Magick and Mischief (Warlocks MacGregor Book 7)

by Michelle M. Pillow

  “I mean…” Andrea lifted her hands to her side and shrugged.

  “Ya mean ya are in love with my son,” Margareta said with a nod. “I’ll forgive ya for your willfulness. I respect a woman who will fight for her man.”

  “He’s not my… I mean, we haven’t talked about…” Andrea appeared flustered. “I mean I could, maybe, someday. We just met, but there are dreams, and—”

  “So ya don’t love—”

  “We’re in danger,” Andrea cut his ma off. “There is a phantom following me, or something pretending to be a phantom. She’s outside and I don’t know what she wants. It’s not a normal spirit.”

  Margareta went to the window and looked out. “I don’t see anything. Maybe ya should calm down. Come, I’ll get ya a cup of tea.”

  “It’s not there now, but it is here, somewhere. I don’t know what it wants, but I get the sense it’s not to say hello and come by for a friendly cup of tea,” Andrea insisted.

  “It’s probably just Jewel. For whatever reason, she wants ya here. Ya said ya were brought by portal, well, there ya go. Raibeart probably told her a scary story and she invented a phantom to chase ya here.”

  Margareta might have tried to sound reasonable, but Kenneth knew his ma well enough to know she was irritated. If Jewel hadn’t trapped Andrea at the house, it was possible his mother would have shown the woman the door.

  “I’ll have a talk with my granddaughter about this and get to the bottom of what’s happening, but I would remind ya that you’re the nanny. It is your job to take care of her, not to dictate how I run my home.”

  “I thought this was everyone’s home—” The words barely left her lips. A bright light flashed and Andrea disappeared.

  Margareta gasped and looked around. She placed her hand on her hips as she stared down at her son. “Well, that was a little rude.”

  He couldn’t defend Andrea or go after her, but he knew she didn’t disappear on purpose.

  “I don’t mean to…” His mother rubbed her eyes. “I know I’m…”

  Kenneth waited, trying to listen while she muttered to herself.

  “Family is the only thing that matters. Losing a child was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to endure,” Margareta said. “And ya wanting to take that baby away from me…” Her eyes were moist when she looked down at him but she didn’t let the tears spill over. “I can’t go through the pain of losing ya again. If ya leave and don’t come back… If I don’t hear from…”

  Margareta pressed her lips tightly together and shook her head, as if pushing her feelings aside. Kenneth willed her to check on Andrea, but his ma didn’t leave.

  “Now, what is this about danger outside in the garden?” She went to the window where Andrea had been moments before and looked out. Kenneth stared at the ceiling, willing his eyelids to thaw enough so he could at least blink.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Out of every place she could have materialized after being flashed from Margareta’s anger, into a giant bubble floating around the front hall of the MacGregor mansion was not even on the list of imagined possibilities.

  Yet, here Andrea was.

  In a freaking iridescent bubble.

  Over the polished marble.

  She was terrified of touching the sides or moving around too much. The sphere swirled, the sides the same color as the carnival glass Florence collected. What if it popped? That was a long drop to the hard floor below.

  “Oh, hey, Andrea.” Rory passed under her bubble and gave a small wave at her on his way out the door.

  “Rory, wait—” she called out but he didn’t stop.

  Her elbow bumped the edge of her prison, but instead of popping it sent her slowly drifting. The soft pinks and purples swirled on the transparent surface.

  “Andrea, has Rory passed through here?” Erik stood by the rail. His skin was no longer blue.

  She automatically pointed toward the front door. “Yes, but—”

  “Thanks.” Erik ran down the stairs, his heavy footsteps loud. He went to the door and shouted, “Rory! Get back here. Give me that phone. If ya post that picture, I swear I’ll—”

  The door slammed shut behind him.

  Andrea tapped her hand on the bubble, trying to get it to drift closer to the floor. Her stomach did little flips at the height.

  “Andrea, did—” Euann appeared where Erik had been moments before.

  “Rory and Erik ran outside, but before you chase after them get me out of this bubble!” Andrea tapped her hands against the sides. She was beginning to feel a little lightheaded and wondered if oxygen wasn’t getting through the translucent walls.

