“Witches,” I muttered, pursing my lips. “Interesting.”
He cast me a sidelong look. “How do you know? Did you read their minds that fast? If so, I have to say, that’s really impressive.”
“I haven’t even tried to read their minds. I can tell because they remind me of that movie The Craft. There are four of them, which means they cast to the four corners. They’re each wearing an emblem on their shirts. Those emblems stand for the elements.”
“Earth, air, fire and water,” he mused. “That’s very good. I didn’t initially pick up on that. You’re getting good, Hadley.” He grinned. “You’re very smart.”
“Compliments will get you anything you want ... later tonight.” I patted his hand and turned back to the witches. “I’ve been doing some research on the elements since I found out about the elementals. Witch elementals are different. As a group, they’re one elemental, but they call to all four elements.”
“I think that’s a way to harness the power they think they lost during the great split,” Galen explained. “I don’t know that it makes them more powerful than they already are, but you’re right, it is interesting to think about.”
“Yeah.”
We lapsed into silence for a moment, our attention drawn to the witches. They commanded a certain amount of awe as they cut through the crowd. They were clad in robes, the sort that would’ve made sense in a Harry Potter movie. They were open, though, and they wore street clothes beneath.
“See if you can read their minds,” Galen suggested after a beat.
“What?” I felt uncomfortable, put on the spot. “I don’t know that I think that’s a good idea. What if they know I’m in their heads?”
“Just give it a try. I’m curious about whether they’re the real deal or all show.”
I had a feeling I already knew the answer to that question, but I obliged, narrowing my eyes as I surveyed the women. “Which one do you think I should go after?”
“The blonde in the center.”
I looked to him and tried to tamp down my agitation. “How did I know you would pick her?”
His grin was quick and full of adoration, so much so that it defeated whatever argument I’d planned to mount. “I already told you I have the perfect woman, so there’s no reason to get ... whatever it is you’re doing. Territorial, I guess. I already belong to you.”
That was sort of cute ... and codependent. Still, he was right. I had no doubts about his devotion. Being jealous — especially because I’d noticed the striking witch, too, and I wasn’t attracted to her in the least — was a wasted emotion.
“Okay. Give me a second.” I exhaled heavily and let loose the pent-up magic. May’s first lesson had been about control, and I was surprisingly good when it came to controlling my magic. I couldn’t see the wisps of power I sent out, but I sensed when they invaded her mind. Once inside, they began to crawl, and the information they discovered was transmitted back to me.
“Her name is Bronwen Beasley and she’s definitely a witch.”
“Bronwen?” Galen arched an eyebrow, amusement lighting his features. “That’s a little on the nose, huh? I bet her real name is Betty.”
“A lot of the people here are going by aliases.”
He straightened in his chair. “What do you mean by that?”
“Just that witches tend to want to name themselves and most of them trend toward the flamboyant. I guess I’m glad I like my name, because otherwise I might have had to change it to Sunny Skies or something.”
“You definitely have a pretty name.” He turned back to Bronwen, who was busy looking over a transportation brochure. “What else can you tell me about her?”
His interest was starting to make me distinctly uncomfortable. “Why? Do you like her or something?”
Exasperation, hot and fast, clawed across his face. “We’ve been over this. That’s not what I’m interested in here.”
“Then what are you interested in?”
“I want to know if these people are here because of Salma. I’m dying to know if the things she posted actually had an effect on attendance. If so, I want to know what it was about her that caused people to listen ... and if any of those people were infatuated enough to kill her.”
Oh, well, crap. He was actually trying to dig for important information on a murder. I probably should’ve figured that out myself. “Um ... .”
He held my gaze, practically daring me to argue.
“I’m kind of sorry,” I hedged after a beat. “I didn’t mean that the way it came out. It’s not that I don’t trust you. I do. I’ve never trusted anyone as much as I trust you. It’s just ... she looks like she should be wearing black lingerie on the cover of Witch Quarterly or something.”
