Slumping in his seat, Dave shook his head. “Yeah, you told me. Get over it. We went to a seer in Scotland. She was the one who confirmed you were dead. She doesn’t know how you can come back to life. It’s something we need to investigate.”
“Let’s get to it then,” I said, trying to get my muscles to move.
“You’re not going anywhere yet. Your mother just channelled the ley line into you again, forging your connection to make sure the magic filled you. However, she noticed something wasn’t quite right. She didn’t question it, but it’s your mother, a leader of Paranormal MI5, so she will.”
Finally lifting my arm to look at him, I sighed heavily. “What else? How did I end up fighting the serial killer?”
Sitting forward, Dave leant his elbows on the bed. “We went to a book convention.”
“We did? You? And me?”
Gritting his teeth, Dave glared at me. “Yes, we did. There, you had a run in with a man in a demon mask.”
Frowning, I rubbed my arm absentmindedly. “Did I get any books signed? No, sorry, a demon mask?”
“Yes, keep your pretty little head on the task at hand, Agent.” Dave’s emphasis on the word agent made me stare at him. He was right, I wasn’t in work mode.
“You tried to attack him, he didn’t want to fight, so he disappeared. He’s very powerful. We ran into him again outside a pub when he killed a teenager inside.”
A lump came to my throat. A teenager had lost his life because we’d failed to catch a man in a demon mask? That wasn’t acceptable.
“He disappeared again. Apparently, he doesn’t want to kill you. Well, that’s not true, he wants to end all Essex witches, but he must have the hots for you because he wouldn’t fight.”
“Yeah, demon mask-”
“Oh, yes,” he blurted, stopping me mid-sentence. “Joseph Cambridge used a bunch of witches to summon a demon from hell.”
“What the fuck?” Ahh, why couldn’t I get off the bloody bed? Frustration gnawed at my insides as my body squirmed. I needed to get up. My memory had to come back. I just...
Dave took my hand and squeezed my fingers. “The Hunted Witch Agency team sent it back, but it was a motherfucker. And, it wanted you. So, Joseph is being hunted for questioning. The killer struck again, in a shopping centre, so we all went. A young man who claimed to be the killer was on the roof, so you went up. He obviously wasn’t the killer. He jumped...”
My gaze shot to him, my eyes widening. He held up his free hand, his head shaking. “It’s okay, he survived. However, the killer must have turned up. When we managed to break the roof door, we found you on the ground, and a weird patch on the gravel nearby.”
“A patch?” I asked, my heartbeat increasing tenfold.
“Don’t get excited. There had been blood there, so you must have hit him somehow, but he’d magically wiped it clean. We couldn’t get any of his DNA. He left his magic, like he had at the crime scenes, but there’s still no match.”
My head pressed into the pillow, my eyes squeezed shut as I tried to remember everything he was telling me. I was dead. I’d been chasing a serial killer. My mother had helped me to come out of a coma.
“Does my mother know I’m dead?” For some reason, a chill ran through me.
As much as my mother loved me, she was dedicated to Paranormal MI5. If they knew about my weakness, they would most certainly take me out of the field. Or, even worse, fire me altogether.
“No, we told her about the serial killer having his own connection to the ley line. She wants a meeting with you as soon as you’re fit enough.”
Of course she did. It didn’t matter that her daughter was in a coma, as long as she came out of it and got on with her job.
“There’s something else,” Dave said, his tense tone making me open my eyes to look at him. “When you were down, we had a lead for Joseph Cambridge.”
“The man who summoned a demon?”
I’d read about demons in my fantasy books. Yeah, human authors knew more about the paranormal world than they realised. And, yet, demons were never summoned to Earth. Until now.
“Yeah, that’s the one. An anonymous letter came from a vampire.”
Not bothering the attempt to sit up, I nodded quickly. “Okay, what did it say?”
Pulling a face, Dave held his hands up in surrender. “That the reason the demon was summoned was to help in a ritual to end you for good.”
