Wicked by Any Other Name (13 page)

“You could have lied and told me he was lousy, so I'd feel better,” Blair grumbled.

“I didn't tell you a thing.” Stasi concentrated on brewing herself a cup of tea and bringing it to the table. The dog got up long enough for her to pat him on the head, then he returned to his spot by Blair's feet.

“I know you didn't, but you didn't have to. The look on your face when you came in was enough, and the red hearts are positively glowing.” She made gagging sounds. “I hate you. I'm stuck with my dolphin vibrator while you're getting the real thing.”

The dog suddenly sat up on his haunches and barked.

“Quiet you, besides, you're not my type,” Blair told him. “I like my guys with a lot less fur. Trust me, I've known guys who could double as a dog. No thanks.”

“Then do something about it,” Stasi urged her. “Walk up to Jake and jump his bones. You've wanted to do that anyway, for how long? So just plain do it. Give the man a thrill. You said you want him to add some shelves to that one corner in the shop, so when he's there drag him into the back and have your way with him.” She stirred her tea, the spoon continued swirling through the ginger-scented liquid even after she lifted her hand. She toyed with the creamy pearl ring on her right ring finger. The gold warmed under her touch, and the pearl shone with an unearthly glow.

“He always backs off,” Blair grumbled. “I'm positive he's interested, but anytime I start to act on what I feel he practically heads for the hills. Besides,” she leaned forward across the table, “I'd rather hear about your evening.”

“Expensive wine,
Chateaubriand
for two, and we had their chocolate soufflé for dessert.” She smiled at the memory of how that second soufflé was consumed. Especially the spoonfuls Trev had placed on her breasts then licked off. Naturally, she had returned the favor.

“Hello!” Blair snapped her fingers in front of her. “Fine, you're going to sit there and glow and let your hearts dance in a conga line.” She stood up and whisked her coffee cup and plate to the sink. “I'm going to bed… alone,” she stressed to the dog, who'd risen to his feet when she got up. “You snore and shed. We won't even talk about those nasty farts you let loose every so often. At least Bogie doesn't do that.”

Stasi couldn't help it. The laughter spilled out of her lips before she could stop it.

Blair glared at her as if she wanted to zap her but good. Instead, she muttered a few words about “friends who won't share” and “wait until I have out-of-this-world, screaming-my-lungs-out sex and I won't give you all the details.” The dog promptly dropped flat and covered his eyes with his paws.

Blair didn't quite slam her bedroom door, but it was closed with a finality that stated she was miffed with her best friend. Stasi smiled—she knew Blair would be over it by morning.

She slipped off her jacket and mentally reheated her tea, deciding she'd sit there for a while and enjoy the quiet.

But it wasn't to be.

The faint sound of wind chimes alerted her first. Transparent faces in the kitchen window were her second warning.

“What the Fates?” She sprang out of her chair and ran to the door, pulling it open. Fergus and a young woman dressed in a simple faded calico dress, a white shawl and bonnet with brown hair pulled back in a simple knot, floated inside. What alarmed her the most was the layer of frost on the young woman. She wondered how that could happen to a ghost. The cold weather normally didn't affect them. “Why didn't you just come in?”

“Irene wasn't sure she'd be welcome, Miss Stasi,” Fergus explained. “I saw you and that man leavin' town, so I hoped I'd see you when you got back.”

Stasi looked at the two, especially Irene. Something was obviously chilling the young spirit.

“What happened, Irene?” she asked softly, not wanting to frighten her.

“I was out by the lake. Fergus told us it didn't look right and I wanted to see what he meant. While I was out there something pulled at me, but I couldn't see what it was.” She kept her eyes downcast. “It was like it wanted me to go somewhere. I got scared and managed to get away. I went right back to our realm, because I felt safe there. When I told Fergus what happened he said I should come tell you about it.”

A faint tinkling sound brought Stasi to her feet. She walked over to the sink and looked out the window. The two sets of wind chimes that hung over the deck danced in a breeze that she could see didn't affect the trees beyond. That told her the breeze wasn't from the Four Winds.

