Elanah’s chanting faltered when Danner ripped Barnabus’ head off his body with a twist of his hand, tossing it carelessly to the shocked guard in front of Elanah. Cries of horror could be heard around the circle.
In an instant, Dannerlich had crossed into the middle circle, flung the guard away and stood in front of Elanah.
She froze in terror. His nightmare face was inches from hers. He was panting and baring his teeth. She could smell the iron tang of blood. Her brain refused to function as her heart beat furiously in her chest, pumping blood to her face and head. She was going to faint.
“You called me by my name. How did you get my name?”
Through her fog of terror the sane part of her was warning her, chant or die, Elanah. Chant or die.
“Answer me!” he screamed.
She kept chanting.
“What are you doing? I am going to kill you, you little bitch,” he roared at her. He tried to reach for her again, his violently moving arms a blur, but the salt barrier held as he struck the invisible shield repeatedly. He roared again as the other four guards attacked him, their swords cutting into his flesh. Enraged, he growled as he reached for the first guard, grabbing him around the neck and pulling off his sword arm. The man couldn’t even scream as Dannerlich crushed his windpipe between his fingers as if it were a soft fruit.
Dannerlich used the man’s arm to hit one of his other assailants, who looked upon him with horror before Dannerlich punched his arm through the man’s body and ripped out his heart, his long black nails acting like knives.
None of the wounds Danner sustained as the guards attacked seem to weaken him. He laughed as the last two men slashed at him furiously, confused as to why their prey wouldn’t die.
“I am immortal, you stupid, human maggots,” he roared triumphantly. One of the men reached into his pocket and threw the iron shavings at Dannerlich.
“Ow,” the demon frowned as he looked down at the sting marks the iron left on his chest and abdomen. “Well, that was just stupid,” he said before taking both men’s heads in his large hands and smashing them together. Both men dropped their weapons as they fell to the ground, dead or stunned, she couldn’t be sure.
Dannerlich wasn’t even out of breath. He looked at the sigils glowing around the casting circle.
“This was fun. Now let me out, RIGHT NOW, or I will kill everyone here, and everyone you love.”
Terrified into immobility, Elanah despaired and her arms fell to her sides. She knew she had to finish the spell, but she couldn’t convince herself to move or speak. Her heart was thudding and blood was pounding like a gong in her head. She vaguely heard Dannerlich call for Klaus, who came running to do his master’s bidding.
The calm, quiet night had changed. The wind whipped through the clearing. Black storm clouds boiled above her. Lightning flashed and struck the ground close by. The trees were far away and Elanah felt exposed. Outside the circle, Wayman and Roderick were behind her, screaming at her to do something.
Time was suspended as they all faced each other.
Then she felt a warm, firm body at her back. Sean had wrapped his arms around her waist and was whispering in her ear, his breath hot and his words urgent.
“Elanah, snap out of it. I know you’re scared, but you can do this. He can’t cross the barrier. He’s trapped. Finish the spell. If you do that, this will all be over. I’ve got you,” he whispered.
One of the guards was rousing and trying to sit up. The other one wasn’t moving.
“I’m very unhappy with you, Klaus,” Danner said calmly. He reached down and with a quick slice of his claw and a small yank of his arm, pulled the guard’s leg off his body. Horrible screams reached an agonizing pitch as the demon did the same to the man’s other leg. Elanah felt something warm spray her face and the front of her body.
Blood. The guard’s blood was everywhere. It dripped down Danner’s chest.
She was so tired of this demon and all the blood that came with him.
Danner looked at Klaus, who had halted in front of him, awaiting orders. “Stop them.”
Klaus’ eyes were blank as he reached for Elanah. The warmth behind her back disappeared as Sean went to hold off their friend. “Damn it, Elanah! Finish the spell or we’re all dead!” Sean yelled, grappling with an insane Klaus who, when he realized he couldn’t get to Elanah through Sean, had headed to the salt circle to break it.
