Witches and Whatnots: An Izzy Cooper Novel Read Free

you were going, you could do some looking around and find out what is really going on there?”
    So he was using me to do his job, again. “I could, but why should I? I kind of like Zane Dupree.”
    A frown tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Really? You like cold and dead, instead of hot and wild?”
    Blood rushed to my cheeks. “Maybe I just like hot and romantic, instead of cold and aloof.”
    Sighing, Elias grabbed my hands. “Izzy, you have to know that I don’t like this at all. If it were my choice, I’d not only bed you right here and now, but I’d keep you with me forever.”
    “It is your choice,” I snapped.
    Pulling my hands from his grasp, I stalked away, hoping he would follow, but he didn’t.
     

Chapter Two
     
    Easing Lady Luck onto Granny Stella’s dirt driveway, I parked behind Aaron’s car. Hopefully he’d be awake. With my uncle working at the radio station late into the night, he had a habit of sleeping until way past noon.
    After knocking on the front door, I walked in without waiting for him to answer.
    I was surprised to hear hushed voices coming from the parlor.
    Uncle Aaron never had visitors, with the exception of Malcolm Skeet , the local pothead, and Aaron’s best friend.
    As soon as I stepped into the parlor, I felt the fires of Hell engulf me.
    My uncle was hastily trying to pull up his drawers, while Missy Rogers, the town sleaze, was pulling her shirt over her head.
    “What the hell do you think you’re doing with my uncle!”
    “Now that’s none of your business, Izzy,” Aaron came to Missy’s defense.
    “First Julius, then Zane Dupree, and now my uncle … is there anyone on the island you’re not sleeping with?” I asked, sarcasm dripping from my tongue.
    Frowning, Missy brought up a hand and flipped a lock of her long blond hair away from her face. “Izzy Cooper, you’re just jealous. Maybe if you got a little once in a while, you wouldn’t be so hateful toward me.”
    “Oh please!” I rolled my eyes. “I don’t settle for just anyone, unlike some hosebags.”
    “Hey! That was uncalled for,” Aaron interjected.
    “What does Julius say about all this sleeping around you’re doing?”
    A brooding expression twisted at Missy’s face. “Julius is so busy watching you … he hasn’t got time for me.”
    “Is that so? I barely see him. Julius must be out doing someone else and giving you a taste of your own medicine.”
    I thought it best not to let Miss Missy Murderess in on the fact that Julius was a demon and was probably doing half the women on the island.
    Ignoring me, Missy gave Aaron a peck on the cheek. “Call me later, Sugar.”
    As soon as she was gone, I turned my fury on Aaron. “How could you? Granny is missing and you’re screwing the town  … whatnot!”
    It took a lot of effort not to call her what she really was, but I didn’t want to do it in Granny Stella’s house. Granny hated it when we used profanity.
    Suddenly it dawned on me that Missy had left, but I hadn’t even seen her car when I drove up.
    “I didn’t see her car. What was she driving?” I asked as I peered out the window.
    Aaron scowled. “I guess she rode her bicycle over here. Why is that a crime too?”
    Abandoning my search for Missy’s car, I turned back to my uncle. “How could you bring someone like that … who is probably a murderess, into Granny’s house?”
    He waved away my words. “A man has needs you know. Besides, Missy is really a nice woman, once you get to know her.”
    “Whatever.” I scowled. “What have you been doing to look for Granny?”
    Uncle Aaron was a warlock, and my sister Annabelle was a witch, but neither of them seemed to be able to locate Granny, which was really starting to get on my nerves.
    “I have been scrying every night … but I’m just not seeing anything.”
    The last time I’d talked with Annabelle, she’d said the same thing.
    Sighing, I slumped into Granny’s old green couch. “We have to do something.