Chapter Six

Kianso and Seth arrived slightly late to the engagement party. Evidently Seth had issues with being on time. Most of the guests had already arrived, including the guests of honor. The couple hung by the hors d’oeuvres chatting with people.

Seth presented them with his gift. “Congratulations,” he said, shaking Van’s hand and kissing MonalLisa, first on one cheek and then the other. The archangel could really pull out the charm when he wanted to.

“I’m honored you are in town and could attend,” Van said, his Russian accent evident. “It is good to see you.”

Seth dipped his head. “I feel the same.”

He introduced Kianso to Van, and the two men shook hands.

“You should visit more often. Both of you,” Van said. “Nocturne Falls is a nice place.”

“I know. That’s why I purchased a condo in town,” Seth said.

Kianso’s gaze shot past the two men in front of him, tuning out their banter as he eyed a woman out on the veranda. Last night, she’d fled into the streets in front of the restaurant and he’d lost her. Now, here she was.

She wore a coral halter top and black skinny jeans that hugged her slim, yet shapely bottom. There was a delicacy about her frame…as if she might break easily. A band of shimmering beads wrapped her upper arm. Slowly, she turned her head and peered at him over a bare shoulder. A jolt hit him in the chest. He was inexplicably drawn to her.

“Excuse me,” he said to Seth and Van, and then began walking in her direction without taking his eyes off her. He wasn’t going to lose her this time.

He watched her as she wrapped her arms about her waist, hugging herself. His first thought was something was wrong. From deep inside him, a vision sprang forth. He inhaled sharply. He’d seen her before in a dream years ago…before he’d even fled Hawaii. Suddenly he recalled that he’d felt a link with her then, and he sensed a stronger bond with her now.

A group of women formed a semicircle around her. As he approached, he picked up bits of conversation. Someone mentioned that she was under a spell that only allowed her to be in human form for a few hours each day, and she was desperate to get back to normal. Though he wasn’t sure what normal was.

One thing he did know without question was that this woman was meant for him. It was more than love at first sight. It was two souls being connected. He understood how it was possible. At least from a shamanic point of view. But he also realized the feelings were not necessarily mutual or even that a union was a sure thing. There was many a man who missed his soul mate due to misconceptions.

Kianso tensed, unsure what her reaction to him would be. Even so, he strolled right up to her and extended his hand in greeting. “Hello. I’m Kianso Oka Kane. I couldn’t help overhearing that you have a bit of a problem.”

She froze, gazing into his eyes. Her long, dark lashes dipped slowly down and then back up as she took his hand. Electricity shot through him at her touch.

“I-I’m Sasha,” she said.

“Is there something I can do to help?” he asked.

The striking young blonde stepped forward, separating herself from the group slightly. “That’s very kind of you to come to my aid. Honestly, I can use all the help I can get with this stupid spell, but I’m not sure there’s anything you can do.”

Her words somehow warmed him from the inside out. He examined the assembly of women again. He opened up his senses in a way he hadn’t since he’d left Hawaii.

“I doubt there’s anything you can do,” the woman closest to him said with a slight laugh. She had a brunette bobbed hairdo, whiskey-brown eyes, and a petite build. “Not unless you’re a warlock or sorcerer.” She held out her hand for him to shake. “I’m Charisma, the middle sister.”

“Witches? You’re all witches?” he asked in an even tone.

“Bingo. Give the man a prize,” Marigold said.

“I’m not.” Caroline raised her hand, singling herself out. He got the feeling that she wanted him to know there was at least one approachable person among them.

“Ladies, meet the witch doctor,” Pandora said, raising a manicured brow.

“Shaman,” he corrected with a smile.

She smiled congenially back. “Sorry. When we all get together we get a little out of hand. May I introduce the witches of Nocturne Falls?” She quickly pointed out each female witch in the group as she went around the circle. “My sisters, Charisma and Marigold; my mother, Corette; Dominique; Martha; and our high priestess, Alice.”

“Ladies.” He nodded. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Absently, he realized he’d never been in the company of so much power in all his life.

Caroline lightly touched Sasha’s arm. “We need to hurry and get things set up.”

Sasha eased forward again, her eyes pleading to him. “Please allow us some privacy. I don’t have much time.”

He held out his hand, hoping she’d place hers in his. “I might be able to help.”

