Page 42 of The Mating Frenzy
Gideon held out a hand, and touched her skin. An electrical tingling shot up her arm, not unpleasant. And then she blinked and before her stood the blond man who’d shown up at the restaurant with Kieran, only wearing plain trousers and a wool shirt, his hair much shorter andordinary.
“You’re the Gideon from the other night!” She rubbed her forehead. “What areyou?”
“I am the Crimson Wizard, a member of the Brehon, the ruling council over Others. You are very important to ourkind.”
Right. She felt as if she’d been immersed in some kind of weird video game where the worst things dredged from her mind came to life. She didn’t know how to eliminate them or what button to press to shut itoff.
But at least Gideon’s voice was kind and gentle. Maybe he could help. She pointed to Nellie. “Please, break the spell. Kieran said youcan.”
He sighed deeply. “Icannot.”
“What?” Kieran scowled. “Gideon, you can doanything.”
“Only you can save her, Ella, and break the ice spell. I am forbidden from aidingyou.”
“You bastard. You’re refusing to help.” Kieran fisted hishands.
The wizard’s body tensed. “I cannot help, Kieran. I warned you that this assignment came with dangerous consequences. If I even attempt to heal Nellie, the energy I will pour into her body will shock her heart too quickly. She must be healed slowly, with lesserpower.”
Like warming a person slowly with warm water. Too much heat could scald the skin. “Where can we find this magick?” sheasked.
Red flaming in his eyes, Gideon looked directly at her. “The power will come from you when you accept your magick and your duties,Ella.”
“I have no power,” she cried out. “I’m an ordinarywoman.”
“Now, you do not. But you are no ordinary woman.” Gideon touched her cheek and the tears on her skin dried. Warmth spread throughher.
Gideon nodded. “You have tremendous courage and strength, Ella. Trust inyourself.”
He looked down at the dead Tornakt. “I will dispose of this carcass for you, before predators sense it. But you know what you must do, Kieran. Everyone stand back. Kieran, move Nellie into the otherroom.”
He donned his gloves and gently picked up her mother, placing her on thesofa.
She wasn’t certain how this Gideon would “dispose” of the dead body, but raced into the living room. Darcy and Danica had fled into thekitchen.
The wizard flicked out his hands. Huge red flames shot from his fingertips, the heat so intense it made her eyes water. In a minute, the Tornakt was gone, reduced to a pile of whiteash.
“Better than an incinerator,” she murmured, awed by thepower.
Gideon gave a brief smile. Then he narrowed his eyes as he regarded Kieran. Darcy and Danica returned to stand nearElla.
“I must leave you. Even now, the energy I expended is attracting other predators searching for you. Take Darcy with you. She is a good fighter in a tightspot.”
Darcy looked at the wizard. “The goddess wishes me to stay with Ella? I don’t have a newassignment?”
Something flickered in Gideon’s gaze. “Not yet. Go with them, Darcy. You can provide extraprotection.”
Kieran growled low. “Thanks for nothing,friend.”
“I am your friend, Kieran,” Gideon said quietly. “I always will be, but there are limits to what I can do. Follow your heart and you will find theway.”
Stepping back, the wizard vanished. Ella stumbled backward, grief piercing her. “Thanks for nothing. This is terrific. Now what? How am I supposed to find this power he keeps insisting Ihave?”
“I’m here to help you.” Kieran touched her cheek, and even though she expected the leather covering his fingers to be warm, she was stunned it was icecold.
No wonder he didn’t want her touching her mother. With this kind of powerful magick, she suddenly realized her mother was fortunate to bealive.
“First, we have to secure your mother in a safe place where nothing can touchher.”
