by Linda Wisdom
“For Fates’ sake, is there anything more suspicious than a teenager?” Maggie threw up her hands. “Tell him to come around six.”
“It’s not like I can tell him what you are, and I still don’t know what Declan is,” she muttered, sliding a new tray of cookie dough into the oven. “Because while he’s totally cute, he sure isn’t normal.”
“Normal’s just a word. In my world, I’m normal and you’re not. In Declan’s world, you and I aren’t normal.”
“So what’s his world?”
“Not a place you’d want to visit.” She singed her fingers stealing a cookie off Courtney’s makeshift cooling rack. It almost burned her mouth, but the chocolaty goodness melting on her taste buds was worth it. She snatched up two more cookies.
“So when are you going to tell me why you had to pretend to be a relative?” Courtney pursued, waving a spoon. “I know, I know, I won’t be able to tell anyone because of that stupid thing you did to me. So there’s really no reason why you can’t tell me. I mean, you already sent that talking, coffee-swilling ferret here.”
“When I know more.” Maggie figured that was promise enough.
Courtney didn’t see it that way. “Not fair when you’re asking questions that you feel I should answer. Such as about raves.”
She looked too sly for Maggie’s comfort. “Meaning?”
“Meaning I bet you want to know when and where the next one is being held.”
“You won’t be going.”
The teenager was clever enough to ignore that statement. “But for some reason you want to know, don’t you? Maybe even know who puts them on.” She dangled the carrot in front of Maggie.
“Forget the fibs, Courtney. Your nose is growing.”
She squealed and ran to the refrigerator’s polished stainless surface to study her face. “Is not!”
Maggie smirked. “It could have, though. These cookies are good. Better than what we got from the store. What would you think about making a cake or something for tomorrow night?”
“Great. Now I’m nothing more than the kitchen help.” But she looked pleased by the suggestion.
“No, call it a shared responsibility. You baked the cookies. I’ll clean up.” Maggie did just that by loading the dishwasher. Once finished, she snagged a few more cookies and went upstairs to her bedroom while Courtney headed for the family room and switched on the TV.
She took a quick look at Courtney’s room, relieved to see that it only resembled a mess and not a war zone, and then moved on to her room. She’d set her duffel bag on the bed when she returned. Now it was time to tune out Courtney’s choice of television programs and unpack.
She also thought of calling Declan and inviting him to dinner the next night. A tingling sensation started at the back of her neck and continued around front.
“My spidey senses are on alert, ma chère,” Elle said, moving down Maggie’s arm and landing on the dresser. In no time, she’d spun a silken bed. “What of yours?”
“I leave that to you.” She dropped onto the bed and fell backwards, her head neatly resting on the pillows.
“We heard all that Mal said, and we listened to Sybil. It is one of those situations that will get worse before it gets better, and it all has to do with the girl’s blood. But there is more to it. You know that.” Elle preened in front of the mirror, polishing her jeweled surface. “I have not had a male in so long,” she sighed. “You did pack my computer, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I did. You can hook it up to your new web in no time. That’s right, Elle, talk about your lack of a love life. All you do is seduce a guy, screw him silly, and kill him. If only the rest of us had such an uncomplicated life.”
Maggie didn’t think it was crazy talking it over with her spider. She missed Sybil, but Elle was more than just a pretty accessory. She had more smarts than most and was fun to talk to.
“The Mayans were very cruel and very intelligent. So are demons.” Elle left the statement hanging in the air. “Declan will help you because the two of you are lovers.”
Maggie closed her eyes, feeling mortification wash over her. “Please tell me you didn’t tune in during that time.”
“Do not worry. You had all the privacy you needed.” Elle yawned. “Call your handsome demon and whisper sweet nothings. I must hook up my computer.” She practically flew up to her web while Maggie magicked it up to the ceiling. In no time, Elle was happily checking email.
“Terrific, romantic advice from a black widow spider,” Maggie muttered, nibbling on another cookie. She winced when the TV’s volume increased. “How do adults survive a kid’s teenage years?”
