Harry wriggled his eyebrows at Miguel and then faced Lupe. “Yes, please. Oh, and can I get a couple of margaritas to wash that down? Gracias, Tía Lupe.”

  Lupe pinched Harry’s cheek and went off to the kitchen.

  Miguel slouched in his seat. “She’s going to kill me for this.”

  Harry leaned forward, clasping his hands together. “So, how did a guy like you even get mixed up in all this? Did the Vatican just call one day and tell you, ‘Hey, there’s a couple of vamps in L.A. we need you to take down, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit’?”

  For the first time tonight, Miguel chuckled. “Hardly. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve had a gift of healing—not like Lupe, but I can heal minds, magical afflictions, perhaps even souls. My parents died when I was young, and Lupe raised me. She believed my abilities were a blessing.”

  Harry nodded. “They look like it to me. You helped save that woman tonight.”

  Miguel wore a satisfied grin. “That’s all I want to do—help. So, I felt the call to help people, within God’s plan and became a priest. Everything was going fine until last month when a few of my parishioners went missing. One of them even turned up dead.”

  “The vamps,” Harry said with a shake of his head. He thanked Lupe when she returned with a hot plate of enchiladas and two margaritas.

  “And I told Miguel to let the police handle it. It’s not his place to go hunting.” She placed her hands on her hips and eyed her nephew, this time, with a touch of concern and tenderness.

  Miguel shrugged. “I tried, but the police are too worried about their public image, and they’re afraid that what’s happening in Miracle Falls will make its way here. The people who were taken, they weren’t rich or what the world would label as important. It was easy to push them to the side.”

  Harry frowned. “But you couldn’t.”

  “I had brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters approaching me, crying, begging for justice or at least some kind of answer. One night I was coming home from a food drive when I saw one of those vampires attack a couple of teenagers. Threw them around like rag dolls. I had to do something. Since that night, I’d just go out and patrol the neighborhood, make sure people were safe.”

  Harry raised an eyebrow. “So, Buffy, how many vamps have you killed?”

  “None. I subdue them then call the police, let the police pick up the vampires.”

  Lupe sighed. “And this is the fifth time he’s come here, all banged up and asking for me to heal him. One day, he’s going to come back dead. You need to quit!”

  Miguel rubbed his temple. “Tía, I can protect myself, and I know how to fight.”

  “Mijo, a Groupon for two free beginner karate classes does not mean you know how to fight.” She grabbed Harry’s empty plate and margarita glasses before heading off to the kitchen.

  Harry forced himself to keep a straight face. He cleared his throat. “Well, I’m a private investigator, working a case that, in part, involves a vampire, Cedric Astaroth. Do you think it’s weird vamps are suddenly congregating here?”

  Miguel nodded. “A vampire I caught last week told me that something big was going to happen soon, that they’re not as weak as the world thinks they are. He spoke of a powerful ally that would lead them against everyone.”

  Perhaps that was why Cedric chose to come here? To gather allies and become some sort of vampire top dog? Well, either way, it was too late for him. LAWT raided his hideout, and now he’s rotting in a cell. Maybe any remaining vamps will finally disperse when they have no leader to flock toward.

  Damn, maybe he shouldn’t have had two margaritas. Lupe knew how to make drinks, that was for sure.

  He needed to get home and get some rest, meet up with Vern in the morning and get Cedric’s blood. He could still save face with Aria if he did all that before catching up with her tomorrow. As for using Cedric’s daughter for leverage…that was a no-go. Vern was right, that was an asshole move. A kid didn’t deserve to be dragged into this.

  “My brother works with the Los Angeles Wizarding Task Force. They’ve been clearing out the vamps, so things will get back to normal soon.”

  “I pray they do it swiftly.”

  “Well, it was nice meeting you, Miguel. Umm…does Lupe have something for—”

  “Alcoholism and hiding pain behind sarcasm?”

  “More or less.”

