Destiny Always Wins in The End: Diva Delaney Mysteries, #13

By Anni Jayde

Diva Delaney knows who the mysterious Chicago mob boss is posing as, but she can't hunt him alone. She will have to team up with the agents from the Conjurer Apprehension Team to take Torrance and his allies down.

 

Thrust into a war against a veritable army of minions, Diva and her family, friends and allies will face danger like they've never encountered before. The agents from the CAT have a plan to deal with Torrance. It will take careful planning, a bit of luck and a dash of Armageddon to pull it off.

 

Meanwhile, Diva has her own personal problems to deal with. She still has the threat of finding out who she will be forming a new coven with hanging over her. Fate has already chosen her husband to be. Now she just has to wait for the Book of Crests to reveal his identity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Seize The Night Agency
• Release date: Nov 16, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393506072

Book preview

Chapter One

TELEPORTING TO THE kitchen of our mansion in Hollowood Grove with Grandma, Jess and Wade and Wyatt Westmore in tow, I rushed Geddon over to the sink and plonked him down inside it just in the nick of time. Wretchedly ill from the spell I’d just used to bring us home, he threw up a few times, then stood there shivering in reaction.

I knew better than to look at the mess he’d made since he’d just helped us slaughter twelve warlocks. The last thing I needed was to see chunks of undigested human flesh sitting in the sink. Keeping my distance from him, I cleaned the mess with a spell, then picked the kitten up. He snuggled against me and looked up at me adoringly.

My two aunts were sitting at the kitchen table, staring at us in surprise. Where were you? Aunt Janet asked Grandma. You weren’t in the parlor when I checked to see if you wanted some coffee half an hour ago.

Diva used telekinesis to take me to a cave in Virginia so I could rescue her from yet another ambush by that Torrance warlock, Grandma explained.

Bryce had drifted into the room and raised both hairless brows in near surprise. He wasn’t the only specter to make an appearance. The Three Stooges arrived as well. As always, instinct drove them to the source of fresh gossip. Thank God you’re okay, Fran said in relief.

Where’s Haydn? Reggie asked, looking around as if expecting to see the warlock sitting at the table with us.

He isn’t dead, is he? Maryanne queried.

He’s fine, Jess replied for me. Georgina teleported him home after Diva saved his life.

Why don’t I make us some coffee? Aunt Isabel suggested, oblivious to the spirits’ conversation. I have a feeling we’re going to need it, she muttered almost beneath her breath.

Courtney will kill me if I don’t update her about this, Wade said. She won’t want to miss out on hearing the details. Both Texans were well over six feet tall, had broad shoulders, ripped bodies, shoulder length blond hair and green eyes. Half the women in town lusted after them, but Wade was in love with Courtney. My cousin would tear her rivals apart with her bare hands if she thought they were trying to steal him away from her. Wyatt, on the other hand, was single and ready to mingle.

I’ll call Eve, Aunt Janet said. She’ll probably bring Liam with her, but it won’t hurt for the Pentlands to hear about this. They’re practically already our allies.

Phone calls were made, then Courtney, Eve and Liam Pentland teleported to the house a couple of minutes later. We all took a seat at the kitchen table while my aunt switched the coffee machine on.

Did I hear correctly when your grandmother said you used a telekinesis spell on her? Wade asked to kick things off. Both of my cousins looked at me in horror at that revelation.

Yeah, I admitted sheepishly. I used it on Geddon by accident this afternoon when I sent my car home so it wouldn’t be destroyed by another bomb. The telekinesis spell didn’t hurt him, so I used it to call Grandma to the cave.

By mutual unspoken agreement, neither my grandmother nor I mentioned Georgina Creighton’s involvement in the battle. She wasn’t our ally and she wasn’t included in our feud against the Torrance Coven and their minions. There was a chance she could be punished for killing the conjurers if word got back to the Council. Since she’d helped save my butt, we decided to leave her name out of it.

Tell us what happened, Wyatt ordered. As our sheriff, he would need to know all the details. Virginia was out of his jurisdiction, but he’d been drawn into our feud since the war was being waged in our town.

