Charmed & Dangerous (10 page)

Monday, 8
A.M
.

Waxing moon

Oslo

Spells: 2

Brain-weary witches: 1

N
ever in my life have I wanted to say “Back to the Bat-cave, Robin” more than I do right now. Need time to assimilate all this information. I’m in total overload.

Wish the most shocking news I heard yesterday was that the sheik’s dad wanted him dead. No, no. That would be way too normal for Bronwyn these days.

Minutes after the sheik left my room, the prime minister walked in. He talked about nothing for ten minutes and then blurted out, “I’m afraid Miles may be behind some of these attacks!”

Miles? Snippy twit-faced jerk, who always had his panties in a wad? I think not.

“Prime Minister, as much as I detest the man—a fact you are well aware of—he couldn’t possibly be behind something like this.”

“The evidence speaks otherwise, Bronwyn. Did you know his brother is behind an underground military operation in London?”

“No, sir, but what does his brother’s actions have to do with Miles?” I mean come on. The sniveling brat of a man was in love with the PM, didn’t he have a clue?

“My security agents have a tape of him talking with his brother at a local pub, less than a mile from my home.”

“Well, they are family.” I grabbed a pillow off the bed and hugged it. As much as I hated Miles, I knew he couldn’t be a killer. But I needed the whole story before I could help.

“That tape was taken twenty-four hours before the car bomb. And quite frankly, I have a difficult time believing it myself. Then only six hours before the bomb was found at the house, Miles met his brother again at a hotel. They had tea and talked, but our agents weren’t close enough to pick up on the conversation.” His hands twisted in angst. I’d never seen the PM so upset.

“If you’re worried about Miles being behind the attacks, why did you bring him to Oslo?”

“Quite frankly, I couldn’t bring myself to believe this news. But after talking with you and Azir, I don’t know. Would it be possible for you to read Miles so we could know for certain?”

“Yes. Have a seat there.” I pointed to a thronelike chair in the corner. “It may take a few minutes, but I think we should settle this as soon as possible. And I’d like to go on the record as saying you couldn’t be more wrong, Prime Minister. Of all the lists we could ever make of your enemies, I would never put his name on any of them.”

“You have no idea how much I want you to be right.” He sat down and crossed his long legs. The idea that his closest associate might want him dead obviously weighed heavy on the statesman.

Took a deep breath and found Miles with my mind. He was in his room returning e-mail. I probed slowly through his brain, weaving in and out of his subconscious. And found nothing. The only thing remotely regarding the PM was Miles handing him papers to sign. When he thought of the prime minister I could feel the warmth. No, if anything my initial impression of Miles’s relationship with the PM was correct. He had been in love with the man for years.

Put the pillow back in its place on the furry down-filled comforter. Stretched my legs by walking around the room.

“So is it him?” The PM’s voice was tight with worry.

“No.” I couldn’t invade Miles’s privacy by telling the other man that he might be in love with him. Much as I’d like to get my digs into the sniveling toad. “You have the wrong man. That’s not to say his brother isn’t involved. I’ll check that in just a bit. But—”

“Tell me—everything.” He stood and touched my shoulder.

Snow fell heavy against the window, obliterating the view outside. Definitely needed some warmer clothes.

“Prime Minister, Miles has absolutely nothing but your best interests at heart. He cares a great deal for you and could never wish you harm. I’d like to know who it was that first threw suspicion on Miles.”

“One of the agents on our security detail. She’s the one who ordered the surveillance tapes.”

Why am I never surprised to learn a woman is behind trouble? “She wouldn’t happen to be a redhead with a nice smile, would she?”

His shocked look told me all I needed to know. “PM, your mole is most likely the young woman you believe is so attractive. I’d have your security detail pick her up for questioning if I were you.”

“I don’t want to know how you came up with that, but I’ll make the calls now. And thank you. I cannot tell you what a relief it is to know for certain about Miles.”

After he left I did a cleansing spell to rid myself of all this negative energy. Between the PM and Azir’s emotional dramas, I felt like I’d been sludged by a warlock.