Danner was grinning, a deep mocking laugh coming from his huge body as he bent over the second guard who was just beginning to regain consciousness. Elanah started to chant as Danner’s knife-like black claws began to slice open the man from neck to crotch. Blood spurted as Elanah shouted, “I bind thee, Dannerlich, for all eternity. I banish thee, Dannerlich, for all eternity.” It only had to be said three times, she thought desperately as she watched the demon rip the man’s insides out like mattress stuffing. At least the screaming had stopped.
“I bind thee, Dannerlich, for all eternity. I banish thee, Dannerlich, for all eternity.”
Klaus fought Sean like a demon himself, gouging the ground and trying to break the salt circle. It was all happening too fast.
“I bind thee, Dannerlich, for all eternity. I banish thee, Dannerlich, for–” Klaus broke the salt line.
“…all eternity.” Elanah finished just as Dannerlich reached her and she screamed in terror. The sigils of containment were now glowing like the fires of Hell. Elanah watched in slow motion as Dannerlich’s arms came up to grab her, his face a rictus mask of fury and triumph, which changed in an instant as the first sigil lifted from the ground and wrapped itself around one of his shoulders, trapping his huge, powerful arm to his body. Another sigil lifted and slammed into Dannerlich, but on his other side. All the sigils glowing in the ground were now floating and wrapping around the angry demon until he was encased in a fiery shell.
She fumbled for the knife hidden in her dress.
He howled with rage. “I will find you and kill you for this, Elanah Von Vixen,” he screamed, his body writhing within the confines of his bounds, his powerful body straining to no effect.
She yanked out the knife and raised it above her head. Her hair was whipping around in the wind and tangling around her neck. The knife pulsed in her hands.
“I will find you and I will fuck you until you scream blood, and then I’ll reach up into your body and turn you inside out. I’ll watch you die and dance in your blood,” he hissed viciously. His voice started to sound faint and Elanah noticed the sigils’ glow seemed fainter as well.
Elanah was terrified and horrified, but vengeful fury burned through her weakness. “Burn in Hell, Dannerlich!” she screamed bitterly. “Better yet, DIE you abominable scum!” As her arm sliced down to stab Dannerlich in the chest, the sigils flashed blindingly once more then disappeared, taking Dannerlich with them. The knife cut through empty space.
Elanah fell to the ground, her power and body spent. Banished but not dead…it would have to do. Elanah started to cry. It was finally over.
Klaus had thrown up and was rocking on the ground. “Oh my God, oh my God,” he muttered in shock.
Valentine retrieved the knife and sheathed it carefully.
Sean bent toward Elanah and picked her up. He was pale and shaking himself, but he nodded to the Fae, who would take care of the men’s remains, and headed to their cabin.
Chapter 2 – Valentine’s Day
Barrington County, Present Day
Everyone knew that Luke Barrington was madly in love with Sadie Kellar.
Even after dating for three years, his powerful feelings of love and adoration for his slip of a girlfriend hadn’t faded. If anything they’d grown stronger. It made him giddy.
It was finally here. Valentine’s Day, the most romantic day of the year for the young and desperately in love. Like many romantics, Luke planned an elaborate Valentine’s Day dinner for Sadie, having rented a private room at Barrington’s fanciest restaurant, The Spells & Stars. With the hel
p of his brother Max, and his brother’s best friend, Ella, it was now decorated with snow-white tulle and feathers twined with twinkle lights.
They both thought he was crazy, but they helped out anyway.
Luke had sprays of pink roses placed around the room. He’d hung red velvet hearts everywhere. The room was furnished with a sofa and two armchairs, along with a table that seated six but was decorated for two. Luke had covered the sofa with a festive, fluffy red comforter. The dining table was set with a snow-white cloth, glittering crystal etched with roses, and shiny silver utensils.
He hadn’t told Sadie about the surprise he was planning, only the time she needed to be ready and that someone would be by her house to pick her up.
Luke dressed at the restaurant. His black tux, normally reserved for his mayor father’s society functions, was perfect for the occasion he thought as he looked in the mirror. His light brown hair brushed his shoulders in waves. It was longer now than when they’d first started dating. Sadie liked the length. He had also filled out, losing the gawky teenage look. She liked that too.
