Spellcasting with a Chance of Spirits: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Romance Novel (Grimm Cove Book 3)

by Mandy M. Roth

  Just then, there was a tugging in my gut. The same sensation I’d felt the first time I’d met Bram. My attention went to a set of windows off to the right on the ground floor of the mansion. While I couldn’t see him, I felt him. He was there, watching us. His emotions were carefully guarded—a lot like the spirit I’d seen in the green room—but some truth leaked through the walls he kept up around him. He was anxious and worried she’d reject him.

  And there was something else there too—it was intense, like Dana. I couldn’t pinpoint the exact emotion because his metaphysical safeguards were that good. Whatever it was, it seemed almost directed at me, of all people.

  Strange.

  “Dana, I think he’s as unsure about this as you are,” I said in a soft voice. “And I think this is important to him and to you. I also think that you both want to be closer than you are but you’re both afraid and unsure how to go about doing it.”

  It took me a second to realize Dana was staring at me.

  “What?” I asked.

  She snorted. “Nothing. It’s just, sometimes you seem sane and full of wisdom. Other times you hug trees, kiss squirrels, say words of remembrance for spiders, and converse with the dead. I never know how to take you.”

  I continued to touch her forearm, doing my best to let calming energy move from me to her. “The only thing you can ever do is take a person as they are—not as you want them to be. Until you learn to do that, you’ll be met with nothing but disappointment.”

  “Marcy,” she said softly. “You get I wouldn’t change anything about you. Okay, that’s a lie. I’d change that shirt you have on. Where did you get it? It’s huge. And what’s printed on the front? Is that a toadstool?”

  I stared down at it. “It’s one of Brett’s. It’s for the ice cream place that Poppy used to work at. Gobbs or something like that. The words are too faded to read. It’s clearly a much-loved article of clothing of his.”

  “Clearly,” said Dana with a snort. “Wonder how many times he’s worn it over the years, thinking about Poppy as he choked his—”

  I stiffened. “Finish that statement and I’m going to hex you.”

  She laughed. “Okay, but I’m not wrong.”

  I pulled at the shirt slightly. “Poppy made me put it on right before I walked out the door to get in your car.”

  “It’s not your style; you know, chick who just hitchhiked across the state, barefoot, while singing John Denver songs and talking about peace, love, and dead people,” she said as nothing but love for me radiated from her. “If you’re not comfortable in it, take it off. Wait, you do have something on under it, right?”

  “I do,” I said, and began to rock back and forth in the seat a little as a John Denver song played on a loop in my head.

  She grumbled. “You’re totally singing John Denver songs in your head right now, aren’t you?”

  I beamed. “I am. Want to join in? We could start with ‘Sunshine on My Shoulders’ or ‘Annie’s Song.’ Either are great. I’ll go first.”

  “No. I’m good,” she replied abruptly. “Let’s do this before I lose my nerve.”

  “You faced down a succu-witch, her minions, and then a master vampire and his ghouls. I’m pretty confident you can handle spending some time with your father.”

  Her face scrunched. “Oddly, I’d almost rather have ghoul bits in my hair again than do this.”

  “Liar,” I said with a laugh.

  “True. The ghoul bits were nasty,” she said. “But even I have to admit it was really good for my hair. I’m guessing that ingredient wouldn’t be a selling point for shampoo though. They could always call it something we can’t pronounce. Seems to work for them enough already.”

  “I could try to re-create something for you as far as conditioners go. Not sure how hard ghoul bits are to come by,” I returned before grunting. “Stratton should have let me keep a few parts from the aftermath. There were plenty of extras. It’s not like anyone was using them. They just went to waste. Such a shame. They’d have made a ton of hair products.”

  She bit her lower lip, looking to be fighting a laugh.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Nothing,” she said. “But way to be adorably creepy.”

  “Aww, thank you,” I said.

  She snorted as she rolled up the remaining windows. “All right. Let’s do this, Dotter.”

