by Ashlyn Chase
That didn’t work. Guilt trip? It might be worth a try. “It’s the least you can do. After all, I’m giving up all of my free time just to keep an eye on you for my friend, and I told him I could guarantee your safety.”
Finishing her donut, she wiped the powdered sugar from the corners of her mouth with her finger. “If you’re going to be resentful about it, then don’t do it.” She whirled around, showing her back to him and stormed out of the kitchen to the hallway.
Vic followed her. When he caught up with her, he asked, “Why do you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Turn your back on me like that.”
“So I can’t see your face.”
“Why? Are you going to spit in it?”
That brought a chuckle. “No,” she said. She turned to face him and seemed calmer. “I’m sorry. I guess I should have mentioned the fair, but I’m not used to someone keeping track of me day and night.”
“Except Donovan, and we know how well that turned out,” Vic said. “I’m sorry too. I can’t promise I won’t be upset if you put yourself in danger, though. I . . . care what happens to you.”
Michele looked at her feet. “Why? Is it just because you’d miss me keeping your bed warm at night?”
“No.” Vic moved closer to her with his hands in his pockets. “Although I would . . .”
The housekeeper walked into the hallway and folded her arms. “Are you done yelling at each other now?”
Vic, startled by the intrusion, said, “Carmen, I didn’t hear you come in.”
“I was drowned out by the two of you. Now what do you want me to have ready for dinner tonight? I can make stuffed salmon or roast chicken . . .”
“I think I’ll take Michele out to dinner and give you the evening off.”
Carmen beamed. “Sounds good to me. I’ll do my chores and go. You two can have make-up sex after I leave.”
Michele’s hand flew to her mouth and she blushed.
Vic watched Carmen return to the kitchen and he pulled Michele into a hug. She was giggling.
“That sounds good to me too,” he whispered. “I wish we had the time.”
“We’ll have to make up a couple of times after dinner then.”
“In that case, I’ll to take you someplace nice.” When he pulled back and looked at her, she was smiling. “And afterwards I’ll take you to a place you’ll never forget.” He raised his eyebrows twice in rapid succession.
She broke into a grin and kissed him. “I can’t wait,” she said.
* * * * *
On the way to the fair, they’d agreed on an acceptable compromise. Michele would make her own decisions about public exposure, as long as Vic was made aware of it in advance and could scope out the place first. She also had to let him pick the safest location for their booth at the fair before they set up. It was the only way she could appease him because she hadn’t trusted him and given him credit for his ability to compromise.
Michele was disappointed, but she had given Vic her word, and she would stick by the agreement even though it meant giving up the coveted booth they had originally been assigned. Booths near the entrance drew customers who walked in ready to spend money. They could really use those first impulse buys.
Vic had insisted they trade it for one of the tables near the exit, just in case, so their escape wouldn’t be blocked from the crowds coming in.
“Hiding in the back, are we?” Savern said. Her annoyance was apparent as she tossed the books into a box five feet away. Michele wrapped the breakables in bubble wrap and placed them carefully in another box.
“Vic says it’s safer than being trapped on two sides.”
“And you agreed with him?”
“I’m sorry. I made a deal and shook on it.”
“Well I didn’t. I just set up this whole booth without any help.” Savern scratched her expanding belly.
“I’m sorry we were late. I’m sorry we have to repack everything you just unpacked. I’m sorry I have a stalker after me . . .”
“Do me a favor?”
“What?”
“Shut up and find a table near the restroom. I have to pee every five minutes.”
Michele sighed. “I’ll see what I can do.”
All Vic wanted was an exit nearby. She wandered around, looking at other locations, trying to find one that didn’t suck and would satisfy both of her friends. The first woman she asked, a rune reader, jumped at the chance to switch places. She returned to Savern with a sad, slow gait.
“I found us one you’ll both approve of. It’s directly in line with the exit . . . and almost next to a ladies room.”
“Where is Vic anyway?”
“Getting us some bottled water.”
“Us?” Savern said. “Not me, I hope.”
“You shouldn’t dehydrate yourself just to stay out of the bathroom. It’s not good for the baby.” Michele picked up a goblet, ready to return to her packing duties.
Savern jammed one hand on her hip, or where her hip would be if she weren’t pregnant. “Yes, Mother.”
Michele smirked. It was a role she’d like to play in some tot’s life someday. But not just yet. “So, how’s Alex? Is he behaving himself?”
“He’s been really sweet. He actually bought the baby a car seat yesterday.”
“So he’s not playing Barry White music anymore?”
“No. I told him I was on to his tricks and to stop trying to seduce me.” Savern had an evil smile on her face.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
She tipped her head to the side and looked at the ceiling. “Oh, nothing.”
“Spill it,” Michele said.
A bright grin lit up her face. “I just said that after the baby is born, I might be the one to seduce him.”
“Wow! That’s a switch. What did he say to that?”
“I don’t think he could speak. But he did look pleasantly shocked.”
