Charmed and Dangerous: An Appalachian Magic Novel (Appalachian Magic Series Book 1) (16 page)

H
is lungs constricted
from the smell of smoke, and his mouth filled with the metallic tang of blood as he crawled in the red clay dirt.
Just a little farther
. His ears picked up the husky breath of a nearby predator. His heart beat as loud and heavy as a war drum. The end was near, and he realized he didn’t want to die after all. Another four feet and he could hide behind the brush and trees …

James fought through the panic.
You’re dreaming again. Wake up, damn it.
He bolted upright in bed, heart still thundering.

The dead silence of the night shimmered with danger. Too quiet. His senses hummed in warning. His gaze roamed the bedroom, searching for another immortal waiting to pounce. He glanced at the nightstand, about to fling back his blanket and grab his sword, but abruptly stopped. On the table’s surface were the book, a lamp, and the leather pouch of crystals from the coven.

The pouch’s drawstring was open and the contents spilled out. It had been closed when he went to sleep. The green malachite stone was split into two pieces.
An omen of impending danger
, the witches had warned.

He eased up from the mattress and padded over to his broadsword. The metal was warm and solid as he flexed his palms against the grooved hilt. Outside the window, a sliver of moonlight illuminated the outline of tall pines. He searched the treetops but only spotted a couple of owls.

The enemy must be inside.

Careful not to make any noise, he pulled on a pair of discarded jeans at the foot of the bed. He crept toward the doorway but swiftly turned and eyed the crystals glimmering on the nightstand.
Hell, it couldn’t hurt to carry them.
He changed direction, scooped them into the leather pouch, and stuffed the whole thing in his pocket.

Sword in hand, he eased open the bedroom door, flattening himself against the wall. When nothing lunged at him, he cautiously moved down the hallway, trying to sense the presence of another. If he was lucky, maybe Dad had quietly returned home and slipped into bed. But a quick glance in Carter’s room showed the bed unmade.

Someone else had invaded their home.

He approached the iron stairway and instantly spotted the silhouette of a man standing by the wall of windows in the den, a broadsword hanging by his side. There was something familiar in the man’s profile . . .

“We meet again, James MacLauren.”

He recognized that voice.

James flipped on the light switch. “What the hell are you doing here?” he asked, voice tight with fury.

Lucas stepped away from the windows. “Time we had a chat about my daughter.”

He made his way down the stairs and entered the den, stopping a few feet from Lucas. “Why come in the middle of the night? If you think I’m intimidated that you managed to break in, you’re dead wrong.”

Lucas smiled grimly. “Now’s the perfect time. Carter’s away and Callie’s nowhere near to keep us from speaking freely.”

James watched him closely for any sudden moves. “Talk? Guess that’s why you’re carrying your sword.”

“A last resort.”

James gripped his sword tighter. “Speak your peace and then get the hell out of my house.”

“Very well. Callie’s a special girl, as I’m sure you’re aware.” He paused, but at James’s silence he continued. “Of course, she’s either told you or you’ve figured it out for yourself. Did she also tell you she will soon become an even more powerful witch?”

“Yeah. Get to your point.”

Lucas stepped forward. “She belongs to me, not you,” he said slowly.

“She belongs to herself.”

He made a slight tsk-ing sound. “I meant Callie belongs
with
me. Her place is with my coven.”

“That’s for Callie to decide.”

“I believe you have unduly influenced my daughter. Does she know you’re an immortal?”

James kept his hand tensed on the sword’s hilt. “She does, not that it’s any of your business.”

Lucas advanced another step. “Did you tell her I’m immortal?”

“No. It doesn’t matter anyway. You’re dead to her.”

Lucas’s mouth tightened. “She’ll change her mind.”

James snorted. “Stay away from her. You only make her miserable.”

“Nobody stands in the way of me and my daughter.” Lucas raised his sword a few inches. “Change is coming for our kind. The Old Ways are dying out. Unless we band together, our race will soften to the New Ways as the Old Ones kill each other off. My coven is a haven for keeping the Old Ways. We’ll have power over newer, changing immortals like you.”

