Hex Appeal (30 page)

“I only wish you could have killed that evil woman and man. What he did to me was very unnerving,” Irma confessed. “It was as if his hands were all over me.”

“Okay, not a picture I need to have in my head,” she muttered. “But I agree with you. I wish I could have killed them too, although Dyfynnog was the only one in the cavern and killing Angelica's image just wouldn't have been the same. And if I did kill them, I'd then be dead. Those two have connections in high and evil places I don't. I'm hoping what happened there will have others on alert and maybe Angelica and Dyfynnog's power will suffer for what they did.” She revved up the engine while Queen's
Another One Bites the Dust
blared from the radio.

Jazz left Irma and Sirius on a bench at the edge of the boardwalk where they could enjoy the ocean view while she hurried toward the two-story building that housed Nick's apartment and office for his private investigations work.

The moment she stepped into the lobby, she felt a shift in the energy. Nick was in the building. And she was positive he knew she was coming.

For once, the elevator behaved as she ascended to the second floor.

She stood in the open doorway, holding a sultry pose. “Don't you look all Sam Spade.” She kept her voice low and sexy.

Nick sat behind his desk with his feet propped up on the scratched surface. As if he knew of her intent, he wore dark slacks, a white shirt, and suspenders. A battered fedora sat rakishly on his head. “Hey doll,” he growled. “You look like trouble on showgirl legs.” Nick leaned back his chair, allowing his gaze to roam over her. There was no doubt he liked what he saw.

Jazz perched herself on the edge of the desk.

A blur of movement was Jazz's only warning before she found herself in Nick's lap.

“Isn't it amazing what happens when we work together?” She looped her arms around his neck. “Specifically, I didn't end up in jail and neither one of us ended up in trouble.”

“Only because no one liked Dyfynnog all that much.” His hold on her tightened, bringing her closer to him. “So what do you think? You think a vampire like me and a witch like you can...?”

“There would have been a time I'd tell you not on your unlife, but I feel generous today. Still, you know it won't be easy,” she warned him. “I've got Irma and the slippers. And even if Dweezil makes me crazy I won't give up driving for him. And I want romance.”

Nick grinned. “Anything else?”

“You know if we were in a fairy tale, there would be only one ending.” She lowered her face until her lips brushed his.

“And what would that be?”

She laughed merrily and threw her hands up sending a shower of pink and gold sparkles down on them. “That we'd live happily ever after.”

Writing is a solitary business, so friends are important. Those friends that understand you best are real treasures. I couldn't have done it without the help and support of some fantastic people.

My husband, Bob, who understands that I “hear” voices in my head.

My mom, Thelma Randall, who always told me I could do it.

My agent, Laurie McLean of the Larsen/Pomada Literary Agency, aka, Batgirl, who has totally gone way beyond the call of duty.

My editor, Deb Werksman, who loves Jazz and her witch buddies as much as I do.

Mega thanks to Terese Daly Ramin who kept me on track.

To Yasmine Galenorn and Lisa Croll Di Dio for making sure all my witchy stuff was right.

The Witchy Chicks, Yasmine Galenorn, Terese Daly Ramin, Lisa Croll Di Dio, Madelyn Alt, Candace Havens, Kate Austin, Annette Blair, and Maggie Shayne. Your support is much appreciated and I love you all.

Linda Wisdom
was born and raised in Huntington Beach, California. She majored in journalism in college, then switched to fashion merchandising when she was told there was no future for her in fiction writing. She held a variety of positions ranging from retail sales to executive secretary in advertising and office manager for a personnel agency.

Her career began when she sold her first two novels to Silhouette Romance on her wedding anniversary in 1979. Since then she has sold more than seventy novels and one novella to four different publishers. Her books have appeared on various romance and mass market bestseller lists and have been nominated for a number of Romantic Times awards and has been a finalist for the Romance Writers of America Rita Award.

She lives with her husband, two dogs, two parrots, and a tortoise in Murrieta, California.

When Linda first moved to Murrieta there were three romance writers living in the town. At this time, there is just Linda. So far, the police have not suspected her of any wrongdoing.