by Paige Stone
Emily felt disconnected as she paced her hotel room. It felt as though her feet didn’t quite touch the ground, like she was floating. The appeal of going to the main ballroom to listen to the last evening speaker had long ago disappeared. With Jake gone, probably 30,000 feet in the air by now, she had lost interest in what little remained of the convention.
Instead of listening to a speaker Emily decided to wander down to the lobby to get a drink. It wasn’t a long elevator ride, but by the time it reached the main floor, she had changed her mind yet again. Emily opted to take in a bit of the city.
In no time, with the convertible roof down, she was pulling her rental car onto Santa Monica Boulevard. Still feeling the heat of Jake’s touch, she was grateful for the light breeze. She toured down the boulevard and tried to take in the city and all of its bright lights.
Her eyes saw the sights, but her mind was firmly on Jake and his electric touch when the light turned green and she pulled into the intersection.
The car came out of nowhere. She had no warning, no intuition, and no chance to turn away before it ploughed into her.
Then blackness.
CHAPTER THREE
With only his carry-on, Jake was out of the terminal quickly and almost immediately met by a driver for the High Priestess. There were two others on the same flight so they all filed into the stretch limo that had pulled up to greet them. To their surprise Isisa herself sat in the back of the limousine.
“Please come in,” she motioned with a wave of her hand for the three of them to sit. “We have no time to waste. You will be back here very shortly then returning to your respective homes.” As she nodded, red curls spilled over her shoulder.
“In order to ensure complete privacy and utter discretion, I had to request your presence here.” The energy in the limo was charged; they all exchanged curious glances, waiting for whatever news the High Priestess had to share.
With her unreadable expression and piercing blue eyes, no one would have guessed Isisa’s level of anxiety. “You may have heard rumors,” she began to explain, “that there are some among us trying to design a new creature; a genetically perverted beast that is easily manipulated by humans and is without a soul.”
She looked around the limousine at the two men and one woman. She made direct eye contact with each of them; the best witches in her coven.
“I have asked you here to tell you personally that it is, in fact, true.” Her blue eyes clouded over as she furrowed her brow. “There are at least two rogue witches who claim to be very close,” she pinched her lips together, “too close, to manufacturing this new creature they are calling mowart. Apparently they are going to try and produce an army of them.” Isisa leaned back in her seat and placed her hand-carved, quartz-encrusted wand across her lap.
“You need to enlist the aid of whatever resources you have and move with haste,” she emphasized. “I’ve been assured they will stop at nothing. Neither will we.”
Jake carefully eyed the others to gauge their reaction, but they all shared the same shocked expression. There had been rumors for weeks, but it seemed so farfetched. No one actually believed anything would transpire.
“How dangerous would this creature be?” Jake asked the question he was sure each of them had running through their mind.
“It is a chimera bred with a vampire,” the High Priestess shook her head, “so not only highly unpredictable, but deadly by several methods. We must act quickly before they realize how much we know.” Isisa leaned forward and clutched her wand. “It is now in your capable hands. I ask that each of you do everything in your power to protect your Area and all those in it.”
“Where are these rogue witches located?” Simon, the witch with undoubtedly the biggest library of kick ass spells, asked Isisa.
“There have been conflicting reports. Some say Las Vegas, others have suggested San Diego or San Francisco.” She nodded to Simon, “You may want to utilize a locating spell.”
Kate, the only woman the High Priestess had requested, sat quietly in the limo squeezed between Simon and Jake. “Were they, by chance, at the conference?” Kate thought she had felt a dark vortex of energy in the air at one point during the conference, but she hadn’t been able to put her finger on it.
“I think so, but my people haven’t been able to confirm or deny that report yet.” The High Priestess closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. “I know it’s not a lot to work with, but I trust you will find a way.” She tapped the glass between her and the driver, signaling them to return to the airport.
Jake’s thoughts immediately went back to the two men that had been following Emily at the convention. He had no way of knowing if they had anything to do with the mowarts, but he was filled with regret at having to leave Emily at the hotel.
In no time the limo was right back at the airport. That was by far the shortest amount of time Jake had ever spent in Las Vegas. And the cheapest.
“I’m sorry to have called you out here for such a remarkably quick trip,” Isisa chose her words carefully. “We have yet to identify the rouge witches and at this point there are no means of communication I completely trust.” She tapped on the window one more time. “You know what needs to be done. Please bring them to me. Alive is preferable.” And with that the doors opened and they were escorted back into the airport terminal.
Jake’s mind was swimming with questions during the flight back to San Francisco. A new creature? An army of them? The implications of that possibility consumed his thoughts.
He pulled out his laptop and drafted up the carefully worded e-mail he would send to his list of contacts once he landed. His resources were deep and the High Priestess was aware of that. Jake knew it was one of the reasons he’d been chosen for this job. Being a specialized witch doctor, Jake had befriended many important and powerful witches and sorcerers over the years. It was now time for him to call in a few favors.
