Spellbound Murder Complete Trilogy (Spellbound Murder Box Set Book 1) Read online

  Mira turned scarlet.

  “I have to go,” Gabriel said, still attached to his phone. “Mira,” he said stiffly, “thank you for your cooperation tonight.”

  Before Mira could think of a response, he was gone.

  “Cooperation,” Della mocked, “yeah, he’s going to spin this to save face with Ian.”

  “Let him,” Mira said, trying to sound unconcerned. “Maybe he’ll chill out some if I don’t rat him out.”

  Della shrugged. “Need any help cleaning up? Or,” she raised an eyebrow suggestively, “do you have other plans?”

  “I’m good,” Mira said, trying to hurry her friend before she became any more embarrassed. “Thank you for coming by, though.”

  Della winked and saw herself out.

  Mira was unsure of what to say when she and Emmit were alone.

  After a few moments, Emmit once again took one of her hands and rubbed it between his. “You’re freezing.”

  “Yeah. Wet clothes.” Mira said.

  “If you would point the way to the ingredients, I could make us some tea to give you a chance to warm up,” Emmit said.

  “That sounds wonderful,” Mira said.

  Before she could stand, though, he gently turned her chin again.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  Mira smiled, trying to be reassuring. “I slipped on some ice. I’ll be fine.”

  He traced his fingers lightly over the spot where she had hit her head and butterflies began to stir in Mira, making her feel lighter.

  Emmit nodded and stood up. Mira already missed the feeling of his hands.

  “Where may I find your kettle?” Emmit asked, seeming to take a step back.

  Mira wondered vaguely if he was bringing up a wall of formality around himself. “I’ll show you.” She stood, but hesitated. “Is Gabriel a supernatural?”

  “Interesting information bubbles up from the past. Once upon a time, a witch knew who was who, and what was what,” Emmit said.

  Mira stared at him blankly, not certain if that was an insult and trying not to take it as one. “Was that a no?”

  Emmit smiled, the formality seeming to bend. He seemed to be drawing closer without moving. “You should get warm.”

  Would it be worth it to ask again? To press for an answer? She dismissed the idea and showed Emmit where to find everything.

  Once she was ensconced in her bedroom, Mira was torn between wanting to stand under a hot shower for the rest of eternity and rushing back out to spend the time she could with Emmit.

  The need to get warm won, and she split the difference, taking a hot shower, but keeping it short. She put on cute shirt, which needed, unfortunately, to be covered with a heavy sweater. Hopefully, the apartment would warm up enough to lose layers as the evening progressed. Blushing furiously, she thought about the number of layers she’d like to lose with Emmit. Putting the thought out of her head was difficult.

  When her face returned to a fairly normal shade—she could, after all, blame the pinkness on the hot shower—she joined Emmit.

  “Sorry that took so long,” she said.

  The tea was waiting for her. She took a seat at the table next to Emmit and made a face when she saw that he had the letters with him.

  “These,” Emmit said, moving the letters to the side, “could be considered death threats.”

  “I don’t think they’re anything that dramatic,” Mira said, concentrating on the tea.

  “When I went to your shop, I ran into this man, didn’t I?”

  It seemed like eons ago to Mira. “Yeah. He was on his way out.”

  “Are you certain it’s him?” Emmit asked.

  Mira shrugged. “I guess I’m not certain, but who else?”

  Emmit didn’t say anything.

  Using his momentary silence to her advantage, Mira opened her notebook. “I think I’m done creating your spell. I need to double check some of the measurements, but I should be able to cast it tomorrow.”

  “So soon?” Emmit asked.

  “Yeah,” Mira said, “I visited Barney and it gave me the idea to model your spell off the seer’s potion.”

  Emmit smiled. “I wouldn’t have thought of that.”

  “It was just the start. I brought in the physical Balance potion. I had to add a few other things to counteract the reactions from some of the ingredients. Ingredients that work in the Ether and the physical don’t mix well together.”

  “This is brilliant work, Mira.”

  She blushed. “I’d still like to go over a few things. But, except for the items from you, I think I have everything we need.”

  “I hadn’t expected it this quickly,” Emmit said, looking thoughtful.

  Mira had no idea if he considered it was a good thing or a bad thing that the spell was almost ready. “If you’d rather wait, we can. Or... if you’d like someone else to go over it…” The idea made her stomach clench.

  “No, of course not.” He gave her a small smile. “On both accounts. I have some additional requests, however. For the actual performance of the spell.”

  She tried not to frown. The performance of the spell was usually up to the witch. “I’m not sure I know what you mean.”

  “As you are aware, this is a unique situation. I’d like for there to be a double circle.”

  “Oh.” She relaxed a little. “I thought we’d perform it here, so that won’t be a problem. Below us actually, downstairs, not in the actual apartment. It’s not a physical Balance spell, but I still think it would be performed better in closer contact with the ground. Della has let me put in a permanent circle, but I can add another circle inside.”

  “With me in one inner circle and you in the other?”

  Mira tried not to read too much into the suggestion. “I can do that.” That was usually only done when the witch needed to be protected from the effects of the spell or to protect one aspect of a spell from another. It seemed like overkill.

