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

like tiny boxes on a shelf I can pull out whenever I need. I still get drained when I’m in the middle of something big, but not like I used to. I’m also learning how to draw power even faster from what’s around me.
    Hmmm. Yes. That’s the plan. Meditate. Then I’ll go to Manhattan and kick some warlock and witch ass. Now there’s a fun weekend for you.
    Manhattan
Friday
8 p.m.
Dead guys: 2
Pumped witches with crazy demon-slaying friend: 1
    Simone and I have taken over my parents’ prewar brownstone. Mom and Dad are traveling again, this time to Denver for another conference. We dumped our bags in the foyer and then headed to Garnout’s store, which is just a few blocks away.
    While he wasn’t surprised to see Simone, he did raise an eyebrow when I walked in behind her.
    “Hi.” I waved.
    “Good evening, witch. And to what do I owe this honor?”
    I smirked and crossed my arms.
    “Oh.” He smiled at Simone. “It seems I’ve offended Bronwyn.”
    Simone chuckled. “Yep. She’s jealous you called me.”
    Laughing, he motioned us toward the counter. “Well, I’m glad you are both here. I have something interesting to show you.” He pointed at me. “I spoke with your reporter friend, Caleb, and he’s helped me make some notes on our situation. Bright young fellow.”
    It was good Caleb had been an asset to the wizard. I wasn’t at all certain what Garnout would think of a reporter nosing into his business.
    Garnout had several papers and magazines on the glass-and-wood countertop. “I’ve been tracking these corporate takeovers, and I think I’ve found a link. I was hoping, Simone, you could help with the numbers, before you hunt your demons.”
    “They aren’t my demons, old man, but you know I love to crunch a number. Let’s see what you have here.”
    She thumbed through the articles he’d torn out and looked at the chart he’d made. “Who owns Kelsen Enterprises? Ah. Well, what do you know? Nox Krasmirs. Never met a deal he couldn’t take advantage of, and you think he’s using magic to get insider info?”
    Garnout nodded. “I know he is. His sister is in charge of the coven gathering the information. It’s illegal on many levels. But that isn’t the biggest problem.” He pulled out a notebook with several photographs pasted inside. “One of the other covens is competing with the Krasmirs. It’s escalated out of control. They’ve taken to the streets like an old-fashioned gang war. Absolutely ridiculous.”
    I sat on a stool for a few minutes watching them work. Garnout was so cute trying to figure out corporate takeovers and making charts. I couldn’t stay miffed that he wanted to leave me out of the fun, to “protect” me.
    He’s one of the most powerful wizards in the universe. He could just make everything right with a flip of the hand, but he wouldn’t. Well, not unless absolutely necessary. He believed in using magic as a last resort. The past few weeks had been rough on him, and the worry was heavy around his eyes. Keeping the magic in balance couldn’t have been easy with warring covens running around.
    “So, what if we get the two heads of the covens together and just show them reason?” I picked up a small book about finance he had laying on the counter.
    Garnout looked up from his paper. “Splendid idea, young witch, if they didn’t murder each other on sight.”
    “No need to get snarky.” I shrugged.
    An orb beside him began glowing red. “Oh, my. I believe we’re needed.” He touched Simone’s arm. “Do you mind coming with me?”
    She smiled. “Are there demons involved?”
    Garnout nodded. He threw a large ring of keys at me. “Be a dear and lock up, I’ll get the keys when I bring Simone home.”
    And— poof —they were gone. I could grumble and whine, but there was no one there to listen. It’s not like I’m not one of the most powerful witches on the planet. My mom just said so the other day.
    Okay, that was petty, but I don’t like being