by T. M. Cromer
When the glow faded, he lifted his lids to see the skin on Selene’s neck knitting together.
With tears in his throat and a gruffness in his voice, he said, “Thank you, my queen.”
“Take care of her, Beloved. She’s still weak.” Serqet touched a hand to his cheek and gracefully rose to her feet.
Preston was never more glad to have been wrong about anyone’s intentions in his life than he was at that moment with the Goddess. His gratitude would never allow him to view her in a bad light again.
Chapter 35
Inside, Damian could feel the Evil battling to break free from its invisible box. Time was of the essence now, and he looked down at Annabelle.
“You will control them from here on out. They will be your protectors.”
“What if they attack me like they did that woman?” Annabelle asked in a shaky, tearful voice.
“They can’t. With the transformation, I made it impossible for them to kill you or each other.” He touched a hand to her cheek. “I promise you will be safe from them or anything that enters this realm.”
She nodded but remained unconvinced.
Only time would allow her to understand the transmutation of their cells and the new makeup of their DNA.
“Come, child.” He drew her over to an outcrop of level rocks and ran the wand from one end to the other. The stone shelf turned mattress-soft. “Lie down, Annabelle.”
With a tentative look at the others, she did as he ordered. Damian bent over her and met her frightened eyes. He could sense the calming enchantment Preston had gifted Annabelle earlier was fading.
“When I breathe the smoke into your lungs, your instinct will be to fight. Don’t, or you’ll make it painful.” Placing his mouth mere inches above hers, he released the Evil from its prison and blew it into Annabelle.
Valiantly, she lay there, absorbing the thick black smoke as it filled her entire being. The irises of her eyes darkened to charcoal, and for a second, Damian feared they’d misread her mortal status.
The deities joined him at her bedside.
“Is it gone?”
He searched inside himself, unable to detect the intruder. “I believe so.”
“Isolde?”
His mother approached and placed her fingertips at his temples. He felt her probe. Felt her magic travel the length of his body and back. After a moment, she released him with a small caress of his cheek and stepped back.
“It’s gone,” she said.
The five of them joined hands and formed a semicircle around the ledge where Annabelle rested. With a few softly spoken words, Isis drew on the group’s magic and sealed the Evil inside Annabelle forever.
Set touched a finger to the girl’s third eye. “Sleep, little one. When you wake, the Evil shall be no more.”
Annabelle closed her eyes one final time with a breathy sigh.
“It’s done,” Isolde whispered.
Damian separated from them and strode to where the hounds had gathered. “There’s no magic left for you to free yourselves. You won’t ever grow old. Never hungry. But know, you’ll also never leave the Netherworld.” He met the gazes ranging from fearful to enraged. “Your one purpose is to protect that girl. If you attempt to harm her, you’ll pay for it with the dissolution of your flesh. Your cells will wither and die, causing you excruciating pain.”
The words “Salinger’s residual magic” caressed Damian’s mind. He thanked all that was holy he had the ability to read the others’ thoughts, because he never considered the fact Selene had failed to remove Victor’s power.
“Sorry to disappoint, Lin, but Selene will be taking care of it shortly. She needs it to teleport back.”
Selene was quick to understand and began the magic-removal process from Victor’s crumpled body.
The monster previously known as Zhu Lin curled back the skin over his three-inch fangs. Without betraying a thought to his intentions, he lunged toward Spring. The creature was mere inches away from her defenseless throat, and acting on instinct, the Aether raised a hand, twisting his wrist to magically snap its neck.
He’d felt no remorse for killing Lin, but he cursed under his breath at his new dilemma. He needed a fourth—one guard to protect the girl from each direction. It meant someone from their original party needed to be left behind.
Isolde stepped forward. “I’m prepared to take his place. I knew it was a possibility that they wouldn’t just accept their fate.”
“I’m sorry, Mother.” It felt as if his heart were dying as he looked into her tragically beautiful face. “I never intended for you to be a spare,” he said raggedly. “I didn’t think other than to save Spring.”
“It’s all right, my darling boy.”
They embraced, and all the words he wanted to say, all the apologies for believing the worst of her, lodged into his throat and didn’t allow him to speak.
“I know, Damian. I’ve always known I’d end up here,” she whispered into his ear.
He drew back with a frown. “I don’t understand.”
“I didn’t either—at first. The visions of this place drove the Evil insane. It was obsessed with finding more power to prevent this very thing.”
The knowledge flooded his brain. “Of course. In fearing its own demise, it brought about the very thing it was trying to prevent.”
“Exactly so.”
They hugged one more time. “If there were any other way, Mama…” He trailed off. They both damned well knew there wasn’t. All the others had loved ones waiting on them back home, and he could no more destroy their families than he could his own.
“I love you, Damian. I’m exceedingly proud of the man you’ve become.”
“Sabrina gave me a gift,” he blurted, hoping to prolong the moment. “She showed me our early years together. What you’d done to save the magical community. How much you loved father and me,” he ended on a croak. “I love you, too, Mama.”
“We are out of time,” Set called.
