by Dana Davis
She, her mom, Fay and Cousin Brendon were attempting to locate the crescent moon pendant that hung around Daisy’s neck. Problem was, she’d found a couple dozen silver chains in her cousin’s jewelry box and had no idea which was the original. With four witches casting, at lease it wouldn’t take all night.
“Calm down, Bridgette,” her mother scolded. “Getting upset won’t help. Go on to the next one.”
I hate when she’s right. She frowned, chose another chain from the small pile, and placed it on the dining table in front of her. Before she could start another locator spell, Scarlet cursed.
Bridgette turned to the medium, who sat in the overstuffed chair by the couch. “What now?”
“I’m being summoned. Be right back.” Scarlet left the room.
She didn’t want to think about all the ghosts that might be in Daisy’s house just now so she turned back to the silver chain. Please let this be the one. She began chanting.
* * * *
Daisy glanced over to the second police car to see a young officer behind the wheel. Please, don’t stop us. Please. Stay calm. The last thing we need is a bunch of mortal cops nosing around. She glanced at Simon, huddled in on himself as much as his seatbelt would allow. He was in shadow now that they were away from the mini-mart lights.
The cop gave her a once-over then, deciding she wasn’t the problem, turned his gaze on the mini-mart. Daisy held her breath as she peered into her rearview mirror at the retreating police car.
She also saw the middle-aged clerk, who stood outside the doors now, talking to the officer from the first car. He moved his arms in a swirling motion and the officer looked up at the sky. This wasn’t the right time of year for microbursts and Daisy didn’t feel like sticking around to see whether the cops believed him or not. She wanted to get home before her trussing spell wore off.
Nobody spoke during the ten minute drive back to her neighborhood and she began to get excited as she got closer to home. When she stopped at the next light, she thought briefly about running it. I’m hitting every damn red light in the city.
That thought was cut short as arms wrapped around her neck and squeezed, cutting off her air.
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* * * *
Chapter 16
Love is a Battlefield
Cleo’s strong arms choked Daisy so that she couldn’t speak to cast another spell. Just when she thought she might pass out, the arms released her. Her foot slipped off the brake pedal and the car rolled forward. They hit the curb before Daisy got her wits and put the car in park.
She coughed and twisted around to glare at Cleo. The tall woman now huddled in fear against the backseat under Kali’s reverse empathic powers. Good. Bitch. “Thanks, Kali.”
“No problem.” The look in her eyes didn’t match what Daisy usually saw there. This wasn’t Kali the carefree belly dancer or Kali the concerned mortuary worker speaking to her. No. This was Kali the pissed off necromancer, whose strongest powers lay in her reverse empathic abilities. Abilities she used with ease.
Not about to trust the siren’s fear-induced stupor alone, Daisy cast a fresh trussing spell on Cleo. She put one on the cowering Simon for good measure, amazed at how easy it was now, and sped the rest of the way home, her throat feeling bruised.
* * * *
Bridgette circled the sitting Cleo and Simon like a cat with prey. “I really hate sirens.”
Easy, Bridge. Don’t do something stupid. As much as Daisy would like to do something terrible to these sirens, they hadn’t killed anyone. And Cleo still had Noah under her thrall.
Bridgette stepped close and put her mouth to Daisy’s ear. “You trussed Jay, Scarlet, and me?” Daisy nodded. “You’re just full of surprises.”
“Tell me about it.” She thought she would be exhausted after everything she’d been through. First the hospital, then the cemetery, and finally the kidnapping. But she felt strong now. Well, stronger than she’d felt the past two days anyway.
The 1920s ghost from the gas station stood not three feet away, smiling at everything as though she were on an outing to Disneyland. The spook had obviously gotten Daisy’s message to Scarlet and now seemed to be waiting for something in return. Fabulous. Scarlet didn’t acknowledge the ghost just now, so Daisy followed her lead.
Bridgette’s voice grew dangerous as she peered at Cleo like a coyote to a hare. “So, what? You two just decided to come back to the mainland and go on a kidnapping spree?”
“I don’t like anyone threatening my family,” the tall siren said, oblivious to anyone from the afterlife. Her tone sounded rebellious but at least she had the good sense to stay seated on the floor and not make any moves that would get her trussed again.
