“But I want to be with him,” Brenna said. She was slurring her words. Her eyelids were heavy, her limbs like lead.
“All in due time,” Agnes murmured as she stepped from the room.
Chapter Nine
Brenna woke some time later. She didn’t know how much time had passed, but her body no longer felt like it was eating itself from the inside out. She was able to get out of bed without pain, so she stood to examine the room.
Sunshine beamed through the windows, playing against the sage-colored walls and wood floors. Dressed in her panties and bra, she walked across the room to grab the fleece afghan that lay on the rocking chair. She wrapped it around her shoulders to ward off the chill.
A person of good sense would be terrified of the coven. They were one of the most powerful in the region, and they didn’t suffer strangers lightly. But Brenna wasn’t afraid. If the witches had wanted to kill them, they would already be dead. And she was far from dead. Her body was fully healed and her magic renewed. Strength poured through her veins.
But where was Gray?
She closed her eyes and opened their psychic link. His presence hummed in her mind, but she couldn’t connect. Something was muting the bond.
She had almost lost him.
The heaviness in her chest made it hard to move. Sinking into the wooden rocker, she forced herself to come to terms with what had happened. She had spent nearly a century with a Gray-sized hole in her heart. She couldn’t go through that again.
The irony was appalling. Since Gray had stormed back into her life, she had spent every waking hour pushing him away. Fear drove her actions, and it had almost lost her everything.
Again.
The witches had given them another chance to be together, and there was no guarantee they would get another. She had to make a decision, either release the chains she had wrapped around her heart and make an honest attempt to move forward, or tell Gray goodbye. She still might have to say goodbye when the war ended and he left the Earthly plane, but she would deal with that when it came. For now, it wasn’t fair to either of them to remain in limbo, dancing an awkward tango around each other. She had to let go of her fear and allow herself to be vulnerable. But it was easier said than done.
The bedroom door creaked open. Brenna wiped the tears from her cheeks as Agnes stepped inside.
“You’re awake.” Agnes smiled. Her arms rested at her sides, a failed attempt to appear harmless. “How do you feel?”
“Good.” Brenna was all too aware of her lack of clothing. Wrapping the afghan around her like a sarong, she struggled to maintain her dignity.
“You should be fully restored.” Agnes settled on the bed. Her black hair pillowed behind her, falling on the white sheets. She looked so young. If Brenna didn’t know better, she would peg her as early twenties. But her daughter had been over a hundred when she had died.
“How is Gray?”
“Alive and restored.” Agnes smiled. “And on his way here.”
As if cued, a series of rapid footsteps rang in the hallway. Within moments Gray stood in the doorway. Barefoot, he wore only a pair of black boxer briefs. His hair was a study in chaos. It stood around his head like he had fought with a power line and lost. He looked wonderful.
“You’re okay.” He stepped inside. “They wouldn’t tell me anything.” Glaring at Agnes, he moved across the room.
Agnes rose, smiling. “I’ll let you have your reunion. When you’re ready to talk, find me. I won’t be far.”
Gray moved aside so she could reach the doorway. His gaze didn’t leave Brenna, even when the door closed behind him. Brenna returned the stare. He had shaken death’s hand, but there wasn’t a scratch on him.
“You scared the hell out of me.” She moved toward him. “I’ll kill you if you ever do that again.”
Gray smiled. “Doesn’t that defeat the purpose?”
She closed her eyes, blowing out a long breath. “You almost died.”
“You’re right. That was too close.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “How did you know to call the witches?”
“I didn’t.” She laid her hands against his chest, enjoying the feel of his strong heartbeat. “Seraph did. He didn’t think he could get to us quick enough.”
“They don’t help anyone; why us?” He twined his fingers in her hair to pull her closer.