She closed her eyes and mentally ran through her day.
Mayans, demons, Courtney, Mick Frasier.
Declan.
So where was the connection?
***
“Declan.” Anton’s deep voice rumbled around the office as he stood soldier straight in the open doorway.
Declan looked up from the array of paperwork he needed to get caught up on. Thoughts of Maggie had jumbled his brain, along with his hunger to spend time with her. Hopefully they could have time alone when he could inhale her scent mixed with the fragrance of black orchid, violets, and lotus blossom that made up her perfume. Where her legs would wrap around him in a loving embrace and she’d whisper in his ear.
Get your mind off your cock, Declan.
“What is it?” He kept his voice harsh. The reminder he had to always be in charge was constant.
Anton paused a moment. “Alexi is gone.”
That Declan hadn’t expected. “I assume you don’t mean he’s gone out for coffee.”
Anton shifted from one foot to the other, a sure sign he was uneasy. “The log was on the floor, and the portal was left open. I don’t think he went through it willingly.”
Declan was out of his chair and down the hallway before the bouncer finished the last word.
He found the entrance to the lower level open and Snips waiting by the portal, which was now closed. The imp looked at him with a flash of fear that vanished as quickly as it appeared.
“There is nothing here,” Snips informed his master.
Declan stared at the log his assistant held in his purple claws and at a black smear of blood near the portal—and noted that no one was guarding the area.
“On the contrary, there’s a great deal here.” He glanced at Anton, who hovered anxiously in the background. “I want you standing sentry down here. Put Elias on the door.” He turned back to Snips. “And I want a tracker here immediately. Alexi must be found.”
He returned upstairs with the sensation that darkness was not just lingering, it was right there waiting to pounce.
Chapter 15
Declan parked his car in the driveway and took the walkway that led around the side of the house to the backyard. He heard Maggie��s exasperation along with Courtney’s whines as he reached the rear gate.
“You have to do it again,” Maggie said in a tone that brooked no refusal.
“Again? It hurt the last million times you made me do it. I’m nothing more than a bunch of cuts and bruises.”
“Then the best thing we can do is keep doing it until you develop enough calluses on your ass that it won’t hurt anymore.”
“You are so mean!”
Declan paused at the gate before opening it. He felt the wards throbbing all the way into the wood. He sensed touching it would give him an unwelcome shock, at the very least. He looked over the top and saw Maggie and Courtney facing each other in the middle of the lawn. Courtney’s dark hair hung in sweaty coils, and her yoga pants and tank top were grass stained, while Maggie looked as if she’d just stepped out of the shower. The slight tilt of her head told him she was aware he was there.
“Come at me again, and this time put some effort in it,” Maggie ordered.
Declan watched as Courtney, looking about as frustrated as a kid could look, ran at Maggie with her arms outstretched. He cataloged h
er first mistake and swallowed his laughter when Maggie easily avoided Courtney’s attack and neatly flipped her over.
“I really hate you,” the girl snarled from her prone position.
“Then you must not hate me enough, because if you did, you’d try harder.” Maggie put out a hand and pulled Courtney to her feet. “What were my first words to you when we came out here?”
“To forget about fighting like a girl and fight dirty using my nails, feet, and teeth.” The teen dug dirt out from under her fingernails. “Guess what? I did fight dirty, and I’ve got the crud to prove it.” She held up her filthy hands.
“She means you do whatever it takes to cause your opponent serious pain.” Declan felt the magick wards give enough for him to open the gate and step through before they closed up behind him.
“Declan!” Maggie turned on him in a way that had him feeling wary. He took a step back and then jumped forward as the gate sparked against him.
“I’m so glad you’re here because you can help me with Courtney’s self-defense lessons.” Maggie practically floated toward Declan.
“I thought she was kicked out of school for fighting.”
