Chapter Twenty

Girls Night in and all Hell Breaks Loose, Magic Wielders to the Rescue

The next couple of days whizzed by in a blur. Quinn and his band played Friday night. Cori joined them Saturday and the pub was at near capacity. She and Gavin had fell into bed each night exhausted and woke up in time to take Storm for a decent walk, then pack her up and take her with them. The pup spent her days in the storeroom at the pub so they could give her the breaks she needed.

Synn rolled over and yawned wide, glad they didn’t have to work today. She was looking forward to the girl’s night in at Bridget’s after an early dinner at Mary and Tim’s. Stretched across the bed, she listened to the far off waves pounding on the shoreline and wondered if all this could really last. The town had embraced her. She had friends. Mary and Tim treated her like family. She’d never been happier in her life and intended to savor it for as long as she could. But she wouldn’t fool herself into believing there was a happy ever after for her.

Darkness loomed and she could feel it getting stronger each day. The nightmares were gone. Thanks to Tristian and being able to block her mind while sleeping. She crept out of bed and pushed the curtain aside letting the warm sunshine wash over her. When she slipped out of the bedroom, Storm was still asleep in her crate.

Gavin’s eyes were closed as she tiptoed into his room down the hall from hers. She paused to watch him sleep. How did I get so lucky? Touching a fingertip to her lips then to his full lips, she smiled as the corners of his mouth turned up in a grin.

“Awake already?” he said in a sleepy whisper, reaching out to her.

Storm whined and let out several short barks.

“I’ll let her out.” She rushed into her room, pulled on jeans, a sweatshirt, and after tugging on socks shoved her feet into sneakers.

“If you wait a couple minutes, I’ll go with you.”

“Not sure Storm can wait. We’ll be out front.” She reached for the leash and unlocked Storm’s crate. “Come on, girl.” The puppy rushed out of the crate, all wiggles and licks. She clipped the leash on Storm’s harness, crossed to the front door, and hurried outside.

A few minutes later, Gavin joined them pulling on a light jacket over his green shirt. He took the phone out of his jeans pocket, glanced at the screen, and stuffed it into his jacket. “How about a walk before breakfast?”

“Okay, but not a long one. I’m starved. Don’t want to faint from hunger.” She laughed. “You making a bacon, egg, and cheese omelet?” Storm raced around in circles at their feet, until the leash was wound around their ankles making walking impossible. “Storm halt.” She reached down, grabbed the harness, and unclipped the long lead. When she stepped out of the coils of leash, Gavin did the same but caught a foot and nearly toppled over. Bumping into her, he knocked them both off balance. Laughing, she clipped the leash back on Storm.

He chuckled scrubbing a hand over his face. “Too early. I need my coffee.”

The pup led the way up the steep path to the rocky cliffs. At the top, a light breeze took wisps of short hair and blew them across her face. He reached out and tucked the wayward strands behind her ears. “Why so quiet?”

“A lot on my mind, I guess.” She shrugged.

“Care to share?” He caressed his fingers over her cheek.

“Not yet. What do you need to get ready for your poker party tonight?” She reached up, caught his hand, and twined her fingers though his. Her stomach gurgled. “Better start back.”

“Nothing special. The guys bring snacks and drinks. I’ve got the cards, poker chips, and will set them out on the table before we go to Ma and Da’s. That’s about it. Sure you don’t want to leave Storm with me?”

“No. She’ll be fine. Could you drop us off with the pup’s crate at Bridget’s after dinner?”

“That’ll work. You call me when you’re ready to come back. I don’t think the crate will fit in any of your friends’ cars.”

“You’re right about that.”

He grinned. “Don’t want Storm running loose in the house? Unsupervised?”

“No. She is doing so well. I don’t want her to regress because she didn’t have her crate.”

“Good answer.” He smiled down at her.

When they got back to the house, she left Storm outside in the backyard while they fixed breakfast, ate, and cleaned up the kitchen. Gavin set up for the poker game. She padded over to the window mesmerized by the seabirds swooping and calling to each other.

