Spring Magic

by T. M. Cromer

  Sincerity shone from his face, and the truth was right before her eyes if she chose to see it. But as stupid as it sounded, she was scared to trust him, or trust in anything good for that matter. Yes, she had her sisters, but essentially she’d been left to her own devices for a long time. No mother, an absentee father, three sisters who had lives, careers, and loves of their own, not to mention a fourth sister she’d recently discovered who lived in another state. Not that that mattered due to their magical ability to teleport, but a bit of the awkwardness was still present when the family would get together. Her only true friend had been Knox, and he had rejected her as she grew into a woman.

  She must have delayed too long because he backed away with a regretful sigh.

  “Let’s get some lunch,” he suggested.

  “I need a minute.”

  Spring closeted herself in the bathroom and splashed cool water over her face. She had no idea what to do with Knox’s sudden attention. Did she grab onto what he offered with both hands, or did she maintain the status quo? How was she expected to move on if he played these stupid games at her expense? Did she want to? For a long moment, she stared at the woman in the mirror. No answers would come, and she was tired of worrying about it. She’d do what she’d come to do and get the damned amulet. After they were safely home, she’d take a longer look at her feelings on the subject.

  They walked the streets of Cartagena like a couple in love. Periodically, Knox would take advantage of their cover to hold Spring’s hand, or pull her under the shade of an awning to kiss her petal-soft lips. He hand fed her bits of their meal and allowed his fingers to linger on her lips until a flush of color lit her cheeks.

  To him, she was the most exquisite woman on the planet. The spark of happiness in her eye when she came across a plant native to the area warmed him. At the same time, the jealousy he experienced when she’d stroke her hand down the leaf of the plant bothered him. He had it in him to destroy anything or anyone he considered a threat; anyone who might steal Spring’s affections from him. The strength of his feelings for this one tiny woman were disconcerting. He’d seen what obsessive love had done to his mother. Marianne Carlyle had gone insane when Robert Knox was killed.

  Not that Knox planned to let anything happen to Spring, but he worried he’d lose his mind should she ever die or become injured. The strong emotions she evoked terrified him to a large degree. What wouldn’t he do for her?

  Spring startled him from his musings. “What are you thinking about that has you miles away?”

  “You.”

  “Ah.” She tugged her hand away.

  Knox entwined his fingers with hers. “Not the way you think.”

  “How do you know what I think?”

  “Your expressive face says it all,” he mocked softly. “I believe you’ve drawn the wrong conclusion.”

  “I doubt it, but do enlighten me.”

  “I am worried about how deeply I care for you. I’m afraid there is nothing I won’t do to protect you.”

  “Okay, so I can see maybe you were right and I was wrong.”

  “I certainly hope someone, somewhere is marking this noteworthy occasion down. I don’t think anyone would believe it if they hadn’t witnessed this conversation,” he teased.

  “Oh, shut up, you tool. I’m not that difficult.”

  Knox pulled Spring to a stop and faced her. He bent his head and rubbed his nose lightly against hers. “No, you’re not. And I’m sorry I ever made you feel otherwise.”

  “Don’t start being nice to me now. I won’t know how to survive it.” Her attention was caught by something or someone behind him. “Oh, look! Cotton candy!”

  He laughed as she dragged him along to the nearest street vendor. A hunched old man operated the cart. The down-trodden expression disappeared as the guy laid eyes upon Spring.

  Knox felt the need to warn her. “Uh, sweetheart, that isn’t—”

  “Do you want one?”

  Spring practically bubbled with excitement, and Knox bit his tongue, not wanting to ruin her fun. “No, thanks.”

  A few pesos exchanged hands, and they were on their way. He watched closely as she bit into the pastel fluff.

  She gagged and spit it on the ground. “Dear Goddess! What the hell is that? It’s bitter!”

  “Not the sweet goodness you were expecting?” He fought to contain his laughter, he really did, but the disgusted look on her face was priceless. “I imagine it tastes very similar to a mouthful of dirt.”