In between sips of coffee, I explained that I’d felt Haydn was in danger and that I’d gone to his rescue, then everything that had happened after I appeared in the cave.

Why did you rescue Haydn? Liam asked me in puzzlement. Isn’t he your enemy? Two years younger than Eve, he had boyish good looks, blond hair and blue eyes. He was a pampered young warlock from a prestigious coven, but a hint of steel lay beneath his pleasant surface. The Pentlands were known for their nobility and protectiveness and he’d displayed that tendency several times already.

He was only drawn into this because of Zoila’s stupid prediction that we’re going to get married, I replied. It isn’t his fault that Torrance thinks we’re engaged. The truth was that I loved Haydn desperately and I would do anything to save him. By sheer force of will, I managed not to blurt out that confession.

That rumor is going to die a swift death now that Georgina is sending Haydn to live with his mother and sister in London permanently, Jess said.

She’s doing what? Fran asked in shock.

Oh, sweetie, Reginald said when my bottom lip quivered slightly. You poor thing, he added sympathetically. I took a gulp of coffee and squashed down my misery before I could burst into tears. Geddon felt my pain and his eyes began to glow again.

That’s new, Aunt Isabel said when she saw his eyes light up.

That’s nothing, Grandma scoffed. He really lived up to his name tonight.

What do you mean? Courtney asked, flicking a wary glance at the feline.

Armageddon unleashed his fury on Diva’s enemies, Grandma said in satisfaction. He’s assimilated some of the magic from the Grove and it enabled him to grow to the size of a panther. He can combine shadows and fire that help turn him into a killing machine.

Everyone gaped at her, then they broke into a babble. For once, Grandma didn’t hex us into silence. She grinned craftily and Geddon preened beneath the attention he was receiving.

I bet this has something to do with Geddon being the thirteenth kitten born at thirteen minutes past midnight on Friday the thirteenth, Aunt Janet mused when the hubbub died down. Maybe that has something to do with him assimilating magic from the Grove.

Was he the only one this happened to? Wyatt asked while eyeing me speculatively.

No, I admitted. It seeped into Haydn and me as well. I’m linked to the anti-telekinesis spell Grandma cast in all the stores in town, but I haven’t noticed any other changes so far.

That’s why the bomb that Torrance’s minion tried to plant in our newspaper building was sent back to him, Aunt Isabel realized. The anti-telekinesis spell must have reacted to Diva’s wishes. I’d told her I’d thought it would be poetic justice if the lackeys were blown up by their own bombs and my wish had come true.

Diva the wonder witch strikes again, Eve said with a mocking shake of her head. Is there anything you can’t do?

She’s never gotten to home base with a man, Maryanne said, then cackled hard at her own wit. While I’d spent a glorious night in Haydn’s bed once, it had only been a dream and it hadn’t been real.

There’s lots of things I can’t do, I said, doing my best to ignore the snickering specters. But there’s one thing I can do that few others can.

I think that’s a bit too cryptic for them, Jess pointed out when I received blank stares in response.

I picked up something from Torrance when I touched a dagger in the cave, I explained.

Now we’re getting somewhere, Wade said and draped his arm over Courtney’s shoulders. What did you pick up from it?

I think I know the fake identity that he’s using, I replied. Just as I’d expected, another babble erupted at that news. So far during our war, the warlock had remained a mystery. He’d made one tiny mistake and had brushed up against the weapon that had been used to kill a seemingly innocuous conjurer. I now had the knowledge that I hoped would be enough to take down both him and the allies who were intent on killing me.

If my vision was correct, Torrance had risen in power and was now one of the most prestigious conjurers in Chicago. It wasn’t going to be easy to prove who and what he really was, but I was confident that we had a shot at beating him.

Chapter Two

ONCE THE NOISE DIED down again, Grandma speared me with her dark eyes. Who is Torrance posing as? she demanded.

This was where things could get complicated. I don’t want to say, just in case he finds out about it somehow, I hedged. He knew Isaac Vissor was being hunted and he fled before he could be caught. I don’t want the same thing to happen again.

