Page 29 of The Mating Magic
I was afraid of this. It’s probably worse than werealized.
“He already has,” Lacey burst out. “That’s why Evie went to find him. She’s the only one who can talk sense with him and reason him. And get him to the swamp where the waters will restore hishumanity.”
Drust went still again. “How do you know about the magic in the swampwaters?”
Lacey said nothing, but her gaze darted to the locked cabinet containing recipes from the Book of Shadows. Drust strode across the shop and seized her by thejaw.
“This will not go well for you, Lacey. I lack the time to interrogate you. Find Chase and curehim.”
“And if I can’t?” She had to know the alternative, though Lacey suspected it would be much worse than she’d everimagined.
Drust dropped his hand, relieving the pressure on her jaw. “You had better hope that your sister can get him to the swamp, Lacey. For if she does not by midnight tonight, I will be forced to destroy Chase. Before he destroys anyoneelse.”
With a wave of his hand, the Coldfire Wizard vanished. But the chill of his words lingered long after, making her worrydouble.
Where was Evie and did her influence over Chase allow her to do as Drustasked?
Chapter 11
After the loving,Evie lay drowsing in Chase’s arms, watching the sunlight sparkle as it reflected off the turquoise pooloutside.
Their lovemaking had always been passionate and urgent, but now more so. She wanted to relish every moment with him, slow down time, for she didn’t know how much longer they hadtogether.
Once Chase was cured, they had to go their separate ways. Evie knew his family would never accept her once they learned she was partly responsible for his transformation, and nearly killing thetwins.
But for now, she only wanted to stay with him, cherish these quiet moments when the old Chase used to make her feel like the most important person in theworld.
He kissed the top of her head. “Are you hungry? I’m starved. Let me go downstairs and raid the refrigerator. Wantanything?”
Maybe food would help. No, it would only speed up his metabolism and make things worse. Somehow she had to convince him to take her to Lacey’s shop and then theswamp.
Evie sat up. “Let’s go flying. We can pick up food along theway.”
Chase gave her a doubtful look. “You never enjoyed flyingbefore.”
Thanks for the reminder.She thought quickly. “Because I can’t fly long and I tire easily. But if you carried me on your back as you flew, that would befun.”
“Wouldn’t you rather watch me go to Worth Avenue and open all the stores with my powers? I’ll freeze time so you can take all the expensive merchandise and shoes youwish.”
Her heart sank. “That’s stealing,Chase.”
A shrug. “Only from Skins. Doesn’tcount.”
The old Chase would never even consider it. “I’d rather go flying with you and see the sun set from onhigh.”
Leaning over, he kissed her. Chase cupped her left breast. “I’ll fly you anywhere you wish, Evie, as long as you stay withme.”
Oh, I’ll stay with you. But you’ll hate me once you realize what Iplan.
As they dressed, a door opened downstairs and voices called out. “Helen, Lynna? Are youhome?”
“Mama dearest,” Chase murmured, that eerie glow returning to his eyes again. “Comeon.”
Oh no. This was so not the time when she wanted to formally meet his parents. Forget about the fact they’d just had sex. Chase was clearly on a power high, his magick flaring like a neon light in thedark.
If his folks did or said the wrongthing…
“Chase, let’s just leave.” She pointed to thebalcony.
