EIGHT

 

Sometime around midnight I finally turned in, trying to sort out how I’d so misread T.J. and hoping he still considered me worth catching. Just as I was getting ready to turn out the light, Merle appeared on the bottom of my bed with a cat’s-got-the-cream grin on her mug. “I’m home, Mommy. Hope your evening was as amorous as mine.”

“Don’t brag.” I threw the covers back, almost knocking her off the bed. “People can’t get lucky all the time.”

She sidled up close to me as I slid between the sheets. “I take it your night didn’t go as planned.”

“Brilliant, Sherlock,” I muttered, turning off the bedside sconce.

Merle crept up to my head and lay next to me on my pillow. “Can you tell me what happened?” she whispered in my ear. “The last time I saw you, you were walking hand in hand down the beach.”

“That was pre-announcement that there’d be No SUITIL. That’s the line women usually use.”

“Uh, call me dense, but what’s No SUITIL mean?”

“It’s a joke from Evolve training camp. Young inexperienced humans, almost exclusively women, say ‘Sorry, No Sex Until I’m Truly In Love.’”

Merle gasped. “He said that? No, there’s got to be a mistake.”

“He said it.” I turned on my side, looking into Merle’s blue eyes. “Why did you say it’s a mistake?”

“He doesn’t look like the celibate type.”

“What does celibate look like? Is there a mark? Do I have it and not know it?”

She arched her back and then stretched down. “I don’t know what it looks like exactly. And heaven knows you aren’t marked. But, I can tell you, celibate doesn’t look like him. In fact, he’s got ‘let’s get it on’ eyes.”

“His eyes lied. He’s saving himself for his one true love.”

“If you say so. Did you smell him?”

“Yes, of course. Given he doesn’t use cologne, it’s easy. He smelled fresh.”

She shook her head. “It’s too bad they don’t teach you more about smell in Evolve training camp. Next time you get near him, take a good whiff.”

“He’s liable to think he has odor issues if I do that.”

“I didn’t say snort, I said sniff.”

“I doubt I’ll get the chance. I’ll be lucky if he comes back to my class.”

“Everything will look better in the morning, Pleasant dreams, Mir-annn-da.”

“You, too.” I yawned.

I floated through a Victorian bedroom. There lay a nude T.J. sprawled on the bed. I looked him over twice, starting at his head and working my way down to his beautifully shaped feet then back up to his eyes. Smiling, I licked my lips at his body’s invitation.

He beckoned me forward. Suddenly, I went from clothed to wearing my thong and matching uplift bra as I sauntered toward him. As I reached him, his fingers flicked open the front clasp of my bra, my breasts springing free and his hands sliding beneath them, his thumb brushing—

A crash thundered through the room. I bolted upright. “I’m cursed! I can’t even get laid in my dreams.”

I moaned as Merle bounded from the bed with a “Eyowwwwwlll!” She sailed through the air as a bright pink ball of light bounced off the walls and exploded over a tall heavy figure in the shadows.

“Get off me. Stop scratching me. Ouch, you’re electrocuting me, for God’s sake!”

Then the guy jumped from my second floor window.

I ran to the open pane and spotted him on the ground, swearing a blue streak. A huge dark black figure loomed over him. His black wings spread at least fifteen feet. “Nadulbar!” he called in a deep raspy voice.

His name and his voice simultaneously chilled my bones. I said a prayer to Ariel and Ms. C, mentally shielding myself and the house in bright white light, and hoping for guardian help. Ariel, in her lion form, appeared outside behind the Baal-Rog. She reared up on two feet and snarled at the demon, sparks flying from her mane.

Nadulbar disappeared, and the man struggled to his feet. He ran down the beach, stopping every few feet to scream in pain, my favorite thong and matching bra clutched in his hand.

“Should I call the police?” I asked Merle.

“Naw.” She sat on her haunches preening. “I guarantee he won’t be any trouble to anybody again.” She slanted me a glance. “It felt good to be able to save you this time.”

