by Susan Hayes
“Oh, we said plenty.” Sin grinned at her, and her heart did a quick pirouette in her chest to see him smiling again. “You told me off, which was the hottest thing any woman has ever done, and then I explained to you that you’re not kissing anyone else but me, ever.”
Beside them Jase burst out laughing. “All I’m going to say is I better be invited to the wedding.”
“Shut up. You’re still on my shit-list,” Sin muttered and wrapped a possessive arm around her waist. “Now, can we please go get rid of your ex so we can finish this discussion?”
“Absolutely. Because if you think that one kiss is going to just fix everything, you have another thing coming.” Michelle reached out and grabbed Jase’s hand, deliberately ignoring Sin’s growl of warning. “Come on, Jase. Let’s get this done.”
Her good mood lasted until the moment they walked through the door. Then it was gone, replaced by apprehension and a strange feeling of awe. Floor-to-ceiling windows took up one wall, filling the space with light. The room had been stripped bare of furnishings, and most of the floor was now covered by a large pentagram drawn inside an even larger circle. Triangles filled with small lines marked every ray of the star but the top one, which was marked with a circle instead. The ceiling directly above the pentagram had a pattern drawn on it as well. It was a mirror-perfect copy of the one on the floor. Inside the room, the air itself seemed to thrum slightly with some strange energy that made her skin tingle.
“You can feel it, too?” Sin asked, his voice sounding much softer now than it had been in the hall.
Michelle just nodded, not sure she could speak past the lump in her throat. This was where she was going to face Robert’s ghost. This was her chance to get her life back.
“Ah, there you are. Your timing is perfect.” Anya approached them, carefully skirting the lines on the floor as she crossed the room and joined them. “Geoff will be along in a minute. He’s just making sure that everything is arranged. Things are likely going to get a bit interesting soon, so he’s taking a few of the security measures offline. Just around this room, of course.”
Michelle felt Sin stiffen as he asked, “Is that wise?”
“It’s necessary. And I might point out that as talented as your security teams are, they wouldn’t know the first thing about dealing with the paranormal.”
“True,” Sin grudgingly admitted. “Though I suspect when this is all over with, we may have to change that. Michelle can’t be the only one who has ever had this sort of experience.”
“She most certainly is not.” Anya gave them both an odd smile and then gestured around them. “This is the trap, Michelle. We’ll need to draw Robert into the pentagram, but once he is within the circle, he will not be able to leave again.” She pointed out a small carved box that rested in the middle of the topmost ray of the star. The box sat with its hinged lid sitting open, and Michelle could see it was empty. “That will be his prison. It will hold him until I can get it to my friend, Tristan, who has the means to banish him permanently.”
Michelle left Sin’s side and went over to the pentagram, crouching as close to the box as she could.
“Do be careful not to disturb the lines though, any break will weaken the trap,” Anya warned her gently.
“But it’s drawn in—”
“Salt, yes.”
Panic started to creep into her mind. “But he can control the air, make it windy! He’ll just blow it everywhere!”
“No, he won’t. Not that salt. It’s not within his power to break these lines. This trap has been crafted very specifically, Michelle. I promise you, he can’t break them by himself.” The panic ebbed a little bit, but she could still feel its tiny claws prickling in the back of her mind, whispering doubts.
“I trust you,” she told Anya and then silently repeated the statement several times to herself until she felt more calm. “So, where do I fit into all this?”
“Bait,” Jase piped up from the side of the room and then yelped in surprise as an elbow sunk into his ribs without any warning.
“Idiot.” Remington glowered at Jase. “That’s a hell of a way to explain it to her.”
“While his tact needs work, I’m afraid Jase is basically correct.” Anya swept her hand out over the design, pointing to another, smaller circle drawn at the heart of the star. “You’re his focus, so it must be you who calls him. You’ll stand just outside the smaller circle until you are certain he has entered the pentagram. Once we are sure we have him, you will step into the innermost space. He will not be able to follow you there, and it will protect you from him while I finish the incantation that will entrap him.”
