by Vivian Arend
Keeping a close eye on the Jeep, I exited my SUV and then jogged around the block so I was coming at the Jeep from behind. The boss still hadn’t poked his head out yet, so I cut between two of the houses, acting as if I belonged there.
Before long, I heard Rick shout to Boulard. Time to move. With the dart clutched in one hand and the Taser in my pocket, I strode out from between the houses and came up behind my target just as he was exiting his car. “Mr. Boulard?” I asked, making sure I had the right guy.
He turned. “Yes?”
“Thanks for stopping by.” I held my hand out as if I was going to shake his hand, but before he could react, I jabbed the dart into his forearm.
His eyes widened and then went dark with anger. Magic crackled at his palms but just as quickly vanished. A second later, his eyes rolled into the back of his head as he collapsed at my feet.
I waved at my boss. “I’ll get him to the authorities.”
“Good deal. See you tomorrow.”
I reached down, hauled Boulard up, and then stuffed him back in his car. He could wait there while I got my SUV.
MATISSE
Time seemed to stand still in my world of fog. There was no way to know if days or nights had passed. It was an endless stream of gray and nothingness. I felt nothing. Not even the pangs of hunger. Just despair at being trapped in a world of silence.
I was lying on the hard ground when I sensed a disturbance followed by a thud. I sat straight up, my heart racing. Had Chessa found me? Or had a demon found a way in? My breath came in short bursts as I waited, frozen in fear and hope.
“Kane?” a female voice called.
Kane? Who was that?
“Kane?” The woman’s voice was frantic now. There was some swearing and then I felt a brush of magic. It was warm and inviting, pushing my fear away.
I moved in the direction of the voice, desperate to find this woman, whoever she was. Anything was better than being in this place alone. Since I could feel her magic I said, “Banish the mist.”
“What? Who are you?” she asked.
Slightly irritated, I called back, “Who are you?”
“Mati? Is that you?”
Oh, Goddess. She knew who I was. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words formed. I was too overwhelmed. Someone had come for me.
“Matisse? If that’s you, your sister sent me. Chessandra.”
Tears welled in my eyes. Chessa hadn’t abandoned me.
The other woman ranted something about it being her wedding day while I tried to compose myself.
When she started to wonder aloud about my identity, I forced myself to speak. “It’s your wedding day?” Compassion filled me for this woman. And I thought my life had been disrupted.
“Well, not anymore.”
“Damn. That sucks. Chessa’s such a bitch.” The words were some sort of defense mechanism to keep myself from falling apart. Chessa had pulled out all the stops to make sure I made it home.
“Yes, it does. And yes, she is.”
I felt bad for her, but if she could get me out of here, I’d personally reschedule everything for her wedding. “Are you a witch? Or just a shadow walker?” I asked. Her cluelessness earlier made me wonder. The magic I felt could be from either. Shadow walkers had just enough magic to bounce between worlds.
“Both. Now what did you mean when you said to banish the mist?”
“You need to cast a banishing spell.” How was it possible she didn’t know what that was? It was a basic skill. “You said you’re a witch, right?”
She let out a huff. “Yes. But I don’t normally banish things unless we’re talking about evil spirits.”
That amused me and a small laugh bubbled out. She could banish ghosts, but not mist. I knew who this was. That white witch, Jade Calhoun, who’d come to town not too long ago and hadn’t even known she was a witch. She’d taken over as coven leader for the New Orleans coven when Bea stepped down. No wonder she was the one who was here. Not many were as powerful as she was.
I guess my laughter irritated her because she said, “Look. If you want my help, you might want to start cooperating. Otherwise, I’m out of here.”
Crap. That was pretty grumpy. I guess I would’ve been too if my wedding had been interrupted. “You’re the white witch, aren’t you?”
“Yes.” There was a bit of hesitation in her tone.
