His Magic Touch

by Cynthia Cooke

  Trent launched to his feet.

  Aimee pushed her finger into her mouth, and Sera’s eyes widened as she saw the purple-black tinge of her skin. “Aimee, what happened to your hand?”

  “I pricked it on the spindle at play rehearsal.”

  Sera pulled the small bandage off Aimee’s finger and she and Trent examined the cut. “That looks more like a slice than a prick. What was Mr. Purdue thinking?”

  “Don’t be mad at him, Mommy. He felt really bad about it.”

  “I’m sure he did,” Sera muttered. “Did he put the antibiotic cream on it?”

  Aimee nodded. “I went to the nurse and she took care of me real good.”

  Sera turned to Trent. “It looks like she has some kind of infection. I’m taking her to the hospital.”

  Sera pulled Aimee onto her lap, but before she could stand, Trent lifted Aimee up into his arms. “Grab the puppy and her leash.”

  Sera nodded, grabbed her purse, the puppy and her leash, made sure the oven and stove were turned off, then ran out of the house, locking the door behind her. Trent rushed to his car and opened the back door. Sera locked the dog in the small dog crate before strapping her and Aimee both into the back seat, then climbed in next to them.

  “It’s on Market,” she said to Trent through a tight throat.

  “I remember.” The engine roared to life and they rushed toward town.

  “Aimee, after you pricked your finger, what did Mr. Purdue do?” Trent asked, trying to sound casual, but Sera could hear the tension in his tone.

  “He gave me some napkins, then sent me to the nurse.”

  “Did he keep the napkins?”

  “The ones with the blood on them?” Her voice quivered.

  “Yes.”

  “No. Why would he do that?”

  “He wouldn’t, sweetie,” Sera said. She didn’t like the fear in Trent’s eyes, nor the overwhelming feeling that perhaps this wasn’t an accident. But before she could question him, Aimee’s small body started trembling as chills rushed through her.

  Sera swallowed her tears and put on a brave face for Aimee as they rushed into the small hospital.

  “Mrs. Barnhardt, what’s the matter with Aimee?” Nurse McKinley asked from behind the front desk.

  “I don’t know,” Sera said, a little breathless. “She has a high fever and chills. And her hand’s turning purple.”

  “Follow me,” the nurse said, and they rushed down the hall.

  Trent stayed in the lobby, painfully aware of how uncomfortable he felt. He was Aimee’s father. He should be back there with her. But Aimee didn’t know that. And neither did anyone else.

  He sat in an empty row of chairs. Luckily they were in a small town where everyone knew everybody. Had they been in New Orleans, they could have sat in the hospital lobby without being seen for hours.

  There’s something to be said for small-town life.

  Still, he couldn’t stand sitting there by himself, waiting, wondering. Was she okay? He’d just found his daughter again, he wasn’t ready to lose her. He got up and wandered back the way Sera and Aimee had gone, but a nurse told him to return to the waiting room. He couldn’t tell them the truth, not until he’d told Aimee.

  If he told Aimee.

  He left the hospital and went out front to call his contacts back home. Perhaps they could give him more information as to what this demon was up to.

  After an hour or so, Sera came to get him. He stood as she walked toward him, her face ashen. A fist of fear unlike anything he’d ever felt clutched his gut. “What is it? How is she?”

  “Lucky we got her here so quickly. She has something called bacteremia. She’s on intravenous antibiotics now.”

  “What is that? Exactly.”

  “Blood poisoning. There must have been some nasty bacteria on that spindle at school.”

  That or something else. “Have you met this Mr. Purdue?”

  “Once or twice. He’s new in town. Seems like a nice man.”

  “They always do.”

  Her eyes widened as she stared at him. “You’re not saying…”

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

  “But why?”

  “In my opinion, he’s decided to perform the ritual that will bind him to her.”

  “What does that mean?” she hissed under her breath, then quickly glanced around them. “Explain.”

