Enigma, Maine, Bundle Three

by Iris Abbott

  Craig hated the haunted look and internal conflict that clouded her eyes. “Only you can make that decision, Jenna. Just remember that there are always two sides to every story.”

  “I know,” she agreed in a whisper. “I just don’t think I could handle rejection from them on top of everything else that has happened recently.”

  “I’m not telling you what to do, but I think you should at least contact them.”

  “Not yet! I don’t want to bring danger to their doorstep. I might not know them, but I wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt because of me. And unfortunately, Scott is dangerous. He tried to kill his live-in-lover. I don’t think he’d hesitate to hurt an elderly couple if it suited his purposes.”

  Her grandmother was not the strongest of witches, but she was far from helpless. In fact, he was reasonably sure someone had cast a protection spell to watch over Jenna. It would go a long way in explaining how she managed to make it out of Baltimore alive and survived an otherwise fatal fall with just a few scrapes and bruises. “I wouldn’t worry too much about your grandparents.”

  Jenna frowned. “I didn’t think you knew them.”

  “I don’t. You’re just going to have to take my word for it. Most of Enigma’s citizens can take care of themselves.” He managed to stifle a snort. The unique paranormal beings who inhabited Enigma were more than capable of surviving and defeating a human.

  “But Scott is ruthless,” she protested. A big yawn escaped, and her hand flew to her mouth to cover it.

  “You don’t need to worry about your ex-boyfriend.” It gave him great pleasure to use the word ex. “EPD and I will be taking care of Scott West,” Craig promised. He backed away from the bed. “You need rest, and I have an investigation to start.”

  Her eyes tracked him as he walked across the room. “Thank you for everything you’ve done, Detective Aquila. The fall might not have done me in, but if I’d been forced to spend the night on that narrow ledge, it might have been the end of me.”

  “I doubt that, but you’re welcome. There’ll be a uniformed officer outside your door at all times. All you have to do is concentrate on getting as much sleep as possible. Your body needs the extra rest to heal.”

  She held out an imploring hand. “Don’t go. Stay with me.”

  Her words tugged at his heart. No one had ever gotten under his skin like this woman. Craig’s feet led him toward the bed before he realized he was moving.

  “You’re well protected here even without me. I promise.”

  “I won’t feel safe with anyone but you. I know it seems silly since we just met. But that’s how I feel. And I know I won’t fall asleep unless you’re here with me.”

  Craig sighed. The sooner he found West, the quicker Jenna’s real-world nightmare would end. He needed to get the word out and start using his well-honed tracking skills. Craig wanted contacts in both the law enforcement and paranormal communities to help him with this one.

  Another look at Jenna’s delicate facial features and her wild mass of curly hair, and he had a hard time remembering why he shouldn’t stay. He reached out and tenderly pushed aside a stray curl that partially covered one of her beautiful dark-brown eyes. “I’ll stay, just for a little while.”

  Jenna gifted him with a bright smile. “Thank you.”

  That smile doubled his heart rate. Heat zinged through his body. He stifled the urge to touch her. The last thing Jenna needed right now was a heavy-handed come-on by him or anyone else.

  Craig moved the lone visitor’s chair next to the bed and sat down. It wasn’t the most comfortable chair. That didn’t matter too much. He only planned to be there for as long as it took Jenna to fall asleep.

  Jenna slowly slid to the far side of the bed. When she finished, she shot Craig a hesitant look from beneath lowered lashes. “Will you hold me? Please.”

  Craig knew it was crossing the line. He knew from the first moment he laid eyes on her that they had a special connection. A mysterious bond that wasn’t easily explained and couldn’t be ignored existed between them. It was going to be impossible to maintain a strictly professional relationship with Jenna Byrd. Still, he hadn’t planned to make a move until after her ex-boyfriend was dealt with.

  “It’s a small bed. I don’t think it was meant to hold two adults. I don’t want to jostle you and make you uncomfortable.”