Chapter 2
Although my legs were unsteady at first, they quickly grew stronger. The others had insisted that I stay in the infirmary, but I was ready to go home. I needed my bed, my books, my sanctuary.
“Are you okay, Bella?” Brianna chimed as I crept through the corridors of the agency building.
Not many people manned the place considering it had tight security. Even the infirmary was empty of nurses because there usually weren’t any patients. I’d managed to trick my team into believing that one or other of them were taking care of me, sending them all home.
Holding the phone to my ear, I took a deep breath. “I’m fine. I just wanted to check you were well?”
I’d been in recovery for two days. In that time, the team had caught me up to speed. Even letting me know that I’d been on a fake date with a vampire friend of Brianna’s. A part of me assumed they were making that one up. Why the hell would I go on a date? Especially with a vampire. My book boyfriends were company enough.
“I’m fine, my lovely friend. Archie told me all about your date. Said he quite fancied you, but that you didn’t give him the same vibe. Did you not like him?”
So, this was the first contact I’d had with my friend since the date. Interesting, considering I was slightly concerned about Archie’s motives. According to the others, anyway.
“I can’t see me with a vampire somehow, can you?”
Her sigh was audible down the phone. My palms started to sweat as I pushed my back straight and strode into the lobby. The night duty guard nodded in my direction as I forced myself to stay calm. He was used to seeing me leave late at night. Well, when I was working, anyway. Hopefully no one had told him to keep an eye out for me.
“No, I suppose not. It’s a shame, I want you to find someone wonderful.” Her thick Spanish accent made her sound all sultry, but her fierce vampire traits made her harsh to be around sometimes.
“Yeah, yeah,” I muttered, waving at the guard as I pushed through the revolving door. “I know you do. However, the right man will come when it’s the right time and all that rubbish.”
As soon as my boots hit the concrete path, I let out my breath and quickly turned towards my home. It wasn’t too far from the building, so at least I wouldn’t have to trek for miles. My energy was much better, but it wasn’t quite fully restored.
Brianna’s snort made me smile. She was so dramatic, but I actually loved my friend. As the only friend I allowed into my life outside work.... Who was I kidding? I had no friends in work either ... she didn’t even know that I was an agent.
“If you believe that, chica, you believe that. Sometimes we need to give love a little nudge.”
A sudden tingling at the back of my neck make my footsteps slow. I’d been rushing, trying to get away from the MI5 building, just in case they tried to force me to go back. However, as I rounded into the next street, I got a deep gut feeling that someone was following me.
“I have to go,” I breathed into the phone. “I’ll call you later.”
Hanging up, I ignored the guilt that flashed through me every time I lied to my friend. I wouldn’t call her later. It would take me days to check in with her again. Although, Dave had assured me that he’d put surveillance on her house to keep her safe.
My senses went into overdrive as I looked up the street and then behind me. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears as I kept my stance ready, but my strides long. I had to get home.
“You’re lucky to be alive,” a masculine voice called.
Spinning, I searched the area, trying to
find the source of the voice. My gaze ran over houses, front doors, pathways, but none revealed the man who had been following me.
“Who are you?” I called, my confidence low.
If I had my memories, I’d know what the serial killer’s voice sounded like. I would be able to make sure that I was ready for his onslaught, although, I would be pushing it. My magic had slowly returned, but using it would be risky considering how much I needed to get well again.
A chuckle echoed around the empty street. The darkness grew heavier as goose bumps popped up all over my skin. I’d never felt so vulnerable in my life. Usually, I could outwit anyone. I could fight them, take them down, before they’d even blinked.
“I know I keep my identity well, but you’ve surely got some inkling?”
Where was he? Searching around me more urgently as the voice moved, I reached into my holster and pulled out my gun. My dagger was in its pocket too, but my physical prowess was a challenge right now. I would have to try to shoot the bugger. It must be the serial killer.
