Of Witches and Warlocks: The Demon Kiss Read online

  He rolled away from me then, over onto his back, turning his head so he could look at me. I propped up on my elbows, so I could lean over him, and gave him a tiny peck on the lips. He smiled softly back at me, as he ran his hand over my hair.

  “I should probably go get in the shower now,” he said, looking a little regretfully at me. “I don’t want to keep everyone waiting on me.”

  “All right,” I replied, taking my cue for dismissal and rolling off the bed to walk toward the door. “Call me if you need me.”

  “I always need you,” he answered with a slight laugh as he sat up on the edge of the bed.

  “You know what I mean,” I said, smiling at him as I slipped out the door, not missing the playful wink he sent in my direction.

  Breakfast was in full swing by the time Vance got out of the shower. I told him to sit at the table, while I served him a heaping plate of pancakes and sausage.

  “I’m fine now, you know that right?” he asked, as I sat his plate in front of him. “I can dish my own food. I’m not an invalid yet!”

  “I like serving you.” I laughed, before leaning over to give him a kiss. “Besides, I’m going to be your wife someday. I figured I should practice up on waiting on you; after all it will be my job.” I turned to step away from the table to go back toward the kitchen.

  His arm snaked out quickly and caught me by the wrist, pulling me back toward him.

  I looked at him with a puzzled expression as he pulled me down to where my head was next to his.

  “I want you to understand something,” he began, in a low voice meant only for my ears. “You will never be my servant. We are partners, equal to one another in this relationship. I will never do anything to dominate you.”

  I smiled at his deadly serious comment.

  “I know that, silly. But I like doing things for you, and nothing you say will ever make me change the way I feel about that, so get over it,” I said, jabbing him in the ribs with one of my free fingers.

  He let go of my wrist then, and I saw some deeper emotion flicker through his gaze.

  “I love you,” was all he said, as he continued to watch me closely.

  “I know,” I said, flashing my eyes at him and giving him a Cheshire cat grin, before turning to walk away, though I could still feel his stare burning a hole in my back behind me.

  When breakfast was over and everything was cleaned up and put away, we all met to begin discussions on what to do with things surrounding Vance’s father. My dad turned the floor over to Vance to explain what was going on to everyone.

  “We haven’t actually made any contact with him per se,” Vance began, as he ran a hand through his hair. “I’m just assuming that he’s here because of what we’ve found out.”

  He went on to tell everyone about Juan and what he had told us in his store. He also told them we had found the warehouse on the shipping address and how it was heavily guarded with a lot of activity going on around it.

  “We need to send out a scouting party of some sort to go and case out the warehouse,” Dad said as he looked around the room. “Do we have any volunteers for that job?”

  Of course, Vance shot his hand into the air immediately.

  “No,” Dad said, shaking his head. “Too dangerous. They’ve been looking for you specifically. I will not send you right into their lair. We need someone else to go check stuff out.”

  Sharon and her brother, Fred, both volunteered at this point.

  “They wouldn’t have any reason to know who we are,” Sharon spoke up. “And both of us have Hispanic heritage which would make it easier for us to blend into the environment.”

  “That’s a good point,” Dad said in agreement. “Now we need someone to go talk to the shop keeper on Benito Juarez again. I want to see if he’d be willing to let us use his place as a home base of sorts, while we’re trying to keep tabs on the comings and goings at the warehouse property.”

  “I can speak Spanish, and I already know Juan. Vance and I could go,” Brad offered.

  “I don’t think I’m the best choice of person to approach Juan,” Vance spoke up as he shook his head slightly at Brad. “I had a little blood thirst flash through me the last time I was there,” he explained to everyone else in the room. “I don’t think Juan trusts me. Plus, if he were to find out I was actually the son of the ‘demon warlock’ he fears so much, I don’t think he’d be too inclined to help out.”

  “I agree with you,” Grandma added. “I think it would be wise for someone other than the kids to go. If anyone were watching Juan’s place, they’d recognize right away that the kids had already been there. I think I should go. I have my own shop; I can make it look like something to do with business.”

  “But what if the coven was watching you when Krista came before?” I asked. “They might know who you are.”

  “I’ll go,” Babs piped up. “I work in the store. I can make it look like a legitimate business interest also.”

  “I don’t want anyone going out alone, though,” Dad said. “You’ll need to pick someone to go with you.”

  Alice, the Pilates instructor from the Fountains at Fontane, volunteered to go with Babs.

  “Great.” Dad smiled as he rubbed his hands together. “Okay, the rest of us will take turns driving in different vehicles around the property to avoid detection. Rule number one is to not approach Damien Cummings if you find him. If you do happen to see him, then report back to the rest of the group, please. If we need to, we can set up a tail to follow him and see where he goes. All of you have been provided with cell phones that have good service here in Mexico. Don’t hesitate to use them.” He paused a second before he continued on. “Rule number two is to try and find out what’s being shipped in the crates that are being moved around. Knowledge is power in this case. We don’t want any surprises.”

  When everyone was fully briefed on what they needed to do, Dad started sending people out the door.

  “So what can we do?” Vance asked, as the two of us approached him, when all the other members of the coven had left to do their assignments.

