by Lexi Ostrow
“You couldn’t challenge the gator alpha.” Heather snorted.
“I assure you, in a fair challenge for the position of alpha, I will destroy your brother. I’m not looking for a clan to run, so I suggest you find him.”
“No need.” Galena finally lowered the gun. “His name is Terrance Craw. My husband found him covered in blood last night. He’s locked up.”
“Any reason you sat on that information? Or why your alpha wasn’t told?” Elijah’s gaze trained over to Galena.
“Sorry, thought protecting my brother from the jerk trying to kill him mattered more.” She sniggered. “As for why he doesn’t know? Our faithful leader dragged us up here on an impromptu vacation to get over the deaths, I didn’t think worrying him over this mattered.”
The lie slipped effortlessly past her lips, and Remy inclined his head in a silent thank you. He would deal with what she’d kept quiet later.
“Understood. Where is he?”
“Back home.”
“You’ll escort me there and let your brother lead your people on this vacation.” If Elijah doubted the reason why they’d fled, it didn’t show.
“Take him.” Remy put his hand over his throat. “Make it known to all that any who continue violence in my congregation will be put to death. I want the hunting of alligators to stop! How can I do that if my people make a fool of me?” Pain tore through his throat like a burning lump of coal as Remy shouted from being crushed.
“I am grateful we see things the same.” Elijah inclined his head. “Forgiveness for my temper.”
Remy rubbed his throat but nodded. “You are an alpha, and your daughters were in danger. I take it in the future you will ask questions first and attack second?” The question would come in handy should any signs lead the police to his doorstep over the storm.
“You have my word.” He glanced at Galena. “Leave that damned gun behind. I don’t have one, and I don’t need to worry about you blowing my brains out on the drive.”
Remy’s sister smirked. “Nice to know you’ve got the good sense to be afraid of a lady with a good shot.”
“More like a woman I don’t trust.” Elijah nodded again and turned to leave.
“Galena,” Remy narrowed his yellow gaze at her even as his hand slipped into Heather’s offering his wife a little bit of calm. “We will discuss you hiding business from me later. For now, keep him from putting his nose where it doesn’t belong.”
“As you wish, brother.” She curtsied to be cute and trotted after the alpha.
Eleven
Had Jonathon been a shifter, the phone would have cracked under the pressure of his grasp. “That pompous son of a bitch.” Snarling, he tossed the phone onto the couch. They’d been on their way to grab Deidre’s purse when the call came in. “What could he have hoped to gain? There’s no way we would have thought that was anything but the fucking hex.”
Deidre hadn’t said a word since inquiring if their captor called.
“Deidre, we should –” the words stopped mid sentence as he caught sight of her.
She stood stiff as a board, her legs shaking from what he assumed was the force of her pushing into the hardwood floor beneath her feet. Deidre’s normally sparkling eyes were round with fright, much like her parted lips.
“Deidre?”
A tear rolled down her left cheek, followed by a steady stream despite her not uttering a sound.
“Shit.” Without a thought, Jonathon leaped over the distance between them and pulled her against him. “It’s okay, Dee. The last two days have been a lot.” He held her tight, ignoring the way his heart seemed to beat three times faster as he did. Her weight against him was unlike anything he’d experienced. Jonathon didn’t do sentimental. He didn’t cuddle. He got in and got out. Having Deidre cradled against him so gently shook him. Not because she mattered to him, but because he’d done it instinctively.
“That was him,” she whispered, tears sliding off her lips onto his shirt.
“Shh, shh, shh.” Jonathon rubbed his palm over her back, massaging it in circles as he tucked her under his chin. “Don’t think about it, Dee. Knowing he can contact us, it’s terrifying, but we need to stay focused.”
She didn’t respond, not verbally. Her shoulders shook against him as she cried silently.
It’s too much.
