by Keri Arthur
“And what if she hits you with fire the minute you appear? I’m betting she doesn’t want to reclaim her skin but simply wants it destroyed so she can start stealing the skin of others.”
“Undoubtedly, which is why I’m about to weave another net.”
She studied me, her concern increasing. “Your weariness is already pulsing through me, and you’ll need a whole lot more strength—”
“Which I can pull from the wild magic rather than you at this point. Relax Belle, it’ll be fine.” I smiled as I said it, even though I didn’t personally believe it. There were too many things that could go wrong. “Ready?”
She took a deep breath and then nodded. I began weaving another fire net around my fingers as I continued on through the trees. With Katie’s presence enhancing my senses, it didn’t take very long to reach the clearing. I paused before I stepped through the last of the trees, scanning the clearing, looking for Monty. After a moment, I saw him. He was on the ground to the right and there were threads of disintegrating magic roiling around his body. That’s why he hadn’t yet been burned—he must have sensed her approach and cast the spell before he and the house had been hit. But the relief that surged was very quickly extinguished when my gaze slipped down to his legs. The bottom half of his left leg lay at right angles to his body. How he was still even conscious I had no idea.
The soucouyant sat on a chair fashioned out of fire in the center of the clearing; a queen on her throne, ready to meet her subjects. I took another of those deep breaths that didn’t really do a lot and then said, Belle, contact the others. Tell them I’m about to enter the clearing.
Done, she said. Be careful.
Stay in the shadows directly behind me. I’ll step aside once I’ve got Monty clear.
Wait... what?
No time to explain.
And with that, I flung the fire net around the container holding her skin and raised it high as I stepped into the clearing.
“Kill me,” I said, even as her flames began to stir and hiss. “And you will never regain possession of your flesh.”
“You die, spell dies,” she said.
I stopped halfway between Belle and the soucouyant. “Except it’s not just my magic. Look closer, spirit. You’re old enough to know the caress of wild magic.”
And hopefully didn’t know enough about it to understand that wild magic could fade just as easily as any other.
The hissing of her flames grew louder. “What you want?”
I motioned toward Monty. “I want him released and out of this clearing first.”
Her mirth was evident in the roll of the flames. “He free. Make no difference in end.”
I glanced at him. “Monty, hate to ask this, but can you move?”
“Just fucking watch me.”
And with that, he began a slow, torturous crab crawl toward the forest. His breaths were little more than pants of pain, and his sweat and determination stung the air. But inch by agonizing inch, he was getting there.
In the forest behind him, a twig snapped. My nostrils flared as Katie’s senses once again flooded mine. Aiden, attempting to get close enough to help drag him clear.
I cleared my throat, dragged the soucouyant’s attention back to me, and stepped closer. Fingers of flame reached toward me; the charm at my neck flared to life and though I could feel the heat of those fingers, none of them came within touching distance.
I kept moving toward her, the container held in front of me like an offering. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Aiden grab Monty’s arms and drag him into the trees. At the same time, I caught Ashworth and Eli’s scents to the left and behind the soucouyant.
Tell them to move at my signal, Belle.
And your signal is?
You’ll know it.
You and I are going to have a serious chat when all this is over, she growled, frustration in her mental tone.
Look forward to it.
The soucouyant’s flaming fingers were now moving all around me, seeking a means to touch and burn. The pulsing in the charm at my neck grew stronger and began to match the pulsing in my head. I ignored both and continued to approach the soucouyant.
“Witch clear.” She rose from the throne and stepped toward me. “Release skin.”
I stopped and smiled. “Sure thing.”
And with that, I threw the container, with all of my might, into her fiery form and then dropped and curled into the smallest target possible. She exploded, and her fury and her flames washed over me. But she didn’t immediately attack, instead reaching within herself to pull out the container.
Belle spun the net through the air, but the soucouyant must have sensed it and, at the last moment, flamed away. The net settled over the ground and part of her form, grabbing her, pinning her, but not entirely containing her.
She screamed, the sound earsplitting, and turned on me. Fire hit me, a furnace of heat that felt like it was boiling me alive. My skin turned red and my sweat dried in an instant, but I remained alive and breathing thanks to the charm at my neck.
Screams rose, but they weren’t mine. I didn’t dare waste the breath when the air in my small bubble of protection was becoming scarcer. My heart pounded so fast it felt like it was going to tear out of my chest and fear was so thick, so strong, it closed the back of my throat.
Hurry, Belle.
Trying.
Try harder, I wanted to say, but restrained the urge. Katie was still with me, so I closed my eyes and listened instead. Heard the whoosh of flames, the grunts that were elicited every time a fireball hit. Heard Ashworth shout, then Eli, and Aiden, and finally Belle—around and around it went, each one snaring her attention as she attacked the other. Rising above all that was the scent of smoke, of desperation, of fire being quenched. The pressure sprays were slowly but surely erasing her fire.