You could be right about that, sweet cheeks, Wyatt agreed reluctantly. The fewer people who know about this, the more chance we’ll have of taking him down without alerting him that we’re on his trail.

Grandma wasn’t happy about being kept in the dark and her hexing hand twitched. How are we supposed to kill the warlock if you won’t tell us who he’s posing as?

If I’m right about the identity that he’s using, it won’t be easy to prove who he really is, I told her. This is going to take careful planning. If he catches wind that we’re on to him, he’ll vanish. He’ll probably change his identity and start all over again in another city.

You have a plan, Courtney said, eyeing me knowingly.

Yep, I said with a smirk. I think we should get in contact with some professionals and see if they can help us out.

What professionals? Eve asked with a frown.

She’s talking about the CAT, Grandma said craftily. You think the Conjurer Apprehension Team will have a better chance of catching him than we will?

Once I give them the information that I’ve learned about Torrance, they should be able to come up with a plan to take him down, I confirmed. We just had to be careful not to let the word get out so he wouldn’t be tipped off again.

Glances were exchanged around the table, then Wyatt nodded in agreement. I’ll call Ivy Connor, he decided. No one except the highest officials can contact the CAT. They’re shrouded in secrecy. The CAT operated in the shadows and were reluctant to blow their cover.

I hope they’ll agree to work with us, I said. I have a feeling Torrance is planning to make his move soon. From the dealings I’d had with his lackeys, I’d sensed the mobster had a plan to bring his disbanded coven back to life. He intended to make a statement, but I wasn’t sure what it was. I only knew that it was going to be big and that it was going to happen soon.

Wyatt stood and ambled out of the room for privacy. He didn’t see the trio of curious spirits who drifted after him. They just can’t help themselves, Jess said in fond exasperation.

I can’t believe Geddon turned into a hellcat, Eve said. Did he really kill half of the warlocks on his own?

He did a good job of taking them down, I replied evasively. Didn’t you, you savage little monster? I crooned while scratching him beneath his chin.

Don’t start up with the baby talk again, Courtney said, wrinkling her nose in distaste. Can he grow big anytime he wants, or does it only happen when you’re in danger?

I have no idea, I replied with a shrug. I think he was born with the potential to transform into a much bigger size, though.

What makes you think that? Liam asked. He was fascinated with my familiar, but warily kept his distance from him.

Right from the moment Mrs. Nadeau gave him to me, he seemed to be able to change size, I explained. I’ve seen illusions of shadows and flames writhing around him a few times when someone meant me harm.

Satan would be jealous if he knew his son could shapeshift, Courtney said, then flinched when Grandma flicked a hex at her. My cousin instantly began madly scratching her magical itches.

His name is Sylas, Grandma said grouchily.

As if hearing his name had summoned him, Satan sauntered into the kitchen. His evil green eyes latched onto me and he hissed in hatred, then began to growl ominously.

Yikes, Wade said in amusement. Now I see where Geddon gets his temper from.

My familiar yowled loudly in response to the threat that had entered the room. The felines tried to outdo each other with their volume while glowering at each other. Geddon’s eyes began to glow brighter and Satan prepared to spring up onto the table so he could charge at my familiar. While the imp despised me with every fiber of his being, he also hated having a rival in his house.

Grandma leaned down and scooped the horrible creature up before a full-blown catfight could erupt. After seeing Geddon decimate a few of the warlocks, she didn’t want Satan to tangle with him. Both of you calm down right now, she said sternly. The felines’ yowls and growls cut off and they slid assessing looks at her. Behave, or I’ll teach you a lesson in manners, she threatened.

Geddon’s head swiveled around to look up at me queryingly. You don’t want to get on Grandma’s bad side, I warned him. She knows a lot of nasty hexes and curses.

Satan gave a final hiss at me, then subsided. He began to purr while switching his glower between my familiar and me. Geddon purred louder in response, which made my cousins and me snicker.

Everything is a competition between those two, Jess said in amusement.

I’d keep young Armageddon away from the mansion if I were you, miss, Bryce suggested. It would be dangerous for both familiars if they got into a fight. I nodded in thanks for the warning and mentally vowed to make sure the pair never tangled. It would turn into a bloodbath and they could both get seriously hurt.