  Lupe came out and handed Harry a small yellow pill. “Take it. It sobers you right up.”

  Harry thanked her. “Those were some pretty strong margaritas. I ought to swing by again and have a few more before leaving L.A.”

  She perked up. “You’re always welcome.”

  He swallowed the pill and then said goodbye to them both. He exited the restaurant and got back into his car, fighting past the intense ache in his shoulders, neck, and legs. He’d go to Vern first thing in the morning, get that blood for Aria, and still be the hero in her eyes. That seemed to make this all worth it.

  As for the Imperare curse, he’d just have to figure something out—or die trying.

  9

  Jacob

  “T his should’ve been our lunch date,” Jacob said as he smirked, sipping from his cup of coffee while he wrote a few notes into the margins of the page Aria had handed him. It was the Summoning spell, for hellhounds.

  Aria gave him an apologetic smile. “You are too generous. Not only did you show up for an impromptu breakfast, but you’re also helping me get through this.” She gestured toward the page.

  “No, this is important. I don’t mind helping.” He went further down the page, translating some of the Latin words to English.

  “You’re probably the most skilled wizard I know, Jacob. If anyone can guide me on this, it’s you. I hope this doesn’t ruin the mood.”

  “Who doesn’t like combing through a 300-year old spell on how to control hellhounds while sitting in a small café with a gorgeous woman?”

  She smiled. “I’ll make it up to you.”

  “We’ll have plenty of time.”

  “I hope so.”

  He stopped toward the bottom of the page. “Did you enact this part yet? The mind meld?”

  She straightened in her seat, dark hair grazing her shoulders and her expressive eyes widening. “Yes, that’s the part where I try to give a command, tell the hellhound what to do.”

  He shook his head. “That’s actually the second part of it. The first part of it has to consist of you opening your mind to the hellhound.”

  She furrowed her brow. “Isn’t that dangerous, though?”

  “Maybe, but the hellhound won’t open its mind and listen to you if you don’t first open your mind to it. I think that’s what you may be missing.”

  She took a bite out of her pastry and ate it before responding. “I know how to call them and get them to be where I’m at, but once they show up, that’s where I lose focus and control.”

  “Well, a mind meld isn’t just sending a mental command. It has to be a respective opening of minds, sharing. Try that next time you call a hellhound and see how that works.”

  “I will, thanks.”

  “If you want, maybe I can help you practice. I did some conjuring back in my academy days, so I know what to look for when doing these types of spells.”

  She blushed. “Well…”

  His phone buzzed in his pocket, for the fourth time. “Hmm, looks like someone really wants to get a hold of me. I’m sorry.”

  “Go ahead, take it.” She gave an awkward smile.

  He handed her the spell page and took out his phone. “This is Jacob.”

  “Sir,” Detective Rosito’s voice said, “We need you back in Miracle Falls ASAP.”

  Jacob clenched his teeth, then sighed. “Please don’t tell me there’s another riot going on.”

  “Actually, your chief of staff, Bruno Jones, is missing. And by missing, I mean kidnapped by Watcher terrorists and we’re left with a ransom note.”

  Jacob groaned. “No…damn it.”

  “See you soon, Mayor Wolfe.”

  “I’ll be there right away.” He hung up.

  Aria’s expression fell. “Trouble back in Miracle Falls?”

  “Bruno’s missing, and it looks like Watchers took him.”

  She gasped. “Oh, God…Margot.”

  “Margot’s okay, and don’t worry, we’ll get her dad back.”

  She slipped the spell page into her purse. “I shouldn’t have asked you to come. You have so much on your plate already.”

  He stood when she did, and slowly approached, cupping her face gently between his hands. “You made no mistake in inviting me. I wanted to come. Now, go practice the mind meld, and have your mother help you if you need it. She’s an experienced witch, I’m sure she can help guide you on that.”

