Missing Magic

by Karen Whiddon

That included women as well as men.

  Dee touched Cenrick’s shoulder. “I’d like to hear what Carly thinks as well.”

  After a startled look, Alrick laughed. “Believe me, you will,” he said dryly.

  “Hey,” Carly protested, laughing. “Not fair.”

  “We want all the help we can get.” Cenrick remained serious. “This is a huge problem for us.”

  “Of course.” Alrick leaned forward. “As for me, I’m most intrigued by the fact that Dee’s touch appears to negate the power of that… thing on you, Cenrick.”

  “Yes,” Carly agreed. “That’s significant.”

  “We don’t know why,” Dee put in. “Especially since I’m not Fae. I don’t have any magic of my own.”

  “Not Fae?” Alrick’s brows rose as he looked from her to his brother. “I could have sworn you were. Everything about you, but especially, your aura—.”

  “I changed her. Temporarily.” Cenrick explained the spell and his reasons for using it. When he’d finished, Alrick nodded.

  “That seems a good plan.” Alrick included Dee in his approving smile. “You’re trained in law enforcement. And if this spell or machine only works on Fae, then you won’t be susceptible. Most important, at least to me, you can protect my brother.”

  Cenrick made a rude noise. “What’s most important is stopping this. You haven’t seen what happens to those Fae who’ve been… erased.”

  “It’s awful.” Dee put in, going on to describe Peter and the other, mindless Fae.

  Carly and Alrick exchanged a long look. “You’re engaged to be married?”

  Dee looked down at her ring less hands. “I was. Not any longer. I’ve had a lot of changes in a short period of time.”

  “Once we have stopped these people, I will make certain Dee gets her job back.” Cenrick sounded fierce. “And her fiancé as well.”

  Dee couldn’t look away from him. This beautiful man had come to mean so much to her, in such a short period of time. She wasn’t at all certain she’d even take Peter back, even if he wanted her again.

  She didn’t want Peter. She wanted Cenrick.

  Good lord. She closed her eyes. How had this happened? She swayed. She was in love with Cenrick.

  “Dee?” Carly sounded concerned. “Are you all right?”

  “Fine.” Clearing her throat, she forced herself to look at the other woman and focus on the topic at hand. “We’ve got to find them.”

  “I agree. They’ve got to be stopped.” Alrick looked grim. Dee guessed he was itching to be able to go with his brother and fight the nameless threat. But one glance at his pregnant wife and his expression softened.

  “But what about the others?” Carly echoed Dee’s thoughts. “Do you think their minds can ever be restored?”

  “The Oracle has promised to try.” Cenrick looked his brother full in the face. “This brings us to the reason we’re here.” In a few words, he told them of the Oracle’s prophecy.

  “Two halves required?” Carly looked from one man to the other. “And you believe she’s speaking of you two brothers?”

  “It’s possible,” Cenrick said. “We’re twins, after all.”

  “I don’t know.” Alrick didn’t seem at all convinced. “The Oracle’s prophecies have never been direct. She could have meant anything.”

  “Usually, when someone speaks like that, they are talking about fated lovers.” Hand on her stomach, Carly looked from Cenrick to Dee, her eyes bright. “Have you considered—.”

  “Carly,” Alrick warned. “No meddling.”

  Still grinning, she shook her head. “Fine. You two figure it out.”

  “What if she meant you and I?” Cenrick stared at his brother. “If I need your help, will you give it?”

  “First, I don’t believe she meant you and I.” Alrick seemed unperturbed. “We are two vastly different souls, and you know it. Second, you must know as well that I cannot leave Carly. The babe will be born any day.”

  “True.” Cenrick’s tone said he didn’t like it. “But if the Oracle didn’t mean you and I, twin brothers born of the same mother, what did she mean?”

  Alrick shook his head. “Maybe you should ask her.” Unfolding his long legs, he clasped his arm around Cenrick’s shoulders. “I’m afraid you’re on your own for this one, little brother.”

