Wicked Fantasy

by Nina Bangs

  Okay, this was going to be bad. But Conall couldn’t think of much that would dent his happiness.

  “Conalla told me when we were planning our trap for Sean that you’d never be free of the curse.” She glanced away. “I chose not to tell you. I didn’t want you to feel hopeless.”

  He tipped her face toward him. “Conalla saw it right, but she only got part of the picture. And you were right. I would’ve felt bad. A curse is only a curse, though, when you don’t want it. I look forward to centuries of serving and protecting you, vampire lady.”

  She was into some serious stripping now, so he let everything go but his need for her. Forever.

  “Oh, I talked to Eric. We’re about to take a trip back to the Sensual Forest. We’ll see what’s down our personal Yellow Brick Road.”

  And they did.

  Epilogue

  “I’ve known lots of wicked women, babe, but you’re the wickedest of them all. Evil and sexy. What’s not to love?” Ganymede sprawled across the top of the display case in direct defiance of all health inspectors. “None of them ever suspected.” He glanced around. “Where’d the death dude go?”

  “Edge went away. I don’t know where. I don’t care where. Just as long as he doesn’t come back.” Sparkle studied the chocolate display she’d set up in the center of the store. Everything began and ended with chocolate in Sweet Indulgence. She might eat a whole box tonight to celebrate the completion of her master plan.

  Ganymede pursued his main point. “How do you keep track of all these people you mess with? We’re talking thousands over the centuries. I picture you with this giant Rolodex where you keep millions of names.”

  Sparkle was okay with a little bragging. Settling onto the high stool behind the counter, she leaned her elbows on the top of the case. “No Rolodex, Mede. It’s all up here.” She tapped her forehead. “I followed the lives of Eric, Brynn, and Conall for centuries until I was ready to rewrite their destinies.”

  “Why them?” Mede must be interested. He hadn’t made a move on the candy yet.

  She shrugged. “Why not? I just choose people who catch my interest, people with serious emotional issues. Hey, I love the drama.” Sparkle sighed her pleasure. The feel of a plan successfully completed was like slipping naked into a warm bath.

  “So when I sensed the guys were ready, I bought Live the Fantasy and offered them jobs in the Castle of Dark Dreams. Once they were in place, I went after the women I’d chosen for them, women who were wrong for them on so many levels, but perfect for them when it came to sex. Instant lust plus instant conflict equaled fun for Sparkle Stardust.”

  “And all the other stuff?”

  “I called Donna’s show with tales of vampires in the Castle of Dark Dreams. I had Holgarth offer Kim the job of architect for the castle. And I supplied the anonymous tips that brought Gerry and Jinx here. Oh, and I masqueraded as Morrigan to warn Conall the last Kavanagh would be at Wicked Fantasy.” It was all me, me, me.

  “So what happens now, babe?” Mede looked hopeful.

  “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe after the wedding we could make a quick run to our exotic island, you could take your golden-god form, and we could get naked for about a week.” Hot sex on hot sands. The perfect wind down to a hard job well done.

  “After that?” She knew her smile was filled with wicked anticipation. “I have a certain vampire in mind that needs my help.”

  She turned wide, innocent eyes toward Mede. “Did I ever mention that I love this job?”