Desert Magick: Phoenix Lights

by Dana Davis

  That’s how much he’s afraid of her. She glanced at Noah, who had a worried look on his face. I don’t want my family hurt, either.

  She did as Bridgette suggested and had a trussing spell ready. Sometimes multiple spells could be worked together by a single witch, especially if they complemented each other, but no one could do more than one trussing at a time. Took a lot of magickal strength on the caster’s part to hold someone against his will.

  The short one. He’s mine. Finally, something I’m good at. If they’re packing heat, they’re probably mortals. She sucked in a breath of courage. Okay, here we go.

  The two strangers sauntered toward them. One took a long drag on a cigarette and put it out on a headstone as he passed.

  Disrespectful moron. Daisy leaned toward her cousin. “Great, Bridge. You just had to bring your mantrap aura with you.” She looked for the guns but didn’t see any. Maybe they’re tucked in the back of their jeans.

  The redhead leaned close. She spoke loudly enough that Noah, Scarlet and Kali could hear her. “They’re not criminals, just moron boys. Mortals. But they’ve had a couple of beers.”

  Daisy snorted. “Boys with alcohol, guns, and lighters.” She glanced around at the parched ground. “Fantastic.”

  “Want me to get rid of them,” Kali said. Her talent as a reverse empath had impressed Daisy on more than one occasion. She could make others feel intense emotions when she chose. Probably enough to send these two boys screaming for their mothers. Daisy had been on the other end of Kali’s talent once. A frightening thing to lose control like that.

  Bridgette shook her head. “Not unless they get violent. Then feel free to do your thing.”

  “You got it,” Kali said.

  Daisy stayed near Noah as the two boys meandered close and eventually stopped about six feet away. They looked about twenty or twenty-one, around Cousin Zoey’s age. Both wore tee-shirts with alcohol logos on them. Backward baseball hats covered what looked like shaved heads, since Daisy couldn’t see any hair sticking out beneath. Neither wore sunglasses and squinting made them look like they smelled something offensive. Their clothes were clean, so they probably worked at some grocery or fast food place, rather than on a nearby farm.

  “Hey,” the taller one said. He stood just shy of Noah’s five-foot-ten stature.

  A breeze picked up and Daisy got a whiff of stale cigarettes and cheap beer. Oh, I just love scent-o-drunken ashtray. Bridgette’s hand thumped her arm. Discreetly, of course, but Daisy could tell her cousin fought a grin.

  The short boy, who was slightly taller than Daisy, said, “What’re you all doin’ out here?” He squinted at Bridgette, not seeming to notice the rest of them existed. “You one of them ghost huntin’ people like on TV?” He grinned when the taller boy snickered.

  Scarlet crossed her arms. “As a matter of fact, we are. And we need to get back to work.” She didn’t seem the least bit intimidated.

  Wonder if I’ll feel that confident one day.

  The short boy squinted as he eyed Scarlet. “Uh-huh. Where’s your equipment, lady? Them ghost hunters on TV always got equipment with ‘em.”

  They speak English too, moron. Why is it some people think sounding like an uneducated idiot is cool?

  Bridgette snickered and covered with a cough.

  “We’re scouting today,” Scarlet said without missing a beat. “Don’t use equipment for that.” Was this a common conversation for the medium?

  Just how much time do you spend in cemeteries, Scarlet?

  The taller boy lifted his chin toward Bridgette and licked his lips. “I’ll help you scout.” His dark eyes wandered up and down the redhead’s form. “I like older women.”

  “Hey,” Noah said, moving protectively between Daisy and Bridgette. Kali and Scarlet also stepped closer.

  I’d love to see these guys’ faces if Scarlet called up a ghost right now. The medium had the ability to do that, even for mortals. Mix a ghost with Kali’s fear projections and they’ll probably piss themselves. But that might bring unwanted attention. And the Fates know we don’t need that.

  Bridgette, who obviously was receiving Daisy’s thoughts, looked like she worked to keep from laughing and coughed again.

  The taller boy sneered at Noah, whose arm now encircled Daisy’s shoulders. “What’s your problem, gramps? You got your woman. Three of ‘em it looks like.” He smacked his friend on the arm with the back of his hand and they both laughed.