She wouldn’t have a chance with five witches in the room. Fay stood with Aunt Marge and Cousin Brendon, making up the other three witches, as Jay blocked the path to the front door, his mother’s Derringer in his hand. The small pistol looked tiny in his grip. I just hope he doesn’t have to use it. Kali stood near the entrance to the kitchen, watching the exchange.
Bridgette’s eyes narrowed on Cleo. “Family?”
“Simon’s my brother. He told me how you witches chased him down and made him give up his girlfriend. Then sent him home with threats of the diseases you’d inflict on him if he returned.”
Daisy fought hard not to smile at that as she crossed her arms. Bridgette had made up several of those diseases, all sexual in nature of course, in hopes that Simon would stay on his island. Guess we didn’t convince him enough. Anger replaced her amusement. “Your brother held Bridgette hostage for several weeks. And his girlfriend was only with him because he had her under his thrall.”
Half-mast eyes turned on Daisy and a seductive smile grew on Cleo’s perfectly plump lips. “They weren’t harmed. And believe me, they liked everything my brother did with them. Just like your husband will enjoy everything I do to him.”
Bitch! Daisy wanted to put a really nasty spell on Cleo but she managed to keep her temper under control. For now.
Bridgette, who’d been on the other end of a siren’s thrall, looked like she was about to kill someone as her face grew as red as her hair. Noah stunned everyone when he hauled his arm back and backhanded Simon right in the face. The siren tipped to the floor, moaning and holding his head in his hands. He barely missed smacking into the corner pinball machine.
“Ow. Shit.” Noah cradled his hand then shook it. “I forgot how much that hurts.”
Simon moaned as he struggled to a sitting position with his sister’s help, blood leaking from one nostril.
Daisy stood in shock, staring at her husband. A wave of relief hit her, when she realized he was back to normal, and she cradled his hand in hers. “Noah? You all right?”
“Yeah. I don’t think I broke anything.”
“Except my brother’s nose!” Cleo cried. “You’re supposed to be under my thrall, you bastard!” In one fluid movement, she stood and lunged for Noah.
Daisy finished a trussing spell as Cleo got her hands around Noah’s throat. The spell dropped the siren to tile floor. Simon got to his feet and moved to punch Noah back, but he was slower than is sister and Daisy was ready for him. She put a trussing on him before his fist could contact its target and he ended up next to his sister on the floor.
Bridgette eyed her as the static in the room ticked up but she didn’t say anything. A blue silk scarf stuck out from Simon’s back pocket. Bridgette pulled it out and stuffed it in his left nostril. Daisy thought she was trying to staunch the blood but she seemed to delight in Simon’s cry of pain. Then she turned her focused on Noah. “You never cease to amaze me, Cousin-in-law. That’s a nice right cross you’ve got.”
“Thanks.” Noah smirked.
“But how come you didn’t punch Cleo? She’s the one who seduced you.”
He shrugged. “I don’t hit women.” His face contorted in what looked like sudden pain and he squatted to stroke Cleo’s arm.
Daisy placed a
comforting hand on his shoulder. Noah had never hit anyone since she’d been with him. He wasn’t a violent man, and she had to admit his protectiveness for her and Bridgette was a bit of a turn-on.
Oh, get your mind out of the gutter, Daisy Rhiannon. You’ve got enough problems tonight without adding hormones to the mix. “Noah? You sure you’re okay, honey? You need some ice?”
Noah gave her a look of confusion. “What? Um, yeah. I’m okay.” He yanked his hand from Cleo’s arm as though she’d suddenly become a flame, stood, and turned those brown eyes on Daisy. “In the car, I heard you say that she was a siren. But it wasn’t until we were home that I finally managed to break free of her spell. She’d still have me if it weren’t for you.” If Cleo had held him for weeks like Simon had with Bridgette, it would’ve taken much longer for him to break free.
She glanced back at Kali. “Well, I had a little help, babe.” Thank the universe for friends.
Noah moved behind Daisy, as though hiding from Cleo, and encircled her shoulders in a protective manner. “I don’t understand why, after what she did, but I don’t like seeing her like that.”