Tucking my hair behind my ear, I went still. Feeling into the ley line, I pulled gently, my heartbeat decreasing very slightly when magic rushed into me. It was the first time it had come so freely since I’d awoken.
“Ignoring me won’t make me go away. I can feel every time you access the line’s magic. I drained it from you, are you not afraid of me?” The voice suddenly cleared, coming from directly behind me.
Swiping my arm back, I grunted when my elbow went straight into something. He laughed at the same time as he groaned. Spinning, I used the butt of my gun to smash into his jaw. Well, the demon mask jaw.
The others had shown me pictures of the mask, but even though he still wore one, I didn’t recognise it. Shit, I really had lost my memory. I was literally moving on instinct.
“I’m not afraid of you,” I pushed through my teeth as he circled away.
My lungs strained as I tried to get my breath under control. He hadn’t tried to retaliate in a physical fight. Why was that?
As he stood in front of me, he laughed loudly, throwing his head back. “I love playing games with you. It’s so much fun.”
“You want me dead. So, why not end me now?”
If I was honest with myself, he would be able to take me down. I couldn’t deny that he was much stronger than me in that moment. My weakness was a curse that I had never believed I’d endure. No wonder Kate had always encouraged me to train in combat.
“I cannot end you quite yet. Things have to be in perfect alignment, my sweet Essex witch.”
Clenching my fists, I ran for him. He didn’t move, allowing me to gain on him. Shouting a freezing spell, I forced all my magic into it. His black steel-capped boots instantly covered in ice, spreading out to the surrounding concrete, affectively trapping him.
Propelling myself forward, I threw my fist into his cheek. His head snapped back, the demon mask flying half off his face. Reaching for it, I screamed when he caught my wrist and twisted. My other fist ploughed into his ribs, the metal of the gun clenched between my fingers making something crack. His howl was followed by the weakening of his grip. He wasn’t as strong now, was he?
The mask had revealed a square jaw covered in ginger bristles. That was all I could see before he shoved the mask back on with a curse.
Managing to rip away from him, I stumbled until my feet were steady. Sucking in as much magic as possible, I threw it at him, the energy turning to tiny blades of ice. They pounded into him, causing him to fly back to the ground. Weakened, he groaned.
“Don’t...” I huffed as my legs grew wobbly. “...mess...” Shit, my energy was gone, I had to leave. “...with me.”
Turning before he could get up, I mustered the last amount of magic I had and flashed to my front door. Rooting in my pocket with incredibly shaky hands, I sucked in a sob as I tugged out a key. It was in the lock, the door opened, slammed shut and relocked within a second.
“What the fuck?” I cried to myself.
Careening through the hall, I went up the stairs on my hands and knees. The carpet rubbed my palms as I pushed on, determined to get to safety. I was safe. My home was safe. I would always be safe.
My phone burst into noise as I made it to the top of the stairs. Ignoring it, I used the wall to keep me upright as I went to my room. As soon as the door was closed, I collapsed on my double bed.
“Leave me alone,” I whispered as the phone rang again.
Staring up at the ceiling as I got my breath back, I studied the book posters. Yes, when I’d been allowed my freedom, I’d instantly moved in to my own place. I was eighteen at the time, which meant I still stuck posters on my ceiling. Maybe it was time to grow up considering Twilight had gone completely out of fashion.
Unable to stand the incessant ringing of my phone, I took it out and looked at the name. Great, Dave.
“Hello?”
“I’m at your front door, let me in.”
“No.”
His angry sigh puffed down the phone. As if I would allow him to berate me when I had almost died. Okay, maybe not, but still.
“Gemma,” he said, clearly trying to be patient, and failing. “You shouldn’t be out of the infirmary yet. The doctor wanted you to be monitored for another day.”
“Leave me alone.”
The pathetic words rang in my ears, the weak sound of my voice making the skin on my arms heat.
“No.”
His insistence was irritating, but it was also the kick up the arse I needed. Flicking my fingers, I released the lock on the front door, unable to move from the bed. He hung up, obviously hearing that I’d allowed him access to my home. For the first time ever.