  “Okey-doke, Van Helsing.” I opened my car door, grabbed my bag gently as so to not jostle Burgess more than Dana already had with her driving, and exited the vehicle. I put my bag over my shoulder with a bit more gusto than planned, making Burgess jolt in the bag.

  “Sorry,” I whispered.

  Dana hurried out of the car and met me at the front of it, her attention on the front door. She stared at it like it might come to life and bite her. I’d have made a joke, saying as much, but I felt that bringing up biting and her father, who happened to be a vampire, was in poor taste.

  Looping my arm through hers, I stared up at her. I carefully kept her on the side that was opposite my bag. “I’m right here. Everything will be fine.”

  “Do you know that for sure?” she asked. “Did your spirit guides tell you?”

  I winked. “I know it in my heart.”

  She frowned. “I’d rather you know it from whatever supernatural place you get your information from.”

  “Look who is finally coming around,” I said with another wink. “This will all seem normal to you before long.”

  “I hope you’re right,” she breathed out as we went for the ornate front door.

  Chapter Ten

  Bram

  Bram stood rooted in place at the front window, peering out. When Bram had learned of Dana’s preferences for vehicles, he’d considered having one done in each color for her and then dropped off as a gift to the home she now shared with her mate. It had been Elis who had talked him down from the idea, citing it as being too much.

  Funny.

  It didn’t feel like enough.

  It felt like a drop in the bucket for all he had to atone for. So many missed birthdays, holidays, and special occasions. He’d missed out on so much and let Dana down for so long, he wasn’t even sure how to go about trying to make it right. He wanted to find a way to make up for it all, but he knew that wasn’t possible. No amount of gifts would ever replace the fact he’d been absent from her life for so long.

  The very fact Dana was here was a shock to him. It was more than he deserved, and he knew as much.

  Use this opportunity tonight as the olive branch it is, said the demon.

  Bram swiped a hand over his face, angry with himself. He had the skill set needed to secretly run a massive underground organization that fought against evil, strategically making decisions for the greater good with ease, but in the one area he should have done better, he’d failed. “I do not need you to be the voice of reason.”

  One of us needs to be, the demon replied.

  He wasn’t wrong, and that only served to add to Bram’s frustration.

  “Oh goodie, he’s talking to himself again,” said Austin as he entered the room. “Did I miss any good arguments between him and his inner bad boy?”

  “I’d stop talking if I were you,” said Elis, who had wisely been remaining silent as Bram had paced the living room for the last fifteen minutes, concerned Dana would have a change of heart and not come. “Not sure if you noticed, but he’s wound so tight that if he popped a spring, he’d put an eye out. You want to be how he channels that anxiety?”

  “Not especially,” said Austin. “I kind of like my limbs attached to my body.”

  The demon perked. Tearing off his limbs is on the table?

  “No,” said Bram before moving his head back and forth slightly. “At least not yet.”

  “Uh, are they talking about me?” asked Austin, concern in his voice.

  Elis snorted. “Probably.”

  Austin gulped loudly. “I think they’re here.”

  “They ar
e,” said Bram evenly, watching from the window.

  “Why are we standing in the dark?” asked Austin, flipping on the light.

  “Bad idea,” said Elis. “Shut it off.”

  Austin did. “Someone want to clue me in?”

  “With the light on, they can see him watching them,” said Elis. “I just did it myself a few minutes ago and nearly suffered his wrath.”

  “So, it’s what? Less off-putting that he’s doing it because he’s doing it in the dark?” asked Austin with a snort. “I’m not sure that’s how it works. Do you want to tell him or should I?”

  “I’m well aware of how things work,” snapped Bram.

  “There, there, big guy,” said Elis. “Mind your temper. Wouldn’t want you popping a fang or anything right before your daughter and her friend come in. Not sure I can come up with an explanation for it on the fly without it sounding as if it’s some kind of weird premature ejaculation issue.”

  Austin laughed so hard he barked like a seal. Several coughs and pounds on his chest later, and he managed to contain himself.

