Enigma, Maine, Bundle 2

by Iris Abbott

  She started to question the woman’s judgment. She appeared to be genuinely kind, and for some odd reason, Jessica felt a sense of home just as soon as she walked into the shop. The woman, who introduced herself as Brianna, seemed familiar to Jessica. She couldn’t figure out why. She was confident she never met the woman before. Maybe Jessica saw her around town in the short amount of time she lived there. Anything was possible.

  Brianna smiled. “It’s October thirty-first you know. I don’t have that much left, especially in an adult small. You have the petite and toned figure required to pull off the costume. At least try it on,” she encouraged.

  Second thoughts turned into third and fourth thoughts. She should keep a low profile. She didn’t know how safe she was in the small town of Enigma, Maine. She didn’t think she was followed from the safe house in Kansas, but a person could never be too sure, especially when everything was at stake.

  Jessica was on the run and been for three weeks. She arrived in Enigma the week before. The eerily quiet town near the Atlantic Ocean initially wasn’t a part of her plans. In fact, she wanted to slip to Boston, New York, or maybe even Chicago, anywhere populated enough for her to get lost in the crowd.

  Plans changed when the bus she rode on took a pit stop in Enigma. Jessica immediately fell in love with the town. She felt safe in Enigma for some reason. Secure was something Jessica hadn’t had the luxury of feeling for a long time. For that reason alone, she was in no hurry to leave.

  She looked at the costume one more time. Why not, Jessica decided with a delicate little shrug. She was tired of looking over her shoulder. She was tired of living in fear every minute of the day.

  She was elated to find the Halloween party invitation in her room. She still wasn’t sure where it came from. For all she knew, everyone who stayed at the hotel got one. She wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Before this moment, she wanted as little attention as possible. Right now though, she thought that for just one night she would throw caution to the wind and live like a normal person instead of a lady running for her life.

  “You know what?” She smiled at the nice lady. “I’ll take it.”

  “Excellent decision.” The woman, a redhead just like Jessica, voiced her approval. “I think you’re going to be very happy with your choice of costume. I’d even go so far as to say you’re going to have a magical night tonight.”

  Jessica didn’t know about that. She only hoped she didn’t live to regret the spontaneous idea to show up at the costume party. It could be a trap to lure her into the clutches of the one person determined to permanently silence her. She had a good feeling about tonight though. Her intuition was always spot on. As a matter of fact, it was probably the one thing that kept her alive.

  The Witness Protection Program sure couldn’t take credit for the accomplishment. The house in Kansas where she was staying had been shot all to pieces. That was going to cost someone a bundle to fix, and she was glad it wasn’t her. The thought of how close she came to death chilled her to the bone and put her on the run. Dodging bullets in a place where no one was supposed to know her true identity made things crystal clear. The nightmare she lived was far from over, and she would be better off on her own.

  Jessica still didn’t know if whoever was trying to kill her was that good or if there was a leak in the very law enforcement agency tasked with the job of keeping her alive. She didn’t really care. As soon as the first bullet embedded itself in the wall five inches above her head, she decided to go out on her own. After all, no one had more of a vested interest in winning this chilling game of cat and mouse than Jessica herself.

  She already testified in the trial responsible for putting away a murdering drug lord. For all Jessica knew she’d outlived her usefulness to the Department of Justice and the United States Marshals Service. Just because she was a top priority before and during the trial, didn’t mean she still was. Someone found her somehow.

  The woman behind the counter rang up Jessica’s purchase and told her how much she owed. Jessica counted out the exact amount from the money in her purse. She continued to think about her troubles while the woman finished the transaction.

  It felt like a black cloud followed her around for about two weeks before the attempt on her life. Luckily, she listened to what her sixth sense told her. She went to a different ATM machine every day after work and withdrew her daily limit of five hundred dollars. Fortunately, she built up quite the nest egg. It definitely came in handy now.

  She had enough money to get by for several months if she was careful. Yes, the costume and the party were unnecessary and frivolous, but deep down Jessica needed one night to let loose and in the process center herself. For one split second after she touched the invitation, Jessica felt as if she was bathed in a golden light of soothing calmness. She needed that feeling because she’d been living on the edge for far too long.

  Sooner or later, if she didn’t stay sharp, she would burn out, make a mistake, and end up dead. She would blow off some steam tonight. Then depending on what her instincts told her, she would decide whether she was going to stay in Enigma or move on.

  The woman, Brianna her nametag read, held out the bagged costume and receipt. “Have a charmed night, and thank you for shopping at Witch’s Brew.”

  If only Jessica thought. She could use all the help she could get. A little magic sure wouldn’t hurt anything.

  “You’re welcome, and Happy Halloween,” Jessica replied. She took the package and walked out of the shop. Her steps were lighter than they’d been in a long time. That had to count for something.

  ****

  Brianna Sheldon watched the newcomer walk by the large stained glass windows and disappear down the sidewalk. She walked to the door and flipped the open sign over to read closed. She locked up and turned off all the lights. A big smile illuminated her face. She had work to do and not that much time if things were going to work out as she planned.

