Diva Delaney Mysteries: Bundle 4: Books 10 - 12: Diva Delaney Mysteries

Diva Delaney Mysteries

Bundle 4

Books 10 – 12

Anni Jayde

Copyright © 2019 ANNI JAYDE

All rights reserved. Published by Seize The Night Agency.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storage in an information retrieval system, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, incidents and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Table of Contents

Book Ten: Ambition Can Have Terrible Consequences

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Book Eleven: Some Spells Are Best Left Uncast

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Six

Book Twelve: Black Magic Is Taboo For Good Reason

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Chapter Forty

Titles by Anni Jayde in chronological order:

Book Ten: Ambition Can Have Terrible Consequences

Chapter One

LOST IN A DARK DREAM that I was going to grow old and die alone because I was in love with a warlock who was my enemy, I felt a strange disturbance and snapped awake. Sitting up, I looked around wildly, but I couldn’t see anything threatening. My alarm clock told me it was thirteen minutes past midnight.

Jess drifted through my door when I switched the light on. The mere sight of the gorgeous lamp that Haydn had bought for me was enough to bring my depression back. My dream hadn’t been a nightmare. Instead, it was in fact my reality. What’s wrong? my bestie asked in concern.

I’m not sure, I replied, rubbing my forehead and trying to shake off the sensation that something strange had just happened. I felt something weird and it woke me up.

Did it come through your link to Haydn? she asked tentatively.

A few weeks had passed since we’d destroyed Yvonne’s remains and had broken the curse. Unfortunately, my magical bond to Haydn remained intact. I scowled and my cabochon ring turned gray to reflect my gloomy mood. No, it was something else.

Everything is quiet in here and in the mansion, Jess reported. You should try to get back to sleep. You don’t want to have bags under your eyes for your big date tonight.

She snickered at me when my scowl deepened. The last thing I wanted to do was to have dinner with a strange warlock, but Grandma had insisted that I start dating. Once Lilla Delaney had made up her mind about something, she wouldn’t be denied. She’d accepted an invitation to dinner in Boston on my behalf and had informed me that I would be going.

Flicking the light off, I lay back down. The warlocks who were attempting to woo me had changed their tactics. They’d realized that making an appointment to see me with false claims that they needed my help just annoyed me. Instead, they were now sending invitations via my grandmother. She was the matriarch of our coven and they’d turned to old school methods to attempt to get a date with me.

Eve and Courtney were already involved in relationships and they were both being spared from the attention. I was the only one who was single and I’d become a target. As the most powerful witch in the Delaney Coven, I was apparently a good catch. Becoming allies with us would give other covens a boost, but marrying into our family would also gain them prestige.

My scowl remained in place as I tried to get back to sleep. I didn’t care about a man’s pedigree. I just wanted someone who would care about me and who would be there when I needed him the most. Grandma couldn’t seem to understand that I would never marry someone unless I loved him. It was long-standing tradition to arrange marriages between eligible witches and warlocks, but I wasn’t going to let anyone dictate my life for me. Yet here she was manipulating me into doing what she wanted, hence my dinner date tonight.

An excited babble of voices came from my living room a couple of minutes later. They drew closer to my door and I flicked the lamp on again. The Three Stooges swept inside with Jess right behind them. What’s going on? I asked in trepidation. Their expressions were a mixture of excitement and dread.

It’s Pumpkin! Reggie blurted before Fran could speak. She’s just given birth to a litter of kittens! He clapped his hands over his mouth to stifle nervous giggles. In his twenties, he wore his black hair slicked back from his thin face. His slim, weaselly body was clad in a purple satin shirt with paisley patterns and tight black pants. A gold necklace with a gaudy peace medallion nestled against his hairless chest.

How long ago did she have them? I asked as a sense of doom settled over me.

She had the last one a few minutes ago, chicky, Maryanne told me in her husky smoker’s voice. The platinum blonde wig that was perched on her head sat slightly askew. Her bright red lipstick was uneven and so were her saggy boobs. Her white Marilyn Monroe style dress almost glowed in the dim light of the lamp.

How many kittens did she have? Jess asked.

Fran gulped before responding. She had thirteen and the last one was born at thirteen minutes past midnight. She said that as if it was a dire portent. It’s Friday the thirteenth today, she added when neither of us reacted.