  Euann arched a brow. “I was going to ask if ya saw Iain—”

  A large eagle buzzed past Euann’s head.

  “Found him!” Euann yelled.

  Murdoch and Raibeart ran in after the bird. Murdoch carried a large net. Raibeart brought a blow dart. Their kilts swished dramatically against their knees as they took fighting poses.

  “Call Jane,” Murdoch ordered. “Tell her Iain’s in flight.”

  “Come back here, chicken boy,” Raibeart yelled at the bird.

  “Fly Uncle Chin-ken!” Jewel ran after Raibeart.

  “Why did ya tell her about that?” Murdoch slapped Raibeart’s arm.

  “It was story time,” Raibeart defended.

  Andrea hit the side of her bubble harder to get their attention. Each breath felt more difficult than the last.

  “Move over, love.” Raibeart lifted his blow dart and tried to aim around her. The eagle swooped over her, then under.

  Murdoch leaned over the rail and swiped his net. It bumped her bubble and she began to spin.

  The front door opened. The image of Erik running in holding a phone passed her vision. His clothes were tousled as if he’d fought his cousin.

  “Got it,” Erik announced.

  “Shut the door!” Murdoch and Raibeart hollered in unison.

  “Uncle Chicken on the loose,” Raibeart added.

  Erik slammed the door shut. Andrea saw him looking up from below.

  “Iain?” Erik yelled. “What are ya doing? Get down. Did someone call Jane and tell her to retrieve her dumbass husband?”

  “Did it,” Euann answered. “She’s on her way.”

  “I got this.” Raibeart held the blow dart to his mouth and tilted his head to follow the eagle.

  “Shit!” Jewel called.

  “Did she say…?” Euann asked.

  “Shift, little one,” Raibeart corrected, not taking his lips from the weapon.

  “Shif’!” Jewel giggled. She pointed her finger at Euann.

  “No!” The sound barely made it past Euann’s lips before his body became compact and morphed. Fur sprouted on Euann’s face. Sharp small teeth filled his mouth. Within moments, a gray fox ran from where Euann once stood.

  “What? Euann?” Erik asked in confusion as his brother darted down the stairs.

  “Shif’!” Jewel pointed at Erik.

  “Stop her,” Murdoch ordered. He ran after Euann only to stop at the bottom of the stairs as Euann continued into the dining room.

  Erik dropped the phone. Andrea watched from above as he tilted his head back. She could see his transformation better than she had Euann’s. His eyes glowed. Fur grew from his flesh. An awful cracking noise sounded as his jaw displaced. He made a loud noise as his hands lifted. Fingers widened into paws. The sound changed from the cry of a man to an animal’s growl.

  “Sorry, laddie.” Murdoch tossed his hand in Erik’s direction. Yellow lights erupted around Erik, freezing him into place.

  “Kitty!” Jewel appeared next to Erik clapping her hands. His vicious mouth was opened wide but it didn’t scare the child as she began petting his head. “Nice kitty.”

  “What is all the commotion?” Margareta appeared in the doorway.

  Andrea motioned at Raibeart, holding her throat as she choked for air. He turned his blow dart on her, popping the balloon. Oxyge
n rushed in and she gasped, even as her body plummeted toward the hard marble below.

  “Murdoch,” Raibeart shouted.

  “On it.” Murdoch appeared below her. He held up his hands, padding her fall with a rush of blue light before catching her in his arms. “There we go.” He laid her gently on the floor. “Safe and sound. Take a moment and catch your breath.”

  “Iain get down here at once,” Margareta ordered the bird.

  “Jewel? Where did ya put Andrea?” Kenneth appeared behind his mother. His movements were stiff. The lipstick had stained his face.

  “I’m fine,” Andrea croaked, breathing heavily. She still felt dizzy but was thankful to be on the ground.

  Iain swooped his mother as she continued to yell at him.

  “Jane is on her way,” Murdoch assured Margareta while going to stop Jewel from climbing on top of the kitty’s back. He lifted her into the air. The child squealed with delight. “That’s enough of that, dear heart.”

  “Iain, I said get down here.” Margareta held out her arm to create a perch for her son.

  “Da, shif’!” Jewel commanded, wiggling to be set down. Murdoch adjusted her in his arms.