After he filled Storm’s food bowl in the crate, he called out. “Do you need more than this?” He pointed to the bowl.

She turned her attention from the window to him. “That should be fine. We’ll only be gone a few hours.”

Gavin sent her a cheeky grin. “Unless you have too good a time.” He snickered.

“We’ll see.” She called Storm into the house and waited. The pup circled toward the door, barked, and raced back into the middle of the yard. Eventually, she had to go outside and get her.

He slid the crate into the backseat of the truck, then went back to get the lemon meringue pies she’d prepared for the party and dinner. Finally, she appeared carrying Storm and scolding her.

“Having second thoughts?”

“No, she has to learn to come when called. Her recall sucks,” she retorted.

“She’s young. She’ll learn.” He took the pup from her and put Storm in the crate.

“Thanks for bringing out the pies. I hope your parents and the girls like them.”

“I’m sure they will.” He started the engine and guided the truck down the street. At his parents’ house, the truck rolled to a stop. Ma and Da were waiting in the doorway.

“Where’s my little angel?” His ma crooned making a beeline straight for Storm. His da rolled his eyes.

“We’re having lasagna the Irish way.” Tim said a twinkle in his eye as they passed by him into the house.

She glanced from Tim to Gavin. “What’s lasagna the Irish way?”

“Oh, you’ll see, lass,” Tim said with a chuckle.

“It means that Tim has been experimenting in the kitchen again, and we are the innocent victims,” Tristian said his voice gruff.

Hannah elbowed him in the ribs. “The last thing you’d be is an innocent anything.”

A twitch of Tristian’s lips gave way to a hearty laugh. “His experiments are usually quite tasty.” He slung an arm around Hannah and walked to the couch.

She took Storm out to the backyard and let her go. The pup did her business and rushed back on the porch. “Too many people to pester for you to stay outside?”

Mary bustled out and picked Storm up. “Don’t you be mean to this little darlin’.” She carried her into the house and put her down on the hardwood floor in the middle of a large pile of toys. “Our neighbor, Gemma brought over a few toys for Storm to play with.”

“A few?” Gavin grinned.

“Dinner is ready,” Tim called from the doorway of the kitchen.

As it turned out lasagna the Irish way tasted a lot like regular lasagna with a hint of thyme. She wasn’t so sure about the garlic brown bread, but the green salad and fresh veggies were wonderful. Her pie was a hit. She hoped her friends felt the same way.

After dinner was cleaned up, everyone retired to the living room with coffee or hot tea. “Are you going over to Bridget’s?” She looked over at Mary and Hannah.

“Oh, I wouldn’t miss it for the world. She throws a great girl’s night in,” Hannah said.

“No. I’m looking forward to a quiet night sitting in front of the fire. I have an exciting book, A Witch’s Journey, that I’ve been trying to finish reading. Since Da and Tristian will be joining the lads.” Mary glanced longingly at the book splayed open on the end table.

She followed Mary’s gaze to the book. “What do you like to read?”

“Oh…a little of everything, romance, adventure, and mysteries. Thrillers give me nightmares.” Mary shrugged one shoulder, and her cheeks pinked.

“Hannah, you want to ride with us?” Gavin asked, waving at the zonked-out pup at the front door. “I’m going to take Storm and Synn over and pick them up when the party is over.”

Hannah quirked a brow as Mary handed her a bag. “Why?”

“Hannah, dear, make sure you hold that sack upright.” Mary put her hand under the sack that Hannah was holding sideways.

“Because he doesn’t trust me to drive his truck and we have to put the seats down in my car to get the crate in. It’s a pain.” She made a sour face.

“Oh.” Hannah shot a quick glance at Tristian. “That’d be great.” She held the bag up and put her hand under it replacing her ma’s.

He nodded casting a glance in her direction. “I’ll be over at Gavin’s if you need something.”

“Hey, Trist, you can ride over with me to drop the girls off,” Gavin offered.

“Thanks, but I’d rather have my own vehicle.”

“Okay.”

“Let’s go. Thanks for dinner, Da. It was delicious.”