“Something's out there,” she whispered. “Protect us four. Seal the doors. Let no harm come to us, if you please.” She waved her hand and immediately felt secure power glide over the building. She knew the moment the spell was complete and felt safer.

Until two glowing green balls bounced off the kitchen window so hard cracks appeared in the glass.

“Godalmighty!” Fergus shouted as Irene screamed and Stasi jumped backwards. “What was that?”

“I have no idea.” Stasi watched the balls glide backwards then remain motionless. She felt as if whatever powered the globes was watching them. “Windows, repair and cover if you please!” She was positive the spheres were still out there even with a heavy veil dropped over all the windows. The chill in the air disappeared as the cracks repaired themselves.

She took a deep calming breath and turned around to face the spirits.

Fergus looked as shocked as Stasi felt and Irene cried soundlessly.

“That's what pulled at me, wasn't it?” Irene sobbed. “What do they want? They didn't show themselves before, but I know that's what they were.”

Stasi jumped when the phone rang. She placed her hand over her chest to keep her galloping heart where it belonged.

“What now.” She glanced at Caller ID, which said wireless caller. “Hello?”

“Stasi? I didn't wake you, did I?”

She breathed a sigh of relief to hear Trev's voice. “No, not in the least.”

Trev's voice sharpened. “What's wrong? And don't tell me it's nothing because I can hear it in your voice.”

“There are a couple of strange orbs outside the kitchen window. The oddest thing is they bumped against the glass.” Stasi lowered her voice even if she doubted the balls had the ability to hear her. Although the way things were going lately, she wouldn't be surprised if the orbs suddenly announced, “We come in peace!”

He muttered a low curse. “What do they look like?”

“I'd say they're the same as what's been hanging over the lake. For some reason they've come into the town, and I don't think their showing up outside our window is a coincidence.” An icy chill traveled down her spine. “I warded the doors and the building because I was afraid they would find a way to get in. What if they're all over the town?”

“I'll be there in twenty minutes. Adjust your wards to allow me inside.”

“No—!” But he'd already hung up. “Damn him!” She shook her phone, because it was the only thing in close range.

“What's going to happen?” Irene asked finally over her tears.

“There goes Blair's good night's sleep,” she muttered, leaving the kitchen. “Even though you're spirits, you can't leave the building, so stay there. I'll be back.” She paused long enough to pound loudly on Blair's door. “Wake up! We have company!”

The door opened a crack and a heavy-eyed Blair looked out. “As in what? Notice I said
what
and not
who?
”

“Get dressed. Trev will be here soon.” Stasi ran into her room, throwing off her fancy clothing and exchanging it for jeans and a heavy sweater. She dug her fingers into her hair and fingercombed it back and up into a loose knot secured with a few hairpins.

“Since I know neither of us are the threesome types, might I ask why he's coming in the middle of the night and if it's for more sex with you, then just puncture my eardrums now,” Blair hollered from her room. She was in the midst of pulling a sweatshirt over her head as she walked into the room. “Are you going to tell me what's going on?” She dropped onto Stasi's bed and pulled on her boots.

“Remember those strange lights over the lake? Two of them are outside the kitchen window.” Stasi couldn't resist a quick swipe of lip-gloss. She silently dared her friend to say one word. Blair wisely remained quiet as she twisted her hair up into a ponytail.

“Miss Stasi, that man is here!”

“Fergus too? My cup runneth over,” Blair muttered, getting up. “I'll get the door. You might want to add some perfume and a bit of mascara before you meet Wizard Charming.” She ducked as a brush sailed over her head.

“I put extra wards on the door!” Stasi called after her.

“Piece of cake.” Blair waved her hand over the door and opened it. She looked past his shoulder. “Out of here you two!” she shouted at the glowing balls of light, pushing power at them.

“Don't bother,” Trev pushed the door shut behind him. “I tried banishing them, but they merely sucked in the spell. They did nothing to bar me from coming up the stairs, so I'd say they're just watching you and not meaning any harm.”

