Wanted: Hexed or Alive Read Free

stomped his foot on the lemon, causing its juices to squirt into the mixture. Waving his hand over it, the mess turned into a powdery mix that rose into the air. It hovered between them and Nicholas.
    The pirate tried pushing forward, but the mist was impenetrable. On contact, his body froze as if paralyzed.
    Glancing over at Rowena, Randall added, “Not that I wouldn’t mind acting as your plaything occasionally.”
    With a wink, he thrust the mist forward until it surrounded Nicholas like a bubble. Randall walked in a circle around the pirate.
    “You are a scourge upon the sea. It is my joy to set it free. What once was yours shall now be mine, in recompense for your crimes.”
    A golden light shimmered around Nicholas before moving to engulf Randall. He absorbed it without so much as blinking and Nicholas fell to his knees. Stooping, Randall met his eyes.
    “The mist from the sea will eventually break down the spell that is paralyzing you. By then, we’ll be long gone. However,” he added, his voice taking on a hard edge. “I must warn you, if you ever think to seek me out, I will destroy you.”
    Unfortunately, no sooner than the words left Randall’s mouth, the sky opened up, dumping a deluge of water on their heads and dissolving the powder.
    Nicholas lunged forward, tackling him to the deck. They both got in a few solid blows, but Nicholas used his weight against Randall while Randall tried to avoid Nicholas’ hook. Rowena hopped from foot to foot, searching for a way to intervene. As the pair scrambled closer to the edge of the ship, Rowena saw her worst fears come to life as Randall fell over the side.
    A scream tore from her throat and she immediately flashed into the water to save him.
     
    The impact of the water knocked the air from his lungs and he struggled to surface. One second he was pushing himself upwards against the weight of the water, and the next he was sitting, soaking wet, in the middle of the French Quarter. He blinked owlishly at the passing floats as his mind fought to catch up with his surroundings. Rowena panted for breath at his side, appearing as a drowned rat. The sound of cannon fire drew his gaze to the sky and Rowena groaned.
    “Oh no. I have to get help,” she told him before disappearing, but he barely spared her a glance. The sight above the city held him in fascination.
    The ship sailing across the sky became smaller and smaller until it was the perfect size in order to move through the thoroughfare. Randall found himself mere feet from the enraged pirate. The tipsy horde of people lining the street began to applaud at the sight of the craft joining the line of Mardi Gras floats, and the crowd began to chant.
    “Beads. Beads. Beads.”
    At least three women cheered and lifted their shirts, exposing their bare breasts.
    “What devilry is this?” Nicholas called loudly. The confusion in his voice matched the expression on his face. Tam appeared at Randall’s side, taking him by surprise and he clutched his chest to still his racing heart. Tossing him a wink, she joined the crowd. Her wings fluttered wildly, but no one batted a single eyelash at the oddity. In New Orleans, everyone is strange.
    “He has no beads!” Tam yelled, inciting the already overexcited and heavily intoxicated mob. Disappearing and reappearing on the opposite side of the ship, Tam changed her looks into those of a college-age girl.
    “He’s robbing us of our treasure, ladies! Let’s take it,” Tam screamed, before changing spots and appearance again, faster than the eye could see.
    “Get that pirate’s booty,” she called, this time as twenty-something male.
    The people rushed forward, chanting, “Booty. Booty. Booty.”
    The ship began to rock from side to side under the onslaught of looters and a panicked look crossed Nicholas’ face. As the vessel began to turn on its side, Tam swooped in, rescuing Nicholas before he could hit the ground. Holding him just inches from the screaming mob,