“After-effects,” Bridgette said. “It’ll fade eventually.” Cleo grunted and the redhead glared at her. “Yes, he’s got paranormal blood. What? Oh, that. Seems your brother’s info wasn’t exactly reliable, was it?” She clicked her tongue. “Simon, I’m surprised at you. Bringing your sister here and telling her all she’d be dealing with is a couple of witches, instead a whole family of paranormals. That was just mean of you.” Simon’s eyes widened slightly as he grunted, and Bridgette leaned over him, her face losing all humor. “Remember that nettle spell I put on you last time you showed up? I’ll do it again if you so much as breathe wrong.”
Nettle spells felt just like they sounded, little prickling needles all over the skin. Extremely unpleasant. A lot of screaming but no permanent damage to the victim. For the witch, casting a nettle spell felt much like running in a static ball in 100-degree heat. Even with her newly enhanced powers, Daisy seriously doubted she could cast a nettle while holding two trussing spells, so she was glad she wasn’t the only witch here.
She glanced at Aunt Marge and Fay then back to the sirens. “Cleo, Simon, I don’t think you’ve been properly introduced to Bridgette’s mom. Marge, this is Cleo. Marge is a strong-ass witch. Taught Bridgette everything she knows.” Cleo looked as though she wavered between anger and worry. Good. “And Fay here is a close family friend. Really close. And also a kick-ass witch. That guy with the gun is her son, Jay, Bridgette’s boyfriend. He’s got an itchy finger and a lineage as old as dirt.”
Bridgette took Jay’s free hand, probably for the sirens’ benefit, then she said, “And you both remember Scarlet, don’t you? My cousin-in-law. You left her on the office floor. She’s a medium.” A flinch from both sirens that time.
Scarlet crouched by Cleo and rested arms on her thighs. “Your brother told you Daisy’s a witch. But did he tell you she’s also a medium? And did you know that Kali there is a necromancer?” Cleo’s eyes opened as wide as they could, considering the trussing spell she was under. She was probably trying to imagine the things two mediums and a necro could conjure up. None of it good from the look on her face just now. Scarlet stood and shrugged, looking satisfied with the siren’s reaction. “Guess he didn’t tell you that, either.”
A series of grunts from Simon made Bridgette wince. “Not so fucking loud, you moron.” She kicked his shoe. “I’m not brain deaf.”
“What is it, Bridge?”
The redhead moved those green eyes to Daisy. “He’s apologizing like a madman. Says he’s sorry he came back here and that he didn’t know about the mediums and necros in the family. He might want to convince his sister of that, considering what she plans to do to him.”
That made Daisy smile, but it didn’t last. Shit. With everything going on, I totally forgot. “Bridge, did you find Liam?”
Bridgette frowned at the two sirens. “Kali and I were working on it when these idiots showed up at the cemetery.” She kicked Simon’s shoe again.
“I need to get back there,” Kali said. “The place is unlocked.”
Bridgette’s mother, who’d been watching in silence along with Fay and Jay Abbey, shifted her crutches. “I locked up for you, honey.”
The necro looked relieved. “Thank you, Marge. I appreciate that.”
“Any time. You’re family now.”
While both sirens looked sick at that statement, Kali looked genuinely pleased.
Daisy crossed her arms and glared at the sirens still trussed on her floor. “Got any open graves in that cemetery of yours, Kali? Might be the only way to keep these two from being pains in our asses.”
Kali stepped closer and looked the two over as though measuring them in her mind. “Hmm. I do have a couple of openings. If they don’t mind being walled up in a mausoleum.”
Cleo and Simon began grunting in earnest.
Daisy wondered if Kali was projecting fear onto them. Then she realized she didn’t care. “Oh, shut up. Both of you. You have any idea how much you’ve already pissed me off?” Both grew quiet. She didn’t usually like anyone to fear her but she’d make an exception for these two. “I’m going to the cemetery, Kali. Help you and Bridgette out. Aunt Marge, you think you, Fay and Brendon can handle these idiots while we’re gone?”