I felt the color drain out of my face at that reminder. We’d all known that Satan mating with Pumpkin could only be a bad thing. We’d all assumed it would herald the beginning of the apocalypse. Are the kittens...normal? I asked.

Well, twelve of them seem to be, Maryanne hedged, then hiked her boobs up. They immediately settled back into their usual positions when she let them go. The thirteenth one looks different from the rest.

It’s only a few minutes old, Fran said as if she was trying to convince herself. I’m sure it’s not as ominous as it looks. Overweight and possessing several chins, she was forever doomed to wear a blue dress with white polka dots. For reasons unknown, she wore a matching bow in her curly red hair. She was the most sensible one of the trio, which wasn’t saying a lot since they were all flighty and excitable.

The end has come, Jess said to me solemnly. The thirteenth offspring of two hell spawn has been born on Friday the thirteenth. You need to notify the authorities that the world is about to be destroyed.

We all snickered, but I couldn’t shake my unease. What’s wrong with the thirteenth kitten? I asked.

The other twelve are either black or orange like their parents, Fran replied. The thirteenth one is a weird mixture of both colors.

I’m sure there are lots of cats with orange and black fur, Jess said with a frown.

Not like this one, Reginald argued. It’s orange on one side and black on the other. There’s no overlap of color and it almost looks like it was done by magic.

Its face is what freaked us out, though, Maryanne said with a shudder. It’s mostly black, but has these big orange patches around its eyes. It looks like a death mask or something.

Thankfully, it’s the runt of the litter and it’s a lot smaller than the others, Fran added. It’ll probably die overnight.

A pang went through me that the ugly little runt wouldn’t even get a chance at life. It had been dealt a bum hand through no fault of its own. Do you have any other gossip? I asked.

Nope, that was it, Reggie said. We just wanted to pass on the message that Armageddon is here.

Message received, Jess said dryly. We should let Diva get back to sleep.

She has a hot date tonight, Fran said with a sly grin. She’ll need to get her beauty sleep.

I rolled my eyes, then switched the lamp off. Jess would no doubt tell our spectral friends that I’d woken up just when the thirteenth kitten was being born. I didn’t even want to contemplate why I’d been roused from my slumber at that precise moment. Despite all our joking, it was ridiculous to think that cats could be a portent of doom or the harbingers of the end of the world. Yet I couldn’t shake the sense that things had just changed in some strange way.

I tossed and turned for the rest of the night, then dragged myself out of bed when my alarm went off. By the time I’d showered, had eaten breakfast and downed my first mug of coffee, I felt more awake.

Fran and her entourage arrived just as I was heading for the door. We have news, she said, shooting a glare at Reginald when he opened his mouth to blurt it out.

Is it about the hell kittens? Jess guessed.

The thirteenth offspring of Satan and his evil consort made it through the night, Maryanne said, then smirked at Fran for beating her to the punch.

A small part of me was glad the kitten had survived its first night. Sure, its parents both hated me with a passion and probably wished I was dead, but the poor little thing deserved a chance. I just hoped it wouldn’t be the death of me like my friends all seemed to think.

Chapter Two

WHEN I GOT TO WORK, I unlocked the door and flipped my sign over to signify that I was open. I then opened my blinds just enough for me to see out. Haydn’s black car was parked out the front of his bookstore, which meant he was at work. Bartholomew Creighton hovered in his favorite spot in the window, glaring at the living and dead alike, but Haydn was nowhere to be seen. When we’d been cursed, he’d been as drawn to me as I’d been to him. Now that the spell had been broken, he avoided me like I had the plague. I hadn’t had any contact with him since the night we’d destroyed the last of Yvonne Creighton’s remains.

Don’t torture yourself, Diva, Jess said. She manifested enough to put her hand on my shoulder and to turn me away from the window. You need to let go of Haydn and move on.

Maybe it’s a good thing your grandmother is forcing you to start dating, sweetie, Reggie mused. Thanks to the two curses that tied you to Haydn, you’ve never really had a chance to find the right man.

I thought Drew McTavish was the right man, I reminded him as I headed for my coffee machine. I’d had to restock my coffee beans after they’d run out and new ones hadn’t arrived. Haydn had stopped supplying me with them. I’d become used to the expensive brand even though it was another reminder of what I’d lost.

Drew is hot, but he’s just a normal, Maryanne said. It would never have worked out between you and the Sheriff.