  This was getting exactly nowhere. Dee began jiggling her leg. She caught Cenrick watching her and pushed herself to her feet, taking Alrick’s hint. “I think we’ve been here long enough. We’ve really got to get going.”

  Cenrick stood also, taking Dee’s arm but still intent on his brother. “It was good to see you,” he began.

  “Wait.” Disengaging herself from her husband’s arms, Carly drew Dee aside. “I want to talk to Dee. Alone.”

  She pulled Dee into a back bedroom which had been made into a nursery. “My son’s room,” she said, while Dee took in the crib and brightly painted walls.

  “It’s beautiful,” Dee told her. Then, unable to contain her curiosity, she asked, “What did you want to discuss with me?”

  “The Oracle’s words. Despite my husband not wanting me to meddle, I’ve seen the way you look at Cenrick when he’s not watching.”

  Dee blushed, but said nothing.

  With a broad smile, Carly squeezed Dee’s shoulder. “It’s okay – I feel the same way about Alrick. Anyway, I think it’s possible there is another meaning to this two halves of the same soul thing.”

  “Soulmates?” Restless, Dee shook her head. “I don’t know about that.”

  “Sometimes, when two who were meant to be are brought together, great magic can result.”

  “How do you know this? You’re human, like me.”

  “I’ve been around the Fae and I’m married to Alrick.” Carly grinned. “Mort told me his people’s history. One of their most long-held beliefs is this – if you can find the one who is the other half of your soul, you are capable of great things.”

  “Cenrick and I are not soulmates.”

  “Really?” Carly cocked her head. “Then what about the other Fae man? Didn’t you say you were engaged?”

  “Peter?” Dee recoiled, wondering why the thought now horrified her. “No! He and I aren’t soulmates either. I know we were going to marry, but—.”

  “It’s okay.” Carly patted her shoulder. “Think about it, why don’t you? Even I can see there is more between you and Cenrick than you realize.”

  Dee started to protest, then closed her mouth. Staring at the other woman, she let her doubt and fear show in her eyes. “So many changes,” she whispered. “I don’t know.”

  “Come on.” Carly led Dee back to the other room. “Our menfolk await.”

  Alrick held out his arms and Carly went directly to him. They hugged as though they’d been apart for hours rather than a few minutes.

  Feeling awkward, she watched them, jumping when Cenrick recaptured her hand.

  Finally, the other two turned to face them. Arms around each other, they said their good-byes. Dee echoed them, startled to realize her throat was tight.

  As they walked side by side to the end of the long, dusty drive, each lost in their own thoughts, they waved at the couple watching them from the front porch.

  “I’ll miss them,” Cenrick said.

  “I really like your brother and his wife.” Dee knew her smile was a tad wistful, but didn’t care. “I wish they lived closer.”

  “It’s even worse when I’m in Rune. Living in different worlds means I hardly ever see him.”

  “What did he mean when he asked you if your father had finally given you your task?”

  Cenrick smiled. “Because Alrick and I are twins, we’ve long been joint heirs for the throne. Our father dreamed up the idea of giving us each a test to determine who would be the best King. Alrick’s task was protecting Carly.”

  “But he stayed here? How can he be King if he’s not in Rune?”

  “That’s why I have to complete this task.” C
enrick’s expression turned serious. “He’s asked me to become King so he can remain here with Carly and their child.”

  Dee felt a piece of her heart crack. She’d only been deluding herself. She and Cenrick had no future together. His destiny was to rule Rune. Hers, to remain here among her own kind, and straighten out the mess her life had become.

  Not Soulmates at all. But partners, together for one assignment, one task, before they went their separate ways.

  Chapter Thirteen

  BACK IN her own living room, Dee gave in to her exhaustion and dropped on her couch. She kicked off her shoes and leaned back, trying to forget Carly’s words.

  Soulmates. As if.

  “This is so messed up,” she said. “We’re no closer to figuring out what the Oracle meant than we were before.”

  The cushion dipped as Cenrick sat beside her. “Forget about the Oracle, for now. We’ll go back to our original plan. Sending you into the clubs to lure them out.”