  She felt the presence of the stranger almost as soon as she set foot in Enigma. Brianna was compelled to seek her out immediately. At first, she thought another powerful witch came to town. On closer inspection, Brianna found something else.

  The woman was a descendant of a powerful family of witches. Brianna was sure of it. She didn’t think the stranger was aware, however. She had the golden aura of all witches, but it was so faint that only one as powerful as Brianna could detect it. Whoever she was, and no matter how much magic there might be centered inside her being, she wasn’t a practicing witch.

  Brianna saw something else too, a gray-brown aura which screamed danger and fear. Worse, it was outlined with black. The stranger was definitely in danger, and her days on Earth were numbered if she didn’t get help. More than likely, she was marked for death, and someone or something hunted her. Just the thought put Brianna’s nose out of joint. Heaven help anyone that ticked off a witch as powerful as Brianna Sheldon.

  Brianna wasn’t going to let anything happen to the stranger. The woman spoke to Brianna’s inner witch. She was going to make sure the visitor was well protected. She knew just the guardian for the job.

  Her old friend Lucian Petrakos was a born protector. It was the reason life was breathed into his very body. He was good at what he did too. That’s why he was the oldest living cat shifter alive. He was also head of the guardian council. It was his duty to protect the woman while she was in Enigma.

  There were other motives behind her actions too. One of those was that Brianna figured Lucian would finally meet his match in the fiery redhead. In all the many centuries that Lucian walked this Earth, he hadn’t found his other half. That wore on a soul after a while.

  Lucian had been mighty weary the past couple of decades. She felt the underlying loneliness that surrounded him. Sometimes it was thick enough to drown out everything else. That was going to change tonight. And if she had to give them both a little push to make sure their paths crossed, so be it!

  Brianna chuckled. Her much-lov
ed granddaughter and her two best friends cast a mated souls spell last Halloween. It worked, and each one found the love of her life.

  No one in the paranormal community thought their feat could be outdone. Well, Brianna was about to do just that. She couldn’t wait to see the sparks fly. She rubbed her hands together in glee.

  Brianna walked to the back room where no one could spy on her through the windows. She took out the delicate slither of black silk she cut from the hem of the Halloween costume. She wrapped a stray piece of medium-length red hair she collected from the stranger around the material. She found the envelope that contained the snippet of Lucian’s hair she got a couple of days ago and placed it on top of the bundle.

  She was ready to cast the spell. She looked at the three items she collected. Then she crossed her fingers.

  “Take the parent gown of this material which is the height of fashion. Infuse its threads with strong compassion. I want a reaction on this Halloween that is fit for a queen. Create an attraction while though unforeseen demands a reaction. Help this lost one with fiery red hair and sapphire blue eyes capture the attention of the one who would be her bastion and put an end to unknown dangers and assassins.”

  Brianna blinked three times. She held up her arms to embrace the powers of the universe. Even though she was inside a room with no windows, her dress fluttered from a slight breeze. Brianna smiled. It was done.

  ****

  Lucien disconnected the call with a quick jab of his finger. Sometimes Brianna Sheldon exasperated him. Who else would have the nerve to call him out of the blue on Halloween and implore him to attend Alessandro Russo’s party? She wouldn’t take no for an answer, and she didn’t give him an explanation for his required presence either. It had better be good! He checked the rearview mirror and whipped around the black, high performance, sports car he was driving. Rubber squealed as the vehicle spun, but the tires gripped the asphalt. Now he was headed in the opposite direction because of course, the Russo castle was on the other side of town.

  He wasn’t in costume. He was wearing his usual preferred outfit of tight black T-shirt, black jeans, and hiking boots. If Mitch Gannon was handling security, he better not give him any crap. This wasn’t a social call nor was he in the mood for a party. This was a busy time of year for Lucian and the rest of the council. Rogues and other undesirables loved to cause trouble on and around Halloween.

  TWO

  The cab driver dumped her out at the beginning of the drive. He refused to go any further. No matter how many times she asked, the man wouldn’t budge. Jessica talked until she was blue in the face, still nothing. She finally gave up. Jessica paid him, got out, and started walking.

  That was how she found herself in her current predicament. Several minutes passed, and she continued to walk. She wasn’t a quitter. Jessica was determined to make it to the party, and she was going to have a good time no matter what.

  Jessica continued her slow walk up the long and curvy drive. Living off the grid was the pits! She couldn’t rent a car, because all the rental companies wanted to see some form of identification. She didn’t really know where or how to get a fake ID made. She did know better than to use something that had her real name or her witness protection identity on it.

  The man who wanted her dead didn’t mess around. She had to assume he hired professionals to kill her. She did her best not to do anything stupid enough to help them.

  She trudged up a very steep hill in pitch-black surroundings. The crisp autumn night air had a bite to it. The chill cut through the slinky outfit like it was nothing. The costume was just a midriff-baring halter-top along with a floor-length skirt. Both were made of a thin and delicate black silk. She didn’t bother with a jacket, because she had no idea she’d be taking a hike.

  The costume’s one saving grace was the skirt. It was so long the hem touched the floor and pooled around her feet. Jessica decided to wear a comfortable pair of walking shoes, and that was the only thing saving her right now. She never would have attempted such a walk in dress shoes, heels, or bare feet.

