Witches for Hire (Odd Jobs #1)(111)

Simone looked around at the aides wrapping up their work for the night. “Would you please follow me?”

Senator Ragsdale frowned. He hadn’t officially met the young woman Jeremy had worked with on multiple jobs, but Jeremy seemed to trust her. “Okay.” He followed Simone into the hall, where a man stood waiting. As they got closer, the man lifted his head and revealed a badly bruised face. Isn’t that the knight? “What’s going on?”

“There’s something wrong with Jeremy,” the knight said.

Senator Ragsdale reached out to touch the damaged face. The familiar strange energy of Jeremy’s magic tingled through his fingers. “Did my son do that to you?”

The knight smiled bleakly. “Evidently, he was withholding a lot of anger.” He pointed at the exit. “I would like to explain in private.”




SENATOR RAGSDALE watched the headlights go by as they drove against traffic.

“I’ve seen him annoyed before, but he usually uses words as his weapons.” Clive took a hand off the steering wheel to touch one of the large bruises on his face. “This should have healed. Was that strange power of his already there or was it part of the curse?”

“He already possessed it,” Senator Ragsdale said quietly. “It makes no sense. Jeremy knows better than to let his temper get away from him.”

“It’s a consequence of a lowered-inhibitions curse,” Simone said from the backseat.

“It probably wasn’t the intention of the original spell and developed as an unfortunate side effect to counter it,” Senator Ragsdale said.

“I see where Jeremy gets his proficiency in spells,” Clive said.

“Has the Amazon located him yet?” the senator asked.

“No,” Simone said. Her phone rang. “Never mind.” The line connected, and Edarra’s voice emitted from the radio.

“Jeremy’s at Desmond’s condo in the city, and they are, as Simone would say, boinking like rabbits. Their magic is putting on quite the light show,” Edarra reported.

“Fuck!” Senator Ragsdale clutched the overhanging grip in frustration. “Stop by my townhouse.”

“How bad is it?” Clive asked.

“If they lose control, Jeremy could take himself and that whole building out.”

“You have a plan?”

“Yes, but it means hurting him in a way I swore not to.” Senator Ragsdale closed his eyes. Please forgive me, Jeremy, for what I’m about to do.





Chapter 29


EDARRA HELD up the sledgehammer. “Are you sure you want me to use my full strength?”

“Desmond won’t be holding back, and neither should you,” Clive said. “But remember, distract him enough so Jeremy’s father can get through to Jeremy.”

“Whatever you say, boss.”

Clive faced Simone and the senator. “Are you two sure you can do it without my help?”

Simone nodded. “The little fucker might be fond of me, which is why he kept me behind the barrier. If he sees you, it might piss him off and send him off the deep end again.”

Clive sighed. “I usually have to stab someone before they hate me this much.” He held out his hand to Jeremy’s father. “I’m sorry for contributing to this situation, and I wish you luck.”

Senator Ragsdale shook it, and then the four of them broke into pairs.

As Clive and Edarra walked to the parking lot, Salvatore separated from the shadows. He gazed at the sky filled with green lightning. “The magic they’re leaking up there is incredible.”

Clive dropped to his knees. He might not get along with Ragsdale, but he was partly responsible and needed to make it right. “I beg that you give us a chance to rectify the situation before the Council interferes.”

Salvatore placed his hand under Clive’s arm and pulled him up. “There’s no need for that, but it gives me confidence in giving you a chance to fix this.”

Clive nodded grimly. “I won’t let it come to you.”

“There is one thing I can do.” Salvatore took out his phone and punched in a number. “Hello? Yes, I just had to say that Jeremy looks splendid when he’s being fucked. I took quite a few pictures for surveillance purposes, and—” Salvatore pulled the phone away from his ear and shrugged. “I guess he hung up.” The sky darkened and thunder rumbled as more green lightning flashed in the sky. “Ah, that should be him. He’s all yours.”

Clive blinked, and in that moment, the Council member was gone.

Edarra pointed her sledgehammer down the street where Desmond slowly walked toward them.

“Where the fuck is Salvatore?” Desmond growled. He looked left and right for him, but his lips puckered when he only saw Clive and Edarra. “You’re not worth my time.” As he turned away, Edarra cleared her throat.

“If cowardice is your prerogative, so be it, but I expect more from Desmond the Great.” Edarra stroked her chin thoughtfully. “Or maybe I shouldn’t. You did allow your lover to take the brunt of the fallout with that vamp.”

Desmond stopped. “I accept your childish attempt to bait me, so please don’t regret it.” The sky opened and lightning scored the ground.

Clive grabbed Edarra’s shoulder and levitated them above the attack.