Here Witchy Witchy Box Set 2

by A. L. Kessler

  “Your uncle is too smart for a regular truth spell.”

  Exactly. “But you know what he drinks?”

  “Tea. You’re going to poison your uncle?”

  Simon walked in with wide eyes at Merick’s words and turned right back out of the room.

  “It’s okay Simon; I’m not going to poison him. I’m going to make a potion. Well, Merick is going to make it for me.”

  “Why?” they both asked.

  “Because I suck at making potions, and Clarissa’s dead.” I kept my voice even. “I’m going to get information, and I’m going to get it from my Uncle.”

  Merick closed his eyes. “Abigail, there are other ways.”

  “Like a trace spell?”

  “I'd rather do a trace spell with you instead of you trying to use a potion on your uncle.”

  “Then that’s what we’ll do.” But I continued flipping through the book.

  “Now what are you looking for?” He sounded exasperated.

  “Something to help me with the demon.”

  Simon shook his head. “Desk work, remember Abby?”

  “This is research. If I can get Mason something to help, then I will.”

  My phone rang, Mason’s number scrolled across the screen. I grabbed it. “Special Agent Collins speaking.”

  “Abigail, that last suspect, Lars?”

  “Yeah?” I had a feeling I knew what he was going to say.

  “He’s dead, and we were able to pull DNA from the crime scene, it looks like a bit of a fight went down, blood splatters on the floor.”

  “What’s the address?”

  Both the men gave me wide eyes, but I held up a finger for them to wait. Mason rambled off the address to Grace’s house.

  “I can tell you what that DNA is going to come back as. Mine.”

  “What the hell happened here, Abby?”

  “The person that lives there, she’s involved with the case. I went to pay her a visit, and I was attacked.” I remembered the strangled cry that I’d heard. I was probably there while Lars had lost his life. I knew I paled a little bit because both Simon and Merick stepped closer to the bed.

  “There’s a chance I might have been there when he was killed.”

  “Where are you now?”

  “The hospital. I’m on desk work for now, until I heal a little more.”

  “What the hell, Abby?” I imagined he was shaking his head.

  I ignored his question. “The suspect you’re looking for is Melody Grace, alias Starla Porter. She’s a shifter, but she’s working with a warlock. I’ll be doing research to connect the rest of the dots, and I’ll pass that on to you. However, killing with a demon is considered killing with magic, and I can put an executioner request in for both of them to finish the case.”

  “Here’s the kicker. They killed all the suspects, but the human case just got another murder.”

  I frowned. “Are they still convinced that it’s not a copycat?”

  “Yeah, they found similar DNA.”

  “And it’s not matching anything in the system?”

  “Nope. So I don’t know what to tell you, because if this is a revenge killing, then she’s missing the mark.”

  Wasn’t that the truth? I rubbed my eyes. A new theory was starting to form in my head. “Okay, I’ll put that theory on the back burner. We need to find out who the warlock working with her is. He might be connected somehow.” Like by murder. I sighed.

  “Don’t worry; we’ll figure it out.” He disconnected the call, and I leaned back in my bed.

  “I hate this.”

  Merick chuckled. “You can never just sit and be, can you?”

  “Do you remember that hex?” Simon was looking at me, but I knew the question was for Merick. Merick gave a nod, and Simon continued, “She worked through that too.”

  “You’re a crazy witch Abigail. That curse would have taken out most of our kind.”

  I shrugged. “It’s apparently really hard to kill me.” As if reminding me of my own mortality, the pain in my stomach pulsed. Oliver had healed enough that I wouldn’t have to worry about infection or stitches ripping open, but I would still have a disadvantage in a fight.

  I closed my eyes as exhaustion started to creep up on me. “If anyone needs me, I’ll be napping.”

  Both of them let out a snort, and for a moment I wondered what they would talk about while I was asleep or if they’d just stare at each other.

  I felt one of them tuck the blanket around me as I drifted into sleep.