“Figures.” I let out a sigh and sat, too exhausted to keep standing. It wasn’t comforting that I knew more than she did. “This is the spell. By my mind, by my heart, by the power of my will, may the mists part.”
“Okay… but why don’t you do it?”
“I can’t.” Anger welled in my chest. “My magic has… well, it’s not working.”
“Oh.” Then she repeated the words and the mist parted.
I turned, catching sight of the pretty strawberry-blond witch. She radiated with power as she frantically searched the area.
“No! Dammit, this was not supposed to happen,” she said.
I turned to her. “What wasn’t supposed to happen?”
“Kane is supposed to be here. He jumped through with me. Where is he?”
Standing, I moved closer to her. “Unless this Kane is a powerful witch, he likely can’t come here.”
“Where are we?”
I shrugged. “Damned if I know. But it doesn’t mist in the shadow world, and this place is void of other souls.”
Fear rippled over her face. “We’re not in Purgatory, are we?”
I’d wondered that myself, but had ruled that out. “No. This… feels different.”
She cast about for a couple of other explanations and I answered as best I could, but really all I could think about was getting home. The rest of it was details I didn’t care about.
Finally she said, “I’m going to get you out of here.”
I raised my eyebrows. “How?”
“However I leave, you’re coming with me.” She furrowed her brow. “How did you end up here? That portal was a gate to Hell.”
I sat back down and buried my head in my hands. Seriously? Couldn’t she just cast a spell? I jerked my head up. “I was working on closing the veil from the shadow world to Hell. Chessandra’s orders.” This was the last thing I wanted to talk about right now. But if she was going to get us out of here, the information might help. “The spell seemed to work, too, but then it backfired and rushed through me.” I shuddered. “I was on fire. It literally felt like I was burning alive. I thought I was going to die.”
Tears were flowing freely now due to my ordeal. When it had just been me, all by myself, I’d been able to block everything out, but now that I was talking about it, I couldn’t hold back the horror.
The witch was kind as she gently asked more questions and promised help from her coven.
I stiffened. “I don’t think that’s going to work.”
“Sure it will. We just need to get you out of here.”
I’d do just about anything to leave, but she had to know the facts before she made promises she couldn’t keep. Her coven would never help the likes of me. Not a sex witch. “I belong to the witches of Coven Pointe.”
“So?” She shrugged as if it didn’t matter.
I fidgeted. “You don’t know, do you?”
Sighing, she ran a hand through her long hair and then rolled her eyes. “Obviously not. Why don’t you fill me in on whatever it is?”
She was so clueless and yet seemed so sincere. I couldn’t help but like her. “You’re the white witch who took over for Beatrice and you have no idea. This is just…” I shook my head. “She sure has her secrets. The witches of Coven Pointe live across the river.”
“You mean Algiers Point?”
I raised an eyebrow. “We call it Coven Pointe. Have you ever been there?”
“No.”
I figured as much. Most of the east bank witches didn’t have any reason to visit us. “There’s a reason for that. Before Algiers Point was founded, it was clai
med by my ancestors and was called Coven Pointe. Over time, they were driven out. But fifty years ago, my grandmother and her siblings reclaimed what is ours. We’ve been at war—if you will—with the New Orleans coven ever since.”
“What?” A look of skepticism crossed her features. “Do your people dabble in black magic?”
“No,” I said, pissed she’d even asked.
“Thank the Goddess for that.”
I went on to explain we were more experimental than most. It had to do with our sex magic. But that wasn’t the real reason we had conflict. It was an old grudge between my aunt and Beatrice. No one really knew why.
“That seems… crazy. No offense,” she said.
I agreed, but what was I going to do about it?
“Never mind,” she said. “Let’s just get out of here and we’ll figure it out later.”
A moment later, I was clutching the white witch’s hand as magic swirled around her. This was it. I would be home in a matter of moments. Her magic brightened, almost blinding me. I clung to her hand, determined to cross over with her.
