by T. M. Cromer
Winnie laughed and wiped her hands free of cream. “He has. We’re in a great place.”
“Let me put this another way. If the situations were reversed, how easily would you find it to forgive him, sister? Would you accept his apology immediately, or would you want a little payback?”
Unease danced along Winnie’s spine, but she shoved it away. “Zane isn’t the spiteful type. He’s intelligent and logical. He understands it was an impulsive move on my part, and I would’ve fixed it if I could have.”
“Does he?”
Uncertainty gave way to anger, and Winnie stormed to where Autumn rested against her work table. “Stop it! I’m not going to let you disparage him, Tums. I love him, and he loves me.”
“Has he told you that?”
The question gave Winnie pause. He hadn’t—not yet anyway. But the look in his eyes, the touch of his hands, and the way he catered to all her wants and needs indicated he did.
“He hasn’t, has he?” Autumn asked gently.
Tears burned behind Winnie’s lids. “Why are you doing this?”
“I don’t want you hurt.”
“Looks like I’ll be hurt either way, doesn’t it?” If he didn’t return her feelings, then it was going to sting like a bitch.
Her sister wrapped her in a tight embrace. “Don’t let this drag out, Winnie. Take it from the voice of experience. You need to find out his motives.”
“I trust him,” Winnie insisted stubbornly.
Expression grim, Autumn released her. “Fair enough. But I’m going to fry his ass if he’s playing you for a fool.”
After her sister left, Winnie closed up shop, unable to concentrate on anything but the doubts Autumn had planted in her mind. She’d just shut the door when Alastair appeared, causing her to nearly shed her skin with fright.
“For fuck’s sake, Uncle! A phone call or warning wouldn’t be remiss.”
He chuckled. “My apologies for startling you.”
“What do you want?”
“When do you leave for Saqqara?”
“Zane is wrapping up a few things today and tomorrow. We intend to leave early Wednesday morning.”
Alastair handed her a necklace. “Take this and wear it at all times.”
She held it up to the light to admire the gorgeousness of the piece. The multifaceted tanzanite stone reflected hues of deep purple and blue with hints of burgundy. “It’s beautiful. But what’s this about?”
“I’ve charmed the stone. It will give us a direct psychic link. If you find yourself in trouble, call to me.” He took it from her hand and placed it over her head. “It will act as a homing device should I need to get to you.”
“But you can’t spy on me?” she asked. The thought of her uncle hearing her with Zane or during any other private moment gave her a serious case of the ickies.
“Child, if I wanted to spy on you, I don’t need a charmed crystal to do it.” He shoved his hands in the pockets of his black slacks. “With Zhu Lin still on the loose, I feel the need to take precautions.”
Zhu Lin.
Winnie had hoped to never hear the name or see the man again. As a member of the Désorceler Society—the organization sworn to bring down witches and warlocks worldwide—Lin retained a single-minded focus to kill or capture every existing Thorne. He’d almost succeeded twice with Autumn. Little Chloe and her friend Derek had been caught in the crossfire and almost died as a result.
“Is there an early warning system if he’s close?” she jokingly asked.
Her uncle’s lips twisted in a half-smile. “Ah, if only I could create something so useful. Alas, you are going to have to settle for the instant psychic connection the stone brings.”
“Thank you, Uncle. I’ll be sure to wear it.”
“How are things progressing with your young man?” Alastair asked.
She cast him a side glance. “Wonderfully.”
“You sound sincere.”
“I am.”
“Be careful. Not all Carlyles have the same agenda.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked, irritated that Alastair was the second person to question Zane’s motives in the last half hour.
“It means you trust too easily,” he informed her sagely. “Have a care.”
“What does everyone know that I don’t?”
“When the time comes for you to make a decision about love, whether to walk away or stick it out, weigh all your options carefully. Make sure you have all the facts.”
“Has Zane murdered someone or done something unspeakably wrong?” she asked, praying to the Goddess he hadn’t.
“No, to the first, and possibly, to the second. In the long run, only you can decide if his actions are wrong since they affect you.” In a rare show of warmth, Alastair smiled and tapped her on the nose. “You’ll figure it out, child. I’m confident you’ll make the right choice. In the meantime, be careful of Lin.”
A memory from her youth stirred. One where Alastair would bring her treats and tap her nose. She gazed up at him in wide-eyed wonder. “Did you bring me candy when I was small?” She frowned as she tried to recall more. “When I would play outside… that was you watching over me!”
A bittersweet smile lit his face. “You and your sisters are the children of the woman I love. How could I not watch over you?” He tugged a lock of her hair. “You are almost identical to your mother in looks, you know. She’d be proud of you.”
Winnie experienced an urge to hug him, but before she could react, he was gone. She touched the shone around her neck. “Thank you, Uncle Alastair.”
“You’re welcome, child.”
She smiled at their new connection. While she’d never admit it aloud, there was a sense of security in knowing that someone had her back. Her only concern was why people felt the need to warn her about Zane. It was time to do some digging on her own.
Zane arrived at Thorne Manor in time to hear Alastair’s conversation with Winnie. In order to avoid detection, he ducked behind the building to listen.
