Another eye roll. Barbara was in rare form today. “I know who she is.”
I stared straight into her obsidian eyes. Please don’t turn red. “I’ve told them I’m acting against you, to secure their assistance with… solving the problem.” This was such a huge risk. The women and I had decided I should stay with one of them or Jackson at all times until this resolved, to remain safe. Being upfront in this way, while baldly lying, had been my idea.
She bristled then smoothed out her features. “Interesting.”
That was it? “Thank you?”
“I know they hate me,” she said. “No doubt they were only too happy to sign on to get back at me. I trust you have a plan that benefits from their assistance.” She held up a hand to stop me from responding. “That was a rhetorical statement. I don’t actually care.” Her stare glued me to my chair. “We’ll see within three days. Won’t we?” Barbara stood.
My eyes, of their own volition, furtively checked to learn if today was the day I’d finally glimpse the demon’s tail. It wasn’t. I bit down hard on the side of my cheek to keep a crazed giggle from escaping, as I didn’t have a death wish.
Honest.
*****
“Do you want the good news first, or the bad news?” I asked, without preamble. I hadn’t even left the parking lot of the city council building before placing the call to Catherine.
“Good news, I guess.”
“Barbara bought my story of you guys helping me as a way to stick it to her.”
Catherine snort laughed. “Of course, she did. She knows we don’t like or trust her. Hit me with the bad news.”
I ran my free hand around my steering wheel to delay.
“Robin? Are you still there? It’s not that bad, is it?”
“The first part of the plan was a complete bust.”
She gasped. “You’re not saying what I think you’re saying?”
I nodded though she couldn’t see me. “Yep. Barbara isn’t calling off the second killer.”
Silence on the line. I waited it out. “Okay. That’s a blow,” Catherine began. “But, let’s look at it as extra motivation.”
My eyebrows shot upward. “Extra motivation? Staying alive was already my motivation.” I gave a shaky chuckle. “Though now it’s being threatened from multiple sources. So, I guess you’re right.”
“I’ll let Evie and Mia know what happened. With the replacement killer still in play, it’s even more important to learn what Jackson got from the Witches Council. Has he met with them yet?”
At Catherine’s use of his name, my heart lurched. “I don’t know. I haven’t spoken with him since we hammered out our plan.”
“That needs to be next on the list.”
“I’ll call him as soon as I hang up the phone.”
“Is that all?”
“What do you mean?”
A nearly imperceptible sigh from Catherine. “Your responses are reading as incomplete,” she admitted.
I cursed under my breath. “You and your magical lie detector – I can’t get anything past you,” I half-joked.
She waited.
“I’m hesitant to call him. But, I will.”
“Why are you hesitant?”
“I thought there might be something between us. Romantically. It was obviously only his protection magic.”
“While I haven’t seen you two together, I have experience in this realm. Just take it one day at a time and try not to read too much into it.”
“I don’t know,” I said slowly.
“Look at it this way. The whole thing will be over in three days. And if neither of you is dead by then,” she added in a sing-song voice, “you can see if there might be something there.”
I smiled. “You’re right. I have to get over myself.”
“That’s not quite what I meant,” Catherine said with a laugh.
“No, but that’s the truth. I need to focus on everybody staying alive and breaking my pact with Barbara. Jackson is a critical part of that.”
“That’s my girl.”
Catherine’s comment left us speechless. I didn’t have mind reading abilities, but I guessed she was as shocked as I was.
Were we becoming… friends?
“Meet at Soprannaturale when the sun sets?” She returned to business.
“I’ll be there. And I’ll let you know what I learn from Jackson.” I disconnected and scrolled for Jackson’s number. My mouth went dry listening to the ringing of the call.
“Hey, Robin,” he answered.
Hearing my name said with his gruff voice sent tingles down my spine.
Oh my.
“Hey, Jackson.” I coughed. “I was calling to see what you learned from the Witches Council about the being who attacked us.”
“I haven’t learned anything—”
The news crushed me. I had put so much hope into their collective knowledge.
“—because I haven’t gone yet.”
The words filtered through my brain. “I’m sorry, I might have missed something. You haven’t gone yet?”
His warm laugh rolled over me. “No, I haven’t. Would you like to come with me? I was about to head over. They’re meeting this afternoon.”
A confused variety of thoughts swirled. How well would I be able to balance not knowing if our attraction was real with keeping my secrets from him and finding a hired killer?
“Robin?”
Ah, screw it. Catherine was right. I needed to focus. Everything would sort itself out. “Text me the address and I’ll meet you there.”
“Wonderful. I’m really looking forward to seeing you.”
“Me too. I’ll see you soon.” The call ended and an address appeared. My brow furrowed.
That location on Industrial Road was a business district; was that where the Witches Council met? On the plus side, it was only a short drive.
My heart hammered in my chest. I wanted the information on the hired killer. But I also had my private reason, the one I chose to hide from Jackson.
Would the witches be able to help me break my pact with Barbara?
And would they be able to help me with the secret I was keeping from even the ladies?