  Barely.

  Bram shook his head, rolling his eyes as he did. “Killing you both would simplify my life tremendously.”

  “But then who would do the bagged-blood runs for you?” asked Austin. “I’m handy to have around. Kill Elis. He’s a waste of space.”

  “Eat me,” said Elis.

  Bram ignored the two as they continued to squabble. He was vaguely aware of them listing all the ways in which they contributed to the organization. They were both of great value to him and the Van Helsing slayers, but Bram felt no need to stress as much at the moment.

  It was best to let them fight it out for now.

  His focus returned to what was happening outside, rather than in the room.

  Dana and Marcy were still there.

  At that very second, the voluptuous blonde goddess glanced in his direction. Her blue eyes fixed on his exact spot.

  Could she see him there even with the lights out?

  Some of her unruly hair had sprung free from one of her large, loose braids. She pushed it back and it popped out once again. With a frustrated expression, she blew it out of her face, only to have it return.

  For some reason, the act made Bram smile as his fingers curled in thin air, wanting nothing more than to ease the tendrils from her beautiful face. He’d done that very thing in the dreams he’d had of her. Just thinking of the dreams made his body tighten with need.

  “What’s he doing now?” asked Austin.

  Elis chuckled. “I’m not sure. Being weirder than normal.”

  “Hard to do,” said Austin. “He’s pretty friggin’ weird.”

  “And very able to hear you,” reminded Bram.

  The two men laughed as they headed out of the room, giving him a chance to collect himself.

  His gaze returned to the window and he stared out once more, watching as Marcy and Dana walked arm in arm toward the front door. The height difference between the two women was nearly laughable. Dana was six feet tall, and Marcy was anything but. Next to Bram, she seemed downright tiny.

  He found himself grinning like a fool as he watched the women leaning on one another, whispering as if they were schoolgirls.

  Tipping his head, he listened in on what they were saying as curiosity got the better of him. When he heard Dana refer to him as “dad,” a pang of emotion raced through him. It was a word he’d never tire of hearing her say.

  Marcy was quick to congratulate her for saying it, letting Bram know she was in his corner. For some reason, that meant a lot to him.

  When Marcy tilted her head and laughed, the need he’d thought he’d gotten ahold of tore through him once more. Even the demon seemed shocked by the intensity of it all.

  Austin slid up alongside him and looked out. “Total babe.”

  Bram growled.

  Backing up fast, Austin grinned, but then bumped the edge of Bram’s desk, sending a red pen into the air. The slayer caught it, proceeded to then fumble it, only to catch it again in midair. Only, he caught it with too much force and it broke, sending several red ink splatters onto Bram.

  Austin paled. “Uh, sorry.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Marcy

  My hand had only just wrapped around the brass bat knocker on the ornate wooden front door when the door itself opened, yanking me forward with it.

  Dana, who I was starting to think was really part cat-shifter with as fast as her reflexes were, grabbed my arm and steadied me, preventing me from falling face first into the entranceway.

  Austin Van Helsing stood there, his dark, shaggy hair hanging partially into his greenish-blue eyes. He, like every other Van Helsing I’d met thus far, was tall. I’m not sure what was in the water they drank but whatever it was, it grew hardy stock.

  He smiled wide, showing off a dimple in his right cheek. “Hello, ladies. Welcome to our humble abode.”

  “Humble?” I echoed, glancing up at the grand entrance. “We have very different ideas of the meaning of humble.”

  He chuckled and shrugged. “The big guy is into dramatic effect and fancy stuff.”

  “So I’m noticing,” I said with a smile, liking the way Austin referred to Bram as the big guy.

  Austin returned the grin. “He likes things a certain way. Move something a little to see if he notices. I do it all the time. Drives him batty. Pun intended.”

  “Vampire humor,” I said, my brows rising. “I’m guessing he loves that.”

  “Totally,” replied Austin with a snort. “Elis is the true master of the craft but don’t tell him I said as much. It will go to his head.”