  She glanced at the clock. “It’s nearly three a.m. I thought we would come back close to the time we left.”

  “With all that happened, us going to the wrong place and all, no way was I going to try and control time.”

  “It’s way too late to go to clubs now. They all be closing.” Leaning back, she had to admit she was exhausted, both physically and emotionally.

  “We’ll do it tomorrow.”

  “Do you still think that will work?”

  “It has to.”

  Silently, she agreed. Images of Peter and the other Soulless Fae milling about aimlessly, tortured husks of their former selves, tormented her. “Even though we’re no longer engaged, I hate to think of Peter like that.”

  “Your fiancé.” His voice sounded flat.

  “Former fiancé,” she corrected. “And Cenrick, even though Peter and I weren’t together, I wouldn’t wish such a thing on my own worst enemy.”

  “I haven’t forgotten my promise. Once this is over, I’ll bring him back to you.” His gaze caught hers.

  Held.

  She looked away first. “Tell me you think their souls can be restored.”

  “The Oracle and Mort have a lot of power. If anyone can find a way, they can.” Leaning close, he massaged her neck. “Now. Relax. We can do nothing further without rest.”

  Part of her longed to do as he said, and let her body relax, boneless against him. But the rest of her, still disturbed by what Carly had said, felt restless. Unsettled.

  “I can’t forget the Oracle’s words. She said two halves were needed. You yourself said she’s never wrong.”

  He continued to knead her sore muscles. “If she meant Alrick needed to help me, she had to know he couldn’t. He must stay with Carly for the birth of their child. He has his own destiny to ensure.”

  “But they’re his people too.”

  “And he’s done his part to save them already. This is my task.” His voice was sharp. “I will find a way to help them.”

  “No, we will find a way to help them. Hmmm.” She let her eyes drift closed. “That feels good.”

  “Then come close to me.” The rumble of his voice was reassuring. “Let me work the stiffness from your body.”

  A back rub – her secret weakness. She didn’t have to be asked twice. She scooted closer, resting her head on the edge of his leg. As his surprisingly talented hands caressed her aching muscles, she sighed.

  Soulhalves? Probably not. Still, she couldn’t help but think how easy it was to love a man like him. Knowing he wasn’t here to stay, she could only hope her knowing him hadn’t forever ruined her for other men, though she suspected it was already too late. How could any other man measure up to such perfection?

  Two halves of the same soul. She kept coming back to the Oracle’s prophecy. If not Cenrick and Alrick, what else could it mean?

  Cenrick’s talented fingers hit a sore spot. She relaxed into his touch, biting back a moan of pleasure. He eased her over, unresisting, across his entire lap. There, she felt the swell of his arousal and an answering heat began low in her belly.

  “Dee—.” At the raw need in his voice, she glanced up. Another mistake. His gaze, full of heat and desire, called to her.

  “Cenrick, I—.”

  With a growl, he covered her mouth with his and she was lost.

  Cenrick.

  The feel of his muscular body, the heady fragrance of his skin, and the way he kissed her, made her head swim. Swim? Hell, she was drowning.

  Apparently, he felt the same. As if helpless with desire, he pushed his swollen body against her. They shed their clothes, bodies still touching, and when he entered her, she felt a rush of joy.

  Home, she thought, before all coherent thought fled. Home.

  Later, as they lay holding each other, she looked up to find him watching her.

  “What is it about you?” he asked, his voice husky. “How do you do this to me?”

  Smiling, she kissed his chest, watching his eyes darken. “I don’t know, but you do the same thing to me.”

  “I want you again.” His lazy tone made her shiver. “But I think we’d better sleep.” He swept the hair from her forehead, then placed a kiss on the tip of her nose.

  “Tomorrow’s going to be a big day.”

  The clock showed noon when she woke, Cenrick’s arms wrapped around her. She opened her eyes to find him watching her, desire darkening his eyes to black.

  Laughing, she stretched languidly against him. He growled low in his throat, letting her feel his readiness, and they made love once more, this time with a fierce urgency.

