Witch Unleashed Page 7

  I stepped forward, my gaze pleading, his unmoving. “There is something more going on. I can feel it. Just question them.”

  Ryder licked his lips and visibly swallowed. “You’re right. There is something going on with Peter and Creely.”

  My brows dipped. “What?”

  “The night they arrived, and he spent it in town, they married.”

  “What!” I shook my head. “If that was true, then why wasn’t he with them walking to the beach?”

  “I don’t know yet, Tess, but I promise to find out. I’m going to the hotel after I go talk to the Chief.”

  She nodded and held up the picture. “Can I keep this?”

  “Tess, don’t do anything stupid.”

  I let out a stressed breath. “Stupid is one thing I’m not.”

  I left the room and jogged down the stairs out into the open fresh air. I rested my hands on my hips and lifted my face to the late afternoon air, trying to combat the throbbing in my head. This wasn’t happening. In a matter of days, I’d found out my entire life was a lie. I had more siblings. My father had been married before my mom, who had bound my abilities, and my father had tried to keep me prisoner on an island. The icing on the cake? What put everything over the top was the man I was starting to fall for believed my father a killer. Maybe he was right. The thought of that had me teetering on the edge.

  I hopped in my buggy and drove to my favorite place on the island away from guests, away from the noises, where I always felt calm. I pulled up to the spot where the horizon blurred with colors through the forest trees and stood in silence, listening to the nature that surrounded me.

  I felt my mother before she appeared. Margo stood next to me, making goosebumps on my arms rise. “My sweet girl.”

  I attempted a smile and failed. “Did you know Dad was married before you?”

  “Yes.” Her words were whispered. “Your father and I had no secrets.”

  “Did you know about his children?”

  She floated to block my serene view. “Your father’s secrets are his own and not for me to tell.”

  I crossed my arms over my chest and met her gaze head-on. “Why did you bind my abilities and tie me to this godforsaken island?”

  My mother’s gaze softened. “We did it out of love to keep you safe, Contessa Jane.”

  “I don’t believe you.” I narrowed my gaze. “You and Dad did it because you were selfish and didn’t want me to leave.”

  “Contessa, how could you say that? There is still so much more you do not know or understand.”

  “And who can I thank for that?” I turned from my spot and hopped in the buggy, heading back to the hotel for answers. There was only one man still alive that could connect the dots, not only about his three abandoned kids but about my life, and it was time we all got some answers.

  Chapter 15

  Within the hours following I had all of the Halliwells, my brother Noah, and my father in the restaurant after the kitchen closed from the evening crowd. Staring at their faces, I couldn’t imagine what it was like for them not to have experienced having a father. Looking at him, I couldn’t fathom why he’d abandoned them. Well, technically, I guess I could. It wasn’t like he was parent of the year material; but still, he’d been there each and every time I’d ever needed him.

  “Thank you for coming.”

  “Have you figured out our mother’s killer?” Peter asked, standing behind his sisters seated at the table.

  “Not quite, but I have solved another mystery that affects you.”

  I passed around copies I’d made of the picture Ryder had given me. He stood just outside the dining room, leaning against the wall. Okay, so I had broken down and called him to tell him my plans. But only so he could see for himself the outcome. It might not prove anything, but having an innocent bystander was always good in volatile situations.

  “This is us and mom,” Pippy said, turning her gaze to her sister.

  “Dad, isn’t this you?” Noah added.

  “Tess, you shouldn’t have done this,” my dad growled, tossing the picture onto the table.

  “Why, Dad? Are you mad I outed your secret? How could you have kept this from me and Noah, and from them?” I pointed to the Halliwell siblings. “How could you even think me and Peter would be a good match?”

  “I couldn’t tell you the truth about what we were talking about,” he growled.

  “I don’t understand,” Penny said, slowly rising from her seat. She lifted her gaze to my…our dad. “Mom told us our father died in a boating accident.”

  “He’d left her and filed for divorce before he ran off with his mistress,” Peter said, tossing the paper down. “I knew. She told me three years ago.” He held my gaze as if I was the most vile thing on the planet. “I’m guessing the whore was your mother?”

  I lunged, and my father grabbed me, stepping between me and Peter. “Contessa Jane, stop it.”

  I met the truth in his eyes. He had run. The divorce must have come after his departure, the lie to the Halliwell kids fabricated. I glared at Peter from around my father. “My mother was no whore.”

  “Tess, have a seat.” My father sighed and pulled out a chair.

  I didn’t sit, but I did snatch my arm out of his grip and pace across the room out of killing distance. I held on to the lifeline around my neck. If it weren’t for this locket blocking my abilities, Peter might just be dead.

  “It wasn’t supposed to happen like this,” my dad said, running his hand over his head. “It’s true. Vinette and I had a past, and I am your father.” He turned to the Halliwell kids. “But it didn’t happen the way your mother said. I was fighting for shared custody for you three, and your mother threatened to expose my secret.”

  “Is that why you killed her?” Penny asked, rising to her feet.

  “I didn’t kill her. I had no reason. She finally agreed to tell you guys who I was. Why would I ruin that chance for you to know?”

