“I can’t thank you guys enough for everything tonight. You’ve done more for me in a few hours than I’ve been able to do in the four months I’ve lived here.”
“No problem.” Kira raised her teacup in a cheer. “Here’s to Bron’s happy new home.”
The others raised their cups in agreement.
“Thanks again and you’re welcome to crash here if you need to.” I gave Sam a look that told him exactly what I wanted.
“Oh, that’s sweet,” Kira said. “But I’ve got to open up the library early tomorrow. I’m in desperate need of a shower and my own pillow.”
“And my appointments start at seven-thirty tomorrow morning.” Sam tried to keep his voice light, but I knew he had no plans to stay.
Caleb and Kira gave us both a confused look but didn’t say a word. My guess is they figured Dr. Sam would sleep over and I’d take him to the office tomorrow. No such luck. Argh!
They all carried their cups to the sink, and then I walked them out to the truck. Two cars came up the driveway as we headed out.
“You expecting company?” Caleb asked.
“No.”
Two black Suburbans parked on each side of Caleb’s truck. The tinted glass kept me from seeing who was inside. The door opened, and Sheik Azir got out.
What in the hell?
“Bronwyn, so good to see you.” He took my hand in his and squeezed it.
“Sheik Azir, this is more than a surprise. What are you doing here?” I realized I’d been staring at the man and that he still held my hand. Glanced at Sam, who didn’t seem happy at all.
“We had mechanical difficulties with the plane and decided to land here to see if we could switch out jets.”
I shrugged. “Sure, no problem. As far as I’m concerned they’re both yours and you can use them whenever you like.”
“Bronwyn, you know that jet is yours free and clear. I gave it to you and I’m not taking it back. I only meant to ask a favor.” He frowned and touched my arm.
Sam, Caleb, and Kira had leaned against the truck and were taking in the conversation. The sheik suddenly realized they were there.
“Oh, my apologies. You have guests. How rude of me. I’m Azir. It’s nice to meet you.” He put out his hand.
They each shook it in turn.
Kira cocked her head to the side, taking in Azir’s caramel skin and chocolate eyes, laced with a fringe of long lashes. “So you’re the reason Bron’s been gone so much.”
At this revelation, Sam crossed his arms against his chest and his jaw tightened. Yep, that was one unhappy camper.
“I’m afraid I’ve kept her busy the last few weeks with some difficult projects. She’s become quite important to me.” He turned and smiled at me. But there was something sneaky in his eyes.
When Sam took a step forward Caleb grabbed his arm.
“Well, come on, good buddy, we better get on our way. You’ve got those patients in the morning.”
Sam didn’t say a word, but if a look could kill, the sheik would be as flat as a pancake run over by an eighteen-wheeler.
Before Sam got in the truck he walked over to me and planted a hard kiss on my lips. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Nice to meet you, Sheik,” he said as he stomped back to the vehicle.
“Would he be the reason you were so sad in the garden that night?” The sheik eyed me suspiciously.
“If you’ll hold on a minute, I’ll grab my keys and take you to the jet.”
“Avoiding the question, Bronwyn? I’ve always thought of you as a woman who tackles things head-on.”
“No, I just don’t discuss my private life with my clients.” I put my hands on my hips.
“So many rules where clients are concerned. But I thought we established in Oslo that we were more than business acquaintances.” He pointed a finger toward my house. “And if you remember, you offered your home to me anytime I wanted to visit.”
“You want to stay here? Tonight? I…um, we just painted, and it smells really bad. Wouldn’t you be happier at a hotel somewhere?” No. Way. He couldn’t be in such close proximity. I hadn’t made that charm yet to help me resist him.
“In Sweet?”
He had a point.
“We have some very nice bed-and-breakfasts in the area. Beautiful old mansions where I’m sure you”—I motioned to his people—“and your entourage would be quite happy.”
He made a motion toward the car and a man came out with a bag. “Are you afraid of me?” He shook his head. “I’ve been on the plane for the last eighteen hours and I’m exhausted. And I must admit I’m also very curious about this world you have separate from your work.”
“Well, it’s really hard to do that when my work shows up on my front lawn. Are they staying, too?” I pointed to the cars.
“Only my executive assistant, Maridad. You met her at Duban Industries. I didn’t think it proper for me to stay in a single woman’s home without some kind of chaperone. Maridad fits the bill quite nicely.”
“Whatever, sure. Hope she doesn’t mind the smell of paint.” I opened the door and he motioned for the woman to leave the truck and come inside. She suppressed a laugh and I knew she had something she wanted to say to me, but she didn’t dare.
I put them in the other two guest rooms and climbed into my bed. What the hell is the sheik thinking? Stupid man. And why am I so damn happy to see him? I hate this. Really I do.
Twenty
Thursday, 11 A.M.
Sweet, Texas
Houseguests: 2
Frustrated witches: 1
I t’s my fault. I know it. When I sat with those witches sharing tea the other day I thought of the sheik and I accidentally brought him here through telepathy. Now I can’t get rid of him.
