The Cat's Meow

by Stacey Kennedy

  Had he just answered my question, or had he avoided it? While I still didn’t believe for a second that he wasn’t out to get me, something he said brought up the other solid reason for his appearance. “Is this case more dangerous than I know? Did the coven assign you to the case to protect me?” I wondered what truth would be worse: my life in danger, or my expulsion from the coven. “Do they think I’m in danger and need muscle around me?”

  “Not that I’m aware of.” He once again portrayed a lack of alarm. “But I can help you gather information if we need to interrogate anyone and am here to assist you. That is why I’m here.”

  I didn’t find deception in his features or in the relaxed set of his posture. He might not be telling me the whole truth, but, for a reason I had yet to determine, I did think if it involved danger, he’d tell me. “Fair enough.” But that meant my coven’s testing me hadn’t been ruled out, and I couldn’t make sense out of their dismay. I hadn’t done anything wrong, or perhaps I should say anything bad since I typically didn’t hold the gold star for being respectful to the coven, but I always solved my cases. They hadn’t cared before that I wasn’t the most respectful witch, or they had simply put up with my attitude since they needed my gifts, so why did they care now?

  Although I couldn’t deny I had done my fair share to annoy them, which included not keeping them as up-to-date as most witches did with the coven. I also had a very bad habit of coming too close to breaking their rules, so I did my best not to talk to them so they didn’t issue any orders.

  “Now then,” Kale scanned the area before he looked back at me, “what can you do to find clues?”

  My mouth dropped open at Mr. Confident’s admission of weakness. “You’re joking?”

  He cleared his throat, playing with the neck of the T-shirt that hugged his upper body nice and tight. “I know you’re an Enchantress, but I’m not quite sure what your abilities entail.”

  My eyes narrowed on him—his response nagged me, strong enough that it caused me to examine him, past his smokin’ hot body. If the coven were testing me why would they not advise him on what I could do? Seemed like an important piece of information they wouldn’t have left off.

  I had enough experience with the coven to know they were as elusive as Kale. Kale not knowing more could mean two things: He did it to have me explain my spells, so he understood fully and could test me; or maybe what he said had been true—the situation had become very serious and details came on a need-to-know basis. Although, if it was that serious, why hadn’t the coven called me in to inform me of the matter instead of going through Peyton?

  I preferred not being left in the dark. “You’ve never met an Enchantress before?”

  “Didn’t say that, did I?”

  I snorted, rolling my eyes. “Then why are you saying you don’t know what I can do?”

  The side of his mouth arched. “We haven’t met before, have we?”

  I glared at him, allowing my irritation to show. “You seem to answer my questions without really answering them and then ask your own questions.”

  He grinned. “It’s a talent.”

  “No, it’s annoying.” While I doubted I’d get further answers from Kale right now or any time soon, that didn’t mean I’d allow the coven to rip my life away from me. If they wanted me to be tested, I’d show them exactly why they couldn’t let me go, and I’d solve this case. “I guess our only option right now is to cast a spell to see if anyone wishes to do evil.”

  “Good plan,” Kale agreed.

  I didn’t need his approval, but I wouldn’t voice my comeback. Instead, I grabbed a candle, a pin, and a clove out of the container in my stash in the hatchback. I knelt on the grass, placed all the items in front of me, and closed my eyes to center myself, calling upon the Goddess. When her warmth slid through my veins, announcing her presence, I lit the candle and the scent of the burned wick filled my nose.

  Once the black smoke melted away to a clean burn, I pierced the clove with the pin and looked at Kale. “What should we ask?”

  He leaned in toward the candle with piqued interest and eyed the candle as if magic would erupt from it. “Who are we asking exactly?”

  Stupid warlock! “The Goddess, of course.”

  His expression became blank. “I realize all Enchantresses have a unique connection to the Goddess, but I’m unsure of how the candle is going to help you talk with her. “

  I stifled the sound of irritation threatening to rise out of my throat. If all these questions were part of the plan to exile Libby out of the coven, he wouldn’t outsmart me. If he needed to hear how kick-ass my spells were, I’d happily explain to impress him. “We need to ask the Goddess a question and when I pass the clove through the fire, she’ll respond.”

