Hotel Hex (12 page)
Authors: Linda Wisdom
“You can’t keep on killing people in hopes you’ll end up with enough to become some scary creature!” Jazz shouted at her even as a heated wind assaulted her ears. She could smell the desert and exotic spices again along with the scent of decay and rot coming from the sorceress.
“I have slumbered within the stones too long. It is time for me to regain my true existence,” Amira told her, her voice a booming echo. Her mouth widened showing jagged teeth. “With your help and the aid of your lover, I will be strong enough to leave this place.”
“Oh Hades no!” Jazz exclaimed. “That is so not going to happen. Besides, Nick’s and my powers won’t help you. Haven’t you figured that out yet? You made a mistake in bringing us here. Your magick is ancient. Something that’s not of this world any longer. You should have stayed dormant, Amira.” She hated having to retreat a step, but a bump at her back reminded there was something that just might be important to her nemesis. Hoping the bleeding light will mask her actions, she stealthily slipped her hands behind her back.
The heavy power encased in the box reached out to Jazz, singeing her skin. She bit her lip to remain silent.
That’s a good witch, Jazz, for once in your 700 hundred years, keep your mouth shut.
Amira’s mouth continued to widen even more while her eyes flamed to the point Jazz felt a searing heat against her face accompanied by the stench of burned skin. She feared the disgusting smell was coming from her.
“No one has ever managed to steal into my sanctuary,” Amira snarled, raising her arms, her fingers wide and nails sharpening to points that she aimed at Jazz’s eyes.
Jazz reared back, now able to place her hands on the box. She hissed in pain from the searing heat and what felt like razors embedded in the container.
Amira’s face changed the moment the witch gained ownership of the box.
“
No
!” She reached for Jazz who tucked the chest against her body and bobbed and weaved worthy of the best of the NFL as she ran for the doorway.
Just as Jazz moved to escape the room she turned around and lifted the box over her head. “May this destroy you!” She threw the box to the floor where the possessed wood shattered.
The percussion threw her the rest of the way out of the room. She fell on her butt, sliding across the narrow hall into the wall. The back of her head connected with the surface and sent stars dancing in front of her eyes.
The sight before her was enough to deepen the beginning of the burgeoning concussion.
Amira stood in the center of black and orange flames that lapped at her body while the sigils in the room melted and ran down the walls in rivulets. Her hair lifted again, writhing in the air and seeming to snatch the wards before they dissolved, but it was already too late.
“
Nooooo
!” she screamed as the flames leapt higher until there was nothing but the fire cleansing the room and the coppery stench of blood and rotting reek of decay.
Jazz couldn’t move as she watched the fire consume the room. Amira’s frenzied screams rang in her ears until there was nothing but the sound of the roaring flames. Then, suddenly, even the inferno was gone and only the nose-wrinkling smell of fire and burned magick remained.
She looked down at her scorched clothing. “I really liked this jacket,” she mourned as she slowly rose to her feet.
She carefully made her way to the back stairs. And smiled as the changes Amira’s destruction had implemented slowly made themselves known.
Jazz looked down and snapped her fingers. Magick flared from her fingertips. Satisfaction glowed on her face. “Now that’s what I’m talking about.”
When she reached the second floor she immediately noticed the carpet colors were richer in depth, the wallpaper a serene burgundy with a gold fleur de lis pattern. Faux gas lights twinkled warmly on the walls and even the air smelled fresher with hints of lavender and beeswax. She couldn’t detect any hint of leftover evil.
But she still took a deep breath before opening her suite door. Fear that Amira’s death wasn’t in time lingered in her mind as she pushed at the door. She inhaled and again smelled lavender.
So far so good.
Derwood shot off the sofa.
“What happened?” he demanded. “There was an explosion. And then…” He shook his head. “I don’t know how to describe it. The room felt different.”
“Probably because Amira’s dead. She was the explosion.” Jazz examined the man, relieved to see his signs of aging reversing. “I’m afraid I left a big mess upstairs. It will probably affect the resale value of the house, although it’s going to need a mega cleansing first.” She moved past him toward the bedroom where she hoped she’d see further success.
“Jazzjazzjazzjazz!” Fluff and Puff bounced up and down on the bed, still managing to remain in the protective circle.
She smiled as she picked up the protection stones then did the same around Nick. The faint crow’s feet were already gone and he looked as he did when he slept during the daylight hours.
“Did you blow her up?” Fluff asked, leaping into her arms and nuzzling her chin in a way that had her laughing. “It felt like you blew something up.”
“Nasty sorceress gone?” Puff chimed in not about to stay down for long.
“And not returning,” she assured them, rubbing her nose over their fuzzy heads.
“Nick’s okay,” Fluff told her. “He looked better after the upstairs blew up. What did you do? Will you get in trouble for what you did?”
“I doubt it.” She breathed a sigh of relief over the fact that it looked as if she had succeeded in besting Amira.
“I’m going to check on Beatrice,” Derwood said from the bedroom doorway.
Jazz hesitated then shook her head. “I’m sorry, Derwood, but it won’t do any good. I’m afraid she’s truly gone. It was too late to save her and Sylvie,” she said. “Amira had already stolen their life forces. There was no way to bring them back even with her now gone.”
The man’s shoulders fell. “I knew Beatrice for many years as our travels intersected. A lot of people didn’t like her, but I considered her a good friend. She was a tough old bird. I hope she at least gave that bitch heartburn. I-ah-I think I need to be by myself. Will it be safe?”
She nodded. “My magick is back. Although I wouldn’t go downstairs until I check it out.”
Derwood inclined his head. His expression was wan with loss. “I’ll be in my room.” The suite door closed softly after him.