Brenna smiled. “Agnes owed me. This is Marissa’s coven. When I saved Marissa’s life a few years ago, Agnes swore to return the favor.” She paused. “We’re even now, and Marissa’s dead. We need to tread carefully. The witches are deadly. They aren’t fully human, but I’ve never been able to determine exactly what they are. All I know is they draw power from their blood, which is why they were able to help us.”
He released her and stepped back. The abrupt movement freed the afghan, and it pooled on the floor at her feet. His hands gripped her forearms, holding her in place. “I want to look at you. I need to know you’re okay.”
Brenna pulled free. She reached down to grab the blanket and cover herself, then changed her mind. Instead she twirled, giving Gray a clear view. “Good as new.”
Although she made light of the fear, she felt the same. She wanted to touch him, to feel him against her and confirm he was alive. Her smile faded as she stepped into his arms. It felt surreal after they had come so close to death.
His hard chest was warm against her cheek. Muscles played beneath the surface, tensing as she ran a hand down his side. Her desire for him was a tangible thing. He tangled his hands in her messy curls, tilting her face to his. “I want to taste you,” he murmured, his breath hot against her ear.
Trembling, she pulled away and buried her face in his chest. His fingers slid along the curve of her neck, pushing aside her hair to bare the sensitive skin. She shivered as he licked along the underside of her ear. “Yes,” she breathed, clinging to him in an attempt to remain upright.
He lifted her into his arms and cradled her against his body. Then his teeth pierced the vulnerable flesh of her neck. His bite caught her on fire. But the fire turned to pleasure so quickly tears welled in her eyes.
This was what she wanted. A sense of connection so deep it was impossible to tell where she ended and he began. As he pressed her onto the bed, her untried body straining against him, he released her neck. His magic tickled her mind. She opened their psychic link and let him inside.
He kissed her and the world fell away. All that remained was his mouth, hot against hers. He tasted of peppermint and whiskey, and she breathed him in. Soon the urge for more, to have him inside her, became overwhelming and she pulled him tighter.
She shifted and he ripped away her bra. His urgency stripped away any remnant of doubt. His desire was tangible. It plowed through her distrust and apprehension, leaving it in ruins around her feet. When his hands cupped her full breasts, she arched to give him better access, feeling the cool air on her nipples the instant before he swooped down and took one in his mouth. Moaning, she let her eyes slip closed. This was what she needed, to be overwhelmed by sensation to the point her brain refused to think. But, most of all, she needed him. They had waited a lifetime for this, and she wanted to enjoy every second.
She gripped his hair and pulled him toward her, taking his mouth with her own. She nipped at his lips, breathing in his moan. He tasted like heaven.
Gray pulled back. “Tell me you want me,” he demanded. “I need to hear you say it.”
“I want you,” she gasped as his hand slid up the inside of her thigh, stopping so close to her core. She felt his relief. It twined around her like a wool blanket, warming her heart. His callused fingers gently touched her, parting her flesh to slip inside her body. She grabbed his hair, her muscles clenching. She had no protection against the unanticipated surge of pleasure that rode her body. She cried out as his tempo quickened, her nails digging into his skin.
Pressure built in her low belly, and she writhed beneath him. At some point he released her, sliding up her body to kiss her mouth. This time she didn’t hold back, she bit his lip, drawing blood. She could feel the length of him throbbing against her thigh. She closed her eyes and savored the feel of him as he sank inside her. He was fully entrenched when he paused.
“Are you sure?” His words were soft, but unmistakable.
Frustrated, her body screaming for release, she locked her eyes on his. “Yes. Damn it. Do it.”
Laughing, he plunged deeper. She screamed, her legs tightening around him as she met him stroke for stroke. The friction was exquisite, straddling the line between pleasure and pain. Pleasure stormed through her, stealing her breath and warming her body. But it was the overwhelming feeling of intimacy that did her in. As her body shattered, so did the walls she had so carefully erected around her heart.
