Oceans of Fire (27 page)

The crowd had gone wild, stomping and clapping in an effort to get Joley to the stage. Abigail could see resignation on her sister’s face.

“You can say no,” Prakenskii said.

“How?” Joley asked, swallowing hard. She took a breath and moved past him, waving and smiling to the crowd.

“Nikitin has to be using someone local for information, someone that would know a small detail like that. The person would have to know your family and the places you all like to frequent. Do you recognize anyone at all around his table, or someone standing near enough to talk to him?”

The band swung into a blues number, and Joley’s voice poured into the room, rich and edgy and evocative. It carried magic and power and passion and flowed into those listening, carrying them away with her.

Abigail kept her gaze fixed on Nikitin. He was staring at Joley with rapt attention, certainly not talking to anyone at his table. When one person started to say something, he held up his hand for silence. The cocktail waitress approached and he waved her off as well.

“I think he’s obsessed with her,” Abigail said. “Look at him.”

“No, look around him. You have to see beyond the obvious. Who do you see that seems familiar?”

“Tim Robbins, a fisherman I see often at Noyo Harbor. He’s the older gentleman to Nikitin’s left outside the partition. Tim practically lives on his boat. He comes here or hangs out at the Salt Bar and Grill.” Abigail studied the crowd around Nikitin. “There’s Ned Fanner, the really distinguished man standing just to the other side of Tim. He’s an accountant, has a lot of money, and owns a lot of property. I think he has his hand in several of the smaller businesses in Fort Bragg and Sea Haven. He’s been around for years and everyone likes him. He’s married and has three kids. I went to school with them. All three have moved out of the area, but they visit often.”

“Does he come here often?”

“Everyone comes here, Aleksandr. I’ve seen him here often. Usually with his wife, but sometimes alone.”

“Is she here?”

Abigail looked around. “I don’t see her at the moment, but the crowd seems to be growing.”

“Anyone else?”

“Two others. The younger men staring at Joley.”

“Everyone’s staring at Joley.”

“One’s in a blue shirt and one’s wearing green. The one in blue is Lance Parker and he does roofing. The other is Chad Kingman and he works for Frank Warner.”

Joley finished the song and the place erupted into thunderous applause.

“She didn’t hold anything back,” Aleksandr said.

“Her small revenge on the band. They won’t be sounding so good now the crowd has heard her.”

Joley made her way through the crowd, back to the table, but before she could sit down, Prakenskii was there. “Mr. Nikitin would like to meet you. He asks that you join him at his table.”

Joley flashed a false smile. “Thank you for the invitation, but I don’t think so.”

“Mr. Nikitin is not a man you say no to.”

“Then tell him to go to hell,” Joley said. “I don’t appreciate him forcing me into the position of singing for a crowd when I’ve come here with my family to enjoy myself. Run along to your master and say thanks but no.”

Aleksandr’s fingers tightened around Abigail’s wrist to prevent her from jumping up to shield her sister. Prakenskii didn’t change expression, but turned away to start back toward his boss.

Joley waved her hand at his back, just a small shove of air that should have made Prakenskii stumble. Instead the air crackled and snapped, small sparks arced around her palm, and she yelped, holding it to her.

The Drakes immediately stood, their expressions shocked as they shoved Joley behind them and faced Prakenskii.

Chapter 11

ALEKSANDR inserted himself between the Drake sisters and Prakenskii, despite Abigail’s restraining hand. He had no idea what had just happened, but the tension had gone up significantly. Joley cradled her palm as if she’d been injured.

“Move away from Hannah,” Abigail insisted, tugging at him. “Give her a clear line to Prakenskii.”

The crowd seemed to swirl around them, people moving continually. Music blared from the stage and dancers gyrated, yet no one touched Prakenskii and no one went near the Drakes.

“The one thing I do know,” Aleksandr answered, “is that none of you want to get in a battle with that man. Sit down. All of you. Abbey, come with me. Now’s as good a time as any to pay our respects, so to speak, to Nikitin.”

Prakenskii didn’t turn around and face the eight women. He walked without further incident to his boss’s table and bent down to whisper to him.

Abigail had a death grip on Aleksandr’s arm, preventing him from following after the Russian while the Drake sisters exchanged long, puzzled looks.

“How did he do that?” Joley asked Hannah.

“Aunt Carol?” Hannah asked.

“I don’t know, girls, but this isn’t good. I think we should get home as quickly as possible and consult the books. I know there have been rumors about males with our gifts, but I’ve certainly never run across any other who had our talents.” Carol tilted her head to look up at Aleksandr. “What do you know about him?”

Abigail saved him. “We’ll talk about it later, when we’re at home, Aunt Carol.”

“Of course, dear. In the protection of the house. I must be getting old to have made such a mistake. Forgive me.”

“That’s silly, Aunt Carol. We were all shaken for a moment. None of us has ever had our magic turned back on us by a man before.” Libby put her arm around her aunt and reached out to Joley. “Does it hurt bad?”

Hannah pushed her hand away before she could touch Joley. “Not in here. Don’t give him anything of us to work against. We should leave now. Abigail, you should come with us. It might not be safe.”

