by T. M. Cromer
“No. You don’t have to send me away, Papa. I swear it.” She ran to her father and flung her arms around his waist. “I swear I’m not lying. You don’t have to send me away.”
Vivian crossed to them and squatted down to wipe the tears pouring from Sabrina’s eyes. “Darling, it’s just a precaution. We can come back when this is over.”
“But we won’t. If we leave, we won’t. We have to stay, Mama. We have to,” she sobbed out.
“Bloody hell!” Damian lifted Sabrina into his arms and hugged her tightly to him. “You’re killing me, my darling girl. Please don’t cry. We’ll work this out.”
“No, Papa. You’re just saying that. You’re going to try to put me to sleep so you can cast your spell. But if you do, we won’t come back.”
Pure torment resided in Damian’s obsidian eyes as he stared at Vivian over their daughter’s head. “I don’t know what to do, Viv. I honestly don’t.”
“Trust your daughter, Mr. Dethridge,” Selene said. Her voice was strong and sure. “Didn’t you tell us she was an Oracle? I believe she’s trying to tell you what she’s seeing.”
Chapter 21
“How did you get so wise, my love?” Preston asked Selene as they strolled across the bridge dividing the Dethridge and the Drake estates.
“I don’t know that I’m wise per se, but they were both ignoring what Sabrina was trying to tell them. They were caught up in safeguarding her, and they failed to understand the Oracle would protect herself first, should the need arise. Mainly because she knows she’s the only one with her abilities.”
“She’s still a child, Selene.”
“Yes, but she also has the capability to weigh all possible outcomes. It comes with her gift.” She tugged him to a halt. “Sabrina doesn’t want to lose Damian. If she truly believed he’d kill her to steal her power, she’d flee and only return if she could figure out how to help him at some later date. She’ll determine the best course of action and see it through, Preston. I’m sure of it.”
“Goddess preserve us, I hope you’re right.” He tugged her into his arms and touched his nose to hers. “This whole thing is terrifying me.”
“You have much to lose.”
“And you don’t? Damian doesn’t? The entire magical world doesn’t?”
“It’s not what I meant, agápi mou, and you know it.”
He inhaled deeply and released her. “I do know. I’m just on edge.”
“Is it the sense of doom you’re experiencing?”
“Exactly that.”
“I feel it too. Is it just nerves, or is it something much more dire?”
He shook his head and focused on the water beyond her shoulder. “Perhaps a mixture of both, but other than Sabrina, who can say?”
“I can’t believe we only have a few minutes before everything is put in motion.” Selene clasped her hands in front of her, and Preston had to assume it was to halt her trembling. He’d felt it moments ago when he held her. Deep down, he was experiencing a similar fearful reaction.
“We haven’t had any real time together, you and me,” he said softly. “One night of sleeping in each others’ arms. One morning of making love. Some hand-holding. It isn’t enough.”
“No. It really isn’t.” The stark longing in her eyes called to him. Preston wanted nothing more than to lead her to the grassy bank by the stream, strip her bare, and make love to her for countless days and nights. But in less than ten minutes, the Council would be on their doorstep, ready to carry through with this dangerous plan of theirs.
“I wish I hadn’t wasted our time together in the Otherworld. I love you, Preston. More than I’ve ever loved anyone in either of my lifetimes.”
“Can I tell you a secret?”
“Of course.” She’d said it stiffly, as if maybe she was upset he hadn’t immediately declared his undying affection. He almost smiled.
“We’ve had more than this single lifetime together, Selene. We’ve been soul mates throughout many lives before.”
She frowned as his arms encircled her waist. “I don’t understand.”
“You’ve no doubt heard the saying a Thorne only loves once.” She nodded, and her brows met. Preston was forced to kiss the tip of her delicate nose at the adorableness of her confused expression. “There’s a reason for it. When we meet our soul mates, we recognize them instantly. Their aura burns brighter than any other. For me, yours is near blinding.”
“I assumed yours is as bright as it is because you’re a powerful warlock.”
“To a degree, yes. But the continual golden glow strengthens over time and becomes a beacon to us. When we see it again in any lifetime, we need to claim it for ours.”
“That’s the way I feel. Like I can’t get enough of you. I want to consume you whole,” she said, blushing as if embarrassed by her confession.
“Precisely.”
“I think I understand why you’re all fighting as hard as you are to end the Evil. Not just for the rest of mankind, but for your other half. If your true love were to be obliterated, where would that leave you?”
“It would leave us devastated and living a half life,” he confirmed softly. “You are my true love, Selene.”
“This has an awful suggestion attached, but did you know who I was as a child? Is that why you helped me?”
“Goddess, no!” He shuddered at the thought of anyone being attracted to a child. “You did display a bright aura, but we can attribute things of that nature to power or abilities. The aura you present today is thousands of times stronger than when you were a girl.”
“But I thought you said Thornes recognize their soul mates right away.”
Irritated at how badly he’d fumbled this conversation, he urged her toward the Drake estate and tried to form the words he needed to explain so he didn’t come across as an old lecher.