“She was, but she fought like a girl,” Maggie explained. “She needs to learn to fight dirty enough to handle anyone—and anything—that might come her way.” She stared straight into Declan’s eyes, her gaze a deep-green glow that looked like pure seduction. “So I need you.” A faint pink lit up her cheeks as his grin deepened.
“Oh jeez, if you two are going to get that way, I’m going inside.” Courtney started to do just that, but without even looking her way, Maggie grabbed the back of the girl’s tank top and pulled her back. “Some R-rated things shouldn’t be seen by this kid.”
“Not so fast, grasshopper. You have some work to do here. So watch and learn.” She backed up, still grinning at Declan. She wiggled her fingers at him. “Come and get me, big guy,” she purred.
Declan grinned. “You do know I wasn’t taught to go easy on females.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” She bounced on her toes. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
“Oh my God, he’s going to pulverize you.” Courtney dropped to the grass, prepared to watch the show. “And after what you’ve put me through, I’ll be happy to see you get your butt whipped.”
The two moved in a circle that slowly grew smaller as they each gauged the other, looking for the perfect opening.
“Oh, no, the big, bad man is after me,” Maggie sang out, gazing at him with a wide-eyed innocence he wasn’t buying for anything. “What will I do?”
“Who let you out all alone, little girl?” Declan spoke in a voice that rumbled with the darkness he’d been raised in. “Didn’t anyone tell you it’s not safe?”
She clasped her hands together in mock fear. “Please don’t hurt me.”
He advanced on her with the intent of leaving a few bruises just to teach her a lesson, nothing too harsh. Then lightning quick, he was on her.
Just as fast, Declan found himself flat on his back with Maggie’s boot resting lightly against his chest.
“Normally, I would have aimed a bit more south just to make a point,” she murmured. “But I thought this would be enough to get your attention.”
She moved back and danced away some more steps when he tried to grab her ankle to throw her off balance. She immediately twisted in a spin kick, and only Declan’s quick reflexes kept him from getting his jaw broken. “Uh, uh, uh, none of that.”
Courtney’s mouth dropped open. “So cool! How did you do that?”
“Magick.” Declan grumped, slowly rising to his feet. Served him right for holding back. It appeared the one who ended up with bruises was him.
“No, just my impressive skills.” Maggie grinned.
“That’s not fair because I can’t even say the words, much less do anything with it. No way I’m embarrassing myself tonight by even trying to say them.” The teen jumped up. “I wanna learn what you just did,” she told Maggie. “Maybe I can’t do it the way you can, but you can teach me other ways, right?” She danced in place.
“If I’d known this was all it took to inspire you, I would have had Declan come over sooner,” Maggie teased.
“Tell me you have beer inside.” At her nod, Declan limped into the kitchen and headed for the refrigerator. Once he plucked a beer out, he returned outside and settled into a patio chair.
“You do know that we guys consider girl-on-girl fighting pretty hot,” he commented as he watched Maggie instruct Courtney in moves and then had the teen perform them on her. There was no doubt Maggie held back to give Courtney some beginning confidence, and each time the girl tried, she got faster. She even connected once.
“Remember that, kiddo. Men only have one thing on their minds. Now it’s time to step up your game. Come at me fast and hard. I’m not going to give you any quarter.”
“But kicking you down there won’t give the same effect as it would if I kicked him.” Her gaze slid sideways toward Declan.
“Oh, no.” He held his hands up. “I’m not going there. You can figure that out without using me as a punching bag.”
“You should have brought Anton,” Maggie said.
He sobered at the thought of Anton losing his brother. She caught the change in his expression and sent him a silent question. He shook his head, mouthing later.
Declan watched Maggie turn into an instructor and put Courtney through her paces, showing her what moves were effective and even how to use her femininity to her advantage.
By the time they were finished, Courtney was dragging.
“I’m taking a shower,” she announced. “I’d crawl into bed and die, but with Mick coming in an hour, I need to look gorgeous.” She turned to Maggie. “I guess you don’t want me telling him about this either.”
