by Cate Dean
“I just wanted you to come back to me. Is that so wrong?”
“Who gave you the spell, Ned?” Maybe she could have a witch here reverse it, release her power—
“No, Lidia. You’re not going to talk around me, not this time. We’re going home, even if I have to take you home as human, and not a witch.”
He thrust the stone at her.
A brilliant white light burst free, slamming into Lidia before she could escape it. She screamed as white hot pain drove into her. The spell pinpointed the source of her power and pierced it, dropping her to her knees.
She couldn’t fight, didn’t have the strength or magic left to push out the spell.
“Ned,” she gasped. “Stop—please—”
“I want you back, Lidia. This is the only way.” He stood over her, holding the stone over her heart.
She fought to breathe, and used the last of her strength to send a mental message to Harry, praying he would hear her, feel her—before it was too late.
~ * ~
Harrison froze in the middle of his shop as Lidia’s pain struck him with the force of a hurricane.
“No—not now. I will not lose her.”
He sprinted into the back room, his fingers shaking as he fought to turn the deadbolt.
“Hang on for me, love. Please, hang on.”
He finally turned the lock, and shoved the door open, slamming it behind him.
A heavy weight struck him before he could take two steps.
“Time for your lesson, mutt.” Jared shifted, just enough for his claws to form, and close around Harrison’s throat. “Long past time.”
Harrison grabbed Jared’s furred wrists, desperation and adrenaline giving him strength.
“I will be happy to settle any—”
Jared dug his claws into Harrison’s right shoulder and yanked him up. “Now, mutt. We do it now.” He threw Harrison at the wall and came after him.
~ * ~
Ned stood over Lidia’s hunched figure, the stone inches from her cheek.
“I just want you to come home, Lidia.”
She cringed—at the proximity of the spell, and his whining tone. She had forgotten how much he whined to get his way, and how often she’d just given in to get him to stop.
Not this time.
“Please—put the stone—away.” She gasped, her lungs aching. “Ned—”
“Stara said you’d fight, and that I should force you to face your fear.” He pressed the stone against her cheek and she shuddered. “This is your fear, Lidia—fear of committing to me.”
Stara. It figured.
The one witch in L.A. with a power complex is the one he goes to—
“Ned—she lied—you’re draining my—magic.”
“What? No.” The stone pulsed with his temper, driving deeper. It felt like part of her soul was being stripped away. “All you have to do is say yes to me, and everything will be fine.”
Even with the evidence in front of him, Ned never did truly believe.
She decided to give him what he thought he needed, and deal with the consequences later—when she could breathe again.
“Yes,” she whispered.
Ned straightened, staring at the stone. An endless second later, he frowned. “It’s not working. I’m supposed to feel connected, one with you. She said we would become inseparable if you said yes!”
He yanked her off the floor and pushed the stone against her throat. Agony lodged the scream in her chest, along with her breath. She clawed at his hand, trying to pull the stone away. If she didn’t take in a breath soon—
Darkness edged her vision, her hand weaker with every attempt to grab the stone. Contact shocked her when she finally grabbed it, but she tightened her grip, using the last of her strength to put space between her and the stone.
Ned yanked it away from her, and the pain finally eased. She took in a raw breath, clutching the floor. Her head cleared a little more with every breath, her lungs begging for more. Movement had her flinching, ready to defend herself again.
Ned’s voice filtered through the haze. “Why isn’t it working? You said yes.” He stood over her, rubbing the stone. “I should feel something.”
“She lied,” Lidia whispered.
He stared down at her, frowning. “What?”
“Stara—lied to you.” Lidia took another shaky breath, and braced herself on one arm. “She cast a spell—into the stone. A spell that drains my magic.” And probably transferred it to her. Lidia would deal with that later. “Please, Ned. You need to—destroy it.”
“No!” He hugged the stone. It pulsed, matching his heartbeat. Lidia was afraid that Stara had linked him to it. Which meant if she destroyed it, she could hurt Ned. Or worse. “It’s mine. You’re mine.”
He stalked toward her, the stone pulsing in his outstretched hand.
~ * ~
Even if he could no longer shift, the reflexes of a shifter had never left Harrison.
He used them now, whirling to meet Jared’s attack head on. His shoulder throbbed, hindering the strength in his right arm. He compensated with his left, punching Jared in the nose.
Jared stumbled back, clutching his nose. “You—broke it—”
“I will break every bone I can reach if you keep me here.”
He pushed past Jared, tensed and ready for any attack, and sprinted down the alley.
Please—let me get to her in time.
If he lost Lidia now—
He couldn’t get past that single thought. He would get to her in time.
He had to.
~ * ~
Lidia stumbled backward into the living room, and collided with the ugly oak side table. The lampshade of an equally ugly lamp brushed her cheek. A heavy, ugly, wrought iron lamp.
She decided to try one last time, before she resorted to desperate.
“Ned. Put the stone down—we can talk about—”
“Not until it binds you to me!”
That made what she was planning easier.
“It’s not going to happen, Ned.”
She slid her hand across the top of the side table, her fingers bumping against the base of the lamp.
