Wicked Memories (CASTLE OF DARK DREAMS) Read Online Free PDF Page B

faithful demon sidekick. You’ll take his part tonight. Holgarth should be able to scrape up a few new cast members by tomorrow.”
    “Holgarth?” Hadn’t Sparkle said that he was her lawyer? “I haven’t met him yet.” Kayla should. And soon. When she ditched this job, Sparkle might scream breach of contract.
    “That would be me, madam. And even though Sparkle has chosen not to introduce us, I assume that you are Kayla, our newly acquired intrepid spy.” The wizard’s tone turned “intrepid spy” into an insult. “I truly hope she received a discount for accepting you rather than one of your more qualified brothers.”
    If steam wasn’t billowing out of Kayla’s ears and nose, it wasn’t for a lack of inner fire. For a moment she forgot that she’d be leaving this madhouse. “And you, sir, are a wart on the nose of wizardry.” Kayla didn’t know if Holgarth really believed he was a wizard, but if he was part of the Castle of Dark Dreams gang, then he probably did. “You don’t even have the power to keep your own son here.” Okay, so she probably shouldn’t have said that. But it was too late now.
    Holgarth paled, but he didn’t look away. “You’re right, madam. I don’t. Perhaps we’re both doomed to failure.”
    Kayla could almost see him wrapping his dignity around him. Fine, so she was sorry she’d lashed out the way she had. Other less personal insults would have made her point.
    Zane glared at Kayla. “That wasn’t necessary.”
    Kayla was now in fighting mode. “So it’s fine for him to insult me, but I’m not allowed to fight back?”
    “Not that way. Besides, my father insults everyone. You just need to ignore it.”
    “I would appreciate it if you’d desist from fighting over my still-warm body.” Holgarth avoided his son’s gaze. “I’m quite capable of defending myself.”
    Kayla ignored Holgarth. “One thing you should know about me, Zane: If someone hits me, I hit them back. Harder. My father taught me that.” Kayla wouldn’t back down from this man, sorcerer, or whatever he was. Once started, backing down became a habit. She needed to remember that when dealing with Sparkle too.
Isn’t quitting the same as backing down?
She tried to ignore the thought.
    “Well, well, you
are
a surprise.” Sparkle looked gleeful. “I love a woman who won’t take crap from anyone.” She glanced at her watch. “Let’s go. We don’t have much time before the next fantasy.”
    Without sparing another glance at Holgarth or Zane, she disappeared into the crowd, every swing of her hips announcing that no one had better get in her way.
    Holgarth took off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. “I wish you’d spoken to me before making your decision, son.”
    “It seemed the right thing to do.” For just a moment, Zane’s eyes showed confusion. Then they cleared. “Look, you’re the top dog at this castle. No one needs me here. Thorn will give me a chance to show what I can do.”
    His father looked troubled. “How? Why would he need a powerful sorcerer for an ordinary amusement park?”
    Zane’s expression turned cunning. “Maybe it won’t be quite as ordinary as Sparkle hopes it will be.” He smiled. “I’ll be in touch, Dad. Have to go tell the others to forget about their two-week notice.” Then he walked away.
    Holgarth watched his son leave before putting on his hat again and turning to Kayla. His superior expression was firmly back in place. “If shock hasn’t nailed your feet to the floor, follow me so I can show you where to change into your demon costume. We have customers waiting for the next fantasy.”
    Customers waiting
. She hadn’t meant to look. But once the memory of the man touched her, she automatically glanced toward the wall. He was gone. Kayla shoved aside her twinge of disappointment. It was for the best. She’d be leaving Galveston anyway.
Somehow that thought didn’t make her feel better. Distracted, she nodded to Holgarth.
    Now