Sated, Brenna wrapped herself in Gray’s arms. It was easy to pretend, if only for a moment, their lives were normal. She yearned to buy into the delusion of safety, but reality insisted on rearing its ugly head.
“No regrets?” Gray stroked her hair as she snuggled against his chest.
“Only that we can’t stay here forever.”
He smiled against her forehead. “I wish we could.”
The chest at the foot of the bed began to vibrate. They tried to ignore it, but then it began to sing as well. Brenna laughed. Untangling herself from Gray, she crawled to the edge of the bed. As she opened the trunk, she realized her duster lay inside. Her phone was in the side pocket.
Seraph. In an instant, reality set in.
“Where are you?” she said in place of hello.
After a few moments, he replied, “Our human liaison was murdered. Seven more humans have been found dead, and the rest are rioting in the streets. Any more questions?”
And just like that the situation went from bad to worse.
“Are you okay? Agnes said she got to you in time.” His voice was noticeably softer. “Do you still need me to come down there, or can you handle it?”
She imagined him pacing his office. “We’re fine. The spell Gray triggered did a lot of damage, but the coven healed us.”
“Good,” Seraph replied. “Were you able to find anything?”
“No. But I’m going to ask Agnes about the spell. Whoever set it used a type of magic I’ve never seen before. Since this is a deviant coven, they may have recognized it. We’ll get back as soon as we can. Keep us posted.”
“Be careful.” Seraph broke the link.
“How much did you hear?” She reached into the trunk and pulled out her duffel bag. A closer look and she realized Gray’s bag lay beneath her own. Agnes had thought ahead.
“Enough.” Gray sat on the edge of the bed and pulled his clothes from the chest. “Adare’s upped his game.”
“Clearly.” She pulled on her jeans and sweater. “We need to find out what the witches know and wrap things up here.”
“They know more than you think.”
She looked up, surprised. “What do you mean?”
He shrugged. “They deactivated the runes to save me. To do that, they had to be familiar with the magic. They can help us.”
He was right. But if the witches could practice that level of magic, they were an even greater threat than she had thought. “Play nice. I don’t want to make any enemies.”
Agnes was tucked away in an overgrown courtyard. A deluge of cottonwood trees and greenery made it difficult to clear a path. But the witch didn’t seem to mind. She sat on a broken concrete slab, her feet beneath her and a book on her lap.
It was hard to believe she was Marissa’s mother. Thick black hair streaked with purple fell past her waist to frame a slender, toned body. There were no wrinkles on her pale skin, not even the slightest hint of crow’s feet. The witches were only partly human. Their deviant side didn’t make them immortal, but it caused them to age slowly.
The witch rose and motioned them forward through the maze of trees. After a few moments, they stopped in a grassy area covered in blankets. “Please, sit.” She motioned to the ground. “Get comfortable. We have a lot to talk about.”
Brenna glanced at the hard earth. Comfortable wasn’t the word that came to mind, but she didn’t complain. And she was glad she hadn’t. The blankets were spelled so they felt similar to sofas.
Agnes sat across from them. Her long black dress covered the ground. “Have you found any humans turned to dust?”
One of the things Brenna liked about Agnes was she got right to the point.
“Why?” Gray leaned forward, his body tense.
“It has been a long time since I’ve seen runes like the ones in the tunnels. They brought back memories. Not good ones.”
Brenna waited.
So did Agnes.
“You haven’t answered my question.” The witch watched them closely. “Be upfront with me, and I’ll help you. Otherwise you’re wasting my time.”
Brenna took a leap of faith. “Humans are turning to dust for no apparent reason. It has to be magic, but we can’t prove it. And we can’t find any biological toxins.”
“And you won’t.” Agnes closed her eyes. “I knew this would happen. It was my greatest fear.”
“Are you talking about Adare?” Gray asked.
Agnes glanced at him, her brow furrowed. “I’ve never met Adare. If I do, I will slit him chin to groin for what he did to my daughter.”