  “It means I could have been wrong. He might not want to kill Aimee. He might want her body as a host.”

  “A what?”

  “To live inside her.”

  Sera’s eyes widened and she shuddered. “For what purpose?”

  “Any number of reasons. Demons can live inside hosts for years. You’d never suspect. Never know.”

  “And Aimee?”

  “She wouldn’t know, either, not until he decided to take over.”

  “But you’d know.”

  “I would know.”

  “Is that what he’s done to Mr. Purdue? Is Mr. Purdue a host? And if he is, why then would the demon want Amy? He already has a host.” Her voice rose an octave, sounding shrill.

  “Honestly, at this point I don’t know what the demon is after.”

  “They just walk around taking over people’s bodies and no one ever knows?”

  “He won’t succeed, Sera. I won’t let anything happen to either one of you.” His eyes met and held hers, and for a short moment he felt her trust him. He felt her giving in and allowing herself to believe him. Then the gates came crashing down once more.

  “I’m going back to check on Aimee.”

  “Can I…can I see her?”

  She hesitated a moment, her eyes searching his. Then she nodded. Relief stronger than he’d expected filled him as he followed her down the cold white hall. As he entered Aimee’s room and saw her small form lying on the bed, an IV inserted into her hand, her pale skin marked by purplish shadows beneath her eyes, he was overcome with heart-wrenching anxiety. In that moment, he knew he wouldn’t be able to leave her again.

  “I need to be with her,” he said. “To keep her safe. No matter what it takes. No matter who stands in my way.”

  Sera didn’t say anything, but he could see the doubt in her eyes before she turned and brushed the hair back off Aimee’s forehead. Sera kissed her gently. He didn’t want to live without either of them again. He’d make Sera see that. Something had to change.

  He had to change.

  In the dead of the night they brought Aimee home. It felt good to have her safe in his car and out of that hospital where so many people were coming and going. As Trent picked up Aimee and carried her into the house, she wound her arms around his neck, and broke his heart. How could he have missed this all these years?

  He carried her into her pink, frilly room and tucked her into her bed. He and Sera both stood in the doorway watching the steady rise and fall of Aimee’s chest. “She needs her rest. Then we need to get going. We can’t chance staying here any longer.”

  “She’ll be devastated about the play, about leaving all her friends. Why did this have to happen to her?”

  “Shh. Come on.” He left Aimee’s door cracked as they walked back into the living room and sat on the sofa. “You should get some sleep, too.”

  “Like I could sleep. What are we going to do now?”

  “This was too close a call. We can’t take any more chances. We have to go to my house. I have people there who can help us.”

  Sera sat silent for a long moment, then turned to him, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “I should have believed you. Maybe if I’d listened…”

  “It wouldn’t have made any difference. He got to her before I got here. I was too late. I should have come sooner.”

  “Trent.” She placed a hand on his arm. She was about to say something, and he knew what the damning words would be. He never should have left them.

  With a great deal of effort, she composed herself. “How long will we need to stay away?” she fi
nally said.

  “I’m not sure.” Fatigue washed over him, and he leaned back into the sofa. “Until the threat is gone. We might not be able to come back here again. Ever.”

  Sera closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

  “Why don’t you sleep? We can discuss it after you’ve rested.”

  “You’ll be right here?”

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “I…” She looked away. “I don’t want to be alone.”

  “You don’t have to. Not anymore.”

  Her surprised gaze met his and held it.

  “Sera, I know I don’t deserve it, but if you’ll have me, I’d like to get to know you again and to get to know my daughter.”

  “But I thought…”

  “If she wears her amulet at all times, it would probably block her presence from them for another five years, by then she’d be old enough to know what to expect, to be able to fight them. I know it’s selfish but I don’t want to lose another five years. I can protect you both, and teach her what she needs to know.”

  Sera’s expression froze. “Are you saying that this one just might be the first? Of how many?”

  “I don’t mean to scare you. But yes. That’s why she needs to know who she is, and what she can do to protect herself.”

