Witches for Hire (Odd Jobs #1)(88)

His magic died out in surprise, and he turned to see Simone and Edarra standing impatiently.

“You finally got the message,” Simone said. She started walking away without seeing if Jeremy followed her. “We told you we got him stashed on the fifth floor.”

They must have left a message on my phone, Jeremy thought.

“It’s amazing to see a witch brought down by something so old,” Edarra said as she followed Simone, and Jeremy rushed to keep up with them.

“What kind of spell was used?” he asked.

“A Snow White hex.” Simone shook her head as if she still couldn’t believe it. “I know. It’s so 1700s, but it worked like a charm. True love’s kiss is the only way he’s waking up.”

As they got in the elevator, Jeremy’s shoulders relaxed. He leaned his back against the wall and tried not to smile. It was a great spell to take out a witch other than Desmond.

“Wow, you’re smiling because Desmond got taken down a peg.” Simone rolled her eyes. “You’re as bad as Clive.”

The doors opened to an empty floor.

“We moved the patients to another level for their safety,” Edarra said. “If things get ugly, I need elbow room.”

Clive approached them. “I’m surprised you got here so soon,” he told Jeremy.

“Well, late by our standards,” Simone said.

Clive looked up and down the hallway. “Be that as it may, I’m glad we have all hands.”

Jeremy frowned. “Why are we the only ones guarding him? You’d think the Council or the Great Mother would send their people.”

“About that….” Clive motioned at the valet Jeremy had seen by Desmond’s side since he had arrived in America. “He insisted on us being the only ones to handle security, so the Council’s people are concentrated on the patients.”

“It was my master’s request in case he fell ill from a curse,” Vince, the ever quiet valet, said from behind them.

In order to save Desmond, Jeremy needed to separate him from the others. “Did you see how it happened?”

Vince nodded. “An apple from a fruit tray. It was such an old-fashioned curse that no one really has protection against it anymore.”

“They probably knew that Desmond could only love himself the most.” The more Clive talked, the more Jeremy wanted to throw him out of a window.

Vince cleared his throat. “I would appreciate not insulting my master while he’s incapacitated. One would almost think you show this bravery only while he’s asleep.”

Jeremy glared at him, pretending to reach for his wand in anger. “Care to put money on that?”

Clive put his hands between them. “Forgive us for being insensitive. I wouldn’t like it if similar words were said about my friends either.” He turned to Edarra. “Please guard the elevator doors. I’ll stick to the windows, and Simone and Jeremy can handle Desmond’s door.”

Jeremy looked at Simone. “Do you mind starting a barrier while I grill him?”

Simone raised her eyebrow. “Why can’t you do it?”

“Because we need to make sure this building won’t lose its stability if energy vamps attack, and we have to start quickly.”

Simone nodded. “You work on skin protection, and I’ll get your barrier.”

“I swear, you act like I never work,” Jeremy muttered. He turned back to the knight. “I’m going to find whatever metal I can and form them into gloves.”

“I’ll go watch the hall with Edarra,” Clive said, and he left the valet and Jeremy alone.

When Simone stalked away and placed her hands on the wall next to Desmond’s door, Jeremy whispered to Vince, “During an attack is the only way to do this subtly. When I give the signal, do a spell that’s loud and bright.”

“Of course, Mr. Ragsdale.” Vince looked at Jeremy with such a surety of trust that he would wake up Desmond that Jeremy fought the urge to hug him.

He never doubted that I would come. “What do you have up your sleeve? You always have the sneakiest things.”

Vince smirked and pulled a heptagon object from his pocket. “Just a few things, sir.”

Jeremy grinned. “Sneaky and nasty. That’s why I’ve always liked you.”




SIMONE STARED at the floor. Black spots crumbled the tiles and spread cracks along the surface. “The evil witch’s brigade has come to kill Snow White.”

“Fuck!” Clive cried out.

If he’s dropping f-bombs, then this can’t be good, Simone thought. The cracks stopped, but new black spots appeared on the walls. They stopped after barely forming. Take that, fuckers! “What’s the trouble on your end?” she asked the knight.

“I have to leave the fight.” Clive frowned as he held up his staff. “Your barrier can protect the hospital for a time, but they have a powerful talisman that’s draining patients. Many are going to die if I don’t find the wielder.”

“Go, and I’ll take point on defense,” Edarra shouted. She bent her metal-gloved fingers. “Their powers are going to have a hard time working on me with these on.”

“I’ll take down whatever I see in my way, but if you have to choose between Desmond and the hospital… do what you have to do.” Clive ran to the elevators.