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He winked. “I think I scared you.”

  Yep. “Nope,” Molly said firmly and reached for her glass of water.

  “You’d be okay with me tossing you over my shoulder then?”

  What kind of trick question was that? He had to be teasing her again. She sipped her water as she tried, and failed, to come up with a brilliant, kick-ass reply. “Would you be okay with me kicking, screaming, and calling the police?” she finally said.

  “All at the same time?”

  She squinted at him. “What?”

  He pushed his empty plate away. “If I have you slung over my shoulder, and you’re kicking and screaming, how are you going to call the cops?

  “I’ll use my phone.”

  “When you’re upside down?”

  She hesitated. How did she know if she could use her phone while upside down?

  His lips parted.

  “Before you say ‘Are you sure you can phone while upside down?’, I expect some of the other customers in this restaurant would call 911, hit record on their phones, or even tackle you before you reached the exit,” she said. “Once the video hit the internet, you’d become the world’s most famous antique dealer, and not in a good way.”

  “Good points.”

  “Besides, as we’ve already agreed, it’s not the Middle Ages. I’m sure you’re far too civilized to ever toss me over your shoulder and carry me off.”

  Call him crazy, but he really did want to throw her over his shoulder, just like he’d said.

  With defiance gleaming in her eyes and strong in her voice, the temptation was almost too much. He’d never felt this way about a woman before; she obviously appealed to whatever medieval DNA was left in his character.

  But, he wasn’t stupid enough to act on the impulse. If he did, his life would become very complicated very fast. He’d never get another chance to get close to her and find the item of dark magic he’d sensed, and once The Experts learned he’d screwed things up yet again…. Well, that was too unpleasant to think about.

  Lucian curled his hand on the tabletop; focused on the inward turn of his fingers instead of reaching for her.

  “Right?” she said.

  He tried to recall what she’d said: Something about him being civilized, which drew a rough chuckle from him. “I’d say I’m civilized most of the time.”

  Smiling, she shook her head. “At least you’re honest.”

  “Was that a compliment?”

  Her smile turned wry as she reached over and drew her phone out of her purse. “Call it whatever you like.” She glanced at the phone screen and tapped on it several times. While she read the new messages, her expression sobered with the weight of responsibility.

  A sense of urgency gathered inside Lucian. Their half an hour had to be up, and she was going to leave. But, he had to keep her connected to him. He had to find a way to be invited to her late mother’s house—although that might be a bit more difficult after his recent teasing.

  She picked up her purse and set it on the table in front of her then tucked her phone in a side pocket. “This break has been lovely,” she said, “but I really must go now.”

  “Of course. I’ll let you know as soon as I hear back about your jewelry,” he said. “The phone number you gave me at the store is the best number to reach you?”

  “It is.” Molly took out her wallet. “I’ll leave money for my pie.”

  “I’ve got it.”

  Her lips pressed together, and he sensed her debating whether to allow him to pay for her dessert.

  “I’ll pay,” he insisted. “I did, after all, twist your arm.”

  “Well, thank you. As long as you remember this wasn’t a date.”

  “Don’t worry, I remember.”

  She slid toward the end of the booth.

  The sense of urgency within him intensified. He had only seconds before she was gone. Seconds to think of a way to keep her tied to him.

  He picked up his cell and opened up the web browser. “So. The meeting tonight.”

  “Mmm?”

  “Are you still interested in attending?”

  “Yes, I think so.”

  He typed Cat’s Paw Cove Paranormal Society into the search bar and opened the first link in the results. “It starts at seven,” he said, reading from the society’s home page. “It’s at the community center, not far from the boardwalk on Sherwood Boulevard.”

  “I know the one.”

  “How about if we go to the meeting together?”

  Molly’s fingers tightened on the edge of the table. “You want to go? Even after Cora hit on you?”

  “I can handle Cora. Since I only returned to the town a short while ago, the meeting would give me the chance to do some networking.”

  “Well….”