  “Noted,” I added.

  Dana stiffened, and I knew nerves were getting the better of her. If left unaddressed, there was a high likelihood she’d retreat to her car and bolt. With as fast as she liked to drive, there was a greater-than-average chance she’d not stop until she was back in New York in record time.

  I leaned against her tall frame, partly to show support and partly to block her exit. “Would you look at that? Bram notices when things are moved even a little. Something else you and Bram have in common. You know, besides being able to throat punch a demon in two-point-two seconds. And you can both reach things on the high shelves. I’m sure there is more. Can’t wait to find out.”

  She stared down at me as a question formed on her face. “Are you saying I’m anal about where things are placed?”

  I touched my lower lip in a dramatic fashion. “No. Not you. Tell me again how many times you rearranged my bags at your apartment back in New York?”

  She opened her mouth to argue but closed it fast, blushing slightly as she did. At least she knew when she was busted.

  Austin chuckled. “Oh goodie. Another Van Helsing who is particular. There are more of you than you’d think.”

  “But you’re not one?” she asked.

  “I’m a rare breed among our family line,” he said with a cocky grin. “A roll-out-of-bed-and-wear-what-I’m-already-in kind of guy. An eat-pizza-that-has-been-left-out-for-a-day-or-so-while-washing-it-down-with-a-stale-beer sort of man. Some call it being a slob. I like to think I’m a live-in-the-moment kind of guy.”

  Horror flashed quickly through Dana’s gaze. She’d never be caught dead in clothes she’d slept in.

  It was hard to keep from laughing. “You’re saying that somewhere deep in her genetic lineage is the ability to loosen up? And a finer appreciation for pizza that could send her to the hospital with food poisoning?”

  Austin’s smile managed to get wider. “She might be too close to the original source code to ever really loosen up. Not sure how well you know Bram, but he’s not exactly known for being a fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants kind of guy.”

  I nudged Dana more. “He called the supreme leader the original source code. Look, another sci-fi geek. I’m starting to see a pattern among your people. Austin can reach high shelves too.”

  Some of the tension in Dana
abated. A soft chuckle came from her. “I’m so proud of you for calling my dad the supreme leader. All those sci-fi show marathons I put you through really paid off.”

  Putting my head to her upper arm, I smiled sweetly up at her. “And I’m really proud of you for calling him your dad—not Bram or sperm donor.”

  An array of emotions flashed through her green eyes.

  I winked. “It’s a good thing, sugar bottom.”

  “Sugar bottom?” she asked. “Please don’t let that be my new nickname.”

  Austin’s eyes snapped right to Dana’s lower half.

  I snorted.

  She lifted her free arm and snapped her fingers in his face. “Dude, we’re related.”

  “Distantly,” said Austin with a cocky grin. “Really, really distantly.”

  Dana laughed. “Wait until I tell my husband what you said.”

  Paling, Austin shook his head. “Please don’t. I work for him. He’ll castrate me.”

  “I know,” said Dana with a wide grin.

  Her husband owned and operated a bar and grill that was popular with the locals. Austin just so happened to help manage it all. To hear Jeffrey tell the tale, he’d been forced to hire Austin by orders of the Council of Elders because the slayers and shifters had been at one another’s throats nonstop for years.

  Maria, having had enough of their antics, forced their hands on several issues.

  I’d been around Jeffrey at the bar when Austin was there. The two went out of their way to act as if they didn’t like each other, but it was easy to see they’d grown on one another. If I had to guess, Jeffrey was starting to see Austin as an annoying little brother. I hadn’t pointed it out to anyone. It probably went against some sort of unspoken bro-code.

  “Are you ready to go in now?” I had no intention of pushing onward until Dana was onboard fully. We’d take as much time as she needed, provided she didn’t wet herself in the process.

  Austin remained silent as Dana stood there. He was notorious for sticking his foot in his mouth with her and I had to applaud his restraint. When his gaze met mine, a question formed in it.