James raised his own sword. “Stop hiding behind your coven.
You
want to rule us all.”

Lucas’s eyes flashed in anger. “Make a choice. Join me now or die.”

His mind raced. Either he would die or he’d be forced to kill Callie’s father. Could she ever forgive him if he killed her blood relative?

“I don’t want to fight you,” he said. “Leave us alone.”

“Not an option.” Lucas lunged at him, but James was ready.

Their swords hit. The metal clanging sent a volley of blue sparks arching overhead.

Lucas drew back in surprise. “Callie has cast some kind of protection spell. But it won’t be enough to counter my own magic.” He lunged again, and James jumped to the side to escape the sword’s parry.

Lucas cursed and struck again and again. Each time, James countered his strikes by either deflecting the strokes with his own sword, or scrambling backwards for safety. Sparks lit the room like an exploding firecracker factory. Furniture tumbled and crashed. Yet neither would yield.

His broadsword blocked a vicious thrust from Lucas. The violent vibration traveled up his arm and numbed it. He was growing weaker, and James knew he’d met his fiercest competitor. The fight couldn’t go on much longer.

Lucas knew it too. A grim smile of satisfaction crossed the man’s sweating, determined face. He unleashed a volley of blows, closing in for the kill. James retreated backwards and stumbled on an upended chair. Before he could get back on his feet, Lucas stomped a foot on his chest and pointed the tip of his broadsword against James’s neck.

This is it.

There were no second chances for him this time. Death had come at last. He swallowed hard, and the cold steel nicked his neck. James squeezed his eyes shut against the gloating Lucas. He wanted his last image to be of Callie.

An agonized cry rent the air.

James opened his eyes.

Lucas clutched his side. Blood from his wound dripped onto James. He rolled to his side and sprang to his feet. What new hell was this?

Carter stood behind Lucas, a sword raised high overhead, ready to deliver another blow. A death blow.

“Stop! Don’t kill him.”

Carter scowled. “Why? This man almost killed you.”

“It’s Callie’s father. Offer him mercy.”

“Hell, no. He dies.”

James stepped between the two men. Lucas still clutched his side, but he was starting to recover from the injury.

“Give us your broadsword and you may live,” James said, offering mercy.

Lucas took a step back, hand holding the sword firmly by his side.

“Do it,” James ground out harshly.

Lucas retreated another step. Growing stronger. “Callie will never forgive you if you kill me.”

Carter pushed past James. “I don’t care if she never forgives
me
.”

Lucas’s wily gaze shifted between the two men. Abruptly, he ran for the door, still clutching his sword. James grabbed Carter’s arm to prevent him from giving chase.

“Coward!” Carter screamed at the retreating figure. He turned back to James. “You know he’ll be back. You should have let me cut off his head.”

C
onnors worked
hard to keep a smirk off his face. The perfect opportunity had fallen in his lap with little effort on his part. He’d been doing his cover job as a college dean, which meant keeping watch on Callie’s activities, when Carter MacLauren had arrived at his office.

“We understand each other then, Mr. MacLauren. This little personal transaction will benefit us both. With any luck, it will cause a sufficient wedge between James and Callie that ought to last at least until the end of summer. Young love is so fragile, isn’t it?” He couldn’t help the tiny bit of smugness in his voice.

“I’m only doing this for James’s own good.”

Connors could see him rationalizing. Ridiculous how some of these new immortals banded together in family units.

“Of course you are,” he assured him. Connors studied the enlarged photo of Theodora Ansley. He had yet to meet a female immortal in person. But that was about to change, thanks to Carter MacLauren.

“And you’re sure Ms. Ansley is willing to live in this hick town until the semester ends in two months?” He himself planned to never set foot in Alabama again after this business was done.

“I’ve already spoken with her. She was thrilled at the chance.” Carter squirmed in his seat. “She’s been in love with James a long time. You’ve never seen two people so fit for each other; it’s almost as if—”

“How lovely,” Connors interrupted, bored with the direction of the conversation. He tapped his finger on the photo. “I’ll have a position become immediately available in the library. Have her email me an appropriate resume. If she gets it to me today, I’ll do what I need on this end to have her start Monday morning.”