“Thanks so much,” she added giving Mary a hug. “Sure you don’t want to come to Bridget’s?

“Aye. Don’t get much of a chance to have the house to myself. I’m going to take it. Besides that book’s been calling to me for days.”

She put Storm in the crate and latched the door. When she hopped into the truck, she scooted over making room for Hannah. Gavin picked up the pie from the backseat, handed it to Hannah, and closed the door. He tossed his house keys to Tristian. “I’ll be right over after I drop the girls off.”

Tristian reached up and snatched the keys out of the air, then gave the thumbs up sign. “Tim, you want to ride with me?”

“Aye, let me grab a coat.”

****

She and Hannah knocked on the door and waited. Bridget threw open the door. “Began to wonder if you two were coming.”

“Awww… Bridg, we’re not that late. Had dinner at Ma’s you know how they are. Da had a new recipe that turned out really good. Bet you’ll find it on the menu at Shaughnessy’s in the next while.”

“What was it?”

“Irish lasagna. There’s samples in the bag.” Hannah held up the pie and a paper sack. “Where do you want these?”

“Mmmm—sounds yummy. Put the pie on the table.” Bridget took the bag and walked to the table where nuts, chips, dips, and other munchies were lined up. “Where’s that little fur ball?” She turned and peered around Hannah.

She bopped in with Storm on lead. “She’s right here. We took her for a long walk before we left this morning. The pup played herself out at Mary and Tim’s place.” She glanced over her shoulder at Gavin.

He followed the girls inside carrying the crate. “Excuse me, Bridg, where do you want the crate? Then I’ll be on my way. Don’t want to crash the girl’s party.”

Bridget waved her hand in the direction of the wall. “Over in the corner, where she can see Synn.” Leaning over the table, she sniffed. “The pie looks and smells delish. Let me get plates.” She opened the bag and took two containers out. “We’ll need to warm these up later. I’ll put them in the fridge.”

Gavin set the crate down and opened the gate. He caught her around the waist and kissed her lips. “See you later. Have fun.”

Colleen clicked her tongue. “Friends my arse.”

She felt her cheeks heat, then bent over to unhook Storm so she could visit each of the women. She ignored Colleen’s comment.

“The wine is on the table. The two glasses next to the bottle are yours. The rest of us have ours.” She glanced at Gale, Colleen, and Katie. They held their glasses up and grinned. The red wine in the bottle was nearly gone.

Hannah poured wine in one glass. But when she went to pour the red liquid in the other, only a dribble came out. She swung the decanter around. “Hey, Bridg, we are going to need another bottle.”

“I’ve plenty.” Bridget came out of the kitchen with plates in one hand and two wine bottles, held by the neck, in the other hand.

“Girl, you’re going drop one of those.” Hannah lunged for a bottle.

She took the plates from her as she stumbled over Storm. “Sorry. I’ll put her in the crate.”

“You’ll do no such thing. She’s just fine.” Gale grabbed the pup from under Bridget’s feet. The other girls nodded in agreement.

“Okay, but if you get tired of her or she gets naughty, put her in her crate. She’s got food and water inside.”

“What movie do you want to start with?” Bridget asked holding several Blu-ray discs.

“How about the one set in the 50s at a resort. Dancing something.” Hannah blurted out.

Bridget waved a movie box around. “Got it right here. All agreed?”

“Sure—if we can watch that one Mike something about male strippers next?” Gale shot back.

The girls moaned. She wasn’t sure which one shouted. “Those guys are hot.” But she had to agree after checking out the cover Bridget held.

“Fair enough, that’s next.” Bridget tossed the first one to Katie who put it in the player. Bridget dimmed the lights and set the big bowl of popcorn in the center of the coffee table between the group.

After a couple of hours and another bottle of wine, the popcorn bowl was empty, and Bridget tuned up the lights. “Ready for the male strippers?”

“Oh yeah, bring ’em on,” Katie shouted.

Feeling a little light-headed, she glanced at Bridget. “How about I warm up the Irish lasagna?” She stood and headed for the kitchen but paused at the sound of Bridget’s voice.

