Charmed & Deadly by Candace Havens Page A

seem to mind that we have people coming and going at all hours of the night.
    Tonight we all had dinner downstairs. The dining room has a beautiful dome ceiling, very elegant, and unfortunately, very open.
    We’d been sitting down for less than fifteen minutes. It was Zane, his assistant Georgette, Cole, and myself. In the five hours since we’d arrived I’d been able to find a beautiful red dress with a tight-fitting bodice, low back, and flared skirt. It was as if the dress had been made for me and matched my new Rene C.s perfectly. I made protection charms to put in everyone’s pockets and warded our rooms with protection spells. No one would get in without warning.
    I faced the entrance of the restaurant and we were at a table near the back when I picked up the presence of several magical beings. Two warlocks and three witches. As they came through the entrance, I noticed they were dressed to the nines. Probably out for a great night on the town, except they walked straight toward our table.
    I was about to throw up a shield, when one of them held up a hand. “We wish you no harm.” Then they all bowed their heads.
    Nodding, I stood. “Do you want to speak to me about something?”
    The shorter man stepped forward and held out his hand. “I am Abelard.” His English carried a heavy French accent. I shook his hand.
    “This is Aimee, Esme, and Noel,” he said, and pointed to the women, all of whom had long, straight black hair, elegant, classical features, and warm smiles. “And this is Davyn, he is our leader but his English is not so good.” Davyn was positively regal in a tuxedo. His hair was gray, and he had that handsome, “I’m incredibly wealthy” air about him. “We wish you welcome to our city. We are of the Dartagnan coven.”
    Wasn’t that one of the three Musketeers? These didn’t seem like the kind of people who would be hanging out with slimeball Sphere. Cole had mentioned earlier that the Dartagnan coven was the last one Sphere belonged to. I didn’t have any idea what all of this was about, but I readied myself for anything.
    I smiled, very friendly-like. “It’s nice to meet you.” It’s not unusual for coven members to introduce themselves to a high witch. We tend to do a lot of damage when we aren’t sure about people, and it’s always good to make friends first.
    “Would you ladies and gents like to join us for dinner?” Zane was staring Aimee down pretty hard, and she was giving it right back to him. The man never stopped with the womanizing.
    Georgette elbowed him in the ribs, and whispered, “Down boy. We don’t know if they’re the good guys.”
    I laughed. “It just so happens we are on the search for one of your warlocks, a guy named Sphere.” At the mention of his name, Davyn began spewing French.
    Esme reached a long red-nailed hand out and touched his arm—Davyn shut up instantly.
    Though my French is elementary at best, I had an idea of what he was saying from the images in his mind. I was a bit surprised he’d let his shields down.
    Cole chuckled behind me. “He called Sphere a fat, insolent pig and wished him dead.”
    I smiled. “Well, that’s something we both have in common.”
    Abelard told him what I’d said. They both nodded seriously.
    “We will help in any way we can.” Abelard put a hand on Davyn’s shoulder. “It upsets Davyn and our coven that Sphere tries to hide behind our name. He was exiled two years ago for practicing black magic and we’ve had nothing to do with him since.”
    So they’d come to make sure I knew they had nothing to do with the hit on me. Smart.
    “Do you have any idea where he might be?”
    Esme spoke. “The warlocks he works with are hiding him, but we, too, will hunt.” She, even more than Davyn, had incredible power. I had a feeling she’d very much like to find Sphere before I did. He must have done something really wicked.
    Abelard took his hand from Davyn and motioned to the woman. “Esme’s brother was