Text copyright ©2016 by the Author.
This work was made possible by a special license through the Kindle Worlds publishing program and has not necessarily been reviewed by Robyn Peterman. All characters, scenes, events, plots and related elements appearing in the original Magic and Mayhem remain the exclusive copyrighted and/or trademarked property of Robyn Peterman, or their affiliates or licensors.
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Table of Contents
WITCH N FIRE
ABOUT THE BOOK
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
EPILOGUE
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
OTHER GREAT MAGIC & MAYHEM SERIES AUTHORS
Witch ‘N Fire
By
Isabel Micheals
Acknowledgements
I’d like to thank Blackraven’s Designs for their thorough editing on such short notice. It is greatly appreciated, and I promise to do better next time.
Cover by Blackraven’s Designs
Edited by Blackraven’s Designs
Dedication
I’d like to thank Deb S. and Lissa M. for their unwavering support and tireless effort as my sounding board while I was pounding the keys on my laptop trying to bring readers Zara and Stefano’s story. More importantly, I love these ladies because they totally gets my quirky sense humor. They’re true gems and I will be forever in their debt.
ABOUT THE BOOK
What happens in Vegas ends up in Bass Ackwards, Tennessee when a feisty, temperamental witch with wonky powers and a fire breathing dragon accidentally expose Magic in Sin City.
Zara has one objective: to win the World Series of Poker tournament in Vegas. The stakes are high and the buy-in is ten thousand dollars that she doesn’t have. Desperate, Zara does the only thing she can… borrow more money.
Stefano has been searching for the one his entire life. So imagine his surprise when she turns out to be the sexy witch who just crashed his brother’s wedding. Jealousy, magic, and chaos all interfere with this couple’s chance at happiness.
The Sire wants her powers, the loan sharks want their money, and Stefano wants her heart. The location is Sin City, the name of the game is poker, and the hearts are wild.
Only the Fates know who will win and who will fold.
Prologue
“Why am I constantly surrounded by incompetent imbeciles?” The Sire asked as he paced back and forth.
The amount of dark, deadly energy radiating off of him indicated that he was enraged by Jackal and Alaric’s failure to steal the witch’s powers, which was the reason everyone in the room remained quiet as a mouse.
“What? No one has anything to say?” he inquired, as his minions avoided eye contact by bowing their heads in defeat.
“May I be seen, Sire,” a sensual, compelling voice asked, as a cloud of smoke outlined a woman’s body.
“That depends. Have you figured out a way to fix this mess, Seer?”
“No, but what I have to tell you is just as important, if not more.”
“Nothing is more important than fixing this mess Jackal and Alaric have created. It’s imperative that I get out of this God forsaken place sooner rather than later.”
“Not even another option that will get you what you seek.”
“You’re speaking in riddles and testing my patience, Seer,” he said, waving his hand and allowing a beautiful woman, dressed in a black, sequined, halter dress that highlighted her cleavage and showed plenty of thigh, to materialize. Her silky black hair fell to the middle of her back and was decorated with two raven clips. To say she was exotic and oozed sex appeal was an understatement, especially when one took in the lust-filled eyes of every man in the room.
“What if I told you that your plan could still work with a few moderations?”
“That’s preposterous! The witch knows what we want and will be waiting for us to strike again. The element of surprise has been lost. Besides, her twin sister would kill anyone who even looked at her the wrong way. Of course, if you had foreseen that the shifter community were going to come to the aid of the witches, they’d all be dead by now and I’d have her powers.”
“Maybe so, but what if I told you there was another witch’s powers ripe for the taking?”
“Hmm. I’d say be grateful because if what you say is true, it might change my mind about turning you into a hyena.”
“Yes, but then who would help you see into the future?” she whined.
“With the witch’s powers, I wouldn’t need to see into the future because I’d be strong enough to take on any opponent who threatens my existence.”
“Even her twin sisters?”
“What do you mean, her twin sisters?”
“Hmm. Since you’re obviously not in the loop, I guess you’ll have to keep me around a little longer,” the Seer said in a smug voice.
“Enough with the riddles. Tell me what you see.”
“I see a witch who’s desperate to settle her debts. I see another powerful one.”
Chapter 1
One Month Before Zoe’s Wedding
Zara couldn’t believe Skinny Mo and his henchmen had finally caught up with her. She’d been on the run for weeks trying to figure out a way to pay off her debts and deal with the crazy things that had been happening to her body. It wasn’t that she was afraid of Skinny Mo, who was anything but skinny. In fact, he was more like the Pillsbury Do Boy sporting a white, polyester suit with a black silk shirt that oddly resembled the outfit John Travolta had worn in Saturday Night Fever, except John had looked sexy in his suit. Skinny Mo. Not so much.
It was obvious that the rotund man heading toward her had no sense of style and really needed to manscape because the hair on his chest looked like the forest in Never Never Land. To say he had missed the episode of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” where the new breed of man – the metrosexual – had been launched and “keeping it tidy” was of the utmost importance to today’s man was an understatement.