“Why can’t I be in the smaller circle to start with?”
“The protections that are worked into that part of pattern will shield you from him. If you are standing in it, he won’t be able to sense you and he won’t hear you call to him.”
“Bait it is then.” Michelle stared at the arcane markings for a long time while the logical part of her brain carried on a lengthy diatribe about how salt thrown on the ground couldn’t possibly do anything but season her nicely before serving her up to Robert on a platter. She finally cut off the negative voices by reminding her logical side that it didn’t believe in ghosts either, but they were most definitely dealing with one now. With that, her thoughts finally quieted.
“What do I do, Anya?”
“The four of us are going to take up a position just outside the circle. Each of us will stand by the point of a ray of the pentagram. We’ll leave the top spot empty. That ray represents spirit, but in this case, the two spirits involved will be inside the pentagram. Once we’re in place, you will make your way into the topmost point, and we’ll begin.” Anya glanced around, her gaze finding the three men hanging back near the door. “Shoes off gentlemen, it’s time to begin. You, too, Michelle. Bare feet will ground you better.”
“Is that why you don’t wear shoes?” She couldn’t resist asking as she toed off her runners and carefully removed her socks from her still-tender feet.
Anya laughed and whispered back, “I say that’s why, but the truth is I just prefer to be barefoot, and who’s going to argue with me if I tell them it’s better that way?”
That little bit of shared laughter helped her feel better again, and the sight of all the men looking slightly awkward in their bare feet brought another smile to her face.
“Are you sure this is necessary?” Remington gave Anya an expression of long-suffering misery. “It’s bad enough having you wandering around barefoot.”
“Hush, Geoff, it’s necessary. Now if you would take that point over there, that’s earth, perfect. Sinjin and Jason, take your places at water and air, there and there. And I’ll take fire.” Anya took her spot, and they all looked expectantly at Michelle. “Take off your talisman, Michelle, and then make your way to the spot I showed you.”
Sin took a step toward Michelle, concern and worry written on every line of his face. “You never said anything about her taking off that talisman.”
“He won’t go to her otherwise. It’s all right, Michelle. It’s time to end this.” Anya gave her a reassuring nod before gesturing for Sin to return to his place.
She dropped the talisman on the ground outside the circle and then carefully stepped inside, watching to make sure she didn’t touch any of the salt-inscribed lines. She got into position and turned to look at Sinjin. “If this doesn’t work, I’m hiring you for twenty-four-seven security from now on, so don’t plan on walking away again.”
“I’m not going anywhere, baby.” He crossed his arms over his chest and seemed to root himself to the floor, making his point clear.
“All right then.” She took a deep breath. “Robert?” Nothing happened. “Robert, I know you can hear me, so you might as well show yourself.” Still nothing. She gritted her teeth and swallowed down a rising wave of nausea as she realized what it would take to draw him out. She was going to have to do the one thing she swore she’d never
do again. She was going to have to appeal to his ego. She took a deep breath and let her voice lower to a low, sensual whisper. “Bobby? Bobby, it’s me, Chelle. I know you’re mad at me, Bobby. And you should be. I deserve it. But, honey, I’m sorry I left you.” She heard Sin’s breath hiss over his teeth, and she avoided looking at him, knowing she’d feel even worse if she did. “Sweetheart, come here so I can touch you again, please? I’ve missed you. I’ve missed you so much. You just scared me is all, but it’s okay now. I understand what you want.” She spoke every lie-soaked word in the soft, crooning tones she’d once used to calm Robert down from his rages, and she hated like hell having to do this again.
“Chelle.” The faintest whisper sounded from a corner of the room.
“I’m here, Bobby.”
“My Chelle, missed you.” Again his voice came, stronger this time.
“I missed you, too, sweetheart.” She lifted a hand to the open air and struggled to stay calm. “Can you touch me again, like you did that first night?”
