Chapter 10

Catlyn called Amelia frequently over the next three days, but all her calls went directly to voicemail. The police hadn’t contacted her yet with any information. Her fear for her friend raged, no matter how many times she told herself Amelia was having a great time with her new boyfriend and she was being paranoid. At odd moments, the image of Amelia in a pool of blood would rise in her mind to haunt Catlyn.

Trying to get her mind off her friend’s plight, Catlyn bustled around her tiny apartment, cleaning. Laughter bubbled up as Mittens skittered across the living room floor, barreling into the bedroom when Catlyn turned on the vacuum cleaner. Boots casually jumped onto the breakfast bar in the kitchen, where he warily watched the mechanical monster making all the noise.

Her timer pinged, reminding her to take her last batch of laundry out of the dryer. She flipped off the vacuum and slid the machine into the small utility closet in the hallway between her living area and the bedroom. Grabbing an empty basket, she skipped down the stairs to the apartment complex’s laundry room.

When she returned, a tough-looking woman in her late forties sat on the top stair, waiting. Her pixie cut brown hair accentuated her triangular chin. At the moment, tufts stuck out at odd angles. She wore dark jeans, black ankle boots, and a dark t-shirt, showing off her toned, muscular arms. The woman’s cinnamon-brown eyes held the promise of lethal menace, but Catlyn knew it was a facade. Jade had a heart of gold.

Catlyn paused at the bottom of the stairs, studying her godmother. A black eye swelled her right eye shut, and a butterfly bandage sealed a cut over her left eyebrow. Mottled purple and green bruises covered both arms, and her left arm hung in a sling.

“Damn, Jade, you look awful,” Catlyn said. “That must have been one hell of an assignment. No wonder you haven’t called me back.”

“Thanks, kid.” Sarcasm dripped from Jade’s voice. She grimaced as she pushed to her feet. She usually moved with lithe grace. “I’ve been down for the past week. My staff didn’t think to check my personal phone for messages.”

“But what about the week before that? I’ve been trying to reach you for two weeks now, Jade.”

“I was out of town. There wasn’t any cell reception where I was. Can we go inside where it’s more comfortable?”

Catlyn climbed the stairs, joining Jade on the landing, who at five-ten, towered over Catlyn. “Sure, the door’s open. Why didn’t you go in? You have a key.”

“It didn’t seem right to invade your space after the way we last parted company. I am trying not to be so overprotective of you.”

Jade preceded Catlyn into the apartment, her eyes skimming over the area. Catlyn rolled her eyes. Jade always searched for threats, even in a safe place. Catlyn dumped her clean clothes out of the basket and onto her bed so they wouldn’t be as wrinkly when she folded them later. A smile played on Catlyn’s lips at the sight of Boots in Jade’s lap, rubbing against her hand and demanding attention. He’d love anyone who would pet him.

Catlyn opened the fridge and filled two glasses with ice water. She held out one to Jade, debating if she should also offer a couple of aspirin.

Jade murmured her thanks and took a deep drink. “So, sweet girl, tell me what has you so frightened and worked up about.”

Catlyn slumped onto the other end of the couch. “It’s so scary, Jade, and it’s totally freaking me out.” She told Jade about the two men following her. As she did, she nonchalantly pushed the blind up. Smoker Dude leaned against his car, smoking. “One of my stalkers is out there now.”

Jade swiftly twisted to peer out the window. “That guy smoking?”

Catlyn’s jaw dropped. “How can you see them when no one else has been able to?”

Jade made a face, then winced as it tugged on her healing cut. “You don’t think all the magic I’ve taught you is just imaginary or pretend, do you? The asshole is using a cloaking spell.” Her lips pulled into a thin line, and her uninjured hand balled into a fist.

Catlyn’s eyebrows squished together, confused why it made her godmother so angry.