Carter Reeves, the owner of the restaurant, flashed Luke a smile. “She must be something else.” He didn’t know her personally, but anyone who lived in Barrington knew who Sadie Kellar was, being the descendant of the infamous Willow Kellar, the sixteenth-century witch that had hexed the town.
“She is,” Luke said with an edgy smile. “Are you still okay to bring her upstairs?”
Carter laughed at Luke’s nervousness. “It will be my pleasure, lover boy,” he said with a grin and a twinge of anticipation. It wasn’t his date, but he couldn’t help but feel the young man’s excitement. Sadie was a beauty. He couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when she saw what Luke had planned. The kid was lucky he was wealthy and able to pull off something like this. “Everything’s ready.”
Luke had arranged with his father to use the town car to pick Sadie up. His older brother Jack was doing the honours as chauffeur.
At the Kellar residence, Jack offered Sadie a sweeping bow. “My lady,” he said gallantly, “your chariot waits.”
Sadie smiled. “Thank you, kind sir,” she offered with a small curtsey. “This chivalrousness must be a twin thing as I know a set of young eight-year old twins who also sweep the ladies off their feet.”
Jack laughed. “Ah, yes, the Croft boys. Their appeal is legendary. My twin Tristan and I know them well and can only hope to equal them one day.”
Behind her, Boris Kellar, Sadie’s father, snorted and nodded at Jack. “Valentine’s Day. What foolishness. Your brother has more money than—”
“Daddy!”
“Tell Luke to have her home by ten, or his chariot will turn into a pumpkin.”
“What! Ten? I’m an adult!” Sadie was outraged.
“I shall inform her besotted suitor,” Jack replied with a grin.
“You will not!” Sadie warned, but she laughed as Jack helped her into the backseat of the car. Besotted. She loved that word, she thought as she settled back into the soft leather. It described her feelings for Luke as well. Luke, she thought dreamily, her mind turning to her beloved boyfriend. Her suitor. She couldn’t wait to see what he had planned. She had been excited for weeks, and the Barringtons did everything with great style.
Jack drove her around Town Circle to the restaurant where Carter Reeves stood outside, waiting to escort her in.
After Jack helped her out of the car, Carter bowed and offered his arm, and they entered the restaurant. Every eye was on her, and the diners stared in wide-eyed fascination as Sadie swept up the staircase. There were many reasons to stare. She had inherited Willow Kellar’s famous beauty. And after that fateful autumn a few years ago when the town had gone crazy, an aura of mystery still shrouded Sadie and her role in the strange happenings. Although she was now frequently in the public eye due to her association with the prominent Barrington family, much of her life remained very private. People were rather intrigued by her.
Or it could be this dress, she thought wryly, wanting to pull up the low neckline. Her father’s eyebrows had gone up when he’d seen it.
When they arrived at the private room, Sadie was trembling with nerves. Seeing Luke still put butterflies in her stomach. Carter opened the door to where Luke was waiting.
Sadie looked at him, riveted. Tall and handsome in his elegant tux, Luke looked wonderful. She melted at the knees as he strode toward her and offered her his hand, which she took in hers. In his other hand he had a corsage of tiny red and pink roses.
“My darling,” he said huskily as he pulled her toward him. “Happy Valentine’s Day!”
Sadie’s eyes sparkled with love and happiness as she gazed at Luke and turned her face up for a kiss.
They didn’t hear Carter close the door softly and head downstairs to tend to the rest of his clientele.
Luke smiled at Sadie, love flooding him at the sight of her. Her dress was stunning. Snow white fabric scooped daringly at her breasts and cinched at the waist before flowing to the floor, like a Greek goddess. The contrast with her jet black hair was dazzling. Her violet eyes shone like purple gems, and her smiling mouth was red and inviting. He bent to kiss her again, only lightly touching her lips. Their breath mingled as they stared at each other.
“This is unbelievable, Luke. It’s so beautiful and romantic…I’m shaking,” she said quietly as she looked around with wonder. Flowers and hearts abounded. Twinkle lights lit the room. “I feel as if I’ve entered a fairy realm.”