  “How is she feeling?” Levi’s voice pulled me out of my deep sleep.

  “She’s healing well already. Dr. Newport says she’ll be able to go home tomorrow.” Simon’s voice was even. “She’s slept most of the day.

  “You’ll bring her back to the mansion when she leaves the hospital. Mario and I will be waiting for her there.”

  I opened my eyes. “Does Mario have to be there?” I asked. “I don’t really want him around me.”

  “That is not your call to make Abigail.” Levi sat on the bed, and I didn’t meet his gaze.

  “The vampire betrayed her Levi, courting her isn’t going to happen.” Simon shook his head. “Stop trying to force her.”

  “Stay out of this Simon,” Levi warned in a low voice.

  I held my hand up to stop any argument. “It’s okay Simon; this goes way beyond that. After what happened, Levi is well aware that any chances for a real relationship between Mario and I are out of the question.”

  “Then what is going on?” Simon looked over at me with begging eyes while Levi continued to ignore him.

  I wanted to tell him, needed someone else to know, someone I could trust. I looked at Levi and raised a brow, silently asking if I could. Levi shook his head. “No, Abigail.”

  It was for the best; I knew that. “I’m sorry Simon. I can’t tell you.” I wouldn’t meet his gaze because at that point all I wanted was to send Levi away and let Simon comfort me and to tell him everything.

  “I understand. Since Levi’s here, I’m going to take my leave. I need to check in with Travis; I’ll be back in the morning.” He walked out, and I pressed my lips together trying to figure out what I wanted to say.

  Levi stood and took the chair Simon had left open. “How do you feel?”

  “I’m in a little less pain now.” I wasn’t going to share why. “I’m ready to go home.”

  “You never did like the hospital.” He laughed a little. “Mario is still your guard, Abigail.”

  “I can’t trust him to guard me. Not after leading me into a trap. I don’t know how you can either, even with the excuse that he was sparing me the full power of Hannah’s magic.” I shook my head and looked away. “He put me in a very vulnerable position that could have cost my life. He didn’t even warn me about it so I could prepare myself. You out of all people should be furious.”

  “Mario has served his punishment, but his reasoning is sound.”

  I snorted. “I’ll take my chances alone, thanks. But I won’t fight you on going back to the mansion. Not right now, not this time.”

  “Thank you. “

  “I am going to have Simon drive me back to my house first.” I figured a little bit of honesty would go a long way right now. “I just need to make sure Osiris has enough food, and I need some clothes. All I have at the mansion is work clothes.”

  “That’s because all you do is work.”

  I was about to disagree with him, but I couldn’t since he was right. All I did was work; I was even planning on working in the hospital.

  It was time for a change in subject. “Exactly what are you hoping to get out of me meeting with Ira?”

  “I’m hoping that he’ll taunt you with information we can use to bring him down.”

  “I can bring my weapons?”

  “But you can’t use them unless he attacks you and you cannot kill him, Abigail.”

  I tried not to roll my eyes. “Then what’s the point of the meeting.
I’m pretty sure he said all he needed to the other night.”

  Levi gripped the arms of the chair. “What did he tell you?”

  I shook my head. “Don’t worry, Oliver told me that it was all fake.” He hadn’t in so many words, but he refused to confirm it for me. “If he attacks me, I’m killing him.”

  “And then you will have no choice but to go into hiding. My maker, Ira’s maker, is not one to be messed with Abigail.”

  I shook my head. “I’m not scared of your maker.”

  His silence told me he was though, maybe that was just how vampires were, scared of the being that brought them into the supernatural world.

  “What were you like as a human?” I asked suddenly.

  “Not the time for my past, Abigail. Right now I am worried about your future and what your stubbornness is going to cause.” He motioned to the table. “Your parents’ book?”

  “Looking for a potion or something to rid myself of Ira’s influence from his bite. That’s all.”

  He looked skeptical and was about to say something when his phone rang. He looked at the screen, excused himself, and walked out.