Carter nodded. “That’s quick, but Theodora is nothing if not flexible when she wants something. I’ll offer to have her stay with us until she can find a place in town.”

“Even better. The longer she lives in your house, the harder for James and Callie to stay together. The temptation will be too much for James. I mean, look at her.” He held up the photo of the exotic-looking young woman, bikini-clad on a beach. “How could anyone resist her? Why would they want to?”

“I’m hoping James will see she’s a much more suitable choice. Callie Bradford could ruin him. One day he’ll thank me.” Carter ran a hand through his hair. “In exchange for this help, you and Lucas will leave us alone, right? I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m sure Callie’s the cause. Ever since she came, there’s been a growing tension among the immortals. You can do what you want with her, but leave James and me out of it.”

“I can personally assure you we have no interest whatsoever in your son.” Connors rose from his desk and extended a business card to Carter. “My contact information. Have Ms. Ansley get in touch with me today with an education and work history. Good day.”

Carter started to speak, changed his mind, and then headed for the exit. He paused at the doorway. “James is not to be hurt. If he is, I promise I’ll make you pay.”

Idle chatter. The man had no idea who he was threatening. Well, in the end, all immortals would be under control of the new coven.

Connors gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “Not to worry. Everything will work out in the end.” And, hopefully, that end would be at the summer solstice.

Once certain that Carter was out of hearing range, Connors hit speed dial on his phone. “Hello, Lucas. Reporting in that I have a plan to take James out of the picture. That’ll make it easier to get to Callie when the time comes.” Connors filled him in quickly. “Using this other woman will be easier than trying to engage him in another death match, or poisoning his pets to try and scare him off your daughter. Safer for us, too. We don’t want to lose any more men or risk detection by outsiders.”

“I’m not so sure another woman is a great tactic,” Lucas replied. “It could backfire. Make Callie more determined to keep her hooks in him. And how did this Carter person get involved in our plans?”

A frown briefly crossed his face at Lucas’s lack of enthusiasm. “Carter MacLauren was visiting other immortal families around this area, inquiring after increased immortal attacks in our area. He let it slip to them that James’s new girlfriend was a witch. Naturally, word got back to one of our men.” Connors didn’t like having to explain his actions to anybody, even Lucas. He tapped his pencil on the desk with growing agitation. “In any event, I contacted him and suggested we meet to discuss working together for our mutual benefit. He took the bait, showed up immediately with no appointment.” Connors twitched when his pencil snapped in two, sending shards of yellow shavings in all directions. Stupid habit.

Uncharacteristically, Lucas paused a few heartbeats. “How is my daughter doing?”

Surprise flushed through Connors. “How is Callie? What do you mean? She’s attending classes regularly and has a small group of friends. There have been no more incidents of her snooping in my office—what’s that? Sir, how am I supposed to know how she’s
feeling
?”

As if he cared. Was it possible Lucas was growing soft about this so-called daughter? His job was to inform Lucas on who Callie was close to and warn him at once if she disappeared unexpectedly from school.

“Just curious,” Lucas said, clearing his throat.

Connors frowned. “I didn’t know this job meant trying to assess the psychological state of an adolescent female.” He hoped Lucas didn’t want him to start doing something incredibly tedious like listening in on Callie’s conversations with the other air-headed students. He was destined for so much more than this type of work.

“Very well. Sounds like you have matters in hand.”

“Glad that’s all you need then, sir. I’ll keep you apprised of any changes.”

He smoothed a hand over the calendar on his desk. A few more weeks of this assignment and he would never have to answer to anybody again.

“
H
ave you seen her
?” Tanner slammed his books down on the cafeteria table.

“Seen who?” Skye broke the tab on her second Diet Coke of the day and took a long swallow. “Ahh. . . the magical elixir.”

Tanner ignored her and leaned toward Michael across the table. “Well?”

“Yep. Hot City.”

Skye and Callie watched them smile at each other like morons.

“What gives?” Callie asked.

“Seen
who
?” Skye asked, louder this time.

Michael grinned. “The hot new librarian.”

