The trip had been Meckenzie’s way of trying to create a good memory for the kids, something they had precious too little of. “Don’t you dis Disney World, girl. I have a picture with you and Mickey Mouse—and you’re smiling.”
“I am not.” Ginger dug around in her fanny pack. “One curse-breaker and a protection spell. That should get me through the door long enough to snag our pretty.”
“All right.” Meckenzie opened the scroll and read the Latin inscription. They used the magic detector and found that it only indicated black. So far, so good. Ginger extracted a tiny vial filled with white smoke.
“Party time,” said Ginger.
“This spell won’t last long, so don’t get fancy. Over the rail, shatter the glass with the sonar pen, and grab the necklace.”
“Then we run like hell. Got it.”
Meckenzie opened the vial, and blew the smoke at her. It enveloped Ginger like a quick-moving fog then disappeared. The girl glowed gold, indicated the spell was working.
Ginger winked and opened the door, running full on toward the glass case. Meckenzie looked at her digital watch. Once Ginger stole the object, they had less than a minute to haul ass out of the building and to the waiting van.
As she watched the seconds ticked by, her nerves stretched taut. They didn’t steal for profit. She’d made a bargain with herself that she would never use her skills for financial gain. Actually, she’d promised herself to get out of the game altogether and go be normal somewhere. She wondered if Ginger, Hack, and Killer could adapt to public school. Probably not, but it would be nice for them to have the choice.
Meckenzie wasn’t cut out for normal, but it didn’t stop her from fantasizing about the possibilities.
Especially after meeting a super-hot werewolf-vampire who made her heart go pitty-pat. She’d left on uncertain terms with both him and the small paranormal town in Oklahoma. This job was sorta penance. Baba Yaga had invoked the name of Queen Patsy, and Meckenzie agreed to the gig on the spot.
Nearly a year ago, she’d sorta let an evil witch into that unique community and caused all kinds of troubles for those who lived there. She also died for a minute or two, and when she woke up in a hospital room, she found loup de sang Ren Marchand watching over her.
Focus, Meckenzie.
She owed Baba Yaga this favor, and if she failed to come through, she’d never get that debt repaid. This Giselda had to be a pretty good friend of the head mucky-muck of witchcraft, especially to waste a marker on her.
So, Meckenzie didn’t even muse—much—about the monetary value of the necklace she’d been sent to steal. Crossing Carol was a no-no. That witch had some major magical mojo. There wouldn’t be a place on earth Meckenzie could hide. Throw in the ire of the vampire queen, and Meckenzie could go from human to wall spatter in seconds.
Meckenzie heard the safety glass shatter seconds before the alarms started blaring.
Noooooo! Damn it. Stupid elves and their really fantastic security systems.
Ginger appeared in the doorway, holding an intricately designed gold necklace that looked like flames woven together. It was inlaid with red and yellow diamonds, and sparkled in a way that could only be called fire. She’d never seen its like before. And she’d stolen a lot of necklaces.
“Got it!” Ginger said brightly, as if their eardrums weren’t getting shattered by screeching alarms.
“We need to go,” Tabor shouted from where she’d posted him at the door. “Move!”
They shot down the hall and out of the building. Tabor followed right behind them as they ran out of the alleyway. Hack had the back of the van already open. They jumped inside, he shut the doors, and Killer slammed his foot down on the accelerator. The van’s tires screeched as they took off, barreling around the corner and away from the scene of the crime.
“How pissed off do elves get?” asked Tabor, eyeing the necklace.
“Elves of the Gold Order are not the forgiving sort,” said Meckenzie. “I hope your witch friend is prepared for any fallout.”
“That not my problem. Once I make sure the damn thing’s delivered, I’m out. I only hope I still have a home left. Stupid zombie bunnies.”
Meckenzie raised her brow. “Do I even want to know?”
“No,” said Tabor. “But I’ll never look at a rabbit the same way again.”
Ginger held up the bounty. “This is the most amazing necklace ever.” She draped the sparkly across her bosom and looked down at it. “I think it’s glowing.”
“Careful. You never know what secrets a magicked item holds.” Meckenzie plucked the necklace from Ginger and examined the delicate, twisting flames with their pinpoints of sparkling gems. It was an amazing piece.
