Chapter 5

• Leland stood looking out the window, his jacket and tie long gone, sleeves rolled up. The day so far was not going the way he had meant it to. Having met all six of the women linked to the spell through their ancestors, he had an uneasy feeling that wouldn’t let go. Only two of them were close to realizing the power they held, he was thankful for that small mercy.
• Ella’s successor, Celia Barnes, was not his worry. He had enough training to keep her in line until she became fully aware of the darkness that she held inside. So far, from what he could sense, she didn’t know. His concern was with Alana’s relative, Teegan Jacobs. He had expected the magical drawing between them, but not the physical attraction… which only strengthened the chemical reaction of their magic’s reacting to one another. If he wasn’t mistaken, she was almost an exact replica of her long-ago aunt and if that were the case the magic was going to burst from her without warning, regardless of some ridiculous pills a doctor prescribed her.
• Rolling his shoulders, he tried to relax and think this through. He could keep his distance and just coach Wes through the transition she was going to go through. Then again if Wes were able to handle this completely on his own, Leland would never have been sent by the brotherhood coven to oversee it. There was of course the option of going home and having them send someone else in his place, but his guts tensed each time he thought of another witch… another man, helping Teegan through this. That, his own reaction, bothered him more than he cared to admit.
• His cell phone rang, and without looking at the number he knew the coven’s eldest member would be on the other end. Taking a deep breath, he answered it. “Brother, Kale. I’ve been expecting your call.”
• “I’ve studied the pictures you sent.”
• “They were clear enough? The security cameras here aren’t the best equipment.”
• “Clear enough. There is a definite family resemblance in all six women.”
• The good news—they’d been tracing the correct family members for the last ten years. The bad news was all hell was going to fall upon them and he was smack dab in the middle of it. “I had hoped for more time.”
• A deep laugh came through the earpiece. “The three hundred and twenty-five years wasn’t enough?”
• Leland dropped his head and grinned. “Not for me, I’d be quite happy to wait this out and let my great-great-great nephew deal with it.”
• “We’re lucky this long has passed, Leland.”
• “I know.” Dropping down into the chair, he looked up at the ceiling.
• “Is something wrong?”
• Yes. I want to carry the most powerful witch in history to the nearest deserted place and keep her all to myself. “Nothing we didn’t expect.”
• “You and Wes are there for a reason. Out of all of the members, the both of you are by far the strongest we have...”
• “We’re aware of all of that.”
• “Keep Miss Jacobs close, Leland, with the six united again there is no way to know how this is going to play out.”
• “I’m aware of that as well. Would it be wishful thinking to hope that the original members got it wrong?”
• More laughing. “Wouldn’t that be a blow, to have followed and passed this on for twenty generations for nothing?” He chuckled softly. “Keep us up-to-date. If you need Mitchell, call, he’s been placed on standby.
• He definitely didn’t need Mitchell anywhere near Teegan. “You know I will.” Glancing at his watch, he straightened up. It was almost five. “I have to go. I’ll call tomorrow.”
• “Be careful, you’re in the presence of enough magic to change the world as we know it.”
• No pressure there. “Got it.” Tucking the phone back in his pocket he got up and headed toward the door. He could do this. His hormones weren’t going to get in the way, regardless of how much he wanted her. Without his help, this would most likely go very wrong and too many people would get hurt. He didn’t have a choice, this was his responsibility.
• Wes stood on the doorstep as he opened the door. Standing there eye to eye with him for a moment, he smirked. “Are you planning on speaking?”
• “I thought I’d tag along to this meeting.”
• Leland stood there and gave him a blank look. “I don’t think you’ll be needed.”
• Wes looked around the hallway. “Pushing this a little fast, aren’t you?”
• Shrugging, he checked to make sure there wasn’t anyone lurking. “No.”
• “Right.”
• Shoving his hands in his pockets, Leland studied him for a few moments. “You’re awfully protective of her. Is there something I should know?”
