Julie stared at him a moment, gripping the potion in her hand as she stared down into the sewer. This is it, Jules, she thought. This is the moment of truth. But she was so scared! What if they broke through the protection spell, and all sorts of evil came after them? What if Satan had been resurrected already? What if, by tossing the potion, she did more harm than good?
“Julie?”
She swallowed, nodding, and tossed the potion into the hole.
Boom!
The loud boom echoed far below them, and she gasped, teetering as the ground shook, peering down into the sewer. “Do you think it worked?”
“There’s only one way to find out,” Ashwin said, winking at them. “I’ll see you down there.” He disappeared in a blur.
“He doesn’t waste time, does he?” Julie muttered.
“Nope. And neither are we,” Elijah said, as he took her hand, disappearing and reappearing in the underworld with her a moment later.
“Hey! It worked!”
“Shh!”
“Sorry.” Julie quickly lowered her voice, ducking behind the rocks next to Ashwin and Elijah. “What’ going on?” she asked, as she spotted the demons gathered before them.
“It looks like they’re having a meeting,” Elijah said, pointing. “Look. There’s one of the sorcerers.”
“Would you get on with this already?” a small, pink demon asked as he jumped up on a rock, wagging his finger at the sorcerer. “We have better things to do than wait for you people all day!”
“Yes! Like people to kill!” a large, gray demon said, as he leaned on his axe.
“And to eat!” a horned demon shouted.
“Yeah!”
“Will you all be quiet!”
The shout sounded, and the demons turned as the crowd suddenly parted. “And bow for the queen!”
Boom!
Another loud boom sounded, fire lighting up around them, and Julie gasped. “It’s so loud!” she whispered, cupping her hands over her ears, squinting, her eyes widening when she saw the vampires making their way toward the front of the room. “Wait. They’re vampires! And…” she trailed off when she caught sight of a familiar face. “And Talia.”
“What?”
Ashwin leaned forward, squinting through the smoke. “Julie, that’s not possible. She’s…” He trailed off, glancing over at Elijah. “Oh no.”
“What? What do you two know that I don’t?”
“The two books…” Elijah trailed off, cursing under his breath.
“We used them together,” Ashwin said, shaking his head in disbelief. “And in doing so, it caused a break in the dimensions, allowing…”
“Talia to escape.”
“You’re not our queen!”
They turned their attention back to the demons.
“You haven’t been coordinated!” Another demon shouted.
“She can’t, remember,” another horned demon whispered. “The book’s missing.”
“Which means Elijah and his queen are still the leaders,” another said.
“Shut up!”
Talia whipped around, narrowing her eyes on the demons. They stumbled back, and she nodded, grinning devilishly. “Alana, honey, come here.”
“That’s your sister?” Julie asked as she stared at the young, brown-haired woman standing next to Talia.
“Yup. That’s Alana,” Ashwin said, scowling. “She’s lost.”
“And knows nothing about this world,” Elijah added.
“Elijah and his witch are not your leaders,” Talia said, as she took her place in the front of the room, staring out at the demons before her. “They were never officially coordinated.”
“But the witch is pregnant with his baby!”
“What baby?”
“Elijah’s baby!”
Talia’s eyes narrowed, she spun around to look at Alana. “How did I not know about this?”
“Because they’re keeping her hidden from Liam,” another one of the demons told her. “He wants the baby! So he fast-tracked the pregnancy. She’s due in just a few short months.”
“Then I guess we have no choice, but to go and get the child,” Talia said. “And while your at it, get Elijah, the witch, and that traitor Ashwin while you’re at it!”
“So basically, she wants to kill everyone,” Ashwin whispered, as the demons scattered. He stared across the room at Alana and Talia. “And somehow I’m not surprised. Come on.”
They rose to their feet, making their way across the room to where a black and red casket was sitting.
“This is it? The casket you and Jade saw?” Julie asked as she stopped in front of it, staring at the bags of blood that were connected to the tubes. “Why does it need all of this blood?”