Help me unbind my powers?
And I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I looked forward to seeing Jackson again, too.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The thought that I had only three more days to solve this mess swirled in my mind. I zipped my Jetta into a parking spot in front of a wide, squat metal-gray building. Definitely in the industrial part of town, thus the street name, I supposed. A quick glance around confirmed I beat Jackson here. That gave me time to consider my approach. I could roll with whatever he had planned for the Witches Council. But I’d also need to find somebody I could speak to on the down low about my personal issue. I smiled at myself in the rearview mirror. The down low? Like I was in a mystery novel or something.
Motion drew my attention. My breath caught in my throat. Jackson wore a dark brown pullover with jeans, muscles straining the material as he strode from my right, toward the front door. A man with purpose, but unhurried by anxiety. He must have sensed someone watching him; he turned his head and our eyes met through the windshield. A wide smile lit his face and desire pooled low in my belly.
I exited my car, wondering about this reaction. It was his protection magic, right?
“Hey, Robin. Have you been waiting long?”
“Nah, a few minutes. Thanks for inviting me.”
“You were there, too. Seems only fitting for you to be here.” He held the door open for me to enter before him. Despite my immediate physical reaction to him, since deciding to let things progress as they would, I felt less anxiety talking to Jackson.
We entered the utilitarian foyer inches apart, a soft chime announcing our presence. With its linoleum flooring and hard plastic chairs, you’d never guess the Witches Council met here. I wondered ho
w much time the members spent in this building.
A door at the back of the room opened and a woman approached. “Jackson, how great to see you. It’s been a minute.” A pang of jealousy hit me as they embraced. Good grief, the man can’t have friends?
“Jessica, this is Robin. She was there when the incident occurred. Robin, this is Jessica. She’s the newest liaison on the Council.”
Late-twenties like me, Jessica had curly flames of red hair and bright brown eyes. She clasped my hand, her eyes searching mine. My smile faltered for a moment.
“It’s nice to meet you, Robin.”
“You as well, Jessica.” I recovered from whatever that was and we followed Jessica through to the back.
“We’re still waiting on Evan, but everyone else is here and ready,” she called over her shoulder. We walked down a short hallway, stopping at a closed door on the left. Jessica knocked twice softly and then opened it to grant us entry.
This room belied what I had just seen. Antique wall sconces held electric lights that reflected off silvery wallpaper. Soft gray carpeting meant our steps remained silent. We crossed the mid-size room to a row of upscale folding chairs (was that even a thing?) facing a half-circle table with five chairs behind it. Three of these fancier chairs were occupied.
Jessica indicated we should sit in the folding chairs and she took a seat behind the table, next to two women and a man tapping away on their cellphones. “We’ll get started as soon as Evan arrives.”
My shoulders tightened with my heightened anxiety. Gaining information about the replacement killer was the top priority. But this was also the final part of the plan created with the Paranormal Talent Agency women: find someone here who could help me break the pact with Barbara and unbind my powers.
“So sorry I’m late,” a male voice broke the silence. A tall, heavyset man nodded at us as he crossed to sit in the remaining open seat behind the table. “Have we done introductions?” he asked, glancing around. “I’m Evan. Welcome.”
Jessica chuckled. “I guess we’re jumping right in. Now you’ve met Evan. This is Matt” – she indicated an older bald gentleman – “Theresa” – a middle-aged blond with garish red lipstick – “and Marcie” – a young blond woman who barely looked out of her teens, but surely was older. “Welcome to the Witches Council.”
“Thank you for seeing us,” Jackson began. “I only wish it was under better circumstances.” He brought them up to speed with what happened in the parking lot, including our uncertainty over who was the target, given that his protection magic seemed focused on me.
I tried not to squirm in my seat; this was the perfect opening to explain that we both were targets, and why, but I couldn’t make my mouth form the words. I had to admit I didn’t want Jackson to know I was a demon’s minion. A sigh escaped and Jackson glanced questioningly at me. I smiled weakly in return before deliberately turning to look at the council members. Four of the five watched Jackson, but Jessica stared back at me. A flush crept up my neck. Did she know something? Sense something? Man, a room full of witches was a tough crowd!
Jackson had finished his recitation and taken his seat.
“Thank you for sharing with us,” the middle-aged blond, Theresa, said. “We know that someone has begun using black magic in the city.” A smudge of red lipstick on her front tooth drew my eye. I stared as she continued, distracted by the mark. “Unfortunately, we have been unable to pinpoint more specifically than that. Whoever is using it, is only using it in short bursts, and is able to throw up a mask almost immediately after.” Theresa frowned.
The Council continued to discuss options, but I tuned them out when I realized they didn’t have a clue what to do. Tracking the magic wasn’t working because of the masking. And the witch wasn’t using the magic often enough to try a stronger spell. After all, it had only been two days.
I felt eyes burning a hole in the side of my head and shifted to find Jessica staring at me again. No animosity in her expression, just curiosity. I had hoped to speak with someone at the Council without Jackson finding out. Based on her interest in me, Jessica became my first choice.