  She’s going to turn you down.

  Lucian bestowed on her his most charming smile. “If you come by the store, I’ll drive us both to the meeting. I’ll also help with introductions, since I’ll know some of the women there.”

  “That would be a help.”

  “Good. Why don’t you come by the store about fifteen minutes before the meeting is to start? That should give us plenty of time to get there.”

  As he watched Molly’s car join the midday traffic on Whiskers Road, Lucian turned the sign on the shop’s door back to Open.

  Galahad, who’d been asleep on the Edwardian chair, was now sitting up, bright-eyed. “Don’t make me wait for the sordid details. How was coffee?”

  Lucian crossed the store. “It went fine.”

  “Fine?” The squire huffed. “Fine doesn’t equate to sordid.”

  Frowning, Lucian stowed the keys under the counter. “Why would you expect sordid things to happen at a crowded bakery?”

  “You were a rogue more than once.”

  So Lucian had heard. “Many lifetimes ago,” he pointed out.

  “Yeah, but for all I know, ‘coffee’ and ‘pie’ could be trending naughty words.”

  “They’re not.” Lucian raked his fingers through his hair. He hadn’t realized until now how much he disliked it being long. He was getting tired of his beard, too. “Since I know you’ll keep pestering me for an update—”

  “Yep.”

  “—I didn’t make as much headway as I’d hoped.”

  “With Molly, or with figuring out whether her dark magic is the energy we saw last night?”

  “Both.”

  The squire covered his face with his front paw. “Lucian!”

  “Molly did agree to come by the store tonight, though.”

  “Okay, I am a tiny bit less ashamed of you.”

  “We arranged to go to the Paranormal Society meeting together. At least, that’s how we left things before she went home.”

  The feline’s paw dropped back to the chair seat. “That’s a terrible idea.”

  “Let me explain—”

  “Cougar Cora will be there. She’ll have her claws in you the second you walk in the door.”

  Lucian inwardly sighed. Cora was starting to monopolize his every waking moment.

  “She’ll also expect more than the return of her casserole dish. Unless, of course, ‘returning the casserole dish’ is kinky Cougar code for hooking up?”

  Good God. Lucian had no idea if the words were code, but he and Cora were never going to hook up. “As far as I’m concerned, ‘returning the casserole dish’ means ‘giving back the empty dish that once held casserole.”

  “Whatever you say.” Galahad yawned then jumped down from the furnishing. “You’re the knight-in-command. I’m just the lowly squire.”

  “Not lowly,” Lucian said. “You’re a lot more important that you seem to believe.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” The cat trudged toward the right front window.

  “Tonight, you’re going to help make sure Molly and I never get to the meeting.”

  “Whaa…?” Pausing, Galahad looked back at Lucian. “I’m confused.”

  Lucian leaned both arms on the c
ounter. “As I tried to explain a moment ago, I’ve reconsidered going. We still don’t know whether the dark magic I sensed in the costume jewelry and the almost-Category-One energy are from the same object or two different ones. I’d rather solve that mystery this evening.”

  “Okay. No meeting. How are you—we—going to keep Molly from attending?”

  “I’ll offer an alternative she can’t resist.”

  Galahad’s eyes glinted. “Seduction.”

  Lucian shook his head. “I’m still building her trust. She has to grow to trust me. It’s the surest way to be invited into her late mom’s home.”

  The feline’s whiskers twitched with excitement. “Shall I brush against her calves again? Distract her with my cuteness and sass?”

  “You’ve done those things already.”

  “Cuteness and sass do work, you know.”

  “Mmm.” Lucian eased away from the counter and reached for his laptop, his mind already mulling a plan. “Molly was going to attend the meeting to learn more about her mother—”

  “Ha! I’ll be a bad kitty. Can I bring her a big spider and drop it on her foot? Or, I could nip outside, mangle a frog, and present it to her?”

  Lucian grimaced. “You’ll give Molly nightmares.”