Damian kissed his mother’s temple, and removed the wand from his sleeve. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. In the blink of an eye, she transformed into the sleekest of creatures. Gleaming, silky black fur molded to her powerful frame. Her black eyes were the same, though. Love and understanding shone back at him as she bowed her head for him to remove the last of her magic.
As he removed it, he had the stray thought that perhaps by holding her magic close to his heart, she’d be with him forever. When he was done, he bent forward and brushed a hand along her neck. He silently promised himself that if he could save her when they came for Annabelle, he would.
“Goodbye, Mama.”
Later that evening, after Preston and Selene said the last of their goodbyes to family and thanked the Drakes for their hospitality, they teleported to Thorne Manor. Too exhausted to do more than climb the steps to the porch, they settled into the swing.
Selene curled up in his lap and rested the shell of her ear against the surface of the wide expanse of muscled chest, directly over his heart. The steady beat soothed her and chased away the horrors of the day. “Thank you,” she said softly.
“I didn’t do it for you, my love.” The sound of his deep voice rumbled in his chest.
She lifted her head and frowned in question.
“I did it for me,” he said simply. “I couldn’t bear your death under regular circumstances, but the idea of your soul obliterated in the Nether?” He shuddered. “I did it for me,” Preston repeated.
She smiled her understanding and lightly kissed him before snuggling back in her original position. “My heart aches for the child.”
“I know. Mine, too.”
Wearily, he urged her up and climbed to his feet. “I have a promise to keep to Annabelle.”
“Surely one more day won’t matter. What could possibly be so urgent?”
“A boy’s life.” He told her about the cancer and the family’s financial straits. “It’s best if I don’t delay. I don’t know how mu
ch time he has left.”
“Do you want me to go with you?”
“No, love. You’re still weak from the attack.” He studied her for a moment. “Are you okay? Mentally and emotionally?”
She toyed with the idea of lying, but decided only honesty should ever exist between them. “I’m not sure the nightmare of having my throat ripped open will ever go away. I think it ranks up there with a gunshot to the head, but I’m okay for you to go do what you must.”
His troubled eyes stared back at her. He saw too much.
Selene rose on her tiptoes and kissed him again. “Go,” she ordered with a light laugh. “I’m fine.”
Preston trailed his fingers over her cheekbone, down her face, and finally, touched the tender part of her neck. “This will eventually disappear.”
“Serqet said as much. I don’t care about scarring. Do you?”
“Not at all. It shows how badass you are.” He grinned, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“It was terrifying for us both, agápi mou. But we’re alive, and that’s what matters most.”
“I know.” He drew her close for a longer, more passion-packed kiss. Resting his forehead against hers, he released a tired sigh. “I’m finding it difficult to leave you right now.”
“I’ll be here when you return.”
Preston nodded and touched his finger to the tanzanite ring to activate the telepathy link. Selene was listening in and heard him call his sister. “GiGi, grab your medical bag and meet me in the attic of Thorne Manor.”
Other than to express concern, GiGi didn’t object, and within minutes, the three of them were gathered around the Thorne family grimoire.
“How do we cure cancer in a human?” Preston asked.
“It’s tricky, but it can be done. Spring should have the herbs I need.” GiGi shot him a mischievous grin. “The bigger trick is going to be altering the family’s memory.”
“What do you mean?”
“They can’t know witches exist, brother. We’ll have to put the parents to sleep, heal the boy, remove his memory, add the suggestion that their daughter is away at school, and then hope they all accept Brandon’s miraculous recovery.”
“We’re going to need a bigger boat,” he muttered.
Preston’s comment confused Selene, and she feared he was too tired to attempt any of what they’d planned. GiGi quickly explained her brother’s nerdy ways and his love of films.
“Jaws,” Preston said sheepishly.
Selene laughed at his embarrassment, thrilled to see the fun side of this imposing man.
He touched his ring. “Al. We need you on deck.”
Alastair arrived with little fanfare with Rorie by his side. “Fill me in so I can go back to ravishing my beloved.”
GiGi fake gagged as Preston said, “Eww. Ex-husband of the beautiful woman and brother of the ravisher here. I don’t need to think about these things.”
Selene laughed as Aurora drew Alastair’s mouth down to hers and kissed him with enough fire to light up the room. He wrapped an arm around her waist and grinned. “Should I tell them to find another sucker to help them, love?”
“No,” Rorie said pertly with a tap on his cheek. “That’s just a reminder to hurry things along.”
Alastair closed his eyes and groaned. “You’re such a tease.”
“Yes, and that’s where the fun is at, darling.”
With a snort, he released her. He was turning toward his siblings when he noticed Selene off to the side. His sapphire eyes became serious. “I’m sorry for what Victor did to you today, and I’m glad you pulled through. You complete our family unit, my dear.”
Tears burned behind Selene’s lids, making his handsome countenance blurry. She blinked rapidly to clear her vision. “Thank you, Alastair.”
“Come. Keep my sassy woman company while I assist these two.” With a sharp look at Aurora, he said, “She promises to keep her cattiness at bay.”