He moved to her, holding the stone out. Lidia fought the need to throw up a protection spell. Any magic use would only drain her faster. And she didn’t think she had enough left to even cast a spell. Any spell.
“I will keep trying until it does,” he said. “You’re mine, Lidia—you’ve always been mine—” He shoved the stone at her.
She grabbed the base of the lamp and swung it at his hand.
He let out a high-pitched scream when the iron base hit his wrist. The stone flew out of his hand and hit the wall behind Lidia. It bounced on the floor, intact—and the impact drove Lidia to her knees, pain clawing her.
“No,” she whispered. “You won’t win this one, Stara.”
With the last of her strength, she raised the lamp and aimed it at the stone.
~ * ~
Harrison sprinted up the sidewalk leading to Lidia’s house—and almost tripped over a streak of black.
“Max.” He looked down at the furious cat. “Is she inside?”
Max meowed, and bounded up the porch steps. Harrison followed him, ready to kick the door open. He decided to see if it was unlocked before he bashed it down.
The doorknob twisted under his hand, and he shoved the door open.
“Lidia!” Max shot past him and headed for the living room. He followed the cat, figuring he would know where his mistress was. “Lidia—” His voice caught in his throat when he saw her, curled up on the living room floor. “No—please, no.”
He knelt beside her, and gently rolled her over. She let out a harsh gasp, grabbing his hand when he started to retreat.
“Okay—I’m okay.” She looked far from okay; she was whiter than a sheet, and shaking so badly she could barely hold his hand. “You’re hurt.”
He shrugged it off, even as his right shoulder complained
about the movement. Loudly. “I ran into an old adversary.”
“Jared? I’m sorry. It looks like you won.”
“For now.”
“You came for me.”
He framed her face, his throat tight. “I love you, Lidia. I will always come for you.”
Tear filled her eyes. “You love me?”
“I do.” He gently gathered her into his arms.
“Harry—my magic is gone.”
He followed her glance downward. White shards littered the floor, still glowing faintly. The stone, from their dream. It had been as real as Lidia. As he watched, that glow died. She let out a breath, and relaxed against him.
“Lidia?”
“The spell’s been broken, and with it, the last of my power.” She looked up at him. “I’m just an ordinary woman.”
“You are far from ordinary, love.” He kissed her, tenderly, and picked her up, standing. A low moan caught his attention. For the first time, he noticed the thin blonde man, huddled behind the sofa. “Is that—Ned?”
“Yeah. He’s the reason behind my magic fading. No,” she said, pressing her fingers against his lips when he started to curse. “He didn’t know, and I’m not going to blame him.” She let out a sigh. “I’m just going to send him home.”
“You have a generous heart.” He growled when the man lifted his head.
“Harry—don’t scare him.”
“Sorry.” He wasn’t the least bit sorry, but for Lidia, he would say it.
“Put me down, please.” He did, keeping his left arm around her waist when she swayed. “Ned, you need to go.”
“Lidia?” He used the back of the sofa to help him stand. “How—when did I get here? And where is here?”
“I’ll explain when we’re both recovered. You can stay,” she looked up at Harry. “Where can he stay?”
“I will phone the bed and breakfast in town.”
“Thanks.” She smiled at him, a pallid version of her usual smile. “I better sit down before you let me go.”
“Of course.” He carefully settled her on the sofa, and reached for his phone before remembering he left it on the counter at his shop. “I’m afraid I’ll need to borrow your phone.”
“You can use the landline. There’s a phone in the kitchen.” She leaned against the back of the sofa and closed her eyes. She looked so fragile, so pale. He didn’t want to leave her alone. “I’m okay, Harry. Stop frowning, and go make your calls.” She opened one eye. “Tell Dr. Mead I said hi.”
Harrison shook his head; he should have known Lidia would guess his intentions. “Stay put. I want you to rest until she gets here.”
“Yes, sir. I will—” A gasp cut her off, and she pressed one hand to her heart. “Harry—”
He made it to the sofa in time to catch her as she pitched forward. “Lidia—”
“Hurts,” she whispered. “Don’t—leave me—” She doubled, the skin under his hand hot and slick with sweat.
“Hold on for me, Lidia.” He swept her up in his arms and carried her through the house, headed for the front door. Max followed him, quiet, watchful. Harry wouldn’t deny him time with his mistress. It may be the last— “Stop,” he whispered, his voice as raw as his heart. “She is strong, stronger than I have ever been.” He kissed her forehead, and moved faster when he felt the heat radiating off her skin. “Hold on, my heart.”
~ * ~
Harrison shoved open the door of Dr. Mead’s small office, carrying an unconscious Lidia in his arms.
“Help me.”
The receptionist leapt to her feet. “Bring her back here.” She led the way through the door behind her, into an exam room. “I’ll get Dr. Mead.”
Harrison gently laid Lidia on the padded table, and took her hand, afraid to let go of her, afraid to lose the tenuous connection with her.
“Harrison.” Dr. Mead touched his arm. “I need you to give me some room, and tell me what happened.”
He let go of Lidia, reluctantly, and stepped back. As Dr. Mead checked Lidia, he told her what he knew, including the spell.
