The Beckoning of Beautiful Things (The Beckoning Series) (10 page)

Marissa jerked in response. “Oh! My Spanish isn’t the greatest
, but I believe I know what that means – he’s known as the demon of death.”

“Yes, mija. And he is also known as one of the most powerful in the world. Please, let me know how I can be of service. I will do what I can, starting with alerting the others.”

“Thank you, Diego. And thank you for assessing these gemstones.”

“I will be happy to fashion them into a protection piece. In fact, I advise it.”

“Let me find out what these particular stones mean to me.” She swallowed and fingered the box. “And then I’ll be in touch.”

When Marissa arrived home, the locksmith was waiting in the driveway. She greeted him, showed him where all the entry doors were, and let him do his thing. After that, she did all her “get home” rituals – let Sober out, feed him, check the mail. There was no sign of Jason anywhere.
Good riddance.

At 5:30, with new key
s to the doors in a new place, enclosed in a combination lock container, she paced throughout the house, locking windows, and double-checking her work. She hadn’t heard from Jason since she kicked him out, and she didn’t trust him.

She was about to crate Sober when the doorbell rang. Expecting to greet Javier, she told the dog to sit and opened the door.

Daniel stood on the porch, a huge bouquet of flowers in his hands. He grinned at her. “Hermosas flores para una mujer Hermosa.”

She reached for them, blushing. “Thank you.
I told you, I’m afraid my Spanish is quite rusty.”

“I said,
‘beautiful flowers for a beautiful woman’.”

Eyes sparkling with delight, s
he took the exquisite array and stepped aside for him to enter. “You don’t have a rule that you have to stay outside, do you?”

He cocked an eyebrow
at her quizzically and then laughed. “No, that’s a courtesy I ask Javier to extend to our guests. He agrees with me.” He stepped into the foyer and looked about him. “Your home is lovely.”

Marissa scoffed. “It’s just a version of me - nothing as grand as your place.”

“It’s beautiful. It doesn’t take money to create beauty.”

Marissa looked at her feet. As she did this
, her eyes swept past Sober’s toenails. “You’re being awfully quiet,” she said to the dog. “This is strange. Sober doesn’t seem to mind you.”

“Why should he mind me?”

“Oh, he’s fairly protective when…when other people come around.” She averted her eyes. “Let me get these into water. You and Sober can have a chat.”

When she’d returned from the kitchen, Daniel was studying one of her paintings, the Doberman by his side.

“What do you two think of that piece?”

“Well, your dog was telling me that the artist has mastery over the use of light. He was pointing out the manner in which he or she used color as well. I was telling him that the concept is unique and well
-executed. There is a sense of joy that permeates the canvas.”

Marissa blushed and grinned.
“You two know something about art, do you?”

“Your do
g seems to be a real expert. I’m just a hobbyist.” He turned to face her. “Do you know the artist, by any chance?”

“I might.”

“Could you introduce us?”

“Actually, I think she’s around here somewhere.”

“Is she? I’d be honored to meet her.”

Marissa walked into the front room and returned to the living room
with her arm in the air as if it was draped over someone’s shoulders. She turned to face an imaginary person. “Ms. Engles, I’d like you to meet Daniel Navid. Mr. Navid, Ms. Engles.”

Daniel reached out to shake the imaginary artist’s hand. “It’s a pleasure, Ms. Engles. Are you related to the other Ms. Engles?”

“She’s kind of shy.”

“I can see that. Tell her not to be afraid.”

Marissa turned to the imaginary person. “Don’t be afraid.” She turned back to Daniel. “She said she’ll try, and yes, she’s related to me.”

“Tell her that her work is exquisite.”

“He really likes your art.” Marissa clutched her hands together. “She says thank you.” She giggled. “This is funny.”

“I’ve managed to be a source of amusement
to you more times than ever before in my life. Do you also find me amusing, Ms. Engles?” He turned to look at the make-believe Marissa.

“She says she finds you charming. And she likes watching us be playful. She says I’ve been missing being playful for a long time.”

Daniel leaned over to whisper in the imaginary ear. “Don’t tell Marissa, but I haven’t had this much fun for a long, long time as well. I’m enjoying it too.” He leaned back and once more extended his hand. “Again, it’s my pleasure to meet a woman of such extraordinary talent.”

“She says the pleasure is all hers.”

The two of them stood in awkward silence for a moment. Sober stood up and shook his coat, jangling his dog tags. He wandered over to Marissa and licked her fingers. Marissa laughed. “He just asked us ‘what’s the matter’?”

“What did you tell him?”

“That we’re both just a little nervous, that’s all.”

“Ah. So that’s
what we are. Tell him we’ll be alright.”

“We’ll be alright, Sober.” She patted his head.
“Go see if there’s any kibble left or something. We’ll manage.” The dog trotted into the kitchen. His dog door swished minutes later.

