FRIENDS AND ENEMIES: By Lori Titus
Wednesday, October 26th, 2011The Marradith Ryder Series: The Art of Shadows, Part 60
Marradith closed the door of her bedroom. She sat down on her bed, pulled out her cell phone, and waited anxiously before the call was answered.
“Marradith?” Fiona’s warm voice flowed over the line. “How are you, dear? I just put your niece down for a nap.”
“I’m good. How are you? Getting any sleep?”
Fiona chuckled. “Here and there. Seems like the baby and I sleep more in the afternoon than at night these days. We’re back at Ryder House, and it’s awfully quiet around here. Rafael has been helping, too. ”
“I didn’t know that you were going back home so quickly.”
“Well, no reason to be there now that Rafael is okay. Besides, we wanted to get Ciara introduced to her real home. I take it your parents will probably be on their way back too.”
“Really? I haven’t spoken to Mom in a couple days. I’ll have to call her.”
There was a pause as Marradith thought about how to phrase her question.
“Fi. I need something. There are other people I could ask, but I trust you to keep this confidential.”
“Alright. What is it?”
“Are you aware that my guard is a Lamia ?”
“Yes.”
“I have been using the blocking spells that you taught me, but frankly, it’s exhausting. How would go about finding an object that could help?”
“A charm to aid against mind reading?”
“Yes.”
Fiona smiled. “Getting nosy, is he?”
“I like him, but I don’t want him getting free access to my thoughts.”
“Why not have him replaced? I’m sure Justin would be very happy with that solution.”
“No doubt,” Marradith said. “But I don’t want to get David into any trouble. He’s done a good job so far. Having a mind reader around has its perks.”
“We can have an amulet made for you. It could take a week before I can have it sent.”
“That sounds great. I’d prefer it if you didn’t mention it to anyone. Particularly not Justin.”
“You have my word,” Fiona replied. “Do you think you can wait that long?”
“Sure. It’s not an emergency.”
“If that should change,” Fi said softly, “make sure that you call me. There are other blocking techniques that would be effective, but they take some work.”
“Speaking of things that take work,” Marradith said. “Have you heard anything new about Shannon Vega? I don’t know why, but I’ve had her on my mind the last few days. It seems like she always turns up at the worst time.”
***
Shannon Vega was tired of running.
It had been Miranda’s idea to get rid of Ryan Doherty. That was something that Shannon had accepted she might have to do. It didn’t ease her anger that Miranda speeded up the proccess. There might have been a chance, however small, that Ryan would have agreed to protect her from the likes of the Sojourners. Or at least agreed not to spill her secrets.
From what she could tell, there were no signs that Castillo’s people had tracked her and Miranda to California. Shannon didn’ trust it. She had a feeling that something bad was about to happen.
More specifically, she had a feeling that they were being watched.
There were protection spells that Shannon had cast, for herself, though not for Miranda—but there was still a nagging sense that something was not right; that at any moment a new danger was about to present itself.
Not something as manageable as the local police.
She offered to leave their motel room long enough to buy dinner. They did this every night; taking turns going out, never doing anything in the day. Since they got into town they went from one sleazy motel to another. Twice Miranda had brought up the possibility of going up north, where one of her brother’s still owned a cabin. Sure, why not, Shannon replied dryly.
Shannon took what little cash the pair had between them and headed out. Handbag held tightly against her body, hands in pocket, she went out into the breezy evening.
Halfway to the burger joint where she’d said she’d pick up their dinner, Shannon spotted a man parking an old Chevy.
She watched as he turned off the ignition, and pulled up the emergency brake, keys in hand.
Shannon stood on the sidewalk, next to a hedge. She stared at the man, concentrating.
Instead of getting out the car, he put the keys back into the ingnition.
He opened the door, leaving it unlocked.
Move. Shannon ordered.
The man turned and walked in the opposite direction, not looking back at her or the car that he left behind.
Shannon rushed over, slid behind the wheel, and made a hasty u-turn onto the street. In the rearview mirror, she saw the sign for Jackie Burger growing smaller. She turned right, headed towards the freeway.
“Sorry Miranda,” she said under her breath. “I guess you really are going to be waiting for that cheeseburger for a while.”
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©2011 Lori Titus
Keep up with the author via Twitter as Loribeth215, or on her blog, The Darkest of Lore: http://loribeth215.wordpress.com