When I went downstairs to fix breakfast I found Maridad in the kitchen hovering over the coffeepot waiting for it to fill. Someone was addicted to caffeine. I can relate, but my poison is Diet Coke.
The place smelled of paint, with the warm aroma of rich toasted beans mixed in. With the sun streaming in, the golden walls made the room even more beautiful than I had imagined. I had to thank my crew from last night again for their hard work.
“Good morning,” I said to Maridad as I pulled out the eggs from the fridge. “Would you like some breakfast?”
“Coffee and toast are all I need, thank you.” Even at eight in the morning she had that formal clipped tone. Not rude, but efficient. I wondered if she ever let her guard down. “But I’m certain Sheik Azir would enjoy a full breakfast. He’s out in your conservatory looking over the plants.”
Grabbed a Diet Coke from the fridge and poured Azir a cup of coffee. Sighed as I watched him through the French doors. Such a gorgeous man.
I had a feeling he’d been lying to me last night and a call to the hangar this morning confirmed my suspicions. There wasn’t a damn thing wrong with his jet.
“Sheik, please don’t touch that.” I stepped through the doors.
He had been reaching up for a vine and pulled his hand back.
“That’s nightshade, also known as belladonna. Too much of it can kill you, just by touching the flowers.” I handed him the oversized cup and he sipped cautiously.
Even in the conservatory the air was cool, and the smell of damp earth mixed with the perfume from the flowers overloaded the senses. I love it.
“Do you have many deadly plants in your garden?” His right eyebrow raised, and he flashed stunning white teeth in a smile that would turn most girls to mush.
I’m one of them.
“They are only dangerous when not handled or used properly.” I pointed to a beautiful ruby red rose. “This gorgeous dame can be mixed with honey for love potions and is quite harmless. The vine growing above it—there with the almost black buds—those flowers can also be crushed and mixed with honey, but bring about convulsions and internal hemorrhaging seconds after being ingested.”
“Remind me to never make you an enemy.” He more snorted than laughed and shoo
k his head. “Don’t you worry about a child or an idiot adult wandering in here and hurting themselves?”
I shrugged. “Don’t have many visitors, and usually those who do make it through the door know better. As for children, that’s why the poisonous ones are up high. Only the idiot adults need worry.”
He ignored that last comment and walked toward the herbs. “Are all of these used in your potions and spells?”
“Most of them, yes.”
“I smell sage. What do you use that for?” He bent over sniffing, but I noticed he kept his free hand in his pocket.
“Sage purifies everything from the air when it’s burned, and your body when used in lotions and soaps. Centuries ago it was thought to bring wisdom and clarity. It does have a knack for getting rid of negative energy. And it’s great on chicken.”
“I’ve never seen this. What is it?”
“That’s meadow rue; it’s used to break hexes, as a flea repellent, and against predatory animals like werewolves.”
His head popped around on that one. “There’s no such thing.”
“Just because you haven’t seen something doesn’t mean it’s not real.” I turned on the mist over the rose garden. Watering in the morning keeps the plants from molding.
“Have you ever seen a werewolf?”
I shrugged. “No, but I’ve heard lots of stories. And I’ve met people who swear they are real.”
“I’m not sure what to believe anymore.” He faced me and the serious tone told me he had a lot more than plants on his mind. The handsome smile was gone.
“What is it?”
“I’m ashamed.” He crossed his arms and turned away from me.
“Of what?”
“Of my need to be close to you.” He faced me again, brown eyes staring intensely.
“Oh.” What the heck could I say to that? “Look, I thought I made it clear that we can’t be any more than friends.”
“Just because you want it so, doesn’t make it happen.” He blew out a breath. “But that isn’t why I needed to talk to you. Is there some way you can keep people from hearing what I have to say?”
“We’re in the middle of nowhere, at least five miles from town.” I closed my eyes and used my mind to search the house. “And Maridad is working on her laptop in the living room so no one will hear you.”
“It’s not enough. There must be a spell or something you can do to block out everyone.” He frowned and crossed his arms against his chest. “Including witches, warlocks, wizards, or anyone else in the magic world I don’t know about.”
“Why would you…” Understanding dawned. “Oh! No problem.”
I waved my hand in a circle around us and asked for protection from prying ears and eyes. The sounds of the birds and wind outside ceased and we were engulfed in silence.
A white mist surrounded us that would keep all ears and minds at bay. He pulled out a wooden stool from under the gardening worktable and sat down.
I did the same. “Okay, it’s you and me. Tell me why you’re worried about warlocks and wizards listening in.”
“Someone seems to know my every move, and it has to be more than a leak in my family or at Duban Industries.” He shifted on the seat, shoulders hunched.
I’d never seen him like this.
“When I said I didn’t know what to believe, I mean about everything.” He placed his hands on his knees and the sadness in his eyes yanked at my heart.
“You can tell me anything, Azir. I’ll help you.”
He tapped his foot in a nervous action. “Bronwyn, you are the one person I trust right now. The only one. And it makes me feel guilty for lying to you about the jet. I only did it so that I could see you. I think clearer when you are around.”
