Chapter 8

• Leland caught up to her as she was coming back out of the boardroom. “Teegan, I need a word with you.” Her two excited soul sisters came out and headed down the hall, almost at a jog.
• Teegan smiled at them and then turned to him, the smile faded. “I’m going to go get a tea. You’re welcome to come along, that’s about as much free time as I have right now.”
• He wasn’t going to push his luck, yet, so he motioned towards the kitchen.
• She’d gone only about ten steps when she spoke quietly. “You don’t have to say anything.”
• Stuffing his hands in his pockets he walked beside her. “I do need to.”
• Sending him an annoyed look, she went through the kitchen door. “Really, you don’t.”
• He waited until she was through the door and then closed it and leaned against it so they wouldn’t be interrupted. “I didn’t intend...”
• “If I thought you planned it you would be one bruised man right now.” She snorted.
• “I’ll keep that in mind.” Moving closer to her, he looked down into her grey eyes and had to focus to remember what he was going to say. “I don’t usually mix business and pleasure. I seem to have a hard time remembering that when I’m near you.” The tingle of their magic trying to join buzzed through his system, reminding him why he needed to remember. Her magic was close enough to the surface that it was practically arcing off his own.
• Teegan gave him a pretty smile, one he was fairly certain was going to be a brush-off. “I need you to try. As lame as this sounds now is really not a good time for me to get involved with anyone.”
• “With the new project?” Why he had to know the reasons weren’t clear to him, maybe because he was male.
• “That too.” She moved over to the counter and picked up her cup.
• He leaned against the counter and watched her. Did she know every movement was graceful? Was it something she was just born with or had she practiced something like this? “I am sorry if I crossed into someone else’s terrain last night.”
• Laughing, she looked over her shoulder at him. “I’m not a piece of property.” Shaking her head she went back to making her tea. “There is no one to be upset by it.”
• Leland was much happier than he wanted to be, knowing that there was no one special in her life. “I’m glad there was no harm done.” Clearing his throat he moved over where he could see her face again, or more so her eyes. He could spend an eternity looking into them and that still wouldn’t be enough time. “I’ve been giving some thought to the first issue, just collecting some ideas on how we could really launch it with a bang.”
• She blew on the steaming liquid for a few seconds. “Like?”
• “I think the first issue should have an in-depth article on Salem Massachusetts and the witch trials.”
• She raised her eyebrows and lowered the cup. “Wouldn’t that offend the targeted audience more than not?”
• “Not if we tell the truth.”
• “The truth may upset many.” She bit her lip for a moment. “Starting with Salem is good, closer to home...” she paced over to the window and was quiet for a few moments. “In further issues, we could go overseas and do pieces on the burning times that moved through Europe.”
• That surprised him. “You know about the burning times?”
• “A little.” She shrugged. “My grandmother was a bit of a fanatic in that area and researched it for as long as I can remember. She claims distant relatives were among those killed before my ancestors moved to the states.” She bit her lip again. “I may be able to dig up some of her research...” she huffed out a breath. “It’s maddening when you think about it. So many innocent people died because they were different...” She shook her head, “I guess that’s happened more times than not throughout history, we never seem to learn from it.”
• Leland stood there in awe and watched the cup between her hands start to bubble. She had no idea she was doing it either as she stared in deep thought at some point on the wall. “Yes, it is.” He moved over and put a hand on her shoulder, not in comfort but so he could counteract what she was doing before she burned her hands. “See what you can put together and we’ll get started.” Glancing at the cup he saw that it was now just hot and no longer boiling. “Possibly going to Salem and scouting out some locations for photo shoots might be something we should consider.”
• “Yes, that’s good. See if we can get some of the locals to divulge the tales handed down ...” Giving him a brilliant smile, she turned and headed towards the door. “Get me those researchers, preferably ones that know something of the theme of the magazine and I’ll have something concrete for you by tomorrow.”
• He watched her walk out. Wes came through the door before he took a step.
• “She’s in her motivated mode. What did you do?”
• Leland sighed. “Not a damn thing really, she’s something.”
• Wes laughed. “I take it you haven’t pissed her off yet.”
• “No, but I just watched her bring her cup of tea to a boil because she was upset by the history of the burning times.”
• Wes froze and stared at him. “What?”
• “We were discussing ideas for the new publication and she was upset by the victims of the persecution of those during the burning times… the cup was between her hands and it came to a vigorous boil.”
• “Shit,” Wes whispered.
• “I managed to bring it under control before she noticed, but...” Rubbing the bridge of his nose Leland sighed. “I can’t even grasp what she is going to be capable of when she is aware of what lies within.”
• Sitting down abruptly, Wes looked at him, worry clear on his face. “That’s two rather fantastic acts of magic in one day.”
• Leland glanced at the clock. “You mean in one hour, it’s not even nine-thirty in the morning yet.”
• “Shit,” Wes uttered under his breath again. “Have you figured out how you’re going to explain this to her?”
• Stuffing his hands in his pockets he looked out the window. “Not entirely, but I think she just opened the door for me.”
• “Meaning?”
• “Her grandmother was obsessed with the burning times, believing ancestors were the victims and we’ve decided to cover a story on Salem is in order...”
• “You’re going to take her there?”
• “I am. Right to the very spot at the lake the spell was cast.”
• Wes stood up, his mouth hanging open is disbelief. “But that ...” He shook his head. “That will cause the magic to come back all at once. That’s crazy.”
• “It’s coming back whether we want it to or not right now, better it be there than here in the office.”
• He opened his mouth and then snapped it shut.
• Leland wasn’t the only one letting personal feelings burrow their way into the duties they were given, it seemed.
• “I just don’t want her to get hurt.”
• “Neither do I, Wes. I’ve only known the woman for twenty-four hours and I’m ready to take her to the other side of the planet to prevent this from happening.”
• “Will that work?”
• Leland laughed. “No, I’m fairly certain it’s just wishful thinking. Once the six are united, even separating them will not stall what is preordained to happen.”
• “So how exactly are you going to get Teegan to the lake?” There was suspicion in his voice.
• “I have no idea at this point.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose again. “How is Celia? Is she close to realizing?”
• “Not that I’ve seen. She’s nasty, but I think we’re safe on the magic with her for a while yet. At least until Teegan’s is present, I believe.” Laughing, he turned towards the door. “Good luck trying to get her to Salem.”
• Luck wasn’t what he was going to need to do this. He was going to need magic and probably every ounce of charm he possessed to get one work-a-holic witch to accompany him to Massachusetts.