  Sera dropped her head into her hands.

  He placed a hand on her shoulder. “And you need to know, too. What to look for and how to protect our daughter.”

  She shook her head. “It’s too much.”

  “I know.” And he did know. He wouldn’t wish this life on anyone, and now his precious baby girl was going to have to come face-to-face with her worst nightmares. He pulled Sera into his arms and held her tight. Not just to comfort her, but to comfort himself. They’d come close to losing their daughter tonight. Too close. And that was something he couldn’t live with. Maybe together they’d have a chance of making something good out of all this.

  Just then the phone rang. “Who on earth could be calling at this hour?” Sera said. Trent tensed, knowing it couldn’t be good. She picked up the handset from the receiver next to them and held the phone so he could hear. “Hello.”

  “Sera? This is Nurse McKinley. I’m sorry to bother you, but I was hoping to catch you before you went to bed.”

  “You did. Is something wrong?” Sera’s voice wavered with fear.

  “No, not at all. It’s just Dr. Gibbons had some questions about Aimee’s blood work. Would it be all right if she came back in later today to give us another sample?”

  “Well, yes. Of course. Are you sure everything is all right?”

  “Absolutely. Don’t you worry yourself. She’ll be fine.”

  Sera sighed with relief. “All right. We’ll see you in a few hours. I’d like Aimee to get some sleep first.”

  “No problem. Thanks, Sera.”

  Sera replaced the handset in the base and turned to him. “What do you think that’s all about?”

  “I’m not sure, but something doesn’t feel right about it.”

  “Dr. Gibbons has been my doctor for my entire life. And Aimee’s, too. I trust him completely.”

  “Still, I’d feel better about this if we went to see my doctor in Tennessee.”

  “You said her blood…your blood was different. Any chance those differences show up on blood tests?”

  “None.”

  Sera shrugged and stood. “Well, I think it’s best we find out what the problem is sooner rather than waiting until we get to Tennessee. Who knows when that will be? Are we driving or flying?”

  “Driving.”

  She sighed. “Great.”

  “It would be better to wait, Sera. For all we know this doctor could be the demon.”

  “No. Not Dr. Gibbons. Besides, I thought you can…smell them.” Her lips twisted in revulsion as she said the word.

  “What, you mean like some demonic bloodhound?”

  “Well, yes, since you put it that way.”

  “Unfortunately, I wasn’t allowed back to see Dr. Gibbons or maybe I would have.”

  “Well, I can assure you, he is the same sweet doctor he has always been.”

  He could see her grasping, trying to hold on to what she’d always believed was true. But the point was, she couldn’t know who was and who wasn’t a threat. And from this point forward, she never would be able to again.

  “Sera, you need to trust me.”

  Her lips thinned. “Sorry, but I don’t take chances where my daughter is concerned.”

  “And neither can I. You’re going to have to trust my judgment, and believe in what I do. She needs me. You both do.”

  “Really.” Sera stiffened, her back going ramrod straight. “There are things about parenting you are just going to have to trust my judgment about. And, yes, I needed you once. But I had to learn to get by on my own. You taught me that.” She turned to walk out of the room.

  He had to make her see reason. In two quick strides he was standing in front of her, pushing her up against the wall. His body pressed against hers. His head dipping, his lips inches from her lips. His hot breath on her cheek.

  “I’m sorry I hurt you. I know you think you can, but you can’t manage this on your own. You need me to help you.”

  Sera gasped, then tried to shake her head, to deny him, to stop this before it went too far, but then his lips crushed hers. His tongue swept inside her mouth. And it was as if he’d never left. As if the past eight years had never happened.

  She whimpered, melting, as his taste filled her. She swayed. Reaching up, she gripped his shoulders to keep from falling. Only she was too late.

  There was no turning back from this free fall.

  “Trent, no.…II”

  “You want me as much as I want you.”

