Magick and Mischief (Warlocks MacGregor Book 7)

by Michelle M. Pillow

  “Her eyes are like wine, I drink them with mine,” a man sang, the words loud and slurred. “My sweet lassie bride, as beautiful as the day we met.”

  Margareta sighed and gave a wry shake of her head. “And that off-key buffoon would be my husband.”

  The buffoon in question charged through the door with his arms spread wide. Mud caked his kilt and naked chest. “So loving and forgiving, she—”

  “Angus MacGregor—” Margareta started to scold.

  “There’s my sweet rose,” Angus interrupted, grinning at his wife as if he could charm his way out of being in trouble.

  “Did ya lose something last night?” Margareta demanded.

  “My heart to my beautiful wife?” Angus grinned.

  “Try again,” Margareta said.

  Angus patted his hips and then his naked chest as if checking pockets that weren’t there.

  “Your brothers?” Margareta prompted.

  “Oh, right, them.” Angus glanced the way he’d come before saying. “I’ve come to fetch clothes for Murdoch. Don’t tell Cait. Let her enjoy her trip. It wasn’t our fault this time.” His eyes landed on Andrea. “Who do we have here?”

  “Andrea Breaux,” Andrea answered.

  “Jewel’s new nanny,” Margareta added.

  “If you’re trying to find him, I think I saw your naked brother at the motel last night, running through the corridors,” Andrea offered. “He was being chased by a badger, I think? Though I didn’t see it.”

  Angus gave a sheepish grin. “Wrong naked brother.”

  “Euann is picking Raibeart up from the library,” Margareta said. “You’re lucky Cora was there to find him.”

  Angus laughed. “Cora always opens the library. He wasn’t in any danger. We told him one of his old girlfriends wrote a book about him and sent him to the romance section. Kept him busy for the night.”

  Andrea ducked her head and bit back a laugh. Angus appeared so earnest, and Margareta so filled with wifely exasperation.

  “A romance novel.” Margareta shook her head. “Like a woman would write a book about any of ya fools.”

  “Kept him out of trouble, didn’t it?” Angus chuckled. He tried to hug his wife. “And I know ya would write a book about me if only ya could put your great love into words.”

  “Get cleaned up.” Margareta swatted him in dismissal. “We’ll discuss this later.”

  Andrea watched him leave. They seemed like a nice family but she didn’t want to be anywhere near this place. She wanted to be in her car, speeding away.

  Margareta smiled. “I have a good feeling about this.”

  Jewel looked like a sweet kid, but that didn’t change facts. “I’m sorry, I can’t accept the position.”

  “It pays five-fifty a week,” Margareta said.

  “I…” Andrea shook her head. She needed the money, but…

  “And lodging.”

  “I…”

  “Jewel likes ya,” Margareta continued. “If it doesn’t work out, ya can always give your notice.”

  “I…” Andrea took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. She thought of her car. The tank was empty and she needed tires and an oil change. She thought of the motel. It would be nice to stay in a place that didn’t smell like decay. And then she thought of the donuts. It would be amazing to actually afford a meal without first checking her bank account or having to sneak it out of a motel lobby.

  Circumstances made it impossible to say no. She needed a job, and this one had fallen into her lap, or rather, invaded her motel room. Margareta didn’t appear to notice the portals, so there was a chance the woman had no clue of the magick going on around her. If that was true, this family needed her help. Could she walk away from this?

  Andrea opened her mouth to answer but only managed a faint nod.

  “Wonderful!” Margareta gave a small clap of her hands. “That’s settled.”

  “Ma, have ya seen Jewel?” The sound of panic came from the direction of the front hall.

  “She’s in here, Kenneth,” Margareta called out to her son.

  “She kicked off her bracelets again.” The man who’d been frozen like a statue appeared in the doorway. He held two pieces of bent metal.

  Relief filled her to see the man was no longer trapped. She studied his face, wondering if he recognized her.

  “Kenneth, meet your new nanny, Andrea,” Margareta said.

  Andrea lifted her hand in a small wave. She wondered what was wrong with Kenneth that made him housebound. He appeared healthy—now that he could move.

