Esmerelda: A Rogue Enforcers Novel by Darlene Tallman (phonics books TXT) 📕

my grandmother’s tutelage. When witch hunters had found and killed my parents, I ended up living with her on a full-time basis. The only reason I was spared was I was with her that weekend. Once I was there daily, our lessons took on an intensity as if she knew her time in this world wouldn’t be long. Shortly after I turned thirty, she passed, leaving me on my own but with a wealth of knowledge to guide my way. The cards had been right; for many years, I watched over Landry, then when she and Paxton found each other, I stayed, adding them then the others into my circle of people I watch and care for.

“You okay, Esme?” Beast’s voice breaks into my reverie, causing me to look up and nod.

“I’m good, sugar bear,” I reply.

“You seemed lost in thought,” he remarks.

“Just remembering my granny,” I say.

“I bet she was something if you’re anything to go by.”

“She was the absolute best,” I whisper. I discreetly swipe an errant tear that tries to fall.

“You need to tell me about her, sweetheart,” he continues, ignoring the other vehicle passengers as though we’re the only two people inside. That’s another thing I love about my mate; he’s always attentive to me, uncaring whether or not we’re alone.

“I will. Let’s get Leigh and Ice home, that’s our focus right now.”

He nods but shoots me a wink letting me know that for now, he’s going to table this discussion but he’ll come back to it once the imminent danger is over.

Before I realize it, we’re pulling into the private airfield where the jet we’re using is waiting to take us into the unknown. Taking a deep breath, I undo my seatbelt once Kash has pulled into a parking spot and shut the SUV down so when Beast opens my door, I’m ready for him to pull me into his arms. He kisses me deeply then pulls back and says, “Love you, my sexy, sassy sorceress. Never forget that fact.”

“I love you too, Beast, and think I’ll remember long after I return to dust,” I murmur, leaning up and kissing his jaw. “Now, we’ve got family to save.”

“That we do, my mate. That we do.”

It takes a bit for everyone to arrive, so I sit in a comfortable, leather seat that’s more like a recliner you’d find in someone’s house than a plane and mentally go through all the spells I know, worrying that maybe I’ve forgotten something. I sense someone and look up to see a woman gliding toward me. Instinctively, I know it’s Tabatha and breathe a sigh of relief. “You must be Esmerelda,” she says, holding out her hand. I grasp it in mine and feel the power coursing between us. “Ah yes, I think we’re going to be just fine,” she murmurs. “May I sit? I figure we can spend the trip figuring things out.”

“Absolutely. I was just mentally going through spells as well as what I packed,” I admit when she sits beside me.

“Colton indicated that you expressed concern about what we may be facing,” she says once she’s comfortable.

“Have you ever done a location spell and had something attempt to come through as though it’s seeking you? That’s what happened the night I was awakened with the sense that Leigh and Ice had been captured. The pure vileness of what was trying to come through has me worried that we’re going up against extremely dark magic,” I state.

“We won’t take that out of the equation, but I suspect between the two of us, we’re sufficiently powerful to eradicate any kind of threat,” she asserts.

“I agree, especially knowing your reputation within the Rogue Enforcers. Maybe it’s because they’re family to me?” I ponder.

“Probably so. I’ve brought things as well so I’m sure we’ll have anything we can possibly require to save your people,” she says. “I understand you’re mated to that behemoth of a man out there,” she continues, pointing to where Beast is assisting Maverick with the bags, cramming them into the overhead bins.

I giggle, a sound that was so foreign before he came barging into my life and nod. “Yes, that’s my sugar bear,” I confide, leaning in so no one overhears.

“Esme, you’re dinging my street cred again with that nickname,” he calls out, causing me to roll my eyes. I tend to forget that shifters have superior hearing, a fact that he’s so nicely called me out on. Tabatha giggles at his words and we share a ‘what can you do with them?’ look which settles deep into my soul.

We’re going to be fine.

We’ll find Leigh and Ice and bring them home.

“Yes, we are,” Tabatha states out loud. Instead of saying anything further, she pats my hand.

Once everything is finally loaded up and everyone is seated, the flight attendant comes on the intercom system and goes through the safety protocols as the plane’s engine warms beneath us. The pilot then tells us we’ll be in the air for several hours so after we reach cruising altitude, the flight attendant will come around with the beverage and snack cart. I can hear the others talking, solidifying their plans so I turn to Tabatha and say, “I think we need to have our own plan. Here’s what I was thinking.”

Beast

I’m paying attention to what Maverick’s saying, but my eyes never stray from where Esmerelda and Tabatha sit, their heads close together as they go over their own plans. Neither of them noticed, but when they first clasped hands, I saw a multi-colored aura surround them and immediately, my stress about the situation dissipated. I suspect that even though she thinks they’re not an integral part of this operation, the abilities these two yield will ensure our ultimate success.

“So the caiman pod will meet us at the airstrip, correct?” Paxton asks.

“Yeah, by then they should have the information that we need,” Mav replies. “I do know we’ll have to get on a skiff to travel to