Wicked Memories (CASTLE OF DARK DREAMS)

by Nina Bangs

  “I’m Thorn. I haven’t been Brandt for a very long time.”

  Kayla watched him walk away before she returned to the castle and her room. She thought about going to make sure Sparkle was okay, but decided against it. Kayla knew if she were in that situation, she’d want to be alone right now.

  And when she finally fell asleep, she dreamed of Thorn and her on that damn Ferris wheel. It took them into the stars before dropping them. She fell a long way, screaming and screaming and screaming.

  * * *

  Thorn watched Kayla enter the park. She had a cop with her. And she was scowling. Thorn smiled. Whoever was manning the entry gate must have given her a hard time. It mystified him how he could be so glad to see her at the same time the sight of her ticked him off.

  It had been five nights since his confrontation with Sparkle. Five nights of wondering when Ganymede would lose patience and go for the big kill, but so far nothing. Sure, Kayla had found lots of ways to annoy him, but nothing really serious so far.

  Good thing, because he had Aegir to worry about. Thorn still hadn’t come up with a plan to stop the sea god. Meanwhile, bad things were happening in Galveston. Killer whales had been seen close to shore. Great whites had attacked a few swimmers. A rash of jellyfish stings had driven people from the water. Some sort of weird seaweed was piling up on the beaches. And more boats had gone down. Galveston was the main topic on every news program.

  Kayla reached him. “These searches every time I come into the park are ridiculous. Your people never find anything.”

  Thorn hoped his expression showed nothing but polite concern. “Sorry. You’re still a risk to Nirvana. You either put up with the searches or stay away.” He knew she had to come as long as she worked for Sparkle.

  She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t play the injured party with me.” Kayla nodded toward the street where his picketers marched up and down the sidewalk in front of the castle waving their signs.

  He shrugged. “Hey, it’s a public sidewalk. You can’t stop people from expressing themselves.”

  “This is a new low for you, Mackenzie. ‘Sparkle Stardust hunts baby seals for fun’? Really? Who’s going to believe that?”

  Thorn couldn’t control his smile. “The ones who won’t visit Live the Fantasy anymore?” He’d sent out a fresh group of picketers every day, each group with a message guaranteed to anger potential customers.

  “She’s going to sue your ass.” Kayla seemed pleased with the thought.

  “My amazing ass. You left out the adjective.”

  Kayla rolled her eyes, but she didn’t refute his claim.

  He shrugged. “First she has to prove I’m the one doing the instigating. So far she has nothing.” Thorn hired different people every day to do the sign-carrying. And they never knew who paid them. Sometimes money was more powerful than magic.

  “Right. And I suppose you also had nothing to do with the fire alarm that went off at midnight, the sprinkler system that started raining on guests at two A.M., and the heating system that went berserk and jacked the temperature up to ninety-five degrees at four A.M.?”

  “You probably need to get an inspector in to go over the whole place. And Sparkle might consider hiring a more powerful wizard. Just saying.” Thorn wondered why the cop was with her. He didn’t have a good feeling about this.

  She offered him her death stare before turning her back and walking away.

  Thorn was a fool for allowing her anywhere near his park. But at some point when he wasn’t paying attention, she’d become the high point of each night. He looked forward to their banter, to the way she tilted her head when she was trying to figure him out, to her whole sassy attitude. Of course, the fact that he lusted after her had to be added into the equation.

  So that’s why he caught up with her instead of talking to Kel as he’d planned. “I couldn’t help but notice that you have a representative of the law with you.”

  The representative of the law glowered at him.

  Okay, so not a friendly representative. “I assume there’s a reason for that.” Thorn waited.

  Kayla widened her eyes. “Oh, I don’t know. He just happened to be standing outside, and I thought maybe together we might find a few little misdemeanors or possibly even felonies if we looked carefully.” She smiled a fake smile. “I’m sure you want to be an upstanding citizen, a pillar of the community, and run a squeaky-clean park. So you could say I was being helpful.”

  She didn’t look helpful. In fact, he didn’t like the way she looked at all. Her eyes were a little too bright, her smile a little too wide, and her expression a little too sneaky. He needed to get Grim over here.