  “The safest I’ve felt since the death of my parents was when your arms embraced me during the lift up the side of the cliff. I want to feel that way again.” Her wide eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I need to feel that way again.”

  Craig might be more than your average male, but who could turn down a heartfelt request such as the one she voiced? Certainly not him, especially when his eagle urged him to hold her close and guard her well until all the danger passed.

  He stood and carefully slid into the narrow bed next to Jenna. She was tightly tucked under the sheet, facing away from him. Craig lay on top of the thin layer. A light barrier was better than nothing at all. It wouldn’t go far in tampering down the temptation, but at least it was something.

  When he was fully stretched out on the bed, he wrapped an arm around her waist. She relaxed into him, and he pulled her closer.

  A soft sigh of contentment was her only response. A few minutes later, her breathing deepened and evened out. The pain medication did its job. She was asleep, hopefully for the rest of the night.

  He waited ten minutes after her deep breathing evened out before making a move. He slowly shifted his arm and the rest of his body so that they weren’t touching. Craig used the strength of his enhanced paranormal senses to leave the bed without disturbing Jenna.

  He fought down the protective instincts that urged him to stay and guard her himself. He didn’t need any distractions throwing him off his game. He was gunning for West. He was determined to deal with the creep as fast as possible.

  Giving Jenna one last look, Craig stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him. His eagle began to mourn Jenna’s absence as soon as she was out of sight. The animal inside him was smitten. He had to admit that the man wasn’t far behind.

  He grilled the uniform at the door. The man was a recent graduate of the academy. Craig wanted to make sure the officer was wide-awake and alert. He gave the man explicit instructions, making sure he understood how important Jenna was to him.

  He also gave the policeman a dire warning. Scott West was not to be underestimated. A man willing to shove is live-in lover off a cliff was desperate enough to do almost anything. The cost could be Jenna’s life, and that was a price Craig was not willing to pay.

  Craig was the official go-between for the council and the Enigma Police Department. He didn’t know Lucian Petrakos very well, but he had the privilege of knowing him better than most others did. He called the guardian to request an urgent meeting as soon as he was clear of Jenna’s room. His request was granted.

  He had a couple of hours to burn before the meeting. Craig planned to use the time wisely. He had several matters to research. He also wanted to get the word out on the street. He wanted his informants and any other extra eyes and ears to be on the lookout for Scott West.

  FOUR

  Craig glanced around the table. He was sitting across from Petrakos and two others in council headquarters. He knew Phillip Saint John pretty well. He bought Phillip’s penthouse apartment a few months earlier when Selena became pregnant. The guardian and his witch wanted a house with a fenced in backyard suitable for raising children.

  “Lucian and Phillip,” he greeted the two oldest and most powerful guardians. Craig gave the one woman in the room a look filled with curiosity. He waited for an introduction. Craig didn’t know her, but he had a pretty good idea who she was.

  Lucian did the honors. “Craig Aquila, this is a long-time, dear friend of mine, Brianna Sheldon.”

  Craig recognized the name immediately. The Sheldon name was legendary in the magic community. The Sheldon and Harlow family were distant rela
tives. That had to be why the witch was included in the meeting.

  He reached out to shake hands with Brianna. “It’s nice to finally meet you, and thanks for making it on such short notice.” Craig hadn’t expected her, but it all worked out. It might expedite the reunion between Jenna and her family.

  Craig knew Brianna Sheldon had to be well into her sixties, but she didn’t look a day over forty. Most witches aged very well. They weren’t immortal unless their lives were linked to a vampire, guardian, or shifter. They usually lived long and healthy lives unless another paranormal being plotted their demise.

  “It’s hard to turn down a summons by Lucian,” she said with a wicked grin. “I have to admit that my curiosity is certainly piqued now that you’re here.”

  “Curiosity killed the cat, but I guess it never hurt a witch.”

  Lucian and Phillip hissed.

  Brianna laughed so hard she cackled.

  Craig threw up both hands. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist! Cats are easily riled.”

  Brianna smiled. “Isn’t that the truth!” she emphatically stated.