  Kenneth touched his chest, rubbing his hand over the scars beneath his shirt. “Jewel, ya are not to—”

  Jewel giggled. A soft glow came from where she touched Murdoch’s cheek. Murdoch paled. Jewel’s skin shimmered.

  “Da, shif’!” she repeated.

  Andrea stood from the floor.

  Kenneth’s eyes met hers in a panic. He pressed his hand flat to his chest. His skin reddened and swelled like an allergic reaction. He took several deep breaths, his chest puffing further with each intake of air. As his body widened, he lost about a foot of height.

  “Incoming! Hide the breakables,” Raibeart yelled from above.

  Kenneth’s eyes didn’t leave hers, even as they changed shape. His nose and mouth elongated. His arms and legs became thick with muscle. Brown fur covered the distended flesh.

  Murdoch fell to his knees, managing to put Jewel on her feet before he tipped over on his side. Margareta ran to Murdoch, cradling his head as she studied his face.

  Kenneth transformed into a giant brown bear. He lifted his head and roared, an ugly raw sound that shot terror through Andrea.

  “Rar!” Jewel swung her head back, mimicking her father.

  The child started to go toward the bear. Andrea sprang into action. She darted for Jewel, sweeping her up with one arm as she ran toward the stairs. Jewel squealed, clearly unaware of any danger.

  As they reached the top of the stairs, Andrea glanced back. Kenneth had started to follow them. His paws were on the staircase as he looked up. Erik remained frozen. Murdoch sat on the floor holding his head. It appeared as if Jewel had drained him of his magick. Iain soared around the ceiling. Euann was nowhere to be seen.

  Raibeart appeared next to Andrea and whispered to her, “Phoenixes are playful little things, aren’t they? All mayhem and madness.”

  “Jewel,” Andrea said sternly, “no more shifts. Turn everyone back.”

  The child’s smile fell.

  “Jewel, do it or you’ll have to go into time out.” Andrea wasn’t sure how she’d put a magickal toddler in time out, but it was worth a try.

  “I don’t think she knows what that is,” Raibeart said.

  Jewel tried to smile at her. Andrea forced her expression to stay firm. It wasn’t difficult considering there was a bear on the staircase.

  “Raibeart, get her bracelets,” Andrea said.

  Raibeart gave a small salute before running to—hopefully—do as she asked.

  “Playtime is over,” Andrea stated. She put the girl on her feet and held her arms at her sides so she couldn’t point at anyone else.

  Jewel’s eyes teared a little and her smile fell. A glow of magick caught Andrea’s attention. Iain dove for the floor, landing as he became human once more. Erik returned to his human self, but remained in the cat’s pose, still frozen. Andrea turned to the stairs. Kenneth stared up at her, his lips parted as if he wasn’t sure what to say. The orange-red lipstick was gone.

  “Here.” Raibeart returned, handing Andrea the bracelets.

  She slipped them over the girl’s ankles as she’d seen Kenneth do. Even with the bent metal they were still too big.

  “Thank you, Jewel,” Andrea said.

  Euann appeared in human form in the dining room door. Everyone looked back to normal for the most part excerpt for Murdoch who remained seated on the marble floor.

  “Euann, get Cait,” Margareta ordered. “Tell her that her husband needs to borrow some of her magick.”

  “Andrea, how…?” Kenneth came to the top of the stairs.

  Andrea cradled Jewel in her arms and stood. She was careful to keep the bracelets on the girl’s legs. To Kenneth, she said, “This is insanity. You need smaller bracelets for her. This family cannot be held hostage to the whims of a toddler. There is a real danger trying to get into this house. What would happen if it chose to attack two minutes ago?”

  “She’s never done anything quite on this scale before,” Kenneth said. “We weren’t telling her that some of us were shifters. I don’t know how she found out.” He frowned, looking past Andrea to Raibeart. “What did ya do?”

  “Story time?” Raibeart gave a small shrug.

  “Uncle Chin-ken fly,” Jewel informed her father.

  “I think it’s time to play the sleeping game.” Kenneth approached. Andrea studied his hands, unable to help thinking of the paws. “See if you can beat me—”

  Jewel relaxed in her arms, instantly asleep.