“I’m putting a protective detail on you,” Jade announced in a tight voice, “and tomorrow morning you’re going to start training with me again.” She scowled down at her arm in the sling. “I’ll arrange for someone to spar with you.”

Catlyn had anticipated the training, but not the bodyguards. “No, Jade. I don’t need to be babysat by your people. I don’t want them hanging around. It’s bad enough to have my every move watched by those guys.”

“My men will be monitoring those idiots, not you.”

“But they’ll still be getting in my way.”

“Posh.” Jade waved her hand in a negating motion. “You won’t even know they’re around. You haven’t before.”

“What?” Catlyn shifted on the couch to face Jade, glowering at her. “You’ve had people watching me?”

Jade held up her hand defensively. “Only in times of danger, honey. They’ve never been there to intrude or interfere with your personal life. I just want to make sure you’re safe. Do you remember Robbie?”

Catlyn inclined her head. Robbie was one of her boyfriends Jade had run off.

“He wasn’t who or what you thought he was, Catlyn. He was dealing drugs and ran into trouble with his supplier. They threatened to hurt you if he didn’t pay up. Remember the car accident you two were in? That wasn’t an accident. If my guys hadn’t been protecting you, you’d be dead right now.”

Catlyn’s hand flew up to cover her open mouth. “Oh! I didn’t know.”

“Your safety is important to me. I’d much rather have you alive to be angry at me, then to bury you like your parents.”

Jade’s eyes misted over, and she looked away. Jade had been good friends with both of Catlyn’s parents before they were killed. Even after Catlyn had moved in with her mother’s sister, Aunt Lucy, Jade had stayed close with Catlyn.

Catlyn’s hurt and anger slid away like water down the drain. Jade always had Catlyn’s best interests at heart. Jade didn’t have any children of her own and treated Catlyn like the daughter she wished she’d had. The awkwardness between them lifted like a broken creek damn, and their conversation flowed again as easily as it had when she was younger.

Catlyn reached up to switch on a lamp as twilight deepened the shadows in the living room. A contented smile lifted her lips. It had been a long time since she and Jade had talked the afternoon away.

“Leave it off,” Jade said. “Grab your purse. Let’s go get dinner. My treat.”

“Mexican?” Catlyn jumped off the couch.

Jade’s eyes glittered with amusement. “Of course.”

Catlyn’s Aunt Lucy and Uncle Robert hated Mexican food, which was unusual for people living in Southern California where the cuisine was so prevalent. Whenever Catlyn had spent time with Jade growing up, she’d beg to go out for her favorite food. It had become their “thing.”

When Catlyn returned from her bedroom, bag in hand, Jade was tucking her cell phone into her jeans pocket. Catlyn assumed she’d been calling in reinforcements to watch Catlyn. Jade made a point of walking in front of Smoker Dude and glare at him. His face paled, and he slithered into his car, talking frantically with someone on his cell phone.

Catlyn’s respect for Jade grew to new heights with her ability to frighten the tough guy with simply her presence. It didn’t stop Smoker Dude from following them from the parking lot. Jade zipped through a yellow light as it turned red, leaving him behind. Catlyn twisted around and saw him hitting his steering wheel in frustration.

Jade took several turns on small side streets and through the neighborhood. When Catlyn looked back again, there wasn’t any sign of the black sedan that had been her constant companion for the last two weeks. She pressed a palm to her chest. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to have Jade’s people protecting her.

Her feeling of safety fled when she glanced up from her food. Amelia’s date from the other night and Blond Guy sauntered past her. How in the hell did he find me? Where’s Amelia?

Amelia’s boyfriend insisted on taking a table where he had a clear view of Catlyn. He gave Jade a disdainful flick of his eyes, dismissing her while he leered at Catlyn and seductively licked his lips. Catlyn’s skin crawled, and her fork clattered to her plate.

“Catlyn, what’s wrong?” Jade turned her head, her body going rigid. Her voice sounded strained when she asked, “Do you know that man? The one with the long hair?”