“For future reference, you didn’t need to lie about the jet. If we’re going to be friends and business associates, I’d appreciate nothing but the truth in the future. Lecture’s over. Why are you so upset? Is it your father?”
This strong, proud man suddenly looked like a lost boy. “My father is dead.” He rubbed his hand over his face as if trying to erase the anguish the words caused. The action tugged my heart and made it difficult for me to swallow. Such grief.
“I’m sorry. Wait—didn’t he try to kill you? I don’t understand.” I reached across and gathered his hands in my own.
“That’s the worst of it. Someone tried to make it look like my father was involved. The attacks began two months ago, but I found out that my father has been dead for months.”
“But you told me that you keep in contact with him.”
“The woman my father had been living with found me earlier in the week. She’s been hiding in Dubai for months with a child who is my half brother.”
“So some woman calls and says that he’s dead and she has his kid. Come on, Azir. You see the worst of humanity on a regular basis. You know how it works. She just wants money from you.”
He held up a hand. “No, no. It isn’t like that. She didn’t ask for anything. In fact, she risked her life and the child’s to contact me. She did it out of love for my father.”
“Maybe you should just start from the beginning.” I shifted my seat closer to him.
“I told you that my father had been working with several tribes trying to find a fair and peaceful resolution to some boundary issues. Everything had gone well and he’d even managed to get some of the tribes to work together on different projects.
“One night rebels invaded the camp where he stayed and they took my father hostage. He escaped a few days later, but he’d been shot. By the time he made it back to the camp he only had a few more hours to live.”
He met my eyes. The misery in him tore at my soul.
“He told the woman everything and made her promise to give me a message. She said that he warned me to trust no one, including those I hold dearest. Even my mother and sister were under suspicion because someone in my family wanted me dead.”
And there it was. The final blow. He had known for weeks that someone in his family had been involved but none of us suspected his mother or sister. I still didn’t.
“It doesn’t mean they’re directly involved, Azir. Only that they may be unknowing pawns in someone else’s game.” I thought about the tears in his sister’s eyes when she greeted him that night, and his mother holding him so tight as if she never wanted to let him go. Those women loved him. I was certain.
I jumped off the stool and turned to face the door of the conservatory. I let my mind race across the miles and found Shera asleep in her bed. I flitted through her thoughts and saw nothing except she still longed for the man she loved.
Skipping to Kazamar, I probed more. I delved through the recesses in her mind. I unfolded memories and searched for any clue that she might betray her son. Again nothing.
“They’re not involved, at least not willingly so,” I told him.
“You read their minds that fast?”
“Yes, my connection to them helps me find them quickly. And, Azir, I found nothing.”
“That leaves my brother.”
I sighed and closed my eyes. I combed the earth for him and could not locate his brother. I tried again and nothing. Opened my eyes and turned to face the sheik.
“Bad news or really bad news first?”
“Bad news?”
Optimist. Even in his darkest time he had hope. I admired that.
“Okay, the bad news is your brother may be dead.”
Azir took in a sharp breath. At his stricken look I decided to get it all over with at once.
“The really bad news is, if he’s alive he’s under the care of some powerful magic. I can’t tap into him at all—his presence has been erased from the earth.”
Azir shoved his hands through his hair. His watery eyes broke my heart. I knew I sounded callous, but I was afraid his brother posed a grave danger to the sheik.
“It would explain a lot. Like why I got nothing but business deals from him when I prowled his mind
before. Most people at least have thoughts about relationships or what they had for dinner. All I got from him was work-related details. Nothing else. Someone protected those other memories from me.”
“That doesn’t make my brother guilty of trying to kill me.”
“No, but would you prefer to believe that it’s Shera or Kazamar? I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be cruel, but it’s time we did something about this and ended the threat once and for all. Do you have any meetings scheduled with your brother in the next few weeks?”
“He’ll be in Brussels this weekend while we are there. Are you certain it is him?” He let out a slow breath.
“No, and I won’t be until we can talk to him. Do you know of any reason why he would work with your cousin, why they would both want you dead?”
“You know about what happened with my cousin and uncle, but my brother took my side in the ordeal. He stood by me through everything and grieved as hard as I did for the death of our aunt.”
None of this made sense. I’d seen the brothers together and knew they had a loving relationship. “It’s possible he’s not aware of his actions and that he’s being manipulated by magic. They may be using him to get to you, much like they did your father. And I’m sorry, by the way—about your dad. Have you told the rest of the family?”
“I can’t. Not until we find out who is doing this. It’s important for them to believe that I think my father is still alive.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ve been getting notes and sometimes e-mails from my father the last few months.”
“Oh, so unless his ghost has been busy—Wait, e-mails from the desert?”
“Yes, there is such a thing as wireless communication, Bronwyn. Not as effective as your ability to whip in and read a mind, but it serves the rest of us well. We know how to trace the e-mails and letters, but those things take time.”
I might have a way of speeding up the process but didn’t want to give him false hope. “When will you leave for Brussels?”
“I thought perhaps we could go together at your scheduled time tomorrow.”
That meant another day and night here at the house. Great.
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