Legacy of Magic
Page 18
“You’re very quiet, well except for the little scream earlier after you demanded I give it to you harder.”
Cory lightly slapped him on the chest.
Finn chuckled and held her closer.
“I can’t stop thinking about it. Someone else is taking my place. Some innocent man is going to lose his life instead of me. I can’t live with that, Finn.”
“First of all, you don’t know if he’s an innocent or not. Secondly, none of it is your choice or fault. Third, it hasn’t happened yet.”
“I have to help him.”
Finn sighed. “Yeah, I kind of figured you were going to say that, and it’s we. We will help him. I already reached out to a buddy I have before I joined you in the shower. He’s going to track down this guy and get us all the information he can on him.”
Cory stretched to plant a kiss on his lips. “Thank you. What about Sebastian and Willow?”
“What about them?”
“Willow was pretty broken up about serving this Justin Crown guy up to her father. She told Sebastian they had to find him first, before their father.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t think Sebastian was too keen on the idea. He’s more concerned about keeping Willow and himself safe from the rest of their family.”
“Well, they’ve basically declared war against the rest of their crazy family. Who knows what the repercussions from that will be.”
“Exactly why we need to take precautions. Who knows what they will try next. I don’t think we’ve seen the last of them.”
Cory rested her chin on his chest and peeked up at him. “You keep saying we, are you sure you want to be a part of my insane life? I wouldn’t blame you a bit if you decided to keep your distance from me.”
Finn rolled his eyes. “Not this again. Listen up, princess, I’m in this for the long haul. Got it? I’d be lying if I said this magic shit didn’t throw me for a bit of a loop, but it doesn’t change the way I feel about you.”
“Oh? And how do you feel about me?”
Finn smirked at her. “You want the words, huh? I thought actions spoke louder than words.”
Stacking her hands underneath her chin she smiled. “I want the words. Your actions show me you’re brave and a little bit crazy. You could just have a thing for a damsel in distress.”
A soft snort and a bark of laughter escaped him. “You? A damsel in distress? The same woman who managed to cage and suspend a powerful witch who controlled the weather? I don’t see you as a damsel in distress, princess.”
“Good, just keep that image in mind if you ever cheat on me. I’ll make that look like child’s play.”
Finn rolled her over and rose above her grinning. “See, that’s the proper response if you’re significant other betrays you.”
Cory rolled her eyes. “I threaten you with bodily harm, and it makes you happy?”
“Mmhmm, and horny, don’t forget horny.” Finn captured her lips for a scorching kiss.
She looped her arms around his neck. “Still waiting on the words.”
He stared down into her eyes. “I love you. I love everything about you. Your strength, honor, loyalty, heart, and passion. The fire that burns inside you and lights up the room every time you walk in. Your smokin’ hot body doesn’t hurt either.”
Finn laughed as Cory swatted at him through the tears in her eyes. “I love you too, for your bravery, honor, and strength.” She ran her hands down his sides. “And your smokin’ hot body too.”
He placed a soft kiss on her lips.
Cory licked her lips. “It’s not over.”
“No, but we’ll take it one day at a time and we will stand together. “
Cory whispered, “together.”
For a Sneak Peek at Book Two
Legacy of Destruction
Turn The Page…
Chapter One
She was gone. His anchor, all he had left in this world.
A fine layer of dust coated the furniture. Stale air and the taint of neglect permeated the small cabin. She would have hated that. She’d never had much in the way of material possessions, but what she did have she kept neat and tidy.
Justin straightened the patchwork quilt on the bed, drawing it up over the pillow where a small indention remained.
He hadn’t been here for her final breaths, to hold her hand or ease her pain.
His fingers trailed over the soft, well worn material of the quilt. The framed photograph on the nightstand drew his gaze. A picture taken of him and his mother when he was a small child. It was the only photograph on display. The only one she kept. A miniature copy was tucked away in his wallet. He had only a vague recollection of the day it was taken. They’d spent the day at the beach playing in the surf and building sand forts. A rare day of carefree play.
A dog-eared copy of the Bible lay next to the frame. He’d asked her once why she still read it, why she still believed. After silently staring out the window for so long he thought she wouldn’t answer, she’d replied it gives me comfort and wisdom for the days I have none.
His hands clenched into fists at his sides. Had it given her solace at the end? Did she read the words once again seeking answers? Was an old book all she had to turn to in her final moments?
Justin tilted his head back and closed his eyes. He hadn’t been here to say goodbye.
The tension in the air built. A soft rumbling echoed beneath his feet.
His eyes shot open. Raw power filled the room. The hairs on his arms stood on end. It was like a live current zapping the room with energy. He took deep labored breaths trying to rein the power back in, draw it back into his body.
It was no use—he’d lost control.
Windows rattled in their frames. The picture fell from the nightstand onto the floor. He stared at the cracked glass over the photo. A jagged line separated him from his mother.
Justin turned and strode out of the bedroom into the main room of the one-bedroom cabin. A glass fell from the open shelving in the kitchen area and shattered on the floor. Dishes bounced against each other. One by one, glasses leaped off the shelves and joined their smashed brethren on the floor. The little bird salt and pepper shakers he’d given to her as a belated birthday gift with his first paycheck lay broken on the red rug under the table.
The walls shook as the earth’s resonating growl echoed around him. He tried to open the door, but it stuck in its shifted frame. He leaned a shoulder against it and shoved with all his strength. It opened enough for him to squeeze through.
The bright Mexican sun beat down on him as he slid from the cabin. The ground split beneath his feet and he ran. A shudder moved through the earth and knocked him to his knees. He scrambled to his feet and sought open ground away from the cabin and the towering cypress trees around him.
A crack rent the air, and he whirled about. The Mexican cypress tree toppled, crashing into the roof of the old cabin and rendering a giant hole. Creaks and groans rose from the tree and cabin. The walls gave a last shuddering attempt to stand before crumbling beneath the weight of the tree.
Justin slid to the ground and rested his forearms on his drawn-up knees. The quake was over in a few moments. The earth resumed its slumber leaving him to stare at the aftermath. His grandmother’s cabin was destroyed. Lost to him, just as she was. Her meager belongings ruined because he lost control of a power he was born with. One he certainly didn’t ask for or want. It had only brought him destruction and despair.
It had taken his mother from him. After his mother’s death, his grandmother had always kept them on the move. They’d never resided in one place for more than a year. Once he became a man, he continued the habit, but after a while his grandmother had wanted a place to call home. She’d chosen this cabin and lived here for the past five years. He’d visited, often at first, less and less as the years went by. He called to check in and make sure she had anything she needed, but he should have been here. She never said she was unwell, never hinted that her heart was giving out.
He hung his head. He was tired of running, tired of hiding.
His mother had been killed because of the power that ran in their veins. For generations his family had been hunted. No more—now he would do the hunting. He would find them and finally make them pay.
He had nothing left to lose.
A word about the author…
Denise Carbo writes Romantic Suspense and Paranormal Romance. She has an interest in all things supernatural and enjoys solving puzzles.
She lives in a small New England town with her high school sweetheart and their three amazing sons. For more information about Denise, please visit her at www.denisecarbo.com.
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