  Narrowed eyes pinned him in place. “You did that on purpose.”

  Hands up, he backed up a pace. “No.”

  “Yes, you did. You knew it wasn’t cotton candy, and you were going for payback,” she accused, stalking toward him.

  “Uh, yes and no. I did try to warn you.”

  “Not very hard!”

  “Still.”

  “I feel like I should give you a taste of your own medicine.”

  Knox’s laughter disappeared. He didn’t relish another mouthful of dirt—Spring’s standard revenge on her enemies. Damned earth element witches! “No magic in public, sweetheart. You know the rules.”

  An unholy light danced in her sparkling eyes. “Oh, but no one would see anything other than you spitting out some soil. They may wonder why you were eating it in the first place, but you know those crazy Americans.”

  “Spring, I’m warning you. You don’t want to do this.”

  “Oh, but I really do.” She smirked and raised a hand, middle finger and thumb pressed together in position to snap.

  “You’ll start a war you can’t win,” he warned with a nervous laugh.

  “Hmm, that sounds like a challenge.”

  He surprised a squeak from her when he hauled her close. “I’d rather fill my mouth with the taste of you,” he murmured against her lips.

  Her body relaxed into his, and her arms gripped his biceps. “Smooth answer.”

  “Is it too corny to say I’d rather make love, not war?”

  “From anybody else, I’d say yes. From you, not so much. You have a way with words.”

  Her mouth curled against his, tantalizing and teasing. Knox gave into the temptation to kiss her. His tongue teased along the seam of her lips which she graciously opened to allow him to explore the delights of her mouth.

  He pulled back and met her desire-laden eyes. “Better than candy?”

  “Mmm, much.”

  “I’d like nothing better than to head back to our room. Do you want to give up the idea of finding Don Carlos and return?” One moment he was holding an armful of willing woman, and the next, Spring was stomping away. “What the hell did I say?”

  10

  Two hours later, as they lounged against a tree across from Don Carlos Esteban’s downtown home, Knox was still at a loss as to what he’d said to piss off Spring. She hadn’t spoken to him other than to remind him to make a cross on the back of his amulet in order to cloak himself with magic. The few times he’d tried to address the problem since then, she shushed him.

  “Spring,” he attempted for the fourth time.

  Once again, she cut him off. “I think that’s him.” She straightened and peered at the picture in her hand. In the dim light, their visual acuity wasn’t great.

  “Fantastic,” he muttered. He slapped the paper against her chest. “What’s your plan, Princess?”

  “Murder comes to mind,” she retorted.

  He scratched the thick stubble along his lower jaw. “That’s one way to go about it, I suppose, but I thought I was clear that I’d rather make love than war.”

  She wadded up the picture and chucked it at his forehead. “You’d rather play me and keep me from doing what I need to do.”

  “Play you? What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Pfft. Don’t act like you don’t know.”

  “I don’t.”

  She snorted her derision. “Right.”

  “You are the most infuriating woman on the planet,
you know that?”

  “Lucky for you, after tomorrow, you don’t need to ever see me again.”

  His heart stopped. “What the hell does that mean?”

  “We do our recon tonight, then tomorrow we make an attempt for the necklace. When we go home, we go our separate ways.” The tightness and hurt in her voice wasn’t lost on him.

  “Is that what you want?” Every muscle in his body tensed as he waited for Spring’s reply.

  “Yes.”

  The air rushed from his lungs, and he sank back against the tree. In the low light, Knox could only make out the outline of Spring’s set jaw. It was impossible to interpret her expression. “I see.”

  “Good. Now if you’ll pay attention, you can make out what he’s saying. Try to imitate the lilt of his voice.”

  “Let’s get closer. Set your phone to record.”

  After several minutes of listening and recording the conversation between Don Carlos and the man who appeared to be his next in command, Knox joined hands with Spring and teleported back to their room.