She nodded, and called for the receptionist, who turned out to be her nurse. “Call the hospital. We’ll need an air lift, and one of our specialists on the other side. Request one for a witch.”
“Yes, Doctor.” The nurse left, and Dr. Mead turned to Harrison.
“She’s suffering from a backlash. If I can get her to the right person in time, she’ll recover.”
Fear threatened to drown him. “If not?”
“Harrison.” She took his hand, and he knew the news wouldn’t be pleasant. “She won’t come back.”
He stumbled, slamming the wall with his right shoulder. “I can’t lose her.”
“I will do everything in my power to bring her back. Now, I want you to sit. My nurse, Jackie, will come in and take a look at your shoulder. No argument, Harrison.”
He let her lead him to the chair that stood next to the exam table. She squeezed his left shoulder, and left him, calling for Jackie. He braced himself on the edge of the table, tracing the line of Lidia’s face. Her beautiful, too still face.
She had always been so animated, so vivacious, since the moment he met her. To see her like this tore at him.
Too soon, and not fast enough, a gurney rolled into the room, and the two techs gently lifted Lidia to it, covering her with a blanket and strapping her in.
Harrison stood. “I’m going with her.”
“Doc said you’d want to. There’s room.” The tech at the head of the gurney glanced at Harrison’s bloody shoulder. “You have to come now.”
“I’m ready.”
He nodded, and waved to the other tech. They rolled the gurney out, and down the hallway to a back door. Harrison followed them, ignoring the nurse running after him.
“Mr. Grey! I’m supposed to look at your shoulder—”
“It will do.”
He left her behind and ran across the back parking lot, to the chopper. Lidia had just been loaded in as he reached it; he climbed in, and took the seat on her left side, opposite the tech working over her.
The other tech slid the door closed. “Let’s move!”
They took off, heading in the direction of the county hospital. One of the best in the state, Harrison knew, from personal experience. And one of the only in the state that treated supernaturals.
He lowered his head, and did something he had not done in a very long time. He prayed.
Protect her, keep her safe, bring her back to me.
Eleven
The light pulled at Lidia, bright, but soft at the same time. It soothed every ache—including the gaping one where her power had lived.
She was tired; so tired of fighting, of facing each day without the part of herself that defined her. The light promised rest, respite, and an end to that struggle. She started walking toward it.
Lidia.
The voice brushed over her skin, almost an echo. A voice she recognized.
“Who is that?”
The light reached out, pulling her attention back to it. She shrugged; it didn’t matter, not anymore. All that mattered was finally being at peace—
Come back to me, love.
Love. He loved her. He told her that right before she—what?
“What happened to me? How did I get here?”
There were no answers in the light. Only a simple promise. One she wasn’t sure she was ready for.
“I don’t think—I’m not supposed to be here. Not yet.” An almost silent sigh reached her. “Is it my choice? Whether or not I want to stay?”
The light didn’t answer, simply beckoned to her again, offering a way out. An escape.
Lidia. Please, don’t leave me alone.
She turned to the voice.
You are my life.
“Harry,” she whispered. His face appeared in her mind; strong, handsome, vulnerable. “I don’t want to escape. I want to live my life, with him.”
“Even without magic?” The
disembodied voice startled her. She faced the light, and finally made out a figure, silhouetted in the middle of the soft glow. “There is no guarantee that you will ever have that part of yourself again.”
“I think—yeah, I’m okay with that, as long as Harry’s with me.”
“This Harry is important to you?”
She smiled, and looked over her shoulder. Darkness waited there, and uncertainty. But she knew Harry was there, and new friends, a new life. One she wasn’t ready to let go.
“More important than I ever expected, when he fell at my feet.”
“He is a rare man.” Amusement edged the voice.
“He is a good man, a kind man. The best man,” she whispered, and felt, for the first time since becoming aware. She felt her heart ache, with need, with loss. And she knew she would feel that, even if she walked into the light. “I want to go back.”
“The choice is yours, child. It has always been, and will always be.” The voice gentled, and laid on her shoulder like a warm, supporting hand. “All you need to do is turn around. He will be waiting for you.”
Panic skated through her at the thought of turning away from the light, leaving it behind. “Will this still be here?”
“When you are ready, child.” The invisible hand freed her. “When you are ready.”
The light started to recede. Lidia shivered, wrapping both arms around her waist. She felt alone—more alone than she ever had. There was only one way to fix that.
She took a shaky breath, lowered her arms, and turned around.
“Hold on, Harry. I’m coming.”
She took a step toward the darkness, then another. By the third step she was running—toward uncertainty, heartache, life.
Glorious, imperfect life.
~ * ~
The murmur of voices slowly pulled her toward the surface. Lidia swallowed, and focused all her strength on opening her eyes.
She could tell, even with her blurred vision, that she was in a hospital room. They always had a certain look, and an antiseptic ambience, no matter how pretty the decoration.
It took most of her remaining energy to turn her head—and she found him.
Harry.
He stood next to the bed, staring out the dark window. As she watched, he stilled, and turned to her.