Michele grinned back at her friend and finished putting the last of the breakable art, candleholders, and artifacts into the box. Looking up, she saw Vic closing the distance between them balancing water bottles, nachos, and a bag of giant cookies. She couldn’t help smiling. If she were a normal woman, leading a normal life, Vic would be her idea of the perfect mate. He made her heart pound, both in bed and out. However, with her life in turmoil, she thought she’d better not entertain the idea of a Mr. Right, right now.
A temporary tryst was the most she could expect. Still, the sight of him made her go soft and smooshy inside.
He moved with steady strides, clutching their snacks, as if he were grasping a football. When he approached the booth, he caught sight of her smiling at him. His hazel eyes twinkled, and he grinned back.
Savern shook her head and said, “Mmm mmm. You two have got it bad for each other.”
Vic asked, “Found that new table yet?”
“Yeah. It wasn’t hard to find someone who wanted our spot. There’s a rune reader who can’t believe her good luck.”
Savern liberated the food from Vic’s arms and added, “The only consolation for me is that the new table’s close to the bathroom. It also happens to be close to the farthest exit.”
Vic nodded. “Thanks for honoring our agreement, or humoring me, whichever. Other than staying home, it’s the safest way to go.”
“I doubt it will stop Donovan if he really wants to get to me,” Michele said. She lifted the box, preparing to take it to the other table.
Vic lifted the one filled with books. “Are you sure this whole gig is really necessary? There must be a thousand people in here. It’s not too late to load these boxes into my car.”
Savern shook her head. “Our shop needs the money and publicity if we’re gonna survive.”
“And I’m not leaving Savern here alone,” Michele said. “Kip is fine at the shop by herself. She can lock the door and hang the ‘back in five minutes’ sign if she needs to go out for a cigarette.”
Vic’s eyeb
rows shot up. “You’re kidding. You left her in charge of the shop and gave her a key?”
She flashed him a warning scowl. Vic looked as if he was gritting his teeth.
“Okay. It’s your shop, but if she cleans you out and disappears, it’s your own fault.”
Michele wasn’t going to respond to that. It was one of her business decisions, and he’d better get used to it. She simply lifted the box of breakables and pushed past him on her way to the rune reader’s less desirable location. He followed close behind.
“We’re ready,” she told the woman.
The woman stood, picked up her bag of runes, a pencil, and a pad of paper. That’s all she had to move. “Thanks. You have no idea how great this is for me. If there’s anything I can do for you . . . “
“Yeah. You can send some business our way. I left some of our business cards on the table. Maybe you can give me one of yours too, and we’ll arrange a ‘rune reading day’ at the shop.”
“Sure. No problem at all.” The woman looked delighted, dug a business card out of her pocket and went on her way.
The larger space might be wasted on one woman with a bag of runes and a pad of paper, but Michele was through arguing with Vic. His dedication to protecting her from Donovan was touching despite the fact that he was no match for a black magician. He had gone the extra mile to prove how much he wanted to help and show he cared about her. More to the point, she couldn’t talk him out of it.
He carried the heavy box of books and stashed them beneath the 3-by-5 foot table.
Savern followed behind him carrying the Tarot cards and snacks. She was already munching on a cookie. Vic was right. There was a sizable crowd in the community center room. He probably couldn’t help being worried. Donovan could easily blend in.
Most people who were into psychic fairs were usually very ordinary looking, and he might stand out if he wore his black cape, but she doubted he would.
Savern leaned backward with a hand on her belly and groaned. Michele took pity on her and told her to sit with the boxes. She and Vic would bring over the rest of the items.
Half an hour later the table was set up and the space felt even smaller. The crowd had thickened even more, and they started off with some swift sales. Then for some reason, people stopped coming to their table. The tables next to them on either side were doing a brisk business.
So was the booth they had vacated.
“I think it’s just the late start we got,” Michele said.
Savern rose and stretched. “Maybe it’s for the best. I could use a bathroom break.”
Michele hoped some sensitive soul drifting by would notice Savern’s condition and stop just to chat about her due date, and then show some interest in their table.
Almost half-an-hour passed. There had not been a single customer, not even browsers. It was as though they didn’t exist. Savern excused herself to go to the restroom for the second time. She told Michele she didn’t dare wait because the lines were long.
“That’s fine. Me and Vic can hold off the stampede.”
Savern didn’t seem to appreciate the humor and shook her head. When she returned twenty minutes later, she looked exhausted.
“Savern, why don’t you go home? I can handle all the whopping business we’re getting here, and Vic will keep me company.”
“Are you sure? You don’t mind, Vic?”
“Not at all. I don’t blame you. I wish we could go home too.”
Michele shot him a squinty stare. “Don’t push your luck, buddy.”
Savern sighed. “Okay. Thanks. I really need to get off my feet and lie down for a bit.
I’ll send Alex over later to buy a stick of incense or something.”
Michele’s shoulders slumped. “Don’t bother,” she said. “If we don’t get any business in the next hour, I might consider packing up and going home too. This is downright weird.”
Savern stretched and yawned. “Okay, I’m going, but before I head out, I want to run something by you that I thought of while I was standing in line.”
“Sure, what’s that?”
“Do you think Donovan could have sabotaged us somehow? Cast a spell to ruin our business? I called Kip and she said the store was dead too. Saturday is always busy.”