  “No,” she denied, even as the hard ridge of his desire pressed against her stomach. “I don’t.” But she did, and she couldn’t stop herself from pressing up against him.

  He gasped a breath, pulling her close, his eyes hooded with longing.

  Her body trembled.

  Heat coiled inside her.

  His lips trailed down the column of her throat.

  She moaned, then pulled away. “This has to be about more than sex. We have to be about more than sex. Aimee deserves more than that from us, Trent.”

  “We can be,” he breathed. “We will be.” His lips fell over hers once more.

  She pushed her hands up under his shirt, pulling it over his head. Instantly, her hands went to his chest, her fingers soothing the hard muscles and seeking the peaks of his nipples. They hardened beneath her touch.

  Trent let loose a throaty moan. He pulled her T-shirt over her head and expertly unclasped her bra, then dipped his head, taking her breast into his mouth.

  Unrelenting heat swept through her and she swayed on her feet. She grabbed his shoulders for balance and tilted her head back to grasp at a desire-filled breath.

  This was Trent, who could touch her like no other. But no matter what he said, what he promised, he wouldn’t stay for long, and she wouldn’t be able to count on him to care about how she felt. But this time she knew that going in. She wouldn’t let herself care about him, and she wouldn’t expect him to stay.

  But right now he was the only one there for her, the only one who could help them, and he was right, she had to trust him when it came to Aimee, even if she knew he’d break both their hearts.

  But maybe this time he would stay?

  No. She wouldn’t think that, wouldn’t let herself believe it, not even for a moment. Right now there was only one thing she wanted from Trent Droulliard and it was within her grasp. And even though she knew she shouldn’t, she unzipped his pants and reached inside.

  God, but he was irresistible to her. The fire. The ache. The need sweeping through her body overrode her mind in a heated tidal wave of desire. And then all thoughts went away, and all she could do was feel, and surrender to his touch.

  Chapter Four

&nbs
p; Sera stirred in Trent’s arms on the sofa. She lay there, burning this moment into her memory—what it felt like to lie nestled up against him, her head resting on his warm chest, the steady sound of his heart beating in her ear. She inhaled his spicy male scent and knew she’d miss that most of all.

  Now that she had a taste of him, it would be even harder to live without him this time. To go back to her lonely-

  Shirley growled from her pen in the corner. Sera lifted her head, trying to make out the dog in the gloom. Furious barking filled the room. Trent bolted upright. The pen crashed to the floor as Shirley jumped over the top of it. Aimee screamed from the other room.

  “Aimee,” Sera choked out as fear squeezed her throat.

  Shirley jumped up onto the coffee table, sending Sera’s mother’s porcelain tea set shattering across the floor before bolting out of the room and down the hall.

  Sera ran after Trent into Aimee’s room. Trent flipped on the light as Shirley jumped out Aimee’s open window, barking furiously as she disappeared out of sight. Sera’s shocked gaze swung to the rumpled covers on the empty bed and the juju dog lying on the floor.

  Aimee wasn’t there.

  A cold fist of fear numbed her heart, then spread through the rest of her body, her arms, down her legs, muddling her mind.

  “Damn!” Trent exploded. He rushed past her, back into the living room.

  “What’s happening?” she screamed, following him.

  Trent stepped into his jeans and pulled his shirt over his head. “Don’t worry. I’ll find her.” Determination filled his voice while desperation hardened his jaw.

  I’ll find her.

  Tears rushed to Sera’s eyes as the knowledge broke through the numbness and slammed into her chest. “Where is she?”

  Trent scooped her clothes up off the floor and pushed them at her. “Get dressed. We’ve got to go.”

  She pulled on her jeans and shoved her arms into her shirt. How could this have happened? How could her baby be gone? It wasn’t real. Couldn’t be real.

  Pain sliced through her chest, searing her heart, making her fold into herself. Her fault. She didn’t believe in demons. Not really.

  “Come on!” Trent grabbed her hand and pulled her through the house.