“We’re about to find out,” Ashwin said, stepping forward. He gripped his fingers around the casket. He flipped the lock, swinging the door open, and stared inside at the young, red-headed woman laying inside.
“It’s a girl,” Elijah whispered.
“No. Not just a girl,” Julie whispered, pointing to the woman’s wrist. “Look. It’s the J.”
They all stared at the tattoo of the J on her wrist, their eyes widening. “Holy crap!”
“Grr!”
The woman’s eyes suddenly snapped open, lunging toward them.
“Julie, watch out!” Elijah cried, pulling her back.
“Who is she?” Julie whispered as she turned, staring at the woman in the casket “She looks so familiar. Like I’ve seen her before.”
“She does look familiar,” Elijah said, tapping a finger against his lips. “Ashwin?”
Ashwin didn’t respond.
“Ashwin?”
“I know her,” Ashwin whispered, the blood draining from his face. “She—”
“They’re here!”
The shout sounded, interrupting them, and they turned just as a swarm of vampires filled the room.
“Ashwin! Elijah! We have to go!” Julie shouted.
“But so soon?” Talia asked as she walked into the room, grinning from ear to ear. “But you just got here, my loves.” She glanced at the vampires surrounding her, jabbing a finger forward. “Cease them!”
“Elijah, now!”
“Right!” Elijah flung his arm forward, fire spreading from his palm. “Ashwin! Get us out of here, now!”
Ashwin didn’t respond, his eyes glued to the woman in the casket.
“Ashwin!” Elijah growled, rolling his eyes. “Oh, for the love of God!” He grabbed Julie and Ashwin by the arms, disappearing in a cloud of black smoke.
Chapter 4
This has not been the start to the day that I wanted, Josslyn thought in annoyance, as she stepped out from the coffee shop, bringing the cup of coffee to her lips.
First, she’d spilt the coffee she’d taken from home, all over her brand-new blouse. Thankfully, she’d had a backup in her car. Then, some damned kid had decided to run the damned stoplight. It’s a good thing I pay attention, she thought, taking a sip of her coffee, thankful that there was a coffee shop just a few stores down from her office. She was not getting through this day without her coffee!
She trudged down the sidewalk, waving to a few people, as they opened their own stores for the day, wincing, as her heel got stuck in the crack in the sidewalk. She yelped, quickly regaining her balance, and scowled. Is anything going to go right today?
She blew out a breath, turning and jabbing the key in the lock. Turning the key, she shoved the door open, flipping the light switch, the LED lights switching on overhead, and she smiled. It’s time.
She walked across the gray tile, toward the desk, setting her coffee cup down on the desk, and behind her, the door opened.
“Good morning,” she said, smiling as she turned to the young, blonde-haired woman standing in the doorway. “Can I help you?”
“I hope so,” the woman said, her voice hitched in panic, as she stared at her. “Are you Josslyn Morgan?”
“That’s what the sign s
ays.”
“Thank goodness! I need your help.” She walked forward, dropping into the chair in front of the desk.
“Okay.” Josslyn eyed the woman warily, something about her setting alarm bells off inside her head. Josslyn, come on. You opened this place to help people, remember? She brought her coffee cup to her lips, taking a long sip, coffee, and chocolate sliding down her throat and she sighed. “Why don’t we start with your name,” she said, pulling out her notebook.
“I’m Elsa. Elsa McMahon and I think I’m being haunted.”
Josslyn arched a brow. “Excuse me?”
“You see, my friend, she died a few months ago,” Elsa said, sniffing. She reached into her purse, withdrawing a tissue and dabbing at her tears. “And I think she’s trying to tell me something. I need to get into contact with her. Can you help me with that?”
Josslyn stifled a laugh. This is just perfect. “Ms. McMahon.” She leaned back in her chair, regarding the woman. “You do know that I’m not a psychic, right?”
“Yeah, but you’re a P.I! You help find people!”