Within minutes of the private jet landing in San Francisco, he was in the backseat of a taxi. As he pulled out the cash to pay the driver, his fingers touched the now rumpled piece of paper Emily had given him with her number scrawled on it. He thought about calling her, but decided to wait. Jake knew the convention would just be winding down and he had entirely too much on his mind at the moment.
In the midst of all of the chaos running through his mind, he did manage to smile though. He honestly couldn’t wait to see her again, to pick up where they had left off. He’d call her in a couple of days once things calmed down. Hopefully by then this threat would be long over.
Once Jake was back in the comfort of his own place, he wasted no time in calling in those favors. These were people he knew could be trusted. People he wouldn’t think twice about risking his own life for. His next call was probably the most important. He punched Lochlan’s number into his phone. His friend was usually the hardest person to get in touch with, but the most likely to be able to help.
Lochlan was an unbelievably talented bounty hunter. He could find anything or anybody, but vampires happened to be his specialty.
Jake considered himself lucky when his friend picked up on the second ring. “Lochlan, buddy!”
He immediately launched into a conversation filled with code that only Lochlan would understand. “So, do you think you can help us out?”
Jake threw himself into the chair as he waited for Lochlan to answer, knowing that the safety of the High Priestess along with the rest of coven probably rested largely on his friend’s answer.
“Of course Jake,” Lochlan said easily. “Let me do some digging and see what I can uncover.”
“Look, I’m back at home in San Fran if you need to reach me.” Jake jumped up from his chair to pace his apartment. “Any information would help us out. Oh, and Lochlan,” Jake hesitated for just a moment. “She wants them brought to her alive.”
“Alright, alright.” Lochlan laughed off the not so veiled insinuation. “Once I find out where those little bastards are hid
ing, I’ll go easy on them.”
“Keep me posted...and thanks again.” Jake hung up and started to dial a couple more allies.
It was well after one o’clock in the morning when he finally fell into bed. His last thought was of Emily before he succumbed to exhaustion.
Jake awoke with a start. It was going to be another busy day. He phoned his assistant, Nancy, and cancelled all his appointments for the day. He needed to follow up with Simon and Kate to see if there had been any progress to report.
Simon had done his locating spell and was surprised to discover that the two witches appeared to be on their way to San Francisco. Kate was following up on the mowarts, but there was no sign of them yet.
After the quick update Jake slammed back a cup of coffee then jumped into a cool shower. It wasn’t long before he was back on the phone. This time with Lochlan.
“Well, tracking them was a little easier than I expected.” Lochlan took a gulp of his own coffee he’d been surviving on all night. “It seems two black magic witches are the masterminds behind this new invention.” The bounty hunter gave Jake all the information he had gathered. “I was able to track them from the convention in Santa Monica back to your neck of the woods, my friend.”
“So they are here?” Jake nodded his head. “Someone else thought they were moving this way. Why San Francisco?” He asked, not really expecting an answer.
“I don’t know, but I aim to find out.” With that, Lochlan hung up the phone.
Jake’s mind was spinning with questions again. What the hell are they doing here? His thoughts immediately went to Emily. He needed to call her, he wanted to make sure those two hadn’t bothered her again after he left. But first he needed to call Isisa.
His conversation with the High Priestess was brief and continued to be filled with coded words as he passed along all of the latest developments.
His next call was to Emily. She wasn’t home so he left a message. He physically ached to see her again. In the midst of all of this madness he had needed to put aside his intense desire to touch her once more, but that didn’t make the longing disappear. And it wasn’t going to stop him from trying her again later.
The remainder of the day was filled with endless calls, cryptic e-mails and texts. The pace was frantic, but with no new developments. And that was how each day went for well over a week. Still no closer to apprehending the two witches or even discovering if a mowart even existed, the frustration was evident in everyone’s voice.
Jake tried Emily’s number again; still no answer. It was the third time he called and it was the second message he’d left. And it would be his last. If she didn’t feel the same way he did, so be it. Jake wasn’t going to beg her to go out with him, even if part of him wanted to. There was no way his pride would allow him to stoop that low.
The ball was in her court. He stared at the phone, willing it to ring. Nothing. Annoyed with himself, he shook his head and walked away. Damn it!
He was only a step away when it rang. His heart lifted when he saw Emily’s number on the call display.
“Hello.” He tried to sound casual but was sure he failed.
“Is this Jake Wheeler?” It was a woman’s voice, but not Emily’s.
“It is. Who’s calling?” Jake’s heart was beating fast. Something was wrong.
“This is Amelia Pierce. I’m Emily’s mom,” she explained. “I was just picking up some clothes for Emily and collecting her messages.” She paused for a moment, not entirely sure of how to continue.
So intense was his sense of disaster, in that moment Jake felt certain his heart would crack in half.
“I don’t know if you’re aware... Emily has been in an accident?”
“Accident? No, what accident?” His chest exploded with anxiety as he melted into the chair. He wanted to ask more questions, but his mouth had gone completely dry.
“She was involved in quite a bad accident in Santa Monica.” Amelia explained. “She’s been staying at our place while she recovers.”
Jake interrupted her, “Is she okay?” He stammered over his words as they rushed out of his mouth.