  “Man the phone,” Dad said, handing his cell to Vance.

  “You’re kidding, right?” Vance slowly reached for the phone, eyeing it a bit distastefully.

  “Nope,” my dad replied and crossed his arms over his chest. I could see he knew he was in for an argument. “I’m trying to keep you safe, and for right now that means completely out of the line of fire. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that you and Portia shouldn’t even leave the hotel. That way you’ll have less of a risk that someone who might know you will see you and report to your father.”

  “So, I basically get to sit here and do nothing?” Vance turned to walk back over to the couch, plopping down on it in frustration.

  “Pretty much,” my dad replied. “Sorry, son. I know you want to be out in the thick of things, but I just can’t, in good conscience, allow it. ”

  “So what do you want to do all day?” Vance asked, giving up much easier than I thought he would have, as he looked at me with a dejected sigh. “I wasn’t counting on being placed on house arrest.”

  “Well, we could help Mom cook more food for everyone,” I suggested as I sat next to him, placing my hand on his knee.

  “We need more groceries, though,” my mom piped up from the kitchen as she was rummaging through the cupboards.

  “Why don’t you take Brad and Shelly with you to the store then?” Dad proposed.

  “Do you mind coming with me?” Mom asked, turning to look toward Brad and Shelly.

  “Not at all,” Shelly replied, moving to walk toward the bedroom. “Let me get my purse.”

  “This is just great,” Vance mumbled underneath his breath. “I’m not even worthy to buy groceries.”

  I just laughed as I scooted closer next to him so I could wrap my arms around his shoulders, giving him a little squeeze.

  “You are worthy,” I whispered, nuzzling against his ear. “They’re just w
orried about you. Besides, what is your favorite thing to do?”

  He smiled then as he nudged my face back with his.

  “Why, to cuddle up with you, of course,” he answered with a wink.

  “Well, unless we get a phone call, we get to sit here and do just that,” I reminded him.

  “You always know how to cheer me up,” he smiled, with a devious grin, and he adjusted his position so he could pull me into his arms and onto his lap.

  He began to kiss me passionately, just as my Dad walked back into the room from the patio.

  “Hey! No hanky panky!” Dad said sternly to us.

  Vance and I both busted up laughing.

  “Come on,” I said, as I slid off his lap and reached a hand out to pull him to his feet. “I think there’s still a cake mix in the cupboard. We’ll make it while everyone else is gone.”

  We walked over to the kitchen together where I began pulling out ingredients, setting them on the counter next to a mixing bowl and cake pan.

  “How about you mix up the cake, while I stand here and do this,” Vance said as he wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my neck, which sent delightful little shivers dancing up my skin.

  I just laughed as I started to blend up the ingredients, while he used levitation magic to measure everything out so it was ready for me whenever I needed it, dumping the contents in the bowl whenever I asked for them.

  “This is kind of fun,” he said with a grin, as he continued to lean his head over my shoulder, resting his chin there.

  “I thought so, too,” I replied, turning my face to rub my cheek against his in return.

  We poured the batter into the pan and placed it into the oven, setting the timer. Then we cleaned up the kitchen and loaded all the things we had used into the dishwasher.

  “Now what?” Vance asked, when we were finished, looking around with a bored expression already.

  “Let’s go sit on the balcony and watch the surf,” I suggested, tugging on his hand to pull him in the direction of the door.

  “I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” my dad said, peering up from some documents he was looking over, from the dining room table. “Vance’s father could have spies anywhere.”

  “Dad,” I said, with mounting frustration, “don’t you think if Damien had any idea that Vance was here this close, he’d have been swarming all over this place by now?”

  “You can never be too careful,” Dad replied with a shrug, looking like he wasn’t too willing to give in on the issue.

  “Dad,” I groaned, dragging his name out like a disgruntled child would, “we’ve been here for a lot longer than anyone else and haven’t seen anything suspicious. We’ve eaten at restaurants, shopped and walked on the beach. That would’ve been more than ample opportunity for someone to attack us, or even kidnap us, if they were really following us around.”

  My dad dropped the papers he was holding back onto the table, leaning back to cross his arms across his chest.

  “I suppose you’re right,” Dad finally said with a sigh. “It’s just we’re going to start stepping up our game now and it’ll draw attention if anyone is trying to look for things out of the ordinary.”

  “Tell you what,” I replied, trying the negotiating tactic, as I could feel Vance becoming tenser beside me, “if you let us sit out on the balcony, we’ll sit up next to the wall. That way we’ll be able to watch the ocean, but no one from the grounds or the neighboring condos will be able to see us. They’d have to be on a boat out in the middle of the water with binoculars to be able to spy on us.”

  “That could easily happen,” Dad said, pursing his lips together. “There are a lot of fishing boats that cross by on their way out in the mornings. He could be watching us from anywhere.”

  “Dad!”

  “Okay. Okay,” he replied, raising his hands in surrender. “Maybe I’m over reacting. You may sit on the porch next to the wall. Just please try to stay out of sight, for my sake.”

  “Thank you!” I said, fighting the urge to roll my eyes at him. Vance and I walked over to the large glass door and opened it.

