Read Online Denai Touch: Excalibar Investigations Series by Tiffany Shand - Free Book Online Page B

creeped her out. “Oh, I’m no one – I was just leaving actually. I’ll see you later, Dec.” She turned to leave.
    “No please, stay my dear. We are always happy to make new acquaintances.”
    Lex asked. “Can I get you anything else?”
    “Be gone, demon filth!” Fronika spat.
    “Now, Ronnie, be gracious to our host. Please forgive her,” Colbane said. “That will be all. Thank you, Lex.”
    Lex left them, casting a glance backward as he closed the door.
    Colbane popped opened a bottle. “Champagne?”
    “Thanks, but we already have our drinks,” said Jason, getting straight down to business. “Cerys here is in a bit of trouble.”
    “My heart bleeds,” Ronnie said with a sneer, barely giving Cate glance. “What do you expect us to do about it?”
    “What kind of trouble?” Colbane asked.
    They joined the members of the Thorn at the table and began to explain their situation.
    “Enforcers think my coven and I have been practising dark magic. I tried explaining it’s not true, but they don’t believe me,” Cate said with a fake sob. “I tried contacting my High Priestess, Beth Matthews, but I can’t find her. I don’t know what to do.”
    Antes remained unreadable, whilst Fronika stared at her with open contempt. As Cate sat there, she tried reading each individual’s minds, yet found them all difficult, and was unable to get beneath the surface of their thoughts. It was as if something were blocking her. Sensing her unease Jason squeezed her hand, adding his energy to her own.
    Cate briefly met Fronika’s cold stare and tried to probe deeper when she felt a sharp jolt of pain inside her head. She winced and swayed a little, pretending to be drunk.
    Cate knew there were amulets, charms, and potions that supposedly blocked telepathy and empathy. She’d encountered a few in the past, but had always been able to get past them. None had ever given her a psychic hit before.
    “Are you alright, love?” Jason asked her.
    “Fine, you know I’m a bit of a lightweight.” She forced a smile, despite the pounding in her head.
    “We were hoping you could help us find this Matthews woman,” Jason said, returning to the original conversation.
    “To have her arrested too?” asked Ronnie.
    “No, she never practised dark magic. She helped bring out our potential. I just want to tell her that she’s got nothing to be afraid of,” Cate went on. “Covens stick together, no matter what.”
    “Look, Ronnie, you and your group has an influence in this city. Can’t you make these bogus charges go away?” Jason asked.
    Ronnie took a sip of her drink and frowned. “Why would we do that?”
    “I’d make it worth your while. I know how to move more of your…merchandise. Hell, I could recruit more people for your experiments,” Jason replied. “I didn’t know who else to turn to. None of my mates in the Guard would go up against those fucking Enforcers and those that would…well they want more than I’m willing to give.”
    Cate leaned forward. “Dec says you’re looking for new potential recruits. I know I might not look like it, but I’m not without skill. I make and sell my own craft. I’d be happy to help your coven in return.”
    “You must be really desperate to come to us for help,” Ronnie said. “The Thorn doesn’t need a low-level witch like you, but luckily your boyfriend does have his uses.”
    “I am sorry, my dear, but I do not think this is a problem we can assist you with,” said Colbane.
    “Dec says that you get him to ship merchandise around different clubs in the city. I could…”
    “Do what? Make a few sparks go off? You have no real power or talent. We look closely at all our associates and their families.”
    “That’s not true. I’m much more powerful than I seem,” Cate said, more forcibly than she’d meant to.
    “Oh, yeah? How?” Ronnie interjected, crossing her arms over her chest. “Prove to me you’re worth our while.”
    Shit! They now wanted her