  I pulled my laptop out and opened it up. I didn’t know how long he was going to be on the phone. I had slept all day, so right now it was time for me to get some research done.

  I had gotten into the PIB database and had every possible file pulled up on Melody Grace and Starla Porter that I could. I had also added a few newspaper articles mentioning her and a couple mentioning the mass murder. Levi walked in and closed the computer and took it away from me.

  “You’re coming home tonight.”

  I tried not to be irritated with him taking the computer. “What do you mean? Dr. Newport wanted to keep me tonight.”

  “Yeah, well your security has been compromised. Why didn’t you tell me that Merick came to visit you? And Oliver?’

  “Oliver healed me a little bit.” I shook my head. “Merick is a consultant on Clarissa’s case because he’s the only other linguist that works with our PIB branch. It turns out that the demon case and Clarissa’s might be connected.”

  He shook his head. “Neither of them should be near you. Whoever killed your parents worked for the Cult. Letting Merick near you gives them the opportunity to finish the job. And your uncle, well…”

  I waited to see what hate he would spew about my uncle, but he just shook his head. “Can you walk?” he asked suddenly.

  I nodded. “I’ll be able to walk out of here as soon as the nurses take the IVs out and Dr. Newport has me sign the paperwork.”

  “Okay, I’ve already brought the Hummer back to the mansion.”

  Oh good, at least I could drive home tomorrow for a little bit. “I still need to stop by my house tomorrow.”

  I’m sure he saw in my face that I wasn’t going to bend on that. “I’ll be fine. Just there, pick some things up, back home.”

  “Okay, if you’re not back by dusk, Mario will come get you.”

  I rolled my eyes. “He’s no longer welcomed in the house.”

  “We’ll talk about that later.” He motioned to the doors as a nurse walked in. She was different than the one I had seen during the day. She was all smiles and bouncing hair that reminded me of Clarissa.

  “Let’s get you out of here.”

  I walked into my room at the mansion and sighed. I didn’t want to stay in all night; I wanted to be out helping Mason at the crime scene. I wanted to be talking to the officer that was working on the serial killer case. I wanted to be fucking working, but I was stuck here.

  I sat on my bed and pulled my laptop out of my bag, but before I got a chance to open it up my phone rang.

  “Special Agent Abigail Collins.”

  “Abigail, Abigail, you sent Detective Mason after my scent,” Grace’s voice chided. “I’m not sure exactly how you survived the gunshot, but you won’t be so lucky at our next encounter. And I can promise you that Detective Mason won’t survive his first encounter with us.”

  The phone went dead, and I cursed. I dialed Mason without a second thought. “Pick up, pick up, pick up.”

  “Do you have something for me, Abby?”

  “Yeah, just got a death threat from Melody for you. Watch your back, and may I suggest you take a PIB agent with you?”

  “I’ve already talked to PIB about it, and they’ve paired me up with someone. Wish it was you, but I’d rather you not get killed in the line of duty.”

  Me too, because it had already been a close call. “Make sure you watch your back. She had the warlock ambush me, and warn whoever PIB sends that he’s managed to ward himself from circles. I wish I could be there with you too, but I’ll have to trust the agent they put you with. Who’s taking over on the field?”

  “Liz is since it seems also to be tied to her case. Can I trust her?”

  That made me relax a little bit. “Absolutely. I’m glad that they let her take over.”

  “I’m surprised that they aren’t making you step down completely.”

  Me too at this point. “I doubt they will since I’m just doing desk work now. I’m actually staying at Levi’s until I heal a bit more.”

  “Good plan, maybe he can make sure you actually rest.”

  I doubted it, not to mention I was planning on working magic tomorrow during the day when he wasn’t awake. I smiled. Yes, let him and Mario think I was going to be a good little witch.

  “I’ll keep you updated, Abby, you throw me information if you get any.”

  “I will, please stay safe.”