But as she took a step forward, it was as if there was an invisible wall. All I could do was watch as she slipped through it. The fog rushed in around me, trapping me once more in my gray prison.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
VAUGHN
Boulard was unconscious for the entire ride over to Mitch’s house. At least I didn’t have to worry about him spelling me.
I waited outside Mitch’s house until the witch’s eyes fluttered open. He blinked and then shook his head as if to clear the cobwebs.
“Who are you?” he asked, his eyes bloodshot.
“Just a guy hired to do a job.” I got out of the SUV. Even though it was weird to bring a target directly to Mitch’s house, I dismissed the thought. If he wanted to question Boulard first, he was free to do so. I dragged the witch out of the passenger’s seat.
“Who hired you?” he demanded, straightening as the last of the drug wore off.
I said nothing and pushed him up the steps. I had no sympathy for black-magic users.
“You’re making a mistake. I’m a member of the New Orleans coven. When they find out about this—”
I kicked the door open and hauled him inside, expecting to find Mitch back at his computer as always. But instead what I found was a horror film in progress. Or what should have been a horror film.
Mitch was standing over a woman whose hands were bound. While she wasn’t actively building power, white light pulsed around her, indicating a powerful white witch. In contrast, black magic clung to Mitch. Holy fuck. What was he doing?
Another woman was sprawled on the floor, clearly in pain.
“Mitch? What’s going on?”
“None of your damned business. Leave Boulard and go.”
I’d never seen Mitch use dark magic before. And by the way he was glaring at me, I was certain he was too far gone to reason with. I glanced around, realizing if I didn’t do something, these people would likely die. I tamped down the rage consuming me and forced myself to keep my cool. Instinct told me if I challenged Mitch now, I’d be his next casualty with no way to help these people.
“Where do you want him?” I asked Mitch, glancing from the woman on the floor to the one at Mitch’s feet. I recognized her. Jade Calhoun. I’d made it my business to know who the most powerful witches in the city were. I couldn’t stop my next words. “What the hell, Mitch? Why do you have a white witch bound like that?”
“You can tell what I am?” she asked, her eyes wide and pleading.
“It’s a gift of mine,” I lied, kneeling in front of her. “Why are you here?”
Mitch scoffed. “She’s here because she broke into my house.”
She scowled up at him, pain contorting her face. How had he managed to neutralize her? And why was he wielding black magic as if it was second nature? Son of a bitch. This couldn’t be the first time he’d used black magic. He must have gone over the edge a long time ago.
Keeping my expression neutral, I stood. “What did she want?”
“She was looking for him.” Mitch pointed to Lucien. “I guess she thought he was already here.”
She lifted her head, shooting eye daggers at Mitch. “I came for—”
Mitch waved his hand, flinging a giant ball of magic. The witch gasped and curled into herself. He’d just gut-punched her with magic. Animal. I wanted to tear him apart. Would’ve too, if the three other people weren’t present. It was too dangerous for them. I knew I couldn’t beat him. But one solid punch would feel damn good.
Fuck. I’d never in my life wished I had supernatural abilities as much as I did right then. A voice whispered in my head. If you’d accepted your spot with the Brotherhood…
“She’s being difficult.” Mitch eyed me. “How did she know you were bringing the witch? Did you tell anyone you were working for me?”
I cast Mitch a bored expression, keeping up my act. “I don’t tell anyone about my work.” Glancing at the witch, I tried to keep the scowl off my face. Did he have any idea who she was? “You know she’s the coven leader, right?”
“No, she isn’t. The old lady took over again. But I’ve got this covered. You can go now.”
Every instinct told me Mitch had gone over the edge. He was dealing in some dark shit, and these hostages were paying the price. I continued to do everything I could to appear uncaring even though rage was burning through my veins. I had to if there was any chance of getting out of there and finding help. I held out my hand. “Payment.”
Mitch scowled. “Fuckin’ A. You know I’m good for it.”