* * * *

 

The next morning I met Seth, Natasha, Olivia and Hazel for breakfast at the small beachfront café we’d stopped at earlier in the week. Josh and Gregory were deep-sea fishing and Rae decided to stay home and keep the kids.

This time due to the rising humidity, we opted to eat indoors. Sitting at a large circular booth next to the awning shaded windows, we waited until our breakfast was served before I recounted my night.

As usual for the angel crew, each person identified with a different part of my night: Olivia was concerned over Nadulbar and T.J.’s reaction to the food; Seth was obsessing over the guy with my lingerie in his hand, and Natasha was still asking me more details about my naked T.J. dream.

“I don’t know why that menu didn’t work with the guy,” Olivia said. “It sure worked when Gregory pulled it on me.”

“Yeah, well, he looked like he was sampling food at a wine tasting, not seeing it as an appetizer for the feast to come.”

“I don’t get it, either. Gregory swears it works. I sure did on me. And the guy who taught him it swore by it.”

“Who was it?” I asked.

She sighed. “Jared. He used it in a former life when he was a member of the wealthy Spanish grandees. Everything was about staying in their elite social circles, so they wined and dined their intended to make the senorita happy.”

“Why am I not surprised? No wonder it didn’t work on T.J. If he is Jared, and it was Jared’s ploy for getting women into his bed. I should’ve recognized that. The jerk used it on me.”

“You should be ashamed of yourself, Miranda,” Hazel said. “If what T.J. told you is true, the scene unnerved him.” She ignored my incredulous expressions and soldiered on. “I mean, you were moving faster than he’s ready. He wants to get to know you and fall in love, not have a one-night stand.” She shook her finger at me then turned on Natasha and Seth. “You’re all angels, and should act accordingly. Sometimes you’re not funny, you’re just plain vulgar.”

My cheeks burned and, as I looked at my companions, I saw their embarrassment mirrored mine. This was why we so seldom let humans know about us. They didn’t understand that Earth Angels weren’t like the angels they’d been raised on. We inhabited human bodies and had all the desires and lusts of humans. Incogs were born in a human body and have no idea they’re Earth Angels. However Evolves, which all of us are, are the walk-ins and know who and what we are. Once on Earth, we’ll live a normal lifespan, fulfill our mission, and also experience all the sensual pleasures of having a body.

Grinning, Olivia glanced at the television over the bar. “Get a load of the story they’re covering.” A photo of a man flashed on the screen. Beneath his mug shot was the headline: Sex Burglar.

“That’s the man from last night,” I hissed.

“According to the Neptune Beach police, fifty-five year old Nelson Nesbitt walked into the local police station last night. Asked if he’d turned himself in because he’d been headlined on a recent broadcast of ‘America’s Most Wanted,’ he’d said, ‘No, it was being attacked by demons that made him go straight.’”

“According to the police, the notorious burglar—famous for stealing ladies’ recently worn underwear from their homes in the Jacksonville Beach communities—Nesbitt is currently under arrest and has been sent for psychiatric evaluation at an unknown location. Police said he claimed a cat, a ball of pink light, a twenty-foot black demon with wings, and a roaring lion all attacked him at a home off Neptune Beach.” The announcer shook her head. “Guess he’d had too much sun.”

“Well, well. Seems he is off the sand after all,” Hazel said. “Good riddance along with Riley.”

“Yeah, but what do I do about T.J.?”

“Forget about him, honey.” Natasha patted her hand. “Just focus on Farley.”

Yeah, but why wasn’t I attracted to Farley any more? What was it about me that I’m always attracted to the hard to get men?

* * * *

 

That night we all met, at Hazel’s invitation, for a meeting of the “White Witches of Beachdom.” It was a monthly gathering of all local witches and warlocks who followed the light, plus Wiccans and those interested in the paranormal. It was held at the Creamsicle Inn, painted in the appropriate orange and white colors, just off Atlantic Boulevard. Hazel had said one of the founding members owned it, so the location was convenient.

