Kal sat down opposite, stuffing half a Danish in his mouth. “Eat. You’ll need the energy.”
Beth ate to please him, but she got no pleasure from the sweet, flaky pastry that normally filled her with delight. “Are you sure we can’t shoot him, or something?”
Kal shook his head, finishing the coffee in his cup then reaching over to take Bethany’s hand in his, giving it a little squeeze. “That would only kill the host. We need to trap the demon. When I hold the mirror up so he can see his reflection, I’ll start chanting the binding spell. I need
Le Lien de Quatre to keep the demon occupied so he can’t jump to another host.”
Bethany felt her heart plummet. There would be non-magical humans at the auction. How would they control the damage of them witnessing a demon exorcism? “Kal…”
He held up a hand and smiled. “Helena-Marie and I have already discussed damage control. She’s going to take care of it.”
“Who do you think the demon will choose today?” For the first time, Bethany noticed a hint of worry cross Kal’s face.
“I don’t know.” His voice was quiet. “But, no matter what form he takes, we have to contain him. You and the others can’t let him distract you. And he’s going to try. Once he’s safely entrapped, then we can save the host.”
“What will happen when he’s torn from the host body?”
Kal didn’t look at her. “People react differently.”
“In what way?” Bethany leaned across the table and looked up into his face, forcing him to look at her. “Kal?”
“Sometimes nothing happens. The host has no memory or ill effects.” Kal stood up to pour himself another cup of coffee.
Bethany got up, moving to stand behind him. She put a hand on his wide back. “And sometimes…?”
Kal turned to face her, leaning back against the counter. He put his hands on her shoulders and locked his stare with hers. “I’m not going to lie to you, Beth. The worst-case scenario is the host dies or becomes mentally or physically ill, and there’s no way of predicting how it’s going to turn out.”
* * * *
As usual, Beachcomber’s Antiques was teeming with customers, just like every time Halona held a special auction. She planned on selling several unusual items during the day after they offered the mirror for sale. Bethany wondered if that was Halona’s way of trying to get back to normal, and if so, she hoped it worked for all of them.
In the corner, Bryan Janzen stood talking to Sydney and her husband, Nick. Both Nick and Bryan looked unhappy, and Bethany figured it was because they didn’t really want Sydney involved in trapping the demon but had no choice.
Helena-Marie was talking quietly to Halona and Drake as they put the finishing touches on the items that would be up for auction later in the day. Drake kept touching Halona, as if he wanted to prove to himself she was real. Even from across the crowded room, Bethany could tell Drake was stressed out. Helena-Marie kept talking, and both Drake and Halona would nod occasionally. She seemed to be giving them advice, and they were listening carefully.
Where was Grey? A lump of fear formed in Bethany’s stomach. What if the demon had done something to Grey? She should be here by now. Just as panic started to set in, she heard a few soft gasps and murmurs spread across the crowd. Either a celebrity had arrived or Grey was making her entrance.
Striding through the door in a brilliant shimmery confection of red and gold, Grey turned every head in the showroom. Small faux flames burned just above the fabric of her blouse, creating a mesmerizing lightshow. Beck followed closely on her heels, his handsome face all smiles as he watched the reaction to his beautiful woman and her enchanted clothing.
Beth smiled at their entrance. Not too many men could handle the amount of attention that Grey seemed to take for granted, but Beck seemed at ease. If she read him correctly, he secretly enjoyed the stir that Grey caused every time she entered a room. He reached out and slid the drooping shoulder of her blouse back up before kissing the back of her neck. Immediately, the shimmering material fell again, leaving her creamy shoulder bare, revealing her tattoo.
Bethany waved them over. Kal shook hands with Beck then winked at Grey. “Is that the latest couture in demon busting?” he asked, squeezing Beth’s fingers to let her know he was kidding.
Grey looked down at the soft, black leather leggings and strappy black high heels that completed her ensemble. She gave a toss of her head and wave of her hand. “Nothing says we have to look boring while we get rid of demons.”