You’re a Delaney witch, Fran added. Not just that, you’re also the strongest conjurer we’ve ever seen. You need a powerful warlock to be your husband. Someone who can help you manage your power if you lose control of it.

Why would I need a husband to help me keep control when I’ve got this? I said wryly and held the cabochon ring up. The stone had turned dark blue from my constant sorrow. My family knew I was down in the dumps, but they didn’t realize I was still in love with Haydn. The ghosts were the only ones who were aware of my dilemma. For once, they hadn’t spread that gossip throughout the deceased community. Their restraint showed me just how much they cared about me.

The new councilmembers will be assessing you soon, Fran said. Maybe they’ll allow you to take the ring off after they’ve tested you.

That triggered memories of the last time I’d been tested by the Council of Conjurers. I hastily put my mug on my desk, then dropped down onto my chair and put my head on the wooden surface. Images of being tortured by horrific spells assailed me. Even with Haydn’s ring on my finger, the lights flickered wildly. I’d gained enough control to be able to cast stronger spells now, but I still sometimes had surges like this.

There, there, Reginald said and patted me on the back with a cool, spectral hand. Everything is fine, he crooned. You’re safe and no one is going to hurt you.

I almost snorted out a laugh as the white spots stopped dancing in front of my eyes. They’d taken to attempting to soothe me whenever I became overwhelmed. I was pretty sure they were trying to step up and be my protectors. Thanks, Reggie, I said gratefully. He was the least manly guy I’d ever met, but I appreciated his effort. I’m glad you guys are my friends.

You’d be lost without us, Maryanne said with a phlegmy cackle.

Let’s go check out the gossip at Khloe’s Kuts, Fran suggested. My hairdresser was using her original surname of Norton now. Khloe had returned to Hollowood Grove after Ferdinand Danzoni and the rest of his coven had been arrested. I hadn’t heard whether the Danzonis had been executed for the murders they’d committed yet. Frankly, I didn’t want to think about it.

Since Khloe was now safe from her stalker, she’d decided to remain in our town. Her family had disowned her after they’d found out she’d been involved with a married warlock who was also a mobster. The witch was all alone, so the conjurers of our town had taken her under their wings. She was one of us now and we would all protect her like she was our family.

A few things had changed after Minerva Kensington and her cronies had been ousted from the Council. Toby Jenkins had been temporarily placed in charge until five new leaders had been chosen. The process had taken a month and they’d only been in their positions for a couple of weeks now. They’d kept Toby on since he’d proven to be an effective interim leader. He had a position of importance within the Council now, although I wasn’t exactly sure what his job was.

The Pentland Coven and Westmore brothers had been rewarded well for their participation in the trap to take the corrupt councilmembers and the Danzoni Coven down. My family and I had also been compensated handsomely for our involvement. Best of all, we’d all received a boost in prestige. The only downside was that the attention I was receiving from single warlocks had increased even more.

Since Haydn had also been involved in our covert operation, the Creighton Coven’s reputation had changed slightly. They’d been well known as being devious and ruthless. Now they were also seen as clever and inventive in spellcasting. Another reason for the change in public perception was a major alteration that had happened to their mansion. Once Yvonne’s spell had been broken, the house had changed from black to dark gray overnight.

Most people thought they’d given their mansion a makeover to soften their image. In reality, it turned out they’d never painted their house black at all. Yvonne’s curse had seeped into the very fabric of the building after she’d died. Instead of looking ominous, their house now looked stately. I’d driven past it after the terrible trio had heard the rumors of the makeover and we’d gone to investigate. The Creightons had tried to paint their house numerous times over the centuries, but it had never stuck and the black had always returned. Dark gray had been the last color they’d tried and it suited the old building.

Nina Rivers had heard that Georgina Creighton hadn’t been happy that her ancestor’s bones had been destroyed, but their coven was glad the curse was gone. Everyone who had known about it was aware that the spell had been broken. The rumors of an affair between Haydn and me had died down. Our brief time together was now a distant memory to everyone except me.

You have to stop thinking about Haydn, Jess said, reading me accurately. Pining for him isn’t healthy.

I know, I agreed with a sigh. Maybe it is a good idea for me to start dating. I forced some enthusiasm into my voice even though I knew deep down that I’d never meet another man who would affect me like Haydn did.

That’s the spirit! my bestie said with a relieved grin. It had to be a drag for her to be around me when I was constantly moping. I would have to make an effort to enjoy myself tonight for her benefit since she would be coming along as well. What are you going to wear on your date? she asked.