Jazz sat on the bed, the slippers remaining in her lap as she looked down at her beloved’s face.
“I could have lost you,” she said softly, stroking Nick’s face with her fingertips. “The Fates should know better than to cross me.” She smiled as his eyelashes fluttered open. Eyes the color of aged whiskey looked up at her.
“It’s about time,” he murmured. “How long have I been unconscious?”
“Never easy when you’re going up against an ancient sorceress. And you’ve been snoozing a few hours while I did what I do best.” She grinned.
Nick pulled her down beside him. “How much of the house is gone?” He combed his fingers through her hair, releasing her braid.
“It’s not that bad. Only probably most of the roof and a good portion of the third floor. The good thing is the house smells pretty normal now. No more shifting furniture and carpets.” She sighed happily as she nestled against him. “The doorknobs don’t look like skulls anymore either.” She rolled over until she rested atop his prone body. “As much as I’d love to continue this, I really need to check out the rest of the house. Wanna come with?”
“Not exactly the come with I was hoping for,” he grumbled good-naturedly as he put her to one side and sat up.
Jazz and Nick first stopped at Derwood’s suite. The man sat in a chair and assured them he would be fine there. Since Fluff and Puff refused to be left behind they replaced her boots as footwear.
They paused at the window in the stairway. The stained glass design didn’t allow them to clearly see outside, but they could see enough to note the rain had stopped and the sun gleamed through the colorful glass.
“I do good work,” Jazz smirked, leading the way.
“What’d you do?” Zorak asked when they reached the lobby. “Thought we were havin’ an earthquake or somethin’.”
“Some things can’t be changed,” she muttered, looking at the zombie. “I made things right.” She headed for the double doors and squealed as they easily opened. Nick stayed back as the sunshine filtered in.
“Witch, you got some powerful magick going on,” Puck said from his spot on the inkwell. ”Thanks. I’m off now. Nymphs to ravish and all that. Smooches.” He winked and popped out of sight.
Zorak remained with them as they checked the other rooms. Just as Jazz feared, Kiki was still a dry husk in the throne-like chair. But the kitchen no longer looked like a slaughterhouse and the fresh scent of a dark magick free house continued.
“Do I stay here?” Zorak asked.
“You don’t have anywhere to go?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I’ve always lived here.”
Jazz thought for a moment. “I may know of a place. Odd working conditions if you don’t mind working for a creature whose origin no one knows. Dweezil may not be the best boss in the universe, but he’ll love having a zombie around. And I’ll make sure he pays you.”
“Never been paid before.” He idly scratched his cheek, flakes of skin falling to the floor.
“That’s my girl. Fixes everything.” Nick brushed his lips over her temple.
“And once it’s dark, we all are so outta here,” Jazz told him.
“Beverly Hills Hotel!” Fluff and Puff shouted.
Epilogue
Bungalow at Beverly Hills Hotel
Bare skin smoothed a silken path across bare skin. Lips searched out sensitive areas while fingers stroked paths of desire. Soft moans filled the air while sparks of magick flew overhead like tiny fireworks.
Soft bunny slipper snores courtesy of a chocolate coma and bunny massages drifted from the parlor.
“This is what the weekend is supposed to be about,” Jazz panted as Nick rolled off her and collapsed against the pillows.
He might be a vampire but that didn’t mean his witch couldn’t find a delightful way of tiring him out. Especially when their evening started out with dining and dancing.
Jazz wore a short body hugging dress in swirls of aqua and lavender and aqua stilettos that showed off her showgirl legs. He was never sure what part of her delectable body to obsess over first. By the time they left the club and returned to their bungalow he decided it was just easier to worship every inch of her. And he did. More than once.
As he stared at her bare skin barely covered by the sheet he felt arousal rear its head once again.
He slid over closer and trailed his hand down her belly, splaying his fingers across the satiny skin.
“You are insatiable.” She smiled as his mouth found hers.
“That wasn’t what you said earlier.” His low voice rumbled against her lips.
“Weren’t you the one who said I had to grovel after what happened at Stonegate Manor?” He was careful to keep his fangs in place as he nuzzled the sweet spot behind her ear. Witch blood and vampires weren’t a good mix.
“I did, didn’t I?” she purred, pushing against his chest and laughing as he fell onto his back. Jazz knew Nick allowed her to do it since her strength didn’t equal his, but she was taking advantage of the opportunity by gliding along his body, dropping kisses in a straight line down his chest.
Nick closed his eyes and just waited for that sensuous warmth of her mouth that managed to create a special magick all its own.
Except it didn’t happen.
An irritating sound rumbled from the nightstand.
Jazz looked up glaring at her hot pink Prada bag vibrating its way along the surface.
“Ignore it,” Nick ordered, reaching for the bag that she kept out of his reach. “We’re busy.” He raised his eyebrows in a lascivious manner.
“Yes, we are.” She licked her lips as she started to return to her task in hand. Except the incessant buzz refused to stop. She muttered a curse under her breath. “It’s Thea’s ringtone.” She ignored Nick’s equally furious curse as she scrambled over him to snatch her phone from her bag. “What?” If she sounded more snarky than usual she had an excellent reason. She and Nick had plans, damn it!
“Jazz?” Thea’s normally diva voice was subdued.
“Thea? What’s wrong?” Jazz’s danger radar kicked into high gear.
“Can you come get me?” the other witch asked in a small voice. “I don’t like it here. It smells awful and the people…” she sobbed quietly.
Jazz froze. Thea was many things, but fearful wasn’t one of them. “Where are you?”
“In jail and you’re my one phone call.”
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