The meeting ended with a pledge to continue attempting to track the dark magic user, along with Jackson’s promise to keep them informed. A frisson of guilt snaked through me. I shook it off. Telling them about me wouldn’t help them track the dark magic user any better.
With the end of the meeting, Theresa, Evan, and Marcie said their goodbyes, but Matt approached Jackson. I started to join them, then noticed Jessica on the other side of the room. Now was my chance to talk with her alone.
“You wanted to speak with me.” She spoke first. A statement, not a question. Interesting.
“Yes,” I agreed with her non-question.
Jessica waited and when I did not continue, she did. “You’re a witch.”
“How did you know?”
“I can sense your magic.”
Shock coursed through me. “What?”
“What kind of magic do you have?”
“You can sense my magic even though it’s bound?” I answered a question with a question.
Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “Your magic is bound?”
“Yes.”
She shook her head and peered closer at me. “It’s muted, yes,” she muttered. “Are you sure it’s bound?”
“After my parents died—” Guilt flared and I stomped it down. “—I struggled with my magic. And, then—” Bile rose in my throat and I reversed direction. “—after another incident in college, I dropped out—”
Jessica shaking her head again stopped my rambling. “I don’t know,” she said, with a frown.
“I need your help,” I said. “Five years ago, I signed a pact with Barbara Knollman to be her minion. I’d like to break the pact and unbind my powers.”
Jessica frowned at the latter half of my request but responded to the former. “Let me do some research into breaking pacts with a low-level demon like her and I’ll get back to you.”
“Thank you so much,” I responded, the tension radiating through my shoulders dropping a notch. Someone familiar with the demon was on the case! It was only a matter of time.
“What are you ladies talking about so intently?” Jackson’s voice reached us before he did and our mouths snapped shut.
I gave a small shake of my head at Jessica, praying she would understand what I meant. “Just talking about magic,” I answered.
Jackson glanced between us. “I can come back if you’re not finished yet,” he offered, uncertain.
“Nope, we’re finished,” I assured him and turned to Jessica. “It was great meeting you.”
She leaned in for a goodbye hug, her mouth an inch from my ear. “Be careful,” she whispered.
CHAPTER TWELVE
I bit back my disappointment that the Witches Council hadn’t been more helpful and focused on the group around me. We were at Soprannaturale, this time Jackson included. He had just finished filling in the ladies on what we learned. What little we had learned.
“Too bad they didn’t know more,” Catherine spoke first, giving voice to my own thoughts.
“At least we confirmed what we suspected – that there’s somebody in town up to no good,” Jackson countered. “If only we had a better idea of their goal.” He frowned and three pairs of eyes bored into me. Oops. I guess they were expecting me to tell him why he was a target.
I sighed and Jackson looked at me. “Um.” The waitress chose that moment to check on us. I accepted the reprieve and thought about how to explain that I withheld information from him.
The waitress walked away and all eyes returned to me.
“Did you learn something, Robin?”
Jackson’s innocent question broke the dam and burning tears filled my eyes. “You were right about being the target. And you were right about me being the target,” I said.
“I don’t understand.”
I halt
ingly explained Barbara wanting him dead for an unknown reason, my refusal to do so, and how she added me to the hit list. Jackson interrupted my spiel.
“Why would she ask you to kill me?”
The ladies exchanged glances before pointedly looking at me. I sidestepped. “I’ve been her gopher for five years. She’s never asked something like that of me. I have no idea why she did now.” I waited to see if the women would contradict me, or out me. Thankfully they didn’t.
Jackson, however, still looked lost even with my explanation. No surprise there. It made little sense without the important fact of my minion status. I just couldn’t bring myself to say that to him.
“Of course, now she believes I am going to kill you,” I quipped.
Jackson’s jaw dropped with my statement, so I took the edge off with a crooked grin.
“Misdirection, Jackson. I promise.”
He laughed uneasily.
“We had hoped that if I told her I was back in line, that she would call off the replacement killer.”
Understanding dawned in Jackson’s eyes. “That makes more sense. Did it work?”
“No. She turned it into a game for her amusement,” I finished bitterly. “Whoever kills you first – and the replacement killer still has me in his or her sights as well.”
“That is unfortunate,” he agreed. “At least that explains one thing.”
“What?” Mia asked.
“Why my magic is drawn to protect Robin. It somehow sensed we were both targets that night. That’s good. She’ll have to stay with me for the next couple of days until this is over,” Jackson insisted.
Warmth flooded me. I had no objection to staying by his side. “That sounds fine.”
Catherine smothered a chuckle and I ignored the twinkle in her eye.
“What do we do now?” Evie bluntly asked. “If the Witches Council has no ideas…”
My disappointment surged again. Not only because of the reminder of their lack of knowledge of the black magic user, but because I didn’t get to finish my conversation with Jessica afterward. The witch’s confusion about my magic status perplexed me.
Paranormal Talent Agency Episodes 4-6 Page 4