Charmed & Dangerous

by Havens, Candace

  “You can’t die. I’m in love with you,” I whispered in his ear. After everyone had left.

  “I couldn’t tell you before, you big oaf, so don’t you go anywhere. You have to stay here with me.”

  Maybe I wished it, but I could have sworn he pushed into my mind. He’s here.

  “Who’s here, baby? Tell me.” I pushed back and tried to read him, but saw nothing but blackness.

  Kira and Caleb pulled me out of the room when the doctors came in, and back into the ICU waiting area. The cold blue walls did nothing to help the sick feeling in my gut. Did he speak? Or was it my imagination?

  “He’s so broken and I don’t think my magic can heal him.” I wanted to collapse into the floor.

  Kira held my hand in the waiting room while the doctors examined Sam. She tried to comfort me. “Right now, all he needs is your love. Let the doctors work their own magic.”

  “But I should be able to heal him. I can help others with potions and spells, why not him?”

  Caleb put a hand on my shoulder. “You could ease his pain, but you can’t re-create bone and mend it, Bron. He’ll be okay. It’s tough, but he’s a strong man.”

  “I hope you’re right, Caleb.” Then I let the tears flow. I crossed my arms across my middle and sobbed. They both hugged me and cried with me. It’s good to have friends.

  Noon

  After only a short time in the waiting room I noticed shadows on the floor in front of me. Peggy and the rest of the coven stood before me.

  “Peggy?”

  “We’re here to offer our assistance. We have powerful healers in our midst and they can help your Sam.” She took both of my hands in hers. “His father called me and gave us permission to see him. But we’ll only do it if you want us to.”

  “Of course I do. Thank you all.” I squeezed her hands and looked around at the group of men and women.

  “He’s also going to need our protection.”

  “Yes, yes.”

  “No, Bronwyn, you don’t understand.” Peggy touched my cheek to get my attention. “He was attacked by black magic. We found a dark sludge surrounding the area. He didn’t run into anything. Someone picked up his truck and crushed it to the ground.”

  “I don’t—No.” The black sludge meant only one thing. The warlock had come for me, here in Sweet.

  “We’re here to give you strength too, so that you can fight this malevolent evil. My son and two from our coven will take you to your home. You’ll be more powerful there.”

  “I can’t leave Sam. He needs me.”

  “Bronwyn, we all need you right now. As forceful as our coven is, we cannot fight this black magic alone. We’ll take care of Sam and protect him, but you must fight for us all.

  “Whoever it is came under the guise of another, so beware.” She turned and waved her hand to the coven and motioned them into the ICU ward. “This is a powerful warlock; our wards against evil did not bind him as they should have. We’ll protect your young man, but you must do what you do best.”

  I knew what she said was right, and I wanted nothing more than to kill the person who had done this to my beautiful, broken Sam. He’d suffered so much.

  But I wouldn’t blame myself this time.

  I’d make the warlock pay.

  I walked to the sheriff. “Take me home, please.”

  So now we wait. I’ve made the preparations and covered every angle I can imagine. The sheriff and the two witches are down in the kitchen and, from the clinking of the cups against the saucers, I can tell they’re nervous. Can’t say I blame them. I might be just a little scared if I wasn’t so fucking angry.

  The presence is closer. I feel him. He wants me to probe his mind, but I refuse. I’m not falling for any of his tricks. This time we play my game, my rules.

  Twenty-nine

  Tuesday, 8 A.M.

  Sweet, Texas

  Spells: 4

  Dead guys: 1

  S o tired. Everything happened so fast that I’m having a hard time remembering how it all went down.

  My first memory of the fight was the sight of Cole in the conservatory. Relieved and grateful, I sighed. With him here, I might have a better chance of taking down the evil. I might not like him very much, but he had power. And I could use all the help I could get.

  He had his back to me but I’d know that curly blond hair anywhere.

  “Cole?”

  He turned. I couldn’t see his face. The sun played tricks that time of the morning. “Bronwyn?”