  “Try to get some rest. I’ll listen to the audio tonight and try to mimic his speech pattern. A simple spell will disguise my voice and translate my words into Latin.”

  “You can take the bed, I’ll take the couch,” she argued.

  “I won’t sleep tonight, Spring. Just take the damned bed already.”

  “I—”

  “Can you do one thing I ask without a fucking argument for a change?” he snarled.

  Hurt flared in her eyes. But she rallied quickly, and her pointy little chin lifted skyward. Pride and defiance were her boon companions.

  “I’m sorry.” He found it impossible to keep the gruffness from his voice. “Sleep or not. It’s your choice. I’ll be out on the patio.” He placed a hand over his heart. “Please, don’t leave this room without telling me.”

  “Of course.”

  “Thank you.”

  Knox eyed the tiny metal chair on the terra-cotta tiled porch. As he settled his body weight into the seat, he hoped like hell it wouldn’t buckle under him. He placed his earbuds in and went to work.

  Time and again, he needed to rewind the audio recording for playback because he couldn’t concentrate. His mind continued to wander back to the conversation he and Spring shared outside the Esteban estate. From what he could deduce, Spring believed he had tried to manipulate her into forgetting their mission. He ripped the earbuds away from his head and angrily wrapped them around the phone before tossing it onto the mosaic-tiled table in front of him.

  What the hell was he supposed to do now? How did he convince her the thought had never occurred to him to seduce her into submission? Hell, his mind hadn’t gotten further than the image of her naked and spread-eagled on his bed.

  He scrubbed his hands up and down his face. “What a freaking mess!”

  “Love always is.”

  Before the intruder’s identity registered, Knox had him by the throat and against the wall.

  Alastair lifted a dark-blond brow and crossed his arms over his chest. “You might want to remove your hand if you wish to keep it.”

  “Sorry. You startled me.”

  “Seems you startle easily.”

  “Only when I’m not expecting company while in a foreign land.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “What are you doing here, Alastair?”

  The other man dangled a necklace containing a tanzanite stone. “Spring forgot this. It gives us a direct link.”

  Knox stared at the piece of jewelry before he held out his hand. “I’ll be sure to give it to her.”

  “Are you all right, son?”

  “Yeah. It’s all good.”

  “Somehow, I doubt that. But you’re entitled to your secrets.”

  He moved to stare over the lights of the city. “Spring misinterpreted my intent earlier today. It’s made her a bit salty.”

  “Why are you out here instead of in there, trying to smooth things over?”

  With a short, humorless laugh, he said, “I value my life and dislike the taste of dirt.”

  “Perhaps all the dragons of our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us once beautiful and brave.”

  Surprised, Knox faced Alastair. “Did you make that up?”

  “It’s a quote from the poet Rainer Maria Rilke. I feel it’s appropriate, don’t you?” Alastair clasped him on the shoulder. “In other words, man up, son. Are you going to let one small female keep you in terror?”

  “Yes.”

  A deep, dark chuckle was Alastair’s response. “Women are terrifying to the extreme. Good luck.”

  “Thanks.”

  “How are you coming along on the Don Carlos Esteban front?”

  After a nod toward the phone on the table, Knox grimaced. “I have a bad feeling about all this.” He met Alastair’s contemplative gaze. “I don’t like bringing Spring into all this mess.”

  “Are your feelings based on a legitimate premonition, or is it only your worry for my niece?”

  “Both. I worry she is too young and inexperienced. Her temper could get her into trouble.”

  * * *

  Upon overhearing Knox’s words, Spring backed away from the door opening and shook her head. He would never see her as anything but a child. Somehow, he’d fixated on her youth and refused to see her any differently. The need to escape the confines of their room struck. She was halfway down the stairs when she remembered Knox’s request that she not leave the room without letting him know. A pang of conscience struck her, but she shoved it away. She was only going to sit in the atrium. It’s not like she intended to leave the hotel.