• “I’m protective of her, because I know you.”
• “And that’s supposed to mean?”
• “While I was studying all those years, you were...”
• Leland laughed and started walking. “I think you’re confusing the words monk and witch. I would be the latter of those.”
• Wes walked beside him. “I saw how you looked at her, Leland.”
• Stopping, Leland tried to give him a confused look. “I was a little taken back by her.”
• Snorting, Wes shook his head. “Yeah, I’m sure you were. I see that look that was on your face on every male that sees her.”
• Glaring at him, Leland started walking again. “I was taken aback because she’s the exact image of Alana.”
• Wes put his hand in front of him to stop them from walking any further. “An exact?”
• He nodded.
• “I knew there was resemblance...” He sighed. “Regardless, I still know you too well...”
• “They offered to send Mitchell to assist us.”
• “Gods, tell me you said no.”
• Leland grinned. “Of course I did. He is the last person I need in my face every day.”
• Blowing out a breath Wes nodded. “Okay. So, you’re going to speed up her recognition?”
• “We don’t have a choice. This is the first time all six have been united since the day it was ended.”
• Both stopped speaking when they turned the corner to see Celia coming toward them. The smile on her face was all for Leland.
• Leland hissed out a breath. “Save me.”
• Wes laughed and patted him on the back. “I’m bailing, that she-witch is on the prowl and it scares the hell out of me.”
• “Coward,” he hissed under his breath.
• “Yep.” Wes nodded at Celia and then walked the other way.
• Teegan stood at the entrance to the boardroom, not quite sure if she should wait or go in without him. Ann walked by and rolled her eyes to motion behind her. Celia was walking towards her with Leland. After the day she’d had and the night before, she really hoped Celia wasn’t going to be part of this brainstorming session. She’d only spent a few minutes with the woman today and there was just something about her that set her on edge.
• Leland stopped in front of her and smiled. “Teegan.” He glanced at Celia briefly, who had also stopped. “I will keep your ideas in mind, Celia, thank you.”
• Teegan had to give him bonus points for that. He’d just managed to dismiss her and sound polite at the same time. She smiled at the other woman. “I’m sorry, Miss Barnes, for not having enough time today to get you set up properly. Tomorrow when all deadlines have passed without complication I’ll...” Teegan stopped when the redhead finally looked at her, and the look almost physically stung. Every nerve in her body tightened in defense against the glare she was receiving.
• Leland cleared his throat. “I am sorry to cut this short. I know you have things to discuss with your new staff member, Teegan, but if we don’t get started now it’s going to be a long night.”
• Teegan dragged her eyes away from the harsh blue ones glaring at her. One more point for him, reminding Broomhilda who was in charge. “Of course.” She sent Celia a bored look and then turned and went through the door without looking back at her.
• Without so much as a backward glance, she moved quickly over to the window and stared out it. She didn’t really see anything through the glass, she just needed a few seconds to shake off the irritation that rude, tight skirt-wearing woman had caused.
• “She’s a bit overbearing.”
• Smiling at the window, she huffed out a breath. “I’m glad it’s not just me that sees it.”
• “Oh, I think everyone within skin crawling distance feels it,” he drawled.
• Turning, she sent him an amused look. “Tomorrow she is going to find out who exactly she answers to. Wes may have hired her, but it’s me she has to impress.”
• Sitting in the nearest chair, he leaned back and studied her. “Are you hard to impress?”
• Not quite ready to sit down, she leaned back against the wall and crossed her arms over her chest. “When it comes to the publications I’m in charge of, yes, very much so. I won’t settle for second-rate or sloppy work. I’m very meticulous in that sense.”
• “A good quality.” He waved a hand at the table on the other side of the room. “Why don’t you bring those portfolios over here and I’ll show you what I want you to be meticulous with next.”
• “You’ve surveyed and run a test market analysis?”
• “Yes, it’s all there.”