“Hot? Librarian?” Aiden Cargill stopped in his tracks, lunch tray in hand. “No such thing. You must be making fun of Mrs. Pepper.”

“Mrs. Pepper is no more,” Tanner said. “Go check it out.”

“Where’ve you been, Cargill?” another guy two tables down shouted.

“Are y’all pulling my leg or what?” Aiden asked, setting his tray on the table next to them.

“No, man,” another guy yelled across the room. “Just get to the library after lunch. You won’t be sorry.”

Callie looked at Skye, and they shook their heads.

“Idiots,” Skye proclaimed. She took another swig of Diet Coke.

“I wouldn’t mind practicing a little tantric magic with her. And wait until you see her car!” Tanner waved his hands excitedly at Michael, as if Skye hadn’t spoken. “It’s a red Corvette.”

“Damn.” Michael put down his sandwich. “Could one woman be any more perfect?”

“Seriously, guys, get a grip.” Skye set the soda down with a loud clank.

Callie winked at her. “They’re male. They can’t help it.” And what the heck was that tantric magic Tanner mentioned? She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of asking about it though.

“We’ll see how funny it is when James comes in here all fired up about the sexy librarian with the hot car.” Skye looked around the cafeteria. “By the way, where is he?”

“In the library, of course.” Tanner grinned at Callie. “Don’t worry. Half the male student population is in there now. Doubt he can see her through the crowd.”

She returned Tanner’s smile and winked at Skye. “I’m not worried. I bet this librarian is laughing her ass off at these freshmen guys mooning over her.”

“Right. If she’s gorgeous and rich, these
boys
are either boring or amusing her. What happened to Mrs. Pepper, for real?”

“I heard her granddaughter in Florida had a baby and wants help for a few weeks,” Michael said. “What luck!” He and Tanner high-fived across the table.

“I heard the new librarian is rich as hell and is filling in right now as a favor to the Dean,” Tanner added. “Connors is an old friend of the family.”

Every instinct went on full alert. “Old friend of the family,” she murmured. “Interesting.”

“You still got a thing against Connors?” Skye asked. “I would if he’d practically accused me of cheating.”

“Connors is more than he seems.” She decided to let them in on the secret. “He knows my father.”

Everyone stopped eating and gaped at her.

“Are you sure? How did you find out?” Skye asked.

Callie looked down at the mushy cafeteria food on her tray. “I broke in Connors’s office and rifled through his desk. He had my birthday listed on his calendar.” She pushed around a bit of limp cabbage. “I also found a pentagram and a black feather. He
has
to be connected with Lucas.”

Michael whistled softly. “What’s he doing here? I don’t like this, Callie.”

“Me neither.” She was comforted by the concern.

“Then it’s possible this new librarian might be connected to your dad too?” asked Tanner.

“It sounds far-fetched, but maybe. I wouldn’t trust her.” She stabbed some runny squash with a fork. No way could she eat this crap.

“Should we break into her desk like you did Connors’s?” Skye asked. “I can’t believe you did that, Callie. Thought you were the goody-goody wonder witch.”

Tanner cleared his throat. “It would be a great sacrifice, but if you want, I could volunteer to spend all my free time with this librarian. You know, help arrange books by the Dewey Decimal system, show her around Piedmont, and drive the Corvette running her errands.”

“Can you be serious for once?” Skye scowled, biting down viciously on a cracker.

“Thanks for offering to be Errand Boy, Tanner, but I don’t see how it would help. I’ll be glad when my initiation’s over and I can convince Lucas to stay out of my life.” She set her fork down on the plate of uneaten food.

“It won’t be much longer,” said Michael. “Another two months.”

“And we’ll be busy planning our move to the University of Alabama,” said Skye.

“Seriously, Callie. You know we’ve got your back.” Tanner was uncharacteristically serious.

“Thanks, y’all.” She pushed the plate away. “Lunch was absolutely disgusting today, worse than usual. I don’t get why a college cafeteria serves mushy geriatric food. The so-called chef must be used to cooking for nursing home patients with no teeth.”

“James spoiled you taking you off-campus so much for lunch,” said Skye.