  It also appeared that Emmit wasn’t done. He looked like he wanted to say more, but wasn’t sure how to go about it.

  “Out with it,” Mira said at last.

  He raised an eyebrow at her, but seemed to notice her smile. “It’s a matter of defensive magic. I know that witches keep several spells ready to go. Ones that they don’t have to spend much time casting or ones they’ve already cast, but not yet released.”

  “You know a lot about witches,” Mira said.

  “I have known a few.”

  “It’s true. Witches are known to keep a few spells handy. What about them?”

  “Tomorrow, it may be wise to have something prepared. Not only for defense, but I’d like you to consider offensive options as well.”

  “Because of the spell?” She was tempted to ask what it was he expected to happen. Although, would he even tell her?

  Emmit’s eyes fell on the letters. “For that and…” he nudged the letters, “and anything else that you may face. I wish that the police task hadn’t fallen to you.”

  Mira hadn’t thought it was too bad until tonight. “Are you available tomorrow? Maybe around noon?”

  “I’ll make sure that I am.”

  Mira heard the wind howl outside. It was enough to make her feel cold all over again.

  “How’s your head?” Emmit asked.

  “Sore,” Mira admitted. Her heart melted seeing the tenderness in his expression. “But I’ll be fine. More importantly, I’m warm.”

  There was a thump in the living room and Oracle meowed. Mira couldn’t see the cat, but knew the sound well. Oracle had jumped onto the windowsill.

  Emmit looked toward the sound. “I’m glad to hear that.”

  Mira followed his gaze, though she saw nothing but the wall. Oracle meowed again, and as though the cat were calling for her, she went into the living room. Oracle accepted the attention Mira gave him before she pushed back the curtain.

  It was a bleak and cold landscape. The limbs shifted as the wind rushed by and the lights flicker
ed but stayed on.

  Mira turned and found Emmit standing close behind her. She hadn’t heard him follow her.

  “You’ve had a long day. I should go for the evening.”

  “You don’t have to,” Mira said.

  “You’d like me to stay?” Emmit asked.

  She hadn’t really thought about her words before the offer had popped out of her mouth, but he was right, she wanted him to stay.

  He moved closer to her.

  “If you’d like to,” she said, struggling to make her voice normal.

  “Are you nervous to be alone?” Emmit asked.

  “No.”

  “But you’d like me to stay?”

  “If you want to,” she repeated.

  He was close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating from him. She looked up into his eyes and watched the green turn darker. A tingling feeling of anticipation started to spread. Something she hadn’t felt in what seemed like ages.

  Emmit started to reach out, but seemed to think better of it. “Not tonight. It’s not... I shouldn’t stay tonight.”

  He didn’t move away, though, which made Mira hopeful. “It’s not what?” she asked.

  “Not a good idea.”

  “Why not?” Mira asked, her eyes still locked with his.

  “My control isn’t what it should be.”

  The words made Mira more inclined to get him to stay. She tried to remember when the last time was that she had been with someone.

  “And that’s a bad thing?” Mira asked.

  “It is,” Emmit said with all sincerity.

  “It doesn’t look like a great night for driving.” It was a last ditch effort.

  He smiled. “I have a car service waiting for me.”

  She nodded, finally breaking eye contact and wishing she hadn’t. Emmit’s face changed subtly, and he ran his fingers softly over the side of her injured head.

  “I’m fine,” Mira reminded him.

  “Of course,” Emmit said, putting some distance between them.

  “Do you want more tea or anything before you go?” Mira asked.

  “Thank you, but no.” Emmit went to retrieve his coat.

  “You know everything you need to bring tomorrow?” Mira asked.

  “I’ll be ready,” Emmit said. “Is there anything else you’ll need?”

  “No.”

  Emmit looked out the window while putting on his coat. “The weather does seem to be turning worse again. If you need anything,” he pulled a card from his pocket, “call this company and let them know I sent you to them.”

  Mira took the card. “Reinfield Concierge Services? I haven’t heard of them.”

  “They can arrange almost anything.”

  “Including a car service that will go out in this weather?” Mira asked with a smile.

  Emmit grinned slightly. “Even that.”

  Mira walked Emmit to the door. “I’ll see you around noon?”

  “You will.”

  She was hoping he would move closer to her again, but he seemed to keep a measured distance away.

  “Good night,” Emmit said before disappearing into the cold night.

  Chapter 18

  The idea of holding offensive spells close at hand didn’t sit well with Mira. At least not now with the negativity building around her on its own. There had to be a better way.

  Maybe it wasn’t about keeping a spell ready.

  While Mira readied the spell the following morning, she went through and discarded several ideas. Frustration over her indecision started to mount. When she found herself getting cranky, she decided on a different tactic.

  Clarity was what popped into her mind first. The Clarity spell would mix well with the Fortitude and she hoped it would make her next course of action clear to her.

  Then something else nudged its way in.

  On her own, Mira wouldn’t have thought of offensive spells. She hadn’t even planned any defensive spells that one might find necessary when tracking a murderer.