  Later, having showered and dressed, Dee made pancakes for breakfast. Cenrick had never tried them, and ate with obvious enjoyment. Dee sipped her coffee, while Cenrick had milk.

  “I’d like to take some sort of action,” Cenrick grumbled, pacing the small kitchen. His movements reminded her of a caged leopard, waiting for the right moment to strike.

  Crossing to the living room window, Dee twitched back the curtain. Instantly, she saw the unmarked cruiser, conspicuously parked in the same place as before. “They’re still watching us.”

  “What can they do if we drive through Mick’s neighborhood?”

  “Nothing, though they’ll think I’m going to gloat over there results of my crime.”

  He stared. “Do you care?”

  The question took her aback. Returning to the kitchen, she refilled her mug and added creamer and artificial sweetener to her coffee. “Not really,” she said, surprised to find she meant it.

  “Then let’s go by Mick’s. I want to see if the house is a total loss.”

  “All right. We’ve got all afternoon, since I can’t hit the clubs until at least eight or nine.” She looked down at herself and grimaced. “I haven’t been clubbing in awhile and I don’t have anything to wear.”

  He flashed a grin. “Yes, you do.”

  “No, I’m not wearing that enchanted dress.” She grinned back. “You know, maybe our tail would enjoy going shopping. While we’re out, I think we’ll stop at Theodore’s and buy something.” Her grin widened. “Something really sexy and daring. Like a Fae woman would wear.”

  For the first time, he let himself think about what she’d be doing. The thought of other men looking at her, knowing they’d be thinking the same amorous thoughts as he, made his chest tight.

  Thank the Goddess he’d decided to go with her.

  “Come on.” Oblivious to his conflicting thoughts, she set her mug down. “Are you ready to go?”

  He nodded, wondering what was wrong with him. Since when did he feel proprietary towards a human woman – any woman, for that matter?

  She drove to a place less than a mile away. The shop was small and tucked into one end of a strip shopping center, the neon purple sign over the door proclaiming this was Theodore’s. Numerous outfits – short skirts, crop tops and halters – were on display in the windows. All of them were slinky or sparkly and left little to the imagination.

  �
�See what I mean?” Dee laughed at his stunned expression. “I’ll get something like one of those glittery skirt sets.”

  Even though her air conditioning was turned up full blast, Cenrick felt heat rising. “Dee—,” he began.

  “You wait here,” she instructed, pulling into a parking spot in front of the store. “I’ll leave the car running. This won’t take long- five minutes max.”

  Not that would be magic.

  “I’ve never met a woman who could shop that quickly.”

  Her grin made his the tightness in his chest worse. “Then you don’t know me. I hate to shop, unless it’s online. I’m going to dash in there and buy the first sexy outfit I see.”

  A quick glance at the window made him wince. “Do they have any other kind?”

  She laughed. “No. Sexy fashion is what this store is known for.”

  With a lighthearted wave, she took off. Watching her stroll across the sidewalk, he saw and older man do a double take. Another man nearly fell, tripping over the curb while craning his neck to get a better look at her.

  Once she disappeared inside the store, he released his breath, preparing for a long wait. But, true to her word, five minutes later, Dee emerged, large, purple shopping bag in hand, and headed towards the car.

  A passing pickup full of guys slowed for a better look, honking their horn and hooting out the windows. Dee ignored them. Even the two cops in the unmarked cruiser rolled down their windows for a better look.

  Fae enchantment, he told himself.

  “Got it!” Tossing the bag in back, Dee grinned triumphantly. “I bought you something to wear too.”

  He shot a dubious look at the store. “They really sell clothing, er for men in a place like that?”

  “Sure. Now all I have to do is decide which wig I want to wear tonight and I’m good to go.”

  As she backed from her space and headed towards the exit, their tail did the same. “Are you ready to give those guys something to talk about?”

  “You want to lose them?”

  “Sort of.” The laughter sparkling in her eyes made him want to kiss her. “But I have every right to drive by Mick’s, so I won’t.”

  As he’d feared, Mick’s house had been reduced to rubble. Only a few charred timbers, on pile of brick, and ash remained.