H.P. Mallory - Toil And Trouble

O ther Titles by H.P. Mallory:

FIRE BURN AND CAULDRON BUBBLE:
Book 1 of the Jolie Wilkins Series

A self-deprecating witch with the unique ability to reanimate the dead.
A dangerously handsome warlock torn between being her boss and her would-be lover.
A six hundred year old English vampire with his own agenda; one that includes an appetite for witches.
The Underworld in a state of chaos.
Let the games begin.
Life isnt bad for psychic Jolie Wilkins. True, she doesnt have a love life to speak of, but she has a cute house in the suburbs of Los Angeles, a cat and a quirky best friend.
Enter Rand Balfour, a sinfully attractive warlock who insists shes a witch and who just might turn her life upside down. Rand hires her to help him solve a mystery regarding the death of his client who also happens to be a ghost. Jolie not only uncovers the cause of the ghosts demise but, in the process, she brings him back to life!
Word of Jolies incredible ability to bring back the dead spreads like wildfire, putting her at the top of the Underworlds most wanted list. Consequently, she finds herself at the center of a custody battle between a villainous witch, a dangerous but oh-so-sexy vampire, and her warlock boss, Rand.

Other Titles by H.P. Mallory:

TO KILL A WARLOCK:
Book 1 of the Dulcie ONeil Series

The murder of a dark arts warlock.
A shape-shifting, ravenous creature on the loose.
A devilishly handsome stranger sent to investigate.
Sometimes working law enforcement for the Netherworld is a real bitch.

Dulcie ONeil is a fairy. And not the type to frolic in gardens.
Shes a Regulatora law-enforcement agent who monitors the creatures of the Netherworld to keep them from wreaking havoc in the mortal world.

When a warlock is murdered and Dulcie was the last person to see him alive, she must uncover the truth before shes either deported back to the Netherworld, or she becomes the next victim.

Enter Knight Vander, a sinfully attractive investigator sent from the Netherworld to work the case with Dulcie. Between battling her attraction to her self-appointed partner, keeping a sadomasochistic demon in check, and fending off the advances of a sexy and powerful vampire, Dulcies got her hands full.

As the body count increases, Dulcie finds herself battling dark magic, reconnoitering in S&M clubs and suffering the greatest of all betrayals.

TOIL AND TROUBLE

by

H.P. Mallory

TOIL AND TROUBLE

Copyright 2010 by H.P. Mallory

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Acknowledgements:

To my mother, thank you for everything you did to make this book as strong as it could be. It would never be what it is today without your input.

To my wonderful critique partner, Lori Brighton, thank you for all your help and for forcing me to add more internal narrative!

To my husband for being so supportive of my writing and of me.

To Mercedes Berg, one of the winners of my become a character in my book contest! Thank you for your help with the Wiccan rituals and for helping me shape your character. I hope you enjoy the part you played in this book!

To Christine Trum, my other winner! Thank you for all your help with German translations and German traditions. I hope you enjoy your character!

To my beta readers, Belinda Boring (reviewer for www.thebookishsnob.blogspot.com ), Mary Genther (reviewer for www.sparklingreviews.com ) and Evelyn Amaro (reviewer for www.paromantasy.com ), thank you for all your guidance and help with this book. Im thrilled to have you all so involved in my writing.

To my son, Finn, who never stops making me laugh. I love being your mom.

One

It was all I could do to open my eyes and take in my surroundings. I turned my neck and squinted against the bright light infiltrating the window in a garish display of brilliantly colored poppies. Blinking a few times, I tried to make sense of the scenery before me but my memory still wasnt with the program. I attempted to sit up but found I couldnt move. It didnt feel as though I were strapped downit was more like my body decided to go on strike.

Shes awake!

It was Christas, voice. Relief washed through me. Whatever bad situation I was in had just gotten more bearable.

Chris? I started, attempting to shield my eyes against the glare but I couldnt lift my arm.

Something is very wrong , I thought, a lump forming in my throat.

IIm paralyzed, I stuttered. At least my voice still worked.

I blinked against an onslaught of tears and forced myself to focus on the bails of straw forming the ceiling of my abode. Where the hell was I? It was like I was playing hostage to Bilbo Baggins.

Jolie, dont try to move, said a man and his voice was decidedly unhobbit like. It took me a second to realize it was Rand.

Rand my warlock boss who I was massively and totally in love with.

It was Rand who first enlightened me to my powers as a witch and although my life had since taken several twists and turns, (some good and some really really bad), I wouldnt have changed it for the world.

Rand leaned down into my line of sight, his pitch black tee shirt contrasting against his tan complexion. I wanted to smile but I wasnt sure if I could. None of that mattered anyway; what did matter was Rands stunning face smiling down at methe aquiline features of a Roman nose, chiseled cheek bones, deep dimples and a strong and well-sculpted chin. Eyes the color of molten chocolate and hair a matching shade. Although his hair was mussed and dark circles decorated his eyes, he was male beauty personified.

I felt the heat of his fingers against my face and an electric current passed through me at his touch. It was the same feeling I always got whenever Rand touched meI never had figured out what it wasmayb e his energy. I closed my eyes against the feel of him, afraid I might start crying.

Jolie, youre going to be alright, Christa said and grabbed my hand with an encouraging squeeze.

At least I could still feel my hands even if they werent working. I glanced up at Christa and immediately noticed her swollen eyesshed been crying. I could only assume it was concerning my predicament.

What happened to me? Why cant I move? I whispered as panic began to stir in my stomach, sounding like a grumbling ogre in a cave.

You defeated Dougal, Odrans fairy, Christa said in a tight voice. She quickly looked away and began dabbing her eyes. I closed my eyes again, trying to remember what had happened, what it meant that Id defeated Dougal. Attempting to remember was like wading through tarcompletely exhausting and more so, useless.

And because of it, youve lost a lot of power, Jolie, Rand added. You absorbed Dougals negativity thereby neutralizing most of your strength and now you need to heal.

And that was when the memories came pouring back as if someone had dumped a pitcher of realization juice over my head.