One of the dresses Haydn bought for me probably, I replied, ignoring the stab of pain that hit me in the heart.

Wear the bronze one, she suggested. It’ll bring out the highlights in your hair.

What highlights? I asked her skeptically. My hair is dark brown.

You have red bits here and there, she insisted. If you’d let Khloe put actual highlights in it, the red would stand out more.

I like my hair the way it is, I told her firmly. She made a face at me, then swooped over to the window to keep watch for my first client to turn up. Hopefully, I could get through the day without any drama. I wanted to be cool and collected for my date with the warlock my grandmother had set me up with.

It was unnerving that I would have to travel to Boston to have dinner with a stranger. I didn’t know the city very well, but I knew the name and address of the restaurant. All I had to do was take the teleporting booth to the Council headquarters, then catch a taxi the rest of the way there. It would have made my life a lot easier if I could teleport, but Haydn’s ring prevented me from using strong magic. Until it was determined that I could control my power, the ring would have to remain on my finger.

Chapter Three

SINCE I WOULD BE GOING out for dinner, I wasn’t required to show up at the mansion at six. Instead, I headed home and made myself some coffee, then soaked in the tub for a while. My date was scheduled for nine. Boston was an hour ahead of us, but I still had plenty of time to get ready after I dried myself off.

As Jess had suggested, I chose the bronze dress and matching shoes. The fabric clung to me, emphasizing my curves and making me feel sexy rather than dowdy for once. I put extra effort into my makeup and hair and posed for the four ghosts when I entered my living room.

Wowzah! Maryanne exclaimed. Hot chicky mamma!

This warlock is going to fall for you the moment he sees you! Reggie predicted, clasping his hands together beneath his chin. He was the biggest romantic I’d ever met.

You look gorgeous, Fran told me in approval. Let’s hope Satan doesn’t scratch your legs to pieces before you can get to your car.

I made a face and had to fight down the urge to cross myself as if I was Catholic. Is he lurking outside?

We spotted his evil green eyes glowing in the dark like a demonic gargoyle, Jess replied. It’s like he can sense you’re going out and he’s lying in wait for you.

This is just what I need, I muttered.

It is Friday the thirteenth, Fran reminded me. You should expect bad things to happen today.

That’s just superstition, I said as I headed for my bedroom to grab my coat. It would cover me all the way to my ankles and would hopefully offer me protection from the imp. Nothing bad has happened to me so far today, I pointed out.

Pumpkin giving birth to her hellish offspring is the only thing of note that’s happened so far, Jess agreed They all snickered, but I was too focused on avoiding being mauled by Grandma’s familiar to be amused.

Where’s Satan? I asked when I reached the door.

He was lurking in your carport a few minutes ago, Reginald replied.

They all zoomed over to the door and stuck their heads outside. I can’t see him anywhere, Maryanne called out. He’s probably hiding under your car again.

There was no way I was going to be able to get inside the Mercedes without being attacked. Not even if I levitated the car, which I could do now that my aunts had been helping me practice casting spells. My high heels weren’t going to offer me any protection at all, so I changed into thick winter boots. It was early February and snow covered the extensive lawn. Hiking my dress and coat up to my knees, I unlocked the door and let myself out.

Satan waited until I’d reached my car and had opened the door before he struck. His claws raked across my boots like lightning, leaving scratch marks on them both. They merged with the other war wounds my boots had received at the hands of the imp. Since I wasn’t cursing in pain, he emerged from beneath the car and glowered up at me. Yeah, I’m wearing boots again, I said with a smirk. Not even your hellishly sharp claws can cut through them.

Growling loudly, he reared up and raked his claws across my knees. I managed to yank the dress up just high enough to avoid him ruining it. I hissed out an expletive when blood welled up from the scratches. Are you happy now, you horrible little monster? I shouted after him as he took off across the snowy lawn.

I’d come prepared for this eventuality since I’d been warned that he was lurking outside. Ignoring the phantoms who were laughing at me for being injured yet again, I climbed into my Mercedes and pulled the door shut. I wouldn’t put it past Satan to sneak into my car and attack me again if I left the door open. I dumped my shoes and clutch on Jess’ lap when she settled onto the passenger seat. Since she wasn’t solid right now, they landed on the leather.

