Page 26 of Cursed Sight
Serena waved a hand and revealed the ward meant to protect the entrance, and her eyes narrowed. “What the—”
“I’m going to take a guess and say you didn’t put that up there?” Ethan asked more than said, the warmth of his body seeping into her from behind.
“Yeah, no. Definitely wasn’t me.”
In place of her powerful protection charm a different phrase entirely. “Guess you’re not the fairest one of them all after all,” she read aloud.
“Guess that explains the tubar. I’m also guessing that whoever changed it,” Ethan said, pointing at the shimmering spell, “might have notified the tubar of the free-for-all.”
Serena nodded. “Mhmm… That’s what I’m thinking too.”
She “wiped” away the words before raising her hands and chanting a stronger, three-level spell to ward off intruders. The original spell had been intended to protect against demons and the like. The new one would also keep out the person who had inadvertently left a magical fingerprint when they wrote their snide remark.
“Do you know who did it?” Ethan asked.
Serena shook her head. “The magic is familiar, but no. They must have found a way to cover up their identity.” Serena shook off the imaginary dust from her hands. “There. That should do it. The new spell is tailored to include this magical imprint.”
Ethan cleared his throat. “Never piss you off,” he teased.
Serena turned her gaze on him and shot him a firm look. “No, I’d most definitely advise against that. Right now, the only person who could go toe-to-toe with me is your sister.”
“You’re a little spitfire, aren’t you?” His lips tipped up into a grin before he deepened his voice. “It’s pretty hot.”
Serena’s cheeks warmed at his compliment. The invisible thread tying them shortened another inch. She would not be able to keep up her guard much longer around him.
“I’d guess the tubar found it pretty hot,” she said back, pleased her voice did not give her real emotions away.
Ethan’s head fell back, and a booming laugh slipped free. The action removed a few years off him, and she could not help but admire his neck and the way his Adam’s apple moved. She continued staring until he composed himself.
His face sobered once the humor passed through him. “I have to say, smelling the tubar the moment I opened the door scared the shit out of me. I mean… I know you can handle one easily enough, but after those visions…” He shook his head and rubbed his cheek. “It’s pretty obvious someone is coming after you.”
Chapter 17
“What I want to know iswho?”Serena said, tossing her hands up in frustration. “I’ve pissed off my share of witches and magical creatures in my life. If I sat here and made a list, we’d be here for quite some time.”
Ethan closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her. Her arms hung limply for a moment before she wound them around his waist.Progress,he thought as he pressed his lips to the top of her head.
“We’ll figure it out,” he whispered against her hair. “How about I’ll go grab the trash bag you left for me and you clean up the mess the tubar made.”
She nodded against him before pulling back. Ethan cupped her face before she could walk away, and her green eyes met his. They were a bit brighter than their normal forest green. Unable to resist, he rubbed his lips against hers with light pressure, giving her the opportunity to object but taking a piece of her with him. The kiss was short, but the flush across her cheeks told him she was affected as much as he was.
Ethan dropped his hands without a word and moved around her toward the curtains. Upstairs, he found the bag by the door. He went into the kitchen to peer into the cabinet where she stored her tea, and he found it empty. With a satisfied smile, he made sure she had not forgotten any others.
He grabbed the bag and hurried back down the stairs. Serena walked in with a raised brow. “Let me guess. You first made sure I didn’t forget any.”
His face warmed at being caught, but he could only shrug. “I won’t apologize for wanting to keep you safe.”
Ethan’s answer seemed to soothe her annoyance. He carried the bag out the front and to the side where the dumpsters were. When he returned, he found her writing in a journal.
“Tell me where you buy your tea, and I’ll replace it,” he said, grabbing a spare chair and setting it beside her.
“Don’t you have to work?” Serena replied.
“I have to head out of town tomorrow, so I’m working from home today. Now, the tea?”
“Fine! I’ll show you because with my luck, you’ll buy crappy stuff.” Her head cocked to the side before her gaze lowered back to her writing. “You’re leaving?”
He’d almost missed her softly spoken words. “I am, and yes, I’d probably buy some brand you don’t like.” He held back his urge to reply with:Will you miss me?Instead, he told her, “I’ll be back in a few days.”