Yet given the way he was strutting, she was positive at any moment a disco ball was going to drop down from the sky and the Bee Gee’s were going to magically appear out of thin air and begin singing Staying Alive. Zara wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry at the thoughts running through her head, as the group of men approached her.
“You’re a hard woman to track down, lovey,” Skinny Mo said.
She hated the nickname he had given her over the years, but allowed it because when times were tough, Skinny Mo had come through for her on more than one occasion. Hell, if she were being honest, she had developed a soft spot for the man.
“I’ve been around Skinny Mo. You’ve just been looking in the wrong places.”
Running his fingers through his comb over Skinny Mo finally said in a hushed whisper, “Look Lovey, we need to settle up.”
Zara knew this had been coming for a while, but she didn’t have the money. Everything she had earned over the last couple of months had been sunk into her get out of debt scheme. In fact, she needed to figure out a way to convince Skinny Mo to loan her more money, so she could enter the World Series of Poker Championship in Vegas.
“Skinny Mo, let’s take a walk a
nd talk in private. You know, without Larry, Moe and Curly.”
“Okay, but I’m serious this time, Lovey. You either need to pay up or the boys will convince you to pay up because I can’t keep floating you like I have in the past.”
“I understand, Skinny Mo. I’m just asking for a little privacy. So come on, walk with me.”
When Skinny Mo began walking with Zara, she quickly decided it was in her best interest to appeal to his softer side. She could sense he was upset and on the verge of breaking down. The trick would be to figure out where he was the most vulnerable and then console her friend, which luckily didn’t take much.
“Zara, you have to pay up this time. Big Mo is on the rampage and threatening to… I don’t even know if I can mouth the words.”
“It’s okay Skinny Mo, you tell Lovey. What is Big Mo threatening to do?”
When he started whimpering and trying to wave off his earlier comments, Zara knew it must have been bad, but instead of breaking the moment, she remained silent in an effort to encourage him to continue speaking.
“He wants to revoke my name, Zara. Who am I if I’m not longer allowed to be Skinny Mo?” he asked in a somber voice. “And to make things worse, Lucinda dumped me for Joe Jr.”
“Awe, I’m so sorry Skinny Mo. For the records, I thought you two made a nice couple.”
“I thought so, too.”
“You want to talk about it?”
Skinny Mo nodded his head in agreement as he struggled to hold back the tears that were threatening his man card in front of the boys.
“It all started when she came home early from work last Thursday night. We had moved in together, you know?” he said in a thick Jersey accent.
“I didn’t know. But that’s a good sign, right?”
“It was until she found out about my secret.”
“Oh no! Please tell me you didn’t Skinny Mo.”
“I couldn’t help it, Lovey. I was in the apartment all alone and got bored. I tried and tried to fight the temptation, but it was like there was a sultry Siren whispering in my ear. Begging me. No, daring me to do it.”
“Skinny Mo, we’ve had this discussion.”
“I know, but it was like the Force in Stars War. Know what I mean? It would be denied, no matter how hard I tried,” he whimpered.
“So, let me guess. You gave in?”
“Like a bitch in heat, I gave in to the temptation. I walked to her closet and when I saw the new red Manolo Blahnik’s she had just bought last week sitting there, teasing me, I had to try them on. I mean a man can only take so much. Know what I mean?”
In a soothing voice, Zara said, “Okay. I get that you needed to try them on and get out of your system. How did she catch you?”
“Well, I may have done more than just try them on.”
“What do you mean?”
“I may have painted my toenails fire engine red, pulled out my red, sequined dress with the high slit, and put on my Tina Turner wig from last Halloween with a little make up and started singing ‘Proud Mary’ in the mirror when she walked through the door. For the record, I’m not proud of myself, Lovey. I just need you to know that,” he said right before breaking down into tears.
“Shh! It’s okay Skinny Mo. Let’s go back to my apartment and figure out a way to get you and Lucinda back together.”
“Really? Do you think I could get some cookies and maybe try on the black Jimmy Choo’s you wore to last year’s Halloween party?”
“I think that could be arranged,” Zara replied in a soothing voice.
Two dozen cookies and several cups of hot chocolate later, after Skinny Mo had tried on every shoe in her closet, of course, Zara finally worked up the courage to ask him for the 10 g’s she needed to enter the finals of the World Series of Poker Championship.
“I don’t know, Lovey. Big Mo is really mad and wants his money. I don’t know how much longer I can hold him off, let alone explain why I loaned you more. Know what I mean?”
“I understand, Skinny Mo. And trust me when I tell you that I don’t want to put you and Big Mo at odds, but this money is my only way out. The cash pot for the winner in the World Series of Poker will be more than enough to pay you back with interest. I’ve already made the Final Nine. I just need the buy in amount.”