In the matter of a few weeks she’d stopped a murder, been kidnapped, had the hex of lifetime dumped on her, and found herself stuck with the knowledge that she could kill thousands. Hearing from their captor was the final crack her otherwise thin armor. She didn’t deserve this. No one did, not even a cop who was used to dangerous situations.
The pounding rain outside swallowed up the soft sobs Deidre cried every so often.
This woman is stronger than she knows. Most would have fallen apart upon waking up to find themselves captured. Whether it was the crazy situations she’d been through, or just that she had the soul of a fighter who preferred a calm and fun life, Deidre held herself together far longer than he’d dreamed she could. Now, with the rain pouring down in buckets and the threat of murder hanging on her very soul, she deserved to let it all out without him trying to tell her to calm down.
So, he didn’t.
Jonathon said nothing as he closed his eyes and rested his chin on her head. Her body trembled, but he did nothing except hold her close. His heart hurt for the woman in his arms. The year had not been kind to her, and the punches continued to trickle in as the universe held her down.
When they beat this hex, because Jonathon did not doubt they would, he would help Deidre fix her broken spirit. He’d never known her before tragedy struck, but he didn’t imagine she was once anything less than fantastic based on those who considered her friend and family by choice.
She’s pretty fantastic. His lips quirked into a small smile with the thought. Deidre Adams was undoubtedly the type of woman he’d always hoped he’d settle down with after a few hundred years of doing his job.
“I’m sorry,” she cleared her throat and pulled away.
She took her body heat with her, and Jonathon suddenly felt cold. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to push you.”
Deidre sniffled loudly. “But, we’re on a timeline?”
“Exactly.” He pushed back a strand of dark hair matted against her face from the tears. “I meant what I said a little bit ago. I know someone who can help you keep your memories, but remove the crippling pain they bring.”
“I want to feel.”
He smirked. “Sam did too, and that didn’t end too well for him. Trust me,” he cupped her chin in his hand. “Sometimes, it’s best to dull things any way we can.”
“Are you speaking from experience?”
“Not in the slightest. My life has been perfect, save for the NYPD deciding to share me down here.”
She barked a laugh. “Can’t get stuck in a murderous hex if you aren’t where the caster is.”
Jonathon nodded. “Something like that.” He looked into her eyes and saw the war waging inside of her. Saw her fight to stay calm as everything she knew crumbled like an ancient building around her. “About what I said the other day.”
“You’ve said a lot the last few days.” She sniffled and grabbed her purse off the couch.
“About you being a poor person to be with in this situation.”
She arched a perfectly manicured brow but said nothing.
“I shouldn’t have said it. You’ve gone through a lot this last year, and I have no right to judge you based on those moments.”
She blinked twice, her mouth opening and closing the same amount of times before she spoke. “Thank you.”
Jonathon nodded. “We need to go to Lita’s. Now.” He moved the ivory curtain back just enough to see the water accumulating in the street. “She’ll close up shop soon, and the last thing I want is for Sam to know something is up.”
“You don’t think Lita will tell him?”
He fixed her with a look. “Not if
you ask her not to.”
Deidre groaned. “This isn’t going to end well. I can tell you that right now.” She pulled out a small plastic airplane travel tube.
“As long as it ends with us finding this creep, I’m okay with that. That’s how you store potions?”
“Inside my purse, yes. I don’t need glass breaking or a cork popping out. These plastic twist-off vials are perfect.”
He chuckled. “That’s actually brilliant.”
She wiped away at the last bit of tears clinging to her cheek before she unscrewed the lid. “I know.” Her hand linked with his as she dripped the transport potion around her feet.
Jonathon was shocked to see not one, but two patrons inside the shop. “Doesn’t she close in bad weather?” He whispered to Deidre.
“Not often. Not for just a storm.” Deidre gestured to the floor. “She’s got barrier charms around the store so the rain can’t come in. They charge heftily for them, but many businesses down by me pay for it. The occasional homeowner, too.”
“Too bad there isn’t one we can cast to stop it from hitting the entire city.” He paused. “Oh, my God. An isolation hex.”