Kal chuckled and glanced at Beck, who shrugged with a good-natured what can I do gesture. “I doubt anyone has ever accused you of being boring, Grey,” Kal said, watching the magic flames dance playfully over her clothing.
“Why, Chief Burke, I believe you just gave me a compliment. Hell must be freezing over as we speak.” Grey smiled mischievously, and Kal threw his head back and laughed.
“Don’t let it go to your head,” he cautioned.
When he noticed the others were distracted by friends coming by to say hi, he leaned closer to Grey. “You’re also making yourself a target for Melech with those flames. You know he’ll be attracted to them.”
“I’m counting on it,” Grey said, turning away from him to acknowledge praises about her new clothing. “Of course, I can make you gowns of fantasy flames for the dance. Just come by for a fitting at the shop. I can whip them up in no time.”
Shell and Mickey both let out small whoops of excitement. Mickey, the most outgoing of the twins, looked around to make sure they were not surrounded by muggles and then put a fingertip on her nose, twitching it back and forth like Samantha Stevens in Bewitched.
Grey rolled her eyes. “Well, you didn’t think I was going to sew them by hand, did you? All of my clothes are made by enchantment. That’s why I never design for anyone outside the magical community.”
“You have sooo got to show us how you do that, Grey,” Shell said, glancing at her twin with an unreadable twinkle in her eye.
“Oh no you don’t.” The voice came from behind them, and both girls turned around.
“Mom,” they both protested in unison.
Linda was grinning. “I can only imagine some of the outfits you two would come up with. Maybe after graduation you can take a few lessons from Grey, but not before.”
The twins huffed with frustration then got distracted by a cute guy that walked by. “See you later, Mom,” Mickey called, giving her sister a shove in the direction of the gorgeous tourist. “See you later, Grey.”
Linda laughed and shook her head. “Do you think they’ll ever grow up?”
“I hope not,” Grey answered.
Kal suppressed a shudder at the words. He knew Grey meant she hoped their spirits would stay young forever. He just hoped they would live to grow up. Every one of his senses screamed danger. Like all predator and prey, he knew his enemy was near, and anyone could become a victim.
Coiled with tension, Kal looked around the crowd but saw nothing that gave him any indication who the demon had taken as a host.
Chapter 13
At 12:45 a bell rang out in the store to prepare the crowd for the upcoming auction. Students earning money as waiters and waitresses began gathering up the snack trays and empty drink glasses, whisking them away with the promise more refreshments would be served later once the auction was closed.
Drake carried a simple wooden box and placed it on a pedestal sitting on the auction platform. Under his shirt, he wore a talisman of protection to shelter him from the demon’s dark magic. Kal met his gaze, and Drake nodded once to let him know it was working. After setting the box down, Drake backed away from the restless crowd, getting closer to Halona in case she needed him.
People gathered around the podium, pushing and jockeying for a prime spot to watch the bidding. Kal thought the crowd’s anticipation seemed out of proportion to the simple items being offered on the manifest.
He wondered if the demon, Melech, would try to gather t
he crowd into one collective consciousness as he had long ago on an island beach when he danced around a campfire. If he could control the crowd, there was little Kal could do to stop him.
He moved closer to Sydney. “Can you give a little push to calm the crowd?”
Sydney glanced around and frowned. “You want me to keep them from bidding on the items?”
“No, not at all.” Kal felt the press of bodies moving closer to the stand. “Feel their single-mindedness? Can you make them less involved somehow?”
Bryan Janzen nodded, looking around worriedly. “Yeah, I noticed too. It’s like they all are moving toward the stand. Everyone seems mesmerized by the show to come.”
“Too much so,” Kal agreed. “Melech is using them as cover. He may try to grab the mirror and run. He’ll use the crowd as interference.”
Sydney reached out one slender arm ringed by elegant platinum bracelets etched with rune symbols and ancient hieroglyphic patterns. The bracelets jangled softly around her wrists, and she blinked as she willed the crowd to relax.