  Kenneth looked as if he was trying to remember where he’d seen her before. He arched a brow at her before saying wryly, “I think I’m a little too old for a nanny.”

  “For your…” Andrea motioned to the child on the floor.

  He gave a small laugh. “That was a joke.”

  “Of course.” Andrea peered at the child. Jewel seemed content to play with her foot. Did they expect her to do something?

  “I should get back to the motel,” Andrea said. Hopefully the map app on her phone could show her the way if a portal to her room didn’t appear.

  Crap. Where was her phone?

  Kenneth leaned over and slipped two bent metal bracelets onto Jewel’s ankles before lifting the child from the floor. “Thank ya for coming to interview, but ya have been misinformed. We don’t need—”

  “A motel room for ya,” Margareta broke in, though it was clear her son was about to undo her hire. “Of course ya will stay here. That only makes sense. Ya will take Malina’s room. She’s not using it.”

  “We don’t need a nanny,” Kenneth repeated. “I can take care of my daughter.”

  Jewel began to cry.

  Margareta reached for the child, taking her out of Kenneth’s arms before handing her to Andrea.

  “Oh!” Andrea caught the toddler against her chest in surprise. The child instantly stopped crying and smiled. Fingers wound into Andrea’s hair as Jewel started jabbering a long stream of toddler words as if trying to impart a very important message.

  “It’s settled,” Margareta stated. “Jewel likes her.”

  Kenneth frowned.

  “I’ll call the motel and arrange to have any outstanding bills settled. Do ya have luggage we need to have brought to the house?”

  “Just my car. It’s in the motel parking lot,” Andrea said.

  “I’ll send Rory for it.” Margareta started to leave the room.

  “Wait.” Andrea adjusted the child onto her hip then dug into her pocket to pull out the key. “Here’s my room key.”

  Margareta came back, took the key, and then left again.

  “My car keys should be on the nightstand,” Andrea called after the woman.

  Andrea hesitated before glancing up at Kenneth. He openly stared at her, not seeming pleased that she held his daughter.

  “I understand if you would like someone more qualified to help with Jewel,” Andrea said. “She’s your daughter. Just say the word and I’ll—ow!”

  Jewel yanked her hair hard.

  “Have we met before today?”

  “Not officially,” Andrea said, not wanting to bring up abandoning him while he was a statue. “I’m Andrea Breaux.”

  “How did ya find out about this job?” He didn’t attempt to help her untangle Jewel’s fingers. “If ya are at the motel, ya clearly do not live in the area.”

  Between Margareta, Angus, Kenneth, and the toddler yanking on her hair, this had to be the strangest job interview.

  “I arrived in town last night,” she said.

  “Where do ya live?” he asked, the words guarded, as if he expected her to give him a reason to kick her out. It was too bad. She had the impression that the man could have easily been charming if he just bothered to smile.

  “From all over.” All she could do was answer honestly. “I was a travel writer.”

  “Was?”

  “My position was cut.”

  “And so ya thought yo
u’d drive here and become a nanny?” His tone felt accusatory, though she wasn’t sure what he accused her of doing.

  “I stopped for the night and found out about the position this morning.” Andrea adjusted Jewel to her other hip and leaned to support the wiggling child’s weight.

  “That seems very coincidental.”

  “If you say so.”

  “Why do ya want this job?”

  “I need to work.”

  “Why?”

  “I need money.”

  “Is that all?”

  Andrea felt her irritation growing. This man clearly didn’t want her there. Why was she even bothering?

  “Essentially,” she said. “Money pays for motels, gas, food… all things I’m rather fond of being able to afford. I don’t expect a man like you, with all this wealth, to understand what it is like to be broke, to have to decide if I want to put gas in the car or have a safe place to sleep for the night because I can’t do both, and I don’t like camping in my car during thunderstorms. I’ll bet you have never had to charm the guy at the front desk into giving you a room discount. Or had to steal a box of free-for-guests donuts from a motel lobby because the bruised, discount-bin-gas-station apple I had for lunch the day before wasn’t doing the trick, and I was lightheaded, and if I spread them out, the donuts could last me a couple of days. So yes. I want any job I can find. I want the job as a nanny. I’m a good person. I’d never hurt a child and Jewel likes me. But if you aren’t going to hire me, then I need to keep looking.”