Reaching into my purse, I retrieved the small jar of healing paste that had been altered by Grandma. She’d enchanted it so it would refill itself whenever it ran low. That was a spell she didn’t want anyone else to know about, so I’d kept it to myself. The ghosts knew about it, but they knew most of the secrets in this town.

Doctoring my injuries, I used a spell to clean the blood off my knees. I had to close my eyes so I didn’t barf at the sight of my wounds due to my notoriously weak stomach. When I was done, I started the car and headed for town with the spirits coming along for company.

Even with the Christmas decorations long gone, Hollowood Grove looked magical in winter. Bright streetlights made the snow glow a soft yellow as I made my way to the Town Hall. It was never locked and the teleporting booth was manned at all times by employees of the Council.

Good luck tonight, hon, Reginald said when I parked in the lot behind the hall. I hope your date will sweep you off your feet.

I just want to get through the night without any drama, I said truthfully.

This is you we’re talking about, Maryanne reminded me. There’s always drama when you’re involved.

I’m sure she’ll have a lovely time, Fran said, but she couldn’t hide her hint of worry. They didn’t like it that I was travelling all the way to Boston to have dinner with a warlock I’d never met. They would have preferred for him to come here so they could spy on us.

I’ll watch over her, Jess vowed. My bestie went with me everywhere now and they knew she would have my back.

Don’t you want to get changed before we go to this swanky restaurant? I asked her, eyeing her hot pink t-shirt, acid wash jeans and ratty sneakers that were matched with an electric blue hairband, eyeshadow and legwarmers, then snickered at her dour expression.

That joke just never gets old, she complained. The dead couldn’t change their clothes unless someone cast a spell that would allow them to. No spells of that type existed in our town, so they were stuck with what they’d been wearing when they’d died.

There were a few cars parked in the lot, which meant the hall wasn’t empty. I changed back into my bronze high heels and tossed my boots onto the floor behind my seat. A quick check of my watch showed me I had plenty of time left, but I didn’t want to be late and hurried inside.

A long, wide hallway greeted me when I entered through the back door. I nodded at a few normals who were huddled together and made my way to the room with the booth. A witch opened the door when I knocked. I recognized her from previous trips and we exchanged smiles. You look nice, she said, catching a glimpse of my dress and shoes beneath my coat. Where are you off to tonight?

Boston, I replied. I’m meeting my date at Enchanted Cuisine. My tone was less than enthusiastic, but she didn’t pick up on it.

Ooh, I’ve heard about that restaurant, but I’ve never been there, she said enviously. Who’s your date? she asked as she headed to the back of the teleporting booth to change the setting. It looked exactly like an old photo booth, which was an effective disguise.

His name is Conrad Plum.

Her eyes lit up at that news. I’ve heard of the Plum Coven, she said. They’re supposed to be fabulously wealthy.

Wealth wasn’t enough to win me over. It would take a lot more than money to entice me to lose my heart to a man. I stepped into the booth, waved at the troublesome trio, then let the black curtain fall into place. White light flared and the ground lurched beneath my feet as the teleporting booth sent Jess and me to Boston.

Chapter Four

PUTTING A HAND ON THE wall to steady myself, I blinked the white light away before emerging from the booth. I nodded at the warlock on duty, then stepped aside to let two elderly witches enter the device. A line of conjurers was waiting for their turn to use the booth. Speculative stares followed me as I headed for the exit with my bestie zooming along at my side.

The Council of Conjurers headquarters was elegant and impressive. Gorgeous chandeliers hung every now and then. The floor was covered in white mosaic marble tiles that were broken up by colorful images of crests from the various covens. I saw the Delaney Coven crest with the rearing unicorn and a castle in the background, then made out the snarling wolf of the Creighton Coven that was guarding a fortress. Others that I recognized were scattered around, but I didn’t stop to inspect them.

A chilly wind hit me when I stepped outside. I shoved a hand in my pocket and lifted the other one to flag down a yellow cab. The driver swerved over and I climbed into the back and gave him the name of the restaurant. His eyebrows rose before he put his foot down and we took off. Even normals had heard about the posh establishment.

We weaved through traffic and were only a few minutes late when we pulled up outside the brightly lit building. I paid the cab driver, then took in the restaurant. Fairy lights gave it a magical atmosphere and outlined the sign above the wide double doors. It was exclusive and getting a reservation was impossible for normals. Conjurers had to come from prestigious covens to have a chance at getting a table. Only the richest and most well-known people from the magical community were allowed through the doors.