The thudding of his footsteps made me close my eyes, grab the nearest pillow and hold it over my face. When the door opened, I didn’t even bother to move it.
“I knew you liked your books, but I didn’t know you were a teen in a woman’s body. Jeez.”
Launching the pillow at his head, I sat up and screamed. Loud. Okay, so it didn’t help that I was acting like a teen either. He stood there, his face expressionless, the pillow caught in his hand. Why did he have to be so grown up?
Seeing my bedroom as if I’d just walked in for the first time, I could understand why he’d made the comment. Still, it bristled that he criticised my home.
“I need to take the posters down,” I muttered as I lay back on the bed.
Slowly, he took a cautionary step towards the bed. I had no fight left in me. My brain was lost. So very lost. I didn’t even protest when he motioned for me to move over, which for some crazy reason, I did. Lowering himself onto the bed, he laid next to me. The muscles of my body froze. I had a man in my bed. Okay, so we were currently staring up at a ceiling full of book posters, not exactly romantic, but I still had a man in my bed.
“It’s time for me to grow up,” I blurted.
His arm moved to bury under my neck, his other hand very gently guiding me to lay on his chest. My cheek rested on the black T-shirt, right on his pec. It was a very hard pec, although strangely comforting.
“You’ve been through a trauma, you must allow yourself some time.”
Always diplomatic, Dave the desk friend. He sat behind a desk most of the time because his lack of magic made him unpredictable in the field. As an illusionist witch, he could take magic from any source and cast spells that most people couldn’t. Technically, he was a trickster. When a spell was cast by an illusionist, it was rarely real.
“When did you find out that you had no magic?”
My question made his chest expand as he sucked in a breath. What was wrong with me? Did feeling vulnerable myself make me want him to feel it too? I needed a brain transplant. I knew that, just from the fact that I was allowing Dave to cuddle me on my bed without even telling him about the fight that had just occurred.
“My parents realised when I grabbed my father’s hand once, burning him as I unconsciously stole some of his magic. They took me to their co
ven leader. He tried to get me to do a spell, but I couldn’t. I was six. He then asked me to take his hand, his eyes instantly glaring when I took some of his magic by accident.”
Although Dave’s voice was strong, his breath was shallower than usual. The pain that laced his tone filtered into my chest, piercing my heart. I couldn’t even imagine being a witch who didn’t have their own magic. It was the ultimate failure according to our elders.
“Have you suffered?” I whispered, lifting my head to look at him.
Avoiding my gaze, he moved his head up and down, just barely. The clench of his jaw was testament to what he’d endured. Those brooding moments that I’d so often been curious about had obviously been triggered by his past.
“I’m sorry.”
Briefly looking at me, he scowled before he pushed off the bed. I laid back, taking a deep breath as I tried to rebuild my energy. Okay, I’d dug too deep. I would allowed the distance because I wouldn’t have liked it if he’d pried too hard with me.
“I just encountered demon face,” I muttered.
“What?” Dave had been about to leave the room, but he stopped, his neck twisting to look back at me. “When?”
“In the street, on the way home from Paranormal MI5.”
The growl low in his chest made me wince. Yes, he had every right to be angry. I’d put myself at unnecessary risk.
“What did he want?”
Clearing my throat, I glanced at him. “He said something that was very interesting.”
My desk friend’s interest was piqued. One eyebrow raised as he turned and crossed his thick arms over his chest. “Well?”
Staring at the ceiling, I traced one of the posters with my eyes. Outlander. A series about a woman who travelled back in time when touching a standing stone.
“He said that things had to be in perfect alignment before he killed me.”
Frowning, Dave stared at me. I’d thought that what the killer had said was cryptic nonsense, but he’d actually given me a clue.
“He’s going to do a ritual of some sort. I bet he wants to kill me on an important Pagan holiday to enable him to drain the ley line of all magic.”
Spells & Life Page 2
