Page 58 of Entranced
“Maybe I wouldn’t kiss you like that after five years,” she mused.
“Oh, yes, you will.” He took her arm and steered her into his cousin’s shop.
“Well, well …” Morgana set down a malachite egg she’d been polishing. She’d had an excellent view ofthe show through her display window. “Another few minutes of that and you’d have stopped traffic.”
“An experiment,” Sebastian told her. “Morgana knows about the case.” Even as Mel’s brows drew together, he was continuing. “I don’t keep secrets from my family.”
“There’s no need to worry.” Morgana touched Sebastian’s arm, but her eyes were on Mel. “We don’t keep secrets from each other, but we’ve had plenty of experience in being … discreet with outsiders.”
“I’m sorry. I’m not used to taking people into my confidence.”
“It’s a risky business,” Morgana agreed. “Sebastian, Nash is in the back, grumbling about unloading a shipment. Run along and keep him company for a minute, will you?”
“If you like.”
As Sebastian went into the back room, Morgana moved to the door and turned the Closed sign over. She wanted a moment of privacy. “Nash has gotten very protective,” she said, turning back. “He worries about me handling boxes and lifting inventory.”
“I guess that’s natural. In your condition.”
“I’m strong as an ox.” She smiled and shrugged. “Besides, there are other ways of maneuvering heavy merchandise.”
“Hmm” was all Mel could think of to say.
“We don’t make a habit of flaunting what we are. Sebastian uses his gift publicly, but people think of it as something one might read about in a supermarket tabloid. They don’t really understand what he is or what he has. As for me, the whispers and rumors are good business. And Ana … Ana has her own way of dealing with her talents.”
“I really don’t know what I’m supposed to say.” Mel lifted her hands, then dropped them again. “I don’t know if I’ll ever take all this in. I never even bought into the tooth fairy.”
“That’s a pity. Then again, it seems to me that a very practical mind would be unable to deny what it sees. What it knows.”
“I can’t deny that he’s different. That he has abilities … gifts. And that …” Frustrated, she let her wordstrail off again. “I’ve never met anyone like him before.”
Morgana gave a low laugh. “Even among the different, Sebastian is unique. One day, perhaps, we’ll have time for me to tell you stories. He was always competitive. It continues to infuriate him that he can’t cast a decent spell with any real finesse.”
Fascinated, Mel stepped closer. “Really?”
“Oh, yes. Of course, I don’t tell him just how frustrating it is for me to have to go through all manner of stages to get even a glimpse of the things he can see simply by looking.” She waved it away. “But those are old family rivalries. I wanted a moment with you because I realize that Sebastian trusts you enough, obviously cares for you enough, to have opened that part of his life to you.”
“I …” Mel blew out a breath. What next? “We’re working together,” she said carefully. “And you could say that we have a kind of relationship. A personal relationship.”
“I’m not going to intrude—overmuch—in that personal relationship. But he is family, and I love him very much. So I have to tell you—don’t use this power you have to hurt him.”
Mel was flabbergasted. “But you’re the witch,” she blurted out. Then she blinked. “What I mean is—”
“You said what you meant, aptly. Yes, I am a witch. But I’m also a woman. Who understands power better?”
Mel shook her head. “I don’t know what you mean. And I certainly don’t know how you think I could possibly hurt Sebastian. If you think I’ve put him in any danger by involving him in this case—”
“No.” Eyes thoughtful, Morgana lifted a hand. “You really don’t understand.” Morgana’s lips curved as her eyes cleared. It was obvious, beautifully obvious, that Mel hadn’t a clue that Sebastian was in love with her. “How fascinating,” she murmured. “And how delightful.”
“Morgana, if you’d just make yourself clear …”
“Oh no, I’d hate to do that.” She took both of Mel’s hands. “Forgive me for confusing you. We Donovans tend to be protective of each other. I like you,” she said with a charming smile. “Very much. I hope we’ll be good friends.” She gave Mel’s hands a squeeze. “I’d like to give you something.”
“It isn’t necessary.”
“Of course not,” Morgana agreed, moving toward a display case. “But when I chose this stone, I knew that I would want it to belong to just the right person. Here.” She took a slender blue wand attached to a thin silver chain out of the case.
“I can’t take that. It must be valuable.”