  “That means no.” Galahad sulked. “I really want to be a bad kitty.”

  The computer whirred as Lucian started it up. “If I can’t locate what I want tonight, I might be willing to compromise—”

  “Yesss!”

  “—but my grandfather’s files may have just what we need.”

  Chapter Eight

  Molly smoothed the cream-colored top with flared sleeves she’d put on a short while ago along with beige trousers and studied her reflection in her bedroom mirror. She’d redone her ponytail but had pulled out wisps of hair to trail down by her cheeks. Neutral beige eye shadow, rose-pink blush, and a shimmery pink gloss finished the look.

  Distant thunder rumbled while she tidied a few stray hairs with hairspray and a comb. Dark clouds had been rolling in when she’d driven home, so she’d put the radio on and, at the house, had switched on the TV to check the local news and weather updates. Heavy rain and wind gusts were forecast for early evening, but with luck, the worst of the storm would happen while she and Lucian were in the meeting. The tempest should have subsided by the time she and the other attendees needed to drive home.

  Studying her reflection again, Molly wrinkled her nose. While she looked neat and polished, her outfit was uninspiring and, well, kind of boring. It needed…something.

  She picked up gold hoop earrings and put them on. Better.

  What about the antique necklace?

  Unease flickered, because she still couldn’t explain the weird language she’d heard yesterday when she’d worn the jewel. Honestly, though, she couldn’t be sure she had really discerned a voice. She’d been busy, tired, and her imagination could have been running wild.

  Still, she’d liked wearing the necklace. More than she’d ever expected.

  After her split from Howard, she’d gone to a therapist who’d encouraged her to listen to her gut-instincts and rediscover her authentic self. Maybe she’d found pleasure in wearing the jewel because its design appealed to her true nature.

  Her hand rose to trace where the pendant had touched her skin. The sense of feminine power rekindled within her.

  Why shouldn’t she wear the necklace if she wanted to?

  She took off the earrings. Stepping around the four cats lying in front of the closet, of all places, she laid her suitcase flat on the floor and unzipped it. All four felines clambered on top of the case, making it difficult to open.

  “You are the craziest kitties.” She pushed them off. They returned.

  When she tried to shoo Marigold, the cat bit her sleeve and hung on tight.

  “Marigold!”

  The feline growled, but didn’t let go of the fabric.

  Tucking the cat under her arm, Molly carried her to the kitchen then opened a bag of treats. No doubt hoping for a snack, Marigold let go of the sleeve. The other cats had followed, and after scattering treats on the floor, Molly hurried back to her bedroom and shut the door. She took the necklace out of its box.

  A thrill raced through her, because the jewel was even more exquisite than she’d remembered.

  As she fastened it around her neck, thunder growled. At the same time, several cats cried outside the door.

  Bang, bang.

  Not again!

  She mentally shut out the racket and eyed her reflection. When she touched the pendant, its inner fire seemed to brighten. The brightness couldn’t be due to sunlight, because the sky was overcast.

  Her imagination must be tricking her again, but still….

  Her hair appeared silkier, her figure more voluptuous. How was that possible?

  Mrow. Mrow!

  Ignore them. Focus on yourself, a little voice within her whispered.

  She frowned. That voice—

  Doesn’t it feel good to be beautiful?

  Heady fire spread through her. Never before had she felt so feminine. Confident. Powerful. If only she could feel this phenomenal every day.

  Thunder boomed again, even as misgiving scratched at the back of her mind.

  Meow. Meee-owwwr!

  Could the cats somehow sense that she was feeling a bit odd? She’d been fine until she’d put on the necklace. Maybe she was having an allergic reaction to the metal. She should take it off—

  Keep it on.

  With effort, she forced herself to concentrate. The pendant did look nice, but it was too fancy to wear to the meeting.

  Keep—

  She reached to the back of her neck and undid the clasp.

  As the necklace clinked and settled in her palm, craving gripped her. She wanted the weight of the jewelry around her neck once again. She hungered for it, as though she couldn’t exist without it.