Marge’s hazel eyes glimmered. “We’d be happy to, honey. But you girls be careful.” She stood over Simon, ready to cast another trussing once the current spell wore off. The Siren looked like he would wet himself.
Fay stood over Cleo in much the same way. The older blonde witch looked formidable, despite her quiet nature. Trussing spells held for several minutes but there was no way to know the exact moment they would wear off, and these wouldn’t last much longer.
Daisy gently pulled from Noah’s arms, knelt, and leaned close to Cleo’s ear. Just like in the car, the siren smelled like a combination of candy and musk, only this time there was a hint of pepper. At first, she’d thought the woman was wearing a fragrance. But now, she wasn’t so sure. “You’re lucky nothing happened between you and my husband, Cleo. Or I might just take Kali up on that mausoleum opening.” She looked up at Fay. “You sure you don’t mind watching them?”
“Of course not, Daisy. We can handle these two. You just go and find Bridgette’s friend before he gets himself into trouble.”
Daisy eyed Cleo again. “You should’ve stayed on your island, bitch.” Before she could move away, Cleo’s hands shot up and wrapped around her throat.
Bridgette cast a nettle spell, taking the static in the room to a new high, and Daisy had little trouble getting away from the siren’s grip. She stood with Noah’s help and massaged her throat. Cleo writhed until Bridgette released the nettle. Daisy then surprised herself by reaching down slapping the siren across the face.
Fay quickly put Cleo under another trussing spell and turned to Daisy. The older witch looked as though nothing rattled her, not even this. “You all right? You need a healing spell?”
Daisy shook her head as she rubbed her neck. “I’ll be okay.” Everyone watched her now, including 1920s ghost, and she grew uncomfortable. I owe her but I really don’t want to deal with that just now.
Thankfully, Bridgette changed the subject. “Daisy, where’s your camera?”
“In the office. Why?”
“I want photos of these two idiots so we can circulate them.”
“Excellent idea.” Daisy grinned with satisfaction when both sirens started grunting again. One look from Bridgette and they both stopped immediately.
“I’ll get the camera,” Jay said.
“It’s on the desk.” Daisy turned back to her cousin. “Let’s get to the cemetery.”
“Wait,” Scarlet said.
I know that tone. A cold chill crept up Daisy’s spine, and she fought a groan as she turned to the medium.
Scarlet pointed to the ghost Daisy had been trying to ignore. “Can y
ou see her?”
Here we go. “The ghost? Yeah. She helped me back at the gas station.” She ignored the squeals and grunts that came from the two sirens.
Scarlet looked impressed. “Does she appear solid or transparent?”
“Hmm, she’s solid now.” Well, that’s new. I would say she looks like any living person. The ghost had an outline around her now, like a black magic marker. Okay, maybe not exactly living. I don’t remember seeing that before, either. She squinted at the ghost. “She’s got a—” Something warm pressed against Daisy’s vocal cords and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t finish that sentence. No pain. Just warmth, and the fact that she couldn’t speak. A very odd sensation.
The medium took her by the arm and led her into the kitchen. Jay passed on his way back. Daisy heard the camera click and several flashes went off.
She leaned close to Scarlet’s ear. “She’s got a black outline.”
“I know exactly what you’re talking about, Daisy. It’s how we tell the dead from the living, but you’re not allowed to talk about it in front of anyone but mediums and necros. And don’t waste your time trying to write it, either. Won’t work. Trust me on that.” The medium smiled, her pink lipstick long gone. “You’re some special witch. Mediums don’t usually see spirits clearly this early in their training.”
“Lucky me.” As she followed Scarlet back to the others, Daisy tried again to talk about the black outline, testing Scarlet’s explanation, but that warm sensation returned and her voice wouldn’t work. She glanced at Bridgette and thought the words, but her cousin didn’t seem to hear those thoughts just now. And I know she’s listening. So, this is how the Fates stop mediums and necros from revealing too much about the dead. Interesting.
The redhead was bent over the camera screen. “These are perfect, Jay.” She eyed the sirens. “We’ll send them out to everyone.”
Daisy smiled at that. “Ooh, maybe you can fancy them up like ‘Wanted’ posters and add a reward if anyone sees them on the mainland again.”
