Free Kissed by Eternity by Shéa MacLeod Page A

guys.
    "Some idiot replaced the chandelier in the '70s. Ghastly thing. I had to take it down. Haven't found the perfect replacement yet, but not to worry. I will."
    I'm not sure why she thought I would be worried about her chandelier, but whatever. "So, this scrying thing," I urged as I followed her into what I could only assume had once been a living room. Newspapers covered every inch of floor space, and random bulky shapes loomed beneath drop cloths. More wild paint test colors smeared the walls. Haakon leaned against the doorframe while Inigo prowled the room. Looking for what, I had no idea.
    "Yeah, the scrying thing. Look…." She turned and faced me. "I'm not terribly comfortable with this. That Alister Jones person gives me the heebie jeebies."
    "You think he gives you the heebie jeebies? Imagine what he does to me. I've got to find that bastard before he does something bad. I mean, worse."
    She nodded grimly. "This may not work, you know. I've got lots of skills, but scrying isn't my best one. Plus you know how it went the last time."
    "Just try, okay?"
    "I've been doing a little research. I think I might be able to boost the energy and get a better pinpoint. Weave through some of the muck he's putting into the universe. But I'm going to need help."
    "Whatever you need."
    She smiled. "I need the three of you to help me form a circle."
    "No problem," I said. Inigo quickly joined us, but Haakon hesitated. He didn't look pleased. "Get your Viking butt over here," I ordered. "We've got stuff to do. No time to coddle your delicate sensibilities."
    He snorted in derision but joined us in the center of the room. Emory disappeared through the wide doorway and return with a crystal and her computer pad.
    "Aren't you worried about the neighbors?" Inigo asked, glancing toward the large window. It opened to the street, no curtains or blinds to block the view of curious onlookers.
    She laughed. "Wards. All they'll see is a bunch of people sitting around chatting and drinking tea."
    She must have some serious juju to create wards that strong. Kabita couldn't do it, and she was one of the most powerful witches I knew. Okay, so other than Emory, she was the only witch I knew, but that was beside the point.
    Emory had us sit around in a circle with our knees nearly touching. I had no problem with it, and neither did Inigo, but Haakon looked distinctly uncomfortable. I wasn't sure if it was because he wasn't into witchy things or that his six foot, five inch frame didn't fold up as easily as the rest of us did. Maybe he had the hots for Emory, although the vibes I was getting weren't quite the these-people-are-going-to-rip-each-other's-clothes-off type. Possibly it was because Emory made him leave his sword by the door. He probably felt naked.
    I blinked. Yeah. I should stop right there.
    After casting the circle, Emory placed the pad in the center with the map program up. "All right, everyone hold hands. Inigo and Haakon, place yours on my knees. I need mine free."
    Inigo looked a little awkward putting his hand on a virtual stranger's knee, but all for the greater good, right? Haakon looked even more uncomfortable. Seriously, were all Sunwalkers this uptight?
    "Do not break the circle until I tell you. And don't talk to me while I'm casting."
    We nodded obediently.
    "Let us begin."
    She began to hum and then to mumble. Sort of an English/Atlantean hybrid, if I wasn't mistaken. Her eyes took on a faraway look, and one hand drifted into the air as if she saw something there and was trying to grasp it. Her second hand rose as if of its own volition. It looked like she was moving things around in midair except there was nothing there.
    "What is she doing?" I hissed.
    "Weaving a spell," Haakon whispered back.
    "What?"
    "She's a spellwalker."
    Inigo and I stared at him. Inigo looked as confused as I felt. "Spellwalker?" we said at the same time.
    Emory made an annoyed sound, and we lowered our voices.
    "Surely you've heard of them?"
    Inigo