  Lucian shook his head and launched straight to the point. The head guardian summed up everything he knew in a report to Phillip and Brianna. He asked Craig to verify or clarify a fact here or there while Phillip and Brianna listened, asking questions when relevant.

  After Lucian summarized all he knew about the situation, he turned the floor over to Craig. The shifter gave an update on the latest information he uncovered on Scott West. When the report was finished, he turned his attention to Brianna. “I’ll find this man and bring him down, but Jenna is my number one priority. Will I be able to count on the witch community to watch over her?”

  “Absolutely,” Brianna agreed without hesitation. “Janie Harlow was well-loved by her family. She wasn’t banished or disowned as Jenna seems to think. She went away to college about the same time Nancy Pell started her treacherous bid for power.”

  “When witches in your family started dying you mean?” Craig heard the story of Brianna’s faked death as a last ditch effort to protect her family.

  “Yes. Nancy grew reckless in her overconfidence once she thought I was dead. In her complacency and over eagerness the wicked witch allowed Brittany, Julie, and Selena to draw her out into the open.”

  Craig had to smile at the mention of those three particular witches. They would forever be known as the mated souls witches after the fateful spell they cast two years ago. It worked. All three witches found their mates, on Halloween of all days. It was the making of a legend, at least in Enigma.

  Brittany was Brianna’s granddaughter which meant she was also distantly related to Jenna. Brittany Sheldon Justice was also one kickass self-defense instructor. He certainly hoped that Jenna and Brittany hit it off. Jenna could use some lessons in protection. Also, if she had any interest in her family legacy of witchcraft, she would need a guide.

  He realized Brianna was still talking and focused on what she was saying. “Janie never had much interest in magic. Regardless, her parents thought it might be safer for her if she stayed away from Enigma. I just don’t understand why she didn’t come back home after Nancy was defeated,” Brianna admitted with a sad little sigh.

  “Jenna told me her parents died four years ago. She’s been taking care of the younger sister ever since.”

  “That was a couple of years before Nancy Pell died,” Brianna said in a rush of breath. “Janie died before it was safe to return to Enigma.”

  “I’m afraid so, which means she died before passing on the legacy of their heritage to her two daughters.”

  Brianna released a soft sigh born of sadness. “Where’s the sister?”

  Craig shrugged. “Don’t know. I’m still researching Jillian Byrd. I’m sure she’s safe. Jenna wouldn’t have run otherwise.”

  Lucian raised a brow. “You just met, how can you be so sure, Craig?”

  “I just know!”

  Brianna’s eyes widened at the depth of emotion in his voice. “Oh!” She snapped her mouth shut without saying another word.

  Craig gave her a defiant stare, daring her to question his interest. The witch gave him a wink and a big smile. He frowned at her response but didn’t say anything. The last thing he wanted was to get on the wrong side of anyone in the room. They were all powerful beings that no one wanted to cross, including Craig.

  “I need to let the Harlow family know what is going on. I’d like to meet Jenna too. I’m sure Brittany and Jessica will want to meet her as well.”

  Lucian’s spine stiffened, and he sat up straighter. “I don’t want Jessica caught in the crossfire!” Lucian’s eyes glowed yellow. He slammed his fist on the table in front of him to emphasize his point. “I’d rather she wait until West is no longer a threat.”

  Brianna was one of the few people who dared to stand up to Lucian Petrakos. She snorted. “Please, Lucian. We all know how much you love Jessica, but Brittany and I love her too. We’d never let any harm come to her while she’s with us. And don’t forget, her powers grow stronger every day that passes.”

  “I have a uniform on Jenna’s door at the hospital. Plus doctors and nurses are in and out of the room at all hours of the day. I don’t think West will try anything while she’s in there. It might be the safest time for them to visit. I think Jenna could use some friendly faces right now. She needs to know she’s not alone.”

  Brianna reached across the table and touched his hand. “I think she knows that already.” Her sapphire blue eyes met and held the black ones that stared back at her. “I’m glad you found each other.”