“Yes, yes, she’s going to be fine,” Amelia assured Jake. “But I think…I think perhaps there might be something you can help with.” She hoped her sister was right; she hoped she had the right man.
“Are you THE Jake Wheeler; the doctor?” She needed to make sure this was the same Jake Wheeler her sister, Isisa, had told her about. She didn’t want to look foolish or embarrass herself or her daughter.
“I am.” Jake confirmed. “What is it you think I can do?” He asked, the fog in his brain starting to clear.
“Emily has been experiencing some amnesia since the accident,” she started to explain, but Jake interrupted again.
“Amnesia? How bad is it?” The question was barely out of his mouth before Jake realized the reason Emily hadn’t called him back. The guilt was he felt for almost giving up on her was as immediate as it was overwhelming.
“Unfortunately there is a lot she can’t remember.” Amelia’s heavy-hearted sadness was evident in her tone, “but amnesia is not her only issue. It appears she has lost her…her magic.”
Relieved, Jake let out deep sigh. “I can help. I can absolutely help,” He said with certainty. “Can you get her in for an appointment?”
“I will try.” Amelia nodded to herself, thankful she had made the call. “But I have to tell you she’s been a bit apprehensive to go anywhere recently.”
“You just get her to me and I’ll help to restore her powers.” Jake knew he was capable of that. But what if she doesn’t remember me? The disturbing thought interrupted him. Would I be able to forget about her? He wasn’t sure he had that kind of power.
“Please call my office and set up an appointment with Nancy as soon as you can. And Amelia,” Jake said thoughtfully. “Thank you for calling.”
Amelia’s voice caught in her throat. “I just really hope you can help her. I will talk to her tonight,” she promised. “Thank you.”
For the first time in days, Amelia smiled. Filled with hope, she allowed herself to believe that her daughter would make a full recovery.
CHAPTER FOUR
Emily swung her car into the parking lot of the unassuming building. She studied the address to make sure she had the right place. There was no lettering on the building, no windows in the front or on the side where she parked. There was a lot she couldn’t remember, but she knew it was completely out of character for her to feel so uncertain.
She looked at the address again; the numbers on the building matched the piece of paper in her hand so she unfolded herself from the car and made her way in.
She hated these memory lapses she’d been having since the accident. There were huge voids in her life that she just couldn’t retrieve. It was as if great chunks of time had simply vanished.
She knew who she was, she recognized her friends and family and knew she worked at her family’s herbal supply store - so she didn’t have complete amnesia. But there were gaping holes in her more recent past, and her ability to create magic had completely disappeared. A fairly embarrassing admission for a witch.
She hoped listening to her mom was going to pay off. Both her mom and aunt had raved about Jake the witch doctor. As she opened the heavy steel doors and entered the sparse reception area, she really hoped Jake lived up to his reputation.
“You must be Emily.” A lovely young woman welcomed her from behind a desk.
Emily assumed she was a secretary. She was beautiful and seemed confident and Emily was instantly jealous. She missed the confidence she knew she had once carried with ease. She wanted it back, which of course, was why she was there.
Her mom had told her repeatedly that Jake Wheeler was the master at not only getting people to recall lost memories, but also helping them to reawaken their diminished magical gifts. It hadn’t taken too much persuasion for Emily to make the call.
The young woman stepped out from behin
d the beautiful, crescent moon shaped desk. “I’m Nancy, follow me.”
Her smile was genuine and Emily felt just a little guilty for her jealousy as she followed Nancy down the hallway and into a small office off to the right. It was as inconspicuous as the exterior of the building. “Jake will be right with you.”
“Thank you.” Emily looked around the office then sat in the black high-back chair across from the desk.
She tried to get a feel for the room. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and tried to feel something - anything. But nothing came. She felt empty inside. For over a week the emptiness had consumed her. No electricity pulsing through her veins, no intuition whispering in her mind. There was just an endless stream of questions with no answers in sight. So now she was here to see the witch doctor.
She sat up a little straighter when she heard papers being shuffled on the other side of the door. She took another deep breath and hoped for the best as the door opened.
Emily was familiar with the term ‘time stood still’, but she’d never experienced it – until now. For just a moment her heart fluttered and everything appeared to stop.
Well that’s something I’m fairly sure I haven’t felt in awhile, she thought as her heart righted itself. It might not be magic, but it was something – something pure and simple that felt magical.
Jake entered the room and smiled at Emily. His deep brown eyes studied her for a moment before he sat at his desk. It took an enormous amount of effort to pretend she was a stranger to him.
Emily felt her pulse begin to race. Why are my hands getting clammy? Why is he staring at me so intently? She wanted to ponder these questions more, but Jake didn’t give her any time.
“So, I understand you’ve been in an accident.” He opened the folder in front of him and gave it a quick scan. He perused the papers for appearances only; he’d already memorized all of the information in the small file.
Jake knew Emily had no memory of him or their time in Santa Monica, but that didn’t stop him from taking in her unrivaled beauty and remembering the very moment she had stepped into his life. Now he needed to see if he could unearth that same memory for Emily.