  “Ma, is Murdoch all right?” Kenneth asked.

  “Just a little drained,” Margareta answered. “Nothing Cait can’t heal.”

  “How do we get smaller bracelets?” Andrea insisted.

  “Trina.” Kenneth frowned. “Jewel’s grandmother.”

  “The mountain witch?” Andrea clarified.

  Kenneth nodded.

  “Then that is who we need to talk to,” Andrea said.

  “I haven’t been able to get ahold of her.” Kenneth took Jewel from Andrea’s arms and carried the child toward her bedroom. “I’ve tried. I’ve left messages. I’ve even mailed her a letter. She’s not exactly one ya can call on the phone for a chat.”

  “Then we go to her,” Andrea stated. She didn’t follow him to Jewel’s bedroom as he went to lay the child down.

  Andrea looked from the balcony at the people below. Cait sat by her husband, running her hands over his chest as he lay on the floor. The woman leaned on her hip with her ankles crossed to the side. The prim and proper lady couldn’t have been comfortable in her A-line skirt and blouse.

  “When you’re done with him, you can take the house arrest off Kenneth,” Andrea called down to Cait. They’d briefly met when she came to get Jewel for a picture. She seemed proper and polite, but beyond that Andrea didn’t get much of a read off the woman.

  Margareta opened her mouth as if to protest.

  “It’s not up for discussion,” Andrea preempted. The fact that her lover had just turned into a bear was still freaking her out. She waved her hand to encompass the hall. “This nonsense cannot happen again.”

  “It’s only a little magick,” Margareta dismissed, as if such things were a common occurrence. “She’s playful. All magickal children are.”

  She eyed the family as they stared at her. Even Murdoch, shaky and pale, wore the same expression. They thought this was normal. What kind of life did they live to think being transformed into an animal at the whim of a toddler was normal? Or being put in a bubble? Or flying with plaid wings? Or kidnapping people through portals, if that’s who had done it?

  “You may think it’s cute now, but what happens when she’s a rebellious teenager? When hormones rush in?” Andrea couldn’t imagine what she would have done as an angsty teenager if she’d been able to bend everyone to her will. She could guarantee that it would not have been g
ood.

  Their expressions fell by varying degrees.

  Raibeart put a hand on her arm. Even he looked sad. His voice was low. “Love, she’s a phoenix and could be reborn at any time. She might not make it that long. We want to enjoy her while we are—”

  “I don’t accept that,” Andrea interrupted.

  “Ya weren’t there when…” Raibeart looked away.

  Andrea took a deep breath, releasing some of the tension she carried as she understood what was happening. They were all terrified of losing the child and were handling it in different ways. Raibeart spoiled her. Margareta tried to lock her away from danger so she could always be watched over. They created a private world for the girl, here in the mansion. The others helped support that world in varying degrees.

  “If Jewel were sick, you’d take her to a doctor, right?” Andrea didn’t wait for an answer to her question. “You’d get her the medicine she needed to be healthy and safe. Jewel is magick and she needs guidance with that, and we need to help her in the same way we’d help her if she were sick. She needs to see this Trina woman. It sounds like Trina raised a daughter who was a phoenix. She’ll know how to help Jewel.”

  “Magick is not a disease. Those witches can’t be trusted,” Margareta argued. “They—”

  “We don’t have a choice.” Cait reached toward Margareta, not touching her. “Andrea is right. Not about the sickness analogy, but about helping Jewel. That girl has more magick than all of our children combined.”

  “The witches attacked our family,” Margareta said. “They’re careless.”

  “And they raised a phoenix to adulthood.” Andrea began to feel like she was making decrees to the people below from her balcony perch. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling.

  When she turned to look at Raibeart, she saw Kenneth standing in the hall behind him. He gave a small nod.

  “You hired me to be the nanny and take care of Jewel, so that’s what I’m doing. We’re leaving in the morning,” Andrea said to the women below. Sure, it wasn’t in the nanny’s purview to dictate what happens with a child, but it was obvious she’d been drawn to this family to help them. “I’d prefer for Kenneth to take the road trip with me, but I’ll take Jewel on my own if I have to. Now, excuse me, I have to check on Jewel.”