Do you feel like an imposter yet? Jess asked, reading my discomfort in my expression and body language.

Yep and I haven’t even stepped through the door yet, I replied. A normal who was walking past glanced at me, then frowned and hurried his steps. To him, it looked like I’d been talking to thin air.

Be brave, my bestie said, then swept ahead of me towards the doors.

Quailing on the inside, I followed her. A doorman wearing a red uniform with gold buttons nodded politely. Welcome to Enchanted Cuisine, he said and opened the door for me. May your evening be magical, he added as I stepped inside. I felt a spell clinging to him as I walked past him. It was designed to keep him warm during his nightly duties.

A tall, slender man with a thin moustache that was the same shade of mousy brown as his hair approached me. I figured he was the head waiter. Ah, Ms. Diva Delaney, if I’m not mistaken, he said and bowed. Allow me to take your coat, he offered. He wore the same red uniform with gold buttons as the doorman.

Thanks, I said as he deftly peeled my coat off.

Why, you’re even more beautiful than the rumors led me to believe, he said, taking in my dress. With a careless toss, he threw my coat aside. A spell caught it before it could land on the floor. It zoomed away, presumably heading for the coat closet.

He wouldn’t say that if he saw you in your ratty sweat pants, Jess said with a smirk.

Ignoring her, I allowed myself to be guided into the restaurant. Enchanted Cuisine was like the Cheshire Hotels. Instead of waiters and waitresses serving people, food and beverages appeared by magic.

More fairy lights lit the interior, giving the tables a cozy, intimate atmosphere. Every table was taken, but I didn’t recognize anyone. My legs were shaking slightly as I followed my escort to a table for two. The warlock my grandmother had foisted onto me stood when we approached him. While he was only average in height and build, Conrad Plum was undeniably charismatic. He had dark eyes and hair and tanned skin. His looks spoke of foreign ancestry, but his accent was American when he greeted me. I’m so glad you accepted my invitation to dinner, Ms. Delaney, he said.

I nodded at my guide in thanks, then took the hand that Conrad offered to me. Thanks for inviting me, I said awkwardly then took the opportunity to scan him.

Jess noted my spine stiffening, but my date had no idea I’d just gleaned his true intentions from him. Is he a bad guy? she asked me. Do you want me to turn poltergeist and cover him in ectoplasm?

I discreetly shook my head as Mr. Plum politely held my chair for me. He tucked it beneath me like he’d done it a thousand times before as I sat down, then took his own seat. So, what do you do for a living, Mr. Plum? I asked as if I hadn’t just learned everything about him from our brief contact. It was tempting to let Jess loose on the guy, but I didn’t want to make a scene and bring shame on my family.

My coven deals in acquisitions, he replied vaguely, then pointed at two glasses of white wine that had just appeared. I took the liberty of ordering for us both.

Appetizers appeared next. I looked down at the artfully displayed food and wondered what the heck I was about to ingest. I preferred to order my own food, but it would be churlish to refuse the meal. It turned out to be vegetables wrapped up in some sort of pastry. It was tasty enough and probably cost as much as the bronze purse Haydn had bought for me. What sort of acquisitions do you deal in? I asked, unwilling to be put off so easily.

Oh, this and that, Conrad replied mysteriously. He eyed my dress, gaze lingering on my cleavage for longer than was polite. I’d heard the Delaney witches were lovely, he said in admiration. But you exceed my expectations. I look forward to our covens joining together when we become married.

Sheesh, overconfident much? Jess said and rolled her eyes. The nerve of this guy, she added, planting her hands on her hips.

Unfortunately for my date, he clearly had no idea what I did for a living. He proceeded to talk about himself for the next two hours, explaining at length what a catch he was and how lucky I would be to become tied to him for the rest of my life. He’d already decided that I would move into their mansion in Boston. I ate my fancy meal of fish and salad, then concentrated on the delicious dessert. His lies flowed over me and I merely had to make a noise as if I was listening to him every now and then.

Jess mimed strangling him, which almost made me choke on my food trying not to laugh. It wasn’t easy to ignore her antics. She was just as bored with my date as I was. He hadn’t asked me a single question about myself, or shown any interest in me at all. Just as I’d feared, the warlocks saw me as a trophy rather than a flesh and blood person. If this was the sort of man my grandmother expected me to marry, then I would remain single forever.