  Pushed my hair behind my ears and squinted to see him better. “Did you hear about my friend Sam? They found black sludge at the accident site. It’s our guy, I know it.”

  “Yes, yes. Definitely our guy.” He sounded strange. Like his voice was coming through a bad speaker.

  Before I could even raise a hand he threw that nasty black crap at me. I deflected most of it with my wrist but it seeped in.

  I’d spent the last few hours recharging so my body could self-heal during an attack without much encouragement. Now I hoped my protection spells worked.

  Cole? The cop? I didn’t have time to think about the ramifications.

  Tried to throw my power at him, but it sizzled at the ends of my fingertips. Nothing.

  “I’ve bound your powers, witch. You can’t touch me with your magic.” His eyes blazed a fiery red.

  Great, just great.

  Never, ever underestimate the cute guys. You’d think I’d know better by now.

  “Who hired you?” I had to give myself some time. The sludge would wear off in a minute or so, but he didn’t need to know that.

  “I work for no one.” His blond hair flew around his face. Something wasn’t right. The voice wasn’t the only thing off. It hadn’t been the sun playing tricks. Another warlock possessed the cop.

  The shape of the man shifted slightly and I knew for certain.

  “You aren’t Cole, are you?”

  No answer.

  “If you’re going to kill me, the least you could do is tell me who you are. What’s the good of being a big, powerful warlock if no one knows it’s you?” If I threw magic at him, I chanced killing Cole too. I couldn’t do that. I needed the other warlock to step out of Cole’s form.

  “You have no right to ask anything, young witch. So much trouble you’ve caused. Upsetting my plans.” He pointed an angry finger at me.

  “What plans? How am I supposed to know what I’ve done if you don’t tell me?”

  The sheriff and the two witches were on both sides of the door behind me. I could hear their quiet chant and feel their power. They were smart not to interfere. If the worst happened they could summon the others.

  Cole, or whoever he was, hadn’t realized they were there. He must have come in from the side door to the conservatory.

  “Come on, Cole. I thought you were one of the good guys.”

  “This is the body of one who is true of heart. I only borrowed it to get into your small town. Seems you have a strong ward against evil slipping in.”

  As Cole’s body fell to the ground another warlock came forth. Dark hair, with the silver streak. Damn, if it wasn’t Wally the Warlock. Cole’s body lay in a puddle of muddy earth.

  “Wallace? How could you? You’re sworn to protect the innocent.”

  “I’ve made no such pledge, witch. And perhaps it’s time you called me by my true name. Sir William Blackstock.”

  In the time I’d spent with Wally, or whoever he was, he had to have been the last guy I would imagine as the all-powerful evil dude trying to kill me. Oh, I suspected he worked with someone else, but not that he was the guy. The warlock emanated power when we were in Brussels, but nothing like this.

  Wait. Blackstock. I’d heard that name, but the sludge had worked its way through my body and my mind didn’t click along at its usual pace. “Perhaps I’m dense. But I don’t understand why you are doing this. Who are you?”

  Then it dawned on me: this was the nasty warlock who had cursed
Darby and her lover. He had to be more than two hundred years old, which would explain the power—and the ability to hide it.

  “Why go after me and my charges? I’ve done nothing to you.”

  “I don’t care for witches, and you are that witch Darby’s descendant. That idiot blackened my name with her sorcery. Made me the laughingstock of the town.

  “I showed her, in the end—and that lover of hers. You know he stole her from me. They met at our engagement party.”

  So, all of this was some centuries-old vendetta?

  “Why go after my charges, why not just kill me and get it over with?”

  “I wanted to discredit you, in much the same way Darby had me. When your sheik’s cousin hired me to kill him, it worked out perfectly. Once I’m done with you, I’ll kill all the witches of the world. Your kind is a plague upon the magical community.”

  I felt the binding on my powers loosen and I threw a fireball at him. He deflected but it blinded him for a moment, and I called a spell to bind his powers.

