Page 44 of The Mating Frenzy
Darcy meowed, and seemed to smile. Then the cat loped over to Danica’s IN box and began batting at the papers, shuffling themaround.
A much-needed laugh fled her. Oh yeah, Danica would be quite upset. She was obsessive aboutneatness.
Laughter and anger, two emotions that were better than grief. Fisting her hands, she paced the library. Once this had been a refuge for her, a place of study and peace. Now it reminded her of a mausoleum. Soon it would become one, unless she found a way to cureNellie.
Kieran emerged from the elevator. Darcy shifted back into a clothed woman and stood by the desk,waiting.
Kieran said nothing, only pulled Ella into his arms and held her. The hug felt soothing, as if she drew strength fromhim.
But he’d gotten her into his mess, she reasoned. All had been fine before he’d waltzed into her life. So she stepped out of his embrace, giving them distance. His expression becameguarded.
“Now what?” sheasked.
“Danica is below, still warding the archives. Let’s go. I bought us two plane tickets forFlorida.”
“Florida?” Darcy made a face. “Please don’t tell me the west coast of South Florida.Please…”
Kieran blinked. “Why?”
“Because that’s where Adrian lives now.” She turned to Ella. “He’s an alpha wolf who is hot forme.”
“Sounds…complicated,” Ella said, struggling to adjust to the idea that her cat not only had a human form, but could have relationship with awolf.
“If this Adrian is that interested in you, we could use his help. Check him out, where he lives and how large his pack is, but do not reveal why you are in Florida,” Kieranordered.
A sigh came from Darcy. “Fine. I can bediscreet.”
“Why Florida? Why not zap us to this magick land where this magick crystal is that will cure everything, Kieran?” Ellaasked.
“Sarcasm will not help, Ella. I’ll tell you why when we are driving to Denver. It is not advisable for you to stay herelong.”
When they were out on the parking lot, Darcy climbed onto her bike. She looked at Kieran. “Text me where you’re going and I’ll meet you there. I have stuff I need to wrap up at Ella’s house. Clean-updetail.”
“What clean-up?” Ellademanded.
Kieran wrapped a hand around her upper arm, but his attention focused on Darcy. “Use fairyfire.”
“What fire?” she criedout.
“I have to burn your house,” Darcysaid.
“No! My home? What kind of crap is this? I never asked forit!”
“You did not, but you’re in the thick of it now, Ella-mine.” Kieran rubbed her arm, a soothing motion that did not calm her. Every nerve endingjangled.
Her home, which she and Nellie had fought to keep against the bank foreclosing, against hungry realtors sniffing for a bargain. Now, destined to become soot andashes.
Ella yanked out of Kieran’s grasp. “It’s your home, too. You can’t do this,” she toldDarcy.
Her home, too? She was talking to her cat. Her cat, who was now a woman. Ella pressed two fingers to her forehead, hoping she’d blink and all this would vanish and she’d find herself sitting at a table, studying the ancienttexts.
Tried it. Nope. Kieran and Darcy still stood beforeher.
Darcy glanced at Kieran, who nodded. “I’m so sorry, Ella,” her cat told her, and she roaredoff.
She wanted to beat at someone, anything. “Why? Why are you doing this tome?”
He closed his eyes, long, black lashes nearly feathering his perfect cheeks. “I am sorry, Ella. Darcy will have the remainder of your clothing and your personal items couriered over to the library for storage. But everything else must go. The spectral trail of magick now in the house will bring in every nasty Other from here toKentucky.”