We all arrived together in a couple of cars, and Josh escorted Hazel in with us trailing behind. To say she was nervous would be an understatement. She’d retreated from everyone once Riley’s curse befell her. Now, with her remarkable transformation, she wanted to make an entrance. She looked wonderful, dressed in a sleeveless white silk sheath with silver sparkles and matching shoes. I felt underdressed in my sundress as were Natasha and Olivia, but Hazel insisted anything went. She’d just wanted to jazz it up.

I beamed in joy for Hazel, as everyone clapped upon seeing her. Josh was eating it up, grinning from ear to ear. You’d think he’d single-handedly slain the nasty Riley.

“Did you check out the buffet?” Seth asked. “Seafood in every size and shape.”

“Honestly, do you just think about your stomach?” Natasha hissed.

“At least I don’t wear my phone number on my sleeve like someone I could mention.”

“Jeez, stop it you two, we just got here. Why don’t you shake things up and act like the happy couple. At least that’d give the rest of us some peace and keep the embarrassment to a minimum.” I smiled, thinking this could play out in a very interesting turn of events. Both were big enough hams to go for it. Somewhere in the middle, they might finally discover it was real. I suspected if they didn’t Ms. C would keep throwing them together until they admitted how they truly felt.

Olivia elbowed me. “That was outstanding. How did you think of it?”

I snickered. “Spur of the moment genius.”

“If it works, we owe you a dinner at our place.” Gregory sighed. “I feel terrible about your seduction not working out like ours did.”

He glanced down at Olivia, and I swear he looked like he could carry her off right now. Why couldn’t I be so lucky?

As Natasha and Seth worked the crowd in their normal animated fashion, a sudden loneliness crept into my bones. Hazel was with Josh. I’d paired the dynamic duelers, and Gregory was just waiting to sweep his wife off to their boudoir. Me, I was alone and it appeared would stay that way for a while.

Just then, I spotted Farley on the far side of the room. Moments later he’d joined me. “Are you by yourself tonight?”

“No. I came with friends. But if you’re asking if I have a date, the answer’s no.”

“Good. Consider me your slave.”

I stared into his eyes, and stepped back instinctively. Where there’d always been genuine warmth to his gaze, now all I saw was ice. Something was off, and it wasn’t just his eyes. He didn’t look quite like the Farley I’d met at the Turtle Island Inn. His mouth was tighter, grimmer.

Stalling for time while trying to figure out what was going on, I spotted a new arrival—a Raksasha in natural form. I’d seen Keara enough in the past to know this had to be her twin sister, Kendra. In her natural cobra state, she was invisible to humans. She wasn’t to angels. Unfortunately, Olivia and Gregory were facing away from her.

I sidled away from Farley. “Please excuse me for a minute, I forgot to tell one of my friends something. I’ll be back in a second.” Ignoring his objections, I hustled over to Olivia and hissed, “Look what just slithered in the door.”

At her gasp, Gregory clasped her arm. “There’s no way you’re losing me with that thing in the room,” he whispered. “Keep smiling, people. No one else, other than Seth and Natasha, will notice her.”

Hazel joined us with Josh in tow. “What’s that snake doing in here?”

“You can see it?”

“Yes, Miranda, I can see it. How could I miss a vile creature who reeks of evil and appears out of thin air?”

“I wish I could see her like I did when Jared was in me,” Josh said in a hushed tone. “But from Hazel’s description, I knew it was Kendra.”

She beamed up at him.

Hallelujah, my matchmaking skills were as sharp as ever. Farley waved at me from across the room. I nodded as Seth dragged Natasha across the floor. Within seconds we’d be five angels and one white witch strong. My gaze narrowed on her red eyes. This was nothing more than an initial probe checking out our defenses.

“She’s headed for us,” Olivia murmured.