Luke smiled and took her hand, escorting her around. Soft slow music was playing. “Dinner is in an hour, and I have taken the liberty of ordering our favorite dishes,” he said as he swept her into his arms. “Until then, we shall dance!” He twirled her around. They loved to dance, and Luke was a great dancer thanks to his mother, although this was more like careening. Eventually they stopped moving and just held each other close under the twinkling lights. They pressed soft kisses on each other’s lips before Luke just crushed her to him. Sadie’s laugh was a low sound in her throat as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, pressing his warm mouth against hers and sliding her tongue against his lovingly. They stood there kissing hotly as the music swirled around them. They broke apart a while later at a discreet knock at the door.
“Come in,” Luke said hoarsely, letting her go reluctantly and turning to the waiter.
Dinner was steaming hot and smelled delicious. Luke’s stomach rumbled as the waiter rolled in the covered plates and set everything on the table.
Sadie smiled. Luke’s huge appetite was well known.
There were warm rolls with sweet butter shaped like hearts, melt in your mouth filet mignon with green beans and roasted potatoes, a crystal bowl of crisp greens with balsamic glaze for them to share, and a chilled crystal decanter of Carter’s famous sparkling strawberry nectar.
The waiter eyed Sadie appreciatively before leaving the room.
“Are you hungry?” Luke asked hopefully.
“Starved,” Sadie said with a grin.
“Wonderful,” he said, rubbing his hands together as he eyed the table. He pulled out a chair for her. “My lady.”
Sadie sat and they ate. They chatted quietly, their hands touching frequently as they gazed at each other. When they were stuffed, Luke pulled her to the couch where they curled up together, sipping their drinks.
“Before you I’d never had a date on Valentine’s Day, you know,” Sadie said, looking at their twined fingers and sighing. “Remember our first Valentine’s Day together, Luke?” she asked softly, her tongue sliding softly against his lips. He tasted like strawberries.
Luke groaned as he remembered their evening at the Barrington’s cabin in the woods. They had skipped school and headed up the mountain in the morning, spending the day getting everything ready for their romantic dinner. Luke had warmed the cabin, hauling wood for a fire while Sadie focused on preparing the food. Before they had started eating, Luke had presented Sadie with roses,
a large, heart-shaped red-velvet box of chocolates, and a teddy bear. Sadie had laughed with delight at all the traditional Valentine gifts. At the end of their meal, before dessert, Sadie gave Luke her gift.
She had gone to the bedroom to change into a pale pink lacy shift with tiny, matching underwear she’d bought at Linens ‘n Things in town. The outfit was very daring for a girl who only wore plain dresses buttoned to the neck. She had walked toward him provocatively, showing to advantage the parts of her body the scraps of material barely covered. “Happy Valentine’s Day,” she’d whispered, standing in front of him, her long black hair seductively tousled, rippling as her purple power sizzled to life and ran over her body.
His witch.
That night Luke had forgotten about dessert. He’d launched himself at his bewitching girlfriend who’d laughed wantonly as he grabbed her.
They had wrecked the cabin with their romantic antics.
And they had never found her little underwear.
Luke breathed in slowly, remembering. He put his drink down and gathered her close for a kiss. Her mouth was warm and sweet against his. He broke the kiss and put both his hands against her face. Summer blue eyes stared into violet ones. “I love you, Sadie Kellar,” Luke said in a low voice. “I love you so much…with all my heart,” he said solemnly, kissing her again.
Sadie’s eyes were sparkling. “I love you too. No one compares to you, Luke Barrington, no one,” she said softly, returning his kisses with equal passion, her arms wrapped around his neck tightly.
Suddenly a velvet box appeared in his hand. Time was suspended as Sadie watched Luke’s beautiful long fingers slowly open it. A heart-shaped diamond ring sparkled like wildfire under the twinkling lights, and she gasped at the sight.
Luke stared at her. His eyes burned with wild hope and love. “I know we’re young, Sadie, but will you marry me? Be my wife?”
Sadie was overwhelmed. Smart, adorable Luke wanted her to marry him and be his wife. There was nothing she wanted more.
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