“When Summer was little more than a toddler, she met Cooper Carlyle at a hometown holiday celebration. Afterwards, she told anyone who would listen that she loved him and would one day marry him.” Preston smiled at the memory of her insistence. “She’d rave about his light and how she wanted to see it. We had a devil of a time keeping her from sneaking out to find him.”
“It sounds like she was obsessed,” Selene said with a grimace.
“To a degree, she was. But to her, his light was a thing of beauty, something young Summer wanted to hold onto for its warmth. She didn’t understand adult love.”
Selene’s frown grew, but she remained silent.
“A child would see the pureness of light in someone that an adult might miss. It’s possible, to your younger self, I would’ve appeared brighter than you would’ve appeared to me. You might’ve wanted to bask in the magic of the light. Like holding onto a favorite toy or stuffed bear, it would’ve provided you comfort.” He paused to look down at her. “And had we both been children, I’d have seen right away who you were, but as an adult looking at a child? Yeah, I had no idea who you were anything other than a potentially powerful young witch. Does that make more sense?”
“I believe it does.” She placed her palm along his jaw. “Also, it makes me feel better to know you didn’t fall in love with a young child.”
He shuddered. “Perish the thought.” He allowed his hot eyes to slowly travel the length of her body and back before he boldly met her gaze. “I’m only interested in the woman you are today. For a multitude of reasons.”
Selene laughed, wrapped a hand around his neck, and drew his head down for a kiss. She moaned into his mouth as he deepened it, setting her on fire with his passion. When she drew back, she touched her fingers to her mouth. “Your aura has grown brighter in the last few days.”
“We are falling more in love as the seconds pass,” he said. Preston cupped her face and ran his thumbs along her cheekbones. “I was blessed the day I stumbled across you in the Otherworld, Selene. It was only there I recognized who you were to me.”
“I think I’ve loved you from the first,” she confessed. “You were
a hero in my eyes when you treated me so kindly in Greece. After I grew up, I wanted to seek you out and thank you for what you’d done.”
He allowed her words to sink in and concluded she’d been hesitant for a number of reasons. The primary one had been her brother. “But you were worried you’d put me in Victor’s crosshairs.”
“Yes.” She squinted one eye and wrinkled her nose. “Also, I feared you’d have feet of clay and not be the man I believed you to be. I didn’t want to be disappointed.”
“All the men in your life have done a number on you, haven’t they?”
She nodded and exhaled heavily. “It may be one of the reasons I wouldn’t date you in the Otherworld.”
“Makes sense.” She had no reason to trust him in one plane over another. He was no different here on earth than in the afterlife.
“Oh, I’d already decided to put us both out of our misery. But I was enjoying your games too much, so I let them continue.”
Happiness bubbled up inside of him. “Good to know. I’ll be sure to introduce more of the same in the future.”
Selene laughed, then just as quickly sobered. “We have to return.”
Overwhelmed with all the words he wanted to say but didn’t have time to, Preston reached for her and held her tightly.
“This has to turn out all right. I can’t lose you,” she whispered. She’d manage to say what he couldn’t, and Preston’s arms tightened to express himself.
His phone vibrated in his pants pocket. Reluctantly, he released her and reached for the device.
It’s go time, little brother.
He showed the screen to Selene. Wordlessly, she clasped his hand, and they started for the Drakes’ garden.
When they arrived, it looked as if a soiree was in progress. Witches’ Council members milled about, and a handful of Preston’s family had separated into a small group and were participating in an intense conversation.
Selene released his hand. “You should see what that’s about. I need a moment to prepare myself for all these people.”
“Are you okay, my love?”
He never failed to show his consideration or concern. Touched by his generosity of spirit, she patted his chest and offered up a reassuring smile. “Of course. I simply want to touch up my makeup and put on my invisible armor.”
“You’re already beautiful, Selene. No touch-up needed. However, I do understand the need to prepare yourself for what’s ahead. Would you like me to go with you?”
“No. I think it’s more important for you to see what Alastair and Nash have to say.” She rose on her toes to drop a light kiss on his mouth. “I won’t be but a minute or two.”
“Hurry back. I don’t like being away from you too long. It makes me itchy.”
She experienced the same reaction when she was away from him, so she nodded her agreement. “Promise.” In the blink of an eye, she’d teleported to their bedroom. Looking at the bed, she pressed her hand to her stomach. She’d been in total agreement with Preston earlier when he said they hadn’t had enough private time together. She sent a prayer skyward that they would be able to save the day and have a future together when all was said and done.
“I was surprised to see you when I arrived last night.”
With a small shriek, she spun around and searched for the intruder.
Alexander Castor emerged from the shadows and crossed to her. With his index finger, he tapped her gaping jaw shut.
“You are as beautiful as ever, Selene.” His tone was silky and seductive, but a thread of malice underlined it. “Does Preston know how duplicitous you are?”
She shivered, and although her instinct was to flee, she stood her ground. “What about you, Alex? Should I tell the Thornes and Damian Dethridge what kind of man you truly are?”
He laughed, and the sound was pure wicked delight. “You’re still as feisty as ever, my dear.”
“And you’re still as twisted and self-serving, aren’t you?”
