Part 13 (1/2)

He almost turned right around when he discovered MacAuliffe wasn't Irish at all. She was Chinese. He'd understood her need to hide in plain sight but a witch was a witch. Or so he thought.

Alex lasted three months before MacAuliffe discovered Alex's secret abilities and called for Jeb to come fetch his daughter. It was a long, silent ride home.

He'd failed his daughter then. He wasn't about to fail her again.

If he could only figure out where she was, what she was up to, and how he could help.

CHAPTER 27.

Before I had a chance to do anything the Were cougar threw itself at the mastiff and fur began to fly.

I pressed myself harder against the wall as if to become invisible, but that was only going to last until one or the other of the animals survived. Then I was the next target.

If only I could cast Bran's freeze spell. But I couldn't. I also didn't have candles, or herbs, or markers to create runes. Talk about so sorry out of luck.

Focus. What did I have?

As if called, the white light of the waxing moon leaked through the doorway, spreading its finger of light in a wedge shape along the floor.

It wasn't a full moon but I had to take what I could get.

So what spells could work via words and intention alone?

The cougar's screams increased. If I didn't stop them soon both fighters would be dead.

I didn't know where the mastiff came from but it had saved me from the Were so far, least I could do was save it back.

As long as I didn't kill us both.

I had it. A modified bully spell. The kind to repel a bothering bully. Sure it was meant for the playground, and a Were was a lot larger than any bully I had ever met but it was easy, quick and I knew the spell by heart. Thanks again to my brothers who, being on the wild side, made their share of enemies. Enemies that tended to come after me as an easier target. Until they ran into this incantation.

I stepped back from the wall, holding my hands straight away from me like an extended cross, palms facing skyward. Inhaling a deep breath I skipped the closing my eyes part as just too stupid given the situation.

By Moon beam and Star light heed my will.

By three and nine your power I bind.

I angled myself more toward the moonlight inching through the door.

By Air and Night, keep harm from me and mine.

By two and ten, this power thus bend.

A chill breeze brushed from the outdoors and across my arms. I steadied my voice for the last part.

By Rock and Stone, cast you away.

By one and seven, so mote it be!

Bully be gone. Cast from me and mine.

Now and then, then and now.

So mote it be!

I shouted the last line, shutting my eyes in spite of best intentions. Behind my closed eyes I waited, my breath held, hearing no sounds. No cat, no dog, not even the scuffle in the kitchen.

Spirits be did I kill them all? Again?

Afraid to find out the truth I hesitated then snapped my eyes open.

In front of me only the mastiff remained, rolling its ma.s.sive shoulders and scanning the room as if to find where his opponent was hiding.

But the Were was gone. Where to?

Did I care?

Suddenly I had to blink against a blinding light that came on overhead.

”What did you do?” Bran said from across the room, looking disheveled and sweaty and very put out as he stood silhouetted in the door jam leading into what I a.s.sumed was the kitchen area.

I took a deep breath but didn't move. Not with the Fido from h.e.l.l still way too close for my comfort. ”Why do you always a.s.sume I'm the one at fault?”

”Because you usually are.”

”Tosh.”

His brows raised so high they were hidden in locks of his dark hair. ”Where did you send them?”

”Don't know.” Didn't care. Just d.a.m.n glad I was alive. For now. I shrugged, twisting my neck to ease the tightness there, wondering how one coaxed a mastiff outside. ”Shoo,” I said, waving my hands. ”Go, fetch.”

”Fetch what?” Bran asked, stepping further into the room and closer to the dog.

”I don't care what, I just want him gone.”

”Why?”

I pointed at the dog, half expecting Bran to act like the ma.s.sive beast wasn't there. The dog at least had enough good manners to flop down on the floor and lay its head in its man-sized paws.

Bran started laughing as he walked around the dog to reach and close the still open door. ”Are you talking about Francois?”

”That's not Francois. He's a poodle.”

”He was a poodle.” the arrogant warlock used a tone no doubt meant to calm children. ”Now he's a mastiff.”

No way.