Charmed & Deadly by Candace Havens Read Free Book Online Page A

exotic, and has a penchant for leather and slaying all things demonic. She’s been my friend since college and there are few people in the world I trust more than her, even though she once tried to get Sam into bed. Of course, it was all for the greater good, in her way of thinking. It was the only way she could tell if he was good enough for me. He turned her down flat, and now she thinks he’s the world’s greatest guy. That’s how Simone works.
    “Do you need some help? Spells, potions, anything?” I found a ponytail holder and pulled my errant curls into it.
    “No, I didn’t call for help. Just wanted to check and see how things were going.”
    She never called for small talk. Great. She knew about Jason the nasty warlock. “Who told you?” I knew it was probably my mother. Peggy probably told Mom, who couldn’t wait to rally the troops. I know my mother is only trying to save me, but it drives me crazy when she goes behind my back like this.
    There was a long pause. “I keep my sources confidential, you know that.” Simone laughed. “Is he out of spook prison? The asshole? Please say yes; then I can kill him.” Simone was one of the few people who knew most of the gory details about my past. Jason was just one of many idiots I’d had to deal with over the years.
    “Get in line, chick. I should have done it years ago.” I grumbled.
    “Any leads?” It sounded like she was moving clothes on a rack. I could hear the scraping sound of hangers against metal.
    “Not yet. Cole’s on it. Are you shopping?”
    She grunted. “Looking for new leather. Damn Blarth demon shredded my favorite jacket last night. Pissed me off so bad I left him in a pile of dust, and then hunted down his brothers.”
    Gotta love her.
    “You heading to New York in a couple of days?” Her question surprised me.
    “Wasn’t planning on it, why?”
    “Figured you’d be out there helping Garnout with the coven wars. In the last twenty-four hours things have gone bad fast. It’s going to be an all-out war in the next couple of days.”
    This is why I never like it when I get that icky feeling. “I knew it was bad, but how did you hear about it?”
    “Garnout called. When I finish up here I’m headed east to assist. Seems a flood of demons has hit town. Those bastards are drawn to evil and they are out of control.”
    My favorite wizard called Simone before he called me? That was so wrong.
    “Bron?”
    “I think I’ll take a Manhattan run tomorrow and see what’s up. Maybe do a little shopping. Maybe stop in to see why a stubborn wizard has asked everyone but me for help.”
    Simone laughed. “Don’t get your panties in a knot, he thinks you have your hands full with this Jason problem. He just didn’t want to add to your troubles.”
    Crap. I knew I should have told him about Jason. He’d found out from someone else and now he was trying to protect me. First my mother and now the wizard. Whatever.
    “Can you meet me at the airport in Dallas tomorrow around noon? Then I can fly us both in.” I reached for my pilot’s log and made some notes.
    “Hmmm. Depends on the numbers. If I find the Chelon nest tonight, we should be good to go.” In addition to being a kickass demon slayer, Simone is a brilliant statistician. She uses her awesome math skills to locate the demons and then obliterates them.
    After we hung up, I packed. Kira was next on my list. I felt bad about missing her housewarming party, but when I called she said the event was on hold until Caleb made it back. I sent another protection spell to him, just in case he was in the middle of the trouble.
    I e-mailed my mom and asked if she could stop calling my friends and telling them my business. I didn’t trust myself to use the phone—my anger was still too close.
    I loaded two bags full of potions, and then wondered if I should go on ahead and fly up right away.
    I decided to meditate and gather my strength. I’ve learned in the past few months to store it