  He shoved an enormous mound of black sludge at me and I weakened. A wind whipped around us in the conservatory and I realized all the windows had been blown open. His power surrounded me. Drained me. The only thing that kept me from falling to my knees was the image of Sam’s face.

  This asshole had hurt my Sam and for that I had to destroy Blackstock. I didn’t care what he called himself. Yes, the warlock had to die.

  I couldn’t raise my arms to protect myself and he threw another ball of blackness at me. Pain radiated throughout my body, and my head banged like a sledgehammer had hit it.

  I fell against the potting bench. In desperation I used the pruning shears to cut the palms of my hands and slowly turned in a circle as I dripped the red liquid to the ground around me. The one way I knew to beat dark magic was with a combination of blood and earth magic.

  I happen to be really good at both.

  Raising my bleeding arms as high as I could I screamed:

  Mother Earth, take this evil from my sight;

  Blind him so no other he harms.

  Goddess of Blood, I give this offering;

  His soul is yours.

  So mote it be.

  He threw a bolt of heat to my chest and I couldn’t breathe. I fell to the ground, knowing I would die within minutes. My self-healing spells hadn’t been meant for magic like this.

  A flock of mockingbirds swooped in through the open windows and surrounded Blackstock, pecking him on his head, arms, and legs. One large bird pecked at his black beady eyes and then lifted them from his head.

  Well, I would die today, but not before stupid Blackstock got his.

  Even as the breath left my body, I felt triumphant. At least the asshole would be blind.

  A hand fell across my chest and I turned my head. Cole was kneeling beside me, sending his power into me. The heat from his healing soared through me.

  “Thanks.”

  He collapsed beside me, and I didn’t know if he was alive or dead. I had no way of helping him. I couldn’t move.

  I watched Blackstock through the commotion. He screamed; horrible screeching sounds blasted around us.

  The birds could have been hired by Alfred Hitchcock the way they went about their work. Wally was a bleeding mass of pecked flesh. No eyes, and little nose left. His mouth had been ripped apart, revealing nothing but gums and teeth.

  I might have been grossed out but then the snakes rose from the ground. That Blood Goddess is one creative chick. Rattlesnakes encircled his body, biting him and chewing the flesh from his hide.

  He only had time to let out one more blood-curdling scream before a great hawk came in and ripped out his tongue.

  I thought about firing up just to put him out of his misery, but decided to let the Earth and Blood Goddesses have their fun. Honestly, I had nothing left.

  I watched the carnage. Every bit of Wally had been chewed or pecked away; his wicked soul lay there shimmering in a black aura.

  Blood Goddess, I commend this soul to thee.

  As I will, so mote it be.

  The light shone brighter and then dissipated into thin air. The Blood Goddess had taken him to her place and he would spend eternity doing her bidding. Wally the Warlock, Sir Blackstock, or whatever he called himself was now the slave of the Blood Goddess.

  Cole’s chest heaved and he took in a deep breath. He was alive.

  The sheriff and the other witches stepped out to gather Cole and me up and move us into the house. At least they’d have some good gossip for the next coven gathering.

  Before I could thank them, the blackness swallowed me.

  Next thing I knew, I woke in my bedroom to find Garnout shoving some kind of potion down my throat. I coughed and spat.

  “Swallow, my dear. You’ll heal faster.”

  I did what he asked. And tried to think.

  “Sam?”

  “He’s doing as well as can be expected.” Garnout’s kind face smiled as he pulled the covers up to my neck and wiped the spit off of my chin. “The coven and his parents are looking after him. The doctors are pleased with his progress.”

  “The sheik and PM?”

  “Cole called them. The sheik, who is on his way here, sent ten of the best doctors in the country to look after your Dr. Sam. The sheik must be a very good friend.”

  I couldn’t even wrap my mind around that, except I knew that Sam and the sheik had liked each other. If they hadn’t both been in love with me they might have been the best of friends. “Yes, Azir’s a good man.”

  “He loves you.”

  “What?”