  Silence engulfed the room, and Ryder moved through the door into the room. Noah held my gaze, and a look of understanding and pity crossed his eyes.

  “And my mother?” I whispered, my voice low, but everyone heard my words.

  “Tess, we need to talk about this in private,” he said in the stern voice he’d used when I was growing up.

  There was something he was hiding. I could see it in his eyes and in the way the vein in his forehead throbbed, but I wasn’t about to let him off the hook. All of his dirty little secrets were coming out today including why in the hell he and my mother bound my abilities. I deserved answers.

  I yanked the necklace from my neck and clenched it in my hands as anger rippled through my body. “Spill it all dad.”

  “Tess, don’t drop the amulet. You’ll regret it,” Ryder said, momentarily stealing my attention.

  “My whole life is one big lie.” I glared back at my father. “He bound my abilities; he was married and had other kids. Everything I grew up believing about this man is a lie. I want…no, I need to know if the same applies to my mother.” I turned my attention back to my father with laser focus. “Tell me.”

  “Tess.” His gaze pleaded. “You were my daughter in every way that mattered, but I’m not your biological father. She was pregnant before we met.”

  All of the air swooshed from my lungs as the sting of tears stabbed my eyes. Noah was quick to cross the room and pull me into his arms as my tears began to fall. My world had officially fallen apart. My chest caved with the knowledge I’d been lied to my entire life by the people I trusted. He wasn’t my dad. Noah, not my brother.

  “Tess, you are my daughter, and I’ve loved you like one since the day you were born,” my father said.

  “I was wrong,” I whispered into Noah’s shirt, lifting my tear-stained gaze to his. “You aren’t even my brother.” The tears started to fall in earnest. That realization stung worse than anything I could have imagined.

  “I’ll always be your brother, and you will always be
my sister,” Noah announced without question. “I don’t care what genetics say.” He lifted my hand to his chest. “You are my family. You’re the sister of my heart. You always will be.”

  “This is just great.” Pippy sneered from across the room. “Our mother is dead, and we have a father we don’t want and a brother that we never knew. Could our vacation be anymore jacked up?”

  I pushed out of Noah’s hold. A sadistic smile crossed my lips. “You’re forgetting your new sister-in-law.”

  A look of confusion clouded her face, but not Peter’s. No, he looked ready to spit nails. Served him right for calling my mother a whore. “Tell her, Peter. Tell them all that you married Creely Kimbrel the first night on the island.”

  “What!” Pippy spun on her brother, and that was when all hell broke loose. Words were yelled, things were said, and I calmly did the one thing I’d always wanted to do. I walked away from the family drama that wasn’t even mine.

  Chapter 16

  Noah had tried to stop me, but I told him I needed time, but that didn’t stop Ryder from following me out to the pool.

  “Did all of that make you feel better, Tess?”

  “The truth is out,” I said, tossing my hands up in the air. “You should be thanking me that I brought out all of Daddy’s little secrets.” I dropped my hands to my side. “Masterson,” I corrected, remembering he wasn’t even my father.

  “Tess, you’re hurt. I get it, and I’ll help you sort everything out. I promise, but you have to keep your head right now. There is still a killer on the loose, and after that display, I’m almost positive if any of those Halliwell kids are responsible, they’ll be coming after you. You didn’t play this smart.”

  “I’m tired of the lies, Ryder.”

  “You’ve put a target on your back, Tess.”

  Noah poked his head outside. “Ryder, you might need to get in here before they start shooting magic at each other and you have more than one dead body on this island.”

  “Go. Deal.” I waved my hand. “I’ll wait here until you’re done.”

  “You swear?” he asked, glancing at the pendant in my hand.

  “You have my word,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

  Ryder hugged me and kissed my forehead before he disappeared back inside.

  I could hear the yelling inside, but I didn’t bother to watch whatever happened. My time on the island was coming to an end. I could feel it in my veins. I wouldn’t be staying much longer. I couldn’t. Not with all of the hurt and anger running rampant through my veins.

  I crossed the pool area but didn’t leave. That was one promise I was going to keep. My father and mother might have lied to those they cared about, but I vowed right then that I never would.

  Sue Kimbrel was walking up the beach path and was startled by my presence.

  “You surprised me. I didn’t see you there,” she said.

  “Sorry,” I lied. “Mrs. Kimbrel, can I ask you a question?”

  She turned to face me. “Sure, dear.”

  “I’m thinking about taking a trip to California, and you look like you’ve traveled the world. Have you ever been?”

  “I was just there for a short trip three months ago. What would you like to know?”

  I knew it. Hell, Penny knew it. She was the one that suggested the Kimbrels were involved, and now I’d placed her in the same city as the other death. I held in my smile. “The name of a good caterer.”

  All of the blood drained from Sue’s face. Bingo.

  “I should really be getting back. I’ve had a long walk, and I’m tired. Maybe we can talk about this tomorrow.”

  “Sure.” I smiled, and she turned to leave until I called out again.

  “Where were you the first night on the island when Vinette Halliwell was murdered?”

  She kept her back to me momentarily before turning around. “I was by the pool.”

