Hang on, Luna. He’ll be here soon.”
At the time, I didn’t remember that Liam could reach my house in an instant. It also never occurred to me that he was taking time to gather ingredients for a spell.
“There was a card,” I said, curling up in response to the pain. “Thought they were from him.”
I don’t know how much time passed before Liam was there, but I felt him enter the room. When he leaned over me, my eyes could barely focus.
“I’m here,” he said softly.
“Am I dying?”
“Not for long.”
I could hear them talking, but could only make out parts of the conversation. Plates were clinking in the background and Nym sounded very upset.
“You think it’s just a coincidence?” Nym asked.
“Anyone could have sent those cookies,” Liam said. “I’ve heard of other witches doing things like this before.”
“You’re right. I mean, she hasn’t tried to contact me in more than a year. What are the odds?”
I could feel Liam as he leaned over me again. “Luna, do you have an extra shower curtain?”
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It took me a minute to focus on what he was saying. “Yeah, in the cabinet in the bathroom.”
My eyes were closed against the pain, but I could hear them rustling around with the shower curtain.
“We’re going to move you to the floor,” Liam said. “I promise, you’ll feel better soon.”
I don’t know which of them moved me, but it hurt like hell. At this point I could do nothing but clutch my stomach and cry. It was true no one meaning me harm could come inside my apartment. That didn’t stop them from leaving gift baskets at my door.
Son of a bitch.
“It hurts so much,” I mumbled.
Liam kissed my forehead. “I know, sweetheart. I’m about to fix that.” I was able to open my eyes, but the room still looked blurry. The next thing I knew, I was in Liam’s arms and he was whispering to me softly.
“I’ve got a remedy only three minutes from being ready. You can’t die now.” He raised his voice to ask Nym, “How’s that paste coming? She needs it now!”
“It’s almost ready. It’s turning colors just as you said.”
“Luna, do you know why I agreed to help you so easily?” He laughed softly.
“You’re going to think this is crazy. I told you already, I’ve been lonely and I’ve been that way for a long time. A very long time. The night we met, I had just performed a spell.” He ran his hand over my face and I gasped. “You can’t pass out now, this is the best part. The spell was supposed to summon my true love. Do you know what happened next? You called.”
My eyes flew open again and I focused on his face. Liam was crying. I wanted to tell him that I’d performed a similar spell and that I loved him. But I was quickly becoming paralyzed.
“I do love you, Luna, and you are not going to die here.” He took my hand and with everything in me I tried to send him my thoughts. He laughed again and continued to cry. “You too, huh?” He must have understood me about the spell. “Love you.” Those two words were all I could manage before I passed out.
Something cold was moving over the front of my body. When I opened my eyes Nym was the first thing I saw. His long, blond hair trailed over my face and his eyes lit up as he looked at me.
“She’s awake,” he said, sounding excited.
“Good. Don’t move, Luna.” My head was slightly elevated, I guessed on a pillow. I didn’t move, but glanced down at my body. Liam had a big paintbrush and was basting my body in a dark, venomous-green paste. Oh, and my bra and panties were gone.
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“What the fuck?” I managed.
“It’s working, she’s already using profanity again,” Liam joked. “I’m removing the toxins from your body. This particular shade of green is a representation of the poison, thus the nasty color. I’m almost finished painting this side of your body. Once this dries, you’ll need to roll over so I can paint the other side.” Even though I could understand him now just fine, I couldn’t articulate anything very well.
“Sorry. Should have known better.”
“It’s not your fault. Those cookies had an enchantment on them. You couldn’t resist, especially if you weren’t expecting anything bad.”
“What about you two?”
“I have a permanent fear of cookies,” Nym said. “So it didn’t work on me.”
“And I can see past the spell,” Liam explained. “Don’t worry, they’ve been destroyed.”
I didn’t ask what destroying an evil batch of cookies entailed. At the moment, I didn’t care. The horrible pain was starting to subside and I was so grateful for relief. I closed my eyes because the room was still spinning.
“Worse than food poisoning,” I mumbled. “Had that before. Sucked.”
“Hold her hair back,” Liam said.
I could feel Nym’s fingers in my hair while Liam started to paint my face. “Keep your eyes closed,” he said. “We’re almost done.” It felt as if he’d just finished when he said, “Nym, help her roll over.” Actually, Nym did all the work because I was too weak to move. As I lay there with my face against what smelled like plastic, I realized I was on the floor, on the shower curtain. The cold brush against my back made me gasp.
“When I’m finished with this, we have to give the paste time to absorb the poison.
Once that’s finished, I’ll put you in the shower and wash it off.” When he spoke again his voice was softer and a little sad. “There’s something else. This paste will also wash away your craving for me. Strong cleansing magic has a way of doing things like that.
You may feel differently about me once this is over.”
“Are you kidding me?” Yea! I could speak now and not sound like a drunken moron. “Are you really afraid that I won’t want you anymore?”
“It could happen,” he said.
“On what planet? I want to be with you, I thought that was clear by now.”
