Damn it. The missing jerk was the one who was coming after Beth? No. Not a chance. His ass was going to pay.
“We’re going to figure this out,” I said, squeezing her hand. “We won’t let anything happen to you. Promise. Okay?”
Beth doesn’t even seem to hear me. “I just can’t get how unnatural he was out of my head. I just keep coming back to it. Whatever’s powered this guy up, it’s some dark magic.”
Dark magic? Darn it. I didn’t know anything about dark magic, but I guessed it was time to start figuring it out. If I didn’t understand the difference between dark and light magic, how in the world was I going to help my friend?
“Did he tell you what he wanted?” Carol asked, giving me a look that said that this was the most Beth had spoken since the incident.
After a long minute, Beth nodded. “He seemed to think I was the one who did a spell on him. One he believed Roger had made me do. But I think he believed me when I told him I hadn’t. That’s when he threatened me and told me I have to figure out who cursed him and undo it.”
“Who in the world could’ve helped Roger with a spell like that?” Deva asked as I rubbed Beth’s hand with my thumbs.
“I don’t know,” Beth said, looking lost and alone.
“But we’re going to figure it out,” Deva said, and she looked furious, even in her flannel pjs.
“That’s right,” Carol nodded, wearing a shirt that said, “Knit Happens,” with knitting needles under it. “And we’re going to make them pay. Just focus on that.”
Beth shuddered. “I’m sorry, I just can’t stop thinking about how he looked. How he felt. He was so wrong. Like even the air around him knew that something like that wasn’t supposed to exist.”
Deva and I exchanged a look, then I pressed for the information we needed. “Do you have any idea who might have done that kind of spell for Roger?”
She sniffled, and a tear rolled down her cheek. “I don’t know any other witch he might’ve been close to. I can’t imagine who he would’ve gotten to do magic like that. I don’t think I’ve ever met a witch that dark.”
Damn it. That left us with nothing to go off. Except, heck, I really didn’t want to do this.
Deva met my gaze, and I knew she was thinking the same thing I was. “We’re going to have to talk to Tiffany.”
I nodded. “I agree. And fast.”
Carol made a little sound. “That cheating little traitor better have the information we need.”
I lifted a brow.
She glared back at me. “What? I’m not always Miss Sunshine. Especially when I get woken up.”
“She is so grumpy when you wake her up,” Deva mumbled.
Carol shot her a dirty look. “I’m not that bad.”
Deva crossed her arms over her chest. “Tell that to your cats, who happen to run and hide until you have your coffee.”
To my relief, their banter made Beth smile. “Thanks, guys. I appreciate having bloodthirsty friends in a time like this.”
“Always,” I told her.
Now, to finally get some answers.
19
Emma
We all stayed the night with Carol. It was like some weird somber slumber party, where we were all grumpy and nervous out of our minds. We were even too tired for snacks and wine. And that was saying something because our little group loved our wine and snacks. Though, I wanted to meet the person that didn’t love snacks and wine. Wait. Scratch that. I definitely didn’t want to meet them because we were not on the same wavelength.
Daniel left late but not until I promised to call him before we tried anything. He’d helped wrap up some of the injuries on the officers and had stayed until after the police had gone home and two other police officers had taken up guard in their cars outside Carol’s house. Then, lingered as if he wasn’t sure he should go at all.
I’d smiled at him and said, “it’s okay. We got this.”
He’d still looked uncertain, so I’d put a hand on his arm and explained, “You’re going to need to rest up. I have a feeling we’ll need you tomorrow.”
As soon as I stopped talking, I’d gotten the unmistakable impression he wanted to kiss me again, but then he’d simply patted my arm and headed out. Casting me a lingering glance before disappearing outside.
For some reason, I was glad he was such a gentleman, even if a part of me just wanted to jump on that hunk of a man after being sexually unfulfilled for so long with my ex. Yeah, I’d cave under those stunning eyes of Daniel’s, but I wasn’t ready for it yet, so I was thankful he always managed to hold back.
I bunked in with Beth, with Carol on her other side, in Carol’s bed. It was a tight squeeze, but she needed the extra support, at least for the few hours of sleep we were able to get. Deva snored, so she got her room to herself.
The next morning, we got ready as best we could, then headed for Beth’s sister’s house across town. After a few snappy remarks to each other, we’d all agreed to stop for some coffee. Deva had made a comment about how angry witches and a long day were not a good combination. I agreed.
We’d pulled up outside of the same mall coffee shop where I liked to people watch and hurried out of the car toward the little shop, nearly crashing into two well-dressed sirens. For a minute, I thought one of them would shout at me. But the instant her eyes landed on me; she bowed her head. Then, elbowed the siren