  She let out a low breath before moving in and planting a kiss at the corner of his mouth, almost as if she were debating whether to go full-on lips or his cheek but then settled for the corner of his mouth. It was nice, but for some reason, it didn’t set him on fire the way he imagined it would. Perhaps it was exhaustion or stress.

  “Be careful, Jacob. Let me know when you guys get Bruno back.”

  He let his arms slip to his sides. “Will do.”

  He slipped toward the back of the café and went down the short hallway that led to the restrooms. He stopped outside the bathrooms and waited a few seconds to ensure no one else was coming his way. He took out the emerald traveling amulet he had confiscated at the police station.

  He gripped the jewel in his hand, letting his magical energy flow through him and into the amulet. His mind focused on Miracle Falls, on city hall and his mayoral office. Suddenly there was a flash, and he felt a tugging in his belly, and the world around him spun. He squeezed his eyes shut and opened them only when the spinning stopped.

  He now stood outside his office door, miles and miles away from Los Angeles, from Aria.

  He opened the door and slipped inside. Margot was sitting in the seat across from his desk, blowing her nose with a tissue and wiping away tears. Her blue pixie cut was combed back into a sleek super-short hairdo. Detective Nicholas Rosito stood next to her, a sympathetic hand on her shoulder and a look of anger in his eyes.

  Jacob cleared his throat. “Margot, I’m so sorry.” He approached her and gave her a quick hug. “We’re going to get your father back.”

  She nodded. “I haven’t spoken to the press yet, but someone’s going to say something.”

  Jacob squeezed her shoulder. “Maybe we could use that to our advantage? If this is being reported on, the perpetrators won’t be able to easily move throughout the city and transport him. Also, these guys think they’re the good guys, but if they’re cast in a negative light for kidnapping a man, it will turn people against them.”

  Rosito shook his head. “I wish it were that easy. Look at the ransom note they left for us.” He handed Jacob the paper.

  Jacob scanned it, his jaw tightening with anger and worry. The note asked for him to bring $50,000 to Corinthian Park, alone, tonight, and it said Bruno would be killed if any law enforcement arrived.

  “What are we going to do?” Margot asked.

  “I’m not going to let them hurt your father,” Jacob said. “Never. I’ll do it.”

  Rosito arched an eyebrow. “Sir, maybe we ought to go over—”

  “These people aren’t bluffing. I’ve seen what they can do. Both the Watchers and the Guardians are dangerous, and they are willing to kill for what they want.”

  Rosito spoke up. “I’m not letting you show up alone.”

  “Maybe you don’t have to,” Jacob said. “Can you discreetly put together a small task force that can hang near the park tonight as backup?”

  “Yeah,” the detective said. “I can do that.”

  “And Nicholas, make sure it’s all veterans.”

  “Why?”

  “Last night Amanda and I were attacked by a group of assailants, some of whom are on the force. Newcomers. So, I want this task force with only veterans that you trust and know are good men and women.”

  Rosito looked alarmed at the revelation but kept his composure. “Okay, you got it.” He whispered goodbye to Margot before heading out of the office.

  Margot stood and faced him. “Be careful out there, okay?”

  “I will.”

  She gave him a tight hug. “I’ve got to go, I’m still using the security detail you gave me, so I’ll be okay.”

  He watched her head for the door, and just before she stepped out, he said, “I’ll bring back Bruno. I promise you.”

  She gave him a firm nod, then closed the door behind her.

  Maybe he shouldn’t have promised that. He didn’t know for sure if he could keep it. He wanted to believe he could. But he hated seeing Margot cry and worry about her father. Well, if he was going to do this, he may as well be smart about it.

  He pulled out his cell phone and called the one person he knew could help him in a situation like this, who could prepare him for tonight, which would inevitably end in bloodshed.

  “Jacob? That you callin’ me?”

  “Max…I know it’s been a while since you’ve worked for my family…”

  “You mean since you fired me after your old man died, Boy Scout?”

  Jacob held back a retort. “Are you available today?”