Accepting his offered hand, she eased into his personal space. He wrapped her hand in both of his.

“Unfortunately, I don’t know if anyone can help.” She scanned the area nervously. “And I don’t want to detract from the festivities. I only came here to introduce myself to the coven and learn if there is anything they could do. I’ll be leaving in”—she glanced at her watch and shifted closer to the women—“a few minutes.”

Pandora placed a hand on her hip, standing tall and regal. “Don’t worry. The coven will take your case under advisement.”

He wondered if she was the oldest sister. She seemed to take charge.

Sasha smiled weakly. “Good. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. I just don’t know what else to do.”

Her distress tugged at his heart. He wanted to draw her into an embrace and hold her.

“Explain to us what happened,” Pandora added.

Her throat worked before Sasha spoke. “I had a misunderstanding with my friend, Lilly Reese. She got the wrong impression from her boyfriend that we had gotten together or something. In her anger, she cast a hex on me. And now—” she spread her arms wide, palms up “—I’m only human for three hours out of the day.”

“Geez. You do need our help,” Charisma said.

“The alternative is to live out the duration of the spell,” another witch commented.

“I don’t even know how long that will be,” Sasha said sadly. Then suddenly, with no fanfare at all, she shifted into a bird.

Kianso sucked air into his lungs. If he wasn’t mistaken, she was the same bird he’d encountered downtown that afternoon.

The group of witches gasped in unison.

“Poor girl,” one of them whispered.

Kianso held out the back of his hand. The bird perched on it. “Don’t worry,” he said. “We’ll figure this out together.”

He was standing in the middle of the veranda among the group of witches when Seth marched up, seeming distressed.

Seth leaned in, saying under his breath, “I’m sorry, Five-O, but I have to bug out. I received a summons from the Divine Tree in Japan.” He dropped keys into Kianso’s free hand. “I feel bad deserting you, but make yourself at home for as long as you like.” Seth knuckled-bumped his shoulder.

Kianso was taken aback. He was still reeling over what was happening with Sasha. Surprised by the turn of events, he nodded, regaining his composure. “Okay, man. No problem.”

With that, Seth saluted the ladies. He hustled into the backyard and flew upward until he vanished into a speck of bright light.

Behind him, he heard one of the witches whisper to another. “I like that archangel. I really do.”

The bird climbed up his arm onto his shoulder. He glanced around, his eyes at last settling on Pandora, drawing on his lawyer persona. “I’ll be staying at Seth’s condo at the Excelsior for the next few days. If you should come up with a strategy for Sasha, please contact me. I’d really be grateful.”

“I have a place there, also,” Charisma said, “So we can easily stay in touch.”

For a few seconds, he stood there meeting the gazes of the witches. They were all beautiful women, and by the nods of their heads and sympathetic expressions, they seemed willing to come to Sasha’s aide.

“Pandora, you may consult my library and see if there is remedy to the spell,” Corette said, nodding. “If necessary, we will contact the ACW for suggestions.”

He had no clue what she was talking about. He squinted at her and his brow furrowed.

“The American Council of Witches,” she said by way of explanation. “There are rules about casting a spell in anger,” Corette added. “Rest assured. We’re here to help.”

Kianso glanced around, past the small gathering on the porch. He wanted to start figuring this out now, this minute. “So, when do we leave? If there’s any way I can help, just say the word.”

Pandora strolled by him and paused to pat his cheek. “Patience. I don’t want to interfere with the festivities. We’ll begin tomorrow.”

Everyone seemed to agree. This wasn’t the time nor the place to pursue the problem at hand. The group dispersed, returning to the celebration. Kianso hung around for an hour or so, and while everyone was very friendly and inviting, he still felt like an outsider. Seth had been the one truly invited to this shindig, and he was gone.

Caroline kindly filled in the gap, introducing him around. But even though she made the extra effort, he could tell she didn’t move among the inner circles of the town. Not like Seth did. Finally, shortly after nine o’clock, he said goodnight and headed out.

Sasha had stayed perched on his shoulder the entire time he remained at the party, but outside on the front porch, she flew from him to Caroline. “I live next door if you need anything,” she explained. “You can find me there or at the pet shop.”

“Okay,” he said, smiling his thanks. “I’ll check in tomorrow.”