Wicked Memories (CASTLE OF DARK DREAMS) by Nina Bangs Page A

don’t have any worth talking about.” For just a moment, he thought about his father. Then he closed his heart against the old longing. Thorn needed to change the subject. He didn’t want Grim asking questions about his family. “You haven’t introduced your kelpie friend.”
    Grim’s kelpie friend didn’t look particularly friendly. He was tall and lean. A tangled mass of black hair framed his face and fell across his forehead. Bright green eyes glared at them from between the strands of hair.
    “He doesn’t have to introduce me, and I’m not his damn friend. Kelpies don’t have friends. I don’t need a name either.”
    Thorn decided with that crappy attitude it was no wonder the kelpie was friendless. “Maybe you don’t need a name, but I need to call you something. So let’s compromise. You’re now Kel.”
    The kelpie nodded and sank back into smoldering silence. Thorn ran his fingers through his hair. The perfect end to a rotten night—except for Kayla. He now had a security chief who was related to a bunch of badass Norse gods, and a team that made crappy attitudes into an art form. He focused on Grim. “What will each of them do?”
    Grim was glowering at the witches. “Bygul will watch Nirvana during the day, and Trjegul will take over at night. Kel will be on call if trouble comes from the Gulf. When they’re not on duty they can do what they please as humans. Their carousel forms will still be here if needed.”
    “And what will Kel do besides sitting around getting a tan while he watches the waves break?” Yes, Thorn felt cranky.
    Kel stared at Thorn from narrowed eyes. “You know my options. In my horse form I can lure the enemy to climb onto my back. Once they’re on, they’re stuck. Then I dive deep and drown them. And if they’re shifters who change into water creatures, I’ll just tear them apart.” His lips curved up in an anticipatory smile.
    Great. Just freaking great. “Murder and mayhem. Can’t wait to see
that
. You’ll go viral on YouTube within an hour. Nirvana will be a megahit with gawkers and the police.”
    Kel shrugged. “I can kill quietly. Most attacks will probably happen at night anyway. I’m a black horse. I’ll blend. Besides, you guys have the power to make everyone forget what they saw.” He allowed himself a small smile. Very small. “And if all you want is to give someone a good scare . . . ? I’m extremely scary.”
    I bet you are
. But he couldn’t argue with what Kel had said, although the only time Thorn wiped memories now was after he’d fed. Couldn’t have his dinner screaming, “Vampire! Vampire!” from a dark alley. Thorn didn’t have to ask what the two witches could do. They’d be lethal in human or cat form. “Well, welcome to Nirvana. We’re in great shape. We have a kelpie, two witches, a sorcerer, a vampire, and a demon besides Grim and me. I’ll leave you to do your things. I need to make some plans.”
    Thorn didn’t wait to see if Grim had anything else to say. He made it back to his small apartment behind the game stands without having to talk to anyone else. After taking out the contacts and removing the wig, he took a shower then flopped onto his bed and waited.
    When the knock came, he glanced at his bedside clock before heading to the door. Sparkle had allowed them to stay longer than he’d expected. He opened the door.
    Grim smiled. “Your demon, sorcerer, and vampire are waiting for you at the gate.”
    Thorn grunted his thanks and walked to meet his new employees.
    “I see you have your bags with you.” Thorn smiled. “Sparkle kicked you out?”
    Zane scowled. “She kept me there just long enough to get rid of that god-awful smell you planted in the castle
then
she kicked me out.” He glanced at the demon. “Lucky tomorrow is Saturday. Klepoth won’t have to go to school.”
    School? The demon went to
school
? Thorn muffled a laugh. “Too bad about getting thrown out.” Not. He’d been counting on