  What a strange thing to think. Of course she could exist without the necklace.

  Fear brushed Molly’s heart as she swiftly dropped the jewel in its box, closed the lid, and returned the box to the suitcase.

  The cats had gone quiet. How very bizarre.

  She picked up her cell phone to check the time, half-wondering whether she should look up weird cat behavior—

  Yikes! She needed to leave in five minutes.

  She must remember to grab an umbrella on the way out, because it might be pouring by the time she got to the antique shop.

  Looking in the mirror again, she frowned. Thank goodness she still had time to change.

  She went to the closet and pulled out a turquoise-colored crossover top and curve-hugging jeans. After putting them on, she applied black eyeliner and plum lipstick and slipped on black heels.

  Molly winked at her reflection and sashayed out of the room.

  “Is the dark magic in the same area as last time?” Galahad asked, his voice competing with the crackle of the radio and the clicks of the camera. Without waiting for a reply, the cat jumped up onto the back room table.

  Assessing the incoming data, Lucian frowned. “It’s in the exact same area.”

  “Ooooooooo.”

  “Great. Now the Lady of the Plate’s moaning again,” the squire groused.

  She’d started wailing when the afternoon sky had turned overcast. Lucian had silenced her with a light spell, but then the alarms had gone off, and her cries somehow had become audible again—a puzzling development.

  “Could she have tapped into the dark magic?” Galahad asked, as though attuned to Lucian’s thoughts.

  It was possible, since he’d used only a mild spell, but unlikely. “I don’t believe so. I think we’re in for a strong storm.”

  Whatever had roused the Lady of the Plate, he couldn’t dwell upon it now. Just like before, the corrupt energy had appeared all of a sudden. “The readings are the same as last time,” Lucian said, “but the magic’s a strong Category One now.”

  Gala
had’s eyes widened. “Why is it intensifying? How?”

  “I don’t know.” The dark magic object was obviously drawing power from a source. Not an ancient source—the detectors would have picked it up last time and it would have been evident in the data streaming in now—but a modern-day one.

  What, though, could be the source?

  “Oooooooo….”

  “We need to go. Right now.” Lucian shut his laptop and picked it up.

  “What about Molly? Isn’t she going to be here soon?”

  Halfway to the door, Lucian stilled. “You’re right.”

  The dials on the radio suddenly began to slide to the left, toward zero. The camera clicks, too, slowed.

  “It’s disappearing, just like before,” Galahad said.

  “Oooooooo….”

  Damn. They hadn’t gleaned any new information, and Julius would demand an update.

  “We’ll investigate. It’s not far.” Lucian reached the doorway.

  “And Molly?”

  “I’ll make sure we’re back in time.”

  “You’d better. It wouldn’t be chivalrous to stand her up.”

  “No, it wouldn’t. The sooner we leave, the sooner we get back.”

  The squire leapt down from the table and headed for the rear of the shop while Lucian locked up. When he stepped outside, humidity enveloped him like an invisible cloak, and the air held the earthiness of imminent rain. With Galahad running alongside him, Lucian hurried to and opened the driver’s side door of the Mini. The feline jumped in.

  Droplets of rain landed on Lucian as he slid in behind the wheel. Lighting flashed in the distance, followed by peals of thunder. The car’s tires squealed as he sped out of the parking lot.

  Despite it being rush hour, in less than twelve minutes, Lucian had reached the area of town where the magic had briefly appeared. Rain was falling steadily. Through the downpour, he studied the very normal-looking houses while he drove slowly down the very normal-looking streets. As before, the magic had disappeared.

  Lucian stopped the car but kept the windshield wipers on and the engine running. In his grandfather’s records, he’d found Molly’s late mother’s address. He’d intended to look it up on a map of Cat’s Paw Cove, but had been waylaid by the report he’d filed—a preventive measure, since he’d rather not have Julius pester him during his evening with Molly—as well as answering the phone and helping customers in the store.