“It’s beautiful,” said Killer, glancing over his shoulder. He returned his gaze to the road. Killer was a giant…well, more like half-giant. They weren’t quite sure what the other half was, only that he wasn’t exactly human. At the age of sixteen, Killer was nearly seven feet in height and as wide as a bus. He had the strength to crush skulls and break down walls, but he was the most Zen member of the group. It took a helluva lot to rile him, which was a good thing. He could Godzilla a room in ten seconds flat.
“As soon as we drop off Tabor, let’s go to base and pack up,” said Meckenzie. “We need to put Las Vegas and Adler the elf in our rearview mirror. Besides, there’s someone in Oregon who needs our help.”
“You got it, boss,” said Killer.
The team had gotten pretty good at loading up the van quickly and efficiently. They traveled light. It was easier to disappear when you didn’t carry around a lot of junk. Meckenzie tried not to think too much about putting down roots. Settling down meant staying in one place with the same people in the same place and dealing with the pasts they were all trying to outrun. Uh, no thanks. Even if she’d almost given into the urge to settle down in a certain town with a certain loup de sang.
Nope. Meckenzie and company were the paranormal equivalent of the A-Team—they helped those who needed it, not who could afford it. They never took anyone’s money. Meckenzie had money. A lot of it. Ill gotten gains acquired from years of thievery. She owed a lot of back taxes to Karma.
Once Killer got to Charleston Boulevard, he smoothly melded into traffic and headed toward the Black Dragon Casino on the Strip. It didn’t take long to get to their destination. Thank goodness.
“We’re here,” said Killer.
Meckenzie poured the necklace into the black bag and handed it to Tabor. “Good luck, dude.”
“Thanks. I’d like to say it was nice, but…” Tabor took the bag and tucked it into the front pocket of his jeans. He tipped his hat. “Ladies. Gents.”
Hack opened the back door and the bear Shifter got out and sauntered toward the rear entrance of the Black Dragon Casino.
Meckenzie closed up the van. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
Chapter Six
That is the gaudiest thing I’ve ever seen, said Dorcas. It figures Nelly Humbleback would commission something so god-awful ugly. She has the style sense of a toad in a tutu.
Immie rolled her eyes. “You’re wearing plastic heels and a mini-skirt. You don’t have a lot of room to talk.”
Shut up. Dorcas waved her hand to encompass the room. This place is so pink and so frilly, I feel like I’m in a My Little Pony graveyard. How many glitter fairies did she kill to frou-frou up this eyesore?
“There are no such thing as glitter fairies,” said Immie. “What are you doing here anyway?”
Avoiding dead bunnies.
“Go home, Dorcas. Please.”
Dorcas huffed. Fine, party pooper. I know when I’m not wanted. It doesn’t take a brick over the head for me to get the hint. I’ve lived the song, Hit the Road, Jack. You don’t have to tell me twice.
“Dorcas!” the bear Shifter yelled. “I need you to watch over the twins until we get home.”
Your mom is there, said Dorcas. She’s hell with a golf club. Took two out wi
th one stroke.
“Wait. She’s using my golf clubs?”
Um. I gotta go. Twins to watch, you know. The witch ghost disappeared.
“Please don’t let it be my new nine iron,” Tabor prayed. He handed over a black bag to Giselda. “We square?”
“Yeah, sure.” She snapped her fingers and the chains around Theo fell off.
“And the bunnies?” asked Immie.
Giselda twisted her lips. “You make sure Theo stays put for the next twenty-four hours. I’ll dispose of the rabbits after I attend the witch’s ball.”
“That wasn’t deal,” protested Immie.
“I’m changing the deal. Keep Theo away from me and I’ll keep the zombie bunnies away from you.” Giselda’s expression softened. “Please.”
“Okay,” said Tabor. He shared a look with Immie, and she nodded. They didn’t really have a choice. Only Giselda could remove the damned bunnies.
“Aw, babe. C’mon,” said Theo, stretching. “You can’t wear that necklace at the shindig.”
“I have to,” said Giselda. “You’ve made it clear you’re not in it for the long haul.”