  I’ve had just about enough of these idiots. A trussing spell was too obvious, unless they physically attacked, so Daisy considered the best spell to get them to leave, yet not make her look suspicious. A nettle spell? No, too obvious. I hate it when they scream. An itching spell maybe? From Kali’s look, she was considering using her powers too.

  Bridgette gave a discreet hand flip behind her back, letting everyone know that she would handle this situation. “So,” the redhead said in a dangerous and seductive voice, all humor gone from her face now. “You’d like to help me, would you? Think you’re man enough to keep up? Me being an older woman and all?” Bridgette had never been attracted to younger men, especially those who acted like boys, but these two didn’t know that.

  The taller one stood silent for several seconds in what looked like shock then smacked his buddy on the arm again. “Hell yeah.” His laugh didn’t sound as sure this time.

  “I see.” Bridgette began to circle the two like a cat playing with dinner just before ripping off its head.

  Daisy took in a long breath. Don’t do anything stupid, Bridge. They’re packing, remember? Even Kali’s talents might not be faster than a bullet.

  Bridgette smiled and her whitened teeth gleamed in the desert sunlight as she moved close to the taller boy, who stood eye to eye with her. She pressed up against him and reached an arm around his waist. He grinned as the other boy encouraged him on with lewd comments. Bridgette whispered something in his ear that made him grin even harder. When she moved away, one hand came back with his pistol. She uttered what Daisy suspected was a spell, aimed at an abandoned beer can lying on the ground, and fired. The force knocked the can several feet.

  The sound made Daisy’s ears ring and she gaped at her cousin. What the hell was that for, Bridge?

  But the redhead’s gaze lingered on the tall boy. In fact, Daisy realized, Bridgette’s eyes had never left him. “My daddy taught me how to shoot his police Glock blindfolded by the time I was nine. He also taught me how to hogtie a suspect. That’s why these people hired me. ‘Cause of my talents to protect.” Without looking, she fired again and the hit the beer can dead-on. “From the smell of you boys, you’ve been drinking.” Bridgette clicked her tongue. “Driving under the influence. A huge no-no in Daddy’s book. And mine.”

  She moved close to the taller boy again and leaned toward his ear. He seemed just stunned enough not to back away and just frightened enough to flinch. “Recruits at the police academy piss themselves whenever Daddy gets mad, and he taught me everything I know.” She pulled back and cocked her head, red hair falling over one shoulder, looking very much the part of a psychopathic woman. “So, what do you say? Still think you can handle me?”

  The boys backed up a couple of steps and Daisy hid a smile as she pointed. “Ooh, I wouldn’t stand there if I were you. That’s one of the haunted graves. Serial killer.” The headstone was so worn she couldn’t make out even one single letter. “He dismembered his victims when he was alive. Our clients told us he’s come back from the dead to finish what he started and he’s haunting this cemetery.” I think that was a convincing lie. Don’t you, Bridge?

  The short boy did a comical dance as he moved off the grave. He straightened his shirt, trying to look cool, and tapped his friend on the arm. Neither of them looked confident now. “Let’s go, Tristan. These people are nuts.”

  Tristan? Really? In this part of town? No wonder he acts like a douche. Probably got his butt kicked in school for having that name.

  Bridgette ha
d a smirk on her face as she held the gun out to Tristan, butt first. “You’ll be wanting this back. I sure hope you have a permit for it. Oh, and I’d put the safety on if I were you. You really don’t want it going off if you’re gonna wear it down your pants. You’d blow off half your ass.”

  Tristan looked like he might just leave the gun behind, but he finally stepped forward, took it, and stuffed it defiantly down the back of his jeans. Without putting the safety on. Daisy had half a mind to spell the thing to go off but she kept quiet. The two walked toward their truck as fast as they could without actually running. She glanced at Kali but couldn’t tell if the woman was adding her reverse empathic talents to the mix.

  She heard Tristan say, “That chick is nuts.”

  Once she was sure the boys were out of hearing range, Daisy looked at Bridgette. “Why is it whenever boys go looking for trouble with a woman and actually find it, they call her crazy? Wonder what they would’ve done if you’d told them you’re really a witch and your daddy was a half troll?”

