Black Magic Bear: Tales of the Were (Grizzly Cove Book 16) Page 14

  Chapter Fourteen

  When Kiki woke, it was just shortly after dawn, but Jack was gone. He’d told her he might leave the last time they’d made love, just before they both fell asleep. He’d kissed her so beautifully and told her that, if she woke and he wasn’t there, it was because he’d gone back to his hotel to get a change of clothes. He’d said he’d leave his cell number on the kitchen table for her and that she should call him when she woke.

  As she made her way into the kitchen, she smiled to see the little slip of paper from the memo pad that usually lived near the phone. He’d scribbled his number and had simply written “call me”, signing his name in the same bold scrawl.

  She dialed his number, and he answered on the second ring. Butterflies took flight in her stomach on hearing his deep voice over the line.

  “I just got up, and you were gone,” she said.

  “You found my note.”

  Damn, she was getting excited just from the low rumble of his voice over the phone. She’d never seriously contemplated having phone sex before, but he was giving her definite ideas.

  “Sorry there’s been a change of plans,” he told her, nipping that burgeoning fantasy in the bud. His tone was clipped and almost businesslike. “A colleague from corporate was waiting for me when I got in,” he explained, and her heart started going at its regular pace again. Then, a horrible thought occurred to her.

  “Does that mean you’re not coming in today?” Or ever again? Was he being taken off the project? Panic edged its way toward her mind.

  “No, we’ll be in, but it’ll be a bit later in the morning. Possibly not before lunch. We have a big conference call with the home office to do first, and I’m not sure how long that will take.” His voice dropped lower, and she could hear a door close in the background. “I’m out in the hallway so we can talk privately,” he told her. “Will you be okay on your own? You realize how dangerous the plant is right now, I hope? I don’t like the idea of you going in alone.”

  She was touched by his concern. “I realize the danger, but you know, Carol has been coming in later and later. She’s usually never in before eleven these days. I think she does a lot of her…you know…other work…at night, and therefore sleeps in a bit. Bob Boehm hasn’t said anything to her, so I assumed they had some sort of special arrangement.”

  Jack gave a wry chuckle. “It’s special all right. He’s completely under her spell.”

  Kiki still had a little trouble talking about such things openly. Magic and spells and that sort of thing were not something her family talked about lightly. Talk like that could get you in real trouble with the neighbors, so it was best not to speak so plainly when dealing in mystical matters. Still, she knew what he meant and was really surprised by the fact that someone outside her own small circle of family believed in such things.

  “I’ll be okay for the morning. And I’ll bring a few things for protection that should help,” she added. She was too well trained by her family to tell him exactly what she had planned. Besides, she had no idea if the little talismans and kitchen magic she knew would work. She wasn’t one of the truly magical ones in her family.

  “We’ll try to be in before Carol. Eleven, you said? We’ll aim for ten-thirty.” His tone turned intimate. “You’ll never know how hard it was for me to leave you this morning.”

  Kiki gasped. The way he said it made little nerves fire in her midsection. It was a verbal caress.

  “I missed you when I got up,” she admitted.

  “Hopefully, I can make it up to you. Maybe tonight?” he asked, sounding hopeful.

  There was no question in her mind. She would accept him in whatever form, time or place he asked. She was smitten, and she was willing to see where this relationship led.

  “Sounds like a good plan,” she told him, agreeing.

  Jack sighed, blowing out a breath she could just about hear over the phone line. “It’s going to be a long day,” he said, laughing a bit at his own impatience. “But I know it’ll be worth it.”

  Oh, yeah. If tonight was anything like last night, it would be totally worth it.

  He rang off with a few more words about timing and the plan for the day, and then, she went about her morning routine with one rather important addition. It was time to get crafty. She went out into the garden and began picking flowers and twigs that had special meanings she had been taught from a young age.