“Ohh, good idea. Let me get the movie in, and I’ll be right there.” Bridget popped open the movie case.

Inside the kitchen, she searched for the light switch. Unable to locate it, she made her way to the fridge and opened the door. Light flooded the dark kitchen. She took a dish of lasagna from the first shelf. Still not seeing the switch, she called out, “Hey Bridget, where’s the light switch?”

“Be right there as soon as I get the Blu-ray dislodged. It’s stuck in the player,” her friend’s frustrated voice answered.

“I’ll show her,” Gale called out.

She turned with the refrigerator door wide open and managed to set the dish on the counter. Suddenly, the door closed with a thwack. An eerie blue mist fringed in red rose from the floor. She screamed recognizing the shape as Baltizar his robes emitting a blue glow.

The fuzzy effects of the alcohol gone in an instant, she shielded her mind and took a step back. With a ball of energy snapping and popping in her palm, she reached out. Her hand cut through the image. It’s a hologram. Her fist snapped shut, extinguishing the energy as an unseen force slammed her against the wall.

“You stole…” Baltizar’s image grinned. He raised his hands, palms out. His uneven, yellowed teeth bared in the moonlight streaming through the window. The red edges of the image began to blur. “I want it back…”

She gulped in air. He’s not real. He’s not real. “I’ve nothing of yours,” she retorted in a terse whisper getting to her feet. The ball of energy returned to her palm.

The light flicked on. The demon’s image disappeared without a trace. Gale stood in the doorway, arms raised, and gaze scalpel sharp. “What’s wrong?” Thunderous footsteps raced across the floor. The rest of the girls peered from behind Gale. Storm whined in the other room.

Her mind frantically searched for an answer that would satisfy the group without scaring the bejeebers out of them. Keep the magic secret. Wind howled around the house. Shadows danced on the kitchen walls from the trees outside silhouetted by the full moon. “The moving shadows surprised me when the fridge light came on.” Her voice shook, and she took several deep breaths. “Sorry.”

The others laughed it off and returned to the living room where Bridget cursed her Blu-ray player. Gale stood rooted to the spot. In a low voice she said, “That explanation may appease them, but I smell the magic, and feel the darkness. What happened? You all right?”

“I don’t know—I mean—yes. A little shaken—but fine.” Her voice gained strength as she spoke. If I’d had my full magic, would I have unleashed it in my panic?

“We’d better summon Tristian. And Gavin.” Gale reached into her pocket.

“Don’t spoil the fun for the others. It…he…was only a hologram.”

“Aye, a hologram that slammed you against the wall. How is that even possible?” Gale shook her head. “Especially after expending the power it took for him to appear here from the seventh level of Hell?”

“I don’t know,” she shot back without thinking.

“Even more concerning is how’d he know to appear here?” Gale threw her hands up and let them fall to her side. “Fun would be spoiled if one or all of us ended up dead.” Gale stared pointedly toward the next room.

“He’s gone,” she said flatly.

“For how long? What did he want?” Gale demanded as she fisted her hands on her hips.

“Not sure. He accused me of stealing. But he didn’t say what. Only that he wanted it back.” She knew it was a futile attempt to keep Gale in the dark. He wanted his magic back.

“Bollocks to that. He discovered you have his magic, and he wants it back.” Gale went silent, her eyes blank for several seconds.

“Gale…Gale, are you all right?” She put a gentle hand on her friend.

When the witch focused again she said, “Tristian and Gavin are on their way.”

Gale moved to the counter, waved her hand over the lasagna, and steam rose from the dish. She snapped her fingers and a bell sounded. “Food’s ready.” Gale pointed to the cupboard to the right of where she stood. “Plates?”

“Wait, how am I going to explain the guy’s appearance?” She got dishes out of the cupboard Gale indicated and walked to the door way.

“Let them handle it.” Gale whirled around, waved her hand, index finger pointing to the cantankerous Blu-ray player. The disk popped out and sailed through the air landing on the carpet at Colleen’s feet.