  Bridgette chuckled. “Gotta love rednecks. Mildly entertaining at times.”

  “And those acting lessons you took when we were kids finally went to good use.”

  Bridgette walked over and scooped up the beer can she’d shot. She held it in front of her to display one of the bullet holes. “I’d like to thank my publicist and my acting coach for this award.”

  Kali smiled and stepped to her. The Asian woman was tall, her dance posture making her look even more so, and she stood almost eye to eye with Bridgette. “You should take up belly dancing, woman. You’ve got the seduction thing down pat. But I’d go easy on the psycho part during a performance. I didn’t even have to do anything to make those kids afraid of you.”

  Guess that answers that question. Those boys would’ve really run if Kali had used her powers on them.

  Bridgette smirked. “Hmm, I was thinking of taking a dance class to impress Jay. He loved watching you that night at the restaurant.”

  “I’ll bet he did.” The necro used her reverse empathic powers on her audience when she danced, claiming they gave up bigger tips when they were horny.

  Daisy hadn’t seen Kali dance but she imagined the couples who came to those performances had quite the night afterwards. Maybe Noah and I should go see her sometime. Bridgette offered a humorous glance and Daisy crinkled her nose. Snoop.

  Bridgette’s smile faded and she snapped her head toward the parking area.

  Daisy followed her gaze to see one of the boys heading back this way. “What is it?”

  “Not sure. I can’t seem to read him now. Something’s off.”

  “What? Shit.” Daisy kept a trussing spell at the ready. The boy walked without a hint of fear now, and it took all her physical strength to keep Noah from moving in front of her. “You don’t have powers, babe. Remember? Let us handle it.” Noah gave her a worried look. “If we have to truss him, you can hit him. How’s that?”

  “Fine by me,” Bridgette uttered before Noah could answer.

  Daisy didn’t like the look in her husband’s eyes as he watched the boy. “Noah? Don’t do anything stupid. He’s got a gun. I couldn’t handle it if anything happening to you.” The truth and he knew it, especially now.

  He studied her and his anger faded to irritation and concern. “All right. But be careful. All of you.” He resisted her attempts at getting in front of him so she stayed by his side.

  Tristan stopped within a few feet of them. When his friend called out to him, he turned and gave an exaggerated wave to shut up. The other boy climbed into the truck and Daisy heard the door slam shut.

  “What do you want now?” Bridgette said in a very unfriendly voice, not at all the syrupy tone she’d used a few minutes ago.

  Scarlet and Kali both yelled, “Look out!”

  As Daisy began a trussing spell, something silver flashed in the sunlight. A shot went off. She spurted out the last words of the trussing and, with a sudden jerk, Tristan froze. He toppled over onto the ground as Noah’s fist met his jaw. Noah fell beside him.

  “Noah!” Daisy crouched beside her husband, her heart in a panicked race, and ran hands over his face, chest and arms. The air grew heavy, pushing her breath from her lungs, and a gravely voice in her head said, You’re mine. The sensation was gone in an instant but she was too worried about her husband to dwell on it. “Noah? Did he shoot you? Are you hurt?” She didn’t see any blood.

  “No. I’m okay. I’m okay.” He sounded surprised. “Just lost my balance.”

  Relief flooded her. “You sure?”

  “Yeah.” He struggled to his feet and dusted his hands. “I’m okay. He missed me. The son of a bitch.” He gazed around at the others. “How about you guys? Are you okay?” The others nodded.

  Everyone seemed to be in shock but Daisy’s had turned to anger. With adrenaline still pulsing through her, she stepped to the boy’s head and glared down at him. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” She wanted to do another spell, something to cause him pain, but the terrified look in his eyes stopped her. “Watch him, Kali. Bridgette, you’re with me.” She grabbed her cousin’s arm and led her a few steps away so the boy wouldn’t hear. “He looks scared to death now.”

  “He is. I can hear him again. He doesn’t know what happened.”

  “What the hell did happen?” Daisy said as Scarlet joined them.

  The medium stepped close. “Hitchhiker. Didn’t you hear him?”