  Kiki called on all the lessons of her family heritage, though she’d seldom used it before. In the hands of some of her siblings, these herbs and flowers, along with the ritual words, could be very powerful. She knew that first-hand. She’d seen it with her own eyes, time and time again. The fact that she’d never been able to replicate her siblings’ successes didn’t mean the herbs and flowers themselves didn’t have potent ability to protect and defend against evil.

  She was counting on that innate magic to do something to help her ward off evil. After all, it couldn’t hurt to wear a sachet of herbs under her clothes, or have one in her car, her pocket, or purse, and it might just help. That thought in mind, Kiki spent the extra hours of the morning preparing a few of the magical sachets she’d been taught to make as a young girl. She spoke the traditional words, though she had no way of knowing if her recitation had any effect, but a ritual was a ritual, and she would follow the steps she had been taught.

  Within an hour, she had a handful of small sachets that she distributed throughout her things. Pocketbook, briefcase, sweater pocket. She even tied one around her neck and tucked it inside her shirt, where it wouldn’t be seen through her clothing. She also put her star necklace on—the same silver star she’d been given as a teenager by her loving parents. It was the traditional five-pointed star, ringed by a circle, with a single point at the top of the circle where the bail for hanging the pendant off a thin silver chain was located.

  A pentacle. That’s what it was called by neo-pagans and followers of Wicca in the modern era. Kiki’s family didn’t label their beliefs. They were just the old ways. The things that they’d had to hide in centuries past or risk being burned at the stake as witches.

  The necklace fit easily between her breasts, where it always resided whenever she wore it. She’d taken it off when she’d moved into this cottage because it didn’t really fit some of her work outfits, which had lower necklines and a probability that any chain she wore might become dislodged from under her clothing as she bent over her filing cabinet or moved stuff around her office. She didn’t usually advertise her beliefs by allowing people to see the pentacle. She’d been trained from a young age to do the exact opposite, in fact.

  But, now, things were different. She needed what little protection such talismans might offer. She was facing down what had to be evil. Though she’d never been on the front lines of such battles before, she’d heard stories passed down through her family, and occasionally, one of her siblings might encounter someone or something that had to be dealt with. At such times, they left her out of the action because of her distinct lack of magical talent.

  She’d felt bad about being left out. Bad that she couldn’t help when her family needed her. The whole thing had just made her feel less, all her life. Now, here she was, ill-equipped to deal with whatever was going on at the plant, but having to do so, nonetheless. She could call her family to come bail her out, but what would that prove? That she wasn’t up to the challenge, yet again.

  Kiki was tired of being a failure. A non-magical daughter of a highly magical family. She felt strongly that, if she didn’t take a stand now, she never would. Jack was here, and he seemed to know what he was doing. She would rely on him to get her through this adventure, and she would help him in whatever small ways she could. She had faith in him, and in the Almighty, to help them defeat whatever evil might block their path to the Light.

  By the time she was finished with her gardening and sachet-making, it was almost time to go to work. She got ready as she normally did, but with the important additions o
f her morning’s work secreted here and there about her person and in her things. It may not work, but somehow, just knowing that she’d made the effort made her feel better. Kiki set off for work, looking forward to the moment Jack would get there. She’d feel a thousand times safer with him nearby.

  Jack and Ben arrived at the plant around ten forty-five in Ben’s rented car. They’d laid out a plan of action before leaving Jack’s hotel. Ben would check in with his AC contact and see what was going on there, first. Depending on what they learned, they would lay more detailed plans to counter Carol Burns and her vile potions.

  They had both agreed that they must eliminate the potion witch, if at all possible, before she poisoned everyone in the entire plant. Jack had pointed out that she might have already done so, but Ben said he wanted to see what the janitor had to say first, before he’d concede that point. There might still be a chance to use the inside man to help them achieve their goals. It all depended on whether or not Jeff the janitor had fallen under Carol’s spell.