“Yes. Living, breathing people,” Josslyn said between gritted teeth. “Look, Elsa, I appreciate you coming to talk to me, but I’m afraid I can’t help you. I’m not a psychic, but there is one just down the road. She’ll probably be a better fit to help you… with what you’re looking for.”
Elsa rose to her feet, her eyes flashing. “Is this the way you do business? Turning away people, who need you? Who need your help? I heard you were a good person. Someone pointed me in your direction. Told me you had certain… qualities to help me, but I guess they were wrong. I’ll be telling my friends about this, Miss Morgan. Trust me when I say, you’re business will be under before it even starts.” She spun on her heel, slamming the door with a loud bang as she left.
Dang. Let’s be a little more dramatic, huh? Josslyn thought, rolling her eyes, wondering who on earth had sent her. Had she been wrong sending her away?
She shook her head. No. She was not, and the last thing she needed was a reputation for being a crazy person.
She brought her coffee cup to her lips once more, sighing, when the door opened again. “Elsa, I told you…” she trailed off, her eyes widening as a tall, blonde-haired man walked through the door. “Uh. Good morning. Can I help you?”
“I sure hope so,” the man said, as he walked into the office. He shuddered, chilled from the cold outside, and took his baseball cap from his head. He shook the snow from it, then turned to her, staring at her with dazzling, green eyes, then at the sign that still said closed. “You are open, right?”
“Yes. I’m open,” Josslyn said, rising to her feet, and striding toward the door. She flipped the sign. “Sorry about that. I was just bombarded by some woman looking for a psychic.”
The man raised a brow. “She does know what a P.I does, right?”
“She does now,” Josslyn said, smuggling her giggle and returning to the desk. “Can I get you anything, Mr…”
“Jenkins,” the man said, walking forward and extending a hand. “Matthew Jenkins.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Jenkins,” Josslyn said, accepting his handshake. “So, what is it that I can help you with?”
“I’m looking for someone,” Matthew said, as he took a seat in the chair across from her. “And please, call me Matthew.”
Josslyn nodded. “Okay, Matthew. You’re looking for someone? Who?”
“My ex-wife. She’s taken my daughter, and I can’t seem to find her. I was hoping you, would be able to help me.”
“I can see what I can do,” Josslyn said, picking up her pen and starting to write I the notebook. “First, tell me about your daughter. What’s her name?”
“Jezebel,” Michael said, a smile spreading across his face as he thought of his daughter. “She’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. She’s one year old and is so smart! So talkative! My house is so empty without her in it.”
“Matthew, I’m so sorry,” Josslyn whispered, glancing over at the picture of her three daughters, her heart aching for what he must be going through. “I can’t imagine the pain you must be going through. If anything ever happened to my daughters…”
“You have children?”
Josslyn nodded. “Yes. Three daughters.” She nodded to the picture frame on her desk. “That’s them.”
“They look just like you,” Matthew said, staring at the photograph a moment, before pulling his gaze away. He reached into his pocket and laid a photo on the desk. “This is a photo of my ex-wife.”
Josslyn stared down at the photo, a gasp escaping her lips when she saw a familiar face staring up at her. This isn’t possible! she thought, lifting her gaze to Matthew’s. “Matthew…”
“Looks just like you, doesn’t it, Josslyn?” the man asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “Or should I call you Jax? I mean, that’s what you were going by when you manipulated me. Tricked me into falling in love with you, isn’t it? Where have you been? And what the hell have you done with my daughter?”
Chapter 5
“Well, would you look at that,” Jorja said, as she pulled up to the restaurant and parked the car. She rounded the car, wrapping an arm around Jade and pulling her close, as she stared at the rectangular building in front of them. “You really did it.”
“I did, didn’t I?” Jade asked, smiling, as the lights at the top of the building flickered, then turned on. Grinning when she saw the words, Jade’s Diner, lighting up in bright, yellow colors. “I can’t believe it. My dream is finally coming true.” She sniffed, her thoughts once again going to Sky. “Oh, how I wish Sky were here for this. He would just love it!”