“Only if you want to tell him you’re learning to kick his ass.”
“Guys don’t like that.”
“Well, since you’re convinced you need to look gorgeous, here’s a reward for working so hard,” Maggie said, producing a slender tube of mascara from behind her back and handing it to the delighted girl. “It’s the good stuff.”
“Thanks.” She favored them both with a dazzling smile and headed into the house.
Maggie dropped into the chair next to Declan’s and stole his beer bottle. “You couldn’t save any for me?” She waved the empty bottle back and forth.
“You have more in the house.” He was content not to move. Now she looked as if she’d had a good workout, with her face and body gleaming with sweat. She pulled the clips from her golden hair, letting it swing forward.
“I guess I need a shower more than I need this.” She pushed herself out of the chair.
“No chance of my joining you?”
Maggie smiled and patted him on the head. “Sorry, no. But you can start up the barbecue. I bought steaks and thought we’d roast corn and potatoes to go with them.”
“Sounds good.”
She started walking backward into the house. “So, do you fire demons just stare at a barbecue to fire it up?”
He grinned. “What can I say? We like it easy. The sad thing is we can’t add mesquite or hickory to it. Go take your shower… alone.” He cocked an eyebrow, reminding her that he had high hopes for the future.
Maggie blew him a kiss and scampered inside.
Declan continued grinning as he headed for the state-of-the-art barbecue set up on a corner of the patio.
That witch will drive me crazy yet.
***
It was official.
Not only did Maggie dislike Mick Frasier, but she wouldn’t trust him as far as she could throw him. And she especially didn’t want him around Courtney, who sat there hanging on his every word and looking the picture of a teenager in love. Since the evening was warm, Courtney had chosen a pair of bright turquoise shorts with a yellow-and-turquoise halter top and pulled her hair up in a long ponytail.
Maggie looked at
her and saw a sweet girl. She was positive Mick looked at her and saw someone he wanted to nail. She tamped down her violent thoughts. Such as watching his head explode like a cantaloupe.
If he touches Courtney anyplace he shouldn’t, he will be leaving here in a body bag.
At first glance, the nineteen-year-old was the picture-perfect image of the bad boy all girls lusted after. Ed Hardy T-shirt, artfully ripped jeans, a wicked-looking tat of a skull on his bicep, coffee-brown hair pulled back in a short ponytail, and a hint of dark beard on his jaw. He was catnip to Courtney’s kitten.
Maggie also knew she couldn’t fault his manners, which were pretty damn perfect, and he treated Courtney with the right amount of deference.
He and Declan had done the male bonding bit talking about motorcycles. Declan also did the guy thing by offering a beer to Mick, who was smart enough to turn it down when Maggie turned a dark eye on them both. Mick flashed her the patented bad-boy grin and accepted a Coke from Courtney.
He wandered into the kitchen while Maggie wrapped corn on the cob and seasoned potato wedges in foil.
“It’s nice that Courtney now has a relative who is willing to take her in,” he told Maggie as he leaned against the counter. “It’s always a shame when a sweet kid like her loses her family the way she lost hers. Now she looks happy.”
“I’m glad I was able to finally be here for her.” She sent out her senses, hoping to pick up something odd from him, but all she got was a blank slate. Humans tended to show up that way to her, but this was different. Deliberate. Something deep inside her said he wasn’t completely human. Question: What was he?
“She’s a good girl, and I intend to see she stays that way.” She gave him the adult eye.
She knew that just not being human didn’t mean he was a danger to Courtney. Many creatures wandered out of their playgrounds to seek different chums. But she was determined to keep a close eye on him until she could find out what his agenda was.
He showed a flash of teeth and held his hands up in surrender. “No worries. Court says no, and I’m fine with it.”
Maggie bared her teeth. “Good.”
“Especially since I’ve seen your boyfriend.” He glanced outside where Declan and Courtney stood by the barbecue, with Courtney chattering away. “Something tells me he’d hurt me good if I got out of line.”