Slowly, she slithered a zigzag course across the floor, then raised up in cobra fashion, smoke pouring up in a spiral from her mouth. As she neared the buffet table, she changed form into a woman dressed in a skintight gold sequined sleeveless dress and sandals. Her long red hair skimmed the dimples at the base of her spine.

“Well.” Kendra stared at us smugly. “Hail, hail the gang’s all here. This time I’m going to have some real fun.” Her red eyes danced. “Don’t think it’s going to be a walk in the park like last time. We’ve recruited more demons than you can count on to avenge Keara and Heinrich.” She looked at Olivia and pointed. “And you! I’m not going to even ask how much for the little boy and girl. Because they’ll be free.” She snickered.

As Gregory surged forward, Olivia and Seth restrained him. “Not here, not now.”

* * * *

 

The next day, Hazel, Natasha, Olivia and I met at the Poseidon Adventure Nail Salon. We’d all decided to pamper ourselves with pedicures after last night’s debacle. All of us sat side by side in our massage chairs, our feet in a whirlpool.

“All I can say is, Kendra has lousy timing.” Hazel moaned as the massage chair rolled up her back.

“And how. Seth and I had made our way around only half the room when she popped in. There were still all sorts of single men and women there for us to interview.”

Well, maybe my little trick didn’t work after all.

“At least you weren’t the brunt of her comments,” Olivia said. “Gregory was ready to pack up and go home until I reminded him we have friends here to help. The man’s sometimes so overprotective he almost suffocates me trying to save me.”

“You’re right. There’s no way anything will happen to little Randee and David while we’re around,” I said. “Don’t worry about it.”

“I can’t help it. You heard what she said about all the, uh, ‘people’ she’d recruited. We don’t know who any of them are except her.”

“Unfortunately,” Natasha said, “I’m sure we’ll find out. Probably sooner than later.”

Hand cupping my chin, I tapped my nose. “I wonder if Nadulbar has joined forces with Kendra. He’s bound to know she’s here and vice versa.”

“The only thing we have going for us is he seems to have broken away from the, well you know where.” Hazel pulled one foot out of the water for the nail tech to work on. “So why would he want to help them?”

“Kendra scratches his back, he scratches hers?” I shuddered. “Now, that’s a nauseating image.”

“At lease Heinrich can’t return for a while. I wonder who’s in her cadre,” Olivia stared down at her freshly painted nails.

“She has a lot to choose from, from a lot of different categories. But I believe they’ll be Greater ones.” The tech started painting my toenails and was I happy. “Lordy, I’m beyond ticklish this time around.”

Natasha surveyed her tech applying French tips. “Hmm, I’ve been meaning to ask, did Farley tickle your fantasy after the charade with Kendra was over?”

“No. Her threats to the kids leveled me. But he did ask me out. We’re going on a picnic in what he called a ‘secluded spot’ this afternoon.” I didn’t tell them I was more than a little worried about how he’d acted just before Kendra’s arrival. I’d find out later today.

“Make sure to take a blanket. Sand gets everywhere. And I do mean everywhere,” Natasha sighed.

“I’ll be sure to remember that. After all you’re the expert. By the way, how did it feel acting like you and Seth were a couple last night?”

“It was fun, actually.” I saw her neck get a little splotchy. Yep, a definite sign of nerves. “He’s been bitching at me for so long, I didn’t know Seth could be so nice. In fact, we had such a good time we’ve decided to go out clubbing tonight—as friends, of course.”

All right! I hadn’t flunked in their matchmaking department either. “Cool, maybe if I get along with Farley this afternoon we’ll join you.”

“That’d be fun.” She actually looked relieved. If she and Seth were to change the nature of their long-lasting friendship, I supposed it would be scary. You never know if you’ll end up with a permanent lover or an estranged friend.

As we left, I used my credit card and the tech handed me the ticket. Adding the tip, I signed and handed it back to her and froze. Her eyes were red.