  His brow creased. “She’ll speak to us?”

  “Oh yes, the Goddess will come to us in human form and answer all our questions.” At his glare, I laughed just to dig at him. “If you ask a stupid question…”

  “Got it.” He frowned. “Move on.”

  The tough warlock didn’t enjoy having his lack of knowledge—especially considering it seemed all put on for the show—rubbed in his face. Too bad. So sad. “When I run the clove through the fire, if you hear a loud crackle we’re on the right track.”

  His lips pursed. “Confirm danger lurks in Charleston.”

  Peyton told me as much from her reaction and I never doubted her abilities, but Kale didn’t know her. I figured the quicker method was through the Goddess than to argue it out with him. Besides, my focus right now wasn’t about this warlock, it was to prove my coven wrong and to show why they needed to keep me.

  A light breeze sped through the night sky and the sound of the leaves from the trees rustled above me, but my magic held strength and no wind would undo the flame.

  “Goddess, does evil lurk?” I ran the clove through the flame, and a flash of light sparked from the flame, followed by a sizzle.

  “That’s a yes?” Kale asked.

  I nodded at him and noted a slight twinkle in his eyes, as if he had doubted the power of my spell. Maybe, because of the task I suspected he’d been given, he thought my magical abilities were lacking. Well, he was entirely wrong. “Next question.”

  “Are the cats’ deaths related to magic?”

  I repeated the question, ran the clove through the fire, and again received acknowledgment. I didn’t wait for his response, because I had questions of my own. “Is it a warlock?” Again, a response. “Does this warlock work for the coven?” The Goddess didn’t respond.

  I sighed. “Good.”

  Kale folded his arms. “Why good?”

  Wonderful, his interest didn’t only belong to my spells, but now we were on an exploration of my personality. “The last thing I want to do is hunt a warlock who’s part of my coven so you can kill him.” As if I needed to explain such a thing. “Would you want to?”

  “No.” After a moment of hesitation while he examined me with his penetrating gaze, he went on, “Are the deaths part of a ritual?”

  I asked the Goddess his question, but received no response. “Not a ritual.” I stared into the flicker of the flame. “What else could it be?” I thought aloud. “What other reason could there be to kill an animal?”

  “Good question,” Kale answered me, and he clearly hadn’t realized I didn’t want him to. “Is the magic used in Charleston a dark offer?”

  It took a minute to digest what he meant, and I hadn’t thought it a possibility. More so, I didn’t even want to consider it true. Peyton said she hadn’t sensed dark magic around the cats, only magic. I doubted the Goddess would respond, but I repeated the question and ran the clove through the flame.

  I was right—the Goddess didn’t respond.

  “Is there a purpose behind the deaths that’s dangerous?” A loud pop filled my ears, and I groaned. “No darkness. It’s a warlock. Not with coven. And it could be dangerous.” I glanced up at Kale. “We’ve got zip. What now?” />
  “I fear further questions might only confuse us.” His eyebrow arched up in the most profound way, as if a challenge had been placed in front of him and he welcomed the hunt. “Do you know of any snitches?”

  His interest in me I understood, but the burn in his features to solve the mystery made no sense at all. He couldn’t have fabricated such a desire for justice and to ensure evil didn’t unfold in Charleston, so now I was back to wondering if he was here to solve the case.

  Picking one suspicion and forgetting the other would be good right about now. Since both seemed accurate, I shook the thoughts from my mind and focused on what he’d asked me. “Snitches, as in warlocks or witches who stick their noses into everyone else’s business?”

  Kale gave a firm nod. “Are they accessible?”

  I hesitated, totally confused as to where his thoughts lay, and then I dared myself to find out his meaning. “Most hang out at The Wicked Lair, a club not far from here. Why?”

  “I suspect they’ll be our best lead. Maybe they’ve gotten wind of news hidden from the coven.”