“Guess so.” She scanned the lunchroom one last time. Still no James.

“Looking for someone?” Tanner’s teasing smile had returned. “I told you he was in the library.”

Skye crumpled up her paper lunch bag. “Let’s check out Miss Hottie Pants, Callie. She can’t be
all
that and a bag of chips.”

U
nbelievable
. Theodora Ansley was absolutely, utterly enchanting. She was voluptuous and exotic looking with almond cat-eyes. The golden hue of her skin enhanced the citrine flecks in those hazel eyes.

“I can’t believe it,” Skye said in a flat voice. “The guys didn’t even do her justice.”

A crowd of male admirers circled Ms. Ansley, each jostling the other to get her attention. She smiled serenely at them and patted her long, black hair, as if she was the queen bee surrounded by worker drones. Her long legs were crossed under the desk where a pair of bejeweled shoes with six-inch heels dangled precariously off her toes.

Callie sensed James in the room, and she scanned the flock of guys at the librarian’s desk. Not there. He was more mature than the other guys—but still.

Ah, there he was. Standing against the periodical shelving, arms crossed. She started to walk forward and speak then stopped. His shimmering waves of annoyance wafted all the way across the room. From his profile, she noted the tense set of his jaw. His whole body was taut, like he had to force himself to stand still.

And he was staring right at the lovely Miss T&A.

Odd. What could he possibly have against her? Or maybe he was jealous of the attention she paid her admirers. Her stomach churned. Good thing she didn’t eat lunch.

Skye pulled on her arm. “I’ve seen enough. Let’s go.”

“You go ahead. I’m going to check something out while I’m here.”

“Good luck with that. You’ll never get through that crowd by the desk in time to make it to the next class without being late.”

“I’ll take my chances.” She waved bye to Skye, went to an empty computer desk, and logged in.

Ridiculous, really. Like she was going to learn anything sitting here watching James watch the librarian. She pulled up a geology electronic database and pretended to be absorbed by rock formations and tectonic plate shifting.

Every few moments, she glanced up. James still stood and stared at Theodora. She shifted her attention to the new librarian, trying not to be noticed. As if anyone would pay her any mind with Theodora in the room.

No doubt about it. This goddess-like creature was flirting with James. She would laugh or smile at something said by one of the fawning guys then shift her eyes to James with a sly look of amusement. She tossed her shiny hair and occasionally ran a finger along the edge of her bottom lip. A particularly annoying and obvious come-on.

James straightened with a sudden jerk and turned toward the door, walking in her direction. She dropped her eyes to the monitor and began typing gibberish.

“Callie?” He paused by her table.

“What? Oh . . . hi. I didn’t know you were in here. I was looking up a few things before next class. What about you?”

He shifted a load of books in his arms and briefly glanced away. When he looked at her again, his face was slightly flushed. Anger or guilt? Maybe both?

“Same thing.”

“Who’s the new librarian?” She kept her voice casual.

“Is there a new one?” He shrugged. “I didn’t notice. See you in history class.” With that, he beat a hasty retreat.

Something was definitely wrong. She swirled her head around to the library desk and caught the cold, speculative gleam in Theodora Ansley’s eyes piercing her. It felt like ice water thrown on her heart.

A voice from behind made her jump. “Have you read that history article yet?”

“Hey, Emily. No, I still need to pick up a copy. You weren’t in class yesterday. The teacher said the quality of it was too poor to scan so we’re supposed to pick up a Xerox copy at the library desk.”

“May as well get one now, huh? Guess we’ll get an up-close look at the new librarian. Tanner keeps going on and on about her.” Emily sounded as gloomy as Skye.

“So did Michael.” Callie sighed. “I saw James in here, and he claims he didn’t even notice there
was
a new librarian.”

Emily burst out laughing. “Yeah, right. As if. That would be like Brad Pitt walking in here and us saying ‘Brad who?’ Not happening.”

“I know.” Callie gathered up her papers, and they walked to the desk.

“You don’t have to worry about James. It’s obvious he’s crazy about you.”

“Really?” Callie smiled in pleasure.