  Then there was Gabriel. One minute he was asking for information and the next, he considered her guilty of something. Not murder, maybe, but he obviously thought she had done something.

  What would Emmit, Gabriel, or Ian do in her shoes? Better yet, Della? If Della had been placed in Mira’s situation, what would she do?

  Perspective.

  Much more potent and powerful than Clarity, Perspective would put her in the heads of those around her. She would see what choices they would make and become more intimate with their points of view.

  It might really help with Ian as well. If she knew why he kept struggling against the spell so much, she might be able to ease his concerns.

  That alone was worth Perspective. Tumbling down a few stairs could turn into something a lot worse if she wasn’t careful.

  Content in the fact that she was heading in the right direction, Mira prepared for the other spell as well. It would take her longer to cast since she hadn’t done any prep work, but it would be worth it in the end.

  By the time Emmit arrived, she was calmer and felt confident.

  A gust of cold air wrapped its way inside the house when she ushered him in.

  “Did it snow more?” Mira asked, taking a glance outside before shutting the door.

  “Yes, but the roads are much better. How are you feeling this morning?” Emmit asked. He sounded more formal and rigid than he had the night before.

  “Much better,” Mira assured him. “Do want some tea or coffee, or do you want to jump straight into the spell?”

  “Moving forward sounds like the best plan,” Emmit said, appearing to distance himself from her. “I appreciate your assistance in the matter, as well as your discretion.”

  “I’ve enjoyed it. It’s not every day that I get to stretch my witchy abilities.” Mira cleared her throat, not wanting to give Emmit a disclaimer that should come with a new spell, but knowing she had to. “We’re going to need to measure the effects of the spell in order to fine tune it in the future. Overall, more work may need to be done.”

  “It is possible, I would assume, that the opposite could be true. That this spell could be exactly what is needed and work in short order,” he said.

  “It’s possible. The spell will be using your blood, which automatically tunes it to what’s needed to bring you into balance. We’ll also have to see how long it lasts without needing to be renewed. However, it combines two spells that last for extended periods of time—from months to years. So time may not be an issue. It’s hard to say without knowing more details of what is being balanced by the spell.” Mira watched Emmit closely for a moment, trying to see if he would share any further. It wasn’t necessary for her to know in order to make the spell work, but she could make the spell more effective if he gave more details.

  Emmit apparently did not feel the same way. “I am sure that the time will be sufficient for now.”

  “I’m only giving you fair warning. Everything could be perfect.”

  “Do you feel it possible that something could go wrong?” Emmit asked.

  “No, I mean—” Mira hesitated, “it is a possibility, but I sincerely doubt anything could go wrong with what we’re doing. But, since I don’t have all the details and I’m not overly familiar with the Ether, it’s also a possibility that adjustments may need to be made.”

  “Understood,” Emmit said.

  Mira didn’t understand why he seemed so standoffish. Maybe she shouldn’t have asked him to stay last night. Maybe she had tried to jump into something that wasn’t really there.

  “Do you think you’ll need this spell in the future?” Mira asked, grabbing her notebook.

  Emmit’s eyes tightened, but his voice remained neutral. “It’s hard to know what the future may hold.”

  Mira stood there and drummed two fingers against her notebook. Something was wrong and she didn’t know what it was.

  “Is there anything else?” Emmit asked.

  Maybe it
was none of her business. “No,” she said, ripping a page out and dropping her notebook on the table. “You know basically everything that we’re doing in this spell—the ingredients, anyway.” She tried not to sound aggravated when she said the words, but she wasn’t sure she succeeded. “I thought it possible that you may need this again in the future, since the two spells I’m modeling it after have to be renewed.”

  “I can see how you would come to that conclusion,” Emmit said.

  She wanted to say, ‘whatever,’ but managed not to. “Well, I wrote everything out,” she handed him the paper, “in case you need it again and I’m not available. Or if you’d rather not have me perform the spell again.” She couldn’t help but put in the last quip. It wasn’t his fault if she had misread things, but she didn’t like the distance he was placing between them.

  Emmit raised an eyebrow at her. “You are sharing a spell, freely, outside of your family or coven?”

  He understood that, at least. It wasn’t something a witch did regularly. In fact, Mira hadn’t shared a new spell with anyone outside her family and Tyler since college.

  “I am,” Mira said stiffly.

  Emmit stared blankly at the paper, but said nothing.

  “Let’s get downstairs,” Mira said. “I turned on the heat, so you may not need your coat, but you should probably take it just in case.”

  Emmit gently grabbed her arm when she strode past. “Mira…”

  She stopped, but didn’t want to admit that she wanted his hand on her arm. His face was unreadable.

  “This... thank you,” he said, still looking at the page. “I hope you will always see me as worthy of this.”

  That erased some of her ire, but Mira had no idea how to respond, so she just nodded. “Come on. There’s an inside staircase we can use.”

  The stairs spilled out into an empty garage bay. It was interesting to see Emmit look over the space, and then walk around the invisible circle in the floor. Wordlessly, he passed over a small white paper bag. Mira lined the items up on a workbench before dumping them, one at a time, into a small crucible. A thin vial of blood was the last to be added.