“Sucked in the spell? Are you saying they're not magick?” Stasi ran into the kitchen.

“Nothing that I'm familiar with and I don't think they're the same as the lights over the lake. I think those orbs are able to absorb whatever is thrown at them.”

“Can they absorb us?” Fergus asked, crushing his hat between his fingers.

Trev did a double take when he noticed the two ghosts in the kitchen. “I don't know.” He glanced at Stasi. “Who are they?”

“Irene and Fergus. They once lived here in town.” Stasi was surprised she wasn't blushing when she looked at Trev. Especially after what they'd shared not all that long ago. Amazing what fear did to a witch.

She guessed he'd been in bed since his hair was unruly and the jeans and shirt he'd pulled on were wrinkled. There was no sign of the high-powered wizard attorney now.

“They want us,” Irene announced, her voice wobbly with tears. “They want something we have.”

“Nothing, no matter what magick is involved, can take you unless it's of your own free will,” Blair told her.

Irene shook her head. “No, those lights and what's out at the lake want something we have. They pulled at me and it wasn't gentle-like.”

The witches and wizard exchanged looks of concern. Trev shook his head, silently admitting he had no idea and Stasi and Blair were just as stumped.

“Is there a place you can go where you feel safe?” he asked Fergus and Irene.

“We have our own realm. A place where I guess you'd say we rest when we can't come into town,” Fergus replied. “But the veils between us and here is thin this time of year, and while most of us don't like comin' here 'cause of the mortals, some of us still like to. But nothin' comes there from here, so I guess we'd be safe there.”

Trev shook his head.

“It might not be a good idea to come this year, Fergus,” Stasi said, sensing the sorrow already welling up inside him. She knew even ghosts had feelings and tried to make sure never to hurt them. “We don't know what's going on and we need to find out the cause before this can hurt any of you.”

“There's others that want us to come here, Miss Stasi,” Irene murmured. “My great-great-granddaughter is here and she can see me. She loves to hear my stories about when I was her age.”

She closed her eyes. “I know.”

Fergus kept shaking his head, and Irene used her sleeve to dab at her eyes.

“We can leave the building?” he asked. The minute Blair nodded he took Irene's hand and they winked out of sight.

“I'm sorry. I guess I brought you out here for nothing.”

Trev pulled Stasi close to his side. “I wouldn't say it's nothing if those orbs were somehow fueled by what's going on at the lake.”

“If you two will excuse me I'm going back to bed. I'm sure that lazy dog's taken all the covers by now. Good night.” She waved over her head as she walked to her room.

The minute they were alone, Trev folded Stasi into his arms. She slid her arms around his waist and rested her cheek against his chest, hearing the comforting thump of his heartbeat.

“They did unnerve me,” she admitted in a tiny voice.

“Little Peeping Toms.” He used his fingertips to lift her chin. “I'm going to take advantage of the moment, Anastasia.” His lips slanted over hers, his tongue wrapping itself around hers and teasing it back into his mouth to play.

Trev's scent was as addictive as the man himself. She closed her eyes, remembering them lying in his bed. Trev trailing kisses up and down her body, teasing her until she alternately cried for mercy and threatened dire curses on him if he didn't give her release. She felt the heat from his skin against her cheek and recalled his mouth doing things to her that would have been illegal in some realms. As if she cared when he was doing such wonderful things to her.

“I'm not an empath, but you're projecting so loud I'm surprised even Blair isn't feeling this,” he whispered against the curve of her ear.

Stasi could feel the heat of her blush race across her cheeks. She parted her lips when his forefinger traced the seam, then she fastened her teeth on the digit. She felt so comfortable in his embrace.

He's the enemy!
her head reminded her.

He has red hearts over his head!
her nether regions argued.
Remember how he made us feel not all that long ago. Oooh baby!

He'll only hurt you. He's got a reputation as a ladies' man.

Oh honey, how many orgasms did he give you?

She should have known her nether regions had slutty aspirations.