  “Oh, look, Officer.” Kayla pointed.

  Thorn groaned. Too late.

  “I do believe I see a whole set of the Encyclopaedia Britannica over on that shelf.”

  What the hell? What was a set of encyclopedias doing sitting next to the stuffed monsters?

  The officer cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, sir, but the Encyclopaedia Britannica is banned in Texas. I’ll have to write you up.”

  “Banned? Why?” Thorn hoped his expression said that Kayla was dead once he got rid of the cop.

  “It has a formula for making beer at home.” The officer did some scribbling and then moved on.

  Kayla made a sad face, but her eyes were laughing. “I really don’t believe what I’m seeing. Do you see it too, Officer?”

  “I most certainly do, Ms. Stanley.”

  Thorn turned in a slow circle. Crap. At least ten visitors were giving the cop the finger. All at once. Evidently Thorn wasn’t the only one who could hire people. Sparkle had been busy.

  “I’m afraid, sir, that I’ll have to write all those people up for using offensive gestures.”

  He hurried off to do his duty while crowds of people watched. Some of them headed for the exit.

  “I should kick your devious little ass out of my park.”

  “Oh, but I’m just getting started. And how would that look to the policeman?” She pouted. “In fact, I don’t know if it’s even legal, since I’m not doing anything wrong.”

  His response probably sounded more like a growl than human speech.

  The policeman returned, and they moved on.

  Thorn learned a lot about obscure Texas laws in the next hour. Who knew that you couldn’t go barefoot without buying a permit first? The officer was winding up his visit, and Thorn was ready to vent his fury on Kayla.

  “Just a little friendly advice, sir.” The officer smiled. A shark’s smile. “It’s not legal to drive a car down Broadway before noon on Sundays.”

  “What?” Thorn was still thinking about the law that said he couldn’t shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel. Guess he was lucky he didn’t have a hotel, because Kayla would have found a way to get the buffalo.

  “You were observed doing just that this past Sunday. I’ll let you off with a warning this time.” He stopped smiling.

  “Wow, thanks.” Thorn hoped his sarcasm wasn’t too obvious, because there was probably a law against that too.

  The cop started to walk away, but he paused to glance back. “Just so you know, people who sit on the sidewalk can be fined. I’m sorry, but you have a whole bunch of them sitting while they wait in line. I’ll have to cite them.” He looked cheerful as he walked away.

  Thorn turned on Kayla. “Is he even a cop?” Unexpected anger exploded. He didn’t need this crap.

  She opened her mouth to answer, but he didn’t give her a chance.

  “I want you to leave Nirvana.” Even as he said the words, he knew he’d regret them. It was his anger speaking, but he couldn’t stop himself.

  Kayla paled, but she lifted her chin and glared at him. “Oh, it’s fine when you do things to Sparkle, but you don’t like it when she hits back. Can’t take it, can you?”

  “Not can’t. Try won’t. Come back when you’re not plotting against me.” To be honest, he’d known from the beginning what she
was doing. But somehow it hadn’t felt personal until tonight. What had changed?

  You’ve changed. Before tonight what she did hadn’t mattered because she’d just been someone who was sexy and fun to be with. No real threat.

  But tonight had been different. She’d enjoyed her triumph too much, he’d gotten used to enjoying her too much, and for the first time he realized that he cared. About Kayla Stanley, the woman, not some anonymous employee of Sparkle Stardust.

  He’d given her the power to hurt him. His subconscious had recognized the threat before he had. And he’d lashed out to protect himself.

  Maybe she needed to remember what he really was. He smiled, allowing just a hint of fang to show. “When you’re not working an agenda, come on back. You’d enjoy the roller coaster.”

  She stared at him for a moment, and then without a word she walked away. He watched her until she left the park.

  He sat down on a bench. His anger was already cooling. Well, he’d made a mess of that. But it was for the best. They’d be disastrous together. His dining habits would probably disgust her, and he’d never be able to go anywhere with her during the day. No, don’t go there at all. Stop thinking about her.