“Yes.” The voice was much louder now, and almost smug in tone. A swirl of air brushed past her and the voice came again. “Mine, my Chelle.” The wind picked up, and soon it was blowing strong enough to make Anya’s skirts flare slightly. Something stroked her cheek, and she managed to accept the caress without flinching. Her top flattened against her body, and it felt like hands were smoothing up her ribs, reaching for her breasts.
“You’re here, Bobby? Here with me?”
“Yes, Chelle.”
She caught Anya’s faint nod and moved toward the inner circle just as the phantom hands touching her reached her breast, and she bit back a cry of pain as something pinched her, hard. She rushed for the protection of the inner circle, forgetting about her injured feet. She made a misstep, and the pain made her stumble, and at that moment, she knew she’d made a terrible mistake. Her foot dragged through the salt, breaking the inner seal, and Robert’s touch followed her into what should have been her sanctuary.
“Mine.” His voice was full of dark laughter, and memories flooded her mind, memories of other times Robert had come after her. The other times he had hurt and mocked her.
“No!” she denied him. He was already trapped, and she’d be damned if she would give in to him, even without protection. The wind whipped around her, and soon she felt like she was inside a tornado. The wind made her eyes stream with tears, and the howling noise it made filled her ears. Deaf and blind, she hid her face behind her arms and screamed for the only person in the world she knew could help her. She screamed for Sinjin.
Chapter 12
Having to sit back and watch as Michelle had groveled and simpered to attract the ghost of her abusive ex had been disturbing. He’d barely recognized the cowed, soft-spoken woman that had replaced his brave and glorious lover. When Robert had appeared, he’d stayed put by an act of pure will, knowing he had to let Michelle do this alone. Jase and Remington had been shocked to hear the ghost speak, proving what Michelle and he had already known. Ghosts were real, and there was a whole dark world out there none of them had known existed until now.
He’d seen the way her top had moved against her body, as if invisible hands were stroking her. It had nearly killed him to stand by when he knew Robert was touching her again. He’d caught her muffled cry of pain, and when she’d stumbled, he’d known with chilling certainty what had happened. Outside the circle, things were totally calm, but they could clearly see that Michelle stood in the middle of a whirlwind. Her head was bowed and her arms were covering her face defensively. Part of him heard Anya speaking words he didn’t understand. He knew she must be starting the imprisonment spell, but all he could truly hear was his woman’s voice, screaming for him to help her.
He was inside the pentagram before any of the others could stop him, landing between the carefully crafted lines that stayed in place despite the wind that howled within the confines of the circle. He covered the space between himself and Michelle in a heartbeat. He lifted her into his arms and bowed his body over hers, shielding her as best he could. She buried her face into his chest and clung to him, whatever words she may have said torn away by the wind before he could hear them. Robert’s voice was interwoven with the howling tornado that swirled around them. The ghost was screaming obscenities and threats that made Sin’s blood boil and his hands itch with the need to strike back, but he knew there was no physical body he could challenge. There was nothing he could punch or drive away. And so he stood his ground and held onto Michelle, protecting with his body. At least he was still wearing his talisman, which meant Robert would find it hard to hurt him, and he knew the spirit couldn’t possess him again. They were small comforts, but the only ones he had.
It seemed to take an age for Anya to complete her part of the trap, but finally silence fell. He was left standing alone in the middle of the circle with his ears still ringing and Michelle cradled safely in his arms.
Anya spoke first. “You can bring her out of there now. It’s safe.” She looked completely calm and more than a little pleased as she gestured for him to bring Michelle out of the circle even as she stepped into it. Anya picked up the wooden box resting in the uppermost ray of the pentagram, and he noticed that the box was now closed, and he couldn’t see any seam where the lid met the base.
Before he could ask about it, Jase broke in. “Are you guys okay? Shit, that was intense! Michelle, honey, if that’s what your life has been like lately, I’m amazed you’re still sane! Ouch!” His rambling commentary was cut short by another elbow to the ribs as Remington glared at him.
“Antarctica. Penguins. Don’t tempt me, Waters. Sin, how is she?”