  Once she’d found a seat next to a grouping of palm trees that overlooked the shallow pool, she double checked her surroundings. It wouldn’t do if someone saw her conjure a drink. When she was certain she was alone, she closed her eyes and visualized a brandy glass with a double shot of Hennessy’s finest cognac. She lifted the glass and offered up a silent toast to the Goddess, who never seemed to have Spring’s best interests at heart. The very least her ancestor could’ve done was pair her with a man who respected her as a woman.

  As she was about to take her first sip, the plants around her sent out a vibration. The fine hair on her forearms rose up on end. She was being watched. As casually as she was able, she continued the sipping motion, casting a furtive glance over the top of the glass.

  There. In the corner of the atrium, blended into the ferns and palms, was the Asian man they’d seen earlier.

  Spring closed her eyes and sent a request to the vines along the wall to detain him so she might make good her escape. As she gained her feet to flee, Zhu Lin appeared. At his back were five armed guards.

  They studied one another across the short distance. For such an imposing figure, he was at most five-feet-ten. But he possessed a controlled energy. Power radiated from him. Not magical, but a strong air of command. His dark hair held a hint of gray at the temples, but other than that small indication, he appeared ageless with his smooth skin and trim frame. His most disturbing feature was his eyes. He possessed a pair of peepers that were the palest shade of green that Spring had ever seen. As an earth element who dealt with plants for a living, she’d seen every color on the green scale, but those eyes were colder than any she’d ever witnessed.

  She absently wondered what he saw.

  “Ms. Thorne.”

  Ten feet separated them. Not enough space for her to bolt.

  “You must have me mistaken for someone else,” she said kindly as she palmed the amulet disc at her throat. Why had she left home without the damned tanzanite necklace? “I do hope you find whoever it is you are looking for. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll leave you to your search.”

  He smirked, and the chilly smile chased an arctic blast down her spine. “How amusing that you and Winter Rose chose the same ploy. It didn’t work for her, and it won’t work for you.”

  “Fair enough. In that case, how about we go
with this?” Spring made an X with her thumb on the back of the amulet and cloaked herself.

  “She wasn’t supposed to be able to teleport!” Lin snapped as he strode farther into the atrium. “Get me Grace. I want to know why the Blockers failed.”

  Spring didn’t know who poor Grace was, but she really didn’t want to hang around to find out. Closing her eyes, she concentrated all her power to teleport. It was a big nope, nada, zilch in the teleport department. So much for the mighty Thornes’ ability to counteract the Blockers.

  Someone bumped her side, and her eyes flew wide. Lin!

  Zhu Lin slowly spun toward her, and Spring backed against the wall.

  “She’s still here. Fan out.”

  Shit on a cracker!

  She tiptoed through the maze of guards, but the opening was small, and she doubted she would make a clean escape.

  “Show yourself, Ms. Thorne. You aren’t getting out of this room.”

  Most probably he was correct, but still, she eyed the distance from the atrium to the second floor. Did she dare attempt to scale it? The vines didn’t appear thick enough to climb, but she could take care of that easily enough. On the other hand, her fear of heights might paralyze her if she got too high.

  Once, when Spring was younger, she’d tried levitation. It hadn’t worked so well for her. Aunt GiGi had found her curled in a ball under her favorite tree, cradling her arm, afraid to tell what she’d done because young witches were forbidden to perform magic without an adult present. From that day forward, Spring possessed a fear of heights.

  “I’m losing my patience, Spring. Show yourself.”

  Not a fucking chance, asshole.

  Decision made, she sent a burst of magic to all the vines surrounding the atrium, and grabbed for the nearest one.

  “Ostende!” Lin commanded.

  All eyes turned to her where she balanced four feet above the ground. Where had that bastard gained the ability to utilize magic? A lesser witch?

  “Clever, girl.” Lin moved to stand beneath her. He made a slicing motion with his hand, and the vine fell from the wall. Spring landed in a heap at his feet. “But not clever enough.”