  Thorn leaned back and took a deep breath he hadn’t needed for a thousand years. Right now he didn’t know who posed the greatest danger to him: Sparkle, Aegir, or Kayla.

  13

  Kayla stormed back to the Castle of Dark Dreams, every step fueled by anger at Thorn Mackenzie. She had right and justice on her side. This was the first time she’d done anything that might actually impact his business, while he had landed quite a few punches in their ongoing battle. How dare he be mad at her.

  She tried to ignore any twinges of guilt. Kayla couldn’t just destroy a person’s livelihood and feel nothing. Dad would always see that as a weakness.

  She calmed down a little as she went in search of Sparkle. Kayla would make her nightly report and get to bed early. She was tired and, yes, a little depressed. The thought made her furious all over again. Thorn had ruined what should have been a perfect night. For the first time, Kayla had felt as though she was living up to her father’s expectations.

  Now? If she wanted to get back into Nirvana, she’d have to think up a disguise that would fool not only the people at the gate but everyone else she’d met at the pier. And Thorn hated her. That really took the joy out of the night. She sighed and admitted the truth. Kayla didn’t want him to hate her. She wanted him to . . .

  “We need to talk.” Holgarth seemed to pop up out of nowhere.

  She looked around. Kayla hadn’t even realized she’d reached the great hall. It was in between fantasies, and the wizard should have been doing his thing—hassling and intimidating the role-players. But instead he was leading her to a shadowed corner of the hall.

  “Make it quick. I have to find Sparkle.”

  “Whatever it is, it can wait.” Holgarth seemed troubled.

  Unease touched her. Her first reaction was fear for Thorn. That said a lot about her current state of mind. “I’m listening.”

  “Ganymede and Sparkle have recruited a group of zealot idiots to demonstrate in front of Nirvana tomorrow night. Sparkle is supplying the buses to bring them in from all over the state.”

  “Zealots?” That didn’t sound good. She pictured a bunch of nuts dressed in long robes brandishing pitchforks and torches.

  He nodded. “They’re an Internet group called Humans Against True Evil. H.A.T.E. Fitting. They’ve heard about Nirvana’s . . . unusual amusements. And in the time-honored tradition of humans down through the ages, they’ve labeled what they don’t understand as evil. They’ve decided that Nirvana is fueled by demonic power.” Holgarth sighed. “Well, perhaps they’re not completely wrong. There is Klepoth.”

  Kayla didn’t like the sound of these whack jobs, but she didn’t see them as much of a danger. “Won’t the police be there to make sure nothing gets out of hand?”

  “Usually, but I have a bad feeling about this. And I’ve learned to listen to my instincts. Sparkle probably intends this to be a simple demonstration to discourage Thorn’s customers, but Ganymede might have something else in mind. Never underestimate him.” He looked away. “My son is over there. I worry.”

  “But your son has power to spare. What could a mob do to him?” The word “mob” left a bad taste in her mouth.

  Holgarth thought about that for a long time, then shrugged. “Maybe you’re right. If Sparkle tells you about this, act surprised. I’m not supposed to know.”

  “How did you find out?” She was already busy thinking about what she could do to help if things got out of hand.

  “I listened at a door.” Holgarth didn’t look even a little embarrassed. “It’s my job to know things.”

  “Of course.” This time Kayla was glad his moral compass didn’t point directly north.

  “If Sparkle asks your opinion, caution her about the destructive power of fanatics.”

  Kayla nodded and opened her mouth to ask about Sparkle.

  “She’s at her club.” He turned and walked away.

  Wearily, Kayla retraced her steps back to the hotel lobby and entered Wicked Fantasy. She paused for a moment, allowing her eyes to adjust to the dim interior. Finally she spotted Sparkle at a small table tucked into a dark corner. She had a drink in front of her and was doing her nails by candlelight.

  Kayla sat across from her and waited.

  Sparkle sighed and looked up. “How did things go tonight?”

  “Wonderful.” Kayla didn’t even try to look happy. “Some of his customers left, and he hates Officer . . .” She realized she didn’t even remember his name. “He told me not to come back to Nirvana.”

  “Good.” Sparkle went back to doing her nails.

