Page 24 of Pike

“It’s magic, Pike.” She removed her hand from his arm and took a step ahead. “It would save my life. I wouldn’t have to look over my shoulder every day. I wouldn’t have to worry about my mother while I’m at work, relying on Internet wards to make sure she’s safe.”

“These spells are big magic. They may take something else from you. From someone you love. Would you risk your mother’s life for a spell to keep you invisible? You can’t even summon a vision to save your life.”

Her gaze hardened. “Don’t even say such a thing. You know I wouldn’t risk my mother for anything. I’d do whatever I can.”

“I’m just using her as an example.”

“Don’t you understand? I want to be able to walk outside without wondering who is going to attack me.” Her gaze fell on the necklace nestled against Pike’s chest. Sure, the cloaking spell was gone, but there had to be another way. What did she have to offer, to convince Pike to help?

Wasn’t he helping her enough? She was pathetic.

“This is why we’re working on it. Trust me, love. Whatever you think magic will do for you, it’s better to trust yourself. To know what you’re capable of doing. Don’t risk the consequences.”

She sighed, the sound full of misery. “I guess you’re right.”

“I’m always right.”

Lavinia let her irritated expression answer for her. They stepped through another storm drain. As far as she was concerned, the subject wasn’t completely dead in the water. She may be used to hiding and covering her rear end, but it wouldn’t always be that way.

They’d reached the ladder leading to the street. She stared at the grimy rungs with distaste.

“Another few steps and we’ll be up,” Pike said to her.

“The people on the streets are going to wonder what the hell we’ve been doing down here.” She ran a finger along the dirtied hem of her shirt. Not caring to look lower at the mess she’d made of her pants and lace-up boots. “I’m disgusting and I stink like something dead left in a dirty diaper in one-thousand-degree weather.”

“I’m sorry.”

His apology was less than sincere and left her feeling dirtier. So much for being supportive. The man needed sensitivity training.

“They won’t see a thing,” Pike continued. “The entrance has been charmed.”

“Go figure.”

“Here. I brought something.”

She watched him reach into his pocket and pull out a tissue. “Oh, gee whiz. You’re full of surprises.”

“It’s another spell. This one keeps the tissue clean and wet no matter what kind of dirt gets on it.”

“And you still say magic can’t solve my problems?”

“I’m a hypocrite. And this is small. Nothing large.”

She gratefully took the tissue from him and rubbed it on her face, hands, and arms. Anywhere her bare skin showed.

“Here, let me.” He took the tissue from her hand and ran it along the edge of her cheek. She stared at him while he helped clean the grime from her face. At that moment, she could have died happy.

Pike led the way to the surface, offering her assistance once he reached the top. Lavinia took hold of him and shrieked in surprise when he effortlessly pulled her through the storm drain, her feet landing on the asphalt. They stepped out onto the street and she turned toward him, raising her hand to her hair before letting it drop again. She drew in a deep lungful of cold air. It wasn’t enough to mask the stench from the sewers, but it helped.

“Thanks again. Even though you got me into this mess in the first place, you helped get me out, and I appreciate it.”

“My pleasure.”

Pike walked ahead down the street and Lavinia took a moment to stare at him. The confident sway of his hips back and forth. The way his jacket hitched over his shoulders and moonlight caught the tones of brown in his hair and turned them to burnished copper. Never had a more beautiful man been made under the sun, she knew. Just as she knew the devil was beautiful.

She went to step forward and found the air knocked from her chest when her boot caught. She glanced over her shoulder, her laces wedged along the edge of the opening. “Hey, Pike?” The faint echo of his whistle caught on the wind. She waved her arms to catch his attention. “My boot is stuck!”

“So get it unstuck.”

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