“So now you’re going to find a wizard and marry him?”
Giselda swallowed hard. “Yes.”
“I can’t believe you’re gonna wear that tracking beacon to horny wizards. Why do you think I lost it to Adler?” He took Giselda into his arms. “You’re my girl.”
“No, Theo. Not anymore.” Giselda pulled away and twirled a finger in his direction. He popped out of sight. “I sent him to your house, Immie and Tabor. Remember, that bear gets anywhere near the witch’s ball, and you’ll have zombie bunnies in Wild for the rest of your lives.”
“Got it,” said Tabor.
“Well?” Giselda shooed at Immie and Tabor. “Go away.”
Apparently, Immie and Tabor weren’t leaving fast enough for the witch, so she flicked her fingers at them—and they were immediately transported home.
“It’s been a helluva day,” said Tabor, taking Immie into his arms. He kissed his wife. “Life’s never boring with us, is it?”
* * *
Mother bent down and flounced the skirt of Giselda’s floor-length dress. The indigo fabric sparkled like the night sky. The dress was an excellent reproduction of a 1500s gown, but she was grateful for the reliance on illusion rather than authenticity. The idea of walking, much less dancing, in fully loaded 16th century duds was unthinkable. The coven was a bunch of sticklers for the old days, and it grated on her last nerve. It wasn’t like the medieval era had been kind to witches.
Hello, she thought. There were witch hunts going on long before Salem, and the only thing anybody learned was that witches don’t float.
She looked at herself in the mirror as Mother continued to fuss. The tops of Giselda’s shoulders and breasts were bared by the squared neckline. Theo loved her neckline. She traced her collarbone. Oh, Theo. Why did he have to be such a shit? He would have loved her in this dress. The laced-up bodice was ribbon sewn into the fabric. The wide scooped sleeves allowed plenty of movement and the flowing, oversized skirt at least felt comfortable. Of course, he would’ve admired it for about 8 seconds before taking it off and—
Nope. Not going there. She was done with Theo. Giselda sighed. She felt like a princess without prince. Instead of a head covering, Mother had brushed Giselda’s long red hair until it crackled then twisted it into beautiful and complex braid. Three tiny faux diamonds had been applied at the corners of her eyes.
Maybe tonight, she’d find the man to make her stop thinking about that stupid, unfashionable, idiotic, adorable bear. Her gaze dropped to the gold flame necklace. “Mother, is this really some kind of mate finder?”
“It has a certain power to bring lovers together,” admitted her mother. “It’s time you find a wizard, darling. You’ve been single for centuries.”
Giselda had not been single for centuries. She’d had boyfriends. But her parents didn’t count non-marriage and/or Shifter relationships as valid. The only man she’d ever wanted to get hitched to couldn’t make a commitment to save his furry ass. The reminder that Theo wouldn’t put a ring on her finger steeled her resolve. She wanted marriage, babies, and a damned white-picket fence.
“It’s time, dear.” Mother showed her the simple blue velvet mask. Two peacock feathers wrapped its border, the colorful feathers plumed up on each side. “Put it on before you get inside. They’re big on everyone being masked on arrival.” Mother air kissed her cheeks. “Go find your Wizard Charming.”
* * *
The crush of color, noise and bodies overwhelmed Giselda as she was swept inside the huge ballroom with other arriving witches and wizards. Music played—some sort of twanging, tinkling bell stuff that didn’t appeal to her.
Chandeliers glittered high above the crowds. Most of the floor had been sectioned off for dancing, but she smelled the tantalizing scents of cooking food and realized buffets had been set up on each side of the large space. Oh, good. She’d be able to eat her feelings.
The mask felt itchy, or maybe it was the tiny fake diamonds near her eyes, but she was already dying to take it off. How would she last hours in this mask? The necklace tingled against her flesh, and she pressed her fingers against it.
God, I feel stupid. She felt her stomach knot. This had been a mistake. She’d allowed her pride to make the decision to dump Theo. She was caught between wanting to be with the Shifter she loved—and wanting to be loved by someone who thought forever with her was a grand idea.