“No, but his friend is one of the men stalking me. For some odd reason, they’ve taken an interest in me. I saw the man when I went down to the beach at the last full moon. He didn’t say anything, but he freaked the hell out of me. The next day, the short-haired guy and that other goon started following me. It’s why I’ve called you so many times.”

“This isn’t good.” Concern filled Jade’s eyes.

“And to top it off, he’s dating one of my clients, who is also a friend.”

“Tell her to stay away from Michael Drogger. He’s as dangerous an asshole as they come.”

Catlyn squeezed her hands together in her lap, staring down at them. “I think it’s too late. She didn’t show up for her healing appointment, nor is she answering her phone.”

She told Jade about seeing Amelia and Michael on her date and her reading for Amelia.

The muscles in Jade’s jaw tightened, and anger filled her eyes as Catlyn talked.

“How do you know him?” Catlyn asked.

Jade closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Long story, and it isn’t important right now. You will accept the protection detail I put on you and you will train with me, not just the martial arts, but the magic as well.” Jade motioned to the waitress for their check.

Catlyn kept an eye on Michael and his bodyguard, her breaths coming in quick pants. When they were back in the car, her breathing eased.

“Do you remember the protection ritual against psychic attack I taught you?” Jade asked as they left the restaurant parking lot.

“Yes…” Catlyn stuttered, fear blooming in her chest, cutting off her breath.

“Then do it. Tonight. It’s dark moon, a perfect time for it. It will protect you in the spiritual realm while my guys will guard you in the physical world. Michael is capable of hurting you in either place, or both.”

Catlyn moaned and ducked her head between her legs. A crippling, knotting terror took residence in her belly.

“What … what does he want with me?”

“I don’t know. Nothing good, I can assure you.” Jade rubbed her back. “I’ll keep you safe, sweet girl. Just as I always have.”

They rode in silence the rest of the way to Catlyn’s place. As Jade pulled into the parking lot, they passed a car parked with a view of both Catlyn’s apartment and Smoker Dude’s sedan. The man inside saluted them. Catlyn’s breathing eased, knowing someone stood between her and her stalkers.

After Jade left, Catlyn cleared her altar and called in the elements and directions. Then she created a crystal grid on it to neutralize and protect her from psychic attack. She formed a circle of tumbled black sardonyx stones. To create the main spokes of a wheel, she used wands made from rose quartz, amethyst, citrine, and rutilated quartz. In the center, she put a large chunk of clear quartz.

Catlyn laid down twelve pieces of deep-blue lapis lazuli to create an equal-armed cross, pointing to the four cardinal compass points. She set a piece of tourmalinated quartz in the northeast quadrant, and across from it, a piece of raw amertine. In the southwest quarter rested a large raw ruby with a rod of black tourmaline in the opposite quarter.

She called on the Goddess Hecate to guard and protect her. She picked up a small crystal singing bowl and tapped the leather encased mallet against the bowl. The pure, high-pitched tone echoed in her bedroom. As she ran the mallet around the rim, the sound grew. From somewhere deep within her, she sang a chant in an unknown, sacred language. Catlyn could feel the central clear quartz gather in the energy from the other crystals, the crystal bowl vibrations, and her chant.

Opening her eyes, she sat with her mouth agape. A powerful, dark energy swirled faster and faster within her magic circle. She knew that not everything dark was evil, nor was all that appeared light, good. When the energy peaked, the clear quartz absorbed it. Catlyn stopped chanting and playing the crystal bowl.

As the vibrations of the bowl faded, she held her breath. Before she ran out of air, a beam of dark light shot out of the tip of the crystal, through the ceiling, and burst from the room. The crystal pulsed once more, and the dark light zoomed toward her, surrounding her in a protective shield. She knew and trusted that nothing evil could penetrate it.

That night, she slept better than she had since sensing Michael watching her from the bluffs at full moon.