“Nature calls,” Marissa said, smiling.

“Yes, loud and clear, it calls.” His eyes sought hers.

She let him capture her with his gaze, welcoming the pinning. He seemed to devour her with his eyes…to drink her in. She had never felt so ravished from merely being looked at.
Want.
She swallowed. She couldn’t look away. Images flickered through her mental landscape like tiny, translucent fairies. Water…sunlight…gardens…laughter…and something dark and deeply disturbing.

“Your face is
captivating,” Daniel said. “It’s as if I am looking at an entire universe when I look at you.” He took a step closer, his gaze still wound with hers.

“We have a lot to talk about,” Marissa whispered. “A lot has happened in the past 24 hours.”

“Yes, my life has taken an entirely unexpected course.” He stepped closer.

She could feel the heat radiating from his body. It stirred pools of longing.
She wanted to dive into those pools, to dive right to the bottom. She wanted this man to possess her. She wanted to claim him as her own. She’d never felt this way about anybody. Her lips parted. Her eyelids dropped ever so slightly.

His lips parted, too. He extended the tip of his tongue to the corner of his mouth and made a slow sweep from corner to corner. He withdrew his tongue and pursed his lips.

Marissa swallowed. “See something that pleases you?”

“Very much.”

His eyes seemed to drill inside her. Marissa was utterly consumed by this man’s gaze. It was as if she was being caressed from the inside out. She imagined his lips on hers. She visualized his fingers stroking her insides, preparing the nest for entry – not that the nest needed any further preparation. Her panties were soaked with silken moisture.
Want.

His hand reached out to finger a lock of her hair. He ran a gentle fingertip along her cheek, stoking the sensation of fire in her veins. He cocked his head and began to lean down.

Here it comes.
Marissa welcomed what was next.

A rattling click
interrupted the moment. A tapping jiggled at the front door. Marissa tensed and stilled. Another rattle followed as if the doorknob was being jimmied back and forth. Someone was trying to get in the front door. “Jason!” Furious, Marissa stormed to the door and whirled it open. “Get away from here,” she said, before the door had revealed the intruder.

“Peace, baby-doll, I can’t get my key to work.”
Jason stood on the front porch, wearing torn jeans and a t-shirt, holding a key in his hand.

“Your key? Your key? I never gave you a key!”

“I had one made. It’s no big deal.”

“It is to me!”

He peered past her. “Hey. Are you Marissa’s new boyfriend? I’m her lover.”

“You are not my lover, Jason! I told you – we’re through.”

“Oh, you were just in a mood, baby-doll. You get like that.” He looked at Daniel. “She’s pretty moody. I can help you deal with her moods. Synchronized breathing helps.”

Daniel came up and stood behind Marissa. He placed a possessive hand on her shoulder. “I imagine she does have moods. Who doesn’t? I have moods, too.
I’m sure I can find my way with her. What did you say your name was?”

“Harmonia. The name’s Harmonia.” He extended a hand toward Daniel.

Marissa tensed. Sober pranced in, dog tags jingling, but for once he didn’t lunge and bark. Instead, he sat next to Daniel and waited.

Daniel didn’t take the proffered hand.
“Harmonia…that implies a sense of harmony, right?”

Jason brightened. “That’s right, it…”

Daniel continued, cutting him off. “Or when shortened, it speaks of harm. Interesting…”

Jason spluttered. “No, it’s not about harm. It’s about a transcendental state of awareness. I’m a fourth
-level Cobra breath practitioner. That’s a big deal.”

“A
Cobra, you say? That’s a rather deadly snake.” Daniel tucked Marissa closer to him.

Jason’s jaw dropped. “I’m not a snake
. I’m a fourth-level Cobra breath student of the light. I’m all about passion and love.”

“I can see that.”

Something cold radiated from Daniel. She tipped her head up to look at him and saw a smile on his face - a deadly smile. She turned back to the intruder standing on her doorstep. “Jason, I want you to leave. Now.”

Jason still star
ed at Daniel, his face ashen.

A microsecond of total darkness flashed
, startling Marissa. Little red wisps of fog feathered into the air, and just as quickly, disappeared. She turned her gaze up to Daniel. She looked at Jason. He seemed to have grown roots. No, it was more like he had become a tree, planted on her front porch, unable to move. His hands hung limply by his sides, his mouth hung open, and his eyes appeared blank.

“Jason?” Marissa said
, alarm leaking into her voice. She freed herself from Daniel’s embrace and waved her hand back and forth in front of Jason’s face. “What did you do to him?” she asked Daniel.

“Nothing. It was nothing,” Daniel stated. He
cast his eyes in her direction, and Jason came to life.