“Then who are you talking about?” Brenna asked.
Agnes shook her head. “I had hoped the curse would have destroyed him by now.”
A kernel of anticipation began to unfurl inside Brenna.
“You weren’t here during the Fall,” Agnes began. “It was a different world. Cities were decimated. People were killing each other on the streets. The covens were in chaos, and fighting amongst themselves.” She closed her eyes. “It started a civil war that couldn’t be won. Our powers were too damn equal.” She took a long breath.
“After fifty years of fighting, we had to do something. We needed a way to kill the other witches that went beyond magic, but would be untraceable. If the high council found out we violated the rules of warfare, it was an automatic death sentence.” She grimaced. “We thought our only option was to summon a demon.”
Brenna’s mouth fell open. Summoning a demon was risky, you never knew what you might pull across the Veil. Some demons were weak, but others were too powerful to control, much less bind.
“Twenty-seven coven members sacrificed themselves so we could pull the creature into this plane. Still he resisted. Until we made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. In return for his help, we agreed to let him stay. The world was in chaos. It was the perfect feeding ground, and he wanted to play. And we were convinced we were strong enough to send him back, despite our promise.” Agnes shook her head. “We were stupid. But he was good to his word, even if we weren’t. Using his blood and our magic, he created a toxin that was untraceable and only killed humans. We were the only coven that wasn’t fully human, so it was perfect. All we had to do was find a way for our enemies to ingest it, and they would be turned to dust. The toxin would be destroyed during the transformation, making it impossible to trace.”
Brenna cursed. What she described was all too familiar.
“Did you use it?” Gray asked.
“Of course. Our enemies were dead within a month. But then the time came to release him. He had played us. It wasn’t until then that we realized he was no ordinary demon, but a demon prince.” Agnes sighed. “We tried, repeatedly, but we couldn’t banish him. The best we could do was trap him in one form, and curse it. We thought it would weaken him. But we were wrong. Even as his body began to fall apart, he drained enough power from us to keep himself alive. Then he disappeared.”
“Wha
t happened to him?” Brenna asked.
“I’ve been tracking him for years, trying to find a way to destroy him. Last I heard he was living in the Underground. He calls himself Ga’loh. He’ll never willingly leave this plane. If Adare finds a way to restore him, that beast will do anything he asks.”
“Ga’loh?” Gray stood. “Ga’loh’s a war mage. He has leprosy.”
Agnes shook her head, laughing. “Is that his story? That creature is a demon. He belongs in hell.”
Chapter Ten
Anger burned Gray’s throat like acid. It was impossible. He had worked with Ga’loh for years. How could he not have known what he was? Worse, the potions that had brought Gray back to life had been created with Ga’loh’s magic. Being a demon, Ga’loh would have required Gray’s brothers to barter something in return.
There were too many unanswered questions. It had always bothered Gray that a dark mage’s magic had allowed him to live. The knowledge it had been demon magic brought that fear to an entirely new level.
“Is there a cure?” Brenna’s hand squeezed his thigh. He wondered how she would react if she knew what might be coursing through his blood. Blood she had willingly drank.
Agnes shook her head. “Despite the demon’s assurances the toxin wouldn’t spread, it infected innocents. We tried for years to find a cure, but were never successful.”
“Is Ga’loh the key?” Gray watched her carefully. He didn’t trust her, not yet.
“I don’t know.” Agnes shrugged. “The disease was created using a demonic spell, so only a demon could tell you for sure.”
“And Ga’loh won’t,” Brenna said. She clenched and unclenched her hands.
She was wrong. Gray had known Ga’loh for too long to doubt his character. “Ga’loh is self-serving. He would switch sides if we sweetened the pot.”
Brenna shook her head. “We can’t trust him.”
“You don’t have a choice,” Agnes interrupted. “It’s risky, but you don’t have time to find a cure on your own.”
Fading Light: Shadow Born, Book 2 Page 9