His eyes turned frosty, and the ice-blue stare chilled her. “I never claimed I wasn’t self-serving, darling.” He trailed his fingers along her jaw as that shrewd gaze dropped to her compressed lips. “What say we have a tumble for old times’ sake?”
She smacked his hand away. “Not a bloody chance!” Selene crossed her arms. “Why don’t you get to the point of this visit, Alex?”
“I thought we might make a pact, you and me. Should Victor and Lin come out the winner on the other side, we will need to protect ourselves by joining forces.”
“I’d rather Victor put another bullet through my brain.”
His mouth twisted, reminding Selene of a jaded angel. “I’m sure it could be arranged.”
She was no match for him, should it come to a fight. Alexander Castor not only had the ability to travel, but he could fry all her internal circuits with a single thought.
“I won’t be looking out for your best interests this time around, Alex. You left me in a lurch when you abandoned me. Victor almost killed me then.” Ten years ago, Selene had wrongly believed Alex loved her, and she’d helped him escape her brother’s detection after he told her Victor was out for his blood. For the six months he’d hidden out in Greece, Castor had fostered her false belief with loving touches and honeyed words. Little did either know that Victor had found out about their liaison and was waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Only through the grace of the Goddess had they discovered his plan.
“I fully intended to take you to safety, Selene.”
“You’re a liar, Alex. You always were.”
He shifted closer, dipping his head until only an inch separated his mouth from hers. A hair’s breadth remained between them when the door opened and Preston stepped in.
“What the hell is going on here?” he demanded.
The smile on Alexander’s lips was triumphant, and savage victory shone in his cold, cruel eyes.
Selene’s heart shriveled in her chest. He succeeded in making Preston believe she was duping him.
Alex kissed her—hard. And before Preston could cross the room, he’d teleported away.
The fury permeating the air around her was thick, and it burned her skin. With resignation and a leaden heart, she faced Preston.
Chapter 22
“I promise you, Preston, this isn’t how it seems.”
Selene looked as if she wanted to cry, and it shredded Preston’s soul. He’d long been acquainted with Castor’s games and wasn’t surprised by this one, but she wouldn’t know it.
“Are you planning to betray me in any way, Selene?” he asked, carefully modulating his voice to remove all emotion.
The color of her irises darkened, and disappointment clouded her face. She seemed upset he’d asked. “It wasn’t my intent,” she returned crisply.
“Good.” His gaze snapped to her mouth. “Now, how about you gargle with antiseptic and wipe away Castor’s kiss while I go kill him?” he suggested on a falsely cheerful note.
“You believe me?”
Her incredulousness bothered him. In her shaky and unsure question, Preston witnessed the pain of her insecurity. He closed the distance between them and lifted her chin the small degree needed for their eyes to meet. “Of course I do.” He led her to the bathroom, and holding up a hand, he conjured a cotton wipe. Dragging it gently across her mouth, he said, “It still doesn’t mean I want his lips touching yours. Nor does it mean I want to kiss you right after he has.” He acted out gagging and grinned when she swatted his arm.
“I should tell you… Alex and I…”
Knowing he’d hate what she was going to say, Preston placed a finger against her lips. “Not right now. When we get through all this, you can tell me about your past, okay?”
“But it’s important, Preston.”
He closed his eyes and truly wanted to gag this time. “Go ahead. Tell me.”
“Before I met him, Alex worked for my brother. Not by choice, according to him, and he only got away by faking his own deat
h.”
“How is this relevant to you?”
“I met him on a business trip about ten years ago. I had no idea who he was other than some handsome man who appeared interested in me.”
Stomach ready to revolt, Preston nodded and drew her to the bed to sit down. “You had a brief fling.”
“More than brief. It lasted six months.” Her expression grew tortured, and she focused her attention on her fisted hands. “I loved him, and he led me to believe he loved me, too.”
She might as well have taken one of her balled fists and struck him in the face. The impact would’ve been the same. Dumbfounded, he stayed silent, waiting for her to elaborate.
“But it was all a lie. Alex used me to monitor my brother’s movements so he could stay off Victor’s radar.” She flexed her fingers and sucked in a breath. Lifting her head, she locked eyes with Preston. “He provided enough of the facts to sound sincere, and he convinced me we could both escape my brother’s reach. He had an elaborate plan, but in the end, it didn’t include me.”
“And Victor found out about it?” Preston asked harshly, already guessing the truth.
She winced. “Yes. I paid for it every day after. He made my life even more miserable than it already was.”
“What did he do to you, Selene?”
“Other than dismembering any man I cast a second glance at?”
“Jesus!”
She rubbed the spot between her brows and sniffed. “Those he didn’t hurt, he turned.”
“Turned? As in forced them to work for him?”
“Yes.”
“Wonderful.” Obviously, he meant the exact opposite, and Preston was seething on her behalf. What kind of tortured life had she lived through under Victor’s rule?
“I was attracted to Quentin when I met him in Greece. Perhaps he reminded me of Alex. I don’t know. But I’d have never truly started anything with him for the reason I didn’t want to see him become Victor’s enemy.”
“Also, he’s devoted to Holly,” Preston said dryly.