  The roar of an engine coming up behind her startled Jessica. Headlights suddenly illuminated the path in front of her. She jumped to the side of the driveway just as the car breezed past. She managed to get out of the way of the speeding vehicle, but an uneven spot in the drive sent her falling onto her backside.

  “Perfect, just perfect,” she managed to mumble while struggling to get back onto her feet.

  The shriek of brakes and the soft ping of flying gravel assaulted her ears. Her nose twitched from the smell of burning rubber. Her heartbeat accelerated, and she swallowed hard.

  Her first thought was that the hitman who was chasing her found her. Her life was going to end on a deserted drive that seemed to be miles from any house. Well, she wasn’t going down without a fight.

  She stooped down and grabbed a hand full of pebbles. The car slowly drove past her and executed a perfect U-turn. Jessica got a good look at it this time. She didn’t think a hired killer would be driving an Italian sports car. It was too flashy, the kind of vehicle someone would remember seeing. Despite what logic and that unnerving sixth sense of hers said, Jessica didn’t drop the pebbles. She didn’t leave her perch on the edge of the drive either. No need to get any closer to the man than she had to.

  ****

  Lucian jumped out of the car and slammed the door shut behind him. He thought his eyes were playing tricks on him, but apparently not. The lovely apparition who strolled down Russo’s driveway was real, very real. Not the smartest thing to do when the stars and moon were obscured by thick rolling clouds and the mist that rolled off of the Atlantic Ocean.

  The cat shifter sauntered toward the woman. His senses were on high alert because he was always wary of traps. He was the head enforcer of the paranormal world. He made a few enemies along the way. Not to mention that evil beings randomly attacked members of the council in an effort to weaken it. He couldn’t afford to let his guard down, no matter how tempting the distraction.

  The woman watched him approach and took a step back. She slid a hand behind her back and lifted the other out in front of her. “Don’t come any closer,” she warned.

  Lucian slowed his steps but didn’t stop moving. One side of his mouth lifted in the parody of a smile. It was a long time, maybe even centuries since someone thought to issue an order to him face to face. “Take it easy,” he instructed. “I saw you walking and thought I’d stop to see if you need any help.” He crossed his arms over his broad chest and leaned his hip against the side of the car. “What are you doing out here in the dark all alone anyway?”

  ****

  Jessica didn’t answer the question. No way was he going to turn the tables and make this about her. Besides, she really wasn’t afraid of things that went bump in the night. They couldn’t be too much worse than drug cartels, and cold-blooded murderers.

  “Forget about me. What are you doing out here, other than trying to run me down,” Jessica quickly retorted. “You were going way too fast!” She snapped her mouth shut. What was she doing? She didn’t need to earn the attention or ire of someone who might remember her if somebody came to Enigma asking questions. She edged further away from the man but tried not to be obvious about it.

  He continued to come closer, and his position relative to the light shifted. Now instead of standing in the shadows, he was illuminated by the headlights of his car. Jessica sucked in a breath. The stranger wasn’t classically handsome, but she felt like she’d been struck by lightning. His face was made of stark angles that gave him a harsh and ruthless look, but he still managed to tug at her heartstrings. His hair and eyes were blacker than the night that surrounded them, one without a moon or stars to brighten it.

  “And you shouldn’t be walking around at night on a deserted drive.” He narrowed his eyes and stared at her with an intensity strong enough to chill her blood. “The night hides a lot that you know nothing about.”

  Jessica felt the sub
tle threat behind the words and took another step to the side. Instead of landing on solid ground, her foot found the edge of a pothole and settled half in and half out. Her ankle turned, and she lost her balance. Jessica’s arms flailed in the empty air, and she knew she was going down. Instead of being welcomed by the cold hard ground, she was suddenly surrounded by strong arms and pressed against a chiseled chest of lean muscle and warm body heat.

  “Oh!” He must have been standing a lot closer than she thought. No one moved that fast, did they? She snuggled closer into the warmth craved by her body. She should have been afraid. Instead, she was content. She was good for about five seconds then she remembered her predicament. Being so close to someone she knew nothing about was dangerous.

  She struggled to break his hold. “Let go,” she demanded. She squirmed, but the man’s embrace tightened. To her surprise instead of being afraid, her nipples pebbled into hard peaks, and heat stirred inside her feminine core. The physical attraction was as sudden as it was sharp. It assailed all her senses and created an ache deep inside that needed to be appeased.

  “If I do that while you’re thrashing around like a mad woman, you’re going to fall and hurt yourself,” he warned.

  Sensing talk wouldn’t get her anywhere, Jessica struggled fought harder. Unintentionally, she rubbed the bare skin of her abdomen against his arms. The intimidating stranger groaned.

  Fighting to get out of his hold wasn’t getting her anywhere. Jessica went slack. As soon as her muscles relaxed, the arms wrapped around her tighter than a rubber band loosened. She slid down his body until her feet landed on solid ground. Jessica slowly backed away. She needed to put some space between her and the disturbing man.

  “My name is Lucian.” He crossed his arms. “Who might you be?”