  He made a noise of agreement and then disconnected. I laid back on the bed taking a deep breath and testing the pain in my stomach. It was bearable now, but it was still there, as was the dull throbbing in my arm.

  There was nothing I was going to be able to do to heal it, so I was going to have to work around it. There was a knock on the door, and I tried to sit up, but the pain laced through me. Nope, I wasn’t going to be able to go anywhere. Shit.

  “Come in,” I called out.

  Mario walked in. “Can’t get up?”

  I lifted my hand up and shot him the finger. “Go away.”

  “I wanted to speak to you about the meeting tomorrow night.”

  I rolled over, keeping myself up on my arms so my stomach wasn’t pressed against the bed. I slowly pushed myself up and pulled my legs under me into a sitting position and stared at Mario. “Why are you in here talking to me. Why not Levi.”

  “Because he wanted me to do it as your guard.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I’m too hungry, tired, and in too much pain to deal with you right now.”

  Something played across his features, and I couldn’t read what it was. “Let’s get you fed and some painkillers first.” He held a hand to help me off the bed. For a moment I considered being stubborn, but I let it go. Just for a moment.

  I took his hand, and he gently pulled me off the bed, made sure I was steady, and then let go. He spun to leave the room, and I followed him to the kitchen. I pulled out my phone with my good hand and texted Merick a quick update as I walked down the hall. I had no doubt that Simon would tell Merick what was going on, but he hadn’t been at the hospital when Levi picked me up. I was halfway through texting Simon when Mario broke the silence.

  “Who are you texting?”

  “Simon, he wasn’t there when Levi forced the doctor to let me go.”

  He made a hm sound. “You care for the wolf.”

  “He’s a good friend of mine, yeah.” I narrowed my eyes. “Are you jealous?” I laughed a little. “You knew that our relationship was fake, not to mention you stabbed me in the fucking back.”

  He turned his back to me and started pulling out the stuff to make me a sandwich. He never answered me, but he moved on to making me coffee. Finally, he spoke. “The wolf is the only male you’ve ever shown any affection to.”

  “That’s not true; I went out on a date when I was at the book fest, I dated in high school, and I had a boyfriend or t
wo while I was in the academy.” I shook my head. “I don’t have to justify this to you.”

  “But now, Levi and I were betting it would be Nick who ended up capturing your attention, but that wasn’t right. You still cling to Simon since you worked next to him on the Barn case.”

  That was the case I worked with the hex on me, Simon had stayed by my side to make sure I didn’t die from being stupid. “Again, are you jealous?”

  “Maybe.”

  I shook my head. “Let’s stop beating around the bush here. Why are you the one talking to me about tomorrow night?

  “Because, Abigail, the terms of the meeting have changed. Ira has renegotiated.”

  Chapter Twelve

  That wasn’t exactly what I was expecting to hear. “That doesn’t explain why you’re here talking to me about it.”

  “Because there is now room for you to bring a second with you. I want to go with you.”

  I took a moment to debate on how I wanted to react to that. “Who is Ira bringing?”

  He didn’t answer right away, and I knew what he was going to say when he finally did answer. “Hannah.”

  “No, I won’t have you at my back then.” I tried to control my anger. “You left me to her once, and I don’t believe you can resist if she asks you to leave again.”

  He set the sandwich and coffee in front of me. “Abigail, there is no one else Levi will trust to have your back.”

  “Is he leaving the choice up to me?” I picked up the coffee and took a sip.

  He nodded. “He is, but he would prefer it was me.”

  “And that’s what Ira is expecting.” The pain started in my neck again, and I couldn’t get the coffee cup back to the counter fast enough. It fell from my hand, shattering on the floor.

  The ice cold feeling started at my feet, and I felt my knees give way. Mario caught me, easing me to the floor as the world disappeared again. I could see Ira standing in front of me, laughing at me as Hannah’s magic held me still. The pain continued to spread until it touched the freezing power. I let out a strangled cry, trying to remind myself that it was a flashback. That it wasn’t happening.