I’d finished off my glass of wine, but had made sure to drink it slowly. Alcohol tended to go straight to my head if I drank it too quickly. I excused myself to make a trip to the bathroom, glad to escape from the monotonously droning voice of my date for a while.

Jess went to follow me, but I surreptitiously motioned for her to stay put. She frowned, then realized I had a reason for wanting her to stay and turned to keep her eye on Conrad.

I took my time in the bathroom and saw a faint yellow gleam deep within my cabochon stone. It reflected my amusement at what was about to happen. Conrad Plum only had moderate power, but I’d gleaned from him that he was adept at making potions. He’d made one for me and intended to pour it into my wine while I was in the ladies’ room. I’d never been so glad for my psychic abilities when I took my seat again.

Chapter Five

DON’T DRINK FROM YOUR glass, Jess warned me when I sat down. I saw your date pour something into it before it filled up with more wine. I flicked my eyes at another table, then back to her. Knowing me well, she guessed what I wanted her to do. I really love being your best friend sometimes, she said gleefully, then swept over to the table that was a short distance from ours. She manifested enough to knock over a glass and red wine splashed all over a warlock’s lap. He drew everyone’s attention when he swore and leaped to his feet.

While Conrad’s gaze was diverted, I quickly swapped our glasses over. I sent a small surge of power into the wine to boost the spell that had been intended for me. While I didn’t relish the thought of drinking from the same glass that he’d used, I had to keep up appearances. He turned back and couldn’t hide the predatory gleam in his dark eyes when I took a sip. The wine here is exceptional, he said and took a large swallow from his own glass.

It sure is, I agreed and put my glass down again.

Jess floated back over to us and smothered a giggle with her hand when my date downed more wine. I don’t know what potion he poured in there, but I have a feeling this is going to be good, she predicted.

I had a few more small sips while Conrad continued to tell me how glad I should be that he’d deigned to ask me out. He became distracted by his reflection in the silver water jug in mid-sentence, then gulped down the rest of his drink. Is something wrong? I asked innocently when he picked up the silver jug.

Wrong? he asked as he admired himself. Not at all. Everything is perfect. He smiled at his reflection and ran his fingers along his jaw flirtatiously.

Please don’t tell me he tried to use a love potion on you, Jess said in a cross between horror and amusement.

Yep, I said in satisfaction and pushed my unwanted wine away. I gave it a boost, so I imagine things are going to get fairly awkward pretty quickly. Conrad was already beyond the ability to understand me and was lost deep in his own eyes.

I wasn’t wrong and heads turned when Mr. Plum became more enamored with himself by the second. He began running his hand up and down his chest and whispered sweet nothings to his mirror image in an effort to seduce himself.

Eww, Jess complained. He needs to get a room with himself. I snorted out a laugh of agreement.

The head waiter who had met me at the door appeared like magic. Is there a problem here? he asked, looking around in worry at the spectacle my date was making.

It seems Mr. Plum thought it would be a good idea to try to use a love potion on me, I replied. I guess he isn’t aware that I’m psychic and that I picked up on his intentions to try to drug me. He drank his own potion, which I think is poetic justice, really, I said in satisfaction.

One of our patrons attempted to drug his date? he asked in horror, then pinched his lips together in disapproval. I’m terribly sorry this happened, Ms. Delaney, he said stiffly. We don’t condone that sort of behavior here at Enchanted Cuisine. The entire Plum Coven is now hereby banned from this establishment. The Delaney Coven is, however, always welcome. He spoke loudly enough for a few people to overhear him and speculative murmurs sounded.

Two more employees wearing red uniforms appeared and grabbed hold of the amorous warlock. They teleported him and the water jug away and I was left sitting alone at the table with Jess laughing herself into transparency. I’ll have the check, please, I said to the head waiter.

There will be no charge for you this evening, he said. It was obvious he was distressed that this had happened in his classy establishment.

The food was lovely, I told him. I’ll definitely recommend Enchanted Cuisine to my friends and family.

He dredged up a smile and pulled my chair back so I could stand. Jess was wiping away spectral tears as we headed for the exit. That started out as the most boring date in the history of dating, but it definitely ended with a bang, she said.

I bet Conrad is banging himself right now, I murmured, which sent her off into more snorts and giggles.