  “Yes.” At least now I know what’s been saying,“you’re mine”. She thought about that ghost at the house, the one she saw when she awoke in her bed. He must’ve seen the hitchhiker. He was helping me. Protecting me. “Scarlet?”

  “If you’re thinking what I’m thinking, we can make it up to him later.”

  “Okay. Good.”

  “I didn’t hear anything,” Bridgette said. Her sunglasses were in her hand and those green eyes bored into Daisy with worry. And fear? “And for some reason I couldn’t sense it, either.” The redhead focused on Scarlet. “I can sense ghosts, so why can’t I sense this hitchhiker?”

  “It’s not a regular ghost. That’s what makes a hitchhiker so dangerous. They can do things no ordinary ghosts can.”

  Daisy crossed her arms. “You mean like possessing boys and making them attack people. Is it still here? Can we send it back right now?” She ignored the tiny voice that told her she had no idea just how to do that.

  “It’s gone,” Scarlet said in a low voice. “Left as soon as it realized it would be dealing with two mediums and a necro. Hitchhikers may be mad as hatters but they’re not stupid enough to stick around for long. Even if it were still here, we don’t have all the ingredients to send it back just yet.”

  And it’s invisible without a body. Damnit. Daisy flicked a hand to the boy. “I may as well let him up. We don’t want him any more suspicious than he already is.”

  Bridgette sniffed. “How’re we going to explain your trussing spell to him?”

  She glanced at a headstone. “I have an idea.” She started back toward the boy, who still lay on the ground with Noah and Kali watching him. When she countered the spell, he struggled to his feet. “Tristan, is it?” He nodded and paled, like he wanted to throw up. “Sorry I yelled at you. You okay?” Another nod. “Good. So that ghost didn’t hurt you?”

  “What?” he croaked as he fingered his jaw where Noah had hit him.

  “Didn’t you see that ghost? The one from that grave?” She pointed to the one she’d told him was a serial killer.

  His wide eyes darted around. “No.”

  “Well, it must’ve seen you. It went straight for you.” She gave a “help me” look to the others.

  “Yeah, I saw it too,” Noah said.

  Scarlet nodded. “It’s a dangerous ghost all right.”

  Daisy leaned close to the shaken boy, plucked a cholla barb from his arm, and tossed it to the ground. He was in such a state that he didn’t even notice it. And those things hurt. “I th
ink you got possessed, Tristan.” And it was mostly the truth. That seemed to really freak him. Good. Maybe he’ll stay the hell away from us now. “That’s why my husband hit you. To make the ghost get out of your body. Did you feel stunned? Like you couldn’t move?”

  His eyes grew wide with fear. “Yeah.”

  “That’s possession all right. Here, let me get a picture of you.” She took out her phone, forced her trembling hands steady, and snapped a photo. “Hmm. Nothing on here.” She gave an exaggerated gaze around the cemetery. “I don’t see it now. If you’re sure you’re okay, you better get out of here. Quick, before it comes back and decides to follow you home.” An image of the funny ghosts at Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion popped into her head and she shoved it away.

  The boy swallowed and Daisy thought he might toss his cookies right there. But he looked at Noah and uttered, “Thanks, man.” He ran toward his truck.

  “Is his friend coming?” Daisy said to Bridgette.

  “No.” The redhead squinted toward the truck, her tell that she was using her telepathic powers. “He’s got his ear buds in and the music cranked so loud he wouldn’t notice a microburst if it landed on top of him.”

  “Good.” Only one mortal witness. And he’s scared out of his mind now.

  Seconds later, an engine started and gravel crunched as the truck spun tires on its way out.

  Bridgette rubbed at her nose as she gazed at the parking lot where the truck had been. “Brilliant, Daisy. Couldn’t have done it better myself.” She put her sunglasses back on and pressed the beer can she was still holding into a palo verde tree niche. “You should get the acting award.”

  Noah put a protective arm around Daisy. “Why the hell did he come back? Daisy, what happened?”

  She encircled his waist with her arms, thankful he didn’t get shot. “You’re not going to like it, babe.”

  “I already don’t like it. Just tell me – wait. Does this have something to do with Rebecca? Or the hitchhiker?”

  “The latter.” She turned to Scarlet. The woman had chewed some of her pink lipstick off. “Will that boy be okay?”