  When they walked in, Jack had no trouble introducing Ben as his associate from corporate. The receptionist was helpful in getting Ben I.D. tags so he could go anywhere in the plant, and Jack escorted Ben back to the office area, peeking in at Kiki’s door to say hello on his way to his own office.

  “Good morning, Kiki. May I introduce Ben Steel? He’s my associate from SeaLife Enterprises, come to assist with my mission here.”

  On the surface, Jack was saying all the appropriate things, well aware that others in the area were listening. He had no doubt that the receptionist had called down to Bob Boehm and maybe even Carol Burns the moment he and Ben had left the reception area.

  Kiki stood behind her desk and offered her hand to Ben in a businesslike manner. “Pleased to meet you. Kiki Richards. I’m basically the compliance department, such as it is.”

  “I’m a big fan of compliance,” Ben said, winking in a way that made Jack want to growl. How dare the man flirt with his woman?

  That thought came straight from the heart of the bear that lived inside Jack. He did his best to contain the growl that wanted to come out, but he couldn’t help the shift of weight that brought him closer to Kiki and nearly body-checked Ben’s access to her to shake her hand.

  No doubt about it. Jack was getting very possessive of Kiki. Not only that, but his inner bear was getting territorial, which could only mean one thing… A thing he shouldn’t think about right now, while so much was on the line. He couldn’t afford distractions at the moment. He had to focus on the fight ahead. Once the potion witch and her evil were dealt with, he’d have time to think about personal matters, including one very beguiling human woman who made his bear stand up and want to claim her…forever.

  In the meantime, he had to stop Ben from thinking Kiki might be available for his attentions. Believing that directness was usually better than subtlety in such situation, Jack just told it like it was.

  “Stop flirting with my girl and let’s get to work,” he grumbled at Ben, letting just a hint of his bear’s growl of displeasure filter through.

  Ben stepped back from the desk, chuckling. “Whatever you say, big guy.” Ben’s hands were held up, palms outward, in a show of surrender, but he was still laughing.

  Jack watched until Ben was back in the hallway, then he leaned over the desk and gave Kiki the good morning kiss he’d missed earlier in the day. By the time he left her office, her eyes were dreamy, and he had to work on hiding his own reaction to being near her.

  He ushered Ben to the office next door, and they got to work. There were roles to establish during what was left of the morning and then, the real work would begin. But first, Jack had to make one thing absolutely clear.

  “Just so you know, she’s mine,” he growled in a low voice that wouldn’t carry beyond his office.

  Ben smiled. “I sort of figured that out, but are you sure she knows?”

  Jack could only sigh, holding in the snarl of frustration that wanted desperately to come out.

  Kiki could have walked on air, her joy making her buoyant at Jack’s possessiveness. Some women might’ve found it insulting, but Kiki took it as a sign of affection. Both her father and her brothers were protective types, and she’d grown used to having the males in her life looking out for her. She wasn’t too proud to admit that it had been scary being out here, on her own, facing the kinds of problems she had never faced before.

  Jack’s presence at her side and watching her back made all the difference. She liked that she could count on him to put her safety first. They’d only known each other a short time, but her instincts—which she had always found to be utterly reliable—told her that Jack was the real deal. A man with a conscience, a code, and a respect for her abilities second only to his desire for her safety.

  He was the real thing. The kind of man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

  It was far too soon to tell if their relationship was heading in a more permanent direction, but she certainly hoped he was feeling some of the same things. She was truly uncertain about where their attraction and nuclear-powered flames of desire might lead them, but she had vowed to enjoy every moment she had with Jack. She believed very much that he might possibly be the one great love of her lifetime. If that was the case, she wanted to cherish every moment of their time together.

  He made her feel so good about everything. About life. About herself. She knew the situation at the plant was bad, but with Jack around, she felt like they had a real shot at fixing things.