“Zara, you’re putting me between a rock and a hard place,” he whined, as he continued trying on stilettos.
“What if I agree to give you an extra ten percent on top of what I already owe? This would allow you to buy some Manolo’s of your own. On the down low, of course.”
“You’d really do that?”
“Of course I would. This is an opportunity of a life time and if… no when I win, everyone will benefit. Come on Skinny Mo, help a girl out.”
“Alright, but this is just between me and you. Got it? No one… and I mean no one must every find out about our side deal or Big Mo will have my head on a platter.”
“You got it! How soon can you get me the money? I only ask because the World Series of Poker begins the night before All Hallows Eve at the Rio All-Suite and Casino in Las Vegas, so I plan on leaving a couple of days before the event to get myself acclimated to the city.”
“I can get the money to you in a couple of hours. Meet me down by the old pier and I’ll have your money.”
“That’s wonderful. Thank you, Skinny Mo. I promise you won’t be sorry.”
“See that I’m not, Lovey or things might not end so well for you this time around.”
Skinny Mo had been true to his word. Not only had he ponied up the ten thousand dollar buy in amount Zara had needed, but he’d also given her a little extra for traveling expenses. She couldn’t wait to tell Cole, her best friend and partner in crime.
“Vegas, here we come,” she whispered with a fist pump in the air for good measure.
Chapter 2
Cole had been fuming in silence since they had packed the car and left for Vegas. Zara didn’t understand why he was so upset. They had both agreed that the only way she was going to get out of her current predicament was to win the World Series of Poker Championship.
“Colrath McIlrath, stop pouting and talk to me, already. You know I hate it when you give me the silent treatment.”
“Oh, so now you want my opinion?”
“That’s not fair. I always want your opinion and you know it.”
“Do I? Because you didn’t care about my opinion when you borrowed more money from Skinny Mo for Goddess’s sake.”
“You know that I had no choice in the matter. After the last incident, it’s not like we could just set up a game and take a few patsies for their money. Besides, even if we could have, most likely it wouldn’t have been enough.”
“Speaking of the last incident, how are you going to control? Well, you know.”
“Control what? Oh, you mean these wonky powers I’ve developed over the last month. Go ahead. You can say it. Don’t be shy.”
“I don’t need to. You just said it for me.”
“I’ve got it under control. You don’t have to worry about little ole’ me.”
“See, that’s the deal. I do worry about you because you’re more than my best friend Z, you’re my family. We’re all each other has and I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.”
“Listen to me, Cole. Nothing is going to happen. I’m going to keep my temper in check and win this damn championship so we can start fresh. Things are looking up for us.”
“If you say so.”
“I do. Now quit being such a wet blanket and turn that frown upside down.”
“Seriously? What are we? Five?” Cole asked as he flashed his white, pearly teeth at Zara knowing that it would annoy her. They had been together since they were sixteen. Although in the beginning they had tried dating, it quickly became evident they were better off remaining friends.
As silence filled the air, Zara slid her hand into his and said, “You know I love you, right?”
“I kno
w. I love you, too. I just have a bad feeling about all of this. Maybe we should make a pit stop at The Phony Sword to see what Claire has to say.”
“Is this your way of finally getting me into that sex shop? Because I’m thinking no. Just no. It’s Vegas or bust, baby.”
Cole went along with Zara’s plan against his better judgment. Fortunately for them, nothing eventful happened on their way to Sin City. It was about 8:00 o’clock when they finally reached the Vegas Strip. The city was bustling with unbridled energy and Zara could feel the electricity pulsing in the air. Due to the traffic congestion, it was easy watching all of the interesting people move up and down the strip in droves.
The first thing that piqued her curiosity was the guy walking around in a glass suit and mask. She couldn’t help wondering what he was selling and how long it had taken him to create such a costume.
But the glass man was soon forgotten when her eye immediately caught the guy on the bridge, who was wearing boxers and strutting in front of two policemen as they escorted him to a taxicab.
She was distracted from the fascinating scenes playing out in front of her when Cole said sarcastically, “Welcome to Vegas, the city excess, too much partying, drinking and gambling.”
“Hey, don’t knock the gambling. That’s why we’re here. Remember?”
“How could I forget?” he said in surrender, as the car continued to move at a snail’s pace down the strip. “On a different topic, did you book us into the tournament hotel?”
“That’s an affirmative, but I’m afraid the only thing they had left was a suite, so we’ll have to suffer in the lap of luxury for the next couple of days.”
“We can’t afford a suite, Z.”
“We can if I use the extra money Skinny Mo loaned me. Besides, it’ll be nice to be pampered for a change.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a little pampering, but at what expense?”
“Stop being so negative, Cole. You’re messing with my mojo. Besides, I have it all figured out. Once I win the eight million dollar grand prize, we’ll be able to pay off Skinny Mo and do whatever we want.”
Magic and Mayhem: Witch 'N Fire (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Magick & Chaos Book 2) Page 1