  That was good and all, but he missed an important factor to this equation. “How do you plan to get them to talk?”

  “Pay them, of course,” he replied with total certainty.

  My mouth parted to respond, yet I stopped my desire to criticize him and instead said, “You realize the steep cost required to do that?”

  “I do.”

  I scanned his attire, and even without the dirt on his jeans he didn’t look rich, or what I assumed a wealthy warlock would look like. His clothes weren’t fancy, but comfortable. His black leather boots had scuff marks. “You have that much money to throw around?”

  He didn’t respond and looked at me as if I hadn’t asked him a question. I might have huffed if I hadn’t expected the reaction from him. Why wouldn’t he talk about himself?

  Kale clearly stuck to a business relationship. Hell, about time I accepted it too. Besides, I had to start proving my skills, didn’t I? “As much as I’d love to watch you drop a big wad of cash, I can do a spell to force their voice out, but I have to pluck out a piece of their hair.”

  He shrugged. “That’s easy enough.”

  For him, I, who have a body of hard muscles. But why argue with someone who wouldn’t argue back? “All right.” I glanced at the orange flame burning bright. “Goddess, thank you for your guidance.” I blew out the candle and gathered the items.

  As I stood, Kale’s gaze roamed over my face in a slow dance before it returned to my eyes, and a sweet emotion filled his face. “Do you always speak with such kindness to the Goddess?”

  Now I shrugged. “Without her I wouldn’t hold any power—she’s who blesses me and deserves the utmost respect.” I tilted my neck back, since he towered over me, to get a read on him. “Do you not give thanks for your magic?”

  “Not in that way.”

  “Pity,” I retorted. “Maybe it would do you some good to be grateful.”

  Amusement danced in the depths of his eyes. He angled his chin down to come closer to my face. “You seem to have no trouble voicing your opinion.”

  While his closeness appeared to be something I didn’t mind, since heat roared through my body, I brushed past him. “You’re right, I don’t.” I deposited my items into my hatchback and closed it with a slam.

  When I turned, Kale still appeared to laugh at me, not outright, but the light set of his expression was proof enough. “What’s the plan, tough guy?” I asked, unmoved by his mirth. “You’ll distract them and I’ll pluck out their hair?”

  He winked. “Something like that.”

  Chapter Three

  While some of Charleston remained in its beautiful historic condition, the downtown core on King Street thrived with activity and had been modernized. The Wicked Lair had a neon sign that stood against the black painted walls of the square building. A lineup of about forty warlocks, witches, and humans stood outside awaiting entry. Not like humans could spot the difference between our kinds, but warlocks and witches had a slight energy humming off them—almost like static. It was as if every hair on my body stood up in their presence. I couldn’t sense magic, but I could feel the difference between a human and a supernatural. Besides, even if I didn’t know any of them personally, I had seen most of the witches and warlocks in the lineup at the coven.

  I glanced at Kale, less than thrilled with our current predicament. I’d been to this club before and I’d never been allowed to walk in, even when I wore a tight black skirt and a blouse that gave an ample view of my chest. “You have any ideas for how to get in there?”

  “A few.” He grinned his mischievous smile, left my side and approached the bouncer.

  I stayed in place, confident he’d return with his tail tucked between his legs. I watched as he leaned in to the bouncer and exchanged words with him. To my utter shock, the bouncer nodded and unclipped the rope that blocked off the entrance. Kale glanced over his shoulder, gesturing me forward.

  With my mouth gaping open, I hurried to his side and we stepped past the bouncer, who gave me a nod. I narrowed my eyes on Kale. “How’d you pull that off?”

  “Like I said, I had a few ideas.” His grin remained firmly on his face as he waved me toward the doorway. “In you go.”

  “Your withholding of information is infuriating,” I whispered under my breath, but his chuckle indicated he heard me. The mystery behind Kale might be somewhat attractive—hell, it was attractive—but it irritated me all the same.