  Kayla knew she looked surprised. Sparkle didn’t sound any happier than she did. “This is a breakthrough,” Kayla said. “I thought you’d be thrilled.” Even if I’m not.

  Sparkle finished her last nail and finally gave Kayla her full attention. “I’m conflicted. My life’s calling is not in sync with my business.”

  “What?”

  Sparkle studied her shiny perfect nails. “I’m the cosmic troublemaker in charge of sexual chaos. I bring together people who lust after each other but have nothing else in common. Then . . .” She took a sip from her drink, making sure her nails didn’t touch any part of the glass. “I watch them break each others’ hearts. You saw what happened to your parents.” She took another sip, a bigger one this time. “I almost got caught in my own trap with Bra . . .”

  Sparkle held her glass up and stared into it. Kayla didn’t think she’d find the meaning of life there.

  “I suppose I should stop using that name. Anyway, I really did care for him, but I loved Mede.” With the precise motions of the slightly tipsy, she set the glass down. “You care for Thorn, don’t you?”

  Kayla hadn’t seen that question coming. She answered truthfully. “Yes.”

  Sparkle smiled as though it should all make perfect sense to her now. “You care for him. And he must care for you or else he never would’ve allowed you to enter his park night after night knowing that you worked for me.” Her smile faded. “Now he’s mad at you. You can’t go back to Nirvana. You’re miserable. I bet he is too.” She held her hands out, palms up. “Am I good or what? That’s why I had your father send you and not your brothers.”

  Kayla just stared at her. “Self-satisfied much?” She didn’t really believe Thorn cared. He probably only regretted that he hadn’t tossed her out sooner.

  Sparkle went to sip her drink again and then peered into the glass. “Empty. How did that happen?” She blinked and focused on Kayla. “Remember? I said I was conflicted. So I’m not completely ecstatic. You’ve finally started to have success, and now you can’t go back. Unless . . .” She frowned at her empty glass. “Do I need another one?”

  “No.” Kayla wanted to mention the demonstration scheduled for tomorrow night, but she di
dn’t want Sparkle to know that Holgarth had told her about it. “So have you and Ganymede made up?”

  Sparkle turned sad eyes her way. “No. What he did was inexcusable. I’ll never forgive him.”

  Kayla didn’t sense total conviction in Sparkle’s “never.”

  Sparkle set her glass down carefully. “Think I’ll check on the store. He’s still holed up in Sweet Indulgence. Have to make sure he hasn’t eaten through my supply of chocolate creams. Go with me?”

  “Sure.” She didn’t want to go, but Kayla was still hoping Sparkle would bring up the demonstration. And if Sparkle didn’t mention it, maybe Ganymede would. If all else failed, she’d ask some leading questions. “You haven’t been taking care of the store?”

  “Nope. Mede has. It’s only fair, since he’s using the apartment there.” Sparkle grabbed her purse, climbed out from behind the table, and tottered to the door. “Let’s go.” She paused. “Should I get one of those drinks to go?”

  “No.” Kayla was definite about that.

  All the way to Sparkle’s candy store, she thought about what Holgarth had said. Maybe the wizard’s unease was influencing her, but now she was worried.

  Kayla stopped in front of the door. Uh-oh. There was a closed sign in the window. She glanced at Sparkle.

  Fury had burned away some of Sparkle’s buzz. “Lazy bastard.” She pounded on the door. When no one answered, she whipped a key from her purse and let them in.

  All Kayla could do was to stare. The place looked as though an army of rabid candy demons had gone berserk in it. Gumdrops and licorice allsorts were strewn across the floor. Displays had been knocked over. Half-eaten chocolates littered every surface. And then there was Ganymede.

  He was still in human form. He’d discarded his shirt. It lay on the floor along with the candy. He lay on top of the counter, one knee bent. Ganymede didn’t look at them as he stared at the ceiling.

  “I should paint your ceiling. Maybe a few cherubs. You could have this naked fat guy stretching out his hand, reaching for the god of soft-centered chocolates.” He paused to think. “I was there when Michelangelo did his ceiling. Mine would be better.”