He seemed stunned. Confused was more like it.
Marissa stared at him, frowning, but he did not look her way. Without a word, he turned and staggered to his car, got in and drove away.

Marissa was speechless for a moment.
Again, she asked, “What did you do to him? What just happened?”

“It was nothing,” Daniel repeated. He brushed his hands together. “You might consider a protection spell around your house.”

“A protection spell? This is the 21
st
century, in case you haven’t noticed. I changed all the locks today and put my spare keys in a combination lock container.” Sober wandered up to her and sniffed her hand. “And what did you do to my dog? He hates Jason.”

“For good cause, I should say.
He knew I had things under control, I’d guess. And a protection spell could be your first lesson. We don’t need anything elaborate. Your friend there is a weak man. But he does possess powers he is not aware of. He’s a siphon. He extracts power from others. I’m sure he’s drained you a time or two.”

A
creepy sensation formed in her gut.
All that crystal ball mind fuck stuff.
“He’s not my friend.”

“
Good. I’m glad to hear it. He doesn’t appear to be a worthwhile friend to anyone.” Daniel lifted his hand and glanced at his watch. “Would you like to continue with our date? We have reservations at a restaurant on Alki.”

“Oh! Our date!
” Once again, he had guided her into the next moment as if things like what just happened were ordinary occurrences. She shook her head as she hustled the Doberman into the back. She may as well follow suit. “Yes. Let me crate Sober, and we can be on our way.”

Daniel pulled his
sleek, black, convertible BMW up in front of Joli’s restaurant, as two valets leapt into service, opening his door, opening her door, and assisting her to standing. The car had been a treat to ride in. It had purred along the road, as if it were a panther, slinking through the concrete jungle of West Seattle’s winding roads.

“Nice wheels,” she’d said, when she’d stepped into the car.

“I’m a collector.”

“Of beautiful things, I remember. Me, I’ve got a little smart car.”

“Economical choice,” he’d responded, tucking her skirt inside the car and shutting the door.

She hadn’t sensed a smidge of sarcasm
or condescension.

The restaurant
faced the Puget Sound. “I’ve eaten here.” She stepped through the doorway as he held it open for her.

A mysterious smile lit up his face.
“What did you think?”

“I liked it. The food is fantastic.”

“The chef is a friend of mine. I’ll be sure to tell him.”

The hostess beamed at Daniel and nodded at her. “Mr. Navid! Such a pleasure! Your table is ready. Tammy will escort you.”

Tammy hustled over. “Right this way, Mr. Navid. Follow me.”

“Fan club?” Marissa whispered.

“More like sharks, trolling the waters,” he responded, conspiratorially.

Tammy guided them through the small, intimate restaurant. Marissa’s eyes widened when she opened a door near the back and stood aside for them to enter. Marissa
gazed at the stairs leading up, glanced at Daniel, and shrugged, stepping up the carpeted stairs. “This door?’ she asked, reaching the top of the landing.

“No,” Tammy said. “Keep going.”

After two more landings they reached the top. Marisa stepped through the doorway to find a curtain-lined entranceway. She paused.

Tammy stepped forward, pulled aside the
long, heavy blue curtain and indicated that Marissa should enter. A table set for two was in the middle of the room. Candles burned in the center. The table was set with gleaming silverware, cloth napkins, and crystal. There was a sideboard against the wall which held a splendid flower arrangement. Soft guitar music filled the atmosphere. The entire room was cozy without being cloistering.

“This is the Crow’s Nest!” Marissa exclaimed. “I’ve seen this from the sidewalk and always wondered what was up here!”

“Wonder no more, mi corazón,” said Daniel, pulling her seat out. “For tonight, the place is all ours. Actually, it’s ours whenever you wish it.”

“Why’s that?”

“I own it. This entire building is mine.”

She gave him a quizzical look and then turned her head to face the water.
“The view up here is breathtaking.” The room was lined with windows, facing the water. Just as at his house, she could see boats, ferries, and kayakers, motoring along like tiny toys.

“Not as breathtaking as the view in here.”

She looked over to see him piercing her with his eyes.

“Enjoy your meal, Mr. Navid
,” Tammy said, casting what looked like a churlish, green-eyed gaze at Marissa. “Your server will be up shortly.”

When Tammy had left, Daniel
regarded Marissa. “We were about to do something delicious back at your home when we were rudely interrupted.”

“We were.” Marissa twisted her hands in her lap.

“Perhaps we’ll have another chance.”

“Perhaps,” she said, the flutters in her belly starting to twirl.
A crazy grin split her face. Then, she sobered. “A lot has happened since I saw you last.”

“Would you like to share?
I can pretend to be patient.” He smiled and his tongue darted along his upper lip as before.

Marissa’s
smiled wickedly. No doubt about it – the man made her hot.