  After I entered the bar, Kale brushed past me and led me through the crowd of people who danced; some warlocks and witches, and others just plain old humans. The simple bar had black walls with an area filled with tables off to the right and a DJ booth at the back, and the dance floor filled the large space in the middle. An alternative mix of Top 40 blasted through the speakers, and the bass vibrated under my feet. The scent of booze mixed with perspiration didn’t make my nose happy, but maybe my unhappiness stemmed from jealousy—any other night I would be in the mix of the crowd on the dance floor. Sadly, fun wasn’t on the agenda tonight.

  Kale continued to push his way through the crowd and stopped at the end of the long marble bar. The corner of the room he chose remained empty, but in front of me the partygoers waited to order their next drink. He leaned his elbows against the bar, settling his attention on me. “Spot anyone?”

  In Charleston, there were quite a few warlocks and witches who lived in high society. Those sorts knew everyone’s business, and I’d made a few contacts along the way. To my disappointment, none were present and I would approach or who would freely offer up information.

  As I continued to search the dance floor full of sweaty, intoxicated bodies, a warlock I tended to avoid stood out in the crowd. “Him.” I pointed to the warlock with the stylish, blond-streaked hair and a body most drooled over. “That’s Edwin Hawkins.”

  The rat danced with a pretty brunette in an absurd manner given they were in public. “His family has deep roots in Charleston and his father was an impressive warlock, but died some years back.” I glanced at Kale. “Edwin didn’t follow in his footsteps.”

  Kale studied him a moment with a curious brow. “Explain that.”

  “He’s a beyond-wealthy playboy.” I attempted to keep the contempt out of my voice. “Clearly that entitles him to not work a day in his life.”

  A smile tugged on Kale’s mouth. “He angers you?”

  I shrugged, pissed I’d done a bad job of shielding my emotions. Seriously, I needed to work on that flaw so I could keep some feelings to myself. “If he doesn’t want to work for his coven, fine, but at least do something productive. He’s a waste of space that, as far as I’m concerned, the world could do without.”

  “Hmm…” Kale examined Edwin a little longer before he turned his focus back to me. “For now, you need to push your revulsion away and work your magic.”

  “I can’t do it here,” I blasted back.

  “Yes, Li
bby. I know.” He sighed, exasperated. “We need to get him alone. You’ve said he enjoys women. Grab his attention and take him into the back alley.”

  “How do you suppose I do that?” I asked, even though I bet I didn’t want to know the answer.

  Kale gave me a once-over, a very slow examination of my body that awakened it, before his heated gaze lifted to my face. “I have no doubt he’ll notice you.”

  A zing of tingles rushed from the tips of my toes all the way up to my face, but I demanded that my blush quit it. Goddess, it’d been so long since a warlock had looked at me with that type of hunger, or I had reacted so forcefully. I fought against my feet as they nearly sent me into his arms. Perhaps I had deprived my needs for too long—this was becoming a tad ridiculous.

  “Of course he will,” I snapped to offset that reaction. “It’s Edwin. He’d notice anyone with boobs.”

  With those woman bits and pieces now on my mind, I figured I needed to make it count, so I tucked my hand into my bra and pulled the girls up to give me some cleavage.

  Kale grinned. “Interesting technique.”

  I dismissed him with a flick of my hand and ignored the swell of heat that rose between us. “It works.”

  Why was he pouring on the sexy masculinity juice? I highly doubted the coven added “seduce Libby, and excel at it” to their orders.

  Kale looked over me again from head to toe with a leisurely sweep before his intense eyes settled upon mine. “I agree, it has the desired effect.”

  For a second, I allowed myself to be trapped by his fierce look and the heady weight of it. This, I couldn’t hide from, and the force of Kale hit me with nowhere to run. He held my stare as if he himself had questioned if a connection lay present, and now he found his answer. The slight curve to his mouth indicated he liked the pull he had over me, and damn him, I relished how he watched me now. When my breath became raspy I realized my mistake and broke the connection, looking straight to the floor. Don’t go there, Libby!