“Hey, there. You look lost.” The man’s voice came from behind her shoulder, but the number of people in the area made it difficult to maneuver. Fingertips brushed her elbow. “Move all the way to your right. They have tables over there.”
She followed the directions and soon found herself able to breathe again. Turning, she looked for the man who rescued her.
The stranger wore a flowing gold shirt, carelessly opened at the top, but tucked into his gold spandex. Added to that, were his gold shoes with pointed toes. The gold mask looked like the one worn by the Phantom of the Opera; it covered the top half and one side of his face.
“Do I know you?” asked Giselda.
“Not yet.” The man was muscled, taller than her by six inches, and filled out his gold jeans very nicely. But he was no hunky werebear. Misery claimed Giselda’s heart.
The man took her hand, his smile somehow disingenuous.
She felt a sting against her palm.
Suddenly dizzy, she felt her knees buckle. The stranger swept her up into his arms and strode out of the ballroom into the wide hotel hallway. She couldn’t form words much less attempt to struggle.
He took her into another, smaller room. It was dimly lit and smelled like unwashed feet.
“Tsk, tsk, Giselda. You shouldn’t take what doesn’t belong to you.” Her vision blurred, but she could see that the stranger in gold had morphed into a smaller being with pointed ears, a long blonde beard, and a stark expression. He unclasped the necklace. “No one steals from me. And you will be the warning to others.” He leaned close and whispered. “Enjoy your last breaths, m’dear.”
Chapter Seven
Holy shitballs! yelled Dorcas. We have a breach! We have a breach!
“We know,” shouted Immie. The zombie bunnies devoured the gate in less than ten seconds and had surged against the house like a great white wave of furry death.
She and Tabor had been playing whack-a-bunny at the front windows, which had broken against the dearth of hares.
There’s one! Dorcas pointed at a rogue bunny doing a one-legged hop across the kitchen floor.
Theo grabbed the snarling thing by its ratty ears, opened the back door, and flung it outside.
“Check on the girls, Dorcas,” said Tabor.
Dorcas flickered out. Then she returned. They made a treehouse in their room and your mom is distracting them. Don’t worry. They’re holed up tighter than a nun’s vagina.
“What
the hell is going on?” Tabor bonked two rabbits with the metal baseball bat and scooted them into the black lawn bag that was almost full. “I thought Giselda was going to hold these rabbits at bay.”
“She must be distracted by all eligible wizards,” said Theo. He’d gotten out a mop and was currently smearing rabbit guts along the wood floors.
“You’re supposed to use water with the mop, Grandpa,” said Immie.
“Oh,” said Theo. He gazed forlornly at the kitchen floor. “That explains the lack of progress.”
“What the holy fuck!” Baba Yaga’s sudden appearance in the living room had marked her for attack. Bunnies gathered around her feet, their ugly teeth aimed at her legs. Baba Yaga pointed down and the rabbits exploded into rank piles of goo. She examined her torn net stockings and black ankle boots. “Those little bastards.”
“Fore!” yelled Tabor. A growling bunny flew over the couch and splattered on the wall.
“That’s it.” Baba Yaga waved her hand in the air. Patsy the vampire materialized wearing an apron that said, “Vamps Do It With Bite,” and nothing else.
Immie gaped at Patsy bare backside as the vampire whirled around, spatula in hand and shouted, “What the ever-loving fuck, Carol!”
“I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time, Patsy, but the situation here is dire.”
“Do I look like I care?” said Patsy. “It’s date night, Carol. Do you know how often I get a date night with four children and all of vampire kind to rule? One. And I’m not talking once a week, or once a month. I’m saying, once a freaking year. Do you know how hot my man is?”
“Yes. Gabriel is hot,” agreed Baba Yaga. She whipped her hand out again, and within two seconds; Patsy was wearing pink cotton panties.
“Gee, thanks. I feel so much better,” said Patsy. Gold sparkles surrounded her. After the glittery light dissipated, she wore a T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. “I can clothe myself, thank you.”
“The zombie bunnies,” said Immie, desperation leaking into her tone. “They’re everywhere.”
Magic and Mayhem: Sh*t My Shifter Says (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Witches Gone Wild Book 2) Page 3