“He’ll love it when he sees it, Jade, and he’ll be so proud of you! I know I am. Now come on! I want to see the inside!”
Jade laughed, letting Jade pull her toward the door. “Man, I am so nervous, Jorja!” she cried, as she pulled open the glass door, walking across the black and white-colored tile and leaning against the granite countertop of the bar. “The grand opening is next week, and I still don’t have a damned chef!”
“Why do you need a chef? You’re a master in the kitchen.”
“Yes, but I can’t run the restaurant and cook! That’s impossible!” Jade cried, running her hand over the red stool before staring out across the lobby. She took in the glass chandeliers hanging above the booths. The red-colored booths sitting along the perimeter of the diner, next to large bay windows. The square-topped tables scattered throughout the room, with matching red chairs.
“I guess you do have a point,” Jorja murmured, as she turned, wandering around the dining room. “Ooh! I just love this!” she cried as she zigzagged through the tables. “It reminds me of one of those old-styled diners. You know what I’m talking about, right? Those diners we used to go to with your friends, where you could get the best shakes, the best fries, and of course, the best burgers.”
“And that is exactly the vision I had in mind,” Jade said, grinning at Jorja’s enthusiasm. “So, you approve?”
“Are you kidding! This place is going to be hopping with business, Jade! I’m so proud of you. You’re going to have two, very successful businesses.”
“Let’s hope so,” Jade whispered, rounding the bar, and picking up a clipboard. “Let’s see. I need to start thinking about vendors, and getting a shipment in before the opening.”
“I can help with that,” Jorja said, rounding the counter and plopping her head on her hand, as she stared down at the clipboard. “What do you need?”
“So much!” Jade cried. “I need potatoes, hamburger, hotdogs, soups, I also need to figure out a vegan menu. You know that’s in today.”
“And a certain niece wouldn’t let you forget about it either.”
“That is true,” Jade said, laughing as she thought of Jessi. “So, let me think here…”
“Jade!”
They both looked up as the door slammed open. A petite, red-head racing into the restaurant.
“Bree?” Jade frowned at the woman she had hired to oversee the bar while she was gone. “What’s wrong?” she asked, taking in her shaky hands, and eyes wide with terror.
“Something happened at the bar!” Bree cried, her voice shaking as she talked. “Please, come quick! You need to see this!”
“Someone’s had too much caffeine today,” Jorja whispered to Jade.
“Jorja!” Jade sent her sister a look, elbowing her. “Bree, it’s okay,” she said, nodding to the woman. “I’ll take a look. Jorja, come on.”
“But…”
“Come on!”
Jorja scowled in annoyance but followed her out the door. “So help me, it had better not be another freaking demon.”
“Jorja!”
Jorja held her hands up in surrender, and they hurried across the parking lot to the bar. They followed Bree through the quiet, dark bar and down the stairs.
“What the…” Jade trailed off, her eyes widening as they rounded the corner, as a bright, yellow light illuminated from the corner. “Whoa!” She shielded her eyes from the brightness, blinking. “Is that…” She walked closer, gasping when she saw the man dressed in gold robes lying on the floor. “Oh my God! Myron?” She rushed forward. “What happened?” she asked, dropping to her knees next to the God.
“They’re coming…” Myron gasped out.
“Bree, can you go upstairs?” Jorja asked, glancing over at Bree. “We’ve got this, okay?”
“But…”
“You have inventory you have to do, right?” Jade asked, fixing her with a look.
“Uh. Yeah.” Bree nodded, backing up a step. She sent them another look, then turned, racing up the stairs. The door slammed shut, and Jorja glanced at Jade. “She’s going to have questions later.”
“That’s something to deal with later,” Jade said, turning back to Myron. “Myron, I thought all of you Gods were grounded. What are you doing here?”
“Trying to find you,” Myron gasped out, his voice raspy as he struggled for breath. “There’s something coming, Jade. Something we’ve tried to keep from happening… but they’re trying to break it.”
Bitten (The Wiccan Way Book 7) Page 3