“You want to drop an isolation spell around a city? Remember how well our control worked an hour ago?”
He frowned. “That is the problem, isn’t it?”
She nodded and waved as Lita walked up to them.
“What brings you … two to my shop?” Lita’s blonde hair seemed matted to her head as she took a deep breath. “Sorry, I can’t seem to stop being hot, thanks to the twins. Oh, and twins … what in the hell, do they run in magical families all of a sudden? Is it something in the blasted water?” She huffed.
Jonathon covered his laughter with a cough.
“Are you okay?” Deidre’s face twisted with concern as she made a move to give Lita her hand.
She really is so much stronger than you gave her credit for.
“I’m fine.” Lita began to tap her foot. “I want to know what you two are doing here. Together.”
“It’s nothing romantic.” Deidre hastily provided. “Jonathon took some time off, and I happened to be free, so we’re working on a case.”
“Oh! A cold case? I always know when Sam’s had a bad day because he stomps around and grabs this big file from a safe in the guest room.”
Jonathon tucked that tidbit away for later. Sam seemed the type to catch the criminal on the first go. If he had cold cases, Jonathon wanted a peek at them.
“Not a cold case, but one we don’t have leads on. One that I think you can help with.” Jonathon started moving toward the back room, assuming the ladies would follow.
They didn’t.
“A little discretion, if you don’t mind.” He gestured his head toward the room.
Both Deidre and Lita smirked but moved with him.
Lita closed the door. “Siopí.” She snapped her fingers.
“What did you do? I don’t know that cast.” Jonathon’s brow furrowed together. He’d studied far more than most warlocks his age. He didn’t like to be in the dark.
“It means silence.” Deidre provided as she took a seat beside him and across from Lita. “You can use it to block your conversation. Like a cone of silence.”
Lita patted her hand on top of his from across the table. “Still so very young.” She smiled at him, not realizing how much the joke stung. “You’ve got literally hundreds of years to learn.”
“Why was your husband not young, but I am?” He snapped, turning on Deidre.
The color drained from her tan skin, and she shrunk back in the chair. The pain etched across her face gave him pause.
“I’m sorry.” The words were quiet, but said.
“No, you’re partially right,” Lita spoke, not Deidre. “I was teasing you. My husband is barely older than you. Dee’s ex was in his early thirties, too.”
“It’s because you live like we do,” Deidre spoke softly. “When I think of warlocks, anyone this young is usually a child to me.” She sucked in a deep breath that forced her shoulders to rise. “You’re not, though.” She turned to face him and took his hands in hers. “Earlier, you apologized to me. It seems it’s my turn to do the same.” Blowing out a breath she closed her eyes for a split second. “You are one of the best people – warlock or otherwise – I’ve ever gotten to know. You think you live behind walls, but you drop them frequently. You’re more mature than I think even you know, and you’re the only person I’d want to be in this situation with.”
Jonathon didn’t blink. In just a few days, they’d both shed the pathetic plastic wall between them. The one he’d kept up to not get tangled up in caring about a beautiful woman with a dark past full of loss. Acquaintances suited him just fine, but they were quickly moving past that. Trapped together, they were both learning the nuances that made them who they were, and Jonathon wasn’t certain what he would learn next – about himself or Deidre.
“Excuse me. Is this a cold case, or is this something else?” Lita’s fingers rapped over the wooden tabletop.
“It’s a case,” Jonathon spoke, his stare staying on Deidre. There was something about her that made him want to watch her. To see how her emotions played out when she wasn’t alone with him.
“It involves Vexx – which is why I’m helping.”
“Goddess,” Lita breathed. “Dee, you don’t need to be around anything with his mark on it.”
“No,” her eyes went steely, and Deidre shifted her gaze to her best friend. “I do. I have to be a part of this because this is what I do now. I help. I couldn’t help so many the last two times some Magical Persons threatened the world as we knew it.”
“You’re saving the world?” Lita giggled. “It’s about time.”