“Payment on delivery. Those were the terms. If you ever expect to use my services again, you’ll make good on the deal.” I didn’t want to test him, but on any other day I would. If I let it go now, he might get suspicious.
Mitch reluctantly pulled out a wad of money from his front pocket and handed a stack of hundreds to me. Now I knew he was fucking around with dark forces. It’s the only way he’d have that kind of cash. I pocketed the money and turned to leave, anxious to make a phone call or two.
“Hey!” the witch at Mitch’s feet called. “None of this is what you think. Mitch kidna—oomph.” Mitch planted his foot in her ribs, and I had to use every last bit of will to not rip his head off. I wanted to. I didn’t give a shit what happened to me. But Mitch’s hostages? He was already all too willing to torture them.
“Shut up,” he said. “Lying bitch. She can’t seem to separate fact from fiction.” Mitch’s voice was cool, dispassionate, as if today was just another day. “I’ve got it from here.”
I took one last look at the two women and then glanced at Boulard. If Mitch did anything to permanently hurt any of them while I was gone, I’d never forgive myself.
The door slammed behind me, and I broke out into a dead run. Once I was back at my SUV, I placed a call to Maximus. I hadn’t seen any demons, but Mitch’s eyes had flashed red. That was a sure sign he was dealing with them. I couldn’t take any chances.
“Vaughn.” Maximus answered on the first ring.
“You need to send a crew to Mitch’s house. He’s dealing in black magic. He’s got three people held captive.”
There was a pause on the other end. “That’s really a job for the Witches’ Council.”
I stifled the urge to growl at him. “I don’t think you understand. His eyes are flashing red and he has a white witch tied up. I could call the Council, but they have a history of running things by committee. This can’t wait for them to decide who to send. These people need action now.”
“A white witch?” His tone was deadly serious. “Jade Calhoun?”
“Yeah. Her and two of her friends.”
“I’ll have a crew there in ten minutes.”
Relief flooded me. “Faster, if possible.”
“Stay there. Keep an eye on the house. If anyone leaves the structure, call me back.”
“Got it.”
I tucked the ph
one in my pocket and sat there in my SUV, completely rigid as I watched the clock tick. By the time five minutes had gone by, I was ready to crawl out of my skin. Waiting and doing nothing was killing me.
When the clock hit eight minutes, four men wielding long daggers materialized out of thin air right in front of Mitch’s house. Without pausing, they burst inside. The battle seemed to last forever, but after ten minutes the house was quiet.
My phone rang. Maximus. “Hello,” I said.
“You were right. There were two demons. The crew has them under control.”
“Okay. Good.” I gripped the steering wheel. “And Mitch?”
“He got away. Ran out the back door. You should probably go before he sees you watching his house.”
“I can’t leave without apprehending him. What he did…” The images turned my stomach. “He’s out of control.”
“No doubt. But maybe you shouldn’t be the one to bring him in.”
I appreciated what he was saying. But why not me? To spare my parents? They’d be horrified if they knew what he was up to. And nothing would give me more satisfaction than bringing him down. After what he’d done today? Yeah. Nothing. Still, I told the old man what he wanted to hear. Mitch was gone anyway. I was confident I could find him. My best course of action was to lay low, put a trace on him, and be patient. If the demon hunters had gotten the demons, Mitch would be out of commission for a while. “Okay. Thanks for the help.”
“Thank you,” he said. “You know, you’d make one hell of a demon hunter.”
I wasn’t ready to admit it, but the idea no longer seemed as awful as it once had. If I’d been a hunter, I could’ve helped sooner. “I’ll be in touch.”
“I hope so.”
A few hours later, I got a message that the white witch wanted to meet with me. It was the least I could do after what I’d allowed to happen at my brother’s house. Aware that she was a high-profile witch and wanting to keep my new house as undercover as possible, I sent her to another address first as part of a diversionary tactic in case she was being followed.