  “Darby told me. She said the sheik was in love with you. She also gave me the warning about Sir Blackstock, but I arrived too late to help you. Looks like you handled everything on your own, as usual.”

  “It hurt.”

  “Yes, it did take a great deal from you, but you are even more powerful than before. Once you heal, you’ll see.”

  My brain hurt almost as much as my body. “I love Sam,” I whispered.

  “Well, that complicates things.” Garnout knew and heard everything. “It seems your heart has made an important choice for you. I’m sure this Sam loves you too.”

  “He does. He told me. But I couldn’t say the words to him. I love him so much and now he may never know.”

  “If he saw what I see in your eyes, he knew. Now, you need to rest.”

  He raised his hand above my head and I fell into a deep sleep.

  I remember the dreams from last night. Sam’s hands running over my body. Making me beg with every touch. Our auras mixed into a purple light. He slid into me, his eyes brilliant blues staring into my soul. I love you. I’m here, and I love you.

  Then he was suddenly yanked away, and my heart ripped into pieces.

  He shouted, “Bronwyn! I’m here!”

  I sat up, startled. Looked around the room. No Sam. But I could smell him. Called to check on him at the hospital, but his mother says nothing has changed.

  Was it just a dream? My body tingles where he touched me. I must still be delusional.

  I hear voices downstairs. Have no idea how long I’ve been out. But I’m afraid to go down. I can’t face anyone right now, but I need to see Sam.

  Thirty

  Wednesday, 4 P.M.

  Sweet, Texas

  Heartbroken witches: 1

  S am’s doing well. The doctors expect a full recovery and thanks to the coven’s powers, the need for more surgery is minimal. Most of the wounds have healed, except the one in his head.

  I spent all morning in his room with him, hiding. Azir, Sam’s parents, some of the coven, Kira and Caleb, and even Simone were all outside in the waiting room. But I was in the room with Sam, willing him to wake up. For all of the healing his body has experienced, he’s still in a coma.

  “Please, please, wake up, baby. I need to see those beautiful blue eyes again.” I squeezed his hand but he didn’t respond. Didn’t think it possible but my hear
t is splitting in two. It actually hurts I ache for him so bad.

  I joked with Simone about dating dead guys, but she knows I love him.

  And I care about Azir. Not in the same way exactly. His kindness and generosity, the way he’s taken care of everyone. From me to Sam’s parents to the doctors caring for Sam, he’s made sure everyone is comfortable and as happy as possible. How could I not appreciate him?

  Garnout told me that it would all work out as it should.

  “Sam, baby? You have to wake up. We have our whole lives to live together. And I’m not a patient woman.”

  “Are you trying to will him awake?” Garnout came in and put his hands on my shoulders.

  “Yes, but it doesn’t seem to be working.” I patted his hand.

  “You need to rest.”

  “I’m okay.”

  “No, you’re not. Your skin is pale and you need to eat. How about we stop by the wonderful Lulu’s on the way home for some of those artery-clogging chicken-fried steaks?”

  “I can’t leave him.”

  “You must. There’s a chance your weakened powers may be draining his.”

  “I’ll look after him, dear,” Sam’s mother said as she walked in. A beautiful woman with dark hair much like her son’s, only hers fell to her shoulders in soft waves. She was dressed in an elegant suit. The worry lines around her mouth and eyes were the only things that gave hint to the turmoil she must have been experiencing. “You’ll be no good to him if you’re too tired.”

  She made me uncomfortable in my own skin, as if she knew the thoughts rolling around in my head. Impossible. But I got the feeling she didn’t like me very much.

  Probably just guilt on my part.

  She leaned down and whispered to me, “He knows you’ve been here, and he’d want you to be healthy. Go and take care of yourself.”

  I kissed Sam’s forehead and walked out.

  Before we could leave, Margie ran up and grabbed my hand. “I’m so sorry, girl. But I’ve got really bad news.”

  “Oh, Margie, I can’t take any more. Really.”

  “But you told me to let you know. It’s Mr. G. He’s—bad. Real bad.”