Read Online Corruption (Grumpy Old Wizards Book 2) by John O'Riley - Free Book Online Page A

could hardly concentrate on the game even though she hated to lose with a passion.
    “So what happened?” Alice asked.
    “What do you mean?” Josephine feigned ignorance.
    “Come on! Something is on your mind. Even Helen has noticed.”
    Josephine fixed a surprised look at Helen who nodded in agreement. Josephine heaved a grievous sigh.
    “We have another problem,” she said.
    Josephine explained what had occurred at the beach. Alice and Helen listened with rapt attention. When Josephine finished her tale, Alice slammed her hand against the top of the table with triumph.
    “I knew you were holding something back,” Alice crowed.
    “I was just hit with this less than an hour ago. I needed to think everything over first.”
    “We’re your best friends. You should always inform us of what’s happening right away,” Alice lectured her. “Vampires try to protect their love ones by keeping things a secret but in the end, it always comes back to bite them in the rear.”
    “I’m not a vampire.”
    Helen squinted as she peered at Josephine’s mouth. “I think your teeth are getting sharper.”
    “I thought so, too,” Alice agreed.
    Josephine crossed her arms over her chest in a defensive position.
    “Ladies, we need to focus here.”
    “I’m wondering why you didn’t give Lorcan amnesia,” Alice said.
    “I didn’t have the enchantment with me. Besides, he probably has more shields than I could take down,” Josephine said.
    “But if you’re tapped into the vortex, aren’t you able to strip protection away fast?” Helen asked.
    “That’s true.” Josephine wondered why she hadn’t considered this before. “If I attack and fail, I’m in big trouble though.”
    “It sounds to me like the best course of action is to go along with his instructions but the next time you meet with him, to clobber him with everything you’ve got and give him amnesia,” Alice said. “Otherwise, you’re contributing to a secret organization that will eventually rule the world.”
    “You’re right. I should make some new wards for the condo with some nasty traps,” Josephine said.
    “You’ve already got some unpleasant surprises on a few of them,” Helen pointed out. “Maybe it would be best to focus on taking out Lorcan.”
    “Josephine’s right, her condo can’t have too much protection. Lorcan might steal the enchantments he’s having her work on right before they’re ready and just finish them himself.”
    When Josephine made it to work, she found it difficult to concentrate but she still closed out all the cases in record time. Mark asked her out on a date again. Now that Josephine’s life had become dangerous, she felt even guiltier for spending time with him. However, she enjoyed his company immensely. When it was time to go, Josephine invited him over to her place for drinks. She knew Alice and Helen would be waiting for her which was the whole point of bringing Mark over – so he could see her peers. Josephine knew Mark had dismissed her age because of her youthful appearance but seeing Alice and Helen would provide a much needed reality check. Mark held Josephine’s hand as they emerged from the elevator on her floor. Sure enough, Josephine’s best friends were standing in front of the closed door.
    “You must be Mark.” Alice’s lips curved in a wistful smile. “It’s nice to finally meet you, young man. I’m Alice.”
    Alice extended her hand and Mark shook it without hesitation. Mark introduced himself to Helen next. They gathered inside Josephine’s living room and took seats on the two couches. Josephine served everyone some juice since she didn’t feel like making tea and it was too late for coffee.
    “So you’re an intern at the police department,” Helen said.
    “Yes, I’m having a great time there. I’m learning a lot.” Mark’s face reflected the passion of his work.
    “It takes a special and unique person to like that field,” Alice remarked.
    “That’s true,”