Colleen giggled and picked up the disc. She nearly dropped it, then turned it over peering intently at the object. “Not even a scratch on it. Lucky.”

Bridget stood slack jawed staring at the machine with a flat-tip screwdriver in her hand. A second later she waved the tool around. “That’ll teach it.” Bridget slid another disc carefully in the player and touched a button. The drawer closed, and she blew out a breath. “All set. Come on over, fill your plate, and we’ll watch the next movie.”

Her gaze switched from Gale to Bridget and lingered on the front door. She could feel Tristian’s presence, but…

“Thanks.” Bridget and the others grabbed the plates out of her hands as they came through the doorway. Bridget stopped, opened the silverware drawer, and pulled forks and a large serving spoon out. Her friend commenced to scooping up portions of the lasagna and depositing the delicious smelling food on the plates.

Her stomach growled loudly. Bridget handed her a plate heaped with steaming noodles, meat, cheese, and sauce.

A loud knock sounded on the door. “Who the hell could that be at this time of night?” Bridget dropped the spoon back in the dish. Tomato sauce splattered on the counter.

“I’ll get it,” she said in unison with Gale.

Bridget followed the girls to the door, peered through the peep hole. “Well, I’ll be damned.” She opened the door a crack. “What are you doing here?”

“Good evening—or sorry morning to you too. May I speak with Hannah?” He held a bulky light green parka folded over his arm.

“Yes, of course. Come in.” She opened the door wide, motioning him inside with her hand. “Can I get you something to eat or drink?”

“No. Hannah left her parka in my car. Figured she’d need it since it appears a storm is blowing in.”

Hannah turned around to stare at the back of her chair and shifted her gaze to Tristian. A puzzled expression spread across her face.

She covered her mouth to hide a snicker. Hannah knew that coat was on the back of her chair earlier. A truck’s engine rumbled out front. A door slammed. In an attempt to peer out the door, she cut in between Tristian and Bridget. He caught her arm. “It’s Gavin. He drove me over.”

Oh, I don’t think so. You were here several minutes before he drove up. She answered telepathically.

Protecting my interests. His smooth deep voice wafted through her mind. After being summoned by Gale, I put a protection spell in place. All of you should be safe the rest of the night. We’ll discuss this when we return to pick you two up.

A female voice interrupted inside Synn’s mind. “What the hell is going on?” She put her hands to her head. There were too many people inside her mind. Knock it off, all of you. I can’t even think.

Tristian smirked as Gavin rushed in, concern creased his face. He reached out and touched her hand. She nodded.

“In or out boys, I’m not heating the outside.” Bridget wrapped her arms around herself and pushed on the door. The two couples clogging the doorway moved inside.

Tristian handed Hannah her coat. “Didn’t mean to crash your party. Dropping this off and we’ll be on our way.” He nudged Gavin toward the door.

“All right, girls, male strippers up next.” Bridget snickered all the way to the Blu-ray player.

Tristian’s jaw dropped as he stared from Bridget to Hannah. Gavin’s eyes went wide, and his gaze flew to hers.

“What!” they said simultaneously.

She coughed and covered her mouth to hide a giggle at the expressions on the men’s faces. “It’s only a movie.” She kissed Gavin on the cheek and flounced away to secure her seat in front of the television.

Tristian regained his composure first. “See, you leave a gaggle of women to their own devices and this is what you get. Booze, debauchery and…” He smirked. “Come on Gavin. We got a poker game to get back to.” Whirling around to face the women, a mischievous smile turned up the corners of his lips. “We could make it strip poker if you girls would like to play.”

Gavin chuckled, turned the knob, and held the door open shoving Tristian through it as a bright blue pillow flew at them. The pillow hit the backside of the door, slid to the ground as the door closed with a bang.

“Those two men are—HOT.” Colleen said looking from her to Hannah. “Maybe we should join the guys.”

Hands on her hips, Bridget narrowed her eyes at Colleen. “I’m cutting you off, no more wine. We’d be the ones showing our assets, believe me.” Bridget pushed the play button and dimmed the lights.