  Andrea tried to hand the child to her father. Jewel kicked her feet. The metal bracelets slipped off her ankles. A bright light flashed and Kenneth disappeared, as did the office.

  Andrea drew the child back to her chest as she slowly turned to examine their new surroundings. This time there hadn’t been a doorway to pass through. Soft pinks and blues instantly gave away the fact this was a child’s room. A strange mix of ballerinas and toy soldiers littered the floor, as if the dolls had been at the same playtime party. A table with a tea set was pushed into a corner. Books lined a long shelf opposite a crib.

  The toddler laughed and kicked her feet. Andrea slowly set her down on the floor by her toys. Jewel’s green eyes flashed with what looked to be flames.

  The soldiers and ballerinas stood up from the floor and began moving, their plastic limbs stiff as they walked around the child.

  “Da da swilly,” Jewel declared before laughing.

  Andrea backed away from the girl. What kind of magick was this? Flames in the eyes? Surely that had to be some kind of demonic presence at work. She’d only seen that sort of thing once before.

  Mama Cecile’s eyes had lit with fire.

  Andrea darted for the bedroom door, throwing it open and running through, only to find herself back in the child’s room. Andrea turned to try again, but she saw Jewel and her moving toys through the doorway. The child was also behind her. There was no escape.

  Seeing another door, she rushed across the room. Inside was a bathroom. A blue bathmat laid on the black-and-white tile floor. Two imprints of adult knees flattened it as if someone had spent time kneeling before the tub. Toys rested at the bottom of the bath. There was no way out besides the doorway she’d come through.

  Water began filling the tub without anyone touching it. Suddenly a splash sounded, and Jewel appeared sitting in the water. She still wore her clothes, laughing and giggling. Her hands slapped the surface and her legs kicked. The motion sent her bottom sliding.

  On reflex, Andrea lurched forward and caught the toddler before she fell over.

  “Bat,” Jewel said, squealing.

  Andrea reached to turn the faucet off before the water became too deep.

  “Jewel?” Kenneth’s voice sounded panicked.

  “Here,” Andrea called, awkwardly leaning over the tub.

  Kenneth appeared in the doorway, breathing hard. His eyes went from Andrea to the child and then back again. “I can explain.”

  “I don’t need to know.” Andrea made sure the child was balanced before letting go. “I didn’t see anything. I just want to go now. Please let me out.”

  “It’s not me. It’s…” He looked at Jewel. “She likes ya.”

  He held the bent metal bands, angling his hand as if to hide them from the child’s view.

  Andrea backed out of his way as he went to his daughter. He knelt on the bathmat and gently stroked the girl’s hair. His voice softened. “There ya are, naughty lassie.”

  “Bat!” Jewel splashed her hands and giggled.

  “It’s not time for your bath,” Kenneth disagreed.

  Andrea left the bathroom and again tried the door to the nursery. It was like looking into a mirror that held everything but her reflection.

  “She’s not dangerous.” Kenneth appeared beyond the door holding Jewel swaddled in a towel, but his voice came from behind. The optical illusion was messing with her senses and she turned to face him.

  “I won’t tell anyone. No one would believe it. I just want to get back on the road.” Andrea watched the child’s eyes for changes.

  “I thought ya needed work,” he countered.

  “I thought you said you didn’t want a nanny.”

  “Jewel likes ya.” Kenneth bounced the child on his hip.

  “Jewel is a toddler. I’m not sure she’s equipped to make childcare decisions.” Andrea glanced at the toys on the floor. They no longer moved on their own.

  I can’t help a toddler possessed by a demon. I faced darkness before and I failed.

  Jewel’s eyes filled with flames. One moment she was in her father’s arms in soggy clothes and a towel, and the next she stood in a pink tutu and green leotard.

  “Where is that wee bairn? Ya better not have started without your uncle Raibeart.”