The terrible trio swept into the room a moment before Wyatt made his reappearance. This is so exciting, Fran said, chins quivering with joy that she’d been here to witness the gossip firsthand.

Mrs. Connor will speak to the leader of the CAT, the sheriff said as he took his seat again. If they agree to work with us, one of them will be in contact with Diva soon.

I hope they can come up with a plan to catch Torrance and his minions, Reginald said in a worried tone. This guy is crafty, evil and ruthless. He was still getting over the fact that four innocent gay men had been murdered to draw me into a trap in Chicago.

They’ll get him, Maryanne predicted. I’ve heard the CAT never give up once they’re on the trail of a bad guy.

I knew practically nothing about the CAT, but I had a feeling I was going to learn all about them shortly. They’d tried and had failed to apprehend Isaac Vissor. Now that they knew he worked for Torrance, they would undoubtedly want to catch the mobster and bring him to justice. If Maryanne was right, they would want to take him down just as badly as we did.

We sat at the table for a while with the two familiars glaring at each other the whole time. There wasn’t much more we could do, except continue to be vigilant about bombs, traps and potential kidnappings. Torrance had no idea I was on to him and that I’d figured out his secret identity. He would continue to send his minions to try to kill me either directly, or through my friends, family and allies.

It was my hope that he would lay off on his attempts on my life for a few days after losing twelve of his lackeys in one night. We had no way of knowing how many conjurers he had at his beck and call. The vigilante mob and ghosts who were patrolling our town would have to remain on guard until this war was over. The spirits didn’t mind, since being dead was boring. The magical folk would do their duty to keep their loved ones safe. We all knew how dangerous my enemy was by now. They also knew his tricks. Hopefully, we could avoid any loss of life and prevent the normals from catching wind that their town was infested with magic users.

Chapter Three

I WAS IN LUCK AND MY hopes that I would have a reprieve from the constant attempts on my life came true. Three days passed without any further incidents of violence. Ivy Connor had spoken to Grandma after Wyatt had called to update her about Torrance. She’d passed the information on to the CAT and we were still waiting to hear back from them.

Georgina had packed Haydn up and had sent him to London just as she’d promised. Haydn was so distant that I could barely feel him in the back of my head. We were so far apart that there was little chance we’d be able to sense each other’s thoughts and emotions now. Nicholas Creighton had taken over running the bookstore.

My spirits were fairly low as I sat at my desk and stared through my blinds. Bartholomew Creighton hovered in his usual spot in the window of the bookstore. His expression was as dour as always. Ancient and withered, his white hair was swept back from his prominent forehead. He wore a horrible green tartan coat and mustard yellow pants that somehow suited him. Shorter than the rest of the men in his family, the specter hovered higher in the air to make up for it. He’d been responsible for me learning I could see specters when I’d been three years old. He’d terrified me for most of my life and I’d only recently gotten over my fear of him. He was a typical cantankerous Creighton even after his death.

Earth to Diva, Jess said and waved her hand in front of my face.

Huh? I asked, snapping out of my funk.

Your next client will be here in a minute, chicky, Maryanne reminded me. You might want to do something about the mess Geddon made.

I peered over the edge of my desk to see a shredded hanky lying on the floor. The kitten had fallen asleep among the ruins that he’d created. The handkerchief had once belonged to Haydn, but my familiar had stolen it from the warlock’s pocket.

Glancing at the door to make sure no normals were about to enter, I flicked a repairing spell at the hanky and it knitted itself back together. A few other toys had been dismembered and were scattered around the place. I fixed them as well, then sent them into hiding beneath my desk. Finally, I picked Geddon up and placed him on his bed beneath my desk as well.

When I straightened up and turned around, a witch was standing right in front of me. Argh! I shouted in fright and leaped back, crashing into my desk. Geddon woke with a start and automatically went on the offense. Yowling loudly, he sprang out into the open with his fur standing on end and his legs as stiff as boards.

Sheesh, calm down, my visitor said and rolled her eyes as he crab-walked sideways towards her. Do you always react to your clients’ arrivals this way? Her level