The pulsing in the charm became more frantic and smoke began to fill my small bubble. I twisted around, saw the ends of my jacket begin to curl and light. I swore and hastily pulled it off, but the T-shirt underneath didn’t fare any better. In fact, it almost immediately began to brown. I waited until a line of red appeared in the fabric and then tore it off too. But that left me in nothing more than a bra....
Then, with a gigantic whoomp, the soucouyant exploded. Fire and heat briefly boiled over me, forcing a gasp from my throat as fingers of flames speared through the disintegrating barrier of my magic and eagerly caressed my skin.
Then they died, the energy died, the heat began to dissipate, and there was nothing but silence around me.
Belle? I said, then more urgently, Belle!
Here. The explosion sent me tumbling.
I blew out a relieved breath, then thanked and released Katie and the wild magic. And instantly felt a whole lot weaker. I took a deep, shuddering breath, and then carefully unrolled and pushed up onto my knees. Saw Belle behind me, climbing to hers. Saw the three men in various stages of doing the same.
Aiden twisted around, spotted me, and then scrambled up and ran at me. He dropped to the ground, his knees inches from mine, and reached out for—but didn’t quite touch—me.
“Are you okay?”
“I’ve a mother of a headache and am a little singed around the edges, but yeah, I’m okay.”
“Thank God.” And with that, he gently wrapped his arms around me and hugged me like he never intended to let go.
I closed my eyes and just enjoyed the sensation.
Against all the odds, the soucouyant was dead and we were all alive.
Life didn’t get much better than that.
Epilogue
Belle glanced up from the newspaper she was reading as I stepped through the café’s front door. “How’s Monty?”
“Extremely pissed off.”
“Well, that’s to be expected. He’s got two shattered legs, after all, which means he’s uncomfortable, in pain, and has a fair chunk of rehabilitation ahead of him.”
“None of which is what he’s grumpy about.
” I walked around the counter and flicked on the kettle. “You want a coffee?”
“Thanks. So what is he grumpy about if not for the long road that lies ahead?”
“The fact that the long road will be happening in Melbourne rather than here.”
Belle grunted and got back to her reading. “That makes sense. They probably haven’t got the full range of rehabilitation facilities here.”
“That’s exactly what he was told. He doesn’t care.”
Belle snorted. “I’m betting it has something to do with that car of his.”
“Yes—apparently it can’t survive a week without being polished. I got the impression he thinks she’ll fall apart if he’s not there to cosset her for months.”
“I’m sure the owner of the facility would be all too happy to polish and cosset her. For a fee, of course.”
I grinned and carried two instant coffees over. “Apparently he doesn’t trust her in anyone else’s hands.”
“And yet he let you drive her.” Belle raised her eyebrows. “If that isn’t cousinly love, I’m not sure what is.”
“That was nothing more than the simple fact he couldn’t spell and drive at the same time. It won’t happen again, I’m sure of that.” I glanced around as the door chime sounded. Aiden stepped through and a delighted grin split my lips. He was wearing black jeans and a deep blue shirt that enhanced the color of his eyes while emphasizing the lean strength of his arms.
“Hey, Ranger, isn’t it a little early for you to be arriving?” I said. “I thought you were working until seven?”
“I was, but the council called me to a meeting, so I gave myself the rest of the afternoon off.” He bent to kiss me and then pulled out the chair and sat down.
“You want a coffee? Or a brownie?” I asked.
“No to the coffee, as I had one at the meeting, but I’ll never say no to a brownie.”
I smiled and rose to grab him a couple of slices. “What did the council want? Just an update on events?”
“Yes, but they also needed to discuss their options, given that Monty is going to be out of action for between three to six months.”
I grimaced. “I have to be honest, the last thing I want is another damn witch coming down from Canberra, however temporarily.”
“Oh, trust me, it’s the last thing they want as well. Monty was the best of the remaining applicants.”
“What about their first choice?” Belle said. “The one that missed the plane?”
“He accepted another position elsewhere.” Aiden shrugged. “Anyway, they’re thinking of asking Ashworth and Eli if they’d step in again on a temporary basis.”
“Ashworth will more than likely say yes,” I said.
Aiden picked up a brownie and bit into it. “That’s their thinking—especially given he’s spent a good chunk of time since Monty’s arrival bitching about being bored and having nothing to do.”
I grinned. “Yes, but I actually think he’s also enjoying spending more time with Eli.”
“Not sure Eli is so pleased about it,” Belle murmured.
I chuckled. “True, but only because Ashworth is bored.”
“They’ll probably make an official approach tomorrow.”
“And if for some weird reason Ashworth defies expectations and doesn’t take the job?” I asked. “What’s their plan then.”
He shrugged. “Start the application process again and hope for a better result this time.”
“Unlikely, from what Monty said.”
“Perhaps, but our council has little choice. The witch council is aware there’s a wellspring here that needs protection, so they’ll no doubt force the issue if necessary.”