  “Am I back on the Wolfe family payroll?”

  His gut told him this wasn’t the best idea, but he was going into the lion’s den tonight. He had no illusions about the fact that he would be walking into a trap. “Yeah, this is a one-off. Is that okay?”

  Max’s voice started in a chuckle and then ended in a full-blown chortle. “Kid, that’s what your old man said the first ten times. What do ya need?”

  “Magic-infused weapons, a warded tactical vest, a cloaking ring, aggressive lightning spells, a deflection knife…”

  “Who the hell are you planning to fight? Godzilla?”

  “Does it matter?”

  “Guess not. I’ll meet you at your place.”

  “No, I’ll come to yours.”

  “Well lah-di-dah, Mr. Fancy Pants Mayor is too good for me to show up to his mansion and deliver his black market weaponry.”

  “Shut up, Max. I’ll be there in an hour.”

  He ended the call.

  He hoped he wouldn’t regret this.

  10

  Aria

  Aria took in a deep breath and stared the salivating hellhound straight in its red, infernal eyes. After practicing summoning them a dozen times, she had learned a few new things about them. If she didn’t make eye contact, they’d attack. If she were alone with them, they’d try and pounce on her. If she wasted their time, tried to verbally communicate with them, whistled at them as one would a pet dog, they’d snarl and launch themselves at her.

  But, if she held up her right hand, displaying her fiery birthmark, they paused.

  If her gaze met theirs, they’d pay attention.

  And if she opened her mind, melding it with theirs, they listened.

  “Good…stay calm,” Aria said in her mind to the hellhound. She kept her breathing steady despite how quickly her heart thumped in her chest.

  “Souls,” the hellhound said to her in her mind. It sounded like a growl, but the mind meld must’ve allowed her to understand what that particular growl meant.

  Slowly, she opened her mind just a little more, feeding magical energy into the connection. “I’m the only soul here, but I will release you to do your work.”

  The hellhound hung its head low, letting out an impatient snarl. It stood at four feet tall when on all four legs, and its “fur” was as black as coal. A faint shimmer clung around the hellhound like an aura. Its large mouth hung open, and it sniffed the air, seeking out any recently deceased person it could drag down to Hell.

  “Souls,” it repeated.

  “Do you know who I am?” she mentally asked the infernal beast.

  The hellhound whined but answered when it observed her birthmark. “Sin eater.”

  Aria pointed toward the left corner of her hotel room. “Go sit over there.”

  The hairs on the hellhound’s back rose. It whined again and then trotted over to the indicated corner.

  This was progress! She was finally getting somewhere. Aria managed to maintain the mind meld for a few more minutes before growing tired. The hellhound must’ve sensed a loosening of the grip she held on the meld because it became snappish. Carefully withdrawing her magical energy from her connection, she told the hound in her mind, “Go, do your work.”

  The beast blew out smoke from its nostrils before opening a dark gray portal and jumping through.

  Taking in a deep breath, she grabbed a water bottle and drank nearly half of it, wondering if she were playing with forces she wouldn’t be able to handle. But at least she made it this far. And with more mind melds would come more control. At least, that’s how she hoped it would be.

  There was a rustling at the door, and the lock clicked open. It was Clare, returned from a little apothecary she had found nearby. She smiled as her gaze met Aria’s, and she brought over her bag of goodies, sitting next to her on the sofa.

  “We’re going to do a tracking spell,” Clare said.

  “For Mira?” Aria asked.

  “Yes, I have all the ingredients, and—”

  “But Harry still needs to give me the vampire blood.”

  Clare ran a hand through her silver-streaked hair. She then gave Aria an assuring squeeze on her shoulder. “I know. But I thought we’d track Mira first to see where she is. It will lead us to the last place she’s stayed, where she has taken shelter. We don’t have to confront her or let her know we’re there. We just need to know where to find her. We’ll get the blood from Harry, then we can all go back and perform the Undoing.”