When Winnie said their relationship was proceeding “wonderfully,” Zane experienced a sharp pang of guilt but immediately shoved it aside. He had to keep reminding himself that she deserved whatever she got.
He leaned against the outer wall of her workshop, one foot resting on the cream-colored siding and his arms across his chest. As Winnie walked past, her mind seemingly occupied with her busy thoughts, he spoke. “Hey.”
She screamed and shot a forceful blast of air in his direction.
He grunted when his back impacted the wall.
“Zane! Ohmygod! I’m so sorry!” she babbled as she checked him for injuries.
“I shouldn’t have surprised you like that,” he acknowledged. “I’ll know better next time.”
She bit her lip, and he suspected it was to keep from laughing.
“Go ahead and laugh. But if you tell anyone you kicked my ass with a blast of cold air, I’ll call you a damned liar.”
Her amused expression disappeared and was replaced by wariness. “Zane, can I ask you a question?”
“Technically, you just did,” he teased and dropped a kiss on her lips.
“I’m serious.”
“Too serious.” Zane wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her flush against him. “You don’t laugh enough, Win. We need to do something about that.”
Despite his best efforts, she didn’t melt into him as she had over the last week and instead, remained stiff within his embrace. “Twice today, I had people warn me about you. Is there something you’re hiding that I should know about?”
Twice? Alastair was one Zane knew about, but who was the other? Had Coop come forward with what he knew?
“I don’t know what anyone could possibly warn you about, except that I’d keep you chained to my bed twenty-four-seven if I had my choice.” He flared his eyes wide and leered. “Maybe they’re worried you’ll never be able to walk properly again.”
Winnie studied hi
m in silence.
Maintaining a carefree facade wasn’t easy when another person was viewing you with suspicious eyes. He dropped the playfulness and went for earnest.
“Win, I don’t know what anyone thinks they know about me. I have nothing to hide. I’m an upstanding citizen. And I want you to the point of insanity.” He rubbed his nose against hers in a soft Eskimo kiss. “I hope you never question my sincerity when it comes to how I feel about you.” And he did hope that, because while the easy-going persona wasn’t hard to pull off, the loving, considerate partner was a bit harder.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I think it makes everyone nervous that we are moving so fast.”
How were they moving fast? “Moving fast?”
Winnie beamed up at him and clasped his hand to her heart. “I love you, Zane.”
His lungs seized up, and he found it difficult to breathe. This was what he wanted; Winnie to fall in love with him so he could crush her heart. Now that the moment was upon him, he wasn’t prepared. Not that he had a problem with his planned revenge, but he thought he might have more time to get his fill of her delectable body. More time to plan the final act.
Her smile dissolved, and she dropped his hand. “I… y-you don’t have to say it back. I j-just wanted you to know.”
When Zane continued to imitate a stone statue, Winnie pulled back and ducked her head, her disappointment obvious.
He needed to do something, or he’d ruin his well-thought-out retribution.
“I love you too, Win.” The lie left his lips before he could stop it.
Her irises shifted from a cloudy blue to the color of the sky on a clear summer day. Her face could scarcely contain her smile, it was so wide. The sight stole his breath away.
“Oh, Zane!”
He caught her as she flung herself into his arms and clung to her for all he was worth. The wild rhythm of his heart had nothing to do with her feelings for him and everything to do with the success of his ploy, or so he told himself.
As Winnie drew back, Zane tightened his arms around her. Soon enough, her incredible body would be lost to him, and he needed to take advantage every chance he could.
“Want to teleport us to your bedroom?” he whispered.
“What about dinner?”
“We could order pizza.”
“Done.”
11
The next afternoon, they stood together in Thorne Manor’s attic.
“Are you ready?” Winnie asked Zane.
Despite his apprehension, he nodded.
“It’s not difficult,” she laughed. “All you have to do is visualize what you want. You picture it down to the last detail: smell, texture, color. Whatever you imagine, you can conjure.”
“Aren’t there cosmic consequences? Like I’m stealing someone else’s property?”
Winnie frowned.
He could tell she’d never thought about it before. Most likely, because she’d grown up conjuring items, it became second nature to her. But for him, who was learning the process as an adult, he had to wonder where an object came from.
“I don’t know. It’s always been this way. We buy what we must and conjure our basic needs,” she said with a shrug.
“I need to know where it’s coming from,” he insisted.
“Your power is a gift from the Goddess, Zane. We don’t question what she’s bestowed upon us. But if it makes you feel better to buy things, then buy them.”
“Are you saying you don’t grocery shop?” he asked incredulously.
“We don’t. We grow our own fruits and vegetables. None of my family are meat eaters. As far as the other items, like I said, we conjure what we need.”
“And did you ever stop to think you might be taking food from other people’s mouths, Win?” The harshness of his tone wasn’t lost on her.
“No, I never did. And I don’t intend to start now because that’s not how this works.”
“How can you be sure?”
“Oh, for the love of the Goddess!” She grabbed her necklace. “Uncle Alastair, I need you.”
Within mere seconds, Alastair appeared.