“She’s fine.” Michelle answered for herself, her voice a little raw. “I feel a bit stupid for tripping over my own feet and breaking the circle, but otherwise I’ll live.” She lifted her head and smiled up at Sinjin, her cheeks still wet with tears, and he could see a bruise was forming just to one side of the delicate bow of her mouth. “Thank you.”
“He hurt you.” Sin forgot about everything else as he lowered head and kissed the spot as gently as he could manage. “The bastard managed to hurt you again.”
“Yeah, but that was the last time.”
“Yes, it was.” Anya’s soft voice chimed in, in confirmation. “He’s imprisoned, and I will see to it he answers for what he’s done.”
“I hope he pays for a long, long time.” Sinjin’s fists still ached to lay into Robert, to pay him back in pain for every moment of hurt and unhappiness he’d ever given Michelle. It was hard to let it go and accept that he’d won this fight without violence. He brushed another tender kiss to Michelle’s lips and held her tight. He wasn’t entirely sure he’d really won either. Not yet. Not until he knew if she had forgiven him.
“You don’t need protecting anymore, baby. You’re free to walk out of here and get your life back if that’s what you want.”
She shot him a look of pure irritation even as her mouth curved upward into the most breathtaking smile he’d ever seen, and in that moment, he knew she was his.
“Don’t you even try to get rid of me now, Sin. You said we had a conversation to finish, and we do, but right this minute I would like to make something very clear to you and everyone else within earshot. I think Anya’s right. I believe you’re my soul mate, and that means I am not going anywhere without you. I’m done running.” She glanced around the room, making eye contact with everyone who had stood with them. “When he forgets what I just said, I hope you’ll all consider it your duty to remind him.”
“Are you sassing me again?” he asked. A heady mixture of love and happiness flooded through him as he kissed her again, ignoring the half-smothered snickers coming from the two other men in the room.
“I might be, yes. Someone clearly has to. You’re far too used to getting your own way!” Michelle smirked up at him.
“Of course I get my own way! I outrank everyone here but Remington.” He grinned at her. “Did I forget to me
ntion that?”
“Well you don’t outrank me!”
“That’s it. Clearly you’re sassing me. I recall telling you exactly what would happen if you did that again.” He felt his cock twitch in anticipation, already growing hard at the mere idea of spanking Michelle’s sweet ass and making it clear to her that she belonged to him. Every single inch of her was all his, his to protect, his to cherish, and his to love. Shifting her in his arms to hide his arousal from the others, Sin just nodded to them all and grinned as he headed for the door. “Thanks for everything, Anya. I’ll do the paperwork later, sir. Michelle and I need to go discuss a few things.”
“Wait, what?” Michelle wriggled in protest. “I was just attacked by a ghost! Battered and bruised even! Don’t you dare even consider what I think you’re thinking about!” She twisted herself around and reached out for Jase. “Are you going to just stand by and let him do this to me?”
Jase just stepped away from them both, grinning. “Damn right I am. Remington’s rule number three. Never get involved with a damsel in distress!” The three of them laughed as Sin carried Michelle out the door and toward the elevator.
“Put me down!”
“Not a chance, baby.” He lengthened his stride, suddenly feeling an urgent need to get her alone. “I’m a man of my word, and I warned you what would happen if you sassed me. How are you ever learn to trust me if I don’t keep my word?” He could barely keep from laughing as she huffed at him, the gleam of desire in her eyes betraying her real feelings.
“So you’re saying every time I sass you from now on, you promise to punish me?”
“That’s exactly what you can expect. You have my word on it.” He glanced down again and noticed she was grinning up at him like a Cheshire cat.
“Deal.”
He had the distinct feeling he’d missed something in their last exchange, but between his blazing need to get her naked and the joy of having her back in his arms again, he really didn’t feel the need to go back and figure it out right then. He had other things to think about. Like what he was going to do to her first, and how many times he could make her come before they both collapsed in exhaustion.