“Yeah, I thought of that.” Michele said. “Maybe we really are invisible and don’t realize it.”
She waved to a couple of older women walking by. “Hello! You can see me, right?” They furrowed their brows, glanced at each other, and hurried away.
Vic sat back and folded his arms. “Yup. They saw you.”
“Well, I can’t think of anything right now. My brain’s half asleep,” Savern said.
“Will you be okay to drive home?” Vic asked, hoping Michele would want to take her.
“I’m fine. Alex’s house isn’t that far.”
“Well if you need to just pull over . . . Call me on my cell phone, and we’ll come and get you,” Vic said.
Savern shook her head, hefted her purse over her shoulder, and said, “Blessed be, both of you.” She left by the door that led to the parking lot.
Vic was playing with a puzzle ring he had intended to buy from Michele. Instead, she refused his money and had just given it to him. He’d have to make it up to her some other way. “So, if you believe Donovan’s ruining your business, why don’t we pack up and leave?”
“You’d like that, huh?” She kicked off her shoes.
“I have to admit I’d love to take you home and get naked with you.”
She gave herself away with a flicker of her bedroom-eyes, but the look disappeared too soon.
“Business before pleasure, I’m afraid.”
The chips, water and cookies were gone and Vic’s stomach growled. “C’mon. This is pointless. I’ll take you out to a late lunch.”
“Are you hungry?” she asked.
“I guess I can wait. I know you won’t leave the booth.”
“Yeah, with our luck that’s when the customers would stop by.”
“I thought any publicity was good publicity?” he said.
“In that case I hope Donovan shows up and creates a disturbance. At least we won’t be ignored anymore.”
At last, a customer headed toward the table, but he didn’t even glance at the items on display. “Are you asking for me?” The tall, thin man Vic had seen walking by a few times came over and stood in front of Michele. Suddenly, his face shifted, but not his stature or sloppy clothing, and then the snake tattoo appeared.
Donovan has been here this whole time and managed to look so different I didn’t recognize him?
“Holy Christ!” Vic jumped out of the chair. He was at Michele’s side in a nanosecond and placed a protective arm around her.
Donovan cocked his head as if sizing him up. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend, Michele?”
“Introductions aren’t necessary,” Vic growled.
“Oh, you’ve heard of me, then. I’m flattered. Do you work at the store?”
“That doesn’t concern you. Now if you’ll leave—.” He didn’t get a chance to say, there wouldn’t be any trouble. It was as though Donovan had locked him in his gaze and frozen his tongue.
Michele’s hand flew to cover Vic’s eyes. She whispered in his ear, “Never look him directly in the eyes.”
Vic’s mind cleared and his power of speech returned. “What the hell?”
Donovan laughed. The sound chilled Vic to his marrow. He shook off the fear and gazed between Donovan’s eyes at the bridge of his nose, daring him to try his mind control again.
While Vic had the jerk’s attention he told Michele to run. She didn’t even back away.
Vic leaned forward on his fists. “So, why are you still after Michele? Can’t get another date?” Vic taunted him, knowing it could be a dangerous game, but he refused to be intimidated. He also wished he knew the answer to that question.
Donovan scowled and through clenched teeth he said, “She’s m
ine. She’ll always be mine.”
Vic straightened to his full height. “That’s not how she sees it. She wants you out of her life, for good. I suggest you respect the lady’s wishes.”
“She doesn’t know what she wants.”
“And you do?”
Donovan pursed his lips in a thin, tight line, and said, “Why am I even talking to you?” He turned his full attention to Michele.
“Michele, my love, once you see what our powers can be when they’re melded together, we’ll be unstoppable. Truly God and Goddess. I know the way. All you have to do is come with me.” He extended his hand and Michele turned her back.
Vic realized where that annoying habit had probably come from. He’d get her to stop that someday, but right now turning her back on Donovan pleased the heck out of him. He left his side of the table and advanced toward Donovan. “Michele, I can hold him off. You should leave right now!”
She didn’t budge. Vic kept his eyes on Donovan and stood with his legs apart. “Michele, this is no time to be stubborn.”
“If I go anywhere, he’ll find me faster than you will, Vic. I feel safer here right beside you.”
Donovan chuckled and grinned at Vic. “She’s obviously smarter than you are. Although, what she needs you for, I don’t know.”
“She doesn’t need either one of us,” Vic said. “All she needs is the freedom to live her own life and make her own choices—like everyone else.”
Donovan let out another chilling laugh. “You amuse me, tough guy Even so, if I didn’t feel her protection spell surrounding you, I’d crush you like a bug.”
Vic glanced at Michele. She was shaking.
“Michele,” Donovan said in a commanding voice. “You will come back to me. Together, with the grail, we can be unstoppable.”
Grail? Vic wanted to ask what the grail was but not in front of Donovan.
“I’m not worried about you,” Donovan said in his oily tone. “She’ll make the right choice when she finally comes to her senses.” Then he stepped back and disappeared into the crowd.
Vic stretched himself to his full height and peered over the heads in the crowd. Donovan was nowhere. “He’s gone.” Vic craned his neck continuing to search for him.