  Craig fought to voice a denial, but it didn’t come. He was relieved when Lucian swiftly adjourned the meeting.

  The most potent paranormal being in Enigma actually gave Brianna Sheldon a sheepish grin. “You’re right, I can be overbearing and take things to the extreme. I will, however, never apologize for my overprotectiveness when it comes to Jessica.”

  “You’re a guardian who was lucky enough to find his life mate. I wouldn’t expect any less from you. We’ve been friends for decades, Lucian, and you’ve never disappointed me.” Brianna stood.

  “I have many phone calls to make, and I should get to it. “Lucian, please give my love to Jessica, and let her know I’ll be in touch tonight.” She gave her long-time friend a hug before turning her attention to Craig.

  “Thank you for bringing Jenna’s arrival and her plight to our attention. And most of all thank you for saving her life. I trust she’s in good hands with you around.”

  Craig started to give Brianna the standard line about how he was just doing his job, but he couldn’t say the words. Jenna was more than a job. He knew it. And from the look Brianna gave him, she knew it too.

  “I’ll protect Jenna with my life,” he finally admitted. “I won’t stop until the threat of Scott West is permanently removed,” he vowed.

  “She’s a lucky woman,” Brianna said with a sparkle in her lovely blue eyes. “I promise that Jenna will be welcomed in Enigma with open arms.” She nodded to all three men before taking her leave.

  Craig stood as well. “Thank you for involving Brianna. She seems genuine and caring. I think Jenna will feel comfortable around the Sheldon women. I appreciate your foresight on the matter.”

  Phillip spoke up for the first time. “Selena and Julie are not going to want to be left out if Brittany and Jessica are involved. Those women do almost everything together.”

  Lucian snorted. “Those women are nothing but trouble when they get together.”

  “That’s true, but it’s so much fun watching them wiggle out of it and then try to make up plausible excuses for their misadventures.” Phillip had a fond smile on his face as he spoke.

  Craig on the other hand frowned. “So what you’re trying to tell me is that Jenna is about to be befriended by five witches who have a penchant for finding trouble.”

  “Scarlet and Rose Gannon won’t be far behind either. That makes seven. I think t
hat Jenna’s going to have so many new friends, she might not have room to breathe.” Phillip suggested.

  Lucian looked at Craig with all-knowing eyes. “Being a witch automatically puts Jenna under the guardians’ protection. Are you still investigating West or do you want us to handle him?”

  The eagle inside him bristled and rushed to the surface. “Mine!” The word came out in a half-human voice, half eagle screech.

  The head guardian’s eyes glowed yellow. He held up a placating hand. “It’s protocol, Aquila. I had to ask.”

  Craig fought the animal instincts that threatened to take over. His voice returned to normal. “I’ll take care of Scott West. When I find him, he’ll no longer be a danger to Jenna or anyone she loves.”

  “So be it,” Lucian declared. And with that, they said their farewells and headed off in different directions.

  A shower, shave, and short nap later, Craig rushed back to the hospital and Jenna’s side. It didn’t make any sense. They’d only known each other a matter of hours, but his eagle didn’t trust anyone else to take care of her. That’s why he rushed back to the hospital even though he was off the clock.

  He would never be off duty when it came to Jenna. There was an invisible thread that connected them together. The link was tenuous, but it existed. Craig felt it. More importantly, his eagle thought so too.

  A rookie officer from the Enigma Police Department guarded the door to Jenna’s hospital room when he arrived. They nodded at each other. Craig was seconds away from asking for a report when his excellent hearing picked up the sound of a woman crying. His gut clenched. He instinctively knew Jenna was the one shedding tears.

  Craig pushed his way past the officer and shoved open the door. He started to rush to Jenna’s side but stopped when he finally noticed the other women in the room. The man instantly relaxed. The eagle wasn’t so easily placated.

  He looked at the Sheldon women and nodded. “Ladies,” he greeted. Craig gave Brianna a quizzical look but didn’t question her. Instead, he turned all his attention to the woman lying in the hospital bed.