  “Can anyone verify that?” I asked.

  “I was on a conference call with one of my charities. I can get you the number.”

  “You’re lying.” I dropped my folded arms to my side.

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about, and it’s rude to accuse your guests of lying,” she said, lifting her nose.

  I gestured to the phone in her hand. “Call someone.”

  She glanced down at it but didn’t make a move to dial.

  “You don’t have any service, do you?”

  She met my gaze, and her lips pressed together. “You’re playing with fire, dear, and I’m not sure you want to piss me off.”

  I chuckled. “You lost your hoity-totty accent to threaten me. Tell me, Sue, did you kill her because you found out that Peter and your daughter are married?”

  She stayed silent, but her scowl told me enough. Heat climbed through her body, covering her chest worse than any sunburn the Island sun would have given her.

  “You know about that?” she asked.

  “I know plenty.” I nodded.

  “Vinette was a mean, calculating woman.” Sue sneered. Her face contorted to something filled with rage. “She was going to rat me out.”

  I hid my questionable look.

  “She was going to expose my abilities and ties to witchcraft to the entire world. I would have lost everything. My husband, my status, everything.”

  “Your daughter, Creely, told Peter the truth back when they started dating, didn’t she? That’s how Vinette knew.”

  “That stupid girl. I already had to clean up her mess once when she told her college roommate.”

  “That explains why you killed the caterer,” I whispered, remembering what Ryder had told me about her. She had gone to college for a couple years. Creely and the caterer had probably shared lots of secrets. “I have to admit the Witch Council hadn’t tied the two together yet.”

  “And they never will once I kill you.” Sue formed and wielded a huge blue energy ball in her hands. It grew in intensity and fire. “You can take my secret to the grave, just like Vinette.”

  The door behind me burst open, and my father shoved me out of the way just as Sue threw the blue flame ball. It knocked my father to the ground, and his eyes closed as I shoved to stand.

  I dropped the pendant to the ground and wielded my version of a bubble the size of a Sue’s petite frame. Vinette’s voice whispered in my head. Imagine what you want the bubble to do.

  “Stop her,” I whispered and focused all of my energy while Sue was trying to spawn another blue ball. I threw it at her, containing her inside the bubble. My balance teetered, and I dropped to my knees, trying to control the bubble and woman grappling inside as the bubble lifted her off the ground.

  “Concentrate, Tess,” Penny shouted. “Concentrate on the outcome you desire. That’s how my mom’s magic worked. If she could think it, she could bring it forth.”

  “Suck the air out and kill that bitch,” Pippy yelled.

  “No, that’s my mother-in-law,” Peter growled. He lunged for me and Noah held him back.

  “She killed your mom,” I said as a calm voice overcame me.

  “Tess, if you kill her, it’s you I’ll be taking to the Council. This isn’t your fight. Release her and let me cuff her.”

  The blue energy ball was still forming in her hands inside the circle.

  “Concentrate, Tess. Take her energy, her powers, everything she uses to hurt people. Suck it into the bubble and let it become one.”

  My head pounded as my heart raced. With laser focus, I strained until my muscles shook, but the blue ball started to evaporate just like Penny described. It was sucked into the bubble, turning the tint blue.

  I held her motionless, hovering in the air. “Ryder, is my father alive?”

  Ryder moved from my sight. “He’s injured, but I can heal him, Tess, just like I did your arm.”

  “I’m not sure how long I can hold her, but I’m not letting her go until you’re sure and I hear his voice,” I demanded with a shake of my head. “If she killed hi
m, she’s going to die.”

  Seconds ticked by that felt like minutes. My energy waned; the anger I’d been pulling from was suffocating, replaced with worry that my father might not make it out of this.

  “Tess.” My father’s voice was hoarse but recognizable just as the last bit of energy zapped from my body. I fell, releasing Sue and letting the darkness pull me into its grasp.

  Chapter 17

  The colors. It was always the colors that let me know I was dreaming. Well, that and the fact I was on the beach where Vinette had tried to train me in her own little twisted way.

  It was no coincidence that she and my mother were lying in beach chairs next to mine.

  “Oh look, she’s here,” my mother announced.

  “She did good, Margo,” Vinette said, raising her fruity drink in the air. “Your daughter protected my babies.”

  I shoved to sit up instead of lying down. “Why are you two in my dream? I don’t want you here.”

  They laughed like I didn’t have a choice. There was a good chance with these two that I didn’t.

  “Contessa Jane, don’t be rude,” my mother said in the same way she used to when she was alive.

  “Rude?” I asked, tossing my feet over the side of the chair. “How could you let me believe he was my dad? Why didn’t you tell me the truth?”

  My mother sat up and leaned across the gap to cup my cheek. “He’ll always be your dad, baby. The same man that taught you how to ride a bike, the same man that used to bandage your boo-boos, and the same man that convinced me he’d keep you safe.”

  “Safe from what?” I could feel the tears starting to fall. I shouldn’t be crying in my own dream. In a dream I would have conjured, I’d have half-naked men strutting down the shoreline while one served me grapes and fruity drinks.

  “It’s time. She’s ready.”