  Andrea spun around just in time to step out of the man’s way.

  Jewel giggled, and said, “Beart.”

  Raibeart stopped short of running into her.

  Andrea recognized the man, even though he wore a kilt and black t-shirt. “Hey, you’re the naked guy from the motel.”

  “I need to get a better nickname.” Raibeart laughed. “Did I propose to ya, lassie? Are ya here to marry me?”

  “Um, no.” Andrea shook her head.

  “Don’t look so sad. I’m sure I will soon.” Raibeart patted her on the arm. “I don’t mean to break hearts. It’s just a consequence of being so desirable.”

  Andrea arched a brow and gave him a bemused look.

  “Ah, there’s my little princess.” Raibeart knelt on the floor next to the child. He waved his hand at Kenneth. “Off with ya. This is a private tea party.” He went to lift the small table from the corner and carry it into the middle of the room.

  Andrea glanced at the door. She saw the hallway and hurried through. One direction ended with a door, the other opened up with a handrail and daylight. She raced toward the rail, which brought her to the staircase leading to the front door.

  “Andrea, wait,” Kenneth called behind her.

  Andrea ran faster, stumbling to get down the steps before the sweet demonic child stopped her again.

  “Please,” Kenneth pleaded.

  She reached the front door and pulled it open. A cool breeze hit her.

  “Please.” The word was softer this time. “Stop. I can’t follow ya outside.”

  Andrea turned to face him as he came down the steps. “I won’t tell what I saw, but I can’t be here.”

  “My daughter is,” he looked upward toward Jewel’s room, “special.”

  “I think you might have better luck with a priest or a shaman, anyone who can perform an exorcism,” Andrea said.

  Kenneth’s eyes whipped around to meet hers. “Ya think she’s possessed?”

  “I saw the fire in her. What else could it be?”

  “Jewel is not a demon,” Kenneth protested, seeming offended by the idea.

  “Her eyes had flames in them,” Andrea countered. “I’m sorry, but
that doesn’t sound like any other kind of paranormal event. Regardless, I can’t help you. I have my own demons to deal with.”

  “She’s not demonic, she’s…” Kenneth ran his hand through his hair. “She’s magickal and she’s in the terrible twos. She’s been a handful lately, especially since she figured out how to get out of her binding bracelets.”

  Andrea heard the sound of a car coming up the drive.

  “But she’s never harmed anyone,” he continued. “At worst, she makes them do whatever she wants. For a two-year-old, that’s usually dress-up, story time, or sneaking cookies.”

  “My answer is no.” Andrea saw a man pulling her vehicle to park alongside the drive and realized her backpack was missing. Her desire to get out of the house caused her to move quickly. She rushed through the dining room to the office library.

  Her backpack was tipped over on the floor as if it dropped when Jewel made them disappear. The contents that had been in the side pockets had spilled onto the floor. Andrea knelt to repack her belongings, shoving them unceremoniously inside.

  “I wish you luck finding a nanny who can help, Mr. MacGregor, but I have to go.”

  Chapter Five

  Kenneth watched the frantic woman scurrying to get out of the MacGregor home. Just as Andrea put the last of her belongings in her bag and tried to stand, the zipper came undone and a laptop, along with several other items, slid out.

  “Dammit,” she swore, again starting the task of packing to leave.

  Kenneth hadn’t dated since before he’d met Jewel’s mother. There wasn’t room in his life for anything more than a one-night stand, and those were very few and far between. Still, he’d have to be braindead not to notice the beautiful woman in front of him. Dark curls were pulled to the nape of her neck but several had sprung free to frame her face. Her stylish dark shirt draped her body, clinging as she moved. He found himself mesmerized by the teasing curves.

  Her dark eyes were guarded and watchful, but he didn’t detect any malice in them. If anything, she was terrified. Could he blame her? She wasn’t the first human to be caught up in Jewel’s magick. In her last life, his daughter had kidnapped a woman and magickally compelled her to drive halfway across country to Wisconsin. It wasn’t a stretch to think Jewel compelled a person she liked to be her nanny.