“He won’t touch her,” Aleksandr reassured them. “She’ll be safe with me.” He caught a movement as Hannah nudged Joley.

Joley met his eyes. “She’d better be safe with you.”

Abigail flicked her hair over her shoulder. “I’ll be fine. I’m more worried about Joley. Prakenskii wasn’t close enough to you to get anything personal, was he?”

“I doubt it. Let’s get out of here. My palm hurts like hell and I know I’m going to lose control and slap his face if he comes near me again with a request from his puppet master, the superior arrogant bastard.”

“Lead the way, Sasha, I’ll be very interested in meeting Mr. Nikitin.” There was a whip of anger in Abigail’s voice.

Aleksandr picked up his drink and made his way through the crowd to Nikitin’s table, his hand firmly clasped in Abigail’s. The Drake sisters, their aunt, and her friends followed, waving at friends as they made their exodus. As Joley passed the partition where Nikitin and his party were seated, Prakenskii reached out and caught her damaged hand, his thumb sliding briefly over her palm and then releasing her just as quickly. The moment he touched Joley, the air around them crackled and snapped. The hairs on Aleksandr’s arm stood up.

Joley hesitated for a split second, her eyes turbulent, but Hannah and the other sisters crowded her and kept her moving when they could clearly see she wanted to retaliate.

Aleksandr ignored the byplay, not wanting to cloud issues. He had to focus on finding out as much information as possible. The Drakes were well versed in magic. It was their field of expertise, not his. “What a small world it is, Sergei. One never knows where one will encounter acquaintances.” He shook the man’s hand and turned toward Abbey. “This is Abigail Drake.”

“Wonderful to meet you, Miss Drake.” Nikitin nodded at her as if bestowing her some great honor. “Would you care to join us?”

“I wouldn’t want to interrupt you,” Aleksandr said. “I just wanted to say hello.”

Nikitin waved two of the men out of their chairs and pulled one back for Abigail. “I insist, Aleksandr. We are far from home and it’s good to see a familiar face.” He shifted closer to Abigail. “Joley Drake is your sister? She has a wonderful voice. I’ve never heard anyone better.”

“Thank you. I’m very proud of her. I’ll be sure and pass on your wonderful compliment to her.“ Her fingers twisted harder against Aleksandr’s.

“Please ask her to forgive my blunder. Prakenskii tells me she was upset that I put her in the position of having to sing. I didn’t understand why a great singer was forced to endure another of lesser talent and no one asked for her. They should have been on their feet paying tribute to her greatness.”

“She likes to come here to relax,” Abigail said with a small smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “There are so few places left to her.”

She risked a glance at Prakenskii. Aleksandr believed

Sergei Nikitin was the more dangerous of the two Russians, but she knew differently. Prakenskii wore violence, deceit, and death as a second skin. He showed no emotion, acted as if the entire incident with Joley had never happened, but his gaze was restless in the same way Aleksandr’s was. He was aware of every detail of the room, the crowd, even conversations, whereas Nikitin was completely self-absorbed. And Prakenskii had his own agenda, she could read that much. He wasn’t as loyal to Nikitin as his boss believed, nor was he in the least bit afraid of the man.

Aleksandr’s thumb rubbed across the back of her hand in warning and she sent another smile to Nikitin. “I’m certain you know what that’s like.”

“Yes, of course. It makes perfect sense. I was told she might come here. It was why I chose this place, but I had no idea she wouldn’t be singing.”

“Really? She’ll be so flattered.” Abigail tilted her head, resting her hand on her chin as she leaned a little in toward him. “Where did you hear she comes here? All this time we thought her secret was well guarded.”

Aleksandr leaned back in his chair. Nikitin was more interested in talking to Abigail about Joley and that left him free to watch the room and Prakenskii. Nikitin had almost forgotten he was there. The man had narrowed his attention to Abigail, and it occurred to Aleksandr that Nikitin hadn’t even been aware of the small exchange between Joley and Prakenskii. It didn’t fit with his assessment of Nikitin. The man was reputed to be a shark, not a minnow.

Abigail was a natural at leading a conversation; her voice was pitched just right, her eyes were wide with interest. He resisted the urge to acknowledge her skills by kissing her hand; instead he turned his attention toward the two men who had vacated their seats to allow Aleksandr and Abigail a chance to visit with Nikitin.

“It isn’t difficult to get information on your sister. She’s a very public figure. One of my friends knew a local woman and he asked her.”

Abigail’s fingers dug into Aleksandr’s hand, but she hung on to her smile as she glanced around the bar looking for Sylvia Fredrickson. She was in a nearby corner talking animatedly with several men including Chad Kingman, Ned Farmer, and Lance Parker. Her hand was on Chad’s arm and she leaned into Lance, nearly rubbing her body against his. Occasionally she rested her palm on Ned Farmer’s thigh.

Abigail could feel her temper beginning to rise and she struggled not to wave her hand toward the drink in Sylvia’s hand. Instead she concentrated on the universal laws and glanced briefly toward the door, hoping it was enough to get a response, before flashing another smile at the Russian. “I’m so pleased you enjoy Joley’s voice. We think she’s incredible.”