Several people in front moved slightly back from the makeshift stage while a few on the fringe of the crowd studied other items on nearby tables. Without the crush of bodies, it would be easier to navigate through the people if it became necessary.
“Good job,” Bryan Janzen told his daughter, and Kal nodded his agreement. Nick gave her a swift hug but didn’t look any happier to be involved in the scheme.
With the crowd momentarily under control, Kal glanced toward the fire extinguisher to make sure Beck was in place. He gave a thumbs-up that he had the situation under control and his talisman was working.
George Winters, a professional auctioneer, stepped up to the podium with his usual flair for the dramatic. His silver hair gleamed under the lights while his blue eyes warmly welcomed everyone to participate. He tugged at the snug-fitting white gloves on his hands, like a magician about to pull a rabbit out of the hat.
“The first item up for auction is an antique silver mirror encrusted with jewels.”
He took the mirror from the box Drake had set on the podium and held it up for the crowd’s inspection. A soft gasp of appreciation passed through the bidders at the lovely reddish glow it cast. The demon’s presence seemed to charge the mirror with energy, and Kal was afraid to take his eyes from the enchanted item. He hoped the women would watch the group for anyone who looked suspicious.
A ripple of whispers ran through the people, and once again, the press of bodies pushed forward toward the auctioneer. Beside him, Kal felt Bethany tense and heard her quick intake of breath. He glanced down at her, but she wasn’t looking at the crowd. She stared at the door of Beachcombers as if she’d seen a ghost.
Turning to see what she looked at, Kal felt his stomach clench in fear and rage. Clarissa Caan stood outside as if in a trance. So this is the demon’s secret weapon? Kal thought. Melech will possess an old woman to keep me from using my force to expel him.
It was sound strategy from the demon’s point of view. The amount of energy slammed against the host would be severe for a child or elderly person to take. They were more susceptible to damage and ill effects from exorcising the demon. Plus, people tended to hesitate attacking the elderly or children, giving the demon time to escape. On the other hand, if the demon needed to use the human host for physical feats, a young, healthy body could be used more efficiently and without damage.
Bethany broke loose from him before he could stop her. She ran to the door and opened it, helping her grandmother inside. Leading the old lady by the arm, Beth settled her on the fringe of the crowd, fussing over her for a moment, and that’s when all hell broke loose.
With his attention diverted, Kal didn’t notice that a bid had been placed on the mirror. He heard Linda yelling, and two shrill voices talking over top of each other while the auctioneer banged his gavel like a judge calling for silence.
One of the twins had the mirror in her hand, held high overhead to stop her shorter mother from reaching it. The crowd erupted into a mindless chaos with some trying to get the mirror and others trying to break up the ensuing fight between Linda and her daughters.
“Grey!” Kal yelled, trying to push his way to the front of the crowd. “Sydney!”
Sydney gave a mental push that had the force of a shove, and for a moment, the crowd hesitated, at least enough for Kal to make some headway. Just as they had talked about in an earlier strategy session, Sydney watched his course through the people and shot suggestions into anyone blocking his path. At her push, the offending bodies would automatically jerk out of Kal’s path, knocking a few other obstacles out of the way also.
Positioned in the front so she could watch the crowd, Grey shot a fireball toward Mickey, who currently possessed the mirror. Struck in the back, Mickey shrieked and turned toward Grey, snarling, her pupils glowing red.
Halona and Beth joined forces in a protection spell to keep the demon from attacking Grey. Since their powers were more suited for protection and healing than aggressive maneuvers, Kal had designated it their jobs to watch the team and keep them safe.
Just as Kal reached the snarling Mickey, she turned to him with a defiant smile and tossed the mirror to her twin. Shell caught the mirror easily and laughed with the guttural, deep sound of a demon. Kal felt a jolt of fear course through him. Melech was jumping from twin to twin as easily as changing clothes. He would be doubly hard to contain and trap.