“It is. It’s also clear that you’re under the influence of my magic.” I sighed. “I understand your need to be certain, but I’m telling you I’m certain. If I didn’t want to be with you, I’d fight the damn magic. I’m not some bitch in heat unable to deny my lust.”
I could hear Nym snickering from the doorway.
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“I have to agree,” the elf said. “I’ve only read that bitch in heat kind of stuff in erotic novels. Luna does seem to be in control of her feelings.” Liam’s laughter made me smile, but I still couldn’t move. “Just the same, I’ll feel better if you can look me in the eye and say you still want me, without the influence of my magic.”
“Fine.”
“He likes to be difficult,” Nym added.
After another few minutes Liam said, “All done. I’m going to turn on the shower.
Try to relax and let the paste do its work.”
As I listened to the sound of the shower running, I drifted off again. The next thing I knew I was in Liam’s arms. The feel of his bare skin against me was a comfort I gladly accepted.
“We’re getting in the shower now,” he said.
I couldn’t stand on my own, so Liam propped me up beside him with his arm around my waist.
“I know this is a little awkward and I apologize, but I’ve got to get you underneath the water. A bath wouldn’t work for this, because the poison has to wash away. If you got in the tub, you’d just be lying in it.”
“That’s gross.”
“Very.”
He rested my back against the wall and used his body to hold me in place. Next, he adjusted the shower nozzle so it poured over us.
“Knew I should have bought one of those nozzles with the hose,” I said.
Liam laughed.
When I looked at him now, I understood what was happening. He was still the sexiest man I
’d ever seen. However, he was standing directly underneath the water, one of his elements, and I had no desire to jump him. Naturally, I assumed my lack of desire was due to the deadly poison still in my system. But what if Liam was right? What if the way I felt changed and there was nothing I could do to stop it?
“Liam, I feel really weak. What if I faint?”
“That’s what I’m here for,” Nym said, pulling back the curtain.
I laughed. “In the shower with two sexy men and I can’t even enjoy it.” That’s the last thing I said before I passed out. Again.
I woke in my bed and was thrilled when I opened my eyes and the room didn’t spin.
“I’m getting really fucking sick of passing out.”
“Don’t move,” Nym said. “Liam told me that as soon as you wake up I’m supposed to give you some tea. He said it will help recover your strength.” 149
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I ran a hand through my hair. It was nearly dry. “How long was I out?” I could hear him rummaging around in the kitchen. “Most of the day. It’s almost dark.”
I lifted the covers and saw I was wearing one of my favorite sleep shirts.
“Where’s Liam?”
“He went to get some more supplies.”
Nym was fully dressed and I found myself a little disappointed. He put another pillow behind my head and handed me a cup of hot tea.
“How are you feeling?”
“Better.” I took a sip of tea and let its warmth comfort me. “This is good.”
“It’s a special batch Liam made before he left. It smelled bitter, so I put in extra sugar. I made myself some regular breakfast tea.” We sat there for a few minutes with Nym perched on the side of the bed, and drank our tea.
“Did Liam say what exactly he needed or what the supplies were for?” The elf shook his head, sending blond tresses waving. “No, but he did take a small lock of your hair. I hope you don’t mind.”
I immediately reached for my head and he laughed.
“I said a small lock, it isn’t noticeable.”
“Oh. What in the world would he need that for?”
“You’re asking me? I’m the other person who didn’t know any better than to eat magical cookies.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to look at cookies the same way.”
“I know what you mean.”
I thought he was referring to the magical cookies that were sent to him, and maybe he was. But then Nym said something that changed everything.
“I still have nightmares about dragons.”
“Dragons? Did I miss something?”
He waved off the comment while taking the last sip of his tea. “I don’t think I told you. The witch, the one who gave me those cookies, she had a dragon tattoo on her face.”
A chill ran through me and suddenly the room felt too small. I couldn’t breathe.
“What did you say?”
“Don’t get me wrong, it was sexy. It was a small tribal design, started right about here with the tail.” He pointed to the outer corner of his left eyebrow. “And the head ended right along here.” He pointed to the edge of his cheekbone. “The whole thing was black except for the eye.”
“It was green to match hers,” I finished.
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Nym’s eyes widened. “How did you know that? Are you reading my mind?” I was still fighting my urge to have a panic attack as I replied, “No. Are you sure you don’t remember her name?”
He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I know it makes me look like a jerk, but it was a one-night thing, plus she was crazy. I forgot on purpose.” I threw back the covers and went for my dresser with strength I didn’t know I possessed.
“Wait a minute. Liam gave strict instructions. You couldn’t get out of bed and I couldn’t get into bed.”
I ignored him, opened the top drawer and took out the photo I’d hidden because before Liam’s spell it was too painful to look at.
“Is this the woman?” I asked, turning the photo toward Nym.
He looked pale and his hand trembled as he reached for the picture. “How do you know her?” he asked.
“That’s Rachel.”