Deidre froze, her mouth hanging open.
“Every cop and consultant saves someone’s world.” Jonathon supplied, wondering what small joke he missed between the two, and more than a little curious as to why someone as nosy as Lita didn’t demand more. “I know you’ve been through this a million times, but do you know any other names of black magic counterparts you might know? Ones we haven’t tracked down and thrown away yet?”
The laughter stopped. Lita’s eyes seemed to frown as her mouth did. “There are plenty of Vexx’s associates left running around in the dark. That man stretched far and wide – way past New Orleans.”
“Shit.”
“Why did you think I knew names I hadn’t shared with the cops? I’m married to one.” She narrowed her soulful eyes at him, and her lips pushed together in a thin line.
“I don’t think you’d do it intentionally, but maybe there was someone he didn’t work with, but just a name you’d heard.” He hadn’t meant to offend Lita, but he knew the feisty witch well enough to know he’d opened a can of worms.
“Lita, anyone. It’s important.”
“I’m not an idiot. I know your cases are important.” A small orange glow under the table was the only indication her temper grew.
“I didn’t mean it that way.” Deidre snapped this time.
Jonathon leaned back in the chair, not sure if he should step in, or if the women had a way of sorting things like this out.
“Someone is out there playing with djinn blood and hexes.” Deidre hissed, immediately realizing her error and covering her mouth. “No, no, no.”
Jonathon tensed, but nothing happened. His breath came out in a rush. Generalizations, doable. Specifics are not.
“Goddess,” Lita breathed and with fire in her palm winked out. “I don’t think you should be chasing someone that powerful, Dee.”
“She’s got a handle on it,” Jonathon spoke abruptly, ready to step on toes to defend Deidre if needed.
“Thank you.” Deidre gave him a small smile. “I’ll be fine. You keep teasing me about saving the world to be able to hang with you and Ivy. Well, this won’t save the world, but getting this guy locked up will stop a lot of bad stuff from happening.” She jerked her head toward Jonathon. “
He’s off work. I’m not working unless Sam requests me. This is what I need to do with my time.”
Deidre didn’t lie, but she didn’t seem to tell enough of the truth to warrant trouble. Either Deidre thought quickly on her feet to protect Lita, or it was a happy accident.
Lita blew out a breath and tipped her head backward. “Are there names? Not likely.”
“Oh,” Deidre sounded like a deflating balloon.
“There is someone I think could fit the bill. Sam’s been tracking them for years. I don’t know their name, but Vexx used to meet a demon and an angel team just outside the Esplanade. Sam’s never tracked them because they don’t want to be seen.” She leaned back upright. “If you go alone –”
“Not an option.” He growled.
“Fine.” Lita rolled her eyes. “If you glamour Jonathon and go, they might see nothing more than a witch or warlock looking for a boost. Their powers are well beyond ours, and we know Vexx’s scientists didn’t create the base of the potion he concocted to destroy humanity. If it’s anyone, it’s them.”
Deidre let out a loud yawn and flushed. “I’m sorry. I can’t help how tired I feel.”
The spell. It must have put more of a drain on her than she’d let on.
“Thank you, Lita. There’s a favor we need to ask.” He let the sentence trail off.
“You don’t want me letting Sam know you’re going after these guys?”
He nodded.
“I won’t lie to him if he asks, but I won’t tell him you guys came here either. Deal?” She rubbed a hand over her stomach. “He’ll flip his shit if he thinks Deidre is in danger – any of the coven. He’s grown rather fond of certain witches now.” She winked and then her expression turned serious. “Dee, you text Ivy or me when you go. If you get into trouble, I want to be able to know.”
Deidre didn’t hesitate to nod. “Deal.”
“All right, I think we could both use some rest.” Jonathon cut in, worried Lita was walking down the path of asking more questions.
“I’ve got a cauldron of transport potion brewed. Let me grab two.”
“No!” They both snapped simultaneously.