Instead of reacting out of anger, he chuckled and shook his head. “Is it any wonder I fell head over heels for you the moment we met? I mean ... seriously. Who else could be so oblivious to her own appeal?”
My cheeks colored as I pursed my lips. He had a way of making me feel like an idiot. In this particular case, I was an idiot. Still, though ... . “Um ... what were we talking about again?”
He grinned, delight evident, and dipped in for a kiss. “Your new talent is intriguing. You’re doing really well for this being your first day. You can practice on me later. We’ll make a game of it.”
“I knew you would say that.”
“I’m nothing if not predictable,” he agreed. “In fact ... .” He sat up straighter, his attention drifting to a spot over my shoulder.
When I turned to get a look at what had caused him to lose his train of thought I found Bronwen staring directly at us ... and she didn’t look happy.
“Uh-oh,” I hissed.
“Don’t say that.” Galen shifted on his chair. “What is there to ‘uh-oh’ about?”
“I think ... um ... don’t freak out.”
“That’s a great way to open a sentence,” he drawled.
“I think I might have left the link between her mind and mine open when you and I started flirting. There’s every chance she saw something ... um ... sweaty in my head.”
His eyes widened. “Seriously?”
“I didn’t mean to do it,” I whined. “Sometimes these images just jump in my head when you’re around. I can’t always help it.”
“That’s both flattering and troublesome,” he said. “Just ... let me do the talking.” He rested his hand on top of mine and fixed Bronwen with a welcoming, and yet somehow remote, smile. “Welcome to Moonstone Bay. I’m Sheriff Blackwood. How may I be of assistance?”
Ah. He was going official right off the bat. That was smart. She would be more likely to back down once she realized he was a law enforcement representative. Even innocent people are often afraid of the police.
“That’s cute,” Bronwen drawled, looking him up and down. “That thing you do where you growl while rolling around naked is cute, too. I know because this one shoved the memory into my head ... though I don’t think she meant to do it.” Her gaze was pointed when it landed on me.
I swallowed hard. Double uh-oh. “Um ... I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The words sounded feeble as they escaped my mouth, but I didn’t know what else to say.
“Oh, don’t do that.” Bronwen tsked with her tongue. Up close, I realized she might’ve been a little older than I realized. The lines on her face sometimes looked deep depending on how the sunshine hit her face. “Own what you are, what you did. It’s quite remarkable really. I didn’t feel you in there until you made the mistake with the memory. You are quite gifted, sheriff.” She winked at Galen before turning back to me. “Who are you?”
I felt uncomfortable with her full attention on me, but I knew better than to avoid the question. If she thought I was afraid she might take advantage. “Hadley Hunter.”
“Well, Hadley Hunter, it’s nice to meet you.” She stuck out her hand for me to shake. I considered not doing it, perhaps playing germophobic or something, but that would un
doubtedly come across as rude and I was already on shaky ground.
“Nice to meet you, too, Bronwen Beasley.”
Her eyebrows practically hit her hairline. “I didn’t tell you my name.”
Well, crud on toast with a jelly chaser. What was wrong with me today? Apparently I couldn’t keep my head out of my behind. When I risked a glance at Galen, I found his shoulders shaking with silent laughter. He looked to be having a good time.
“It’s not funny,” I hissed, elbowing him in the stomach.
“It’s a little funny,” he countered, ruefully rubbing the spot I hit. “It’s not my fault you lost track of what you were doing. But I think it was a valuable lesson, and I bet you don’t make that mistake again.”
He was right. Still, this was a sticky situation. “I apologize,” I offered lamely. “I was trying to practice. It’s a new skill and I wasn’t going to go for anything other than surface thoughts. I didn’t mean to shove that picture of Galen into your head. That’s his fault because he was flirting with me when I was trying to work.”