Azir doesn’t have much more evidence than the prime minister. He believes his father is angry with him for liberating these women he’s protecting. I can’t find the father to tap into, so that one will have to wait. My gut tells me the brother’s a better target, but the sheik is doubtful.

Slept well last night and then woke up this morning feeling like something had gone terribly wrong at home. Tried to tap into Simone, Dr. Sam, Kira, and Caleb and came up with nothing. Someone very powerful is blocking me and it pisses me off.

Called on the cell but couldn’t get through to anyone. It’s the middle of the night in Sweet. Someone should be home.

Crap.

10
P.M
.

Spells: 4

Dead guys: 1

Angry witches: 1

Should have checked my horoscope before I got out of bed this morning. Well, it wasn’t all bad.

The sheik and PM invited me to dinner at a restaurant nearby. It was one of the chic, dimly lit places where the clientele are dressed to the nines and the clinking of crystal is heard over hushed tones.

Felt a little out of place because I still hadn’t had time to shop for any warm clothes. Wore my mom’s sweater I stole when I was in New York and a pair of nice slacks. The sheik and PM dressed in dark suits and both looked elegantly handsome. Even Miles looked dapper—for a twerp.

Truth is, ever since my meeting with the PM, Miles has been extraordinarily kind. I wondered if he’d got wind of what had happened. I’m sure he heard about the redhead who had masterminded more than one plot to kill the PM. It’s been all over the news today. Wish I could say the PM’s troubles were over, but I’m afraid this mess with Azir will keep everyone on their toes for a long time to come.

We sat down at a table in a back corner that gave us privacy and at the same time a great view of the entire restaurant. The waiter handed me a menu and my displeasure at viewing the healthy fare must have shown on my face.

“What is it you always say, Bronwyn, ‘No worries’?” The sheik smiled at me.

“I’ve been known to say that once or twice.” The PM and Miles snorted in laughter.

The sheik’s smile broadened. “Well, you have no worries tonight. We’ve arranged for a selection of beef to be presented for your meal tonight.”

I couldn’t stop the big grin sliding across my face. “Beef?”

“Yes,” the PM interjected.

“Oh, I didn’t know you guys cared. I’m so flattered.” I fluttered my eyelashes and the men rolled their eyes. Of course I had to sit through two courses before they brought out a huge steak. It was worth every bite of salad and soup I’d taken.

Right in the middle of my private beef orgy, I felt a tingle of magic. I looked up to see if someone had entered the restaurant. No one new had come in so I began lightly sweeping the minds of the patrons.

At a table with a man and two women, I came across a block. One of the women turned to look at me as I threw my mind into hers. Nothing. She was a witch and she blocked me, which meant she had power.

She smiled and waved in a nonthreatening way. She motioned toward the ladies’ room and I nodded in agreement. Excusing myself from the table, I whispered a protection spell for my charges and the others in the restaurant. I didn’t think she meant any harm but one can’t be too careful these days.

Wearing a royal blue dress and stiletto heels, the brunette beauty opened her bag in front of the mirror and pulled out a lipstick.

“Are you Bronwyn?” she inquired as I walked through the door.

I looked at her in the mirror. “Yes.”

“I am Lesha, a friend of Garnout’s. I wish you no harm.”

The formal greeting made me laugh. Garnout must have warned her to be up-front because I’m not known for patience when it comes to confronting witches and warlocks.

“Lesha, it is nice to meet you.” I stuck out my hand and felt her magic as she gave mine a light squeeze. “How do you know Garnout, and how did you end up here?”

“Garnout was my magical arts instructor at university years ago and I’m here visiting the friends you saw at the table. They don’t know I’m a witch, which is why I asked you to come in here.

“But that’s not the only reason.” She cleared her throat. “There’s a price on your head and some very nasty warlocks are determined to collect. Millions of dollars are involved and I know because one of the warlocks is my brother Aruth. He’s an idiot who only recently started dabbling in dark magic. He and another man plan to attack you later this evening outside the home you are staying in.”

“Lesha, you know what I can do. Why would you warn me against your brother?”

“He is a fool, but I do not wish him dead. I thought perhaps—if it’s possible, could you spare his life? I want to get him help and I will if you let him live.” A tear fell down her cheek and I heard the anguish in her voice, as well as her heart.

