Page 97 of Lunar Diamonds
The idea of my uncle’s trace powers blended with shadow magic wasn’t a fun prospect. Due to shadow grimoires being unreadable to non-shadow witches, we had nothing to go on. Erin had some knowledge of shadow magic she’d acquired over the years, but nothing to crack this. So, she made calls to the High Coven to see if they could help.
I shuddered as the sun set on the day, pulling on the black clothing April provided for the diamond mission. Combat trousers, beanie hat, balaclava—the works.
The lunar diamonds would soon be mine.
I sent positive vibes to Preston, willing my missing brother to come home. We had to find him, to be united against the rising tide.
Step by step, piece by piece, we’d all be under this roof. Drake had already begun helping Aaron with the search.
“The colors in the sky are amazing,” Drake said, standing at my balcony doors.
I pulled on my beanie, riddled with fear. “Yeah.” I glanced at the sunset orange, yellow, and red bleeding across the sky, finding no joy in it.
The pressures of my new life bore down on me with renewed aggression, and this uncle thing only made things worse.
I balled my hands into fists, remembering to be strong. Being afraid came with the territory. Fear kept a heavy boot on over-confidence. If I went into this whole thing believing I possessed brass balls, I’d soon trip up.
But why did fear have to come as a set of mean little jaws gnawing at my insides?
It’s not going to be dancing bunnies, is it?
Good. That sounded far too creepy for me.
Drake moved closer to me, placing a hand on my lower back. “Remember to breathe.”
I released a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. “Crap…”
He stroked me reassuringly. “I’m right here.”
Despite the licking heat coming from him, my naughty side took a back seat. He still tingled on my lips, the lingering taste of vodka and mint not enough to stir my desires again.
No sex before diamonds for us.
What were we doing here? Moving too fast, getting tangled up in our desires? Reason ringed my mind now, applying the brakes, helping me see a clearer picture without my cock in charge.
Yeah, I wanted him. No doubt about that. But slowing things down made the most sense. We’d only met yesterday afternoon, and that’d been tumultuous. Getting to know each other suited me much better. Anyway, this might only be a lust thing.
Ha! This denial bordered on comedy.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
I turned to face him, seeing glimmers of unease in his face. “About everything.” I went to take him by the hips, stopping myself.
What the hell? People who’d just met didn’t do things like that.
Oh, but they kiss, right?
Damn. I stepped back, my pulse too aggressive. “I just want this over with.”
“I know.”
As the sun disappeared, I gave myself to the full moon, the night sky clear again. Drawing down its energy, my bones humming, every inch of me alive with lunar power. It unknit the tension in my muscles, sharpening my focus, feeding me up like the best meal.
A lunar pizza. Ha! Imagine it.
I opened my eyes, juiced up and still afraid. “What a shame we have to go into those catacombs.”
Drake drew a shaky breath.