“Of course it’s his fault,” Bronwen readily agreed. “It’s always the man’s fault. As for you, I’m willing to forgive ... this one time. You’re obviously new at this. Strong, but definitely new. You can do me a favor and we’ll forget all about it.”
That sounded convenient ... and possibly like a trap. “What favor?”
“We were supposed to have a driver meet us here to take us to our hotel, but I just got a text that he can’t make it. I need someone to transport me to my hotel.”
“I only have a golf cart.”
“Well, we can load all the luggage on the cart and the other girls can walk. It won’t kill them, despite the fact that it’s beastly hot. You can drive me and the luggage. How does that sound?”
“I guess it’s okay.” I squirmed and looked at Galen, who merely shrugged. “What hotel are you staying at?”
“The Moonstone Bay Cabana Clutch Hotel.”
I frowned. “That’s closed for renovations.”
“Yes, but I know the owner. She’s made an exception for us. In fact, she’s waiting for us as we speak. Do we have a deal?”
I didn’t see where I had much choice after being caught. “Sure. I can take you to the hotel. It won’t be a problem.”
“Great.”
8
Eight
Galen walked me to the cart, helping with Bronwen’s luggage, as the other women trailed behind. He didn’t say much, but the rigid set of his shoulders told me he wasn’t thrilled with the turn of events.
“Text me when you get there,” he instructed in a low voice as we stood next to the driver’s side of the cart. Bronwen seated herself without invitation. The luggage was loaded, and the other witches had already set out walking. “I don’t think there’s anything to worry about, but I’ll feel better knowing that you’re okay.”
“I think the only thing we have to worry about is me sticking my foot in my mouth ... again.”
He grinned and dipped down for a kiss. “That’s only one of the reasons I love you,” he whispered, giving me a friendly pat on the behind before sliding his gaze to Bronwen. “I hope you enjoy your stay at the Cabana Clutch.”
She returned the smile in blinding fashion. “Oh, you don’t have to worry about me. I have fun wherever I go. Thank you for the mental picture of you naked. I’ll carry it with me for the rest of the week. I’m sure it will come in handy.”
He frowned but didn’t say anything as he stepped back. Really, what else was there to say? I’d made a mistake and now I would have to deal with it. He was right about the regret forcing me to think better the next go-around. I didn’t ever want to deal with a situation like this again.
“Ready?” I forced a smile that I didn’t really feel and slid behind the wheel. Traffic in Moonstone Bay was basically non-existent for the most part, so it wouldn’t take me long to make the trek. Then I would drop her off and beat a hasty retreat ... and hopefully never see her again.
I expected to make the drive in uncomfortable silence. Bronwen apparently had other ideas.
“So, tell me about yourself,” she insisted as I cut out of the parking lot.
“There’s not much to tell,” I replied uneasily. I didn’t really feel the need to bond over shared secrets. “I live on the island and I date the sheriff. That’s my life in a nutshell.”
“There must be more than that.”
“Not really.”
“You’re also a witch,” she pointed out. “We have that in common.”
“Yeah, well ... it’s sort of a new thing for me.” I took a deep, bracing breath. Apparently we were going to get into the nitty-gritty of my life after all. “I didn’t even know I was a witch until a few months ago when I moved to Moonstone Bay.”
“Oh?” Bronwen’s perfectly arched eyebrows migrated higher. “You didn’t grow up here?”
“I moved here after I inherited the lighthouse from my grandmother.”
“You inherited a lighthouse?” Intrigue lit Bronwen’s features as she leaned forward. “That’s interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who lived in a lighthouse.”
“Oh, well ... it’s just like living anywhere else.” That was a bald-faced lie. Living in the lighthouse was one adventure after another ... and the view was spectacular. I was afraid if I played it up, though, she would try to finagle an invitation, and I was keen to cut ties with her as soon as possible.
“I don’t believe that. Perhaps I’ll stop by and you can show me around.”