She knew it, but it was still nice to hear it confirmed from another person. Especially in light of the gorgeous woman in front of them. Now that she was closer, Callie sensed her aura of charm. Theodora oozed sexuality as effortlessly as breathing.

“We need to pick up the article for American History 101,” Emily said, standing in front of Ms. Ansley’s desk.

“I don’t know anything about it.” Theodora’s voice was deep and smoky.

“It’s supposed to be here at the main desk,” Emily insisted.

Jane Alexander, nerdy as she was brilliant, made her way through the guys to approach Theodora. “I’m having trouble finding any information on eidetic vision and the creative process. Can you help me?”

Theodora waved a hand in the direction of the computer bank. “Google it.”

“Seriously?” Jane frowned. “I already tried that.”

“Did you try Yahoo?” Theodora sighed as if bored by the sheer stupidity of it all.

“Of course. I tried several Internet search engines. I need you to suggest an electronic database or other resource.”

Theodora gave a blank stare. One of her admirers snickered.

A bright red blush crept up Jane’s neck and face. Behind her glasses, her myopic eyes sparkled. Whether in humiliation or anger, Callie wasn’t sure.

Jane stood her ground. “Maybe you can think of some Boolean search terms.” She tugged on her ill-fitting wool sweater.

“Now how will you ever learn to do your own research if you ask someone to help you all the time?” Theodora twirled a lock of hair and gave Jane a cool, condescending smile.

The snickering grew louder from her male fan base.

“C’mon, Jane,” said Callie. She gave Theodora a scalding look before turning away. “It’s obvious she doesn’t know
how
to help you,” she added in a deliberately loud voice.

“Oh, my. I’d forgotten all about teen drama,” Theodora observed to her audience.

The males laughed appreciatively, and Callie’s face warmed. She walked faster, Emily and Jane at her side.

“Mrs. Pepper would never have been so rude,” said Emily.

Jane chewed on her lower lip. “I think Callie’s right. She probably doesn’t know anything about library stuff. I’m going to complain to the Dean.”

“It won’t do you any good. I hear she’s a friend of the family, and he called her to come to Piedmont as a favor,” she said.

Aiden Cargill almost ran them over as they left the library.

“You’re late to the party,” Callie said.

Aiden elbowed past them. “Got here fast as I could.”

Jane pushed her glasses up the bridge on her nose. “Guys. They’re so obvious.”

C
allie bit
into the spicy lasagna and savored its garlicky warmth. “Grandma Jo, this is the bomb. I’m starving.”

“We can see that,” Mom said with a rueful glance at Callie’s plate. “We’re used to your huge appetite—but three plates?”

“Not to mention the rolls and salad,” Grandma Jo added.

“I’m extra starving today. Lunch was the pits.” She took another hot buttered roll from the tray and passed it to Mom. “How’s work going?”

“Pretty good. We had several kittens adopted today. Of course, more strays were brought in, but that’s the way it is at the shelter. I want to save them all, but I can’t.”

“But think how many you’ve helped over the years,” Callie said. “I can’t imagine how I ever got along without my Grendel.” She slipped him a bit of lasagna under the table. He was as bad as a dog about begging for table food.

“You’ve spoiled him,” said Grandma Jo. “Look how well-behaved Willow is.”

Callie smiled at the fat feline perched on the windowsill. Hard to believe it was the same skinny cat they adopted only months ago. “She’s a sweetie, but Grendel has personality. I wouldn’t change anything about him. Except maybe when he lies on my face when I’m trying to sleep.” She pushed her plate back. “I’m full now. I’ll help with the dishes.”

Grandma Jo rose and stacked plates. “I’ll get them. My Save the Earth seminar this morning was cancelled, so I’ve just been puttering all day.”

“If you’re sure.” Callie started for the stairs. A sudden thought hit her. “Hey, what’s tantric magic?”

Mom and Grandma Jo froze.

“She’s all yours,” Grandma Jo said to her daughter, taking a stack of plates into the kitchen.

“It’s, um . . . well, it has to do with using sexually generated energy for magical purposes. You see—”

“Never mind, Mom. I can look up the details myself.” She ran up the stairs.