She was a good witch, I had no doubt, but I could not promise what she wanted.

“I only ask if it is possible, and please know there will be no ill will on my end. No matter what happens. He has caused great pain to my family and is considered a traitor to them, but I must try to help him if I can. We are centuries of witches and warlocks who have done nothing but good and he has tarnished our name.”

“I’ll do what I can, but you have to understand—”

“I know. Honestly, his life does not deserve to be spared, but he is my brother.”

My brother, Brett, drives me insane, and even though I hardly ever see him, I know I would be just as protective. It’s difficult to let go of our loved ones even when they disappoint us.

She gave me the details of the attack and we returned to our respective tables. After finishing our meal, I prepared the PM, Miles, and Azir for the battle about to take place.

Miles rode with me, and the PM and Azir took another limo. Azir wasn’t happy with the plan and said more than once that his security team could take care of the problem. But I fight my own battles. I told him it was some kind of creed. It isn’t, but he never needs to know. I don’t like non-magical folks involved in my fights. Someone always gets hurt when that happens.

I saw the tail as we turned the first corner past the restaurant.

“I’ll have the driver let me out on the corner, and act as if I need some fresh air,” I told Miles. “You have him take the car to the back of the house. I need you, the PM, and Azir behind the walls of my protection spell so I don’t have to worry about you while I’m fighting the bad guys.”

“I’ll make sure we are all inside,” he promised and shifted in his seat to look back at the tail. “Bronwyn, before we begin all this, I must tell you thank you for clearing my name. The prime minister told me everything and even that he suspected me, though how he could ever—”

The twit was grateful? Go figure.

“It must be difficult for you, but I can tell you honestly that it was equally so for the prime minister. He refused to believe wholeheartedly that you were behind the attacks.” I don’t know why I wanted the pansy ass to feel better but I did.

He took my hand in his and squeezed. “Thank you for being a friend.”

Well, that pushed the limit; with friends like Miles who needs…But I didn’t want to ruin our special moment. “No worries. Now here we are. I’m getting out and you do exactly what I asked.”

“Okay, but be careful.” He raised his hand in a tiny wave.

“Oh, Miles, please. Now be a good twer—boy and do what I said.”

The bitter cold whipped through the sweater I wore. I’d left the parka in the limo so that I would have more mobility. I’d only walked a few steps when I heard the roar of the engine as it came toward me. Cowards, they planned to run me down.

I turned and waited as the car came barreling forward. When it was about five feet away I leaped out of its reach and it swerved to keep from hitting a retaining wall. The car screeched to a halt and two men jumped out onto the street.

“Prepare to die, witch!” one of the men yelled as he raised his arms above his head.

“Let me guess: your name wouldn’t happen to be Aruth, would it?” He faltered a bit and his arms came back to his sides. Bad guys don’t like it when you personalize things.

“Your sister has asked me to spare your life.”

Oops, that didn’t work. The mention of his sister sent Aruth’s arms up again.

“My sister should mind her own business.” He threw a ball of fire at me. It flew just to my left and sizzled in the snow. So, the dark one actually had some power.

The other warlock moved to my right and I threw a stun to keep him still. It wouldn’t last long, but I needed time to deal with Aruth.

“Look, I promised your sister I’d try not to kill you.” Had my hands on my hips ready to go.

“That’s too bad because I very much want to destroy you.” He threw another fireball. I felt the heat as it passed by. Before it hit the ground I tossed it back to him and it landed at his feet.

The stun wore off the other warlock and he charged me. Why the hell didn’t he use his magic? It made no sense. Before I could hit him again with a stun he knocked me down and fell on top of me. The snow caused an instant chill that made my bones feel fragile. Damn, I hate the cold.

He smelled of too many cigarettes and schnapps. Fist shoved into my chest, he meant to crush me. I couldn’t catch my breath and I felt a moment of panic when my airway, constricted by his big, beefy hands, closed. I don’t know if the cold caused my slow response or the big dinner I’d ingested but as the blackness crept in I gathered my strength.