed look meant to chill. “Never underestimate a witch, especially when her loved ones are threatened.”
Logan smiled. “If you’re trying to intimidate me, you’re not. I like my women hot and feisty. You’re anything but a turnoff.”
He vigorously shook his head from side to side. “You mentioned that your grandmother was a very powerful witch and head of the Enigma Coven?” He raised an eyebrow. “Would we be able to call upon them for help?”
Brittany’s eyes glazed over as the strong chemistry between them kicked up another notch in intensity. She shook her head a couple of times to clear the cobwebs. Some very scary creatures could be breathing down their necks. She needed to concentrate on staying alive, not mind-blowing sex with the hottest pirate she’s ever seen.
His words finally penetrated the lust induced fog of her mind. “I’m afraid not.” She couldn’t keep out the bitterness that seeped into her words. “My grandmother’s death was sudden and unexpected. Her archrival Nancy was propelled to the head of the coven by her group of followers, and I was banished.”
Her voice trembled, and her body shook. It was too hard for her to hide the pain and bitterness that swamped her when she thought of her grandmother’s death and her former coven. Logan pulled her into his arms. She went willingly.
He rubbed his arms up and down her back. She relaxed into his embrace. “So, you’re on your own?” Logan wanted to know.
“No, never alone.” Brittany gave him a genuine smile. He sucked in a deep breath, causing her to stare at him.
“Julie and Selena went with me. We were already close friends. Now we’re sisters.” She shrugged. “We don’t really need the coven. The three of us have done fine on our own. Besides, the number three or a triad has always had special meaning and power.” She pulled away from him and waved a hand in the air.
“Enough about that. We need a plan to get out of this mess alive.” Then she added more for her benefit than his, “and getting me into your bed is not going to be anywhere in the plan.” At least not yet anyway, when the danger was behind them, now that was a different cup of tea!
Logan nodded his head in agreement. “Now’s not the time for play. Survival’s at the top of my list too. And I’m gonna need all the help I can get since my implant is on the blink.”
“What’s wrong with your implant?”
“Don’t know yet,” he tried putting her off. Brittany sensed he was lying but didn’t push the issue. “It’s getting late, and we should be safe for the night. I suggest we try to get a good night’s sleep and work on our strategy tomorrow.” He pulled back the covers to the bed closest to the door and climbed in.
“I agree, but I don’t want to keep hiding out here. My studio i
s supposed to be closed for the next couple of days, and it has a good security system. I think we should disguise ourselves and make our way back to Enigma. It would be good to work off some of my frustration on the mats while we’re staying out of sight.” She took advantage of Logan’s turned back and whipped the costume over her head. She wasn’t sleeping in it. Her underwear would have to do. She could conjure a nightgown, but why waste magic. She might need all of her strength and ability later on, especially if they came face to face with those wolf shifters again.
“Let’s sleep on it,” Logan suggested. “We’ll talk about it more in the morning. But don’t get your hopes up. I’m not taking any unnecessary risks and going back to Enigma when we’ve already made it out might not be the smartest move we could make.”
Brittany plumped up her pillow. “I don’t know. Maybe they’re too busy with whatever they think we overheard and don’t have time to chase after us. There are also my friends to consider. When they don’t hear from me and can’t get in touch with me, they’re going to worry. I don’t want them to stumble into something accidentally while trying to find me.”
Logan turned back toward Brittany. He watched until she finally settled down and looked halfway comfortable. “Get some sleep. You’re too distraught to think straight right now.”
She narrowed her eyes and met the ice blue eyes of the pirate across the room dead on. “Losing my grandmother was hell. I don’t plan to lose my friends, at least not for many decades.”
“Good night, Brittany.” Logan rolled over and once again gave her his back.
Brittany pursed her lips together. The words sounded like a warning. If he thought he was going to keep her from returning to Enigma, he was going to be in for a surprise. She didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks, but she would not let Julie and Selena face danger along. They truly were more powerful as a triad.
THREE