If I hadn’t picked up on Mr. Plum’s intentions, I could have ended up in his bed tonight. That thought was enough to drive away my amusement. Once I told my family about this, Grandma would hopefully stop trying to pair me up with the warlocks of her choice. I was sure she would be in contact with the Council about this debacle. I’d read the rules about what conjurers could get away with. What my date had attempted to do to me was just as bad as what happened in the normal world. It was a crime to drug people without their knowledge and he would be punished accordingly.

Why did Conrad try to drug you? Jess asked as my coat appeared at a snap of the head waiter’s fingers.

Taking my coat with a nod of thanks, I donned it and waited until we’d reached the sidewalk before taking my cell phone out. I pretended to talk into it so I could answer my bestie without looking like a lunatic. His coven lost a lot of money on bad investments during the past few decades, I told her. The stories about their fabulous wealth are highly exaggerated. The ‘acquisitions’ they deal in are stolen goods that they buy from normals and sell for inflated prices to other normals. I’ll tell Grandma the details so she can inform the Council about the Plum Coven.

Jess shook her head as I flagged down a taxi. You can’t trust anyone these days, she said sadly. At least you got a free meal, though.

The food was awesome, I agreed with the phone still pressed to my ear.

A cab swerved across two lanes and screeched to a stop in front of me. A horn blared from the car he’d almost sideswiped, but he blithely ignored it. Where to? he asked in a bored tone. I gave him the address of the Council headquarters and we took off at lightspeed.

I kept my phone pressed to my ear so I could continue to chat to Jess during the drive. It was a relief to climb out of the cab when we reached our destination. He’d driven like a madman, but I still gave him a tip.

It was after eleven pm, yet the Council headquarters was still buzzing with people. I received a lot of stares as I headed for the room with the teleporting booth. It was obvious that word about what had happened at the restaurant had already spread. A matronly woman just ahead of me in the line turned around and made a tsking noise. I heard that one of the warlocks from the Plum Coven attempted to use a love potion on you, dearie, she said. How did you manage not to fall for it?

I’m psychic, I replied with a shrug. Heads turned to listen in and they didn’t even try to pretend they weren’t eavesdropping.

You mean your tealeaves told you that this was going to happen? someone else asked.

I don’t read tealeaves, I said with as much patience as I could muster when Jess snickered at me. Psychic mediums can communicate with ghosts and pick up information by touching objects and people.

So, you knew what he was planning just by touching him? a warlock asked skeptically. The conjurers didn’t put much stock in my other talents.

I picked up on his intentions when we shook hands, I explained as the line moved up.

What if he’d been wearing gloves? the matronly witch asked.

I still would have known what he was going to do because he would have touched the gloves to pull them on. He would have left an impression on them.

What if someone else had put his gloves on for him? another warlock asked.

Even if I hadn’t picked up the information from Mr. Plum, I would have known the wine had been tampered with, I replied, trying to hide my exasperation at all the questions. I can sense spells and can generally tell what they’re for, I added.

They exchanged disturbed looks, then the line moved up again. A few of them edged away from me and I could feel spells clinging to them or to their possessions. I imagined it had to be unsettling to have a powerful witch who could sense enchantments standing among them.

Chapter Six

WHEN IT WAS MY TURN to use the booth, the warlock who was operating it didn’t bother to ask me where I wanted to go. He knew who I was and had guessed that I was heading home. Jess drifted into the device with me and we were both sent back to Hollowood Grove.

As sometimes happened, we arrived at almost the same time as other travelers were using the booth. I crashed into someone when I lurched forward and hands caught me by the shoulders. I knew who it was even before he spoke. His expensive, sexy cologne was a dead giveaway. Now, now, Ms. Delaney, Haydn Creighton said slyly. Do try to resist the urge to throw yourself me. He wore a charcoal gray suit with a silver tie and a midnight blue shirt. His skin was as pale as ever, which made his black hair and cobalt eyes stand out.

I straightened up and put my hands on his leanly muscled chest to push myself away from him. In your dreams, I sneered to his ridiculously handsome, smirking face.

"You’re Diva Delaney? a witch I’d never seen before asked in a squeaky voice while looking me up and down derisively. She was tall, buxom, blonde and gorgeous, exactly Haydn’s usual type. Her dress was so tight it looked like it had been painted on. It was an unfortunate shade of neon orange that didn’t suit her. I expected you to be taller," she added in a nasally tone.