The pieces were coming together faster than I could explain to Nym. He followed me as I moved to the closet and started getting dressed. My hands were shaking and I had a hell of a time fastening my jeans. I looked out the bedroom window toward where Nym had left his car and cursed under my breath. Even though night had fallen, his car was white and had been parked underneath a street light. It would be easy to see, if it was there.
“Do you know where the barghest was talking about, the location he mentioned to Liam?”
Nym was still staring at the photo with a mixture of shock and horror on his face. I snapped my fingers in front of him.
“Nym, focus.”
“Yeah, I know where it is. Why?”
“Because Liam didn’t go to get supplies. He went to try to end this.”
“How do you know?”
“He took your car. He doesn’t need a vehicle to travel from my place to his. Now get your shoes on, we have to find him.”
“Why?”
I stabbed a finger at Rachel’s picture. “Because she isn’t dead. And she sure as shit wasn’t taken to be used as a sacrifice.”
“How do you know that for sure?”
“I’m psychic, remember? Call it a hunch. All of this can’t be a coincidence. What are the odds of your crazy witch turning out to be my missing friend? Oh, and I got sent a batch of poisoned cookies.”
“You’ve got a point.”
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“Damn right I do.”
Nym looked as if he might throw up. “I swear she didn’t go by the name Rachel when we met or I would have remembered when you said it. It started with a T.” He ran into the other room and started pulling on his shoes while I looked for a coat. I put the locket on without really thinking about it. I felt as if I was suiting up for battle. What surprised me most wasn’t the fact that Rachel was the crazy witch Nym had hooked up with. I was most shocked by my reaction. I wasn’t just hurt. I was pissed.
“That fucking bitch,” I snarled. “All this time she wasn’t even dead and she put me through this! She made me suffer and then tried to kill me?!” I snatched up my car keys.
“I wish I owned a gun.”
The moment we stepped outside my hopes for reaching Liam were crushed, at least for the moment. “Shit. My car is blocked.”
Considering that Liam had taken Nym’s car, I thought we were thoroughly screwed.
“I really wish I’d mentioned her tattoo before,” he said, sounding numb.
“It’s all right. It never occurred to me to grill you about the witch you had a one-night stand with either. Shit. I didn’t even know she was a witch!” It hurt to realize how much I didn’t know about Rachel. Especially considering how close I thought we were. I wanted to cry, but just then another piece of the puzzle fell into place.
“I have to find Cernunnos.”
No sooner had I mentioned his name than he stepped out of the shadows beside me.
“You called?” The sound of his deep, rumbling voice was still thrilling, even under the circumstances.
Nym looked as if he was in shock.
“I’d forgotten about the locket,” I said. I approached the centaur and reached out to stroke his back. “What if I told you I knew the location of your quarry?” I moved as I spoke so that I could see his reaction.
He raised a brow and I couldn’t help but smile at his handsome face.
“I’d wonder how you knew.”
“Because my friend Rachel is the witch you’re looking for. I don’t know what name you’ve been given, but that’s the one I know her by. I need your help. Liam has gone to find her.”
Cernunnos’ eyes widened and he reached for me, swinging me up onto his back.
He understood that the long
er we waited, the closer she might be to stealing Liam’s magic and soul. He was wearing a sword strapped across his back this time. I adjusted the weapon so the sheath didn’t pinch my leg.
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“Come on,” he said. “We don’t have any time to waste.” He took a step toward Nym. “You too, elf.”
Nym swung up onto his back. “This is how rumors get started.”
“Now, where is she?”
“The Block.”
“My magic will only take us halfway there,” Cernunnos said, he didn’t explain why. “Get ready for a fast ride. Hold on.”
I slid closer to his human half and wrapped my arms around him as tightly as I could. Nym did the same to me and we held on for dear life as Cernunnos started off.
The day before, when we were in the woods near Tara’s house, he told me that the old execution place wasn’t far. That meant the location we were racing toward was well out of the city.
“Explain to me how you know all this on the way,” he called. “I can still hear you.” I wondered how that was possible since everything was rushing past us in a blur and the wind was roaring in my ears. Come to think of it, I could hear him clearly too. I told him everything the barghest said the night before and about how I’d been poisoned. I also told him how Nym and I had just put everything together moments before. He slowed and I noticed that we weren’t far from Tara’s farm. We’d traveled across half of Atlanta and beyond the suburbs in less than ten minutes. (My mouth was dry from talking so fast.) For whatever reason we’d traveled slower than before, but it was still awfully fast.
“She must have used Devil-fang to swallow her whole,” Cernunnos said. “To make it look as if she’d been eaten so you wouldn’t search for her.” That would explain why Liam hadn’t found any blood.
“That’s disgusting,” Nym said. “This means she was also fucking Gunthar.”
“I can confirm that,” Cernunnos replied.
“But I still don’t understand. Why the hell would Rachel want to steal Liam’s magic?”
“Let me put it to you this way,” Cernunnos said. “The letter Oberon received from Gunthar was brief and to the point. It said, ‘Ja-rel’s daughter seeks revenge.’” 153
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Chapter Twenty-Two
Constant Cravings Page 20