A
door in the back slid open, and an older, balding waiter entered the room. “Mr. Navid,” he said. “I see you have company this time. Splendid.” He made his way over to the table and presented two small menus. “Here is what Chef Hayes has prepared for you tonight. I’ve paired it with your favorite wines. Would you like to make any changes or does this suffice?”

“That looks excellent, Grayson. Let’s start with a red.”

After their wine was poured, Daniel lifted his glass to hers. “What shall we toast to?”

Marissa
scrutinized the blood red liquid. “Surviving?”

He frowned. “Surviving what?”

“All this…this…this sorcery business. Last week, I didn’t know it existed. This week, it’s hit me full force. I’m a bit overwhelmed.”

Daniel nodded
and smiled encouragingly. “Well, let’s not toast to survival – that’s too dire. I say we toast to endless possibilities and meeting the unexpected with panache.”

“I think I left my panache at home.” Marissa swirled her wine, a bleak expression on her face.

“To élan?”

“Under the bed.”

“Flair? Flamboyance?”

“I might be able to dig up some flair.”

“Flair it is, then.” He clinked his glass to hers. “Marissa, don’t look so glum. This is a remarkable time to be alive. I am grateful to have met you. Overjoyed, in fact.”

She smiled shyly,
and then her face fell. “I was supposed to begin some kind of training at age 16.” She sipped her wine, a somber look on her face.

“
The turning point. Yes, that’s the age at which training usually begins. Mine did. Who told you this?”

“My mother’s jeweler, Diego Perona.”

“The high sorcerer, Diego Perona?” Daniel sat up in his chair. “How is it that your mother knows him?”

“
I don’t really know if he’s a high sorcerer. But my mother was supposedly affiliated with the Numina.”

“Why do you say
‘was’? Most members of that group don’t leave their post unless they die.”

Unexpected tears filled Marissa’s eyes.

“Oh, is your mother dead?”

Marissa nodded sadly. “She and my dad died in a plane crash in Guatemala
when I was 15. It was about…” She glanced away, trying to will back emotion. “It was about the time you lost your fiancé. Just after. Mom was a witch and a light healer, and I never knew that. She supposedly sang and electricity came out or something like that. They were trying to protect me.” As if a dam had burst, the full impact of the last few days came flooding out. “That asshole sorcerer who killed your fiancée may have killed my parents after that. He stole all my mom’s protection gems. The Numina heard he was after me. He’s a bad, bad man. And Diego asked me to help him find the jewels. And you asked me to help you solve something to do with el Assholio Demonio. And I don’t even have a clue how to keep that jackass of a former boyfriend away from my house,” she wailed. “How can I help anyone? Until last week, I was just an ordinary woman. Now I find out my birth was marked by an extinct kestrel, my mother was a light healer, I’m a light beacon of some sort, and I don’t know what to do.” Sobs erupted from her lungs. “And that’s why my fingers were sparking in my driveway!” she wailed. She grabbed her napkin and wiped her face. “I’m sorry, I’m a mess.”

“
An extinct kestrel?” he asked.

“Yes, some falcon
, supposedly extinct for centuries, flew in the room while my mom was pushing me out. It apparently hovered overhead and thought about snatching me with its talons. It changed its mind and flew away.”

“That’s a pretty potent sign.
But I doubt it thought about snatching you in its talons. You might need a falcon as an ally.”

“It’s a crazy story that I never knew about until
today.”

“Are you finished?” he said tenderly.

“No!” More sobs wrenched her chest. “He’s after me, Daniel. He’s going after me next. I saw him in the pond behind my house. He’s pure evil, and he’s coming after me this year. You’re right. This calls for revenge!”

The door behind them slid open
, and Daniel lifted his hand abruptly. The waiter nodded, backed away, and closed the door. Daniel walked around to Marissa, drew her up to standing, and held her tight. “You are right, dulzura, much has happened to you over the last couple of days. You’re used to keeping it together and being strong, sí?”

She nodded, sniffling.

He kissed her eyelids, slurping up her tears. “Now I have your tears inside of me. It’s sealed. Whatever the nature of our relationship, I will help you deal with el Assholio Demonio.” He laughed softly. “Excellent name, by the way.”

“Is that some sort of ritual? The drinking of tears?”

“Yes, it’s an ancient ritual that I just made up. Guys like me can do that, you know.”

“Can they?”

“Yes.”

“Guys like you are so cool.” A wan smile creased her face.

“Thank you. We need to be extra cool to be with women like you.”

The door slid open once again
, and the waiter peeked in anxiously. Daniel nodded to him. “But for now we’ve got to eat, drink, and fortify in preparation for the journey ahead. Are you ready?”

Marissa smiled and wiped the rest of th
e tears from her face. “Yes. I’m ready to meet my destiny with flair.”