“At least the wellspring is still protected by both Ashworth’s magic and mine.”
“I suspect the witch council will not leave the safety of such a large wellspring to an RWA witch and an unregistered, unvetted one,” Belle said, voice dry. “Remember, they don’t know the wild magic itself strengthens your spells and protects the wellspring.”
“And long may that continue.” I raised my mug and clicked it against Belle’s, then returned my gaze to Aiden. “So what are we doing tonight, Ranger? Heading back to your place?”
“No. Not immediately, anyway. I thought we’d grab some dinner and then head over to Bendigo. Their annual charity dance is on, and I bought a couple of tickets.”
Belle leaned sideways and looked under the table. “You’re not wearing steel-capped shoes, Ranger. Bad move.”
I leaned across the table and tried to whack her. She avoided it with a laugh. “Hey, I’ve tried to teach you proper dancing. I still bear the scars.”
“You lie.”
She grinned. “Maybe a little.”
I snorted and glanced at Aiden. “How fancy is this shindig?”
“Not that fancy. I’m going as I am.”
“Cool. I’ll just race upstairs and get ready.”
“Don’t take forever. We’ve a dinner booking for six thirty.”
I gave him the look—the one that said “don’t be daft.” “I never take forever to get ready.”
He grinned. “Just in case this is the one occasion you do—don’t.”
“Huh.” I picked up my coffee and headed upstairs.
After a quick shower, I got dressed, gussied my face up a little, found some heels comfortable enough to wear dancing, and then clattered back down the stairs.
His gaze slid slowly down my length and came up heated. “Very nice.”
“See you tomorrow,” Belle said. “And don’t be complaining about your feet, Ranger. You were warned.”
“Aside from being a very good dancer,” he said, as he tucked an arm around my waist. “I’m a very good teacher. We’ll be fine.”
With that, we headed out.
He was a great dancer and a very patient teacher, and we had an absolutely brilliant time.
But I wasn’t entirely sure his feet would ever be same.
About the Author
Keri Arthur, author of the New York Times bestselling Riley Jenson Guardian series, has now written more than forty-four novels. She’s received several nominations in the Best Contemporary Paranormal category of the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Awards and has won two Australian Romance Writers Awards for Scifi, Fantasy or Futuristic Romance. She was also given a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for urban fantasy. Keri’s something of a wanna-be photographer, so when she’s not at her computer writing the next book, she can be found somewhere in the Australian countryside taking random photos.
for more information:
www.keriarthur.com
[email protected]
Also by Keri Arthur
in series order
Unlit (Kingdoms of Earth & Air Series,1)
Cursed (Kingdoms of Earth & Air Series, 2)
Blood Kissed (Lizzie Grace Series, 1)
Hell’s Bell (Lizzie Grace Series, 2)
Hunter Hunted (Lizzie Grace Series, 3)
City of Light (Outcast Series, 1)
Winter Halo (Outcast Series, 2)
The Black Tide (Outcast Series, 3)
Fireborn (Souls of Fire Series, 1)
Wicked Embers (Souls of Fire Series, 2)
Flameout (Souls of Fire Series, 3)
Ashes Reborn (Souls of Fire Series, 4)
Darkness Unbound (Dark Angels Series, 1)
Darkness Rising (Dark Angels Series, 2)
Darkness Devours (Dark Angels Series, 3)
Darkness Hunts (Dark Angels Series, 4)
Darkness Unmasked (Dark Angels Series, 5)
Darkness Splintered (Dark Angels Series, 6)
Darkness Falls (Dark Angels Series, 7)
Full Moon Rising (Riley Jenson Series, 1)
Kissing Sin (Riley Jenson Series, book 2)
Tempting Evil (Riley Jenson Series, 3)
Dangerous Games (Riley Jenson Series, 4)
Embraced by Darkness (Riley Jenson Series, 5)
The Darkest Kiss (Riley Jenson Series, 6)
Deadly Desire (Riley Jenson Series, 7)
Bound to Shadows (Riley Jenson Series, 8)
Moon Sworn (Riley Jenson Series, 9)
With Friends Like These (Stand Alone Novel)
Destiny Kills (Myth & Magic Series, 1)
Mercy Burns (Myth & Magic Series, 2)
Circle of Fire (Damask Circle Series, 1)
Circle of Death (Damask Circle Series, 2)
Circle of Desire (Damask Circle Series, 3)
Beneath a Rising Moon (Ripple Creek Series, 1)
Beneath a Darkening Moon (Ripple Creek Series, 2)
Memory Zero (Spook Squad Series, 1)
Generation 18 (Spook Squad Series, 2)
Penumbra (Spook Squad Series, 3)
Dancing with the Devil (Nikki & Michael Series, 1)
Hearts in Darkness (Nikki & Michael Series, 2)
Chasing the Shadows (Nikki & Michael Series, 3)
Kiss the Night Goodbye (Nikki & Michael series, 4)
Lifemate Connections: Eryn (Novella)