Grey whizzed another fireball so close to Kal that he felt the heat singe his hair. Shell screamed in anger and whirled toward Grey, brandishing the mirror like a rock. Her hand rose to smash the mirror down on Grey, and a blur in the crowd seemed to bowl people down like a bowling ball cutting through pins. Kal made a mental note to thank Helena Marie for her timely intervention later.
As everyone stumbled against each other, Kal felt his grip on Mickey loosen as he slammed into Shell, knocking the mirror from her hand. For a moment the enchanted object seemed suspended in the air. Kal reached out to snatch it before either of the twins could get their hands on it.
The minute Kal felt his fingers wrap around the mirror, he began chanting the classic exorcism spell and heard the same words being spoken from elsewhere in the room. Bryan Janzen was echoing the spell, lending his power to the mix.
Grey kept tossing fireballs that had the crowd running in all directions, trying to avoid the unpleasant sting that felt like static electricity with twice the voltage. She effectively was herding the crowd around the room, blocking all exits and keeping Mickey and Shell from escaping until the demon could be exorcised and trapped.
With a roar that shook the building, Melech materialized in the midst of the crowd. His humanlike form writhed with anger, and the smell of smoke and brimstone was nearly over powering. The demon currently suffered from the exorcism curse Bryan and Kal had cast upon him, but he wouldn’t remain contained in demon form for long.
No longer enthralled by the demon’s spell, the crowd backed away, screaming in fear. Sydney pushed to keep them inside Beachcomber’s, and Grey shot fireballs at the exits each time someone tried to escape.
Ignoring the chaos around him, Kal held the mirror so the reflective part pointed at Melech and began chanting the entrapment spell, hoping he could complete his enchantment before the demon regained his power. To his left, he sensed movement and heard a clear, powerful female voice chanting the words along with him. Surprised that anyone knew the archaic chant, he almost fumbled the words. Then reminding himself to focus, Kal angled the mirror downward, pointing it at the demon who had dropped to the floor on all fours, snarling like a rabid dog.
With a final agonized scream, Melech disintegrated before their eyes, and reddish particles resembling dust gravitated toward the mirror before disappearing in the blink of an eye. With the demon safely trapped, Kal whirled to see who had helped him by speaking the ancient spell known only to his people.
Clarissa Caan looked up at him sweetly, a fierce joy in her eyes
instead of the vacant stare he’d seen earlier. “What? Did you think only men were privileged to the ancient magic?” she asked in amusement.
Kal clasped her to him in a hug then placed the mirror in her hand and wrapped her fingers around it. “Glad you’re back, Clarissa. You did a wonderful job of hiding it before. Why don’t you keep this safe for Blansett?”
Clarissa shook her head and handed it back. “My time of power is coming to an end. My knowledge will pass to another, and she needs your protection. Bethany will know what to do with the mirror.”
Helena-Marie looked at Kal, and he nodded. She raised both palms and blew a fine blue powder into the room. Immediately, the crowd quieted and began moving back to the podium as if nothing had happened.
George Winters opened the wooden box, taking out a locket. “The first item up for auction is an antique silver locket encrusted with jewels.”
Chapter 14
Jazzy Lady rocked gently on the waves as her passengers looked over the railing into the deep water. They were several miles off shore, and Bryan Janzen had piloted the boat himself, giving his captain the day off. Halona and Drake stood at the railing holding hands while Clarissa and Helena-Marie chatted comfortably, clutching tall glasses of iced tea as they leaned against the railing. Sydney and Nick had their arms around each other, and Grey mischievously tossed fireballs across the water, watching them skip on the tips of the waves before sizzling out. Beck stood behind her with his arms around her waist, encouraging her to toss them farther each time.
Bethany held the mirror in her hand and looked up into Kal’s face. He’d lost the brooding look, she thought, as he smiled down at her.
“Wait! Wait for us!” Mickey and Shell called, dragging Joey along with them as they rushed to the railing, ready for the show.
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