“Is this normal? You can summon another witch at will?” Zane didn’t like the idea that someone could pull him from a business meeting or off the toilet if he was otherwise occupied.
“No,” Alastair answered for her. “This is a special circumstance. Now, since I see you aren’t in danger, does someone want to inform me why I’m here? My steak is getting cold.”
Zane turned an accusing glare on Winnie. “I thought you said your family doesn’t eat meat.” She couldn’t even tell the truth for something as innocent as her eating habits?
Again, Alastair answered. “I don’t know what the personal preferences are for my nieces, but my brother and I eat meat.”
“I didn’t ask you!” Zane snapped. Although why exactly he was getting angry was anyone’s guess.
Alastair’s dark brows rose as his cold, sapphire gaze pinned Zane in place. “Mind your tone, boy, or I’ll remove your tongue from your head.”
“Zane wants to know where the things we conjure come from. Are we taking them from someone else?” Winnie effectively diverted her uncle’s attention with her question.
He frowned and studied the two of them. “No. Why would you believe that?”
“Zane—”
“I—”
“We—”
Alastair held up a hand. “Never mind. By the time either of you can come up with an answer, I’ll be dead.” He sighed and shook his head. “I cannot believe Preston never addressed this with you children.” With his palm face up, Alastair said, “Watch.”
The older man slowed down the conjuring process in order for them to see exactly how the object formed in his hand. First was a flash of light, followed by strands of organic matter as it wove together. When the fruit in his hand was a perfect, round orange, Alastair tossed it to Zane.
“All living things are made up of energy. Conjuring is a simple manipulation of that energy,” Alastair explained. “Earth signs like Spring or GiGi have a greater ability to create and grow, but each of us can feed ourselves when the need arises.” He straightened his tie and shirt cuffs. “The lessons Winter has taught you are the exact ones she learned growing up which were passed down from her parents, and their parents before them. It goes back as far as our ancestor, Isis.”
Zane flushed. He and Winnie had been a bit preoccupied lately when it came to their lessons. He’d been intent on seduction, and she willingly allowed herself to be seduced.
“Ah.” Alastair shook his head and concentrated his attention on Winnie. “You had one job to do, Winter. Teach him to survive if you come up against Lin. If either of you gets hurt, it’s on you.”
The cold, steely anger Alastair directed toward Winnie set Zane’s teeth on edge. “She’s done her best.”
“At what?” Alastair scoffed. “Certainly not training you as instructed.”
“Don’t talk about her that way!” For the most part, Zane believed in fairness. He supposed he was defending her because he was the one who distracted her from the task of training him for this mission. He didn’t dare imagine it was because he was protecting his mate. Winter Thorne would not be his wife.
“Zane, it’s all right,” she said soft and low as she laid a hand on his forearm.
Instinctively, he jerked away.
Her surprise was evident, but what had him concerned was the speculative look in her uncle’s gaze.
Zane forced a smile. “Sorry, Win. When I’m irritable, I don’t like to be touched.”
She bit her lip and nodded. He could tell she wasn’t convinced.
He could’ve reached for her hand and offered her comfort, but his emotions were all over the place. Why did he still feel the urge to defend her? She didn’t deserve his loyalty or help. He avoided Alastair’s hawk-eye gaze. That fucker missed nothing, and he scared the hell out of Zane.
“If you’ll excuse me, I need a
minute.”
He made haste for the front door.
* * *
“He’s hiding something,” Winnie finally acknowledged.
“Yes, he is.”
“What do you suppose it is?”
“Could be his feelings. Could be he has an ulterior motive. Could be he’s been approached or recruited by Lin.”
Winnie’s head whipped around from where her gaze followed Zane’s departure down the stairs.
Her uncle was as serious as she’d ever seen him.
The idea of Zane betraying her nearly drove her to her knees. She sank down into the nearest seat. “Why would he do that? He’d betray his cousins in the process.”
“Money, revenge, any number of reasons.”
Her head came up to stare. “Revenge?”
“He was furious when you stole his memories, child. Anger of that magnitude doesn’t exactly dissipate into thin air.”
“But we talked about it. I explained, and he was cool with it,” she argued.
“Was he?”
Her stomach hurt at the implication. Why was everyone so centered on the past and Zane’s reaction to it? “What would be his end game? I can’t see him betraying everyone. It’s not something he’d do.”
“Would you like me to ask him?”
Winnie noted the sympathy in his expression. Obviously, he was privy to what was happening. “You spied on him, didn’t you?”
“I don’t trust as easily as most. Not at all, really.”
In the face of Alastair’s honesty, Winnie felt sadness. What type of existence did he have where no one could be trusted?
“You can trust me,” she said.
He inched up his slacks and squatted before her. “Your offer is lovely, child, and not one I’d reject out of hand. My trust issues come from many years of betrayal by those I’ve loved. Those I thought would always have my back.” He rubbed a hand across his eyes and focused on her again. “But if I had the ability to trust, know that I would gladly do so.”
Overcome with sadness for him, she closed the distance between them. “I’m sorry, Uncle.”
For all of seven seconds, he returned her hug. He cleared his throat as he drew away. “You have nothing to apologize for, Winnie. But I appreciate that you care.”