“I made no such promise, darling.” Aurora smiled at Selene. “But I have no reason to treat you unkindly. Let’s go have a cuppa and see if Winnie has made up more of her delectable cinnamon rolls, shall we?”
Selene purposefully kissed Preston before turning to follow Aurora. She hadn’t expected the light swat on her ass, and a meep escaped her lips. Spinning back, she glared, but he only chuckled and said, “We’ll be back shortly. If you want to shower and rest, have Winnie show you to my old room.”
Roughly four hours later, Preston returned to a silent house. He found Aurora downstairs in the kitchen, staring out the window over the farm sink.
“Rorie. Has Selene turned in?”
“Yes.”
“Why are you still here? Alastair should’ve been home long before now.”
“I wanted to talk to you, Preston.”
“If this is about how you treated Selene yesterday, I’m too tired for excuses.”
“No. No excuses. I simply wanted to tell you that I love you, and I wish you every happiness with her.” The soft smile made her alabaster skin glow. “She’s truly lovely.”
“Thank you.”
He hugged her for a long moment, thinking about how crazy and off course their lives had gone. In the end, it was all for the best, but he felt a momentary nostalgia for the days when their children were toddlers. With a sigh, he released her. “You’d better head home to my brother, or he’ll be back here annoying us soon.”
She pointed behind him, and Preston turned to see his brother lounging in the doorway, polishing off the last bite of his cinnamon roll.
“I don’t know why I’m surprised,” Preston muttered.
“You aren’t,” Alastair returned with a smirk. He pointed to his chest. “Empath.”
“As if any of us could ever forget. Take your woman and get the hell out. I need to sleep.”
“Is that any way to treat your favorite sibling?”
Preston laughed, scooped up a plate, and plopped a cinnamon roll on it. “Good night, Al.”
“Fine. I’m only giving you three days to hide away with Selene, then I’m coming back to annoy you. This past year has been abysmal.”
“For me too, big brother.” Knowing it would irritate him, Preston placed a loud, smacking kiss on Alastair’s cheek. Then, with an absent wave, he strolled from the room.
“Runt,” Alastair called out.
“Jerk,” Preston returned.
His brother’s laughter made him smile.
As Preston teleported to the hallway outside his old room, he sent a silent thank you to Isis, happy their family was together again and just as it should be. As he opened the door, Selene sat up. Her rumpled, sleepy appearance made him grin. But it was her welcoming smile and the light of love shining from her eyes that truly got to him. He didn’t know how he’d gotten so lucky as to win her heart, but he was damned glad he had.
“Come to bed, lover,” she called softly, beckoning him with a sultry look. His fatigue disappeared as his joy replaced it. He finally had his own happily ever after, just like Isis had promised.
Thank you for following the journey of my Thorne Witches series. If you’re like me, you don’t want to see them go away. Well, they’re not. Going away, that is. Some of your favorite characters will be woven into my new series, The Unlucky Charms, releasing this fall! Turn the page to read an excerpt of Piper Thorne and Cian O’Malley’s love story, Pints & Potions.
When the mighty Thorne pricks the heart of the Frozen, the end will be set in motion…
Sick of the unwelcome attention that comes with being a member of an extremely powerful family, Piper Thorne longs to escape her magical burden and live a mortal’s simple existence. On a whim, she adopts an alias and jets off to Ireland, where she stumbles into the path of the enticing rogue, Cian O’Malley. But she’s ill prepared to deal with the onslaught of emotions his wicked grin stirs up when he oh-so-casually turns up the charm.
* * *
A hardened, down-on-his-luck warlock, Cian O’Ma
lley is determined to change his family’s plight and restore their stolen magic. In the midst of his half-baked plan to woo the bewitching Piper, he finds himself in a death match with an old enemy who’s carrying a monumental grudge.
* * *
Before long, Cian discovers Piper might just hold the key to reversing a two-hundred-and-fifty-year-old curse. He only has to keep them both alive long enough to solve the riddle written in the O’Malleys’ ancient grimoire and convince Piper to trust him with her heart.
Order Pints & Potions
Chapter One
“You need to hurry up, Piper. You’re going to miss your flight. Although—”
“Don’t say it,” she snapped. She was currently lying belly down across the top of her overstuffed suitcase in an effort to make the edges meet. “I think I’m going to be over the weight limit.”
“Take everything out but the sexy underwear,” advised her cousin and best friend, Liz Thorne-Xuereb. “Or let me cast a spell to lighten the case.”
“I don’t have any sexy underwear.” Piper willfully ignored the spell comment. She’d be damned if she would use magic for anything she didn’t classify as an emergency. To do otherwise would be an abuse of power as far as she was concerned. Of course, her attitude wasn’t popular among her family, who used magic with the speed of a ravenous chocoholic consuming bonbons.
Damn, she could really go for some lemon-buttercream chocolates to temper her traveling anxiety right about now.
“At all?” Liz screeched, pulling her back into the conversation. Her cousin was clearly appalled that a single woman wouldn’t have the basics.
Heat crept up Piper’s neck. “Well, I do, but not packed. It’s Ireland, Liz. People dress in layers over there.”