  That he now had help in the form of mysterious Ben Steel reassured her. She didn’t know exactly what to make of the man, but he had the same still, watchful quality that Jack did, only more so. Ben gave her a very strong first impression of being the still waters that ran very deep. Ben’s gold-tipped light brown hair and blue eyes were striking, but of course, no man could compare with Jack. Not in her eyes.

  Jack’s energy was just as deep, but a bit more leaked through to the surface of his movements and words. Ben was quieter. More still. Watchful and restrained where Jack was boundless energy that spilled over from a deep core of ancient power.

  Her own thoughts startled her, but even as she realized that, she also understood the profound truth of them. Jack had deep-seated magic in his very soul. She could sense that much at least. Ben was…different. Not as obviously powerful to her senses, he still had a core of strength that she hoped would help protect Jack on this perilous mission.

  Jack took Ben around the plant himself, giving him a private, and very thorough, tour. He introduced him as his associate from corporate whenever they encountered anyone, but mostly, they were left alone. Jack was able to pass on a few observations of various areas when nobody was in earshot, and eventually, he left Ben with a clear view of his quarry.

  “That’s Jeff,” Jack said quietly.

  “I recognize him from the file photo, though he’s aged a bit,” Ben murmured back.

  “I’ll leave you here, if that’s agreeable, and meet you back at my office. Can you find your way?” Jack asked.

  “No problem. I’m going to see if Jeff will have lunch with me off-site or at least outside,” Ben said, even as he very obviously gauged the situation. Jack could see the small signs that this former Special Forces soldier was observing everything in view and assessing his options. “We have recognition signs that need to be passed and then, I’ll ask him for a report. If all goes well, don’t expect to see me until after lunch hour.”

  “Very well. See you then,” Jack said, leaving Ben to his covert work and heading back toward the front of the building…where Kiki was. Jack didn’t like being too far from her at any given moment.

  True to his prediction, Ben didn’t return until after lunch. Jack had passed the hour with Kiki, eating their packed lunches in her office. He didn’t want to leave her when lunchtime was over, but he had to hear what Ben had found out. Reluctantly, he left Kiki in her office and went to his, next door.

&nbs
p; Ben was already there, and he was frowning in thought when Jack entered. Closing the door behind him, Jack then went to take his seat behind the desk, and they settled in for a long discussion of all Ben had learned from his contact.

  “First, I have to say,” Ben began, “I’m not altogether certain about Jeff’s loyalty. He said all the right things, but there’s something… Well, there’s something not quite right with him.” Ben sighed. “I’ve been told a few times by people I respect that I’m a Sensitive,” Ben admitted, surprising Jack.

  “You’re sensitive to magic?” Jack asked.

  Ben nodded tightly, clearly uncomfortable with the concept. “I’m sensing something about Jeff that just doesn’t feel right.”

  “Have you ever encountered black magic in your work?” Jack didn’t wait for an answer but went on. “It’s a rare specialty that hides its true nature. It doesn’t feel the same to me as regular dark magic. There’s a more sinister quality to it,” he explained. “It’s also way more subtle. I only sense the tip of the iceberg with black magic because, like the iceberg comparison, the majority of it remains hidden beneath the surface. It can be tricky.”

  Ben’s mouth formed a grim line of tension. “I’m no expert on magic. My so-called sensitivity is something discovered late in life, and I only became aware of the unseen world when my military career ended. Compared to you, who were raised with the knowledge of your abilities, I’m a novice who is still learning, but I can say that what I’m feeling off Jeff is like nothing I’ve felt before. It could be that black magic you’re talking about.”

  Jack sat back in his chair and sighed. “Then, we all have to be very, very careful.”

  “For what it’s worth, I think Carol is on her own here. I didn’t see or sense anyone who might be a magical ally,” Ben reported. “Like I said, I know most of the Burns family associates on sight, and I didn’t see any of them here. Some of the things Jeff said also lead me to believe that Carol is striking out on her own, looking to make her own place. This, it appears, is where she’s chosen to make her stand as a solo witch.”