Crap! It was as if she was reading my mind and punishing me for earlier events in the process. “Maybe.” I kept my tone light and airy. “What about you? What kind of witch are you?”
“I’m a hodgepodge of beliefs and powers. I don’t ascribe to any one set tenet.”
“But you wear the air witch symbol.” I gestured toward the emblem on her robe. “That means you’re adept at air magic, right?”
Her smile was benign. “I’m adept at many things. Which element are you strongest with?”
That was a good question. “I have no idea. I’ve done a few things, but I’m still a work in progress. I think what I’ll be able to do is yet to be determined.”
“Your mind powers seem strong,” Bronwen noted. “Perhaps that will be your forte.”
“Maybe. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.” I took the curve that led to June’s hotel more sharply than necessary and Bronwen had to grip her seat tightly to keep from flying out. She looked amused rather than testy once she recovered.
“I make you nervous,” she noted sagely. “I wish I didn’t. You’re clearly uncomfortable around me.”
“It’s more that I’m uncomfortable with what I did,” I hedged. “I really didn’t mean any harm. I was just trying to practice. You wouldn’t have known I was there if Galen hadn’t distracted me.”
“I can see why he so easily distracts you. He’s ... very pretty.”
“Yeah, well ... he has a few attributes that I like.” My lips raised, unbidden, into a smile. “Why are you staying at June’s hotel when it’s closed? I would think you would want to stay at one of the full-service resorts.”
“I didn’t plan on coming to the festival when it was first announced, so I didn’t reserve a room. I have no interest in staying on the beach, because ... well ... I feel too old to sleep on the ground.”
“It will probably be filled with drunks and loudmouths, too,” I noted.
“That was also a concern,” she conceded. “Upon calling around to find lodging, I was told the hotel would be under construction but it wasn’t expected to be terrible. I called June personally and we struck a deal.”
“That’s cool. June is great, by the way. She’s a lot of fun. Even if the hotel isn’t a well-oiled machine right now, you’ll still have a great time.”
“I’m certain I will. But ... I wasn’t aware you knew June. How well do you know her? What can you tell me about her life?”
>
The shift in topic was a welcome one. Talking about someone else — anybody else really — was less stressful than trying to explain my current situation. “I met her a few weeks ago. She’s really tight with Galen and another friend of mine. She kind of looked over them when they were boys, made them behave when no one else would. They’re devoted to her.”
“From the looks of it, Galen at least, is devoted to you, too.”
My cheeks heated from a mixture of pleasure and embarrassment. “He’s a good man. He’s also great at his job. This festival is a big deal and he’s been working night and day to make sure everything is perfect. He’s amazing.”
“It’s clear you think so.” She smiled as we pulled to a stop in front of the hotel. “Well, this doesn’t look so bad. I was expecting scaffolding everywhere.”
“It’s a cute space,” I offered as I started unloading suitcases from the back. “The patio area is absolutely to die for and she’s not changing that at all.”
“Well, that’s good. Perhaps we’ll get some tea out there and talk about her heritage. I’m absolutely fascinated by it.”
“The pirate thing? It’s a pretty cool story.”
“The pirate story is mildly entertaining. I’m talking about her matriarchal lines, though. It’s rare to have a witch family that goes back as many generations as hers.”
I stilled, surprised. “What?” The single-word question escaped before I could think better of it. I was legitimately astonished, though.
Amusement flashed in the depths of Bronwen’s eyes, which looked more gray than green in this lighting. “I thought you knew her.”
“I ... do.”
“Then why didn’t you know she was a witch?”
That was a very good question. “Um ... I’m not sure. Are you sure you have the right person? I’ve never heard June mention being a witch.”
“I’m positive. I’m looking forward to partaking in a few rituals with her. You’re invited, of course. You can bring your sheriff bodyguard if you’re feeling nervous. He just needs to promise not to get naked until after the ritual is complete. He might serve as too much of a distraction for my coven otherwise.”
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