  We stepped out and pulled a couple of the chairs up against the wall before we sat down.

  “Sorry about my Dad,” I apologized as Vance reached over to hold my hand, his fingers toying with the diamond solitaire that graced my finger.

  “Don’t worry about it,” he replied. “I know he means well.” He continued to rub his finger over my ring. “Do you like it?” he asked, changing the subject, as he looked from it to me. “You never really said.”

  “I like it a lot,” I replied and smiled at him. “It’s very beautiful. I think you chose well.”

  “I wasn’t sure where your tastes ran when it came to engagement rings.” He chuckled, and his eyes sparkled like the water of the ocean. “It was kind of a blind shot in the dark. I finally just ended up just choosing the one I could imagine seeing on your finger.”

  “Well, that was a good way to do it then, because I think it’s perfect,” I replied, watching him run his finger over mine.

  “Not as perfect as you,” he said with a glance at me.

  “Now you’re just being cheesy.” I laughed but leaned over to give him a kiss anyway.

  “Hey. Whatever works, right?” He smiled. “You can’t blame a guy for spreading a little cheese every now and then.”

  “I can when he’s as smart and talented as you are,” I teased him as I lifted my hand to give him a little pinch on the shoulder.

  “Now who’s laying it on too thick?” he asked, reaching to poke me in the ribs with a tickle.

  We didn’t continue our little confrontation, as my dad’s phone suddenly began to buzz in Vance’s pocket.

  “Phone!” we said in unison, and we both jumped up and hurried back into the apartment.

  Dad looked up as we came into the room, Vance holding the phone out in front of him, as he quickly moved to give it to him. He took it from him and answered it.

  “This is Sean. Talk to me,” he said.

  Chapter 10

  We waited with baited breath as Dad listened intently to the person on the other end of the phone. After a second, his body totally relaxed, and he inhaled deeply, before letting out a sigh of relief.

  “Good grief, Stacey. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” he asked, as he looked over at the two of us with a shake of his head. “Your mom wants to know if you bought any baking soda the other day.”

  “I did,” I replied, going over to the freezer and pulling out the box, shaking it a little, while looking inside. “It is about half empty.”

  Dad relayed the message back to Mom, while Vance and I sauntered back out onto the balcony together.

  “I hate sitting here, doing nothing,” he complained, as he sat back down on the lounge chair.

  “I know,” I said, as I sat next to him, reaching over to pat his hand. “But Dad must figure it’s pretty important for you to be here. He stayed here to protect you himself.”

  “Is that what he’s doing?” Vance rolled his eyes and flopped his head back against the seat. “Marvelous.”

  “Don’t be so hard on him.” I smiled over at him. “If he didn’t really care about you, he wouldn’t be here. Welcome to the close family life you’ve always been longing for.”

  He just answered me with some sort of grunt, before he moved his hand to lace his fingers with mine.

  We didn’t talk much as we sat together, allowing the soothing sounds of the ocean to wash back and forth over our senses.

  I found myself slowly being lulled to sleep as I lay with my eyes closed and my head leaned back into the comfortably padded lounge chair. I didn’t realize I had actually fallen asleep though until I felt Vance shaking me gently.

  “Portia,” his sultry voice called out to me, and I lifted my eyelids to look at him. “Hey, baby.” He smiled. “You’ve been sleeping for about an hour now. Some of the coven members have come back in. I thought you might want to hear
what they have to say.”

  “Oh … okay,” I replied, taking the hand he extended out to me, letting him pull me up from the chair.

  We walked back inside, anxious to hear what the others had learned while they had been out on their expeditions.

  Sharon and Fred were inside talking to my dad.

  “We were actually able to talk to the security guard at the facility today,” Sharon was saying, as we came through the sliding door. “We noticed there was a sign advertising one of the warehouse units available for lease. We went up to the gate pretending to be people who were interested in putting a business in there. The guard gave us a card to the listing agent.

  “We also asked him about security on the place,” she continued. “He told us they keep a guard posted at the gate all day and there are three security cameras, one for each of the other walls around the property. He then informed us there’s a group which rents one of the larger units at the facility and that they conduct their business there mostly at night. They post their own security guards there in the evenings. He said the name of the business was called Cummings Enterprises. He gave us a card for them also, if we were interested in contacting them and asking how they like the facility.”

  Fred pulled a card from his wallet at this point and handed it over to my dad for review.

  “So now we have an address and a phone number,” Dad smiled, as he looked over the card, before glancing up to give Fred and Sharon a nod. “Great work, you two. I’m really proud of you.”

  Vance walked over to my dad and asked if he could please have a look at the card, holding his hand out expectantly.

  “He really is here then,” he said somberly, after my dad handed it to him, running his thumb over the card absently for a moment, before snapping back to reality. “This is a home address,” he pointed out, as he leaned over toward me to show me the writing. “We passed the turn to Las Conchas when we were downtown. I believe it’s a resort housing area.”

  “Well, it’s evident that he isn’t trying to hide if that’s true,” I replied, as I looked between my dad and Vance. “That goes right along with what Juan told us. He isn’t afraid of anything or anyone getting in his way.”