Page 11 of Pure Magic
Four
ADAM
Sara Beth shifts from foot to foot, clenches and softens her fingers. The skin around her luscious mouth pinches then relaxes as she breathes deeply. Calm magic settles over the circle of stones.
I’ve never felt anything like the warmth of this magic, and I want to know what’s happening inside the woman. In my travels, I’ve met hundreds of witches and never longed to have the gift of mind reading. Sara Beth is different. I see calm flow through her, feel her magic tingle, and long to know what she thinks.
“Do you?” A soft, alluring voice fills my mind.
Startled, as the voice was not Sara Beth’s, I step back. “Who said that?”
Still calm and with soft features, Sara Beth opens her eyes. “I didn’t say anything. What did you hear?”
Had it been my imagination? I’m not given to hearing voices. “My mistake. It must just be nerves.”
She cocks her head, and again I wish I know what she is thinking. Probably that I’m a madman.
Inside me, the unknown woman replies, “She thinks a great many things and has a great many burdens placed upon her, but your sanity is not in question.”
I shake my head. “What is this?”
Sara Beth cups my cheeks. “What is it you’re hearing, Adam?”
Her skin touching mine is calming, like a warm bath. I don’t want her to stop touching me. “I heard a woman’s voice in my head.” Certainly, she’ll think I’m mad.
While her brows rise, she doesn’t look doubtful. “What kind of voice was it?”
I place my hands over hers. I want to be a part of the touching, and I don’t want it to end. “What do you mean?”
“Was it a voice from your past, like a memory?”
“No.” Despite my best efforts, being this close to Sara Beth stirs arousal within me. “I’ve never heard the voice before.”
“Did the voice threaten or frighten you?” Slipping free of my hands, she caresses my temples.
“That feels good.” I close my eyes and revel in her touch while my hands go naturally to her waist. “I wasn’t scared. Surprised, but the voice had a calming effect, and she seemed to know what I was thinking.”
Gently, she traces a path from my temples to my neck and soothes the tight muscles there. “What were you thinking?”
“That I wished I knew your thoughts.” I’m caught in the soothing strokes of her touch on my shoulders, and I relax.
“Did she tell you?” Her voice has an edge that wasn’t there a moment earlier.
Opening my eyes, I meet her gaze. “She said you carry a great burden, but no. She didn’t tell me what you’re thinking.”
Lowering her hands, she steps back. “Has Goddess never spoken to you before?”
“Goddess? You think Goddess is here with us and spoke to me?” I look around stupidly as if Hecate, Goddess of Witches, would care to appear before the likes of me.
“Goddess is most definitely here, Adam.”
The most musical laugh rumbles the air around us.
My heart pounds faster. “Was that her?”
Sara Beth nods, lowers her head in reverence, and steps back.
Terror rocks me off my feet, and I drop to my knees as the air shimmers with light, and the most stunning woman materializes into view. Her white gown flows around her as if blown by a light breeze, and her eyes are the lightest, most intense blue I’ve ever seen. “I am with you, child.”
